Demonym: Raginheimer
Capital: Biaumont
Key cities: Vauclegne and
Official language: Burgon and Grotthain
Total population: 72,432,467
Total land area: 492,237 km²
Currency: Chassel
Government: Unitary affective-harmony state
Some fact about Raginheim:
Throughout much of its history, Raginheim endured persistent harassment from neighboring states, including Ornazia, Hleidisland, Lepondunon, and Morthen. Internally weakened by corruption and chronic political instability, the state was repeatedly forced into concessions. Among the most significant was the cession of the Hochburg region to Lepondunon in 1088—an event widely regarded as a profound national humiliation. Legally, Hochburg remained under Lepondunonian control thereafter.
Political volatility was a defining characteristic of Raginheim. Governments were frequently overthrown, and the presence of multiple anti-government organizations was commonplace, keeping the state in a constant condition of internal alert and insecurity. Stability began to emerge only after the collapse of the Thauris Republic. By the early 14th century, Raginheim had consolidated power under a strong central authority and entered a sustained period of relative stability.
This historical trajectory is reflected in the state's monumental architecture. The dominant architectural style favors tall, monolithic structures with pronounced verticality and asymmetrical forms, evoking unease and restraint. Buildings are constructed primarily from cast concrete infused with muted purple pigments, combining smooth and rough textures to unevenly absorb light. Openings are narrow and deeply recessed, illuminated at night by low-intensity violet lighting that emphasizes control rather than visibility. Entrances are typically off-center and partially concealed, while interior layouts rely on narrow corridors that open into taller chambers, creating a deliberate rhythm of compression and release. The restrained use of dark purple finishes and quiet acoustics reinforces an atmosphere of introspection and isolation.
At the geographical center of the state stands the Drevalune, a colossal rotating complex approximately 900 meters in height. The structure slowly spins at a measured pace and is surrounded by branching, tree-like extensions. Suspended from these branches are numerous sculpted faces, each displaying a distinct expression or emotional state. The Drevalune functions as both a symbolic and physical centerpiece of Raginheim, embodying its historical trauma, vigilance, and eventual consolidation of power.
Brief modern history:
Raginheim emerged in the aftermath of the downfall of the Thauris Republic, a state originally conceived in 1172 as a powerful political entity intended to counter the expansion of Ornazia. Thauris was formed through the unification of three nations—Hleidisland, Morthen, and Raginheim. Each retained its own government and legal system, while remaining under the supervision of a centralized authority. The primary objective of this union was to prevent further Ornazian expansion, an aim that appeared successful following the victory at the Fortress of Draugrheim in 1185.
In the decades that followed, Thauris rose rapidly in strength and influence, particularly in the region of Hleidisland. After more than twenty years of existence, concerns began to grow among the Thaurian states. Raginheim, in particular, feared the increasing military and political dominance of Hleidisland and its emerging expansionist ideology. There was widespread anxiety that Hleidisland would eventually seek to dominate or annex Raginheim itself.
As a result, Raginheim secretly orchestrated the collapse of the Thauris Republic. It sought assistance from Toutanglom and Draviskas in the development of a man-made influenza strain. Toutanglom, itself alarmed by Hleidisland's growing power, agreed to cooperate. The plan was carried out in 1195 with the release of what became known as the Zeta Flu. The outbreak struck Hleidisland most severely, while Morthen suffered moderate effects. Limited exposure was also introduced in Raginheim to avoid arousing suspicion. The operation succeeded in destabilizing Thauris and ultimately led to its dissolution. In Raginheim, the effects were comparatively minor, with fewer than 2,000 confirmed deaths.
Although Hleidisland was left severely weakened, Raginheim continued to fear future retaliation. Consequently, the state undertook extensive military strengthening and reconstruction efforts, with particular emphasis on chemical weapons development and the expansion of its intelligence services.
For many decades—both before and after the establishment of Thauris—Raginheim had been plagued by persistent social unrest. Public dissatisfaction was driven by widespread opposition to government policies and a general refusal to cooperate with state authority. This unrest was exacerbated by numerous scandals involving high-ranking officials, including corruption, cronyism, kickbacks, abuse of power, political repression, perjury, and other misconduct. These revelations led to frequent resignations, with many state leaders forced from office after only a few years in power.
Under mounting pressure from both the public and internal political factions, the head of state at the time, Gundemar Hrodwulfing, resigned from office. On 8 January 1199, he directly appointed Sigiric Baldthar as his successor. However, within just two months of the new administration taking office, Gundemar initiated the release of a chemical airborne agent known as Trichoryne during March and April of 1199. The substance was designed to merge with the atmosphere and had been under development for several years.
According to official reports, Trichoryne was capable of calming the population, dulling emotional responses, and fostering obedience toward government authority through enhanced susceptibility to propaganda. During its effects, subjects exhibited reduced resistance to orders and directives. The initial formulation remained active for approximately two hours, though later versions were refined to last longer. The chemical was reported to be non-addictive.
Following the perceived success of this operation, the government intensified its reliance on chemical and pharmaceutical methods to maintain social order. The development of such substances reached levels previously unseen in any known narcotic or psychological agent. Under the Stilafaran Operation started in 1200, authorities began introducing these compounds into food and water supplies, and some were eventually incorporated directly into common meal ingredients.
After six years of conducting covert operations, narcotics gradually became embedded in daily life. Many individuals interacted with these substances without full awareness of their origins or long-term consequences. As a result of these operations, numerous varieties of drugs were eventually invented and refined. These products were traded internationally through extensive black-market networks, and over time this illicit industry became one of the central pillars of the state's economy.
In 1209, Raginheim initiated diplomatic efforts toward Hleidisland, offering aid and support to assist the state's recovery from the aftermath of the Zeta Flu. These actions were intended to maintain diplomatic normalcy and to divert suspicion from Raginheim's internal activities. Beginning in 1211, the state launched a new series of drugs designed to reduce the long-term side effects of extended usage. These developments aimed to prevent declines in birth rates and intelligence, avoiding the creation of what officials feared would become a "dumb society." Several of these substances were engineered to temporarily enhance physical abilities, thereby increasing productivity and overall societal efficiency.
On 2 July 1220, a large-scale complex dedicated exclusively to the manufacturing and research of narcotics was completed after nearly a decade of planning and construction. The facility, known as Wundaraland, was located underground and measured approximately 500 meters in width and 600 meters in length. Over time, the complex was expanded and further enhanced, significantly accelerating the growth of the industry.
Between 1215 and 1221, numerous skirmishes and military confrontations occurred between Morthen and Raginheim. These conflicts ranged from border disputes and sabotage of enemy facilities to retaliatory actions against Raginheim in response to the flu. The Second Battle of Hauhs Hill, fought on Raginheimian territory between 6 June and 19 August 1219, further intensified tensions between the two states. Although Raginheim emerged victorious through the extensive use of gas attacks, hostilities continued elsewhere. On 25 January 1220, the bombing of the Gardahus military camp resulted in ten Raginheimian personnel sustaining severe injuries, prompting a significant reinforcement of troops along the Morthen border. The ensuing confrontations were prolonged and intense on both sides.
Raginheim officially declared war on Morthen on 20 February 1222. The immediate cause of the war was Raginheim's conclusion that Morthen had kidnapped one of its soldiers and taken him hostage. In reality, the soldier had merely missed his schedule after oversleeping and failed to report for duty.
Following the declaration, Raginheim launched a rapid and aggressive offensive across the entire border, deploying vast quantities of gas and chemical agents. The unprepared and unsuspecting Morthen forces were pushed back swiftly, with little opportunity to organize an effective response. The conflict, later known as the Battle of the Reds, consisted of a series of coordinated offensives against multiple Morthen cities. The most notorious attacks occurred in Lautara, Atrina, and Rasun. Raginheim forces employed massive amounts of a chemical agent known as Dautumistus, distinguished by its iconic red coloration. Delivered via airborne dispersal devices, the red mist engulfed entire cities, inflicting severe losses on Morthen's military forces.
Within just two months, Raginheim had captured most of western Morthen. Recognizing that continued resistance would be futile, Morthen proposed a peace settlement. Both sides signed a treaty in the capital of Raginheim, officially ending the war on 15 March 1222. No territorial changes were made, as Raginheim's primary objectives were to compel Morthen to cease border threats and to test its newly developed chemical weapons.
However, Morthen was not the sole threat to Raginheim. Lepondunon likewise posed a persistent danger, forcing Raginheim to remain in a constant state of vigilance. For many decades, the two states existed in a tense relationship and had confronted one another in multiple wars. The roots of this hostility lay in territorial resource disputes and a long-standing sense of humiliation suffered by Lepondunon, which fueled its continuous desire for revenge.
Ultimately, on 3 June 1234, war broke out after Raginheim reported intelligence indicating that Lepondunon was preparing an invasion. During the initial years of the conflict, both sides conducted limited cross-border engagements with relatively small forces. The situation escalated dramatically when Raginheim deployed its newly developed chemical agents, Nachtwehen and Schwarzbrand-IX, across multiple regions of Lepondunon territory. These weapons caused mass civilian casualties and long-term environmental poisoning, resulting in widespread genocide and forcing Lepondunon into a full-scale war.
Leveraging its overwhelming chemical superiority, Raginheim advanced deep into enemy territory. This momentum was halted only when Lepondunon deployed its defensive war machines. Between 1237 and 1239, the conflict settled into a prolonged stalemate. Raginheim attempted to consolidate and defend the territories it had seized but suffered significant losses, notably at the Battles of Dubrona and Segomagos, and most critically at the Battle of Uxella. The engagement at Uxella lasted three months, characterized by continuous assaults and the haunting mechanical sounds of Lepondunon's war machines, which inflicted severe attrition on Raginheim's forces and ultimately forced their retreat. Despite these setbacks, Raginheim successfully maintained control over several remaining strategic locations.
In early 1240, Raginheim exploited a weakened northeastern sector of Lepondunon's defenses. Employing rapid, blitz-style maneuvers, Raginheim forces advanced through the region, causing widespread disorder and the collapse of the enemy front. With no viable alternative, Lepondunon agreed to peace negotiations. The peace treaty was signed on 18 March 1240, granting Raginheim approximately 13 percent of Lepondunon territory along with substantial war reparations. The conflict ended as a decisive victory for Raginheim and marked the culmination of its long-standing revenge against its most bitter rival.
Following two major military triumphs, national pride surged among the population, and public confidence in the government increased significantly. During this period, Raginheim remained politically stable and highly developed, particularly in the fields of chemical engineering and narcotics manufacturing. The government actively promoted the integration of psychoactive substances into everyday life. Although many of these drugs were officially reported to have minimal or manageable side effects, they proved to be highly addictive.
With the implementation of the Marktoffen Policy in 1244, most common narcotics became openly available in regulated markets, transforming them into vibrant centers of commerce. During the same era, the government constructed the Ruhehalle, public chambers where citizens could enter freely and be exposed to calming gases designed to induce relaxation. Each session was strictly limited to ten minutes.
This period of stability was shattered on 6 December 1251, when an assassination attempt was carried out against Alaric von Eisenwald, the head of state. The attack was conducted by a gunman affiliated with a reactionary organization operating within Raginheim. Alaric died instantly after being shot in the chest. His assassination triggered the rise of several extremist factions seeking to overthrow the government, most notably the Niwamarka Wegun der Gemeino Folkarbeit (NWGF) and the Folkwartun Fridamacht des Landis (FFL). These groups were fundamentally anti-government and aimed to restore the political order of the Thauris era, which they regarded as more secure and stable than the current regime.
Armed clashes soon erupted between government national guards and reactionary forces, primarily concentrated in the northern regions of the state. The objective of these groups was to disseminate their ideology nationwide and dismantle the existing authority. The most intense confrontation occurred during the Skeldmark Blackout on 8 April 1252, when prolonged fighting took place in total darkness. After five days, the reactionary forces were forced to retreat. Within five months, most of the movement's leadership had been captured and executed, bringing the conflict to an end.
Although state stability was restored, the unrest had lasting effects on government policy. Authorities imposed stricter regulations on organizational activities and further expanded the distribution of narcotics as a preventative measure against future internal conflict. Numerous political organizations were placed under heavy surveillance or forcibly disbanded. This period became one of the deadliest internal confrontations between the government and opposition groups in Raginheim's history.
On 3 October 1268, a new insurgent force known as Touta Rigos Uindos (TRG) emerged within the annexed Lepondunon territories. The group assassinated a Raginheim administrative official and, with support from Lepondunon, demanded reunification with their former homeland. This uprising marked the beginning of the prolonged Uindobriga War.
Utilizing the region's mountainous terrain and highlands, TRG forces relied heavily on guerrilla warfare tactics. They conducted repeated sabotage operations against chemical facilities but suffered severe losses due to exposure to gas weapons. The Siege of Segomagos (6 November–20 December 1269), the primary headquarters of TRG, resulted in devastating casualties for the rebels. Despite this, TRG forces continued operating across multiple locations in the far northern regions, where terrain conditions were even more hostile to Raginheim forces.
Between 1269 and 1270, Raginheim failed to capture key strongholds such as Nerios, Brigantion, and Brigilos, forcing a temporary halt in their advance. TRG intensified its hit-and-run operations, particularly at night, further complicating Raginheim's campaign. Their constant relocation and unpredictable timing imposed severe operational strain.
Throughout the war, numerous Lepondunon civilians were massacred as a coercive measure intended to force TRG surrender. These efforts proved unsuccessful. While several regions eventually fell under Raginheim control through aggressive offensives and mass chemical deployment, the most brutal engagement occurred at Albiiona in August 1272, where nearly the entire town was destroyed and its population annihilated. Despite the devastation, TRG refused to capitulate.
In the years that followed, Raginheim was unable to achieve further territorial gains. Continuous guerrilla attacks and the harsh environment led to sustained attrition. Ultimately, in 1274, after immense financial expenditure and loss of life with no strategic benefit, the Raginheim government agreed to transform Uindobriga into an autonomous zone, formally ending the war in a political and strategic defeat for Raginheim.
Following this devastating outcome, Raginheim once again descended into a period of limited internal unrest. Owing to the continued influence of state-controlled narcotics, these disturbances were swiftly suppressed. In the years that followed, the government expanded its drug trade, both to stabilize the national economy and to reinforce a distinct state traditional culture.
Between 1277 and 1279, Hleidisland formally concluded that the origins of the Zeta Flu lay within Raginheim, framing the issue as one of courage betrayed and justice denied. On 7 November 1279, Hleidisland officially declared war on Raginheim. In response, Raginheim aligned itself with Toutanglom and Draviskas—two states that had long-standing tensions with Hleidisland—forming what became known as the Coalition.
Despite this alliance, Raginheim's armed forces were decisively outmatched by Hleidisland's modernized and highly mobile military. Within two months, the western–northern front collapsed under sustained pressure. Attempts to halt the enemy advance resulted in catastrophic defeats, most notably at the Battle of Richenvalde on 20 January 1280 and the Battle of Kaltenbourg on 6 February 1280. In these engagements, Raginheim suffered near-total destruction of its defensive forces, with fewer than two hundred survivors emerging from an initial force of approximately forty thousand soldiers.
Chemical weapons, long considered Raginheim's strategic equalizer, proved ineffective during these battles. Hleidisland's forces employed aggressive long-range bombardment and persistent sabotage operations, preventing the successful deployment and dispersal of chemical agents. Although subsequent engagements managed to slow the Hleidis advance, Raginheim continued to incur severe losses. The fall of Grotthain marked the final collapse of organized resistance, compelling Raginheim to surrender.
A peace treaty was signed in the capital of Hleidisland on 12 September 1280. Under its terms, Raginheim was required to pay substantial war reparations and cede approximately eight percent of its national territory.
Humiliated by its rapid defeat, Raginheim undertook an extensive military reorganization. Particular emphasis was placed on the refinement of chemical warfare capabilities, including the development of agents capable of penetrating standard protective equipment. After eight months of reparations, Raginheim—alongside Toutanglom and Draviskas—covertly planned and executed a series of terrorist attacks within Hleidisland-controlled territories. In response, Hleidisland declared war on all three states.
Initially, the Coalition succeeded in pushing Hleidisland's forces out of several occupied regions. However, internal disagreements and strategic miscommunication among the allied states weakened the front. This loss of cohesion provided Hleidisland with an opportunity to counterattack, rapidly reclaiming territory that the Coalition had only briefly secured.
Between March and June 1282, Raginheim's forces successfully halted Hleidisland's advance toward the capital. This defensive success was achieved through relentless resistance and the effective deployment of newly enhanced chemical agents, which rendered enemy protective gear increasingly ineffective. Despite this, Raginheim was unable to mount a sustained counteroffensive, as Hleidisland's forces remained more flexible and operationally active.
As the front stagnated, the conflict entered a critical phase known as the Long Watch. This period centered on Raginheim's defense of four strategic locations that formed the final gateway to the capital: Montbreche, Clairvold, Dornemarc, and the Ragfluss River line. The battle is generally agreed to have begun on 26 June 1282, though some accounts suggest earlier engagements. It continued without interruption until the end of the war and is widely regarded as the most brutal and bloodiest phase of the conflict.
Raginheim's defenders endured continuous artillery barrages, widespread starvation and dehydration, and severe medical shortages due to the destruction of supply routes. Reinforcements were forced to travel through extensive tunnel networks, where conditions were often worse than on the surface. These tunnels also served as makeshift medical facilities, despite their unsanitary and overcrowded nature.
Soldiers remained on constant alert, frequently fighting for days without sleep. Sudden enemy assaults were common. At one critical moment, Hleidisland's forces succeeded in breaching the defensive line, only to be driven back by what contemporary accounts describe as an "unimaginable determination." Many defenders were blinded, mutilated, or permanently injured, yet continued to fight until death. The battlefield was described as entirely saturated with blood—the fallen Raginheimers covering the ground.
Ultimately, Raginheim held its position, sustained by its chemical advantage and an unwavering resolve to defend the nation at any cost. The Long Watch ended when the Coalition, exhausted and severely weakened, accepted new peace terms. A second treaty was signed on 3 October 1282. Under its provisions, Raginheim recognized Hleidisland's annexation of occupied territories and agreed to pay additional reparations and compensation for the earlier terrorist attacks.
Although Raginheim emerged from the war as the defeated party, the Long Watch became a defining legend within its society. It profoundly shaped national identity and reinforced a collective commitment to defend the state against extinction, regardless of the cost.
After the war, Raginheim entered a prolonged period of recovery, addressing the consequences of conflict while strengthening its traditional culture. The state leadership actively promoted social stability, urging the population to remain calm and steadfast with the assurance that the lost territories would eventually be reclaimed.
On 30 February 1283, the regions of Montbreche, Clairvold, Dornemarc, and the Ragfluss River were officially recognized as national historical heritage sites. Most of the areas remained largely intact, with only minimal reconstruction undertaken. In later years, these sites were opened to the public and became destinations for historical tourism.
Two subsequent wars with Hleidisland compelled Raginheim to significantly modernize its military forces, with particular emphasis on the advancement of chemical warfare capabilities. During this period, numerous chemical agents were developed, the most notable being Morndrauch and Ulmar. Morndrauch was capable of inducing respiratory failure and stroke-like symptoms, while Ulmar caused severe corrosive damage to the skin upon contact. To deploy these agents, Raginheim engineered a high-speed aerial dispersal device known as the Himmelspeer, regarded at the time as the most advanced flying weapon platform in the Raginheim arsenal.
After years of continuous preparation and military reform, the escalation of the Second Great War of Eldervale culminated on 28 October 1291, when Raginheim declared war on Hleidisland once again. Through sustained offensives and rapid strategic maneuvers, Raginheim successfully reclaimed most of its lost territories within a matter of weeks during Operation Dämmerkranz. By the end of the operation, Raginheim forces had advanced to within a few kilometers of the Hleidisland mainland, inflicting severe losses on the opposing forces. Having achieved its initial objectives, Raginheim formally sought a peace agreement in order to prevent further escalation; however, Hleidisland rejected these demands.
In response, Hleidisland launched multiple counteroffensives, successfully recapturing Stainaburgs Fortress on 19 February 1292. No further significant territorial changes occurred until one year later, when Hleidisland forces reclaimed the city of Grotthain during its second major battle. This advance allowed Hleidisland troops to penetrate deeper into Raginheim territory, forcing Raginheim to commit substantial resources to the defense of its capital, which lay only several hundred kilometers from the front. Nevertheless, Hleidisland was ultimately unable to sustain further advances due to exhaustion and overstretched supply lines, enabling Raginheim to mount effective counteroffensives and stabilize the front.
With the Hleidisland front remaining largely static, a new conflict emerged on 5 May 1293, when Lepondunon, having secretly united with an autonomous zone, declared war on Raginheim. Anticipating this development, Raginheim successfully halted Lepondunon's initial advances, though it was forced into a defensive posture as more than half of its military forces remained engaged against Hleidisland. The war thus evolved into a two-front stalemate.
During this period, Raginheim intensified its use of chemical weapons, dispersing agents widely through aerial deployment. Many regions became impassable even to troops equipped with protective gear. Throughout 1293, Hleidisland forces committed numerous massacres in occupied Raginheim territories, the most infamous being the Gundarvik Massacre, which occurred between 6 and 9 March. The brutality of this event provoked widespread outrage and determination among the Raginheim population.
Only one week later, Raginheim initiated Operation Schattensaat, a meticulously planned counteroffensive aimed at pushing back both Hleidisland and Lepondunon forces. At the time, Hleidisland troops were significantly weakened due to overextension across multiple fronts, allowing Raginheim to recapture several key locations. Despite initial successes, the offensive stalled after reclaiming approximately forty percent of the lost territories, as Hleidisland reinforced its positions and established strong defensive lines.
Raginheim continued to expand its chemical warfare doctrine, introducing liquid-based agents in addition to aeriform weapons. The most notorious of these was Varn, a green corrosive liquid capable of slowly dissolving a wide range of materials. Victims experienced an extremely painful and prolonged deterioration. Varn was deployed using the same aerial dispersal systems, producing corrosive rainfall over contested battlefields and enabling further territorial advances.
Meanwhile, Lepondunon forces achieved limited progress using revised tactics but were ultimately halted at the Rheinfahl River, where both sides engaged in prolonged and costly confrontations. With neither front capable of achieving decisive breakthroughs, the war devolved into attritional warfare, marked by widespread exhaustion and suffering.
Ultimately, the conflict came to an end following the proclamation of the Pax of Seraphic on 29 June 1294. On 5 July 1294, Albruna von Dornfahl, the leader of Raginheim at the time, formally signed the peace treaty, concluding the costly war and restoring all lost territories to Raginheim.
When the Pax was signed, the state immediately entered a period of postwar reconstruction, focusing on mitigating the consequences of the conflict, reintegrating returned territories into the motherland, and reinforcing its traditional cultural identity. Within Raginheim's official propaganda, the war was portrayed as a victory, as it successfully halted enemy threats and restored most previously lost lands. Nevertheless, as one of the formal terms of the Pax, the state accepted the permanent cession of the Uindobriga region to Lepondunon.
In 1301, the Brunvar Khemnora Complex was established deep underground to avoid enemy detection. The facility extended approximately four kilometers in both width and length and reached a depth of nearly one kilometer. Its primary function was the large-scale production of narcotics and chemical agents.
Between 1305 and 1310, Raginheim adopted a more open diplomatic posture toward multiple foreign states, with particular emphasis on trade involving narcotics and chemical substances.
In the years following the signing of the Pax, societal stability remained generally intact, as public trust in the government increased. In May 1312, the government enacted the policy known as Lex Brunath Treuvor, which initiated an intensive investigative and judicial campaign. This policy relied on extensive evidence gathered over previous years to prosecute government officials found guilty of corruption, incompetence, or abuse of authority. It marked the most comprehensive political purge in Raginheim's history. Many officials received life sentences, while a limited number were executed.
By 1333, the distribution of narcotics among the civilian population was gradually reduced from moderate levels to minimal usage, as such measures were no longer deemed necessary.
In 1337, a new combat stimulant, designated Veloria, was introduced for military use. Compact and easily transportable, the substance induced heightened energy levels, suppressed pain perception, and significantly increased aggressiveness and combat endurance among its users.
From 5 to 16 August 1352, following the death of Leothar de Virebourg, Raginheim entered a period of political vacuum. During Leothar's rule, internal divisions among senior officials had persisted regarding state policies and long-term development strategies. Although he appointed Waldric Treuvane as his successor, Treuvane proved politically weak and easily influenced by rival factions. Remor Klarstein subsequently declared himself head of state, further intensifying governmental discord and dissatisfaction.
The crisis concluded when Gundreltha Varnehild ordered the assassination of Remor Klarstein and seized control of the government, formally proclaiming herself the sole leader of the state. She immediately detained political opponents and perceived threats to her authority. Under Gundreltha's leadership, Raginheim entered a period of rapid development and economic and administrative prosperity, during which public trust in the government reached unprecedented levels.
A cornerstone of her rule was the policy Lex der Erneuerten Krone, which introduced a civic contribution credit system. Under this system, citizens received additional welfare benefits based on verified participation in community service, caregiving, disaster response, and public works. Furthermore, state care houses were established in every district, integrating healthcare, social assistance, legal aid, and employment services within a single institutional framework.
From 1355 until the outbreak of the Third Great War, Gundreltha authorized and heavily invested in large-scale and experimental research in chemical and narcotic technologies. This resulted in rapid technological advancement, with many substances previously deployed in earlier conflicts being significantly enhanced and rendered more lethal.
In 1369, Gundreltha Varnehild experienced a critical health episode after suddenly collapsing one morning, provoking concern among government officials. Her condition was attributed to prolonged overwork and severe sleep deprivation. Following her recovery, she adjusted her personal routine and continued to lead the state.
Ideology: La Doctrine de la Visage Donnée
At its core, the doctrine asserted that unregulated emotion fractures social harmony. Left unmanaged, individual feeling was considered erratic, selfish, and destabilizing. Peace, therefore, could not be achieved through sincerity of emotion, but through correctness of appearance. Once a face was assigned, it no longer belonged to the individual but to the social order.
The central principle of the doctrine held that what is displayed matters more than what is felt. Emotions that were unexpressed, uncontrolled, or privately held were deemed to possess no social value. All emotions—joy, sorrow, anger, or calm—were to be rendered as offerings in service of harmony. Virtue lay in aligning one's outward expression with prescribed expectation. Even personal bonds such as love were validated not through inner desire, but through correct and appropriate response. The self was considered perfected only when it ceased to resist instruction.
The doctrine promoted values of seamless expressive conformity: emotions were to serve others, predictability was equated with peace, inner turbulence was treated as disorder, and total emotional availability was demanded of the citizen. These values were formalized into three foundational pillars. La Vérité Montrée asserted that what is consistently displayed becomes truth. La Beauté de l'Obéissance held that submission refines the body and calms the world. La Chaire Offerte defined the face as a gift, lent to others for their comfort.
The ultimate objective of the doctrine was the elimination of emotional conflict through alignment. Inner authenticity was to be replaced with outward harmony, ensuring stability through emotional predictability. Beauty was preserved by the removal of interior discord, and order was maintained without visible coercion. The ideal society was one in which faces never betrayed dissent, affection was expressed flawlessly regardless of feeling, grief appeared only when sanctioned, joy only when approved, and peace was sustained through quiet, disciplined obedience.