The Krystallic Empire

The Krystallic Empire
1212-1503
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Capital	Moslenin (1212-1268) Pravalsa (1268-1270) Ostrovgorod (1270-1378) Imperial City/Astoria (1378-1503)
Demonym(s)	Impirian
Preceded by Succeeded by Faction of Elkifjor Broughton Balintnic-Saegalia Ljilislovia United States of Germaeia Krystallum

The Krystallic Empire, was an Empire that reigned from 1212 to 1503. The Empire was the largest Empire to reign in the history of Bjorland. They had a massive trade empire and colonization system. They were founded in 1212 when Broughton, newly under the rule of Dominic Ostrovsky joined by Wimbourne fought and defeated the vast powerful Faction of Elkijfor. After Broughton's defeat of Elkifjor, Ostrovsky named the new territory the Krystallic Empire and himself as Emperor. The Empire began losing territory in 1349, but it wasn't until the late 1400s when they began losing large parts of the Empire, with Balintnic-Saegalia in 1481 and 1487 with Ljilislovia. The weakness of the Empire in the late years led to its collapse in 1503.

Government

Initial Governance (1212-1415)

Emperor Dominic Ostrovsky's decree, The Krystallic Empire Royal Ordinance, outlined the system of government for the Empire. It established Provinces as realms of control, with Governor-Generals in charge. These Governor-General's authority and control depended on who the Emperor was at the time. Ostrovsky believed these provincial leaders needed to be military officers and valued education to create officers for the military. These Governorships were given based on Emperor's favor. They were typically chief advisors or friends of the Emperor who had excelled in those roles enough to win them a spot as a provincial leader. Most Emperors values loyalty in their provincial leaders among anything else, so these positions were often mismanaged.

Emperors

Name	Reign	Years Served	Relation to Predecessor
1. Emperor Dominic Ostrovsky	1212-1268	56	None
2. Emperor Maurice Ostrovsky	1268-1292	24	Son
3. Emperor Anatoly Ostrovsky	1292-1297	5	Cousin
4. Empress Elise Ostrovsky	1297-1347	50	Daughter
5. Emperor Nathaniel Ostrov	1347-1377	30	Grandson
6. Emperor Zachariah Ostrov	1377-1387	10	Brother
7. Emperor Eric Ostrovia	1387-1389	2	Son
8. Emperor Zachariah Ostrovia	1389-1394	2	Father
9. Empress Katya Astoria	1394-1415	2	Daughter

Reign of Dominic Ostrovsky (1212-1268)

Emperor Dominic Ostrovsky was extremely authoritarian as a ruler. He created the first central banking system and a foreign policy of taking on debtor nations in exchange for influence in their nation. He had enemies and allies doing the Empire's bidding. Many believed the Empire would not last long, but the central government, foreign relations, and financial systems Dominic put in place changed that narrative. In the later years of his life he had relaxed and became a kinder ruler.

Reign of Maurice Ostrovsky (1268-1292)

Maurice had a similar fire in his belly as his father's younger years. He was a firm ruler against the colony of Migaza. Having no wife or kids, When he died he left the throne to his cousin, Anatoly. Maurice was a strategist above all. He weaponized the power of the crime sydnicates to do his bidding and govern the ungovernable. He was a tactician, a true manipulator. He ruled with fire but a steady and intentional hand.

Reign of Anatoly Ostrovsky (1292-1297)

Anatoly Ostrovsky was a more progressive leader than the previous two Krystallic Emperors. He allowed for more freedoms to the Migazan colony. Having not intended to ever hold the throne, he proclaimed his daughter would take over when she turned 26.

Reign of Elise Ostrovsky (1297-1347)

Elise led the most progressive reign in the Krystallic Empire's history. Her reign led to the spread of Jursanity in Glaskarn and somewhat peaceful relations with Migaza. She left the throne to her grandson Nathaniel. Despite being the most progressive, she was also responsible for one of the largest public executions in the Empire. The eastern part of her Empire disliked her progressive reign and the Governor-General began inciting a revolt. He energized many military and political leaders within his province. Elise learned of this information and had all the dissenters arrested in the night and brought to the capital. Most were publicly hanged and the high officials were beheaded. The Governor-General was the last to be beheaded. He taunted Elise, who was in attendance saying "A real man would have the courage to handle matters themselves" Elise responded "Ok", walked down to where the executioner was standing and grabbed his axe. The Governor-General said "Finally. In my dying breath, you have earned my respect" Elise responded, "To hell with your respect, traitor" And executed him.

Reign of Nathaniel Ostrov (1347-1377)

Nathaniel was a quiet and tame leader. He decreed no Emperor shall serve more than 30 years. He gave the throne to his younger brother, Zachariah.

Reign of Zachariah Ostrovia (1377-1387)

Zachariah was a strong ruler especially in terms of Migaza. He wrote a manifesto. He made changes that angered the Migazans who had been left be for quite some time. They coordinated the removal of Zachariah in favor of his son, Eric.

Reign of Eric Ostrovia (1387-1389)

Eric did not return Migaza to the way things were, and his apathetic nature led to worse conditions for the Empire. Seeing the downturn, Zachariah pleaded with his son to abdicate back to him. When Eric refused, Zachariah had his son assassinated.

Second Reign of Zachariah Ostrovia (1389-1394)

Zachariah's second reign was more peaceful but the internal politics of the Empire had grown fuzzy. Economic and political institutions began churning for change and various groups lobbied for the Emperor's ear more than ever. These competing forces would lead to the downfall of not only the Emperor's role itself, but the entire nation.

Reign of Katya Astoria (1394-1415)

Katya Astoria removed the reign length decree formally. She appointed an authoritarian to rule over Migaza and hoped Migaza would continue to supply more for their economy as they already had. Katya's actions with Migaza led to their economic revolt and eventual independendence. Katya's inexperience and disinterest for rule led to giving in to political forces that made her a puppet Empress. She abdicated the throne in 1415 after assisting with propping up the three-person consulate and restructuring the empire altogether.

Imperial Restructuring to the Consulate (1415-1503)

After the independence of the Migazan colony, a significant producer for the Empire's economy, Empress Katya Astoria abdicated from her role and assisted in the restructuring of rule over the Empire. A three-person Consulate was formed. Each Consulate governed a District of the Empire. There was the Western Semi-Autonomous District, the Capital Governing District, and the Eastern Semi-Autonomous District. A Chief Consulate ruled directly over the Capital Governing District, but the other two districts had a state-system where they gave out autonomy to state governors. In the Western District, there were the states of Germaeia, Balintnic, and Saegalia. In the Eastern District, there were the states of Dresdin, Lauvakia, Thradon, and Drauv. In the West, there was relative peace and cooperation between the states. In the East, it was much more difficult to maintain solid relations. The Capital Governing District controlled all finances for the Empire at-large and maintained the national military as well as conducting foreign affairs. Jules Matternacht was a special advisor to Katya. He was a family friend and grew up with her. He crafted the ultimate plan, but it was rumored the plan was originally crafted many years earlier by his father, Artemis Matternacht. The Matternacht family had been members of the royal court for most of the Empire's existence and were key investors for the Empire's financial institutions, state economy and state-owned businesses.

The goal of the Matternacht restructuring was to expand the power and control of the Empire away from one family and give the power to a group of wealthy elites that would cycle in and out.

The Consulate was presided over by the Chief Consulate, chosen by the other Consuls at the time of a power shift. The Chief Consulate then held the responsibility to replace Consuls as needed.

Western Semi-Autonomous District

The WAD was originally composed of the states of Germaeia, Balintnic, and Saegalia.

Balintnic-Saegalia became independent in 1481 and the Capital District ceded more land to the WSAD.

With the removal of Baltintnic and Saegalia, Germaeia became even more split into Kadvorland, Zallania, Schweinlan, Bromley and Cesterton.

Kadvorland had the roots of the Grjota, some speaking some Ormska but mostly Mirvan, Thoric Jursanity

Bromley spoke Ormska, Pesha, Gabrovan, and Ursha, Margath Jursanity

Cesterton speaking Ursha, Margath Jursanity

Zallania, Ormska, Thoric Jursanity

Schweinlan, Ormska, Margath Jursanity

The WAD's first Consul was Dmitrious Galesh, who came from a imperial lineage from the Lauvakian area in the east. The Galesh family became outcasts of the royal court of Astoria after Dmitrious' father was found to have stolen money from the family. He was hanged for his crimes. Galesh was close with the Matternacht family, who eventually puppeteered the transition from the Emperor system to the Consul system.

Galesh's management of the WSAD was abysmal. He had no ties to any of the cultural heritage of the states, which drove much of the internal politics in the state. His handling of the District's finances was awful. Matternacht as Chief Consul knew he was incompetent, but he had a vested interested in governing WAD closely and needed someone incompetent. Galesh's mismanagement of the WSAD led to an uprising in his district and a public execution. Matternacht installed Klaus Ringwald to take his place and to also be his replacement whenever he left the role of Chief Consul.

Afon was from Kadvorland, heavily influenced by Thoric Jursanity, harsh leader, educated and wealthy.

Collapse

In the 1480s, Elkton Society rose to represent the need for a unified Germaeian state, led by Zallania to represent the rural and decentralized political system. Fight the wealthy educated elite, fight for the purity of the Germaeian people.

The Disruptionist movement also broke out in Zallania, not aligned with the Elkton Society. They fought against Thoric and Margath Jursanity and hoped for something less institutionalized.

In 1481 the Balintnic-Mirvan became independent and in 1487 Ljilislovia became independent, leaving ESAD with only Pasovia under its rule.

Internal Strife in the Consulate

As Josef Gerhardt led the Empire through this unrest, he believed in more democratic ideals and strongly believed in transitioning the Consulate to being primarily influenced by the wealthy elite, to establishing a strong intelligentsia. He believed the wealthy class needed more accountability. He still strongly believed in centralization and tight control over power, but he wanted more idealists and politicians influencing policy rather than money. He was very against the Elkton Society's movement.

Albrekston took over the WSAD in 1484 and was in favor of the wealthy elite rule, he was uneducated and was concerned about Gerhardt's plan. He was not interested in the Disruptionist or Elkton Society agendas, he only wanted preservation of the Empire. He knew if the Empire collapsed, he'd lose his power. He did not have the political acumen to be a real political leader.

After Vogel's independence, Valduva became the Consul for ESAD.Valduva was as corrupt as they came, primarily concerned with self-preservation. He conducted shady backdoor deals with his secret advisors.

All the Consuls had a shared advisor, Edmund Reece. Reece was a former stableboy turned nobelman advisor. He had become a well-known political intellectual, and Gerhardt, while he disagreed with some of his work, was a peer to him, both students of political thought.

Reece was also very close to Valduva. A key tenet of Reecism is recognizing self-interest as the driver for political action. He believed Valduva was doing only what was natural. Reece recognized that Valduva prized advisors who operated in the shadows, their influence veiled in discretion. He positioned himself as a confidant, a whisperer of influence, offering Valduva a conduit through which he could exert control without drawing undue attention.

Reece demonstrated an ability to anticipate Valduva's desires and address his concerns before they even reached the consul's lips. He positioned himself as the man who understood the intricacies of power in the East, and with every piece of advice, he subtly reinforced the idea that Valduva's interests were best served by having him as a close ally.

Furthermore, Reece skillfully uncovered and exploited Valduva's vulnerabilities, ensuring that his own ascent to power aligned seamlessly with Valduva's agenda. By subtly feeding Valduva's ego and leveraging his fears, Reece solidified his position as an indispensable advisor, positioning himself to be the perfect instrument for Valduva's schemes.

Reece also knew that the true power in the Empire, the true thread to be pulled was in the WSAD. He, like Gerhardt, knew Albrekston was a weak leader. Albrekston held a fervent dedication to the unity of the Germaeic state. His vision was one of a cohesive and harmonious realm, and he sought advisors who could contribute to this grand vision.Reece recognized that Albrekston valued advisors who could offer insights into governance on a broader scale. He positioned himself as the architect of unity, presenting a vision that aligned seamlessly with Albrekston's own aspirations. He articulated a philosophy that emphasized the strength of a united Germaeic state, where the interests of the people and the government were inextricably linked.

In the end, Reece became the linchpin that brought together Valduva and Albrekston.

Gerhardt attempted to use Reece and oust Valduva as a Consul. Instead, Albrekston and Valduva ousted Gerhardt, replacing him with Reece.

Chief Consul Edmund Reece

Reece knew the Empire was dwindling and wanted to ensure his self-interest was remained intact. He recognized the need for strong nation states if the Empire were to fall and he knew both Valduva and Albrekston would not be key to that. He needed allies on his western and eastern flank who had leaders, not just plutocrats.

Reece had assessed the issues in Germaeia for some time. They had the Elkton Society based on Zallania, fighting for a unified Germaeic state, but heavily reliant on the grassroots, rural and decentralized politics of Zallania.

They also had a religious clash between Thoric, Margath and Disruptionist Jursanity. The Disruptionists were also rooted in Zallania, with the Margath dominating Schweinlan and Thoric dominating the area that would become Kadvorland.

Reece needed this to the Geraemic nationalist movement to be unified, not based on class, but on ethnicity and the qualities of being Germaeic as a whole. Supporting the Elkton Society would alienate both the Kadvorland and Schweinlan political causes, so he needed a way to curry favor with them.

Reece's plan was to squash out Disruptionism.

His plan was to elicit the Elkton Society's Germaeic nationalist combined

He removed Albrekston in 1501, and replaced him with Germaeian independence advocate, Albert Seidel. By 1503, they had dismantled the Empire, and divided the spoils between them.

List of all Consuls

Image	Consul	Term of office Duration		Jurisdiction
	Dmitrious Galesh	1415	1421	First Consul of the Western Semi-Autonomous District
		6 years
	Jules Matternacht	1415	1433	First Chief Consul and Consul of the Capital Governing District
		18 years
	Paul Coivalois	1415	1439	First Consul of the Eastern Semi-Autonomous District
		24 years
	Klaus Ringwald	1421 1433	1433 1476	Second Consul of the Western Semi-Autonomous District Second Chief Consul and Consul of the Capital Governing District
		12 years 44 years (56 total)
	Espen Eckstein	1433	1460	Third Consul of the Western Semi-Autonomous District
		12 years
	Richard Malwod	1439	1445	Second Consul of the Eastern Semi-Autonomous District
		6 years
	Norup Vogel	1445	1487	Third Consul of the Eastern Semi-Autonomous District
		43 years
	Kostadon Afon	1460	1484	Fourth Consul of the Western Semi-Autonomous District
		24 years
	Josef Gerhardt	1476	1500	Third Chief Consul and Consul of the Capital Government District
		24 years
	Esmund Valduva	1487	1503	Fourth Consul of the Eastern Semi-Autonomous District
		16 years
	Lammert Albrekston	1484	1501	Fifth Consul of the Western Semi-Autonomous District
		7 years
	Edmund Reece	1500	1503	Fourth Chief Consul and Consul of the Capital Government District
		3 years
	Albert Seidel	1501	1503	Sixth Consul of the Western Semi-Autonomous District
		3 years