Veleaz

United Veleazan Republic República Unida Véleaz
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: "Para los Trabajadores" "For the Workers"
Anthem: "Hijos del Pueblo" "Children of the people"
Capital	Jaulín
Largest city	Velacruz
Official languages	Veleazan
Ethnic groups	Unspecified
Demonym(s)	Veleazan
Government	Representative Presidential Republic
• President	Nicolas Amor Collado (Interim)
• Vice President	Martín Nieto
Establishment
• Gained Independence	1981
• Republic Established	2019
Population
• 2015 estimate	49,459,195
Gini (2014)	28.4 low
HDI (2014)	0.756 high
Currency	Florin (FLN)
Date format	mm.dd.yyyy
Driving side	left
Calling code	+94
Internet TLD	.vlz

Veleaz, officially the United Veleazan Republic (Veleazan: República Unida Véleaz pronounced: /esˈtaðo popuˈlaɾ deˈβeleaθ/) is a sovereign state in central Asura, located on the planet Aeia. The Mainland of Veleaz is bordered by Midrasia to the north-west, Dreyvisevich to the east, Chalchia to the South and the Asur Sea to the west. The nation enjoys a temperate seasonal climate, with coastal regions being significantly warmer than the east of the country. Following the disestablishment of the communist state following the Triskaideka War, Veleaz operates as a representative Presidential republic, with the President being elected by the people, who leads the nation until the end of his five year-term. The capital of Veleaz is located in Jaulín, recently moved from the previous capital of Tolvas to avoid association with the previous communist state.

Initially a Dukedom of the Mydra Realms, a vassal to the much larger Toussaint, it wasn't until the 12th century that calls for Veleazan independence began to rise, realised in the Massacre of Tolvas during the Sixty Years War, where the Toussaintian king and entourage were slaughtered by Duke Ramón. Veleaz's subsequent alignment with the Ibbenian League becoming a controversial episode during the Sixty Year's War, as an Tolvasian Army fled the field, resulting in a truce being signed between the League and Toussaint. In 1369, Tolvas was granted independence from Toussaint, and began an expansion effort southwards, forcing smaller Veleazan states to either join or be destroyed.

It was during the 14th century that Veleaz began to rise, establishing colonies in Arabekh and [[Rennekka], causing much resentment between Veleaz and the other colonial Asuran States. These disagreements often broke out in numerous colonial conflicts between the nations, however Veleazan tenacity enabled them to emerge nominally stronger. Throughout the centuries, discontent and distrust began to mount between Midrasia and Veleaz, coming to a head in the 1860 Perpignan War, which resulted in a shock Veleazan victory and establishing the Veleazan Dominion as the global powerhouse, and the Great War, which high cost in men and material eventually forced its defeat and caused a republican revolution and a subsequent civil war which led to the establishment of the modern communist state. The new communist state joined the Aeian Socialist Union shortly after the Second Great War, however this would prove to be the Union's downfall as Veleaz's declaration of independence in 1977 led to the ASU Civil War and dissolution of the ASU.

Veleaz in the modern era has become a pariah state, it's refusal to undergo democratisation or drop its authoritarian government has essentially frozen relations with almost every Aeia nations, particularly those that neighbour it, with militarised borders being common. Despite the excessive socialist propaganda, Veleaz is the home to a number of historical sites and ruin, ranging from early prehistoric monuments to the modern Hall of the Proletariat, home to one of the largest public collections of art in Asura. It's lack of trade with the outside world has resulted in Veleaz entering the lower half of international rankings in most categories, especially in access to clean water and access to higher education.

Etymology

Unlike most Asuran states, the source of the name of Veleaz is easily traceable. Previously, the state was known as Tolvas, taking it's name from the capital of the Dukedom, however the name Veleaz comes from the first Duke, Bartolomé Velázquez. The popularity of the Duke and his family led to the realm being associated with Velázquez, later shortening the name to 'Veláz' following its independence in 1369, with it later changed to Veleaz following the Communist Revolution, to eliminate overly symbolic relations to the monarchy

History

Antiquity

With the growth of the Fiorentine Empire, the area comprising modern Veleaz was quickly absorbed into the Empire in a series of short engagements between the Empire and a coalition of Veleazan tribes. Following conquest, the area became increasingly Fiorentinised, many Fiorentine customs and habits being adopted by the local tribes. However, the increasing acceptance of the Fiorentine Empire did not prevent a brief independence rebellion occurred at the tail end of the Empire's life which, despite being quashed, led to further instability in the empire and, following the Empire's collapse, the area was seized by, and placed under the control of, the Midrasian Kingdom of Touissant, with it being named the Dukedom of Tolvas, the first Duke being Duke .

Middle Ages

Owing to its position of a vassal to Toussaint, the Dukedom of Tolvas followed much in the line of Toussaint, with its sizeable population and advantageous position in the Asur being capitalised on by the Toussaint region as a means to expand its power and influence throughout the coastal regions of Asura, and bolster its prestige with the Mydra Realms. Tolvas bore the brunt of the Almmanic and Sclavic excursions into mainland Asura. The consistent foreign attacks led to its populace congregating together in cities, with Tolvas becoming one of the largest population centres in Aeia, as well as those that remained in villages becoming remarkably decentralised, even by feudal standards, so they could respond to Sclavic attacks quicker and more efficiently, finally putting an end to the attacks sometime in the 11th century.

Due to the territory often being responsible for the defence of the southern borders of the Mydra Realms, a unique culture and language began to take hold in the region, largely at the hands of peasants, causing a cultural divide that only expanded as time progressed, however the aristocratic class remained largely Mydra at heart, speaking the language and sticking to the customs. As discontent and cultural differences began to burst, the First Peasants Revolt broke out in 1121, quickly taking control of southern portions of Tolvas and declaring independence from the wider Tolvas Dukedom, however it still named the Duke Gaspar as its King. Rather than waste men on crushing the Revolt, Gaspar instead accepted the Title and named the kingdom 'Veláz' in honour of his family. However, the incumbent King of Toussaint, Robert II, rejected the Kingdom and deemed Gaspar's acquiescence of the Kingdom a betrayal and, after conferring with the Pontiff of Laterna, had the entire region excommunicated until it was brought under control, placing Gaspar's brother, Francisco, in charge of the effort.

The war outlasted all three men, continuing on for over a century, with neither side attaining victory. Eventually, a truce was signed in 1254. In it, the state was recognised as independent, but Veláz would be recognised as independent, however it was not permitted the title of King and had to pay an annuity of ₧1,200 to Tolvas, with the Duke of Tolvas's heir being named the Baron of Veláz prior to his accession to Duke. The agreement had the consent of both the Pontiff and Luix III, with the former removing the excommunication that had been levelled against the region. Despite fighting under the banner of the Mydra Realms throughout the war, the first Baron of Veláz, Montxo, would eventually adopt anti-Mydraists views on his nation and, upon accession to Duke of Tolvas, began implementing reforms that would see the Veláz language take precedence over Midrasia, in both aristocratic circles and peasant, and would raise his sons, Alejandro and Ramón, to further expand on such reforms. Alejandro's reign as Duke remained largely unremarkable, other than his expansion of the Tolvassian military and the formal creation of the Tolvassian Royal Fleet, one of the first acts of centralisation in Tolvas. However, Alejandro drowned in 1301, and was succeeded by Ramón, who was much more fierce in his anti-Mydraist views.

Ramón's accession coincided perfectly with the outbreak of the Sixty Year's War in the Mydra Realms between the Ibbenian League and Toussaint. Wishing to bide his time, the Duke sent men in support of Toussaint, however he would refrain from capitalising on successes or pushing his forces too far forwards, all in the hopes of maintaining the trust of the Toussaintian king. It was in 1327, during the second phase of the war, that Tolvas betrayed Toussaint, killing the king during a banquet, plunging the Toussaintian kingdom into disarray. Aligning himself with the Ibbenian League encouraged the Barony of Veláz to support him with materials and support. However, with Ramón fleeing with his men during the battle of Autun, caused a disastrous defeat for the Ibbenian League and causing another halt in the war. During this period, Ramón was assassinated by members of the Tolvassian aristocracy who had been angered by their alignment with the Ibbenians, however they were soon killed during the Second Peasant's Revolt that saw Ramón's son, Agustin, become Duke of Tolvas.

Renewing the Tolvassian alliance with the Ibbenians, the war restarted. With the Ibbenians concentrated in the north, the Tolvassians occupied themselves with raiding and destroying Tossaintian farmlands and villages, with the Seizure of the Azur being the largest events the Tolvassians undertook, to crush resolve for the fight, helping spark the Serfs' Revolt through their actions, however the Dukedom was left largely untouched by the fighting, until the Ibbenians surrendered to Toussaint, causing fear to rip through Tolvas as the lack of an northern menace freed the Toussaintians to attack Tolvas. Due to the region being comparatively untouched, it allowed the Tolvassians to put up a dogged resistance and, following the switching of alliances by Wallais, forced the Toussaintians out. However, a second, much larger, invasion followed shortly after. Any plans to retake Tolvas with this invasion were scuppered by a decisive ambush at Helios Pass destroyed much of the Toussaintian force and forced them back, causing the conflict to degrade into a series of skirmishes, with both sides considering the war fruitless. Due to this, a peace treaty was signed that saw Tolvas, and the surrounding states, recognise Philip as the King of all Mydra, but in return, Philip would recognise and respect the independence of Tolvas and Veláz.

The Independence of Tolvas and Veláz had had a considerable toll on the workforce's of the respective nations, with many men who had been of suitable age had been killed during the Sixty Year's War, as such there was a popular expectation that the two nations would unite together to expand their population and strength, however while moves were taken to ensure this, there was much contention between King Agustin of Tolvas and King Gabino I of Veláz as to how the unification would occur, as neither King wished to surrender their titles and power to the other , resulting in the two states entering a cold political relationship. Many attempts were made by both Kings to antagonise the other, both of them spending lavish amounts of money in an attempt to display their superiority over the other, antagonising both the opposite king and the peasants of both nations. It was this resentment of the two Kings that the Third Peasants Revolt, the last of the Peasant Revolts in Veleaz, occurred. The two Kings proved unable to defeat the rebellious peasant's, with the Decree of Mencui being the resultant agreement where the Agustin and Gabino would marry their eldest son and daughter, so that the realm would be united after their death.

IN 1367, Agustin died and was followed shortly by Gabino I, who died in 1370. Their deaths led to the succession of Gabriel I and the unification of Veleaz, establishing the unified Velodomite state. Shortly after the unification, Veleaz experienced an era commonly labelled the Golden Era as the state saw both an economic and cultural boom, furthered by the arrival of the printing press in Veleaz following a diplomatic mission to Eastern Catai in 1379. The period saw also saw the emergence of the Mydro-Veleazan Rivalry as both states vied for dominance among the post-Fiorentine states, however Veleaz struggled to keep up with the rate of Midrasian expansion and exploration and often following Midrasian footsteps shortly after they were laid. However, anti-Midrasian sentiments caused the following of Midrasian exploits as both unpopular and humiliating to the nation. Thus, in 1390, the Compañía Colonial Real (Royal Colonial Company/CCR) was founded, both to organise Veleazan colonial and exploratory efforts, as well as a means to out-prestige Midrasian efforts.

Early Modern Period

As Veleaz sought to outmatch Midrasian cultural and colonial landmarks, religious tensions between Veleaz and Laterna began to emerge in regards to the temporal actions of the Church, as well as the interpretations the Church put forth to explain the world. An ecclesiastical council at Tolvas was called in the 1470s, both called for by the Bishop of Tolvas and sponsored by the King of Veleaz, Joaquín II, a group of reformers officially compiled the Emendo, an addition to the Caudex which attempted to clarify church doctrine, which was sent to Laterna for review by church officials. Although initially compiled to facilitate debate of church failings and potential mistranslations within the Caudex, the book was immediately cast aside by the Orthodox church and placed on a register of forbidden texts. In response, the Tolvas council adopted the Emendo as ecclesiastical canon, leading to the widespread excommunication of its attendees. In the following years' the number of those following the teachings of the Emendo grew. These people tended to take issue with Pontiff Alexander V and the College of Bishop's leadership. Their decision not to embrace the Emendo, or at least consider surface level church reform was the last straw for many of these disaffected Alydians, who now called themselves Puritans because they believed that their practice was the most pure form of Alydianism. Further Puritan theologians built upon the Emendo introducing reforms to do away with the hierarchy of the Orthodox Church which they saw as corrupt and unable to properly lead the faithful.

Following the publishing of the Emendo, religious riots broke out across Veleaz, initially anti-Emendo in nature. However, following the Decree of Temporal Faith, Joaquín II forcibly converted the entire noble class into accepting the Emendo version of Alydianism, which in turn persuaded much of the rioting populace to adopt it as well, shifting the tone of the riots from anti-Emendo to anti-Orthodox, with many Orthodox worshippers being forced out of their homes. The displacement caused much of the Orthodox world to turn against Veleaz, with a brief war breaking out between Veleaz and an Orthodox coalition of nation that led to the Alzur changing hands again., however little else changed. With the adoption of the Puritan branch, Joaquín II began expanding the funds and authority granted to the CCR, whicg had spent much of the previous century charting the recently discovered Vestrim, named after Antonia Vestrimos, and the Columbian Islands, establishing numerous armed missions in Rennekka and Vestrim to spread the Puritan interpretation to the New World and to ensure a base for which expansion could occur, with the first official colony state being proclaimed in Vidoria in 1463.

The 16th century saw religious tensions inflamed within Veleaz as Ksaiism and Trúathi preachers began to spread southward from Lhedwin, as well as Irsadic teachings progressing northwards from the Iranic nations, as well as Arabekhi immigrants that migrated from Veleazan territories in the region. Fearing an internal struggle between the already shaky Puritan Alydianism and the encroaching religions from abroad, an ultimatum was delivered that demanded non-Puritan commissionaires either convert to Puritan Alydianism or be forcibly expelled from Veleaz. While such a degree was popular in the North, small revolts in southern Veleaz, centred around Irsadic communities along the border with Olycadon, erupted in response to the Ultimatum. While ultimately crushed, the revolts began a shift in how the Veleazan government operated, making a slow shift to centralisation, authoritarianism, and militarism. Additionally, with the annexation of the Pontifical Domain by Midrasia, it encouraged the leading reverends of Veleaz to codify the Puritan canon, eliminating any possibility that Ksaiist or Irsadic thoughts would effect it, as the Orthodox Branch had begun to do. The codification was initially unpopular, as much of the complaints against the Orthodox Church was the presence of an overarching hierarchy of bishops, which many claimed the Reverends had become, further splitting the Puritan branch between Codified and Uncodified.

Nineteenth Century

With brewing discontent between the religious life in Veleaz, many began to look for a means to unite the Veleazan people. Such an opportunity arose during the Midrasian Revolution, with the nation undergoing turmoil during the initial years of the Midrasian Republic. Seizing the opportunity, Veleaz retook the Alzur island, an event that saw mass celebrations across Veleaz. The retaking of the Alzur prompted a new resolve in Veleazan foreign affairs, with the Veleazan Navy being rapidly expanding, the annexation and colonisation of Hipasia, which was then used as a base to crush pirate activities in the Arabekh Sea, as well as attacking and destroying know bases of piracy in the Columbian Sea. This new pace of expansion and military competence proved to be the start of the end for the Veleazan Empire, with the first nail being driven in during the final Mydro-Commonwealth Wars, resulting in the loss of the Alzur Island in 1724 (two years after the Partitions of the Commonwealth). Colonial revolts in the Mania Islands and Colevra saw the dissolution of the majority of Veleazan holdings in the Columbian Sea and Vestrim, events that saw Veleaz adopted an uncharacteristically liberal colonial policy, allowing many regions to govern themselves and run their own forces, with Veleazan oversight. Further cooperation with nations that held anti-Midrasian views, notably Cuirpthe, allowed Veleaz to build a tangible international trade network to rival those of the larger colonial empires.

Disagreements with Midrasia once again came to a head in regards to how they treated their respective ambassadors, with a diplomatic insult said by a Midrasian politician being used as justification by Veleaz for the 1867 Perpignan War. a shock Veleazan victory saw the Midrasian Republic shook to its core, with Veleaz levying harsh peace terms, including the annexation of the Midrasian region of Tolosa and the Alzur island, along with a Đ2 billion reparations fee to be paid over 5 years. The victory also encouraged the United Kingdom of Lhedwin to ally itself with Veleaz, formally creating the Imperial Concordat and placing Veleaz in a dominant position internationally and causing the Empire to reach the zenith of its power. However, the period following the war was rife with discontent among the Midrasians that now found themselves under the control of Veleaz, with forced conversions to the Puritan branch and a crackdown on the Midrasian language causing the rise of numerous terrorist groups and placing considerable strain on the already tense relationship between Veleaz and Midrasia.

Despite the repressive actions of Veleaz in Tolosa, the post-Perpignan War period saw unparalleled democratisation in Veleaz. The founding of the experimental Senate of Veleaz in 1882 was the first of its kind in the Veleazan world, with almost all eligible voters turning out for the nation's first democratic elections, with Francisco Aja Tavira being elected as the nation's first Prime Minister with a landslide victory. However, despite the popularity of Tavira, King Phillipe II saw him as a threat to the monarchical institution, fearing a Republican Revolution much in the vein of the Midrasian one. As such, the powers of both Prime Minister and Senate were severely limited, and no Bill could be passed without the approval of the incumbent monarch, who held veto power. As such, many Bills the Senate passed proved only to further militarise the nation, as the paranoid Phillipe maintained eyes on Midrasia and its rearmament. Talvira formally resigned in 1888, with Juan Martín Abasto becoming his successor. Abasto's administration proved to be considerably more liberal, frequently clashing with the Monarch, however what the administration passed saw reforms to public health, schooling, and reconstruction in Tolosa and Perpignan, regions that had been left alone due to the violence present.

A visit to Perpignan to asses the progress of infrastructure projects ended with the death of Abasto as one of the numerous Midrasian terror groups successfully detonated a bomb near the Perpignan Central Train Station, with the perpetrator caught soon after and interrogated. Politicians immediately blamed Midrasian interference, causing a diplomatic crisis that lasted for just under one-month before the outbreak of war on September 13th. During this time, the Veleazan government debated how it was to respond, split between pro-war and anti-war factions, however a compromise was reached that saw an Ultimatum sent to Midrasia, which was ultimately rejected out of hand. In resonse, Veleaz declared war on Midrasia on the 13th of September.

The war proved to be a disaster for the Veleazan alliance, with any hopes for a quick war dashed following the failure of the Trastámara Offensive, and the blockade of Veleaz established by the Allied powers. Harsh war conditions and a close to starving population proved to be too much for the Veleazans to handle, along with Midrasian and Aquidish forces breaking through Veleazan lines and the defeat of the Veleazan Navy, saw Veleaz capitulate in 1889. The resultant peace treaty saw the nation completely humiliated as it handed over both the territories it had taken from Midrasia in the previous Perpignan War, as well as having to pay an immense reparations fee to the victors. The pressure of the bill proved too much for Veleaz to handle alongside what was left of its colonial empire, resulting in many colonies still under the control of Veleaz being granted independence before the victorious allied nations could come to an agreement as to which nation gained what.

Post-War Period

The debt of Veleaz also proved too much for the continued lavish spending of the Monarchy, with the initially weaken Senate slowly making more and more political power, in exchange for whittling away that of the Monarch. However, even the progress of the Senate proved too slow for many Veleazans, who had flocked to a variety of political extremes, with political street fighting between various groups becoming commonplace as the government lacked the ability to properly enforce the laws, these fights being the onset of the Veleazan Years of Trouble, where numerous Veleazan subdivisions of the state would become effective autonomous states, many running their own militaries. The 1920s saw the decline of the separate autonomous zones, the emergence of the Red Guards, a communist militia and political part, saw the zones effectively dismantled by millions flocking to the Red Guards, allowing it to become the largest political faction in Veleaz at the time. With an advantageous position secured, the Red Guards sparked the Veleazan Revolution that toppled the Monarchy and the Senate on the 18th December 1922. The Communist State of Veleaz was subsequently founded by the Red Guards, headed by Alexandre Dueñas, which saw radical changes to Veleazan society, most notable of which being the mass executions of those that were suspected of harbouring anti-communist thoughts and monarchical alignments, in a bloody attempt to ensure the survival of the revolution. Following his death at the tail end 1923, with many of his planned reforms not even started, an attempted coup was launched by the more socially liberal members of the Red Guards, headed by Etelvino Grimau, who feared the more conservative Blas Hernández Gilabert. This act proved to be the spark for the three month Veleazan Civil War fought between the socially liberal Red Guards and the conservative Red Guards, who took on the name Loyalist Guards to differentiate themselves. The victorious Loyalists continued Dueñas' legacy by executing the Red Guards that had been unable to escape Veleaz.

With Gilabert at the lead of the People's State, the nation underwent a conversion to a centrally planned economy, attempted industrialisation of underdeveloped rural regions, and serious land reform. Due to the elimination of money in Veleaz, many people were instead rewarded for their work in food, however the disastrous and continuous land reformation resulted in atrocious crop yields, causing the Veleazan famine of 1925-1928, with the availability of food being reliant on shipments from the newly formed Aeian Socialist Union. The situation was worsened by an outbreak of typhoid fever, with 174 people out of every 100,000 infected dying, ripping though Veleaz. With the populace barely eating and the population laid low by typhoid fever, the Communist Party chose to remain neutral during the Second Great War, not risking the spread of the disease by joining the ASU during the war. With the War ending in a stalemate, Veleaz was encourage to be absorbed by the ASU as it had managed to stand against the much stronger capitalist powers, thereby guaranteeing the survival of the People's State, however the debt Veleaz owed the ASU for the food shipments also acted as an incentive. Being the only ASU state to have access to the Asur, Veleaz was host to numerous military facilities throughout the Aeian Cold War, with the southern city of Fruxil being home to the Asur Fleet of the ASU and Tolvas hosting a number of Commissariat Assemblies.

Owing to Vynozihia position as the agricultural base of the ASU and Dreyvisevich being the home to the largest mines of the ASU, Veleaz was rapidly turned into a manufacturing hub to support the rapid industrialisation the rest of the Union was undergoing, with whole towns being constructed to support the demand for products across the ASU, with its infrastructure being the envy of many ASU states. Because of the Veleazan state in the ASU seeing itself as the most vital state within the ASU's structure, many representatives began to demand centralisation around Veleaz, expecting the states to agree due to the manufacturing powerbase being in Veleaz. However, it was quickly rejected, causing serious discontent between Veleaz and the other states, with the representatives frequently clashing when they encountered each other.

Popular opinion in Veleaz eventually turned to the goal of Veleazan independence, with popular demonstrations occurring through Veleaz. The public pressure eventually led to the Veleazan Declaration of Indepdence in 1977, with Veleazan forces quickly taking control of the wealth of military assets that lay in Veleaz, allowing the state to seize both an early lead and a technological advantage in terms of equipment. A series of Veleazan victories led to in 1977-78 led to the Provisional Government of Brillia to join the side of the Veleazans and, following an invasion of Dreyvisevich led to the Veskoslovia region to join the secessionist side. Western Asura began to fund the secessionist side with both arms and volunteers, with the Veleazan representatives agreeing to drop the communist system in exchange for a western democracy. 1981 saw a Veleazan and secessionist victory, with the ASU being dissolved shortly after.

Contemporary Period

The period after the war saw reforms by the Veleazan politicians to prepare the nation for its conversion to a democracy as per the agreement made with the western Asuran nations, however Enrique Vincente, the nominal head of the RAFV who had led the force to victory in the ASU Civil War, resented what he saw as handing Veleazan sovereignty over to capitalist nations and, in a dramatic fashion utilising all branches of the armed forces, forcibly took control of Tolvas without a single shot fired, forcing all diplomats he did not consider allies out of the country, effectively sealing the country off from the outside world, declaring Veleaz had no intention of abandoning communism. The move turned Veleaz into a pariah state on the international scene, with Midrasia constructing the Appian Wall along the border to prevent an attempt by Veleaz to push its mobilised forces into western Asura, however no such move materialised.

Instead, Vincente re-established many of the communist offices that had been closed by the ASU during its existence. The Party also adopted the view that the industrialised state of Veleaz was made due to the ASU trying to appease the capitalist west, as such it was bourgeois. The State then oversaw the transfer of millions of Veleazan industrial and factory workers onto expanded agricultural fields, with numerous factories that didn't benefit the Veleazan military were destroyed and replaced with more agricultural lands. Thousands were moved from the cities to a series of isolated Veleazan regions to begin farming, to ensure the foodstuffs in Veleaz did not run out. The deaths of thousands across Veleaz proved this plan to be disastrous, with the Party reopening a number of factories in the late 1990s to help reduce the strain they had placed on the Veleazan soil, resulting in low crop yields.

The turn of the millennia saw Veleaz adopt a viewpoint that allowed for migration back to the cities, due to the number of deaths the migration to the country had caused, with the armed forces rapidly expanded as a means to employ as many people out of the countryside as possible, with the government often hiring people to dig holes in the road and then refill them, just to bring people back to the cities. However, cities still remain vastly underpopulated due to the policies on the late 80s. Anti-Midrasian sentiment has also been eagerly circulated, beginning with the Abado Wildfires in 2004, with the blame being levied against Midrasian weapons testing. This sentiment culminated in 2018 with the beginning of the Triskaideka War between Veleaz and the Commonwealth of Democratic Nations. As of 23 June 2018, Veleazan forces appealed for a ceasefire and Enrique Vincente was placed under arrest.

Demographics

Veleaz has a population of 62,321,921, making it the Xth largest nation of Asura and the Xth largest in the former Aeian Socialist Union, with a population density of X. Due to government policies in the years following Veleaz's independence, much of the population resides in the interior of the nation, primarily in rural farmland, with only an estimated 30% of the population rising in urban settings, giving it one of the lowest urban populations in the world, with Tolvas harbouring at least 10% of the urban population. Overall, Veleaz has a life expectancy of only 68 years (65.4 years for males, and 71.5 for females). Fertility rates hover around 2.3 children per woman in the nation, with upwards trends being noticed due to government encouragement.

Veleaz is also host to several minority groups, largely descended from the populations of territories formely controlled by Veleaz. The largest of the groups are Chalcians, Midrasians, and a significant population of Sclavs in the south-east of the nation. A large number of ethnic Veleazans also live in overseas territories, mostly within neighbouring nations, or former colonial nations, largely descended from Veleazan refugees that fled the nation following the Great War and the communist revolution, with further numbers fleeing following the collapse of the ASU.

Due to the isolationist nature of Veleaz, as well as the oppressive measures taken by the government to ensure its position, almost all of the non-elite of Veleazan society are living in or straddle poverty. The distribution of food and clothing is the responsibility of local Jefe Inferior, however corruption in this system is rife, often seeing some regions neglected in favour of supplies reaching more favourable regions. Veleazans are also housed in government built houses, often allocated to them by the local Union, but these are often low quality and were initially built as a quick stop-gap as proper housing was constructed, however such efforts were halted following the mass embargo of Veleaz by numerous outside states, leading to the widespread use of temporary housing.

Ethnicity

Estimate ethnic identity in Veleaz (2015 census)

  White Veleazan (82.4%)

  Non-Veleazan Asurans (10%)

  Non-Asuran (7.6%)

Due to the communist ideology of the Veleazan government, there are a lack of any government records due to the belief that to carry out such census's would make it appear as though they are unequal. As such, census forms exclude any questions in regards to racial or ethnic identity. However, non-government estimates place the percentage of 'White Veleazans' at around 82.4% of the population making up the largest portion of the country's population. Later estimates place the Asuran immigrant population at 10% of the population, with non-Asurans filling the remaining population. At the time of the Communist Revolution, Veleaz instituted an immigration that was noticeably liberal for the time, allowing for unchecked immigration for its former colonial territories and forbid any racial or ethnic discrimination, creating a noticeable stir in Asuran politics as there was palpable fear that the non-white populace of Veleaz might spread in the rest of Asura.

Religion

Religion in Veleaz is a source for internal and external controversy. The communist and atheistic ideology of the sitting government forbids any public display of religion due to the bourgeois connotations of religion, however it often turns a blind eye to private services held by rural communities, so long as it does not preach counter-revolutionary ideology. As such, it is believed that Puritan Alydianism still remains the largest followed religion in Asura, believed to be at 45% of the population being active observers, due to the Puritan's objection to any large, overarching religious organisation. However, the next largest religious branch is state atheism, with an estimate 42% of the population adhering to it, with every government official required to be atheist. The next 30% is believed to be a mixture of various immigrant beliefs.

Historically, Orthodox Alydianism had been the dominant religion of Veleaz ever since the establishment of its founding states, however the establishment of Puritan Alydianism, and the subsequent relgious wars, cemented Puritanism's place in Veleazan society. The country continued to be religiously homogeneous until the Sixteenth Century when smaller religions from the north began to trickle down from the communities set up in Midrasia However, Veleaz took noticeable steps to prevent these religions making large swaths into Veleazan society, turning back numerous Trúathi and Ksaiist missionaries as the arrived in the nation. Following the communist revolution, however, the state took a militant atheist approach to religion, outlawing it and defacing numerous religious buildings, transforming them into centres of communist activity. However, the arrival of immigrant populations and the increasing international pressure convinced the state to take a lighter approach, allowing for private practice, but preventing religious people from taking part in government and encouraging atheism in religious hotbeds.

Politics

Veleaz is a Federal Marxist–Leninist one-party socialist state, headed by Enrique Vincente since his successful take over in 1981. While technically a socialist state since 1923, the interruption of Veleazan independence due to its involvement in the ASU, the state has seen authoritarianism become rampant following the 1981 takeover, with Vincente purposefully instilling a sense of paranoia among those below him to prevent him being disposed. Currently, Veleaz lacks a written constitution, instead relying on past judgements made by the Commissar's Office, as well as the decisions made by Vincente. This, however, has led to situations where Vincente has changed his mind on a certain decision made in the past, resulting in progress being overturned and a new path being taken, such as the mid-90s forced movement to the rural regions, before overturning this and allowing people to return to the cities.

Government

Veleaz lacks any sort of previously agreed upon legislature, instead all legislative decisions are made and voted upon by the Commissar's Office, formerly relegated to the military before its transformation into a nationwide political machine. The Commissar's Office meet regularly in the Palace of the Revolution, housed in what was formerly the Imperial Residence for the Royal Family prior to the Revolution. Symbolically, the Main Hall of the Palace has the old Veleazan flag of the monarchy, with visitors required to step on it to signify the people being above the monarchy. All bills are sent through the Commissar's Office, with Commissars making adjustments to it before it is sent up to the Commissar's Council, where it will be voted upon and, if successful, delivered to the Generalissimo, who has the final say on whether the bill will become law are scrapped. There are a serious of punishments that can be dealt out to the originators of bills that fail to pass the Commissar's Council or are denied by the Generalissimo, resulting in only a small number of bills ever being presented in fear of reprisal of a bill's failure.

The position of Generalissimo, the supreme position of power throughout Veleaz, is a position held by the incumbent Generalissimo for as long as they choose, with the sitting Generalissimo having held the position since 1981 and being the only Generalissimo so far. The Generalissimo leads all aspects of political life in Veleaz, with all decisions being sent to the office before it to carried out, however in actuality the large majority of these are delegated to lesser members of government due to the large number of them. The Generalissimo, as the title suggests, acts as the commander-in-chief of the Veleazan military, being responsible for the appointment of generals and the authorisations of military manoeuvres. The Generalissimo is empowered to appoint members to the Commissar's Council at his own pleasure, increasing or decreasing the number of Councillors at his discretion, and holds final authority over legislation passed by the Council through signing or vetoing legislation. The Generalissimo is also responsible for conducting diplomacy of Veleaz's behalf and has the power to sign treaties with foreign powers without the agreement or ratification by the Commissar's Council.

Administrative divisions

Veleaz is split into 5 administrative regions, called Áreas de Gobierno (Government Areas), where the Generalissimo appoints a selected Jefe (Chief) to oversee the everyday running of the Government Area and the levels of production and population numbers. These Government Areas are divided further into Communes, the most numerous of the political subdivisions, that are run by Jefe Inferior (Lesser Chiefs), who report back to the Jefe on all happenings of the state, as well as instructions. The Jefe Inferior's are also responsible for the introduction of government initiatives in an particular region, therefore they are granted temporary head of smaller Police forces that are used to forcibly introduce initiatives if they prove unpopular. Regional budgets for the Áreas de Gobierno are decided annually by the Generalissimo, with advice given to him by the Commissar's Office and the sitting Jefe of the region, however the Generalissimo has the authority to change a budget at his own discretion if they find a more reasonable place to allocate part of a region's budget.

Law and Justice

Veleaz's use of a common law, derived from previous decisions made by the Commissar's Office and the Generalissimo, allows for law enforcement to exercise significant autonomy in the application of the law. The law enforcement of Veleaz, officially titled the Guardias de la Revolución (Guards of the Revolution), as well as the Courts are all empowered by both the authorisation of the Generalissimo, but also with the Power of the Revolution, which in of itself is channelled through the office of the Generalissimo. This has resulted in legal situations where, upon arrest and the trial of an individual, see the accused also accused of counter-revolutionary behaviour and thought, which carries a much heavier sentence than most crimes.

Veleaz notably lacks any sort of Supreme Court, due to the centralised nature of the state, which sees the interpretation of the law decided by the sitting Generalissimo.

Foreign Affairs

Veleaz, maintains a limited foreign affairs agenda, largely due to its own preference to isolation, but also as a result of being a pariah state on the world stage. With very few exceptions, Veleaz is both economically and politically embargoed by numerous Asuran nations, as well as former ASU member states, which itself limits the nation's political reach. Successful bids at expanding foreign relations are almost always limited to former Veleazan colonies, such as Hipasia and Vidoria.

In terms of international affairs, Veleaz is notable for its continued advocating for World Revolution, supporting and providing funds to numerous communist parties throughout the world, often attempting to infiltrate them to force the parties to become more aligned with Veleaz's view of the world. It's also suspected that Veleaz has provided funds and weaponry in the past to numerous left-wing and communist terrorist organisations in its attempt to bring about a World Revolution.

Military

The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Veleaz (Veleazan: Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias Véleaz), encompass the Army of the Revolution, Revolutionary Navy, Air Force of the Revolution, and the Commissar's Office. The Generalissimo of Veleaz is regarded as the Commander-in-chief of the armed forces, as the loyalty of the Armed Forces is sworn to the Generalissimo, who has the ability to mobilise the force in times of war, or even peace, without the need to consult the Politburo or the people, effectively making it a private force under the ownership of the Generalissimo. The People's Commissar of the Armed Forces is the only form of public inspect of the Armed Forces, as the Commissar's Office releases public reports on the Armed Forces, such as numbers and readiness, however the international community considers these inaccurate for propaganda purposes. The Commissar also has the responsibility of ensuring the members of the Armed Forces are still ideologically aligned with the State of Veleaz, leading to the Commissars office being nicknamed La Inquisición. Veleaz maintains one of the largest defence budgets in Aeia and the largest armed forces in size in Asura, and one of the largest in the world.

Due to the Armed Forces being under the control of the Generalissimo, he is at leisure when he wishes to mobilise them and has supreme control over all executive decisions. Nevertheless, due to the Generalissimo have a number of similar dictatorial roles, the Commissar's Office was created as a means to act in the Generalissimo's name and conducts a number of investigative operations against soldiers in the Armed Forces suspected of harbouring anti-communist views, implanting its own soldiers to act as the eyes and eyes of the Office and Generalissimo.

Within Veleaz, the military has a number of deployments, mostly centred around the bordering countries of Midrasia, where regular patrols take place along the Appian Wall that runs along the nation's borders, and Dreyvisevich, where a similar situation with Midrasia is present, albeit on a significantly more relaxed scale. The Armed Forces also holds a singlular overseas deployment in Wallais, which was established shortly after the Great Betrayal of 1986, where the communist states of Wallais and Velaez refused to adopt a democratic system of government following the ASU Civil War, despite receiving considerable amounts of material help in the war.