The Empire of Elvester, or simply Elvester, is an island nation in central Evria, bound by the Cantabrian Sea to the west, and the North Sea to the north. It shares no land borders with any nation. It has a population of 467 million, mainly in its colonial holdings. Mainland Elvester has a population of 78 Million. Elvester is composed of 4 Kingdoms, the Kingdom of Brant, The Kingdom of the Dales, the Kingdom of Eir, and the Kingdom of Southmarch. The capital and most populous mainland city is Dunmaris, with the most populous city in the Empire being Èkò, in the Golden Coast.
Etymology
The original name of the island of Elvester, given by the Rumaic Empire, was Albivesta. After the fall of the Empire, local tribes began calling it Elvester, an old Brantish name. Elv means eternal or great, and ester means land or fortress.
History
Main article:A Brief History of Elvester
Military
His Majesty’s Armed Forces are divided into three branches, the Imperial Army, the Imperial Navy, and the Imperial Air Force. They are led by a General, Lord Admiral, and Flight Marshal respectively. These three positions, along with the Director of the War Office and the Emperor, sit on the War Council, which coordinates the organisation and operation of the military as a whole. Elvester places a strong emphasis on its navy, having one of the largest in the world, in order to maintain control in overseas territories and protect itself from naval invasions. The army emphasizes fortification, layered defense, and concentrated fire.
Government
Elvester is a hereditary absolute monarchy, led by an Emperor. In principle, Supreme executive power rests in the monarch’s hands.
In recent times, the Emperor has greatly empowered the legislature by creating the Imperial Parliament. The Parliament is divided into two houses, the House of Peers and the Common Council. Elections are held every 6 years, and a Prime Minister is chosen from the sitting members of the Common Council to form a government. The government can enact laws on domestic affairs, though all its decisions are subject to Imperial Approval.
The Judiciary is semi-independent, with the freedom to appoint judges without intervention, although the Emperor has the power to veto court decisions.
Colonies are administered by Governors or Viceroys, appointed by the Emperor and charged with maintaining law and order. They are answerable only to the Emperor.
Economy
Elvester is one of the largest economies in the world, with mainland Elvester having a GDP PPP of 4.9 Trillion Global Dollars and the Empire having a combined GDP PPP of 7.9 Trillion Global Dollars.
The largest contributors to the economy are heavy industry, including steel, arms manufacturing, civilian and military shipbuilders, and rail companies. The mainland economy is geared towards mass production and the manufacture of bulk goods. Finance and trade make up a good portion of the GDP as well.
Colonial resource extraction of gold, rubber, metal, and other resources also plays a large role, with economies in the overseas territories largely dominated by Elvesterian corporate entities. Companies are largely exempt from labour laws and regulations in these places.
Agriculture is quite popular in the colonies, mostly for subsistence, although Elvesterian plantations are usually geared towards exports and profit.
Elvester is also one of the largest coal producers.
Geography
Mainland Elvester spans 330,649 square kilometres.
The Kingdom of Brant, the most populous of the four kingdoms, is characterized by large grassy plains and rolling hills. As one moves further north, small valleys and larger hills become more common. The Land of the Dales is very hilly, with the southern edges being quite swampy.
The Kingdom of Eir’s western coast is rough and rugged, with many cliffs. The Southern and Eastern coasts are dotted with small estuaries and sea inlets.
The most populated areas are in the Kingdom of Brant and Eir. In Brant, the densely populated areas are around the River Egdey, with population density decreasing the further north you go.
In Eir, the river Laffey provides rich agricultural land, leading to greater population density.
Climate
Temperate, with mild summers and cold winters. Rain is very frequent, mostly in the South and the Highlands. Dense fog is common during winter.
Demographics
Ethnicities
There are four major ethnic groups in Elvester. These are the Brantish people (54%), comprising the majority of the population, the Dales (19%), the Eirish (17%), Southmarchers (8%). A wave of immigrants from the colonies, mostly the Golden Coast, now comprise 2% of the population.
There is large distrust between the majority Brantish people, who enjoy more wealth and educational opportunities, and the other ethnic communities, who are frequently ignored and denied access to the wealth of their own lands.
Languages
The most spoken language in Elvester is Elvesterian, with Daleic, Eirish, and Marcher being other recognised languages.
Religion
The most popular religion is Elvesterian Nazarism, where the Emperor is the head of the Church as opposed to the pope. It is widely practiced in Daleland and Brant.
Ecclesiarchal Nazarism is very popular in Eir, which has led to many clashes in the past.
Veritism is practiced mainly in Southern Brant and Southmarch.