Durnstaal

Federated Union of Durnstaal
Flag
Motto: "By Blood, Sweat, and Tears"
Capital	Durnen
Official languages	Caticeze-English
Demonym(s)	Durnian
Government	Constitutional Monarchy
• Czar	Darina Husa III
• Prime Minister	Boyan Simic
Population
• 2020 estimate	82,053,000
Currency	pecia
Antipodes	The Federation of Vulkaria and The Dominion of the Sanguine Church
Date format	mm-dd-yyyy
Driving side	right
Calling code	+331
Internet TLD	.ds

The Federated Union of Durnstaal, most commonly known as Durnstaal, is a nation in the Coalition of Crown Albatross located on the continent of Adula, bordered by Saudi Jiddiya, Alcarres, New Elkland, Vitosium, Alonnisosa, and Wyomia. It controls the western shore of Lake Gravenna, the southern shore of Lake Lopav, the northern shores of the Bay of Morevo, and the area in-between including much of the Kalater mountain range. Its capital is Durnen and its largest city is Piva. Durnstaal is a Constitutional Monarchy lead by Czar Darina Husa III while the primary legislative body is the Kolspatz headed by Prime Minister Boyan Simic.

The area that Durnstaal now controls was once the site of several minor trading kingdoms situated on the Bezdekia Road. Many artifacts from early steppe nomad societies can also be found throughout the area, suggesting regular migrations from the north. The country is majority Orthodox Christian with significant minorities of Catholics and Muslims present in many major cities. The nation has remained somewhat isolated from world politics, instead focusing more on the local region. The nation has recently come under international scrutiny due to unsafe working conditions across the country and the brutality used in response to the growing Yuran separatist movement. Durnstaal has historically been somewhat unstable due to several separatist movements and unfriendly relations with neighboring Saudi Jiddiya but the region has stabilized in recent years.

History

Founding and Oligarchy (400 B.C.E.)

The history of the Federated Republic of Durnstaal begins in 400 B.C.E. when the earliest known records list the founding of Duern on the present-day site of Durnen. We know little about these settlers but it is believed they were an off-shoot of one of the many groups of steppe nomads which migrated through the area. The settlement grew in size over the following few centuries reaching a population of around 5,000 by 200 C.E. and forming close trade relations with the nearby trade city of Yuran (modern day Novada), gaining direct access to the Bezdekia Road. At this time, Durnstaal was governed by an oligarchical council made up of leading members of society, usually the heads of major families or the wealthiest citizens. By 200 C.E. the council had grown to include 15 people before the system started breaking down.

The First Fracture (213-341)

Tensions in the council of Duern had been rising for some time when the Fracture occurred in 213 C.E. It is unknown what issue was discussed that day, but by the end of the meeting twelve councilmen were dead and the meeting hall was on fire. Soon, the three surviving councilmen: Agilulf Grossg, Erwin Fuchs, and Aliprand Eklund; had consolidated their supporters and attempted to impose martial law, starting a three-way civil war that would divide the city for 128 years. The factions, lead by their respective leaders' families would make and break alliances with each other continuously until a smallpox outbreak in 338 decimated the local populace. The Eklund faction experienced disproportionately few cases, allowing them to overpower and subsume the other two factions over the next three years, beginning the first royal line of Duern.

Growth and First Conquest (341-367)

Under the rule of the Eklund Dynasty, Duern began expanding out across the nearby countryside, subsuming many of the small settlements that had previously been trading partners. When Aliprand Eklund died in 364, Duern directly controlled the entirety of the Curat River and had begun spreading up the coast of Lake Gravenna. Aliprand's successor, his son Berthold, continued the growth by expanding Duern's borders north before coming into conflict with the city-state of Dravun. Increasingly frequent border skirmishes combined with worsening trade relations eventually led to Berthold declaring the first general call to arms, forming the first ever true Army of Duern. Berthold, leading an army of 2500 citizen soldiers, marched up to Dravun and gave them a choice: submit to his rule or he would take it by force. Dravun refused surrender, prompting one of the earliest seiges in Adula's history. The siege lasted 5 weeks and ended in Duernian victory. With the conquest of Dravun, Duern held direct control over both routes the Bezdekia Road took around Lake Gravenna which caused an economic boom in the wake of the campaign.

War with Yuran

Rising Tensions with Yuran (367-386)

After the conquest of Dravun in 367, Berthold began expanding northwest, taking control over the rest of the Cohn Lowlands. Duern's rapid growth brought it into direct contact with the land's belonging to the city-state of Yuran. The two city-states had been trading partners for several centuries, but both had seen similar growth over the preceding decades and were roughly equal in strength. Border skirmishes were commonplace but open warfare did not begin until 382 shortly after Berthold died of disease, likely malaria, and was replaced by his son Davor. Davor's inexperience and young age of 14 caused Duern to look weak, leading to Yuran pushing out along the Kalater mountains to take the rich mining settlements in the area. Over the next 4 years Yuran would take mining settlements one-by-one through either military conquest or diplomatic means until they had extended halfway to the Curat river. Davor, meanwhile, spent the years trying to build up stronger diplomatic relations with surrounding states, Yuran included. These relations would prove valuable in the future, but in the present further weakened his public image. The breaking point came when a diplomatic convoy sent to Yuran was stopped by Yurani forces near the border. The soldiers confiscated the diplomatic gifts, personal valuables, and cart horses of the convoy and ordered them to return to Duern. When Davor learned of this, it is said that he silently stood, signaled for his advisors and military leaders to follow him, and was not seen in public for 3 days as he planned their response.

The First Battle of Kolbt Valley

When Davor emerged, the general call to arms was sent out and Duern's standing army of 2000 was joined by 10000 citizen soldiers. The force marched on the towns lost to Yuran over the preceding years and quickly reclaimed most of them. Soon, however, they were met by a Yurani army in the Koblt Valley. The Yurani were 11000 strong and supported by mercenary cavalry recruited from the north, leaving the forces equally matched. The two forces clashed on August 8th, 386, in the largest battle either side had ever seen. Hundreds died in the fighting and thousands on either side would die from their wounds. By the end of the day, Duern had lost over 3000 soldiers with Yuran seeing similar lossess. The battle ended as a stalemate as the remnants of both armies returned home. A centuries-long near-continuous state of warfare between Yuran and Duern had just begun.

The Stalemate (386-921)

The 535 year period from the First Battle of Kolbt Valley to the Siege of Katlin Castle is known overall as the Stalemate as, despite the near-constant conflict with other powers and each other, both nations failed to make any lasting and significant gains on the other. The growth of the Bezdekia Road from several minor trade routes to a well-mapped transcontinental network by the 600's C.E. only served to further strain relations as Duern coveted Yuran's access to the Albarine Sea through the Bay of Morevo while Yuran likewise coveted Duern's control over both routes around Lake Gravenna. The Stalemate would end in 921 C.E. with the fall of Katlin Castle to Duernian forces under Czar Aleksandru III, leading to the capture and execution of the Yurani Khan Lupiz Kradomir and his eldest son Drazc Kradomir. In the chaos of the civil war that ensued between the two surviving heirs, Duern captured the city of Yuran itself and razed it to the ground.

Foreign Invasions

Emmirian Invasion and Conquest (644-1042)

In 644 C.E. Emmiria began expanding into territory controlled by Duern, pushing up and taking the mineral-rich areas along the northern face of the Kalater mountains. The loss of the majority of its mines weakened Duern economically and militarily as they tried and failed to fend off the Emmirian forces. A large-scale Yurani invasion of Duern in 657 C.E. attempted to exploit this weakness but was quickly recalled when Emmiria crossed the Bay of Morevo and began pushing up the coast. Duern would attempt to push the Emmirians back several times but failed to make any lasting impacts until 1012 when forces under Stanislav Aleksandru IV fought and won the Second Cattle of Koblt Valley, capturing the town of Eckrinburg and the area's rich mines. Stanislav continued his advance and continued pushing the Emmerians back for a month until the Battle of Leper's Creek saw the advance stall and he retreated to the nearby Moloch Fortress to prevent the Emmirians from pushing back. Meanwhile, Czar Aleksandru III led a force down the coast of Lake Gravenna against the Emmirian forces and found similar but slower success to his son. His forces pressed the Emmirians back at heavy cost, regaining much lost territory. By the end of the year, however, Emmirian reinforcements arrived and pushed the Czar's forces all the way back to Duern itself before laying siege to the city. Aleksandru IV in response pushed forward along the mountains, pushing back the Emmirians with a ferocity he had never displayed before. After these decisive victories, Aleksandru ordered 250 Emmerian prisoners to be beheaded, have their heads reattached backwards, and be thrown into the Curat River several miles from the besieging army. When mutilated soldiers began flowing into the siege camps, a force was immediately sent out to meet Aleksandru's force, unaware he had relocated to the opposite side of the river and was marching towards Duern. When he arrived, a third of the besiegers were 20 miles away and the rest were unprepared to meet an organized force. The ensuing battle costly for both sides but decisive, breaking the siege and forcing the remaining Emmirian forces back towards the modern-day borders. The Emmirians would try many times over the next few decades to reconquer Duern, but failed against the newly fortified border. In 1042, the final Emmirian invasion of Duern was repelled as Emmiria slowly lost control of the areas bordering Duern to rebellion. This border has not changed to this day.

Geography

Durnstaal's geography is overall mountainous with large changes in elevation between the north and south of the nation. The climate becomes drier the closer to the center of the nation you travel with several small patches of desert along the northern face of the Kalater mountains. The nation experiences rainfall in two separate systems, the north fed by Lakes Gravenna and Lopav and the south fed by the Albarine Sea. The lowest elvation is -2m above sea level and the highest is Drukov Point which sits 1,742m above sea level.

Durnstaal's geography varies across the nation and is generally divided into four distinct zones: The Cohn Lowlands, The Novada Highlands, The Stretch, and The Coastal Expanse. The Cohn Lowlands include the rolling hills and dry grasslands bordering Lake Gravenna and Lake Lopav in the northeast. The Novada Highlands include the dense forests and elevated plateaus that run along the western border. The Stretch encompasses the Kalater mountains and the habitable valleys and hills that run along its northern edge. The Coastal Expanse includes all Durnian lands south of the Kalater mountains.

Demographics

Religion

The Federated Union of Durnstaal is majority Orthodox Christian with 68% of the country claiming membership. Catholic Christians form the next largest group with 21% of the population. Third is Islam with 6% with the remaining 5% claiming no religious beliefs.

The large Christian majority in Durnstaal can be traced back to the Bezdekia Road of ancient times which passed directly through the lands and brought many ideas from Western Adula. In contrast, the majority of the Islamic populace can trace their recent lineage back to nations such as Saudi Jiddiya and Emmiria rather than being local converts.

Despite the large amount of Christian influence, belief in mythological creatures such as vampires and rusalki is common among the populace. Such beliefs have become intertwined with the Christian faith to the point of becoming common knowledge. For example: many wells, water fountains, and even pipes are commonly stamped with protective charms to ward off wandering berehynias from making their home in the water source, a practice dating back to medieval times.

Language

The official language of the Federated Union of Durnstaal is the Caticeze dialect of English, otherwise known as Caticeze-English. The language is taught in school and is used in official documents. The majority of the population only speaks one language fluently but many near the borders know the basics of languages spoken in the country(s) close to where they live.

Major Cities

Amarjel: A major transit hub in the Federated Union of Durnstaal, it is the nation's sixth largest city with a population of 3.5 million. Situated on the eastern edge of the dense Tsantar Forest. The city dates back to ancient times when it was a major stop on the Bezdekia Road although few ruins have survived to modern times. It is one of the fastest growing cities in Durnstaal, having grown from 25,000 residents in 1910 to 500,000 in 1970 to 3.5 million today. The city's quick growth is attributed mainly to the northern half of the Durnstaal Transnational Railway converging at the city. Its status as a transit hub was further cemented when Woronoff International Airport opened just outside of the city in 2005, becoming the first Durnian airport offering regular intercontinental flights. The city's economy is varied and diverse but is heavily based on cargo shipping, passenger transport, and an emerging tech industry. The city is majority Orthodox Christian with large communities of Catholic and Muslim adherents.

Durnen: The capital city of the Federated Union of Durnstaal, it is the nation's second largest city with a population of 8.5 million. Situated where the Curat River meets Lake Gravenna. Location of the Durnian Royal Family's home of Duern Estate and the Kolspatz where the Central Assembly meets to vote on legislation. The city itself dates back to ancient times when it was known as the city-state of Duern and architecture from that period can still be found alongside modern structures, most notably in the case of Duern Keep which has stood for over 2000 years. The city overall is modern but many of the newest buildings are several decades old giving the city a dated appearance. The city is mostly Orthodox Christian but has several distinct islamic communities, many with family ties to neighboring Saudi-Jiddiya. The city is the third largest port in Durnstaal and the largest Durnian port on Lake Gravenna handling 78% of all Durnian trade on the lake. It is also home to the oldest airport in Durnstaal, Alaric Central Airport, built in 1957. The city welcomes 42% of all immigrants to the nation although many choose to head further inland rather than stay in the city.

Kavyat: A major port city and naval base, it is the nation's third largest city with a population of 7 million. Situated in a sheltered natural harbor in the Bay of Morevo. The city is the headquarters of the Federal Navy of Durnstaal which is located at Kavyat Naval Base. The city has a thriving shipbuilding industry and is home to several of Durnstaal's most prestigious universities, including Drukov Point University and the Kalach College of Engineering. The city sees significant international trade although not as much as its sister city, Piva. Historically the city has had trouble with environmental organizations due to inadequate waste management infrastructure leading to pollution of the waters surrounding the city although many steps have been taken in recent times to repair the harbor environment, such as former mayor Usova Fyordorovna's highly successful Clearwater Initiative. Overall the city is majority Orthodox Christian with a heavy Catholic presence as well.

Novada: A major transit hub and industrial center, it is the nation's fourth largest city with a population of 5 million. It is situated where the Kalater Mountains meet the Novada Highlands. The city houses the largest rail yard on the Durnstaal Transnational Railway system and processes 90% of the nation's crude oil imports. The city is also the headquarters of the Gravenna Split Avtobus Company which provides bus service to most of the country. The majority of the raw ore mined in the many mining towns scattered through the Kalater Mountains reaches Novada before being smelted in the city or shipped north to Zabevgorod for processing. The city has historically had issues with rising tensions between nationalists and separatists belonging to Yuran Rising, The New Blood, and similar organizations and has been the main target of the minor terrorist group Nov'yusvit. The city is majority Catholic with a heavy Orthodox Christian presence.

Piva: A major port city and tourist center, it is the nation's largest city with a population of 9 million. Situated in a sheltered artificial harbor in the Bay of Morevo. It is the largest Durnian port on the Albarine Sea and the largest urban area along the Bay of Morevo. The city has seen steady but waning growth over the previous century, passing Durnen as the nation's largest city in 2015. The city is a major tourist city with 85% of tourists passing through the port to enter the country although the city's lack of an airport capable of handling international flights is showing as Amarjel is quickly surpassing it in that regard. The city manages most of Durnstaal's international trade, including almost all of its petroleum imports and the majority of its exports. The city itself produces and maintains cargo ships, assembles batteries, and holds the central bank of Durnstaal. Overall the city's Christian population is split almost evenly between Orthodox and Catholic and there are significant communities of Muslims and Eianists throughout the area.

Zabevgorod: A major industrial center and the northernmost city in the Federated Union of Durnstaal, it is the nation's fifth largest city with a population of 4.5 million. Situated on the southern coast of Lake Lovap. It is the largest Durnian city on Lake Lovap. The city generates 40% of Durnstaal's electricity and is home to Durnstaal's only nuclear power plant. The city is a major industrial center with wood processing, steel refining, and textiles manufacturing all having major presences in the city. Many finished goods are produced there as well, including the majority of Durnstaal's automobile and aircraft parts. The city also originally built and serviced most of the country's trains but now shares that duty with Amarjel and Novada. The city is infamous for its outdated infrastructure with many public works and structures dating back to the 1950's and 60's in most cases and the 1920's in the worst. As of 2015 the city has begun a campaign of modernization although results have been slow. The city is almost entirely Orthodox Christian with a Catholic minority.

Politics

Legislature

The primary legislative body is the Kolspatz. It is bicameral with a lower house, the House of Citizens, and an upper house, the House of Elders. The House of Citizens introduces, debates, and votes on legislation. It consists of 184 legislators known as Representatives voted into office by the voters of the districts they live in. It is overseen by the Prime Minister. The House of Elders reviews, debates, and votes on legislation passed by the House of Citizens. It consists of 64 Elders nominated from the House of Representatives and voted into the office by their peers.

Prime Minister

The Prime Minister of Durnstaal is the head of government and oversees the House of Citizens. He is the head of proceedings and introduces any bills being discussed to the assembled Representatives. He is responsible for appointing ministers and is part of the approval process for new Elders. The Prime Minister is voted into office from the Representatives and must have served in the House of Citizens for at least 2 years and be 25 years of age or older to be eligible for the office. The current Prime Minister is Boyan Simic.

Royalty

Czar

The Czar is the head of state and mostly acts in a formal or ceremonial role. Some of the main duties of the Czar are opening sessions of the Kolspatz, welcoming foreign dignitaries, and maintaining correspondence with the Prime Minister. The Czar also bestows official titles and regularly grants audience to legislators who wish to consult with him. Due to tradition stemming from medieval laws forbidding a Czarina to hold power, the Durnian monarch is referred to as a Czar regardless of sex. The current Czar is Darina Husa III.

Military

The military of the Federated Union of Durnstaal is split into 4 branches: The Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard. Altogether, the Durnian military commands 132,951 soldiers(2020).

Army: The Combined Forces of the Union (CFU for short) is the largest branch of the Durnian military with 81,002 active-duty personnel(2020). The branch was founded in 1756 as the official army of the newly organized Federated Republic of Durnstaal. It is centered on infantry with armored vehicles being used mostly in support. APCs and IFVs make up 85% of the armored fighting vehicles with the remaining 15% consisting of a limited number of tanks. In times of peace the majority of the force acts similarly to other nations' national guards with only specialized armored and amphibious units remaining on standby.

Navy: The Federal Navy of Durnstaal is the third largest branch of the Durnian military with 17,397 active-duty personnel(2020). The branch was founded in 1756 as the official navy of the newly organized Federated Republic of Durnstaal. The modern navy consists of 58 commissioned ships including: 10 frigates, 9 corvettes, 4 destroyers, 3 submarines, 2 minesweepers, 13 replenishment vessels, and 17 miscellaneous auxiliary craft. The branch also commands a small force of aircraft used in maritime patrol and search-and-rescue roles. 

1958 model Dex-58 Air Superiority Fighter purchased from Beleroskov in 1984

Air Force: The Durnstaal Royal Air Force (DRAF for short) is the second largest branch of the Durnian military with 27,210 active-duty personnel(2020). The branch was founded in 1951 in response to the Aurelia War although Durnstaal was not a belligerant. The force consists mainly of air superiority fighters and transport aircraft, many dating back to the 1980's. The age of the branch's aircraft has given DRAF mechanics a reputation for being able to get and keep almost anything flying. The DRAF works closely with the CFU in a transport role and many Royal Coast Guard airplanes and helicopters are serviced by DRAF mechanics.

Coast Guard: The Royal Coast Guard of the Union (Royal Coast Guard for short) is the smallest branch of the Durnian military with 7324 active-duty personnel. The branch was founded in 1823 as a naval force that would guard Durnian waters while the Federal Navy was deployed. In modern times the force has been reoriented almost entirely towards search-and-rescue operations, drug busting, and patrolling trade lanes through the Albarine sea. The Royal Coast Guard will work with other branches if necessary but prefers to remain independent so as to not drag resources away from other branches in the event of war.

Culture

Sports

The sports enjoyed in Durnstaal are wide and diverse, trending equally towards tests of physical and mental prowess. The top five officially regulated and televised sports in descending order of TV ratings are: soccer, tennis, chess, archery, and horse racing.

The annual Einhelt League Championship is the most viewed sporting event in Durnstaal, with an estimated 27 million viewers in 2019. The soccer tournament, usually held from late April to early June, see's soccer teams from all across Durnstaal compete against each other for a chance to win fame, glory, and the Einhelt Cup.

Cinema

The first movie theater in Durnstaal opened in Piva in 1945 followed by one in Durnen two years later, but Durnstaal's movie industry dates back at least two decades prior as a backdrop for other nations' movies. Before the advent of modern CGI, the town of Silbernestal was a popular backdrop for movies set in the early 1800's due to the area's desert conditions and old structures giving it the appearance of a frontier mining town, a setting difficult to shoot in the 1920's. Durnstaal's own movie industry began in 1944 with the grand opening of Cruxley and Malik Cinematography by Cruxley Puchta and Malik Jablonski. A string of movies grossing somewhat well kept C&M in business but they saw little growth. That changed with the release of the wildly successful Abenteuer Krauss, which grossed £P 382 million and caused rapid growth of the industry.

Economy

Major Industries

The Federated Union of Durnstaal's economy is heavily based on processing raw materials and automotive manufacturing. The nation mines coal, iron, copper, aluminum, assorted ferroalloy metals such as manganese and chromium, and uranium in industrial quantities of which the vast majority is refined within the country and used in local industry. Durnstaal's logging industry focuses mainly on Highland Cedar and Duern Linden of which there is high demand for exports, especially due to Duern Linden's use in furniture manufacturing. The country farms very little for export; most arable land that isn't used for growing cowpeas and sweet potatoes is grazing pasture for the country's large sheep population which produces roughly 72,000 tons of wool annually which is then split between Durnstaal's textile industry and exports. Durnstaal's manufacturing sector is centered around a thriving automotive industry centered on semi-tractors, buses, and mid-size sedans. Diesel locomotives, satellite telephones, small aircraft, and plastics all make up significant portions of the economy as well.

Durnstaal's largest trading partners are Mulfulira, Alcarres, and New Elkland which make up 68% of its annual exports and 78% of its annual imports. The nation's largest imports are lead-acid batteries, crude oil, dairy, and natural rubber while its largest exports are raw plastic, automobiles, processed softwood, and wool cloth.

Major Businesses

• D&R Lumber: A lumber company operating out of Amarjel which deals with both soft and hardwoods, mostly for use in construction and furniture manufacture.
• MAT Wireless: A cell provider based out of Piva which offers phone and internet service to all of Durnstaal.
• Morningstar Petroleum: Durnstaal's largest oil and gas company, headquartered in Novada.
• Colovich Enterprises: Conglomerate which runs steel, aluminum, and copper refineries alongside plastic and synthetic fiber factories. Headquarters in Piva.
• Rosewood Truck and Trailer: Manufactures truck tractors and trailers to order. Based out of Novada.
• NeoDyn: Durnstaal's largest electricity, company based out of Zabevgorod.