User:Brant/Ladrosian Empire

The Ladrosian Empire, or sometimes known as Ladros, is a confederation of fourteen constituent states located to the southwest of Candvia and the United Provinces. Founded originally as the Ladrosian Confederation, the creation of the Ladrosian Empire in 1685 created the Ladrosian Empire known today. The heads of state of the fourteen states are responsible for electing a new Emperor should the previous one die. The states also hold most of the power in the country.

History
The area known today as the Ladrosian Empire was originally settled by Viking and High Penguins in the eighth century. Many of these penguins were seafarers, and sought to find new lands to settle in. The eventually built trading posts on many of the islands, the fastest growing of which became villages, and eventually towns. By the ninth century, one hundred years later, each of the islands had a decently large population, and were either predominantly Viking or High Penguin.

This eventually led to war between the groups, as each group allied with each with each other against one another. The islands descended into chaos and war over the next one hundred years. Eventually, however, kingdoms began forming on the islands, with some of the larger islands having more than one. While this managed to put an end to most of the warfare, it was also the cause of more, as the kingdoms fought each other to gain more control. The more powerful kingdoms tried conquering the smaller kingdoms.

By the tenth century, the larger and more powerful kingdoms had expanded their territories over the smaller kingdoms, forming the borders of the fourteen states known today. While the larger kingdoms continued to war with each over the next few centuries, from the tenth century on, the region was much more stable. Instead of constant war, many of the kingdoms instead turned to trade, and began forming alliances with one another, and also neighboring kingdoms as well.

As the middle ages progressed, the High Penguin Confederacy sought to expand its territory, and began attempting to conquer neighboring lands. In response to this expansion, for the first time, the kings of the kingdoms met in Ladros, the most powerful kingdom, and signed the Treaty of Ladros in 1216. This treaty created the Ladrosian Confederation, a loosely aligned, military, political, and economic alliance between the fourteen states. They also attempted to ally with neighboring Candvia and the Osloven Empire for protection.

However, as the 16th century approached, imperialist countries such as Castilla, Francterre, Lisboagal, and Puffle'and attempted to colonize distant lands, to create their colonial empire. Over the next century, these countries began conquering and establishing new colonies. Seeing as a simple alliance wouldn't work anymore, the fifteen kings convened in Ladros once more, where they discussed the threat. The kings, together, signed the second Treaty of Ladros in 1685, establishing the Ladrosian Empire.

Government
The head of the empire is the Emperor of Ladros, who is elected by the kings from amongst them should the previous one die. The Emperor merely acts as a figurehead, representing the Ladrosian Empire in foreign relations, but holds little power in the country. Additionally, the Imperial Parliament, whose members of Parliament are elected from each of the states every four years, is responsible for making the laws. Also, the Empire's judiciary, the Supreme Court, is made up of fourteen justices, one appointed from each of the states by that state's king.

Economy
As the economies of each of the states are unique, and each based on a certain sector, it is hard to determine the overall economy of the Ladrosian Empire. However, most of the states have a rather large oil industry, and some have a decent sized export and import industry as well. The Emperor of Ladros, as an entity, controls many mines both in the country and out of the country, and most of his income is from the mining industry. Small mining industries do exist on some of the states.

Geography
As it is close to both Candvia and the United Provinces, the Ladrosian islands share a similarity geographically with both regions. All of the islands are covered in grassland and forest, with many of the larger islands having rivers and lakes. Most of the islands in the Ladrosian islands are relatively flat, but some of the islands are hilly, and many of those islands are rocky. These natural features have ensured their protection over the years, as they allow for a better defense in war.

Military
Each of the states is responsible for maintaining its own military, and is combined into the Ladrosian Armed Forces. The Emperor maintains a private army of his own as well, called the Imperial Armed Forces, which has about 20,000 soldiers. The Imperial Armed Forces is primarily funded and controlled by the Emperor, though the states make small contributions. In the recent years, in response to the rise of imperialist countries, the government has poured a lot of money into the armed forces, making it a much more powerful force.