Volsci

Volsci Republic Respublika Volskova (Sabellic)
Flag Coat of arms
Anthem: Song of the Volscians
Location of Volsci
Status	Independent State
Capital	Antium
Official languages	Sabellic
Demonym(s)	Volscian
Government	Unitary parliamentary republic
• Exec. Triumvir	Nadar Berbatiev
• Leg. Triumvir	Berg Krimson
• Jud. Triumvir	Vigdis Gudmundson
Legislature	Parliament
Population
• 2018 census	146,520,000
Gini (2017)	32.7 medium
HDI (2017)	0.680 medium
Date format	dd/mm/yyyy
Driving side	right

The Volsci Republic, commonly abbreviated to Volsci, is a country located in Europa on Eurth. Situated in northern Burania, it is bordered by Deltannia to the north-west, the Gulf of Lanjon in the north, the Oriental Ocean to the east, Fubukino in the south, and the Hexanesa Islands in the Kosscow Sea to the east. With a population of 146 million, Volsci is a populous country. Its capital and largest city is Antium, which is located in the eastern part of the country. The city serves as the political, economic, and cultural center of Volsci.

Volsci is a unitary parliamentary republic. The government is dominated by the Triumvirate, with Executive Triumvir Nadar Berbatiev acting as the head of state. Historically, the country had maintained complicated with its Occidental neighbours across the Kosscow Sea. Isolationism has become the dominant ideology during the first decades of the 21st century. For this reason, the country withdrew from the Assembled Nations in 2019.

The economy of Volsci has a per capita output equal to that of other Europan countries. It has a mixed economy, with timber, mineral (copper, tin, iron), and energy reserves (coal, oil) that are among the largest on Eurth. Volsci has an employment rate of 93% and one of the lowest external debts among developed countries. Volsci largely remained a largely agrarian country until the 1930s. Nearly 10 percent of the population lives a nomadic or semi-nomadic lifestyle.

Etymology

Most modern etymologists regard the tribal name Uolscae as being related to Gelto-Pynglish: gwalch (hawk); perhaps related on the Proto-Europan level to East-Arhoman falco (hawk). Other scholars compare the Volscian personal name Catolcus to the Gelto-Pynglish cadwalch ('hero' or 'battle-hawk'), though some prefer to translate Sabellic *uolco- as 'wolf' and, by semantic extension, 'errant warrior'.

Geography

The Volscian territory is situated in the northern edge of Europa, in the Buranian subcontinent. The area extends from the Kosscow Sea in the west, to the Gulf of Lanjon in the north, and the Oriental Ocean in the east. It includes some islands in the north and east. Lake Kitezh in the southeast is the largest lake in the nation. The northernmost continental point is the Temlyak Peninsula. Volsci is massive; by geographic size it is one of the largest countries on Eurth. Its land also includes an enormous coastline, and boasts the second most ports along the Argic Ocean. The Volscian forests are forbidding and cold. The vast majority of Volscians live along the western and eastern coastlines. Major cities are: Antium (capital), Anxur (seaport), Corioli and Velitrae. Some of the minor cities include: Aquinum, Arpinum, Atina, Capeatea, Casinum, Fabrateria, Fregellae, Frusino, Inteamna, Signia and Sora.

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  Tundra region with fjords, glaciers and mountains.

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  The frozen Gulf of Lanjon.

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  Oscan man at Lake Kitezh.

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  Brown bear at Inteamna Peninsula.

Climate data for Antium 2000-2010 normals, records 1950-present.
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °C (°F)	8.5 (47.3)	10.3 (50.5)	15.1 (59.2)	21.9 (71.4)	27.6 (81.7)	30.9 (87.6)	33.2 (91.8)	31.2 (88.2)	26.2 (79.2)	17.6 (63.7)	13.4 (56.1)	10.5 (50.9)	33.2 (91.8)
Average high °C (°F)	−1.3 (29.7)	−1.9 (28.6)	1.6 (34.9)	7.6 (45.7)	14.4 (57.9)	18.5 (65.3)	21.5 (70.7)	19.8 (67.6)	14.6 (58.3)	9.0 (48.2)	3.7 (38.7)	0.5 (32.9)	9.0 (48.2)
Daily mean °C (°F)	−3.9 (25.0)	−4.7 (23.5)	−1.3 (29.7)	3.9 (39.0)	10.2 (50.4)	14.6 (58.3)	17.8 (64.0)	16.3 (61.3)	11.5 (52.7)	6.6 (43.9)	1.6 (34.9)	−2 (28)	5.9 (42.6)
Average low °C (°F)	−6.5 (20.3)	−7.4 (18.7)	−4.1 (24.6)	0.8 (33.4)	6.3 (43.3)	10.9 (51.6)	14.2 (57.6)	13.1 (55.6)	8.7 (47.7)	4.3 (39.7)	−0.6 (30.9)	−4.5 (23.9)	2.9 (37.2)
Record low °C (°F)	−34.4 (−29.9)	−33 (−27)	−31.3 (−24.3)	−19.8 (−3.6)	−7 (19)	−0.5 (31.1)	4.9 (40.8)	2.1 (35.8)	−4.5 (23.9)	−13.9 (7.0)	−25.5 (−13.9)	−29.5 (−21.1)	−34.4 (−29.9)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	52 (2.0)	36 (1.4)	38 (1.5)	32 (1.3)	37 (1.5)	57 (2.2)	63 (2.5)	80 (3.1)	56 (2.2)	76 (3.0)	70 (2.8)	58 (2.3)	655 (25.8)
Average rainy days	19	17	15	11	11	14	12	15	14	16	18	20	182
Mean monthly sunshine hours	38	70	138	194	284	297	291	238	150	93	36	29	1,858
Average ultraviolet index	0	0	1	3	4	5	5	4	3	1	0	0	2

History

Koschei the First.

Buran longships besiege $city in 458 CE.

Ruler $Name of $Place.

Religious mosaic blended with Volscian militarism.

Volscian troops march into Deltannia, 1902.

Berbatiev led the AN-withdrawal.

The early Volscians, also known as the Volscian people, were an ancient group of tribes that inhabited the area surrounding the Kosscow Sea. They were known for their fierce independence and military prowess, and for several centuries were amongst the most dangerous rivals of the Aroman Empire. At the time, they inhabited the partly hilly, partly marshy district of the south of Antium. The confederation of small kingdoms sprung up along the great rivers of the north. The local tribal leaders forged marriage pacts with any other Buranian adventurers, hiring their swords to subdue their neighbours. For centuries, brave traders ventured there to buy furs, fox pelts, rabbit, and ermine from the tribes of the woods. That trickle of traders became a flood, and great towns sprung up on the rivers. Fortune-seekers came up from the Oriental coasts, from the southern steppes, and most of all from the Aroman Empire.

In the 120s, the Volsci came under pressure from the Aromans and elected a prince to lead them in war. Over time, this position became hereditary, with the first leader being a figure known as Koschei the First, who was said to be immortal and had a reputation for kidnapping young women. According to Volscian folklore, the nearby Kosscow Sea was named after him. However, the idea of a monarchy never sat easily with the independence-minded Volscians, and the potential for rebellion always lurked beneath the surface.

In the 200s, the Volsci repeatedly allied with their neighbours in opposition to the Aromans. In 270 CE, they even invaded a nearby province of the Aroman Empire, and fought the assembled Aromans at the Battle of Cryophobae in 279 CE. Despite these defeats, the Volscian tribes remained in the area, blending into the nomadic identities of the neighbouring steppe cultures.

By the 500s, during the Post-classical period, the Volsci lost some of their western coastal lands to the Thelarike Kingdom. During the Medieval period (900s), they turned to piracy on the Kosscow Sea and became fierce enemies of neighbouring nations. They attacked merchants and clergy passing near their shores, and even raided close to Tagmatika itself. Volsci-Tagmatine peace treaties did not last long, as the Volsci quickly returned to piracy.

In the 1600s, the Volsci maintained an uneasy balance with their nearest neighbours in Deltannia, Burania, and Europa, and struggled to keep together the various ethnicities within their large country.

WIP.

• By the 1700s, the Volsci likely had some colonial holdings, specifically in coastal cities in northeastern Argis.
  • It was the year 1700, and the Volsci were a rising power in Burania. Under the leadership of Tsaari Vladimiro III, the nation was undergoing a period of rapid expansion and modernization. The Tsaari had always been a strong proponent of colonial expansion, and saw the untapped resources and potential of northeastern Argis as a ripe opportunity for the Volsci to expand their influence and wealth. Tsaari Vladimiro III assembled a fleet of ships and a large army, and set sail for northeastern Argis. The native inhabitants of the region, the Argidians, were caught off guard by the sudden invasion and were quickly defeated by the more advanced and well-equipped Volscian forces. The Volsci took control of several coastal cities in northeastern Argis, including the major port city of Argos. The Argidians were subjected to Volscian rule, and many were forced into labour to support the colonial economy. The Volsci built new roads, ports, and fortifications to solidify their hold on the region, and began to extract the abundant resources, such as lumber, gold and silver. However, Tsaari Vladimiro III, also implemented policies to improve the lives of the Argidians. He ordered the construction of schools and hospitals and ensured that the native population received fair treatment under the law. He also encouraged intermarriage between the Volsci and the Argidians in order to create a more harmonious society. These actions led to the Argidians to gradually accept their new rule. As the years passed, the Volsci colony in northeastern Argis prospered. The port city of Argos became a major hub for trade, and the region's resources brought new wealth and prosperity to the Volsci nation. Tsaari Vladimiro III became known as a visionary leader who had led the Volsci to new heights of power and prestige. However, it's not all sunshine and roses, as the colony faced resistance from some Argidian factions who resented the Volscian rule, and Tsaari Vladimiro III's army had to repress these insurgencies from time to time.

• In the 1800s, the Volsci transitioned from a monarchy to a republic. There is no known record if there were any intermediate systems or how the aristocracy reacted to this transition.
  • It was the year 1848, and the winds of change were blowing across Europa. The idea of democracy and republican government was spreading like wildfire, and the people of the Volsci began to question the centuries-old monarchy that had ruled their nation. The Volscian aristocracy, led by tsaari Leopold II, had grown increasingly out of touch with the needs of the common people. The nation was plagued by poverty, corruption, and political unrest. The king and his wealthy advisors refused to make any meaningful reforms, and the gap between the rich and the poor continued to widen. The discontent of the population came to a head, when a young lawyer, named Giovanni Rossi, started to give speeches about the need for political change. He envisioned a republic where all citizens would be equal under the law and have the right to vote. His speeches resonated with the people, and he soon became the leader of a revolutionary movement. As the revolution gained momentum, Tsaari Leopold II and his advisors grew increasingly worried. They saw their power and privileges slipping away and they were determined to put down the rebellion. The royal army was deployed to quell the revolution, but the soldiers defected and joined the revolution, and the king, was forced to flee the country.
  • With the monarchy overthrown, the Volsci established a provisional government and set about the task of creating a new republic. They formed a constituent assembly to draft a new constitution, and Rossi was elected as the first President of the new Republic of Volsci. The transition was not smooth and the new republic faced challenges from the start. The aristocracy, who had enjoyed a privileged position under the monarchy, were furious with the loss of their power and many of them refused to accept the new system. They formed a political party to try to restore the monarchy and plotted against the new government. Additionally, the new Republic also faced economic challenges and social unrest as the country struggled to adapt to the new system. The economy was in shambles, and the government struggled to implement policies to improve the lives of the people. But President Rossi and his government remained determined to build a better and more just society. They worked to address the economic and social issues, and Rossi made efforts to include the aristocracy in the new government, by offering them positions in the administration, and slowly, the nation began to stabilize and prosper.

• As the world progressed into the 1850s, the Volsci modernized with the incorporation of trains and a rise in a new elite class due to the new riches. The economy continued to grow when offshore oil discoveries were made, particularly in the shallow Kosscow Sea, as well as along the eastern shores.

• In the early 20th century, the Volsci occupied Deltannia from 1902 to 1959.
  • The once-great nation of Deltannia was on the brink of collapse. Its economy was in shambles, and political turmoil had gripped the country. In the midst of this chaos, the neighbouring country of Volsci saw an opportunity to expand their influence and power. The Volscian leader at the time, $personName1, had always been ambitious and saw the weakened state of Deltannia as a chance to expand his empire. He rallied his people with speeches of national pride, and also promised the Deltan people a brighter future under Volscian rule. With the support of his people, $personName1 launched an invasion of Deltannia. The Deltan army was ill-equipped and ill-prepared to defend against the Volscian forces, and their resistance was quickly overwhelmed.
  • The occupation of Deltannia began, and it was a difficult time for the Deltan people. The Volscian army was strict and brutal in their rule, often using violence and intimidation to keep the population in check. Many Deltans were forced into labour to support the Volscian war effort, and there were widespread food shortages as the Volsci took control of Deltannia's resources. But it wasn't all bad. $personName1 understood that long term rule required the support of the governed. He implemented policies to improve the infrastructure in the occupied territories, building new roads, schools, and hospitals. In time, he also lifted many restrictions on the press and allowed greater freedom of speech and expression.
  • Despite the difficult circumstances, a resistance movement began to form in Deltannia. Led by a charismatic leader named Marcus Turveviljelijä, the resistance fought against the Volscian occupiers using guerrilla tactics and sabotage. They gained the support of many Deltans who were tired of living under the harsh rule of the Volsci. As the years passed, the resistance grew stronger and $personName1 grew increasingly worried about the threat they posed to his rule. He ordered his soldiers to crack down on the resistance, but their efforts were largely unsuccessful, as the resistance fighters were always one step ahead.
  • Finally, in the year 1959, after 57 years of occupation, Deltannia was able to secure its independence, through diplomatic negotiations led by Turveviljelijä son and the resistance fighters. The Volsci retreated from the territory, and the Deltan people celebrated the end of a difficult chapter in their history. $personName1 faced a mixed reception from his people, both hailed as a hero for the development he brought, and criticized for the years of occupation. On the other hand, $sonOfTurveviljelijä was celebrated as a national hero for his leadership and sacrifice during the occupation, and for his role in the negotiations that led to Deltannia's independence.

The contemporary history of the Volsci in the 2000s is marked by an isolationist policy and was largely unaffected by the Great Europan Collapse. As the world entered the 2010s, the Volsci like many parts of the world, felt the effects of climate change. In 2019, the Volsci withdrew from the Assembled Nations (AN).

Politics

Government

Executive Triumvir Nadar Berbatiev (2019-present).

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Deputy Executive Triumvir Alyeksandr Voremen (2019-present).

The Volsci Republic is run as a de facto triumvirate. Though the three triumviri are theoretically equal, the executive is consider primus inter pares. The Executive Triumvir heads the Government and is responsible for the daily activities and management of the executive branch. The current Executive Triumvir is the Honourable Nadar Berbatiev, elected in April 2019. His role is equivalent to the function of President. The Legislative Triumvir is the head of the Parliament, responsible for the regulation and management of the legislative branch, and required to sign all laws passed. The current Legislative Triumvir is Berg Krimson. The Judicial Triumvir is the head of the Judiciary and acts as the supreme judge of the Supreme Court. The current Judicial Triumvir is Vigdis Gudmundson. The Judicial Triumvir is responsible for the managing of the judiciary, appointing Judges, and administering the oath of office of federal officials. The Judicial Triumvir is required to sign all major documents passed by the judicial branch.

Foreign relations

The Triumvirate follows a fanatical doctrine that seeks to control the Eurth and the fate of mankind. According to Triumvirate's core belief, the Eurth was last pure and untainted after the God of the Abrahamic religious tradition cleansed it in the Biblical Great Flood endured by Noah, which they claimed to have occurred around 8,000 years ago. Since then, the Eurth became consumed by chaos and sin. And only the Triumvirate has received God's divine command to restore humanity to this once-untainted paradise. Volsci is also an aging, insecure, former power determined to make a last stand before it is incapable of doing so.

Foreign policy experts have identified two rivals schools within the Volscian foreign policy: Expansionists who want to recover territories lost during the previous century; and Isolationists who promote the closing-off of Volsci within its own cultural sphere. Isolationism has become the dominant ideology during the first decades of the 21st century. For this reason the country withdrew from the Assembled Nations in 2019.

Military

The Volscian military is made up of four branches: the Army, Navy, Air Force, and the Strategic Rocket Force. Military service in the Volsci Republic is voluntary, although conscription can be re-introduced during wartime. These forces are also ready to take advantage of possible opportunities to extend Volscian power or to stop internal threats to Volscian security. The Triumvirate wants to use any means necessary to influence other countries and destroy any heretical or blasphemous civilisations, to accomplish its ‘holy mission’. The Triumvirate shares similarities with the Knights Templar, a Tacolic Military Order active during the Crusades for the Holy Land.

The Volscian military maintains a large military force to defend against any attacks on their borders by any potentially hostile neighbour. The Volscian people support such an expensive force to prevent destabilising effort. In 1959, Deltannia abused a period of internal Volscian power struggles, to establish its self-proclaimed ‘independence’. Since the 1960s, Volsci maintains a strong military presence along its northwestern border with Deltannia. The Volscians constructed a series of long border minefields, supposedly to stop cross-border infiltrations. However, the minefields have caused mostly civilian casualties. The IRCE asserted that: “International humanitarian norms are being violated, as long as the mine locations aren't marked. The Volscian government must inform the population of mine locations and types of mines.” The EOS has raised concern with Antium against this aggressive posturing. Volsci's southern border with Fubukino is much longer and more difficult to defend.

In the 1970s, the Triumvirate began investigating the dangers of and countermeasures to bioweapons. Since tests could cause long-lasting contamination of the immediate area, a remote island was preferred. A science and military complex was built on Vissarion Island in Lake Kitezh. It was used for inventing, producing, and testing biological weapons. In 1981, an accidental release of smallpox infected ten people, of whom three died. By the 1990s, the international community learned of its existence through various Volscian defectors.

VNS Harold Volk (left) docked in Capeatea.

During the 1980s and 1990s, Volsci had largely slowed its exploration efforts in the Argic Ocean. But interest has reignited since Volsci began further exploring and asserting its claim over disputed territories in the 2010s. The Gulf of Lanjon has become widely navigable because of receding pack-ice and improvements to shipping. This had led to calls by international bodies and foreign powers for Volsci to concede its sovereignty over the route and allow it to exist as an international passageway. The Volscien have immovably wanted to do so, with the ability to enforce their claims over this and the deeper Argic waters. For this reason, the Volscian Navy began developing new Argic warships: the Harold Volk-class offshore patrol vessel. As of September 2022, one is in service, three have been completed, and five are still under construction. These ships will serve to patrol and protect Volscian claims in the Argic region from foreign powers. The ships will also prevent the use of the passage by criminal organizations. It may mark the first steps of Volsci toward great power status in this future geopolitical battleground. In the words of the D•Ex•Tri Voremen: “Volsci has a choice when it comes to defending our sovereignty over the Argic Ocean. We either use it or lose it. And make no mistake, this government intends to use it.” More manpower is required to enforce and protect Volsci's claims to these increasingly desired assets.

However, the Volscian military also faced some internal problems. Unrealistic and stereotyped training practices in many areas failed to stimulate leadership initiative and creativity (especially at lower command levels) and that cannot test readiness adequately. There are quality control difficulties in producing and maintaining some of the more complex combat equipment now being fielded. Cynicism and corruption is widespread, fostered by the rigidly hierarchical Triumvirate system. Language and race issues can also have negative effects on the military.

Economy

Peat briquette factory.

Volsci is one of the largest countries on Eurth by geographic size. It is a mixed economy, with a heavy emphasis on the resource-extraction and export sectors. The country has a diverse range of natural resources, including coal, minerals, oil, and natural gas. It contains an abundance of hydrocarbons -- that is: petroleum, coal, and natural gas -- making the country one of the most energy rich in the Wurld. The mining sector is also important, with coal, minerals and other resources being found all over the country. The oil fields in the east are particularly rich, and have been a major source of conflict with neighboring Deltannia. Volsci is an important producer of oil and natural gas and much of this activity is seasonal, but due the geography most of the Volscian territory vacillates between frozen and swampy, making it more challenging to export. It also has more than enough land for new settlers. Of course, this would demand active engagement from the Volscian government to promote this outcome. Further infrastructure development is required. This includes the improvement of its rail system to something more high speed, with additional stops along inland cities. This would go a long way to creating a more evenly populated country, and a thriving, competitive trade economy. Additional people and improved infrastructure will support increased resource extraction and processing. The country has a relatively low unemployment rate, with only 7% of the population actively seeking employment.

Volsci's land also includes an enormous coastline, and boasts the second most ports along the Argic Ocean. The maritime transportation infrastructure is well-developed, with two major ports that play a crucial role in the country's economy: Antium, located along the Kosscow Sea, and Inteamna on the Oriental Ocean. These ports serve as key hubs for the import and export of goods, and are also important centers for tourism. Many foreign visitors come to see the country's historic coastal cities. There's also an increasing number of visits to the beautiful and mysterious Lake Kitezh.

The Argic territory was long disregarded as a relatively useless. However, in recent years it has become an area of tremendous interest, eyed by many foreign glubal powers. New technologies and discoveries, along with changing environmental circumstances, have opened up new possibilities in the field of energy extraction, defence, and trade. It's believed that the Argic houses a minimum of 10 to a maximum of 40 percent of the wurld's undiscovered oil and natural gas reserves. Not to mention copper, iron, diamonds, and phosphate. These resources have been costly and inconvenient to exploit. But investment in Argic exploitation of these resources could shift the glubal balance of financial and strategic power.

To protect the Boscan people from the effects of oil drilling and mining operations, they have been relocated to a resource-free area in the northeastern Temlyak Peninsula. The Boscans are a small ethnic group native to the tundra area. They live on a self-governing reservation. Tourists can book an organized trip to experience the Boscan culture. Half of all profits go to the Boscan Nation.

The national currency of the Volsci Republic is the Volscian $!Ruble. The $!ruble is the official currency of the country and is used for all transactions, including trade and commerce, government transactions, and day-to-day transactions for individuals. The $!ruble is issued and regulated by the central bank of Volsci, which is responsible for maintaining price stability and ensuring the stability of the financial system. The central bank uses a variety of monetary policy tools to influence the value of the ruble and to achieve its monetary policy objectives.

Culture

Traditional Boscan man.

Volsci is one of Eurth's most sparsely populated and urbanised countries. The vast majority of Volscians live along the western and eastern coastlines. Volscians are Europan people belonging to the larger Buranic linguistic group. From the early 8th century BCE they spread to inhabit the majority of northern Europa. Volscian people are divided into three geographic subgroups: Oscans (chiefly East-Volscians, Karthenians), Wescans (West-Volscians, Vetokite), and Boscans (North-Volscians, Deltannians). Within Volscian society there exists a relatively strong belief in Pan-Buranian Universalism. This is a non-political movement that promotes cultural unity and, to some extent, homogenisation among different Buranian communities.

The calendar system is unique in that it utilizes a six-season method, as opposed to the traditional four seasons that are commonly used in many countries. These seasons are fixed at even intervals of two months each and are named as follows:

• Winter: January and February.
• Unlocking: March and April.
• Spring: May and June.
• Summer: July and August.
• Autumn is September and October.
• Locking: November and December.

The naming of these seasons is symbolic, with ‘Unlocking’ and ‘Locking’ indicating the seasonal cycles of nature, such as the thawing of rivers and streams or the freezing of lakes and swamps. These seasons also dictate different activities that are appropriate for the season. For instance, 'Winter' is a time when many people in Volsci focus on indoor activities, as it is often cold and snowy, while 'Summer' is a time of year when many people engage in outdoor activities and vacation. The use of a six-season calendar is an important aspect of Volscian culture, and it plays a significant role in shaping the country's customs, traditions, and way of life. The calendar is used to organize various cultural and civic events throughout the year, such as festivals, holidays, and other celebrations that are timed to coincide with the appropriate season. The six-season calendar system is unique to the Volsci Republic and is not used in any other country. It adds a specific cultural mark to the nation and its way of living, it's a way to understand the environment and adapt to it, it also establishes a strong sense of connection with nature.