God Wills It (OOC/AH/Nation/OPEN)

[The Anarcho-Syndicalist Commune]

Would the Ibadi boi be interested in a potential pact/alliance?

Perhaps

This pleases the Imperator

[Ruskland-Preuben]

Perhaps

This pleases the Imperator

As long as you don't mind us expanding into Mauretania and Tripolitania, no biggie.
Time to clean up to borders.

[The Anarcho-Syndicalist Commune]

This pleases the Imperator

As long as you don't mind us expanding into Mauretania and Tripolitania, no biggie.
Time to clean up to borders.

That's fine, as long as you help us deal with our not so friendly Greek cousin and take some more land to the west.

[Deutschess Kaiserreich]

This pleases the Imperator

As long as you don't mind us expanding into Mauretania and Tripolitania, no biggie.
Time to clean up to borders.

What nation are you again?

[The Black Party]

Glad to see some more Asain nations.

Thinking back on it, I kinda wish I played HRE. RP'ing Pope Urban would be hella fun. But I think it would be better if OP played such an influential nation.

[Ruskland-Preuben]

As long as you don't mind us expanding into Mauretania and Tripolitania, no biggie.
Time to clean up to borders.

That's fine, as long as you help us deal with our not so friendly Greek cousin and take some more land to the west.

Tell you what, invade the Pope and I'll help you out. That way you can bring him to heel and fix the schism ezpz.

[The Black Party]

Tell you what, invade the Pope and I'll help you out. That way you can bring him to heel and fix the schism ezpz.

Imagine considering invading the Pope

this post was made by Catholic Gang

[Ruskland-Preuben]

NS Name: Ruskland-Preuben
Official Nation Name:
Arabian: Alkhilafat Al'iibadia/الخلافة الإباضية
English: The Ibadi Caliphate
Berber: Something
Unofficial Nation Names: ^
Territory:

(Image)

Leader: Asfar Omar Yacoub Aḥdiyen/Al-Ahdid/Ahdid
Government Style: Iqta
Ethnic Groups: Libyan, Algerian, and Tunisian Arabic, not to mention a Berber ruling class, and a couple of Christians in the coastal towns.
Religions: 58% Ibadi, 32% Sunni, 5% Shia, 3% Other forms of Islam, 2% Other Faiths
Culture: The culture of the Caliphate is a melting pot of sorts, with a Berber minority from the south ruling over much numerous African Arabs, which in turn have different subcategories. This has caused the Caliph of this nation to adapt and form a culturally and religiously open society, well, slightly open that is. Christians coming from Sicily and the good relations between them and the Caliphate has also contributed to this, although missionaries may only preach in areas designated for them. Ibadi missionaries on the other hand, roam the lands to convert Sunni and Shia people to the true faith, if not, they are tried and most likely imprisoned, at worst, executed.
History: This nation's history begins in the late 900s, where Ibadi Berber tribes in Fezzan began raids into Zirid controlled North Africa. Eventually, the Fatimids noticed their raids and joined the Zirids in repelling the constant raiders. All they got, however, was dust and blood in their mouths, any incursions were routed. This of course, was a massive blow to the Fatimids, and a unifying force for the Ibadi Berbers, who were united by Asfar Omar Yacoub Aḥdiyen, and the Zirids would revolt against them in 1048 after they lost Tunis. In retaliation, the Fatimids would send their Berber tributaries of Banu Hilal and Banu Sulaym. Seeing an opportunity, the united Berbers under Asfar would surge into Zirid territory, repelling the invading Fatimid Berber tributaries, and create a massive state in the Sahara. Naming it a holy war before he invaded, at its conclusion, he called for the formation of a Caliphate of the Ibadis under his rule, and they had no choice but to agree. Fast forward to today, the Caliph is an aged man that will die at any moment, but he still stands and speaks. His third son, Omar, will succeed him. Not to mention this man has proved himself to the Caliphate as a worthy successor.

All is well.

Complete app yes

[Nordschwaben]

Duchy of Swabia

NS Name:
Nordschwaben

Official Nation Name:
Herzogtum Schwaben (Duchy Swabia)

Unofficial Nation Names:
Schwaben, Nordschwaben, Nordherzogtum Schwaben

Territory:

(Has claims to retake the rest of the Swabian region, as well as claims to retake territory from the West)

Leader:
Fredrick I, Herzog von Schwaben (Duke of Swabia)

Capital City
Hohenstaufen

Government Style:
Duchy under the rule of an Elected Monarch (HRE)

Ethnic Groups:
German, Alemanni (Swabian), Swiss German, Italian, Frankish, Judaism

Religions:
Roman Catholic, Orthodox Christian (minority), Germanic Paganism (minority), Judaism (minority)

Culture:
As a Germanic state under the rule of the Holy Roman Emperor, the Duchy is a cultural mixing pot for many different peoples. With the Franks to the West, Germans to the North and East, and Italians to the South, the cultural identity of the nation is split. Despite this, many of the nobels and wealthy will identify themselves as Alemanni or simply Swabian.

Though divided culturally and politically, the Duchy is much more unified in religion. Roman Catholicism dominates from the peasantry to the nobility, with a minority following the Orthodoxy. The remaining few are either Jewry, rural pagans, or closet heritics. Currently, none are hunted, though that could change very soon...

History:
The PoD is more sudden than most, barely deviating from our own timeline and with some events happening despite certain changes.

(Feel free to read more about Swabia and Fredrick I if you're interested. Here's a tl;dr, Fredrick is loyal to the rightful king and gets rewarded for it.)

During the beginning years of the Investiture Controversy, Henry IV of Germany struggled with the Pope over many issues, though the main one being the power to appoint church officials and bishops. This lead to the Pope anointing the then-duke of Swabia, Rudolf of Rheinfelden, as the anti-king of Germany. The anti-king annointed his son, Bertold of Rheinfelden, the new Duke of Swabia.

Fredrick I, a Swabian count, remained loyal to the rightful King Henry IV and was rewarded with his loyalty and fealty with the King's daughter and the title "Herzog von Schwaben" in the year 1079.

This title is contested by the previous Duke and anti-king's sons, both of whom control the lands of the southern half of Swabia. After many battles, Rudolf is defeated and Henry reinstated as King. Fredrick keeps his title as Duke while still being contested to the South by the step-son of Rudolf, Bertold of Zähringen, who declares he is the rightful duke. This essentially splits the Duchy in two, with Fredrick having the King's support in the North and Bertold having the Pope's in the South.

Important Peoples:

• Fredrick I, Duke of Swabia (45)
• Agnes, Duchess consort of Swabia (23)
• Fredrick II, Prince of Swabia (5)
• Conrad III, Prince of Swabia (2)

Objectives:

• Retake the Southern-half of the Duchy
• Reclaim western provinces from Upper Burgundy
• Support the German King and Holy Roman Emperor
• Continue the House of Hohenstaufen

[The Black Party]

Territory:
(Image)
(Has claims to retake the rest of the Swabian region, as well as claims to retake territory from the West)

This makes me think we should add a "National Objectives" or a "National Focus'" section to the application so that nations can detail what their leader hopes to achieve for their state.

[Ruskland-Preuben]

Tell you what, invade the Pope and I'll help you out. That way you can bring him to heel and fix the schism ezpz.

Imagine considering invading the Pope
this post was made by Catholic Gang

Imagine having an entire conflict over Papal Housing Issues
This post was made by the Protestant Gang

[Crockerland]

I see the Baltic has filled out nicely, I am looking forward to some pagan shenanigans. However, I am a bit worried that I am the smallest nation in the north. Would Osel be in favor for a pagan pact in the future? For both of our safety of course.

Well Christendom will probably be united against us, so it'd be a good idea, but the Oeselians won't start out with any particular preference for the Romuva Movement over Christianity. Forming a pagan pact would be a diplomatic undertaking to be done IC.

So is Sweden and Osel gonna sanction each other for Åland? seems like the logical next step.

Does Åland have some overflowing of goods to be taken? I thought they were mostly fisherman and seal hunters. I think Osel will be concerned primarily with expanding southwards to its border with Romuva at the start, or perhaps expanding to the White Sea.

[The Black Party]

So is Sweden and Osel gonna sanction each other for Åland? seems like the logical next step.

Does Åland have some overflowing of goods to be taken? I thought they were mostly fisherman and seal hunters. I think Osel will be concerned primarily with expanding southwards to its border with Romuva at the start, or perhaps expanding to the White Sea.

Probably not, but it's an important strategic position should they go to war, which is a strong possibility considering their cultural differences.

[Finland SSR]

Reserve!

NS Name: Finland SSR
Nation Name: Nalšios kunigaikštystė / Duchy of Nalsha
Territory: The rest of Lithuania not controlled by Prussia, and Black Rus'.

[Polish Prussian Commonwealth]

NS Name: Polish Prussian Commonwealth
Official Nation Name: Grand Duchy of Bavaria
Unofficial Nation Names: Bavaria
Territory: See the red.
Leader: Rudolf I of Wittelsbach
Government Style: Duchy under Elected Monarch.
Ethnic Groups: Mostly Germans. *Maybe* a few Jews. Some Italians to the south.
Religions: 93% Catholic, 7% other
Culture: Most of the Duchy is mostly Roman Catholic. There are a handful of Hebrews in the major cities, and maybe a few Orthodox Christians, but besides that, there isn't much. A few (furiously persecuted) Pagans and Mohammedans might live in the countryside, but their populations are not significant.
Ethnically, the Duchy is mostly German, with a couple of Italians, mostly merchants, in the south.
(more to come as I do research)

History: The Duchy of Bavaria was originally ruled by the Agilolfings, starting in 555 AD. In 716 AD the Duchy was incorporated into the Carolingian Empire. After the dissolution of the Carolingian dynasty, the Ottonian Dynasty took power in 911 and ruled until 1070, when Henry III, the last Ottonian Duke, died in a hunting accident. After that, Otto IV of Wittelsbach became Duke of Bavaria, before being succeeded by his son, Rudolph I, as of 1090.
(More history to come as I do research)

Tell you what, invade the Pope and I'll help you out. That way you can bring him to heel and fix the schism ezpz.

Imagine considering invading the Pope

this post was made by Catholic Gang

daily reminder that non-catholics aren't people

[The Anarcho-Syndicalist Commune]

It may be time for Schism 2 electric boogaloo once fake time is brought to heel

[Valtrona]

I would like to remind the OP to please accept my application sometime soon. Thank you.

[Finland SSR]

NS Name: Finland SSR. I mean, you can see it to the left...
Official Nation Name: Nalšios kunigaikštystė / Duchy of Nalsha
Unofficial Nation Names: Nalsha
Territory:

Leader: The Kunigas (Duke) of Nalsha, Erdvilas
Government Style: Baltic Stratocracy. A style of government characteristic of Baltic statelets and the early Grand Duchy of Lithuania in OTL, where the rule of the theoretically elected, but practically hereditary monarch relies upon the loyalty, support and maintenance of the kariauna, a standing unit of raiders who are entitled to a share of raiding loot and conquered land.
Ethnic Groups: Generally various East Baltic cultures - Nalshan, Aukštaitian, Samogitian, Selonian, Semigallian, Yatviagian, Latgalian, etc... and the East Slavs in Black Rus'.
Religions: Baltic polytheism, a highly fragmented and loose term for various nature and animal beliefs with only a few recurring concepts in between the various Baltic tribes.
Culture: In essence, Nalsha is an Early Feudal state (well, "state" in a very loose sense of the word) implanted into a High Middle Ages environment, While the Osel are the raiders of the sea, Nalsha are the raiders of the land, constantly organizing plundering raids into neighbouring Slavic, Romuvan and Oselian lands to sustain their barbaric government structure. This militaristic, hostile outlook towards their neighbours defines much of Nalshan life. Otherwise, the country has developed little beyond its tribal structure, the authority of the Kunigas hardly extending anywhere past his personal kariauna and the landowners and minor dukes loyal to him, called gerieji žmonės, providing the slowly developing foundations for a future feudal society.
History: The consolidation of the eastern Baltic tribes started to take place at roughly the same time as the formation of the state of Prussia, the Lithuanian, Latgalian and other tribes in the region spurred to unite under the pressure of Slavic expansion from the east and the changing society of the Baltic tribes from within. The consolidation of the Eastern Balts ended up led by Nalsha, or Nalšia, one of the most eastern of the Lithuanian lands, through a path of conquest, blood feuds and forced submission to the first recorded Kunigas of Nalsha, Netimeras. The Nalshan polity would take advantage of the halt to Prussian expansion in the mid 10th century and gobble the rest of the Samogitian, Yatvingian and Scalovian tribes under the polity, which now controlled many of the eastern Balts and serves as a major source of raids across Northeastern Europe, reaching as far as Poland and Novgorod. Though the Dukes of Nalsha, including the current one, Erdvilas, the grandson of Netimeras, hold ambition to one day unite all of the people under Perkūnas's all-seeing eye, in a state often referred to as *Lētuvā (coming from the Lithuanian lē̆i, "to melt, specif. into one alloy", interpreted by Western documents as Litua or Lettowen, which would later evolve into "Lithuania"), they do not burn as fiercely with such desire as their Romuvan rivals, and see their attempts to impose a united faith for the Baltic peoples as an attack on their long standing traditions.

[Wawz]

NS Name: Finland SSR. I mean, you can see it to the left...
Official Nation Name: Nalšios kunigaikštystė / Duchy of Nalsha
Unofficial Nation Names: Nalsha
Territory:

(Image)

Leader: The Kunigas (Duke) of Nalsha, Erdvilas
Government Style: Baltic Stratocracy. A style of government characteristic of Baltic statelets and the early Grand Duchy of Lithuania in OTL, where the rule of the theoretically elected, but practically hereditary monarch relies upon the loyalty, support and maintenance of the kariauna, a standing unit of raiders who are entitled to a share of raiding loot and conquered land.
Ethnic Groups: Generally various East Baltic cultures - Nalshan, Aukštaitian, Samogitian, Selonian, Semigallian, Yatviagian, Latgalian, etc... and the East Slavs in Black Rus'.
Religions: Baltic polytheism, a highly fragmented and loose term for various nature and animal beliefs with only a few recurring concepts in between the various Baltic tribes.
Culture: In essence, Nalsha is an Early Feudal state (well, "state" in a very loose sense of the word) implanted into a High Middle Ages environment, While the Osel are the raiders of the sea, Nalsha are the raiders of the land, constantly organizing plundering raids into neighbouring Slavic, Romuvan and Oselian lands to sustain their barbaric government structure. This militaristic, hostile outlook towards their neighbours defines much of Nalshan life. Otherwise, the country has developed little beyond its tribal structure, the authority of the Kunigas hardly extending anywhere past his personal kariauna and the landowners and minor dukes loyal to him, called gerieji žmonės, providing the slowly developing foundations for a future feudal society.
History: The consolidation of the eastern Baltic tribes started to take place at roughly the same time as the formation of the state of Prussia, the Lithuanian, Latgalian and other tribes in the region spurred to unite under the pressure of Slavic expansion from the east and the changing society of the Baltic tribes from within. The consolidation of the Eastern Balts ended up led by Nalsha, or Nalšia, one of the most eastern of the Lithuanian lands, through a path of conquest, blood feuds and forced submission to the first recorded Kunigas of Nalsha, Netimeras. The Nalshan polity would take advantage of the halt to Prussian expansion in the mid 10th century and gobble the rest of the Samogitian, Yatvingian and Scalovian tribes under the polity, which now controlled many of the eastern Balts and serves as a major source of raids across Northeastern Europe, reaching as far as Poland and Novgorod. Though the Dukes of Nalsha, including the current one, Erdvilas, the grandson of Netimeras, hold ambition to one day unite all of the people under Perkūnas's all-seeing eye, in a state often referred to as *Lētuvā (coming from the Lithuanian lē̆i, "to melt, specif. into one alloy", interpreted by Western documents as Litua or Lettowen, which would later evolve into "Lithuania"), they do not burn as fiercely with such desire as their Romuvan rivals, and see their attempts to impose a united faith for the Baltic peoples as an attack on their long standing traditions.

I try to bring unity and civilization to the people of the Baltic, and this is what I get! Ungrateful savages! They seek to fight against their savior!

In reality I am glad that someone is taking up a role to fight back against my nation's radical attempts to "improve" the Baltic nations. I was worried that no one else would take that land and I would just roll over some NPC. I'm sure some blood will be spilled, but hopefully we come to some sort of agreement (either diplomatically or through conquest) before the Christians turn their gaze towards us and try to kill us all.

[Finland SSR]

NS Name: Finland SSR. I mean, you can see it to the left...
Official Nation Name: Nalšios kunigaikštystė / Duchy of Nalsha
Unofficial Nation Names: Nalsha
Territory:

(Image)

Leader: The Kunigas (Duke) of Nalsha, Erdvilas
Government Style: Baltic Stratocracy. A style of government characteristic of Baltic statelets and the early Grand Duchy of Lithuania in OTL, where the rule of the theoretically elected, but practically hereditary monarch relies upon the loyalty, support and maintenance of the kariauna, a standing unit of raiders who are entitled to a share of raiding loot and conquered land.
Ethnic Groups: Generally various East Baltic cultures - Nalshan, Aukštaitian, Samogitian, Selonian, Semigallian, Yatviagian, Latgalian, etc... and the East Slavs in Black Rus'.
Religions: Baltic polytheism, a highly fragmented and loose term for various nature and animal beliefs with only a few recurring concepts in between the various Baltic tribes.
Culture: In essence, Nalsha is an Early Feudal state (well, "state" in a very loose sense of the word) implanted into a High Middle Ages environment, While the Osel are the raiders of the sea, Nalsha are the raiders of the land, constantly organizing plundering raids into neighbouring Slavic, Romuvan and Oselian lands to sustain their barbaric government structure. This militaristic, hostile outlook towards their neighbours defines much of Nalshan life. Otherwise, the country has developed little beyond its tribal structure, the authority of the Kunigas hardly extending anywhere past his personal kariauna and the landowners and minor dukes loyal to him, called gerieji žmonės, providing the slowly developing foundations for a future feudal society.
History: The consolidation of the eastern Baltic tribes started to take place at roughly the same time as the formation of the state of Prussia, the Lithuanian, Latgalian and other tribes in the region spurred to unite under the pressure of Slavic expansion from the east and the changing society of the Baltic tribes from within. The consolidation of the Eastern Balts ended up led by Nalsha, or Nalšia, one of the most eastern of the Lithuanian lands, through a path of conquest, blood feuds and forced submission to the first recorded Kunigas of Nalsha, Netimeras. The Nalshan polity would take advantage of the halt to Prussian expansion in the mid 10th century and gobble the rest of the Samogitian, Yatvingian and Scalovian tribes under the polity, which now controlled many of the eastern Balts and serves as a major source of raids across Northeastern Europe, reaching as far as Poland and Novgorod. Though the Dukes of Nalsha, including the current one, Erdvilas, the grandson of Netimeras, hold ambition to one day unite all of the people under Perkūnas's all-seeing eye, in a state often referred to as *Lētuvā (coming from the Lithuanian lē̆i, "to melt, specif. into one alloy", interpreted by Western documents as Litua or Lettowen, which would later evolve into "Lithuania"), they do not burn as fiercely with such desire as their Romuvan rivals, and see their attempts to impose a united faith for the Baltic peoples as an attack on their long standing traditions.

I try to bring unity and civilization to the people of the Baltic, and this is what I get! Ungrateful savages! They seek to fight against their savior!

In reality I am glad that someone is taking up a role to fight back against my nation's radical attempts to "improve" the Baltic nations. I was worried that no one else would take that land and I would just roll over some NPC. I'm sure some blood will be spilled, but hopefully we come to some sort of agreement (either diplomatically or through conquest) before the Christians turn their gaze towards us and try to kill us all.

I'm sure they'll be too busy with the Crusades and a giant Andalus peeking over the Pyrenees to leap on us at first glance

I'm not all that interested in fighting ya (aside from the occasional raid, but, y'know, that's sorta bread and butter in this region), if you leave me alone I'll just slowly try recreating the Grand Duchy of Lithuania three centuries early.

[Great Confederacy of Commonwealth States]

I try to bring unity and civilization to the people of the Baltic, and this is what I get! Ungrateful savages! They seek to fight against their savior!

In reality I am glad that someone is taking up a role to fight back against my nation's radical attempts to "improve" the Baltic nations. I was worried that no one else would take that land and I would just roll over some NPC. I'm sure some blood will be spilled, but hopefully we come to some sort of agreement (either diplomatically or through conquest) before the Christians turn their gaze towards us and try to kill us all.

I'm sure they'll be too busy with the Crusades and a giant Andalus peeking over the Pyrenees to leap on us at first glance

I'm not all that interested in fighting ya (aside from the occasional raid, but, y'know, that's sorta bread and butter in this region), if you leave me alone I'll just slowly try recreating the Grand Duchy of Lithuania three centuries early.

*M A X I M U M P E E K*

[The Anarcho-Syndicalist Commune]

I try to bring unity and civilization to the people of the Baltic, and this is what I get! Ungrateful savages! They seek to fight against their savior!

In reality I am glad that someone is taking up a role to fight back against my nation's radical attempts to "improve" the Baltic nations. I was worried that no one else would take that land and I would just roll over some NPC. I'm sure some blood will be spilled, but hopefully we come to some sort of agreement (either diplomatically or through conquest) before the Christians turn their gaze towards us and try to kill us all.

I'm sure they'll be too busy with the Crusades and a giant Andalus peeking over the Pyrenees to leap on us at first glance

I'm not all that interested in fighting ya (aside from the occasional raid, but, y'know, that's sorta bread and butter in this region), if you leave me alone I'll just slowly try recreating the Grand Duchy of Lithuania three centuries early.

*Peers over HRE wall to the north* "Are these allies to destroy the false Emperor?"

[Chinniwana]

Sorry, I was super busy today with life. I'm online for right now, and then a little later today, so I'm not going to be online much today. Sorry.

NS Name: Valtrona
Official Nation Name: Kingdom of Georgia
Unofficial Nation Name: Georgia
Territory:
(Image)
Leader: King George II
Government Style: Absolute Monarchy
Ethnic Groups: Georgian, Armenian, Persian, Azerbaijani, and Greek (not including dialects)
Religions: Orthodox Christianity (Dominant), Miaphysitism, Judaism, and Islam.

Culture: Georgian Monarchs, and as a result Georgian society, followed a policy of religious tolerance to religious minorities. Their Christian, Jewish, and Muslim subjects could feel safe. Medieval Georgia resembled Europe in many ways due to political and cultural influences from the Byzantine Empire. Georgian Culture and Language dominated society, as a unique blend of Georgian feudalism developed. They had basically the same social structures and economic organization, however power in Georgian feudalism was greatly unbalanced. Towns were too weak and often deprived of rights, feudal lords were too strong, and the church was subjugated to the Royal Crown and was politically less active.

History: Georgia was once divided into several small and independent nations all vying for control over the region. King Bagrat III succeeded in unifying the Georgian heartland by 1010. During this, he managed to balance the needs of the Byzantine and Muslim Empires and convincing them both to stay out of the Caucasus. This brilliant move of diplomatic motivation allowed for King Bagrat III to focus on unifying the Caucasus under Georgian rule. Yet, he unfortunately died in 1014. He was succeeded by King George I, who shared his father’s ambitions. He launched a surprisingly effective campaign against the Armenians, and conquered the area under Georgian rule. He reigned for decades until his death in 1027, when he was succeeded by Bagrat IV. King Bagrat IV continued the Georgian legacy of conquest when he lead a successful 101-day Siege of Baku and conquered Schirwan. The Kingdom of Georgia now stretched from the coasts of the Black Sea to the beaches of the Caspian Sea. King Bagrat IV died in 1072, finalizing a Kingdom that his family wanted to build over the centuries. King George II took over, and has continued his relatively peaceful rule over the Kingdom of Georgia. Yet, Georgia was surrounded by many enemies, and the King knew that peace was fragile, and it merely took a small disagreement to start a major war in the region.

Accepted!

NS Name:
Nordschwaben

Official Nation Name:
Herzogtum Schwaben (Duchy Swabia)

Unofficial Nation Names:
Schwaben, Nordschwaben, Nordherzogtum Schwaben

Territory:
(Image)
(Has claims to retake the rest of the Swabian region, as well as claims to retake territory from the West)

Leader:
Fredrick I, Herzog von Schwaben (Duke of Swabia)

Government Style:
Duchy under the rule of an Elected Monarch (HRE)

Ethnic Groups:
German, Alemanni (Swabian), Swiss German, Italian, Frankish, Judaism

Religions:
Roman Catholic, Orthodox Christian (minority), Germanic Paganism (minority), Judaism (minority)

Culture:
As a Germanic state under the rule of the Holy Roman Emperor, the Duchy is a cultural mixing pot for many different peoples. With the Franks to the West, Germans to the North and East, and Italians to the South, the cultural identity of the nation is split. Despite this, many of the nobels and wealthy will identify themselves as Alemanni or simply Swabian.

Though divided culturally and politically, the Duchy is much more unified in religion. Roman Catholicism dominates from the peasantry to the nobility, with a minority following the Orthodoxy. The remaining few are either Jewry, rural pagans, or closet heritics. Currently, none are hunted, though that could change very soon...

History:
The PoD is more sudden than most, barely deviating from our own timeline and with some events happening despite certain changes.

(Feel free to read more about Swabia and Fredrick I if you're interested. Here's a tl;dr, Fredrick is loyal to the rightful king and gets rewarded for it.)

During the beginning years of the Investiture Controversy, Henry IV of Germany struggled with the Pope over many issues, though the main one being the power to appoint church officials and bishops. This lead to the Pope anointing the then-duke of Swabia, Rudolf of Rheinfelden, as the anti-king of Germany. The anti-king annointed his son, Bertold of Rheinfelden, the new Duke of Swabia.

Fredrick I, a Swabian count, remained loyal to the rightful King Henry IV and was rewarded with his loyalty and fealty with the King's daughter and the title "Herzog von Schwaben" in the year 1079.

This title is contested by the previous Duke and anti-king's sons, both of whom control the lands of the southern half of Swabia. After many battles, Rudolf is defeated and Henry reinstated as King. Fredrick keeps his title as Duke while still being contested to the South by the step-son of Rudolf, Bertold of Zähringen, who declares he is the rightful duke. This essentially splits the Duchy in two, with Fredrick having the King's support in the North and Bertold having the Pope's in the South.

Accepted!

NS Name: Polish Prussian Commonwealth
Official Nation Name: Grand Duchy of Bavaria
Unofficial Nation Names: Bavaria
Territory: See the red.
Leader: Rudolf I of Wittelsbach
Government Style: Duchy under Elected Monarch.
Ethnic Groups: Mostly Germans. *Maybe* a few Jews. Some Italians to the south.
Religions: 93% Catholic, 7% other
Culture: Most of the Duchy is mostly Roman Catholic. There are a handful of Hebrews in the major cities, and maybe a few Orthodox Christians, but besides that, there isn't much. A few (furiously persecuted) Pagans and Mohammedans might live in the countryside, but their populations are not significant.
Ethnically, the Duchy is mostly German, with a couple of Italians, mostly merchants, in the south.
(more to come as I do research)

History: The Duchy of Bavaria was originally ruled by the Agilolfings, starting in 555 AD. In 716 AD the Duchy was incorporated into the Carolingian Empire. After the dissolution of the Carolingian dynasty, the Ottonian Dynasty took power in 911 and ruled until 1070, when Henry III, the last Ottonian Duke, died in a hunting accident. After that, Otto IV of Wittelsbach became Duke of Bavaria, before being succeeded by his son, Rudolph I, as of 1090.
(More history to come as I do research)

I need this History to be more full. When it's done, I will accept.

NS Name: Finland SSR. I mean, you can see it to the left...
Official Nation Name: Nalšios kunigaikštystė / Duchy of Nalsha
Unofficial Nation Names: Nalsha
Territory:

(Image)

Leader: The Kunigas (Duke) of Nalsha, Erdvilas
Government Style: Baltic Stratocracy. A style of government characteristic of Baltic statelets and the early Grand Duchy of Lithuania in OTL, where the rule of the theoretically elected, but practically hereditary monarch relies upon the loyalty, support and maintenance of the kariauna, a standing unit of raiders who are entitled to a share of raiding loot and conquered land.
Ethnic Groups: Generally various East Baltic cultures - Nalshan, Aukštaitian, Samogitian, Selonian, Semigallian, Yatviagian, Latgalian, etc... and the East Slavs in Black Rus'.
Religions: Baltic polytheism, a highly fragmented and loose term for various nature and animal beliefs with only a few recurring concepts in between the various Baltic tribes.
Culture: In essence, Nalsha is an Early Feudal state (well, "state" in a very loose sense of the word) implanted into a High Middle Ages environment, While the Osel are the raiders of the sea, Nalsha are the raiders of the land, constantly organizing plundering raids into neighbouring Slavic, Romuvan and Oselian lands to sustain their barbaric government structure. This militaristic, hostile outlook towards their neighbours defines much of Nalshan life. Otherwise, the country has developed little beyond its tribal structure, the authority of the Kunigas hardly extending anywhere past his personal kariauna and the landowners and minor dukes loyal to him, called gerieji žmonės, providing the slowly developing foundations for a future feudal society.
History: The consolidation of the eastern Baltic tribes started to take place at roughly the same time as the formation of the state of Prussia, the Lithuanian, Latgalian and other tribes in the region spurred to unite under the pressure of Slavic expansion from the east and the changing society of the Baltic tribes from within. The consolidation of the Eastern Balts ended up led by Nalsha, or Nalšia, one of the most eastern of the Lithuanian lands, through a path of conquest, blood feuds and forced submission to the first recorded Kunigas of Nalsha, Netimeras. The Nalshan polity would take advantage of the halt to Prussian expansion in the mid 10th century and gobble the rest of the Samogitian, Yatvingian and Scalovian tribes under the polity, which now controlled many of the eastern Balts and serves as a major source of raids across Northeastern Europe, reaching as far as Poland and Novgorod. Though the Dukes of Nalsha, including the current one, Erdvilas, the grandson of Netimeras, hold ambition to one day unite all of the people under Perkūnas's all-seeing eye, in a state often referred to as *Lētuvā (coming from the Lithuanian lē̆i, "to melt, specif. into one alloy", interpreted by Western documents as Litua or Lettowen, which would later evolve into "Lithuania"), they do not burn as fiercely with such desire as their Romuvan rivals, and see their attempts to impose a united faith for the Baltic peoples as an attack on their long standing traditions.

Man, I'm surprised that the Baltics have been almost completely filled. Accepted!

NS Name: Ruskland-Preuben
Official Nation Name:
Arabian: Alkhilafat Al'iibadia/الخلافة الإباضية
English: The Ibadi Caliphate
Berber: Something
Unofficial Nation Names: ^
Territory:

(Image)

Leader: Asfar Omar Yacoub Aḥdiyen/Al-Ahdid/Ahdid
Government Style: Iqta
Ethnic Groups: Libyan, Algerian, and Tunisian Arabic, not to mention a Berber ruling class, and a couple of Christians in the coastal towns.
Religions: 58% Ibadi, 32% Sunni, 5% Shia, 3% Other forms of Islam, 2% Other Faiths
Culture: The culture of the Caliphate is a melting pot of sorts, with a Berber minority from the south ruling over much numerous African Arabs, which in turn have different subcategories. This has caused the Caliph of this nation to adapt and form a culturally and religiously open society, well, slightly open that is. Christians coming from Sicily and the good relations between them and the Caliphate has also contributed to this, although missionaries may only preach in areas designated for them. Ibadi missionaries on the other hand, roam the lands to convert Sunni and Shia people to the true faith, if not, they are tried and most likely imprisoned, at worst, executed.
History: This nation's history begins in the late 900s, where Ibadi Berber tribes in Fezzan began raids into Zirid controlled North Africa. Eventually, the Fatimids noticed their raids and joined the Zirids in repelling the constant raiders. All they got, however, was dust and blood in their mouths, any incursions were routed. This of course, was a massive blow to the Fatimids, and a unifying force for the Ibadi Berbers, who were united by Asfar Omar Yacoub Aḥdiyen, and the Zirids would revolt against them in 1048 after they lost Tunis. In retaliation, the Fatimids would send their Berber tributaries of Banu Hilal and Banu Sulaym. Seeing an opportunity, the united Berbers under Asfar would surge into Zirid territory, repelling the invading Fatimid Berber tributaries, and create a massive state in the Sahara. Naming it a holy war before he invaded, at its conclusion, he called for the formation of a Caliphate of the Ibadis under his rule, and they had no choice but to agree. Fast forward to today, the Caliph is an aged man that will die at any moment, but he still stands and speaks. His third son, Omar, will succeed him. Not to mention this man has proved himself to the Caliphate as a worthy successor.

All is well.

And Accepted!

I will update the map and the Player lists ASAP.

[The Black Party]

nominating this for most hyped rp in 5th Dimension

[The Black Party]

Territory:
(Image)
(Has claims to retake the rest of the Swabian region, as well as claims to retake territory from the West)

This makes me think we should add a "National Objectives" or a "National Focus'" section to the application so that nations can detail what their leader hopes to achieve for their state.

also just a suggestion ^