Sordland

Flag of the Republic of Sordland

**- Kingdom of Sordland**1866**- Republic of Sordland**September 9, 1923**- Eduard Luderin's coup**May 22, 1927**- Sordish Civil War**June 2, 1928 **- Current constitution**1929**- Recession of 1951**July 14, 1951

### Currency

Sordish Ren **(SR)**

The **Republic of Sordland** (Sordish: *Republik dei Sordland*), also known as the **Sordish Republic** (Sordish: *Sordlander Republik*), or simply **Sordland**; is a country situated in eastern Merkopa. Sordland is bordered by Lespia to the south, Wehlen to the southwest, Rumburg to the north, and Agnolia to the northeast; and it also shares maritime borders with Valgsland. The country's seven regions have a total population of around 36 million people. The nation's capital and largest city by population and metro area is Holsord and its main financial center is Lachaven.

Sordland is described as a major regional power with a weak economy in comparison to its neighbors; it being the 16th largest economy by nominal GDP in the world. However, it has one of the largest standing armies in the region, despite budget cuts. Sordland is a member of OMEC and the Alliance of Nations. The current president of Sordland is Anton Rayne, taking office in 1954.

Sordland serves as the protagonist nation of Suzerain's main campaign.

## History

### Migration Period

The Sords were previously a group of peoples from North Merkopa, co-existing with the Valgs, the Agno, and the Marks. Following a great famine caused by extreme conditions, the tribes migrated southwards. The Sords migrated into the area that came to be known as Sordland between the 4th and mid-7th centuries, and warred with the Rums that inhabited the area. In 1113, the Marks, led by Khan Unger, united all tribes except the Valgs under the Markian Empire. This lasted until the ascension of the Reczniek family to the Markian throne in the early 17th century, beginning the collapse of the empire.

### Renan Aristocracy

*Main article: Renan Aristocracy*

In 1630, the Renan Aristocracy was established following the capture of the Markian capital of Korakord, which was renamed Erlory. The country was governed as a monarchy under the Renan family, an influential trade family who were not of Sordish origin. At the time of its founding, it was lead by Albrecht Renan, who was described as a people's man, despite his extravagant summer home. During his reign, many of the poor gained basic welfare, unheard of at the time.

The country was primarily populated by the Sordish people, and thus the realm was known colloquially as Sordland, though officially, it was the Renan Aristocracy. Following the War of the Dying Roses, the Kingdom of Rumburg invaded Sordland. The war led to an alliance and political union with the Kingdom of Agnolia, via the marriage of Erick Renan (Albrecht's successor) and Queen Lenna of Agnolia. Most of Agnolia (except West Agnolia which became the region of Agnland) eventually left the union following the death of Queen Lenna of Agnolia in 1740.

The country did not participate in the colonial race that swamped Merkopa, Contana, Xina and Rika, which weakened the country's status as a regional power to rivals such as the Kingdom of Lespia and the Kingdom of Valgos. Around the same time, the Century of Revolutions had ignited in the Kingdom of Arcas, inspiring many disgruntled with their monarchies. In Sordland, many were disgusted with the Renan family's decadence and were radicalized by the Arcasian Revolution; giving birth to Sordish nationalism and a desire to free itself from foreign rule.

### Kingdom of Sordland

*Main article: Kingdom of Sordland*

The Sordish nation-state was established following the 1859 Revolution when Egmund Norsord proclaimed the Kingdom of Sordland in 1866, with himself as king. The King promoted a Sordish identity, one based in nationalism and a proud military tradition. One of the Sordish army's first feats was the conquest of East Bludia (the present day region of Bergia) from the Kingdom of Wehlen.

The Bludish people, who had inhabited Bergia for centuries, were at first welcoming to the Sordish. However, they were treated poorly by their new Sordish overlords; being subjected to racist laws, forced to relocate to make way for Sordish settlers, and the suppression of the Bludish language. In contrast, the Agnolian people were treated well and were even given more privileges than the Bludish, so long as they assimilate into the Sordish culture — Those who assimilated are now known as Agno-Sords.

However, King Egmund began losing popularity due to many unpopular decisions and the fact that he failed to give a male heir. A republican movement inspired by the Arcasian and Contanan revolutions soon rose to national prominence. Led by Artor S. Wisci, the republican movement grew in popularity and by 1923, it had fractured the monarchy's support. On September 9, 1923, the modern **Republic of Sordland** was founded with Wisci as its first president.

### Republican Era

Wisci wrote a constitution which tried to establish the institutions necessary for a democratic republic, the most notable of which was the Grand National Assembly. But due to the fact that Sordland was now a republic, Sordland was now seen as a possible prize for the twin superpowers; Arcasia and United Contana. Soon, Wisci's government became the victim of a military coup led by the nationalist general, Eduard Luderin. Luderin instituted a reign of terror that crushed dissent against his government. The Sordish Civil War erupted in 1928 when Iannick Rikard, outraged by the violence, ordered an attack against Luderin's troops.

The civil war ended after Colonel Tarquin Soll intervened in the Battle of Holsord, which resulted in Luderin's capture and Rikard's death. Soll restored the republic with himself as president and established the United Sordland Party, which served as the governing party of Sordland. Under Soll's leadership, the young republic experienced stability and growth and protection from foreign influence, which solidified the country's position.

Unfortunately over time, Soll grew increasingly authoritarian, which brought the country into stagnation and increased political and racial tensions. Tarquin Soll was eventually succeeded by Ewald Alphonso, a reformist within the USP who promised to bring reform to the country. Unfortunately, a combination of infighting, a hasty liberalization of the economy and continental economic tensions led to a recession and the empowerment of various oligarchs.

## Geography

The Republic of Sordland is located in Eastern Merkopa, bounded on the northwest by the Sourne Mountains, on the northeast by the Markian Sea, on the west by the Cavendir and Gumren Mountains, on the south by the Ungur River, and on the east by the Antacean Sea. The country borders several other major nations: the Kingdom of Rumburg and Republic of Agnolia to the north, the Republics of Wehlen, Lespia to the south. It is also in close proximity to a major naval power, the Democratic Republic of Valgsland, which lies across the Grey Strait to the east.

## Demographics

As of 1954, the population of Sordland reached 37 million. More than half of the Sordish population are below the age of 30, and 28% of those are below the age of 18. Likewise, the number of people above seventy is around 6% and it is likely to increase should the living standards of the nation increase.

### Ethnicity

Article 6 of the Sordish Constitution defines all citizens of the Sordish Republic as 'Sords' irrespective of their ethnicities or cultures. The Bludish people are the largest non-Sordish ethnicity at 9.6% of the population. However, they are a minority in their home region of Bergia, a result of Sordish settler policies first enacted in the 19th century. The next largest ethnic group are the Agno-Sordish, descendants of Agnolian immigrants or the West Agnolians who settled within Sordland, followed by the Lespians.

## Economy

The economy of Sordland is a developing mixed market economy having recently transitioned from a planned economy which had promoted economic autarky under policies collectively known as Sollonomics. As of 1954, it is the 16th largest economy in the world, significantly behind neighbors such as Valgsland, Lespia, and Rumburg. Major industries in the country include mining, oil and natural gas extraction, energy, fishing, tourism, agriculture, and the steel industry. Four large corporations; the Sordish State Corporation (SSC), the Bergia Steel Corporation, the Heart of Sordland Conglomerate (HOS), and the Nedam Mining Group, collectively known as the Big Four, form the backbone of Sordland's economic landscape.

Sordland is currently in a recession; caused by a decrease in trade volume, mismanagement of free market reform under President Alphonso's administration (referred to as *Alphonsonomics*), and decaying infrastructure. Unemployment has risen to 16%, inflation is a staggering 7%, GDP has decreased from 460 billion to 310 billion within the span of 2 years, and the national debt is 427 billion. The recession was only prevented from turning into a depression by strategic landmark trade agreements with Lespia, Qinal and Rizia.

The currency of Sordland is the Sordish ren (SR), issued by the Central Bank of Sordland. The Sordish ren had lost nearly 46% of its value during the recession. The ren's exchange rate had consistently been decreasing against the Arcasian Lira since 1951.

The Sordish energy industry is protected by the Energy Protection Act (EPA), legislation passed under the National Autarky Plan in 1932, to prevent foreign ownership of critical energy companies. It was fixed at 10% before it was increased to 20% in 1949 as part of Alphonso's free market reforms. There is discussion amongst many in government about increasing the EPA, returning it to 10% or abolishing it entirely.

## Government and Politics

Sordland is a semi-unitary presidential republic created under the Consitution of 1923, written by the late Artor Wisci. This consitution created many of the institutions, such as the Assembly. This constitution was planned to turn Sordland into a parliamentary republic, however, due to the Sordish Civil War, it never came to pass.

Currently, the republic is structured under the Constitution of 1929 created by then-Colonel Tarquin Soll. This constitution transformed Sordland into a presidential republic. This Constitution has been heavily criticized as a result of its many flaws and loopholes, and could potentially be replaced or reformed if the sitting president wishes.

As of 1954, the Republic of Sordland has a three-branch government; with the legislative branch being the Grand National Assembly, the judicial branch being the Supreme Court, and the executive branch the Office of the President. Ideally, the checks and balances between these branches would equalize their power in the government; however, in practice, this is hardly the case.

Despite the Assembly being designated as the unicameral legislative body, the Supreme Court actually wields considerable legislative power, allowing it to effectively bypass the Assembly. Additionally, the President has the right to an absolute veto, allowing him or her to completely reject a policy passed by the Assembly without further question.

Given that the Assembly is the most democratic aspect of the government, the fact that it is stymied by the other branches has been a subject of debate ever since Soll signed the Constitution into law.

Reformists, typically of the People's Freedom and Justice Party and liberal wings of the dominant United Sordland Party, are primarily concerned with the powers of the Assembly, and wish for substantial limitations to be imposed upon the potentially unlimited power of the President and the excessive legislative power of the Supreme Court. Others, often of the National Front Party and more conservative aspects of the USP, believe in reforms favoring the executive branch, as a strong President is necessary to extricate Sordland from its current predicament.

## Culture

Sordland has a diverse culture, blended from the various elements of Markian, Bludish, Agnolian, and Renan cultures. Many buildings in places like Erlory (despite the multiple sackings), once the Markian Capital, or Anrica have the distinct Markian architecture style. The Maroon Palace, constructed as a summer residence for Albrecht Renan became a symbol of power, becoming the residence of the head of state after King Egmund founded the Kingdom of Sordland.

The most popular sport in Sordland is football. Teams such as FC Anrica, FC Gelsord, and FC Arvory have consistently competed within the Merkopan Cup but have never made it beyond the semi-finals.

Sordish media is growing in importance, largely due to the increase in the ownership of TVs within Sordland. The Sordish Broadcasting Corporation (SBC), owned by the Heart of Sordland Conglomerate (HOS), is the primary news channel in Sordland. Newsapers, such as The Radical, the Holsord Post, the Lachaven Times have also played a major role in media.

Dishes of Sordish origin include:

* Zabla
* Svabli
* Lorscha
* Lachaven salmon
* Sordish bean stew

Important Cultural Figures:

* Bernard Circas, the current Speaker of the Independents and a communist poet.
* Giralt of Ribery, known as the father of Sordish viticulture.
* Heron Walt, King Egmund's advisor and the mind behind New Deyr, the Valgen Dam and the Sarna Free-Trade Zone.
* Herman Equa, a Sordish political scientist, historian, and writer; He is the only Sordish recipient of the Vulpitzer Award.
* Alfred Kcirbuk, Sordish filmmaker best known for "The Sordish Dream".

## Foreign Relations

### Rumburg

Sordland and the Kingdom of Rumburg have shared a long history of animosity towards each other, beginning in the Migration Period, when the Sords and other tribes invaded the March of the Rums, before all tribes fell under the dominion of the Markian Empire. Years after the War of the Dying Roses (which left Rumburg in a desperate financial situation) and the foundation of the Renan Aristocracy, the former declared war for the plunder of Renan's riches. A comprehensive peace treaty was signed in 1710 between Agnolia, Rumburg, and Renan, though this did not end the animosity between Sords and Rums.

Following the founding of the Kingdom of Sordland, the two nations presumably underwent a period of détente. An agreement between the two kingdoms, the Friendship Deal, which allowed the passage of Rumburgian ships along the Sourne River. However, tensions arose when King Egmund canceled the deal. The 15-Day War ensued, and the actions of the Sordish Imperial Forces remain controversial in Rumburg, to which Rumburg demands reparations for. The annexation of Dome under Queen Beatrice also soured relations. During the Wehlen Civil War, Rumburg closed its borders, funneling the refugees to Sordland.

### Agnolia

The two nations have enjoyed a strong relationship since the personal union between the Kingdom of Agnolia and the Renan Aristocracy. Nevertheless, specific trade agreements have favored Sordland, leading to dissatisfaction among the Agnolian public. In an effort to rectify these agreements, Maartin van Hoorten was elected as prime minister. Moreover, under van Hoorten's administration, Agnolia is actively fostering diplomatic relations with Arcasia and the ATO.

### Valgsland

Historically, Sordland and Valgsland have held mixed diplomatic relations, due in part to the Valgish naval dominance. The Great Fire of Conriat remains a scar in Sordish history, whose navy has never recovered since the tragedy. In recent years, Valgsland has pursued normalizing relations with Sordland; with Emmerich Hegel himself contributing significantly to the normalization of relations.

### Wehlen

During the Wehlen Civil War, waves of fleeing Bludish and Wehzek people were funneled into Bergia en masse. The ensuing refugee crisis bogged down cost Sordland dearly. After Wiktor Smolak took power (despite leaning the country towards the Contanan bloc), diplomatic relations had presumably returned to normal.

### Lespia

Lespia and Sordland have neutral relations with each other. It is worth noting that Lespian businesses fled from the country during the early recession and that they closed their borders during the Wehlen Civil War.

### United Contana

Sordland and United Contana have neutral diplomatic relations with each other. However, many Sords (especially nationalists) hold a disdain for the communist superpower, due to the fact that General Rikard had fought on the side of the communists during the Sordish Civil War. There is also a fear that United Contana would inevitably try to exploit the nation.

### Arcasia

Sordland and Arcasia have neutral diplomatic relations with each other, which unlike United Contana, is much closer. However, the superpower also wishes to invite Sordland into their bloc and could potentially exploit the nation.

### Rizia

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. However, there are concerns of Sordish energy independence.

## Trivia

* Sordland is a mostly Sordified version of the Republic of Turkey during the Cold Way. Many of Sordland's historical events and situations closely parallel Turkey in many allegorical ways, such as the Bludish and Kurdish situations, history, and naming conventions. Ultimately, though, the country is also inspired off of many different nations during the Cold War, such as Francoist Spain, the United States, and many others.

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