Avalonia"Better a live lion than a dead dog."
Nation Name: United Republics of Avalonia
Government Type: Federal Republic, recently transitioned from confederacy
Economic: Strongly Market; local industries include fishing, shipbuilding, agriculture (anything that can be grown, is), forestry, particularly in the form of cork harvesting, production of fine wood and metalwork including jewelry, watches, and mechanical parts, and furniture, mining of coal, copper, and tin, and production of steel from imported iron ore. An apprenticeship arrangement is common in most lines of work. Import tariffs match foreign ones to keep local industry competitive.
Head of State: The Honorable Chancellor Kurt Walter
Capitol City: Nazgar
Major Cities: Nazgar (political, economic, and cultural hub), Cathair Arda (cultural and industrial hub), Phazaron (economic and agricultural hub), Wehr (economic and cultural hub)
Demonymn: Avalonian
Population: 11,412,581 as of 3/12/16
Language(s): German (primary), Dutch, Flemish, French, English, Polish
Religion(s): Pie ChartCulture: Northern German, early American, melting pot
Alliances: Arcon
Aligned Interests: Trade: Trade exists to some degree with all coastal nations, particularly to the North
Trade Treaties: Mutually lowered tariffs with Arcon
Organizations: None
Military:Avalonia's military was historically comprised of militiamen loyal to their own city states, however, with the unification of Avalonia, and increasingly worrisome global events, the need for regular forces has become apparent. This need has been met by the creation of special forces, scouting, and logistical units, as well as a backbone of regular infantry, artillery, and cavalry. Emphasis is placed on non-traditional warfare, and adaptability is highly valued. Avalonia's "West Point" school grooms officers from the best of the ranks. Militias still train, as the responsibility of each man to defend the Fatherland is a time honored facet of Avalonian culture.
- As part of the social contract, all able bodied men aged 20 to 40 (~17.5% of the total population) are participants in local militias, which are provided arms including swords, bayonets, rifles, and pistols by the federal government. These militias drill monthly in traditional and guerrilla warfare. Militia commanders report monthly to a provincial commander, and those to the Supreme General. (As militia is not technically "regular" military, I hope it's exempt from the 7% rule; either way it's transitioning into a standing, regular army)
- A force of 17,500 "Gespensten" - highly trained military specialists (special operations commandos and MacGyvers) exists as part of the standing army and are deployed both within Avalonia and outside of it where Avalonian interests require supervision.
- A force of 27,500 "Spahen" - light cavalry scouts/MacGyvers/skilled marksmen/manhunters deployed in groups of two to five in Avalonia's frontiers. These men are trained to forage, sabotage, relay information, and perform guerrilla warfare, and are equipped with a spyglass, a long rifle, a pistol, and a sword. These men are also under orders not to make native populations hostile to Avalonia, and as a result do what they can to win over the hears and minds of the populations in their area of deployment.
- A force of 20,000 highly trained artillerymen, equipped with cannons, pistols, knives, and swords for clearing brush.
- A force of 10,000 highly trained cavalry, equipped with rifles, pistols, and sabers.
- A force of 60,000 highly trained infantry, equipped with rifles, bayonets, and knives.
- A force of 15,000 sappers, armed with pistols and knives.
- A force of 5,000 Fremdenlegionär, Foreign Legion troops used almost exclusively outside of Avalonia.
- There are thousands of canons spread across Avalonia; richer towns militias maintain them, and defensive artillery exists in all of Avalonia's major cities.
- The Avalonian navy consists of 4: 76 gun steamship, 8: 54 gun steamship, 18: 46 gun steamship, and armed privateer vessels.
The main Avalonian army has received training from foreign military advisers from various militaristic nations, and participated in the Serisian war games.
National History:A notable power several centuries ago, the Avalonian Empire saw an age of major decline ending in almost a century of bloody civil war which ultimately resulted in the formation of a large number of small city states.
In 1815, Chancellor Paul Vjornsberg used his hero status following his defense of coastal towns against local pirate bands and the use of his own private wealth in the aid of the lowly to bring the city states into a confederacy which appointed him President by popular demand.
Five years later, the failures of the confederacy to effectively arbitrate between provinces gave rise to a centralization movement. During an annual national assembly, it was agreed upon to form a parliamentary republic, and national elections that included property owning males again brought Vjornsberg into the chancellor position of a new, stronger state. After centuries of chaotic fragmentation and its bloodshed, local leaders have for the most part heralded unification as a positive event, but several powerful holdouts only accepted unification under the promise that the next national convention would include the construction of a national constitution which will guarantee local and personal freedoms, a cause that Vjornsberg was quick to adopt given the area's long history of ideological and religious tolerance, weapon ownership, and high valuation of other freedoms.
The constitution was drafted in 1823 and was ratified a year later in a landslide vote. Shortly thereafter, Avalonia became a hub of technological advancement, and in less than a decade, a number of city states that formerly declined to join the Union became members by invitation.
Avalonia remained neutral in the Conservatia-Romek-WDC War, but was spurred by fears of external threats to increase its military presence.
Chancellor Vjornsberg retired, and his protege, Kurt Walter, filled his shoes. Vjornsberg went on to fund many projects for the public good, including the Vjornsberg Technical Institute, Nazgar Public Library, and Vjornsberg Hand Up (a scholarship to the VTI for poor but motivated youths), and continued to do good for the nation until his death by natural causes.
The Avalonian economy experienced a depression from 1844-1854ish, during which time the Avalonian people showed praiseworthy solidarity and the government temporarily lessened its laissez faire approach to the economy in an attempt to improve the economy.
During the Great War, Avalonia remained passively opposed to the Southern Powers by honoring its alliance with Arcon in the form of defensive, economic, and intelligence gathering support. Following this, it aided Royalist forces during the Arconian Civil War both directly and indirectly, while lobbying for a diplomatic solution when possible and advocating a post-war compromise on the established political privilege associated with hereditary titles.
Avalonia's current aims include bringing its economy to be the world's best, fostering scientific development through cooperation with other nations, and bringing the military more up to par, in quality if not quantity.
Poll