Kazimierz

**Kazimierz** is a Terran country located between Columbia, Sami, Ursus, and Victoria. Dubbed the "Land of the Knights," Kazimierz is famed for its knightly traditions for generations. However, ever since the rise of Kazimierz's capitalists, such tradition has been gradually corrupted by greed, leading to the heavily commercialization of its triennial Kazimierz Major. While the bustling capitalism bolsters Kazimierz's economy and improves the citizens' livelihood, it also causes several social issues such as inequality in development between its rich mega-cities, i.e., the capital of Kawalerielki, and its remote, sedentary villages across its vast grasslands and forests, causing the common folks to suffer from poverty more than other nations.

Although the Kazimierzian society has been much open as it modernizes, it still retains its old, feudal traditions like chattel slavery and hierarchical structures. In the Infected's case, they are outwardly treated better many other places in Terra; however, they are being discriminated behind the scenes such as gladiatorial fights between Infected competitive knights in both open and underground tournaments and living in underground ghettoes. Nevertheless, following the 24th Major season and the subsequent establishment of Rhodes Island's branch office in Kazimierz, the condition has been gradually improved.

The Kazimierzian language is similar to Polish in our world. But somehow, both have distinct grammars and accents even though both are mutually intelligible enough with each other.

The majority of Kazimierzians are of the Kuranta race, which is reflected on its national emblem resembling a knight piece.

## Background

 File:Silverlance Enters the City.png
In ancient times, Kazimierz was ruled by the Pegasi - an Elderly race of the Kurantas. Like the Hippogryphs who once ruled Ursus, the Pegasi regime was threatened by the worldwide conquest of the Nightzmoran Khagan and his horde. Fortunately, the Pegasi managed to defend their country and continued their rule until the modern era; the power and prestige of knightly nobility over the country increased drastically during this period. With their position seemingly unshakeable, some of the knight-nobles grew more and more abusive of the populace under their rule, triggering numerous rebellions that were brutally crushed.

This status quo, however, would eventually be broken: the industrial revolution and the rise of capitalism across Terra ushered in the modern age. Around 120 years ago, a knight-retainer became a *nouveau riche* overnight after buying off the assets of a deceased noble auctioned by the National Council. This event inspired others to do the same, eventually leaving the old Kazimierzian aristocracy virtually penniless with the retainers becoming almost indistinguishable with the merchants. The *nouveau riche* eventually took over Kazimierz from the now-powerless old aristocracy after a period of strife where they rebelled against their tyrannical knight-nobles. This rough transition gave rise to powerful corporations who are descendants of the oppressed knight-retainers and assassin organizations such as the Armorless Union.

In modern era, Kazimierz's main conflict centers on the different ideology between the traditional campaign knights led by the surviving nobilities and the Adeptus Sprawiedliwi that controls its military and the modern competitive knights led by the corporation heads and the representatives of the General Chamber of Commerce. The nobles and campaign knights see competitive knights as weak imitations and even a blasphemy of their proud tradition, while the corporate leaders see the knight-nobles as backward and obstinate, oblivious to the relentless march of progress in the modern era. Such is the clash between tradition and modernity, between knightly honor and materialism fostered by the prosperity of modern age; the two factions sabotage each other either through manipulation of national laws or by underground means like hiring the Armorless Union. But amidst this conflict, there are still some moderates such as Margaret Nearl and Spokesman Malkiewicz who seek compromises to transcend short-sighted differences in order to truly bring Kazimierz towards a brighter future.

Despite the diminishing knightly traditions, the campaign knights continues to be an essential force that maintain Kazimierz's security. For generations, they garrison and maintain border fortresses to guard Kazimierz from the expansionist march of Ursus and Leithanien. Most recent of such conflicts is the "**Tenth Ursus-Kazimierz War"** in which Kazimierz was driven to its final stronghold, but ultimately turned the tide and prevailed thanks to the the legendary Kirill Nearl and his fellow Silverlance Pegasi during the decisive battle later known as the **"Daybreak over the Golden Prairie"** in the year 1072. Kazimierz would have undoubtedly fallen under Ursine and Leithanian rule had it not been for the campaign knights, their long-standing martial tradition and culture of knightly honor. However, if unrestrained, the campaign knights could also post a threat to the country as they yearn to end the country's materialistic dilemma and restore their traditional, pure knighthood; such is evident by the plotted uprising led by Czcibor who attempted to start a new war against Leithanien.

 File:The Knights' Treasure.png
In the past, Kazimierzian knights maintained a tradition of rich funeral. Upon their deaths, their dead bodies would be buried on a specific site alongside their property, notably expensive goods, gold coins, and advanced equipment. These grave goods are better known as the "Knights' Treasures" by later generations. Most of these tombs are lost in the advent of Catastrophes while some of them remain well preserved. But in the recent years, tomb-raiding are occurring all around Kazimierz as the stories become much more exaggerated among the bounty hunters.

## Notable people

* **Duke**: The former Associate Justice of the National Council who was arrested during the 24th Major season for being suspected of numerous crimes.

## Places

### Settlements

* Kawalerielki
* Dewville
* Dzwonek
* **Ognisko**: Once known as the "City of Saplings and Artisans," it is surrounded by numerous slums, one of which is where Mob was born into.

## References

2. ↑ MN-4 Before
3. ↑ Near Light Epilogue 3
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 NL-ST-4
5. ↑ Blemishine's Archive Files
6. ↑ NL-10 After
7. ↑ GT-EX-3 After
8. ↑ NL-ST-3