Drakkengard
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Kingdom of Drakkengard RaiNanruqihhat erDrakkengard (Drakken) | |
|---|---|
 Flag of Drakkengard
Coat of arms
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Royal anthem: Packilvanian: Lumamlukumiyat luIkht Drakken: RaiNanruqihhat raiEqd | |
| Capital | Vaskar |
| Largest city | Jabal |
| Official languages | Drakken |
| Recognised regional languages | |
| Ethnic groups |
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| Religion | |
| Demonym(s) | Drakkengardian |
| Personal union | Pax-Draconica |
| Government | Unitary semi-constitutional monarchy, de facto hybrid regime |
• King | Thumim V |
• President of the Privy Council | Prince Luwadeen |
• Prime Minister | Duke Jawal Ukramistre of Halkadir |
• Governor-General | Usmil VII |
| Legislature | Parliament of Drakkengard |
| Establishment | |
• Founding by Drakk I | October 20, 1209 |
• Zubraynite suzerainty | 1290 |
• Demirite suzerainty | 1676 |
• Drakkengardian Socialist Republic | 1917 |
| 1985 | |
| Area | |
• Total | 230,000 km2 (89,000 sq mi) |
| Population | |
• 2021 estimate | 21,749,000 |
• 2017 census | 18,560,000 |
| GDP (PPP) | 2021 estimate |
• Total | 356,248,620,000 KRB |
• Per capita | 16,380 KRB |
| GDP (nominal) | estimate |
• Total | 123,316,830,000 KRB |
• Per capita | 5,670 KRB |
| Gini |  51.4high |
| SDI (2021) |  0.675medium |
| Currency | Drakkengardian dinar (DRD) |
| Time zone | Drakkengardian Standard Time (DRST) |
• Summer (DST) | +9 UTC |
| Date format | yyyy/mm/dd |
| Mains electricity | PXME |
| ISO 3166 code | DRK |
Drakkengard (formally known as the Kindgom of Drakkengard in Staynish, as LuMamlukumiyat aDrakhengard in Packilvanian and RaiNanruqihhat eraiDrakkengard in Drakken) is a sovereign state located in Yasteria that lies to the west of Vekaiyu, east of Packilvania, south of Kalatya and north of Allegheny.
It was founded in 1209 by Drakk I as an independent nation. The country is named after the castle he built known as Drakkengard (which means Drakk's Castle). In 1275, it fell under the suzerainty of the Zubraynite dynasty when it was conquered by Ishak Zubrayn under whom its people converted to Paxism. In 1676 it fell under the reign of the Demirite dynasty when it was conquered by Saidun the Conqueror, King of Fidakar. In 1917, when Zerah Demir IV was deposed by Gideon Muktan, it was reorganized under the Packilvanian Communist Party as the Drakkengardian Socialist Republic and its hereditary ruler, the Grand Duke of Drakkengard was deposed. During Communist rule, it harbored many humans who were being persecuted in Packilvania. After the Second Packilvanian Civil War, Sultan Amhoud I granted Drakkengard independence within a personal union known as Pax-Draconica.
It has a semi-arid climate due to the desert sands of the Packilvanian deserts and the Uliveru Mountains. Nevertheless, it has a high rate of biodiversity. Some endemic species face extinction due to habitat loss. The country is an upper middle income newly industrialized emerging economy with a GDP per capita of approximately 5,600 KRB and a GDP of 356 billion. Its economy relies on the export of commodities such as agricultural produce, metals and gemstones. It confronts challenges such as a high disease burden, corruption, reliance on low-skilled labor and lackluster research and development activities. It is a highly ethnically diverse state with Felines, Vulpines and Humans. Although Paxism is the largest religion, a small minority practice Vayanism.
History
Founding
Drakk a-Ulid was a warrior of Yehudah who sent by the King of Yehudah to spread the message of Paxism. He left Yehudah with his household, which consisted of himself, his wives, offspring, servants and their relatives. He built Drakk's Castle in a desolate area bordering modern day Vekaiyu and Packilvania. The Castle was known as Drakkengard in Yehudian, an extinct language from which Drakken is descended. He claimed the land around Drakkengard as his kingdom and proclaimed himself King Drakk I in 1209.
Zubraynite suzerainty
In 1275, Ishak Zubrayn, Prince of Tashkar defeated King Jurin IV of Bingol and spread the rule of the Zubraynite dynasty all over central Yasteria. In 1290, Ishak Zubrayn attacked the walled City of Drakkengard which had grown around the Drakk's Castle. King Hubad of Drakkengard attempted to defend the city, but his forces were defeated after a 30 day siege of the city known today as the Siege of Drakkengard. King Hubad signed the Treaty of Drakkengard by which he vowed allegiance to the Zubraynite dynasty. This involved paying a yearly tribute to the Zubraynite King and sending soldiers to fight in his wars. King Hubad's forces became part of the Zubraynite campaign to unite central Yasteria. During this time, the Yehudian dialect spoken in Drakkengard evolved to the Drakken language and the Drakken people began to identify as a separate ethnic group from other feline species of central Yasteria.
During Zubraynite rule, arts, culture, science and mathematics spread. For instance, gunpower, the printing press, and the magnetic compass were introduced. Libraries, observatories, aqueducts and roads were built. As Drakkengard was a midway point between Bingol and other propserous cities of the Packilvanian heartland as well as the rich cities of the orth and east such as Eldura, the Drakken's grew wealthy from trade of silks, perfumes and oils. The House of Drakk continued to rule over Drakkengard despite facing challenges from within and outside the family.
In 1345, King Faijal II was attacked during a diplomatic trip to Bingol by his cousin Gubran. King Faijal escaped and managed to convince Lord Thayek of Mudawar to aid him. Lord Thayek's forces captured Gubran and had him executed. In 1456, King Panoham was poisoned by his younger brother, Nubel, who declared himself the ruler of Drakkengard. In 1512, Raiders from the Vekaiyun plains attacked Drakkengard, but with the help of the Packilvanian army in Tawak under Lord Yaktar of Tawak, the raiders were defeated. Nevertheless, they continued to pester the Drakken people until King Vaskar defeated them in 1521. Vaskar moved his capital to a new city in 1527 named after him which remains the capital to this day.
Demirite dynasty
As Uden II of Packilvania struggled to pay back his debts, King Saidun the Conqueror of Fidakar established a coalition of Packilvanian vassal rulers and defeated him in 1676. He declared himself the Sultan of Packilvania and made Sohadekism the official religion of Packilvania. Nevertheless, Drakkengard retained Yehudism as their religion. Under King Ibran IV, Drakkengard was under the rule of the Demirites. The system of Packilvanian peerage was developed and Sultan Saidun demoted the Drakk's from Kings to Grand Dukes reorganising Drakkengard as the Grand Duchy of Drakkengard. In reality, little changed. The House of Drakk continued to reign over Drakkengard until 1917.
Communist rule
In 1917, unrest due to the Great War and the unpopular unification of Great Morstaybishlia and Packilvania led to the Packilvanian Communist Party (PCP) under Gideon Muktan overthrowing Sultana Zerah Demir IV. Sensing their imminent overthrow, Grand Duke Usmil IV of Drakkengard ordered his family to evacuate to Vekaiyu. Despite leading a resistance, Grand Duke Usmil IV was defeated and executed. The White Resistance, a movement inspired by Grand Duke Usmil IV arose which led to the Drakkengard War which lasted from 1917 to 1918. The Packilvanian government under the Communist Party granted Drakkengard nominal independence as the Drakkengard Socialist Republic and installed a puppet government under Chairman Kusil Garir of the Drakkengard Communist Party (DCP). When Amhoud a-Gurion Bedon suggested that Drakkengard be used as a site for human extermination, the DCP became aligned with the Carriers of Mercy and secretly helped to harbour and repatriate humans. When Amhoud I declared a civil war against the PCP, the DCP members, many of whom were secretly Paxists and bore affinities for pre-Communist rule, joined in the effort.
Bedonite suzerainty
Drakkengard was granted independence by the newly crown Sultan Amhoid I. However, he declared himself the King of the reestablished Kingdom of Drakkengard. Drakkengard and Packilvania signed a treaty whereby they would be joined as Pax-Draconica. Drakkengard's Parliament was reestablished (despite having little actual political power). Drakken aristocrats were restored to their positions. The Paxist religion's status as the national religion of Drakkengard was restored. Despite, the Crown Prince of Packilvania being the Chairman of the Council of State, the Prime Minister of Packilvania being the President of the Privy Council and the Sultan of Packilvania being the King of Drakkengard, the Cabinet of Drakkengard exercised relative independence over its internal affairs and was even allowed to establish its own armed forces and pursue its own foreign policy.
Politics
The politics of Drakkengard take place in the framework of a semi-constitutional monarchy. According the Constitution of Drakkengard (luKhanon luBas aDhrakhengard), the sovereignty of the nation and the power of its government is imparted by the Most Beneficent and vested in the King of Drakkengard (muMamluk aDhrakhengard) through the Throne. The Constitution creates a three branch government that emanates from and exercises many powers on behalf and in the name of the Throne:
- Legislature: the unicameral directly elected Parliament (luMijhalis luBas)
- Executive: the Executive Committee of the Privy Council (luMijhalis luNabeel) known as the Cabinet (luMijhalis ameVazeer)
- Judiciary: the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council known as the Supreme Court (luKhama luMakhnifiya) and other courts
The King is the head of state, nominal head of government and commander-in-chief of the armed forces of Drakkengard, who is the physical manifestation and personification of the Throne and wields powers recognised by the Constitution as pertaining thereto. Succession to the monarchy is by agnatic primogeniture and restricted to the legitimate Paxist male descendents of Amhoud I. As such, the same person who is the Sultan of Packilvania is also the King of Drakkengard, currently Thumim V. The heir to the Throne and first in the line of succession is Prince Abuyin, who is the heir presumptive until or if Thumim V has his own progeny. As such, the Council of State of Drakkengard did not bestow on him the customary title of Crown Prince which is granted to heirs apparent. As such, members of the Bedonite dynasty most closely related to the King, such as the Queen Consort of Drakkengard (muMamlukumlea muZawiji aDhrakhengard) Saga of Tynam, comprise the Royal Family of Drakkengard (luBayeet luMamlukumishme aDhrakhengard). His sister, Princess Yadika, is the Chairwoman of the Council of State (luMijhalis aluSuvraan), while his cousin, Prince Luwadeen is the President of the Privy Council.
Because the King and the Royal Family reside in Packilvania for most of the year, the King has bequeathed some of his powers to the Duke of Vaskar, Usmil VII of Drakk. As the Governor-General of Drakkengard (muMeer muBas aDhrakhengard), he is the viceroy of the King and exercises the powers of the monarch on his behalf. This includes the power to appoint the Prime Minister (muRayees muBas aDhrakhengard), currently Jawal Ukramistre, and Ministers of the Crown (meVazeer aluThroon) who comprise the Cabinet as well as the justices of the Supreme Court from recommendations provided by the Prime Minister when a vacancy arises by death or resignation. He also wields the power to withhold royal assent to act of Parliament, thereby vetoing it without opportunity for the Parliament to overturn it.
As the commander-in-chief of the Drakken Armed Forces, oaths of allegiance are sworn to the King and he has the power to declare war. However, the daily running of the military falls to the Department of Defence under the oversight of the Minister of Defence and many decisions pertaining to national defence and security are exercised by the Cabinet under the leadership and direction of the Prime Minister. The King has the power to conclude treaties on the ratification of Parliament, however in practice, the Prime Minister sets foreign policy with the advice of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Although the King has the power to issue and revoke passports, this power has been exercised by the Department of Home Affairs under the Minister of Home Affairs.
The King has formal power to grant mercy and commute sentences, but the Minister of Justice exercises this role in practice. On behalf of the King, the Governor-General receives the accreditations of foreign ambassadors, but the power to appoint ambassadors to other nations and expel those from other nations lies with the Prime Minister. As the presiding officer of the Cabinet, i.e., the executive committee of the Privy Council, the Prime Minister is the de facto chief executive of Drakkengard. Together with the Ministers of the Crown, the Cabinet votes and decides on national issues and administers the daily running of the government. Nevertheless, individual Ministers preside over executive departments which focus on specific portfolios, including wielding the power to issue regulations, propose legislation, and issue orders-in-council.
The Parliament is directly elected by the eligible registered voting-age population every four years by secret ballot. In reality, this right is extended only to men and women above the age of 18 who are not serving or on parole for criminal sentences or under bankruptcy. Candidates for member of Parliament are restricted to citizens, who are above the age of 35 and meet the criteria to vote. Political parties are barred by law, thus candidates stand as independents for single member constituencies assigned a seat in Parliament and representing a roughly equal number of people.
Seated in the Yalaal Palace in Vaskar, the Parliament consists of 185 members, who can be reelected indefinitely until the age of 80 years old. Members have the right to vote and speak and have immunity for actions done in their capacity as members. They can propose, debate and vote on legislation. Through regular question times, members of Parliament can question members of the executive branch. Through a vote of no-confidence in the Prime Minister and the Cabinet by a 50%+1 vote, the Parliament can either force the Cabinet to resign or be dissolved prematurely by The Governor-General for an early election.
At the apex of the judiciary, is the the Supreme Court which has the power to declare unconstitutional and unenforceable laws in whole or in part that violate the Constitution. It is also the final court to which cased can be appealed. Beneath this court is the High Court (luKhama luWaloof) which receives appeals from lower courts. Magistrate Courts (luKhama ameSharif) are largely confined to urban areas, where they resolve disputes and adjudicate criminal cases. In rural areas, most of this responsibility lies on community elders and a village Chief (muSheik) who form tribunals as cases arise, or people can seek the judicial services of a Magister (muMakhees). Lawyers are normally not required and cases can be retried in a Magistrate Court.
Foreign relations
Despite being heavily influenced by Packilvania, Drakkengard has some room to pursue its own foreign policy. It does not subscribe to Packilvania's policy of using state-sponsored terrorism to achieve its ends. Instead, it relies on diplomacy and mutual respect to forge relationships. Its fairly moderate and open-minded stance has resulted in Drakkengard acting as an intermediary between Packilvania and other major nations. Under the capable hands of Earl Sahel Vistramistre of Ubayon, the Department of Foreign Affairs has managed to establish embassies and other missions in several foreign states as well as enter into visa and trade arrangements. It is currently a member of the International Forum and successfully lobbied the body to pass a non-binding resolution condemning nations that unilaterally seceded from the Puntalian Compromise Treaty. It maintains strong elations with Iphelklori, Rodenia, Nystatiszna, Stratarin, and Kalatya.
Administrative divisions
Whereas, Packilvania is a highly decentralised state in which vast legislative and executive powers have been delegated to the provinces, the provinces of Drakkengard have an administrative function and remain firmly under the control of the central government. The Prime Minister appoints all the provincial executive heads known as Governors who in turn appoint the Mayors who run local governments. As of January 2022, there are six provinces as follows: Uliveru in the north, Kaval in the east, Chagan in the in the south, Ulud in the west, Bhaskar in the centre, Fidawek in the south east and Haban on the north west.
Military
Drakkengard maintains its own armed forces: the Drakkengard Defence Forces (DDF). The DDF consists of two branches namely the Royal Drakkengard Air Force and the Drakkengard Army. The military has a budget of 3.429 billion KRB largely to protect itself from attacks from Vekaiyu. Without an indigenous arms manufacturing sector, Drakkengard imports most of its weapons especially from Packilvania. 35,170 men (about 1% of the population) make up the volunteer force. Although men are required to undergo one year of military training, they are only called upon in the event of a war and the conscription is applied equally on all citizens of Drakkengard. Drakkengard hosts Packilvanian nuclear missile silos, and military bases of the Packilvanian Armed Forces. Furthermore, Packilvania and Drakkengard have an agreement that if either of them is attacked, the other is obligated to assist them.
Economy
Drakkengard has a nominal GDP of 123,316,830,000 Kirib and nominal GDP per capita of 5,670 Kirib. According to the Auroran Monetary Fund, Drakkengard is an emerging economy. Drakkengard is part of a monetary union with Packilvania whereby its legal tender, the Drakken dinar, is traded at par with the Packilvanian dinar. The Drakken Reserve Bank coordinates monetary policy with the Packilvanian Central Bank. Consumer price inflation (CPI) sits around 7% annually. Economic growth is 8% annually. The country has an unemployment rate of 21%.
The trade deficit is 4%. The country's largest trade partners are Packilvania, Vekaiyu, Allegheny, Kalatya, Free Pax States, and Lyon. The major imports comprise electronics, machinery, and consumer goods while the biggest exports are agricultural produce, minerals and textiles. The tertiary sector makes up 46% of the economy, the primary sector makes up 37% while the secondary sector makes up 18% of the economy. The biggest sources of employment are agriculture and mining.
Drakkengard benefits from abundant mineral resources, stable state finances, and a strong animal husbandry sector. Moreover, it is highly cost competitive in labour costs and has managed to attract industries such as call centres and garment manufacturing. Furthermore, the nation has attempted to modernise and liberalise its economy including building trade partnerships with nations abroad. Nevertheless, it struggles from skilled sentient capital flight, poor infrastructure in rural areas, lacklustre research and development, inequality, and poverty.
The informal sector plays a considerable role in the economy. Estimates suggests that as much as 30% of the economy consists of the informal economy namely domestic services, merchants and traders, small farmers and other businesses. Agriculture makes up 20% of the economy. The main industries in this sector include cotton, peaches, oranges, olives, and pomegranates. Mining makes up 25% of the economy. The main industries include bauxite, rubidium, vanadium, manganese and other metals as well as precious stones and semi-precious stones such as rubies, sapphires, emeralds and topaz. The manufacturing sector makes up 15% of the economy and includes industries such as textiles, processed food and beverages, hard drives, satellite dishes and jewelry. 35% of the economy comprises the services sector which includes financial services, tourism, retail, telecommunications, electricity and government services.
By far the largest trade partner is Packilvania, followed by Vekaiyu, Free Pacific States, Kalatya and Lyon. The country has exports of approximately 30 billion KRB and a trade deficit of 4%. Total debt stands at 55% of GDP mostly to foreign and private sources. The country's urban areas have tarred roads, but the countryside relies on gravel roads. The country lacks high speed rail services and the existing rail infrastructure is fairly poor and is largely devoted to the mining and agriculture sectors. Energy is sourced from hydrocarbons sources as coal and diesel (about 70%).
Demographics
Ethnic groups
The country's main species are Felines, Vulpines and Humans who make up 70%, 18% and 13% of the population respectively. Drakkengardians (citizens of Drakkengard), Vekaiyuns (citizens of Vekaiyu) and Packilvanians (citizens of Packilvania) make up 80%, 5% and 15% of the population respectively. When humans and vulpines were being persecuted in Packilvania during the rule of the Packilvanian Communist Party, about 3,4 million fled to Drakkengard as refugees. Many of them were naturalized i.e., granted citizenship despite not being born there. 70% of the population comprises the Drakken ethnic group of the Feline species while Shirazi, Azraq and other groups from Packilvania make up the rest. Unlike Packilvania different groups of Felines are not considered castes (i.e., one is superior to the other).
Religion
The official state religion of Drakkengard is Paxism, however, by far the largest branch is Melkezedekism. The Drakkengardian Melkezedekist branch resisted the Sohadekist influence of the Demir dynasty, the atheism of the Communist party and the Madvinist influence of the Bedonite dynasty of Packilvania. Melkezedekists make up 90% of the population in part due to converts from other religions upon being naturalized as citizens of Drakkengard. The Paxism in Drakkengard is by far more moderate, tolerant and inclusive than the Madvinism of the Packilvanian Bedonite dynasty and the Sohadekism of the Demirite dynasty that preceded them. The minority of the population is made up of Vayan Catholics and other sects and branches of Paxism.
Languages
95% of the population can speak Drakken to some extent. Drakken is part of the East Yasterian language family thus it is related to Packilvanian and Unonian. It is descended from Proto-East Yasterian which is a hypothetical language from which Packilvanian, Unonian, Drakken and Codexian diverged. It can be written in both the Packilvanian and Vekaiyun scripts however the Packilvanian script is the official script of the state. Most speakers are bilingual so about 25% to 35% of the population can speak Packilvanian and 20% to 30% of the population can speak Unonian. About 80% of people are bilingual and about 50% are trilingual. All three languages are compulsory in schools although in practice Drakken is the dominant language of culture, education, commerce and government.
Education
90% of the Drakken population is literate but of those people 5% to 10% have very limited literacy. About 80% of Drakkengardians have attended formal education of some kind, 60% have completed high school and less than 10% have completed tertiary education. This has resulted in about 80% of the work force comprising unskilled and semi-skilled workers. Furthermore, Drakkengard is experiencing a brain drain as skilled workers leave to work in higher paying jobs in Packilvania and Vekaiyu. The country has 12 universities (which are either state-owned or branches of Packilvanian and Vekaiyun institutions), 8 polytechnics and 34 private colleges.
Healthcare
The country has 1,200 clinics and 340 hospitals. There are 2 doctors for every 1,000 people and 4 nurses per 1,000 people. The infant mortality rate is 1.7 births out of 1,000. 12 cases of malaria and 34 cases of yellow fever are reported each year. A massive vaccination and hygiene policy has resulted in the eradication of diseases such as polio, leprosy, smallpox, bubonic plague, measles and mumps. Tuberculosis remains quite strong with 1,400 cases reported annually. The highest causes of death in the country are cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and infectious diseases. Despite the high level of poverty, malnutrition has been largely eradicated due to state-run feeding schemes. Although primary healthcare is relatively accessible, the country lacks adequate facilities for complex operations which are largely performed in Packilvania and Vekaiyu.