Kouznets Union
The Kouznets Union was situated in the Northern continent and was known for its rugged mountain ranges, vast forests, and rich mineral deposits. The mountain ranges provided stunning views and used to attract tourists from all over the world before the fall to the undead armies.
The forests were home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including unique species of legendary beasts found only in this territory. The rich mineral deposits, such as iron, copper, and gold, were historically the primary natural resource and provided most of the employment for the nation.
The people of the Kouznets Union are proud of their hard work, resilience, and strong sense of community. They have a reputation for being diligent, dedicated workers who take pride in their craft. The people are skilled in the trade of mineral material and take pride in their ability to produce high-quality goods.
The Kouznets Union people have developed a close-knit sense of community. They are known for their hospitality and willingness to help their neighbours in need. They value family and believe in maintaining strong familial relationships.
Presentation
While the nation has freedom of religion, the Church of the Five Martyrs is the dominant faith, and is deeply ingrained in the country's culture.
One unique way the citizens practice their religion is by celebrating the Martyrs' Festival. This festival takes place in late Winter every year on the anniversary of the martyrdom of the five saints on which the religion is based. During the festival, citizens dress in elaborate costumes and participate in processions and religious ceremonies.
Another unique aspect of the Church of the Five Martyrs is icons' role in worship. Icons are sacred images believed to be imbued with spiritual power. In the Kouznets Union, icons are often displayed in homes and churches, and frequently used as focal points for prayer and meditation.
In addition to the Church of the Five Martyrs, there are also the Old Ways. The Old Ways are deeply rooted in the folklore and traditions of the nation. The followers of the Old Ways practice their religion by creating talismans and charms, that have protective and healing powers. Some practitioners of the Old Ways in the Union live on the fringe of society and practice similarly to the Forest Folks, while the more urban followers of the Old Ways practice in a more similar way to the people of Albion and Sinai.
Rites and Beliefs
In general, clothing in the Kouznets Union is functional and practical, designed to protect against the country's harsh climate and rugged terrain. Natural fibres such as wool and linen are commonly used, and clothing is often layered to provide insulation against the cold.
Traditional clothing includes long tunics or shirts, often belted at the waist, and loose-fitting trousers tucked into tall boots. Hats, such as fur hats or woollen caps, were also standard. Feminine clothing typically included long dresses or skirts, often with embroidered or embellished details, and blouses or shirts. Head Scarves or shawls were sometimes worn as well.
Military uniforms followed a similar design, focusing on practicality and durability. Uniforms were typically made from heavy fabrics such as wool or canvas, and included thick boots, gloves, and headwear to protect against the elements.
Since the fall of the Union and the scattering of its citizens, their clothing has likely become more diverse and varied depending on where they have resettled. However, many still retain elements of their traditional dress to preserve their cultural identity.
Aesthetics
Photo: André Langevin
Photo: Michel Hudon
Photo: Michel Hudon
Photo: Michel Hudon
Photo: Michel Hudon
Photo: Michel Hudon
Photo: Michel Hudon
The nation has a system of governance that ensures equal representation of its citizens. Every 100 citizens can elect a representative, and every 100 representatives can elect a leader. This ensures that every citizen has a voice in the political process and is represented in the government. The system of representation is seen as fair and just by the people of the Kouznets Union, who take great pride in their political structure.
All the leaders elected by the representatives then form the government, which is responsible for making decisions on behalf of the nation. This guarantees that only individuals who the people directly elected make up the government and are accountable to them. The government makes decisions on various issues, including the economy, national security, and social welfare.
Furthermore, the head of the country is elected every 10 years by the government. General Yuri Kouznets, the initiator of the country's political structure, has been elected as head of state every time so far due to his leadership and contributions to the country. He is widely respected and admired by the people of the Kouznets Union, who view him as a hero and a father figure. His leadership has been instrumental in the country's success, and his continued presence at the head of the government ensures stability and continuity. As the leader of the nation, he is also the head of the army. His whereabouts are unknown since the fall of the nation.
The soldiers of the Kouznets Union are equipped with a variety of gunpowder weapons, including muskets, pistols, and cannons. These weapons have a devastating effect on the battlefield, allowing the Union's soldiers to strike from a distance and inflict heavy casualties on enemy forces.
The Union's military also developed specialized tactics and strategies for using gunpowder weapons. For example, soldiers are trained to use the terrain to their advantage, positioning themselves on high ground or behind cover to gain a better vantage point on the enemy. The Union's artillery units are also highly trained and equipped with cannons and other heavy weapons that can be used to break through enemy defences or soften up targets before an attack.
Organization
Before it became the Kouznets Union, the country was known as the Vedmid Empire and was ruled by a class of nobles who held most — if not all — of the wealth and power. The common people, largely farmers and labourers, had little say in how the country was run and were often subject to mistreatment and exploitation by the nobles.
There was little emphasis on education or innovation, with most resources being directed toward the nobles' luxurious lifestyles and military conquests. Religion played a significant role in the country, with the main official religion being the Church of the Five Martyrs. The Old Ways were also widely practiced by the common folks but often looked down upon by the nobles.
Their economy was based on agriculture, mining, and manufacturing, with the country largely isolated from the rest of the world.
Thirty-eight years ago, most nobles disappeared overnight under mysterious circumstances, leaving the country leaderless. This left the nation unstable until General Yuri Kouznets stepped up and took charge.
General Kouznets saw an opportunity to create a new political structure that would allow for more equality and representation for the common people.
This new political structure was a significant departure from the previous rigid class system and allowed for more voices in the government. General Kouznets also made basic education mandatory and higher education free, provided citizens passed an entrance exam. This emphasis on education helped to empower the common people and led to a greater focus on innovation and technology.
Over time, the Kouznets Union grew and prospered. It became an important world power, known for its strong economy, advanced technology, and emphasis on equality and education. The country also became a center for culture and the arts, with many renowned artists, writers, and thinkers emerging from the East Kouznets region.
Before the Union
Since the fall of the Vedmid Empire, the Kouznets Union had maintained a peaceful nation dedicated to the arts, philosophy and science. However, everything changed when the Dai Shikai Teikoku attacked them in 1680 of the Celestial Calendar (7 years before The Pact).
The first step of the attack was to isolate the Kouznets Union from the rest of the world. The Dai Shikai Teikoku's powerful navy blockaded the ports and stopped any ships from entering or leaving. This was a severe blow to the Kouznets Union's economy, as they relied heavily on maritime trade to import essential resources.
The second step was to weaken the Kouznets Union's defences by targeting the gunpowder magazines, causing devastating explosions that destroyed several of the Union's fortifications. This left the Kouznets Union vulnerable to further attacks and made it clear that the Dai Shikai Teikoku intended to invade their territory.
The Union's leaders were baffled by the Dai Shikai Teikoku's aggression. They had ongoing conflicts with their neighbour but nothing to justify such a massive attack.
As the Kouznets Union struggled to fend off the attacks of the Dai Shikai Teikoku, they soon realized that their enemy had a powerful ally: the City of Septis, a nation of astromancers of incredible force.
Despite the odds against them, the Kouznets Union refused to give up. They continued to fight on, using every resource and strategy at their disposal to try and turn the tide of the war.
After months of gruelling battles and devastating attacks, the war between the Kouznets Union, the Dai Shikai Teikoku, and the City of Septis came to an abrupt halt. It was a sudden and unexpected turn of events that no one had seen coming.
One fateful night, the dead from both camps started rising, forming a new enemy that no one had ever encountered.
The armies of the Kouznets Union, the Dai Shikai Teikoku, and the City of Septis were caught off guard and needed to learn how to fight against this new enemy. The undead soldiers were relentless, showing no signs of fear or pain, and kept coming even after sustaining heavy damage. Their numbers grew daily, and soon they had overwhelmed the remaining forces, invading the entire Northern continent and destroying everything in their path.
War between the Kouznets Union and the Dai Shikai Teikoku
Black Sea Company: They are an essential shield against the Dai Shikai Teikoku. They are excellent clients, but they have their hands in too many pockets.
Cities of Sinai: Trade with them is essential and fair. Even with their obscure practices, they value commerce above all. They will not unjustly try to conquer our land like others.
City of Septis: They are parts of all that is evil in the world, one way or another: slavers, fanatics, and the ungodly. Fearing them isn’t enough.
Dai Shikai Teikoku: They are chained to an unknown power and slaves to ignorance and their dictator. With the volcano’s wizards, they will destroy the world if left unchecked.
Forest Folks: Their devotion to the Gardiens blinds them. They give all of their people a voice, but the influence of their 'fæs' is worrisome.
Inheritors Empire: They blessed the world with the Five Martyrs, but it is their only redeeming act. They scheme and bathe in corruption. What hypocrites!
Kingdom of Albion: Their Queen serves her people with honour. Should the need arise, we will fight alongside our Albion friends.
Kingdom of Thessaly: They are peaceful and wise. Trading with them is rare but profitable, although they sometimes need to remember how easy they have it.
Relations with other nations
EAST KOUNETS
The Eastern region was the heart of the country's intellectual and artistic life due to a high concentration of cities and centers of culture and education. The cities and towns were bustling centers of commerce and industry, while the universities and other educational institutions attracted students and scholars from all over the country and beyond. This region was instrumental in driving the country's technological and cultural advancements.
NORTH KOUZNETS
With its low population, cold climate, and mining towns, the Northern region played a critical role in developing the country's defence and weapons. The cold climate made it an ideal location for testing and developing weapons that could be used in extreme conditions. The mining towns provided a source of valuable minerals and metals to create these weapons.
SOUTH KOUZNETS
The Southern region was the country's breadbasket and political center, thanks to the abundance of farmland surrounding the capital city. The fertile lands have enabled the region to produce large quantities of food, which was distributed throughout the country. The capital city was the hub of political activity, with government officials and representatives from all over the country gathering to discuss important issues and make decisions that affected the entire nation.
Provinces
Since the fall of the Kouznets Union to the undead, the citizens of the former country have been dispersed and forced to seek shelter in other nations. Many have become refugees, fleeing the destruction of their homes and the threat of the undead. Some have found new homes and integrated into new societies, while others struggle with displacement, poverty, and trauma.
For those who could find new homes, the transition has been difficult. Their new countries' cultures and way of life often differ from what they know in the Kouznets Union. Many struggle with feelings of loss and dislocation, as well as the trauma of witnessing the destruction of their former homeland. They often form Kouznets communities within their new host country, such as in the city of Lettrecoeur in the Kingdom of Albion, where they help each other to create their new lives.
Those who remain displaced and living in refugee camps face additional challenges, such as a lack of access to necessities like food, water, and medical care. They often live in crowded, unsanitary conditions and are at greater risk of contracting diseases and illnesses.
Despite these challenges, many citizens of the former Kouznets Union have shown remarkable resilience and strength in the face of adversity. They have formed communities and support networks, working together to rebuild their lives and preserve their culture and traditions. Many continue to hold onto the hope that, one day, they will be able to return to their homeland and rebuild the Union.