Helreich
| The Commonhold of Helland and Mörenburg Die Gemeinschaft Helland und Mörenburg | |
| Flag | Coat of arms |
|---|---|
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| Motto: | |
| Anthem: | |
| Locator map | |
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| Capital city | Hoffnung |
| Largest city | |
| Official language | Stoldish |
| Other languages | |
| Ethnic group | |
| Religion | Stellist Orkanan, Irreligion, Others |
| Demonym(s) | Hellish, Stoldish |
| Government | |
| Government Type | Orderist technocratic federal subject |
| Oberhauptführer | |
| Your 2nd leader title (e.g. Prime minister) | name |
| Legislature | Gründerrat |
| Establishment | |
| event 1 | date 1 |
| Area | |
| Population | |
| Economy | |
| Economy type | Orderist planned economy |
| Currency | Commonwealth Energy Certificate (GEA) |
| Other information | |
| Driving side | right |
| Internet code | .soc |
Helreich, officially the Commonhold of Helland and Mörenburg (Stoldish: Gemeinschaft Helland und Mörenburg), is a country in Anaria.
History
Prehistory
The oldest trace of human habitation in Helreich was over 25 thousand years ago during the first wave of humanity's migration into Anaria. Evidence suggests that the peoples who would eventually become that of the Dölmer migrated from central Davai to cross over the Ziemian land bridge into Jørveh and eventually to central and eastern Stoldavia. Permanent settlement appears first from this Anario-Jørveh group in tribal settlements all across Stoldavia.
Around 15 thousand years ago, the agricultural Anario-Biazriite, a subgroup of the Anario-Tharnians, moved from what is now known as the Scavland through the Cheltai Isles to settle in along the Opalring of Helreich. With the coming of the Anario-Biazriite came agricultural practices not known to the people of southern and central Stoldavia and resulted in an explosion in population and the further expansion of the Anario-Biazriite into the Nester Isles to the east and to the west into the Cheltai Isles.
The mixing of Anario-Jørveh and Anario-Biazriite cultures is what formed today's Dölmer people who inhabit the majority of Stoldavia.
Orkanan Realm of Stoldavia
A ceremonial helmet found from the Kingdom of East Dälburg. With the formal formation of the Orkanan Realm of Stoldavia in 5091RH, Skiöldavik expanded south, west, and in the name of Fyrirhugun Orkanan and Vind. From 5091RH to 5124RH, the Orkanan Realm of Stoldavia expanded to where the modern border of Helreich is today with its Här (army), incorporating kingdom after kingdom into the Orkanan Realm and setting up fiefdoms under the orange and purple banner of the Orkanan Realm. The conquest of the many petty kingdoms of Helreich took 24 years with the Orkanan Realm promoting countless political marriages to newly formed dependencies, and manipulating various petty kingdoms to fight one another, saving the forces of the Här for future consolidation of Helreich and Mörenburg. An Orkanan fort in the northern regions of the Kingdom of East Dälburg. With the conquest of Helreich and later Mörenburg, the Orkanan Realm brought the Orkanan civilization with it. Stoldavic crop rotation, roads, architecture, religion and culture spread rapidly and contributed to the successful integration of the petty kingdoms of Helreich into the Orkanan Realm.
Religion prior to Orkanan's arrival was of pagan beliefs with star-worshipping aspects. Stone formations that lined up the stars and acted as calendars dotted the landscape. The success of the Orkanan crop rotation played a major role in the spread of Fyrirhugun Orkanan within Helreich. Orkanan culture became the dominant culture of the lands of Helreich by 5400rh with many plays and songs from Skiöldavik being played in many settlements.
The Här stationed within the lands of Helreich constructed series of straight and efficient road networks, more efficiently connecting the Orkanan-backed Kingdoms of Helreich to Skiöldavik. These well constructed roads would later be used for the Greater Stoldavic Empire hundreds of years later due to their reliability and easy maintenance. Also by connecting of the southern kingdoms to Skiöldavik, Skiöldavik saw an influx of ideas and goods from the south, often coming from maritime trade with kingdoms of the Anarian mainland.
Feudal Helland
The lands of Helreich experienced years of peace and stability under the rule of the Orkanan Realm, but following the collapse of the Orkanan Realm of Stoldavia in 5713rh, the lands of Helland experienced centuries of conflict between the noble houses of Helland.
The Greater Stoldavic Empire
In 6934, Prince Råger of Mellanhand declared the establishment of the second Stoldavic Empire in the north after a series of military and political moves that united the kingdoms of modern day Vittmark and surrounding regions. Following this establishment, the north spread out in years of conquest, absorbing the surrounding kingdoms and making its way south, east, and west. In 6940rh, the Kingdom of Thronreich sought to align itself with the new Stoldavic Empire through the marriage of Princess Caroline Varen to Prince Råger of Mellanhand and use the alliance with the North to unite the lands of southern Stoldavia, or modern day Helreich. With the help of the North, after 2 years of war and conquest within Helreich, Helreich was united under one banner and a Kingdom within the Greater Stoldavic Empire.
Because of its size, power, and location on the Stoldavic continent, Helreich was an essential nation for the Greater Stoldavic Empire and because of this, the marriage between Caroline and Råger also seeded Helreich’s place as being the anchor of the Greater Stoldavic Empire’s power in the south and the Reik River basin. Following the marriage, a dual capital was made for the Empire in the city of Hoffnung to govern the South of the Empire and to establish the mutualism between the Östervallen and Hoffnung.
During the next 200 years, Helreich and the South prospered through the alliance with the North and being close to the center of Greater Stoldavic Empire’s politics. Helreich served as a “Door” to the rest of Anaria, with its ports becoming a major trading centers and being in close proximity with other non-Stoldavian nations of Anaria. As a result to its location in the south and its connections, Helreich saw a 200 year long ‘Golden Age’ and cultural renaissance.
Along with being the heart of trade between Anaria and the Greater Stoldavian Empire, Helreich served as a main contributor to the navy of the Greater Stoldavian Empire, providing and supplying 70% of the naval power of the Empire. Because of its prominence in naval power, Helreich served as the center of exploration and colonial efforts of the Greater Stoldavian Empire that explored the oceans and lands of Gotha and colonize lands such as New Stoldavia and New Grönmark under the flag of the Greater Stoldavic Empire.
The Great Schism of Orkanan
During the years of being included with the Greater Stoldavic Empire, Helreich’s people experienced a gradual separation of beliefs compared to those of the North. Due to the writings of Ludwig Volker and the expanding respect of science and discovery within the South, the belief in Stellist-Orkanan became wide-spread, even became the denomination of Orkanan that Prince Ferdinand (Last name of the kingdom of the north), son of the King, believed in. This change was gradual but by the year 7151, over 75% of Helreich was Stellist-Orkanists. Because of this, there were religious confrontations with the North and the rest of Orkanan, sometimes leading to bloodshed through the murder of ’’Stond’’ heads.
In 7151, Helreich under the leadership of Prince Ferdinand (The surname of the kings of the north), declared Stellist-Orkanan as the official religion of the state, leading to much outcry from the rest of the Greater Stoldavic Empire. With this declaration was the declaration of plans to build the great Temples of Osser along side the ancient ruins of the Pyramids of Siri of the (Ancient Atlantean Civilization). Considered an act of heresy from the North, the North mobilized an Orkanan crusade against the Stellists of Helreich.
A civil war between the Stellist-Orkanan Helreich and the traditional Orkanists of the rest of the Stoldavia. After the declaration of crusade against Stellist-Orkanan by (____Some religious leader of the North___), the lands of Helreich seceded from the Greater Stoldavic Empire and declared the formation of the Empire of Helland. The civil war that ensued lasted 5 years and ended with the successful secession of Helreich from the second Stoldavic empire after the siege and burning of Sandsala in the North. The Greater Stoldavic Empire crumbled following the damages of the civil war, eventually breaking up into many smaller kingdoms, of which many remain today.
The Empire of Helland
Himmelstein Castle of the Reisenburg Dynasty. Following the secession of Helreich from the Greater Stoldavic Empire, Prince Ferdinand (____Some religious leader of the North___) took the name of Varen declaring his bloodline, the historic name of the Maria Varen who married Råger of Mellanhand at the foundations of the Greater Stoldavic Empire, and declared himself Kaiser of the Empire of Helland.
The Empire of Helland retained its power and position as major power throughout its existence; until the events of the Pan-Anarian War.
The Tandem Wars
Road to Revolution
The Ostburg Meetings of 7471. During the events of the Tandem Wars, a new movement was seeded throughout the Empire and prospered with the turmoil from the turmoil and devastating losses during the war. With events from the 8 year-long war along with a previous 3 year long war, including invasion, coastal bombardment, and naval blockades, many citizens were left in poverty caused from the extravagant costs of the two major wars. During the height of the latest conflict of 7465-7473, a meeting of many of the brilliant minds of Helreich and the Empire met in Ostburg to discuss the possibilities of succession of Thronreich and Ayern due to loss of support for the war and the Kaiser's reluctance to withdraw Helreich from the war. The idea of a replacement of government was addressed by Häverist supporter Bernhard Eberhart, stating that the main reason why the Dölmer people of Helland were in the war was because of the inefficiencies of both the established monarchy, and the Stockist system which created the poverty through the need to further fund the war. His ideas of the replacement of the monarch was discarded on the third day of the meetings after an address from the Kaiser stated that the meetings in Ostburg were seditious, forcing all of the members who attended underground into hiding, or were eventually captured and drawn and quartered for treason.
As a result of the Kaiser's actions, those who escaped capture started the planning for the removal of Kaiser Frederick Sävert III behind closed doors. The problem was agreed upon unanimously by the surviving leaders of the Ostburg Meetings to lie with the monarchs and the grip the Stockist system had over the majority.
Peter Häver in 7457, understanding the cause of the suffering of his people, wrote the famous "Future of Humanity and Helland" or now commonly known as the "Häverist Manifesto". The manifesto was printed and distributed, gaining readers and supporters. Peter Häver, stated that the Monarch and his support for Stockist system was destroying the Dölmer people and its productivity, along with their future. Poverty rose as the Helreich continuously attempted to afford its war efforts. Hundreds of thousands were left starving despite working for the war effort. During this time period multiple riots and rebellions took place across the empire. These factors lead the way for Peter Häver's ideas to rise, and along with himself and his supporters, such as Bernhard Eberhart, to power and starting of the Decemberist Revolution in 7473RH. With the war looking bleaker to the people, and poor living conditions and famine at an all-time high, protests broke out by the working class and the homeless with their families. Häverism at this point became a common house-hold topic throughout the Empire.
Economic Collapse and Growth of Rebellion
As the war with (Side B) continued, economic strains from over exhausting the infrastructure and Hellish capability to keep up with the war effort. With the Crown increasing the demand for supplies, raw material, and military machinery; along with the Crown's lack of funds to support the war efforts, businesses and manufacturers were receiving little profit. With the drops of profit in the majority of businesses in the Hellish Empire, prices of common commodities increased dramatically as businesses struggled to keep their operations running. Wage-cuts and lay-offs was a common trend of the times, leaving unemployment to increase as the war continued. With the Crown financially unable to keep up, taxes too increased dramatically on many aspects in daily life. With these trends happening and progressively getting worse as every year went by in the war, costs on the working class was too much leaving countless families into poverty and many unemployed. Many of the unemployed and their families became economic refugees moving out of cities and towns and setting up "refugee camps" on the countryside to avoid taxation. By 7471, the Empire was in an economic crisis that eventually led to the Crown's passing of the Dolberg Land Act of 7471: an act that allowed for the privatization of the Kaiser's land for revenue (The lands in which large numbers of economic refugees had sought refuge).
In 7471, Kaiser Frederick Sävert III ordered the removal of the economic refugees from the former Crown land. Resisting the Kaiser's demands for them to abandon their last place of refuge for them, the situation got out of control on October 3rd, 7471 when the Starkkron Conglomerate, aided by government troops, forcibly removed 3,500 economic refugees and arrested the leaders of the camps and tried them on "Crimes Against the Crown" by avoiding Royal Taxes and for long-term trespassing on royal land. 263 ended up dead after resisting eviction and arrest.
The Decemberist Revolution
On October 7th, 7472, violence broke out in the city of Südentor over distribution of food within the marketplace district of the city. Crowds of factory workers and their families flooded the marketplace and during public protest and during their protest, violence was sparked as a man was shot. The truth on what happened is unknown about who fired the shot and why, and still is a topic of discussion and controversy today. Police opened fired on the protesters, including women and children. This event, the "Südentor Marketplace Massacre", sparked protest and eventually revolutionary and "seditious" movements against the Crown and established monarchies across Helland.
The most prominent movement was that of the "Decemberist Movement", lead by Peter Häver. Drawing supporters from the "Common Class" and the significant numbers of poverty-stricken families across the country.
By December 24th, the Decemberist Movement was successful in the siege of Hoffnung and the killing of Kaiser Frederick Sävert III by his close advisor Wilhelm Reisenburg III, an infamous betrayal, and the seizing of the Kaiser's family. Removed from power, the Decemberist Movement’s leaders, led by Peter Häver, set up a temporary government on January 2nd, announcing the removal of the monarchy, and the setting up of a new government, following the ideals of Peter Häver.
After the events of the Decemberist Revolution, the newly established national government announced the immediate withdrawal from the war, and mostly declaring an end to fighting on all Hellish fronts. With the Hellish out of the war, (SIDE A) suffered a tremendous loss.
New Häverist State
Following the Decemberist Revolution and the withdrawal from the war, the people sought to rebuild Helreich, but also recreate Helreich. With the Decemberists in power, Häverism was the most influential ideology throughout the reform period. Through various campaigns, hundreds of speeches, the majority of the citizens of Helreich proclaimed the transformation from the temporary government to a new Häverist government through open forum.
With the official establishment of the Häverist government, nation-wide efforts were made by the government to rebuild the wrecked nation. Under the guidance of the Anführer and the national Gründer, the inclusion of Peter Häver's ideals of sustainable, long lasting, equitable development were implemented on a national level. Where towns and cities experienced heavy battle damages, newly created proto-urbanates and agrinates were built, the rebuilding process was planned by the intellectuals of the nation for the creation of the most efficient society and to help implement their future goal of creating a new form of economics for the newly created Häverist nation, energy accounting and the utilization of the Distribution Apparatus.
The Declaration of Total Häverism came on April 4th, 7492rh, the day that the people of Helreich gathered for the enacting of the national Distribution Apparatus. Refined after years of testing in isolated proto-urbanates and in traditional towns and cities, the Distribution Apparatus was officially established nationwide.
Pan-Anarian War
At Home
Became a wartime economy and and dealt with what is now called "scarcity industrialism"
As the war progressed and Helreich's petroleum shipping lanes were cut off by Auresia in the Hattaro Straits and Aedeland in the north, effectively cutting off Helreich's supply of its inexpensive energy. This caused a major shift in energy supply for the Hellish navy along with many cities. Petroleum was thought to be a plentiful fuel source for the preceding decade, but that image was shattered as new oil fields could not be found and Anat Tahan petroleum continued to be attacked leading to many oil spills of the coast of the Hattaro Straits and northern Thultania.
While it suffered a major loss from its loss of access to petroleum, Hellish privateer forces were sent to harass Auresian coal shipments from its colony Ephesus.
As the war continued, Hellish society adjusted to the changing dynamics of life with expensive energy and resources (as the military got priority with both energy and resources). This shift including an entire geo-economic shift in where people lived and how energy and resources were used. Populations shifted towards high density living in cities/urbanates and eventually agrinates. The expensive energy costs also sparked a renaissance of thermodynamic-conscious designs. Industries were forced to content with the limitations the war gave by implementing cradle-to-cradle designs that focused on the conservation and reusability of resources.
As a consequence of the flux of people moving towards cities/urbanates and agrinates, isolated and rural towns were largely abandoned by their inhabitants as they were energy-expensive to connect to the rest of the economy and offered little in employment. This shift created two distinct cultures that define the nation, the pro-urban, energy and resource efficient, urbanites, and those of who decided to remain on the countryside who developed a self sufficient, independent, pseudo-frontiersmen.
Geography
Helreich, located on the southern tip of Stoldavia, is made up of six distinct, geographical regions. The Reik, the Rand, the Opalring, the Calcit Peninsula, the Goldene Halbinsel (Golden Peninsula), and the Österstrand.
The Reikland, a river valley that lies at the northernmost regions of Helreich along its northern border to all the way down to where the Reik meets Opal Gulf. Known for its particularly fertile soil, the Reik is the 'bread basket' of Helreich. The region is dominated by lush green fields and forests and countless rivers and creeks that drain into the Reik.
The Rand, a mountainous region that is at the southernmost point of the Blue Mountains. This rough and mountainous region is dominated by glacier valleys is covered in alpine forests.
The Opalring, the fertile lands that are along the coast around the Opal Gulf. The Opalring is the center and heart of Helreich and are among the most populous regions of Helreich.
The Calcit Peninsula, the western peninsula of Helreich. One of the most productive lands in Helreich, the Calcit Peninsula's landscapes is dominated by rolling hills, prairies, and coastline.
The Goldene Halbinsel or Golden Peninsula, the eastern peninsula of Helreich.
The Österstrand, the eastern coastland that lies in the north-easternmost regions of Helreich.
Governance
Economy
Infrastructure
Demographics
Culture
Nestled at the southern tip of the Stoldavian island Helland, Helreich stands as a beacon of vibrant cultural history and a hub of continuous innovation. The intricate tapestry of Helreich's culture, deeply rooted in the legacies of the Stoldavic empires and the pervasive influence of the Orkanan religion, is further enriched by Central Anarian influences. Historically celebrated as "Stoldavia’s Southern Door," Helreich transcends its geographical identity, emerging as a crucible of diverse ideas, a ground for cultural confrontations, and a birthplace of revolutionary movements like Häverism, which eventually evolved into Orderism, and Stellism.
Social Structure
The societal framework of Helreich is uniquely structured around the concepts of 'Stamm', 'Gemeinde', and 'Staat'. The 'Stamm', representing the extended family, forms the foundation of Helreich's social edifice. Each 'Gemeinde', or community, encapsulates a larger societal fabric, knitting together multiple 'Stamms' in a cohesive unit. Historically, the ‘Staats’ were a coalition of ‘Gemeindes’ under monarchical governance, epitomizing a deeply hierarchical yet community-centric society. In contemporary Orderist Helreich, Gemeindes are administered by a party committee, comprising members from the Staats, signifying a shift towards a more organized and collective governance structure.
Helreich's urban design is ingeniously centered around the concept of the 'Stamm'. Residential blocks in urban areas, known as urbanates, are designed around communal gardens and star-viewing areas. These shared spaces are not just physical entities but are emblematic of Helreich's deep-rooted sense of community and collective experience. The emergence of urbanates marks a significant evolution in urban planning, adeptly blending high-density living with communal harmony and sustainability.
Artistic Expression
The artistic and literary landscape of Helreich provides a profound insight into the nation's soul. The journey from ancient frescos, which depicted celestial divinities, to modern social realist art, which critically examines industrial society, mirrors the nation's historical and societal evolution. The transition from romanticism to orderist realism in art is reflective of a society endeavoring to strike a harmonious balance between progress and tradition, grappling with the realities of both industrial and post-industrial eras.
Helreich's culture is a vibrant mélange of traditional influences and modern innovations. Its cuisine represents an exquisite fusion of Stoldavic culinary traditions with innovative techniques and flavors from Altaia and beyond, resulting in a unique gastronomic experience. In fashion and festivals, a similar synthesis is evident, with an amalgamation of historical attire and contemporary styles, celebrating the rich tapestry of the past and the dynamic present. Sports play a pivotal role in fostering community bonding and reinforcing national identity.
Architectural Identity
The architectural ethos of Helreich is a tangible representation of its cultural values. A harmonious blend of traditional Stoldavic styles with modern design principles, Helreich's architecture is a testament to a society that honors its historical roots while boldly embracing the future. This architectural paradigm transcends mere aesthetic appeal, embodying the quintessence of the Helreich way of life — a society that cherishes community, tradition, orderism, and innovation.
In conclusion, Helreich, with its rich historical heritage and forward-looking ethos, presents a unique cultural landscape. Its society, characterized by a blend of traditional values and modern principles, mirrors the nation's commitment to preserving its past while innovatively forging its future. From its social structures to its artistic expressions, Helreich stands as a vivid example of cultural resilience and dynamism.