NS
Nations Name: The Valkyrie Empire
Form of Government: Aristocratic Monarchy
Describe the System: The Empress of the Valkyrie Empire is its absolute ruler, although much of the day to day rule is delegated towards a lower parliament of hereditary landed aristocracy which the Empress retains unquestionable veto power over. In practice though she has rarely had need to exercise it, with a solid majority of the parliament being crown loyalists.
Location on Map Desired: WIP
Capital: WIP
Important Settlements:
Bronzekeep- A major border fortress-city which has grown to be both a center of trade and security for the Empire. Some of the first fortress artillery forged in the Empire was mounted here, and the gun batteries
Port Brunst- The primary trade port of the Empire, and what passes for a central base for its underfunded fleet.
Description:
The primary currency of the Empire is the Thaler, measured in declinations of gold, silver, and copper. One gold Thaler is worth 100 silver, one silver is 100 copper. Currency is primarily measured in stamped coinage, although the army is authorized to print and use paper script in exchange for bought goods that is redeemable for hard specie, or more recently usable against future taxes (a progressive reform element of the Selindis reign).
Important Characters:
Empress Selindis Parvadi Calona-Valkyron, ruler of the Valkyrian Empire. A deeply ambitious woman who intends to secure a thousand-year empire for her successors. While her aims are grand, her methods are highly pragmatic as she is willing to "descend" to the level of dealing with the middle merchant class and directly supervise the Army's latest expansion whilst firmly adhering to realpolitik despite having to keep her own ambitious and greedy aristocracy and military in line. The strain of rule is taking its toll however, and her pragmatism is beginning to stray towards paranoia of her own ministers and generals.
"The Courier"- The right-hand agent of the Valkyrian Empress is an enigmatic man who is beholden to noone save the Empress and given a licence to act and kill as needed to fulfill her directives. An exceedingly deadly individual loyal to a increasingly paranoid empress.
Master of the Armies
Minister of Coin
Brigadier Sora Whitehall- An rising star cavalry officer in the ranks of the Valkyrian Army. Noted for his tendency towards radical and unorthodox tactics, as well as accumulating a series of equally colorful subordinates.
Lady Melina Winters-Whitehall. Brigadier Whitehall's wife, and a rising star in political circles to match her husband. Her love is only matched by how ruthless she is in the application of seduction, poison, and her connections among the aristocracy to further both of their ends.
Traits:
Elite Army (S)- The Valkyrian Army is one of the most elite forces in the land with infantry, cavalry, and artillery force that can more than match any rival force. While highly skilled in warfare, strategy, and discipline, their main strengths lie in a well-organized signals corps and quartermasters bureau.(-6)
Ambitious Generals- The downside to rapid military success is the expectation of even more success. Glory-seeking and rank-ambition is rife among the upper command ranks and many of the line officers. (+1)
Conscription- Various countryside parishes and towns have their taxes waived for manpower levies, in addition to wartime drafts and recruitment of criminals. While no match for the elite standing army, they can assault positions or hold rear-echelon roles to free the Army for other duties. (-1)
Militia- The Valkyrian Empire retains militia forces at its towns and cities, composed of a mix of retired frontline troops, conscripts, and civilian volunteers. While of mixed quality of training, it doesn't take elite troops to stand on a wall and shoot at invaders or crew heavy fortress artillery to hold the line until the Regulars arrive. (-1)
Scared of Water- The Valkyrian Navy is decidedly the least important arm of the military, often considered little more than a logistical support arm of the Army branches than a force unto itself. As most of the Empire's ambitions are landwards, the navy remains a purely defensive force. (+3)
Rotting Hulls: Likewise, the navy is underfunded and undermanned.... (+2)
Landlubbers: And its sailors mostly press-ganged conscripts with little serious skill and lesser sons of nobility with no prospects otherwise. +1
Trading Hub: The Valkyrian Empire is a source of many luxuries, fine goods, and trade opportunities. Making it a grand trade hub even after the Norian Empire's fall and allowing goods and gold to flow freely into the Empire's coffers.(-3)
Empowered Companies: The infamous Trading House of Listrata has considerable assets and influence within the Valkyrian Empire, with the Empress' blessing towards their trade actions in joint merchant-military endeavors. (+/-)
