General information (Pre-Great war):
Demonym: Velborian
Capital: Lunorad
Key cities: Gromis, Verostan and Plamenik
Official language: Morabian
Total population: 73,432,743
Total land area: 653,644 km²
Currency: Srebrnik
Government: Anonymous Communal State of Dissolution
Some facts about Velbor:
Velbor was commonly regarded as the "State of Time," owing to its profound fascination with the nature and philosophy of time. Over thousands of years, the state developed an extensive and sophisticated body of thought on temporality, and its technologies related to time became among the most advanced and intricate in the world. Although Velbor is situated along the sea in its southwestern region, it never prioritized the development of maritime power. Instead, its coastlines were primarily used for tourism and to enhance the nation's cultural image.
The state is home to an extensive collection of historical monuments distributed across its territory, all of which are carefully preserved and protected. Owing to its temporal technologies, Velbor boasts an exceptionally high life expectancy — often approaching a century, with some citizens living as long as 150 years. Encouraged by these advancements, the state has begun exploring the possibility of extending human life spans to 200 years.
Architecturally, building within Velbor is conceived as an expression of the passage of time, made legible through visible signs of aging such as cracking, weathering, moss growth, and the gradual fading of color. The materials are deliberately selected for their capacity to transform over decades. Walls, columns, and openings cast shadows that shift throughout the day, effectively turning the city into a living sundial. Construction follows a principle of layering: the city grows through accretion rather than demolition, with foundations preserved as new strata are placed above them, additional floors constructed atop earlier ones, and facades built over prior structures. Ornamentation emphasizes duration, rhythm, and continuity, prioritizing temporal expression over symmetry alone.
Brief modern history:
The question of when modern Velbor truly began remains a subject of debate among historians and scholars. Some argue that the foundation of modern Velbor should be dated to 938, when the revolutionary movement successfully overthrew the old regime. Others contend that it was 997, the final institutional collapse of the old order, marks the true beginning. Among the Velborian public, however, the prevailing view is that modern Velbor was born with the revolutionary spark of 938, when the nation decisively broke from its past.
This transformative period was defined by the Velmor Padiska (Velborian Revolution), during which the reformist Nowa Ludiska Jednota (NLJ) party defeated the ruling Velboran Civic Union and established the First Ancestral Realm of Velbor. The revolution unfolded primarily between 937 and 938.
In November 936, the Civic Union government enacted a series of cultural policies aimed at reducing the influence of traditional Velborian customs and beliefs. The ruling elite believed that tradition hindered modernization and economic progress. These measures were deeply controversial, provoking widespread public outrage and significant dissent within the government itself. Many citizens viewed the policies as not only unjust but also sacrilegious—an attack on the spiritual and cultural foundations of Velborian identity.
Rather than reversing course, the government intensified enforcement and harshly suppressed opposition. Political dissent was criminalized, and state violence was increasingly used to silence critics. These actions culminated in open rebellion on 15 March 937, marking the formal outbreak of the Velmor Padiska.
Despite lasting less than two years, the revolution resulted in relatively few casualties. The Civic Union government proved weak, fragmented, and poorly organized, allowing NLJ-aligned reformist forces to advance rapidly and dismantle what they described as a "betrayal of the nation." By 938, the old regime had collapsed. Its cultural policies were immediately abolished, and Velborian traditions were officially restored.
In the decades that followed, Velbor entered a period of relative stability and gradual institutional development.
In February 948, Velbor was drawn into war with its long-standing rival, Albern, largely due to escalating tensions rooted in historical animosity. Albern's leadership maintained a posture of superiority toward Velbor, frequently insulting Velborian beliefs and culture. Since the rise of the new Velborian regime, Albern had also pursued aggressive border expansions, further heightening tensions.
The situation deteriorated dramatically when Albern's leader at the time, Talorgana ferch Drosten, delivered a speech that directly insulted the Velborian people and denigrated their cultural identity. After repeated provocations, Velbor declared war on 20 February 948, initiating the Third Albern–Velbor War.
The conflict was fought primarily along established defensive lines. Albern forces later executed a strategic withdrawal, deliberately luring Velborian troops deep into dense forest terrain, where Albern employed guerrilla tactics, ambushes, and extensive trap networks. Anticipating these strategies, Velbor attempted large-scale bombing operations and scorched-earth tactics. However, the humid environment limited the effectiveness of fire, and the thick forest canopy reduced the impact of aerial bombardment.
After months of relentless fighting with minimal territorial or strategic gains on either side, both states agreed to a white peace, signed on 8 June 948. While hostilities formally ended, relations between Velbor and Albern remained deeply hostile and cautious in the years that followed.
By 960, amid fears of internal instability and the resurgence of political factions, the Velborian government imposed a nationwide ban on all political ideologies. This measure was justified as a means of preserving unity and preventing future conflict, but in practice it marked the beginning of a prolonged authoritarian period.
The state increasingly relied on restrictive domestic policies rather than meaningful governance or reform. Measures included curfews after 10 p.m., prohibitions on public gatherings, surveillance of civilian movement, and arbitrary enforcement of social controls. These restrictions intensified throughout the 960s and early 970s, further alienating the population.
Despite these laws, underground political movements continued to emerge, often enabled by bribery and official corruption. Economic and social development stagnated, while neighboring states advanced rapidly, creating a growing sense of vulnerability and national decline. Public frustration mounted as repeated petitions and demands for reform were ignored by the authorities.
Between 976 and 978, widespread protests, riots, and civil unrest erupted across Velbor. A major driving force behind this unrest was the Zwiazek Wolnych Obywateli (ZWO), a mass political movement advocating civil freedoms and governmental accountability.
On 7 July 978, the government launched a sweeping crackdown, arresting ZWO leadership and formally dissolving the organization. This action backfired catastrophically. What began as repression escalated into an armed standoff, followed by violent clashes in the capital. After four days of fighting, ZWO-aligned forces successfully seized the Wladarbor, the seat of executive power, and deposed the remaining officials of the old regime.
This event became known as the New July. And the establishment of the Second Ancestral Realm of Velbor.
With the establishment of the new regime and the promise of meaningful reform, public trust in state authority was gradually restored. In the years that followed, Velbor finally emerged from decades of stagnation and began a sustained period of political, economic, military and social development.
Decades after the fall of the First Regime, the nation continued its gradual development until tensions were once again reignited by Abern. Abernite forces began harassing settlements along the border, forcing numerous towns to evacuate as a result of what Velbor regarded as unjustified occupations. Intelligence reports further indicated that Abern intended to advance deeper into Velborian territory. Simultaneously, on the eastern frontier, Keldar initiated similar incursions, driven by long-standing rivalries between the two states.
Recognizing that continued inaction would allow further destabilization of its borders, Velbor formally declared war on both adversaries on 20 August 990, marking the beginning of what became known as the Border Security War of 990. With extensive military preparations already underway—including the deployment of incendiary weapons and aerial bombardment capabilities—Velborian forces launched coordinated counteroffensives. Within three weeks of the war's outbreak, Velbor successfully restored control over all previously lost territories. Although a faster advance was possible, the high command deliberately restrained its operations in order to minimize destruction within Velbor's own lands and to confine the use of heavy weaponry to enemy territory.
Upon entering Abernite territory, Velbor immediately implemented the Zaroles Poguba Plan, a large-scale scorched-earth operation intended to destroy all forested areas within a 30-kilometer radius along the border between the two states. However, the operation achieved only approximately thirty percent of its intended objectives, as the mist-resistant incendiary agents proved incapable of sustaining combustion in the dense and humid environment. Velborian forces then reverted to intensive bombing tactics, aiming to clear vegetation and terrain to facilitate troop movement. Despite these efforts, the extreme density of the forest, combined with persistent Abernite hit-and-run tactics, significantly impeded progress and disrupted multiple operational plans. Concluding that further advance was untenable, Velbor halted its offensive and established a defensive line approximately 15 kilometers inside Abernite territory.
On the eastern front, Velbor achieved greater initial success, pushing Keldaran forces entirely back into their own territory. Through aggressive advances supported by tactical bombing, several strategic locations in western Keldar were destroyed. On 8 December 990, Velbor launched Operation Tichy Pad, an ambitious campaign intended to conduct large-scale aerial bombardment across Keldar, accompanied by widespread use of incendiaries. The operation was exceptionally risky and costly. Although it achieved partial success, a significant number of aircraft and aerial platforms were lost during the mission. Nevertheless, the operation enabled Velborian forces to advance further into Keldaran territory before being brought to a halt.
By late December, both fronts had entered a state of prolonged stalemate, with no significant territorial changes or strategic breakthroughs for approximately three months. Over time, Velborian forces became increasingly strained by continuous engagements on both fronts. Severe attrition, compounded by a weak and overextended logistical system, resulted in critical supply shortages. Eventually, Velbor was forced to conduct a general withdrawal. The eastern front managed to hold briefly but ultimately suffered the same fate due to identical logistical and operational limitations.
In response, the state mobilized additional manpower and rushed reinforcements to both fronts in an attempt to prevent enemy forces from advancing into the mainland. By February 991, the situation had stabilized sufficiently to halt further enemy advances, though at immense cost to Velbor's military strength and morale.
On 4 March 991, the front's high commander, Borivoj Radogostin, was dismissed and replaced by Dragomer Slavoslawic. His appointment led to sweeping changes in frontline operations, which generated widespread confusion and disorder within the ranks. The already fragile defensive lines deteriorated rapidly and ultimately collapsed. Both fronts fell, allowing enemy forces to advance unchecked toward the mainland. A subsequent commander was appointed, but he failed to reverse the situation. Major cities—including Radosgard and Borislav in the west, and Velimor in the east—eventually fell into enemy hands.
Unable to sustain further resistance, Velbor accepted a peace settlement. Under the terms of the treaty, the state was required to pay substantial war reparations and formally relinquish all territories occupied by Keldar and Abern prior to the signing of the agreement.
Following the profound humiliation resulting from the war, the state entered a period of widespread civil unrest. Uprisings emerged from multiple political parties within the country, and combined with severe economic decline, they placed immense pressure on the government. In response, the regime intensified repression, employing violent measures against anyone who opposed state authority. Martial law was declared immediately, and even public executions became commonplace.
For approximately two months, a campaign of mass repression and executions took place, an event later referred to as "Kravavanoccrnydzen." During this period, thousands of prominent individuals were either executed or detained, and numerous protestors, as well as anyone perceived as being against the government, were beaten by state security forces. Deaths on the streets became tragically common, and many individuals and their families received direct threats to their lives.
Ultimately, on 19 July 991, recognizing the government as nothing more than a weakened and discredited authority, multiple parties united and called upon the people to rise against a common enemy. This marked the true beginning of the civil war, known as "Ljudska Razdora," which would become one of the most prolonged and painful conflicts in the history of Velbor.
The uprising spread rapidly across the entire state after a public call to resistance by Stanomir Vysogor was distributed through various media channels. Many participants initially lacked leadership and access to formal weaponry, relying instead on improvised arms. As a result, the first months of the uprising were difficult. However, over time, several fronts stabilized as the united parties agreed—despite deep mutual distrust—to engage in dialogue and cooperation.
The uprising forces quickly seized control of key strategic locations and pushed back government troops on multiple fronts. Although the government possessed more advanced weaponry and a more organized military structure, internal divisions weakened it. Numerous officials secretly provided assistance to the uprising and later openly defected.
The regime soon began to lose ground across nearly every front. On 5 January 992, the capital fell. The uprising forces captured the regime's leader, Bogumil Drevogost, and imprisoned him immediately. His fate remains unknown following his detention.
With the victory of the uprising forces and the collapse of the corrupt government, a new challenge emerged. Despite their shared struggle, the various factions could not reach an agreement on who should govern the state. Each group promoted its own vision of leadership, and negotiations continued for several weeks without resolution. Recognizing that consensus would not be achieved peacefully, many parties eventually separated and established their own administrations within their respective territories.
This development marked the beginning of the second phase of Ljudska Razdora, during which multiple factions turned against one another, continuing the conflict within the divided state.
The precise number of factions involved in the conflict remains disputed, as contemporary documents report differing and often contradictory figures. These groups included reformist, reactionary, radical, and nationalist movements, among others. However, most accounts agree that four major factions ultimately emerged as dominant powers. In the North was the United Velbor Command Authority ("the Front"); in the Northwest, the Transitional State of Velbor Dominion ("the Dominion"); in the central region, the Emergency Protectorate of Central Velbor ("the Central"); and in the East, the Velbor Restoration League State ("the League"). These four self-proclaimed states consolidated their authority by absorbing or eliminating smaller and weaker forces, and they subsequently engaged in continuous conflict across multiple fronts.
The first recorded engagement of this phase was the Battle of Solnikar on 16 April 992, fought between the Front and the Dominion following approximately three months of military standoff. This clash is widely recognized as marking the formal beginning of the second phase of the civil war. Throughout the remainder of 992, few large-scale or decisive battles occurred. The most significant was the Battle of Vodoprut Hills, fought from June until 20 November between the Dominion, where it was the defensive side, the Central, and the Front. The engagement ended in a successful defense for the Dominion, though it inflicted moderate losses on both the Front and the Dominion itself.
Meanwhile, the Battle of Zeravoplaz, fought between the Central and the League from July to 5 August, resulted in a decisive defeat for Central forces and allowed the League to gain a strategic advantage in the eastern theater. Acknowledging its inability to sustain further offensive operations, the Central spent the latter part of the year constructing a fortified defensive line along its border territories. Built from whatever materials were available, this barrier—later known as the Kamennostrag—enabled the Central to maintain its positions despite numerous subsequent engagements.
The so-called New Year March was a coordinated and sustained offensive launched by the Front from early January to mid-March 993. During this campaign, the Front succeeded in capturing Lipino Sadje and Hlubinasteg from the Dominion, as well as securing the Medovar River region from the Central. These strategic gains improved the Front's logistical capacity and recruitment potential. However, the operation also resulted in severe personnel and equipment losses, leaving the Front unable to conduct further major offensives for much of the year.
On 24 February 993, leadership of the League passed to Radogost Mirčević. Under his administration, the League adopted a markedly more aggressive operational doctrine, launching continuous offensive actions against both the Central State and the Dominion throughout the year. Mirčević's strategy did not seek decisive territorial breakthroughs; rather, it aimed at the systematic attrition of enemy manpower, logistics, and morale.
The most significant engagement of this period was the Cornogo Vojevodë Campaign (June–December 993). During this campaign, League forces conducted sustained assaults against four Dominion positions and two Central defensive sectors. Although the Dominion successfully held most of its positions, it incurred substantial casualties as a result of the League's new attritional tactics. Meanwhile, little of strategic significance occurred along the Central front, where the Central State maintained a comparatively robust and fortified defensive line. Throughout 993, both the Dominion and the Central State largely remained on the defensive.
Entering 994, the Dominion experienced severe internal political instability stemming from disputes over the head of state. The resulting leadership vacuum left the military disorganized and without unified command. This weakened condition contributed directly to two decisive defeats: the Battle of Bor Temny Forest against the League in September, and the Battle of Dolina Vranova Valley against the Front in October. These losses led to large portions of Dominion territory being occupied, and by the end of the year the Dominion was compelled to surrender.
Conditions within the Central State were only marginally better. Positioned between two major belligerents, it faced persistent, high-frequency assaults from both the League and the Front. The most intense confrontation was the Battle of Selo Dubravka (15 March–30 July 994), one of the largest engagements of the conflict in terms of scale and troop involvement. The village had been transformed into a major defensive stronghold, supported by an extensive underground tunnel network. Although the Central forces successfully repelled the initial League assault, they emerged severely depleted and exhausted. A renewed League offensive in October ultimately overran the position, leading to the loss of much of the Central State's western territory. With limited manpower and equipment remaining, the Central State collapsed in August after it became unable to withstand continued pressure from both fronts.
With the Central State and the Dominion defeated, the conflict entered its third phase, leaving only the Front and the League on the battlefield. The first half of this phase was characterized by a prolonged strategic stalemate, with numerous engagements but no decisive outcomes. This situation changed with a major confrontation, the battle of Lesoviku between May and 20 August 995. The Front had previously regarded the region as impassable due to harsh terrain and severe seasonal weather conditions, and therefore maintained only a minimal defensive presence. Despite these adverse conditions and heavy losses—many resulting from environmental exposure rather than direct combat—the League managed to advance through the area, marking a turning point in the broader conflict.
The battle allowed the League to advance deep into Front territory before being halted along the Lukave Mountain Range, a long and elevated defensive line. Both sides engaged in continuous fighting across the range until the front stabilized. The Battles of Velimira and Mokraviste, fought in March and June 996, ended in victories for the Front. Despite these setbacks, the League began to adjust its strategy. Following these engagements, neither side was able to continue major offensive operations for approximately two months.
From 6 August to 9 September, during the Duborad Operation, the League advanced further into enemy territory, creating an opportunity for a potential breakthrough in the future. However, its forces continued to face significant difficulties along the Lukave Range, where League positions weakened and the risk of a Front counteroffensive increased.
Another counteroffensive was launched by the Front shortly after Duborad, beginning in October along the mountain line and pushing League forces back approximately 30 kilometers. The Battle of Mirovedin — a strategic location that served as a potential gateway toward the Front's capital — became the second-largest and one of the most intense engagements of the war. Fought from late October 996 to January 997, the battle concluded with a decisive League victory and marked a major turning point in the conflict.
After a three-month period of recovery and reorganization, the League initiated Operation Zarobor at the beginning of April. This final and most comprehensive campaign of the war lasted four months of sustained offensive action, during which the League advanced steadily despite heavy losses. The operation culminated in the capture of the Front's capital and the subsequent collapse of the state. However, the war did not formally conclude until the remaining Front forces entrenched in the Lukave Range surrendered two months later, marking the official end of the conflict on 30 October 997.
The war concluded with the victory of the League and the establishment of the Third Ancestral Realm of Velbor. However, the conflict left the state devastated: vast regions were destroyed, social structures collapsed, widespread poverty took hold, and the population suffered deep psychological trauma. As a result, the newly-formed state entered an immediate period of crisis.
This crisis eventually led to the implementation of the Wielki Podział Dobrot (WPD) — a radical economic program that became the foundational economic doctrine of the realm. Its objective was to dismantle the former hierarchical economic order and replace it with a more communal, solidarity-based system. The policy also sought to introduce a new national currency designed to be stable and resilient.
Over the following decade, Velbor gradually recovered while simultaneously revitalizing its cultural traditions. The central authority grew increasingly strong and uncompromising, emphasizing national unity and the prevention of internal discord to avoid the possibility of another civil war. During this period, Velbor continuously strengthened its military capabilities, driven by a long-standing desire to avenge the destruction of the previous regime by its two neighboring states.
On 5 July 1022, the government reactivated a series of classified research initiatives relating to temporal sciences, seeking to manipulate the concept and flow of time itself. Progress was repeatedly delayed due to political instability, but research efforts ultimately focused on the development of a device capable of reverting objects to a prior physical state. Although theoretically achievable, the project demanded rare materials and significant financial resources.
In March 1048, Velbor came to the brink of war following misinformation regarding an alleged joint military assault planned by its neighbors, Abern and Keldar—a crisis later known as the 1048 Incident. Armed forces mobilized along the border for two weeks in a state of high alert before the intelligence was confirmed to be erroneous. Velbor was prepared for war, yet reluctant to initiate conflict.
Beginning in January 1060, the state implemented the Ognowa Dobaloba Rozdelba (ODR) policy, which mandated the distribution of various flammable liquids to households across the country. These substances were intended for both practical domestic use and civilian self-defense. The program also allowed the state to evaluate which compounds would be most effective for future military applications.
Throughout the 1050s to 1090s, Velbor continued to consolidate political authority, expand cultural cohesion, and stabilize its economy. However, hostility toward its historical adversaries intensified, fueled by ongoing border harassment and unresolved grievances. Diplomatic relations stagnated, and Velbor remained largely self-reliant, geographically isolated between hostile neighbors. Limited maritime trade persisted with the nations of the Marcona Archipelago to the south, though without significant development.
By the early 1100s, tensions escalated further over territories lost a century earlier. Motivated by a desire for retribution and national restoration, Velbor declared war on Abern and Keldar on 15 August 1105, initiating the conflict later known as the Returner's War. The primary objective was the reclamation of lost lands rather than the destruction of its adversaries. After decades of preparation, Velbor conducted rapid offensives on both fronts, recapturing most territories within two months before transitioning to a defensive stance and proposing a conditional peace settlement. Although initially rejected, the opposing states eventually accepted after six months, recognizing that prolonging the war would only weaken them further. Velbor successfully restored its territorial integrity and national prestige.
Following the war, Velbor emerged significantly strengthened, both socially and economically. Nonetheless, tensions persisted, and sporadic border clashes continued for decades.
From 1130 onward, Velbor achieved notable scientific breakthroughs in temporal research. Experiments demonstrated partial success in reversing the physical state of inanimate objects, including a test involving an apple that was partially restored to an earlier condition. Concurrent developments, assisted by the scholar Toutanglom, explored methods of extending human life expectancy and altering biological aging processes, with the long-term ambition of preserving perpetual youth. This era also witnessed a proliferation of new theories and technologies related to the perception and structure of time.
On 7 August 1146, Velbor proposed a peace agreement to Abern, seeking to end repeated border hostilities and stabilize relations. Negotiations remained tense and ultimately failed, worsening diplomatic conditions. Conflict re-escalated on 10 February 1149, when a collision—whether accidental or intentional—occurred between an Abern vessel and a Velbor patrol ship near Modra Voda Beach, in southwestern Velbor. A three-week confrontation followed before Abern withdrew its forces. Aside from the destruction of a single Velbor vessel, damage was minimal, and no formal explanation was provided by Abern's government.
In 1160, Velbor initiated human-subject experimentation with the objective of reversing biological aging. Most participants were prisoners. Numerous unrecorded fatalities occurred, likely resulting from technological failures or biological complications. Although a small number of experiments reportedly achieved temporary physical rejuvenation, subjects later died from systemic biological instability.
A subsequent project launched in 1167 investigated cryogenic containment, seeking to preserve human life for centuries within extremely low-temperature chambers. Several volunteers entered long-term suspension as part of the study. Shortly thereafter, further experimentation was conducted on infants in an attempt to induce permanent biological youthfulness. Most trials failed, with only limited developmental anomalies observed in early childhood.
On 22 April 1187, a major political scandal emerged involving the ruling head of state at the time, Velimir Čarnobor. The allegations were disclosed by a government insider and asserted that, since assuming power in 1161, Velimir had accepted and offered bribes to secure political influence, resulting in widespread institutional corruption. Additional accusations claimed that he engaged in inappropriate personal relationships and that a portion of the national treasury had been lost due to his involvement in gambling.
The revelations triggered immediate public outrage. Demonstrations and unrest spread rapidly across the state. Velimir attempted to address the crisis, but his statements failed to restore public confidence. Two days after the scandal became public, he was discovered deceased in his office. The circumstances surrounding his death gave rise to numerous theories — some suggesting that he had been unable to withstand the political pressure, while others suspected that his death was linked to efforts to prevent further disclosure of corruption networks.
Following his death, Svetobor Radevic was appointed as the new head of state. However, public distrust remained severe, and demands for comprehensive governmental reform intensified, as many citizens believed that corruption was systemic. On 4 May, only a week after Svetobor's appointment, the Kniežedvor — the administrative seat of the head of state — was set on fire during the night by rioters, resulting in approximately thirty fatalities. Although Svetobor survived, the incident further deepened the state's instability and the authorities were unable to regain control.
On 10 April, Svetobor was assassinated at his residence by Jarobor Lutomilović, a high-ranking government official, who subsequently declared himself the new head of state. Jarobor immediately initiated a sweeping purge targeting individuals alleged to have supported Velimir's rise to power or participated in corrupt activities. Nearly half of the administrative leadership was removed from office. Under Jarobor's authority, a new regime was established, framed around the restoration of order and the eradication of corrupt elements within government. Although some skepticism persisted, a majority of the population expressed cautious support as stability gradually returned and significant development projects were implemented across Velbor.
In 1212, Jarobor introduced the Wseboradna Promena Spolna (WPS) — a comprehensive socio-political program intended to transform society through strengthened community integration, improved quality of life, responsible development, and cultural renewal grounded in tradition, creativity, learning, and collective identity. A key and enduring component of the WPS was the creation of local community circles. These councils facilitated collective decision-making on local needs, projects, and long-term objectives, while rotating leadership among trusted members to maintain shared responsibility.
The councils also served crucial roles during periods of conflict or crisis, coordinating local responses and resilience efforts. The WPS further proposed strategic applications of emerging "time-based" technologies in military operations to enhance battlefield capabilities. Over subsequent decades, the policy framework was refined and gradually expanded.
Jarobor passed away on 1 November 1236 after a prolonged illness, marking a significant loss for both the government and broader Velbor society. His funeral lasted three days, during which Dobromira Radovića was formally appointed as his successor, pledging to continue his political vision.
In 1252, Velbor successfully developed a new experimental incendiary compound known as Ognivna Zivyca — a resin-like, highly durable flammable liquid reported to produce a steady, intense flame and remain stable across varied environmental conditions.
Between June and October 1266, a series of border conflicts occurred with neighboring Abern. Multiple skirmishes took place along the frontier, with the most notable engagements at Borgrad, Svetolug, and Wodzin, where both sides deployed more than one thousand troops supported by military vehicles and war machinery. As tensions escalated toward the possibility of full-scale war, Abernese forces withdrew following the unexpected death of their commanding leader, preventing further escalation.
On 7 July 1271, amid the rapid escalation of the First Great War of Eldervale, Velbor was formally declared a target of war by Keldar, despite Velbor's prior efforts to maintain neutrality in the conflict. In addition to its longstanding rivalry with Abern, Velbor and Keldar shared a deep-rooted historical hostility dating back centuries, which had re-emerged following the political separation of Keldar and Cathair Ghormfhain.
At the outset of the conflict, Velbor adopted a defensive posture, seeking to prevent further escalation. However, the scale of devastation caused by Keldar's operations eventually compelled Velbor to initiate offensive campaigns. Leveraging its technological advantage in incendiary weaponry, Velbor gradually forced Keldaran forces back along multiple fronts, earning a reputation for severe battlefield efficiency. This period also marked the first recorded use of experimental time-related devices in active combat, capable of temporarily immobilizing moving targets for limited durations.
The most notable engagement of the campaign was the Battle of Stenarset (19–30 August 1271), during which the city sustained near-total destruction, with surrounding settlements such as Vardaholm and Hjarlavik later suffering similar fates. Confronted with unsustainable losses and widespread devastation, the Keldaran government proposed peace negotiations. A treaty was subsequently signed in Velbor's capital, requiring Keldar to pay war reparations, though no territorial changes were imposed. The conflict reinforced perceptions of Velbor's technological superiority, particularly in the field of advanced weapon systems.
Peace, however, proved short-lived. On 8 November 1292, as the Second Great War of Eldervale intensified, Keldar — driven in part by resentment over its prior defeat — once again declared war on Velbor. One month later, Abern also entered the conflict, initiating what became known as the Second Border Security War of 1292. Anticipating a large-scale confrontation, Velbor had prepared in advance and launched two major operations at the outset of the war: Lesna Straza against Abern and Recna Gvezda against Keldar. Both campaigns employed highly aggressive tactics and incorporated the most advanced incendiary and time-freeze technologies available at the time.
The offensives continued until opposing forces introduced flame-resistant protective equipment, which slowed but did not halt Velbor's advance. Progress on the Abern front proved especially challenging due to dense forest terrain and the widespread use of defensive traps and ambush tactics, contributing to significant operational strain and a gradual reduction in Velborian momentum. One of the most prolonged engagements of this front was the Battle of Brithan Fortress (8–25 January 1293), which ended in a Velborian victory following the large-scale deployment of incendiary materials. Control of the fortress allowed Velbor to advance deeper into southern Abern, though Abernite strategy increasingly focused on attrition warfare, utilizing mobile engagements and extensive tunnel networks to erode Velbor's strength.
Meanwhile, the Keldar front weakened as Keldar was forced to divide its forces due to simultaneous conflict with Ventrois. This enabled Velbor to advance rapidly, and in May 1293 Keldar withdrew from the war, leaving Velbor to focus exclusively on Abern. For several months thereafter, the front stabilized with minimal territorial change, prompting Velbor to initiate Operation Nočna Luča in April 1293 — an aerial campaign employing airborne incendiary deployment. However, as Velbor advanced farther north, increasingly humid and marsh-laden terrain reduced the effectiveness of such weaponry.
A pattern of repeated capture-and-recapture emerged in key strategic locations — most notably Caltrenn, the Abernite capital — where engagements were recorded dozens of times. By late October, Velbor ceased major offensive actions and adopted a defensive stance, relying primarily on time-freeze technologies to preserve strategic advantage while minimizing further losses. The conflict concluded with the signing of the Pax of Seraphic on 5 July 1294, preventing the war from developing into a prolonged multi-decade confrontation. Velbor neither gained nor ceded territory, and many officials later criticized the conflict as costly and strategically inconclusive.
In the decades following the war, Velbor resumed stable development, placing renewed emphasis on cultural traditions, folklore, and scientific advancement. During the 1310s and 1320s, numerous experimental research breakthroughs were reported, including investigations into life-extension sciences and limited-scale biological rejuvenation processes.
Throughout 1313, Velbor engaged in diplomatic negotiations with the new governments of Abern and Keldar. Although agreements were reached, relations remained tense and historic mistrust persisted.
On 27 March 1332, an unidentified vessel unexpectedly drifted ashore at Breg Beach. The ship appeared centuries old and was found abandoned, with no surviving crew. Despite its deteriorated condition, a faded insignia bearing the emblem of Senas Tuath remained visible on the hull. When contacted, Senas Tuath authorities reported no historical records of such a vessel, and its serial markings were largely illegible, leaving its origin and purpose unresolved.
On 5 October 1356, Nehtania verc Dres was elected as the new head of state. Under her leadership, Velbor continued its trajectory of social, cultural, and technological development, guiding the nation forward until the onset of the Third Great War.
Ideology: Pamět̀ost Zanikně
In the political culture of Velbor, the doctrine of Paměťost Zanikně functions as the foundational ideology upon which the state's institutions and civic ethos are constructed. At its core lies the principle that an individual's existence is sustained only through remembrance; yet erasure from memory is not interpreted as failure, but rather as evidence that the world has continued its natural movement forward. Within this worldview, continuity without change is understood as a kind of stagnation, and disappearance is reframed not as an act of cruelty, but as an expression of order — a final gesture of dignity through relinquishment. The ideology places particular emphasis on Smirene (acceptance), Bezzadost (the absence of desire), and Pravost — an ethical commitment to acknowledging one's own insignificance without resentment or illusion.
This philosophical orientation is articulated through four principal pillars. The first, Slovo Bez Drzby ("the word without possession"), asserts that narratives endure only when they materially transform the world, otherwise they are allowed — and expected — to fade. The second, Cin Nad Jmenem ("the deed above the name"), elevates actions that persist independently of personal attribution, privileging collective continuity over individual recognition. The third pillar, Prijeti Zanikne ("acceptance of disappearance"), teaches that resistance to impermanence leads only to prolonged suffering. The final principle, Konec Bez Stopy ("an end without trace"), presents the ideal death as one that leaves no echo, no residue of personal legacy, and no claim upon the memories of others.
Politically, Paměťost Zanikně seeks to liberate citizens from the burden of legacy and from the compulsion to inscribe themselves into history. The state thus encourages action undertaken without expectation of remembrance, normalizes anonymity and vanishing as civic virtues, and cultivates a population prepared to accept insignificance as an ethical stance rather than a social failure. In the envisioned ideal order, there are no monuments to individuals, no personalized glorification within historical narratives, and no elevation of named achievement above anonymous labor. Death is framed not as a metaphysical transition, but as a quiet erasure — the final alignment of the self with the broader logic of impermanence. Within this framework, the highest form of praise is, paradoxically, to pass without remembrance at all.