Winst

The Revolutionary Republic of Winst République Plutocratique Guinot
Flag Great Seal
Motto: Noblesse Oblige Aux Gens Nobility Requires the Masses
Official map of Winst Official map of Winst
Capital	Silvus
Recognised national languages	Soliçais
Recognised regional languages	Lorian
Ethnic groups	No Data
Demonym(s)	Wintonian,Guinot, Gostian
Government	Unitary Parliamentary Republic
• Populos	Michelle Tourne, LD
• Plutos	Marie Brisbois, BBF
• Chief Arbiter	Anne Quilby
Legislature	National Assembly
• Upper house	Noble Assembly
• Lower house	Populist Assembly
Establishment
• Declaration of the Republic	August 12, 1827
• The Noble Constitution	August 12, 1855
• Great Restructuring Act	March 20, 1928
Area
•	344,078.98 km2 (132,849.64 sq mi)
Population
• 2015 census	35,328,400
Currency	The National Hold of Wealth (The Hold) (TEN)
Time zone	UTC-4 (CST)
Date format	ddmmyyyy
Driving side	right
Calling code	+14
ISO 3166 code	WN
Internet TLD	.Win
^ No official Data is collected on ethnicity in Winst

The Plutocratic Republic of Winst (Soliçais: République Plutocratique Guinot) commonly referred to as Winst(Soliçais:Guinst) is a Gostic Nation and a Sovereign State whose territories consists of Metropolitan Winst in Western Lira, as well as the Dominion of Northern Meridiq. Metropolitan Winst is located on Relias Bay and is bordered by Mèronie, Arideo, Lunderfrau, and Ecelea and by Tamazgha, Kaitaine, and Ras Al Khaymah in Northern Meridiq. The metropolitan area is small and densely populated with roughly 81% of the nation's population living in 26% of the country's land mass. Winst has an estimated population of 35,328,400 as of the 2015 Census. Winst is a unitary parliamentary republic with its capital in Silvus, the country's largest city and main cultural and commercial hub. Other major urban centers include Portland (Winst), Kent, Valais, Balton, and Iré

Winst is a former imperial country with a history of colonization. Winst continues to hold the Dominion of North Meridiq despite international pressure and protests in the territory, due to its uranium deposits and oil. Winst has been heavily criticized for its treatment of the native population of the territory. Winst is a post-modern nation with strong ties to International Finance, Aerospace technologies, and Nuclear Power Research.

Etymology

The demonym Wintonian originates from the medieval kingdoms of Vinch and Asther. The kingdoms were both absorbed into the Lunderfrausian Empire in the late 15th century. The area was combined in the 1815 following the Continental War into the Grand Duchy of Winchester. After independence from Lunderfrau, La Republique de Vinchester (Lorian:The Republic of Winchester) with its citizens known as Vintonians (Wintonians).

The etymology of Guinst (Winst) comes from a group of Recantist adherents called the Paguinots. the Soliçization of the Lunder term Pagenossen meaning Page Followers due to their focus on vernacular translations of the Dayis. In the 16th century, the Paguinots emerged out of the split with the Imperial Theoin Church in the Duchies of Winch and Ester. Brutally repressed by the Imperial Army, the people became the inspiration for Vincent Remot's Les Paguinots and eventually his calls for a nation for the Guinot people, called Guinst. After the passing of the Noble Constitution in 1855, the country officially changed its name to Guinst.

History

Main articles: History of Winst and Timeline of Winst

Gostic Migrations 200-458

The Gostic people are thought to have originated in Eastern Lira. A nomadic people raising animals in the flat plains, they are thought to have been a martial society. Evidence suggest a major climatic shift occured starting in the mid 200s as disturbances in the Inoran Ocean Currents caused a cooling of the environment known as the Hundred Year Famine. The cooling heavily disrupted migratory patterns in the region bring different migratory groups into conflict. The Gostic people either abandoned or were driven out of their ancestral lands and headed west.

The Gostic people encountered the Kingdom of Taber in 317. After several devestating raids into Taber territory, the Kingdom began paying tribute to the Gostic peoples. By 350 the first Gostic troops were recorded in the Royal Army. Gostic fighter soon began to settle in the kingdom as well as it's rival the Othurian Empire as booty from war and land grants from both the Taber and Orthurians accumulated.

Following a major conflict between Taber and Orthuria, several Gostic Generals began asserting greater control. By 400 both Taber and Orthuria were under massive strain from Gostic encroachment as well as internal revolts. The Kingdom of Taber collapsed in 454 when General Ralx raised his army in revolt and marched on the capital razing the city and capturing the royal family. Ralx beheaded King Niomia III and his family but took his daughter Vanta as his wife declaring himself King Ralx I. His subsiquent murder by Vanta on their wedding night in 458 followed by her own suicide left the throne shattered.

Almer the Great 465-511

Following the death of Ralx I a brutal civil war ensued with several generals fighting for control of the Kingdom of Taber. On the edge of the Northern Edge of the Kingdom the Gostic people were successfully unified under Almer the Great. Signing a treaty of nonaggression with the Northern Lunders Almer declared himself King of the Gostic People and marched south conquering a significant portion of the Kingdom of Taber as well as territory in the Orthurian Kingdom by 473.

Almer began a process of cultural integration with the Taber and Orthurian people, while promoting Gostization of the ruling elite. Greater unity was achieved between the disperate peoples following successful inroads made by Verro Missionaries. In 491 King Almer converted the Kingdom to Verro Orthodoxy. After Almer the Great's death in 511 his territory was split between his 9 children. Almer, Sol, Asther, Vink, Marz, Tak, Denti, Beoina, Verra.

The Kingdoms of Vink & Asther 511-1477

From the dissolution of Almer's Gostic Kingdom the history of Winst seperated from the rest of its Gostic brethren. Of the 9 Kingdoms Winst traces it's origin to the Kingdoms of Vink and Asther. Both Kingdoms were named after their respective progenitor King Vink and Queen Asther. The two Kingdoms were divided by the Silvil river.Both Kingdoms saw an entrenchment of Verroism, the spread of Gostic traditions and the Soliçian language.

A system of Quasi-Feudal familial obligations were put into place under the Damien and Sensa Codes in Asther and soon spread to neighboring Vink. The system allowed families greater autonomy in return for greater social control and obligation. Within the peasantry it prevented land estates from being divided into smaller and smaller plots of land as had been seen before the instiution of the system. Nobles were placed in charge of families but not their land.

The Kingdoms fought in a series of wars over domination of the lowlands and the Silvil river and it's profitable port city of Portland. As well as several wars against other neighboring petty kingdoms. By the early 1000s the Kingdoms had become important trade centers on Relias Bay. Following the successful Norian Expeditions merchants in both nations became highly interested in trade with the far west as well as with the Beo heartland of Meridiq. Although the first successful expedition west to Nori would not come until 1200.

In the 1300s both Kingdoms suffered from the Merchant Plague (also known as the Norian Plague) leading to massive damage to the two Kingdoms populations. Blamed on the Merchant class, traders suffered heavy oppression during this time leading to a collapse of trade.

The Lunder Conquests 1430-1477

Starting in the 15th century, both Kingdoms came under increased pressure by the newly formed Empire of Lunder. Several wars in the 1430s and 1450s left both Kingdoms with territorial losses. Both Kingdoms suffered heavily from another wave of the Merchant Plague in the 1460s weakening the Kingdoms further. King Vink VIII hoping to take advantage of the Kingdom of Asther's weakness launched a surprise attack in 1474. Jean III, the King of Asther, caught off guard met the Vinkian forces in battle and was slain. Ariel I and Last, King Jean III's heir, fled to Lunder swearing fealty to the Empress asking to be reinstated in return. The Empire acted quickly launching an invaison of Vink while it's king was still in Asther. King Vink VIII attempted to draw the Lunder army into battle but was unable to goad the Army. At the battle of Vesil in 1476, Vink VIII attempted to lead his army across the Vesil River to flank the Lunder encampment only to drown on his crossing. The resulting power struggle left the army in disarray giving the Lunder army time to regroup and rout the army. The conquest completed, Vink VIII daughter Marie became the first Duchess of Winch while Ariel I and Last was allowed to keep the title of King until her passing in 1492 when it was formally inherited and abolished by the Empress who established the Duchy of Ester.

Duchies Winch and Ester 1477-1811

Following the Luder Conquests a period of Lunderization was attempted and met with stuff resistance. Both Gostic Duchies were able to leverage their position on the Relias to gain a significant amount of autonomy in the Empire. Intermarriages with other Lunder Nobility led to a hybridization of Gostic and Lunder cultures among the aristocracy as well as some intermixing in the peasantry in the far North and in major towns. Gostic traditions that had been stifled quickly reasserted themselves.

Under Lunder rule the Familial Structure developed in the Two Kingdoms Period underwent significant change as Lunder preference towards Women elevated their status within the family. By the 1500s all noble houses had switched, at least when dealing with the Empire, from Patriarchs to Matriarchs, and following the implementation of a tax, most Common families followed suit. While in Lunder this policy had mainly led to the oppression of men, in Gostic territories it led to a greater equalization of society. With the Matriarchy being the mouth piece of the family but also encouraging the Matriarch and Patriarch to work closer together.

Several attempts were made by the Empire to change Gostic succession laws away from it's existing Absolute Cognatic, towards Enatic, however they once again faced stiff resistance. A compromise was reached in the case of Male Noblility naming a female member of the family as Speaker of the Family for all Imperial Obligations in the Kaiserin's presence. The male if allowed to come at all was forced to stand quietly behind the Speaker only whispering to them or if possible simply passing notes. This rule led to many peculiar arrangements including one Sir Montpelier relying on his 5 year old niece to request imperial troops against a Merion incursion into his lands.

Religious Unrest 1560-1625

Large scale conversions of Vintonians (as the people of the southern two Duchies became known) to Ardalism took place in the Empire starting as earlier as the 1430s in the conquered lands. This imposition was taken fairly easily as it did not require to much change in daily worship. However with the translation of the Diash from Baatal into Soliçian and the subsiquent Martyrdom of Lucas quickly spread Recantism in Vintonian circles with the Vintonian Martyr Rose become it's most well known advocate.

In a letter she wrote to her sister she attributed the rise of Recantism in fact to the imposition of Ardalism exposing both it and Verroism as perversion of Beo's teaching by those who wished to use the faithful as puppets. With many modern scholars agreeing with the assessment.

The followers of Recantism earned the name Paguinot the Soliçian transliteration of Page Genossen or eventually Pagenossen meaning Page Followers referring to to the fact that the Recantist carried or owned translated copies of the Diash.

Several waves of harsh oppression were metted out on the Paguinot. Especially in the North closer to Imperial control. The attempts failed to uproot the faith. No less than ten seperate Paguinot revolts were forcibly put down by the Kaiserin between 1560 and 1620 with several flaring back up once the Kaiserin's forces were distracted. A temporary peace was established to hold a religious debate but it was called off at the last minute following the Massacre of Stonefer where Ardalite Soldiers clashed with Verro and Recantist Peasantry leading to a mass slaughter of several of the town's districts.

A final peace settlement emerged in 1620 during the Azlo-Eske War. The Edict of Salus allowed the practice of the faith in private but not in congregations of more than 10 people (as an allowance to families), in return for peace and to free up much needed soldiers in the war.

One final uprising occured in 1625 but it was put down by both the Duchess of Winch and the Duchess of Ester, as a sign of good faith to the Kaiserin. In general the Edict of Salus was ignored and with the majority of the population at this point adherents to Recantism further engagements would have lead to major destruction.

The Republic of Relias 1811-1818

Following the defeat of the Imperial Army in 1810 at Kingsbridge. Mèronie troops occupied the Duchy of Vinch. In 1811 they declared the creation of the Republic of Relias with the Meronian General Marc Sarzon being placed at the head of it.

Following a second campaign in 1815 the republic reached the height of its power taking the capital of the Duchy of Ester Valais and everything west of the Vesil River. Exposing Lunderfrau's Southern Duchies to invaison.

Following a renewed assualt by Imperial forces the Republic of Relias began to be pushed back. In a major upset General Marc Sarzon betrayed Meronie in return for enobled status in Vinch and joined with the Imperial troops to march on Mèronie.

The Grand Dutchy of Winchester 1815-1827

Following the success of Marc Sarzon in capturing large amounts of Vinch and Ester territory, and the beheading of Duchess Elizabeth of Vinch. Duchess Marseille of Ester petitioned the Empress to grant nominal sovereignty to the Duchies and allow her to marry Elizabeth's son thus creating the Grand Dutchy of Vinchester. The subsiquent successes in 1815 and the lack of major revolt convinced the the Kaiserin that the Vintonian were content with nominal self-rule and that to take that away would lead to more war.

The Edict of Vaudry gave the new Grand Duchy a far more significant amount of autonomy and self-rule with only foreign policy being dictated by the Kaiserin who remain the dejure head of state.

With this promise obtained Elizabeth successfully mounted a campaign to retake major Ester holdings and began secret talks with Marc Sarzon that would eventually lead to his defection and speed up the end of the war greatly while sparing Wintonian land from devastation.

However a massive amount of Wintonian conscripts died in the war as Lunder forces stopped advancing but ordered Wintonian forces to keep up the last assualts and some of the fiercist fighting of the war. Leaving a massive population of Veterans many injured either physically or psychologically in the war, and plunging Wintonian commerce into a recession.

The Portland Revolt 1822

The Portland revolt was a major revolt in the Grand Duchy of Winst. Started by the Portland Steel Company workers as a general strike, it quickly evolved into a full blown rebellion within the city. It was eventually brutally put down by the Lunder Imperial Army sparking much frustration in the nominally independent Grand Duchy. A notable survivor of the event was James Fitzpatrick who would go on to start the Guinot Revolution 5 years later.

The Plutocratic Republic of Winst 1928-Present

The Great Restructuring Act of 1928

By 1914 the hereditary noble houses had radically changed. With a limited gene pool and growing health issues, many Houses began adopting new members in. Since most Families had either property or business supporting them they choose people who had risen through the ranks of their companies establishing a precedent that would transform the Families away from their hereditary ties moving them towards more corporate ones. Following the Olympic War the large amount of nobles killed forced nearly all Noble Houses had begun to use this practice. With some Houses fully modernized into professional organizations dropping all former hereditary ties. This presented a problem as the House of Peers and upper Wintonian society had been based around the aristocratic families. The National Assembly passed The Great Restructuring Act of 1928 remodeling the upper house giving it more power and control in return for new checks and balances desired by the lower class after years of the Corporate Families abusing their workers. The modern Wintonian political system derives itself from this time period.

Since 1928 Winst has struck a careful balance between the two main factions within the country that has not been replicated elsewhere in the world. A slow devolution of power has taken place over time towards the more democratic lower house, and the original class structure has slowly faded as well as social mobility has increased.

Government & Politics

The political environment is Winst is categorized by competing demands of the people and the vestiges of the noble class, which make up the majority of corporate entities in Winst.

Wintonian Politcs fractures on two major lines, within the general population political parties are quite dynamic merging and dissolving fairly regularly. The large number of centrists are the key to victory in Winst, and have swung in a variety of directions. From 1995-2015 , the Conservative Alliance dominated the lower house, only to be ousted by the Reform Party in 2015. Due in part to the events in Parthonopia, and the announcement of the Utkin Doctrine in Velkanika, the Reform party was ousted from power and replaced by a more aggressive coalition of Students, Nationalists, and Radical dubbed the Jacobin Alliance.

The other major fracturing point is in the un-elected upper house. Reforms throughout the last century have weakened the influence and power of the Noble Families, leading to the creation of three factions. The Highborn Families trace their ancestry back to the Gostic Kingdoms, and the Lunder Empire. These groups are small and have strict inheritance and marriage laws, however, receive a Noble Stipend. The Second group are the Aristocratic Families, which use adoption far more frequently allowing the families to bring highly skilled people into their larger families. The last group are noble families that have completely dissolved into corporate interests where adoption is given to those who rise in the companies, although high levels of nepotism ensure a few dynasties control the houses.

Executive Branch

The Executive Branch is divided between two leaders the Populos and Plutos each serving in the functions of head of government and head of state respectively. The Populos acts a prime minister leading the Lower house in the National Assembly. By in large, the Populos has the greatest control over the government as an executive. The Plutos is elected by the upper house among its peers. The position is considered to have tremendous influence, however, has been stripped of its direct political power over time. When working together the executives have tremendous control. If not in agreement the other can prevent most actions the other takes. The necessity for cooperation influences the upper houses election of the Plutos significantly as it takes place after the lower houses elections.

Legislative Branch

The Legislative Branch is Bicameral in nature with certain rights and duties being given to either house. The Lower House known as the Populist Assembly is elected with no fixed elections for a maximum of 5 years. Representatives of the Populist Assembly can't work for any of the Noble Families or if they do must be a part of the Union. The Lower House is responsible for most governmental functions, especially the budget. The Republican traditions in the lower house prevent and distrust any incursions of the upper house in their politics. There is a total of 509 representatives with districts redrawn every 10 years following the census.

The Upper House, the Noble Assembly, takes on an advising role, approving important public appointments, ratifying treaties, and share the responsibilities of altering the constitution with the lower house. The Upper House consists entirely out of Hereditary Peers and Corporate Peers. There are no general elections although some companies run closed elections for their seat. There is a total of 154 seat in the upperhouse.

Judicial Branch

The Wintonian legal system is based on common law as a means to maintain the rule of law in the country. The High Court of the Realm serves as the Constitutional Court in Winst. The uses abstract review by this court makes it far more political in nature than many other court systems. Vacant seats must be filled by a judge nominated by both The Populos and Plutos as well as both chambers of Parliament. This has left the court in a rather neutral composition balancing between the two ideological centers. The High Court of the State serves as the highest Appeals court with vacancies filled by the Populos nomination and the Assembly of Peers approval.

Foreign Affairs

Wintonian foreign policy is dominated by its Antimonarchical stance. It opposes absolutist regimes exerting influence on nations and actively supports democracy abroad. Despite it's strong stance, Winst usually seeks peaceful relations with its neighbors.

Wintonian Foreign Policy with Non-Alligned, and Democratic nations focuses on greater market access.

Winst has relatively good relations with IRP members.

Winst is a founding member of RESP, and a member of OIM.

Military

The nation's military is quite advanced due to contributions from the major Corporate Families of Winst. As dictated by the Code of Peers all main house members must join the military with similar set ups in their branch families. This has led to most officer positions being filled by members of the Houses and the enlisted men being filled by members of the general public. The difference in training between the two can be quite extreme with noble officers having access to far superior education than most of their command. Some Noble Houses specialize in military, adopting only the extremely talented and form the equivalent of the Elite Forces in each branch. With 350,000 active duty personnel, and another 75,000 Serving in the reserves, the military's smaller size allows for a better quality military but lacks in manpower.

The highly specialized roles and structure of the Wintonian Army limits if not removes most strong military endeavors relying on expeditionary forces as its main international force instead.

Wintonian Military prowess is focused on the Air Force with it receiving the most funding and attention within the state. The Air Force Academy is one of the most competitive programs in the country and is known for its open admission program regardless of noble status.

Winst, once famous for its navy has seen itself lag behind in naval strength pursuing a modular designed navy with greater versatility at the expense of tonnage in the water. Winst currently does not have any Aircraft Carriers in its fleet.

Dominion of Northern Meridiq

The Dominion of Northern Meridiq is a contentious Wintonian international holding in Northern Meridiq. The government's official stance on the dominion is that it is the private property of the Brassington Family. It is protected by the Wintonian Government but it does not claim jurisdiction over the territory.

Internationally it is seen as a colonial holdover and its people have been described as a segregated and exploited. The territory's oil fields and Uranium mine make it a strategic asset to the Wintonian Government.

Geography

The terrain is mostly flat plains or gently rolling hills in the north and west and mountainous in the south and the east.

Winst has a moderate climate. The majority of the country is Oceanic while the coastline has a Mediterranean climate. This is due to the hotter summers along the coastline from the warmer tropical winds. Precipitation and Temperature are consistent year round, reaching neither extremes. Moderate snowfall is seen inland while the coast is relatively free of it.

The land is heavily forested although deforestation and agriculture in the past have left some areas quite sparse. The constant rainfall and good soil promote healthy growth. The southern coastline is home to more niche plant and animal life.

Economy

As a Post-Industrial Economy, Winst has a large service industry dominated by Financing, and IT localized around the capital and largest city, Silvus. Winst is also home to the world's largest film industry with the major studios located in and around Iré as well as the largest independent film movement with numerous studios in Beix. Winst is also well known for its Nuclear Technologies and Reactors and Aerospace products including Airplanes and Space Vehicles.

Wintonian Corporatism dominates the economy allowing for Monopolies that can undercut foreign companies prices and receive Government subsidies in return for fair wages and rights for their domestic workers.

Infrastructure

Transportation

Winst is a country that has pervasive public transportation as well as personal automotive transportation. The Courant System dominates the countries high-speed infrastructure interconnecting towns throughout the country and is currently in the process of adding advanced rail systems to the design. Within urban areas, light rail and bicycles prevalent, with many city centers banning the use of cars entirely.

The commercial airline industry is mostly deregulated and completely privately owned. 2 of the 5 largest airlines are based in Winst. The continued dominance is attributed to Winst early adoption of flight and the first-mover advantage. Portland-Silvus Airport is among the top 50 Busiest Airports in the world.

Energy

The dominant form of energy production in the Winst is Nuclear Power. Local mines, as well as mining rights in former colonies, have fueled the industry. Winst is a leader in nuclear research and the creation of Gen V Reactors. Renewable energy sources are second largest energy sector mostly focused on hydroelectric, wind and solar energy. Lastly imported Petroleum and Natural makeup about a quarter of the energy sector and is shrinking. Domestic Oil production is possible with reserves existing in the overseas territories, however, due to the small size they have been left relatively untouched and only tapped into during times of oil shortages internationally.