Stedoria

Stedorian People's Republic Pöparepüblik Stedoriänik (Stedorian) Èpüblik Pöplèr Stedòrik (Paysan) Stedorianische Volksrepublik (Dolch)
Flag Emblem
Motto: "Binos gität obsik me tikäl" "It is our right by reason"
Anthem: Repüblikahüm "Republican Hymn" Marches: Hüm Proklamata Repüblika "Hymn of the Proclamation of the Republic" Hüm Lestäna Netik Stedoriäna "Hymn of the National Standard of Stedoria "
Capital and	Kapojvar
Official languages	Stedorian, Paysan
Recognised minority languages	Dolch, Gadutean Low Dolch, Paysan-Dolch,
Ethnic groups	77% Stedorians 12% Paysans 4% Dolch 2% Hiserans 5% Others
Religion	Tikälim (official)
Demonym(s)	Stedorian
Government	Federal revolutionary dominant-party assembly-independent republic under an anocracy
• Chief Consul	Tamäj Köseg
• Second Consul	Djjuràd-Françwa Delvau
• Chief Tribunal President	Tilmen Kasedadüf
Legislature	National Assembly of Popular Power
Establishment
• Establishment of the Kelvön Dynasty	1568
• First republic established	August 19, 1793
• Kelvön Dynasty re-established	November 14, 1818
• Military junta established	October 3, 1971
• Monarchy re-established	March 13, 1986
• Monarchy overthrown	December 13, 2009
• People's Republic established	August 5, 2010
Area
•	296,300 km2 (114,400 sq mi)
Population
• 2023 estimate	19,007,958
• 2021 census	18,727,052
• Density	38.23/km2 (99.0/sq mi)
GDP (nominal)	2023 estimate
• Total	$269.66 billion
• Per capita	$14,399
Gini (2020)	28.8 low
HDI	0.608 medium
Currency	Stedorian mark (Ḿ) (STM)
Time zone	UTC+0 (UTC)
Date format	dd.mm.yyyy CE
Driving side	right
Calling code	+772
Internet TLD	.sd
^a The status of Tikälim as a religion is disputed; the Stedorian government states that Tikälim is a philosophy rather than a religion, whilst some religious scholars claim it to be a de facto religion.

Stedoria, officially the Stedorian People's Republic (Stedorian: Pöparepüblik Stedoriänik), (Paysan: Èpüblik Pöplèr Stedòrik), (Dolch: Stedorianische Volksrepublik), is country located in southeastern Argis. Its neighbours are Thransaltz and Hisera to the north, Velaheria and Delamaria to the east, Dolchland to the south, and Walneria and Sawbrania to the west. Stedoria is divided into 6 states, and 1 autonomous republic, all of which have their own governing bodies. The population of 18.7 million Stedorians are largely of the Dolch Stedorian ethnic group, with a sizeable amount of the population belonging to the Paysan ethnic group.

Early history

Middle history

Stedoria, following a second turbulent revolution that led to the deposition of the monarchy and the establishment of a republic, has led to significant economic turmoil, though in recent years the Stedorian economy has slowly started to recover. Stedoria is a federal revolutionary dominant-party assembly-independent republic, with its government divided into three separate branches of government and a unicameral legislature. Officially a republic since the Second Stedorian Revolution in 2009 toppled the monarchy, monarchist rebels claiming to be Stedoria's legitimate government are still fighting government forces in certain provinces of the country in the Internal conflict in Stedoria. Thousands of people, both military and civilian, have been killed or wounded in the conflict; international observers have implicated both sides in a number of war crimes, particularly extrajudicial killings and summary executions, which both sides deny. Both the Stedorian government and the the monarchist Royal Stedorian Front of Monarchist Resistance have explicitly rejected any sort of ceasefire or peace negotiations; many experts see it highly likely that the conflict has no near end in sight.

Following the revolution, significant democratic reforms were impletemented by the country's transitional administration. The new republic's first elections were held in 2010, with the newly-formed National Party of the Stedorian Revolution, a party aligned with the Dolchic Socialist Gemotam Party, achieving victory; the elections were deemed by international observers as free, fair, and democratic. Since the country's first free and fair elections however, the country has experienced significant and severe democratic backsliding. Although elections are still held, many international experts believe them to be unfair and undemocratic. Many political experts claim Stedoria to be a hybrid regime, with the nation's political institutions heavily dominated by the National Party of the Stedorian Revolution and its international affiliate, the Dolchic Socialist Gemotam Party.

History

Prehistory

(WIP; Describe the first people. Where did they come from? How did live? What did they eat and do? Which remains were found?)

Early History

(WIP. History begins with the first written records. What's in those records? Who is mentioned? Did the country have a different name at that time?)

Kaotatimät

(WIP. Time of Chaos, circa 700, when Stedorian principality broke up.)

Kofedatimät

(WIP. Confederacy period, circa 1130 CE, when Stedoria was organised into a loose confederacy. Who were the rulers? How did they come to power?)

Rise of the Kelvön Dynasty

(WIP. Establishment of the Kelvön Dynasty in 1568.)

Failed Colony and Isolationism

(WIP. Who was the coloniser? Why did they invade? Why did this invasion fail? Why was this followed by a period of isolationism?)

First Revolution

Main article: First Stedorian Revolution

(WIP. First republic established on 19 August 1793. How did the country go from isolationism to revolution? Who were the revolutionaries? Who/what caused them to revolt?)

After around thirty years of controlling the Stedorian colony on Kidney Island, the Stedorian government was virtually bankrupt, having spent significant portions of the country's income on maintaining, protecting, and supplying the colony. Facing financial crises owing to this shortage of funds, King Sigusmund V was advised to summon the Loyal Council of the Realm in order to levy a tax on the aristocracy, who, at this point in time, did not pay taxes. Sigusmund V insisted on maintaining the colony, believing the economic downturn caused by the colony to be only temporary. Sigusmund V summoned Loyal Council on February 24th, 1792 to be elected. Three months later, the elected representatives of the three societies convened at the royal palace in Lelöp. The Loyal Council was made up of three groups: the First Society, consisting of the clergy; the Second Society, consisting of the Stedorian aristocracy, the Third Society, made up of merchants, and the Fourth Society, made up of commoners.

Although the First and Second Society's fervently opposed the imposition of taxation on themselves, the Council attempted to vote to introduce taxes on the nobility regardless, who had for centuries, not paid any taxes; a resolution put forth by the Fourth Society. Due to the First Society and Second Society's high proportion of assemblymen compared to the Third Society and Fourth Society, the latter two societies voting for the resolution, the resolution on adopting taxes on the nobility failed, despite the First and Second Society only making up approximately 4% of the population. Riots immediately broke out within Kapojvar following the resolution's failure on March 1st. On March 9th, Sigusmund, fearful of a peasant rebellion, instructed royal tax collectors to ignore the resolution's vote results and collect taxes from the nobility regardless, also instructing the military to assist in the collection of taxes.

Stedorian nobles, with heavy support with Dolch mercenaries, mobilised and led a short rebellion against Sigusmund, where the king and his army were decisively defeated in the Battle Among the Barns on March 27th. Although the footsoldiers of Sigusmund's army benefitted from high morale, they were practically leaderless as much of the nobility-derived officer corps deserted and switched sides en masse. Primarily due to mass desertions among the noble-derived officer corps. Sigusmund was quickly captured following the battle and exiled to Lesser Vethringen, along with his family. The nobles then formed a small ruling council known today in Stedoria as the Lugrup (lit. cabal). On April 3rd, the Lugrup publicly announced Sigusmund's abdication and the formation of the Stedorian republic, with Dolch-descended Stedorian noble Andreas Endinger being appointed to the role of Protector, the de facto head of state of the newly-formed republic.

The new noble-dominated republican oligarchy quickly dissolved the Loyal Council, and ruled without consultation from commoners or merchants, and instituted tax increases on commoners and merchants in order to pay the country's debts and fund mercenaries, which the Lugrup increasingly relied on due to mass desertions among the common soldiery. These taxes, however, resulted in further resentment against the nobility; taxes against merchants strangled business' growth, while taxes against commoners made basic living necessities nearly unaffordable. Due to the new republic's increasing reliance on mercenaries for policing and defence duties, this period of the First Stedorian Republic came to be known as the Loatäbatat (lit. hireling state). The near constant presence of mercenaries had also become increasingly unpopular with the Stedorian population, with fights between the citizenry and mercenaries becoming more common.

On April 30th, Kapojvar lawyer Hänjen Jildknekt, along with his friend, philosophy student and amateur journalist Natan Sizen, secretly formed the Club of Friends, a secret organisation with the ultimate goal of overthrowing the noble dominated republic, and establishing a democratic republic. This club later came to be known as the Rodanef, known in English as the Rodanites, coming from the Stedorian word Rodan (lit. member of an order/club). While initially remaining minor and generally unknown, it quickly rose to prominence on May 16th, when it led a riot in Kapojvar's town square, resulting in a massacre of the rioters at the hands of the Lugrup mercenaries. Rumours quickly spread throughout Kapojvar that unarmed non-rioting civilians had been massacred, before being spread virtually all across Stedorian by the end of May. Historians debate as to if the Rodanites were aware that leading a riot would lead to a massacre and eventually public outcry; Stedorian historians typically disagree with this notion, whilst foreign historians argue that such was the case.

Following the outbreak of riots throughout the country as rumours of the massacre spread, the Rodanites met in a Kapojvar warehouse and declared themselves the legitimate representatives of the people of Stedoria, declaring themselves the Popular Assembly, with Jildknekt as its leader. The meeting was quickly broken up by Lugrup mercenaries, resulting in further violence. The Rodanites' fame from the massacre, along with their declaration as the legitimate Stedorian government, quickly earned them recognition and sympathy from the dissatisfied population. By mid-June, many citizens had taken up arms at the urging of the Rodanites, beginning the Rodanite rebellion. Tax collection would become virtually impossible by the Lugrup to fund their mercenaries and pay Stedoria's debts. As a result, Lugrup mercenaries deserted en masse, leading to a quick end of the conflict, with Rodanite forces surrounding the nobles at the palace in Lelöp on July 11th. The following day, the palace was stormed, and much of the leaders of the Lugrup were killed or captured. Endinger was capture by Rodanite forces and quickly imprisoned. The Rodanites organised elections for the Popular Assembly to take place over the course of a month, along with a trial of the remaining Lugrup members.

Re-establishment of the Monarchy

(WIP. Kelvön Dynasty re-established on 14 November 1801. Which monarch returned? How did they get enough support to return? Who were the losers in this struggle for power?)

Stedorian-Walnerian War

Main article: Stedorian-Walnerian War

(WIP. Casus belli? When did this war take place and how long did it last? Who won and why?)

Consolidation of Monarchical Power

The Stedorian Kingdom's defeat in the Stedorian-Walnerian War caused massive upheaval within the Kingdom, both socially and politically; the monarchy's prestige, along the then ruling Stedorian Radical Union government's prestige, were severely damaged as a result of the war's large casualties and no gains. The nation's economy was severely damaged due to the large amount of military spending that was made during the war, which was planned to be repaid by Walneria in the draft of the peace treaty made by the Stedorian military's high command. King Yohan IV was forcibly abdicated on 20 March 1940, six days after the war, by generals of the Royal Stedorian Army, who threatened to carry out a coup d'état and abolish the monarchy should Yohan IV attempt to resist their demands. Understanding the futility of resistance, and viewing his abdication as a chance to repair the monarchy's damaged popularity, Yohan IV abdicated without any violence, and was succeeded by his son, Telvan X, who, due to his service in combat in the war, had both the support of much of the military and general population due to his perceived view of being a war hero.

1940 Stedorian general election results.

  Fatherland Front (58%)

  Progress Party (27%)

  Other (15%)

Upon assuming the throne, Telvan X immediately dissolved the Stedorian Radical Union government and the parliament, calling for fresh elections to take place on 21 July 1940. The Radical Union was dissolved and its leader and Stedoria's prime minister during the war, Ignaz Bayer, removed from the party. Former members of the Radical Union formed the Fatherland Front with smaller right-wing parties, and Stedoria's charismatic agricultural minister during the war, Leopold Stez was elected to be the Fatherland Front's leader. Throughout the campaigning, the Fatherland Front's paramilitary force, the Tatakanef, made up of veterans from the recent war, were responsible for the harassment and attacking of political opponents, namely the centre-left Progress Party, who in response created their own paramilitary, the Jelafed. Campaigning was marked by political violence and attacks. Shortly prior to the elections, the newly-crowned Telvan X expressed his support for the Fatherland Front, resulting in a large boost of support for the party. The Fatherland Front also played on fears of communism, accusing the Progress Party of being fraught with communists, resulting in many being scared away from supporting the latter. In the 1940 Stedorian general election, the Fatherland Front won a decisive victory at the polls. They garnered around 58% of the vote, with the Progress Party in second place, receiving only 27% of the votes. Other smaller parties won the rest of the vote share. Leopold Stez was officially sworn in as prime minister the day after the election, and the Fatherland Front officially became Stedoria's governing party. It is disputed as to if the elections were fraudulent or not, with fierce scholarly debate both supporting and opposing the idea still happening into modern times.

After taking office, Stez, along with his party, which still had Telvan X's support, quickly seized methods in which to increase their power. On 4 September 1940, a large bomb of dynamite was detonated during a session of parliament, killing 12 sitting members of parliament, of whom the majority were members of parties in opposition to the Fatherland Front. Intense debate still circulates to this day as to if the bombing was conducted by the Fatherland Front; the perpetrators were never caught, nor was a motive ever established; the Fatherland Front blamed and maintained that it was communist agitators responsible for the bombing. The day after, during an emergency convening of parliament, a state of emergency was declared by Stez's government; civil liberties were restricted and the government's power was greatly increased. A week later, by an emergency decree by Stez, granted to him due to the state of emergency, all centre-left and left-wing parties were banned for alleged “national security interests.” Months later, on the 28 December 1940, a new constitution was passed by parliament, granting the government authoritarian powers and re-organising the economy on corporatist lines. All political parties that were not banned were forcibly merged into the Fatherland Front, and Stedoria became a one-party state.

Stez ensured the creation of a police state, acting both in his own interests and that of Telvan X's. Tens of thousands of political dissidents were arrested, executed, or sent to labour camps for having alleged communist ties; these ties were often fabricated by authorities in order to get rid of Stez and Telvan X's political opponents. The Paysan minority were heavily suppressed, and the Stedorian government made many attempts at diminishing the Paysan language and culture in order to create a homogenous Stedorian society. Stez's government also took a hostile approach to labour unions and workers' rights; by 1942, the country's economy had exceeded pre-war levels, and national gross domestic product was up significantly. This came at the cost of quality of work, however; working conditions within Stedoria were seen as some of the poorest in Argis, offering some of the least protections, especially to industrial workers.

After Stez's assassination in 1957, his successor, Franz Egner, continued to maintain the policies of Stez; his rule was short-lived, however, as Egner died in 1961, with little significant progress being achieved during his rule. Egner's successor, Burkhart Strasburgär, was elected as prime minister with the backing of Telvan X in 1961. Strasburgär was a fervent monarchist, and he was widely viewed as a yes-man to the king. By this time, the Telvan X had virtually become the de facto ruler of the country, frequently passing legislation and laws without parliament's approval, instead using royal decree, becoming a de facto absolute monarchy again; the parliament's role became merely an advisory chamber; though it still maintained its official legislative powers, it rarely used them. Elections were still held however with small opposition parties, though turnout was low and results continued to be fraudulent.

Military Coup and Junta

Main article: Revolutionary Government of the Armed Forces of Stedoria

Main article: 1971 Stedorian coup d'état

October 4 1971, Läkhart Viktor Drejlär announcing the establishment of the Revolutionary Government of the Armed Forces on Stedorian national television the day after the successful military coup.

A propaganda poster from the Revolutionary Government of the Armed Forces. The phoenix rising from the flames was used as a symbol signifying national rebirth.

Prior to the outbreak of the Second Argic War, the Stedorian government had embarked on an ambitious plan of military modernisation in response to the threats of communism from both Sawbrania and from Velaheria, both of which had repeatedly threatened war against Stedoria. The Stedorian government purchased significant amounts of foreign military equipment, with Stedoria's domestic military industry being responsible only for the production of various types of firearms. At the same time of this plan of modernising the military, the government had also embarked on a plan of modernising Stedoria's economy, particularly industry, specifically further expanding Stedoria's silver industry, which had already been responsible for much of Stedoria's wealth that had allowed for the modernisation both industry and the military. Unaware of the incoming Second Argic War, the Stedorian government neglected to save any money for the purpose of a contingency fund, believing that further economic investment and expansion in the silver industry would prevent the need for this, and would instead allow more opportunities for the Stedorian government to take advantage of high silver prices. Gross domestic product growth during this time reached unprecedented levels, and Stedoria was considered to have on of Argis's highest standards of living during this period.

The outbreak of the Second Argic War led to an sudden and sharp crash in the regional and international prices of silver, practically wiping out the main source of both income for the Stedorian government and employment for much of the country's industrial population, sending Stedoria quickly into an economic crisis. The Stedorian government's lack of a contigency fund exacerbated this economic crisis, as the Stedorian government had no way to both alleveate their debt or to enact any measures of economic relief for the Stedorian population. By the time the Royal Stedorian Armed Forces had been mobilised in order to take direct action in the Argic War, Stedoria's crashing economy was in a state of severe depression. The Stedorian government's overinvestment in the silver industry resulted in the government's inability to utilise sufficient factories to maintain the required supply, leading to logistical shortages for many Stedorian soldiers. The lack of funds for the Stedorian government also prevented the expansion of what little military industry existed in Stedoria, preventing the problem of military supply shortages from being alleviated internally, making Stedoria heavily reliant on its allies during this period.

By mid-1971, the Stedorian economy had essentially collapsed, with the Stedorian government facing issues in managing to pay soldiers in its army, leading to a severe deterioration in morale. Morale in the Stedorian Army had already been dubious at best owing to the chronic logistical shortages faced since shortly after the beginning of the war. Rumours of a coup plot had been discussed among Stedorian government ministers and the King himself, but the latter dismissed the rumours, claiming that they were the work of fifth columnists and enemy saboteurs. The King's dismissal of these rumours would prove a severe error. Shortly after midnight on October 3rd, 1971, an armoured contigent of the Royal Stedorian Army under the command of Brigader General Läkhart Viktor Drejlär made their way to the King's palace in the outskirts of Kapojvar. The coupists were able to succesfully convince the palace's Royal Guard to stand down without a fight. The King was then quickly detained, deposed, stripped of his awards and citizenship, and taken to Kapojvar's port where he was forced onto an outbound ship to Dolchland.

The following morning, Drejlär then announced to the public that the King had been deposed in order to "save the nation", declaring the creation of the Free and Independent State of Stedoria under the leadership of the Revolutionary Government of the Armed Forces of Stedoria. The new junta quickly sued for peace in the Argic War, and in the ensuing Treaty of Tenby was forced to give up the island of Gadutea, which was established as an independent nation. Plans were quickly made to rebuild damaged infrastructure, revitalise businesses, and reduce unemployment. Elections for a constituent assembly were held the following year in February, in which the Gemotamist and military-backed party, the Popular Movement of the National Syndicalist and Socialist Resurrection (MPLN&S), won decisively; scholars are quick to note, however, that these elections were neither free or fair. A new constituion was drafted, establishing the MPLN&S as the sole guiding movement of Stedoria, subordinating other political parties; additionally, sweeping powers were given to the Stedorian Army, turning the country into a military junta.

Civil War

Main article: Stedorian Civil War

(WIP. Who, what, when, where, why?)

Second Revolution

(WIP. Republic established on 13 December 2009.)

Recent History

(WIP. 20-21st centuries. Effects of globalisation.)

Geography

Stedoria is located in southeastern Argis. Its neighbours are Velaheria and Delamaria to the east, Dolchland to the south, and Walneria to the west. Stedoria is divided into 6 states, and 1 autonomous republic, all of which have their own governing bodies.

Politics

Government

The Stedorian People's Republic is a parliamentary republic with an executive presidency that is currently governed by Chief Consul Tamäj Köseg of the National Party of the Stedorian Revolution. The Stedorian People's Republic is divided into three branches of government: the executive, judicial and legislative. The executive branch of Stedoria consists of the Chief Consul of Stedoria, the Second Consul, and the Chief Consul's cabinet. The Chief Consul and Second Consul are indirectly elected by the Stedorian people. During parliamentary elections, parties nominate a potential Chief and Second Consul, typically a party's leader and vice-leader. After an election, a vote is held within the legislature to elect a Chief Consul by means of a majority. If a party obtains a majority during an election, then typically the Chief Consul is elected solely by the majority party. If no party achieves a majority, then the legislature receives two weeks to form a coalition of parties. Should two weeks pass with nobody being elected, or if two votes for Chief Consul within the legislature fail, then a new election is automatically held. The cabinet cannot be dissolved by the legislature, with only the Chief Consul and Second Consul holding this power.

The judicial branch is WIP

The legislative branch consists of the National Assembly of Popular Power, Stedoria's legislature. The head of the legislative branch is the speaker of the National Assembly. Each member of the National Assembly is elected in a riding that hypothetically represents an even amount of population per each member of parliament. The National Assembly's seats are directly elected, with elections taking place every four years.

Political Divisions

The Stedorian People's Republic is a federal republic; it is divided into nine devolved republics, one autnonomous republic, and one free city. All of these have the right to elect and form their own legislatures in their territory, and are given control over certain aspects of their respective territory and government, such as education and healthcare.

Flag	Name	Capital	Republic President	Population
	Gitreg	[[]]	[[]]	WIP
	Gräniz	[[]]	[[]]	WIP
	Haptbärg	[[]]	[[]]	WIP
	Kapojvar	Kapojvar	[[]]	WIP
	Länin	[[]]	[[]]	WIP
[[File:|150px]]	Nolkad	[[]]	[[]]	WIP
	Nurad	[[]]	[[]]	WIP
	Paysania	[[]]	[[]]	WIP
[[File:|150px]]	Salnol	[[]]	[[]]	WIP
[[File:|150px]]	Valdut	[[]]	[[]]	WIP
	Yenülän	[[]]	[[]]	WIP

Economy

The second turbulent revolution led to significant economic turmoil, though in recent years the Stedorian economy has slowly started to recover. The national currency is the Stedorian Könäd (KND). The GDP per capita stands at $14,103.

Demographics

The population of Stedoria is approximately 19 million. Of this number, ethnic Stedorians make up an overwhelming majority of the population at approximately 79 to 80% of the country's population. Stedorians originate from an intermixing between migrants from Dolchland in the 6th century and a native population isolate known as the Rafins. These migrants partially assimilated, such as by adopting their language which is still spoken today as modern Stedorian. Many other cultural aspects, however, were integrated into the Rafin people by the Dolch. Little is known by historians about the pre-Dolch Rafin people as they had no written records, and the Stedorian language would not see its first written forms until centuries later.

The country's second largest group are the Paysan people, making up approximately 12% of the population. The Paysans are highly concentrated in the mountainous north-east of the country. The Paysans originate from Lysian settlers that travelled inwards in the mid to late 18th century, where they were granted their own land within Stedoria to settle by the Stedorian king at the time, NAME. The Paysans would declare the independent Paysan Republic in 1852, and would be annexed back into Stedoria in 1871. The cultural contact with Stedorians and isolation from Lysians allowed them to develop their own, distinct culture.

The country's third largest group are Dolch people living in Stedoria, making up 4% of the population. They are overwhelmingly Paysan-Dolch, settlers from Dolchland invited into Paysania at the same time period as the Paysan migration into Stedoria. Like the Paysans, the live primarily in the north-east of the country. They speak a distinct dialect of Dolch, and have their own cultural customs seperate from the mainland Dolch.

Language

The primary language of Stedoria is Stedorian, which is spoken by approximately 90% of the country's population. It is taught in schools as a subject, and as a foreign language class in Paysan-speaking regions of Stedoria. The language derives from the Rafin people's language, with significant influences in vocabulary from Dolch and Lysian. Stedorian is one of the official languages of Stedoria.

The secondary language, Paysan, is a creole/descendant from Lysian, with Stedorian influences. It is partially intelligible to speakers of Lysian, although it contains some grammar and vocabulary aspects from Stedorian. It is recognised as one of Stedoria's official languages.

The third most common language is the Dolch, which is divided into two categories. Most ethnic Stedorians know the Dolch languages due to the country's pan-Dolchic stance, Dolch media and entertainment, instruction in school, and the country's history. Dolch is an recognised cultural language of Stedoria, though the country's constitution is unclear on what this means. The second category of Dolch is the dialect spoken by the Paysan-Dolch, which has influences of Lysian due to close contact. The language is only recently standardised, however, most Paysan-Dolch speak it, and can also speak standard Dolch and Stedorian.