Freischutze

Modern Freischutze is a place of restrained pride. Where they once might have waved their flags in massive military parades, they now put their sweat and blood into the fields they need to survive. Staying out of the rest of the world's politics, the citizens of Freischutz now focus on finding love and building families, reclaiming what was lost. Farms. Factories. Libraries of history and magical knowledge. Everything that would help them rebuild is pursued by a single-minded determination to see one's home rise again. They only just opened their borders to outsiders about five years ago. The trade has helped the country a great deal, but not many people have integrated into the country. Often finding the Freischutz people to be prideful and humorless, though I would argue the second point.

-Atezka Tlalli, an excerpt from his book A Compendium of the Nations of the World Stage

Structure

• The Interim Junta

• The Parlament of Irons

Assets

• Largest tract of farmable land in the Equitorial Central Region

• Lost Mines of Krieg

• Freischutzen Granite

• 2 million Steel Spines

• 700,000 automaton riflemen

• 230 Military Airships

• 1,000 Military Constructs

• 400 combat Magicians

History

From the Age of the Divine to the Age of Insurrection, Freischutze dominated the Equitorial Central Region with military might. No nation could match their blades nor their muskets and cannons. It seemed like all the might of the world couldn't crack their forts. Turns out, they would do it themselves.

During a particularly bad season, Freischutze started to splinter and fragment. Several figures; military, religious, and political, attempted to carve out sections of the country and rule it for themselves in the style that they believed was the true Freischutzen way to live. Despite this, there was still the chance that the country could be brought back from the brink. That hope didn't last long. The assassinations of the goddess Kruva and subsequent destruction of the Parlament of Irons proved to be the second and third dominoes of the Domino Wars. What followed was one-hundred and eighty years of continuous war. Throughout that time, all parties agreed to keep the conflict within their borders, as it was born out of a true love of their homeland and they all knew that if the outside world became aware, they would descend like vultures. To everyone's shock, they were successful in their efforts until one side finally won out over the others. That is when the illusion broke. Two of Freischutzen's old enemies, the Khalgir Khanate and Al'Ashir descended into the country. Intent on looting everything that was leftover. Rallying their ragged army, the victors marched against yet another enemy. Another twenty years of war passed before they threw the nomadic tribes back across their borders and the true end to the Domino Wars came to pass.

The Freischutzen had lost so much. Their goddess was slain. 225 million casualties and the loss of centuries worth of knowledge. The loss of the safety that their might had provided. Each one a blow against the Freischutzen people that they have only recently recovered from.

Demography and Population

• 99% Freizchutzen

• 1% other

Military

The Steel Spines are the standard infantry unit of Freischutze. Highly trained in fieldcraft, the Steel Spines can be used for straight-up combat and scouting purposes. The standard uniform is grey with red pants, and the standard kit is a heavy pack with a bolt action rifle.

The Automaton riflemen are deployed whenever possible to preserve Freischutzen lives. Able to understand simple orders, they are commanded by the highest-ranking soldier in the immediate vicinity.

Technological Level

The development of the automaton soldiers is groundbreaking and a closely guarded secret.

Foreign Relations

Chilly to say the least. Freischutze does not mince words with outside powers. It is not uncommon for foreign dignitaries to arrive with some sort of land or similar deal only to be stonewalled by those that met with them, causing them to leave out of frustration.

Agriculture & Industry

For the time being, agriculture makes up a majority of the job market in Freischutze. As old structures are reclaimed and refurbished, however, the industrial sector is growing slowly but steadily.

Trade & Transport

Stone paved roads provide much of the transportation infrastructure in the country. Beast-drawn carts are the most often used way to transport goods throughout the country.

Education

While the government has prioritized the education of its youth, they have faced issues getting enough schooling up and running for everyone that needs it and even convincing families to send their children to open schools. Many families need their kids to help farm their plots of land or run their business.

Infrastructure

• Cities are connected by stone-paved roads that are good for carts, but not so much for the new automobiles.

• A set of four forts, known as the Four Sentinals, sit on each border of Freischutze. Constructed from Freischutzen Granite and enchanted centuries ago, these forts are nearly indestructible.

• The Airdocks of New Landkirk are a vital point of import for the country. Allowing the much needed heavy industry to be brought in.

Mythology & Lore

Kruva was the goddess that created the Freischutzen people. Supposedly carving them from the dark grey granite that makes up their homeland. Protecting and guiding her creations, she was seen as a protector against the evils of the world, providing everything that the Freischutzen people needed to survive. While seen as a kind goddess, she also pushed her people to be strong without her. Urging them to grow strong off the land and to stand against those that would try and take what is theirs.

The Granite that the Freischutzen people are known for is said to have formed where the goddess stepped, which is a theological explanation as to the magical properties of the stone and to why it forms on the surface as opposed to deep within the ground like most granite.

Tenets of Faith

The tenet that stands highest in the souls of Kruva's followers is that of self-sacrifice. To give everything for friends and family is the best way for ones life to end.

Worship

Most Freischutzen have some sort of artistic rendition of the goddess, whether that be a statuette, a plaque, or a painting. Whatever it may be, it is the focus of prayers.

Founding Date

802, Age of the Divine

Type

Geopolitical, Country

Training Level

Professional

Veterancy Level

Trained

Demonym

Freischutzen

Government System

Dictatorship

Power Structure

Provisional government

Economic System

Market economy

Currency

Freischutzen Marks; Platinum, Gold, Silver, Copper denominations. A black note that shows a marching regiment of Freishutzen linemen from the Age of Exploration on one side. On the other is a tombstone that has one dozen names of soldiers that died during the Domino Wars.

Major Exports

• Starmetal

• Freischutzen Granite

• Grain

Major Imports

• Dwarven beer

• Industrial Equipment

Legislative Body

The Parlament of Irons

Judicial Body

The Junta deploys soldiers known as the Sichern to enforce the rule of law.

Official State Religion

The Remembered

Official Languages

• Freischutzen

Neighboring Nations

• Al'Ashir
• Khalgir Khanate

Related Ethnicities

• Freischutzen