Valerica
The Most Serene Republic of Valerica | |
|---|---|
 Flag of the Republic of Valerica | |
Motto: To be serene is to prosper | |
Anthem: "The Flower of dawn rises" | |
 Location of Valerica (dark green) | |
| Location | Map Location of Valerica (dark green) |
| Capital | Baecca |
| Largest city | Lieca |
| Official languages | Valeric |
| Recognised regional languages | Staynish Axdelian |
| Ethnic groups (2016) | 85,3% Human 14,6% Elf 0.1% unspecified |
| Demonym(s) | Valer, Valerican |
| Government | parliamentary Republic |
| Laur Ve Hollen | |
| Area | |
• Total | 223,465 km2 (86,280 sq mi) |
| Population | |
• 2018 estimate | 17 000 000 |
• Density | 76/km2 (196.8/sq mi) |
| GDP (nominal) | 2017 estimate |
• Total | $595 billion |
• Per capita | $35,000 |
| Gini (2018) | 0.36 low |
| SDI (2018) | 0.92461 very high |
| Currency | Kirib (♅/KRB) |
| Time zone | UTC |
• Summer (DST) | UTC+7 to +11 (Morstaybishlian Summer Time) |
| Date format | DD/MM/YYYY |
| Driving side | the Right |
| Calling code | +76 |
| ISO 3166 code | VAL |
| Internet TLD | .val |
Valerica, officially the most serene republic of Valerica is an Auroran country, located in the continent's southern shore, traditionally known as Uspria. It shares a border with Axdel to the west, Great Morstaybishlia to the north and Rosalica to the east. The capital, though not largest city is Baecca. Other major cities include Lieca, Serraca and Morlca. As of 2018 it's populations is 17 million, most of which speak Valerican language. Valeric is related to Staynish language, though the two are not mutually intelligible.
Supreme legislative authority is held by 211-member unicameral parliament, known as the congress. Most executive powers are wielded by the cabinet, known as the council, and it's head the serenissimo. After each Congress election, the parties negotiate among themselves on forming a new council, which then has to be approved with simple majority by the Congress.
History
Mesolithic Uspria (8800-5800 BC)
Although the exact date is still hotly debated amongst historians and scholars it is within the Mesolithic Era that elves from what would become modern day Arcturiasaid eastward towards the continent of Aurora. Utilizing ancient voyager ships the elves bridged the gap between the two landmasses. The elves proceeded across the southern coast of Aurora following native populations of Aurochs along the southern coast of Aurora and into what would become modern Uspria. While archaeological records are scarce archaeologists have found remains of old stone tools and decorative art that described the nomadic proto Usprian people. Within the caves remains of shattered pottery were found along with trace residue of foodstuffs as well as salt withing the shards, suggesting that ancient Usprians utilized a method of desalinating water to utilize the salt for enhancing or preserving food.
Close to the late Mesolithic Usprians settled into into what would become modern day Valerica. Settlers built tightly packed mudbrick settlements along the cliffside. based upon historical artifacts recovered this was the same time in which early Usprians began the domestication of a Hapsi, a medium-grained rice. It is theorized early Usprians utilized hapsi as well as hunting game and fish to consume. Wild figs, olives, nuts, berries, and seeds were also used to supplement dietary needs deeper inland. Those who settled upon the rocky shores of Uspria ate much higher proportions of fish, mollusk, and berries that grew within the rocky crags of the mountainous coastline. Early Usprians also used a variety of domesticated animals for travel, food, labor, and clothing. Some of the earliest examples are the early domestication of goats, auroran pheasants, and Hummarian Aurochs.
Early Usprian society was still highly tribal during this period however limited instances of bartering and cultural exchange did occur between the different settled tribes as well as native human populations. It is theorized the Usprian people traded foodstuff, seeds, livestock, and handicrafts. During the late Mesolithic period early Usprians developed the groundwork for the Aocini faith as evidenced by exhumed remains featuring jewelry and talismans reminiscent of the symbolism used in early medieval Aocini.
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Ruins in Northern Uspria.
Neolithic Uspria (5800-4500 BC)
The Neolithic Era in Uspria is characterized heavily by more permanent settlements being established throughout the mountainous regions. As Usprian society started to coalesce in mountainous holds and the religion of Aocini took a greater cultural prominence over early shamanistic religions cities increased in not only size but also organization with city-states rising to prominence across Usprian lands. The advent of organized agriculture along the banks of Uspria's many rivers which carried nutrients down from the mountains and into the rivers and tributaries that flowed through the lowlands. Cultivation of Hapis greatly increased after the discovery of the wikipedia:millstone quickly led to the utilization of rice flour and the creation of rice bread. The method for cultivation, milling, and baking improved the quality of Usprian life tremendously and allowed Usprians to gain the upper hand when bartering with goods before the process was disseminated to Aurora.
Usprians traded bread, pottery, and salted fished for a variety of goods specifically jewelry, textiles, and human labor. As Usprian cities expanded, specifically those along the coast, more workers were needed for additional labor than the Usprian elves slow reproductive speed could create. Usprians purchased or forced early human tribes into bondage to utilize them as a fast growing source of labor for their fields and dockyards. By the year 4900 the slavery of humans became a common practice in Uspria. Usprian cities utilized the slave labor to quickly catapult themselves forward in both the ability produce goods as well as the ability to extract new resources. During this period aggression between the native humans and elven populations reached a tipping point, causing one of the first known extensively recorded wars. Ancient Usprian city-states faced a guerrilla war against human tribesmen which forced the Usprian city-states to unite under the leadership of the most prominent city, Lieca. This Usprian league managed to eventually crush the human tribesmen, thanks to their efforts being led from one place. However after the external threat was gone, new problems arose. Many city states longed for the dissolving of the league, as was originally agreed upon. Lieca however was reluctant to give up it’s hegemonic position. What followed, were the so called Usprian wars, in which the league was forcibly dissolved.
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A recreation of early Usprian bread made from rice flour. -
An artist's rendition of early Usprian merchant vessels.
Chalcolithic Uspria (4500-3500 BC)
The Chaloclithic Era of Usprian society revolves primarily around the advent of larger scale mining operations utilizing slave labor as well as early forges to mold copper into more effective tools and weapons as well as ornamentation. Usprian mines primarily extracted copper from the craggy ground alongside copper-bearing gemstones such as wikipedia:Larimar, wikipedia:Malachite, and wikipedia:Azurite. Usprian jewelers took the copper and gemstones and began to forge intricate pendants, brooches, and hairpins. Usprian craftswomen, now spared from working in the fields and mines, turned their focus towards the sybarite culture that Usprians are known for. With the increase in luxury items as well as greater desire to trade with neighbors along the coastline of Aurora. These merchants utilized an almost universally desired good: salt, to exchange for goods of those whom they traded with. Usprian merchants soon found themselves creating a new social structure based upon the vast difference in wealth between the human slaves and their elven masters.
Upon the advent of metallurgy Usprian military forces became a superior fighting force as well. Usprians using copper tipped spears and weighted nets became excellent hunters of both game and humans within early Usprian society. These hunters were often the children of merchants who would then utilize the captured animals and people as goods to be sold, creating a strongly clan aligned military that was loyal to their matriarch. The largest change in Usprian warfare would be the domestication of the metlae. Its domestication and use as a mount assisted early Usprians greatly with navigating both the deep forests of the lowlands as well as the mountainous terrain thanks to the metlae's natural agility and its ability to leap and pounce with surprising accuracy. Usprians riding metlae quickly rose in prominence in Usprian society and mounted warriors became a symbol of wealth and prestige, often equipped with rudimentary copper armor and reinforced spears specifically designed for their use in mounted combat.
Usprian society, building upon the budding desire for luxury, the surplus of wealth from trading, and through the actions against the less organized tribes of humans began to develop some of the first the signs of civilization. Series of universal laws were enacted, a setting of standard prices and valuation of goods throughout the unified city-states was established, as well as a rudimentary cuneiform script that was utilized primarily for counting stores of materials as well as denoting amounts. An early form of scales was developed and utilized in order to evaluate the weight of salt and how much of other materials it would be worth.
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Ancient Usprian copper mines found in the cliffside. -
Artist depiction of lowlands farming commune. -
Copper spearheads recovered from burial mound. -
An example of early Usprian jewelry.
Late Medieval Valeria, birth of Valerica (15th to 16th century)
The fall of Kingdom of Valeria forced parts of it's population to migrate south to modern day Valerica, to avoid enemy rule. The fall also inherently broke Valerian Feudalism, with migration and resettlement equalling distribution of wealth. This newfound equality allowed the mending of wounds to begin between old elven masters and their now free serfs. In Valerica the wave of migrants led to overpopulation of cities, which in turn caused large scale starvation within the barren lands. As a result the size of cities fell drastically, sparing only a few larger ones, and countless new villages were born around areas where keeping of livestock or small scale farming was possible. Still the are needed outside help to maintain it's population. To this end Valerica has always had to find some trade good they were able to produce, in order to secure outside footshipments.
Initially gold and copper was found to be the solution. Though those veins soon ran out in but a century's time. Then by the time of industrialisation, Valerica was found to be rich in coal and soon countless mines dotted the land
Century of invasions (17th century)
First invasion (1627)
The 1600s saw South Staynish military commanders almost matter of factly mounting invasions to the cities of Valerica. However these were usually born of officers wishing to gain renown and glory, rather than as some King led efforts. First of these efforts was initiated by Riannar Krasvadere, 5th Baron of Lhumes in the late 1620s. In the summer of 1627, Staynish troops crossed the border into Valerican territory, with some 40 000 men. At the time Valerica was suffering from severe famishes due to repeated crop failures. This resulted in the four cities, Lieca and Baecca maging to raise mere 10 000 men each to face the enemy, with further 6 000 men coming Serraca and Morlca combined. The Valericans, led by Governor Haro Siefer of Serraca, faced the Staynish near the village Horec some 25 miles north of Serraca. The battle in the end proved indecisive when a flanking force of 6 000 Staynish turned to face the enemy prematurely, resulting in itself being flanked by Valerican cavalry and fleeing the field in chaos. Yet governor Siefer failed to capitalize on the oppoturnity, allowing the enemy to retreat in good order. Though indecisive the battle resulted in 2 300 Staynish and 2 000 Valerican casualties.
Following the skirmish at Horec, Staynish forces feinted advance towards the city of Morlca, succesfully fooling the Valerican into rushing to the city's defense. Their feint succesful, Krasvadere turned again and marched to Serraca, sieging the city. What neither side could anticipate however, was that the winter would come extremely early that year, with the weather rapidly growing colder come sebtember. Despite being largely undefended, city of Serraca still had notable and modern defenses, resulting in the siege drawing out. 10th of October the Valericans returned to once more meet the Staynish invaders, this time right at the city of Serraca. Governor Hafer believed that with the advantage of surprise on their side, his smaller force could trap the Staynish between his army, the city and the sea. Yet immediately his right wing got bogged down against the Staynish palisade, leading into the left flank overextending and being routed by Staynish cavalry. What could've been the victory the Staynish were looking for turned into a pyrrhic one when a freak cannonball came and hit Baron Krasvadere to his shoulder. He was carried from the field, but would not live to see the end of the day. Nonetheless the Valericans were driven off and the siege continued. Come october 24th however, two weeks after battle first snow came. Leaderless, the winter setting in and the prospect of a long siege facing them, the Staynish decided to abandon the siege and retreat.
Their march home would become known as the "cold trail" as the winter proved to be unsually cold. During the winter march the army would lose further 3 000 mean to cold, disease and hunger. The Valericans force that attempted to shadow them was also met with such hardships and forced to turn back to winter in Serraca. However as spring came neither side had willingness to continue hostilities, leading the conflict coming to an end.
Rise of Jannes Stinje and the prelude to Asernic invasions
The decade following the First invasion was a time of relative peace for Valerica. Though the abnormally cold winters continued, help from neighboring friendlier states saved them from major famishes like the one faced during the war. During this time Great Morstayblishia was busy taking over Kormistazic Arcturia and colonising the south concordian ocean. Though they had not forgotten. During the year 1631 Jannes Stinje was elected as the new Serenissimo of Valerica. He would strive towards finishing the modernization of defensive structures surrounding the cities of Lieca, Baecca and Morlca, following the model of Serraca that had proved to be so effective against the invaders. Furthermore, he tied the four cities tighter together by setting united standards for ship building, resulting in a more uniform navy. He was also the first Serenissimo in decades to succesfully rise the taxes levied on merchants, the new nobility of Valerica. Though his attempts at standardizing taxation throughout all the cities failed due to fierce resistance.
Overall the Valerican nation shifted from a union of free cities, into a more centralized nation with Serenissimo being able to excercise more power than before. This developement can be seen as part of overall wave of centralized absolutism over feudalism rushing over Aurora at the time. At the tail end of the 1630s the population begun to properly grow once more, with the abnormal winter having for now ended. Most nations quickly grew in population, with the exception that still, a decade later carried the wounds of the devastating siege with it. Only after the Asernic Invasions would it's population regain the level it had been prior to the invasion of 1627.
First Asernic Invasion
In 1642 Great Morstayblishia once more turned it's eyes towards Valerica. Lord Verlhanz Asern, named General of Staynish forces in modern day Axdel had gathered and invasion force of 55 000 infantry and 6 000 horsemen. Contingent of 45 000, alone larger than the force of the first invasion, marched towards Fort Siefer guarding the road connecting Axdel to Valerica south of the Zycannes. Along that force advanced a large Morst navy carrying tens of thousands of men, while rest of the forces were initially held in reserve. To face this force Serenissimo Jannes Stinje was able to muster a force of 40 000 men, 15 000 from Lieca, 12 000 from Baecca, 8 000 from Morlca and 5 000 from Serraca. Yet due to the threat of naval invasion the force had to be split between guarding the cities and Fort Siefer.
June 12th saw the Morst army arriving at the fort, as well as the first assault upon it's walls. Yet this rushed attempt failed against the fortresses mighty walls, only managing to take the furthest ditches before a group of Valerican cavalry sallied out and pushed the attackers back down the hill they came. After the initial attack, Morst forces were content to just sieging the fortress for several weeks. Around the same time Lord Asern sailed together with the fleet towards the capital of Valerica, Baecca. Since the start of the war, Stinje had rushed to build naval fortifications to protect the capital from an imminent attack. The weeks that it took for the enemy navy to arrive were filled with stress and hurried building from morning to evening. Then on the June 28th the Morst flags finally became visible on the horizon. The Valeric navy, clearly outnumbered rushed out to face the enemy. The two fleets faced at noon and battled for several hours, during which Valeriac fire ships broke apart the attacking fleet, but were in the end unable to stop the Morst fleet from reaching the harbor. For most of the battle Stinje, clearly distraught with the fact that his capital might be taken, had watched it from the harbor, braving stray cannon shots, until the result became clear.
By evening Valeriac fleet was scattered or sunk and the Morsts made landfall covered by their cannons. The forces that met eachother as darkness fell were about equal in size, almost 12 thousand men both, yet the Valericans were clearly demoralized. It was the first time an enemy force had managed to enter their capital, let alone capture it's massive harbor district. Though there was some skirmishing throughout the night, both sided also rested, as the next day's fighting might very well decided the battle.
Come morning Stinje and members of the city council were arguing about whether they should commit to a possible long and grueling battle for the city, or save the city and their army by withdrawing. According to legend whilst this was going on a young captain arrived to the city hall leading his ragged group of soldiers. Upon arriving he is said to have raised his voice and said "Stop here, stay here". These simple commandments were then heard by the arguing men inside and with them the argument decided. This was their city, the city their fleeing ancestors had settled to. They wouldn't allow it to fall to the same enemy that drove away their ancestors.
The next day this story spread throughout the Valeriac ranks inspiring them to stand and fight once more. Several times the Morsts charged and several times they were driven back, before finally counterattack managed to actually push the invader back towards the harbor. Seeing this developement Lord Asern ordered a proper retreat back to their ships. Yet what traditional Valerican historians choose to omit is the fact that this retreat was both voluntary and well organized. Nonetheless the city stayed in Valerican hands. Lord Asern then landed his troops further north to the mouth of the Baeccan peninsula, near the city of Lieca. His original plan had been to assault Baecca from both land and sea, but during the fighting in the city it had become clear that his supporting forces where to where they should have. So his force sacked the towns of Laec and Vhirje and then camped some 10 miles west of Lieca.
Had the Liecan garrison now sallied out to meet their foe it is more than likely that their superior numbers would've carried the day. Yet as Morst ships blockaded each of the Valerican free cities and as Lord Asern's force intercepted all messengers coming from Baecca, they had no way of knowing what had happened. Rumors ran rampant and many believed that the force camped 10 miles away was the full Morst army. To make matters worse, on July 6th Fort Siefer was finally taken by the Morsts, which allowed the full might of their army to pour into Valerica. Yet all hope was not lost as on the 9th, Stinjes forces arrived at Lieca, bolstering the force there to almost 25 000. Not only that, but the following day a messenger from Serraca arrived, with news that the garrisons in Morlca and Serraca were marching to their aid, along with 6 000 Rosalican reinforcements.
For both Stinje and Lord Asern it became clear that the war would be decided in Serraca or in the villages around it. When Asern had rejoined the rest of his army, he immediately sacked the Duke XXXX for failing to take Fort Siefer faster. After which he marched North of Lieca, in an apparent attempt to refuse the defenders any reinforcements. This draw the much smaller, though faster Valeriac army out to manouver around the Morsts. For weeks the two armies manouvered around eachother, engaging only in minor skirmishes until finally on July 30th Valerican reinforcements linked up with Stinje's forces. On the same day however, a cavalry battle near the main Valerican force escalated into a full scale battle. The battleground chosen by fate would be the plains around villages of Crovij, Cralla and Mjori. Though the Valerican begun the battle occupying all three villages, their right, formed by Morlcans tired of marching, was quickly overwhelmed by the larger Morst army.
In the Battle Lord Asern employed a new type of strategy, using far lighter cannons than those usual to the time, and pushing them closer towards the enemy. This evolution of warfare would later be adopted by Valerican forces and many other enemies of the Empire. However, despite the onslaught Rosalican infantry that had rushed to pluck the gaps in the line, refused to yield. This allowed the Valericans to reform their line again and face the enemy, in the end properly halting Morst momentum. With that the battle came to a close. Again were the attackers denied a decisive victory, for during the night both sides decided to retreat. The battle costed some 4500 Valerican and Rosalican lives, whlist the Morsts lost 5500, attacking against strong defensive positions. No other major battle was fought during the rest of the campaigning season, with neither sides wanting to risk another as costly battle.
Six Years’ War (1671-1677)
Posolic Wars (1795-1810 and 1814-1826)
Politics
The politics of Valerica take place in the framework of a parliamentary repredentative democracy. Valerica is republic with it's current head of state being Serenissimo Laur Ve Hollen. The Serenissimo is roughly the equivalent of president in other countries and is elected to terms of five years, with tge maximun being two terms.
Valerican goverment consists of the Congress, equilevalent to the parliament; the Council, equilevalent to the cabinet and is headed by Serenissimo, equivalent to a president. Supreme legislative authority is held by 211-member unicameral parliament, known as the congress. Most executive powers are wieldes by the cabinet, known as the council and it's head the serenissimo.
After each Congress election, the parties negotiate among themselves on forming a new council, which then has to be approved with simple majority by the Congress. Congress elections are held every four years using a system of proportional representation in multiple seat constituencies. Valeric congress elections use the D'Hondt method. Serenssimo elections on the other hand take place every five years and use direct method.
It is possible for a company, if certain criteria are met (ie. Based in Valerica, large enough portion of profits payed in taxes) to achieve "The most serene"- status. In practise this means, that the company has certain amount of Congress seats reserved for them, depending on the % of profits payed in taxes. In addition as an incentive for treating emplyees well, they are allowed to be voted for in elections. Thusly a good relation with ones emplyees results in increased political leverage. Furthermore those working for companies with the Most Serene - status within Valerica's borders are eligible to vote, no matter their citizenship.
Valerica uses a multiparty system, which notably has several parties that represent the interests of Most Serene companies, though come election these usually combine their forces into a singular "Corpocratist party". Most Valerican politics revolve around the split between corpocratist right and the socialist left. Another significant question is the split between nationalists, both left and right have their own, against the more globalistic parties.
Military
Economy
Geography
Literature
Cuisine
Two pieces of Valerican cuisine are widely known all over Aurora. The popular Funnel Cake is a traditional dish, usually enjoyed during birthday celebrations and the annual spring festivals. Outside of Valerica it's mainly found in carnivals and fairs. It is normally made in early spring to empty last year's honey stock and make more space for the new one, though it is also made at the first harvest of honey.
The other distinct cuisine being the Long Drink. Unlike the Funnel cake, this bewerage dates it roots only to 1950s. It refers to a mixed drink made from gin and, most commonly, grapefruit soda, although other long drink flavours include cranberry and lime. Whlist it only has a limited standing outside Valerica, within the country, it is available in both stores and restaurants, usually on draught