Vakrestrender
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Crown Jarldom of Vakrestrender Isles | |
|---|---|
 Flag | |
Motto: "Rest in Peace" | |
Anthem: Erik Satie, Gymnopédie No. 1 | |
 Marked in green is Vakresterder's islands | |
| Capital and largest city | Vakkerhavfruebukt |
| Official languages | Norgsveltian |
| Recognised national languages | Nys'tat'en |
| Demonym(s) | Valkyr |
| Government | Crown Jarldom |
• King of Norgsveldet | Olav Meirlevenn Fredskongur Sjøhelgen Haraldson |
• Prime Minister | Johanna Sverdrup |
• Jarl of Vakrestrender | Jørgen Bjørn the Vth |
| Legislature | Høvdingting |
| Chamber of Grunneiere | |
| Chamber of Leietakere | |
| Population | |
• Estimate | 5,000,000 |
| GDP (nominal) | estimate |
• Total | $415,000,000,000 |
• Per capita | $83,000 |
| Gini | 31 medium |
| SDI | 0.96 very high |
| Currency | United Krone |
| Driving side | cars are banned |
| Calling code | +537 |
| Internet TLD | .VTR |
| Today part of | Norgsveldet |
The Crown Jarldom of Vakrestrender Isles, more commonly referred as Vakrestrender; is an Crown State under the Norgsveldet. The realm is made up of a collection of islands located in the Pacific Ocean, far east to the Aurora mainland. Vakrestrender is an Jarldom under Norgsveltian Crown Realm and with a Constitutional monarchy using an parliamentary system framework as government. The current head of state being the Jarl Bjørn the Vth ruling the lands under King Olav. The Prime Minister is the de-facto leader of the country and the Parliament being able to overrule Jarl by means of a vote, though historically this has never happened. The nation's population is 5,000,000 among the islands with the most dense population being the largest island of Bjørniszna where the capital is located. Vakkerhavfruebukt is the largest and the capital of the Jarldom, being the center for tourism for the region.
Vakrestrender has been center for media, entertainment and maritime trade between North Concordian Economic Forum and United Nations of the Auroran Continent. It is the seat for Akuan Development Bank and the Lotus Development Bank, as well several important firms for entertainment such as Nordflix. The country is a headquarters for various media and news agencies outlets within the North Concordian Economic Forum such as Norgsveltian National News. The country is considered to be a Specialist Financial Centre, due to its disproportionate influence in media, news and presence with in the Akuan world.
History
Settlement Era
Vakrestrender isles was originally settled by a series of hyper-religious cannibal orc tribes. The tribals waged a special kind of war against each other. Instead of trying to kill each other, they use unarmed martial skill and duel on rafts. Fighting each other until one team is left on the raft. The prize of these kinds of conflicts being in charge raids on the mainland. Being in charge gives the tribe the largest share of the loot. Agriculture was seen as a heretical act by the tribes, believing that only ending a life and sustaining life.
Raiding was considered to be one of the holiest acts among the orcs, believing that pillaging different religion’s churches bring power to their tribe’s god. Each tribe believes that each island is it’s own god that requires the flesh to be eaten on it. Orcs would go on flesh harvests or raids on nearby islands and the mainland for slaves, loot and lifestock-slaves.
The cannibals would spend hundreds of years raiding, stealing and worshiping the flesh gods of the isles. The tribes used non-orcs they brought in as both for eating, economical uses and most importantly, note-taking. Slaves able to read and write in their home language, was used as a scribes. Copying books, scrolls, poems and other forms of religious text the raiders stole in their raids. Believing that knowledge about other gods that they bring back to their island brings power to their gods. Stealing statues, rituals knives and other assorted religious artifacts bring glory and power to the flesh gods. Their devotion and brutality was known throughout the seas. They have perfected the art of harvesting sapient species of types. Able to use every bone, organ and other assorted flesh bits into their meals. Each part of the body is reserved for a specific meal time and specific rituals.
Confederation Era
However in the early 1100s, the tribes was united under a confederation of U’doloth. United the orc-raiding fleets into one mighty fleet, expanding its operations from raiding to including piracy, mercenary work and as slave traders. The flesh raids slowly went out of fashion, preferring the economic benefits of piracy, ransoming the crews back instead of harvesting them.
Growing a massive treasure horde which they used to make statues of their dark gods. Believing the new found wealth will keep the endless hunger of their gods satisfied. The statues that were used in offering rituals, became lavish vaults of wealth. Being viewed as the gods personal wealth on Urth. These vaults slowly grew into massive stone towers curved into the hills, acting as a, temple, museum and as a defense structure. Each of the isles had their own tower, competing with one another. It’s still currently unknown which tower was the largest, due to the towers being completely destroyed and the foundation turned part into the sprawling cityscape of the modern day country. Only now referred to in text from local history and foreign merchants.
In late 1300 the confederation completely collapsed due to the loss of the fleet due to a storm. Civil war and strife takes hold of the isles. A renewed belief in the old gods of flesh spreads once again, blaming greed is the reason for the loss of the fleet. The orcs turned on to their slaves first, consuming all except the scribe slaves. The raids renewed once again, they harvested the nearby islands and the mainland once more. The clergy took control of the wealth inside the of towers
In the 1500s the confederation was reformed under a single island once more, backed by several international powers with a promise to end the raids. The renewed confederation fell apart as almost as quickly as it was formed. The civil conflict went on for nearly a century with different factions killing one and consuming one another. The war only ending when the plague nearly killed all the orcs and slaves.
The 1600s to 1700s was known as the era of chaos as the plagues, famines and violent cannibalism drastically dropped native orc populations. Knowledge that has been taken care of for generations was lost as the scribes were consumed by the starving masses of orcs. Much history is lost in this era as many of the wooden structures were burnt down leaving only a handful of stone structures.
Colonial Era
The 1700s brought a new foreign power to the isles, a lost Norgesveldet fleet filled with Akuanist deportees that was once bound for greener pastures. They established a colony, under the Norgesveldet crown and for those who were not religious no longer tolerated at home. Primary the Akuanist which collected on the fringes of Norgesveldet territories and the atheists questioning the new Fylkir Gustaf II. The orc tribes were pushed violently back by the combined forces of the Akuanist and atheist deportees, destroying many of the religious artifacts across all the islands. Stone structures being brought down by cannon shot and the statues of the flesh gods torn down. They march under the banner of tolerance, wanting a society free of persecution and wanting to dedicate their lives to art. They nearly completely geocided the orc civilization on the island forcing them to be trapped on a single lone island in the north. Believing that they can one day change stop being cannibals if they wait it out enough. They shot any orc that came out onto the beach and kept that policy for nearly hundred years before Jarl Bjørn III put an end to it. Once again allowing the orcs to come out onto the beach without being machine gunned down.
Modern Era
In the early 1930s, after the great war the country was under massive suffering under economic strains. Having to undergo a military occupation by Norgsveldet during the great war, which forced many of the adult members into defensive militias and grinding the economy to a halt as defense earthworks curved into the earthwork. When the occupation was lifted after the great war.
An charismatic Prime Minister Torbjørn Flaten formed a government as an independent politician with a coalition government with the Liberal and Social Democratic parties. Shifting from fishing industries towards service and entertainment focused industries. Liberals pushed for becoming a tax haven for Norgsveltian entertainment and the Social Democratic finally agreed to the tax reforms in the 1940s. After being assured by several entertainment executives they will establish a “tourist paradise” and bribe the heads of the democratic party. In 1943 the parliament formally legalizing casino gambling and approved the building of several resorts all across the isles. Construction payed for by the entertainment companies with loans from Vakrestrender central bank. Dozens of resorts, entertainment and relaxation business was built practically over night. A massive ad campaign was launched with the combined efforts of entertainment industry and government, targeting the Norgveltian speaking world.
The bribery scandal was exposed later in the 1960s and several department heads of the government were arrested. The Crown State decided to not press charges on the entertainment industries, instead reaching a backroom deal where they would create several luxury entertainment complexes and pay for the creation of a new airport.
Modern day within 2020, the Crown State isn’t suffering as it has in the past. With several art house studios, luxury hotels, amusement parks and many other relaxation services built through the isles. Diamond polishing industry has taken off in the isles as well, thanks to government subsidies and close-ties to the Norgsveldet jewelry industries.
Red Crown Terrorist Attack
(For full article on Red Crown Terrorist Attack)
On the 5th of March, 2018 a suicidal terrorist attack targeting the royal family of Vakrestrender during a parade. Killing all except Jørgen Bjørn who wasn't taking part of the parade, instead of live streaming it from the Bjørn castle along side with his friends. The NCIS took over the lead of the investigation.
Politics
Vakrestrender are a Crown State under Norgsveldet and the last of Norgsveltian Crown Realm to still have Norgsveldet as their sovereign. The Valkyr government holds dejure authority over Valkyr affairs including legislative, executive and judicial. The latter, judicial issue being a hot topic recently with the election of former Norgsveltian Prime Minister Johanna Sverdrup becoming the Valkyr Prime Minister. The head of the state of the isles is the Norgsveltian Monarch, the current monarch being King Olav I but his authority to rule over the Crown State is trusted to the royal family of Vakrestrender, the Bjørn Family and the current monarch being Jarl Jørgen Bjørn. The Valkyr parliament, Høvdingting the dates after the first Jarl of the country died, his two dozen husbands and wife establish a democratic meeting place to discuss issues to the realm with the Jarl Bjørn the IIth, signed off on it. Being the second longest continuously running Akuan Democracy in the world, the first being Ma Moku. The parliament has 500 seats in total, with the lower house the Leietakere having 400 seats and being the primary piece of legislature while the upper house the Grunneiere only has 100 seats. Positions in the Grunneiere are unelected apolitical positions, representing businesses representatives but holds no real power and is mostly filled with Bjørn Trust owned-companies. Grunneiere effectively being a prestige position within Valkyr society, and in the greater Norgsveltian Crown Realm society. Vakrestrender formally use to maintain no military, with Norgsveltian Armed Forces responsible for its defense and NCIS acting as the royal guard. However in 2024, in a sudden change in policy, Vakrestrender now maintains two divisions as a royal guard both of which is made up of non-Valkyr natives. The royal guard divisions, has a ceremonial guard, which is in-charge of some limited security matters but primary acts as a guards for the Bjørn's Castle and other royal holdings while the other division is simply called the Royal Guard which acts more as security force for the Jarl and replaced the NCIS. Both divisions being made up from Norgsveltian Armed Forces and Côtois Combined Armed Forces.
Vakrestrender budget is mostly taken from the Bjørn Trust, which acts a unofficial sovereign wealth fund of the country. The Trust pays for all social welfare within the country, including education, welfare and healthcare which most services are usually owned by the Bjørn Trust in someway or form. In addition to social spending, the trust also funds all cultural events and holidays, in the case of Bjørn's Tax Avoidance Day created new holidays.
The Valkyr Shrine Authority, is defacto under the authority of the Bjørn Dynasty but after Akuan Atrocities and the death of Jarl Bjørn IVth's sister. Jarl Bjørn IVth gave authority to the Brewmaster council, to be dejure independent of the royal family. The Vakrestrender being the only Akuan Democracy that is both independent and secular, as well the Shrine Authority being openly secular Akuanist. The Jarl of Vakrestrender holds the position of Royal-Chair to the Brewmaster council.
| Norgsveltian Name | Staynish Name | Ideology/Positions | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberalt Blad | Liberal Leaf | Crown Statism; Valkyr Akuan Democracy; Small Businesses | 68 |
| Familie og Tradisjon | Family and Tradition | Norgsveltian-Unity; Valkyr Akuan Democracy; Charter School Reform | 237 |
| Liberalt-Eikenøtt | Liberal Acorn | Independence; Valkyr Akuan Democracy; Small Businesses | 72 |
| Øksetre | Ax Wood | Independence; Fishing Industry; Greens | 23 |
Government
Legislature
The legislature of Vakrestrender comprises of nine islands and a fixed number of MPs at 500 seats. Being a unconventional bicameral parliament, even by Akuan standards. While technically considered to be a Akuan Democracy, the upper house the Grunneiere is unelected apolitical seats for businesses representatives and has no real power, but does act a status of prestige to be invited into it. As most Akuan Democracy use the upper house for community elected brewmasters, but due to the secularization of the population it was changed to be more for business during the Valkyr miracle. The Leietakere, the lower house acts as the primary body of legislation and holds 400 MPs seats.
Elections are held every four years, and it is the responsibility of the Jarl to announce new elections and appoints the day of election. In addition to opening the parliament after elections. The PM and the Jarl tend to work closely together, more than what is seen as typical for most constitutional or ceremonial monarchies.
Executive
The royal family of Vakrestrender is entrusted by the Monarch of Norgsveldet to wield the executive authority over the jarldom and reserves the right to speak in favor of Valkyr affairs in the Norgsveltian legislature relating or impacting to Vakrestrender. Though defacto, the authority is handed to Valkyr PM. After parliament elections, the leader of the party with the most seats establishes a coalition and selects minister positions jointly from the coalition, which include the prime minister seat. The new government receives the blessing to form the new government by the Jarl of Vakrestrender and the Valkyr Shrine Authority Brewmaster council.
Judicial
Vakrestrender's judicial branch is made up of the Supreme Court and the Courts of justice. The Supreme Court has 9 permanent judges and a selected chief judge which mostly acts a position of prestige than holding real power. The judiciary is independent of executive and legislative branches. While the Prime Minister nominates Supreme Court Justices for office, their nomination must be approved by Parliament and formally confirmed by the Jarl of Vakrestrender.
Foreign Relations
Norgsveldet is defacto in-charge of foreign relations of Vakrestrender however after the Akuan Atrocities. Norgsveltian government allows the royal family of Vakrestrender to establish limited relations with other nations, provided it is non-militarial and non-economic in nature. As a result, Valkyr Jarls have setup and establish numerous educational, research and cultural programs with other nations. The largest being the Valkyr Media Arts Festival, a premier art festival and the Ulvrikian-Auroran Film Festival.
Jusdelva
Vakrestrender and Jusdelva have historically share warm relationship since the early 1980s. Having several educational and cultural exchanges or programs made throughout the years as well a joint whale research program.
| Date | Title of the Program or Event | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1982 | The Ulvrikian-Auroran Film Festival | The film festival host switch changes between the Ulvrikian and Auroran nations, in each other's capitals. |
| 1982 | Invitations to the Ulvrikian Animation Expo | The Royal house of Bjørn extend a official yearly invitation to the Royal family and PM of Jusdelva/MBE to the Animation Expo hosted Vakrestrender capital. With a personal greeting from the current head of the royal house of Bjørn (Jørgen Bjørn) and invitation to stay at the Bjørn palace. |
| 1982 | Visteue-Makuh University Exchange Network | University Exchange Network is designed around student exchange programs throughout Aurora and Vakrestrender. |
| 1984 | Joint Whale Research program | Joint venture between varies universities to research whales within the Pacific, Sempiternic and Packilvanian ocean. |
| 1984 | Valkyr-Jusdelviz Aquacultural Education Exchange Program | With close ties of Whale Research, it focus more on the seafloor and marine ecosystem around Vakrestrender and Auroran nations. |
| 1985 | Jusdelviz People Program | |
| 1987 | Joint-Valkyr Festivals | Akuan festivals in Vakrestrender bring in Jūs culture to the event. With Jusdelviz cultural stalls being intermixed in with the Valkyr stalls. |
| 1993 | Joint Pre-Colonial Cultural Research Program |
Oan Isles
| Date | Title of the Program or Event | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Invitations to the Ulvrikian Animation Expo | The Royal house of Bjørn extend a official yearly invitation to the Foreign Minister to the Animation Expo hosted Vakrestrender capital. With a invitation to stay at the Bjørn castle for the duration. |
| 1983 | The Ulvrikian-Auroran Film Festival | The film festival host switch changes between the Ulvrikian and Auroran nations, in each other's capitals. |
Tuvaltastan
Valkyr and Tuvalts previously had extremely strained relations due to Salovian aggression, however after the fall of Salovia during the Salovian Civil War in 1992, relations began to thaw. With the election of Alyona Petrovavich in 2010, the Tuvalts government opened new relations with Vakrestrender, creating a more mild atmosphere between the two.
| Date | Title of the Program or Event | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Invitations to the Ulvrikian Animation Expo | The Royal house of Bjørn extend a official yearly invitation to the Foreign Minister to the Animation Expo hosted Vakrestrender capital. With a invitation to stay at the Bjørn castle for the duration. |
Oscrelia
Valkyr and Oscrelian previously had troubled relations until 1979 after the fall of the dictatorship and the AIW fallout. Vakrestrender sent a delegation to the new democratic country, offering several programs and initiatives to assist in rebuilding and investment into the country. Bjørn Trust being heavily involved in investing the country. In present times, relations are quite warm and friendly with Bjørn Trust still being invested into Oscrelia.
| Date | Title of the Program or Event | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Invitations to the Ulvrikian Animation Expo | The Royal house of Bjørn extend a official yearly invitation to the Foreign Minister to the Animation Expo hosted Vakrestrender capital. With a invitation to stay at the Bjørn castle for the duration. |
| 1984 | The Ulvrikian-Auroran Film Festival | The film festival host switch changes between the Ulvrikian and Auroran nations, in each other's capitals. |
| 1984 | Valkyr-Oscrelian University Exchange Network | University Exchange Network is designed around student exchange programs throughout Aurora and Vakrestrender. |
| 1987 | Joint-Akuan Festivals | Akuan festivals in Vakrestrender bring in Oscrelian culture to the event. With Oscrelian cultural stalls being mixed in with the Akuan own stalls. |
| 1989 | Joint-Whale Research Program | Joint venture between varies universities to research whales within the Pacific, Sempiternic and Packilvanian ocean. |
| 1989 | Valkyr-Oscrelian Aquaculture Education Exchange Program | With close ties of Whale Research, it focus more on the seafloor and marine ecosystem around Vakrestrender and Auroran nations. |
Economy
The island chain is dominated by four industries: Tourism, Entertainment Media, Maritime shipping, and financial services. The Bjørn Trust, acts as the de facto sovereign wealth fund and operates as the largest investor into native Valkyr companies. Resulting in a majority of the Valkyr economy being owned fully or partly owned by the Bjørn Trust. The financial services sector, has been topic of some controversy for it's tax haven policies. Regardless of the policies, Vakrestrender is the heart of investments into Akuan countries and one of the world's largest investors into media in general. Lotus Development Bank acts as one of the main firms for media entertainment investment, though it is for more traditional media such as television stations. Vakrestrender hosts the world's largest mostly densely concentrated film and animation studios in the world, in particular the animation industry of Vakrestrender generally being regarded by critics as one of the if not the best animation studios outright. The Valkyr entertainment industry is heavily boosted by hosting a number of contests and film festivals such as Valkyr Media Arts Festival, Ulvrikian-Auroran Film Festival and any other number of film festivals.
Tourism industry is a primary employer of the Valkyr people, with maritime shipping industry being a distant second. The tourism industry is spread across all isles of the Valkyr chain, which itself covers most aspects of the tourism industry such as nature or entertainment. The largest island of Vakrestrender, Bjørniszna is completely urbanized and accommodations millions of tourists each year. Bjørn Parks, Experiences and Resorts, having several amusement parks, business professional resorts and hotels on the island, all of which is centered around the main island. Tourists come to Vakrestrender for any number of reasons, but the largest reasons such as amusement through the amusement parks, film, or any other leisure activities.
Tourism
Tourism on the Vakrestrender Isles became a massive hub for tourists quickly in 1940s as entertainment industry giants flocked to isles. Thanks to the collaboration of government officials, house Bjørn and entertainment executives. Tourism accounts for 35% of the GDP and more than 70% of the Vakrestrenders' foreign exchange receipts. More than 63% of government tax revenue comes from import duties and tourism-related taxes. The development of tourism fostered the overall growth of the country's economy. It created direct and indirect employment and income generation opportunities in other related industries. The first tourist resorts were opened in 1949 with Lyst Sted's Island Resort, which transformed massively transformed the economy. According to the Ministry of Tourism, the emergence of tourism in 1949 transformed the economy, moving rapidly from dependence on fisheries to tourism. In just under a decade, the industry became the main source of income. Tourism was also the country's biggest foreign currency earner and the single largest contributor to the GDP.
Gambling
Gambling in Vakrestrender has been legal since the 1943 as part of the deals with Norgsveldian entertainment industries. Since then, Vakrestrender has became the largest gambling center in the Norgsveldian speaking world. Gambling tourism is the largest source of revenue for the country and the largest share of the tourism sector. Visitors are made up from primary of from the Ulvikrik sphere, with a notable amount coming from the nearby Auroran nations.
As a rule, gambling in the Vakrestrender can be divided into one of five categories: casino games, horse racing, lotteries, sports and results of elections betting. This is not including the online gambling platforms, which heavily contributes to the gambling economy. Notably slot machines have been banned in the country, after a scandal in 1968 where the casino "Golden Bridge" was exposed for rigging their slot machines. Resulting in a massive public out cry to ban slot machines outright fearing it will damage the tourism industry reputation. Despite concerns of slot machines, they continue be part of the gambling industry and they they did not suffer a drop in tourism rates in the year.
Jewelry
Vakrestrender is one of the largest jewelry markets on Urth, due to few regulations maintained by the Bjørn family which the industry was "entrusted" with by the government. While parliament and policing agencies still has the ability to prevent unlawful behavior or unethical actions and can enforce new regulations into the jewelry industry. What this is means in practice is that the government is still able to have regulations in the industry however act under the Bjørn family name. The Bjørn family has maintained a close relationship with many of the world's leading jewelry designers and industry insiders. Allowing a particular special relationship and a web of connects to varies key members of the fashion world.
The regulatory body governing for the jewelry industry, "Prestisjedelstener" acts board where the head of the Bjørn family sits as the ceremonial executive officer and diplomat to the industry. The rest of the board being members varies economic ministers, who create and vote on the policies the body takes.
Varies cottage and niche industries have taken up around the jewelry market such as gem-stone polishing, clockwork repair and additional luxury fashion related services. Many of the businesses are small, natively owned family owned enterprises. Traditionally the techniques being used passed on via family members and a closely guarded trade secret.
Fashion
Vakrestrender is a leading country in the fashion design industry, and leading country within the North Concordian Economic Forum followed by Hvaloaszna own garment industry. Valkyr fashion tends to be electic, taking in a wide variety of cultural elements from Ulvikrik, Auroran countries and with elements of Valkyr own culture. The Valkyr using the various diverse elements to create high end fashion clothing.
Professional business attire within Valkyr is a combination slim suits and ties for both sexes. A tradition started by Jarl Kristoffer Bjørn during his first rounds of attracting business.
Valkyr fashion industry was heavily subsisted in the 1950s and provided with low taxation status. As well as using connections from from the Royal Bjørn family to create network of various garment industry heads with fashion artists and designers. Acting as a middle man and the third party arbitrator for the fashion industry, a tradition carried out by royal family to this day by Jørgen Bjørn.
Media
Animation
The animation industry of Vakrestrender consists of more than 300 production companies organized into a trade association, Association of Ulvrikian Animations. The largest trade union for workers in the industry being the Animation Labor Association. The industry primary driven by the Bjørn family's patronage, healthy government subsidies in art and entertainment related industries.
Film
Maritime Fleet
Vakrestrender maintains a large maritime commercial fleet primary bought from the Norgsveldet through out the years. Vakrestrender acting as the middle-man and center for NCEF and the UNAC trading. Starting in 1989, originally trading from NCEF members to individual Auroran nations until the formation of the UNAC in 2018 lead to more formal relations between the two trading blocks with Vakrestrender acting middle ground for the commerce.