Vakrestrender
| This page (or section) is a work in progress by its author(s) and should not be considered final. |
The Crown Jarldom of Vakrestrender Isles, more commonalty 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 Jarldom by means of a vote. The nation's population is 5,000,000 evenly spread out among the islands with the except 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.
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 | Norgsvelden |
| Recognised national languages | Norgsveltian & Nys'tat'en, |
| Demonym(s) | Valkyr |
| Government | Crown Jarldom |
• King of Norgsveldet | Olav Meirlevenn Fredskongur Sjøhelgen Haraldson |
• Prime Minister | Ingeborg Hove |
• Jarl of Vakrestrender | Jørgen Bjørn the Vth |
| Legislature | Vakrestrender’s Parliament |
| 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 |
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.
While the royal family of Vakrestrender never personally involved with tourism or gambling industry as it was seen as "undignified and dirty money" at the time. They did however host numerous events and parties within the 5-star resorts the dotted the isles. Giving an unofficial seal of approval from the royal family to the industry.
The bribery scandal was exposed later in the 1960s and several department heads of the government were arrested. The crown realm 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 realm 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
Pro-Dependence Coalition
Pro-dependence Coalition is primary made up from two parties, Liberalt Blad Party and the Familie og Tradisjon
Liberalt Blad
Economically liberal with a focus on reforming school zoning, social justice for the orc natives and increasing house ownership. Separated from the Liberalt-Eikenøtt after argument's over the independence.
Familie og Tradisjon
Akuanist-centric Party, wanting to more Akuanist-religious society, allow the creation of state-funded religious schools, unionized labor and state monopoly on alcoholic industries. Devoutly follows non-religious Norgsveldet traditions and customs, refusing the demonym "Valkyr" or any form of separation.
Pro-Independence Coalition
The pro-independence coalition is made up of several political parties, while fully capable of over-taking the dependence coalition and declare independence. They have several extremely different views on what independence looks like, with several factions wishing to keep aligned heavily to Norgsveldet and the other major faction wishing to align with the MBE. The third largest faction and smallest faction being socialist faction wishing to align more to the Federation.
Norgsveldet Aligned Parties
Liberalt-Eikenøtt
Nearly identical platform to Liberalt Blad with the exception of wanting to be independence but with favorable terms with Norgsveldet.
Øksetre
Environmental and fishing workers focused party. Favoring the Norgsveldet side due to sailor cultural roots and union ties.
Uavhengighet!
Minor party that only holds a few seats in parliament, with the single platform of having favorable independence terms with Norgsveldet.
Morst Aligned Parties
Earl-Green
Right-aligned party wanting to put more controls on showing religious imagery within government, promotion of tri-lingual government and nation language. Staynish taking the role of the third language in the country.
Government
Legislature
An Bicameral Legislature of Parliament is divided between the Leietakere's chamber (more commonalty referred as Tenant's chamber) and the Grunneiere's chamber (more commonalty referred as the Landowner's chambers.)
Executive
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
Justelvard
Vakrestrender and Justelvard 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 Ulkrikian-Auroran Film festival | The film festival host switch changes between the two nation, 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 Justelvard/MBE to the Animation Expo hosted
Vakrestrender capital. With a personal greeting from Jørgen Bjørn and invitation to stay at the Bjørn castle. |
| 1982 | Visteue-Makuh University Exchange Network | |
| 1984 | Joint Whale Research program | Joint venture between varies universities to research whales within the Pacific, Sempiternic and Packilvanian ocean. |
| 1984 | Valkyr-Jūs Aquacultural Education Exchange Program | With close ties of Whale Research, it focus more on the seafloor and marine ecosystem around Vakrestrender and Justelvard. |
| 1985 | Jūs People Program | |
| 1987 | Joint-Akuan Festivals | Akuan festivals in Vakrestrender bring in Jūs culture to the event. With Jūs cultural stalls being mixed in with the Akuan own stalls. |
| 1993 | Joint Pre-Colonial Cultural Research Program |
Economy
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 1940s 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.
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.
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.