Drakenstaat

We are a new nation in an old world. All we wish is a place in the sun.

Drakenstaat is a country on the Southernmost point of Velravin. It is one of the two great powers of the world, the other being its northern neighbor and rival, Celtica. It has the largest and most prestigious army in the world, having bested Celtica in their last war. Much of Drakenstaat is covered in dense jungle and is located entirely in tropical climates, making it unwelcoming to outsiders.

The economy of Drakenstaat is third largest in the world after Celtica and Deng Feng, with it being one of the largest producers of steel in the world, as well as holding a great deal of colonial territory in Kijana and beyond. Drakenstaat dominates the Straits of Draken, meaning it effectively controls passage through its southern waters.

## Geography

Drakenstaat's western territory is mostly sweltering plains and forests that slowly rise toward the east, terminating in the Dragonspine mountain range that bisects the nation. On the eastern side of the mountain range, the sloops swoops down into dense rain forest uplands. These jungles cover more than half the country, dominating the South and East. Centuries of settlement have cleared some of these areas, but the east is quite heavily wilderness. As such, the west of the country is far developed that that of the east. That said, the east holds large cities and ports, the population mostly lives by the coastline where communication and trade is available. A number of large navigable rivers provide avenues of trade around the nation, and were crucial in the early settlement of the interior jungles. The West serves as the primary economic area of the Staat, as well as its breadbasket.

The Draken Peninsula is home to a great deal of diverse flora and fauna. The most infamous of these are the Sea Serpents and Wening Draken. The former are large scaled creatures that grow up to 22 feet, with long snouts, armored bellies, and many, many teeth. They are found in both the rivers and the coastal shallows. The latter are bulky large reptiles, with venomous bites that ensure its prey bleeds profusely. These Draken are famed for their excellent tracking ability and strength, and can reach speeds of 12 miles and hour. Different variants of these creatures exist, and they are feared, respected, and revered in equal measures by the inhabitants of the peninsula. In addition to this, various large cats such as tigers and jaguars stalk the steamy jungles, while the rivers are filled with carnivorous schools of fish. It is also home to the Capybara.

## History

### Ancient Era

Not much is known about the history of Drakland before the Reman conquest. It is generally accepted that it was a tribal society with some degree in trade with each other and the Proto-Celtic peoples to the north. Archeological remains are difficult to come by as many ancient structures were destroyed by the intense heat and humidity. Still, tool fragments of high quality iron working have been found, attesting to their remarkable metalworking skill, as well as a few ancient wrecks of vessels indicating a great reliance on fishing and some level of maritime trade. Some silver jewelry and vessels are decorated with dragon motifs, indicated early adoption of a proto-draconic cult.

Much of the peninsula would eventually be conquered by the Reman empire, and organized into the province of Dracaea, named for it fierce wildlife. The coast was brought under the direct governance of Reme, while the interior was controlled by client kings and chieftains loyal to the Reman governors. The tribes of the Northwest, notably the Staedii managed to resist Reman encroachment. Regardless, Dracaea was an integral part of the empire, as it secured lines of communication, trade and supply to the Northwestern parts of the Empire.

The Ancient Reman historian Habbo wrote the following regarding the Drak tribes:

"Known for their fierceness that is in equal measure of their barbarity, the Drak tribes are not one people, but many. Each have different customs and rituals, though are loosely connected by language and faith. They are formidable warriors and place martial pursuits above all others."

It would remain an important crossroads of the empire until the Staedii barbarians invaded the province in 420, effectively cutting the empire in half. This would accelerate the collapse of the Reman empire, and usher in the Early Medieval Period. Drakland devolved into a series of squabbling warlords ruling over tribes. By the year 785, the entire territory had been out of Reman control, and entirely in the control of various tribes and Greater Chieftains.

### Medieval Era

Yet the reforms of the late Reman empire was enough to have drastically impact the Draken way of life. In the Western and South of the Peninsula, influential chieftains took control of the remnants of the Reman governing apparatus. In doing so, these leading figures would eventually transform into the early nobility, and entrench feudalism within Drakland. These warring principalities would fight amongst themselves over scraps of land and petty disputes. This would be the state of affairs for over a century. Periodically, aspiring Drak Princes would attempt to take land on the western shore of Octavia, though these principalities were generally short lived warlord states. Things would finally change with the rise Melchior the Wise.

Hailing from the Central Highland Duchy of Höhefeld, Duke Melchior was not a formidable warrior like his peers, instead he was a shrewd and wise statesman, as well as an able general. Well versed in the ways of the world, and a skilled healer, he became renown as a wise wizard and mighty magician. According to legend, he was able to hurl fire, and when angered, smoke would stream off his body. However, he could also be kind and generous to his enemies when the situation demanded it. Upon rising to the throne, he spread a message of unity and spirituality, a new interpretation of the Draconic cults of old.

Famously, he subdued his first neighbor through fear and awe. When the armies of the Duke of Wulfenberg stood against him, it was his magic that struck fear into their hearts at the critical moment of battle, causing the Wulfenbergers to flee. Captured, the Duke kneeled and swore fealty to his new lord. Through good negotiations and cunning conquest, Melchior soon was able to subdue the entirety of Drakland, even securing the loose loyalty of the decentralized Jungle Tribes of the interior. In the year 900, Melchior crowned himself Kaiser of Drakland, head of it people, and of its faith.

It was Melchior who fostered new teachings of the Hearth of Wings, declaring himself the first Paragon on Erf, and as the manifestation of God, pointing to his wisdom, powers, and great achievements that had elevated him above all other men. 8 Commandments were outlined by him from the old teachings, and a new centralized clergy was established, with its center in the new capital of Kronburg. This clergy would serve as the backbone of administration within the many realms of Drakland, all of which swore fealty to the Kaiser. His reign saw the expansion of Drakland's borders to the north at the expense of the Celts, as well as the brutal subjugation of eastern coast.

Upon his Ascension to the heavens in 921, there was great upheaval as to who would ascend the Imperial throne. Some argued for his son, while others argued that only a proven paragon on Erf could rightfully hold the title. Periods of instability over who would take the thrown would plague Drakland with civil war and strife for decades at a time until a victor emerged to be crowned in Kronburg, only to plunge the land into more war upon their death. This cycle would continue until the year 1214 when the sitting Kaiser Huleus Fuggar formalized the great compact, wherein they formalized the succession process, where the office would be elected by the Clergy of the Hearth, at the expense of Imperial power. While this did bring about a greater amount of peace, this began the decline of the Empire of Drakland. More and more authority was wrested from Kronburg by the Princes, and by 1442, the Kaiser only had nominal political authority over the peninsula. Despite this, they did remain heads of the faith, but would now only elect amongst itself.

### Early Modern Period

The decentralized Principalities of Drakland would squabble and suffer. The Emerging Great Power of Celtica would begin its dominance of Velvaria and much of its territorial expansion would come at the expense of its bordering Princes. While attempts were made to recapture this land, the fractious nature of Draken politics would lead to ultimate defeat, despite some successes. By 1600, the Duchies of Fuggaringia, Lorlsace, Alraine, and Zugenziets were lost to Celtica, and the Queens to the North would dominate down to the Princes of Stahllia and Wulfenburg. Stahllia would serve as Celtica's major ally in the region.

Despite the troubles of their brothers in the North, the Southern and Western Princes would do well for themselves this period. Draxony would make its fortune to the south, continuing its lucrative toll collection and sponsorship of privateers. Famously, the ports of Dirkskerk, Maarhafen and Port Draken would become major pirate ports, the Princes turning a blind eye in exchange for a cut of the prices. The city of Frier was established as a freebooter port in 1630, being eventually conquered by 1702. The Western Princes of Albeland and Karrogein would make fortunes trading with the far side of Kijana making long trips to the West and South. In addition, the latter founded the colony of Tarun, while the former had trading posts in Narudo and islands in the Cerulean sea. The Kingdom of Hassel would manage to wrest Hesse from the Hoku to the south in 1599. It was under the protection of Hassel and Draxony that Northern Kijana was settled and colonized, and both these states formed close links with Hokuland, Mercia and Vissentia, the latter two becoming reliant on Draken trade, and protected from other Velvarian powers. These states would also profit greatly from the slave trade in one way or another, selling one group of people to another for profit.

During this time, the Draks made a name for themselves as great sailors and marauding pirates and fierce mercenaries. Drak pirates would stalk the waves of the Cerulean sea and the Straits of Draken for plunder and booty. One of the most famous was Lord Heinrich von Brackenbaal, an impoverished aristocrat who turned to piracy. He had a small fleet of ships under his command, and for a decade took what he wished. Famously he stormed the capital of Firoccan Jackshead taking the city briefly before sacking it. Eventually he met his demise after he lost his fleet, and was eventually killed by a Celtican frigate off the coast of Octavia. Brackenbaal has become something of a folk hero in modern times. These privateers famously worked as mercenaries for the highest bidder, targeting trade specific nations, or joining fleets of warring powers.

Similarly upon land, Draken Mercenaries were famous for both their ferocity and discipline in battle. The constant warfare of their homeland as well as their martial culture led to large amounts of veteran soldiers that in times of peace in Drakland would look north for employers. Mercenary companies were a common sight on the battlefields of Velvaria, and it was not unheard of for Draken mercenaries to be on both sides of a battle, leading to a stereotype that they were in fact a bloodthirsty people. In reality, most of the principalities had deep rivalries, and did not mind fighting one another. That said, companies from the same principality never fought. This tradition would eventually dwindle and die out with the rise of professional armies, though some state that the profession continues in the form of military 'advisors' that are hired by foreign nations.

Drakland would not play a large role like the unified nations of Velvarian for much of the Early Modern period, working as mercenaries on land and sea for the highest bidder. However, they would still develop and adopt the innovations of their northern neighbors, while contributing to scientific and cultural fields in equal measure. The importation of these new ideas and technology helped the many realms of Drakland to stay somewhat on pace with the other greater powers of Velvaria, despite their position on the periphery. If not for its strategic maritime trading position, it would likely have been relegated to a backwater.

The early modern period was filled with intermittent wars over dynastic claims, historic rivalries, and territorial claims. Throughout all of this, whenever one power was in the ascendancy, the others worked together to bring them down.

### The Bonaventurian Wars

The Bonaventurian Wars are considered some of the most controversial years in Drak History. These would prove to be some of the bloodiest in Drakland's history.

While many princedoms and kingdoms of the peninsula profited greatly

Unification

After the Delphine Wars it was kind of important to not be that easily manipulated. Celtica felt personally attacked by this.

1872 following the Stahllic Coalition War, Also known as the Celto-Stahllic War

### Post-Unification

Well now we are in a 2.5 superpower world as old powers decay and new powers rise.

### Goverment

Monarch

* Kaiser & Konig Otmar Angilberct Spellmeyer, 1841-1875-Present: Second son of Niko, and the first of the new line to take the throne.

Regional Governors

* Prince Leobwin Reier Vogt; Stahilla, 1873-1900-Present: The Prince was the only child of his mother Isebel heroin of War for freedom. He is good fiends with the Prince Exalt.

## Military

Kriegsmarine National Fleet

The Draken Imperial Army

### International Diplomacy

* Normal- Relations are as per international standard
* Allied- Theses nations are ready to fight on our behalf and we on theirs
* Tense- Cultural conflicts interfere with diplomacy, but can be overcome
* None- Diplomatic status has not been permanently established
* Unknown- Haven't worked it out yet.
* Poor- Serious complications mar relations
* Good- Positive relations
* Friendly- Diplomatically aligned

"**Normal**" is the default, implying a mutual exchange of ambassadors and a relationship where both parties share a functioning two-way dialogue.

* Erisia: '
* Eirenn:
* Firocco
* Monmon: '
* The Shield States: Blood Sworn
## Religion

The official Religion of Drakenstaat is known as the Hearth of Wings, the faith is tied to the throne and the monarch is official head of the church. The Faith itself exits outside of Drakenstaat in a few other nations and with minor variations in doctrine and teachings.

Part II:Ritual magic and big hats.

#### The Lessons of the Hearth

1. Death is the fate of flesh, memory is the fate heroes, eternity is the fate of legends.
2. Your life is a currency to be spent to build your legacy because only one is eternal.
3. Measure legacy by duration not breadth. An engaged crowd will remember you for a moment, an engaged person for a lifetime.
4. All you own is your hearth. Spend the currency of your life carefully on other things.
5. Only a fool dances as their neighbor's fields burn, regardless of what you stand to gain.
6. The strength of body is the power to make change, the strength of mind is to know what could change, the strength of soul is to know if something must change.
7. Fear not the dark, only that you may never again see the light.
8. The difference between: a King & Tyrant, Robber & Rogue, Serf and Farmer is the courtesy and respect they extend to others.

Notes on Interpretations.

1. "Heroes" here is a broad term, as a good parent is in-arguably a hero their descendants and will long be remembered.
2. Don't waste time on your frivolities, they won't be remembered.
3. Something of a cavitate to the proceeding lesson, this is a reminder that personal moments are to be cherished as well.
4. Hearth here both is and isn't literal. This teaching is also used as a warning against jealousy.
5. The suffering of others is not a joyous occasion. This is one of the teachings that is considered the hardest to live.
6. This teaching is fairly straightforward. The Important lesson here is that the because you can is not always a good reason to do something.
7. Again both literal and not, the metaphor here is change in the world.
8. It is important to note that courtesy is more than just kind words, but also a general consideration of others.

## Holdings, territories, & Colonies

* Comos
* Ethiria
* Hesse
* Coolo Inqa
* Scythia
* Benin
* Yin
* Tarun
* Ziyin
* Arvialana
* Violana
* Sinchau (Dengfeng)
* Choir (Dengfeng)
* Port Alexander (Vissentia)
* Anticotias
* Rocas Atoll
* Masr
* Goria
* Koshk
* Deni Islands