Ostedia

Structure

Ostedia is a constitutional monarchy. The country has a king which acts the political figurehead of the country, and he is regarded as a moral hero to the population. The Grand Premier holds the executive authority of the country, including control of the armed forces, state police, and agencies. This elected position, cycled through every five years undertakes diplomatic and economic deals with various other countries, as well as commanding the armed forces. The Legislative body, known as the Marmaisodiot, is responsible for creating laws and collecting taxes.

Culture

Ostedia has a long and historic culture that has found global impact. Ostedian citizens, due to the implications of Ostedia's long naval merchant presence in Oparva and Peraquiem, view their nation as one of the greatest and most influential , both in the past and currently in the world. Pavultish, the native language of Ostedia, has become commonly spoken in communities around the world, most notably in the GSE. Ostedian traditions, including traditional include dress, which consists of slim dresses with tight, long sleeves for women and thick tunics and layered pants for men, influenced by the cold climate of Ostedia. Ostedia has transitioned to more contemporary styles of other Peraquian nations more recently, however. Many social events, practices, and holidays revolve around religious influences. Many other secular holidays, such as Navy Day, recognizing the country’s Imperial roots, are common as well.

History

The country of Ostedia resides on the tip of the Lesparian peninsula. The region was believed to be first inhabited by modern humans some time around the 10,000’s RB. Through migration, large people-groups came to settle the peninsula. Between 1,200 and 900 RB, agriculture was introduced, focused mainly around grains and root crops, and gradually became a widespread practice among the population of the peninsula. bronze and iron weapons and tools were developed as well. The peninsula was home to some of the earliest social hierarchies in Peraquiem. Early leadership was splintered among diverse city-states and small kingdoms with regional power, but the period was noted with much more rapid development compared to other areas of southern Peraquiem. The Pavultish language, one of the oldest written languages that formed the basis for other major Peraquian languages, was first transcribed in the 6th century RB. Although it’s initial diversity and differing dialects and syntaxes were unique to Ostedian cities, through trade, the language came to be spread across the southern Lesparian Peninsula and became a unifying thread of the various geographically separated kingdoms in the 500’s RB. During the first century, small tribes began to consolidate power, which led to the rise of competing independent city states as more formal fighting forces became organized. This was closely followed by the growth of walled city-states that acted as centers of trade and military authority over the surrounding regions to host the rapidly expanding population and growing merchant, artisan, and labor classes, which congregated in such cities. One of the most powerful was located in the location of the modern day city of Orason. The city’s access to large timber reserves and its position on the ocean helped fuel its economic growth. This was reflected in the construction of many classical public buildings and theaters in these cities as well as villas in the countryside characterized by the use of tall, simple, designs made with thatch and timber construction. The most notable expansion of public works programs were commissioned by the Sladake empire. I's more organized military paved gradual conquest of the southern, and more populated, states under a single, unified leadership. It is widely believed that collapse of the Sladake Empire was caused due to a due to a uncommonly strong hurricane around the year 433 RB. Following the downfall of the Sladakies in the 400's, power shifted among various weak kings.

Christianity was introduced to the region from bunkers in Pradewl the late 200's ASE, but became exceedingly popular following its evolution into Tribianism, adopting localized beliefs such as the three figure power of the widely practiced deity with the new, monotheistic religion. Intense efforts from groups of devout prophets led to the rapid conversion of greater Ostedia, with the religious traditions being absorbed into mainstream culture. A church structure, consisting of priests and bishops, was soon formed as a way to maintain the religion. This development of an independent hierarchy to minister the faith also coincided with an evolving merchant class. Ostedia's position along the coast allowed access to sea trade. Technological developments reflected this, as new inventions such as lateen sails and the compass improved navigation. The region became the foremost kingdom in naval power in the first millennia, as Ostedian crafted goods, minerals, and wood products found markets in Peraquian towns, leading to vast increase in Ostedia’s private gold reserves. These developments led to the weakening of political power in the region. King Albahie came to power in the 410 ASE, and using new tax systems, grew his military forces, exerting control over most kingdoms of the southern Lesparian Peninsula. Due to intense resistance from local nobles, the land was divided from small kingdoms into three different nations, a system which remained for many centuries. The three kingdoms stayed mostly equally paced with each other in terms of economic, political, technological, and social structures. A rich nobility came to control most trade, and in the 5th and 6th centuries, a widening gap between rich tradesmen and working class artisans and laborers was seen. King John was crowned in 671 ASE as the king of the southeastern kingdom, known as the State of Bochoudan, and upon assuming the title of King, he rejected the court of nobility. This marked a time of intense military focus and centralized power, as many local leaders were ejected in efforts to consolidate power. While these policies were successful during his reign, after his death, the nobility and church re-assumed the roles previously held. The monarchy was re-birthed and contained to govern the country in an absolutist fashion. Strong leaders continued the tradition of using taxes to support public works, building vast canals and tunnels connecting the country, developing the nations in a manner superior to its southern Peraquian neighbors. After the death of King Cassair in 993, The states began splintering off as weak leaders could not support basic needs of the provinces.
The period of disunity was marked with conflict of the warring states. In 1152 King Réamonn seized control of the state of Bochoudan and immediately rejected the current structure of nobility delegating functions of the kingdom. In an attempt to appeal to the commoners by showing support to, as well as in reaction to growing power from, the Church, he instead placed the Archbishop of Orason as the official ruler of Orason as the Intercessor, as a ceremonial figurehead, and placing himself as acting monarch in charge of the law and military. During his reign, Ostedia found peace, as an active stance was taken to bring agreement to the three nations. All enjoyed a rebirth of culture during this time as well. Ostedian music, arts, and architecture traveled across Peraquiem from Ostedia. Most notably, fabrics from Ostedia became popular among the wealthy in other Peraquian kingdoms, as the black fabric made from a laborious process used to create the color, came to symbolize royalty. Through trade, its crops, minerals such as tin and copper, and crafted goods such as fabrics and pottery were traded for Peraquian glass and timber, which greatly influenced Ostedian architecture, as newer buildings grew more elaborate in style. Recognizing the value of this income, King Réamonn and his successors began introducing trade reforms, such as establishing a uniform currency and increasing spending on shipbuilding. The three state system stayed mostly intact, with little border changes over the next two centuries, despite growing economic disparities and increasing political power held by the Intercessor. The country was unified under King Conall in 1389, as he used the immense wealth of Orason to exhibit economic control over the neighboring two kingdoms. Using contracted military forces of the Rinschat, made up of for-hire soldiers, he overthrew the Intercessor. The forces would go on to outright conquer the two neighboring states and establish a single monarchy. King Conall made strong efforts to expand Ostedia's influence, establishing many trading outposts and patronizing explorations of Oparva and Regellico, including Edwin Grove's trek across the Halsaman Mountains. However, the growing economic competition from Corsin and technological advances of Lesparia, as well as the desire to claim more resources, namely iron and to circumvent a timber shortage, inspired further global exploration and economic expansion.
Ostedia's first foray into protectorates came when a coalition was tasked with settling and developing the resource rich lands of central Oparva. Although initial disloyalty of its first colonies threatened its overseas empire, through military reforms, Ostedia continued to carve out massive territories in the mountainous, southern regions of Oparva in an entity referred to as Raediff, and in the Neorin Regions. Both of these colonies saw economic reform and cultural assimilation. In 1501 Ostedia completed the conquering of neighboring Eplemptian kingdoms, bringing them into the empire. Ostedia also began serious efforts of religious conversion, sending missionaries globally. Tribianism took root in several of its trading partners and colonies, including modern day Sozlenia, Talgary, and the Neorin Regions. These Missionaries built schools, institutions, and hospitals in the colony in efforts to introduce Tribian Christianity, which found success, as native peoples and immigrant populations blended together. Ostedia’s main successes in Neorin lay in its acceptance of native local leaders and increased economic productivity on plantations , logging camps, and inner city craftsman jobs. Raediff however, due to its vast size and focus on strip mining, lead to a very brutal hands off leadership policy. Despite this, both of these arrangements benefited Ostedia’s economic position greatly. Despite this period of success and expansion, Ostedia lost some of its colonial possessions in 1541 to the Burgundian Empire, initiating a century-long rivalry. As a result, many of its colonial populations returned to the mainland. Unlike Burgundia, however, by 1555, Ostedia had acquired possession of vast swaths of land in Northern Oparva, regions south of the Monte Altum mountains, islands in the Willmont Ocean, and along Sozlenia. This rivalry was expressed again in the second Ostedian-Burgundian war, which led to Ostedia reclaiming much of their land, and further extending economic reliance on the region. This rapid swell in political power however brought with it great economic and subsequent social change. With the increase in poverty, especially in rural regions of Ostedia, in 1657, self proclaimed prophet Andrew Barnes began spreading his teachings of Revangelicist Christianity. Based upon a more simplistic version of Tribianism that embraced more new age thinking, Revangelicalism took a more softer approach, removing the implementation of a priesthood and taking away some more restrictive scripture and ceremonial practices, emphasizing local culture. The theology, which gradually found support both locally and abroad, grew rapidly, in conjunction with Ostedia’s economic and social disparities. Initial reactions were swift and brutal, with Ostedian nobles and the church pressuring the king, King Phillip, to persecute heretics and begin fervent conversion efforts, both domestically and abroad. While Tribianism had been in practice for at least two centuries, the splinter faction grew increasingly popular in the 1600's. This social division grew as Ostedia’s wealth increased during this time.
Other social challenges arose in the late 17th century. Many pro democracy activists, inspired by the Corsani example, clamored for an increase in participatory democracy. Until then, voting rights were held only by wealthy land owning nobles, and even then, the positions electable were far and few between and were usually garnered to be passed down through family lineage. The monarchy gave little response to this, as the movement was scattered, though did find success on some local levels across the country. Other social changes included the beginnings of the Anti Slavery movements, though the use of slaves was limited. During the beginning 1600’s, life-long slavery by coercion had swept the country as the prominent labor source, replacing serfdom. But the use of poor peasants for this purpose was exceedingly difficult. By 1700, while Ostedia may have not been the most powerful country in the world, their naval strength was unrivaled, as was their economic impact. Ostedia came to be known as the Ostedian Empire to reflect their newfound status. The Pergendahl Corporation was formed in 1716, as a way to expand trade and investment in Ostedia's colonies. As a result, Ostedia gained much wealth from timber, mining, and new markets. Ostedia also had growing militarism, as the armed forces were greatly expanded, and put to use as peacekeepers, state workers, and laborers. However, this over reliance on a bureaucratic system decentralized the federal power over time. It proved to be disastrous, as it eroded the king’s authority. The growing social issues and economic disparities would ultimately doom the Empire. In 1732, the ruling king, Doran V, was assassinated. The lack of political stability and a single unifying ruler led to splintering factions in the military as it fell apart, with a major sect located in the eastern colony of Raediff succeeding and forming its own country. The local governors of Ostedia’s states broke into separate entities, and a period of anarchy reigned as social and economic institutions broke down. Many of its colonial possessions escaped, including the Eplemptian ethnic state in 1734, as the ethnic Eplemptians declared independence. The period of collapse saw much time of destruction, as many cities faced anarchy and many people faced starvation. The house of Hatchburgs, a noble patron family that amassed great wealth through trade, seized control, and rebuilt the kingdom. Using a private military, economic deals, and diplomatic treaties, the Osted states rejoined. One of the major methods used was the sense of common blood. This heritage helped stitch the country together. One of the unifying practices included embracing social issues. The largest being the formation of the Marmaisodiot, a new legislative body, headed by a Grand Premier. An elected position, the Premier was the executive authority of Ostedia. Suffrage was extended to all males over the age of twenty in 1751. Numerous other reforms were instituted, including minimizing power from the Tribian religious body, as well as removing the Intercessor, even from ceremonial duties. In its place, the Hatchburgs filled the role of King, in a ceremonial capacity. All of these efforts won support for poor working peasants, as well as wealthy nobles looking to form a more secure economic environment. However the period was not without its setbacks, as religious leaders and regional governors would actively resist reunification in efforts to maintain power. Despite these divisions, the lack of security from growing threats posed by neighbors such as Deule, Eplemptia, and Lesparia, as well as a desire to access overseas resources helped most of the population put aside regional differences and reunify the country.
 This uncertainty greatly impacted Ostedia’s culture output from the following few decades. The arts grew much more realistic and dark as themes drawn from the instability of the previous years and popularized by the enlightenment became common. Overall, once great and whimsical tone of artwork-Much of which had been destroyed following the country’s collapse- grew more dark and critical of the world. This was further fueled by new scientific developments, such as the science of chemistry, among others, which represented the tonal shift from state emphasis on religion to science. Despite this, Ostedia’s monopoly on northern Peraquian and Oparvan trade brought immense wealth, access to resources and transportation, and technological innovations from other nations to Ostedia. Such inventions, like steam engines, made Ostedia the forefront economic power of the Industrial Revolution. Ostedia transitioned from a maritime power into a manufacturing one, as populations shifted from rural work to city factory life. In 1811, Ostedia banned the slave trade in its nation and commonwealth. Ostedia increased its political Even though Ostedia had lost its military and colonial power, Ostedia became a center of science and culture. Defeating the GSE in WWI, Ostedia re established itself as a global power, of which it maintains to this day.

Demography and Population

The majority of the population is made up of ethnic Osteds, native to the region. These groups have lived on the Ostedian peninsula for most of its history. Having oeiginated from central Peraquiem, these people came to inhabit the mountains along the Peninsula, for its resources, defendable position, and access to sea. Over time, the groups became intrinsically tied to the region, pioneering maritime trade and Christianity. These groups came to be known as Osteds. Much of the nation's people lives in the southern warm water coasts. The population density is evenly spread among the eastern and western halves of the country. Very few people live in the year round frigid climate of North Ostedia. Many Eplemptians and some Lesparians, ethnic neighbors to Osteds, live in the country, mostly in its eastern states. The life expectancy is 81.3 years. The literacy rate of Ostedia is 99.6%.

Territories

Ostedia controls the tip of the Lesparian peninsula. The Osteds living there have maintained a degree of autonomy since their inception. The majority of the peninsula is covered in low mountains, characterizing the region. This rocky terrain is common in central and western Ostedia. The majority of this area is difficult to sustain large scale modern habitation, but is very rich in minerals. The southern and eastern districts of the country are very hilly and grassy. The rolling hills are much more habitable, and most of the population and major cities are located in this region. Tall maple and sycamore trees with thick, dark brown trunks are found in this area, distinguishing the area with the shape and color of the rest of the peninsula. The southern coasts are warm, and while sandy beaches are not common, the coasts are sloped grasslands with small cliffs. The northern border on the Wicktrei Sea, which is annually frozen, has a tundra-like climate, with permafrost and no vegetation and almost no native animals. It extends down for a few hundred Verumiles into the peninsula. The climate is wet and cool.

Military

Ostedia, being geographically isolated by mountains and having no immediate threat of invasion for neighbors, have never needed a large standing army within Ostedia's borders for security. However, its navy has had strong, well stocked vessels. Despite its modern stance, The country had a much stronger in its history, due to its necessity to maintain its overseas colonies. Following its victory in WWI, Ostedia slowly decreased its military, to a much smaller, although still capable, force.

Religion

Ostedia was the birthplace of modern Christianity. The religion has become intertwined with the country’s history, assimilating from merchants and explorers introducing the ideas to the religion. various local cultural beliefs on nature were incorporated into the faith, forming the branch of Tribianism in the 350's ASE, making it one of the earliest sects in the world. As such, almost the entire population is members of this sect, and practice in varying ways Throughout the history of Ostedia, the Tribian faith has had influence in the government, from priests holding political power to the role of the Church officiating coronations, though overtime the influence has waned. Deutianism is also a small sect, from Lesparian immigrants. Revangelicist Christianity became common following the Period of Illumination in the 1600's, mostly in reaction to the more rigid and strict belief systems and attitude of Tribianism. Revangelicalism exists as the largest minority in the country. Tension exists between the two largest branches, and has resulted in violence many times in history.

Foreign Relations

Ostedia has little military investment in the world. Its standing military and navy is small. As such, the diplomatic investment of other nations is mostly for technological and economic purposes. Ostedia enjoys a position of economic power in North Peraquiem.

Agriculture & Industry

Ostedia's cool climate is excellent for growing various grains, such as rye and oats, as well as root crops. Those include beets, potatoes, and turnips. Much of the population consumes such products, grown on massive plantations, while more tropical fruits are imported. Ostedia's expansive coasts on the Bermion Ocean and Wicktrei Sea give the country access to high volume fishing, an industry that has been an important source of food and income for centuries. Ostedia has a large manufacturing base, building machines, vehicles, and household goods and electronics in large, modern factories. Ostedia has several large mining operations across the country, extracting minerals such as tin, cobalt, and bauxite, as well as facilities and refineries to process the resources to be used in manufacturing.

Trade & Transport

Ostedia uses its sea travel to ship most of its goods and people through the Bermion Ocean. As popular soures of transport in the world, Airplanes are also common.

Education

Ostedia has a national education system that enrolls students, beginning at age five, in studies consisting of science, mathematics, languages, and writing. Higher, and more specialized education, such as trade schools, exist in Ostedia, as do Universities and Colleges. Ostedia has a well rounded program, reaching almost all children in the country. Ostedia has a literacy rate of 99.6%.

Ostedia Forth into the World

Founding Date

November 3, 1742

Type

Geopolitical, Country

Alternative Names

Osted, Kingdom of Ostedia, Bochoudan

Demonym

Osteds

Government System

Monarchy, Constitutional

Power Structure

Federation

Economic System

Market economy

Currency

The official currency used by the country is the Ostedian Mark. It consists of a variety of coin and paper notes.

Major Exports

Ostedia has a large manufacturing industry. It is a large producer of plastic goods, automobiles, and household goods. Computers, appliances, and heavy machinery are exported en mass. Clothing, while not a major industry compared to previous generations, is still a major contributor to exported goods. The mineral output of Ostedian mines have been decreasing in volume due to less product found in the mines, from centuries of extraction, but still have enough to export.

Major Imports

Ostedia must import much of its large foods, including more warm-weather crops, such as pineapples. Ostedia also imports some petroleum, as its own oil reserves in the Wicktrei Sea are limited. Unprocessed crude oil, which is used in the manufacturing of plastics, is imported as well. Raw materials, such as plastic polymers, make a large portion of Ostedia's imported goods.

Legislative Body

The Lawmaking body of Ostedia is the Chamber of Senators, known as the Marmaisodiot. The Marmaisodiot is divided into two branches; The Policorit, which is the branch that regulates taxes, administers the national budget, and appoints provincial judges and foreign ministers, and the Teriniam, which passes laws and proposes the national budget. Both branches are staffed by senators, with each senator representing a province of the country. The Policorit is composed of one senator per representative district, appointed by state legislatures, while the number of senators of the Teriniam is determined by the economic output of the province, and is elected by the residents of the province. The branches are controlled by two internally elected Orators, which manage and officiate all votes and debates in the branches.

Official State Religion

Christianity

Location

Peraquiem

Official Languages

• Pavultish

Related Ethnicities

• Peraquian