Ladiria

Ladiria is a kingdom in Western Glirelle, comprised of 5 smaller and slightly autonomous duchies: Entravia, Fichtenland, Kolmandy, Ruvonia and Sudenwald. According to the Ladirian Constitution, the Duke of Kolmandy is always the King of Ladiria.

Ladiria's political capital is in Robinsburg, the primary residence of the Robinsburg-Kurzau dynasty and the historical capital of the Grand Duchy of Kolmandy-Ruvonia. It is also the site of the Library of Kolmandy and the Landstag (national diet/parliament).

Women in Ladiria
As Ladiria was for so long divided between minor states, the role of women in society differs from place to place within the Kingdom - see "inner-outer divide". Upon the proclamation of the Kingdom of Ladiria, much of existing Kolman-Ruvonian law was implemented elsewhere, whereby women were allowed to serve in military roles, had to be educated to the same standard as men (or at least such an option had to be available), and salary laws were implemented in most economic sectors (and the military) such that a man was not to be paid more than a woman of equal rank or proficiency in her profession.

Inner-outer divide
Many scholars tend to divide Ladiria into two general areas- "Inner" Ladiria or "Ladiria Proper", which generally includes Ruvonia, southern Kolmandy, and northern and central Entravia. This area is generally more urbanised, has more and better infrastructure, has a higher population density and its citizens adopt a more progressive approach to the role of women as well as being more racially tolerant. Outside of this area is known as "Outer" Ladiria - this area is generally more poorly educated (if education is even available), more rural and holding more traditional views on the roles of women and other races in society. Dwarves and halflings, among other races, are most heavily persecuted along the south-west coast of Ladiria, in southern Entravia and Sudenwald. However, these areas are still important for primary industry, whereas secondary industry is largely practiced in Ladiria Proper.

Religion
The religious beliefs of Ladirians are varied, with no single state religion.

Some people in Ladiria are simply irreligious or agnostic, although many other people, especially in "Outer" Ladiria, are "Ahrenites"; they believe in Adelfried, the god of freedom and justice. With regard to the legend of Ahren, some regard it as absolute truth and others regard it as purely a parable. Ahrenites generally do not hold strong views on the creation of the world, as that gap has largely been filled by influence from other religions, as well as certain theories devised by ancient Glirellian intellectuals.

Some other religions and/or beliefs in different Gods are also practiced and tolerated within Ladiria - some even believe in the Lady of the Lake, known for the cult following among Calixian nobility.

Lower class/peasantry
The lowest class in Ladirian society largely consists of people working in primary industry as well as in informal economy; peasants/farmers, miners, fishers, hunters etc. Although still the majority demographic in Ladirian society, it is a much smaller majority than in other kingdoms. On the higher end of this lower class, there are also some shop-owners, butchers, bakers and other low-level food-related professions. Education to some extent is available to these lower classes, although not to the extent nor the level that higher classes can get. Much of the standard armed forces of Ladiria is comprised of this class.

Middle class - Merchants, craftsmen and other skilled professions
The middle class of Ladiria is a larger demographic than in other kingdoms. Blacksmiths of Ladiria, especially in areas like Kolmandy and Entravia, have a well-earned reputation for being adept in nature and true masters of their craft. Brewers are also a quite reputable profession in the lower-end of this class; Ladirian beer is popular for its high quality relative to its cost. Education is more available to this class, although it usually only involves literacy, mathematics, Ladirian history and the skills necessary for their craft. People in the higher end of the middle class are known to work in banking/finance and other more advanced economic sectors. Additionally, much of the House of Representatives in the Landstag is comprised of this class.

Upper class - Nobility
The nobility mainly serve to govern their land and collect taxes alongside the MdLs (Mitglieder des Landstages - Members of the Landstag). The barons are largely figureheads with little power and responsibility, as counts represent their counties (which are made up from baronies) in the House of Nobles. Many of the Ladirian Knights are also nobles, although the lower and middle classes can still become knights through significant displays of heroism, courage or good-will, be it within civillian life or in the battlefield. Counts are answerable to the Landstag House of Nobles as well as to their Dukes, who in turn are only answerable to the King or Queen.

Social mobility
It is very difficult to become a noble except as a knight, as positions in nobility and ownership of baronies, counties etc is almost entirely hereditary; however, at least in "inner" Ladiria there is some social mobility between the lower and middle classes. A lower-class family could, perhaps, attempt to educate their child[ren] on the skills of certain professions, such that they may take on the right career path for them and become reputable, self-made individuals.

Democracy & Elections
Elections take place every 4 years to elect a MdL to represent each county in the House of Representatives. The MdLs themselves then vote for the next Konigskanzler (Royal Chancellor), who is the Head of the House of Representatives and effectively works with the King/Queen to govern the country and pass laws voted on by the MdLs. The elected Konigskanzler can run for as long as 3 consecutive "terms".

Trade
Ladiria has a trilateral trade partnership with the Republic of Arkaly and the Kingdom of Calix. Ladiria primarily exports high-quality manufactured goods, especially weaponry and armour, as well as domestically-brewed beer and cider. Since Arkaly has little access to the coast, fish caught in the West Sea is also exported to Arkaly (although not to Calix). Limited trade is conducted between Ladiria and its other neighbours, although virtually no trade is conducted with Aldair, due to a historic anti-Aldair sentiment and a lack of infrastructure to support said trade.

Diplomacy
Ladiria has no alliances de jure, although it maintains good relations with Arkaly, Blackburn and Calix and has a historic rivalry with the Kingdom of Aldair.

History
- (AG 97-1) Ladirian tribes, including but not limited to the Kolman and Entravi peoples settled in Ladiria, having migrated from somewhere in northern Glirelle. The tribes co-existed somewhat peacefully, allowing their slightly different languages & cultures to slowly converge.

- (PG 0) The threat of the Repherian Empire led Ladirian chiefs to align themselves with King Reginald Gervise of Glirelle, accepting annexation of their lands and the inclusion of Ladirian warriors in a greater Glirellian fighting force in return for trade.

- (PG 0-21) As the skill of literacy passed down the social hierarchy in Ladiria, a lingua franca developed, being used to communicate outside of one's tribal area, as well as for various forms of literature, which would soon be a staple of Ladirian culture - this eventually became the standard language of the Ladirian peoples, despite the higher-ups now speaking the Glirellian lingua franca. Additionally, said higher-ups were granted noble titles under the high kingdom of Glirelle, as Ladiria was gradually feudalised.

- (PG 46-53) Due to the inactivity of the king of Glirelle after Glirelle was defeated by Repheria, many Ladirian nobles declared independence from Glirelle, leading to a mass of self-sustaining, self-proclaimed Ladirian states.

- (PG 60-63) A Civil War broke out in Glirelle as Asmodean asserted himself as the King of Glirelle by invading minor dukedoms in Ladiria and central Glirelle. With the help of Sir Guille, at the time Duke of Calix, Asmodean's forces were pushed back.

- (PG 63-66) A need for co-operation among Ladirians gave rise to the question of Ladirian unity, as thus far none of the Ladirian states had any leverage to achieve anything meaningful in the way of diplomacy outside Ladiria, and thus many Ladirians sought a better future as one country. This, ironically, lead to a series of battles between states called The First Wars of Ladirian Unification, and reduced the number of Ladirian states from almost 20 to just 5.

- (PG 69) The Duchies of Kolmandy and Ruvonia united after the marriage of Sindre von Robinsburg and Erika von Kurzau.

- (PG 69-82) The new Grand Duchy of Kolmandy-Ruvonia, and later the Kingdom of Ladiria, incrementally modernised its military overtime, soon exceeding most if not all armies in Glirelle in terms of discipline, professionalism, training and equipment, especially for the heavy infantry. Limited improvements to naval fleets were also made, but fleet sizes and the number of fleets remained very low.

- (PG 72) Democratic ideas within Kolmandy-Ruvonia led to the establishment of the Landstag, where elected representatives as well as nobles debated on issues within the country.

- (PG 79-81) Second Wars of Ladirian Unification - the Archduchy of Entravia and its vassals were invaded by Kolmandy-Ruvonia; Kolmandy-Ruvonia annexed all of the capitulated nations but re-established them as duchies governed by the new Kingdom of Ladiria. The Grand Duchy of Kolmandy-Ruvonia would later be split up again into Kolmandy and Ruvonia, and an official constitution was written.

- (PG 81) Sindre of Robinsburg was crowned King of the Ladirians at a ceremony in Kurzau and gained recognition from the leaders of Nordheim, Calix, Arkaly, Westwinter and smaller duchies, but not Aldair just yet.

- (PG 82) Conferences were hosted in Robinsburg Keep after training Aldairian forces got close to the Entravian border - the first was between the leaders of Arkaly, Calix, Nordheim and Ladiria to discuss collective security, as well as for the opportunity for the new Ladiria to start trade with other major powers. The second was between Aldair, Calix and Ladiria, as Crown Princess Aenesa of Aldair, who took charge of the Aldairian throne while Namenia was away (as she had murdered Asmodean) reluctantly agreed to move troops away from the border, in addition to recognising the new Kingdom.

- (PG 82) When Namenia returns, Aenesa is still in Robinsburg - her guards left her on the side of the road to serve Namenia instead. Ladirian soldiers on patrol noticed Aenesa and brought her to Sindre directly, where they discussed what happened and set off to Sainte-Dame to discuss with Sir Guille of Calix.

- (PG 82-?) The Aldair Civil War unofficially begins, as Aenesa begins to rally the armies of anti-Namenia nobles. In support of these efforts, Sindre of Robinsburg called the Kingdom of Ladiria to arms against Namenia's forces, with reinforcement from the Knights of Equitaine led by Sir Guille.

Siege of Calsely
The Knights of Equitaine and the 4th Entravian Elite Infantry Regiment, under the command of Sir Guille and King Sindre respectively, laid siege to the fort of Calsely in Aldair. The siege began when Sir Guille led a cavalry charge into the fort, as Ladirian cannonfire destroyed the walls and provided support for the cavalry. Ladirian forces then went around to the other side of the fortress to flank the Aldairian troops, even making use of the Höllenfeuer Elixier (basically the Ladirian equivalent of a molotov; means "Hellfire elixir") to decimate remaining forces after a refusal to surrender. After all enemy forces died or fled, the Knights of Equitaine buried the remains of fallen soldiers, both friends and foes. Ladirian and Equitainian banners were then hoisted at the fort.