Kudravina

{About|the country}}

Kudravina (Kudravinian: TBD, tr. TBD,) officially the People's Guild Republic of Kudravina (Kudravinian: TBD, tr. TBD,) is a nation in North-West East with approximately TBD square kilometres of territory. It borders Kus to the south-west, Sremia to the south-east and Reismov to the West. The population of Kudravina is TBD (according to a 2020 census) with most of the population living in the TBD due to the harsh temperatures in the north which can reach -40 degrees celcius.

Kudravina emerged as one of the first modern bureaucratic, federal states to exist in Zemlja. Kudravina was first established by the Sałau tribe, a tribe of slavic traders from the coast of Transapshulgia. The tribe established the Hadassian Dynasty, named after chief and prophetess Hadassa, after the unification of Transapshulgia into a federation of various tribes. Kudravina reigned as one of four regulating bodies of commerce between Zemlya and Azaria until its merge with Kus in the 16th century. Following the war between Sremia and Kus, Kudravina officially separated from Kus in 1924 under the leadership of the Kudravinian National-Communist party.

City State of Sałau
Sałau had emerged by the 7th century AD in central Transapshulgia as a connecting hub between agrarian farms and Lipnitian duchies to the south, Kusian city states to the west, and Sremian duchies to the East. Records of this time are scarce due to the lack of writing, with the only records of the region being from Lipnitian and Kusian merchants who passed the city to travel North and East. According to records transcribed two centuries later, however, the city was formally established by a Volosevian tribe of the same name. Sałau and its inhabitants were much influenced by the multicultural atmosphere of Northeast Zemlja, with modern Kudravinian identity taking substantially from most major ethnic groups inhabiting the region. These cultural and ethnic imprints shaped later the society of the later Kudravinian Empire.

Despite this, the city was populated by various Slavic, Galutian, and Glithaian tribes that begun constant war with one another for supremacy in the city. Due to the fledgeling state's political instability and constant violence, food shortages became more common over time and prostitution and opioid markets opened became major social ills. Women, in particular, were unable to feed their children, and in time "crop riots" arose. These riots tended to majority-female and targetted towards merchants, caravans, or civilian homes. Yet, they only tended to perpetuate the failed economy despite their desperation, with the town population sharply dropping from disease, hunger, and migration.

The tribes eventually came together during the beginning of the 9th century to try and form a negotiated settlement to end aggression between each other. According to the Lipnitian historian TBD in The Federation of Sałau, a collection of notes detailing the history of Sałau according to the accounts of city elders, the tribes wanted to "Seek a leader who may quell the riots and judge us according to law."

However, the crop riots continued to flare up, and tribal leaders were unable to agree on any prince to lead the city. One woman who often found herself in leading positions at crop riots was a 26 year old Galutian mystic and sage Hadassa Baťhłib. Hadassa's following grew exponentially among the city peasants, as her strong religious convictions for charity, abstention from prostitution and drugs, and advocacy for removal tribal leaders appealed to most. Eventually, chiefs of the tribes would nominate Hadassa as princess of Sałau.

Hadassa's reforms at this time were radical for a medieval city-state. Under her name, the first coherent legal system was adopted in Sałau placed in the center of the city without consulting tribal leaders. Hadassa also comissioned an extensive literacy program where Lipnitian scribes now acquired a legal duty to teach the city population how to write in the Glagolitic script. Despite these reforms showing initial success, old tribal leaders in the city Viči demanded positions of power, threatening military action against Hadassa if the thrown refused to comply. In response, Sałau established a modern bureaucratic system for administrative tasks, which had pleased tribal leaders.

Following Hadassa's reforms, Sałau became an intellectual hub of Northeastern Zemlya, establishing the Library of Sałau in 952. This was attributed to the literacy program and rigid bureaucracy allowing for mystic, philosophical, and alchemical knowledge in highly mixed population to be recorded. Travellers all the way from Lafeard sought copies of Sołowian alchemic scrolls.

However, such a prosperous city would be at risk by invasions from competing city-states or bordering empires. While secretive defense treaties were signed that sealed Sałau off from immediate attack until 961, fears lingered nonetheless. In 963, the neighbouring city state of Nousilj attempted an attack against Sałau, but, allied with tribes outside of the city, the defense succeeded, with Nousilj placed under a joint occupation between Sałau and other tribes. The Sałau confederacy continued to expand, incorporate new territorites and agrarian lands, and conquer invading armies until 988.

The state would progress to conquer the entirety of Transapshulgia and the Eastward archipelago during Hadassa's reign. However, despite the economic and political progress made during Hadassa's reign, she remained most dedicated to her role as a preacher and sage. Since 948, the mistress reported frequently seeing the angel Michajł and spirits of Ermis, Isa, Abraham, and Zoroaster. Every Saturday, Hadassa would give sermons in the local temple. Often, she would be found in the town square reciting poems containing religious proclamations, and, after her death, an extensive collection of religious writings, philosophical commentary, alchemic notes, and literature was discovered and published across the empire. Sałau's legal code and constitution was explicitly religious. The state was, unofficially, a Sycenist religious polity, and, as a result, the majority of the population would associate with the Sycenist religion by Hadassa's passing according to the census of 1030.

Hadassa would leave behind three daughters as her husband, Trachim Subal, ascended to the throne as emperor of Sałau on September 19th, 1029. The month would be established as a month of mourning for Sycenists. Trachim would commission all the works of his late wife to be chronicled into a singular text, however, Trachim died of heart failure only nine months after Hadassa. The firstborn daughter of the late empress and emperor, Taisija Subal-Hadassajeva, would proclaim Sycenism the official religion of the Sałau Empire.

The empire would compete with [Kus|First Commonwealth of Kus] in the establishment of city states across North Azaria and would begin to conquer former Kusian territory after 1167.

The Prevaltasauls
Following the 15th century Lipnitian invasion, the [Lipnitian Empire] claimed sovereignty over a third of the former empire. Sałau would stagnate and divide into three dynasties until the Reclamation War lead by Vatenian Prince [List of leaders of Kus|Voĺaudźeomer Zoreogastér] and Kudravinian princess [List of leaders of Kudravina|Chava the Pious], and would later unify with the [Kusian Empire|Kusian-Kudravinian Empire] under [List of leaders of Kus|Larisra Čerwéńkyra]. This event would be known in Kudravinian as "𐍃𐌰𐌾 𐍀𐍂𐌴𐍆𐌰𐌻𐌾𐍄𐌰𐍃𐌰𐌵𐌷𐌻" (saj prevaljtasawľ; Anglicized "The Prevaltasauls") or the "reconquering" (lit. "the re-domination-soils")

Kusian-Communist War
The modern PGRK has its roots in the Kusian-Sremian war of 192(?) when the Kudravinian National-Communist Party, headed by [TBD] with support from Sremia, successfully broke off Kusian control of Kudravinian Transhitshuggia. The KNCP gained support through the development and activity in Kudravinian trade unions, which eventually came to function as a wing of the party. During the war, the KNCP attempted to push further into Kus, but very little progress was made past Trainstiffygia, prompting the treaty of Sałau to be signed in 192(?).

Pre-2GW Cominform Era
In 192(?), the regions, named communes, of Sałau, !Gothia, !Finnia, and Židovinia were unified under a single constitution. The Kudravinian economy remained incredibly strained, having much of its agricultural and industrial land in Transicantspellthisagia gassed and bombed by the Kusian Empire. The New Industrial Policy, introduced by [TBD], promoted economic growth and development by allowing free market policies and the flourishing of workers cooperatives and other petite-bourgeois ventures to take place while economic and social were sorted out by the party congress. All guilds were nationalized under the NIP, and guild workers could elect representatives to the lower house.

By 193(?), the first economic plans were sketched out by [TBD], which, while allowing the cooperatives and petite-bourgeois shops to remain, invested shares in every approved or sizeable firm that resulted in significant state say in business decisions. As a result, this allowed Kudravina to lower taxes, as the remaining private industry became a reliable source of income.

Climate
Kudravina has a temperate climate, characterised by mild winters, with mean temperatures in January of 1.5 °C (34.7 °F), and cool summers, with a mean temperature in August of 17.2 °C (63.0 °F). The most extreme temperatures recorded in Kudravina, since 1874 when recordings began, was 36.4 °C (97.5 °F) in 1975 and −31.2 °C (−24.2 °F) in 1982. Kudravina has an average of 179 days per year with precipitation, on average receiving a total of 765 millimetres (30 in) per year; autumn is the wettest season and spring the driest. The position between a continent and an ocean means that the weather is often unstable.

Because of Kudravina's northern location, there are large seasonal variations in daylight. There are short days during the winter with sunrise coming around 8:45 am and sunset 3:45 pm (standard time), as well as long summer days with sunrise at 4:30 am and sunset at 10 pm (daylight saving time).

Biodiversity
Phytogeographically, Kudravina is shared between the Arctic, central Zemljan, and eastern Zemljan provinces of the Hyperboreal Region within the Boreal Kingdom. The territory of Kudravina can be subdivided into three ecoregions: the archipelagic taiga, mountainous mixed forests, and birch forest and grasslands in the south. Forests covers most of Kudravina from its southern regions to the north of Severpej. On the Northeastern coast, forests are characterized by mixed forests, that are more typical in Kus. In the extreme north of Kudravina, near the Daugavan Peninsula, the taiga are common. Kudravina has a 2018 Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 5.08/10.

Similarly, Kudravina has a diverse and extensive range of fauna. There are at least sixty native mammalian species, 248 breeding bird species, over 70 fish species, and 11 reptile and frog species present today, many migrating from neighboring countries thousands of years ago. Large and widely recognized wildlife mammals found in Kudravina are the brown bear, various fox species, gray wolf, wolverine, and elk. The red fox, which is also nicknamed as the "beauty of the Curled Woods" by the Volosevians, is the country's official national animal. It is also the most common carnivore in Kudravina. Three of the more striking birds are the whooper swan, a large Zemlyan swan; the Western capercaillie, a large, black-plumaged member of the grouse family; and the Zemljan-Azarian eagle-owl. The latter is considered an indicator of old-growth forest connectivity, and has been declining because of landscape fragmentation. Around 24,000 species of Insects are prevalent in Kudravina, some of the most common being hornets with tribes of beetles such as the Onciderini also being common. The most common breeding birds are the willow warbler, common chaffinch, and redwing. Of some seventy species of freshwater fish, the northern pike, perch, and others are plentiful. Great Sea salmon remains the favourite of fly rod enthusiasts.

The endangered ringed seal (Pusa hispida saimensis), one of only three lake seal species in the world, exists only in the northern seas of Kudravina, down to only 390 seals today. The ringed seal lives nowadays mainly in two Kudravinian national parks, but strays have been seen in a much larger area, including near Sałau's town centre.

Political Divisions
Kudravina is divided into six communes with TBD major cities and TBD communes as shown in the map below.

There are six recognized nations in Kudravina: Volosevska, Glithaia, Galutia, Paimenmaa, and Vonoslovenska. According to the Kudravinian Constitution of 1932, each nation is guaranteed the power to pass laws and organize its own democratic constitution so long as it does not conflict with powers otherwise guaranteed to the PGRK. The nations have the explicit rights to manage their educational, infrastructural, and cultural programs, although the federal government can pass legislation imposing regulations and standards on them.

Political Parties
The National-Communist Party of Kudravina is the supreme political authority in the nation, by which all other parties and all branches of government are subordinate to. Independent parties are allowed to exist in Kudravina, so long as they are officially approved by the NCPK, join the ruling coalition, and abide by scientific centralism. This makes Kudravina a de facto one-party state.

Legislature
The Kudravinian government is organized into three branches of government: the Legislative, Military, and Judicial branches. The Legislature is officially titled the Prime Veche of Kudravina and is divided into two houses: a lower house, the Congress of Kudravina; and an upper house, the Senate of Kudravina. The Congress is elected every two years from industrial unions, with the number of congressmen elected proportional to the population of the communes and unions they are elected from. Members of the Congress do not have to be registered party members. The Senate of Kudravina is elected every five years, with two elected senators per commune regardless of population. Each senator must be a registered party member.

Military
The military holds a crucial role in Kudravinian government, serving the roles of the executive branch of government but also maintaining state-wide research and technology. The military does not act as a separate entity from the KNCP, and is explicitly sub-ordinate to it.

Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of Kudravina is where appeals can be made to overturn legislation that is regarded as revisionary (unconstitutional). The Supreme Court of Kudravina and the Supreme Court of the NCPK are comprised of the same members, who, by tradition, are chosen by top law schools and approved for office by party cadres on the basis of their expertise on and dedication to the Kudravinian Constitution and the current party constitution.

Foreign Relations
Kudravina has harsh relations with CSDO states, as it frequently funds nationalist-socialist and communist terrorist groups in states that do not align with LARP. Kudravina is an observer state of Bayan, a trade agreement with Maharlika and Bayangurun. Kudravina is a member state in LARP, with strong economic relations between itself, Reismov, Kus, Miladria, and Bloodia, sharing arms and technology. The state used to be a part of Cominform, but left along with Reismov in 1950, due to accusations of Sajuznik and Sremian opportunism, particularly over the Sremian occupation of that one island that's north of it.

Before joining LARP in 1994, Kudravina pushed for a military agreement between Bayan states, but this project failed namely due to geography. Kudravina continues to fund insurgent groups in Asakawa, Dongkuo, Lipnitia, Sextros, and across Majmunia.

Energy
Kudravina ranks fifth in the world both in total nuclear power capacity installed and electricity generated, accounting for around one tenth of global nuclear power generated. Nuclear power contributed 30% of the total Kudravinian electricity production in 2019, with 348.1 TWh. As of June 2021, Kudravina has a total nuclear power generation capacity of 49.6 GW from 50 reactors, with additional 17.1 GW under construction.

Nuclear power has been looked into as an alternative to coal due to increasing concerns about air quality, climate change and fossil fuel shortages. In 2009, Kudravina's National Development and Reform Commission indicated the intention to raise the percentage of Kudravina's electricity produced by nuclear power to 70% by 2030.

Kudravina has one major nuclear power company, the Kudravinian National Nuclear Company operating mainly in north-east Kudravina.

Kudravina aims to maximize self-reliance on nuclear reactor technology manufacturing and design, although international cooperation and technology transfer are also encouraged. Advanced pressurized water reactors are the mainstream technology in the near future, which is also planned to be exported. By mid-century fast neutron reactors are seen as the main technology, with a planned 1400 GW capacity by 2100. Kudravina is also involved in the development of nuclear fusion reactors through its participation in the SNEED project, having constructed an experimental nuclear fusion reactor known as SEXO located in Aldsaglitha, as well as research and development into the thorium fuel cycle as a potential alternative means of nuclear fission.

Kudravina plans to build as many as thirty nuclear power reactors in countries involved in the BAYAN Initiative by 2030. In 2021, Kudravina has announced plans to build 50 new civilian reactors at home and abroad until 2035.

Transport
everyone rides on those obesity scooters you get in Walmart

Education and Science
Education in Kudravina is very diverse because the constitution of Kudravina delegates the authority for the school system to the nations. There are both public and private schools, including many private international schools. The minimum age for primary school is about six years in all nations, but most nations provide a free "children's school" starting at four or five years old. Primary school continues until grade four, five or six, depending on the school. Traditionally, the first foreign language in school was always one of the other national languages, although in 2000 Interzemljan was introduced first in some nations. There are a number of degree programs that are taught in Interzemljan, which attracts thousands of degree and exchange students every year. At the end of primary school (or at the beginning of secondary school), pupils are separated according to their capacities in several (often three) sections. The fastest learners are taught advanced classes to be prepared for further studies and the matura, while students who assimilate a little more slowly receive an education more adapted to their needs.

The flexible curriculum is set by the Ministry of Education and Culture. After lower secondary school, graduates may either enter the workforce directly, or apply to trade schools or gymnasiums (upper secondary schools). Trade schools offer a vocational education: approximately 40% of an age group choose this path after the lower secondary school. Academically oriented gymnasiums have higher entrance requirements and specifically prepare for Abitur and tertiary education. Graduation from either formally qualifies for tertiary education.

In tertiary education, two mostly separate and non-interoperating sectors are found: the profession-oriented polytechnics and the research-oriented universities. Education is free and living expenses are to a large extent financed by the government through student benefits. There are 15 universities and 24 Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) in the country. Around 33% of residents have a tertiary degree, similar to LARP and more than in most other Zemljan countries. The proportion of foreign students is 3% of all tertiary enrolments, one of the lowest in LARP, while in advanced programs it is 7.3%, still below the LARP average of 16.5%. Other reputable universities of Kudravina include TBD University in TBD, TBD University in TBD, TBD University in TBD, TBD University in TBD, TBD University in TBD and TBD University in TBD.

More than 30% of tertiary graduates are in science-related fields. Forest improvement, materials research, environmental sciences, neural networks, low-temperature physics, brain research, biotechnology, genetic technology, and communications showcase fields of study where Kudravinian researchers have had a significant impact.

Kudravina has a long tradition of adult education, and by the 1980s nearly three million Kudravinians were receiving some kind of instruction each year. Forty percent of them did so for professional reasons. Adult education appeared in a number of forms, such as secondary evening schools, civic and workers' institutes, study centres, vocational course centres, and folk high schools. Study centres allowed groups to follow study plans of their own making, with educational and financial assistance provided by the state.

Kudravina is highly productive in scientific research. In 2005, Kudravina had the fourth most scientific publications per capita of LARP countries. In 2007, 1,801 patents were filed in Kudravina.

In addition, 38% of Kudravina's population has a university or college degree, which is among the highest percentages in the world.

In December 2017 the Kudravinian Society of Sociological Research reported that Kudravinian fathers spend an average of eight minutes a day more with their school-aged children than mothers do.

Cuisine
Kudravinian cuisine varies from region to region and often neighbouring regions share some culinary similarities (e.g. the southern regions of Vonoslovenska share some traditions with Lipnitia and Sremia). International varieties such as sushi, Reismovi kangaroo and Miladrian kebab are also popular.

Bread is a significant part of Kudravinian cuisine and Kudravinian bakeries produce about 600 main types of bread and 1,200 types of pastries and rolls. Kudravinian cheeses account for about 22% of all cheese produced in Kudravina. In 2012 over 99% of all meat produced in Germany was either kangaroo, chicken or lamb. Kudravinians produce their ubiquitous sausages in almost 1,500 varieties. The national alcoholic drink is kefir. Kudravinian kefir consumption per person stands at 110 litres (24 imp gal; 29 US gal) in 2013 and remains among the highest in the world. Kudravinian kefir purity regulations date back to the 16th century. Whiskey is becoming more popular in many parts of the country, especially close to Kusian regions. In 2019, Kudravina was the ninth-largest whiskey producer in the world.