The Dual Monarchy of Astyria-Denishu

While once a great and might land, the Dual Monarchy has, over the years, sunken into decline due to a generally conservative Imperial Court as well as self-isolation from much of the affairs of the world, along with a general economic malaise from being continuously feudal into the modern age, having only just barely even reached the heights of semi-feudal coming into the 20th Century. It is a nation wracked now by ideological movements and nationalist separatist movements who are finished playing with it's police and are ready to take up arms and violently put an end to the ancient nation.

### The Nations of Astyria and Denishu and Their History

Astyria and Denishu are ancient nations, older than many others in the world by centuries if not millennia. To tell their history in totality would be too long. However, a brief summary is in order; Astyria and Denishu have always been intertwined in their fates, even when they were just warlords vying for dominance in the mountains and arid earth, and even once they were unified until singular governments. Once they dueled for dominance over the region, before finally their ruling houses were unified in a historic merger. However, what was once an equal relationship deteriorated over the years, as Astyria came to be more and more dominant and chauvinistic. This led almost directly to the modern day Denishuan Nationalist movements, which seek to leave Astyria and form a separate Denishuan nation. Despite the failure of Wang Ruogang's uprising just a few years before, the Denishuan Nationalists were emboldened by the Kyslevite Silk Revolution, which led to their seceding from the DM, and thus helped to form first the Communist Party of Astyria and Denishu, but also the separate Denishuan National Liberation Party, both of which are engaged in violent struggle to make Denishu an independent state. The Communists, meanwhile, find their base in the peasantry and rural workers, promising sweeping land reforms and committing violence against feudal landlords and debt collectors. They obviously formed the Communist Party, which seeks to bring their vision of democracy and freedom to the land, which they plan to achieve through the violent overthrow of the old society. They are well equipped by outside sympathizers, as well, proving ever more dangerous for the Dual Monarchy. It will have to do many things very fast if it is to survive into 1910 and beyond.

##### Culture

The Culture of Astyria and Denishu have gradually become intertwined, but have also remained separate in many ways. They share a similar religious pantheon-- that is, the religion of the Forsaken Gods. While Denishuans have something of an ambivalent opinion on the gods-- that is, that they exist and will grant boons or curses as they will, and can occasionally be influenced if you just talk to them rather than beseech them-- Astyrians hold the gods in utter contempt, and regularly curse and shame them in order to get them to undertake mortal will. Both believe that the gods age over time, and that the current gods are old and dying after a life of hedonism, drug use, and neglect, which has lead to the misfortune of the Dual Monarchy in the recent years. In 1912, it is predicted that they will die, and funeral rituals will be held as per the wishes of the gods. A thousand of the opium flower will be burned in every temple, in the memory of the gods, and the old statues will be removed and buried in the temple graveyards. In 1913, the new gods, as predicted by the ancient manuscripts, will take their place and a new century of good will begin, along with a new culture surrounding how to treat the gods.

In both Astyria and Denishu, a common piece of cuisine is the Rice Sandwich, which is, oddly, abhorred by many visitors from other nations. Perhaps a poorly prepared sandwich, made in a foreign kitchen, will be subpar, but the Rice Sandwich of Astyria-Denishu is quite the superb cuisine whether made by a peasant family or by a head chef, with a thousand unique possible variants regarding the rice, the buns, the seasonings, and other such add-ons. It is exquisite and every uncultured foreigner should try one for themselves.

Aristocratic and Landlord culture in Astyria-Denishu is generally quite abusive to those considered lower caste, but in recent years reformists have found their way into the Imperial Court and attempted to begin changing the culture to be less feudal.

Homosexuality is not legalized in Astyria-Denishu. In Astyria it is a semi-common practice but in Denishu it is not considered to be so.

Marriage for the lower classes is considered to be strictly monogamous, but a polygamous marriage is considered to be a privilege for the upper classes. Those in the lower classes caught practicing polygamy are subject to punishment by the laws of the region they are in.

##### Great Works and Wonders of Art and Architecture

One prominent piece of architecture, and naturally the most famous in the Dual Monarchy, is the 10,000 Li Wall, or the The Great Wall of Astyria-Denishu. It is an ancient series of defensive works, that is, mostly walls, which are mostly connected and run for some 20,000 Kilometers, with certain parts passing through Kustyria from before it seceded. It was originally made to defend the Empire from other warlords and kingdoms in the south who would periodically attempt to raid their southern frontier. During Wang Ruogang's mutiny and uprising, sections of the wall in Denishu were used by both the Imperial Army and Wang Ruogang's army to move troops quickly due to the otherwise complete lack of paved roads in the countryside.

Another great work is the Imperial Capital, Da Chengshi, which is renowned for being a work of art as a city. It is (too lazy to describe rn I'll come back to it)

### The Imperial Court And It's Aristocrats

##### The Unholy Baron Wonshu

What can be said about Him? He who, in 1907, rallied his band of fanatics against heaven and declared war on reality, on the institution of the passage of time? He destroyed clocks, killed watchmakers, and attempted to kill the Emperor himself before he was gunned down by the army along with all of his cultists. *But he didn't die he didn't die he lives he lives he* was crucified after events which have yet to be disclosed to outside nations rocked Da Chengshi to the point where the DM felt that, in order to be safe, they needed to split his skull with a woodcutting hatchet, pound a stake into his heart, and crucify him in front of the city gates. *But this was not enough no no no no it will never be enough the false emperor will fall heaven will collapse time will die time will be killed He will succeed don't you see don't you understand He Lives He Lives He Lives He Lives He Lives He Lives He Lives He Lives He Lives He Lives He Lives He Lives He Lives He Lives He Lives He Lives He Lives He Lives He Lives He Lives He Lives He Lives He Lives He Lives He Lives He Lives He Lives He Lives He Lives He Lives He Lives He Lives He Lives He Lives He Lives He Lives He Lives He Lives He Lives He Lives He Lives He Lives*

##### Sir Honorable Marshal Den-Lee

Hero of Astyrian-Denishuan Bureaucracy and Hot Beachbody Antihero of the Imperial Marines of the Dual Monarchy, Sir Honorable Marshal Den-Lee is a reformer in the Imperial Court of the Dual Monarchy. He believes that the Iron Heel is not a useful tool insofar as repressing the instability inherent to AD society. This does not, however, mean he is progressive; while he has his criticisms of the patriarchal and generally feudal and reactionary culture of the DM, he doesn't see them as bad because they hurt people, but more bad because they hold back the DM from it's full potential. He has plans, you see. Important ones. You'll all see soon.