Ursus

**Ursus**, officially the **Federated Kingdom of Ursus**, was a Kingdom of Cartonia, home to the bear species. It was the final nation to surrender during the War, and was absorbed into Vulpus in 726.

A large country spanning several regions, Ursus bordered Unity Sea and the Equine Strait. It was the nation geographically closest to Equine Isle. On land to the east, Ursus bordered Porcinia, Phantine, and Simeone. To the northeast was Psittancyna.

## Geography

Home to a wide variety of bear subspecies, Ursus covers a large range of differing biomes. The northern regions are very cold, even arctic, and home to polar bears. The southern areas are warmer and home to species such as the sun bear. The capital is located in the country's center and is home to bears from all species.

## History

Ursus pledged allegiance to the Harmony Crown in the Year 1, thus uniting the Cartonian continent. It follows Porcinia and precedes Willie in the rotation.

Ursus had once been a decentralized conglomeration of autonomous states until the union shortly after the establishment of the Harmony Crown. Hence, the official title includes "Federated."

At the outbreak of the War in 708, Ursus declared neutrality. After the Vixen Queen abolished the Harmony Crown in February 709, eight further nations rushed into the conflict. Despite this, Ursus and its closest ally Porcinia maintained their neutralities. Their neutrality was challenged after the November 709 execution of the Galligasque Royal Family, but it held. However, after Vulpus murdered Ana III of Simeone, a neutral monarch and a child, Ursus could stay silent no longer and joined the Granite Bloc in January 710. Porcinia and Simeone joined as well leaving no neutral nations left on the continent.

In an Ursine trench in 712, an army medic discovered a strain of an unknown virus that quickly spread across the continent as a pandemic. Known colloquially as the War Plague, the disease ravaged the kingdom of Ursus. In the summer of 714, the plague claimed the life of Queen Grace.

When the Plague subsided in 715, Ursus attempted to gain the upper hand on Psittancyna by launching an offensive. The attack failed, as Psittancyna anticipated their move and invaded Ursus from the Western Ocean. A trenchline was established on Sitka Beach on the Cape of Alyaska. During a visit to the trenches, King Archibald and his daughter, Princess Theodora, were separated. Theodora was captured by Scuridiae and Psittancyna. Her ransom was paid, but she was killed by accident during the hostage exchange. Vowing not to remarry and without other issue, Archibald would leave the succession's fate to the will of Parliament.

By 719, as reported at the annual Granite Bloc summit, Psittancyna had pushed into Ursus, and Scuridiae continued to occupy the Cape of Alyaska.

Ursus was the last nation standing in the War, and fell on September 1, 726. Archibald was executed, and surrender was all but assured. The entirety of the territory was annexed into Vulpus.

## Trivia

* Ursus is named after the collateral adjective for bears: "ursine." This also serves as the Kingdom's demonym.
* The flag of Ursus is brown, denoting the color of most bears' furs, with a white stripe set to indicate the polar bears and other subspecies.
* The capital of Carnarvon is named after the Earl of Carnarvon and is supposed to mimic the word "carnivorous."
* Tardisham Tower is based on the Tower of London and named after the TARDIS from *Doctor Who*. The ruling dynasty is named after Rose Tyler.