Styrae

Archduchy of Styrae
Flag
Motto: Taktu það sem þú getur. Gefðu ekkert til baka. (English: Take what you can. Give nothing back.)
Anthem: None.
Capital	Halstaad
Official languages	Styraean
Recognised national languages	Drambenburgian (German)
Ethnic groups	Styraeans
Demonym(s)	Styraean
Government	Constitutional Presidential Monarchy
• President	Marlene Bachrich
•  Duke	Sigurbaldur Dallason
Area
•	326,800 km2 (126,200 sq mi)
• Water (%)	18%
Population
• 2020 estimate	13,725,600
• Density	42/km2 (108.8/sq mi)
Date format	mm-dd-yyyy

The Archduchy of Styrae, commonly known as Styrae, is a moderately sized nation in North-Western Nortua located on the North Samson Ocean. The remote arctic island of Vesallgarðr (Eng.: Vesallgard) and the Hrosshvalr archipelago are also part of Styrae's land. The capital is Halstaad. The population is 13.7 million, and has a low population density. 87% of Styraeans live in urban areas, which account for roughly 2% of the land area. The highest concentration is in the south and the Hrosshvalr Archipelago.

Styrae's land encompases 326k km^2, and has an extensive coastline along the Northern Samson Ocean. Maritime influence gives Styrae a mild climate for its northerly location, with a wet, mild coastal climate and a dry, cold interior. Even during polar night, the coast often does not drop below freezing. The moisture from the ocean brings heavy rain and snowfall to the country year-round.

Styrae is a member state of the Trans-Toyana Prosper Alliance. Sigurbaldur Dallason V of House Galdür is the current monarch. Marlene Bachrich has been president since 2013. As a Constitutional Presidentiary Monarchy, the power of the state is divided between the monarch, the president, and the unicameral legislature, as determined by the 1821 Constitution. The duchy was established in 872 as a union of many petty kingdoms and counties, under the rule of Magnus the First, King of Styr, and has existed contiuously for over 1,000 years.

Dramben peoples have inhabited Styrae since prehistory, though it is yet known how they arrived in Nortua. Some hypotheses include glacial bridges between Nortua and Euronia. Reasons for the migration have been hypothesized to include war, famine, or migration of the wooly mamoth. They included the Gaets and the Styrs, and constituted the sea-fairing people known as the Vykings.

Styrae maintains a social welfare model with universal healthcare and extensive social security system. The state maintains control of large portions of key industrial sectors; namely, petroleum, natural gas, lumber, and fresh water. Petroleum generates nearly one quarter of Styrae's gross-domestic product, making Styrae one of the highest per-capita producers of oil in the world. It has the worlds largest sovereign wealth fund, with a value exceeding Z$1 trillion dollars. Styrae maintains minimal foreign debt due to well invested bonds, stock options, and other fungible and non-fungible currencies as part of the sovereign wealth fund and royal treasury. Styrae consistently has one of the lowest crime rates in the world.

The majority of the population is Syraean, with minimal immigration due to incredibly strict immigration laws. The largest minority groups are from other TTPA member states; primarily Drambenburg, Kossmil, and Barangadesh.

Etmology

Styrae (Styraean), from Middle Styric Styr and -ae, from the Verdusan ‑ae suffix is used for the plural of many non-naturalized, specialist, or unfamiliar nouns ending in suffix -a. Middle Styric: Styr, from Old Styric Stjr. From Proto-Drambenic root "Stjr."

Stjr (alternative spelling: Styr) is a Proto-Drambenic present, active, indicitive verb meaning "to steer (a sled, a boat, a mount, etc.).

History

Styrae has been continuously inhabited by homosapiens since the late stone age (c.3500 BCE).

Pre-History

Before permanent homosapien settlement, the land now known as Styrae was periodically inhabited by migrating tribes of nomadic Neanderthals and homosapiens. Evidence of fishing spots and hunting grounds can be found as far north as the arctic circle.

According to genetics research, sometime in the late stoneage tribes of Drambens migrated from Euronia to Nortua, taking the proto-Drambenic language with them. The reason and method of the migration is still unknown to historians, though many hypotheses have been made. The most prominent theory is that the tribes migrated using sleds over glaciers which covered the Northern Samson Ocean at the time. Once arriving in Nortua, the tribes remained reletively isolated from the rest of the people on the continent due to the geography of the region.

Bronze Age

During the bronze age, the isolated language of the tribes began growing from proto-Drambenic into Ancient Styr, still using the Eldar Futhark alphabet that traveled with the tribes. Between 3000 and 2500 bce new settlers from Euronia began ariving in southern Styrae, introducing agriculture to the fisher-gatherer society of ancient Styrae. From about 1500 bce, bronze began to overtake stone as the primary tool resource. Massive surface level tin and copper deposits were available in the mountains at the time. Massive catacombs in the southern mountains were common at this time, while further north along the coast cairns were very common. Stone carvings from this period often depicted ships, the sun, animals, trees, weapons, and sea serpents.

Iron Age

There is little archeological evidence for most of the iron age (last 500 years bce) found in Styrae. Several bronze cauldrons from Cadair have been found, all used as burial urns, suggesting that cremation took over as the prefered burial method. Contact with more advanced southern civilizations came with the introduction of more letters to the runic alphabet, and the breakdown of the ancient Styraean language isolate. The oldest known Styraen Runic inscription dates to 300ce, found on the interior and exterior walls of a large crypt built into the side of a mountain not far from Halstaad, the crypt itself dating to circa 200bce. Diciphered language cognantes from the period mostly included names until the discovery of the crypt; however, the crypt included the whole life story of the entombed, declaring him to be the mythical deity Woden. The inscription provides much of modern knowledge of the proto-Styraean religion. Outside of the crypt stands a ruined granite temple built in circa 500ce for the deity Odin containing evidence of human sacrifices: depictions on the remaining walls of the temple include scenes of hearts being cut out of living women with olive and dark skin tones. Other evidence of sacrifices at the temple include sheep, goats, and various bird spicies; as well as pieces of a larger mural of Ysgrasil, the "world tree."

A number of Iron Age artifacts were discovered on the island of Vesallgard begining in the 1860s. This site indicated a change from fishing to whaling, and did not include any southern influences, likely indicating that the people of the island had minimal contact with the mainland.

Vyking Period

From the 8th to 10th centuries Styrae was the source of the Vykings. They colonized, raided, and traded with Eastern Euronia, Nortua, and north-western Adula. During this time Ancient Styraean developed into Old Styraean. Archaeological digs dating to this period show an advancement in religious complexity. Records made by Styric Monks tell of how rich Jarls (petty kings and lords) were buried by building a funeral pyre on their ships and lighting them after pushing them out to sea. Often the ships would be laden with captured riches and slaves brought back from conquests.

Around 800ce, Halstaad began to transform from a small fishing village into the center of Styraean trade, likely due to its closer proximity to more southern civilizations. Findings conclude that in little more than a dozen years the population grew from just under 100 to over 5,000 people. Drouts likely drew in many people who were otherwise farmers in the region.

Vyking Civil War

In 861ce, a war broke out between two of the petty kings of Styr, Hardbein Åsmundsson and Magnus Knudson. Most of the war is legendary. According to Styric legend, the war began when Åsmundsson spat on the doorpost of Knudson's longhouse as he was leaving a party held in his honor, thus disrespecting Knudson. The next day, Knudson gathered his men-at-arms and marched to Åsmundsson's village, burning it down. This angered Hardbein's brother, Eric Åsmundsson, who formed an alliance with several other kings and Jarls, marching on Knudson. However, a slave of Eric Åsmundsson's escaped to Knudson and informed him of Eric's plans, and was made a Jarl by Knudson, who granted him Hardbein's land. Upon learning of Eric's plans, Knudson and his family headed south, giving out gifts to the Jarls along the way, and having them pledge fealty to him as High King of the Styr.

With the armies of the southern Jarls backing him, Knudson headed back north to meet Åsmundsson. The two armies clashed periodically over the next eleven years, often stopping during the raiding season and always during the farming season. The final straw in the war came when Magnus built a navy in Halstaad, his new capital, and sailed it north to the Hrosshvalr Archipelago where Eric had established the city of Stadsholmen on Lake Hardbein (which he named after his brother). Magnus' navy clashed with several ships from Eric's navy, defeating them quietly. Magnus then sailed up Mälarenelv, landing at the city, marching on Eric's palace, which the army walked right into, because Eric's men had been drinking heavily that night. Magnus sat on Eric's throne, and had Eric brought befor him. Eric was then taken to Halstaad as a prisoner of war, and Eric's Jarls were forced to either pledge fealty to Magnus or abdicate. Many abdicated and were replaced by Magnus' commanders or slaves. Eric died as a prisoner in Halstaad, though he likely lived the rest of his life like a member of Magnus' family.

In 872 the Kingdom of Styr was formed by Magnus the First, concluding the civil war.

Unified Kingdom of Styr

The Kingdom of Styr was formed in 872 CE by Magnus Knudson I (also known as Magnus One-Eye or Magnus the Great). The Kingdom of Styr existed until the 1800s, and the monarchy continues to today.

During this period Old Styric evolved into Middle Styric, coopting many things from early Christian influence, including the Classical Verdusan Alphabet, replacing the previous Styric runic script.

In 1631 the Halstaad Bond Exchange was founded by the Styric North Samson Company, providing a place to purchase Bonds from different guilds to own stakes in them.

In 1632 the Styric Fishing Guild was formed with the backing of the High King. The king purchased a majority share in the guild.

In 1664 High King Harold One-Tooth bought a significant number of bonds from the North Styric Logging Guild.

Dissolution of Styr and the Founding of Styrae

In 1821, following a rebellion over increasing liquor taxes, king Harold Ericson signed the Styraean constitution, creating the presidency and legislature of Styrae. Following the signing of the constitution, the nation was no longer known as the Kingdom of Styr, but as the Archduchy of Styrae.

The constitution neutered the powers of the monarch, regulating the monarchy to the duties of the judiciary. It gave the executive powers to the President of Styrae and lawmaking powers to the unicameral legislature, the Senate.

In 1866, the senate outlawed slavery, a long-standing Styraean tradition.

In 1872, Styrae outlawed whaling.

Antebellum Styrae

Antebellum Styrae, a period starting in 1910 and running until Styrae joined the World War, was a period of fast industrialization, urbanization, and militarization. In 1932 Styrae joined a military alliance with Drambenburg, seeing their two nations' goals as being quite similar. During this time, the state began investing heavily in the petroleum, fishing, and logging industries.

Post World-War History

Since the conclusion of the World War, where Styrae fought with Drambenburg, Styrae has remained reletively neutral on the international stage. Internally, many strides were made towards constructing an egalitarian society.

Geography

Climate

Due to the maritime influence on the nation's climate, Styrae's coastal region maintains a wet and mild climate throughout the year. Along the southern coast, the mainland experiences mild and snowy winters, temperate springs and summers, and vibrant and rainy autumns, with annual precipitation often exceeding 3,500mm. Among the archipelago, the climate is mild year-round, with temperatures hovering around 15 Celcius, thanks to warm tropical waters brought up by currents. The archipelago experiences an average yearly precipitation around 3,000mm. The northern coast is cooler, though not significantly, than the southern coast. The northernmost coastal region typically does not drop below freezing even in the coldest parts of winter. Annual precipitation along the northern coast typically falls around 700-1000mm. Inland Styrae is significantly colder than the coast, with summer temperatures in the south typically not exceeding 14 Celcius. In the north, the winter temperatures inland can often fall to -40 Celcius. Inland precipitation is consistent from north to south, averaging 500-1,000mm a year.

Biodiversity

Biomes

Styrae can be devided into three biomes: Alpine, Taiga, and Tundra.

Styrae's Alpine land makes up the majority of the southern part of the country. The average altitude of the country is 1,600 feet. The mountains of Styrae were formed by glaciers over thousands of years, creating the distinctive fjords.

Taiga in Styrae makes up the land between the southern mountains and the far-northern tundra, as well as a vast portion of the inland. Taiga also makes up the archipelago.

Tundra accounts for the northmost land. The most northern parts of Styrae consist of a platau of permafrost, with too short of a growing season for trees to grow.

Economy

The economy of Styrae consists primarily of fishing. The majority of the agricultural land in Styrae is uncultivated and is used for sheep, goats, and cattle.