Aquitaine - Capital of the Commonwealth

Aquitaine - Capital of the Commonwealth

By: Michael Bailey [email removed]

Part 2 (Part 1).

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Kingdom of Provence (420 million, 9HMLHL Fr)

A moderately wealthy nation in the fertile south-western region of the Duvalin continent, Provence is the largest and most populous nation on Aquitaine. It's impersonal bureaucratic government rules without any great distinction, although Provence has traditionally claimed large swathes of the continent (the nation fragmented into a number of succesor-states in 1160).

Huguenot Republique (280 million, 9MMLLH Fr)

The Huguenot Republique is ruled by the Partie d'Unite. The nation is one of the poorest on this continent, but is making fairly rapid progress with the help of Aquitaine aid. A low-level conflict with Provence over their disputed common border is on-going.

Medoc Commonwealth (240 million, 4MHLLL Fr)

The Medoc Commonwealth is the wealthiest and most advanced nation on Aquitaine. Medoc led the world out of the Collapse, and dominates planetary politics. Medoc is currently ruled by a coalition of three moderate parties, but elections are scheduled for 1202. Medoci commercial interests are highly influential in Commonwealth politics.

Loire (200 million, 5MLHLM Fr/An)

Loire's feudal masters are engaged in a drawn-out action against pro-democracy movements throughout the nation. Most of the army is engaged in internal security duties. Loire was forced to cede a large swathe in it's west to Provence in 1189.

Essenbruken Republik (190 million, HHLHL Ge)

General Hans Fromme enjoys the overwhelming confidence of his people since he led a coup against the old corrupt republican government in 1185. He has modernised and re-equipped the army since he came to power, and is currently pursuing a campaign against the Camarque Union for 'germanic' provinces in Camarque's south and south west.

Camarque Union (160 million, 8HLMML Fr/Ge)

Densely populated and poor, the Camarque Union has few natural resources to boost it's wealth. The war against Essenbruken has been going badly for Camarque, it may well be forced to ced it's southern province, with it's 45 million inhabitants, to it's southern neighbor.

Mittelnacht Bundesrepublik (150 million, 4MMMLM Ge/Fr)

A fairly unremarkable and stable parliamentary democracy, Mittelnacht is an ally of Medoc. Provence claims a large part of Mittelnacht's eastern extents - tensions along their common border are quite high.

Mielowska (140 million, AHLLLM Po)

A military ally (read: vassal) of Essenbruken, Mielowska's government is weak, corrupt and largely propped up by Essenbruken 'advisors'. The nation is poor, although recent mineral discoveries in the west have caused excitement.

Bretagne Republic (140 million, AHHMHL Fr)

Bretagne's ruling military council is staunchly opposed to Medoci dominance, and is attempting to woo Caledonia into an alliance against Medoc's ally, Mittelnacht.

Principality of Caledonia (130 million, 5MHLMM Fr/An)

Caledonia has one of the fastest growing economies on the planet, and is rapidly modernising it's industrial capabilties. This growth has come at a price however, there are a number of opposition and independence groups attempting to overthrow the feudal technocracy.

Meliot Federation (90 million, 6MMMML Fr)

Meliot's totalitarian government was overthrown in 1194, this led almost immediately to civil war between proHuguenot and pro-Medoc factions. The social order broke down, and many thousands of civilians were killed before a multinational peacekeeping force stepped in by order of the Estates d'Aquitaine. Meliot is still ruled by this force.

Medea Demos (85 million, 8LHMLM Gr/Fr)

Another close ally of Medoc, Medea is currently engaged in a massive industrialisation project aimed at producing a local shipbuilding industry. Medoc aid and advise is essential to this undertaking.

Andries Union (65 million, 3HLHLH Af/Ge)

The repressive rulers of the Andries Union are having increasing trouble suppressing opposition. An attempt to conquer New Seine in 1195 led to disaster and a humiliating defeat at the hands of their much smaller target. Andries is ready to fall apart, probably explosively. Few doubt that Essenbruken forces will be crossing the common border before the end of the year.

St. Mere-Eglise (60 million, 4MHMMM Fr)

A poor nation, but one with large reserves of untapped resources, St. Mere-Eglise is looking to Medoc to provide the technology to harness those resources.

Kiel (50 million, 8LHLMH Fr/Ge)

Kiel is currently at war with Provence. Provence's initial invasion surprised Kiel's masters, but recent offensives have regained much of the territory lost in 1198. The Estates d'Aquitaine is attempting to mediate between the two nations, but a cese-fire has not yet been maintained.

Ostrowa (45 million, 6MLMLH Po/Ge)

'Officially' an independant nation, Ostrowa is in reality ruled by Essenbruken 'advisors'. Essenbruken maintains a small presence in the thinly populated nation, but relies on native forces for the most part to keep the peace.

Warswaza Socialist Republic (35 million, CMHMHH Po/Ge)

A communist led revolt overthrew the old monarchy in 1190, and so far the new government is doing rather well, despite having had to back down from it's more extreme policies. Warawaza is in fact negotiating with Medoc for arms and training to offset Essenbruken's dominance of the continent.

Republique de Marseilles (30 million, ALMLMM Fr)

The 'republic' is in fact ruled by a heriditary class of landed nobles. A somewhat backward nation.

Republique de Givenchy (30 million, CMLMHM Fr)

Givenchy split into two halves in 1174, with the eastern half calling itself Trans-Givenchy. Givenchy conquered it's sibling in 1190, and still rules there today. The occupation has severly strained the nation's economy, which is now largely in ruins. A long-running dispute with Essenbruken doesn't help, as it forces the rulers to maintain a large force on the southern border.

Trans-Givenchy (25 million, 6MLHLL Fr/Ge)

Trans-Givenchy is ruled without mercy or pity by Givenchy. An underground resistance movement is supported by Essenbruken, but has made little progress towards restoring independence.

Archangel Polity (25 million, 5LLMHH An)

Archangel's weak federation does little more than hold the feudal technocrats together. The government has little influence, and exploitation of the nation's mineral reserves has yet to take place.

Lote (10 million, 6HLLLL An)

Thinly populated Lote is a colony of Mielowska. Lote's colonial government is weak and corrupt, but is not unpopular with the locals. Essenbruken leaves control of the colony in Mielowskan hands.

Spitsbergen (5 million, 4MLHLM An)

Spitsbergen's constitutional monarchy is ineffectual and divided, with a large Warswazan-sponsored Socialist Party waiting in the wings to take over government when the current coalition collapses.

New Seine Republique (5 milion, 4HLHLL Fr)

Despite high levels of civil disorder, Neu Seine was able to sucessfully fight off an invasion by the Andries Union. The military looks at the growing disorder with alarm, and a coup against the republican government is probably not far off.

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