K y r e vS t r e n g t h , D u t y , H o n o r
Nation Name: Empire of Kyrev
Demonym: Kyrevan, Kyrevans
Government Type: Absolute monarchy
Political Stance: Conservative
Economy: Market-leaning
Head of State: Kaiser Wilhelm I
Chancellor: Wilhelm Gerhard Graf von Spee
Capitol City: Königsberg
Major Cities: Bärnau, Dömitz, Rhens, Bresden, Trier, Meternich
Population: 12,118,351
Language: Germanic
Religion: Secular government, 84% Protestant Christian
brown townogous culture: Prussia, Nile and Euphrates states
Geography: The lands of Kyrev are mostly flat farms with a few small hills, surrounded by the ever-expansive desert. In a few areas there exist woodland, hardy and stout trees adapted to living in the sun-drenched steppe. Near Königsberg, the ground slopes upwards lazily, culminating in a slight hill above the Rhön and her tributary, the Lehr. In the north, the land rises up out of the desert into rocky outcroppings and iron mountains.
Climate: Comparable to a more mild Nile. Days are often quite warm, while nights are surprisingly cold. During the 8 summer months, the skies are very clear, while during the 4 winter months, clouds and storms can be occasional. The large rivers help keep the temperature a little more moderate near them.
Agriculture: Wheat, cotton, lentils, millet and other grains are common crops. Near irrigated lands, olive trees are common. They produce a smaller but more numerous crop, more suitable for oil than consumption. Peppermint, garlic, tomatoes, onions and various peppers are grown in respectable quantities, for seasoning. The almighty chickpea is king, found almost everywhere in quantity, though wheat threatens to overthrow it.
Cuisine: Soups and stews made with the various spices, vegetables and grains are common meals. Fish taken from the river compliments the meals, most typically for an evening meal consisting of a vegetable stew with fish, served with bread and hummus. Olive oil is used in cooking extensively. Goat is an occasional meal, though they are typically used for their milk and cheese.
Architecture: The gap between high culture and commoner architecture is immediately apparent to any visitors. In the cities, buildings are made of concrete from limestone and sandstone, and polished smooth, giving them the appearance of settled honey. Buildings here, especially upper class homes, are often rather short but very long and wide, built in a style that invokes the empires of antiquity. Rounded, oblong pillars are common sites in the façade, and windows are often enormous rectangular structures. Due to little rainfall, most buildings have flat roofs and lack many of the arches and steep angles elsewhere. The palaces and opera houses are almost a mirror opposite, made of a dark grey cement and built to the times, with large, tall and square buildings saturated with complex mouldings and sharp lines and angles. Here, peaked roofs are common, though made entirely for show. This stands in sharp contrast to the homes of the commoners, living outside of city centers or on farms. Outer city homes are often practical affairs, square with two floors and made of mostly unpolished concrete. Large sunrooms are quite common, with many windows and skylights. In the farms, many still follow the traditional way and build their homes from rough cut sandstone. The even greater lack of rain here means many houses lack glass windows. However, due to their self reliance, many houses have roof gardens, with food and plants of all sorts draped across them. This sort of style is becoming increasingly popular among the wealthy elite, if being a bit more sophisticated than its origin.
Areas of interest: The city of Königsberg is the governmental, military and cultural capital of the country and region. In its expanse you will find everything from prestigious military academies, modern architectural feats, gleaming opera houses, luxurious palaces and everything in between. It is surrounded and maintained by a large amount of farms and minor towns that feed the massive city. The city of Bärnau, in the north, is the manufacturing capital of the country, owing to its close proximity to iron and trade with the East. Dömitz, to the southwest, serves as the gate to Kyrev from the west. It holds the largest port as well as most economic power outside of the capital itself. To the east lies Rhens, the smallest of Kyrev's major cities. At the eastern edge of the city lies the magnificent Eroberer Statue, a 40 meter tall copper medieval king with his hand extended in a stopping gesture, the largest in the known world. The city of Bresden at the mouth of the eastern river serves as an important checkpoint, both trade-wise and militarily. Its enormous fortifications have lead to its nickname of the Fortress on the Rhön. The city of Trier, located on a small lake a ways away from the Great Lake, is the western manufacturing hub as well as the main source of fish in Kyrev. The northern city of Meternich, near Kyrev's oil reserves, stands as the newest addition to the country's major cities. It exists as the trade, governmental and cultural capital of the frontier-like north.
Ongoing conflicts: N/A
Coalitions: N/A
Alliances: Federal Serisian States, New Romekate
Defensive Pacts: New Romekate
Non-Aggression Pacts: New Romekate
Protectorates: N/A
Trade: Federal Serisian States, Combined Emirates of Espovon, New Romekate
National history: Kyrev's written history begins in 500 BC, when roaming traders from the Great Lake militarily settled Kyrvan, a precursor state centered around what would become Königsberg. It controlled trade east, down the rivers and into the expanse of desert. Frequent wars with the plethora of city-states and bandit cultures in the region as well as its status as one of the more stable entities would shape its culture for the rest of its lifespan. Kyrvan's eventual defeat to a coalition of tribes would plant the seeds for the modern Kyrevan state, which rebelled and conquered the surrounding territory, finally bringing order to the dozens of micro-nations that saturated the area, around the same time Grúzia had done the same to the east.
Throughout its history, the river states have come into constant conflict with Milhamiah, which controlled the lake, and trade from the east. Twice, regional coalitions had gone to war with them, only to perish to their superior economy. On the other side of the lake, the city-states that would become Seris had always maintained a friendly relationship with Kyrev, owing to its more tolerant handling of religions and avoidance of extreme despotism. In modern times, this has translated to an official alliance.
The modern state of Kyrev has been stable and at peace for some time. Its military, originally little more than berserkers, has been reformed into a respectable and indeed quite excellent army. Stability has allowed culture to flourish, with impressive opera houses and architecture in the large cities. Industrialization has brought many from farms to the cities, and farming with modern tools has allowed crop harvests to increase exponentially.
The short war with the Milhamites culminated in a crushing victory for Kyrev, who for the first time in its history gained territory on the Great Lake. The ex-Milhamite state was dissolved and incorporated into Kyrev as new territory. The previous symbols of Milhamite power and its empire were removed, and Protestant missionaries began the long and arduous task of converting the citizens.
The rise of the Sunyong Empire to the east presented a threat to Kyrevan sovereignty in the region, leading to tensions and an eventual conflict when Kyrev stepped in to aid its ally Grúzia-Nec. Though other powers interfered, Grúzia-Nec and Kyrev were successful, ending that conflict decisively and bringing peace back to the region for a short while.
A period of unrest in the country, known as the Troubles, divided the country among opposing interests. The death of the Kaiser nearly plunged the country into turmoil before his heir, the young Wilhelm I, used his powerful oratory skills to reunite the bickering lords. With his now very popular Chancellor, Wilhelm Gerhard Graf von Spee, they smooth many of the issues that plagued the elite and even the poor.
Almost immediately following this, the Empire of New Romekate invaded Kyrev's neighbors and allies, Grúzia-Nec, with the help of Arcon. The Heer deployed north, striking a savage blow to the advancing Arconian army, forcing its retreat. However, it was too late for Grúzia-Nec, who had been blitzed back to its western territories. Many of its civilians and officials fled to Kyrev, who signed a hurried non-aggression pact with the Romekati. Total disaster had been averted, but it exposed flaws across Kyrev.
The solution came swiftly. Wilhelm's sweeping reforms in economy, government and the military transform the declining state and usher in a new era of prosperity, strength and virtue. His traditionalist views mark a return in the conservative values of the state, where nuclear family, loyalty, honour and strength are celebrated. Nationalist movements spring up in support of the young Kaiser, much encouraged by the Chancellor.
Military: A long history of professional mercenaries and constant raids have made war an important part of Kyrev's culture. She boasts perhaps the most well drilled infantry in the region, and an impressive cavalry wing. Reforms for mobilization, among other things, under
a famous Chief of Staff, as well as
multiple other reforms from the Minister of War meant that among the western states, Kyrev's military organization is second to none. The rigorous and extensive officer and junior officer training allows only the brightest tacticians and strategists to lead Kyrev's armies.
Overall Wehrmacht strength: 540,000 men
Heer: 450,000 musketeers in 45 regiments of foot, 9 battalions per regiment with 1 administrative battalion
-->Artillerie: 5,000 men manning 625 pieces of various size, from mortars to 14lb artillery and everything in between
-->Kavallerie: 75,000 cavalry in 15 regiments of horse, 10 battalions per regiment
Kriegsmarine: 8,000 sailors on around 100 river barges of various size. The navy is small, used to protect trade barges from raiders and enforce laws.
-->Marinesoldat: 2,000 men, stationed on naval ships.
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