Stanislaw II of Kranowska

## Stanisław II

the Delusional King in 1085

**Stanisław II** is the ruling King of Kranowska, having been elected to the throne following the assassination of Jan II Kazimierz in 1080. Under his leadership, Kranowska has witnessed a regression of centralization and secularization done by the previous two Kings, along with increased military buildup, expansionism and aggressive foreign policy not too different from Friederich II of Fengelia. To protect his throne and absolute power, Stanisław created a secret police - the Bureau of Public Security (BBP) modeled after the Ruthene one. His foreign policy emphasized making Kranowska an "independent great power" separate from the other nations of the world - Fengelia, Aulmierre and the Ruthenes; worsening diplomatic relations with each of them. Due to these, Stanisław has been nicknamed "the Delusional" and "the Mad King" by many of his critics

## Foreign policy

### East

#### Frentland

Since 1006, the Frentland (known as Krajn in Kranish) was designated a neutral autonomous territory to serve as a buffer state between Kranowska and the Ruthenes. In 1083, Kranowska under Stanisław II supported the coup and subsequent military dictatorship of Ataman Danil Kyivichenko, and in return the Frentland has been leaning towards the pro-Kranish sphere

#### Alskania

Alskania is an industrialized state that relies mostly on weapon manufacturing. Despite its relative prosperity, it is overpopulated and suffers from rural banditry and insurgency. Stanisław II began supporting pan-Orelic and other pro-Kranish insurgents in Alskania, while bribing and supporting pro-Kranish Alskan politicians

#### Ruthenes

The Ruthenes had been Kranowska's main rival for centuries. Nonetheless, the 1006 Treaty of Korowska that created the Frentland buffer state allowed relations between the two countries to detente a bit. However, with the new pro-Kranish dictator in the Frentland, and politicians endorsed by the King calling for the "burning of Czargrad", the already unstable relations between Kranowska and the Ruthenes are worsening once more, and the Ruthenes have begun supporting pro-Ruthene kozak rebels in the Frentland

### West and South

#### Raykoria

The Babelist Movement in Raykoria was supported by both Kranowska and Fengelia in the Raykorian Civil War. However, in 1085 Stanisław II pressured Prince Alfred III of Babilhad into signing the Fabian Treaty, making Babelist Raykoria a *de facto* Kranish protectorate. Fearing that it would threaten Fengelian interests in the region, the Fengelians cut all support to the Babelists, and intervened militarily against them a few months later

#### Aulmierre

Nearly 20% of the Aulmierrese population is Orelic, with the western regions bordering Kranowska being largely Orelic-speaking. Stanisław II supported Pan-Orelic movements, worsening relations with the Aulmierrese Consulate

#### Medimare

In the Medimare region, Zakrot was Kranowska's main ally, and Parintos being traditionally pro-Fengelian. After Parintos lost Tracya Oblast, its only coastline, in the Fourth Medimarine War, it grew increasingly dependant on Kranowska. Influencing Pan-Orelic parties in Parintos, a pro-Kranish government was installed in 1084, which pushed Zakrot away to the pro-Aulmierrese camp

#### Telochnistan

In violation of the 1024 Trilateral Agreement that the Great Powers would not carve out spheres of influence in Telochnistan, Stanisław II pressured the Lemet of Telochnistan into allowing Kranish companies free and complete access to the 5 northern vilayets of Telochnistan. In reaction, Aulmierre began carving spheres of influence in southern Telochnistan too