Confederation of Soileius

> "A seed was placed on the banks of the river Vidia, and a grand confederation emerged, rooting and intertwining itself into the fate of all of Solus."
>
> - Henrik Demetrios Andreas, 'The Confederation', 1922
>
>

## Confederation of Soileius

* Flag
* Map

## Government

### Local Name

**(Soileiusian)**
Soileiansk Konføderasjon
**(Genmiran)**
Ομοσπονδία Σοϊλέιος
**(Ilysiansken)**
Confederazione di Soileius

### Type

Confederated Constitutional Republic with Executive Presidency

### National Anthem

**National**
Arise, Soileiusian Patriots
**Civil**
The Patriotic Song

### Motto

Victoria per Voluntatem et Virtutem
(Victory through Will and Virtue)

## Society

### Language(s)

**Official**
* Soileiusian

**National**

* Genmiran
* Ilysiansken

**Minority**

* Filnoukean

### Religion(s)

**Koreism** (82.3%)
* Eukopan Kore (77.1%)
* Northern Orthodires (3.2%)
* Other Koreist Denominations (2%)

**Atheist** (13.4%)
**Di'nen** (1.7%)

* Jod'domen (1.4%)
* Other Di'neni Denominations (0.3%)

**Others** (2.6%)

## Overview

Soileius (/sɔɪˈliːəs/ soy-LEE-us, or /sɔ.lɛjːəs/ soh-LAY-us), officially known as the Soileiusian Confederation or as the Confederation of Soileius (used interchangably), is a country located in southern Eukopa. The capital city and cultural centre is Ilysiavik, whilst the most populous and the principal financial centre is Olympire. Other major urban areas include Ariezo, Hjellias, Talia, Midmeuntet, Österfjort, Nordstrand, Sjøstrand, Nœrelvik, Morias, Rimagna, Ekrien, Byrnford, and Patrias. The country is bordered by placeholder to the north, placeholder to the south, placeholder to the west and shares a sea border with placeholder to the east. TBD has been the President since TBD.

## Etymology

The name derives from the former ruling House of Sol. The first use of "Soileius" dates back to 1608 with the crowning of Emperor Sol, of the House of Sol. The name "Soileius" was chosen shortly before the coronation by an assembly of nobles.

## History

### Prehistory

#### Paleolithic

The oldest surviving human artefacts from Soileius are found near the city of Nordicastra and are dated at TBD,000 BCE, in the Early Paleolithic era. Other artefacts from the Middle Paleolithic era come from the Hirdson Cave in the historical area of Scavia.

#### Metal Ages (300 AD)

During the Bronze Age, the modern day area located in the state of Helasvika was inhabited by the “Helasvika” culture, a people group who grew grain and kept livestock. Bronze and Iron tools have been found in archaeological sites around eastern Soileius. During the first three centuries AD, the proto-tribes of eastern Soileius had formed a close trading relationship with northern Eskovian and western Proto-Filnoukean peoples.

### Soileiusian Tribes and the Ilysiansk Empire (300 AD - 1277)

The first written historical records found in Soileus date to the 4th century AD, where several petty tribes and kingdoms existed on the Eastern coast of Soileius. Ilysia (modern day Ilysiavik) was one of these tribes, founded on the river Vidia in northeastern Soileus. The state was ruled by the ancient Ancus dynasty who expanded and subjugated surrounding kingdoms, up to the Tarkinus Dividing Range to the east in a four century long campaign.

Ilysia, then referred to as the Ilysiansk Empire, then began a campaign southwards in the 11th century, assimilating the various people-groups, including other Soileiusian tribes, the Sombards, and the Istrustians. After these subjugation campaigns, the Emperor Tibraeson Ancus passed many feudal reforms which gave vassals more autonomy and less tax obligations as to manage the empire’s new southern subjects. With the passing of these crown authority laws, many smaller and weaker empires and duchies voluntarily swore fealty to the Empire for protection.

The Ilysiansk Empire, now controlled by Ancus junior house Vartelsjorn, underwent a period of consolidation under Emperor Furederak I. Furederak’s heir, Ingevald II proclaimed the Holy Ilysiansk Confederation in 1277, crowning himself Holy Emperor of Ilysia. During this time, Kore also became the state religion.

### Holy Ilysiansk Confederation (1277 - 1408)

The Holy Ilysiansk Confederation continued under two more emperors, Ingevald III and IV, before a vassal revolt toppled the hereditary empire in favour of one governed by an Elective Monarchy with Emperor Erik I reigning as the first elected emperor. Through the elective monarchy, brutal competition by competing royal houses led to numerous instances of executions of entire bloodlines, leading to de-stabilization as unpopular, distant royals inherited the various vassal kingdoms, duchies and counties of the confederation.

With the final toppling of the confederation and its dissolution in the hands of a large scale peasant revolt in 1408, the previously vassalized petty kingdoms and duchies splintered off. By 1466, three kingdoms emerged as the most influential post-confederation states - the Helasvikan Kingdom, the Grand Republic of Ilysia, and the Kingdom of Sodvidia.

### Halmiar Union (1472)

Through royal marriages, the Helasvikan and Sodvidian kingdoms formed a personal union under King Orlson I. Orlson’s half brother, Anders was elected as Potestate of the Grand Republic, who then transformed Ilysia back into a dynastic monarchy and joined the newly founded Halmiar Union. Through the suspicious death of Anders, Orlson I then became the sole ruler of all three kingdoms, solidifying him and his heirs as the rulers of Halmiar.

#### Overthrowing of the House of Orlson (1608)

The House of Orlson ruled over Halmiar for four generations, from 1472 to 1608. The last Orlson, King Aksel II, aged 6 at the time, was deposed in a coup by the royal house of Sol, a dynasty which claims to have descended from the ancient Ancus dynasty of the Ilysiansk Empire of antiquity. The house of Sol’s head, King Sol, then crowned himself the Emperor of the Soileiusian Empire.

#### Foundation of Soileiusian Identity (1608 - 1677)

Through Sol, the Emperor expanded westward across the Tarkinus Dividing Range, driving out the Filnoukean kingdoms which lay west of the mountains.

The expeditions were bloody and brutal, with an estimated death toll of 8 million. The Western lands, which were largely depopulated even before the Soileiusian conquests, were extremely empty after the expedition wars. Soileiusian aristocrats quickly bought up land from these newly conquered regions, setting up farms in the western territories. The Southern and Eastern expeditions were far less brutal than the Westward and Northern expeditions, and with the influx of new subjects and millions of more peasants, the house of Sol granted out minor royal titles to peasants of richer status.

Even with vast reforms, concerning both land and political freedoms, the Soileiusian society and government suffered from major war exhaustion. However King Sol, and his successor Sol II's ambitions in their views for Soileius did not wane, and they aimed to stretch the empire from Arell Bay to the Sea of Romudz. Through a campaign of resettlements starting in 1677, citizens ranging from indentured laborers to petty criminals were relocated and expelled through the western borders to ethnically Filnoukean, Polettian, Ostrian, Kuyanan, and Siriean states. Through diplomatic and economic pressure, the empire effectively vassalized these small semi-feudal kingdoms. Throughout the next century, intermingling and intermarriages between these ethnic groups would create the "Western Soileiusian" culture via assimilation.

### Imperial Soileius (1677 - 1783)

Through the creation of the Western Soileiusians and the de-facto vassalization of the kingdoms on the western border, Soileius would aim to expand its influence further beyond Eukopa.

#### Colonialism (18th century)

The first colonial ambitions of the Soileiusian Empire laid in the puppet-kingdoms west of Soileius, which had been under de-facto Soileiusian control for decades. Through slow integration via the transferring of titles to under the Soileiusian crown, the small petty kingdoms were successfully assimilated into Soileius proper. Church land grants were also given, and many "reserves" were created where minority populations' children were assimilated into the Soileiusian majority religion of Eukopan Koreism.

During the 18th century, trading posts would be seized for the crown across southern Eukopa and across the Generalis Ocean. A gold rush in 1761 in the northeastern Kuyanan island of Tolbre saw hundreds of Soileiusian prospectors, as well as small populations of other nationalities, settle down on the previously scarcely populated and largely rural island.

A series of clashes between the Soileiusian Empire and the Kingdom of Eskovy saw a humiliating defeat at Kaasvlatke Bay, prompting a treaty to be signed in 1782 which saw the peninsula, as well as some northern Soileiusian frontier provinces to be ceded to Eskovy.

#### Constitutional monarchy (1783 - 1804)

The treaty of Kaasvlatke was one of Soileius' most memorable defeats after a string of victories across its history. The defeat in the Soileius-Eskovy border clashes were seen as a consequence of Crown overconfidence and incapableness. The reigning monarch at the time, Soliette I, was known in upper class society as a lunatic and miscreant. Army commanders shifted blame to the monarchy and lead an uprising against the House of Sol, marching on Ilysiavik on the 7th of March, 1783. An ultimatum was sent to the royal palace, demanding an end to the absolute monarchy.

On the 9th of March, the Charter of Political Freedoms was drafted, promising various rights to lower nobility, commoners, the church and the military. Feudal payments were largely abolished, church rights were enshrined, military officers positions were exempt from law, political freedoms were guaranteed and the crown's absolute authoritative power was relinquished.

#### Ultraconservative movement (1800)

The 9th of March Circle was an ultraconservative counter-revolutionary plot formed by upper nobility in response to the royal charter drafted on the 9th of March. After the standing down of the army, members of the House of Sol cadet branch Sol-Lysea raised their own forces in open mutiny against the Empire. Open conflict occured in the streets of Österfjort and Midmeuntet. An estimated three thousand to five thousand on both sides were killed before the Charter of Political Freedoms was re-examined and the military officer clause was removed.

### Østrumist Era (1804 - 1811)

Political dissidents unhappy with the special privileges which the noble class still enjoyed emerged in the turn of the century.

#### Civil Protests and the birth of Østrumism (1804)

Leading populist politician Sigmund Theodoro Østrum wrote his manifesto - Statement on Proletariat Nationalism & Collectivism - in 1804, and subsequently founded the National-Collectivist Proletariat League, commonly known as the NKPF (**N**asjonal-**K**ollektivistisk **P**roletariat**f**orbund), based on an economically left-leaning yet culturally right wing ideology dubbed Østrumism.

The NKPF incited mass riots and held large, disruptive rallies Infront of government buildings in protest. Using the monarchy as a scapegoat, the party led a march on Ilysiavik with its paramilitary and captured the royal family after a brief armed confrontation. With the government couped, the NKPF instated itself as the sole ruling party, enabling martial law and signing a law of exile to the House of Sol, Sol-Lysea and other royal families with titles in the former empire.

#### Martial Law & Soileiusian Unitary State (1805 - 1811)

The NKPF reformed the empire into the Soileiusian Unitary State, a dictatorial, militarist state. Centralised in Ilysiavik, the Unitary State initiated a campaign of political repression. Instating State Atheism and enforcing the Soileiusian language, outlawing all others, the NKPF aimed for a culturally homogenous nation.

#### Filnoukean Revolt (1807)

Unrest from the National-Collectivist Proletariat League's new laws started up almost immediately, but were mostly forced underground by the establishment of the National Intelligence Commitee, a secret police force. Particular unrest came from the Filnoukeans in the west, headed by the Filnoukean National Independence Militia and the Filnoukean People's Liberation Party. On the 26th of April, 1807, an armed uprising occurred. Months of decisive guerilla campaigns by the Filnoukeans left the Soileiusian army demoralized and forced into a peace treaty on the 7th of December, giving the Filnoukeans a state of their own.

#### First Filnoukean War (1809)

The Filnoukean state which was established by the 1807 treaty however was extremely impoverished and weak, both militarily and politically. Recognized by only Soileius as per terms of the treaty, the Filnoukean Republic was diplomatically isolated. The government started a campaign of mass conscription, propaganda and army modernization in 1808-1809, ending with the nullification of the 1807 treaty and the invasion of the Filnoukean Republic on the symbolic date of the 7th of December. The Soileiusian army steamrolled through Filnoukea in a war lasting only 4 days. The annexation of the Filnoukean Republic was agreed in the subsequent treaty.

### Democratisation (1811)

The unrest from the First Filnoukean War, seen by the public as a violation of another nation's sovereignty and an unnoble act by nullifying the 1807 treaty led to a mass mutiny and coup in the army organized by the Officer's Movement, a group of young, liberal officers recruited in the 1808-1809 modernization of the army. Sigmund Østrum was killed in the coup, and the Officer's Movement seized power from the crumbling NKPF.

#### Establishment of the Republic (1811)

After a brief transitionary government, a new republican government was formed by the Officer's Movement with the first constitution drafted and instated.

### Protocol of Confederation (1870)

The Republic was a welcome change to many, but was still a centralized government reminiscent of the Unitary State. The republic also had many flaws in its constitution and did not enshrine minority rights, and kept a significant amount of Østrumist laws. In 1870, Karl Johansen's cabinet drafted the Protocol of Confederation, which acknowledged and remedied the mistakes of the Republican constitution. The Protocols decentralized the government and gave its constituent subdivisions large amounts of federal autonomy.

## Politics

### Government

Soileius is a confederation defined by its 1870 constitution, commonly known as the “Protocol of Confederation''. In its current iteration, the confederation is a union of semi-autonomous states and regions with a degree of self-governance. It consists of 17 states (see states), 1 autonomous province - (see Autonomous Provinces), and 2 federal metropolises - (see Federal metropolises). This confederate structure allows for a balance between centralised governance and regional autonomy, promoting stability and unity within the nation.

#### Political Subdivisions

##### States

The 16 states of the Soileiusian Confederation are as follows;

##### Autonomous Provinces

The status of “Autonomous Province” was created in 1966 after the Second Filnoukean War. It was granted to the newly annexed eastern parts of Filnoukea, which consisted of the former Filnoukean states of Vloçët and Bujzë. The title of autonomous province holds a considerably large amount of autonomy compared to normal Soileiusian states. Currently the only autonomous province in the confederation is the state of Ostfalnœk (lit. East Filnoukea)

##### Federal Metropolises

A federal metropol defined, in the 1870 constitution, is an administrative division which is used for urban areas governed directly by the Soileusian government. Currently the areas of Ilysiavik and Olympire are designated as Federal Metropoli.

### Political Parties

**Soileiusian Progressive Party - SPP (Centre-Right)**

The Soileiusian Progressive Party (SPP), is the major centre-right political party in Soileius, and one of the three major political parties, alongside the Soileiusian Labour Party and the Popular Party. Described as a Liberal Conservative party, the party shares views of Fiscal Conservatism and Classical Liberalism, though smaller factions in the party exist which have differing views.

* Liberal Conservatism
* Classical Liberalism
* Fiscal Conservatism
* De-centralization

**Soileiusian Labour Party - SLP (Centre-Left)**

The Soileiusian Labour Party (SLP) is the major centre-left political party in Soileius, and one of the three major political parties, alongside the Soleiusian Progressive Party and the Popular Party. A social democratic and liberal party, the party hosts large factions of social democratic, democratic socialist and trade unionist politicians.

* Social Democracy
* Democratic Socialism
* Modern Liberalism
* Social Capitalism
* De-centralization

**Popular Party - PP (Right)**

The major right-wing party in the Soileiusian political system, the Popular Party is the third largest party in Soileius, and represents the broad nationalist right. The party is widely described as Neo-Østrumist, borrowing heavily from the former National-Collectivist Proletariat League's policies and ideology. An oddity, the Popular Party is one of the few pro-centralization parties. The Popular Party commonly works with the National Restoration League, the major Monarchist party in Soileius, as well as the Koreist Party, the largest Koreist-interest party in Soileius.

* Neo-Østrumism
* Nationalism
* Distributism
* Right-wing Populism
* Centralization

**National Restoration League - NRL (Far-right)**

The largest monarchist political party, the National Restoration League is a far-right royalist political movement. The NRL is inherently nationalist and conservatism, and espouses the Koreist faith, as well as the corporatist organization. The National Restoration League is largely loyal to the House of Sol, however some smaller factions swear allegiance to the Houses of Sol-Lysea and Orlson-Ariezo. The League regularly cooperates with the larger Popular Party as well as the Koreist Party during elections.

* Monarchism
* Conservatism
* Nationalism
* Corporatism
* Koreism

**Koreist Party - KP (Right)**

The Koreist Party (KP) is a Centre-Right to Right wing party which espouses the ideologies of Right-Wing populism, Nationalism (civic and otherwise), and Koreist Democracy. An interdenominational party, the Koreist party accepts all three Koreist denominations, though it is mainly made up of Eukopan Koreists. The Koreist party regularly cooperates with the NRL and PP in elections via coalitions.

* Right-Wing Populism
* Nationalism
* Koreist Democracy

**United Left Bloc - ULB (Big Tent Left)**

The United Left Bloc (ULB) is a catch-all left wing party. It is made up of a broad coalition of leftist ideologies, ranging from social democrats to communists and anarchists. They have on occasion collaborated with the People's Distributist Party and the Soileiusian Labour Party during elections.

* Big-tent communism
* Anti-capitalism

**People's Distributist Party - PDP (Centre-left)**

The People's Distributist Party (PDP), is the alternative Østrumist party in contrast to the Popular Party. Adopting a more unorthodox ideology, the PDP has been described as a "soft" Østrumist party. Defined by many as a centre-left party, the People's Distributist Party combines more conservative ideals of nationalism with Social Democracy and Liberalism. The PDP occasionally cooperate with the ULB and SLP.

* "Soft" Østrumism
* Liberalism
* Civic Nationalism
* Social Democracy
* Distributism
* De-centralization

**Resurgence Party - RP (Centre)**

The Resurgence Party (RP) is a centre party with a strong party platform consisting of several different obscure ideologies and systems. The Resurgence Party embraces the principles of technocracy, liberalism, meritocracy, corporatism, pacifism, welfarism, and regulated capitalism. Despite the uncommon party line, the Resurgence Party consistently wins smaller sub-national elections.

* Technoliberalism
* Meritocracy
* Corporatism
* Pacifism
* Social Capitalism

**Freedom Association - FA (Right)**

The largest Libertarian organization in Soileius, the Freedom Association is a centre-right to right wing party. Embracing the ideology of Non-interventionism and the economic system of "Laissez-faire", the Freedom Association enshrines personal liberties and aims to limit governmental reach into everyday life. Smaller factions exist in the party which follow more niche ideologies such as Minarchism and Paleolibertarianism.

* Libertarianism
* *Laissez-faire*
* Non-interventionism
* De-centralization

### Military

The Soileiusian Armed forces, officially known as the Confederal Armed Forces, was first created in 1679 as the Imperial Soileiusian Army. The armed forces consists of 5 distinct service branches; the Ground Force, Confederal Navy, Aerospace Force, Special Operations, and the Territorial Garrison. Three amphibious arms also exist; the Marine Corps (under the Navy), the Airborne Forces (under joint administration between the Aerospace Forces, Ground Force and Special Operations), and the Ballistic Rockets Command (under the Aerospace Force).

Each branch and subbranch are given specialized roles. The Ground Forces conducts terrestrial operations, the Confederal Navy conducts maritime operations, the Aerospace Forces conducts air operations as well as limited space operations, and the Territorial Garrison serves as a National Guard, Border Guard and reserve force. Special Operations conducts a range of special-purpose unconventional warfare, including but not limited to counter-insurgency, covert ops, hostage rescue, counter-terrorism, manhunting, hostage rescue or foreign internal defense. The amphibious subbranches of the Military are extremely specialized in their respective fields, with the Marine Corps working in tandem with the Navy to conduct amphibious and expeditionary operations. The Airborne Forces conduct the majority of the Armed Forces' airborne operations, as well as specializing in the deployment and use of Air Cavalry. The Ballistic Rockets Command controls Soileius' land-based ballistic and cruise missiles - both nuclear and conventional.

The Confederal Armed Forces has in place a system of conscription for males aged 18-25, where a mandatory 12 month service is required. Women are exempt from the conscription program, but are allowed to serve voluntarily. Officers of all branches are required to be fluent in Soileiusian, and have at least a basic grasp of Genmiran and Ilysiansken.

Soileiusian military doctrine is influenced largely by its historic defeat in Kaasvlatke, which was largely due to logistical and mobility issues. Soileiusian doctrine from the Eskovy war to the First Filnoukean war were largely offensive, centering around large numbers. After the First Filnoukean war, however, Soileius has shifted to a doctrine of high mobility, at first using extensively horse cavalry and motorized vehicles, before modernizing to large scale Air Cavalry and mechanized infantry deployments. Interbranch co-operation is also heralded in the nation's military strategy.

## Demographics

### Education

Soileius hosts some of the oldest universities in the world. The University of Byrnford, founded in 1292, is a research university in the city of Byrnford.

## Culture & Society

### Media & Film

The largest broadcasters in Soileius are Soileius National Broadcasting (SNB), and Public Broadcasting Corporation (PBC). There are also daily newspapers such as the *Sol Daily*, *Konføderasjon Soileius* (Soileiusian Federation) and *Soileiusian Daily Gazette* which provide traditional opinion and news.

The history of Soileiusian cinema and film is nearly as long as the history of cinematography itself. cont.

### Music

Various styles and genres of music are popular in Soileius. Soileiusian classical works are some of the world's most well-known composers. Johann Webb, Lucas Erranst and Georg Strauss were significant classical composers.

In modern society, Soileius has a large jazz and swing scene. Jazz was introduced into Soileius in the early 20th century, being largely underground until the popularization of the genre in the mid-20th century.

### Sports

Association football (and variant Futsal), volleyball, field hockey and water sports are popular recreational sports in Soileius.

The Soileiusian national sport is Football.

## Anthems

### National Anthem

To the tune of ‘Ode to Joy

**“Arise, Soileiusian Patriots”**

Arise, Soileiusian patriots,

Hearts ablaze with fervent might,

For our land, we'll stand united,

In the sun's eternal light.

Arise, Soileiusian patriots,

With valour deep, our spirits soar,

In unity, we find our strength,

Bound by duty evermore.

Upon green plains and azure skies,

We'll build a future strong and bright,

In peaceful harmony we'll thrive,

Guided by the stars at night.

From shore to mountains, forests grand,

Soileius, our cherished land,

With hands held high, we pledge our love,

To you, our home, Soileius above.

### Civil Anthem

To the tune of ‘Auld Lang Syne’

**“The Patriotic Song”**

Soileius, our homeland strong and grand,

A beacon bright, a noble land.

Beneath the sky of endless blue,

Our hearts are steadfast, ever true.

In unity, we proudly stand,

With strength and courage hand in hand.

From valleys deep to mountains tall,

Soileius, we shall heed your call.

Our heritage, a shining light,

Guides us through brightest day and darkest night.

With honour deep, we shall prevail,

Soileius, our land, of which we hail.