Vekaiyu

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Vekaiyu
There is beauty in decay.
Population (including colonies):	431 M (2006 est.)
Official Language(s):	Unonian, English
Capital:	Eldura
Prime Minister:	Selvala McEva
Government:	Market Socialism
Currency:	Veskono (V)
Tech Level:	Nanotechnology, fusion, space
Nation Codes:	ISO: VEKU. TLD: .vek

A nation peppered with a past full of blood and turmoil, Vekaiyu remains one of the most important nations in The East Pacific realm. This relatively large nation boasts luscious green terrain dotted with forests throughout and mountainous regions to the extreme west, peeking high above the clouds. The nation benefits from favorable rain patterns, making it an ideal place for vegetation to grow. However, rivers are typically swollen during the summer months, making the prospect of large cities forming near water a difficult task, though past innovations and various dam projects over the centuries have made this an increasing possibility.

Currently at peace, its people enjoy a government which caters to their needs via many socialist programs set up with echoes of the past generations, despite the new tasks of recreating a whole new system. While the majority of people live in cities, those living in the countryside enjoy a better quality of life. Rapid industrialization caused a severe swing in population shifts and, consequently, pollution problem exists in urban areas. However, the nation continues to march forward despite its bloody past, and is currently embarking on the dawn of new discoveries and triumphs.

Vekaiyu is a nation that is heavily populated with vulpine people, a race that is scattered around the realm, but seems to be most concentrated in Vekaiyu and neighboring Listonia, which historically used to be Vekaiyun lands.

[edit] Climate / Demographics

Vekaiyu (pictured with Listonia) to the left of the black line

Vekaiyu is politically bordered by Listonia and Coocoostan to the east, Packilvania to the south, and Allegheny and Bai Lung to the west. The nation enjoys a northern border with the Gulf of Itur. It is a relatively large-sized nation in the realm of The East Pacific.

The nation enjoys a temperate climate which is controlled in part by moisture taken up from the Gulf of Itur and the Ta'lavero Mountains, which winds around most of Vekaiyu's western border. Currents in the sea and wind cause cloud movement to propagate from west to east. Consequently, growing seasons are determined by the varying amounts of rainfall, which can exceed 50 in/year in some locations. . Average rainfall falls near 35 in/year, however, rainfall is much more prevalent in The Levenasi, a densely-forested region to the extreme south of the nation.

Growing seasons tend to last for seven months - from April to October - in which the average temperature hovers around 75 deg F in the Summer months and 58 deg F in the Fall and Spring months. Winters in Vekaiyu are generally heavier near the Ta'laveros, though average snowfall overall tends to be about 14 in/year.

[edit] Economy & Industry

Serene landscape in Vekaiyu.

Vekaiyu enjoys a strong economy rooted in technology, farming, and manufacturing. The nation itself is fairly balanced due to necessity of being moderately self-sufficient throughout its history. Among the more prominent industries are polymer-based synthesis and manufacturing, with Vekaiyun plastics and elastomers having a high reputation of quality across the realm. Vekaiyuns also pride themselves with their chemical knowledge, and consequently their manufacturing of various materials remains among the most sought-after in the realm. Forged materials in Vekaiyu are Agriculture and livestock tends to be in and around the heart of the nation, with a large fishing industry on the coast. Oil in the extreme southeast of the nation is drilled and marketed extensively, though Vekaiyu's large industrial base cannot survive on the oil it drills alone. Mining remains as an important industry in the nation, especially iron ore.

Vekaiyu expels a lot of funding to research and furthering technology. Nanotechnology has been obtained, and novel devices have been created to reflect this. Containable fusion has allowed for the advancement of cleaner fusion powerplants, which have slowly been replacing the nuclear equivalent. The government has been known to award scientists who achieve technological breakthroughs, and competition in the field of sciences is a highly competitive one.

The tax rate in Vekaiyu is comparable with those in other nations, though tax brackets force those who earn more money to pay heftier tax sums. The Veskono is the nation's currency, with Ivu making up one one hundredth of the Veskono. Inflation is low, as the nation has made a recovery from a depression stemming from the political shift to socialism.

[edit] Government

The government is currently run by one person - Selvala McEva - and a system of organized judiciary systems implemented by Max Venavle. A congress is still under negotiation, and a new constitution awaits the members of the legislature once they convene. No political parties exist, however, the majority of the nation accepts the practices of socialism. The Maxists, those who enjoyed the freedom of capitalism and cutthroat consumerism, are dwindling in numbers due to the recent success of the new government, though there is suspicion in the nation that there may be more Maxists than once previously thought.

The current law process involves a checks and balances system between the executive and judiciary branches. One department will propose a bill and hand it over to the other department. If the bill is accepted by the other department, the bill passes. It has been noted that certain frivolous and often dangerous laws have been passed through this method, though the emergence of a legislation should shed most of these laws, if not all. Nevertheless, the lack of a fully functioning constitution has not hampered the nation too much, though recently the need for a document of written rules is needed more and more each day, as corruption is highly suspected on all levels of government.

[edit] Selvala McEva

Selvala fighting a space campaign in a typical female officer's uniform.

Selvala McEva was a young commodore in Max's army in 2002. A simple vixen, she grew up in the bowels of a decrepit orphanage until she was thirteen, when she was forced to enlist into the armed forces for a more promising future. Her maturity and wit on the battlefield propelled her to the rank of commodore three years later. It was also rumored her promotions were partly due to Max's affection with her. She did not share his advances, despite being promoted once more to that of Ler Commodore. One night, after a banquet celebrating the arrival of the spring season, it is said that Max attempted to overpower her in his quarters, but she repelled. Angered, he slapped her, to which she removed a long hairpin from her hair and stabbed him with it. When Max's butler arrived later, he found the young vixen had cut his head clean off with a pair of dull shears and stabbed his eyes out. With her arms soaked in blood, she raised the bloody head and said, "Blood does not drain from this head anymore."

She stood trial for her acts, but the jurors were all poisoned, leading some to suspect it was her own doing. Others suspected it was another one of Max's enemies, which later became the accepted belief. Still, a mistrial was declared and, with the notion of Max and his reign of terror over, she was officially pardoned for her assault by the presiding Bishop of Eldura. Despite the promise of allowing elections to take effect within the nation, she has remained at the head of state since the death of Max. Her presence is welcomed, however, as she recalled troops from abroad and ceased all territorial expansion, even scheduling some territories to be returned to the occupied people within the colony. She also handled the inevitable depression gracefully and created tens of thousands of new jobs and government sponsored programs to keep citizens working. She is also an advocate for the advancement of Vekaiyun technology.

A devout socialist, she restored some of the policies implemented prior to Max's rise to power, but altered others. As one foreign diplomat described it, her idea of government is "socialism with loose walls and a few doors." Criticism lies in her apparent specist attitude and her reluctance to establish a legislative body. Her temper and grip on governmental control has led many to speculate she is a Maxist in disguise.

[edit] Armed Forces

Vekaiyu's armed forces are known to be quite formidable in The East Pacific realm. Among their strongest aspects are tanks, which have been known to cause major difficulties for foreign opposition over the recent decades. The TU-104 Sulessi Class Tank and TU-128 Buresk Class Tank are among the most well-known tanks in the Vekaiyun arsenal, and have gained a reputation of being tough and destructive. Rumors of the VL-100 Light Tank is cause for concern. Vekaiyu invests heavily in mobile SAM sites, and is also known to keep some nuclear and biological warheads mobile, which some nations have dubbed "nukes on wheels".

Vekaiyu enjoys an adequate navy that has its strength resting in its various submarine classes. Little is spent on massive battleships or aircraft carriers, and most surface ships are at least 10-20 years of age or more. Submarines are, of course, more up to date and consequently have more technological advances. It is known that Vekaiyun submarines often sail in "packs" of 5-9 abreast, employing tactics that allow for quick maneuvers.

Aircraft is a strong suit of the Vekaiyun armed forces. The nation still employs bombers, but their strength appears to be in the fighter aircraft employed by the nation.

[edit] People

[edit] Ethnicity

The vulpine sentient race dominates Vekaiyu. Historically, this is nothing new, as Vekaiyu regards itself as the vulpine nation and the protector of "lesser" species, that is, those who have minority numbers. While not as furry as the animal counterpart, vulpines do differ in fur markings, with red and white being the most popular colors. Their bodies consist of a larger brain capable of more precise and faster execution along with a higher mental capacity. Senses are generally stronger than most species. Agility is their strongest physical trait, but speed and their ability to swim are also strong. Furthermore, the race is regarded as "thin", as their bodies lack a subcutaneous layer common among humans and humanoid species.

It should be noted that, while the vulpine population generally remains bounded by the borders of the nation, there are pockets of vulpine sentient species living in the neighboring countries. This is due to the ethnic cleansings the nation endured in the early part of the first millennium, where whole cities would uproot themselves and live wherever the land was best, essentially becoming the region's most populous gypsies. These gypsies, which are not included in any written census for any surrounding nation, are varied in tastes, beliefs, and lifestyles.

[edit] Religion

Cathedral of Holy Ambition, Eldura.

Vayan Catholicism has many similarities to Roman Catholicism, but differs in rules and approach. This is due to the fact that Vayan Catholicism has four more books "added" to their sacred texts approximately one century after the death of St. Aiya, including two letters written by her and one story written by Kabuu. The debate of their canonization into holy scriptures caused a schism between the Roman Catholic Church, which was skeptical of including the new Catholics in largely due to the stories of St. Aiya and various other differences. After the schism, Vayan Catholicism moved father away from the Roman counterpart, establishing a different mass procedure, prayers, even different saints canonized and rejecting certain Roman Catholic Saints.

Recently, carbon dating was allowed by the church to be used on the last remaining page from the Bible bestowed to St. Aiya on the night of the presentation. Tests came back varied - many results dated the page to be from the fourth century AD, but the ink-stained pages seem to date much later. This could be the belief that over time, monks were used to maintain the integrity of the text, but it is unclear as to how often this was done if at all.

Other ethnic groups are free to reside in Vekaiyu, though it is understood a small bit of racism exists among vulpines and humanoid species. Despite this, many humans prefer this nation over others due to its hotbed for scientific discoveries and regional security.

[edit] Education

The education system is one of the most organized in the entire realm. Typical citizens will attend grade school year-round for ten years, then go to college anywhere from two to nine years depending on the major and the dedication from the student. Various technological achievements have originated from Vekaiyu, which seems undimmed by the governmental change and depression endured by its people. Though sources are uncertain as to what realm of study is awarded the most funding, many observers believe military technology has been sliced numerous times by budget cuts.

Education is one of the few areas citizens are free to choose what they make of it. Students may select any profession they desire, though art and sciences are glamorized often. Honor is highly important in Vekaiyun society, and the amount and choice of education heavily weigh in on honor. Eldura University remains a very popular school to attend, and in any given year tens of thousands of applications can be expected from foreign students alone.

[edit] Media

The media in Vekaiyu is controlled entirely by the state. A separate committee determines which shows will air and which shows will not. The church further filters what airs across Vekaiyu, but typically the church is very liberal on their stance. Currently, Bigtopains Say the Darndest Things is the most popular show on TV, while music is typically unrestricted, though rap is abolished. Most citizens enjoy horror films and an occasional comedy, and their art is regarded as dark and gothic in appearance. Most anti-government, Maxist politics, and communist propaganda is outlawed from the waves.

[edit] History

The people of Vekaiyu are very nationalistic, especially when it comes to history. Below is a short synopsis.

[edit] Early Beginnings

Early Vekaiyun light infantry, circa 1st century AD.

Documentation of vulpine tribes date back to as early as twenty-five thousand years ago, with the first permanent settlements, constructed of limestone and brick, believed to be as old as seven thousand years, complete with intricate class systems and religion. It is around this time that city-states within the region began to war against each other, with power turning hands again and again over the next few centuries. It wasn't until Behsariv, the king of the city-state of Kel, began to unite the other cities around his, but not by benevolence and justice. Instead he raised a great army, bought other kings' armies with his expendable resources, killed the enemy kings (typically in crude fashion), and annexed their territories. He is also known for abolishing slavery in his region, oddly enough. Many vulpine men and women from other regions were attracted to the prospect of working for benefit rather than survival. At the end of his reign, the state, renamed Kelsaria, was the dominant force among the other tribes. The golden age of Kelsaria was in full-swing by the time of the third son's reign. Unparalleled art and technology inundated the region, much to the dismay of the struggling other city-states in the region.

Civil wars, brought on by other city-states allying together and a series of weak kings in Kelsaria, eventually led to its demise roughly one thousand years later. The capital, Kel, was razed to the ground, the governor buried alive under the bodies of his people, left as an example to other cities within Kelsaria. With the collapse of the strongest empire in the region, neighboring societies made quick work of squabbling city-states, but would eventually lose control of them due to other wars. The next four thousand years saw various city-states come to power, flourish, then collapse once strong rulers died and their system's cracked, exposing weaknesses exploited by their enemies.

In 565 BC, three powerful city-states, Vesaria, Ivu, and Lesa, formed a loose personal union with each other. A state was established in 487 BC once the city-state of Yurik was swallowed by the three. The new nation's name became Vekaiyu, with the capital located in Ivu, the most central city-state in the region. By AD 186, every single vulpine city-state was swallowed into the large empire, now large enough to subdue its neighbors and subsist, securing its borders with treaties and trade.

[edit] The Time of Troubles

"Maxist" poster depicting St. Aiya's refusal to prostitution.

In AD 255 , the presiding king, Renuli V, single-handedly destroyed the nation Vekaiyu. Powered off by a much more powerful neighbor, Nugala (now present-day Dveria), he accepted the title of High Lord in return for the Vekaiyun lands. This was a move that only benefited him and his family, as many vulpine men and woman died as a result of a series of ethnic cleansings in the region. Eventually, Renuli was killed in his sleep and his family was drowned in the Camuri River. Over the next one hundred years, roughly one half of the original Vekaiyun population would be killed.

Todd McCloud, portrayed by the Artist Kusari, c.1867

It is during this time that very important Vekaiyun figures began to emerge in the occupied nation. St. Aiya brought Christianity to Vekaiyu, though texts and beliefs indicate she was merely an intercessory, working miracles through acts of The Almighty. She continued to spread the religion until her death in AD 315. Nevertheless, the religion spread well in the vulpine homeworld, and became a symbol of hope for the people there, though heresies did erupt from time to time. Unonian morphed into a new look, and the people clung to their culture. For over three hundred years, the people of Vekaiyu endured difficult and tumultuous times in order to maintain survival.

Vekaiyu finally achieved independence when a charismatic leader emerged from humble backgrounds. Todd McCloud organized and strengthened the vulpine faithful, employing unusual but effective tactics as they grew from bands of guerrilla warefare to a full-fledged army. This army would eventually meet that of the Nugalan king's. This led to one of the most important and well-known battles of the middle ages, The Battle of All-Souls, in AD 585. Despite the vulpine army being inferior in in numbers, supplies, cavalry, and armor, they were able to defeat the Nugalan might. Historians attribute this to McCloud's selection in the terrain prior to the battle, as a small clearing caused the much larger army to bottleneck. When they attempted to retreat, a powerful rain storm made the terrain very muddy and, since they fought in a depressed stretch of land, the retreating army became trapped and were slaughtered. A final battled, Reignier's Wall, ensured the independence of the Vekaiyun nation, though Todd McCloud had been captured and slain in the process.

[edit] The Era of Good Feelings

The nation Vekaiyu quickly grew in peace and prospered well as a strong country well into the next millennium. This time period, known as The Era of Good Feelings was characterized by an explosion of talent in the arts and sciences. It is during this period that the basis of modern Vekaiyun culture was formed. Paper was invented in 610. The first printing press was invented almost forty years later. Eldura University was founded in AD 645, making it the oldest school in the region. With re-acquiring a corridor to the sea after the skirmishes with the Nugala ceased, and later creating a complete border with the coastline, shipbuilding became a hobby and navigators and explorers were a hot commodity. The Vayan Catholic faith was forged from a schism with the Roman Catholic church in AD 600, giving the nation its ability to canonize non-human saints and a religious hub for "lesser" species.

Vekaiyu expanded slowly, but their goal was not necessarily territorial gains. Instead, it was the preservation and protection of both their race and the advances in their culture. Throughout the next one thousand years, the nation saw many battles, however, few of them were on Vekaiyun soil due to the defensive arraignment of the nation. Favorable terrain of forests, coastline, rivers, and mountains (which created its western border) kept the nation safe, and stone citadels placed at important junctions made for an easy defense. Hence, Vekaiyu became an important center of commerce, namely the cities Eldura and Provinsk, which saw rapid expansion in this era. Even so, near the first millennium, AD, Vekaiyun cities began to form trading leagues to enhance competition within the region.

Armies were routinely hired by other nations who knew well of the advantages of vulpine men on the battlefield: their unparalleled speed, fearful presence, and great ability to counterattack. According to the foreign poet Dimisius, their presence at the Battle of Democ caused "great fear, as if the gates of hell had opened up in a chorus of shrieks and screams. The fire people rained onto the battlefield faster than oil alight on a field of dry grass, squeezed the Darians into the mouth of the snake-like cave, and did not wait for the jaws to clamp shut. They pressed further until every single man died in the belly of the serpent. No mercy was to be had that day, and the masked demons rode onwards to prepare for their reward, be it monetary, territory, or to torch the lands if they felt mistreated."

It is generally accepted that The Era of Good Feelings ended some time in the 14th century, when tensions within the nation reached uncomfortable limits.

[edit] Imperialism and Socialism

At the dawn of the fifteenth century, Vekaiyu had stabilized its borders via various land obstructions and outpost towers. Their efficient defense system was nearly impossible to penetrate. While the nation was secure from invaders, it was far from safe. Remnants from city-state skirmishes began to rise once more, and cities within the nation began forming their own personal armies as rumors of wars grew.

Vekaiyu expanding. 1400 (red), 1437 (red and green), 1448 (red, green, and yellow), 1478 (red and green).

When all seemed lost politically, a new king was elected to the throne in 1419. Kaslo I quickly dealt with the unrest of the cities by absorbing the armies of over half the towns and forcing the others, which admittedly had much less manpower and training than the city armies which accepted the new king, to submit. He then removed major rights of cities within Vekaiyu, including their right to a separate flag, right to their own dialect, right to accept or deny 'lesser' laws imposed by the monarchy, and their right to separate themselves from Vekaiyu's history, territory, and economy. Most cities were outraged, however, with the kings army larger than it had been in upwards of six hundred years, most quietly accepted these terms.

This was largely due to a new Kral Commodore - Fevunik, a gypsy fox raised without a last name somewhere in the eastern fields of Vekaiyu. Gifted in talent and a skilled horseman, he was well known for his imposing and often foreboding demeanor. He was actually third in line for the command, but Fevunik believed he was much more capable as a Kral Commodore, so he executed his competition with a longsword, his favorite weapon of choice. Rather than execute him for annihilating two proven generals, Kaslo I appointed him Kral Commodore, and removed his rights to quit the position and retreat from a battlefield. Fevunik accepted. News of his unusual drive for excellence spread across Vekaiyu, and gave the nation a slight sense of comradely, as a gypsy of all people, one who was not aligned to any one city, could be so strong as an individual. His strong armies carved into the northern plains, slicing territory from Dveria and Sevropia. However, the death of Kaslo I and Fevunik ended the Vekaiyun bid for expansion.

The Paritions of Vekaiyu: Vekaiyu (red), Listonia (green), Kunnat Highlands (blue).

Fighting continued, but neither side of the battle seemed to gain or lose ground, however, it was clear the Vekaiyun side was exhausted. The Treaty of Navelu in 1478 restored Vekaiyu to its 1437 form, the nation losing roughly 30% of its land in the process. The nation began to make a recovery and by the dawning of the sixteenth century, was once again a strong force in trade. This was short-lived, however, as a weak king led to more infighting.

Unable to defend itself, the powerful nations of Dveria and Sevropia, along with the nation of Rykkovaa, partitioned Listonia from Vekaiyu in 1598. Dividing the province between each other, the nations hoped to gain from its agricultural integrity. This shocked the vulpine people, who quickly understood the goal of the three nations was to wipe Vekaiyu off the map. While still fighting against one another for control, they managed to keep unity against a common enemy, though Dveria partitioned the ever-rainy Kunnat Highlands from the vulpine nation in 1611.

Unfortunately, the partitions of Vekaiyu prolonged civil unrest, as the nation struggled to overcome famine. The wars officially ended in 1633, and a new form of government, Socialism promised more rights to the people while at the same time protecting their well-being. Under the new governmental system, peasants were to be given equality amongst themselves, essentially creating a glass ceiling which, although guaranteed them certain rights and more freedom, froze them into their respective class, making them unable to rise to any type of power. An army was kept in commission, however, to police over the nation and defend it from any attacks. Very few revolts or any activities of rebellion were recorded as a result. As the nation's economy shifted to accommodate adequate farming in the interior of the nation, Vekaiyu slowly stabilized.

[edit] The Modern Age and Max

Max and military parades.

Once the dawning of the late 20th century was at hand, society would change once again. A disgruntled and fiery young general, Max Venavle, seized power from the king of Vekaiyu by winning over the hearts of his contemporaries and signing off their alliance from the king to him. A prideful yet intelligent fox, Max abolished the social class system and did away with most governmental programs. He re-created classes based upon servitude to the nation itself, making those who served in his army the highest class a commoner could achieve. Finally, the nation itself began to invade other nations after remaining in general peace for so long. With his comrades establishing the union Fox Rite, Max used the union as a vehicle to spread his political agenda. Vulpine men and women marched onto foreign soil, claiming countless regions and nations as its own, building empires much like a child works with Tinker-Toys, and slaughtering millions, all in the name of unity, justice, and duty.

Max and his well-known lust for blood.

Max faced mixed reactions from his people. Any rebellions were quelled quickly and with devastating force. Paranoia was commonplace, as any person suspected of having mixed feelings of Max were killed or sent to death camps. Many nations surrounding Vekaiyu tried to pass embargoes and sanctions on the nation, but were ultimately too afraid to inflict any sort of damage. In short, he often fought with little opposition from those who inwardly hated him and his policies. But, his results were magnanimous - Vekaiyu's territory, including colonies, expanded to almost thirteen times its original size, and a fully operational Space Armed Forces was created in 1994, the first in the region.

Max was highly known for his love of women, which would lead to his eventual demise. While he never married, he would often toy with two or three vixens at a time. And while the women he used were often a picture of beauty, he was far from eye-catching. A farming accident damaged his left eye at a young age, causing the tissue around it to swell shut and eventually heal in smaller slit brought on by the compression bandages he wore during recovery. He was also well-known for his lust of blood, specifically human blood. This practice, which had been relatively abolished since the end of the pagan times, was looked upon with scorn from foreign nations, and he was typically quoted with saying how sweet the meat tasted.

A brilliant general, the dictator would often ride into battle with his own men, though it would typically be in areas of little danger. At his death in 2002, he had won over fifty battles alone, lost three, and kept the entire realm gripped in fear. His death signaled the end of a capitalistic approach and, with the aid of Selvala McEva and Todd Leyuski, the nation made a somewhat difficult transition back to socialism.

	Vekaiyu
Main article: Vekaiyu
Important Topics: Culture, Unonian, Vayan Catholicism, Vekaiyun Armed Forces, Vekaiyun Veskono, Vulpines
History: Ancient Vekaiyu, The Time of Troubles, Era of Good Feelings, Vekaiyun Trade Leagues, Expansionist Vekaiyu, Partitions of Vekaiyu, Imperial Vekaiyu, Vekaiyu under Max Venavle
Important Figures (Past and Present): Ikrisia Levinile, Leina Kivelevov, Max Venavle, Selvala McEva, St. Aiya, Todd Leyuski, Todd McCloud
Other: Eruli River, Jaku, Saler, Vekaiyu at the Fifth Summer Olympics
Other articles within Category:Vekaiyu