Kildare

Kildare
Feudal Status:	Former Imperial State
Capital:	Apollo City
Largest Cities:	Apollo City, Blackrock Nua, Curagh, Jacia
Local Leadership Title:	Heavenly Light
Local Government:	Jingdaoese Occupation
Current leader:	Meiyo Emperor as vassal of Kan Zen
Local language:	English, Written Halluci
Local Religion:	Catologism (state religion), Cedrism, Envisionism, Soloralism

The Dutchy of Kildare, in official sources also referred to as the Eastern Empire, was an Imperial State of Shireroth. It was ruled by the Dutch (Duke), a title dating back from a writing error in its early days as an Duchy. It is sometimes referred to as the Birthplace of Modern Civilisation, as it lands hosted several famous Apollonian nations.

The Eastern Empire is probably one of the most diverse places on Micras, thanks to its ancient history: the lands of the Dutchy once covered several states which once formed the Apollo Sector, which in its end days united in the Union of Apollo States. It was Kaiser Gaelen I of Shireroth who, in 1451, conquered the lands, made the former nations into counties and replaced the old Union by a Duchy.

Since that year, Shirerithian feudalism has become an integral part of Kildarian civilisation (something most Kildari were proud of). While Shireroth reformed from a feudal state into a more (con)federal nation with States, feudalism remained untouched in Kildare. This loyalty to the Crown (Kildari see themselves as subjects to the Kaiser, who rules through the Dutch) led to many cultural influences spreading to the West (mainly Shirekeep), and ironically led Kildare to the worst betrayal, beyond that even of the Elwynnese, and finally to the destruction and subjugation of their own lands by the Jing and Pallisican. Throughout their long periods of foreign subjugation - to the Shirerithians, the Jing, and now the Pallisicans, it has been a consistent trait of the Kildari that they will pretend to be pleased with whatever outcome. Indeed, the frequent shouts of "Hurrah" have become all but the hallmark of a truly servile Kildari.

The Eastern Empire was ruled by the Seanad, a council of nobles and the oldest local council in Shirerithian politics, and the Dutch. They act from the capital of the Dutchy, Apollo City, which was once considered as the 'Pearl of the East' (while the Kildari refer to the Shirerithian capital as the 'Pearl of the West') before the destruction of the city by a malfunctioning Jing automated defence system. From 1571 until 1617 Apollo City was the only capital of the Dutchy. Before it was the seat of the Seanad, while Blackrock Nua had the function of Ducal residence.

History

• See: History of Kildare for more details.

Conquest of the Eastern Countries (1451 - 1458 AN)

Kaiser Gaelen I successfully subdued the Dutchy of Kildare.

The infamous UAS Riots (1451 ASC), exposed to the world the weaknesses of the Union of Apollo States. In this chaotic time, legends talk about a man called Ozymandias the Great, who stood up and reunited the northern part of Kildare under his rule. His attempts of reuniting south and north, however, failed because of his early death in the same. His legacy was of astonishingly short duration, as the north once more collapsed into anarchy. In the wake of his downfall however, the Kaiser Gaelen I of Shireroth saw his opportunity to effect the swift conquest of the now defunct Union of Apollo States, the land that would form Kildare. However, the Kaiser's feudal levies encountered bitter resistance and each of the six long campaign seasons spent in Kildare saw the gains obtained during the summer undone by the disbandment of the host at the onset of winter.

It was not until all cities at the coast had fallen, and the Shirerithians overwintered for the first time in 1458 AN, that the Kildari understood that they were powerless against the superior numbers of the Kaiser. A short-lived attempt to unite under the banners of the old Union failed miserably and led to the total destruction of the Blackrockian and Audente militias.

The annexation was followed by a period of colonisation, in which thousands of people from the West sought a new home in the East, which had vast forests and land. The new religion which was brought to the East, Cedrism, lead to religious strife between mainly the Soloralists (supported by the Dutch) and Cedrists (who had the support of the Kaiser). The integration of Kildare into the Imperial Republic seemed, in long terms, the end of internal strife and succeeded where the UAS had failed: in uniting the countries (now Counties) under one banner.

This was a disorientating time for the Kildari: while they started working together, the nation of Jasonia had become the big enemy and threat to Shirerithian supremacy. For the first time in years, the conquered Kildari were expected to stand against their former Apollonian brethren.

The war that resulted in the destruction of Jasonia, led to a mass immigration from Jasonians into New Jasonia (however, several Jasonians choose to go live in Tapfer).

Kildarian Plague and downfall of society (1458 - 1523 AN)

The Kildarian Plague hit both the little farm communities as the large cities.

The terrible fire which destroyed the Hallucigrad Library made it almost impossible to have much information about the ages after the Shirerithian-Jasonian War. Historians, saddened by the loss of knowledge, describe this as the Lost ages (from around 1458 till 1523 AN).

In 1519 Kildare was hit by a devastating plague which spread from the Raynor Isles to the other Eastern Counties. Where the plague arrived, death followed soon, and the population sharply declined. Within ten years, the illness had reached the western shores of Kildare, and 1/5th of the population had already died.

Drastic countermeasures were taken to avoid more deaths: travelling between Counties became illegal and Melangia even went into isolation in 1520 (there would be no contact for over two decades). The Temple of Ryvenna, seen as a holy place in Kildarian minds, would be closed to avoid that the plague would be brought with visitors.

In 1521 the plague had cost 1/3rd of the population. The rulers of Hallucigrad lost in those dark days not only their library, but also their heir. The Dukes of Kildare remained ruling the lands in theory, but because of the restrictions to travel, their power didn't reach further than their own estates.

In 1523 the plague came very abruptly to an end and production once again began to increase slowly. It would, however, take till 1533 that a man from Shirekeep, Jonas I, took the Throne and brought an end to the de facto independence of the local Counts. The plague, which had been over for more than 12 years, had still left its marks, and the Dutch began with his own attempts to reuniting the Counties.

Revival of religion

In 1602, Catologism had surpassed Soloralists not only in numbers, but also in important positions.

From 1525 ASC the East began to see, for the first time since the end of the plague, an increase of immigrants. Hundreds, and later thousands, of immigrants from Dutch-speaking nations, like Batavia (and later South Batavia) immigrated to Kildare. They not only brought with them the manpower to establish new farming communities throughout the Empire, but also a new religion: Catologism. The introduction of that new faith would, over the course of time spread to other population groups. Once the assimilation between other Kildari and Batavians began, Catologism very slowly started to replace Soloralism as dominant religion.

It would take until around 1602, that the Ducal Court would mainly exist of Catologian servants. And it would take until the reign of Taodosius I, 40 years later, that Soloralist temples were requisitioned and granted to the Catologian Church.

End of the Dark Ages and centralisation attempts (1533 - 1547)

• See: Gong Li Rebellion

While Catologism slowly started spreading through the lands, the reign of Dutch Jonas I Win'Eth brought forth political and cultural changes. The Dutch, who had lived at the Imperial Court of the West in his youth had seen how a more centralised political system had its benefits. His big dream, reuniting Audentior with Kildare, was in that time difficult if he hadn't the military and financial support of the other nobles.

Meeting between the Kildarians knights and Dutch Jonas.

To achieve his goal, he introduced in 1534 a new Ducal Government and the Seanad (the first council to rule over a Shirerithian Duchy) in which representatives of the Barons were seated. The autonomy of the Counts was slowly reduced over time and his successes made Jonas think that he was all-powerful. This seemed to be his first big mistake when he tried to take away the County of Gong Li out of the influence sphere of Baron Andreas the Wise to add it to his own Barony of Antya.

Andreas the Wise was enraged by the Dutch' actions and went into rebellion, later known as the Great Kildarian Civil War or Gong Li Rebellion. Many nobles, angry or scared for the powers of the Dutch, rallied behind Andreas' forces. It would take till 1545, during an armistice, that the Dutch used his own large armies (who were already mobilised) to establish a Kildarian presence in Audentior. The seat of the Seanad moved to Apollo City, while for traditional reasons, the seat of the Dutch remained in Blackrock Nua.

Soon after Jonas' crusade, the civil war was recommenced. It would take till Jonas' death in 1547, to end the fighting. He was succeeded, on request of the Seanad, by his biggest opponent, Andreas the Wise, who was proclaimed Dutch Andreas I.

Age of Industrialisation (1584 - 1604)

The M15 Adrian helmet, made by Heimat Industries, was one of the first manufactured products of Heimat Industries.

The 16th century saw a revival of industrial efforts throughout the Kildarian Empire. The construction of the Zygus Qamil, also called the Eastern Wall, during the reign of Dutch William I as a defence against potential enemies from the east, brought a long period of peace in the Eastern Empire. With no longer having to deal with the threats at their borders, counties like Dalmacija and Kitanus Fields started to prosper now the Count could use his/her troops to guard the roads against bandits. Those border provinces became more and more interesting as a living place at the end of the Fourth millennium, just like investors became more and more interested in its riches.

In 1584 a wealthy traders' family which had for long been owner of several gold mines in Dalmacija, established the first major multinational in Northern Kildare: Heimat Industries. With the profits from the goldmines, there were major investments in the new factories and not long thereafter the first products were presented to the public: ammunition, steel products and several kinds of armaments and ships.

In several other parts, new industries began growing, leading to the creation of a new labour class which flocked together in the cities. This again led to labour unrest, which led on its turn to countermeasures taken by the nobility to keep - with success - people in their birth place. The conservative Kildari heard of the miserable conditions of unemployed in the cities, which strengthened many of them in their convictions that industrial progress could only be negative for the East.

The Apollonian Coup d'état (1604 - 1607)

Taodosius made an end to a seemingly peaceful period in Kildare's existence.

• See: Garllic War

The time of peace and stability came to an abrupt end when the Eastern Empire was invaded by the Garllic Empire. The Zygus Qamil, which once had been the pride of the Kildarian defences, had suffered from the lack of good maintenance and quickly crumbled in the first hours of the invasion.

While city after city fell in hands of the enemy, a coup d'état found place in Apollo City (1604). Coincidentally with the invasion, a small group of Myxosean Guards under leadership of Taodosius overran the Seanad and imprisoned Dutchess Ignatia I. The swift coup, supported by the Apollonian elite, was a success, as almost no noble tried to complain. In the meantime the war in Kitanus Fields went from bad to worse: more than 45,000 soldiers of the Kildarian Defence Forces were slaughtered during the battle of Lamantia in the same year as the coup.

After two years of warfare against the Garllic king, Tetris, the Eastern Empire had still not reached a victory over the invaders. Several requests for military assistance to other Imperial States and the Imperial Court in the West fell into deaf ears. To strengthen the weakened Kildare and break the stalemate, Taodosius invited the Tegong to help the Kildari. Reforms were introduced and new weapons were produced to replace the old fashioned, out-of-date weapon gear. The death of both Dutch Taodosius and king Tetris in 1606 definitely ended hostile actions and the new Dutchess, Sophia Myksos, and the new king, Corridon, agreed upon a truce.

The involvement of the Tegong, the secret police of the notorious Jingdaoese Empire, invited Shirerithian suspicion of foreign subversion, and resulted in several legal actions being undertaken at the Judex against the Kildari regime. As it happened these Shirerithian counter-measures were to go nowhere near far enough.

Sophian Era (1606 - 1613)

The order to execute all those endangering the stability of the Eastern Empire were ordered to be executed when entering Kildare.

However, conflict wasn't over yet. While the Garllic threat had disappeared and Garllics and Kildari were rebuilding Kitanus Fields side by side, a new threat loomed at the horizon. The influence of the Tegong in the military and at the Eastern Court had angered several rulers of other States. They saw this as a meddling of Jingdao in Kildarian affairs and even declared that Sophia was unfit to rule. Also a conflict arose over the Treaty of Mahapur, which annexed Aryasht into Shireroth but put Kildarian Norfolk into a condominium with Aryashti Norfolk. The treaty was seen as illegal in Kildare as no approval was granted by Kildare for such an action, which heightened tensions even more.

In 1607 Sophia Myksos appointed Jezza Rasmus, Count of Tè Gōng Li, to the position of Count of Norfolk, ensuring the loyalty of the nobility on those isles. Vrteti, an official whose loyalty lied in Aryasht, declared himself to rule the County and announced that he would not follow the laws of Kildare. Swift military action, however, squealed all possible resistance of Aryashti spies in Kildarian Norfolk. The conflict was, however, far from over.

It wasn't until both sides came to an agreement, after almost going to war against each other, to split Norfolk: Tymaria City and Ashk Darya went to Kildare, while the other isles went to Aryasht. The Treaty of Norfolk not only ended the hostilities, but also strengthened the ties between the two eastern states, as it was agreed that both the Dutchess of Kildare and Prince of Aryasht would marry each other.

The marriage agreement immediately proved important with the rise of Semisa II to the Mango Throne. Her prudent, but insufficient, attempts in 1608 to force Sophia to abdicate - together with a banishment - led to an immediate refusal of both eastern States to recognise the Imperial Decrees made at the Court.

Semisa eventually made place for Kaiser Trantor IV, who also proved to be disastrous for the relations between West and East. In the Eastern States there slowly grew disgust and contempt towards the Court in Shirekeep. The notorious Kildarian historian Claudius Gel'Mur noted in one of his works: "From all Kaisers, those two were the worst to have ever sit on the Mango Throne that was once admired throughout both the Realm and the world. Those two their utter ignorance towards not only tradition, but also the laws, made the East come dangerously close to a schism that could have split the Imperial Republic forever."

It was not until the ascension of Trantors successor, Kaiser Mo'll I, in 1610, that the Kildari once again started trusting their Benacian brethren. The Joyous Entry in Apollo City in the same year quickly developed into a national feast with several bystanders noticing that the Kaiser was touched by the gestures of the Kildarian people.

Unfortunately this reconciliation was not to last

Jacian Federation

Cities of the Jacian Federation (dark blue)

The new path under Dutchess Sophia Myksos was illustrated by the recognition of the Jacian Federation as a County. The Jacian Federation was a pact between five of the most important trading cities on the Kildari coast. This pact had existed for ages and lead to a lot of wealth for the cities, causing the merchants of the Federation to become among the richest and powerful of Micras (or at least the Imperial Republic, as they had the tendency to exaggerate according to some of the other merchants). This resulted in Sophia Myxos granting the Federation of cities the status of a separated County, granting them a direct representation into the Seanad.

Aeneas Malak was swiftly elected as Count of the Federation and this new alignment between the Duchal throne and the merchants of the Federation was thought to benefit both parties excessively. This, on its turn, led to rumours of an upcoming large (perhaps military) project for which the Dutchal Court could use the financial support of the growing merchant classes. It wasn't until the Flavian Era that it became clear that this was not simply a rumour, but the truth.

Flavian Era (1613 - 1617)

The personification of the Seanad. From the diptych made by order of Flavius I to commemorate the revival of prestige of the institute.

With the death of his mother in 5435 ASC, Flavius Myksos took charge of the Eastern Empire. Being sent to Shirekeep with Kaiser Mo'll I to learn about the Western part of the Imperial Republic, he had enjoyed education from both western and eastern scholars. Thanks to his father, who was a former prince of Aryasht he even learned some basic stuff about that State too, which contributed to his later attempts in befriending the other eastern state (which both his grandfather as mother had looked down upon).

With the death of Kaiser in 1613, he travelled back to Apollo City and became more and more convinced about how he could restore the Pearl of the East as the greatest city of the world. Having seen how the Prefect of Shirekeep had successfully restored his own city after the Cabbage War (which had laid the Shirerithian capital into ruins), he wanted the same kind of restoration in Kildare. To his advisers he would have said: "If the westerners can restore an ancient capital into glory with some bricks and mortar once more, than we can restore our City and empire with our people!"

With the energy of a young monarch, he restored the Seanad into its former glory by presenting several new ideas and law proposals (including a new constitution, as the former dated back from before the coup d'état but had never been replaced by a new one). Flavius envisioned that Seanad would receive once again the role to become the main centre of politics, even while the Dutch retained his absolute powers. He was, without doubts, inspired by the Landsraad in this action and at the same time saw it as a way to expand his control over the more influential nobility.

In practice, the reforms were meant as a prestige project: the Seanad as a rubber stamp institution had to become once again a prestigious institution. For this, Flavius announced that - as catologism had become the state religion - that the institution would not only have the power again to change the law, it would also play a religious role in e.g. deifying deceased Kaisers or Dukes into the pantheon.

Jingdaoese Occupation (1627 - the Present)

In 1617, Kildare declared itself independent as the Apollonian Republic of Shireroth's East after the death of Dutch Titus I. This declaration of independence was later confirmed in the Kildari Independence Act of 1617 by the Landsraad. With this there came an end to the 166 year old union with the Mango Throne.

That the Kildari state was subsumed into Jingdao validated the fears of those who, in the early days, had warned against tolerating Tegong involvement in the affairs of Gong Li and the wider Dutchy.

In subsequent years, as the Sxiro-Jingdaoese Confrontation twice escalated into regional and finally global warfare, the increasingly Benacian-centric Imperial Republic began to regard the period of rule over Kildare as a distraction and aberration from its true destiny of lordship over the western continent, which had been its birth-right since the days of Khaz Modan.

Government

Kildare is build up tradition. This tradition led to the distribution of power between several prominent and traditional groups. From left to right: the nobles (represented as soldiers), the magicians, the Dutch (by the Grace of Cato and the Kaiser), the clergy and the historians.

• See Dutch of Kildare for a list of Dukes.
• See Seanad of Kildare for more information about the Seanad.

The political system of the Dutchy is one which has developed through the years. Its roots lie deep in the history of the countries which ruled the Kildarian lands before they eventually collapsed: Blackrock, Audentior, Automatica, Demesos, etc.

While the Kildarian system is seen as the 'most pure Shirerithian feudalism' by a lot of the local population, it also has some characteristics of a democracy (this is, however, something you should never say to a Kildarian). The Seanad, consisting of the important Kildarian nobility (Thanes and their vassals, the Counts), is the most powerful political instrument, next to the Dutch.

The Dutch is seen as most important noble and representative of the Kaiser towards the population. This made the title very desirable, and while the succession happened often by appointment of the Seanad of the Dutch, the desirability sometimes resulted into nobles buying of the title for money or even civil war.

Since Taodosius' rule, that began in 5141 ASC, the Dukes also hold the title of Ruler of the Eastern Empire, blessed by the Grace of Cato and Kaiser, in which they refer to the union between the Church and Nobles and the union between the East and West of Shireroth (symbolised by admiration of the Shirerithian Kaiser).

The Counts themselves have a lot of power within their own fiefdom. This is the result of years of isolation and even some strong and powerful Dukes couldn't succeed in breaking their power completely.

Culture

We just love active people in our Dutchy.

Three Areas of Kildarian Culture

Kildare has a rich and diverse culture. Primarily it revolves around three areas: history (including Apollo history, which is seen as Kildarian heritage), magic and war.

The original Dukes were very warlike, as has been Dutch Jonas I (but it wasn't until Ignatia I that a sword was once again raised against a foreign enemy). There will be few Kildari who wouldn't have trained with a traditional weapon (like a sword). Kildari are, when it comes to war, very traditional and prefer the use of 'fair weapons' (swords, ancient guns, old artillery) above the use of more modern warfare methods (tanks, helicopters, airplanes).

Civil wars are often not seen as a threat towards the Imperial Republic but as a personal affair between the Counts. This is part of their feeling of being a Kildarian and it gives most of the nobles a certain feeling of pride that they can arrange their affairs (peaceful or not) without the Imperial government meddling in).

Magic - of which much is learnt to a select group of Kildari by Gralan magicians (like Andreas the Wise) - pervades the land, from the dragons in Kitanus Fields to the ents in Old Hallucination. Several minor institutions were created through time (and mostly with support of Gralans) to develop and support the use of magic.

Finally, Kildare is the land with the greatest love of history - both the Apollo history of those that held the lands before them, as that of its successors - and that can be seen by the many Temples for Sakat, Squid God of Time and patron god of Historians.

Symbols

The MagiGARPs, a typical symbol which dates back from the Apollonian days, and the more modern Lord Kildare Bull (twin brother of John Bull and meant as a mascot for the Dutchy) are some of the typical symbols of the region. Kildare, more specifically Kitanus Field, is also home of the famous Lumina, mother of Malarbor. Through the ages, Lumina has become the symbol of a loving Mother and Protector of the East, while her son guards the West.

There are also national symbols, found in the coat of arms and the flag. In those symbols, blue is a typical returning colour, just like the star/sun. During Taodosius' reign the double eagle was introduced under influence of the Apollonian culture. The Eagle, while distinct in Kildare (and surely not having two heads), represents Kildare, looking to the dangerous, barbarous east, while also looking to their Shirerithian brethren in the West.

• 

  National Flag of Kildare.

• 

  Ducal Flag of Kildare.

• 

  Coat of Arms of Kildare (3750 - 5146 ASC).

• 

  Coat of Arms of Kildare (5146 ASC - present).

Religion

Just like the Imperial Republic as a whole, Kildare was a mix of several nations and cultures. This had led to diverse mix of several micronational religions (perhaps the Dutchy is even the most diverse place in Micras).

Blood! Blood! BLOOD EVERYWHERE! The myths tell us that the 'Red Catodral of Apollo City', formerly a temple, say that the walls were painted with the blood of Soloralists as a punishment for not obeying the new, popular Catologian religion.

In the Apollonian era, Soloralism (with its many cults) was widespread and popular among the masses. While minor fights were usual among the sects, this was a peaceful religious period. The arrival of Gaelen I and the integration of the UAS into Shireroth (and with that the creation of Kildare) brought the arrival of a new religion from the West with it, Cedrism.

While not enormously popular, Cedrists were fervent believers and soon came into conflict with several of the more extreme Soloralist sects. These conflicts could become so aggressive and end into violence that the Kaiser sometimes had to interfere to avoid a total destruction of Kildare and its population into civil wars.

The New Era (3005 ASC and onwards) brought forth a new time of peace: Soloralists lived peaceful together with Cedrists (of which there weren't many left) and the god Sakat became popular, even with the Soloralist followers.

In that same period, the arrival of Batavian immigrants (and later South Batavians) led to the spreading of Catologism, which became the most popular religion around the beginning of the 6th millennium. Unrest and difficulties followed upon arguments between Soloralists and Catologians, which made it hard for many rulers to reach a satisfying compromise.

Religious compromises were, however, roughly pushed aside when Taodosius I took the Ducal Throne and announced a purge against Soloralism. Followed by this announcement, former Soloralist temples (of which many had already been fallen in disarray) were placed under the management of the Catologian Church. The Imperial Catodral of Apollo City is the best example of this new religious policy.

Largest Religions of Kildare (estimation)

Religion	Proportion (500 ASC)	Proportion (700 ASC)	Proportion (2800 ASC)	Proportion (3500 ASC)	Proportion (4500 ASC)	Proportion (5100 ASC)	Proportion (5250 ASC)	Proportion (5450 ASC)
Catologism			3%	15%	31%	76%	81%	89%
Soloralism	95%	80%	74%	62%	47%	11%	9%	4%
Cedrism	0%	10%	13%	12%	10%	6%	4,5%	2,5%
Cult of Sakat				2%	4%	3%	3%	3%
Others	5%	9,5%	9,5%	8,5%	7%	3%	2,5%	1,5%
Envisionism		0,5%	0,5%	1%	1%	1%	0,5%

1. From 5100 ASC intensive campaign and religious suppression make way for the the domination of catologism.
2. Envisionism becomes distinct in 5257 ASC with the burning of their last remaining temple.
3. Flavius' proposal to welcome Sakat in the pantheon of Catologian Gods, marked the end of an independent Cult of Sakat in 5468 ASC.

Economy

1 Kala, front of the note.

1 Kala, back of a note.

The Kildarian economy has, for many centuries, been the most diverse and isolated of the Apollonian continent. The isolation of many of the towns, hand in hand with an early Kildarian (and before that Apollonian) national feeling, led to a situation in which not much of the produced goods were meant for export to foreign markets.

While this habit started to change from the moment the Union of Apollo States were integrated within the Imperial Republic, most of the resources and produced goods still didn't leave the Dutchy. In the period of the Kildarian Plague, production, import export even collapsed. This wasn't felt in the citizens' pockets, as the Kildarian economy had always been an autarky.

Coinage

In the ages before the Union of Apollo States, the gold reserves were on a historical low, which resulted in many nations in the use of money billets, instead of coins. Different documents also refer to the early Apollonians having a monetary system in which credit could be granted.

The small nations and the different currencies led to several problems, which made exchange rates and buying and selling on credit an important part of the early monetary bank system.

The unification of nations of the Apollo Sector in a Union of Apollo States changed the landscape of the financial world: the lands that nowadays are part of Dalmacija became known as the 'treachery' of the Union, thanks to its many goldmines. In that period, coins were massively introduced (some of pure gold). The citizens of Gong Li successfully created a monopoly on minting the coins, which made the Kala the national coin.

The Eastern Empire had used coinage since the early Apollonian days and kept using those coins and bank billets for many ages after the conquest by Gaelen I. However, Shirerithian domination brought some changes with them: the Erb was introduced and the Imperizal Court made some, unsuccessful attempts in monopolising the gold mines for their own use.

Result of those attempts were a counter-movement in which Kildari kept using their own, national (now County) coins, of which the Kala was just one of them in transactions within the Eastern borders. Traders gladly sold goods to Kildari in return for the precious golden coins or billets (which could be traded for gold or erbs).

Resources

Heimat Steelworks in Agnigrad

Lumber, lumber. Lumber everywhere!

The Kildarian economy is one of the most diverse of the world. Thanks to counties as Audentior (which has the large city of Apollo City) and the isles of Gong Li and Melangia the Kildarian economy is lifted to Shirerithian standards. The other parts (the mainland) is faced with a backward economy and an unwillingness to change: farmers want to stay farmers, mine workers and their bosses don't want to hear about new technologies, etc.

This, however gives Kildare great potential: it's fully self-sufficient and actually doesn't need to sell goods, as the old-fashioned Kildari still live as they did long, long ago. With the only difference: Apollo City and some major cities (but even those can rely on the farmlands of the other counties).

The north of Kildarian mainland is rich of natural resources: gold and uranium are often sold to other parts of the Empire. Heimat Industries made use of the gold reserves to invest in other parts of the Imperial Republic so they could buy more iron for their factories in Kildare (those factories lay near the coast, while the mines are often found deep land inwards).

Middle and South Kildare have access to large forests, for the timber industry, and fertile land for the the harvest, which gives the Dutchy an economic benefit and surplus when trading with other nations.

Transport

The railroad network of Kildfare.

Kildare is famous for its transport network. Not because of its quality, but because of its quantity (or the lack of it): Kildare is probably the largest region on Micras without proper roads or other decent transport network.

Establishing a decent road network, or railroad, is not seen as a matter of big concern, as Kildari believe that they have all the time they need to reach the place they have to be.

Only since 3751 ASC, a company named Kildfare was created which had to develop a decent railroad to connect south and north which each other (most of this rail road was made with money from the Kildarian isles and Apollo City). Since then, however, not many attempts were made to expand the railroads, as their was no popular demand for it.

Demographics

It's difficult to say that Kildare has just one population group. It's a common mistake, but nonetheless stays... a mistake. For a long time it has been a welcome home to people who had no place to go (by a lot of people it is believed that Kildare is the place where the first people lived and thereafter spread across the globe). However, since the rule of Kaiser Hasan I (3127–3257 ASC) the number of Babhkans had sufficiently been reduced (or exterminated would be a better word) as a result of angry Kildari who didn't like the idea of a Babhkan take-over.

The religious wars and conflicts brought often unrest to the Dutchy, as the counties around the Antyan River have been a Soloralist heaven in a country in which Cedrism dominates. The Religious Freedom brought peace to the counties and Soloralism became a dominant religion at the Ducal court (even if the Dutch was a Cedrist). This Religious Freedom was, however, thrown overboard with the anti-Soloralist religious purges by Dutch Taodosius I in 5145 ASC. Since then, Catologism dominates the religion in the East.

At the beginning of the 5th millennium Apollo City and the surrounding counties became a popular place for immigrants. Nowadays, the largest group of new citizens are Batavians who fled for the busy and chaotic life in their fatherland. Other immigrant groups are Nelagans, Gralans, Stormarkians and Anticans. During the Elwynnese independence, there was a small influx of Elwynnese who wanted to seek a new life in more stable regions.

Several guesses were made in the past about the number of the population, but never there had been a census to see if those guesses were right or wrong. For this reason, people estimate that the numbers given by the Ducal Administration are the closest on it: around 200 million citizens.

Military

Evolution of the Military

Traditional clothes of the Kildarian militia were based on those of the guards of the Seanad.

The Eastern Empire has always been a far-away, remote region of the Imperial Republic. As the Shire Sea separated the East from the West, the Imperial armies (and those of other Dukes) would probably never arrive on time to protect the Dutchy against foreign threats. Together with the bad roads and transport network, it would only make reinforcements arrive when it would be too late. For this reason, the Ducal Government and Counts insisted on establishing large personal armies to protect their own Counties and land.

These days, owning an army is seen as Feudal Tradition, and with that, in the eyes of the history-loving Kildari an everlasting right.

This led to a situation in which Kildare owns a diverse military system with the primary goal of defending their country: Counts (and other nobles) will often have a well-trained personal guard, while for larger dangers they can trust upon the local militia. The Dutch on the other hand has also an elite force, called the Magical Knights, who are well-trained and professional soldiers who have the freedom to freely travel through the Dutchy.

Since 4022 ASC the Dutch had, however, decreed the creation of the Kildarian Defence Forces,, composed of soldiers from all counties, over which ha has direct control. Needless to say that those are mainly used to protect the border (the large Eastern Wall, known as Zygus Qamil) and assist the Counts in case the militia is incapable of fighting a problem. Some nobles, however, vowed their concerns about granting the Dutch direct access over vast armies.

The reign of Taodosius I saw the establishment, a new personal guard was created to form, next to the Knights, the backbone of a more modern army: the Myxosean Guard.

Remarkably is the lack of any airforce, as the costs for local nobles would be too high, and the Ducal Government trusts upon the Imperial Republic to give air support when necessary.

The focus on land forces is clearly seen when looking to the Naval Forces, which are, just like the airforce, almost non-existing. The purchases of used military ships from other navies is one of the examples of how the Kildarian military solves the lack of its own ship-build war industry.

Civil service

Kildare has a long-standing and proud military tradition, dating back from before the formation of the Dutchy of Kildare. It lends this tradition from the Blackrockian days (the Gregorian year 2000).

That's why every Kildarian who becomes 18 year old had to serve for at least a year in the local militia of the Count (the army wasn't a state affair, nor was it a Duchal affair).

Since 4022 ASC, however, the Dukes of Kildare directly have the command over the Kildarian Defence Forces. This led to new career possibilities for young Kildari: while the local militia often is relative small and only meant to protect the County, the Forces were meant to be spread over the whole Eastern Empire. This made it necessary to have a larger amount of troops available, leading to many new jobs in the military.

From 5230 ASC and onwards, under influence of the end of the war against the Garllic hordes and the Dutchy joining the League of Nations for the Advancement of Purity, a National Protection Army was established to safeguard security in and outside the Eastern Empire's borders.

Branches

The defence of Kildare lies in many hands. There are, as a result of that many different military groups. Here a list of the most important ones.

Largest Estimated number of soldiers in Kildare

Name	Allegiance	Soldiers
National Protection Army	Dutch	400,000
Kildarian Defence Forces	Dutch	5,000
Magical Knights	Dutch	700
Local militias	Counts	40,000
Personal guards (Counts)	Counts	2,000
Total		447,700

Legions

Since 5437 ASC, under the reign of Dutch Flavius Myksos, the National Protection Army was divided into large Legions. Each Legion has around 20,000 soldiers.

Legions of Kildare

Number	Nickname	Emblem	Date founded/founder	Date disband	Notes
Legio I			5437 ASC Flavius Myksos
Legio II			5437 ASC Flavius Myksos
Legio III	The Wolf Legion	Wolf	5437 ASC Flavius Myksos
Legio IV			5437 ASC Flavius Myksos
Legio V			5437 ASC Flavius Myksos
Legio VI			5437 ASC Flavius Myksos
Legio VII			5437 ASC Flavius Myksos
Legio IIX			5437 ASC Flavius Myksos
Legio IX			5437 ASC Flavius Myksos
Legio X			5437 ASC Flavius Myksos
Legio XI			5437 ASC Flavius Myksos
Legio XII			5437 ASC Flavius Myksos
Legio XIII			5437 ASC Flavius Myksos
Legio XIV			5437 ASC Flavius Myksos
Legio XV	The Myxosean Legion	Two-headed Eagle	5437 ASC Flavius Myksos		Legio XV is under direct command of the Dutch of Kildare and is meant as last defence of the capital. Within the Legion there is an elite guard, the Myxosean Guard, which is responsible for the safety of the Ducal Household.
Legio XVI			5437 ASC Flavius Myksos
Legio XIX			5437 ASC Flavius Myksos
Legio XX			5437 ASC Flavius Myksos
Legio XXI			5437 ASC Flavius Myksos

• There is no XVIIth Legion as Priests saw an omen that such a legion was doomed to be destroyed.

Geography

Landmarks

Kildare is located on the continent Apollonia and is the most eastern located part of the Imperial Republic of Shireroth. It's separated from the rest of the Empire by the Shirerithian Sea, which explains its (often) isolationist policies. It's a gigantic mass of land, but the same time it's sparsely populated.

While the coast line is often habituated by the Kildari, the inland is often very sparsely (or even not) populated. At the coast, around the Antya River (the largest river of Kildare) and around Lake Christoph the people often live concentrated in or near cities. Most exceptions are the farmers, which often own such large pieces of farmland that they can't afford to go living in the city.

Those who live inland live isolated and in small communities. These communities are often self-sufficient and are in most cases only visited by the tax agency and merchants.

Subdivisions

Map of Kildare and its counties, during the reign of Conglacio I.

The Eastern Empire has, for most of its history, roughly kept the same system and county boundaries as since its integration into the Imperial Republic of Shireroth by Gaelen I. The boundaries of its counties would be remarkably familiar for a person from the UAS.

The Dutchy itself has several subdivisions, of which the Thanedom (ruled by a Thane) is the highest subdivision and divided into Counties.

Thanedom of Antya

• Audentior
• Automatica
• Blackrock
• Demesos
• New Jasonia

Thanedom of Christoph

• Dalmacija
• The Kitanus Fields
• Old Hallucination
• Carol Island
• Halluci Nua
• Hawshire

Thanedom of Schlangen

• Erior
• Gong Li
• Melangia
• Raynor Isles
• Lesser Attera
• Norfolk
• Vervollkommnung

Non-alligned Counties

• Jacian Federation
• Tymaria

Notable Kildari

Emblem of Kaiseress Hypatia I.

Kildare is the home of numerous notable people who not only influenced the Dutchy, but also the Imperial Republic. Well-known Kaisers who are still remembered these days are Kaiseress Carol I, who was succeeded by her own daughter Hypatia I. Kaiser Leto III was a Kildarian who took the throne in a (successful) to revive interest in the Imperial Republic, for which he was pardoned and thanked by his successor Mors V.

Another Kildarian who sat on the Mango Throne was Gaelen IV, who introduced a heavily Apollonian-based culture into the Imperial Court (for example: the Apollonian architecture and the establishment of the Apollonian Guard).

Other notable Kildari, not sitting on the Throne but famous for their actions, were e.g. Andreas the Wise, Bill Trihus, James Raine, Conglacio, Simon Barentsz-Edward, Jacobus Loki, Walter Grant, Aeneas Malak,...

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