Geltisch Handelsrijck

Geltisch Handelsrijck, also called Geltrijck for short is a country in the North Eastern continent of Levesteren. It is situated more specifically in the region of The Geld. Below the river of De Handel. Important geographic locations in the region includes; Goudberg mountain range, Molenberg mountain, Schippersberg mountain, Kredon Islands and Sea of Kredon. It's neighbours are; The Fallen Empire of Einsiedeln, Traeviratus Solideti and The Union of Theros. It is an absolute monarchy. The koninch (king) gets advice from his senate, though he isn't obligated to listen to them. The koninch holds absolute power. The official languages are Geldish, Geldish Dwarven Tounge and Common Tounge (English). The capital is Handeldam, also the most populated city in the nation (Not built yet in Kylorne). The primary race is human, with the biggest minority being (Geldish) dwarves. The main religion is Aquos, but there is freedom of religion, as long as you respect the rules within Aquos.

History
Geltisch Handelsrijck was founded (officially) in 28 July along with most other nations in k-national-announcements. Though the nation was being worked on starting April 23.

Zaereth's Conquest
The first united Geldish state, founded by Hans van Eerst fell apart a few decades ago. His kingdom was split in 5 regions by his sons. Each of them governing one of the regions as an independent state. Slowly, the oldest brother Zaereth van Eerst began to take over the lands of his brothers, be it militarily or diplomatically. The most important event in this short period was The Battle of Kopen. As Zaereth declared war upon the last two standing states led by his brothers Creeperoni van Papania and Aria van Strijd, he launched a big attack on the island of Kopen, where the important city of Kopemonde was situated. The armies of Sir van Papania and Aria van Strijd were already stationed in the city, knowing the attack would come. Zaereth's forces overwhelmed them and swept through the city. The defensive army retreated to the hills North East of Kopen to take up a position easier to defend. They fought valiantly and bravely, but being outnumbered and outgunned they ultimately lost the battle. They inflicted very heavy casualties on Zaereth's army during the battle, this would become very important a few years later. After the battle, Zaereth would take over the rest of the towns and cities with ease, facing close to no resistance. He would then declare the second united Geldish state. With the capital being the same as the last one, Handeldam.

The Brown Rebellion (name could be subject to change)
Zaereth being an arrogant and ignorant ruler, used the national treasury for personal needs. He constructed a giant mansion for himself outside of Handeldam and raised taxes for the people. He focused minimally on trade, which was the main pillar of the Geldish economy. This enraged the population and after a little more than a year, revolts started around the country. The people decided to choose a leader that they trusted in listening to the people. One name stood higher than the rest, Zephyr Pradox. The son of an esteemed merchant in The Geld, known for his donations to Handeldam and the Geldish people in times of crisis and for owning the biggest trade company in The Geld.

At first, they were shut down very easily by the army. Later on the revolt would get bigger and the army would start to turn against the king as well. 8 months after the first revolt, The Handeldam Revolt started. The people gathered in front of the city hall en masse. They battled the guards in front of the building with whatever they had, many of the guards let them through and some even joined them. It didn't take long for the people to enter the city hall. Subsequently, the people started marching to Zaereth's mansion, singing songs of liberty and peace. When they arrived, led by Zephyr Pradox, the guards didn't try to stop them. They split up and let the crowd through. Men and women alike, rushed into the mansion to find Zaereth. A middle-aged man found Zaereth hiding in one of the closets in a guest's room. Him and some others tied Zaereth up and brought him to Zephyr. Sir Pradox himself dragged the man along the streets back to the city hall. He took him to the balcony to show the former king to the people. They cheered ferociously, and chanted "Rot in te kerkers! Rot in te kerkers!"  Zephyr listened to his people, he went down to the small dungeon where there were a few cells, designed to keep prisoners temporarily before sending them to a prison. Zephyr threw the man into one of the cells, locking the door behind him. The people cheered again as he went upstairs to the balcony. This time without Zaereth. "Lang leve te koninch! Lang leve te koninch!" they shouted and thus, Zephyr Pradox became the first king of Geltisch Handelsrijck.

Recent History
The first move of Zephyr Pradox was to establish an effective and trusted senate. He chose a few men that he had personally known even before becoming a king but also a few members that were recommended by others. After a few months of the founding of the nation, the king revoked the senatorship status of Oenka Boenka and Jarno. They were the two senators recommended to him by others. The two had taken their positions for granted. They didn't work, not attending most meetings and often not answer the king's letters. They were then replaced with Geist Hydnoren and Kadrys van Zyl.

Head of State
The head of state is the king, also called koninch in Geldish. He holds absolute power, meaning he has the authority decide over any matter be it internal or external. Though this is the case, most of the times the king listens to his senate and right hand. The senate serves as a council to advice the kind on many matters. The current king is Zephyr Pradox.

Hand of The King
Also known as the king's right hand, Hand of The King is a title held by one person. This person is normally the closest advisor and a good friend to the king, someone who the king comes for advice very often. Often, the king's right hand is also a senator, but this isn't an obligation. Said person is given the role by the king himself. This person also is the second in power, meaning he would rule Geltisch Handelsrijck temporarily if something was to happen to the king. The current Hand of The King is Piet GoldenMaen.

The Senate
The Senate is a council that gives advice to the king on internal and external matters. They can vote on some issues to see what the general opinion is, but the last say is left to the king. Historically, the king's senate is made up of 8 senators, currently the senate only has 7 members. These being; Piet GoldenMaen, Kadrys van Zyl, Geist Hydnoren, Hendrik Visscehre, Zünrüt Sentgalkan, Johan van Oldenbaarneveld and Creeperoni van Papania.

Provincial Council
This council helps the king deal with matters that are internal. It is made up of 14 mayors and the king. The mayors provide a more detailed look into the country's internal situation as they all deal with more local problems. They raise their questions and problems to the king every meeting. The provincial council holds meetings every 14 months. The provincial council members are all mayors of a town, city or village. The current members are; Marko Campari, Hendrik Visscehre, Kadrys van Zyl, Creeperoni van Papania, Mason Von Claymier, Fachnan Ylfik Ironspear, Buoyo Sigborn, Cu Chulainn, Hydrar Styrios, Squelch (name could be subject to change), Piet GoldenMaen and Willem Corneliszoon.

Army
The strongest suit of Geltisch Handelsrijck military capability is it's navy. Geltrijck being a seafaring nation, there is no shortage of hardened and experienced sailors. They produce some of the world's best captains. The Geldish fleet is considered the biggest in the continent.

The Merchants' Navy is a navy made up of the ships of the many merchants of the Geld. It is called in times of crisis to fight external threats to the entire Geld. It first formed when the Geldish were attacked by the krakens of the Kredon Sea led by the god of war, Ornir.

The Geldish army on the other hand is not very renowned. They have not yet fought a single war with an outside force, only fighting in wars in the region. Though not a part of the army itself the most renowned Geldish troops are the Konincklijck Garder. They are the guards of the royal family. Though the current royal family only consists of the king, Zephyr Pradox, the Konincklijck Garder also protects the old royalty from time to time, when asked by them and approved by the king.

The most renowned battle in Geldish history is The Battle of Deep Ground (Strijd der Diepe Groand). The battle took place as the Geldish Army led by Hans van Eerst invaded the Goudberg mountain range where the dwarves lived. The Gelts entered from the dwarven hold, West of Molenberg. There they met heavy resistance and their losses were numerous. They won the battle and marched deeper into the mountain, genociding the dwarves due to outnumbering the dwarves 6 to 1. The casualties were a lot higher on the Geldish side, but they were also the victors.

Economy
The Geldish economy has three main pillars. Trade, being the biggest and strongest, then agriculture, lastly, fishing.

Trade
Trade is the biggest part of the Geldish economy. The Geld, being known as "the trade centre of the world" by many people far and wide, is not without reason. Geltisch Handelsrijck signs a lot of trade deals with many countries. On a regional and local level, merchants sell all sorts of goods. The economy grows every year because of this ever increasing trade income and amount of merchants. More on the diplomatic uses of trade can be found in Article 7.1. Most of Geltisch Handelsrijck's income comes from nation-to-nation trade deals and import taxes, along with the docking fees paid by ships that dock in the Geldish harbours.

Agriculture
Agriculture is of big importance to the Geldish people too. The two main crops grown by the Geldish are potatoes and wheat. Sugarcane, carrots and beetroot are also grown to a small extent. Geltrijck produces more food than it needs, therefore it exports a lot of it. An example of food export made by Geltisch Handelsrijck could be the Fjorni-Geldish Treaty of Berendam, where a big shipment of potatoes and bread were made to the city of New Brumalfjord.

Geography
Geltisch Handelsrijck is located in the North Eastern continent. More specifically in the region called "The Geld". The region includes the mainland (the mainland South of the river "De Handel" and the islands of; Alleen, Duister, Kopen, Visteren and Ijlegem.

Mountains can only be found in the mainland, like Goudberg mountain range, Schippersberg and Molenberg. Hills can be found in the mainland and in some of the Kredon Islands. The islands of Duister, Kopen and Visteren have one or more hills on them.

Culture
The main culture in Geltisch Handelsrijck is, Geldish. Subcultures of Geldish exist, they would be; Northern Kredon Geldish, Souther Kredon Geldish, Southern Geldish and Northern Geldish. Southern Geldish and Northern Geldish have very minimal differences, mostly that Northern Geldish is more influenced by Southern Einsiedelnisch. Kredon Geldish is a little more different however. (more info soon)

Trade
As mentioned in the cultural article, the people of The Geld find trade extremely important, and Geltisch Handelsrijck being a mercantile kingdom, it is no surprise that their diplomacy includes a lot of trading. Trade between them and their neighbours on regional level is common. Merchants from far away lands come to The Geld to trade there, knowing there are better and more opportunities. On an nation-to-nation level, Geltrijck has trade agreements with nations not only on their continent but also on other continents like Kavernis. They get frequent visits from diplomats all over the world, most of them visiting for the same reason; merchants in their lands speak of their region as the centre of trade.

Geltisch Handelsrijck offers goods like food and building materials to every nation, except those they aren't so very fond of. They do not have negative relations with any nation as of yet. Though, their relations with The Tsardom of Belovia used to be negative, they are now neutral.

Foreign Relations
Geltisch Handelsrijck has good or neutral relations with all of their neighbours. Though if you ask a Geldish person who their greatest friends are, the most common answer would probably be The Fallen Empire of Einsiedeln (Einsiedeln). The two countries have close cultural, linguistic and historical ties. On Year 2 Month 4 of the Geldish calendar (24 August), the two countries signed a Non-Aggression pact to officialize their relations. Another nation that Geltrijck has good relations with, would be The Primarchy of Xelest. The first treaty ever signed by Xelest was with the current government of Geltisch Handelsrijck. It laid the basis for future treaties and agreements, also including a cultural book exchange between the nations and a reduction in docking fees for ships from both sides. Geltisch Handelsrijck has neutral relations with the Union of Theros, though they have signed a treaty together. The Treaty of Tochiohana was signed by Zephyr Pradox and Noodle, a Therian Grand Assembly member. It included a one time exchange of goods like dark oak logs, andesite and diorite.

The only nation that Geltrijck had negative relations with would have been The Tsardom of Belovia. Originally a trade outpost established by merchants and settlers sent by the orders of Zephyr Pradox, the settlement then declared independence a few years later and won the crucial battle at the local barracks controlled by a small amount of Geldish soldiers. Recently, the leaders met up and an independence treaty was agreed upon and signed. The Belovian nation was granted independence in return for a formal apology and payment. The relations are now neutral.