Palmaria-Stormwrath

Palmaro-Stormwrathian Realm Palmaro-Stormwrathian Monarchy Royaume de Palmaria et Tempêterra
Flag
Motto: "Nolite futuris timere, nolite praeteritis lacrimare" (Latin) "Fear not for the future, weep not for the past" (English)
Anthem: "Hymne de la Solidarité"
Capital and largest city	Vildemaree
Official languages	English, Palmarian
Recognised regional languages	Cliffordian, Nornmarker, Tracillian, Kiranan
Demonym(s)	Palmaro-Stormwrathian
Government	Federal parliamentary constitutional dual monarchy
• Archemperor	Percival
• Palmarian Prime Minister	Osmont Blaise (MNP)
• Stormwrathian Prime Minister (LDP)	Alexander Portier
Legislature	two national legislatures Palmarian Diet House of Lords House of Representatives Stormwrathian Parliament Senate House of Representatives
Establishment History
• Principality of Palmaria	916
• Duchy of Stormwrath	1017
• Kingdom of Palmaria	1144
• Kingdom of Stormwrath	1276
• Personal Union	1665
• Palmarian Empire	1732
• Vildemaree Compromise	1928
Area
• Total Area	2,110,937.33 km2 (815,037.46 sq mi)
Population
• 2019 estimate	163,854,200
• 2019 census	163,652,197
GDP (nominal)	2016 estimate
• Total	$6,151,496,303,500
• Per capita	$37,542.50
Gini (2017)	33 medium
HDI (2019)	0.931 very high
Currency	Ducat (Ð)
Time zone	UTC±0 (Palmaro-Stormwrathian Standard Time (PST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC+1 (Palmaro-Stormwrathian Daylight Time (PDT))
Date format	dd-mm-yyyy
Driving side	right
Calling code	+76
Internet TLD	.ps

Palmaria-Stormwrath is a constitutional union located in Helsa. It is officially called as the Lands Represented by the Palmarian and Stormwrathian Crowns, the Palmaro-Stormwrathian Realm, or the Palmaro-Stormwrathian Monarchy, while it's commonly referred to simply as Palmaria, the Realm, or the Dual Monarchy. It is bordered on land by Kirana to the southeast and by Nornsmark to the east, and it is bounded by water by the Rollo Sea to the north, the Palmarian Sea and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and the Sea of Valaran to the southeast. It also shares maritime borders with Linnea and Valaran to its southeast.

Palmaria-Stormwrath is comprised mainly of two nations within its borders: the Empire of Palmaria and the Kingdom of Stormwrath. They together have a total population of about 164 million people, making it one of the most populous nations in Helsa. Its de jure capital and the residence of the imperial family is the city of Vildemaree, located at the mouth of the Meandrine River on the border between Palmaria and Stormwrath. However, both nations assemble their legislative and judiciary bodies in their respective seats of government.

Palmaria-Stormwrath is a major economic and military power in Helsa and one of the most powerful nations in Alitheia. It is a developed country that boasts a robust service-based economy, decent social welfare programs, and a high standard of living.

Etymology

The name "Palmaria" was a Pyrrhic term that means "land of the Palmars". The first recorded use of the name Palmaria was from the Merignac Document of 1034. A common theory made by historians is that the name "Palmar" referred to the appearance of the tips of their pikes, which resembled human hands, though that is disputed.

"Stormwrath" was a diminutive of the name "Land of the Storm's Wrath", referring to the coastal plains west of the Olaria Mountains. The region was known for harsh storms that originated from the Atlantic Ocean.

History

Background

See also: History of Stormwrath, History of Palmaria, and History of Clifford

The Western Helsan lands that are now part of Palmaria-Stormwrath were first settled in ancient times by various Cheranian tribes, most prominently the Mirassans. In the 1st century CE, the Pyrrhic Empire began to settle the coasts of Palmaria and founded colonies, including the oldest city in the Realm, Marigna. By this time the concept of Mirassa emerged, which corresponded to the territory of Cheranian settlement between the Northern Sea, the Palmarian Plateau, the Olarian Mountains, and the Sea of Valaran.

The north of Mirassa was conquered by the Pyrrhics in 264 CE, and they called this new territory Iraelia (modern-day Irelle province). The remainder of Mirassa was eventually conquered over the next few decades, and it was divided into Pyrrhic provinces in 347 CE. Many cities were founded around this time, including Corcellia (present-day Courcelles), the capital of the Mirassans at the time. These new cities were built in the traditional Pyrrhic style, and the Mirassans assimilated with the Pyrrhic settlers and adopted Pyrrhic culture.

Pyrrhic Mirassa was constantly invaded by barbarians from the east in the 8th and 9th centuries. Germanian groups such as the Palmars, Siradians, and Grelavians came down from the Plateau and swept through the West Helsan Plain, driving the Pyrrhics out in 891. The barbarian tribes established several kingdoms in their newly conquered territories. In 915, the Palmars were the first to embrace Christianity, and the portions of Mirassa that they owned were renamed as Palmaria. Patrice of Arcons was named as first Prince of Palmaria in 916.

The Principality became a Kingdom in 1144 upon the signing of the Courcelles Document. Between the 11th and 16th centuries, Palmaria embarked on numerous campaigns to annex the kingdoms of the Palmarian Plateau, with limited success. Despite the vast amounts of territory they gained, the royal court struggled to consolidate their power due to defiant nobles who wielded more power than the state. The struggle between the king and the nobles culminated in the Oliverian Reforms of 1548, which greatly centralized power in the hands of Oliver I. He went on to conduct wars against his neighbors, establishing Palmaria as a major power in Helsa.

The lands south of the Meandrine River were divided into many petty kingdoms that fought for dominance in the West Helsan Plain. One of these kingdoms was the Duchy of the Land of the Storm's Wrath, which soon gained prominence over its neighbors over the course of decades. This Duchy soon became the Kingdom of Stormwrath in 1276. Richard of Olaria was crowned as king.

An alliance was sealed between Stormwrath and the newly-unified Valaran Isles through the marriage of Philip I and <insert Valaran heir here>. One of their descendants, William II, inherited the thrones of Stormwrath, Tracillia, and Valaran in 1412–creating the Vallencourt Empire. Despite his highest rank coming from Stormwrath, his court was held primarily in the Valaran city of Lauran. The Vallencourts remained in Lauran until William II's death, after which they were forced to retreat to Stormwrath at the onset of the <insert dynasty name here> Rebellion in 1448. From that point on, relations between Stormwrath and Valaran were tense, paving the way for future conflict.

In 1553, Stormwrath and Valaran fought in the Seven Wars, a century-long conflict that ravaged southern and eastern Stormwrath. Many contested territories were frequently swapped back and forth between the two sides, but Valaran holdings on the West Helsan Plain remained extensive for decades. However, thanks to charismatic leaders such as Gregory VII, as well as increasing Palmarian support for the Stormwrathian monarchy, Stormwrath was able to launch major counterattacks that reclaimed all of their territories on the West Helsan Plain except for Kirana, which firmly remained in Valaran hands.

During the Renaissance that swept through Helsa, both kingdoms experienced unprecedented development in arts, culture, science, and exploration. Palmaria became the dominant land power on the West Helsan Plain, while Stormwrath slowly developed into a naval power, acquiring and settling overseas colonies in Ophir and Sishai.

Personal Union

Queen Constance of Stormwrath, who saw an end to the Seven Wars, died in 1665. Because of his marriage with Joanna, the Stormwrathian queen's daughter, Robert III of Palmaria came to inherit the crown of Stormwrath, uniting the kingdoms in a personal union. He moved his royal court from Courcelles to Vildemaree, which lay at the border between the two kingdoms. Nevertheless, each country was still its own political entity, and they retained their respective political, legal, and religious institutions. In addition to this, Robert III also inherited the Cliffordian crown in 1674, adding the country into his union.

The creation and settlement of Stormwrathian and Palmarian colonies around the world began to intensify throughout the late 17th century. Stormwrathian traders traveled south and established many outposts along the Quarian coast. On the other hand, the Palmarians established trading posts in northern Sishai as well as in central Luscios and became increasingly involved in the politics of the Ennosian kingdoms.

During this period, both countries were considering a political union. Initial attempts made in 1668, 1705, and 1709 proved unsuccessful. A successful attempt was initiated in 1729 under the aegis of Oliver IV and his ministers in both kingdoms. The Treaty of Union was signed in 1731 and ratified by the governments of both nations the following year.

Imperial Era

The Palmarian Empire was proclaimed on 31 July 1732, with Vildemaree declared as the capital. Upon unification, the Palmarian Empire was immediately recognized as a major power. Yet its first years proved to be tumultuous for the budding empire.

The overthrow of the monarchy in Valaran in 1740 inspired republican elements within Palmaria to start an uprising. An attempt to storm the Lilac Palace ended in failure, and hundreds of revolutionaries were massacred. An additional 6,500 revolutionaries were arrested and executed by the authorities between 1741 and 1744.

However, the Jacobite Uprisings as they came to be called spurred a movement of the Empire towards reform. The Great Charter of 1749 was ratified by the Palmarian Diet, turning the Palmarian absolute monarchy into a constitutional monarchy. Many of the Emperor's powers were transferred to the Prime Minister, and the Diet was given greater powers.

The following decades marked a period of massive colonial expansion. The Palmarian colonial empire grew to include Ysi, portions of Luscios, and certain cities in northern Ennos. Goods from the colonies such as spices and exotic textiles were shipped back to Palmaria and distributed across Helsa. Despite Palmaria's loss of Ysi to the Valaran Empire in the <insert war here>, it still remained a major colonial power.

At the start of the 19th century, the Industrial Revolution arrived in the Palmarian Empire and transformed the country. The aristocratic elite began to lose their power and influence to the up-and-coming industrialists. New parties such as the Liberal Party emerged to promote free trade and laissez-faire policies. People from the countryside came in droves to towns and cities to work in factories, forming the basis for an urban working class. Population and urbanization were increasing at dramatic rates, placing social and economic stress on the state. By the 1880s, the Palmarian Empire was an industrial powerhouse and an equal with the other industrial powers of Helsa.

Because of Palmaria's growing need for resources and new markets, the Empire launched its greatest period of colonial expansion, acquiring large parts of Sishai and Ophir. By 1900, the Palmarian Empire was at its greatest peak, with an overseas empire that includes colonies, dominions, and territories across three continents.

However, this zenith was soon followed by the First Great War that ravaged most of Helsa. Palmarian forces fought in several regions of the world, particularly on the Southern Front with Valaran. Millions of Palmarian men died in the trenches, causing the loss of an entire generation of men. Nevertheless, the Palmarian Empire claimed victory and acquired the region of East Tracillia from Valaran, as well as key colonies. Yet despite the Palmarian Empire reaching its greatest territorial extent, it had accrued an enormous national debt.

Palmarian Civil War and the Interwar Period

See also: Palmarian Civil War

Many of the millions who died in the First Great War were Stormwrathians. Nationalist sentiments flared throughout the southern half of the Empire beginning in 1917. Thousands of armed revolutionaries led by the Sons of the Storm, a prominent Stormwrathian nationalist group, began an insurrection in the City of Tides on 18 March 1919, proclaiming Stormwrath's independence as a kingdom. The Tides Uprising was brutally put down by Palmarian troops within three days, firing the first shots of the Palmarian Civil War.

Stormwrathians by the thousands rose up in arms against the Imperial government, and supported the cause for independence. Palmarian troops were sent south but were stopped by the Stormwrathian National Army (SNA) at the Battle of Ravenglass. The campaign on the Lower Meandrine Basin quickly became one of trench warfare, where neither side could make any meaningful offensives into each other's territory. The war on the eastern portions of the country was much more fluid. Stormwrathian troops crossed the Meandrine River near Beure and advanced nearly 500 km into Palmarian territory before being repelled at the Battle of Tallende in 1923.

A Palmarian counter-offensive in 1924 cut deep into the heart of Stormwrathian territory, decimating a large Stormwrathian army near Aldbourne and advancing as far as Suttershire on the southeastern coast. The final blow to the rebel cause was dealt at the Battle of Catterick on 12 March 1925, and the terms of surrender were agreed to by the SNA on 3 April.

A compromise was reached between the Imperial government and Stormwrathian representatives on 10 June 1925 in Vildemaree, laying the groundwork for a more equal constitutional union between Palmaria and Stormwrath. Massive preparations were made across the Empire for the following years to ease the transition, including the election of representatives for the 1st official government of Stormwrath that took place on 16 November 1928. The Vildemaree Compromise was ratified by the Palmarian Diet on 31 July 1929, formally establishing the Palmaro-Stormwrathian Monarchy. The Stormwrathian Parliament formally met on 1 August.

Post-WWII Era

The rise of nationalism in the colonies coincided with Palmaria-Stormwrath's diminished position on the world stage, and so a wave of decolonization swept the Palmarian colonial empire over the next four decades. Ennos was granted independence in 1950, which dealt a large blow to Palmaria-Stormwrath's prestige. However, many colonies continued to maintain close ties with the former homeland, which became the foundation of the Palmarian Community of Nations.

Palmaria-Stormwrath began focusing its efforts on rebuilding after the war and withdrawing from more of their colonies. Yet its economic and political standing among its Helsan peers dwindled as the Cold War began to dominate Alitheia's political landscape. This, along with the Anowan Navy's domination of the Rollo Sea, and the rise of the Great Kingdom, has led many to call Palmaria-Stormwrath the "Sick Man of Helsa". However, it still remained as a key military player in Helsa - it developed and tested its first atomic bomb in 1953 and built up a sizable nuclear arsenal.

Beginning in 1971, Eastern Stormwrath underwent a tumultuous period of communal violence which coincided with the Kiranic War of Independence and an economic slowdown. In 1975, the Conservative Party of Stormwrath and the Coalition Nationale Palmarie swept Palmaria-Stormwrath in the elections and initiated a radical policy of deregulation and free market economics that saw a revitalization of Palmaro-Stormwrathian industry and finance. Palmaria-Stormwrath's victory in the Alderney War boosted the conservatives' popularity and helped regain some of the country's prestige among the Helsan powers.

Geography and Climate

Palmaria-Stormwrath's core territory and population is located in Western Helsa. It is bound by the Rollo Sea in the north, the Palmarian Sea to the west, and the Sea of Valaran to the southeast. Most of its land borders are delineated by natural barriers: the Palmarian Plateau and Lake Tracillia define the northeastern and eastern borders, respectively. Its Helsan territory is vast, between latitudes 25° and 55° N and longitudes 6° W and 20° E. Helsan Palmaria and Stormwrath also include several nearby islands, the largest of which is Clifford.

Government and Politics

The Palmaro-Stormwrathian Monarchy is a constitutional union comprised of three countries: the Lands of the Imperial Crown of Palmaria, which governs the territory of the Empire of Palmaria, the Lands of the Stormwrathian Crown, which governs the Kingdom of Stormwrath, and the Kingdom of Clifford, a nominally autonomous entity associated with Stormwrath. Each country holds its legislative bodies in their respective capitals. Coordinating the policies of the two governments fell to the united government of the sovereign monarch.

Emperor Percival is the head of state and the monarch of Palmaria-Stormwrath, as well as several countries in the Palmarian Community of Nations. However, the heads of government are the Prime Ministers of Palmaria and Stormwrath, who share executive powers. A common Cabinet forms the Imperial Government, which coordinates the policies of the two constituent nations. The common members of the Cabinet include the monarch, the two Prime Ministers, and the four common Ministers (Foreign Affairs, Defence, Finance, and the Treasury). The common Ministers are directly appointed by the Monarch. The remaining members of the Cabinet are Ministers of the Palmarian and Stormwrathian governments, who are chosen by their respective Prime Ministers and formally appointed by the monarch.

Foreign Relations

Palmaria-Stormwrath is a member of the United Nations, the Palmarian Community of Nations, and the Atlantic Pact.

Military

The armed forces of the Palmaro-Stormwrathian Monarchy – officially called the Palmaro-Stormwrathian Armed Forces (Forces Armées Palmaro-Tempêterreses) – is comprised of three branches: the Imperial Army (Armée Impériale), Imperial Navy (Marine Impériale), and Imperial Air Force (Aviation Impériale). The forces are managed by the Ministry of Defence and controlled by the Imperial General Staff. The Commander-in-Chief is the Emperor, to whom the members of the armed forces swear allegiance. The purpose of the Palmaro-Stormwrathian Armed Forces is to protect Palmaria-Stormwrath and her overseas colonies from foreign attacks, defend the Realm's national interests, and support international peacekeeping efforts.

Historically, the Palmaro-Stormwrathian Armed Forces have been instrumental in establishing the Palmarian Empire as the dominant world power in the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. Because of its numerous victories, the Empire was able to influence world events. Even after their colonial empire has collapsed, Palmaria-Stormwrath still remains a major military player.

Economy

The Palmaro-Stormwrathian Monarchy has a partially regulated free market economy. The Dual Monarchy boasts one of the largest economies in Helsa, with a nominal GDP of over $7.3 trillion. The Imperial Bank serves as the central bank and issue currency in the Ducat (Ð), Palmaria-Stormwrath's official currency.