Barsukja

Flag of Barsukja

A Map of Barsukja

Barsukja (Barsuk: Барсукя) is an island nation on the continent of Kerremett to the northeast of Murdova and east of Zuberon. It is a moderately sized archipelago nation that is extremely racially homogenous, with most of its population being made up of badgerkin. Of the four remaining great powers of the continent, Barsukja is the smallest in regard to its total land area. In addition, the nation has the least amount of experience with magic out of all of the great powers. What it lacks in size and magical prowess, however, it more than makes up for in population and industrial power. The nation has a comparable population to the other major powers and is quickly seeing this population grow and expand. It has also come the farthest with regard to non-magical industrialization. As a result, the nation has a firm mastery of steam power, mass production, and firearms, to name just a few of its non-magical achievements. Barsukja is widely acknowledged as the undisputed naval power of the four major powers of Sekt'Amund. Its capitol and largest city is Arangrad.

## History

### Founding of the Two Nations

Barsukja's history begins with the early migrations of the badgerkin many thousands of years ago, at a time before Ephelia was even a superpower. Prior to these migrations, the badgerkin had lived a nomadic life in what is now the northern Ephelian Wastelands. Many smaller tribes would band together and unify into much larger nomadic tribes, the largest of which would migrate east across the Alcaderian Range. Much of Kerremett, especially its eastern coast, was a chaotic place filled with small feudal kingdoms and city-states that were constantly embroiled in conflict. The aforementioned large group gained a desire to find virgin land and establish a permanent homeland that would be free to develop and grow as opposed to the smaller tribes that wished to not change their lifestyle. This group would be split up over time as the proto-Barsukjan settlers moved eastward. The majority of the badgerkin settled in what is now Barsukja. A large minority that was forcibly split from the group as a result of a major attack of what is believed to be gnomes would travel southward, settling in what is now known as Havnrad. In addition to these two major groups, small amounts of badgerkin would break off of these two groups and settle in small villages throughout northern Zuberon. The two main migratory groups, now individual nations, would each retain a similar culture, yet would develop very differently in regard to their foreign policies and economic structures.

The Barsukjan's would find an archipelago that had never been seen before, and with such a large population, was able to settle all of it essentially unopposed, becoming one of the largest countries in Kerremett at the time. However, Barsukja's geographical position would leave the nation isolated to the growing trade networks that spread materials, wealth, and innovation throughout the continent. Barsukja would mend this flaw by constructing a large navy, with which it could protect trade networks that it would open up by sea to the rest of the continent. This new navy would establish Barsukja as the sole naval superpower of Kerremett, a position that it retains to this day. Barsukja's newly-created trade routes would allow it to source a great many materials from the world, which it would then use to create new technologies. This practice would bring Barsukja to be known as the manufacturing capital of eastern Kerremett.

The separated Barsukjan's that would found Havnrad settled their civilization in an area exactly opposite to what their mother tribe had found. They would never leave the mainland of Kerremett, and would instead find themselves forming a small country on the coastline north of the feudal Murdovan kingdoms and the Ratlands. As opposed to the Barsukjan's, who would face little adversity in regard to other peoples and were able to invest in a large navy with a small army, the Havnradan's faced constant attacks by almost all sides, with only the ratkin from the Ratlands taking a neutral stance on the Havnradans. As a result, the nation of Havnrad would have a much larger standing army than its sister nation, and would be near-constantly engaged in warfare. Another notable difference to Barsukja was Havnrad's exposure to magic. While Barsukja had barely any understanding of it, Havnrad had learned some magic and had developed a culture concerning magic as both a weapon and as an institution since it was regularly exposed to it in warfare with other countries. Much of its knowledge was gained forcibly by conquering nearby proto-states that had a greater amount of magical knowledge than them.

### Unification

Relatively shortly after Barsukja's expansion of its navy, it would discover the fledgling Havnrad fighting to survive the constant onslaught of warring states around it. This meeting would occur in the year 1185PE. When the two nations met, it was a cause of great jubilation. It was the first contact that the two groups had had in centuries. Many historians from both groups had even begun to doubt that there was "another part of the tribe" to begin with, believing that it could have just as well been a legend. The two nations would originally recognize each other as separate nations, but within four years, there was call from almost everyone that the two groups should finally unify and once again be one united badgerfolk. In addition to these sentimental reasons for reuniting, unification was seen as immensely beneficial to both nations. For Barsukja, unification would grant them a territory (and a very fortified one at that) on mainland Kerremett for the first time in their history, allowing them to play a bigger geopolitical role on the continent. They would also gain a large increase in total population, with this population being well-suited for land warfare, allowing Barsukjan hard power to further be increased. For Havnrad, unification would bring the security of the Barsukjan navy and its large population, as well as a large amount of economic investment bringing Havnrad to a standard of living unheard of on the mainland at the time. This unification and subsequent relationship between Barsukja and Havnrad would take place in 1189PE, and would become known politically as the Personal Union of the Barsuk.

### Golden Age of Barsukja

The centuries following the unification of Barsukja and Havnrad would be marked by a period of great power and prosperity for the nation. While most of the continent was at best now organizing into larger feudal kingdoms, Barsukja was a fully-formed nation-state that dominated all of eastern Kerremett in military prowess and economic might. During this time, Barsukja at large would begin to develop a broader culture of magic, with a major university being constructed in Havnrad. The nation would enjoy an era of relative peace as it was generally too powerful for other nations to challenge. The Golden Age of Barsukja would notably see relations between Barsukja and the ratkin of the Ratlands begin to flourish, and the two nations entered a non-aggression pact.

### Great Continental War and Loss of Havnrad

352 years prior to the start of the campaign in the year 1504PE, all of Kerremett would erupt into a great war known today as the Great Continental War as a result of a greater political movement that sought to unite all of the feudal kingdoms into greater empires. The causes for this war are esoteric and greatly vary, but one of the major reasons for this movement arising was due to the domination of Barsukja over the centuries causing other nations to feel as if their power was limited and restrained under feudalism. Under a more unified empire where the state was the main body of authority, the rest of Kerremett would surely be able to stand up to Barsukja and be on even footing with it, and maybe even dominate it in some aspects.

For many of these nations, however, reunification would not be as easy as anticipated. Many ethnic groups refused to submit to a greater authority or become a part of a new empire, and as a result, bloody civil wars erupted throughout the continent. These civil wars would be bloodier in certain regions. Murdova, for example, would have the longest-lasting civil war (lasting fifty years) which was by far the most bloody. Mellon'dolon, on the other hand, unified rather quickly and peacefully, due mostly to the fact that the nation was extremely racially and culturally homogenous. At the same time that these nations were fighting themselves, they would all invade each other in order to assure that they would be as secure and dominant as possible in the post-war era. During this time, Zuberon would invade Havnrad from the north, although the Barsukjan's would hold this line for most of the war.

In the last few years of the war, the Murdovan Civil War would end as the many races of what was now Murdova submitted to the authority of the crowkin. Murdova would quickly organize itself as a major power of the war. While it had at first been subject to many losses over its conflict with both Zuberon and Mellon'dolon, it was quickly able to gain this territory back and push into the core territories of these nations as well. Anticipating a new order free of Barsukjan continental domination, Murdova began to plan an invasion and annexation of Havnrad. The plan was to keep the war with Zuberon and Mellon'dolon going so that Barsukja would not see Murdova as a potential threat, as it was embroiled in conflict and did not have the manpower or resources to spare an invasion against a major power. While Barsukja's military was focused on repelling the forces of Zuberon, Murdova would approach the neutral Ratlands and propose a deal to them: secretly enter an alliance with Murdova and invade Havnrad while retaining your independence, or be annexed into Murdova. The ratkin would decide that the best option for their nation was to betray the Barsukjan's.

In the year of 1553PE, just weeks after they had made their fateful decision, the Ratlands declared a surprise war on Barsukja. The ratkin met no resistance in their initial invasion, as all of Barsukja's forces were on the northern border repelling Zuberon and had naturally not fortified their border with a nation that they had a non-aggression pact with. Upon hearing of the ratkin's invasion, the Barsukjan front line in the north collapsed as they retreated in order to repel the invasion. This collapse caused most of the Barsukjan soldiers to be encircled and killed by the forces of Zuberon, who were now free to advance. Meanwhile, the ratkin, now aided by Murdovan reinforcements, quickly took most of Havnrad and claimed it for Murdova, with some of the north of Havnrad becoming annexed by Zuberon. After annexing Northern Havnrad, Zuberon would embark on a campaign of ethnic cleansing that would later be known as the Barsuk Genocide. The Barsuk Genocide would seek to exterminate or forcibly migrate all badgerkin within Zuberon's borders and would lead to the total depopulation of not just badgerkin in Northern Havnrad but also the extermination of small badgerkin communities and villages that had existed since breaking off from the original migrating tribe thousands of years before. For their part in the war, the ratkin were granted three years of independence before they, too, were forcibly annexed by Murdova.

Not long after the conquest of Havnrad, the three new empires of Murdova, Mellon'dolon, and Zuberon would enter peace talks in 1554PE, finally ending the war that had ravaged the continent for fifty years. While Barsukja was invited to the peace talks, the Barsukjan's would refuse to attend, as doing so would mean they would likely have to formally recognize the loss of Havnrad. Instead, the Barsukjan's would settle for a ceasefire. This ceasefire would not end for almost three hundred years, and Barsukja would (despite resuming regular trade with the two nations) legally still be at war with Zuberon and Murdova up until a few years before the campaign began, when a radical isolationist faction in Barsukja would take power and formally end the war while rather unpopularly acknowledging the loss of Havnrad.

### Decline

The loss of Havnrad was a major blow to Barsukja. Not only had they lost a great deal of influence on the continent, their own people were now subjects of a foreign land. Many of the institutions that led to Barsukja's predominance over the continent were destroyed or would fall into irrelevance in the decades and centuries following the end of the Great Continental War. Most notably, the institutions concerning magic, which were almost exclusively based in Havnrad, were no longer controlled by the Barsukjan's, and as a result, a great amount of magical knowledge was lost and magic fell into obscurity and irrelevance in Barsukjan society. In contrast, the newly-created empires began to solidify their authority and become burgeoning economies themselves, using their superior forms of magic in order to become rival sources of industry and material. Barsukja during this time would retain its strong navy, but other than that, it became delegated to being the weakest power on the continent. This state of being would persist for around two hundred years.

### Industrialization and Resurgence

Around one hundred years prior to the beginning of the campaign, Barsukja underwent a massive industrialization that brought the most innovation and resurgence in power than had been seen since before the Great Continental War. The common year denoted as the beginning of Barsukja's industrialization and resurgence is the year 1746PE, a year marked by the invention and widespread dissemination of the coal-powered steam engine in industrial districts around the nation. Barsukja's army and navy were modernized, and a great many machines were invented. One notable invention that would revolutionize the nation forever was the steam locomotive in 1779PE, an invention that would forever revolutionize both the ways material and people would move about the nation but also influence the amount of control the government would be able to exert in the formation of a proper empire. Another major invention was the airplane in 1821PE, the first fixed-wing powered flying machine in the entire world that could give the Barsukjan military a major advantage in the skies. Other notable inventions include, but are not limited to, steam engines, the discovery of coal and oil as a means for the production of energy, and the radio (as of the start of the campaign, there is similar technological prowess to 1930's Western Europe/United States). This industrialization allowed Barsukja to become just as powerful as the other three nations. Magical prowess, however, was mostly unchanged. Despite reviving its trade empire, the other nations of the world had begun to safeguard their magic, preventing advanced techniques from spreading to Barsukja.

While Barsukja's industrialization would lead to the return of Barsukjan pride and power, it would also irreversibly change the way that each individual Barsukjan would live their lives. As agriculture became more efficient to practice and as jobs opened up in newly constructed factories, millions of Barsukjan's would flood into urban centers across the nation, leading to the rise of some of the world's largest and densest cities. Barsukja would also experience a major population boom around this time. As the industries of Barsukja grew, a large disparity of wealth began to be felt as businesspeople lobbied different government officials in order to allow for the underpayment and mistreatment of laborers. Labor unions would form as a result of this, and striking would begin to be commonplace throughout the country. The government, still under the influence of wealthy corporate owners, would ban these practices in 1786PE, leading to the start of the Barsukjan Labor Conflict.

The Barsukjan Labor Conflict was much more akin to a civil war, in which many unions from around the nation would call upon their members to take up arms and to overthrow the now-corrupted government. While some unions would attempt to unify and create united fronts, they would never last long due to the varying scales of radicalization and political philosophies that varied between each union. As a result, a unified revolutionary force would never come into being to threaten the nation's existing institutions on a realistic level. The conflict would persist for three years and would see guerilla fighting take place throughout many of the urban centers of Barsukja, grinding the nation's industry to a standstill and temporarily halting its resurgence on the world stage.

The Barsukjan Labor Conflict would eventually reach a degree of violence and instability so extreme that the government would surrender to the most moderate demands of the labor unions throughout the nation. In return for the cessation of violence, Barsukja would enact major democratic reforms, begin to practice oversight over corporations, establish watchdog institutions for corruption, and nationalize many integral industries of the nation. The conclusion of the Barsukjan Labor Conflict would lead to a drastic improvement in the average Barsukjan's quality of life, and would be the start of the much more modern unitary state that Barsukjan's have come to enjoy.

## Geography and Climate

*Please note that, for simplicity's sake, only the geography and climate of the three main Barsukjan islands will be discussed here. Any other Barsukjan territories, claimed or controlled, will have their own page dedicated to their respective geographies and climates.*

Barsukja is unique among all of the great powers of Kerremett in the fact that its homeland is not a part of the mainland of the continent. Instead, Barsukja and its people reside on an archipelago to the Northeast of the continent, around a hundred miles off of the Eastern coast of Zuberon. While Barsukja has a number of small and mostly uninhabited islands, most of its society and culture is based off of three islands: Zeja, Angara, and Ozhogino.

### Zeja

#### Physical Description

Zeja (Barsuk: Зея) is the largest and most populated of the three main Barsukjan islands. Sitting in between Angara and Ozhogino, it is the middle island out of the three of them. Zeja, like all of the islands, is very mountainous, with much of the core of the island being made up of long and snowy mountain ranges filled with dormant volcanoes. The mountain ranges subside as they make their way down to the coast, however, revealing large areas of coastal plains filled with dense forests and broad rivers that are extremely conducive to settlement. These plains play host to most of the island's major cities and agricultural areas, with the soil being very rich due to the volcanic material that is distributed in the island's soil. The capitol of Barsukja is located on the Eastern coast of Zeja.

#### Climate

Zeja's climate is the most temperate of the three main islands, with moderately warm summers and snowy winters throughout most of the island. Much of this warmth comes from the influence of the Corsarian Stream, a warm ocean current that brings warmer temperatures to the northern nation despite its relatively high position on the map. The northern sixth of Zeja is much colder than the rest of the island, with much more climatic similarity to Angara due to its extreme reach into the northern regions of the planet.

### Angara

#### Physical Description

Angara (Barsuk: Ангара) is the northernmost island of Barsukja. It is the second largest of the three Barsukjan islands, being around half the size of Zeja, yet has the smallest population. Angara is separated from Zeja by the Strait of Stormasamt. Most of Angara is uninhabitable as a result of its harsh subarctic climate, with most of its population living in isolated cities on the coast. Angara is so difficult to access that some parts of its interior have never been explored by a single person. Much of this interior is a mountainous cold desert. Angara is well-known for its geo-thermal activity.

#### Climate

Angara is by far the coldest island of Barsukja's three main islands. It experiences a subarctic climate that becomes more and more dry the farther inland one goes.

### Ozhogino

#### Physical Description

Ozhogino (Barsuk: Ожогино) is the smallest of the three main islands of Barsukja, but it still boasts the second largest population of all of the islands. It is separated from Zeja by the Strait of Maluja. As opposed to the many dense, interconnected cities of Zeja or the isolated coastal towns of Angara, Ozhogino has just one major city with a number of small towns and villages dispersed around the island. The island is perhaps the most homogenous with regards to landscape and natural features. The island is one massive extinct volcano which rises proudly at the center of the island and slopes downward towards the ocean. The island is covered by a subtropical rainforest that hosts an extremely diverse set of wildlife.

## Domen

*Each Domen will be listed under the island that they are on, as well as with any notable cities that reside within their borders.*

### Zeja

* **Mestoslja:** encompasses Arangrad and Orenezh metropolitan areas and inland through the mountains.
* **Korzen:** encompasses Jakupol and Najarskj as well as the agricultural areas around them and inland through the mountains.
* **Ivanska:** encompasses the Ivansk metropolitan area and inland through the mountains.
* **Ochaja:** encompasses Sukoj, the agricultural areas around it, and inland through the mountains.
* **Nizhmenja:** encompasses the Southern Zejan Lowlands, including Arzalsk.
* **Zheskj:** encompasses much of the upper sixth of Zeja, including the cities of Limovsk and Angajarsk.
* **Dasgara:** encompasses the land around Belejov and Tjuzom, and inland through the mountains.

### Angara

* **Angara:** encompasses the entire island of Angara, including the cities of Podovnj, Ljumara, Chapavsk, and Meransk.

### Ozhogino

* **Ljudmara:** encompasses the metropolitan area of Ljudmara.
* **Greater Ozhogino:** encompasses all areas on Ozhogino outside the metropolitan area of Ljudmara.

## Government

Prior to the isolationist *coup d'etat,* Barsukja was a semi-democratic unitary nation with three main branches of government being legislative, executive, and judicial. It operates under the oldest constitution still in effect in the entire world, having not changed since before the Personal Union of the Barsuk.

### Legislative Branch

The legislative branch of Barsukja consists of a unicameral parliament known as the Damas. There are eleven members of the Damas, with each member representing a different Domen. Representatives are not elected by the people. Instead, each representative is the head of a family or "house" that exists to represent the Domen that they are from. This makes the position of Representative hierarchical. The legislative branch creates laws, advocates for the needs of different Domen, overrides executive vetoes (by 75% of a majority vote), and ratifies treaties with foreign nations. They can also impeach and initiate an investigation against a member of the government.

### Executive Branch

The executive branch of Barsukja consists of the nation's ruler, the Barsukov, as well as their appointed advisors that each head a bureau. The Barsukov is directly elected by the people and serves for life, although they can be removed by the Damas if at least 80% of the general populace vote to remove them or if he is impeached and convicted. The Barsukov is responsible for heading the military, being the chief diplomat of the nation, enforcing laws created by the Damas, vetoing laws created by the Damas if desired, and more.

### Judicial Branch

The Court of Barsukja interprets the laws that are passed by the Damas and hears cases that are brought to it from regional courts. It is made up of eleven Justices that are nominated for life by the Barsukov. Each Justice must be approved by the Damas.

## Economy

### Economic Policies

The Barsukjan economy is mostly a liberal one. Most businesses are free to operate without too much regulation from the government, and the free market is generally given free reign with some reasonable restrictions. Trusts are banned and are regularly broken apart by the government. The invention of the steam engine has allowed businesses to grow much faster and larger, which has caused an uptick in antitrust laws being passed. Businesses are restricted to not interfering or capitalizing on certain industries that the government deems as vital, however. Industries such as mining, weapons manufacturing, shipbuilding, oil drilling, airplane manufacturing, and other industries that are integral to the defense of the nation, could compromise more secretive technological achievements, or affect the operation of the military are all state-owned enterprises.

### Taxation

Barsukjan's are taxed relatively highly when compared to their Murdovan or Zuberonian counterparts. This is due to the large amount of social services that exist in Barsukja that are not offered as widely in other nations, such as public transport, public healthcare, or social security.

### Major Exports

Barsukja's economy is heavily based on industry. Its primary industrial center is on the Eastern coast of Zeja. It is the most industrially productive area in the world. Much of the Zejan Industrial Belt runs along a major river that is used for transportation purposes. The industry of Barsukja is best known for its production of machinery, firearms-based weaponry, vehicles, and other general mass-produced goods.

In addition to having a burgeoning industry, Barsukja's economy is also greatly made up of agricultural output. While Barsukja has relatively little flat land that can be tilled, the land that is reserved for agriculture is extremely productive, owing to the rich nature of the volcanic soil present on the island. Barsukja, therefore, is able to supplement much of its population's need for food, although it still relies on trade with Zuberon in order to make food a much more secure resource.

Barsukja's dedication to its naval culture has resulted in many of Barsukjan exports being fish-related. Fishing is a mainstay throughout all of Barsukja, but it is perhaps most important to the people of Angara. In Angara, fishing encompasses so much of Angara's way of life that it is its second-largest export, after mined goods.

Mining is a major industry in Barsukja, as it is used to power its industrial centers and create a vast array of machines. Most trade regarding mined goods is done domestically in Barsukja, but some minerals do find their way into the international trading routes. Most minerals are mined in the interior of Angara, one of the most rich and diverse areas in the world with regard to the amount and variety of minerals and metals that are found underground. Oil is pumped from the ground throughout the nation, especially off of the coasts, but there is not enough to sustain an independent oil-based energy system. As a result, coal is the primary source of energy for the nation. Zuberon's oil fields are a cause of great envy for Barsukjan's.

### Infrastructure

Barsukja is known the world over for its dedication to rail and public transport systems in lieu of automobiles or mech carts, which are more expensive and less convenient in a nation so interconnected by rail. This infrastructure is publicly owned and payed for by the taxpayer. Barsukja's transport infrastructure for both passenger and freight traffic is heavily supported by a large and interconnected rail system, most especially on Zeja. Zeja has two major rail lines running from the North to the South down each coastline. The two coasts are connected through a rail line that goes through the Zejan Range and connects the capitol of Arangrad in the East to the city of Tjuzom in the West. From these large railways stem smaller regional railways that connect smaller towns and villages to each other. Roads also exist for Barsukjan's who wish to use automobiles or horses to travel, although this is usually considered to be unnecessary unless one has a large amount of wealth or is travelling to a more remote area that has no rail service. Zejan cities often have robust subway and streetcar services, to the point where most inner cities do not have roads open for cars.

In Angara, the environment is so harsh that little travelling can realistically be done on land between cities. As a result, most travelling in Angara is done by means of sailing through the Strait of Stormasamt. The Strait of Stormasamt is notorious for how rough it is, yet despite this, it has become a necessity for the people of Angara to interact with the outside world. Angarans have adapted to the conditions of the Strait of Stormasamt so well that they are considered to be some of the best sailors worldwide. Rail services do not exist on Angara outside of freight operations bringing mined goods from the interior of the continent to the port city of Podovnj.

Ozhogino has little public transportation outside of the city of Ljudmara. There are no major towns outside of the city, with only scattered villages being present. Most people get to these villages by horseback.

### Tourism

Tourism was a major source of revenue for Barsukja prior to the isolationist *coup d'etat*, with Ozhogino especially noted for its international popularity due to its subtropical climate, gorgeous beaches, highly unique wildlife, and coral reefs. After the isolationist *coup d'etat,* the tourism industry took a massive hit. Only domestic tourism is permitted, but as a result of a massive economic crash as a result of cutting off all international trade, few Barsukjan's have enough money to afford an adequate amount of food, let alone be able to pay for a luxury tropical vacation.

### Healthcare and Social Security

Free, universal healthcare is guaranteed to all citizens of Barsukja. It is funded by the taxpayer. In addition, Social Security is granted to citizens who are unable to work as a result of a myriad of factors that are determined by a Bureau of Health agent.

## Culture

### Religion

Most Barsukjan's worship Muelan, the Cultivator of Progress to some extent.

### Music

Traditional Barsukjan music is known to be very folkish, often meant to be sung along to by large groups of people by a small band or soloist. Many traditional Barsukjan songs started off as sea shanties from sailors. Traditional music has influenced contemporary music greatly, with traditional instruments and stylistic choices often being mixed with modern musical innovations that have come with industrialization. Music is often consumed through personal purchase of records or by listening to dedicated radio stations.

Perhaps the most famous of traditional Barsukjan instruments is the baliljutnja, a simplified coppertwang that evolved from early musical influences from Corsarian traders. A baliljutnja is a plucked stringed instrument that produces harsh, cold tones, as opposed to warm, twangy tones that would be heard from a coppertwang. Baliljutnja's also lack the percussive attachments of coppertwangs, leading to a more simplistic playstyle that is more open to multiple instruments in an ensemble.

### Media

radio

newspapers

propaganda

### Cuisine

Fish heavy

Vodka

### World Views

Barsukjan's believe their society to be the pinnacle of progress and sophistication, owing to two main factors. The first of these factors is the Barsukjan's worship of Muelan, the Cultivator of Progress. The zeitgeist of Barsukja has been shaped greatly by the values of Muelan, leading to a society that is incredibly industrious, innovative, and creative. The second of these factors concerns the origins of the badgerkin. Badgerkin originally migrated from Ephelia, and as a result, Barsukjan's believe their civilization to be the successor state of Ephelia and believe that they carry that empire's legacy. As a result, Barsukjan's view their nation as one that is above all others in both raw sophistication as well as prestige.

Barsukjan's have also used their affinity with Muelan as a justification for their desire to reclaim Havnrad. Barsukjan's believe that, as Muelan embodies the value of justice, they have an unspoken divine backing to pursue justice against Murdova, Zuberon, and other entities that contributed to the end of the Barsuk Golden Age and the loss of Havnrad. One of the main reasons that support for a war of liberation remains so high in Barsukja after hundreds of years and has not fizzled out is due to the religious aspect that such a campaign envisions.

#### Magic

Barsukjan's of the modern day hold conflicting views regarding magic. On one hand, Barsukjan's are incredibly proud of the nation that they have built without the aid of magic, as it stands on equal footing with magical superpowers such as Murdova. On the other hand, the concept of magic is forever tied with the loss of Havnrad, and as such Barsukjan's view it as another treasure that was robbed from them. Magic is also seen by government officials and intellectuals as a desired resource for Barsukja in the near future, as magic could help to alleviate energy concerns, improve Barsukjan vehicles and war machines, and even contribute to the development of superweapons.

#### Prejudices

Barsukjan's are notorious for the prejudices that they hold against some of the other races that make up the continent of Kerremett and the world of Sekt'Amund in general. Many of these biases are rooted in historical events and/or grievances that the Barsuk and other groups have had in the past.

- lack of legal protections for races not specifically outlined in the constitution

* **Ratkin:** The Barsukjan's view the ratkin with the most contempt out of all other races, regarding them as supremely untrustworthy, arrogant, and revisionist. This is due to the Ratkin Invasion of Havnrad at the end of the Great Continental War, an event in history that broke a nonaggression pact between the Barsukjan's and the ratkin and directly lead to the loss of Havnrad as a Barsukjan territory. The ratkin, for their part, are often miseducated about the events of the war by the druidic elite of ratkin society, with most ratkin being taught that the Barsukjan's were the traitors, leading to mutual animosity between the two races.

* **Bearkin:** The bearkin are viewed very favorably by Barsukjan's. Many bearkin lived (and continue to live) in Havnrad with the other Havnradan badgerkin, as the bearkin are native to the area and were assimilated into Havnrad following bearkin tribes falling to Havnrad's military at some point in the far past. While few bearkin live in Barsukja proper, they are still the second largest ethnic group in the nation, with some bearkin having migrated to Barsukja during the Barsuk Golden Age. They are *de jure* (and mostly *de facto*) equal citizens to badgerkin in Barsukja.

* **Birdkin:** Each birdkin is viewed differently based on what variety of the race they are. Most birdkin are viewed by Barsukjan's somewhat indifferently despite being a major ethnic group of Havnrad's main occupier, Murdova. This is due to most of the blame being placed upon the ratkin. However, Barsukjan's tend to greatly dislike the ruling crowkin of Murdova. They see them as tyrannical, inbred rulers that masterminded Havnrad's fall. It is the dream of many Barsukjan's to depose the ruling crowkin of Murdova.

* **Dragonkin:** Despite being one of the five ruling races of Murdova, Barsukjan's tend to have a lot of respect for the dragonkin. This is likely due to the fact that they were once an independent nation themselves that did not betray anyone for power. In addition, the dragonkin played no part in the invasion of Havnrad.

* **Dryad:** The dryad's homeland lies to the Northwest of Havnrad. Despite this, the secretive and secluded nature of the dryad meant that the Barsukjan's never established any sort of formal contact with them. The dryad became legendary creatures that most Barsukjan's did not believe were real. This sentiment continues to exist today, with very few Barsukjan's being aware of the existence of the race. Even Ivanov, an upper-level bureaucrat educated at Barsukja's finest university, was completely perplexed when he encountered Faraday, calling her a "foreign woman" as a result of not knowing what race she was nor where she hailed from.

* **Elves and Half-elves:** Due to Mellon'dolon never going to war with, nor offending, Barsukja, the Barsukjan's hold no real prejudice towards the elves and half-elves. They regard them as highly intelligent and very interesting, especially due to the secretive nature of Mellon'dolon. Barsukjan's are very interested as to the happenings of the nation, but do not try too hard to figure it out out of fear of upsetting a neutral party and creating another enemy on the continent.

* **Humans, Gnomes, and Dwarves:** Barsukjan's collectively despise humans, gnomes, and dwarves as a result of their invasion of Havnrad bringing Barsukja into the Great Continental War and the post-war Badgerkin Genocide in Zuberon killing all badgerkin within Zuberon's borders. They are regarded as bloodthirsty, opportunistic monsters.
* **Coyotekin:** The coyotekin are famous for getting along extremely well with Barsukjan's.

* **Tigerkin:** The tigerkin are generally regarded as being rich and stuck-up, but otherwise are not held in any sort of light, whether positive or negative, by Barsukjan's.

* **Tauri:** Barsukjan's regard tauri as being very promiscuous.

* **Molekin:** Molekin are not associated with any major positive or negative feelings by Barsukjan's, but are generally associated with poverty and low socioeconomic status.

* **Mousekin:** Mousekin are envied by Barsukjan's for their magical prowess.

* **Goblinoids:** Barsukjan's view the goblinoids rather favorably. They have close ties with regard to trading and have influenced each others' cultures as a result of this relationship. Barsukjan's respect the unique mercantile culture that is held by many goblinoids, and Barsukja and the Corsarian Belt enjoy good diplomatic relations.

* **Catkin:** The catkin are viewed by Barsukjan's with curiosity. Not much is known about them, and their civilization of Ephelia is perhaps the most unique and mysterious place in the world.

## Notable People

Ivanov the Unbearable

Badger Tate

Badger-chan

Badger Swift

## Trivia

* Barsukja takes principally takes inspiration from Russian, German, and Japanese cultures, but also has influences of English, French, American, Hawai'ian, and Icelandic cultures. It also takes a great amount of inspiration from the steampunk subculture.
* The name "Barsukja" comes from the Russian word for badger, barsuk, being combined with the Latin suffix for "land of," -ia, which is further Russified into я, or ja. Therefore, Barsukja literally translates into "land of the badgers."