Bolsilva
Structure
Bolsilva ia an elecetive monarchy, with a king being elected from high ranking officals and nobles within the land to become ruler of the land. Such elections used to run until the death of the ruler, but due to some civil wars that broke out due to the ruler being a long lived species such as elves and the like, elections happen either till death or the maximum limit of the kings term is reached, which is 200 years.
Culture
Even when trying to identidy and describe the ethnic groups of Ustaria, Bolsilva itself is a generalization of the land. The large open fields and steppe of Bolsilva house various ethnic groups from the steppe nomads that would settle down into cities, and some even still wander the plains to this day. The land is considered the melting pot of Ustaria even more so than the nation already is. With their direct neighbhors being the nation of Vebastonne, vestoni architectural styles are not hard to find within Bolsilva. Even the often reviled northmen of Aldinnheimr can someitmes be found working as mercenaries or even seemingly peaceful jobs in the land. Of course one would be foolish to forget the winter elves, the elk horned elven kin who long ago traveled to Ustaria and primarily made Bolsilva their home, intergrating with the tribesman at the time and growing with them. Such as it is, much of the aristocracy and noble famalies are winter elves, or at least have some of the blood running in them.
While they are famous for their horses and warriors, the Bolsilvans are a people of philosophy, with many of the more famous philosophers of the Nilush Continenet hailing from Bolsilva. Some say that it is because the Bolsilvans are a naturally curious people, for who else would follow the heralding symbol of eagle and drake as a sign to build a castle? One curious thing of note is that while religon was always in the lands of Bolsilva, it seems as if for most of their history the Bolsilvans were not highly religous like many early tribesman. It is only until the Church of the Flame was introduced to the Bolsilvans that faith and peity became a defining factor for the land. It is said the 2 things that can be heard constantly are the galloping of hooves and the dirging of church bells in any city of Bolsilva.
Some scoff at Bolsilva for being full of hot headed, arrogant, and prisy noble folk, but to some degree they have gained this outlook through years of bloodshed. Even after the Rusilvaynian Empire was formed, Bolsilva has fought in many a bloody civil war that would see their land torn asunder and reformed from ash and fire. They have fought themselves as much as they have fought great hordes of beasts and raiders, and no warrior among their army is as feared as the Winged Rider cavalry. Many are also winter elves who ritualisticly shave off their antlers as shows of devotion, and all men and women in the cavalry wear great winged banners on theri back and upon their horse. These banners are said to be infused with the magic of the land itself, and embody the fury of the land as when charging and with wind blowing into them, they release a horrifying screaming sound. The sound of hundreds if not thousands of these banners wailing and screaming at once has been enough to cause lines to collapse in front of ther spears. Due to the general wealth Bolsilva generates from its many trade lanes and noble lineages, these riders are always highly well equipped and are honored as brave sons and daughters of the motherland.
History
Even admist the cold weather of Ustaria, the land is still home to beautiful fields and green steppe where the horses may roam wild and free, and the Bolsilvans are some of the most well known horse breeders. In truth much of the folklore of Bolsilva has been lost to time, but some still remains. While the Rustil hold that the hags led them to the land of Ustaria, the Bolsilvans are believed to be split off from the tribes to imitate the horse lords of the Vestoni (later Vebastonne). The first Bolsilvans are known as the Boligern Tribes, and they would in time come to inhabit the land around them as steppe nomads. However they would begin settling down early on, for it is said during their travels they once looked up and saw a great white eagle and a red dragon stretch themselves in front of the sun, casting a powerful figure across the land. As the people began to settle, it is said that a great and terrible warlord infused with the power of demons roamed around the land named Karol the Murderer. He is said to have been a ruthless pillager with a small horde of warriors following him, and was able to breathe fire after eating the flesh of a dragon. However, such a terrible figure would be eventually bested by a great steppe warlord known as Bogumir who was said to have been led to a strange stone that was the weakness of this tribal by strange water nyphms and egales.
Bogumir was able to unite the tribes under the banner of eagle and dragon, calling it the land of Bolsilva, and became its first king. However, it is said that a jealous witch cursed them, this being the lover of the evil Karkol, to cease to be and their bones to become dust. However, it was discovered a strange fey like area atop a great mountain known as The Shrouded Peak was said to help prevent this curse from taking effect, if the people slept there forevermore. So it was that Bogumir elected his successor, and took him and his knights with him to enter this fey area and sleep for the rest of time, said to only return when Bolsilva is suffering from the evil to end all evils. However with this, the great kingdom of Bolsilva was formed, being one of the largest nations in Ustaria before the great coming of demons and darkness.
After the great scourge, Bolsilva would offically adopt the Church of the Flame as the nation united, with the ruler being blessed and the land being reconsecrated, however Bogumir was adopted as a saint to help along the process of converting the Bolsilvan lands. This in turn would lead to a prosperous new golden age for Bolsilva, which ended during the great rebellions of the Trocnovians. However even today the land of Bolsilva still stands, famous for its winter elves and the great lancers and horse riders that are said to give Vestoni knights a run for their money. Many an enemy has learned to fear the scream of eagles and drakes should they anger the motherland of Bolsilva.
Foreign Relations
"The wind blowing against my wings, the thunder of hooves, and the bellows of my brothers and sisters as we ride down vile monsters, goblins, and demons, i tell you my son there is no moment more magical than that. Not even meeting the gods could compare." - Witold Ogórek, Bolsilvan Winged Eagle
"Next time i see one of those prissy bird fuckers come into my tavern, ill set their record straight with my babushkas blunderbuss" - Yegor Shlykov, Rustil tavern owner
"They do not heed the call of the blood mother, and are weak and feable when out of field, upon stone buildings to cower at the dark. However, upon the field of war, upon the salt steppes, we know to respect them as strong adversaries, and worthy sacrifices." - Aksit Akbay, Ishkari warrior
While the Bolsilvans can be uppity, prideful, and almost naively patriotic, no heart beats truer than theres. Not even a mighty bear could compare to the roar of a Bolsilvan, for they love family and value it more than any other creed or oath that could exist. For this, the Bolsilvans are known as some of the best warriors available to the Rusilvaynian Empire, and are regurarly seen as the premire shock calvary of the land, second only to the foreign knights of Vebastonne. Aside from this of course, they are known for their strong liquors, which make for intresting discussions on philosophy when drinking spirts that could drop a dwarf dead.
Type
Geopolitical, Province
Demonym
Bolsilvian
Government System
Monarchy, Elective
Parent Organization
Location
