Lucredia

## The Grand Duchy of Lucredia

### Origins

The Word Lucredia is made up of Lucre (profaned) and edia (Land) which both comes from an ancient language, which was common within the nation. In other words, lucredia was known back then as the profaned lands, which might've come from their very unreligious behaviour and focus on science and technology.

The Name of the Capital Lucrona comes from Lucr (Syllable for Lucredia) and crona (crown). Translated it would mean "The Crown of Lucredia". The name comes from the inormous wealth, that the town once had.

### History

#### The Beginning

The name Lucredia was first used in an ancient empire for a sub-kingdom, which was identically experienced in science and culture as the capital. The people never really believed in a religion, and so the dominant religion back then started calling it "unholy lands" and "homage of evil".

As years have passed, under the rule of the 47th King called Lenadea den Criel, the Kingdom broke free from the falling Empire and managed to stay in peace for estimated 500 years. Suddenly, the Church started crusades against the Kingdom, as its being seen as an enemy of god with their advanced culture and technology, which also led to their victory with their 3 giant Mechs they still had from the days in the empire.

After this war, several others tried to destroy the nation, mostly to get the mechs, including their co vassals from the empire which had to get rid of them due to the extremely high maintanance. One war was nearly lost, as 2 of the mechs have been sabotaged and the 3rd being in maintanance. But the war was still won. In all of the wars Lucredia took no to little territory and mainly vassalized the other states to increase their power and provide their riches to more people.

But as everything, all had come to an end. After nearly 1700 years of independence, freedom and civil rights, the first power hungry and selfish King got elected. The 1385th King called Bahamuth den Criel-Leoren of Lucredia pushed to annex most vassal states, without seing the danger ahead. A cult praying to demons which was in a part of the new territory saw this as an opportunity to gain higher popularity and started spreading within the nation with everyone noticing except the king. The dukes and senators tried to mobilize as much as possible to fend off the incoming threat, but failed miserably. One duke known as Sebastion Lenadea ven Akuma-Criel Dominate (latin) died at the frontlines after killing an estimated amount of 4000 cultists, making him to one of the strongest soldiers of that time. But all hope was lost. As the senate was holding a vote on deposing the King, the cultists burned the capital of Lucrona to the ground, removing any evidence that there ever was a nation. The Nation collapsed soon after and many fled to a kingdom beyond the known world in hopes to return one day.

#### The Return

One of those was the son of Duke Sebastion Lenadea ven Akuma-Criel Dominate called Valentinus Sebastion ven Akuma-Criel-Kommandena Dominate who went with his mother to her birthplace beyond the known world. 2000 Years later, Knight Lucas Gerg Lenadea Sebastian vin Akuma-Criel Dominate decided to return, only to see a big shrine being built by the cult wich destroyed the nation. He was sacrificed after being found. His brother then decided to remove all evidence, that they have the blod of the former King of Lucredia. After again 2000 years, Knight Lukas Valentin Georg Johann Sebastian von Akuma Dominate got bored and decided to travel to the world of lunor. Once he arrived there, he felt a weird presence, so he decided to investigate it. After some time, he got visions of his ancestors who marched this road aswell for a reason unknown to him. Out of curiosity, he followed the path he had seen in his inner eye with the weird presence getting stronger and stronger as he marched. After months of travelling, he arrived on a lush island just offshore of an peninsula. There, he saw exactly, what happened here 4000 years ago and decided to make a halt here to try to find more information about the long dead nation of Lucredia. It didn't took long for him to realise that in theory he's the heir to Lucredia and so he decided, to rebuild it as much as possible and dig up old relics to restore them or recreate them.

#### The Barony

Lukas might've managed, to find some people wanting to rebuild the nation with him, but still lacked citizen, to live in the capital. But as he got the news, that a new expansionist nation arised close to him, he decided to start off as a Barony and slowly work up the ranks, to then be the King of Lucredia. On October 7th 2022, he announced to the world the return of Lucredia and the acceptance of the cult, that once destroyed the kingdom and killed his ancestors, to prevent history from repeating. This also was the time, when Morlin and Vej joined the nobility of Lucredia.

#### The County

As time passed, more people joined Lucredia and Lukas decided, it was the right moment to elevate his title to the next highest, a count. Not long after, he sent Morlin to settle the next closest historical town, known as Escarna. But to keep up with the growth of the population, he also sent someone else to restart the town of Welvena, which back then supplied the capital with wood.

#### The Duchy

Lukas soon saw it fitting, to yet again elevate his title to become a duke. but not long after, his vassals rebelled and became independent after the Treaty of Volksburg was signed. Not long after, he also sold Welvena, to prevent another conflict. Frustrated by the situation, he got the megalomaniac idea to restore Lucrona to its original size, which meant over 1000 blocks of housing in length. Thankfully, he soon met Köbus Silvius, Fireblade and more to start the first part of the project. As the constructions proceeded, they found one of the old mechs, wich are now seen as holy by a cult spreading at that time. Some months later, Köbus and Tobias (Fireblade) C.K v. C went out to settle more former towns, to help the restoration of old borders. At the same time, Lukas worked on the preperations for a feast he has scheduled and started to reform the demonic cult.

### Government

Lucredia was and is a senatorial Monarchy, meaning that there's a senate and a chancellor to represent the people, but the leader still holds absolute authority over the nation aswell as the nobility controls the region.

#### Duke

The Duke Lukas Valentin Georg Johann Sebastian von Akuma Dominate has the absolute power over Lucredia and is the uncontested Ruler of the Nation. He draws all regional borders, hold the capital and is (currently) the only one allowed within the nation to grant titles of nobility and military (except soldier).

#### Right Hand Man

The Right Hand Man is considered the uncontested heir to the Duchy as long the current leader doesn't have a child. He hold about the same rights as the Duke, but he has to be from the nobility, have the trust of the Liege and be an active citizen.

#### The Chancellor

The Chancellor is a Senator elected by the Senate to represent all people, be a figurehead and do Diplomatic discourse aswell as talking to the people and trying to fulfill the wishes of the masses.

#### The Senate

The senate is made up of 1 senator per city district (capital) or 1 per county. Their job is to listen to the people and hand wishes aswell as information and opinions to the nobles or the Liege, but the Senate is seen as politically stronger than the Nobility, as it can depose a Liege with a 100% accordance of all senators. Else they deal with infrastructure and inner political things in general and sometimes handle some diplomatic discourse, but that's mostly done by the Chancellor.

#### The Nobility

In the Nobility, the traditional Titles are being used. They are considered the region owners and can be a vassal of eachother. Their freedom goes up to the extent, that the Duke let's regional and small international wars happen, as long it doesn't harm him or any important relations with other nations.

##### Prince

This is a Special title on occation of the Vassal state of Arcton being a Principality and thus the leader Goneril is a Prince

##### Judge

This is a Special title on occation of the Vassal state of Morskaya being a Judgedom and thus the Leader Nanusko is a Judge

##### Count

Once a Barony reaches a Population of 5 and it isn't already the vassal of another count, it'll become a County and will be granted close by towns as vassals and it'll be given more territory, mostly taken from unclaimed areas closeby. Counts are also allowed, to settle new towns to expand their on realms (with the authorisation of the Duke or Right hand man).

##### Baron

Once someone makes a town in the name of Lucredia, he'll be considered a baron and will be given a bit of land surrounding the town. if the town is already in a county or higher, it'll automatically be assigned to it. Current Barons are Köbus Silvius of Eiswalden, Fireblade of Credivaar and Cardsplash of Handevar.

##### Knight

People in charge of a district of the capital Lucrona hold the title of a knight. They are considered to have the same rights as barons have, but are still a lower rank. Outside the capital, barons and above are allowed to assign this role symbolically to those, who do great work, but can't be in the senate as the place is already taken/the town doesn't have enough people

## Credivaar History

### Credikuko von Kraton (and the Great War)

Roughly 5700 years ago, there was a massive empire called Lunoros. Lunoros was so large it had sub-kingdoms within it, and many different Monarchs and Governments within the High Court. Due to this, they were highly advanced in technology and science. There were many empires and kingdoms around that were smaller than Lunoros also. One of these was Credikuko von Kraton (*meaning Holy Kingdom of Kraton in an ancient language*). Kraton was still a large Kingdom with a lot of land but not nearly as much as Lunoros. After years of peace and the two kingdoms not speaking much to each other, Lunoros declared war on Kraton out of the blue. It was a power-hungry decision, made by the leaders of Lunoros in an attempt for more land.

#### Preparation of the Lunoros Army

The Lunoros army was so large, they only needed to mobilise two of their sub-kingdoms for the war. There was little to no effort in preparing the troops as there was little need. They were instead preparing something else: they were preparing one of their mechs. They were so highly advanced in tech, they had giant metal abominations they called 'mechanici'. Glorious and shiny: the mechs required lots of maintenance to keep this look. Every nook and cranny had to be oiled, then polished and every 'sparkbord' (*What we today call circuits*) had to be checked and replaced if was not up to scratch. While this was all going on, soldiers had to prepare their own swords and armour to ensure they won't die in the battle - although doing so, would seem honourable and faithful to the kingdom. The army was a mess, yet massive in size. The only thing that wasn't a mess was their glorious mech, gleaming in the sunlight, soon to get bloody.

#### Preparation of the Kraton Army

Kraton were much more efficient with their troops. They knew the Lunoros Army was huge and that they probably stood no chance, so they had to outsmart Lunoros. They had to be better equipped. They introduced conscription so that every able man should fight for their Kingdom. And they would. They were not only fighting for their nations, they were fighting for their homes, their wives, their children. Although small and untrained, they all got armour and were organised well. Every village in the Kingdom had a few knights in, so the knights would take groups of men and go to their allocated spot along the border, where they were to protect. The knight would lead the men and their families (the wives, kids and elderly were to go to a safe place several miles back from the village). The average group would consist of one knight and roughly 6 to 12 men.

### Tobias I (the Great)

#### Early Days

Tobias Kriegstine was a brave man. He had fought in a civil war for his king and taken on many well trained men. He had become very good in his craft and after the war was over he was anointed a knight by his king. He was so good he was even taken on as a bodyguard by the king to take on any who insulted him. Now, he lived in a quiet wooded village of Gresanbaar (*meaning Green Stream in an ancient language*). The people there were united and knew each other well. There was another knight there too called Axel Kovashlot.

#### The Great War

##### Preparation

One day, while Tobias was fishing in the river by Gresanbaar, a messenger from the King found him. He was with Axel, the other knight, and was there to tell them to prepare for a war with Lunoros. Tobias scoffed and said "Thou has't to beest of jokes to one" (*translated from ancient language*), "th'r is nay way art us to war with those folk." However, the messenger simply shook his head. They were to gather half of the able-bodied men in the village each and guide them. They were given certain positions that they were to hold at all costs. The women and children were to gather their stuff and flee to a safe place miles behind the village.

So they did. Tobias took 8 men and their families fled, while Axel took 7. He went to their position, in a tower by a bridge and ordered them to start setting up defences. They created barricades, ditches in the ground, hidden ditches in the ground, tripwires, nets. They then went back to the tower for food before the battle. None of them could eat though, they were all too scared. They all knew of the power of the Lunoros, and knew it was almost inevitable they lost, no matter the preparations. Instead of eating, they instead went to their hiding places behind trees and in small trenches ready for the opposing soldiers.

Under a threatening dark grey sky, Tobias trudged over wet mud to a small hole he had dug for himself. He sat there for hours, staring at his sword and his armour. The things that had protected him so many times in the past, could they protect him again. There still wasn't any sight of Lunoros coming so he went around his men checking their armour was on properly and their swords were sharpened. He then retreated back to his hole.

*Many hours passed...*

##### The fighting

Tobias had managed to get a nap while waiting for Lunoros and it was now mid-afternoon and the sky was still grey. By the fact he was now lying in wet mud, it had evidently rained a bit while he was sleeping. He had awoken to a low rumbling that was getting louder. He could hear a vague war cry in the distance but that isn't what bothered him or his men. What bothered them was the large outline on the horizon dwarfing everything else before they could even see the troops. It was like a massive human, a mountain made of metal and every time it stepped it was like a mini Earthquake. He was shot out of his daze by the loud war cry seemingly very close, and as he looked out of his trench further, he saw some of the Lunoros Army charging towards them. It was like a massive wave of men in metal armour with the next wave not yet in sight and luckily, the massive metal human was not in that wave. He quickly shouted "FIRE!" out to his men and they did so. A wave of arrows went and mostly hit men in the wave. He shouted "KEEP FIRING!" but knew it was no use. They were getting much closer now. He ordered his men up out their trenches and they got their swords, but he realised it was no good. Instead of telling them to attack, he told them to run to the women and children and he would fight them until his dying breath.

Two men who were trained in fighting stayed with him that he couldn't convince, and he told them to charge. They gave out a war cry and ran towards the opposing army, their war cry unbearably louder. He knew it was suicide but as he grew closer, he was actually filled with hope. These were clearly not trained men, many were wearing their armour wrong and many didn't even have armour. As the first few came near, it took a few effortless swipes to kill 4. He took a quick glance back to see one of his men stabbed as he was surrounded by 4 men. The other man was still standing strong though, his equipment keeping him alive. More people were coming and quickly. As more came near, he took them out, finding their weak spots before they could even bring down their sword. He was taking them out quickly but as more and more came, he had to go on the defensive. Just as he did, he heard a cry from behind as the other man received a strike, simply outnumbered and then he was finished off. Both brave men, if he could ever survive this he would honour them greatly. But he knew he surely wouldn't. He was anticipating and blocking all strikes now, he could hardly attack anyone and was getting driven back. He was driven back onto the bridge and as soon as he was, he turned and sprinted back towards the woods, he jumped over a tripwire and then kept running as he ran, he heard the dynamite blow behind him as they pulled the tripwire. That was what he was waiting for and he turned back, the numbers of the first wave greatly defeated now. He saw a line of bodies lined up where the dynamite had been and few men remaining. He sprinted at them and in rage, took them out with ease, slicing two throats and three chests, never a limb, they were unnecessary and wouldn't kill. Most of that wave was gone and he could see and hear another wave on the horizon. Those seemed better trained but worse, had the mech with them.

He was once again shot out of his daze when he heard another cry. It was a group of his own men and he was pleased to see they were trained men: Axel's men! He ran towards them as they were outnumbered and struggling. He took many by surprise and simply killed them with one blow, Axel doing the same. Working together now, they almost didn't need to communicate: it came naturally. They aided the men and murdered the rest of them. There were bodies all around and they now went and hid behind the trees for the next wave. These soldiers were more stubborn and refused to go back to the wives and children; Axel had already sent 3 of them back and the there were 3 here with them, 1 had been killed.

As the next wave arrived, they jumped out from behind the trees and killed many by surprise but in numbers this absurd, it was tough. He caught a blow to his stomach that winded him, but his armour protected him. He anticipated strikes and countered them but his amour was now getting many scratches from swords. The clash of metal and cries from both sides was now getting loud. As he glanced around, he saw only Axel remaining now, who now screamed at him "RUN!!!". So he did.

There was a loud bang. He could hardly look back as he knew what had happened. Axel had taken his own life for his nation and for him. It had worked, there were not many soldiers left who he went and finished off in misery. But there was unfortunately no time to dwell on it. He had done it for a reason and now the mech was coming.

##### The Mech

It stepped towards him, landing on the bridge, the bridge crushing and tower next to it, where they had had food just hours ago, collapsing. It then launched a great fiery piece of metal from its chest towards him. In horror, he ran and dived for cover under the trees and was glad he did, as the thing exploded when it hit the ground launching metal in every direction and setting the ground on fire. Before the creature could do anything next, he ran out and dived onto its massive foot and stuck his sword into it repeatedly, sparks flying everywhere. Soon the humming noise in its foot seemed to stop and the foot stopped moving. The creature of metal looked down at it confused.

He had slowed it down enough. As he was running, he figured he had to admit defeat, Lunoros was too powerful. As he looked over his shoulder, he saw soldiers squirming about trying to fix the foot of the mech quickly. He also saw, mere dots in the distance, the Lunoros cavalry and realise he would've stood no chance against them.

#### The walk

After what seemed like ages running, blood trickling down his face under his mask, he finally reached the leftovers of his nation, who were shocked to see him alive. They had found some men and women from the capital city, who said it had been disastrous and they were destroyed. The women wanted to tend to his wounds but he refused and told them they must keep on walking. So they did. For days and days.

They finally reached a place far away that would be safe to settle and called it Credivatia (*meaning Holy Refuge*). They quickly made buildings and basic requirements, and they anointed Tobias as village chief for his bravery.

A few days later, Tobias decided to walk back to where Kraton had been to see what was happening in secret. When he arrived at the capital, he saw Lunoros flags everywhere. He hid in an alleyway, and in there he heard talking in Kratonian. That was weird as Lunoros spoke a different language to Kraton. He realised it was coming from a drain beneath him. He snuck in the drain and as he reached the bottom there were several men waiting at the bottom with spears pointed at him. "What art thee doing h're," asked one in Lunorosian. He replied in Kratonian, "I am Kratonian and I assume thou art also."

They eased up a little on him but not fully. "How can we proveth yond?" they asked (*in Kratonian*). He replied "One is a knight, has't thee the king h're and he can proveth 't."

"The king is dead, but we has't christoph h're who is't shouldst recognise thee," one of them replied uneasily.

One of them brought Christoph (the heir to the throne, the king's son) to the front. "Ah aye thou art yond tobias," he said, "He art safe."

The spears were dropped and he was let in. They told him the situation about how Lunoros had made Kraton a mere sub-kingdom of them and that they were hiding there for safety. Many citizens had been either killed, or even harsher done to them. He asked if they would like to come to Credivatia with him and they were incredulous but amazed. "There are more survivors?" they asked in awe.

"Yes, and they'rt safe," he replied.

"But how art we meanteth to escapeth the city?" they asked him.

"I did manage to receiveth in, i'll manageth to receiveth thee out.  I shall causeth a distraction while thee simply runneth out," he answered simply. So the plan was made. As they ran out the back of the city they knew like the back of their hand. He ran into the centre and caused a distraction. Blending in with the normal people, he insulted one and the guy challenged him to a dual for honour. He simply agreed and they dualed. Tobias won easily with his training but it had caused enough of a distraction for the Kratonians to escape. Luckily for him, there was another dual and in the commotion he managed to escape and caught up to his fellow citizens. He led them to Credivatia on a many day walk and when he returned, he was surprised to see the progress they had made. They had mixed the tudor-like theme of Kraton with the materials they had in the mines of this new settlement to make a mixed tudor-medieval theme. He announced to his people that he had found more Kratonians and they were delighted. In peace, they continued to expand their village and traditions.

A few years later, he returned to Kraton where he discovered that Lunoros had dissolved as nearly all the sub-kingdoms had revolted to become independent. Kraton joined with a neighbouring nation to form a new kingdom with new people and that filled him with happiness: he was now at peace. As his days grew old, he was now known as Tobias the Great, and he had a kid of his own: Tobias Axel Kovashlot Kriegstine II von Credivatia, whom he anointed the new village chief. He wrote a book recording all of Kraton's history he could remember (with help from other people) in the first part, and his own story in the second. He also honoured the brave men who had fought with him in that battle all equally and named his son after the other knight (Axel Kovashlot) who had given his life for him.

#### Tobias the Great Iconic Quotes

"Thou art nimble-footed.  Th're is nay way we shall winneth 'gainst those folk." *-before the battle against Lunoros*

"Mine own armour is getting scratch'd because of thee fools, how is one meant to fixeth yond" *-During the battle, taunting his enemies*

"We able men shalt square till our lasteth breath sayeth 'night, f'r our family, our village and our kingdom" *-A speech to his men before the battle*

"Thou art s'riously prepost'rous.  One wouldst not consid'r thee a vulture, one wouldst consid'r thee something a vulture wouldst consume.  Thou art proof o' god's senseth'f'humour.  One wouldst pref'r such a battleth of wits but t wouldst appeareth thy arms art none.  In fact, the reasoneth of god's invention o' th' middle fing'r art thee and one couldst only needeth what thou may provideth: thy absence.  Mineth closing statement: villain, one hast done thy moth'r." *-In his old ages, fighting someone in the nearest city to Credivatia (but aren't aware of their existence) because they knocked into him. That 'villain' soon beheaded him.*

### Recent Credivatia and Credivaar History

To find out where Credivaar comes into all this, check out Tobias (Fireblade) Coulson Kriegstine CXCVIII von Credivatia.