Donslau

The Flag of the Province of Donslau

```
"Even in death, we serve."- common Donslanite saying

```

The Province of Donslau is a constituent province of Confederation of Terraorientis. It's administered from its capital, the city of Donslau.

## History

```
"It is believed that Donslau was the original capital of their old country, but more questions appear, if you know their folklore..."
                                                                                                                              -Unknown Commentary

```

Donslau is the home of a dying culture, named by foreigners "Donslanite", who came to the world of Iaddithis to continue their lives. Many of them abandoned their homes and relatives to live a better life, in this new world. This promise and their traumatic past play an important role in their culture.

Donslaus past comes from the collective past of its peoples. Their old country was subjected to a civil strife that resulted into mass death, but the country held. Yet the country was forever changed. It slowly declined more and more, and soon collapsed into the ground leaving the cities alone, to fend for themselves. From within these cities, many men assembled, specifically around the pragmatic Levius Segrov, and left for greener pastures, ending up in the land of Iaddithis, settling Donslau.

## Culture

The culture of the province is a complex one, sprawling into nearly every single aspect of life, from the leadership of the province to day-to-day activities of its citizens. It generally bases around the city of Donslau, the home of the Donslanites.

### His Vision, Enforced

One thing that the history of Donslau had always was the persona of a leader. The Old Country before the civil strife had "The Voievode", after the civil strife "The Old King", and now Levius Segrov . His vision of Donslau is carried out dutifully by its inhabitants, even despite the inherent factionalism, which is, curiously, imposed by him. However, everything is done with his knowledge, with his word, with his blessing. The Factions, themselves compete to either challenge or gain his favor.

### The Divided Life

The 5 factions, who have heavy political implications, are at their core, groups of people, classes of workers, which are based around ones abilities and/or career. This division, not forced upon the people, helps develop the city rather quickly and efficiently, while allowing for cultural developments to also occur. This also help set the paths of many people, helping provide jobs for many of the unemployed and expand the economy exponentially.

### Our Past

The past of the common Donslanite is traumatic and filled to the brim with sacrifices. This reflects on the people and their lifestyle. They live honest lives, wishing for peace and prosperity of their people, through whatever means necessary. They are willing to put their life on the line, so that the others see a better future. From this philosophy come the battle-cries: "Everything for Donslau!", and especially "Even in death, we serve.", the last battle-cry being a all encompassing catchphrase, showing the level of sacrifice each Donslanite is willing to go to, even fighting beyond death for Donslau.

Many might see this as a form of Ultra-nationalism, yet this is far from the truth. The Donslanites and their ancestors have always been somewhat poor folk, the old country basing on an agrarian economy. Not only that, but they are compassionate towards those who are in the same situation many of them have been, homeless, hungry and fearful of tomorrow. This, so called, "Ultra-Nationalism", comes from a desperation to protect their home, which they have seen destroyed time and time again, the abandonment their old home, and a servitude to their country.

This inherent philosophy is taught from a young age, and many grow in it, accepting it.

## Government

The government of the city of Donslau, and by extension the government of the province of Donslau, is unique, led by an oligarchy of sorts, composed by 5 factions, who deliberate and constantly fight for influence, yet none has reached complete domination, yet.

### The Middle-Man

The Middle-Man, as in the man in the middle, is Levius Segrov. His influence is everywhere. Everything is done with his knowledge. He is basically everything within Donslau. Even so, he can't rule alone. Not effectively at least. He is the main force behind the fanatic factionalism, which leads Donslau. It keeps everyone in line, as everyone wants to up everyone, and it also helps spread Levius's influence, for where two fight, the third one wins. Still, sometimes, some rise to challenge him. Or his influence. Or his words. He forgives, but doesn't forget.

### The Factions

The factions were originally classes, or groups/guilds of people, that popped up with every profession, upon the landing of the Donslanites on the shores of Mare Spei. They generally help determinate what each person can do, and what their chosen path in life is, yet they turned political, forming the 5 factions within Donslau today. This Fanatic Factionalism is seen as a big factor in disunity and disloyalty abroad, but within the walls of Donslau, it unites the people together, for they all contribute in their own ways to the betterment of their little paradise.

#### The Intellectuals

The Politicians, or "Those that rule" are the leading class of Donslau. Many of them are academicians, professors of no particular allegiance, property owners and generally the more "clever" of the bunch. Interestingly, Levius Segrov leads them, yet, they don't hold the amount of influence he does, being on equal footing with the rest of the factions.

#### The Architects

The Builders, or "Those that build" are the second class by ranking of Donslau. Many of them are aspiring intellectuals, architects, builders etc. Their leader, Lukka van de Brikk, is one the most outspoken of the factions leaders, getting in constant fights with the likes of Segrov, but never gets touched, due to his brilliance.

#### The Miners

The Resource Gatherers, or "Those that gather" are one of the factions of Donslau. Many of them are miners, union leaders and construction crew etc. They are pretty reserved and hard working, providing most of the materials needed for the ever expanding city of Donslau.

#### The Farmers

The Food Makers, or "Those that feed" are the bottom line of Donslau. Many of them are farmers or peasants, etc. They are pretty rowdy if intended, but tend to keep to themselves. Their leader is the Prince of Wheat Mala, who is said to have been the heir to the old Voievodat, yet at his own choice, the Voievodat was plunged into chaos.

#### The "Order du Joachim"

The Knights of Joachimism, priests of the order, they are the de-facto standing army of Donslau. With the advent of Joachimism, sweeping through the province, the army merged with the new clergy, to form the order. It is lead by a Prime-Archon, or primarch. There is also a militia, whose job is to fill in where needed, doing police work, or being garrisons.

## History of The Land

### The Settling

The Donslanites sailed for years aimlessly, to end up on the shores of Mare Spei, between a rock and a hard place. In the small valley they found, they built the town, stone by stone, house by house, and soon found themselves the capital of their own province. Donslau, slowly expanded, from a village to a town, the Donslanites determined to make their own little place in the world.

### Provincial Blues

During this period of time, Donslau experienced even more growth, with the creation with a massive tunnel throught the middle of a nearby mountain, giving them access to fertile land, where farms will be developed and brewery will blossom. This era will be marked with a lack of political implications, yet with massive economical and social developments. During this era, Joachimism was born, and adopted as the oficial provincial and town religion, and the town reached the status of Large Town.

### Donslanite et Superbus

With the end of Provincial Blues, the return of Flav Syrius Maj, the regens, and the ascension of governor Levius Segrov, Donslau became one of the most important cities in The Confederation of Terraorientis, if not the most important. The Provincial Blues showed, ironically, the promise and potential of Donslau, and from here, Levius, began a program of revitalizing the Confederation, with the help of Flav. Interestingly, Donslau kept the Confederation afloat during some of the darkest ages that the world has ever faced, and even hosted an event, congratulating the people of Donslau and the Confederation for standing their ground, during these times. This event would see attendance from a number of individuals, Lettcor, Flav Syrius Maj and Nether Polemos.

## Geography

### The City of Donslau

Based on one North Eastern shore of Mare Spei, the city is literally stuck between a rock and a hard place. Surrounded by either mountains, which have been drilled through, or high steppes, windswept forests or plateaus, the city of Donslau still manages to persevere and even thrive in these conditions.

### The Province itself

A central province within the confederation, southern for the core territories, the province has a diverse fauna. The North is dominated by mountains and windswept forests, but going south a split is easily observable. The west, or specifically the land close to Mare Spei is, much more warmer and dominated by plains, fertile enough for crops to grow. The east, is completely within a swamp, unique to Terraorientis as a whole, is a good breeding ground for soldiers and even defensive positions.

## Economy

The Donslau economy is a slowly growing but a strong one. Very self-sufficient, and self reliant, the Donslanites are expected to take care of themselves. During the early days of Donslau, the main exports were mining goods, but with the passage of time, these mining goods were kept for internal usage. This left Donslau without exports and well, without revenue. This was quickly rectified, yet Donslau is yet to announce the new substitute.

## Trivia

Did you know that Donslau is the newest city, by founding date, within the Confederation?

Did you know that the Donslanites are pretty rowdy, but they are kept complacent by Levius?