Flag:
Nation Name (long): Varjumaa
Nation Name (short): Holy Empire of Varjumaa
Motto: “Forever Lasting”
National Animal: Yasterian Bison
National Flower/Plant: Lily-of-the-valley
National Anthem: “Hymn of the Chosen”
Capitol: Lokvee
Largest City: Järvenvus
Demonym: Varjumaan
Language: Varjumaan, Asendavian, Lunærian
Species: Humans, Lupines, Ailurines, Ursines
Population: 31,464,971
Government type: Unitary parliamentary Ademarist absolute monarchy
Leader(s): Keiser Saamuel III
Legislature: Parliament
Formation: 1446
Total GDP: $928,971,803,804
GDP per capita: $29,524
Currency: Derolt
Calling Code: +956
ISO 3166 code: VAJ, VJ
Internet TLD: .vj
Historical Summary:
Not much is known about the ancient history of Varjumaa, as many of the records dating back then were destroyed. What is known is that during the Asendavic Migrations, people began to settle in the Varjumaa area. With this, these people spread their faith to the region, which led to the modern-day religion of the area, Elmarism, a sect of Ademarism. The area slowly formed into cohesive civilizations and eventually turned into the first kingdoms of the Varjumaa area.
Before being conquered by the Asendavian Empire, the Varjumaa area was ruled by three smaller kingdoms, Jõhri, Talduu, and Kunsa. For most of their history, these three kingdoms were allied with each other, intertrading and protecting each other from foreign threats. One foreign threat came as Valochia invaded Talduu and claimed a portion of its land. Talduu was able to hold them back with the help of the other two kingdoms, but part of its land was taken by the Valochians. Because these three nations had each other, they rarely traded with nations outside of their area, and when they did it was only for necessity. Right before the Asendavian Empire got to the area, the nations were flourishing, experiencing one of the greatest eras in their existence. When Valokchia began to fight Asendavia, the three kingdoms of Varjumaa became increasingly worried about the big threat that could soon be on their borders.
When Asendavia finally conquered Valokchia, and Lunæria swore fealty to the empire, the three kingdoms of Varjumaa faced a large threat to their sovereignty. Because of this, the three kingdoms formed Varjumaa in 1446 to protect their lands against Asendavia better. The centuries of close relations between these kingdoms made the formation of Varjumaa a relatively smooth process, which was needed if they were to properly handle the Asendavian forces. Although, despite all of their efforts, Varjumaa fell to the Asendavians in 1478, and their lands were taken into the folds of the empire,
Varjumaa remained a part of the Asendavian Empire for 63 years, all the while constantly attempting to gain their independence back. Then, when Valokchia began its war of independence, the Varjumaa people took this as an opportunity to try and gain their independence. After Valokchia had removed any direct border of Varjumaa and Asendaviam the supplies to the region were greatly diminished. With this, the control of the region also began to diminish. In 1539, Varjumaa began to fight back against the Asendavians, and after two years, gained their independence in 1541.
After gaining its independence, Varjumaa remained a single unified kingdom. However, the three houses that had once ruled the three kingdoms were allowed to keep their titles. Because of this, the kingdom became an empire of its own, with a Keiser ruling the three integrated kingdoms. After the destruction that the war with Asendavia had caused, the first Keiser of Varjumaa spent most of his reign rebuilding the nation back to its former glory. This era is commonly referred to as the “Era of the Castles” because of how many castles and forts were constructed during this period.
During the next centuries, not much happened in the area. The Asendavian rule of Varjumaa had further proven the distrust of foreign nations. This isolationist period saw great improvements in the economy of Varjumaa, although because of restricted foreign trade, the nation was never as wealthy as it could’ve been. The repercussions of this isolationist period are still felt in the nation today, from the economy to the ideologies of the citizens.
This isolationist period came to an end after the Great War. During the war, the Varjumaans stayed neutral, up until the end. After the Great War had concluded, Valokchia fell into civil war. During this period, Varjumaa saw an opportunity. The Keiser of the nation led a war campaign against the Valokchians to regain their land that was taken long ago. Because of the civil war weakening their state, Varjumaa was quickly able to retake their land from the Valokchians. With this, Varjumaa was finally whole again, with these new borders remaining the same in the present age.
In the modern era, Varjumaa is no longer isolated. The nation has opened up its borders to immigrants and trade alike. They have also begun rebuilding relations in the area, hoping to clean their image. Because of the isolation of the nation being lifted, the economy has slowly begun to grow, with the GDP of the nation nearing one trillion SHD. In the modern age, Varjumaa is still an absolute monarchy, with a state religion. The Keiser is the head of the nation, with the parliament being made up of the common people and the kings and nobles of the three kingdoms.