Creania

The Kingdom of Creania Creania
Flag
Motto: "Fuerza en La Unidad Strength in Unity
Anthem: Marcha del Amanecer
Capital and largest city	Bernebau
Official languages	Creanian
Other languages	Calaferran
Ethnic groups	Creanian's, Calaferran's, Ethnic Serican's, Qanarian's
Religion	Catholicism
Demonym(s)	Creanian
Government	Constitutional Monarchy
• King	Rafael
• Prime Minister	Pablo Cortes
Legislature	Parliament
• Upper house	House of Lords
• Lower house	House of Commons
Establishment
• Fomration of Kingdom of Bernebau	3 May 1215
• Formation of Kingdom of Creania	22 October 1453
• Centralized State	12 June 1722

The Kingdom of Creania (Creanian: Reino de Creania; pronounced: [ˈrei.no de kɾeˈa.ni.a]) is a sovereign state and monarchy situated in Southern Menra, bordered by Lyradon to the west and Ruges to the north. Known for its Mediterranean heritage, vibrant culture, and enduring monarchy, Creania has been a central player in Menran politics and global trade since its unification in the late medieval period. The kingdom is currently ruled by the House of Ibargüen, with King Rafael Ibargüen presiding over the throne in the early 20th century.

Creania’s consolidation as a unified state occurred under King Ferdinand I in the 15th century, marking the beginning of a centralized monarchy that oversaw a period of territorial expansion and maritime dominance. By the 17th and 18th centuries, Creania had grown into a formidable imperial power, establishing colonies across Menra and the Kartegean Sea and commanding vital Mediterranean trade routes. This era of expansion solidified the kingdom’s economic and military prominence.

In the 19th century, Creania faced significant challenges to its empire, including colonial independence movements and rising domestic pressures for political reform. These challenges led to the modernization of the monarchy, with the House of Ibargüen guiding the transition towards a constitutional framework while maintaining the monarchy’s symbolic and cultural authority. The reign of King Rafael II in the early 20th century represents a period of diplomatic activity and cultural renaissance, as Creania seeks to adapt its traditions to the realities of a rapidly changing world.

Creania’s influence is bolstered by its rich artistic heritage, strategic position, and historical alliances, particularly with neighboring powers like Lyradon and Eswal. The kingdom continues to navigate its role as a Menran power, balancing its legacy as a colonial empire with its aspirations for modernity and progress.

Geography

Creania is a country in the western part of Menra, located next to Austras to the west, and Lyradon in the east.

History

Early Modern Period (17th–18th Century)

Creania, a nation nestled in the southern region of Menra, established itself as a prominent kingdom in the early modern period. Its early economic prosperity stemmed from trade with Speria and colonization efforts in Leonata. The nation’s wealth was derived from sugar plantations, gold mining, and a robust maritime industry. During this era, Creania expanded its influence into the New World, claiming colonies such as Tarranza and San Izba.

However, this prosperity was marred by internal challenges, including reliance on slavery, growing tensions between the monarchy and aristocracy, and periodic uprisings from oppressed groups. These tensions laid the groundwork for the reforms and upheavals of the 19th century.

19th Century: The Era of Reforms and Expansion (1800–1875)

Reign of King Vicente (1855–1885)

The reign of King Vicente marked a turning point in Creanian history. Ascending the throne in 1855, Vicente spearheaded a wave of progressive reforms that sought to modernize the kingdom. These included the gradual abolition of slavery (1855 in Creania; 1875 in its colonies) and efforts to balance royal authority with parliamentary powers. Vicente also oversaw Creania’s entry into the colonization of Kartege, securing Calaferra in 1870 and negotiating agreements that allowed local nobility to retain some power.

Despite these advances, Vicente's reign saw the loss of several Leonatan colonies as Creania’s global influence waned, partly due to competition with rising powers such as the United Federated States of Leonata and Eswal.

A Rise of Nationalism, Conflict, and Decline

Gaspar II ascended the throne of Creania in 1885 following the death of his father, King Vicente. Unlike his father, whose reign had been marked by reformist policies aimed at modernizing Creania and bridging the gap between its aristocratic north and industrializing south, Gaspar aligned himself with the conservative aristocracy and the burgeoning nationalist movement in the north. This ideological shift set the tone for a reign characterized by increasing centralization of power, aggressive foreign policy, and mounting internal strife.

The Rise of Nationalism (1885–1887)

Gaspar’s first years on the throne were marked by his efforts to consolidate royal authority and undo the liberal reforms of his father. In 1887, citing inefficiencies and corruption, he dissolved the Creanian parliament, effectively ending any semblance of constitutional governance. The move was celebrated by the northern aristocracy, who viewed parliamentary reform as a threat to their influence, but it alienated much of the south and middle-class reformists. Gaspar’s policies ignited a wave of nationalist fervor, rallying support among those who saw Creania’s future tied to its imperial legacy and cultural traditions.

The War Against Esmariastan (1893)

Gaspar’s foreign policy took a decisive turn with Creania’s participation in the war against Esmariastan, aligning with the Western Coalition to support the liberation of Elannis, a former Creanian colony. The war, which culminated in 1893, was a rare victory for Gaspar, bolstering his nationalist credentials and reasserting Creania’s role as a regional power. Elannis’s liberation was celebrated across the kingdom, though the costs of the war strained Creania’s resources and sowed the seeds of future instability. The Calaferran Massacre and Paranoia (1893–1897)

In the same year, an attempted assassination against Gaspar profoundly altered the trajectory of his reign. Surviving the attempt unscathed, Gaspar became increasingly paranoid, viewing dissent as a direct threat to his authority. In response, he ordered the massacre of the Calaferran population in the colonial capital of Bernebeau, claiming it was necessary to root out potential enemies. News of the massacre was suppressed, but whispers of the atrocity spread, tarnishing Gaspar’s reputation and deepening divisions within Creania. His paranoia intensified, leading to purges of perceived dissidents and escalating tensions across the kingdom.

The Leonatan War and the Death of Crown Prince Joaquin (1897–1899)

Gaspar’s obsession with reasserting Creanian dominance extended to its last colony in the New World, the sugar-rich territory of Leonata. A dispute over trade and governance escalated into war with the United Federated States of Leonata in 1897. The conflict proved disastrous; Creania was ill-prepared to face Leonata’s superior naval forces. The war culminated in 1899 with Creania’s defeat and the death of Crown Prince Joaquin, Gaspar’s eldest son, who perished aboard the HMS Maria. Joaquin’s death was a devastating blow to the royal family and marked a turning point in Gaspar’s reign, as the loss further alienated the public and weakened support for his leadership.

Domestic Unrest and the Austran Conflict (1898–1904)

At home, Creania faced growing unrest. A labor dispute in 1898 turned violent, resulting in numerous deaths and further highlighting the divide between Gaspar’s government and the working class. In 1902, Gaspar turned his attention westward, launching a brief but destructive war against Austras over territorial disputes in Kartege. While Creania’s military inflicted significant damage on Austran infrastructure, Eswalian intervention forced Gaspar to abandon his claims in 1904. The conflict drained Creania’s economy and morale, leaving the kingdom weakened and isolated. The Carlion Campaign and the Death of Nicolas (1907–1910)

Undeterred by previous failures, Gaspar embarked on a costly campaign to reclaim the former colony of Carlion in the East Sea. The war, launched in 1907, was driven by Gaspar’s grandiose dreams of a renewed colonial empire. The campaign proved disastrous, straining Creania’s already fragile economy and resulting in heavy casualties. Among the dead was Prince Nicolas, Gaspar’s second son, who perished in 1910. Fearing the loss of his remaining heir, Gaspar ordered Prince Rafael removed from the frontlines, further eroding the monarchy’s credibility. The Decline and Death of Gaspar (1910–1912)

By 1910, Gaspar’s health was in decline, and his once-firm grip on power began to slip. Ministers and advisors, recognizing the instability of his rule, quietly began preparing for the future. Isolated and increasingly distrusted, Gaspar spent his final years in seclusion within the palace. He died in 1912, reportedly in pain and alone, marking the end of a turbulent and divisive reign. His son, Crown Prince Rafael, ascended the throne at the age of 23, inheriting a kingdom fractured by war, unrest, and the legacy of his father’s contentious policies.

Early 20th Century: The Reign of King Rafael (1912–Present)

Rafael’s Early Reign (1912–)

At just 23 years old, King Rafael inherited a kingdom burdened by military losses, economic hardship, and the waning loyalty of colonial territories. Rafael's reign has been marked by the modernization of the nation through trade agreements with Lyradon and Eswal, as well as the growing efforts to integrate Calaferran residents into the nation. This includes the controversial measure of the King to grant citizenship to all Calaferran's born in Creania past a certain year, and to those whom had fought for the country during the Great War. King Rafael also sucessfully saw the return of national democracy as he oversaw the election of 1915. Rafael's reign has been controversial for what many see as his sympathies towards the Calaferran people, and for his entry into the Great War, after which the country gained the colony of Jinbao in eastern Speria, and the protectorate of Qanar.