Zardegy

**Zardegy** (pronounced Tsar-de-gay), officially the Grand Duchy of Zardegy (*Zard.* Grömsdeikauf du Zardeg) is a nation in Northeastern Enshelm, situated East of Ruheg, West of Volghevsky, and North of Corduroy. Zardegy operates as a federal semi-presidential and representative democracy under a constitutional monarchy, and is comprised of fourteen Federal States (*Zard.* Fordestådze), with varying degrees of autonomy. The capital of Zardegy is Neumansfarg (*Zard.* Njeümannsfarg) With a population of almost 140 million, and an area of over 900,000 square , the country is the second-largest population wise, and the third largest area wise in Enshelm.

Zardegy's climate differs regionally, but is generally temperate and seasonal, with the northernmost states of Hejbeurgståd and Jørgståd experiencing more severe winters and the Southwestern states of Lower Hœldreg and Schweizeg-Fahnholm experiencing warmer summers. Zardegy is predominately ethnically Zardigen, an Argonen people group descended from Eastern Rohens. While Zardigens descended from Eastern Rohens, the modern Zardigen identity has been greatly influenced by the Volgeys - from traditions to vernacular. This is especially rue for Zardigens living East of the Eldret River, which is often considered a sort of cultural border within the nation.

Many Zardigens in the Northern states of Hejbeurgståd and Jørgståd also have significant Helgen heritage, and ethnic Jorgeins are descended from the Helgens. The centuries-old House of Kåmphaus-Eldegaard can be traced back to the marriage between Willelm the Defender and Queen-consort Svena, a Helgen.

## History

Proto-Zardic tribes, such as the Freygars, Osgrens, Caeldons, and Adelfens emerged from Eastern Rohens occupying the Argen province of Farwald (named for Saint Franciscus) beginning around ~700 BE. After the collapse of the Argo-Cortriium Dominion in 1 BE following the Everten Concordat, the Eastern Rohens in the former province of Farwald existed as a loose confederation of petty kingdoms and dukedoms that spoke a dialect of Old Rohen, eventually evolving into the mutually intelligible Old Zardic language. Around this time, with most of the tribes sharing a common language, they became collectively referred to by the neighboring Rohens as the ‘Zards’ derived from the same Altriied word as the Argens - arge - which was originally a colloquial term which meant 'uncivilized' referring to the Argens, but later came to also mean 'disparate' or 'disorderly', referring to the administrative state of the region of Farwald.

The origin of the Zardigen nation began with the Principality of Velhus, founded in 570 AE, which soon incorporated most of the Zardic tribes at the time. By 719 AE, the town of Velhus, (modern day Veldefarg) and surrounding settlements had been captured by the Kingdom of Rohenau, later renamed to Welshaven in 826 AE. The state was granted autonomy under the treaty of Welshaven in 936, and fought alongside Rohen soldiers to conquer neighboring Volgey tribes for Rohenau.

The Rohen province of Welshaven, now roughly corresponding to the Zardigen states of Voloskie-Korzakholm, Eld Mattenheis, and Joszeim & Margaretrum, was comprised of several Zardic tribes which further amalgamated under Rohen rule into what historians regard as the beginning of the Zardigens. Around this time, the area, now incorporating much more than the original borders of Welshaven, became referred to as Zardegy. The first recorded use of the name Zardegy is from c.1040, in an account by Edra of Sinhof, a knight of King Laurents III Henrik.

It was also during this time that the early Zardigens in Welshaven adopted many customs from neighboring Volgey tribes, who served as their main partners for commerce. Many Volgey loanwords began to enter Old Zardigen, and religious customs began to influence Garedin religion across Welshaven.

In the 12th century AE, Welshaven was divided into three Duchies - Ardwahl, Helgeland, and Suttend. Willelm of Kamphaus, the Duke of the largest of these three, led a liberation movement to end Rohen rule over Zardegy, amidst growing political and religious dissatisfaction. After several years of warring between the Kingdom of Rohenau and Willelm's army, Welshaven was granted sovereignty in 1183 under the Treaty of Genung, and Willelm became the first among equals as the 'Grand Archduke of the Zards', with the consent of the other Dukes and Duchesses.

### House of Kåmphaus-Eldegaard (1183-1448)

In 1202, the Kingdom of Rohenau attempted to invade the newly independent nation, prompting the brief Rohen-Zardigen War. Under the leadership of Willelm II, son of Willelm the Valiant, Zardegy was successful in repelling the attempt at annexation, forcing Rohenau to ratify the Second Treaty of Genung, which granted the Grand Duchy of Zardegy more territory West of the Holst River in modern day Upper Hœldreg.

The House of Kåmphaus-Eldegaard was founded after Willelm the Defender made an agreement with the Frejar (Ruler) Hrogar of the Southern Helgens (who inhabited the modern day state of Hejbeurgståd) following a narrow victory in the Rohen-Zardigen War. The agreement guaranteed protection by the Helgens, who had themselves repelled numerous invasion attempts by the Rohens, in exchange for allowing the Southern Helgens to inhabit the Duchy of Helgeland in Northern Zardegy freely and Willelm marrying Hrogar's daughter Svena the White, forming the House of Kåmphaus-Eldegaard. This marriage caused tension within the existing system of nobility, as the Dukes of Suttend and Helgeland - especially the latter - felt betrayed. In 1209, the Duchess of Helgeland Frederika Hafgrim unsuccessfully waged a war for independence from Zardegy, ending in 1217.

For the next century, Zardegy remained at peace with surrounding nations, and its territory remained stagnant, roughly corresponding to the modern states of Schweizeg-Fahnholm, Eld Mattenheis, Jószeim & Margaretrum, Neumansfarg, and the northern half of Lower Hœldreg.

Over the course of the 13th and 14th centuries, Zardegy developed a system of feudalism which included upper nobility, who governed regionally with the consent of the Grand Archduke, a lower nobility which owned land and was often not determined by birthright but rather by appointment from the upper nobility, a middle-class comprised of artisans, merchants, and clerks, a military class divided between high and low-ranking officers and soldiers, and a peasant farming class. The Proclamation of 1278, issued by Karl III, reorganized the system of nobility, creating five separate Duchies, all of which formed a *Maeg Synnde* ('Great Council'), an advisory council for the Grand Archduke, which also curbed the absolute power of the monarch. Zardegy became an elective monarchy after the death of Karl III, requiring at least three-fifths majority of the *Maeg Synnde* to approve the next monarch.

The feudal system grew increasingly complex, but in general, peasants worked the land and were provided with sufficient housing and food by landowners (and, from 1326, a minimum one-twelth of profits divided evenly), members of the higher nobility, primarily Dukes, governed regions and were responsible for electing new monarchs, and members of the lower nobility were often appointed by higher nobility (usually from the middle class) and usually worked professional jobs and owned land and paid taxes.

In the 1350s, under Erik I, Zardegy began annexing duchies to the West - known as the 'Hœldreg duchies', all of which fractured from the original Hœldreg Kingdom in the late 13th century. From then on, Zardegy began annexing neighboring Volgey tribes to the East, such as the Grigors and the Kosckivs, earning Erik the name 'Erik the Conquerer'. By 1400, Zardegy controlled the territory roughly corresponding to the modern states of Neu Mattenheis, Voloskie-Korzakholm, and most of Ustfalden. The city of Fredefarg, now Karlonieg, was founded in 1394 and is today the third largest city in Zardegy.

The Cyric Movement also occurred in Northern Enshelm, which saw other traditionally GaredineArgonen societies such as Rohenau and Argewald embrace the Cyric Doctrine, causing a shift in culture and religious thought. The House of Kamphaus-Eldegaard, still the ruling house of Zardegy, tended to be very heavily influenced by the court of Rohenau, which had converted to Cyrism in the mid-14th century. Karl IV was the first monarch to convert from Garedism to Cyrism in 1333. For the first few years of his rule, he purged his courts of Garedin loyalists, which led to several uprisings lasting until the Treatise of 1349, which allowed the lower nobility of the cities to maintain their Garedin faith. The upper nobility, on the other hand, were compelled to convert to Cyrism. This was met with some resistance, leading to a brief succession crisis with the death of Erik the Conqueror in 1375. Erik's heirs were either devout Garedins or Cyrics, and the Maeg Synnde was unable to appoint a successor. Eventually, Federico of Estero, husband of Erik's youngest daughter, was chosen as he embraced a doctrine of Dualism, adhering to both the Garedin and Cyric faiths. He ascended as Frederik the Wise, and promoted a much greater religious tolerance than his predecessor. After Frederik the Wise, the upper nobility largely returned to the Garedin Doctrine.

During this time the Cyric movement generally did not, however, proliferate to the middle classes and peasantry, which continued to adhere to Garedin religion, although remnants of Cyric Movement are reflected in artwork and writings of the time. The Cyric Saint Klaudius University was founded in Prenzstrau in 1362, and is one of the oldest continuously operating Cyric universities in Northern Enshelm. Another such exception was the mid-15th century scholar Matilda of Fenster, who garnered a significant following of Cyric scholars in the city of Fenster.

Volgeys in Zardegy continued embraced the Doctrine of Laskar under the Volghelvic Pantheon, and were generally granted freedom to practice their religion outside of major cities, which prohibited establishing any Laskarin Sanctums. Nevertheless, many pogroms were committed against the Volgeys, including the burning and looting of Laskarin Sanctums.

Moreover, Volgeys in Zardegy were woefully underrepresented in both Zardigen culture and government despite comprising a growing segment of the population. This soon led to a burgeoning movement among Volgey soldiers, merchants, peasants, and scholars alike, which advocated for the appointment of more Volgey noblemen to the lesser nobility and coequal status of the Laskarin religion within the Easternmost Duchy of Ost-Willelmshauf, including the establishment of an official clergy and an exemption from tithes to the Garedin Church.

The ideology of the movement soon became known as 'National Dualism', referring to the proposed dual status of the Garedin and Laskarin Sanctums in the Duchy of Ost-Willelmshauf. Proponents of National Dualism supported the abolition of mandatory tithes to the Garedin Sanctum, guaranteeing Volgey serfs and laborers the freedom to observe and holy days in accordance with Laskarin liturgy, the establishment of an independent clergy. National Dualism gets its name from the concept of religious dualism, itself an emergent movement that supported an adherence to multiple Doctrines, both religiously and culturally.

Helgens, fearing similar persecution, gradually migrated out of Northern Zardegy into what is modern-day Hejbeurgstad with the formation of the unified Helgen kingdom of Galmjar in 1383. Helgen culture remained alive in Northern Zardegy, but restrictions were increasingly placed on freedom to practice the Ferothian religion - outside of the Northernmost Duchy of Helgeland, which was granted considerable autonomy.

It was also around this time that Akurans began to make contact with the Zardigens and introducing ideas from the Schools of Jeodo, Tsukage, and Danha, which influenced the theology of the time. Saint Brigitte Vans Aerd, one of the principal authors of the Fourth Vreloth, was inspired by Danhi and Jeodist monks.

### Volgey Uprising & The War of East & West

The National Dualism movement resonated with many Volgeys in the Duchies of Ost-Willelmshauf and Frederikshauf. Since the time of Rohen rule, the Volgeys in the region had been gradually converted to the Garedin Sanctum, but retained their centuries-old traditions and beliefs in the Laskarin faith. As a result, many viewed National Dualism as a solution that would allow them to practice both the Garedin and Laskarin faiths, which were viewed as wholly compatible.

Along with religious freedom, National Dualism became associated with greater equality for Volgeys, both lower and middle class, including shorter working hours for Volgey peasants to be more in line with their counterparts in the Western Duchies, a lower tax on goods sold in Volgey markets, and the elevation of more prominent Volgey families to the nobility (which typically required them to *Zardigenize* their names and renounce their Laskarin faith).

The most prominent leader of the National Dualist movement in the early half of the 15th century was Yurin Cheryk, a Laskarin priest, philosopher, and alchemist from Frederikshauf who settled in Fredefarg. Others included Milena of Belad, a courtier and heiress to a shipping company in Fredefarg, and Stefan the Bold, Graafen of Eleksvag. Jószef Korzak was a latecomer to the movement; a peasant born half-Volgey who became a prominent military officer in the Leskovak War and earned himself the title of the Graafen of Vabrey in 1432.

Korzak became somewhat of an emissary of National Dualism, spreading its message among those who served under him in the militia. He hosted a meeting of National Dualists in Vabrey, where they celebrated a traditional New Year's Festival in 1435. This caught the attention of Korzak's superior Commander Siegfred Achen, Mark of Oln, who reprimanded Korzak for his association with National Dualists, and attempted to remove him from his title and land. The Duke of Ost-Willelmshauf objected however, much to the chagrin of Achen.

Korzak and Milena of Belad were convinced there was a peaceful means to achieve the goals of National Dualism, while Cheryk and others maintained that an uprising was the only means. Korzak made multiple appeals to the Duke of Ost-Willelmshauf, Johan V for reform, all of which to no avail. When Johan died in 1439, he was succeeded by his niece, Erika IV, who was more sympathetic to the National Dualist cause.

Commander Achen, however, was staunchly opposed to the National Dualist movement, and by extension the ascension of Erika IV. When she soon fell ill in late 1441, Achen and his army seized power in the Duchy. Soon after, he ordered the execution of National Dualists, including Cheryk, who was captured and executed a few months thereafter, in early 1442.

Korzak and Milena of Belad fled with a large battalion of men to the city of Eleksvag (modern day Mariaat). The persecution of Volgeys by Achen, acting as military governor of the Duchy, sparked a full-fledged revolt in the city of Fredefarg, known as the Volgey Uprising. It soon spread out into the surrounding regions of Ost-Willelmshauf, and, by 1444, to the Duchy of Frederikshauf. Korzak, along with the Graafen of Eleksvag Stefan the Bold, Milena of Belad and other National Dualists, wrote the Eleksvag Resolution later that year, addressed to Grand Archduke Karl-Matthias I, calling for the arrest of Achen, greater rights and freedoms for Volgey serfs, and the establishment of an official, coequal Sanctum of Laskar in Fredefarg. Karl-Matthias I flatly rejected the Resolution and responded by sending 4,500 militia to Ost-Willelmshauf to restore order.

Achen, perceived the militia as an overreach by the Grand Archduke, and attempted to prevent the Grand Archduke's militia from entering the city, which led to a series of skirmishes between the two sides. Soon after, a loose militia of Volgey peasants and merchants overran and took control of the city over the course of the next few months, dispelling both Achen and the Grand Archduke's army.

The Volgey Uprising was led by Petrys Cheryk, nephew of Yurin Cheryk. Korzak himself had amassed a militia totaling more than 12,000, which he used to march towards the nearby capital of Veldefarg to demand an audience with the Grand Archduke. Upon arriving in the city, Korzak surrounded Dahlstrom Palace, the residence of the Archduke, only to learn that Karl-Matthias I was currently away, residing in his Summer residence at Verbrok, allowing Korazk to easily secure control of the city. Some historians regard this as the beginning of Korzak's reign, but he had not yet deposed the monarchy, nor had he intended to.

Inspired by the Volgey Uprising, a similar phenomenon was happening on the other side of the country, where Erikar Grumark (born 1395), a petty noble and military officer was arming serfs, craftsmen, and traders in the Duchy of Kristoffdom for an insurrection against landowners, with the goals of securing greater rights for serfs, reforming the Garedin Doctrine, and creating more accountability for the upper nobility. Grumark had been in correspondence with Korzak and Cheryk since at least 1440, and had supported the National Dualist cause since the beginning.

The military leaders of Karl-Matthias I struggled to suppress both uprisings at once, and over the duration of the next three years, Fredefarg, Eleksvag, and the Western cities of Danholz and Prenzstrau fell under control of revolutionaries, whom became collectively referred to as the 'Peasant Army' (*Middle Zard.* Bauhndeleg) - despite being an eclectic army of merchants, soldiers, low-ranking military officers, artisans, clerks, scholars, and many other groups who were disgruntled with the monarchy.

The Bauhndeleg was, in reality, comprised of two distinct armies, one in the West, led by Grumark, and one in the East, comprised of National Dualists led by Cheryk and Korzak.

From Newyear 1447 to Bloom 1448, the Bauhndeleg engaged in numerous battles with Karl-Matthias I's forces, culminating in the Battle of Verbrok, where Karl-Matthias I was defeated and fled to Cordeum in exile. The conflict became known as the War of the East & West.

While it was known that a successor to the crown was needed, the leaders of the Bauhndeleg failed to agree on who it should be. Most of the Dukes and Duchesses vehemently opposed the reforms of both the Bauhndeleg and the National Dualists. So, it became apparent that the next Grand Archduke would need to come from the lesser nobility.

To avoid a succession crisis potentially escalating into further conflict, both sides of the leaders of the Bauhndeleg agreed to appoint Korzak as the interim leader, as his army continued to control Veldefarg. Korzak initially was not a monarch, but rather styled himself merely as a Regent. He was personally opposed to the idea of the monarchical lifestyle and customs, and accordingly chose not to live in Dahlstrom Palace.

While Korzak had successfully established order and implemented reforms in Veldefarg, he struggled to assert authority outside of the city, with Grumark serving as the de facto leader in most of the West with the consent of the Dukes, and Cheryk serving as the de facto leader in Ost-Willelmshauf. In early 1450, Johanna, Duchess of Karlshof, attempted to march on Veldefarg, seeking to secure the crown for herself. Korzak's army, however, defeated and arrested her within a month. Cheryk and other National Dualist leaders pressured Korzak to sentence Johanna to execution for treason, and declare her supporters, including Grumark and the Western half of the Bauhndeleg as enemies of the realm. Korzak reluctantly agreed to sentence Johanna, but refused to declare the Western half of the Bauhndeleg as enemies.

In 1451, Cheryk presented an ultimatum to Korzak, to consolidate his authority or Cheryk threatened to march on Veldedfarg and oust him. Korzak responded by calling a meeting in Dahlstrom Palace of many leaders of the Bauhndeleg, including Cheryk, Grumark, Milena of Belad, Stefan the Bold, and the Dukes of the Western duchies, in what would become known as the 1451 Convention. After four months of deliberation, he Convention offered the crown to Korzak, on the condition that the other members would comprise a council to replace the Maeg Synnde. The Dukes and Duchesses of the severely weakened and indebted from the War of the East & West, agreed to support Korzak's ascension on the condition that no new taxes were levied, and the Bauhndeleg would be disbanded, in exchange for the Duchies agreeing not to levy any militias against Josef I.

Korzak, who held little ambition to become the monarch, reluctantly accepted and ascended as Josef I on 6 Twilight 1452.

### The First Reign of Absolutism

The council established from the 1451 Convention soon began to deteriorate under Josef I. Grumark died in early 1453, and Cheryk was appointed as the Regional Governor of Ost-Willelmshauf in place of a Duke, and returned to Fredefarg . Similarly, the Dukes and Duchesses of the Western Duchies expected to rule with similar autonomy. However, Korzak soon saw the need to consolidate his power to avoid for the sake of the realm. When Martha I, Duchess of Vetst-Willelmshauf, died in 1455 with no heirs, Josef appointed Stefan the Bold as the Regional Governor. This left only two Duchies, Helgeland and Fahnholm, with reigning Dukes.

While the Bauhndeleg had officially disbanded, many of the middle-class and serfs continued to form local militias which remained loyal to Josef and were largely supported and financed by members of the lesser nobility. In 1456, Karl the Short, Duke of Fahnholm, attempted to form his own militia to enforce his policies amidst a wayward lesser nobility. In response, an impromptu militia marched to Prenzstrau (the capital of the Duchy), to oppose the action. Karl, being outnumbered nearly 8 to 1, was quickly arrested by the impromptu militia and imprisoned in Fort Vetsten, where he died just three years later. The lesser nobility, in conjunction with Josef I, appointed the Graafen of Prenzstrau, Henrik Soldor, as the Regional Governor.

With nearly all of the Duchies now being governed by Regional Governors who were, at least ostensibly, loyal to Josef I, he issued a series of Proclamations in 1458, which instituted many of the reforms of the National Dualists and Bauhndeleg. Many of the Regional Governors, however, did not agree with all of the reforms, and only implemented them in a piecemeal fashion.

Recognizing this lack of cohesion, Josef I established a National Army to organize the hundreds of local militias, and issued a mandate to enforce hisreforms. Regional Governors who refused to implement the reforms were ousted by the National Army and replaced. The National Army remained fiercely loyal to Josef I during the early years of his reign, allowing him to establish near absolutist rule in what became known as the First Reign of Absolutism. During this time, all of the former upper nobility ceased to exist with the exception of the Duke of Helgeland, and were replaced by Regional Governors answerable to Josef directly. The lesser nobility were permitted to keep their titles and lands, and tolerated this arrangement due to Josef's promises of reform.

The reforms of this period include the aforementioned establishment of the National Army - the first standing army in the country's history, the enactment of many National Dualist ideals, moving the capital to Eleksvag, and the appointment of more Volgey nobles to the lesser nobility. Notably, Josef did not institute nearly all of the rights and freedoms for serfs that were originally promised. He did, however, promote policies favorable to the middle-classes and that encouraged social mobility, including the expansion of civil service and public education.

Contrary to dualist ideals, however, Josef enacted many harsh and oppressive policies against other, non-Laskarin religious minorities. Cyrics and Ferothians, which previously were permitted to establish and maintain independent Sanctums, were generally prohibited from doing so under Josef. Several peasant revolts were suppressed during his reign, gradually turning the National Army against him.

From 1466 - 1469, Zardegy fought in the Third Rohen-Zardigen War against the Rohen Empire when they attempted to annex land in Western Zardegy, which ended with the Treaty of Danholz, ceding the Fahnholm to Zardegy at the cost of most of the territory of modern day Upper Hoeldreg. This agreement came at the cost of high causalities for both sides.

Increasingly, the lesser nobility and the National Army both began to lose confidence in Josef's rule, owing to the losses in the Third Rohen-Zardigen War, a lack of any checks to the absolutist system of Regional Governors, and his reneging of promises for reforms for the lower classes. Furthermore, Josef had originally vowed not to establish a dynasty, but many suspected that he was planning to declare his daughter, Josefin, as his successor.

Some of the remaining members of the House of Kamphaus living in exile, now in Rohenau, started to garner the support of the lesser nobility, and a conspiracy began to form to replace Josef I with Karl-Matthias I's second cousin, Karl-Matthias II, as Grand Archduke. This conspiracy culminated in Josef's assassination in 1472 at his residence at his Eleksvag Residence, by what is known as the "Party of Five" - referring to the alleged five people who assassinated him, all of which had separate motives but nonetheless supported Karl-Matthias II's claim to the throne.

Korzak's legacy is widespread throughout modern Zardegy. The region of Korzakholm is named for him, where his former estate at Vabrey is located. It is a common misconception that the modern-day state of Joszeim is named for him as well, when it is actually named for Margaret I's consort Josef.

Korzak's legacy is ambiguous - he is sometimes viewed as a national hero, a great military leader, a reformer and an icon for Volgey Zardigens, and is sometimes viewed as an oppressive ruler who neglected to implement all of the reforms he had promised.

### The Partition (1496-1512)

Following the assassination of Josef I in 1472 by members of the nobility loyal to the House of Kåmphaus, Karl-Matthias II was crowned Grand Archduke in 1472, which saw the restitution of the upper nobility. The reforms of Josef I remained largely in place - a system of feudalism still persisted, albeit one with greater social mobility and an burgeoning middle-class.

Later during Karl-Matthias II's reign in 1493, Zardegy would be invaded by a coalition of forces consisting of the Great Lezek Republic (Alegian State), Rohenau, and Koskivichy in the Alegian-Zardigen War. Within three years, Zardigen territory would be reduced to the capital of Veldefarg and surrounding areas, the Southeast of Helgeland and the Northwest regions of Vetst-Willelmshauf, with Rohenau annexing the Western regions, Kosckivichy claiming the Eastern, and the Great Lezek Republic claiming the Southern. This annexation, led by the Supreme Counselor of the Great Lezek Republic and self-proclaimed 'Empress of Southern Enshelm' Alexia Vitalea, would come to be known as the 'Partition', and was part of Vitalea's greater conquest, known as the *Prodrom,* named for the Divine of War and Peace Prodema.

The conquest ended in 1496 with the signing of the Treaty of Eleksvag, which appointed Theodoros Palegos, brother-in-law of Vitalea, as the 'Provisioner' of Alegian Zardegy, with the authority to essentially overrule any decision by the Grand Archduke. Palegos' rule drastically upended the social order in the Alegian-controlled Zardegy, introducing an inheritance tax on the nobility, a tax on commerce for the merchant class, representative municipal governments with direct election of Graafens, secularzation of universities, and the alignment of the Southern Garedin Sanctum with Unitarian doctrine.

The other territories of Zardegy, those controlled by Rohenau and Kosckivichy and the territory that remained sovereign, did not experience the same reforms, but many of the Alegian ideas disseminated throughout them during this time. Palegos would die in 1507 and not be replaced, although the Partition would last for five more years.

Several Lezek schools, arthouses, opera houses, government buildings, and many other institutions were built especially in the region of modern-day Ustfalden, which at the time was a frontier for Zardegy. The city of Neopolin, now Neupul, was founded in modern-day Ustfalden in 1501. It has retained an easily recognizable Lezek influence ever since, even boasting a statue of Vitalea and Palegos in the city center.

The Partition would come to a mostly peaceful end in 1512 when Lezek troops withdrew from the region amidst a declining empire elsewhere in the continent, and Erik II's army reclaimed it. The region controlled by Rohenau was restored in the Second Treaty of Danholz in exchange for Zardegy's alliance against the Great Lezek Republic, and the appointment of the Rohen-backed Henrik IX of the House of Endtland as the heir to the throne. The Kosckivic region would not be restored until the War of 1520 against Kosckivichy, which ended with a concise victory for Zardegy. Some of the territory formerly belonging to Zardegy remained under Koskivic rule, however.

### The Veldefarg Accords

 Karl-Matthias II died in 1505 during the Partition and was succeeded by his younger brother Erik II, along with his co-monarch Sofia II, who saw the return of most of Zardegy's former territory. The system of upper and lower nobility was severely disrupted by the Partition, which introduced many new, liberal ideas. Erik II was opposed to ending the system of feudalism, but, in order to avoid insurrection, expanded the privileges and rights of the both the middle and lower classes. Erik II was particularly hesitant to adopt any sort of constitution limiting his own authority. He did, however, establish many elected offices for the lower nobility. He would die in 1518 and be succeeded by his son-in-law Henrik IX of the House of Endtland, a cadet house of the House of Geldhoff, the reigning house of Rohenau. Henrik IX took the Zardigen name Karl-Matthias III.

Karl-Matthias III would earn the name 'the Reformer', as he greatly extended the middling reforms of his predecessor. Very early into his reign, Karl-Matthias III agreed to the adoption of a constitution in 1520 at the behest of both the upper and lower nobility. The constitution was in fact not a single document, but rather a series of agreements referred to as the Veldefarg Accords, which phased out all feudalism - including the emancipation of all serfs by 1530, and the guarantee of rights for freedmen and debtors. The system of upper nobility, formerly consisting of six separate Duchies further divided into Marches, with major towns and cities being ruled by Graafens. The Veldefarg Accords reconstituted the country into eight separate Duchies, divided into approximately 93 Marches, and nearly doubled the number of Graafens from 39 to 74. It also created new crownlands, directly administered by the Grand Archduke and ruled by an Erz/Erze.

The Accords also established a legislature - the Chamber of Magnates (*Middle Zard.* Kambuhr deu Magenäat) comprised of regional Magnates from the lower nobility, who were appointed by the upper nobility. One-fourth of the seats of the Chamber of Magnates were elected directly and included non-noble members of the middle-class, and one-eighth included members of the Garedin clergy. The Chamber was headed by the Grand Magnate, who was selected by the Grand Archduke.

The Chamber quickly split into various factions, with those favoring greater parliamentary authority and representation, including for freedmen and laborers, and other factions favoring a return to tradition and maintaining the privileges for the nobility. Karl-Matthias III was wary of disbanding the nascent Chamber, and only called for two elections during his 17 year-reign. Erik was succeeded by Benedikt II, who was largely apathetic towards the Chamber during his short 7 year reign, before he fell ill and the upper nobility unanimously decided to revoke his claim to the throne and tender the crown to his daugther, Margaret I - being the second and last time in Zardigen history.

Margaret I ascended to the throne in 1542 upon the death of her grandfather the Reformer, and served as the first female monarch of Zardegy. She was the the daughter of Grand Archduke Benedikt II and Princess Josephine of the Cordien Kingdom. Because of her Cordien mother, she was detested by many of the Chamber, but was generally admired by the populace for her liberal and populist tendencies. Unlike her father, Margaret was much less hesitant to disband the Chamber and call for elections. Her 1544 Proclamation of the Governed greatly expanded suffrage, including to guilds and smaller landowners by substantially lowering the wealth requirements. This led to the emergence of the Proclamists - one of the two major factions during this time, along with the more conservative Courtiers.

Margaret's reign is regarded as the height of the cultural *Florescense* in Zardegy, aided in large part by the Exegesis of the Tomes of Garedon by religious scholars, especially in the city of Benedikstagg. Despite support from the Proclamists, her reign was characterized by near constant opposition from many in the Chamber. Also opposed by the Chamber were her attempts to emulate the neighboring Cordien Kingdom - Margaret was a Dualist who practiced both the Doctrine of Garedon and of Cyres. Most opposition came from Courtiers, who opposed her reforms to the Chamber, but many Proclamists criticized her rule as well. Additionally, republicanism grew more prevalent during Margaret's reign, and a considerable segment of Proclamists in the Chamber began to support the movement, despite any formal republican faction being prohibited. In 1557 and 1562, Margaret ordered the arrests of many Magnates harboring republican sympathies, and disbanded the Chamber on multiple occasions.

On 20 Fervor 1568, Margaret was assassinated by a group of seven or eight radical republican Magnates in Thedor Palace, leading to the Succession Crisis of that year.

The reign of Erik II, Karl-Matthias III, and Margaret I is often considered a part of the greater Florescence in Enshelm.

#### Zardigen Commonwealth (1568-1573)

Margaret I was heirless, with the upper nobility unable to agree upon an immediate successor. The original successor, Margaret's nephew Ludiweg I, Duke of Lower Hoeldreg, was declared her successor only a few months prior, and had died just a few weeks before her assassination. The Veldefarg Accords stipulated that, if an immediate successor was not declared, the responsibility would befall all members of the Chamber of Magnates. For most of a year, the Chamber was unable to agree upon a successor, and many of the republicans were vying for the formation for a new, republican government. While the radical republicans responsible for the death of Margaret I were executed, many still favored the idea of a republic.

Viktor Jószef Korzak, Mark of Vabrey, Grand Magnate of the Chamber, and great-great-grandson of Josef I, garnered the support of other Magnates of the Chamber, who voted to declare him the National Leader, or 'Känzleder', an office that was intended to be elected, pending the official adoption of a constitution and establishment as a republic. The Courtiers vehemently opposed this measure, and as such were expelled from the Chamber. The more moderate Proclamists, who still favored a monarchy, retained their seats in the Chamber.

Fearing a civil war with the Courtiers, Viktor Korzak called for a new election in Fray of 1569 in Karlonieg, allowing the Courtiers to return to the Chamber. After nearly a year of deliberation, and many fruitless meetings of the Chamber, the Chamber agreed to appoint Erik III, grandnephew of Margaret, as her successor. With Erik III only being 17 at the time, however, it was agreed that Korzak would continue to serve as the National Leader. Many members of the Chamber, Proclamists and Courtiers alike, assumed this compromise was merely a temporary means to avoid a civil war, and was inevitably going to collapse. Yet, in 1573, on Erik III's 20th birthday, Korzak relinquished his title of National Leader to allow for his coronation, in what is sometimes called the "Miracle of 1573".

As leader, Viktor Korzak is perhaps best remembered for continuing Margaret I's reforms to the Chamber, and further guaranteeing the rights of religious and ethnic minorities. The Kingdom of Klefhauser-Hoeldreg, the last of the Hoeldreg kingdoms, was also annexed diplomatically by Zardegy under Korzak.

Part of the agreement reached by the Chamber was that Erik III would marry Helena Sølveg (also referred to as Helena Silverhair), the heiress of House Sølveg, the largest remaining cadet branch of the former House of Kamphaus, and become a member of House Sølveg. Helena and her family had many connections to the Chamber, which the Chamber believed would solidify their authority.

### War of Succession & Second Reign of Absolutism

Erik III was succeeded by his younger brother Frederik II in 1611. During Frederik's reign, the Forty Years' War began in 1633 between the Kingdom of Volghevsky and the Fourth Altriied and Rohen Empires, with Zardegy remaining uninvolved initially. Zardigens in Eastern and Southern Zardegy generally supported the Volghelvic Empire, while Western Zardigens the upper class were generally supportive of the Rohen Empire's plight to defend the Altriied Empire.

In 1644, the Vingar Pact (named for the city of Viingeri near the border between Zardegy and Volghevsky) was a militia formed by Zardigens in the crownland of Johanland (modern day Ustfalden) who supported the Volghelvic Empire in the conflict. The nobility of Johanland sought to acquire new sources of raw materials and exclusive trading privileges in Volghevsky, and many wealthy middle-class supporters of republicanism and Unitarianism viewed it as an opportunity to strengthen their position against the Zardigen crown. Volgey Zardigens supported the Vingar Pact in solidarity with the Kingdom of Volghevsky. As such, the Vingar Pact quickly garnered widespread support across Eastern and Southeastern Zardegy.

Princess Astrid, Duchess of Frederikshauf and daughter of Frederik the Old, came to be known as Astrid the Audacious after she was discovered to have been conspiring with the Vingar Pact, hoping to escalate the unrest to seize the throne for herself.

The Vingar Rebellion began in 1650 after Frederik the Old elected to send a limited expeditionary force in support of the Fourth Altriied Empire. Members of the Vingar Pact vehemently opposed the decision by the monarchy, and began a prolonged rebellion, led by Astrid the Audacious. When Frederik the Old fell ill in 1655, Astrid challenged the ascension of Kristoffer to the throne. Frederik passed away in 1656, and Kristoffer's ascension to the throne began the twenty-eight month long War of Succession, which forced Kristoffer to flee the Dahlstrom Palace in Fervor of 1656, allowing Astrid to temporarily claim the throne. The throne was later reclaimed by Kristoffer in Twilight of the next year, however the war continued for several more months until Astrid was captured and executed in late Fray of 1658, and the Vingar Pact was disbanded soon after. The conflict was termed the 'War of Succession', occasionally known as the 'First Zardigen Civil War.'

After the War of Succession ended in 1658, Kristoffer made the unpopular decision to again send more forces in support of the Fourth Altriied Empire near the end of the conflict. The troops were soon defeated, and the Altriied Empire was dissolved three years later, ending the Thirty Years' War.

#### Second Reign of Absolutism

Continued agitation by republicans, such as several unofficial meetings between republican Magnates in Danholz in 1675-76 and 1678-79, prompted Kristoffer I, fearing a challenge to his sovereignty, to dissolve the Chamber in 1683 for six months and again in 1684-85 for seven months.

Kristoffer I became ill in 1687 and, without approval by the Chamber, appointed Zakhar Ilarion Pytrovech, a former Volghelevic general and trusted advisor of the royal family, as a regent in his abscence. Pytrovech served as the *de facto* head-of-state during the last two years of Kristoffer's reign. After Kristoffer's death in 1689, Pytrovech, with the support of the military, once again dissolved the Chamber and executed Kristoffer's heir, Frederik, before he was coronated, allowing Pytrovech to ascend to the throne as the 'Lord-Regent' in a period known as the Interregnum. The Chamber of Magnates was temporarily reformed in 1690 for a brief two months before being completely dissolved by a decree enforced by the military which remained loyal to Pytrovech.

The Interregnum began the Second Zardigen Reign of Absolutism, which was characterized by severe persecution of republicans, reformists, liberals, and nationalists. Pytrovech was infamous for his affinity with the Volghelvic Confederation. He opposed the ascension of Aleksandr VI to the throne of High King of Volghevsky, and conspired to instigate a revolution to instate Aleksandr's younger brother Demetrius as the High King, but Demetrius was later executed for being suspected of treason, causing tension between Zardegy and Volghevsky due to Pytrovech's support.

From 1699 to 1703, Pytrovech began his infamous purge of outspoken supporters of the former monarchy, who called themselves 'Kruins', after their unofficial leader, Johannes Erikur Kruneg, Duke of Fahnholm. Kruins, along with anyone who was even remotely associated with the former monarchy, were actively persecuted by the Pytrovech regime, with many being imprisoned and even executed. An estimated 25,000-40,000 Kruins were systematically executed during the four-year period, including Kruneg himself in 1702.

Alongside the Kruins, who were essentially constitutional monarchists, were the Republicans, whom they formed an alliance with at the 1702 Mariaat Convention. Republicans faced similar persecution, but to a considerably lesser extent, as many hoped that the Pytrovech regime may lead to the permanent abolition of the monarchy and the establishment of a Republican state. Soon realizing their aspirations would not be realized under Pytrovech, they resolved to ally with the Krunins to depose the Lord-Regent in the Zardigen Revolution.

### Zardigen Revolution & Republic (1707-1714)

On 12 Twilight 1707, Republicans led by Marten Van Langefeld, Alfred Njeümann, and Johanan Anders Kowitts, as well as Kruins led by Maximillien Van Frejstaat and Ingrid Arbeurg began a coordinated uprising in the streets of Veldefarg against the Pytrovech regime. Although unrest had been ongoing for the previous few months, an uprising of such magnitude had not yet been attempted. The Pytrovech regime responded by opening fire on the streets of Veldefarg, regarded as the beginning of the Zardigen Revolution, a conflict that would last for seven years and was mostly concentrated in the cities of Veldefarg, Pytrogor (formerly Eleksvag), and Mariaat, and ended with the establishment of the modern Zardigen state in 1714.

The military was no longer entirely loyal to the Pytrovech regime, causing Pytrovech to become increasingly dependent on the Royal Guard for protection. Many military officers defected and joined either the Republicans or the Krunins. Approximately 7,000 Heldreken mercenaries were also recruited to fight for the Krunins. The Pytrovech received support from the Kingdom of Volghevsky in the form of an expeditionary force consisting of approximately 20,000 soldiers. Volghevsky was, however, undergoing its own period of turbulence in the form of the Merchant Rebellion, preventing them from sustaining the soldiers for very long, and withdrew troops from Zardegy in early 1710.

On 30 Frost, 1710, the National Convention was founded in Andrestor, a small town about 20 km Southeast of Veldefarg. Njeümann served as the leader, representing both Republicans and Krunins from Bloom of 1709 to Fervor of 1711. The National Convention soon evolved to be the *de facto* government, referred to as the Forstaadeing, after the defeat of Pytrovech in the Battle of the ? River in Fervor of 1711. Njeümann served as the first Minister-President of the unelected Forstaadeing.

The republicans successfully secured the Dahlstrom Palace in Bloom of 1713, and Pytrovech was later seized from his residence near Elbeg and executed in 1714, officially ending the Revolution, after an estimated 1,120,000 deaths for both the republicans and monarchists. The Zardigen Revolution was the bloodiest conflict in Zardigen history, surpassing even the Great Enshelm War of 2025-32.

From the inception of the National Convention in 1709 until 1714, republicans and Krunins struggled to agree upon the future government of the nation, whether Zardegy would become a full-fledged republic or return to a monarchy, albeit a constitutional one. Eventually, in mid-1714 both groups reached a compromise with what would be referred to as the "Second Veldefarg Accords", allowing for the return of the monarchy under the House of Rezhevyk, a Volgey-Zardigen noble house and cadet branch of the Kåmphaus dating back to the mid-1400s, as well as establishing a republican 'second-in-command' in the form of the State Chancellor.

### House of Rezhevyk (1714-1853)

The House of Rezhevyk reigned from 1714 under Grand Archduchess Viktoriya I to Valdemar II in 1853. During this timeframe, Zardegy diplomatically regained the territory of Schweizeg from Ruheg in 1734, as well as incorporated an entirely new, autonomous territory of Jørgståd, formerly a loose confederation of Jørgein city-states. The nation also gained the state of Lühemsvarg in 1778 from Corduroy under the Liegen Agreement. Lühemsvarg, at the time, comprised a significant minority of ethnic Cordiens, and to this day has the highest Cordien population of any Zardigen state.

In 1813, Corduroy, once again under a monarchical rule under Francois IX, attempted to reannex the territory of Lühemsvarg (*Cor.* Boim-des-Ancié literally "Elder Forest"), escalating into the Cordien-Zardigen War. The war lasted for twenty-six months, with Zardegy being supported by Ruheg, and Corduroy being supported by Volghevsky and Fergoria, with the conflict eventually ending with Zardegy defeating Corduroy in the decisive battle of Dredfarg. The war ended with the Treaty of Gabiertru, which was a status quo ante bellum.

In 1784, the city of Njeumannsfarg (modern spelling: Neumansfarg) was founded, named for first State Chancellor and Minister-President Alfred Njeumann, and was declared the new capital in 1789 by Grand Archduke Valdemar I.

It was during the House of Rezhevyk that the Florescence gradually declined, and Zardegy transitioned into the Modern Era.

### Constitution of 1820

Shortly after ascending to Duke of Fahnholm, Kristoffer Solveg merged the House of Solveg, a cadet branch of the House of Kamphaus, with the House of Rezhevyk with his marriage to Anastasia the Green, sister of the reigning Nikolas the Strong. Their marriage was prompted in part by growing desire by Rohen-Zardigens to reinstate a Garedin monarch on the thrown, which maniested in a series of street protests in 1813 and 1818. These protests, accompanied by other protests over the political crisis of 1813 and its aftermath (often called the "Reinhaart Affair' or the Ledz Crisis), led to the Constitutional Convention in Ustledz, Korzakholm, which elected to keep the same Constitution but paved the way for the Conservative Amendments from 1820 to 1823. Kristoffer Solveg and Anastasia's daughter Margaret ascended to the throne as Margaret II in 1822.

The aforementioned Ledz Crisis was where the then State Chancellor, former Grand General Feliks Reinhaart found himself at odds with Grand Archduke Nikolas II over control of the Radzfoerd and military involvement in the War of the Tulips in Heldrekt. Forces controlled by both leaders, clashed in the historic mining town of Ledz, where a small group of radical Kansforteing members known as the 'Ledz Cabal' regularly met. The Ledz Cabal was alleged to have intentions to plot the overthrow of the Grand Archduke, with proto-socialist goals. Both the State Chancellor and Grand Archduke saw it as their duty to arrest the members of the supposed cabal. This, coupled with the increased tensions about the roles in the Radzfoerd, led to the push by both Liberals and Conservatives for more clearly defined roles and privileges of the State Chancellor and the monarch. Conservatives pushed for the passage of several Amendments that would ultimately be attributed to the Constitutional Crisis of 1855.

By this time, the modern borders of Zardegy had been established, as well as most of the Federal States, aside from Nœrstjord (literally 'Northeast valleyland'), which was established in 1925.

In 1906, during the Verdant Revolution in Corduroy, Zardegy intervened on the side of Queen Marie II Delacour, and seized the city of Chardonne for the final time. Previously, Zardegy had controlled the city on and off on several occasions, beginning during the reign of Erik the Conquerer. This allowed Zardegy to, at various times, have access to the Cordien Sea and expand their naval forces and access to trade routes. After returning the city to a unified Corduroy in 1913, Zardegy maintained rights to the port for the next 50 years.

During this time, Zardegy used its expanded access to the oceans to establish a trade network, including establishing ports on the Northern Umyari coast, such as the city of Stenhavd (today Sahrwa), which facilitated increased trade between Zardegy and both the continents of Umyara and Akura, even beginning to rival the Peradoran, Kamadan, and Heldrekian merchants by 2000.

From 1948 to 1960, Zardegy experienced a period known as the Zardigen Depression, the greatest economic depression in the history of the nation, connected to the greater Era of Stagnation in the continent of Enshelm.

Stefen Andrej Belivič (Rohenized spelling: Stefan Anders Belivic) was elected Minister-President in 1956. Belivic's Minister-Presidency was characterized by a pragmatic 'third way' approach to resolving the economic depression, as opposed to the previous socialist approach of the -Socialist Left Party and the contrasting economic-liberal approach of the People's Party. Belivic's social-democratic economic theories, combined with his social policies, became known as a Belivicism, which today is the official ideology of the Progressive Forum. Belivic served from 1956 to 1968, and is regarded as one of Zardegy's most influential Minister-Presidents.

Zardegy became involved in the Great Enshelm War (2025-32) in 2027 after Ustfalden and Neu Mattenheis were invaded by Fergorian forces. An estimated ~88,000 Zardigen troops were killed and over 220,000 were wounded in the defense of Zardegy, along with over 9,000 civilian causilties. Zardigen forces later assisted Volghevsky in recapturing Osivichy in 2029, and the invasion of Fergoria in 2030-32. Overall, approximately 560,000 Zardigens lost their lives in the war.

Following the Great Enshelm War, Zardegy experienced the most stability and prosperity in its history so far. Zardegy quickly became one of the wealthiest, most advanced, and most economically secure nation in Enshelm in the 22nd century. The dichotomy that had existed between the East and West for centuries was replaced by greater mutual understanding and cooperation as a nation.

Since then, Zardegy has continued to experience relative stability and prosperity, maintaining consistent economic growth, which allowed the nation to develop into one of the wealthiest, most advanced, and most economically secure nations in Enshelm in the 22nd century.

## Geography

Zardegy is located in Northeastern Enshelm, and is bordered by Ruheg to the West, Corduroy to the South, and Volghevsky to the East, as well as the Northern Sea to the North. Zardegy comprises a total of 939,432 square kilometres of land. With a total population of 139,536,730 in 2116, the population density is 148.53 persons/sq. km.

The physical geography of Zardegy differs between regions, with the highest elevations being found in Hejbeurgståd among the Freyger mountain range, and the lowest elevations in the lowlands of Ustfalden, Eastern Voloskie-Korzakholm, Southern Neu Mattenheis, and Eastern Jószeim & Margaretrüm, as well as Southeastern Lower Hœldreg. The southern half of Zardegy is generally characterized by flatlands and/or plateaus, with the Northern half characterized by a landscape of rolling hills and mountain ranges such as the Freyger. Forested areas can be found primarily in the Southwestern state of Lühemsvarg, but also in Eld Mattenheis and Northeastern Upper Hœldreg, whereas most plains can be found in more rural states such as Jószeim & Margaretrüm and Western Neu Mattenheis.

Arable land can be found throughout Zardegy, although most of the land used for agriculture is found in Eld Mattenheis, Jószeim & Margaretrüm, and Western Neu Mattenheis. The highest point in Zardegy is on top of Mount Frederik, on the border between Hejbeurgståd and Jørgståd. Mount Riikeg, located just 38 km from Mount Frederik, is the only active volcano in Zardegy.

### Climate

Zardegy has a generally temperate climate with moderate variation by region. Zardegy has an average yearly precipitation of 696.0 mm annually, which is evenly distributed across the county. The highest recorded temperature in Zardegy is just below 40°C, occurring in Jószeim & Margaretrüm, and the lowest recorded temperature was just below -27°C, occurring in Hejbeurgståd.

## Politics and Government

Zardegy operates as a federal semi-presidential and representative democracy under a constitutional monarchy. The government operates in accordance with the Constitution of 1878, which is amended from the previous Constitution of 1820 and Constitution of 1715. The constitution specifies the Head-of-State as the Grand Archduke/Archduchess belonging to the House of Kåmphaus-Eldegaard-Rezhevyk, with the office being almost exclusively for ceremonial purposes. The constitution specifies the Minister-President as the official Head-of-Government, with the other executive office being that of the State Chancellor. The Minister-President is responsible for leading the Kansforteing, appointing most members of the cabinet (aside from a few who are appointed by the State Chancellor), approving the annual budget in cooperation with the State Chancellor, and a multitude of other responsibilities.

Historically, the State Chancellor was appointed by the Radzfœrd (Federal Diet) to, according to Article 23 of the 1714 constitution, 'foster dialogue and promote cooperation between the Forstaadeing and the Monarch', but has since adopted different responsibilities and prerogatives. The 1820 constitution officially vested greater executive power in the State Chancellor. Zardegy is now classified as both a 'semi-presidential' system (as opposed to a parliamentary one) and a monarchy.

One of the State Chancellor's most notable functions is issuing 'advisories' to the Forstaadeing, which act as specific suggestions to guide decision-making that the Forstaadeing must debate. The State Chancellor was formerly appointed by the Forstaadeing, but since the 1940 Amendment to the Constitution, the State Chancellor has been elected through the Electoral Commission, a group of electors who vote proportionally according to popular vote, using a two-round system to serve a term of 5 years.

The Fordestaadeing (Federal Assembly) is the national legislature of Zardegy, and is divided between the upper house, being the Radzfœrd (Federal Diet), and the lower house, being the Kansforteing (National Assembly), also spelled Kanzforteing. The Forstaadeing is comprised of 650 members in total, with 500 members belonging to the Kansforteing, and 150 belonging to the Radzfœrd. Members of the Kanzforteing are elected via constituencies using a mixed-member proportional system to serve terms of 4 years, whereas members of the Radzfœrd are elected to represent Federal States, serving terms of 5 years. Amendments to the Constitution mandate a three-fifths majority within both houses of the Forstaadeing with approval from the State Chancellor, and two-thirds majority without.

Currently, the Grand Archduchess is Viktoriya III, the State Chancellor is Mors Olmsfen, and the Minister-President is Mikkel Kruszensky.

### Constituent states

Zardegy is divided into fourteen constituent states, Fordestådze (Federal States), all with differing degrees of autonomy. Generally, all states have at least some autonomy in lawmaking and are generally considered self-governing, with all fourteen states having their own independent legislatures, and eight of the fourteen (Upper Hœldreg, Lower Hœldreg, Neu Mattenheis, Jørgståd, Voloskie-Korzakholm, Schweizeg-Fahnholm, and Lühemsvarg) having their own constitution. Each state is divided into Departments (Departemze), which are divided into municipalities and communes (Kommunze). Each state also is divided into constituencies, which elect members to the Kansforteing. Each state elects members to the Radzfœrd according to the state's population, with the exception of the city-states of Njeümannsfarg and Benedikstagg.

### Forstaadeing

Currently, the Forstaadeing is dominated by the social-democratic Democratic Left (*Zard.* Venst Demokratiskë) and the social-liberal Progressive Forum (Foruem Progreszen), who form a governing coalition in the Forstaadeing with 390 of the 650 seats. The leader of the opposition is the conservative-liberal Zardigen Liberal Party (Libereg Zardgey Partest). Other opposition groups include the conservative People's Party for Freedom (Leutpartest fer Freejhet) and the centrist Civic Democrats (Fergedemokrats).

### Judiciary

Zardegy uses a civil law system where the legislature crafts and amends laws, and the judiciary interprets their lawfulness by interpreting the Constitution and Basic Law of Zardegy. The highest courts in Zardegy are the Supreme Federal Court (Hejfordshaufet) and the Supreme Court of the Judiciary (Hejustetshaufet), which are referred to collectively as the Hejreikvenhaufet (lit. High House/Court of Justice). The Supreme Federal Court is responsible for interpreting the Constitution and Basic Law, and reviewing laws passed by the Forstaadeing when necessary, as well as 'safeguarding the well-being of the democracy and its constituents'. The Supreme Court of the Judiciary is the highest court for ordinary jurisprudence.

The Supreme Federal Court is comprised of thirteen Justices, nominated by either the Minister-President or the State Chancellor, and approved by the Radzfœrd. Justices serve a term of sixteen years with mandatory retirement at age 90. If the Radzfœrd does not elect to approve a Justice for a vacant seat within six months, the vote goes to the Kansforteing. If the Kansforteing is unable to approve a Justice, then the decision goes to the State Chancellor to appoint a temporary Justice to serve for four years. The Supreme Federal Court is headed by the Chief Justiciar, whose official title is the 'Chancellor of Justice', as well as a First and Second Deputy Justiciars. The remaining Justices are referred to as Associates.

### Military

The Royal Zardigen Armed Forces (Kansfaart - lit. 'National Force) are composed of four branches: the Royal Zardigen Land Forces (Ländfaart/ze), the Royal Zardigen Navy (Zemfaart/ze lit. 'Sea Force'), the Royal Zardigen Air Force (Laafmast), and the Zardigen National Guard (Hemgaard lit. 'Home Guard), which includes the Royal Guard, the Cyber Defense Force, and the National Border Security. The RZAF numbers about 478,585 personnel, with about 158,000 in the RZLF, 145,000 in the RZN, 122,000 in the RZAirF, and about 53,000 in the ZNG. The RZAF also has approximately 636,000 reserve personnel as of 2116. The RZAF's official allegiance is to the Zardigen monarchy, however the monarch exerts no authority over the coordination of the Armed Forces. Rather, the RZAF is subordinate to the Minister for National Defense, and coordination of the Armed Forces under the authority of the State Chancellor.

### Conflicts

The following is a list of conflicts involving Zardegy/Zardegy since 1183:

## Demographics

Zardegy has a population of 139.75 million as of 2116, and is the second most populated nation in Enshelm, behind Volghevsky. With an area of over 900,000 square kilometres, Zardegy is the third largest nation in Enshelm, behind Ruheg and Volghevsky, and has a population density of 148 persons per square kilometer, the third highest in Enshelm behind Corduroy and Argewald.

### Ethnicity

The majority of people in Zardegy are ethnically Zardigen, with the majority of the population (72.8%) identifying as ethnically Zardigen. Zardegy is, nevertheless, home to a a significant population of other ethnicities, such as Volghevs, concentrated in the states of Neu Mattenheis and Voloskie-Korzakholm, Rohens, concentrated in Lower Hœldreg and Schweizeg-Fahnholm, Cordiens, concentrated in Lühemsvarg, and Jørgeins, concentrated in Jørgstådand Nœrstjørd. Other ethnicities include the Yeongs, by far the largest Akuran ethnic group, as well as Lezek and Fergoriens, distributed evenly throughout the nation.

 Jørgeins
 Volghevs
 Rohens
 Yeongs
 Cordiens
 Others

### Languages

Zardigen is the official language of Zardegy, with the Neuspråt (literally "New Speak") dialect being spoken by ~80% of Zardigen-speakers in Zardegy, with the remaining 20% speaking the Tradspråt (literally "Tradition Speak"). Approximately 87.6% of the population speaks either the Neuspråt or Tradspråt dialect of Zardigen as a first language, with another 7.9% of the population speaking it as a second language.

Zardigens are known for being bilingual, with approximately 76% of Zardigens able to speak a second language, 23% of Zardigens being trilingual, and about 4% being at least quadrilingual . Beginning in the early 20th century, learning a second language became compulsory in education, with Rohen and Volghelvic being offered in all primary and secondary schools. Cordien, Lezek, and Argen and other languages are offered in larger, urban secondary schools.

Behind Ruheg, Zardegy is the nation with the second-largest number of Rohen-speakers, numbering about 59 million in 2113, or 42% of the population, with another 23% being able to understand spoken Rohen. Zardegy is also home to the second-largest number of Volghelvic -speakers, numbering about 32 million, or 22% of the population, and another 15% being able to understand spoken Volghelvic.

### Religion

Zardegy has, traditionally, been a very spiritually diverse nation. The centuries-long dominance of Rohen culture meant that the Doctrine of Garendon was the religion adhered to by most of the upper classes. However, during the Englightenment Age in Zardegy, it was effectively supplanted as the predominant Theology by Unitarianism. Alternatively, other spiritualities have been present in Zardegy for centuries, such as the Doctrine of Frothar, practiced by many Jorgeins, as well as the Doctrine of Nezebek, practiced by ethnic Volgeys.

## Economy

The Zardigen economy is a mixed economy, combining private enterprise with a strong welfare state.

The national Gross Domestic Product as of Q4 2116 was approximately ZK16.186 trillion, with a per capita of ZK116,580 annually, which equates to ESC7.2 trillion (Enshelm Standard Currency), and ESC52,000 per capita. This makes Zardegy the third largest economy in Enshelm and the fifth largest in the world, with the second highest GDP per capita in Enshelm and fourth largest in the world. The annual economic growth rate in 2115 was 2.3%, but the average over the past ten years has been 3.6%.

The unemployment rate in Zardegy, as of 2116, is 5.4%, with a workforce of approximately 94 million, of which 20.2% are employed in the public sector. The largest contributers to the economy in the private sector, both in terms of employment and size, are, in order, hydrogen fuel, refined metals, pharmaceuticals, lumber, and chemical goods, as well as a substantial high tech center in Benedikstagg. Subsequently, some of the largest companies in Zardegy are Hydreg for hydrogen fuel, Karlsten & Lovik for lumber, and Belroza for pharmaceuticels.

### Tourism

Zardegy experiences a moderate to high level of annual tourism, attracting 18 million vistors annually on average, although this number is gradually increasing. Zardegy is home to several tourist attractions, ranging from natural landscapes such as Mount Frederik, the tallest mountain in Zardegy, as well as many manmade structures, perhaps most famously the Dahlstrom Palace, the original residence of the Grand Archduke in Veldefarg.

Other notable attractions include:

* Old City of Arberfarg in Lower Hœldreg
* Saint Kristoff Cathedral of Garendon in Karlonieg
* Saint Marten Cathedral of Garendon in Krunegfeld
* Jeodist Sanctum on Saint Arthur Island
* Thedor Palace in Mariaat
* Great Enshelm War Museum in Retsfarg
* Great Statue of Benedikt the Magnificent in Benedikstagg
* Alfred Njeumann National Park in Neumansfarg
* Nordvik National Park in Hejbeurgstad