Grand Principality of Gyöngybagoly

*Gyöngybagolyi Nagyfejedelemség*

Banner of the Grand Principality

The **Grand Principality of Gyöngybagoly** (Hungarian: *Gyöngybagolyi Nagyfejedelemség*) is a Principality within the Empire of Ostenbourg and the The Dual Commonwealth.

The Grand Principality lies north of Pannonia. Most of its main territory surrounded on the western side by the Sea of Glorious Avianery, eastern side by the Lesser Avian Sea. To the north the northernmost territories of Ostenbourg and to the south bordered by the Grand Duchy of Penzing. The Grand Principality' interests lay almost exclusively in the north.

## Etymology

In English, the *Göngybagoly* part in the *Grand* *Principality of Gyöngybagoly* means *Barn Owl* in Hungarian, word for word it means: gyöngy = pearl, bagoly = owl. The full name of the Principality in Hungarian is *Gyöngybagolyi Nagyfejedelemség,* meaning *Grand* *Principality of Barn Owl* with the *Nagy*f*ejedelemség* meaning Grand Principality. The name comes from the ruling Gyöngybagoly Dynasty.

## Government Structure

### The Divine Law

The Divine Law is a body of text that the Grand Principality claims to be the foundational document of the state and highest governing body of the Grand Principality as its constitution. While much mystery surrounds both the Divine Law and the religious texts of the Avian Church, things like Ancient Avian as their language of writing are confirmed.

### Grand Prince

The Grand Prince is the highest and ruling position within the Principality, head of state and government. It is a hereditary position of the Gyöngybagoly Dynasty. The position, along with powers and entitlement of the Dynasty are enshrined in The Divine Law. The Grand Prince holds absolute power within the lands of the Grand Principality, able to override all other bodies though rarely acting. Additionally, The Divine Law dictates the position the sole sovereign and protector of all avian kind, irrespective of current nationality, and heavenly sovereign of the Avian Church.

### Legislative

#### Grand Avian Privy Council

The Grand Avian Privy Council is an organ of the government, fully and exclusively composed of avian borns appointed by the monarch. Advising the Grand Prince on decisions, and even able to write the only legislation outside of the monarch in some cases, though still requiring the stamp of approval.

### Executive

* Department of State Security
* Department of War
* Department of Administration
* Department of Transportation
* Department of the Treasury
* Department of Justice
* Department of Foreign Affairs
* Department of Health, Human Services, Housing, Urban Development

## Culture

### Language

Among the official languages (Avian, Hungarian, English, Ostenbourgish), the most prominent and also claimed divine language of the Grand Principality and Avian folk is *Avian*, with *Owlish*, a subdivision of Avian seen as the most regal and divine within all of Avian. Avian has many subdivision, some more or less distinct than others but all universally understood by all Avians, regardless of where they're from or if they know the others. The Divine Law which governs the Grand Principality is written in Ancient Avian, a language still understood by Avians, but fiercely guarded by the principality to not be learned by non-Avians.

## History

### First Avian State

Long ago in the far long past, hundreds of years prior to the Principality, in the far north of the now Grand Principality. Under the Unification Wars fought by the founder of the House of Gyöngybagoly St. Riew, he, victoriously, founded the very first avian state. Back then, the state of St. Riew was simply known as *The State of Avians,* or the *Avian State.* It was the very first unified territory of Avians, prior to this Avians were a race of warring clans, fighting outside and amongst themselves. The Unification War was especially bloody, highest estimates suggest upwards of 30% of all Avians dying in the war, many clans entirely wiped out. St. Riew' uncontested victory, left only those who had either been loyal followers from the very start, or swore the highest of fealties after defeat. St. Riew was, in fervor of the Avians, declared First Leader (Elsővezér) of the newly created state. St. Riew created much of all the avian laws, state apparatuses, religious edicts, etc. The whole state organized under his views for an avian state. Much of St. Riew' works continue to exist in The Divine Law, though it itself predates his rule. The Avian State continued for centuries past St. Riew' death, under the codified rule of St. Riew' house, the House of Gyöngybagoly.

### Disastrous Fall

Lost to time now, the Avian State successfully kept themselves functioning and prosperous for near a millennia, until an unknown date it collapsed entirely. It is suspected by historians and archaeologist that the state likely had engaged in a costly war with some other entity. Archaeological findings in the rough area known to have been the capital of the avian state, suggest mass death from Avians and some other group appearing very suddenly. It is unknown how many may have died in this war, but the resulting effects of it suggest it could've been much more deadly than the Unification Wars. The area then experienced a mass exodus of inhabitants, the Avians who survived the war are likely to have migrated to the places they now inhabit. The House of Gyöngybagoly continued to exist on the island of Madarak, ruling from there a much diminished state all the way until before the Principality.

### Principality

The House of Gyöngybagoly, much diminished in influence and power, held very little interest for generations of rules in reclaiming their long lost glory. After the assumption of the lead of the house, by Owl of Gyöngybagoly, things began to very quickly change for the first time in a long time. Owl despised his House' recent actions and attitudes, looking back on his ancestor, St. Riew, finding in him a guiding figure. Owl determined to pull his House and people out of the rut they were in, began by establishing contact with the outside world. Following the world becoming aware of the Avians, offers were sent by various factions to have the Avians join them. Owl found the offer sent by the Empire of Ostenbourg enticing and aligned with views he had for an avian resurgence. The Avians officially joined the Empire on the 11th of September 2021. They proved their loyalties and dedication to Ostenbourg in The One Hour War, in which Ostenbourg proved victorious. The Emperor of Ostenbourg, awarded Owl and the Avians with a state of their own within Ostenbourg, The Principality of Gyöngybagoly. Much of the Principality' early years was continued rule on the island of Madarak, with slow outward expansion in avian inhabited lands. It wasn't until rule was moved from Madarak to the newly founded Hegyibagolyóvár, the establishment of the Barony of Medvesfehérvár, that things began to change for the Principality once more.

### Grand Principality

The move from Madarak to Hegyibagolyóvár, and increased expansion both territoriality and politically proved incredibly successful for the Principality. Economic and population growth were readily visible to anyone, so too to the House of Gyöngybagoly and Owl. Owl viewed the title of a simple *Principality* far beneath the state it now was, and was planned to become. He thus went to the Emperor/Throneman, asking the mere Principality to be lifted up to one of a Grand Principality. Upon seeing the state of the Principality, The Emperor agreed, and granted the title of Grand Prince for Owl to rule his Grand Principality. Coronation ceremonies held both in Johanburg and Hegyibagolyóvár.

## Subdivisions

### States

The Grand Principality is split into two federal states. The states are; *The Principality of Gyöngybagoly*; and *The Barony of Medvesfehérvár.* The states have equal status within the Grand Principality, and large freedom in their own land. The states meet with councilor's sent in the Federal Council. Within the states there can exist lesser noble titles for lands held, not to be represented in the federal council.

### Non-Administrative Subdivisions

All lands of the Grand Principality to be split into various geographical *provinces.* A province does not carry any administrative power in of itself. Within some provinces an administrative office may carry the name 'province' in such cases when they have administrative duties. The territory of a province may coincide with the territory of some other title of land, such as county, duchy, or extend beyond.