Union of Essencian People's Republics

Flag

National borders, minor cities (>100k) in green, major cities (>1,000k) in red

The Union of Essencian People's Republics is a nominally federal union of five constituent republics: The Northern People's Republic, the Rosyn People's Republic, the Baifan People's Republic, the Kajik People's Republic, and the Sherum People's Republic. Often called by its acronym, the UEPR, or its informal name, Essencia, the country is the world's premier socialist state, and declares Vanguardist Socialism as its official ideology. It is the second most populous nation on Eursa, behind Dorway's ~120 million at ~100 million inhabitants, and th second largest nation on Eursa, behind the Republic of Yuerwadi. It is also a member of The Internationale.

## History

### Essencian Empire

Centuries ago, Solion of Sovved and his sister, Archsaint Essenia of Sovvoi led the Polarfolk from the hard North and subjugated the lands of Rosyia and the reclusive Baifanren through wit and war. The Polarfolk lorded over the Rosyns and Baifanren as their nominal superiors, establishing the Essencian Empire and its golden age. They ruled with a gentle hand, encouraging participation in government and trade and culture, and rallied all the people together in times of war. Essencia became known for its hardy warriors of remarkable discipline, fine metallurgy and regimented martial prowess, just as much for its strange varieties and blends of architecture, arts, food, and culture. Many myths and legends about this golden age remain in the Essencian memory today, but alas, the death of Essenia ended it all, and the era was never truly matched again. Later Essencian emperors would attempt to replicate the mighty conquests of their forebears across the continent, some successful, some not. The only pieces still remaining with the Empire before the Great War were the Kajiks. Through these difficult times, successive generations demanded more of the people, and the Polarfolk tightened their grip on their crowns. Eventually, this resulted in Feudalism, with the state losing much power as petty nobility tied commoners to the estates, and fostered resentment amongst the lesser ethnicities.

### The Great War and Essencian Revolution

Essencia became largely overshadowed by other powers in more recent centuries, but still had bouts of fighting spirit and a handful of artistic or scientific achievements to its name. It was slow to accept modern ideas, and was always hampered by shortage of iron. This lead to Essencia being behind the curve leading up to the Great War. At this point, the nobility was largely incompetent, and the monarchy still clung to old ideals, despite the spread of information and global living standards with industrialization. The Great War was seen as an opportunity to step back into the spotlight, joining the fight against the Republicans, but was handled quite poorly. The War stretched Essencia to its breaking point, and it exited the war before the Treaty of Dreven was signed when insurrections broke out.

The Essencian Revolutionary War was a four-way brawl between the socialist Red Army, controlling the Essencian heartlands and industrial centers, the Feudalist White Army, composed of the Polarfolk nobility, the Republican Blue Army, fighting to imitate the democracies Essencia had just been fighting, and various “Black Armies”, collections of ethnic separatists, anarchists and peasants, and deserter bandits.

The White Army made several serious pushes early in the war, before being halted at Varotei by the Red Army. Varotei itself would go on to be sieged for 14 consecutive months. The White Army quickly bled men to desertion, and the entry of the Blue and Black Armies. The Red Army, gathered itself and transformed from angry workers and peasants, to a real fighting force. Striking back hard, the Blue Army was defeated in the South, and the Duke ai’Valios routed along the northern coasts. White and Red Army forces destroyed the Blacks in the center of the country, and faced a war of attrition, one which the Red Army won handily by way of controlling most major cities and manufacturing centers. General Suritkin was eventually ousted from Varotei, and chased all the way into the continental interior, hounded by Red Kajiks.

### Annexation of Sherum

The socialist alliance that won the Revolution was composed of syndicalists, anarcho-communists, totalitarians, agro-communists, moderate social-democrats, but chiefly, the Vanguardists. Sharing elements from many of the other parties, the Vanguardists are defined by their founder and leader’s ideology, Alexei Ulmanovich Savikov, espousing that the source of revolution should come from dedicated, semi-professional urban revolutionaries who should seize a country’s urban industrial means of production.

The socialist victors proceeded to draft and sign the Constitution of the Union of Essencian People's Republics, electing Savikov as the first Premier of the nation. Savikov encouraged peaceful reconstruction of the country, upholding civil liberties and freedoms, and a general leniency for those who had supported opposing factions in the Revolution. He was able to secure good relations with the Pentastates of Propegalla, as well as the Interdependency. However, the revolutionary fervor and morale was high in the country, and much of the Red Army had not been demobilized. The Kingdom of Sherum, a small absolute monarchy bordering the UEPR's southwest, became the target of the UEPR's revolutionary ambitions, having been an Imperial protectorate in the past, and now hosting White Army exiles.

The Red Army moved into offensive positions and began a display of force along the Sherumite border. The UEPR demanded that the King of Sherum step down and that the country install a democratic government. This was refused, and the Sherumites called for international aid, moving into a state of war. An international coalition of First World states in Polaris responded to Sherum's call for aid, however due to Sherum's isolation, and the tacit support of Propegalla and the Interdependency on the side of the UEPR, the only meaningful aid the Sherumite's received was a small carrier battlegroup from the Empire of Masrell.

Despite fanatical resistance, the Red Army was much more experienced and well armed, obliterating the Sherumite regular army and militia conscripts, quickly blitzing towards the Sherumite capital of Caer Sherum. At this time, the Masrelli carrier battlegroup arrived in range of Essencian shores, where they launched a jet-fighter raid. Propeller-engined planes of the Red Army Air Force were successful in surprising the Masrelli air attack, destroying the force for no losses of their own. The Interdependency thereafter declared its protection of the UEPR from the international coalition, supplying it with cutting-edge jet fighters and SAM's. This forced the Masrelli battlegroup to retreat and return home.

Red Army tank divisions reached Caer Sherum, and were briefly stalemated by large numbers of poorly equipped Sherumite infantry. This force routed however, and the Red Army entered the capital, managing to capture the King and the Sherumite Royal family, followed by the capture of the country's remaining airports and border crossings.

In a national referendum that the international community contested as a sham, but the UEPR maintains was legitimate, the UEPR annexed Sherum as after creating the new Constitution of Sherum, and forming a government identical to the UEPR's People's Republics. For the several years, the country remained in an unofficial state of military occupation, with a significant amount of Red Army personnel stationed in Sherum, although Savikov allowed the same civil freedoms and liberties as the other republics.

Savikov initiated the economic programs of the Three Year Plans, initially attempting to de-facto nationalize the economy and raise the standard of living. With support from the Interdependency however, the Three Year Plans shifted towards a mixed economy, including state-run industries, state-owned industries, and effectively private industries. Savikov and his direct protege, Aelia tua'Sonel was successful in bringing living conditions to First-World standards, and developing robust, modern national industries, although the welfare state constructed occupied a majority of resources. By the UEPR's Constitution for Premiership term limits, Savikov did not run for Premier during the 3rd election cycle, although he remained Chairman and de-facto leader of the Vanguardist Party for most of his life.

### Post-Savikov

A dearly beloved national leader, responsible for transforming the nation from a backwards, semi-industrialized peripheral, to a modern, rising power with excellent quality of life, both economically and politically. Following his death from old age, the Vanguardist Party became split into three blocs: the Sunarists under Liore Feye Sunara, who internally styled themselves as Orthodox Savikovists. Continued global tensions and changing economic conditions gathered the authoritarian, and militant supporters to the Ganists under Gan Xufu. Lastly, strong libertarian and pro-Internationale elements within the Vanguardist Party allied with the Republican Party to form the Sochetists, led by Irina tua'Sochet.

The successful counter-revolution against the Gallencian Soviet Socialist Republic ignited public fears that enabled Gan Xufu to win the first election after Savikov. Gan continued and enabled the nation's nuclear and space exploration programs, of which, under his tenure, the UEPR successfully put the world's first woman in space, and orbit. The UEPR also secretly became a nuclear-armed power. In a foreign policy shift, Gan also declared his support of the Republic of Arcad in its disputes with the Empire of Masrell. Ultimately, the situation defused, but this marked Essencia's increased participation in global affairs.

Following Gan's term limit, Sunara secured a majority for the next set of elections. Sunara continued on a program of economic development, overseeing the nation's computing sector to become a world-class leader. The ambitious CyberSyn and CyberNet projects were completed under his tenure, placing cybernetic command and control systems in all of the nation's enterprises and industries, in addition to the adoption of the first "personal computers".

### tua'Sochet Liberalization

To everyone's surprise, tua'Sochet won the following election, with Republican support higher than ever due to advances in media technology, economic decentralization due to CyberSyn, and continuously high relations with the Interdependency and Republic of Arcad. tua'Sochet enacted sweeping economic changes, practically destroying the Savikovist welfare state, and auctioning off 3/4th's of State-owned land and financial shares to domestic actors and foreign companies. This extreme program of economic and political liberalization and the move to a privatized, market-oriented economy allowed relations with Propegalla and the Internationale to warm, and together with the Republic of Arcad, the UEPR formally joined the Internationale as a member state. tua'Sochet also oversaw the successful Worker-4 Ceuruta Landing, a massive highlight amidst the Raeandenavian Nuclear Crisis. tua'Sochet's first term as Premiership ultimately resulted in the single largest economic boom in Essencian history, and likely the largest economic growth period in the world. These factors complicate her standing in Essencian politics, but overall, she is a more popular than not Premier.

## Government and Politics

### Government Structure

The UEPR features three main government bodies; the All-Union People's Congress, the All-Union People's Court, and the All-Union Supreme Soviet, as the legislative, judicial, and executive bodies respectively. Each constituent republic also features an identical structure. As this system fit the Internationale's requirements for government structure, there was no need for a reorganization of the UEPR's governing bodies.

The All-Union People's Congress is the elected body of government of the UEPR. Representatives from all prefectures (dependent on population) convene bi-annually to review legislature and the state of the country. From among their number, or registered political parties, the members of the Supreme Soviet are selected. Elections are held every 3 Eursan years, intending to coincide with the Three Year Plans.

The All-Union People's Court is the highest judicial body in the UEPR. It is composed of five members, one for each constituent republic. Originally, before the introduction of the Sherum People's Republic, there still existed a fifth member, to represent the entire Union, acting as a tie-breaker. The post was retired following Sherum's entry.

The All-Union Supreme Soviet is nominally the collective head of state, with the Premier as head of government. There is the Premier themselves, the Chairperson, deputies representing each of the five republics, and constitutionally, a variable amount of People’s Commissars. These people manage the affairs of state on a daily basis and command the various People’s Commissariats.

### Vanguardism

Since the Revolution until the modern day, the Vanguardist Party has maintained an absolute majority in politics and the All-Union Congress, akin to a one-party state. However, it guarantees freedom of political expression, and there do exist both the Republican Party and the Sherumite Solidarity Front, a nationalist organization. Since the death of Savikov, the Vanguardist Party itself has been internally divided into three factions, of which popularity varies from year to year.

#### Orthodox Vanguardism/Savikovism

The socialist alliance that won the Revolution was composed of syndicalists, anarcho-communists, totalitarians, agro-communists, moderate social-democrats, but chiefly, the Vanguardists. Sharing elements from many of the other parties, the Vanguardists are defined by their founder and leader’s ideology, Alexei Ulmanovich Savikov, espousing that the source of revolution should come from dedicated, semi-professional urban revolutionaries who should seize a country’s urban industrial means of production. Once the revolution in the country is complete however, unlike the UCR and former CUS, the revolution should continue to be internationalist in nature. Both the urban proletariat, and rural peasantry should be given ample rights and properties, confiscated from their oppressors, chiefly that of the entrenched, landed aristocracy, or that of a \*corrupted\* bourgeoisie that has taken up the mantle of a disguised aristocracy (making a distinction between small-family businesses, and societies of wealthy businessmen that conspire to exploit the conditions of their country, and thus the people).

It is however, important to maintain democratic standards. The proletariat should organize themselves into democratic, grassroots councils for the management of industries and enterprises (Trade Soviets), whereas the peasantry should act in a similar manner, also combine their newfound, semi-private lands and \*cooperate\* with the urban proletariat to provide food in the most efficient manner possible for everyone, and receive goods manufactured by the urban industries. In this economic regard, the Vanguardists are most similar to syndicalists. However, until world-wide revolution is achieved (and perhaps even further beyond considering the complexity of modern economies), history has shown that reactionary forces will conspire to crush any people’s revolution that threatens their grip on power.

Thus, there must be considerations for a centralized state, that can coordinate the many Trade Soviets, fairly distribute basic human rights like healthcare and education (which are harder to quantify than industrial/agricultural capital and land, and thus should be collectively supervised), and maintain the defense of the socialist state, the latter of which is obviously the responsibility of the whole country, not something that individual Trade Soviets or communes can handle. Given that the government of a socialist state is an extension of the people via democratic process, it is reasonable that in terms of healthcare, education, defense, and natural resources, the existing and future enterprises that manage these sectors may be handled by the state (aka nationalized), but this is not mandatory. Such a state should remain true to scientific and democratic principles. It only exists to coordinate the assets of a country which cannot at the current time organize the division of labor at any smaller scale, in the collective interests of the people, aided by scientific processes. Via democratic principles, it can be assured that the state will be responsive to the people’s will, and thus their interests. It is recommended these democratic principles are achieved by elections foremostly, having the state be open and accountable to the people, requiring dialogue between the state and the assets it manages, allowing freedom of speech, allowing free press, and allowing free movement. Importantly, Vanguardism does not specifically promote “to each according to his ability, to each according to his need”, that is, it does not try to override perceived ‘human-error’ imperfections in the economy (no top-down command economy).

Lastly, socially speaking, Vanguardists recognize that there are many disparate cultures and religions on the planet. Scientific processes demonstrate that the mere existence of multiple religions means that almost all religions are at best, agnostic. In the pursuit of equality of all peoples, thus, the same as any one culture or race should not be favored, progress should be made without consideration of religions, rejecting all of them simultaneously. Thus socialist states should pursue atheism. Only what can be scientifically proven should be taken for granted. While it may be impossible to achieve true equality, considering the various animal species of the world, genetic differences in race, and the sexual bipartition, all intelligent beings should be given the same opportunities and treated fairly, and thus socialist states should strive to create conditions that approach true equality as much as possible. This is the basis for rights to life, freedom, education, health, and livelihood, and requires at minimum a classless and raceless society, but not necessarily a moneyless, and truly equal society.

After the death of Savikov, Liore Feye Sunara proclaimed his bloc to be the successors of Savikov, distinguishing themselves as Orthodox Savikovists. They try to follow the spirit of Savikov's teachings as best they can in an ever developing world of technology and a shifting geopolitical scene. Compared to the Ganists, and the Sochetists, this effectively means toeing the middle line. They advocate for a balance between state and private power, although eventually, when nationalism fades for everyone on Eursa, private actors can become dominant. The Savikovist welfare state is a good thing to be preserved, and political and civil liberties should continue to be upheld as proof of the Vanguardist's superior moral standards.

#### Ganism

Gan Xufu heralded he and his bloc to be legitimate successors of Savikov as much as the other two, but the base of his power originally came from the former authoritarians that adhere to Nuremburgist socialism, and the military. Nowadays, it is more complex. Gan advocated for a strong foreign policy, and to secure Essencia as a self-sustaining power. He believed that it is always important not to forget the Internationale are still capitalists, and that one day, the free republics of the world will have to sit down and have a talk with each other. This garnered him support from nationalists, the armed forces, and statists. Economically, he was distinguished from the other two by championing technology and computers to enhance and streamline the state bureaucracy, and use automation to transform the UEPR into a communist utopia. Unfortunately, Gan's platform relied much on fearmongering, which has dissipated over the years. Gan died due to old age health complications during Sochet's first term. His bloc is severely weakened, but survives on through pushback against the Sochetist liberalization.

#### Sochetism

Irina tua'Sochet claims that the geopolitical situation has changed from Savikov's days and the Revolution. With the support of the Interdependency, the world's strongest power, the threat of reactionary powers coming to quash the workers rebellion never materialized, and now Essencia is a modern and developed nation, which can transition to a decentralized state, shifting the economic balance of power in favor of private actors. With enough checks and balances, the state can also afford to welcome capitalists to the country, as they have proven themselves to be excellent innovators and creators of wealth, which, should Essencians partake in, would make everyone in the country collectively more prosperous. tua'Sochet blindsided all political spectators by winning the fifth election cycle after Savikov, and quickly enacted sweeping reforms to privatize State-owned assets, loosen labor laws, and advertise the country as an enticing investment opportunity. These changes were successful in attracting massive amounts of foreign capital, and warmed relations with the Pentastates of Propegalla and the Internationale. During tua'Sochet's first term, the UEPR did indeed formally enter the Internationale as a member state, a massive political victory and distraction from the rapidly rising wealth inequality and falling living conditions. This was further compounded by the Worker-4 Ceuruta Landing, wherein Major Menia eir'Relion and Captain Cilian Deighan became the first Essencians to land on Ceuruta, including the first ever woman, and first Sherumite. Lastly, the national census conducted at the end of every term in office concluded that the UEPR's economically had grown more than ever before in the nation's history, and likely the most in the entire world. Total victory politically, scientifically, and economically handily won tua'Sochet the leverage she needed to defend her policies against the evidently un-Savikovist reforms, and win her a second term in office.

### Internationale Member

Ever since joining the Internationale, the UEPR has been very active in its politics, initiating many motions and pushing for closer relations. The UEPR itself underwent few changes to its political structure upon its entry, already having fit the political requirements of the Internationale. The UEPR has been enthusiastic in fulfilling its commitments to the Internationale, from military to economic.

### Military

The Armed Forces of the UEPR, now transformed into the Essencian Command of the United Military of the Internationale, are a formidable and technologically advanced fighting force. For a time, the Red Army remained one of the few experienced combatants of a modern war during the Annexation of Sherum, and has since compensated for loss of warfighting experience by maintaining a large arsenal of cutting edge weaponry, alongside well trained enlisted and officer corps. The Red Army Air Force, and the Air Defense Forces represent a cutting-edge, numerically large aviation force that respectively, work to support the Red Army, and defend the airspace of the country against any airborne threat. The Red Navy on the other hand, has long been the weakest of all branches, but has increasingly been of higher priority as the UEPR seeks to expand its power projection capability.

For the majority of the period between the Annexation of Sherum until tua'Sochet, the Red Army maintained 30 Class-A Divisions, a force that constituted approximately 450,000 professional personnel. This would have been augmented by a further 30 Class-B Divisions in times of emergency, formed from reservists. A final 30 Class-C Divisions were prepared on paper to form training cadres and a last line of defense, as there existed only enough heavy equipment and vehicles for the Class-A and Class-B divisions.

## Economy

### Geographic Resources

The UEPR is a large and populous country. With just over 100 million inhabitants, it is the 2nd most populous country in the world. It controls large amounts of natural resources, including Coal, Gold, Tin, Diamonds, Scattered Iron, Potassium, Zinc, Copper, and Lithium. Essencia co-owns several arctic offshore oil sites as well.

### Industries

The UEPR is an industrially advanced and diverse nation. Much of its economy is focused around resource extraction and processing of its vast natural wealth, but it is also a world-class leader in synthetic chemicals & materials, the electronics and computing sector, arms manufacturing, synthetic oil liquefaction and processing, pharmaceuticals and medical tools, aerospace, and advanced machining. It also has a sizeable domestic automotive and steelworks manufacturing sector. It has a mechanized and fertilizer-based agricultural sector, contributing to a heavily urbanized population.

### Foreign Relations

The UEPR maintains excellent political and economic relations with the Interdependency, its largest trading partner, and the members of the Internationale, particularly the Republic of Arcad. Relations are repairing after the Propegallan split under tua'Sochet's guidance. The UEPR also by nature of their socialist alignment and assistance, is on good terms with the New Socialist Chulttic States. It was on favourable terms with the former People's Republic of Erhani, former Galencian Soviet Socialist Republic, former Motitearrean Communist Union States of Motherlands, and former Marcazi Union of Communist Republics. The UEPR has been consistently opposed to the Divine Empire of Masrell, given their opposition during the Annexation of Sherum, and Masrell's continued atrocities against Internationalists and republicans. The UEPR maintains a strained political relationship with the Kingdom of Avalast, but are non-negligible economic trading partners with each other.

### Science and Technology

The UEPR is a cutting-edge leader in many scientific fields, including nuclear, computing, and aerospace. The UEPR is among a handful of alimetric nations, and the third nation to land on Eursa's moon of Ceuruta. The UEPR was the first pioneer of large-scale computer networks, and consistently maintains excellence in the field of computer science. It was also briefly the worlds 4th nuclear power, before voluntarily dismantling its nuclear arsenal. Its close economic relations with the Interdependency ensures that it will always have access to the absolute most advanced technologies that the UEPR itself cannot produce. This has historically included nuclear energy, early jet and rocket engines, early computer hardware, and automated machining.

## Demographics

### Essencian Polarfolk

(pale skinned, blue eyed, silver haired)

The Polarfolk are the Northern conquerors who established the concept of Essencia through conquest. Until the Revolution, the Polarfolk were considered the upper-class citizens of Essencia, almost entirely comprising the Imperial aristocracy, and many of its wealthier citizenry. Closer to the poles are still many majority Polarfolk communities however, who have been a prime source for physically excellent warriors historically. In more modern times their reputation mellowed out, and these communities gained somewhat of a rural reputation amongst the richer, more metropolitan south. Given their position, the Polarfolk were by far largely allied to the Whites during the Revolution, and have suffered greatly in society. The contributions of the “good Essencians” to the early democratic causes were not forgotten however, and all peoples have a chance to redeem themselves in the brotherhood of Union. Administratively, Polarfolk fit in well with their usual jobs, and the true northern Polarfolk find they are getting more attention from the socialist government than they have for the past century under the Empire.

### Rosyns

(pale skin, brown/hazel eyed, brown hair)

A sturdy, and weathered people, the Rosyns have been the middle-class of Essencia for centuries. The Polarfolk relied on the Rosyns for everything first, as their trusted subordinates. Peaceful, predictable, deeply religious, simple. Excellent peasants and soldiery turned into hardworking factory laborers during the Essencian industrialization, and thus, the most “urbanized” ethnicity. Most of the first Republicans, and socialists were from Rosyn stock in the heartland of the country. Today, they dominate the urban population, and are present in all levels of society. Their fierce patriotism will drive the heart of the nation.

### Baifanren

(epicanthic folds, less pale skin, black hair, gray eyed)

A below-average height people inhabiting the most southerly, and historically richest part of Essencia, barring the capital. The Baifanren have striven to retain their esoteric culture as much as possible, and have been viewed with suspicion by the other races. None can deny their politeness, work-ethic, cleanliness, and seriousness however, which has proven them to the Emperors time and time again to be a reliable, and core part of Essencia. In the modern day, their tight-knit communities populate the south and farm quietly, and make up many small-businesses, factory workers, and excellent government officials. Their culture has arguably, the least distance between the traditional norms and the New Essencian Man.

### Kajiks

(brown skin, green eyes, black hair, pointy ears)

The only remnants of Essencia’s past imperial exploits still remaining with it today, the Kajiks were once, and largely still are, a wild, free people. They proved to be a mighty thorn in Essencia’s side for centuries, in their forests. Eventually they were subjugated, but continued to be a problem child for the Empire. In the Essencian Legions however, they quickly gained a reputation as exotic, superhuman auxiliaries, skilled with bow, sword, foot and horse. Many a hopeless battle was turned by Kajik rangers. Thus the Emperors begrudgingly loosened their grip, and allowed the Kajiks to live outside the feudal system, being made a border guard people, and almost foreign police force. The Kajiks lived in their forests in relative peace, and only had to offer men for service in response to Imperial tithes. But the fact that the Kajiks were not a core people of the Golden Age of Essencia was never forgotten. During the Revolution, Kajiks largely were a part of the Black Armies, and resisted all sides, although they were somewhat more partial to the Reds and Blues in their promises of self-determination. The combined pressure from the Whites and Reds in the middle of war broke Black forces, and many Kajiks were pardoned and recruited to the Red cause to fight the Whites. Socialist politicians still continue hard to this day to win over Kajik support, just as much as Kajik politicians fight for their People’s Republic to be autonomous. Perhaps becoming urbanized will bring them about.

### Sherumites

Ethnically and culturally closer to the Propegallans, with typically lightbrown-fair skin, brown/blue eyes, and curly hair, plus variations. Sherum was once an Essencian imperial conquest at some point in history, and similarly slipped away from imperial control. In the recent century, Sherum remained an imperial protectorate, but with Essencia lagging behind the First World powers proper, there was no hope of Sherum becoming a developed nation. It became an orphaned state during the Essencian Revolution, with its monarchy in favor of the Whites, but helpless and reluctant to participate in the fighting. It did however, accept many White and Blue exiles, who brought along significant amounts of military equipment. The crown used these resources to prepare itself against a socialist invasion, but alas, was for naught as the Red Army came knocking a few years later, and smashed through the border guard. The Sherumite monarchy was toppled and the royal family captured, the nation occupied. The Vanguardists were quick to restore order and made good on their promises to hold democratic and fair elections, creating a cabinet that in order of decreasing size, had Republicans, traditionalist nationalists, and socialists forming the new government. Despite this honest arrangement, the nation, primarily through the effort of internationalist Republicans, passed a referendum to join the UEPR as a member Republic. The Vanguardists continue to perform outreach programs and uplift the conservative Sherumite tribes, much in the same manner as they do with the Kajiks. If the Propegallans are anything to go by, the Sherumites will prove themselves to be industrious and enthusiastic workers and republicans.

### Religion

Flag of the UEPRNational borders, and minor cities (>100k) in green, major cities (>1000k) in redMajor railways and waterwaysBorders of the constituent People's RepublicsBorders of the Prefectures