Kingdom of Lusignan Factbook

[Lusignan]

WIP, Just saving some space.

[Lusignan]

GEOGRAPHY

Map
Map of Lusignan

Total Area: 8,741,220 sq km

Area-comparative: Slightly smaller than the US contiguous 48 states

Land Boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 35,760 km

Maritime claims:

A) Territorial Sea: 20 nm
B) Exclusive Economic Zone: 200 nm

Climate: Discussed regionally below.

Terrain: Discussed regionally below.

Highest point: Mt. Sturmlock (12,401 ft.)

Natural mineral resources: coal, iron ore, copper, tin, gold, silver, uranium, nickel, mineral sands, lead, zinc, diamonds, natural gas, petroleum

Natural non-mineral resources: Timber & Fishing

Natural hazards: Cyclones along the Northwestern coast; severe droughts in the East; forest fires in the North

Current Environmental Issues: Soil erosion from industrial development, urbanization, and poor farming practices; Clearing for agricultural purposes threatens the natural habitat of many unique animal and plant species; Industrial runoff to the North from mining.

Regional Geography

Royal District – Geographically dominated by Lake Sophia. Temperate climate though highly urbanized.

South Russ – The Koch River ends in this region where the landscape is marshlands. Temperate climate throughout. This region is home to the massive port city of New Vien.

Catachan – Jungle crowds the landscape with many small rivers running from the Ragnarok Mountains into this sub-tropical valley. This region is home to the many large plantations that provide a large majority of the nation’s fruits and vegetables.

North Russ – Temperate coastal climate with the main feature being the Ostland Mountain range.

New Hannover – Rolling Hill country with tropical climate.

Kensington – Rocky coastline with tropical climate.

Tallorn – Arid and semi-arid climate. Main geographical feature is Howsly’s Gorge, a massive canyon. Home of the beef industry and other major agriculture firms.

Wiengarten – Mountainous alpine region that encompasses almost the entirety of the Ragnarok Mountain Range.

Loudain – Oceanic-Temperate climate with few extremes. Heavy rainfalls during the wet seasons and hope to major agriculture and manufacturing industries.

Royal Domains – Privates lands of the Royal Family. Temperate climate.

Lord Brennan Isle – Tropical climate, the entirety of this island lies within the Special Economic Zone and is being developed. Previously untouched land save for the coastal city of Sytris.

Ragnarok Alpine – Another Special Economic Zone that lies within the Wiengarten region.

[Lusignan]

ECONOMY

Economic Structure: The economic structure of Lusignan is primarily an oligarchy. For each major industry there are several very large firms that control majority of that industry’s market. Due to the large amount of land in the nation, land ownership is still a major status symbol as well as an income earner. Agriculture focused through many plantations across the nation, especially in regions which have had low manufacturing development. Manufacturing centers are the located in each major city of Lusignan. Essentially the raw materials are produced in the region and transported to the major urban centers for manufacture.



Currency: The Kroner

Currency Code: Kr

Currency Denominations:

1 Kroner = 100 Widlings
1 Kroner = 10 Crowns

Unions: Prohibited by the National Labour Act

Major Non-Agricultural Industries: Mining (Coal, Iron, and Uranium primarily), Steel, Retail, Luxury Craft Goods, Petroleum & Natural Gas, Services (Maids, Gardners, Butlers, etc), Food Processing, Lumber

Major Agricultural Industries: Fruits, Vegetables, Grains, Livestock (Beef, Sheep, and Pork Primarily), Cotton, Fish, Dairy

Main Imports: Manufactured Goods, Retail Goods, Luxury Items

Main Exports: Petroleum & Natural Gas, Lumber, Foodstuffs, Luxury Craft Goods

Foreign Investment:

Golden Gotham Hotel & Casino - Hotel & Casino in both SEZs and Airport on Lord Brennan Isle
SalburnTraffik - Traffic Signage in both SEZs

[Lusignan]

HISTORY

First Settlers (1743-1780)

First Settlers Arriving to Lusignan

Initially discovered in 1743, the first coastal mapping didn’t occur until 1746 with the first settlement occurring in 1748. The first settlers landed and encamped on the Northern coast of the island, venturing far enough to settle the first and currently oldest town in Lusignan, Furst. The initial group was composed primarily of German and British Catholics leaving environments unfavorably to their own beliefs and their own political ideologies. Initial settlements didn’t expand very far despite several attempts. It seemed to the first settlers that this land held its own Pandora’s Box of diseases, flora, and fauna. The first major plague to hit Furst was what is now known as Blue Fever and nearly decimated the population of the town. Despite setbacks the small territory flourished and the two cultures quickly homogenized into a single cultural identity.

The First Bush War & The First Grand Duke (1780-1810)

First Trade Agreement with the Howtook Tribe

Foolishly, the settlers had assumed they were alone on the island but they were most certainly not. Initial interaction with the natives was actually very fruitful. The Howtook Tribe formed and early defense pact with the settlers in exchange for weapons. In fact during this time there were five major native tribes all fighting for supremacy on the island. The Howtook, with their new weaponry, easily defeated the four other native tribes and swallowed them whole. Territory wise the Howtook were the most impressive group of peoples in Lusignan, but they were spread out and had no sense of organized action. In fact Chief Kopono let the four other tribes rule themselves to some extent in exchange for riches. Those riches quickly caught the eye of the settlers who craved wealth. What followed was 20 years of war as the settlers, led now by Lord Karl von Wittelsbach. The settlers quickly expanded and it seemed as soon as they reached virgin land it was brimming with settlers searching for glory and riches. The fighting didn’t end until 1802 with the Treaty of Pawtukee when the natives agreed to give up 75% of their land and retreated into the interior jungles of Catachan and the semi-arid lands of Tallorn. Following the First Bush War, the settlers declared Karl von Wittelsbach as Grand Duke of Lusignan, a title his family has held ever since.

A Nation is Formed (1810-1835)

Karl von Wittelsbach Declared Grand Duke of Lusignan

Quickly, Grand Duke Karl moved to improve the state of life for the settlers. What occurred was a fifteen year period of unprecedented improvement and a veritable renaissance. It was also during this time that the formal government was set up and the capitol settled at Regensburg (formerly known as Pawtukee). One of the biggest advancements of this time was the national identity being formed. The native tongue of Lusignan developed as English while a majority of people and place names were Germanic in nature. The nation also developed early on the still standing societal system. The Grand Duke ennobled his closest of allies and granted large parcels of recently won land to families that became quickly prosperous. With this new land the labor class was built early on and the stratification of classes was formed.

The Second Bush War (1835-1840)

In an early morning raid, two hundred Howtook natives ambushed a military camp attempting to map the Catachan jungles. One of the victims happened to be Grand Duke Freidrich I’s niece who was allegedly raped then impaled as a warning to the Bonders (this casual name for the people of Lusignan formed around this time and is still used today). In retaliation the Royal Army fought the Second Bush War which was never a true contest. The Howtook tribes in Catachan were decimated and the survivors were enslaved while the children were sent to boarding schools to become culturally assimilated. The end result was the Treaty of Mountains which pushed the remaining Howtook tribes into the semi-arid lands of Tallorn. It is at this key time that the press of Lusignan sharpened its teeth with horrifying (and often false) scenes of native culture.

The 1st Succession Crisis (1840-1875)

When Grand Duke Freidrich I died he left no direct heir. In fact it has been speculated that the Grand Duke had fathered two bastard sons though no proof has ever arisen. The Grand Duke’s death had not been expected either as he had caught fever in the Catachan jungles and quickly passed away. What followed was five years of political intrigue as two of the Grand Duke’s nephews fought for the throne primarily through Parliament with the Konservative Partei supporting Hanse and the Liberal Partei supporting Gerard. Eventually the powder keg overflowed and the two armies met outside Furst in which Gerard was quickly routed. Grand Duke Hanse’s reign was very successful and the young ruler was known affectionately as The Builder with roads, towns, settlements, ports, and palaces appearing quickly during his time on the throne.

The Catholic Schism (1875-1880)

In 1877 the Catholic Church was the primary faith in Lusignan. Many Bonders were strict adherents to the faith and tithed regularly. However things came to a head when for a fourth time Lusignan was passed over when it came to appointments to the College of Cardinals. Bad sentiment had been brewing for some time regarding celibacy in the priesthood (as a young nation many potential priests turned the cloth down simply due to the fact that not having a family meant not being able to have the manpower to survive agriculturally), church governance, and power of lay leaders (many churches had informal councils of lay leaders who comprised of powerful families). What resulted was The Catholic Schism and the forming of the Catholic Church of Lusignan. This is highly credited to Bishop Bartholomew Fitzpatrick and his teachings that the Church in Rome was lethargic and corrupt and had wandered so far off the beaten path that it was impossible to determine a true heir to Bishop of Rome. The Catholic Church of Lusignan flourished quickly with the changes in dogma and was run by a Holy Council of seven Arch-Bishops. It was during this time that the Grand Duke endorsed this new entity by being crowned by them in Regensburg and pushing substantial amounts of Royal Family money into the new Church’s coffers. Five of the existing seven Royal palaces were even transferred to the Catholic Church of Lusignan, one of which was converted into St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral in Regensburg.

The Industrial Revolution (1880-1920)

The Royal Exchange in Regensburg - The finance industry grew exponentially during this time

The Industrial Revolution in Lusignan was a long awaited ticking time bomb but exploded with a bang. Overnight a merchant class was formed and manufacturing centers in the main cities boomed. This also led to a shift in settlements as technology allowed less labor and the field workers moved to the cities to pursue new manufacturing jobs. The downside of this glorious time was the development of the slum neighborhoods in each major city and the growth of crime. At the same time the first complete mapping of the nation was completed by Sir Arthur Hornburg which would play out soon enough for the unfortunate Howtook Natives in Tallorn.

3rd Bush War and The Mad Duke (1920-1925)

Lusignan Troops Ambushed during 3rd Bush War

Grand Duke Ludwig I held a special moniker behind closed doors, The Mad Duke. He faithfully lived up to that moniker as well. Ludwig II once ordered a child be beheaded in public for stealing a half-eaten apple from a trashcan. The nation broiled with resentment and to avoid a revolution, Ludwig II looked to what seemed like a quick war with the Howtook to divert public attention. What resulted was a five year war of attrition that Lusignan barely won. The Howtook in Tallorn used the landscape to their advantage all too well. They were the only ones with firm knowledge of water sources and thus the Royal Army often reached these water sources overcome with thirst only to be ambushed. In one case a whole company marched to its entire death, never finding a water source. The war backfired badly on Ludwig II and hit a tipping point when he publicy beat one of his own Generals for suggesting the army tactically retreat and return with refreshed forces. The assassin was unexpectedly Ludwig II’s own sister, Sophia. Sophia had been appointed as Regent of Regensburg when Ludwig II left and her popularity with the people soared almost into a cult of personality. She traveled secretly to the army’s location in Tallorn and publicly asked for the abdication of Ludwig II in favor of her infant son Leopold II. When Ludwig II protested he found no allies in his camp. He was quickly imprisoned and forced to sign his own abdication before he was thrown into Howsly’s Gorge, an act which those present claimed was an accident. The 3rd Bush War ended quickly after that with a refreshment of new forces. This finale to native conflict resulted in the Howtook losing any semblance of self-governance they had. Howtook natives still exist today in small settlements in the Catachan jungles and in the services industry where they are the cheapest and most abused of the labor classes.

The Regency (1925-1940)

Regent Sophia’s reign was another renaissance for Lusignan. She was noted for being a patron of the arts and education. During her time she created: The Royal Academy of Arts, The Royal Academy of Science, The Regensburg Opera Company, The Royal Theatre Company, The Furst Museum of Art, The New Caladan Museum of Natural History, and Presscott Military Academy. She was loved universally and even managed to push through key reforms in Parliament with little objections from either side. Lake Sophia in the Royal District is named for her.

The Long Peace (1940-1990)

Grand Duke Leopold II’s reign is often considered a time of long stagnation with a blast of counter-reformation near the end. Leopold II often deferred to his Chancellor and Ministers for key decisions of state and instead devoted his time to his numerous hobbies from sailing to cataloging bird species. It was only near the end of his reign, with the shadow of his mother’s regency receding that he enacted several counter-reform measures that shocked the economy in all the wrong ways. It had always been speculated that Leopold II was no friend of liberal ideology and was a cruel family man as well. His own son, Leopold III, bristled against this nature and studied abroad extensively if only to get away from his father’s control. One event is of particular note. When Leopold III was fifteen he plotted his own escape with the Grand Duke’s stable-master who was eighteen. The two got as far as New Vien where a ship awaited their departure before a member of their party gave them up. In retaliation the Grand Duke made Leopold III watch as he beheaded the stable-master personally and exiled the five other members of Leopold III’s escape party. The Grand Duke’s counter-reformation, while short-lived and producing no real policy change seemed to affect the populace more than anything. Conservative values rolled throughout the land to the point that Parliament passed the Moral Standards Enforcement Act strictly regulating media content and the importation of outside media. It was passed by a narrow margin twelve days before the Grand Duke passed away.

Resurgence (1990-Present)

Grand Duke Leopold III played his cards ever so rightly and has managed to temper the tempest of Conservatism with rational thought. He is still a strict Conservative however has had to make deals with the Liberal Partei when they came into power in 1999 until 2006 when they were ousted again. During his reign he abolished the last remaining vestiges of formal serfdom and even created two Special Economic Zones to become tourist hotspots outside of the Moral Standards Enforcement Act.

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Grand Dukes of Lusignan (House von Wittelsbach)

Karl I (1802-1830)
Freidrich I (1830-1840)
Hanse (1845-1870)
Freidrich II (1870-1895)
Leopold I (1895-1900)
Ludwig I “The Mad Duke” (1900-1925)
Regency of Sophia (1925-1940)
Leopold II (1940-1990)
Leopold III (1990-Present)
Crown Prince Freidrich III (Heir Apparent)

[Lusignan]

GOVERNMENT & POLITICAL STRUCTURE

Long Form Name: Grand Duchy of Lusignan

Short Form Name: Lusignan

Government Type: Constitutional Monarchy

Capitol: Regensburg

Administrative Divisions: 10 Regions each ruled by an appointed Governor-General. The Royal District is ruled by the Lord Mayor of Regensburg and the Royal Domains are privately held lands of the Royal Family.

Major Cities: New Vien, Furst, Mordia, Sazaria, Goshen, New Caladan, Koln, Pfalz, and Sytris (All Regional Capitals)

Founding Date: May 18th, 1802

National Holidays:

Treaty Day – May 18th
Saint Bartholomew’s Day – September 3rd
Christmas Day – December 25th
Bonder Day – March 9th

Constitution: Unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice

Legal System: Common Law based on English Common Law; Limited judicial review of legislative acts by House of Lords

Suffrage: Wealth based (Middle-Class and above), males only, eighteen and above

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EXECUTIVE BRANCH

Head of State: Grand Duke Leopold III

Head of State: Chancellor Ian Hasek

Cabinet: Cabinet of 13 Ministers appointed by Chancellor. (Ministers of: Tourism, Public Safety, State, International Affairs, Natural Resources, Oil & Natural Gas, Trade & Commerce, Justice, Culture, Education, Treasury, Media & Technology, Health, Defense)

Elections: Monarchy is hereditary; Leader of majority party or coalition party usually Chancellor following legislative elections.

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LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

Parliament Building in Regensburg

Structure: Bicameral Parliament consisting of a House of Lords (40 current members: 7 Clergy, 3 Life Members, and 30 Hereditary Members) and a House of Regents (100 current seats with members elected by popular vote every five years unless the House is dissolved earlier)

Current Majority Party: Coalition Government of Konservative Partei (Major Party) & Landshaus Partei (Minor Party)

Other Major Parties: Liberal Partei

Other Minor Parties: Liberaldem Partei, National Partei

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JUDICIAL BRANCH

Structure in Descending Order

High Court of Justice – National judicial body of 7 High Justices
Court of Appeals – One in each Region
Crown Courts – Local courts of law in towns and cities

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NATIONAL SYMBOLS

Flag of Lusignan

House von Wittelsbach Coat of Arms

Animal: Bear Shark

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DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS

Embassies in Foreign Nations

Istanbul, The Second Ottoman Empire (Baron Paul Schroder)

Kingdom of San Pellegrino Romana (Lord William Brommel)

The Grand Duchy of Noordeinde(Bernhard von Caprivi)

The Seven Kingdoms of Skako(Colonel Hanse Lehmann)

The Yohannesian Commonwealth (Lord von Schleiffen)

Consulates in Foreign Nations: None

Embassies in Lusignan from Foreign Nations: None

Consulates in Lusignan from Foreign Nations: None

[Lusignan]

MILITARY & SECURITY

Name: Royal Lusignan Armed Forces

Commander-in-Chiefl: Grand Duke Leopold III

Joint Command Group: General War Council (Current Head is Field Marshal Lord Kettering)

BRANCHES

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Royal Lusignan Navy

Headquarters: Admiralty Office in Regensburg

Divisions: Royal Marines, Aviation, Training & Recruitment, Fleet Operations, Logistics, Engineering, Procurement, Admiralty Treasury, Medicine & Surgey, Personnel Support, Meteorology & Oceanography, Intelligence, and Base Operations.

Chief Commander: Lord Admiral Raeger

Blue or Brown Water: Brown Water Primarily

Ranking Structure:

(Note: Navy/Marines)

OFFICERS
Lord Admiral/No Equivalent
Admiral/Commandant-General
Vice Admiral/General
Commodore/Major-General
Captain/Colonel
Commander/Major
Lieutenant-Commander/Captain
Lieutentant/Lieutenant
Midshipman/Cadet
ENLISTED
Chief Petty Officer/Colour Sergeant
Petty Officer/Sergeant
No Equivalent/Corporal
No Equivalent/Lance Corporal
Seaman/Marine

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Royal Lusignan Army

Headquarters: Royal War College in Regensburg

Divisions: Aviation, Training & Recruitment, Logistics, Research & Development, Intelligence, Procurement, Army Treasury, Medicine & Surgey, Personnel Support, Cartography, Field Operations, and Base Operations.

Chief Commander: Field Marshal Lord Kettering

Ranking Structure:

OFFICERS
Field Marshal
General
Lieutenant-General
Major-General
Brigadier
Colonel
Lieutenant-Colonel
Major
Captain
Lieutenant
Cadet
ENLISTED
Staff Sergeant/Colour Sergeant
Sergeant
Corporal
Lance Corporal
Private


Military Legal Group: Royal Armed Forces Tribunal Court

Military Support Group: Armed Forces Morale Group (MG for short)

Conscription: All males must serve two years of military service upon the age of sixteen.

Special Units

Royal Regensburg Grenadier Guards – Army Regiment that serves as personal guards of the Royal Family.

Royal Kensington Marines – Marine Regiment that guards the Admiralty Office.

New Vien Light Regiment – Marine Regiment that guards all diplomatic missions.

PICTURES

Soldier in Chemical/Biological Warfare Protection

Catachan Jungle Combat Soldiers

Catachan Jungle Combat Soldiers

Soldiers in Combat (Common Battle Dress)

Soldier in Common Battle Dress

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POLICE FORCES

Royal Lusignan Constabulary

Headquarters: National Public Safety Office, Regensburg

Chief Commander: Inspector-General Orson Howe

Organization: Main Branches in capital city of every Region headed by a Chief-Inspector. Precints in other major towns/cities headed by a Chief-Constable.

Unit Names: Inspector (Investigative) and Constable (Primary Policing)

Customs Control: The Royal Lusignan Constabulary oversees all customs control.

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INTELLIGENCE & COVERT OPERATIONS

Royal Intelligence Agency “The Sword & Shield”

Headquarters: Regensburg Fortress “The Rock”

Chief Commander: Admiral Lord Presscott

Organization: Bureaus of Intelligence; Clandestine Operations; Supply & Support; Science & Technology