The Western IslesBoard

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Hrythingia (Hrystic: Hrýðingríċe/Hrýðinglond), also known as Hrythingland or Rystica and officially the Kingdom of Hrythingia is a federation of Earldoms in the Caenian Sea and has approximately 57 million inhabitants. Hrythingia is an elective monarchy and confessional state with its current monarch being the Earl of the Ashwold, Hrythwealda (King) Ƿynnmǽr II who has reigned since 1995. Hrythingia's capital city is Ingƿinesburh which is the seat of government but is a relatively small settlement, only granted 'burh' status for its fortifications and High Temple; Heáhealh Ƿóden se Eallfæder (High Temple of Woden the Allfather). The largest city is Hranmúþa which is Hrythingia's financial centre and a major whaling port, other notable cities are Tíƿburh, Þegnholm and Gearnƿic. The Wielderdom consists of 19 Earldoms each with their own assemblies, significant devolved powers and one Crown Territory; Godricsland or the 'Hrystic Arctic'. Godricsland operates as a semi-autonomous province of the Kingdom and are inhabited by the Kaluuq peoples, related to the Inuits and Hrystic settlers

Hrythingia is a developed nation with a median middle income economy though in reality there is a significant wealth inequality. On the world stage Hrythingia does not have much of an imperial legacy and follows a policy of armed neutrality and generally avoids intervention unless its direct interests are threatened. Hrythingia avoids international conventions and agreements but maintains largely amicable mercantile relations with most of the globe. The Kingdom maintains a small but capable military with a large reservist militia system; the Fyrd, based around feudal obligations to bear arms for one's lord. Hrythingia is rumoured to test and maintain large stockpiles of chemical and biological weaponry.

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Geography
Hrythingia is an archipelago comprising two large islands and some smaller ones. It is situated in the northern hemisphere and has a northern temperate climate, seeing rain for much of the year and snow in the winter; October to March with regional variation. 15% of Hrythingia is forested, 45% is pastures and 26% is cultivated land.The highest point is the peak of Mt. Tíƿespura (Tiw's Spur) in the Ƿyrmtóða mountain range. Hrythingia has two mountain ranges, the Ƿyrmtóðas; (English:Worm/Serpent's Fangs) high craggy peaks rising from the Northingian Highlands and the Hyrnbeorgas (Eng. Horn-bergs) which rise out from the Gyrƿeald; a large primeval forest.
Hrythingia has several main rivers; the Ylca, the Hasƿe, the Menx and the Cyrna which flow out of the mountain and highlands to form estuaries to the sea and serve as crucial highways within Hrythingia. The terrain across Hrythingia is varied and much of it is highland, with some river-fed lowland plains such as the Oxnabǽrlond and large patches of moorland too. The coasts are dominated by cliff areas and marshy wetlands. The western island of Hrythingia is dominated in the west by the Gyrƿeald, a dense primeval forest, largely untampered with which carpets the Ƿyrmtóðas in thick mixed woodland of spruce, oak, birch and matted in lichens.

Godricsland is in the arctic and comprise three large islands usually joined most of the year by thick ice. Most of the land is uninhabited and consists of empty tundra. The southern tips are where the capital; Túxhranƿíc and a few other smaller settlements are based. These areas are more livable and coastal, with large quantities of heather for the rearing of reindeer, an essential industry on the islands aside from whaling, fishing and supporting the large Hrystic military outposts there.

Hrythingia is divided into nineteen Earldoms which carry large administrative powers, these are further divided into Shires which have their own assemblies and law enforcement, shires are then subdivided into three ridings. The nineteen Earldoms are Ƿesthrýðing, Easthrýðing, Súþgyrƿeald, Norþgyrƿeald, Clúdlond, Oxnabǽrlond, Sceapƿold, Ácingríċe, Æscƿold, Íserning, Hƿicċecombe, Sceagfeld, Norþġewisse, Súþġewisse, Ixnaríċe, Hƿítseax, Sƿeartseax, Ƿeþerlond and Firþlond. These have varying numbers of shires, which have a small council (Scirþing) made up of its thegns and some elected yeomen and burghers. Godricsland is divided into three folklands: Méosland (Illoqarfik), Deorƿang (Tuttuivik) and Mǽƿige (Qaqullguit).

Hrythingia has very diverse fauna and there is some regional variation. The Gyrweald is home to creatures such as capercailles, wild boar, lynx, elk and martens, whilst the plains are home to huge herds of wisent, wild horses and creatures such as foxes and fallow deer. The highlands have red deer, wolves, bears, golden eagles whilst the large moorland areas are home to many birds such as grouse and pheasants. Hrythingia is widely populated by creatures such as roe deer, badgers, geese, hedgehogs and beavers. Godricsland has an arctic fauna base consisting of seals, walrus, polar bears, reindeer and musk oxen.

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PoliticsHrythingia is an elective monarchy with a Hrythwealda who is both head of state and head of government. The current Hrythwealda is the Earl of the Ashwold, Wynnmar (Ƿynnmǽr) II. Hrythwealda is often rendered as 'King or even High King'. The Hrythwealda wields almost complete political power though must abide by pre-existing laws and laws may only be overturned in the Folcġemót or 'Folk-Meet'; the national assembly of Hrythingia comprising all its Thanes, Bishops and Earls. The Hrythwealda rules largely through the Ƿealdaġemót or -'Ruler's-Meet', which serves as a cabinet and comprises all the Earls, some appointed Bishops, military and civil officials and other appointed experts. The Folkmeet must be sitting in order for taxes to be levied, reserves mustered and for the Hrythwealda to maintain a standing army. Legislation should pass through the Folkmeet and requires royal assent. Hrystic politics revolves heavily around the Hrythwealda's court; his throne room which also acts as a mead hall. After private consultation with his cabinet in the morning he will sit on his throne overlooking the mead/feasting hall through till late afternoon dealing with those who come before him, then will have a large dinner laid out for his court and its guests.
The Folkmeet has 41 seats for Thanes who represent the 41 Shires, 12 seats for the Earls of each Earldom, 17 seats for the ecclesiastical divisions of Hrythingia known as a Diocese (Tƿislung) and the speaker's chair, occupied often by the Hrythwealda or a representative. Altogether, 70 seats. Local governance is centred round the councils of the Earldoms; the Éorlþing. These are comprised of the Earl's Thanes, appointed Clergy and Knights and depending on the size of the earldom a proportion of seats allocated to each shire for election. Hrythingia has strict voting laws and so only male landowning members of the Hrystic church who have served in Fyrd and are over 20 years of age may be eligible for office and to vote. Due to the local nature of elected politics, Hrythingia does not have political parties in the sense many nations have, most legislators will align with a broad bloc within their legislature and that is its extent. The exception to this is the self-styled Fascist movement Herga Fýst Ġehrǽgled (Hordes of the [chain]Mailed Fist). The HFG have members sitting in seats in Earl-councils across Hrythingia and call for a more industrialised, socialist, pagan Hrythingia, although the pagan element is toned down in order to attract wider attention. The HGF also has its own militia, though it is thought to be heavily infiltrated by the Hrystic intelligence service.

Hrythingia has no single constitution and instead bases its legal system in Hrystic Common Law; the ancient laws of the Hrystic peoples, royal decrees and Acts of the Folkmeet. Common Law uses statute, legal precedence and common sense to reach its verdicts. In Hrythingia crimes are dealt with by a local Shire Court (Sċirhof), who can pass its case up to the Earl's House of Justice (Rihthús). At a national level there exists the Royal Benches of Justice (Rihtbenċa Ƿealdalíċes) which is the highest court of the land. Hrythingia maintains the use of the death penalty which it employs for cases such as rape, murder and most thrice offenders. Execution is primarily by public hanging, though nobles are executed with an axe. The doctrines of the Church are heavily intertwined with Hrystic law. Hrythingia's prisons are localised with the Earldoms responsible for incarceration, except for national crimes or particularly dangerous criminals who are held on Brímhund Island in the Hrystic Arctic. Hrystic prisons operate more as dungeons and are highly punitive with an average life expectancy of three years as a result of poor sanitary conditions, limited food, forced labour, inter-inmate violence and corporal punishments by guards. Hrythingia does not have a police force as others do, rather Earls have local officials known as Shire-Reeves (Sċirrífa) who are responsible for bringing law-breakers into court and investigate crimes. This is done on a national level by Reeves of the Royal Bench. In urban areas many businesses and wealthy merchants may pool funds to provide for private security. In the face of major unrest or a particularly dangerous criminal the local Fyrd may be mustered to quell it. Hrythingia has strong self defence laws so many would be thieves and murderers are often killed by their would be victims.
Hrythingia pursues a foreign policy of armed isolationism for the most part and tends not to interfere in foreign countries due to a deep suspicion held by Hrythingas towards the outside world. Despite that, Hrythingia is very much open to trade and maintains healthy relations with most of its neighbours. Hrythingia does cause controversy by insisting on official paperwork that foreigners be referred to as Orcs and most Hrythingas will refer to the outside world as Orc-land. Hrythingia does however engage in anti-piracy operations to secure the safe passage of international trade relevant to its wealth and its intelligence services frequently co-operate with foreign governments. Hrystic foreign affairs are run by the Foreign Affairs Office, headed currently by Cardinal Sƿyðgar Gósaxa, the Bishop of Meduærn. The Foreign Office is also partly responsible for the elusive FRIǷA or Bureau of Security and Intelligence which deals with threats both foreign and domestic and generally is given a wide berth to hunt down and kill those that threaten Hrythingia. Little is known about the organisation as most information pertaining to it is classified. Hrythingia strongly rejects international law, and whilst is happy to, on its own terms agree to certain treaties, it will never consent to membership that drafts binding legislation. Hrythingia maintains that only the laws of the monarch and Folkmeet are applicable in Hrythingia.

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Military
The armed forces of Hrythingia: the Royal Army (Hær Ƿealdalíċes) and the Royal Fleet (Flóta Ƿealdalíċes) operate as two separate entities, united by a War Ministry and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. There is no Hrystic Air Force, the army and navy administer their own air assets, with the navy being in control of most of the fighter and bomber craft whilst the army owning most ground attack aircraft. While both are administered by the War Secretary, their commander-in-chief is the Hrythwealda to whom all personnel must swear an oath of allegiance to and from whom all officers receive their commission. They are charged with the defence of the realm, securing Hrythingia's interests and sovereignty abroad and the personal protection of the Hrythwealda. The Hrystic government spends approximately 8% of its budget on the military. Partially separate from the army is the Fyrd, a collection of semi-private militias comprising armed free-men raised by the Thanes as part of their feudal duty to their Earls and in turns the Earls grant this to the Hrythwealda.

The approved usage of the armed forces is approved by the Folkmeet every five years in an Armed Forces Bill since it is illegal under Hrystic common law for the Hrythwealda to maintain a standing army other than his own household guards. The Hrythwealda must also request permission from the Folkmeet to mobilise the Fyrd. The Hrystic Royal Army is a highly sophisticated land warfare force comprising about 27,000 professional volunteers whilst the Royal Fleet is also a professional volunteer force and comprises a modern blue water fleet with limited amphibious capabilities and significant air strength too.

Hrythingia does not possess nuclear weapons as it has neither the technology nor the budget to pursue such a costly deterrence but it is widely suspected and partially known that Hrythingia both tests and stockpiles biological and chemical weapons of a tactical and strategic nature. The War Office has never admitted to such a stockpile, nor denies it but has said that Hrythingia has the means to 'retaliate gruesomely' to unconventional or overwhelming conventional threats. It is widely theorised that Hrythingia can deploy these weapons in multiple ways; via SBLMs from its Sæƿearh (Sea-Warg)-Class Attack Submarines, as munitions in bomb, shell, mortar and grenade form or even by operatives working behind enemy lines to deliver them manually such as anthrax food-cakes to be consumed by livestock then dispersed through its faeces before death. Based on reports filed, leaks and circumstantial evidence Hrythingia most likely maintains operational stockpiles of Sarin V (C4H10FO2P), Sulphur Mustard (C4H8Cl2S), Lewisite (C2H2AsCl3) and Anthrax.

The Royal Fleet is a technologically advanced maritime warfare arm and consists of 50 commissioned ships styled SLS (His Lordship's Ship) of both a combat and auxiliary nature. Deployable assets are operated by Fleet Command and the service as a whole is administered by the Admiralty based in Shoatmouth (Sċeotmúþa). The Surface Fleet comprises one helicopter landing dock, air defence destroyers, anti submarine warfare frigates, patrol vessels, logistical support ships, mine countermeasure ships and icebreakers. The Surface Fleet operates as a single combat formation with detachable squadrons for smaller missions. The Fleet Air Arm consists of not only helicopters but shore based patrol, transport and fighter aircraft and is tasked with defending Hrythingia beyond its shores. Hrythingia has a mixed air fleet of old and new aircraft including the brand new Ottorbúrna Industries CF-17 Gósheafoc (Goshawk) Stealth Fighter. The sub-surface fleet consists of 10 attack submarines, of two different classes and are tasked with sub surface and surface warfare, reconnaissance and national deterrence. The Fleet also has an amphibious war-fighting arm, the Royal Otter Commando, named after the semi-aquatic carnivorous beast. It has three 'Troops' of these each consisting of about 300 frogmen who are trained for sea, air and land warfare and are the main globally operable special forces asset of the Hrystic military. All officers of the Fleet for all arms of the service are trained at the Royal Naval College at Chabsand (Ċeabsand) where they undergo basic training and complete a degree in military science (B.Sc.) before specialising as a warfare, navigational, pilot or commando officer.

The Royal Army comprises the Household Guards: 'Housecarls' or Húsċeorlas which are the elite guard regiments of the Hrythwealda and carry out both ceremonial and operational duties, and the regular regiments of the army. Army headquarters are based at Hartridge (Heortryċġ) and is administered by the War Office. Deployable combat formations are the 7 (Valkyrie) Air Assault Brigade; the army's rapid response formation comprising airborne and airmobile infantry, light armour and artillery alongside gunships, 3 (War-Bull) Armoured Brigade which serves as the main high intensity battle formation and lastly the Light (Berserker) Division, a large mobile force of light infantry and light combat vehicles. The army has 19 infantry battalions organised into 10 regiments; of these 3 are parachute regiments, 1 is airmobile, 5 are light infantry and 1 is a depot regiment of elite 'Hunter' companies comprising elite land warfare commandos capable of deep reconnaissance and irregular warfare with one airborne company to act as a pre-insertion force for 7 Brigade. In addition to this it has 18 'battalions of horse' or cavalry units consisting of dismountable cavalry (mechanised infantry), reconnaissance and light cavalry and heavy cavalry of main battle tanks. The army also has its fair share of air assets held within the Army Air Corps and has several formations of UCAVs, fighter bombers, ground attack jets, helicopter gunships and transport aircraft. Aside from artillery, the rest of the army are the support (air, logistics, signals, engineers and medical corps) and these are attached to the formations as squadrons. Hrystic light infantry are especially well regarded for their marksmanship and ferocity whilst the army's strong cavalry formation represents the nation's mounted warfare tradition. A large proportion of the army is made up of Housecarl (guard) regiments, units with a proud heritage and ceremonial role whilst being highly disciplined combat troops. Hrystic army officers graduate with a B.Sc. in military science and complete basic warfare training at the Birchmoor (Beórċmór) Royal Military College. The Hrystic Army maintains itself as highly sophisticated war-fighting service, using combined arms techniques, UCAV technology and a vast array of specialist roles to enhance its field capabilities.

The Fyrd is a large loosely organised militia system semi-independent of the army and is rooted in the feudal obligations of vassal lords to provide troops to the Hrystic Crown in times of war. The Fyrd technically comprises every able-bodied male registered with a firearm and not already under strength as a soldier as of the Fyrd Mustering Act 1795. This means that it is one of the largest military organisations in the world with approximately 7 or 8 million men on its roster. In reality however the Fyrd is highly decentralised and consists of four tiers of Fyrdsmen. Tier 1 Fyrdsmen are professional volunteer soldiers and train multiple times a week at their local barracks, regularly partake in field exercises and tier 1 Fyrd battalions operate closely with the army and indeed often rotate into regular army formations. Tier 2 Fyrdsmen are also professional volunteer soldiers but have a much more relaxed relationship with their battalion, and attend training regularly but less frequently and usually hold down a normal civilian job. Tier 3 Fyrdsmen are usually ex tier 1 and tier 2 Fyrdsmen and no longer attend regular training and exercises. These would only be called upon in an emergency. Tier 4 Fyrdsmen are those with weaponry but who have only attended the compulsory basic training exercises mandatory for all able bodied males upon turning 16 and the occaisional random 'musters' which require all Fyrdsmen to 'be at strength'. Most of the Fyrd fall into this category and would only be required to fight in an emergency. All Fyrd officers, like their colleagues in the army must pass the commissioning course at RMC Birchmoor.

The Fyrd is technically the private army of the Thegn who raises that battalion(s) in his Shire, these in term are pledged to their respective Earl and they in turn, if a mustering bill is passed in the Folkmeet pledge their Fyrds to the Hrythwealda. Thegns pay for the maintenance of their Fyrd units through taxes and estate revenue as taxation is all collected at a local level. Tier 1 and 2 Fyrd battalions however are generally closely associated with the army and are de facto managed by the War Office and Army HQ. The Fyrd has two deployable combat formations: 6 (Ettin) Infantry Division comprising of mechanised and light infantry, reconnaissance cavalry and artillery; comprising the main bulk of professional Fyrdsmen mustered into one combat formation and secondly the 10 (Hellhorse) Cavalry Brigade consisting of armoured battalions, light reconaissance battalions and highly mobile artillery. The rest of the Fyrd, when mustered comes together under depot battalions of irregularly armed light infantry and motorised infantry organised as North Command, East Command, South Command and West Command and whose main ability and role is to operate as a somewhat coordinated home defence force. Fyrd units are highly localised and display fierce loyalty to their home shires and their lords. Day to day tasks of the Fyrd however often include crowd control, police duties, disaster reaction and relief/management. In order for the Fyrd to be mobilised as a national entity the Hrythwealda must pass a Mustering Bill through the Folkmeet and must seek further permission for its use abroad as opposed to the army and navy which are entirely at his disposal once the Folkmeet approves the quinqennial Armed Forces Bill.

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Economy

Some of you might've read the word 'Ipachi' when you take a look at someone's factbook. Or you might've been told by someone that these weird 'Ipachi' people do exist in TWI. Doesn't matter, you are already reading this dispatch anyway.

In short, Ipachi is an ethnic group (akin to Slavs, Germans, Arabs) modelled after the Polynesian. They originate from southern Ainslie and Samuderan islands, and what set them apart from others is their excellent sailing skills and are able to colonise several remote islands in the Western Isles in the past.

Physically, they have a variable skin colour, but most have a light brown hue. They also have a bigger physique than average people, mostly due to their maritime lifestyle which still holds true for some tribes. Their languages are related to Austronesian in the real world, but it is not a definite characteristic of the Ipachis. Some even speak unrelated languages, most notably in the Linavian language. They have a diverse and rich culture, but almost all of them held the sea in a high place. Sailings, surfing, and ship-building also play an important part. Ipachis' indigenous religion are mostly animist, though nowadays most adhere to Christianity and Buddhism.

Ipachis are mostly regarded as the native of some nations in the Western Isles, and such are reduced to a minority in a certain case. Though there exist Ipachi-majority nations.

Ipachis currently inhabit a number of nations, most of which reside in the eastern part of the map. Samudera, Linaviar, Negarakita, and Torom are the few Ipachi-majority nations, though Athara Magarat could be counted as one. There exists an indigenous Ipachi community in Ainslie, Roendavar, Razzgriz, Verdon, Townside, and the International District (I.D.). In recent history, through immigration, colonisation, and exodus, Ipachis are present in most nations in the Isles, most notably Gaelitic nations and some ex-Khas-Kirati hangates.

Stuffs that are canon in Ipachi history

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3000 B.C - Estimate of the time of the arrival of Ipachi to southern Ainslie, their original homeland. They just 'appeared out of nowhere' for the sake of necessity. Shortly after their arrival, they began to disperse across the island, notably toward present-day Linaviar and east Samudera. This is their 'First Migration'.

1800 B.C - Second Migration, notably settling in Townside.

1200 B.C - Third Migration, notably settling in Torom.

500 B.C - Fourth Migration, notably settling in AM's eastern coast, Negarakita (?), and Razzgriz (?)

300 B.C - Believed to be the first civilisation that rose among the Ipachi, Passareebu Empire was assumed to control most of Southern Sea's trade route during its time. (Note: You are welcome to have a civilisation that goes further back, i'm writing this just for a placeholder)

You might notice the dearth of common Ipachi history here. That's because i want to give players leniency in how they deal with their Ipachis. If you want to add more history to this part of the dispatch, please TG me at Samudera

List of nations that have a notable Ipachi population

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• Samudera

• Torom

• Linaviar

• Townside

• Razzgriz

• Athara magarat

• Ainslie

• Negarakita

• Keverai

• International District
  

- Nations denoted in italics are Ipachi-majority nation

N.A.Q (Never Asked Question)

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Q: Well, this does sound interesting. Who should I contact to get this Ipachi in my nation?
A: Technically you don't need any permission to incorporate Ipachis into your canon, but it is preferable if you do TG some nations that have sizeable Ipachi population if you want some collaboration on history. Or if you just want to boast that Ipachi exists in your nation. That's acceptable.

Q: I already have Polynesian (or [INSERT REAL WORLD ETHNIC GROUP]) in my nation, is it a must for me to change it into the Ipachi?
A: No. It is entirely optional since it is within your rights to suit your nation to your heart content. It is just a way for some people that hate 'dependence' on real-world elements, and prefer to use 'indigenous' ethnic groups.

Q: I see that most Ipachi nations are located in the Southern Sea area, and my spot is on [SOME FARAWAY ISLANDS]. Could i still have them?
A: Yes, the Ipachis are an exceptional sailor after all. But you might want to discuss with your closest Ipachi nation if you want a realistic scenario.

Q: I want to modify the Ipachis in my nation to have a distinct culture, language, and etc. Am i allowed to do that?
A: You're free to do anything with it, as long as it is realistic.

Q: What if I want to incorporate/infuse/hybridise Ipachi into my own culture, and make it a distinct one? Would it still be called Ipachi?
A: Yes, as I stated before, you're free to do anything with it. As for the matter, if it should be regarded as Ipachi or not, it is entirely within your own discretion.

Q: What counts as 'realistic' then?
A: Well, just don't make them have wings or grows a fin to swim. Or make Cthulhu their god. The latter is kidding of course. And please, for gods' sake, be creative.

Q: Who should I contact for more questions?
A: Please send your inquiries to Samudera. Or Ainslie if you want to bother him.

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If you believe there are some inconsistencies in this dispatch, please don't hesitate to TG my nation Samudera