Arendeska

Brother Nation to Snezhgovia

*"Slava Ardenski my friends! We may die, but this fortress shall forever hold the Arendeskan Flag! As long as there is breath within a single Arendeskan, she reigns over all! Ura!" -* Sergeant Nov ('Novi') Belavin, 422nd Rifle Division, GAC, Second Invasion of Eskovia, 995. KIA during the defense of Fort Serpentine, along with 7 of his soldiers.

## Early History

Arendeska, formerly known as the Greater Arendeskan People's Republic, and as the Greater Arendeskan Confederacy, presently known as the Arendeskan Commissariatic Socialist Republic, within the Union of Commissariatic Socialist Republics, is a nation of culture and of pride. Surviving the harshest wars and the most brutal attacks on it's sovereignty, has stood for 600 years. In around 460, the first Arendeskan state was beginning to form. The name "Arendeska" came from the meaning of a nation which was so strong that it would be feared for the defense of it's land. Thus, "Arend" meaning "shield", and "deska" meaning "land" came together to create the shieldland, Arendeska, which it is often referred to.

From thereon, the Arendeskan people would expand their culture and territory until in the 880s, a massive invasion by the Uzbrosks left the country pillaged, and was later renamed to Arkastona by the Uzbroskian conquerors. Then integrating into the Belereskian Socialist Union, and after that gaining independence which lasted for around 30 years until the superpower's eventual collapse.

## The GAPR and the GAC

Although the collapse of the Belereskian Socialist Union did lead to serious instability within the centro-northern region, it allowed the liberty of the republics within it. However, due to the predetermined borders of those republics by the Belereskian government, the period of liberty headed directly into a period of war. On June 6th 972, war was declared between Arendeska, and neighboring Kulachia, sparking the Ardenski-Kulachian War. This war was both brutal and costly, lasting 6 long years with both sides not gaining much ground. At this time the Arendeskan Army fought with outdated Belereskian equipment, and using uncoordinated tactics. The neglegence of commanders on both sides, and the malsupply of resources eventually led to a conclusion of the war, and the signing of a peace treaty on December 7th, 978. Post-war, Arendeska was experiencing severe shortages of both food and consumer goods, the war had devastated a majority of the western border cities and farms, and a large portion of fertile land was made useless by the constant artillery barrage undertaken during the conflict. As a result, the citizens of Arendeska, in unison with the Arendeskan Army, committed to storming the central government building in Uskor, and demanding that their needs be met with a government who's solution was something either than war.

In due course, an interim government came to power in Arendeska. This provisional authority headed by a man named Kirill Panov, was built on the framework of the newly established Arendeskan Labour Party. Upon coming to power, one of Panov's primary goals was to ensure that the economy was routed back on track, that jobs would be returned to the people, and that a new constitution would be drafted to ensure the security and integrity of the democracy being created. This would have to be done firstly through the nationalization of industry and agriculture, as well as the system of government, and armed forces. The stage of nationalization went through without much opposition, after all it remained the only solution to the problem. All foreign investors had pulled assets from Arendeska and would not return unless the economy was rebuilt. Panov's interim government delivered on it's promises in it's 11 months of power, and won the re-election in the 979 Arendeskan State Election, with 89.2% of the vote, and a majority parliament.

Using such a victory under it's belt, the Arendeskan Labour Party knew that if they were to continue their reign, adhering to the people's needs would be of primary concern at this time. So, in February of 980 the New Arendeskan Constitution was drafted, a document which garaunteed each citizen the 7 Axioms of Democracy. The 7 Axioms of Democracy was an ancient Arendeskan philosophical work composed by infamous philosopher Vol Genor. These axioms outline that each citizen has the right to; Freedom of speech, freedom of movement, freedom of information, freedom of assembly, equal rights, and the rights to own arms. The foundation for the Arendeskan Constitution can be traced to this work.

From this time period, eventually would come the "soyedineniya", or the "joining". An event in which the Republic of Arendeska would become the Greater Arendeskan People's Republic, a unitary state between Snezhgovia and Arendeska, created after a refferendum occured in both nations in 985. As the third world war was raging in the south, the people of both nations believed that through military and cultural collaboration they would be able to achieve greatness, and under the leadership of then Prime Minister Genever Sorrell, the GAPR scored numerous military victories over the Brikanian Federation. In part due to the strategic abilities of General Alexei Gornualov, the present day Marshal of the Union of Commissariatic Socialist Republics.

Some 5 years later from the conclusion of the 3rd World War, the 4th World War would take place, resulting in the GAPR losing 3 previously captured Brikanian cities in it's southern territory. The loss of these heavily industrialized cities, in addition to the beginning of the Ardenski-Valeadean split, required the GAPR to undertake major reform. Consequently the GAC (Greater Arendeskan Confederacy) was formed, shifting it's economic policies from socialist ones to more free-market oriented capitalistic policies. Historians argue this shift forwarded Arendeskan imperialism in Eskovia, Gilvor, and in the western nations, however there are more facts to consider when making such a judgement. Firstly, under the leadership of the then President of the GAC, Eva Tarvin, a rapid militarization occured, in which the previously untouched nuclear arsenal was dusted off. As a counter point to the initial argument, many say that the cause of this militarization was the new capitalistic system, however both of those elements simply do not correlate in this sense. In fact, Tarvin managed to restrict the free market even more, and instated severe economic reforms on many corporations, freezing many of their assets to feed the war effort. Eventually in the Second Ardenski-Kulachian War, also known as the Third Eskovian War of Independence, the GAC's farming colony of Eskovia was attacked via a naval invasion of it's southern coast, by the Kulachian Navy. This war would last more than a year and a half, and it's result would further weaken the Confederacy. The loss of such a major agricultural island like Eskovia would severely limit the GAC's ability to be self-sufficient in terms of food resources. And adding onto that, the severity of the Ardenski-Valeadean Split, would eventually destroy the GAC entirely. The foolish mistake of one of Tarvin's senior military officials, who suffered a mental breakdown, and was regrettably in control of the GAC's Tactical Nuclear Forces. The following attempted nuclear attack on Valead failed due to 17 of the GAC's 20 atomic warheads failing to launch (due to being built in the early 30s by the Belereskians) and detonating on Confederate soil. The three that did launch, did have the desired effect, and obliterated the capital of Valead, Korovast.

This was the end of the GAC, and after the nuclear detonations, the collapse of the Confederacy saw the independence of 4 states. Arendeska, Snezhgovia, Sechenia, Lugrinia, and Kulachia.

## Modern Arendeska

Even today, with it's integration into the UCSR, the present ACSR (Arendeskan Commissariatic Socialist Republic) is in many ways very independent. With it's own branches of the judiciary, and parliament. As well as its language, and culture.

In March 1010 however, the Arendeskan Commissariatic Socialist Republic was reorganized to be the Arendeskan Autonomous Republic, under the greater territorial governing body now known as the Krasnorusian Commissariatic Federative Socialist Republic, otherwise known as the Krasnorusian Republic of Arendeska and Snezhgovia (KRAS).

## Culture and Tradition

A lot of Arendeska's traditions and culture was adopted from Snezhgovia, even religious faith in Obovon (the Severnish God), however many Arendeskans today do not follow religion as much as Snezhgovians. Duty to family and country, honour, and education are the fundamentals of Arendeskan society. Even the nation's native language, in itself so ancient that it displays all of these characteristics. Arendeskan names are also quite unique, the traditional three letter first names (Sov, Yuo, Gev, Fed) for males and names with three or more letters usually female.

**Basic Arendeskan:**

*Privet, Hello.*

*Brov era ti?, How are you?*

*Ya evil'le v cilpubrike Arendski, I live in the Arendeskan Republic.*

## Military Might

Arendeska has for centuries produced effective and fearless soldiers. Even to this day Arendeskan troops are considered one of the best fighting forces in the world. Oftentimes the Commissariat Military Council deploys Arendeskan Regiments into combat instead of Snezhgovian or Sechenian regiments just because Arendeskan Armies have a large population, larger survival rate, and the highest patriotism.

These however are only the metrics of the Union's VerhVoyennKommittet (Higher Military Council), in terms of actual Arendeskan military traditions, tactics, organization, and equipment, the Arendeskan Army is much more enriched with military knowledge, aquired from generations upon generations of defensive, and at times offensive war.

Arendeskan military tradition describes conflict as a natural occurence in humans. It describes fighting to defend one's motherland to be the greatest honour, but also does not deny the damage and the sacrifice that war can bring. In Arendeskan literature, war is fought for the common good, which is usually for defense, but at times the cost which was paid is too great to repay with the enemy merely ceasing to fight, total obliteration of the enemy is required at this time.

Weapons have been a part of this tradition for centuries, from swords to firearms there has been a level of intricacy that went into forming strategies for these tools. However, all strategy that was written for them was written specifically so that the ordinary villager could master it. This allowed Arendeska to rally large citizen armies in the early days of it's conquests, which enabled it the manpower to coordinate large-scale campaigns.

The sword is also an important part of this category within Arendeskan military culture. The most common one being the "Svabra", a sword with a large handle and slightly curved blade. Usually worn by military officers (who are trained in sword and knife combat), the sword is a depiction of both skill and stature. The knife, known simply as "Nozh", is also equally as important. All Arendeskan troops are trained in knife combat, and are encouraged to resort to melee fighting if all ammunition is exhausted.