Vessarlian
The United Kingdom of Vessarlian and Illiath | |
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Flag | |
Motto: "Condemnant Quo Non Intellegunt" | |
Anthem: 'To Thee Our Vessarlian' | |
.png) Location of Vessarlian (dark green) and its disputed territories (light green), including the mainland, the islands situated in the Sea of Gondwana, and the territory of Terevelia.
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| Capital | Rocaster |
| Largest city | Sevalia |
| Official languages | Staynish |
| Ethnic groups |
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| Demonym(s) | Vessarlan |
| Government | Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy |
• Monarch | Cerasale XII |
| Roderick Lockwood | |
| Legislature | Chamber of Representatives |
| N/A | |
• N/A | N/A |
• N/A | N/A |
| Area | |
• Total | 2,005,379.1352 km2 (774,281.2128 sq mi) |
• Water (%) | 2.203% |
| Population | |
• January 2021 estimate | 32,214,032 |
• Density | 16.4256/km2 (42.5/sq mi) |
| GDP (PPP) | 2021 estimate |
• Total | $886,667,714,000 |
• Per capita | $27,524.27 |
| GDP (nominal) | 2021 estimate |
• Total | $886,667,714,000 |
• Per capita | $27,524.27 |
| Gini (2021) | 27.2 low |
| SDI (2021) | 0.925 very high |
| Currency | Vessarlan Pound (VSLP) |
| Driving side | left |
| Calling code | +350 |
| Internet TLD | .VSL |
Vessarlian, officially the United Kingdom of Vessarlian and Illiath, is a relatively large sized nation, approximately 2,005,379.1352 sq km, located in the continent of Gondwana on Urth. It shares land borders with only one other nation, that being Augustia to the south. The country is a Constitutional Monarchy and Parliamentary Democracy currently governed by Prime Minister Roderick Lockwood with King Cerasale XII as its head of state.
History
The first instance of Vessarlian is believed to have been formed around 400 AD, when humans and a small group of Vulpines, hailing from the Salzaar Peninsula traveled from Arcturia across the South Concordian Ocean to Gondwana, where they founded the Kingdom of Cerasalia, named in commemoration of their former leader King Cerasale I.
Fall of the Kingdom of Salrazaar
Vessarlian is noted to be the successor to the Kingdom of Salrazaar (Unknown - 400AD), an ancient nation incorporating the Salzaar Peninsula in modern day Stelvania. Little is known about Salrazaar, barring its demise, which is well documented by Vessarlan scholars; The kingdom had long suffered incursions into its lands by Elven militias hailing from the island of Stelva, in modern day Stelvania, but these marauders had been successfully fought off by Salrazaar's hardened and competent military. But by 385AD a two year old boy, King Salzeir VII, had ascended the throne. This minority reign, the first recorded in Salrazaari history, gave way to a power vacuum, resulting in a brutal civil war fought between the King's forces and those in support of his 16 year old illegitimate half-brother. This instability was perfect for the Elves, whom had long craved a foothold on the Arcturian mainland, and they would arrive in droves throughout the civil war, beginning in 387AD. By 395AD the civil war was over, and King Salzeir VII was forced to concede to his half-brother, who was crowned King Cerasale I. By then though the Elves had control over large swaths of the country, including the capital city of Trellia, which surrendered without a fight due to its small garrison, a consequence of the decade long turmoil. King Cerasale attempted to mount an offensive campaign in 396, but failed to properly rally the shattered military. After this failure he would be forced onto the defense for the rest of his reign. The war finally came to an end in 400AD with the siege of the then capital, Asrale. The siege of Asrale was the most deadly conflict of the war, resulting in thousands of casualties on each side. The small, beleaguered garrison, under the command of the king himself, held firm for 83 days before the city walls were breached. The ensuing street skirmishes resulted in the deaths of the garrison, many civilians and the king himself, but, thanks in part to a brave last stand by the king and his personal retinue, most of the city's residents managed to successfully board and flee on the remaining naval vessels.
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A map of Salrazaar (green) and its neighboring Elven Kingdoms (blue) in 385AD.
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A map of Salrazaar (dark green), Salrazaari rebels (light green) and and its neighboring Elven Kingdoms (blue) in 388AD.
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A map of Salrazaar (dark green), Salrazaari Rebels (light green) and its neighboring Elven Kingdoms (blue) in 392AD.
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A map of Salrazaar (green) and its neighboring Elven Kingdoms (blue) in 395AD.
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A map of Salrazaar (green) and its neighboring Elven Kingdoms (blue) in 400AD (Before fall of Asrale).
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A map of the Elven Kingdoms (blue) in 400AD (After fall of Asrale).
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Traversing the Concordian Ocean
After fleeing their homeland, the Humans traveled across the Concordian ocean, searching for a new home. They eventually landed in modern day New Leganes before sailing onwards to the Oblivion Islands. In both instances they were met with abuse and neglection from the natives, whom had never encountered foreign humans before, nor any species similar to the Vulpines. The natives eventually drove them out, and they were once again forced to sail onwards, further west. They headed towards the east coast of Gondwana, but a strong storm forced them south, where they passed through the Joralesia strait and up into the Sea of Gondwana. The fleet sailed the sea for weeks, scouting a good landing sight. Eventually a prime location was spotted, and the fleet anchored itself in the harbor, before travelling ashore and founding their first settlement, they named it Rocaster.
Kingdom of Cerasalia
The Kingdom of Cerasalia expanded outwards over the coming centuries, eventually engulfing large swaths of practically uninhabited east Gondwana and many of the islands located in the Sea of Gondwana. Cerasalia became renowned for It's Ebony Wood production, and traders from all across Gondwana would travel to the rich lands of the east to trade silks and spices for this precious material.
Geography
Physical Geography
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Vessarlian has an area of approximately 2,005,379.1352 sq km (774,261.2128 sq miles), 1,961,199.9948 sq km (97.797%) of which is made up of land area, with the remaining 44,179.14 sq km (2.203%) comprising the water area. What is referred to as the 'mainland' or 'metropolitan area' of Vessarlian is made up of the regions of West and East Illiath, Asanbu, Greater Rocaster, the Heartlands, Asrale and Cerasale (barring the islands of the latter two). Outside of the 'mainland' there are the islands located within the Sea of Gondwana, as well as the territory of Terevelia.
Vessarlian is the largest nation on the continent of Gondwana, and is currently at its territorial height.
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Politics
The United Kingdom of Vessarlian and Illiath, commonly referred to as Vessarlian, is a Unitary State under a Constitutional Monarchy. The monarch holds vast powers theoretically, whereas in actual practice they serve only as a figurehead for the nation. The only involvement the monarch has in administration of the realm is the need to give royal assent to any laws which have passed through both houses of parliament. They may veto (refuse to give assent) to any law they please, but this has only happened twice in the past century, with the most recent being in 1951. Monarchs of Vessarlian, with the current King being Cerasale XII, are expected to remain politically neutral and not interfere with current affairs, and are only expected to use their powers if advised to by the Royal Assembly, a body similar to the Privy Council's present in many other monarchies.
Government
Government:
Union of Democratic Socialists: 201 seats (light red)
Green Party: 50 seats (green)
Official Opposition:
Conservative Party: 73 seats (dark blue)
Libertarian Party: 31 seats (yellow)
Vessarlan National Party: 19 seats (purple)
Other Opposition:
Communist Peoples Party: 45 seats (dark red)
Monarchist Party: 31 seats (black)
Illiath Independence Party: 11 seats (light blue)
The Vessarlan parliament is divided into two branches: a lower house called the Chamber of Representatives, which has 461 members, and an upper house called the Chamber of Delegates, which has 700 members. Members of the Chamber of Representatives (commonly referred to as MP's or Representatives) are directly elected by the people. They are elected under constituency-based system, in which the nation is divided into 461 constituencies of ~70,000 people. These people then elect one MP to represent their constituency. Voting is done under the First Past The Post (FPTP) electoral system, in which the candidate with the most votes wins, regardless of whether they have more than 50% of the vote. Members of the Chamber of Delegates (commonly referred to as Delegates or Piers) may receive their positions in a variety of ways: 40% of the Piers are appointed by the Appointments Council, which selects new members based on their skills, experience, and contributions to the nation. 30% of the Piers are appointed according to the amount of MP's each party wins in the general election, for instance, if a party wins 50% of the seats in the lower house they would receive 50% of this 30%. The remaining 30% of the piers are appointed proportionally to the vote share each party receives in the general election.