Lyryon

**Lyryon** (alternatively spelled **Lyrion**), officially the **State of Lyryon** or **Kingdom of Lyryon**, is a nationstate on the West African coast. It is bordered by Hal Stakion to the north, which is a fellow member of the Pan-African League. The population of around 8 million Lyryans are kept under strict control by the oppressive government, which measures its success by the nation's GDP and refers to individual citizens as "human resources."

## The Kingdom of Lyryon

National flag of the Kingdom of Lyryon, which showcases the national emblem, the Daine of Lyryon, which is worn by the Granst of Lyryon from their coronation until their death, upon which it is melted and forged into an item chosen by them before their death and displayed in the Hall of Kings.

## Government

### Leader

Granst Hielen Weddle

Lyryon began in the middle of the 16th century, where, during a period of unrest under a lost kingdom, Lyryians revolted against the reigning monarch and fought in a protracted war for independence, which turned into a conquest and victory after around six years of fighting. Lyryon's first Granst (An honorific in Lyric meaning "Reigning Over All Men") was Lied Bek, who had led the most popular sect of the independence rebellion, the Lebeks.

## Government

### Autocracy

The nation does not hold democratic elections.

## Law & Order

### Conscription

A period of military service is compulsory for all citizens.

## Economy

### Capitalism

Private industry is permitted within a market-based economy.

## History

### Ancient History

Tribes began to pop-up in and around the modern day capital region of Lyria in ancient times, although modern Lyrians emerged closer to the 8th millennia B.C.E. alongside the Meyugs, who they co-existed with until the disappearance of the Meyugs around the 2nd millennia. In the aftermath of the Meyugs' disappearance, many ancient drawings and sketches around the time period included graphic (for the crudeness of the drawings) depictions of violence (including sexual violence), and destroyed structures. Historians posit several theories as to the disappearance of the Meyug people, who disappeared along with a majority of Lyrians, and caused a population crash which was not recovered until the 5th century C.E. One theory suggests that several major conflicts between Lyrians and Meyugs caused the disappearance of the Meyugs, while others suggest that a foreign power or infighting caused it. Another likely theory infers from genetic evidence that conflicts between Lyrians and Meyugs *did* happen, but ultimately cultural and genetic assimilation caused the Meyugs' disappearance.

Artifacts recovered in the region show that ancient Lyrians had made extensive and efficient usage of tools, and generally were very advanced for their time, as partially-translated Meyug documents suggest that ancient Lyrians had set up pseudo-governmental and even trade systems, though not much is known about these as there are very few Meyug-language writings on the systems, and the Meyug language is yet to be fully understood, as no native speakers exist today.

### Early States

Around the 2nd century B.C.E is where historical documents on Lyrian civilization pick up more extensively, as by this time period, modern Lyric had emerged and record-keeping was easier with papyrus, but more commonly, parchment. Documents from the time period show that an early state, the Lyr Kingdom, and later the Lyr Empire (though not large in size), was influential in the region until the 1st century C.E., when it suddenly collapsed after a period of unrest following several large tax hikes throughout the empire's constituencies.

Several small states existed in the region intermittently until the 6th century, when a newer Lyr Kingdom emerged (though just called Lyr, historical documents suggest it was ruled by a king) and dominated the region throughout the rest of the millennia up until 1078, when a peasants' revolt deposed and executed the reigning King Deren, who had not yet sired a successor. The throne was occupied by several people throughout the next two years, none of which possessed noble lineage, until 1079, when the Lyr Kingdom collapsed after the death of Lord Bardian (who had, during his reign, abstained from taking the title of King).

Beginning with the collapse of the second Lyr Kingdom, the region of modern Lyryon was occupied by at least 52 different states, some of which co-existed with each other, and others warred, until the 15th century when a now-lost kingdom conquered the region.

### Contemporary History

In the 18th century, after a period of rule by the lost kingdom, several factions within the kingdom revolted against the ruling government, the most popular of which being the Lebeks led by future-Granst Lied Bek, which eventually won the war after six years and took over the territory of the lost kingdom. Not much is known about this time period as Lyrian insurgents, specifically from the Lebek faction, torched what is presumed to be the lost kingdom's capital, and several other major locations, destroying a majority of documents kept about the kingdom and the warring period that dominated its last years.

In 1710, Lied Bek established the modern Kingdom of Lyryon and was granted the honorific of Granst by a transitionary council of nobles established after the fall of the lost kingdom, a designation which would later become the norm for future kings of Lyryon. Following his coronation as the new king, or Granst, Bek dissolved the transitionary council and declared himself sole ruler with no equal, to no opposition. Bek's regal policies were perceived to be surprisingly benevolent and somewhat progressive for the time, such as an initiative to provide free food for all, and a peasant housing initiative, both of which stood in stark contrast to the norm for monarchical societies of the time, which treated 'peasants' as lower than everyone else.

During Granst Bek's reign the Kingdom of Lyryon did not pursue any conflicts with other nationstates of the time, and did not have expansionist policy in mind, as Bek saw both purposeless if not for a good reason.

In 1717, Bek commissioned the creation of a crown for the purpose of headwear, as up until that point, he had not worn any regal headwear. He commissioned it to be a, "Daine for all of Lyryon to see," the word Daine roughly translating to 'regality' meaning a privilege. The finished Daine was not exactly in the shape of a normal crown however, as can be seen in the national flag, the finished product, bent from the shape seen in the flag to fit the reigning granst's head, was slightly uncomfortable but wearable. Bek had the original design slightly modified to be more comfortable twenty years later in 1737.

In 1745, after 35 years of rule, Granst Lied Bek died in his sleep. Modern historians theorize that Bek's death was due to a brain tumor, as historical documents from the time, though with little detail, report Bek having experienced frequent migraines and blanking out, among other symptoms.

#### Era of 12 Kings

Granst Lied Bek had not sired any children, and therefore there was no successor to the throne. Following his death, a council of nobles was assembled by the then-Minister of Public Image, Klun Ellen, who later convinced the assembled council that due to his relationship with the Granst, and the help he provided, he was fit to be his successor. Upon Klun Ellen's ascension, a Daine was forged for him, and inserted *into* his head, so he would carry the permanent burden of ruling over the kingdom with always. This practice was later abandoned in the late 19th century due to the health risk it posed to the Granst.

From 1745 to 1830, 12 kings, including Klun Ellen, ruled over Lyryon, each coming to power through subterfuge and careful planning. The 7th king, Ieden Omu, who came to power in 1780, was eventually killed in a riot, where the Daine he had worn was pulled out of his head and melted down into a liquid gold and poured down his throat, killing him. This practice would continue to be used for kings deemed 'dishonorable' in the future, including the 9th and 10th kings of this era, and the practice continues today.

#### The Industrial Revolution

Beginning in the 19th century into the early 20th century, the Kingdom of Lyryon went through a period of transformation with the Industrial Revolution, improving the lifespan of many and making a lot of products more readily and widely available. Curiously, the kingdom did not go through the same strife many industrializing nationstates of the same time period were experiencing, and the kingdom maintained a sturdy grip on any decline in the quality of life. Granst Oden Weddle famously proclaimed, "Lyryon will not be taken down by machines, but enriched and elightened."

#### 21st Century

In 2001, after a thirty year reign, Granst Peren Weddle abdicated the throne to his eldest son, Hielen, due to health issues. Hielen Weddle continues to rule the nationstate today.

##### The Pan-African League

In August of 2021, Hielen Weddle enacted several progressive reforms, like making college free, but also relaxed regulations on big businesses, to the ire of many hopeful socialists within the nationstate. Following this, however, Weddle proposed and founded the Pan-African League with several other nationstates on the African continent, to foster a more cooperative relationship and keep colonial entities out of the continent.

After the creation of the Pan-African League, several nationstates began to show colonial interest in Africa, which was warned against by members of the Pan-African League, including Lyryon. Following warnings, the Pan-African League declared war on two of these nationstates, San Juan Bautista, and Gigantario, causing the Great War and the Liberian Affair.

## Geography

Lyryon is situated on the West African coast, bordering Hal Stakion to the north.

## Hielen Weddle

Hielen Weddle, current reigning Granst of Lyryon, who was coronated in 2001.

## Biographical information

### Place of birth

Lyria, Lyryon

The large, well-organized government juggles the competing demands of Education, Law & Order, and Defense. The average income tax rate is 51.1%, and even higher for the wealthy. Lyrian people are ruled by a king, locally called a Granst. The current reigning Granst of Lyryon, Hielen Weddle, has served since 2001.

The Granst of Lyryon serves as the head of government, the head of state, and commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Lyryon. Lyryon does not have a legislative body, as the granst serves as absolute ruler, though legislation may be written and proposed to the granst by the granst's advisory council.

The Granst of Lyryon does not have a term limit, instead the throne is given up by either abdication or death, and is given to the eldest child of the previous granst. If the previous granst did not have any children, a council of nobles is assembled to choose the successor.

Historical groups have tried to reform the monarchical system to be more democratic, but all of them have failed.

### Foreign Relations

The Kingdom of Lyryon maintains peaceful and cooperative relations with Hal Stakion and Bigratistan, two other nationstates on the continent of Africa, which it shares membership with in the Pan-African League. Aside from the PAL, Lyryon does not have many other allies. The PAL's antagonization of many nationstates in the Great War and the Liberian Affair has caused it to be somewhat isolated on the world stage in diplomatic terms.

### Concerns of Corruption

In 2015, several ministers of Granst Weddle's advisory council were arrested and found guilty of corruption, including the purposeful sabotage of several Lyrian industrial facilities, and embezzlement. This caused widespread concern among citizens of Lyryon that the government may have more unseen corruption. These concerns were dismissed by Weddle in a public statement on 15 September, who said, "Those corrupt members of our government have been weeded out and punished, if there were any other weeds that needed to be pulled, I would know."

## Economy

The Lyric economy, worth 436 billion lyrs a year, is led by the Beef-Based Agriculture industry, with major contributions from Tourism, Information Technology, and Door-to-door Insurance Sales. Average income is 43,641 lyrs, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 3.0 times as much as the poorest.

## References

1. ↑ Founding of the Ancient State of Lyrion
2. ↑ Hal Stakion Joins the Pan-African League
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Official Lyrian Government Page for the Kingdom of Lyryon
4. ↑ A Proposal for Union Between the Nationstates of Africa
5. ↑ Official Information Page on the Pan-African League
6. ↑ Two Members of the Pan-African League Declare War on San Juan Bautista
7. ↑ Lyryon Declares War on San Juan Bautista
8. ↑ Bigratistan Declares War on Gigantario