Kildare

Kildare
Feudal Status:	Duchy
Capital:	Apollo City
Largest Cities:	Apollo City, Blackrock Nua, Curagh
Local Leadership Title:	Dutch
Local Government:	Imperial State
Current leader:	Taodosius I
Local language:	English, Written Halluci
Local Religion:	Catologism, Cedrism, Envisionism, Soloralism

The Dutchy of Kildare, in official sources also referred to as the Eastern Empire, is an Imperial State of Shireroth. It is ruled by the Dutch (Duke), a title dating back from a writing error in its early days as an Duchy.

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 513 ASC, conquered the lands, made the former nations into counties and replaced the old Union by a Duchy.

Since that ASC year, Shirerithian feudalism has become an integral part of Kildarian civilisation (something most Kildari are proud of). While in the New Era (3005 ASC - present) Shireroth was reformed from a feudal state into a more (con)federal nation with States, feudalism remained untouched. This loyalty to the Crown (Kildari see themselves as subjects to the Kaiser, who rules through the Dutch) has led to many cultural influences spreading to the West (mainly Shirekeep).

The Eastern Empire is 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 is considered as the 'Pearl of the East' (while the Kildari refer to the Shirerithian capital as the 'Pearl of the West'). Since 4155 ASC Apollo City is the only capital of the Dutchy. Before that it was the residence of the Seanad, while Blackrock Nua had the function of Ducal residence.

History

• See the history of Kildare for more details.
• See: Gong Li Rebellion, Garllic War

Government

• See Dutch of Kildare for a list of Dukes.

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 Kildarian nobility, 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.

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. This is the result of years of isolation and even some strong and powerful Dukes couldn't succeed in breaking their power completely.

Culture

Symbols

We just love active people in our Dutchy.

Kildare has a rich and diverse culture. Primarily it revolves around three areas - history (including Apollo history), magic, and war. The original Dukes were very warlike, as has been Duke Jonas. Magic pervades the land, from the dragons in Kitanus Fields to the ends in Old Hallucination. Finally, Kildare is the land with the greatest love of history - both the Apollo history of those that held the lands before them, and including the Temple to Sakat, Squid God of Time and patron god of Historians. Some regions, like the once-Barony of Antya were somewhat different from the rest of the Dutchy. Even with these differences between the several counties and Baronies their is a strong national Kildarian feeling, a Kildarian will always be proud on his Dutchy, whether it is recognised by the Imperial Government or not. And even rebelling citizens are rebelling because they think that's the best for the Dutchy (nothing better than a nice civil war).

The MagiGARPs and Lord Kildare Bull (twin brother of John Bull) are some of the symbols of the region. Kildare, more specifically Kitanus Field, is home of Lumina, mother of Malarbor.

Economy

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. In Middle and South Kildare the harvest and the wood of trees give the Dutchy an economic benefit.

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 flees for the busy 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.

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 has to serve for at least a year in the local militia of the Count (the army is not a state affair, nor is 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.

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.

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

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.

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