Great Kus'
Known natively as the Trassiya kus', this recently-formed personal union is situated in the far north-east of the continent, bordering Morngard, the Divine Mandate of Kang, and the Chagoryn Khanate. It is often engaged in either internal or external conflicts.
Structure
The Great Kus' is a personal union of three constituent states:
- the Grand Duchy of Kaliyev,
- the Principality of Yarskovy, and
- the Kingdom of Dagetov.
Each state maintains its own administration as well as other traditional matters such as that of the nobility. However, the leader of the senior partner of the union, the Grand Duchess of Kaliyev, is held in high esteem by most of her subjects, excepting the open revolt against her accession in Dagetov. As such, the Grand Duchy has the ability to influence its junior subjects.
History
The groundwork for the Union of the Great Kus' was laid in 3689 AM, when the young Serene Prince Mikhail V of Yarskovy fell gravely ill. Being heirless, a constitutional crisis began, with some restless nobles speculating that the state would collapse entirely. In order to resolve the situation, the prince willed that the throne should default to his sister, Svetlana II of Kaliyev. This declaration caused much stir, as this would likely be seen as an affront by the Chagoryn, who border Yarskovy to the north. When Mikhail died, his pledge was honoured by his boyars, and they invited Svetlana to formally accept the Scepter of Countenance, the ruling Prince's badge of office. Thus, a short-lived realm known as Kaliyev-Yarskovy was formed. However, the boyars issued one demand: that the Grand Duchess prepare for war against the Chagoryn. Wishing to commence her reign successfully, she contracted the White Sentinel Grand Company, one of the Merandure family's condottieri companies, as well as sending an envoy to Ponvarus in order to renegotiate and unify the existing treaties between Frankonia, Kaliyev, and Yarskovy.
Within a month, armies from the Chagoryn began raiding the outer regions of Yarskovy, and the 27th Yarskoviyan-Chagoryn War had begun. With this conflict in mind, as well as that of the general uncertainty following a drastic change and unification of thrones, the Mandate of Kang moved to invade the Saktar region of the Kingdom of Dagetov, Kaliyev-Yarskovy's eastern neighbour. Realising the imminent danger posed by the Kang, Svetlana II managed to negotiate peace with the Chagoryn after six months of fighting, on the condition of bimonthly tribute paid to the Khanate. The unified forces of Kaliyev-Yarskovy then sent a letter of fraternity to King Ivan X of Dagetov, promising to intervene on his side, which they did. The Grand Duchess moved to break the siege of Makhattala, the capital of Dagetov, which the Kang were on the verge of capturing; upon seeing their allies, the defenders of Makhattala went out to meet the Kang on the field, led by the king himself. Whilst the heavenly army of the Kang was forced to retreat, Ivan X died during the battle, as did his entire family, who were slain in the royal palace by Kang infiltrators. This ultimate act of dishonour had the effect of uniting most of the Dagetovan high nobility in grief, who now saw the arrival of Svetlana as the only thing that saved their nation from occupation. With no clear heir-apparent, the remaining Dagetovan court offered to install the Grand Duchess of Kaliyev-Yarskovy as Queen of Dagetov, handing her the White Crown of Rurik. All was not well, however, as several pretenders rose up against her. Several years were spent destroying these claimants, and most of them were ultimately defeated.
Now the monarch of three nations, and victorious in war, Svetlana returned to Gardagrad, the capital of Kaliyev, and declared the Fraternal Union of the Great Lands of the Kus', which meant that she was now the singular ruler of these nations in name. Her titles are still separate: she rules as Grand Duchess Svetlana II in Kaliyev, Serene Princess Svetlana in Yarskovy, and Queen Svetlana in Dagetov.
Now the monarch of three nations, and victorious in war, Svetlana returned to Gardagrad, the capital of Kaliyev, and declared the Fraternal Union of the Great Lands of the Kus', which meant that she was now the singular ruler of these nations in name. Her titles are still separate: she rules as Grand Duchess Svetlana II in Kaliyev, Serene Princess Svetlana in Yarskovy, and Queen Svetlana in Dagetov.
No progress without hardship.
The ducal standard of Kaliyev, which functions as the interim flag of the Kus'.
Founding Date
3698 AM
Type
Political, Confederation
Capital
Alternative Names
Kaliyev, Yarskovy, Dagetov
Head of State
Government System
Monarchy, Absolute
Power Structure
Transnational government
Economic System
Market economy
Official Languages
