Rizia

Flag of the Kingdom of Rizia

**Rizia**, formally known as the **Kingdom of Rizia** (Rizian: *Regneio di Rizia*), is a country located in Southern Merkopa. It is bordered by Wehlen to the northwest, Morella to the southwest, and Pales to the southeast. It also shares maritime borders with Lespia over the Sudis Sea. The country has a population of around 40 million people. Porte Drazon is the country's capital and largest city.

As one of the monarchies which survived the Century of Revolutions, the kingdom has seen itself grow into one of the most prosperous nations in the world under the reign of Queen Lyza 'the Great' Toras, but stagnated under King Valero 'the Frail' Toras, who failed to reconquer Pales in 1926, leading to a republican revolt and the loss of Zille to Wehlen. He also forged closer ties with the Kingdom of Rumburg. Currently, the kingdom faces growing geopolitical uncertainties, which may threaten its stability. The current king of Rizia is Romus Toras, ascending to throne in 1950.

The country has a resource-dependent economy, with the mining sector, particularly gold mining, making up a significant portion of its exports, followed by oil and natural gas extraction. Rizia is renowned for its gold production by Rizian Royal Gold and its commitment to the Wruhecist faith. It also prides itself on exceptional women's rights, free healthcare, and a low tax rate, although it has a poor human rights record.

Rizia is a member of the Organization for Merkopan Economic Development (OMEC), the Guild of Royal Allies for Commercial Exchange (GRACE), and the Alliance of Nations. It serves as the protagonist nation in the DLC, Suzerain: Rizia.

## History

### Early History

Rizia's name finds its roots in the Rezenid Empire, a powerful ancient confederation that dominated much of Southern Merkopa at the beginning of the first millennium. The ruling Reznas family strategically established their stronghold, Drazon (later renamed Porte Drazon), at the Zpana River's mouth, taking advantage of the fertile soil.

The region fell to the Markian Empire in the early 1100s, which built roads, bridges, and aqueducts, and mined small amounts of gold to support their expansion. This rule lasted until the 1600s when the Rubaz family led an independence movement, forming the **Kingdom of Rizia** comprising three semi-autonomous provinces – Brenas, Valenqiris, and Montaklar, governed from the central domain of Rizia Imperi. In the 1800s, a split in the Rubaz family led to the War of Rizan Succession, causing a five-year bloody conflict that involved several external powers. After the war, the Toras family took the crown, with the Sazon and Azaro families controlling Brenas and Montaklar.

### Modern history

Rizia's Golden Age occurred in the late 1800s under Queen Lyza "The Great" Toras, driven by advancements in gold mining technology. However, this era ended with the reign of Lyza's son, Valero "The Frail", whose unsuccessful attempts to retake Pales led to rebellion. Despite initial struggles, Rizia regained its economic stability thanks to alliances and the discovery of natural gas fields. Today, Rizia boasts one of the highest GDPs on the continent, with citizens enjoying a high quality of life due to large salaries and well-funded social services.

## Geography

Rizia is located on the Rizian Peninsula, surrounded by the Gulf of Moridia to the west, the Sudis Sea to the north, and the Antacean Sea to its east. It is neighbored by Wehlen to the northwest, Morella to its southwest, Pales to its southeast, and separated from Lespia by the Sudis Sea. The country has a climate similar to Lespia. The country is also densely populated.

**PROVINCES OF RIZIA**
 **CALEQABIZ** | Qabiz

## Demographics

### Major Cities and Towns

* Porte Drazon
* Iza
* Montaklar
* Fort Ales
* Monqiz
* Qalus
* Terador
* Sallabes
* Jales
* Mave Nortus
* Bronaz
* Nelvisar
* Benievon
* Folce Dator

## Government and Politics

Rizia is a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy. It is a centralized, unitary state in which the King is sovereign. The Rizian government is comprised of two main governmental bodies: The House of Delegates, comprised of 70 Rizian nobles, and the Royal Council, who serve as the King's advisors in civil and military affairs. Historically, three main royal houses have dominated Rizian politics: House Toras, House Azaro, and House Sazon.

The King of Rizia, despite being a constitutional monarch, retains significant political power within the government. He has the ability to enact royal decrees. House Toras has remained the most powerful royal house and as such the monarch usually is a Toras.

The House of Delegates is dominated by two political parties. The Rizian National Congress (RNC) is the current governing party in the House and is historically associated with the reigning monarch and conservatism. The RNC is lead by the Baroness of Qaleo, Daria de Rava, who also is the Leader of the House. The Rizian People's Party (RPP) represents the Opposition and is associated with republicanism and liberalism. The RPP is lead by the Duke of Brenas, Manus Sazon, the Opposition leader.

## Foreign Relations

### Pales

Rizia has long considered Pales as rightful Rizian territory, despite being under control of the Empire of Valgos. The two countries have recently been in a war, which ended in a Pyrrhic victory for Rizia, as it lost Zille to combat an uprising but gained North Pales.

### Rumburg

The Kingdom of Rumburg holds close relations with Rizia, due in part to the marriage of Romus Toras, the heir to the Rizian throne, and Lena Livingston, younger sister of Beatrice Livingston. The two countries are also members of GRACE. Militarily, the two countries cannot support each other, due to the large distance between both kingdoms.

### Sordland

Originally, the Kingdom of Sordland and the Kingdom of Rizia had a series of trade agreements which both countries enjoyed. Following the republican revolution and the Sordish Civil War, however, relations were severed under Tarquin Soll's presidency, resulting in no major trade deals. This changed during the Alphonso administration, when a delegation led by Alphonso and Gus Manger achieved many vital trade agreements with the Kingdom, which greatly benefited both countries. However, further cooperation with Sordland halted due to the King's blood ties with Rumburg. At present, Rizian interests have looked towards investing in Gasom, due to rising tensions with the Grand Duchy of Pales.

### Wehlen

The Republic of Wehlen had assisted in crushing the 1926 uprising in exchange for a lease on the territory of Zille for 25 years. The handover remains controversial among many Rizians and with Wiktor Smolak's rise to power following the civil war, rumors of being in indefinite Wehzek control rise. However, Wehlen and Rizia are currently engaging in talks about amending the Zille Agreement of 1927.

### Derdia

Sal Ignacius, Grand Wiscerer of Rizia, banned Derdian Golcondists from visiting the country.

## Trivia

* The country is heavily influenced by Romance countries (i.e. Italy, Spain, France, etc.) from their culture to their language. Economically, it is similar to many other oil-rich nations who also happen to be monarchies such as Thailand, Brunei, and Saudi Arabia.

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