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: The island and a small piece of the mainland north of the island, which sits on the border of the Vanjanan Empire, which is the booming port of Agatha and the land "two cannon shots" in any direction from its walls. Approximately halfway between the eastern tip of Saxley and the southern tip of 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 the island of Lesser Morland, some 4 miles in every direction. Above Alswell is a string of small islands known for their large metal reserves and chilling winds, known as the Weyland islands. The Corustarian island is 100 miles away from the mainland at it's closest point and nearly 175 miles at it's furthest point
Aswell is the coldest of the nations, 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. Alswell is the smallest of the four nations
Saxley is known for being the best weathered land, 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 nation
Vivia, being the furthest south, is known for being the warmest of the four nations, and produces fine wines. It is the third largest of the nations
Morland is known for being the wettest of the nations, partly due to the convection currents running around the island. 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 nation by far
Lesser Morland is 4 Miles long and 4.1 miles wide at its largest points, making it one of the largest islands
The Smallest of the Weyland islands is 0.6 miles long and 0.91 miles wide, while the largest is 3 miles long and 3.4 miles wide
The smallest of Huntingtons islands is .5 miles long and .56 miles wide, while the largest is 1.6 miles long and 1.07 miles wide
The smallest island is Jordans Island, being just 100 meters long and 80 meters wide and has no permenant residents, but has 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 North East of Morland, relatively close to the Morish-Alswellian border, 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) 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. 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 on the island 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. Agath (A port city that sits north of the island, alongside the Vanjanan Empires western most border, it was acquired by Morland from a (now defunct) kingdom some 81 years before the Corustaria Unification some two centuries ago. When it was acquired it was little more than a fishing village, but the Morish and then the Corustarians have since built it into an important port city)
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 many dozens or 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 nations. Morland, Vivia, Saxley, Alswell, situated on mainland Corustaria, and there were formally smaller nation states on the minor islands that surround it, though they have long since been absorbed into their larger brothers and in turn unified into the Empire of Corustaria. Morland is the largest, richest and most powerful nation, where the capital is situated built around a bay with a small entrance.
Aside from pride in the nation of Corustaria, there is pride in the individual nations (and sometimes regions within these nations), flying their colours proudly alongside the other. In particular, Vivia believes the souls of the fallen cling to their regiments colours, and that to lose the colours would be an insult to their memory. Morland has a long running tradition, which has been transferred into a Corustarian tradition, of the Monarchs Colours. This flag, referred to as the Emperors or Empresses Colours, are touched by the hand of the monarch themselves and bestowed only upon the most worthy regiments or units. This unit must continue to perform to the highest standards, or the colours may be "usurped" by another regiment, upon which the monarch shall instead bestow the colours upon that regiment. Not only is their the added pressure of losing the colours to another regiment, but if the colours fell into enemy hands, then the mark would forever stain the regiments record. "To lose the Empresses Colours is to lose the Empresses favour", as they say.
Religion is a somewhat avoided topic on the island, as the Princess is an atheist, while the Emperor was of a different religion to the Prince and the Empress. This is actually a running theme in Morlands royal family, with the monarchs often being of separate beliefs, and is merely another trait Corustaria has inherited from Morland. Its considered impolite to speak of your own religion unless another inquires, a social construct that came to be in no small part because of a period in Morlands history where your religion could make you lose your head...
Given their interesting socialist esque system of providing free education up till age 10, and education past that being relatively cheap compared to other countries, their technological prowess is considerable. While this has supposedly devalued their degree's and honours in the eyes of the paying elite that fill the continent, the results are obvious: Corustaria has one of the highest levels of great inventors and scientists per capita in the continent.
On the subject of socialist esque systems, this is a running theme is several areas. Setting them apart from the mainland their government is responsible for free (This is actually a misconception, as it is supported through taxes) healthcare for its citizens, along with child support money for widows or widowers, pensions for the old and (admittedly limited) support for those out of work. This has made a more healthy and effective workforce, and their people are almost invariably taller than the continents average. This puts a drain on the economy, and the economy has to be carefully regulated in order to avoid a crash. The national reserve is the emergency funding, and a small amount of money is set aside for it each year. This system has created several industry giants, whom the government owns large shares in, including the somewhat dreaded "Empire Trading Company."
The Empire Trading Company is an Empowered Company, backed by government forces and legitimacy. In return, the government recieves a share of the money. It is often said the ETC gets a great a deal, as the money they give the government funds the healthcare and education programs, which in turn creates a strong and capable workforce for the Company.
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 wherever the coin was issued (Lion for Morland, Dragon for Saxley, Grapes for Vivia, Bear for Alswell etc) Bank notes are also used, exchangeable at the bank for coin.
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'. And their own way of ensuring people do not rise past their station
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. This has led to a somewhat awful recruitment level, with would be soldiers flocking to join the navy or marines instead
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 Wight (41, DECEASED)
Empress Emmeline Wight (32)
Princess Lillian Wight (15)
Prince Thaddeus Wight (16. Heir to the throne)
Royal Spymaster Richard Blank (42)
Royal Bodyguard Severus Gadge (37)
Royal Physician Marie Roseburrow (31)
Prime Minister Arnold 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
Small army: "I thought I was commanding an army, not a brigade!"-Punchline from a joke +2
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 +4
Army:
Navy:
GDP:
Stability:
(Note: Rough positions, can obviously be changed with borders. And yes, I do have permission from Duck to put myself there)
