Nations Name: The Empire of Corustaria

Flag: The Flag of the Empire of Corustaria is very different from the flags of it's individual territories, and this is very important to remember as regiments from the different area's of Corustaria often fly the banners of their countries in addition to the Corustarian banner. The Corustarian banner is composed of the Red of Alswell, the Blue of Vivia and the Lion of Morland. Traditionally, the dragon is not included due to Saxley having been conquered and thus not having been part of the union which made the flag. As such, the official flag does not include the Dragon of Saxley, however some unofficial contemporary variations do exist that incorporate the Dragon alongside the Lion, usually by moving the Lion so that it is against the Blue background and the Dragon so that it is against the red. These variants exist almost exclusively within Saxley.

Corustaria

Major Province Flags:
Vivia
Saxley
Morland
Alswell

Form of Government: Constitutional Monarchy

Describe the System: (Describe how your country is run in some more detail.} The Monarch of the Empire (Known as the Emperor or Empress) is a very important and powerful figure. Alongside the monarch there is a parliament with a range of powers which acts as a legislator. The monarch can dissolve parliament at their own discretion, and also has many administrative functions, working with parliament rather than independently of it. While Morland is the heart of the Empire, the remaining islands are mostly autonomous, with their own heads of state, for example Vivia having a king. All these are subservient to the Emperor/Empress and Morlands Parliament

Location on Map Desired: A series of islands off the north of the Edoniras, with Morland in the center, Alswell to the North, Saxley to the west and Vivia to the South East. Approximately halfway Saxley and Vivia lies Huntingtons isle, a collection of three small islands that are separated by only a few hundred meters of water. A few miles off the east coast of Morland lies a large island approximately a Sixth of the size of Morland known as Lesser Morland. Above Alswell is a string of small, cold islands known for their large metal reserves and chilling winds, known as the Weyland islands. The Corustarian isles lies some 200 miles north of the Lance Empires homeland, one of the furthest points north of Edoniras
Aswell is the coldest of the isles, known for producing hardy miners. Some of the most infamous... and most famous... figures of the empire come from here. Brave warriors fighting for Emperor and Empire, and infamous assassins who could fill Morland with the blood they've spilt. Aswell is about 162 miles long and 400 miles wide at its furthest points
Saxley is known for being the best weathered island, excellent for growing crops. It was the only island that was brought into the Empire by force, nearly four hundred years ago when Morland invaded. The unrest has mostly died down by now, but there are die hards who contest that Saxley should be independent. Their voice is drowned out by the majority. Saxley is the second largest island, being 700 miles long and 400 miles wide at its furthest points
Vivia is known for being the warmest of the islands, and produces fine wines. It is 450 miles long and 225 miles wide at its furthest points
Morland is known for being the wettest of the islands. It's often said that the people of Morland went out to conquer Saxley because they were sick of the torrential rain. Despite this, when it isn't raining the country is quite pleasing to look at. It is the largest island in the isles being 1300 miles long and 810 miles wide at its furthest points.
Lesser Morland is 220 Miles long and 143 miles wide at its largest points, making it one of the smallest islands
The Smallest of the Weyland islands is 10 miles long and 5 miles wide, while the largest is 60 miles long and 45 miles wide
The smallest of Huntingtons islands is 7 miles long and 8 miles wide, while the largest is 40 miles long and 30 miles wide
The smallest island is Jordans Island, being just 100 meters long and 80 meters wide and has no permenant residents, but had a watch tower with a beacon on top where two guardsmen are stationed for a month at a time, watching for signs of invasion from the rest of the powers. The watch tower doubles as a lighthouse for ships to avoid the jagged rocks surrounding it. If the beacon is lit in day, it means invaders have been spotted, if its doused at night, it means invaders have been spotted.

Capital: Stavedon, a massive city built around the bay of Stavedon to the South of Morland, the River Thyme flowing through it into the ocean, making it a port-side city to house it's naval assets and one of the more important trade centers of the isles.

Important Settlements: Pottershead (A large town in the center of Morland. It recently boomed to a massive side and became extremely important as the tree's surrounding it turned out to be excellent for ship building using the new methods) Albaport (Capital of Saxley, known for it's apples and strong coal industry, its located on the east coast of Saxley) Ivarford (A major mining town in the Weyland islands, notable for exporting large amounts of metals to the mainlands) Glassley (Capital of Alswell. Culturally significant, but it's economic value is relatively low compared to the other capitals, its situated on the northern coast of Alswell) Bastillia (Capital of Vivia that is located along the River Charles in the south east of Vivia. Known for it's fine wines and vineyards. Bastillia gets it's name from the Bastile lying near it's center, a twelve hundred (1200) year old castle that has been razed and rebuilt many times in the battle scarred history that came before unification) Kingswood (A major town in the northeast of Vivia, about 300 miles from the coast. It is renowned for the great forest surrounding it which has long since provided wood for ships) Newkeep (A Saxley city located near the center of Saxley, it has become one of the most prosperous in the isle after having struck a huge vein of gold and silver. Jewlers and Smiths dot its streets, and it provides a major source of income for the government.) Dunworth (The largest city in Lesser Morland, located in the north of lesser Morland, 50 miles from the coast.)

Description: (Describe an average city in your nation. Culture, language, currency etc.) Very Victorian esque in its architecture, the cities of the Empire of Corustaria range from beautiful manors and pretty cobble stone streets, to massive smoke stacks coughing out fumes into the sky far above. For better or for worse, Corustaria is in an industrial revolution. Culturally, this had led to many changes. Workers are suddenly less important, as machines which can do the jobs of five men are implemented into factories. New, revolutionary ideas spread like wild fire in the heat of summer, as great minds expand the fields of science. Some things never change however. They are still proud of their navy, and almost incessant are the chants of "Bigger, better, stronger" whenever someone so much as hears the word "Navy". There are four main islands. Morland, Vivia, Saxley, Alswell, and several smaller islands. Morland is the main island, where the capital is situated built around a bay with a small entrance.
Internationally, they are on good terms with the Lance Empire, and relatively neutral terms with the other powers. They are known to be cunning on the world stage, forming alliances to make up for their weaknesses
The Currency of Corustaria is the Vestibulum coin. Made out of gold, bronze and silver depending on worth, these coins have the head of the Empress stamped onto them, and on the other side bear the national symbol of whereever the coin was issued (Lion for Morland, Dragon for Saxley, Grapes for Vivia, Bear for Alswell etc)
The Empire of Corustaria is known for being very cosmopolitan; Divisions aren't laid out by creed, colour or gender. In fact, it's known for having fierce women in the ranks of it's sailors, as well as minority groups and those viewed by others as 'savages' fighting among it's marines. This is partly down to their nature, being already made from several different peoples who have unified rather than being a single country to begin with. This will likely be unexpectedly helpful in Colonial situations, as their seemingly more benevolent nature will likely earn them more friends among natives than other, less cosmopolitan powers. This is not to say there isn't racism or sexism within their society. As will all colonial nations, they still have their own views on what's 'womanly' and 'savage'
Although it's army is something of a joke due to underfunding and it's generals being perpetually at each others throats, the individual soldier is not actually terrible. Many are extremely loyal and committed, even if they are poorly trained and ill equipped. Unfortunately, this leads to soldiers having a poor reputation, when it is more down to the fault of their superiors than it is their own
Something important to note is that Corustaria's Marines are considered much better fighters than it's actual army. They are feared opponents at sea, storming enemy vessels and firing on the swaying decks with shocking accuracy, partly down to skill and experience and partly down to their use of the more accurate 'Rifles' over the Muskets more commonly used by militaries. Rifles have their own set of disadvantages, such as the accumulation of powder in a rifle slowing reload times and eventually requiring cleaning before usage, thus making them less effective on colonial battlefields where both powder fills the air and obscures vision making the accuracy bonus irrelevant and when combat is more to do with filling the air with more shots than individual accuracy. This is very different from ship battles however. Men are not tightly packed together on ships, instead being more spread out and performing their individual tasks, making individual accuracy more important. Likewise, since the ships are moving the smoke moves away quicker, making the accuracy and range bonus more pronounced. There are also less men on ships, and more breaks in the combat for the marines, allowing them to quickly clean their rifles and their ship moves from engagement to engagement. Finally, muskets are made long due to their usage in firing lines, while Rifles are made shorter and thus more effective in the closer confines of ships should there be a boarding action.

Important Characters:
Emperor Thaddeus Burrows (41, DECEASED)
Empress Emmeline Burrows (32)
Princess Lillian Burrows (15)
Prince Thaddeus Burrows (16)
Royal Spymaster Richard White (42)
Royal Bodyguard Severus Campbell (37, notable for being the First Non-White Royal Bodyguard)
Royal Physician Marie Roseburrow (31, notable for being the second female Royal Physician)
Prime Minister Custis Carnifex (61)
Minister for War and Grand Admiral Esmond Thorne (51)

Traits:
King of the Seas: "Islands need strong navies, not strong armies..." -Unknown Sailor -3
Ships of the line: "They call that an attack?"- Admiral Thorne as his ships of the line dwarfs the enemy attack craft -2
Natural great men: "Corustaria boasts many great inventors and geniuses, which some put down to the educational welfare system that's in place"-A brief history of Corustaria -3
Sealegs: "Corustaria's sailors and marines are used to the sea and boats, and they have been known to sail through storms and come out while their opponents sink behind them"-Exert from the book 'The Royal Navy Of Corustaria' -1
New age ship construction: "One things for sure. The bastards know how to build good ships..." -A pirate after watching a small ship take a broadside and outrun him regardless +/- 0
Empowered Company: "The Empire Trading Company plays a large part in keeping the economy afloat. In return, it receives special treatment from the Empire"- A brief history of Corustaria +/-0
Outdated Army: "Admiral Thorne gets new diamonds to encrust his cannons with, meanwhile we get pikes!"- General White lamenting his ill equipped army +2
Ambitious generals: "While the naval officers holds the record for cooperation, its not true to say the army has never won anything... they hold the record for 'most friendly fire instances'"-A joke among sailors +1
Small army: "I thought I was commanding an army, not a brigade!"-Punchline from a joke +2
Never been out of the village: "These berries look harmless..." -Infamous last words +1
State controlled market: "With a few exceptions, most businesses are either directly or indirectly state owned, with very few true free businesses remaining. Growth is slow but stable as a result" -Government report, +1
Basic points +2

Army: (I will roll this, navy, GDP and stability.)

Navy:

GDP:

Stability:

Nations Name: Lydiah (lid-ee-ah)

Flag:

Form of Government: Grand Duchy (Monarchy)

Describe the System: The title of Grand Duke/Duchess in hereditary, meaning only one family, the House of Quachel, holds the power. They are, however, known to be generally benevolent rulers, and usually consult their advisers upon important matters. These advisers are the Thanes, essentially the Earls of the different (small) provinces in Lydiah. They are supposed to represent the people, bring their concerns and ideas to the Duke/Duchess, and control the armed forces of their particular province (I will decide the name, number and rulers of each province once I am assigned some territory).

Location on Map Desired: WIP, preferably a long, thin coastal region with a few offshore islands - Lydiah is a nation built on sea trade. Preferably backed onto mountains like Chile and Norway. Quite small (I want to be inconspicuous!!!)

Capital: Kythian (kith-ee-an), large, coastal trading town. Preferably in a cove/bay area.

Important Settlements: Torein (tor-ine) - centre of Lydiah's military land forces, Yahlyn (yar-len) - centre of Lydiah's naval power, Rahla (raa-la) - centre wood and timber production, Venyah, centre of mining and stoneworking, Kythian - centre of Lydiah's trade.

Description: Cities tend to be bustling, busy places. Trade and construction/manufacturing areas tend to be well away from residential and governmental areas. Beauty is admired and sought after - the architecture of most of Lydiah's settlements is flowing and often features a tinge of blue, reflecting the nation's general love of the sea. Silver and sapphires are valued highly among Lydiahns - simple decorations of a single sapphire encircled in silver are commonplace in the wealthier districts of most towns/cities.

Lydiahns generally love and admire the natural world. The nations grew up from a culture that worked to preserve nature, and held all natural things with great reverence. This has not vanished as the world progresses, but trees that were once beloved reminders of an older world are beginning to be loped for their wood in order to construct new and better ships. The southern region is particularly beautiful (as it had previously escaped the greater demand for resources in the north as trade grew and became a major industry), especially the internationally recognised region of Seven Rivers (Sju alv, in Lydiahn).

The Lydiahn currency is the crescent. These are made of silver, and have the likeness of the Duke/Duchess on one side, and the crescent moon on the other. A coin of less value is the lion, which corresponds to roughly half a crescent.

For this RP, I will use Swedish as the Lydiahn language (obviously not through the whole thing, English I'm assuming is the 'common speech' of Edoniras.)

Important Characters: Duke Elvahn (elv-an), ruler of Lydiah, Duchess Kathlihn (cath-lin), his wife, Prince Jormuhno (jor-moon-oh) the heir. Thanes will be named once I work out how many provinces I can fit into my territory (probably no more than 5)

Traits:

Small Army:Your nation maintains a relatively small number of troops, when fielded in battle against another nation your forces are almost always outnumbered. +2

Outdated Army: Your men carry weapons not even your grandfather remembers, muskets misfire more than usual and your training deals with tactics not used in many years. +2 (as a long, narrow nation backed onto mountains (please), the need for a land army is not very high.)

King of the Seas: Your nation has a glorious Maritime history and a navy that matches, many grand ships fill your docks and sailors are viewed as hero’s in the eye of the public. -3

New Age Ship Construction: New ways of shaping the wood and newly discovered types of wood has led to advances in how ships perform. However these come at a cost, making ships more expensive than usual. +/-0

Trading Hub: Your country is a nation of traders and merchants, many coins pass through the fingers of your citizens every day, especially through your own after taxes. -3

Army: (I will roll this, navy, GDP and stability.)
Navy:
GDP:
Stability: