Empherias

the Kingdom of Empherias, commonly known as Empherias, is a nation in southeast Alaxia. It is a province of the greater High Kingdoms of Alaxia since 2448. It is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy, but the monarchy plays little to no part to politics in Empherias, living in Kiavar. It is often cited as one of the most democratic and peaceful nations in the world, and has been consistently Social-Democrat or Centre-Left since 2395. The capital city of the nation is Wynnoa, located in the south central region on the river Ewynn. The second largest city is Esthullen, followed by Rommes. Vreimer acts as an important trading hub with the rest of the High Kingdoms, Rhequons is a seat of many company institutions and both Gateshaven and Nieuwbourg are large port cities on the coast.

The country's population is approximately 37.2 million. The true number of Empherians are unknown as there are many living in Empherias who haven't fully immigrated or assimilated, and there are many ex-patriots living in other countries, particularly in other High Kingdoms members, and the International City which hosts around 130,000 Empherians.

Since 2488, the nation has been ruled by Prime Minister Lucy King as leader of the People's Socialist Party, which runs as a subsidiary of the larger Red Bloq party that runs nationally in High Kingdoms' elections. Lucy King has won the previous 3 elections: those being 2491, 2495, and 2499. She intends to run in the next election, rumoured to be in 2503. On top of these, the Socialists also won the 2487 election with the former leader, Alistair Walker. Before these socialist successes, the nation was run by the Empherian Liberal Party (who are now the largest opposition party) under beloved Prime Minister, Scarlett May.

Geography
aaa

Climate
aaa

Brekenreidkegt Brekepaine
Following decades of out of touch politicians continuously winning in Parliament, due to the bad representation system, having dukes and high titled men and women being allowed to vote, many people are angry. The most angry are the middle class in the suburbs of the largest cities: Wynnoa, Esthullen and Rommes, who are upset that the gap between them and the upper class were increasing. the "Brekenreidkegt Brekepaine" was a novel written by poet Lewis Rhommel in late 2394 criticising the institution of pointless suppression of voting by the lower and middle classes. The Brekenreidkegt being the local name for a town hall in southwest Esthullen which had been notorious for often comical voting margins and gerrymandering. The building was seized in the early morning at around half past four by around five hundred middle class civilians, with hundreds of lit torches and common weapons such as cricket bats, fencing swords and cooking knives. However, the pure amount of people forced the doors to break under pressure and the people to swarm through the front gates. One of the leaders of this protest was Edgard Morrison, an avid populist, who wanted to convince the corrupt Duke in the area to free up voting regulations and allow people to vote and elect a new representative of the people. This was important as a new tax law, which would've raised taxes, was about to be passed by the government of the nation. Windows smashed, royal guards stabbed and killed, and the Duke fled the scene and declared an emergency to Rijkse James VII of Empherias.

A local populist man named Felix D'laminet was chosen by the local mass of people among popular opinion to replace the current duke in hiding. The overthrown Duke self-declared his exile, being rich enough to support himself elsewhere in the countryside and fearing a return. Felix had previously worked as an adviser to the Duke, trying to promote new and radical reforms and ideas. He was fired after not blending well and then started work at a local outspoken newspaper, the "Real People's Work" where he gained popularity amongst the classes. A cult of personality had formed around Felix D'laminet. He had formed the People's Populist Party (PPP) and hoped to challenge the ruling class in the upcoming elections under the Rijkse James VII. However, another popular man. Henry Alark was also popular amongst populists known for his more violent and militarist opinions. This extremist branch believed that they should remove the entire current Parliament by force in a revolution. These Alarkists began planning to take over.

Aerogastnicht - Night of the Many Ghosts
Four months before the scheduled national elections, Henry Alark rallied his small extremists in the town of Scudbourg. They had used months of preparation, and many were armed with ex-military rifles ready to storm the government. They began at the King's Palace, the Parliament, the Main City Centre, and many rich manors around the city. They stormed the Parliament. Two hundred militia and Alark himself stormed in the doors and creating mass panic in the building. Only a dozen of MPs were there, but they were all slaughtered as they were defenceless. Immediately, the Royal Guards were called. The Prime Minister immediately sent Rijkse James VII to flee in Rommes, while he would rally the Royal Guards to attack and defeat the insurrection, and the PM himself would try and calm down the crowds. the Battle of Parliament was fought for three whole days, with the Royal Guards against the Militia until the militia was entirely unorganised, chaotic and leaderless. As Henry Alark fled, the Battle had claimed eighty lives, and many MPs had died.

Despite not taking part of inciting the insurrection, Felix D'laminet was arrested on charges of treason for defying the Duke, and being a pretender in a public position. The elitists tried to do this to curb the influence of the populists, but many of his supporters threatened another insurrection, but bigger this time. The Royal Guards were put on high alert. Felix D'laminet became a very well known figure across the country due to many newspapers of the event, and many sympathised with his cause. Applications to join the populist party skyrocketed in the next few weeks and months. On election day, the populists were not taking part, and the Conservatives had won the election, with many of the nobles and elite sympathising for their lost party members. the Alarkists prepared a march on Parliament again, this time with numbers of tens of thousands instead of a few hundred.

The Princess Coup
The King's daughter, the eldest of the children, Princess Abigail has taken over the duty of ruling the country following her father's flee. Abigail, having had her education in foreign nations due to the King's busy work, has a different idea on how to control the government. While the Rijkse has fled from Rommes to the Hveden Federation, Abigail disbands the entire government of mostly un-elected dukes and lords and takes complete control of the entire nation's government. She promises she will remove this power from herself once a parliament of only elected officials is put in place. Taking charge of a newly elected Parliament, she creates a faction of liberals which allies itself with the large following of the People's Populist Party and has the support of many lower and middle class people. The nobles and lords that have been removed from power are very angry to lose influence over the government. Very few now support Princess Abigail and many of them form a faction of Frankists, supported by rich and upper class people, lords and nobles, and the people who work for these nobles and lords to support themselves. Rijkse James, if he was to return from Hvede is likely to be torn between his daughter and the Frankists.

The Populist Uprising (2395-2415)
Princess, now Rijkdottir, Abigail releases Felix D'laminet from prison as she is sympathetic to his cause. She asks Felix to form a new government and become the new Prime Minister. This new government was formed on 1st January 2397. Despite his violent tendencies, he selects other prominent populist figure Henry Alark to lead a ministry of defence. This is mainly to raise an army to quell any noble uprisings if they are to come, or other foreign nations who may intervene with the revolution. He also selects Harry Redworks, a left wing political adviser to the old Rijkse; Edward Broedesmore, a slightly middle class land owner and philanthropist who had devoted time to helping the poor; William Weslington, a former army general and liberal advocate brought to serve in the new military as a high ranking general; Robert Webber, a political commentator and expert who leant conservative; Henry Watford, a local business owner who leans conservative; Maria Harris, a friend to Felix who leans liberal; Amelia Rattsenburg, owner a local newspaper and daughter of a rich noble who leans liberal; and Alice Rettels, a descendant of the famous Empherian ambassador Alexander Rettels.

Felix D'laminet's Tenure
This new government led the nation in the years following until the Rijkdottir demanded that Felix hold a general election to democratically elect officials into government positions. Felix officially branded himself into the leader of the Populist party and ran for the position of Prime Minister in the first post-revolution election on 28th March 2402. Opposing him was his good friend and great Socialist advocate, Elizabeth Rose, running for the Socialist party; the very conservative and establishment Conservative leader, Josef Martinique; and many smaller parties such as the Liberals, the Social-Nationals and the Right Democrats. The Populists won the election, winning 144 out of 300 possible constituency seats. While this was not a majority of seats, the rest of the parties' vote was fractured which gave the Populists a plurality of the votes and therefore the right to form a government. They formed a minority government. The Conservatives won 99 seats, 45 less than the Conservatives. The Socialists won 25 seats. Elizabeth Rose opened up possibilities of a left-wing coalition between the Populists and Socialists, but nothing came of it and the Populists had no trouble running the nation.

The next general election occurred on 1st May 2407. It was all but agreed that May would serve as a month for the elections. Again running were the Populists, led by Felix D'laminet; the Conservatives, led by Josef Martinique; and the Socialists, led by Elizabeth Rose. The Socialists manage to win 10 more seats than the Conservatives (80 to the Conservatives' 70) while the Populists won again with 139 seats. The Liberals did worse than usual with many votes going to the Conservatives. This demonstrated a shift further to the left as populist ideals grew more in pop culture and society. Felix D'laminet announced his resignation on 10th April 2411 following 14 full years of ruling the country. Originating from health issues, he originally planned on taking a year off to recover while allowing fellow party member Robert Webber to act as an Interim Prime Minister, before returning to the role. However, Felix later decided that after the decade and a half that he should go for good and a new fresh face lead the nation. As the resignation was immediate however, the new party leader had to be implemented. Leader of the second largest party and in an informal coalition with the ruling party, the Socialists were sworn in as a caretaker government. This government was governed by Elizabeth Rose from D'laminet's resignation until the next election date of 17th April 2412. This caretaker government allowed many populist figures to remain in key positions.

Webber and Watford's Tenure
Despite having the bid of being D'laminet's preferred interim, Robert Webber ultimately lost out a tough nine month leadership election to colleague, Henry Watford. He had previously served as Lord of the Treasury under Felix D'laminet's government. Using the height of memory of the populist government of the past, and the Populist mania in pop culture, Watford created an ideal picture around himself in the media and easily won the 17th April 2412 election. He won 141 seats, more than Felix did in his second run at the election but still produced a minority government. Because of more difficulty in passing legislature without a majority, and the Socialists unwilling to form an informal coalition without D'laminet's leadership, the Populists were forced to allow a new election to take place before the scheduled 2417 election. After debates in parliament, the next election was decided to take place on 21st December 2414 on national Empherias day, to allow high voting turnouts. The 2412 election actually increased the size of the Commons from 300 to 325 members of parliament following an addition of constituencies. This made the achievement of 141 MPs more underwhelming.

The election on 21st December 2414 would again increase this size in Parliament, from 325 to 371 members. Henry Watford ran again for the Populists while the other two major parties also kept the same leader. The popular and constituency votes disagreed for the first time in history. The popular vote which would form a government was won by the Populists making Henry Watford the new Prime Minister. However, the Socialist party won more constituency seats in Parliament and therefore were able to block government legislature. This was more torturous than the political problems in 2412 and led to Henry Watford's resignation as Prime Minister and leader of the Populist party on the 28th December 2414. Robert Webber, with his chance stolen in 2414, took the position as both leader of the party and Prime Minister on the same day. To end this political turmoil, Webber places a new election to take place the following year on 21st December 2415. He planned on passing legislature with support of parties on a case by case basis to try and improve the political situation. Webber promised a Populist leadership election to truly elect a new leader by June 2415, but this date was not met.

The election on 21st December 2415 would again increase the size of parliament to 401 members. A small bloc of Conservative and Liberal voters formed a new Liberal party which stood in the election. The Socialists, under Elizabeth Rose, managed to win both the popular and constituency votes winning 225 members of parliament, a majority of 24 seats. The Populists only managed 99 members of parliament, with the Conservatives even lower on 60. This solidified the Socialists as a force to be reckoned with in politics.

The Battle of Priscei Cathedral
During this term, Felix had to deal with many different issues. First, the threat of a monarchist invasion and uprising, and possible intervention from monarchist nations surrounding them. On 3rd March 2399, thousands of men following various noblemen rise up in the city of Priscei and capture the city without resistance. D'laminet orders Henry Alark, the Minister of Defence to retaliate. He sends the Royal Guards, populist volunteers and militia, and what remains of the old Empherias National Army of 20,000 troops to attack and put down the rebellion. Outside the Priscei Cathedral, 26,000 populist troops with General William Weslington battle an opposing 5,000 monarchist rebels led by Lord Peter van Rindelburg. Due to superior training and morale, with many noble troops fighting out of obligation not for support, the Populists take only 800 casualties while the Monarchist rebels take 2400 casualties. This leads to half of the Monarchist rebels dead, and the Empherias army still standing strong with 25,000 troops. The remaining rebels are either arrested or flee. Lord Peter is captured and executed for treason the following year in 2400.

Due to embarrassment, Rijkse James VII, who had planned to return to Empherias to aid a Monarchist revolt had their campaign been more successful, decided to remain in Hvede. Local newspapers spread the idea that Rijkse had essentially abdicated and exiled himself to live in a country estate in Hvede. The popularity of the Monarchists dwindled as many placed their trust in the new government. Monarchist nobles were stripped of titles and lands to scare other lords into going against the government. Many who took part in the rebellion were executed or imprisoned. The Populists grew in popularity rapidly. Many nobles weren't very pleased with these changes but did not want to revolt due to the major change in political climate, and their recent loss at Priscei. Then, due to Rijkse James VII's essential abdication in the previous days, Abigail was coronated on the Empherias National Day of Celebration on December 21st 2401 as Rijkdottir Abigail the First. She swore not to go mad with power and protect Empherias from any future threats, and to devote her whole life to the nation. She awarded Henry Alark, Felix D'laminet and William Weslington with the highest order of the nation: a knighthood.

Policies of the Populists
One of the first policies of the Populists was to create a grand but small army to defend Empherias with. Henry Alark founded the Empherias navy, despite being landlocked, in 2401. He negotiated a deal with Ahitereira-Koresa to lease a small piece of land on the coast of the East Alaxian sea, in which an Empherian port would be established named Nieuwbourg. It was intended to be a large port for imports and exports. A large railway would connect Nieuwbourg and the closest major trade city, Vreimer. The railway would not be Empherian territory, but owned by the National Empherias Trading Association as a company. Tariffs for the port would be set by Empherias, and would also see the creation of military warships for Empherias. In return, a non-aggression pact was signed for 10 years with border control decreased significantly. Cash would be paid for the lease and both Koresan and Empherian workers could work on the port to bring in jobs for both nations. Half of the profits from commercial use would be given to Ahitereira. the Treaty of the Nieuwbourg Port was signed in 2402.

An alliance between the Kingdom of Empherias and the Hveden Federation was signed on 18th February 2402.

Following Nieuwbourg's construction, an Empherias battleship was comissioned on 5th June 2412 by Alark. Blueprints and plans were acquired from Hveden Federation with research from Empherian engineers.

Tax breaks were given to mothers who have three or more children. More children were popularised in media through government intervention. Furthermore, schemes to encourage immigration to Empherias were created. Path to citizenship was made easier, with the ability to hold dual-nationality. Communities and towns built specifically for ex-patriots of other countries were created and given small pieces of autonomy. Large examples of this were Nehvedenbourg which hosted many Kusfeldic heritage, and Palakteb, a town filled with many Palaks. The media was requested to show off the nation as a safe space for migrants and refugees throughout the world. Racism and xenophobia is taught in schools to be against good moral code. Old cultural significance to the Empherians, to not completely remove any symbols of the Empherian people, were shown off too. The old popular sport of sword-fighting was brought back in spectacular fashion in the Fencing Cup in 2406, with subsequent cups every year. As 2500, this remains one of the most popular sports in Empherias. Empherias dress was shown off more often and December 21st was made a national holiday in 2408.

The government took a new approach to education. An education minister would establish new rules for education. A seperate of Primary and Secondary education was made, with the former ending at age 10. Language learning of either Hveden or Ahitereiran was introduced there after with a third language optional at age 14. Children could leave school at 16 to become a legal adult and earn an adult's minimum wage. All children took an end of school exam for qualifications. Later education started at age 17 which included pre-existing universities. The first government endorsed university was Esthullen National College but more continued. A child's minimum was furthermore set at half of an adult's. The lands of the Tbekien were annexed on 10th July 2410. Although occupied for some centuries now, new documentation was passed in parliament that recognised the land as sovereign Empherias soil equal to the other lands. Minister of Foreign Affairs asked the global community to recognise these lands as Empherias too. To emphasise that these lands were represented by Empherias, 25 new constituencies were formed out of the land and added to the Parliament. However, it is notable that these constituencies had far fewer people than other constituencies due to the large amount of inhospitable lava fields in the area. A local governorship was established as Representative of the Lands and People of Tbekien which would represent the region in the cabinet of the government.

Discussed by Henry Alark and Alice Rettels, the Hveden Federation and the Kingdom of Empherias signed a deal in late 2411 that promised the entire army of Empherias to aid the Hveden's in case of war with the ability to assign the command of all troops to their army. In return, Hvede would provide army and navy technologies of the time to keep the army in top notch condition. Military access would be granted to both nations alongside naval access. However, this was later ended by Prime Minister Elizabeth Rose.

Soon after, in early 2412, them and the Kingdom of Karkuss would form the AHEK Alliance. Palakkinen joined the alliance later in 2414. The Lava Field & People Collaboration Mission was former in 2413 by Elizabeth Rose which dealt with matters of research over the lava fields. Two separate slices of land were bought from the Hveden Federation in early 2414. Railways are also built between Hvede and Empherias. (pictured)

the new National Empherias Housing Associate (NEHA) would provide small houses including a small living space, a kitchen, a bathroom and a bedroom. These were be built in stacks of five and stacked closely together in city centres, and in suburbs were to be in stacks of up to twenty to accommodate large amounts of people. Changes to tax are 0.5% increase for the years of 2412 and 2413 alone, and then 0.25% increase in 2414 and 2415.

Due to the recession and unpopularity, Henry Watford made the decision to lower income tax from 21.5% to 16% on the lowest paid brackets, and for medium class ($60,000 or more) from 26.5% to 21%, and for upper class ($140,000 or more) from 33.5% to 28%. This puts less strains on the citizens themselves. Due to the tax decrease, Education funding is scrapped for at least until 2417, Housing funding is scrapped for at least until 2417, and a tax was placed on luxury goods that will equal 30% of their value on top.

Integration of Weskynn and Norsair
Following a suspiciously large donation, the royal family of Weskynn place an Empherian politician and statesman David Algarre as the Prime Minister of their nation. Following this, Algarre submits a declaration of unilateral union with the Kingdom of Empherias. Amelia Rattsenburg begins the process of integration of many public services. Their legal rights are submitted into the Empherian constitution and they are admitted to the state on 1st January 2414. This integration increases the Empherian parliament from 325 to 371 members. Norsair, the duchy to the south east, was in a similar situation. Following alleged scandals by the former Duke that supposedly breached the safety of Empherian citizens on the border, Henry Alark moved 3000 peacekeeping troops to the capital of the nation. These remained from June 2412 until September 2413. The government was under immense pressure from the Empherias chief adviser Harry Redworks and information adviser Amelia Rattsenburg alongside it's own representatives to change the situation. The government collapsed on 12th September 2413 following a heated argument between the ruling Chaparet party and a coalition member Daliget party. Chaparet were in favour with more collaboration with the Empherians through further integration with the similar languages. The Daligets however, and many opposition parties, wanted to continue with independence.

Harry Redworks, a popular figure in Norsair, having studied and become a pseudo-celebrity, moved to the capital to defuse the situation on 15th September 2413. He was more popular than any member of the government had been, mainly because he had been removed from the situation, and was wanted by many Chaparet members to take charge of the parliament. With an overwhelming backing, Redworks became the new leader of the Chaparet where he persuaded enough opposition and Daliget members to support his side enough to form a new government. They wanted fresh change, were inclined by money and fame, and passed the motion to elect the new government on 21st September 2413 creating the first "stable" government since 2409. Following this, Redworks passed legislature that would allow easy integration with Empherias such as changing many standardisations to match. He persuaded the nation to vote for a bill that would allow the action to join the Kingdom of Empherias in early 2414. This legislature was bound up in much bureaucracy and the bill was expected to come into effect in October 2414 with possible unification in early 2415. The bill was signed into law on 28th October 2414. Redworks was expected to pass a bill unifiying the two nations on 16th January 2415. However, the populist's mediocre result at the 2414 election convinced Redworks that a possible populist defeat was possible in following elections and that his own ideology may be on the decline. If he was to resign in Norsair, he could fall back on his job in the Populist cabinet of Empherias, but without this, he had no safety net. He delayed the signing of the unification until 20th July 2415 when fellow Chaparet believed he was trying to consolidate power for himself. Chaparet and the opposition formed a vote of no confidence on 29th July 2415 which passed, removing Redworks from power. Norsair's new Prime Minister, Alexander Charles, signed the unification on 11th August 2415. Norsair is recognised to have joined Empherias on 1st September 2415.

The Pre-Unification Period (2415-2448)
Elizabeth Rose became the Prime Minister on the night of the 21st December 2415 with a majority of the seats in Parliament. This was the first time since the revolution that the government had a majority of the seats in Parliament and this allowed for easy change and a shift in politics to occur. To consolidate local power around Empherias, Elizabeth Rose wanted to make a union of countries around all of East Alaxia for peace, security and economic benefits for all partaking members. She spent the majority of 2416 and 2417 attempting to make deals with other nations.

Economic Union of East Alaxia (EUEA)

 * see also: Economic Union of East Alaxia

Social Policies
During Elizabeth Rose's reign, the previous King who had fled to the Hveden Federation died of a stroke whilst still exiled. He was moved back to Empherias for a royal burial in early 2416. The socialists, under pressure from the royal family, introduced a same-sex marriage bill allowing two members of the same sex to get married. Homosexual relationships were allowed previously for many centuries, but never in marriage. The bill came into effect in February 2416 allowing for one of the royal members, Princess Maria, to get married to another woman in May 2416.

The Recession
Ludwig Reimes, a good friend of Elizabeth Rose and continuous figure among Socialist outlets, was appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer following a recession caused by the leadup and impact of the First World War.

Sport

 * See also: Empherias in Football and Empherias Football Club

The most popular sport in Empherias is football, however this hasn't always been the case. Fencing, now the second most popular sport, had held an iron grip over the nation in terms of popularity for centuries as a symbol of the culture. This domination quickly crashed down following the standardisation of football in Ahitereira, and the big culture crossover. Empherias' success early on in the High Kingdoms Football Cup and the GPA World Cup, and it's abundance in media, led to a quick takeover from Fencing to this more engaging sport. Other top sports in Empherias include Hockey, Cricket, and Skiing.

Empherias has been very successful in Football. It has hosted the High Kingdoms Football Cup three times, and has won the tournament on five occasions (2470, 2472, 2490, 2494, and 2496). They scored a victory consecutively two different times. The team have never come in last place. They have won the biggest victory award 6 times (2468, 2470, 2472, 2490, 2494, and 2496) with the largest of these being their 11-2 victory over Koresa in 2470. They also received the top scorer award 5 times, every time simultaneously with winning the whole event. Alex Rhommel, Harry Heron and James Maguire have each won this award once, with Mikael Rettz winning the award twice (2490 and 2494) which puts him in a second-place-tie for the person with the most top scoring awards (being tied with Miqel Davi from Ahitereira, and being beaten out by Holimer Siva from Ahitereira with a record 6 awards).

Fencing is a very popular sport, mainly due to it's tradition routes and link to culture. Every two years there is the Fencing Competitive Championships but these gain low viewership on television. Fencing is more predominately popular for use in schools and passive activities, rather than competitive or television play. There is no official set of rules, but guidelines produced by school curriculums. It was introduced by an old monarch to get children to learn sword fighting at a young age to gear them for war, but has since became a staple of the culture. When more modern laws were introduced and new war technology outdated the use of swords, fencing became popular through duels and young publications. Many film choreographers hire individuals from Empherias to help learn and teach the moves of traditional fencing to make movie fighting more accurate.

Hockey, Cricket and Skiing enjoy a comfy minority as a sport. Hockey is showcased at the Hockey World Cup held every 3 years, and the Empherias Hockey League held annually. Viewership is relatively low but the finals are viewed by as many as some of the most popular TV shows. Cricket isn't a very popular sport on TV and like fencing is mainly played in schools. There is no major cricket league in Empherias, but they do compete and do well in the Cricket World Cup held every 2 years. Skiing is not very popular in terms of television popularity, but is often played by people going on holiday to the mountainous south or east and trying the sport. Empherias also have a great showing in the Skiing segment of the Olympics.