Aristocratic Republic of Rueken
Lords of the Gulf
Every step we take is for the restoration of our country, yet for centuries we've been stumbling backwards. Our coffers may be filled, our people prosperous, but all that we have lost still haunts us.
Politics
Ever since the downfall of the old kingdom that preceeded the Aristocratic Republic, the politics of Rueken have been dominated by the dukes and counts who serve under the chancellor of the realm, vying for power and influence. Because of this, one may be led to believe that the country is incredibly unstable, with countless dynasties waging wars and plotting their way to the top. The reality, however, is not quite as bleak. Although plenty of plotting still occurs along with the occasional war between the chancellor's vassals, the abolishment of the republic and the reestablishing of a kingdom would be impossible without the support of an overwhelming majority of the other vassals. Since a hereditary monarchy would go against everyone except for the new monarch's interests, few, if any, would support such a radical move. The wars that are waged between the various vassals are usually brief and fought with limited, highly trained and well-equipped, forces.Direct Vassals
There are twelve dukes and nineteen counts in Rueken who are direct vassals of the chancellor. When the old one dies and a new chancellor replaces them, all vassals have to swear fealty during the grand coronation ceremony that takes place in Eekberge. Each direct vassal of the chancellor has their vassals under them and full control over their own holdings. The state isn't allowed to interfere with local regional politics or to forcefully raise the serfs there to serve in a Ruekish army. Doing so would be a violation of the vassal's rights.
The chancellor can, however, force a vassal to raise their levy to fight for the country’s interests, but in that scenario, the vassal would still have control over their own forces. Dishonouring a call to war from the chancellor would be a violation of the oath that the vassal swore to their liege.
Such violations can be punished with imprisonment, a hefty fine, additional taxes, or whatever else the chancellor deems fitting. Often, the severity of the punishment will depend on the importance of the war. If the country and its people are at risk of losing land, then refusing the call to arms could even end with execution or it’s possible that the chancellor will go as far as to revoking the offender’s land.
Usually any offensive wars that the various chancellors of Rueken have started have all been as the duke or count of whatever holdings they own, not as the representative of the republic as a whole, and therefore they lack the right to call their fellow vassals to war without having established official military alliances through either negotiation or marriage beforehand. While such offensive wars are limited in scale and not as threatening as the whole might of Rueken, they do keep the nobility of the land satisfied as they are hesitant to march their men to war for a chancellor’s personal ambitions.
List of Vassals
| Administrative Division | Ruler | Population | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nordhei | Kilas ven Leiberge-Kattel | 214,690 | Duchy |
| Valleren | 182,478 | Duchy | |
| Eekland | 156,460 | Duchy | |
| Pessen | Gyczel Aue | 148,974 | County |
| Vestolster | 126,654 | Duchy | |
| Südhei | 108,248 | Duchy | |
| Holssen | 99,646 | Duchy | |
| Lepek | 94,566 | County | |
| Kethei | 93,238 | Duchy | |
| Laurik | 91,798 | County | |
| Ivoten | 83,434 | Duchy | |
| Nordgof | 75,928 | County | |
| Volorhei | 69,026 | Duchy | |
| Wegeren | 66,724 | County | |
| Guenteressen | 65,840 | Duchy | |
| Osol | 62,422 | County | |
| Horter | 62,230 | Duchy | |
| Mier | 62,028 | County | |
| Sitter | 55,220 | County | |
| Seer | 52,920 | County | |
| Pikenmessen | 50,620 | County | |
| Estgof | 46,018 | County | |
| Kentrall | 42,830 | Duchy | |
| Tosall | 39,722 | County | |
| Dipper | 36,814 | County | |
| Fasanen | 32,212 | County | |
| Ünland | 31,574 | County | |
| Bokke | 29,910 | County | |
| Mitter | 28,672 | County | |
| Vestset | 28,404 | County | |
| Estset | 24,003 | County |
Chancellor
The Aristocratic Republic of Rueken is both led and represented by a chancellor. Chancellors are elected by the Edelter, a council of nobles, and they reign for life. It is the chancellor's duty to give people positions in the Edelter and only they have the power to call the council together to vote on important decisions such as law enactments.Council of Nobles
A councillor is a lord or lady personally selected by a chancellor to serve in the Edelter for life. Usually only those who are loyal to the chancellor are assigned as councillors, ensuring that the leader's proposals get passed through the Edelter. Councillors are seldom chosen based on merit, but it has happened in the past on several occasions.Military
Rueken's government relies heavily on its feudal vassals for military assistance. The chancellor may have their own retinues from their territories, but those soldiers are loyal to them and their family, not the state itself. What stands in the way of absolute power, should a chancellor seek to assert it, is the modest Eekberge garrison and the other lords of the realm who would no-doubt assist them in defence of the aristocratic republic. The soldiers in the garrison come from all corners of the country. Their salaries are good, their arms and armour the best that could possibly hope to get, and their discipline bar to none.Naval Might
Despite their somewhat poor military cohesion, political squabbles, and the long cycle of degradation that the Ruekish have found themselves in, the one thing that they still excel at is naval dominance. Even the great powers, such as Alinhas and the Empire of Pallernen, have an exceedingly difficult time competing with the Aristocratic Republic and their merchants. Such dominance over the Gulf has given Rueken a greater level of influence that they could have otherwise hoped to achieve, allowing them to avoid falling under foreign influence.Demographics
For centuries the Ruekish were a primarly Hillenist society as they had adopted the faith soon after the the Ascension of Hillen. The situation has, however, changed ratically with the emergence of Tīr Baglām's beliefs. In the year 1487 AA the nobles of Rueken converted to Baglāmēq Hūril, a heresy of their old faith. The decision was primarily made to appease and improve realtion with the powerful Federal State of Alinhas, but while the nobles were easily swayed, much of the peasantry remained true to Hillen.Religious Unrest
The road towards peace and prosperity with their northern neighbours did not come without its fair share of troubles. Although eighty years have passed, a significant minority of people still practise the old ways, refusing to adopt the new state religion. The religious tensions have divided families, caused violence in once peaceful villages, and damaged society as a whole. Several Hillenists have even been accused of spying for the Peasants’ Republic of Aussel, a Ruekish country that broke off from the rest of Rueken and retained their old faith. The south-eastern parts of the country and the city of Pesberge have been most fervent in their devotion to Hillenism. In other parts of the realm, they are less organised, scattered throughout the countryside. Thousands have fled the country over the decades, fearing that the Edelter will take a stronger stance against those who refuse to follow the faith. Most of the Hillenists have fled either to Aussel or south, towards Pallernen. A few of those who’ve refused to flee have expressed their desire to either fight against the government or to ask for the Ausselians’ help.
Type
Geopolitical, Republic
Capital
Alternative Names
Ruekenland, Rueken
Demonym
Ruekish
Government System
Oligarchy
Power Structure
Feudal state
Economic System
Mixed economy
Legislative Body
Edelter
Official State Religion
Official Languages
Neighboring Nations
Related Ethnicities
Military
Eekberge Garrison
| General | Manpower | Units |
|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
| Name | Type | Tier |
|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
Council of Nobles
Edelter
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