Ryzan

Ryzan (Ryzani: Рийзан), officially known as the Second Ryvenate of Ryzan, also referred to as True Empire of Ryzan or Third Empire of Ryzan, was a constituent country that was a part of the Third Aurlûnoren-Ryzani Empire. It was the 20th government of the nation state of Ryzan. It was historically located in central Syltör, however had expanded into other continents, including Sparwood, Nieden and Haven. Ryzan had historically been a highly politically active region, undergoing more governmental change than any other country in Rathnir history, a record that still remains unbroken even after the international turmoil caused by the Second West March War. Ryzan, alongside the Aurlûnor Velande, had been responsible for multiple highly successful union states, including the Second Aurlûnoren-Ryzani Empire. Ryzan was occupied numerous times by foreign powers, mainly Bardonia, who had launched four separate invasions of the country. Ryzan had retained relevancy as one of the most important geopolitical entities in Rathnir despite its previous internal strife.

Etymology
Officially known as the Second Ryvenate of Ryzan (or 'ИМПЕРЙУМ РИЙЗАН' in Ryzani Cyrillic), Ryzan derived its name from the ancient Brothian name for central Syltor. The word 'РИЙЗАН' (Ryzan) translates roughly to 'Our True Land' or simply 'True Land'. The word 'Ryvenate' was a compound word, deriving from the Ryzani word for 'True' (РИЙB or 'Ryiv') and the word for 'Empire' or 'Imperium' (ИМПЕРЙУМ). This means that 'Ryvenate' translates roughly to 'True Empire'. As it was the second state with this name, it was the Second Ryvenate of Ryzan.

Another name used for the state was  'ЦАРЗЭМА РИЙЗАН', which translates to 'Tsar's land of Ryzan' or simply 'Tsardom of Ryzan'. This was used in much larger capacity during the early days of the nation state, where the Tossovich dynasty ruled over a series of Tsardoms which used this as an official native tongue title. It can also be seen on Republican-era documents, indicating that this title was still used even when there was no monarchy in power in Ryzan.

The Aurlunoren Script labels Ryzan as 'Zhanundeor', in reference to the local Zhanundeorian Lhûren that inhabit regions of western Ryzan such as Volkore. During the early modern period, the nation state of Zhanundeor was popularised by the increasingly hostile nature of the Ryzani government towards native Elven population.

Prehistory
The geographical region of Ryzan was historically always part of the northern supercontinent of Uktarra. Contrary to the cold taiga climate of the region in the modern day, palaeontologists in Volkore were able to discover that Ryzan during this period was relatively warm and humid, with an average summer temperature of 25-35°C and an average winter temperature of 10-15°C. Due to having a much larger exposed coastline during this time, it was subject to frequent temperature fluctuations that made it a hotspot for breeding season activity. However, during the breakup of Uktarra during the Cuiciloan Period, and with the collision of the Bardonian Plate into the Syltoren Plate creating a large mountain range creating a large mountain range that blocked cool northern airs from moving further south, Ryzan's average temperature plummeted, resulting in the modern-day mild summers and freezing winters that grip the majority of the region.

Ryzan's earliest settlers were dwarven peoples, who established one of the oldest cities in the world, Erebor. Erebor became a hub for western dwarven civilisation, and, despite the best efforts of the travelling Niedene peoples, dwarven society would persist even after the collapse of other Bronze Age societies. The next significant group to settle in Ryzan were Celestial Elves from the Kingdom of Almador. As the Nándor-based state was gradually declining, these settlers formed their own little collection of tribes in modern-day Volkore. These were the ancestors to the modern Zhanundeorian Elves, a Lhuren subculture with a minor presence in western Ryzan. The largest group, the Ryzani Brothians, would begin settling the region ~2000 years ago. Fleeing destruction to their civilisations in Azia, these people groups would undergo centuries of development and conflict that would culminate in the city-state of Ryzan, led by Tsar Canadian Tossovich, announcing his ambitions to form a confederacy of all the Ryzani people groups.

Confederacy and Commonwealth
The Confederacy of Ryzan would be proclaimed in 821 ACA as a loose connection of states and ethnic groups. It quickly attracted both tourists and immigrants to the country. However, with Ryzan facing early external threats due to their rapid expansionism into Alum and Remtal they were forced to gradually decentralise the nation, weakening its internal structure. This decentralisation caused many internal issues, from a secession in Bjornskyull, now Bjornsull, to the Scramble for Ryzan, the Confederacy and the later Commonwealth were riddled with internal issues that prevented major social development. However, Ryzan would totally dissolve following a collection of disputes between the provinces of Volkore and Nebskoslavia, causing the latter to declare independence from the Commonwealth. Following this, a collection of other states would do the same in a joint declaration. The dissolution of the Commonwealth led to the rise of Westreach and an independent Volkore Empire, which joined Bardonia in their world conquest after a brief war against Nebskoslavia.

Aggressive Expansion
Ryzan would reorganise under the leadership of Lord Chamberlain Donklas Tise, who, alongside a collection of regional leaders, would administer the new Kingdom of Westreach in an effort to carve out a new future for Ryzan after the events of the previous collapse. However, following the Partition of Takumakken, Canadian Tossovich would establish complete power over the state once again, forming the Second Tsardom of Ryzan. Tossovich would reinstate a policy of aggressive expansion, which would culminate in the political union of the First Aurlunoren-Ryzani Empire.

Ryzani Occupation
Two days after integrating Andorn into the Empire, Bardonia would launch an invasion of Ryzan and Andorn, with Aurlunor supporting the Bardonian invasion following the souring of relations between Sareariel Lelya-Earcala and Canadian Tossovich. The Ryzani Occupation was fiercely resisted, with a collection of partisan movements cropping up shortly after Tossovich willingly surrendered. One group, the Ryzani Republican Army, would absorb the other partisans, and would advocate for a free, democratic Ryzan. They would prevail, with the Bardonians deciding that the occupation was too much of a resource burden, and would allow the formation of the Ryzani-Carthyan Republic in 850 ACA.

Ryzani Republic
The RRA upheld their promise, and the democratic system was formally integrated shortly after independence. Standing as one of the oldest democratic systems in history, the Ryzani democratic system was still widely used, especially in Eldham. After the disappearance of the first President, Mystic, Josbar Liberium would seize total control over the state, forming a secret police and placing the military under his sole command. However, he suffered a humiliating defeat, and after attempting to contest the results by force, we was ousted and replaced with Avaleskei Mcspiegel. Avaleskei would begin expanding a thick alliance network designed to defend Ryzan against a foreign threat, mainly Bardonia. Alliances with Aurlunor, Valle, and eventually joining KATO completed this alliance net. However, shortly after this, Askonia would secede from Valle, and in the subsequent war Ryzan and KATO would suffer a humiliating defeat. This did not shake public approval, however, as Ryzan would successfully repel a series of Osterian raids on the city of Volkoregrod.

Republican Tsardom
During this time, despite having aged significantly and being relatively disliked by the populace, Canadian Tossovich and his new wife Ibris were allowed to return to Ryzan and become the heads of state. The Third Tsardom was widely regarded as a time of peace and prosperity. Ryzan would leave KATO and instead join the Southern Rathnir Defence Accords. It was during this time that the Zefirov Administration, began extending their support to nations occupied by Bardonia under the previously established Air Ryzan initiative, a service independent of the Ryzani government transporting weapons and other supplies to rebel groups. While this had previously extended only as far as Andorn, a region which Ryzan had heavy stakes in keeping on their side during the Avaleskei Administration, it now expanded to Vallia, Halge, Baykonia and later Lennox when they were invaded and occupied by Bardonia in 870 ACA. Zefirov would also reform the government, including turning the old departments with new, reinvigorated ministries and abolished the monarchy, replacing the Tsar with a new republic. This move was frowned upon by the international community, and caused the majority of nations to cut ties with Ryzan. It was this final straw which gave Bardonia the ability to invade Ryzan.

West March War
Despite the revival of Viodoxa, the SRDA still refused to support Ryzan, and backed away from the situation under the guise of not supporting anti-monarchist states, dissolving months after the fact. This left Ryzan diplomatically isolated, forced to combat against the entire Allium Alliance alone. Three Allium Alliance regiments would be facing fou Ryzani regiments spread out across the country in Carthya, Volkoregrod and Tossagrad. The Ryzanis were correct in believing that the Bardonians would march on Tossagrad instead of the much closer capital of Carthya, as they believed that the Bardonians valued PR victories over systematic ones. They were correct, as the Bardonians marched around Carthya and surrounded Tossagrad. Aurlunoren forces occupied Deutzan, and Baykonian garrisons seized Ryzan’s colonies in Helmia. Despite warnings of a potential attack in Volkoregrod, the three-pronged attack on Tossagrad went underway, with the fighting descending into house-to-house combat in a bloody mess. Task Force Volkoregrod was redirected to assist in Tossagrad, followed by Task Force Carthya. The Bardonians would later seize Carthya, with only a few reserves left in Carthya to defend it. The Bardonians would finally seize Tossagrad in the early hours of 26th Heicane, 874 ACA.

After this crushing defeat, the petty kingdom of the Csardom of Nebskoslavia would secede from Ryzan, and later that day President Zefirov, in violation of the constitution, would sign an unconditional surrender in Volkoregrod which allowed Bardonia to occupy all of Ryzan’s territory, and resigned from his position as President.

Second Ryzani Occupation
The Nebskoslavian secession would be brutally suppressed, one of the first of many acts of extreme violence against native ethnicities in Ryzani territory. During the month-long occupation of Ryzani territory, the Bardonians and the Westreach government would order one of the largest mass genocides in world history, executing 113,000 ethnic Ryzanis and erecting mass graves across the Vonskyri and Nebskoslavian countryside to bury the dead. Displacement and executions of ethnic minorities also have traces in Lennox, Valle, Baykonia and the former Sand Republic. The killings during this period would stunt Ryzan’s population growth to the point where it would never recover to pre-occupation numbers. Behind the scenes, what remained of the Ryzani government, under the leadership of Mocoslav Kovalsky, reorganised under the Interim Ryzani Governing Committee, aka the IRGC, and spread out into the countryside, taking up arms in small pockets across the former territories. While the Bardonians initially split Ryzan into Fiterèi Province in the north, a ‘free’ zone which contained the majority of Ryzan’s wilderness, and Ostrehèmme Province in the south, a zone directly administered by the Bardonian government containing most of the country’s major cities. From Fiterei, Jacob Azurov would eventually proclaim the new Tsardom of Westreach, a Bardonian provincial government spanning all of former Ryzan. This was confirmed in 875 ACA, with the leaders of the Allium Alliance attending his inauguration as the new Tsar. This new government was made up of many former Ryzanis, who had returned to help govern from nations like Barbossa. The Westreach government would control most of central Ryzan and the population centres, with the IRGC being located in the outer rim of the country where the occupation was harder to enforce. They set up operations out of the cities of Donklasgrad and Nova Balreska, setting these as ‘forward bases’ while they started training recruits in foreign countries such as Uldarash, Viodoxa and even secretly in Aurlunor, one the members of the Allium Alliance, without the Velereth’s cabinet noticing. Resistance to the occupation was fierce. Divisions such as the Ranseurs and Bushrangers ambushed Bardonian soldiers with a shoot-on-sight policy. Roads were destroyed, government buildings were burnt down, and both sides committed horrendous atrocities in order to scare the other into submission. In 881 ACA, Kovalsky was admitted to the Third Rathnir Coalition’s council as the representative of the separatist groups. From there, Coalition troops began to flood into the territories occupied by the rebels, eventually convening in the city of Carthya. A small task force composed of the leaders of the IRGC and Coalition troops marched on the city of Volkoregrod, storming the imperial residence of Jacob Azurov, signing a deal between the two which gave Free Ryzan the administrative powers over all of Westreach’s territories, in return for the leaders of the occupational government to be spared from punishment for collaboration. The subsequent Allium-Coalition War resulted in the total defeat of the Bardonian Empire, with Ryzan regaining its independence as a new Tsardom.

War in Ryzan and Third Ryzani Occupation
Without a major northern power, a large power vacuum emerged in Syltor. While Ryzan initially filled this role, it was quickly contested by other nations from outside the continent using a weakened, war-torn Syltor to gain a footing in the region. Ryzan would temporarily unify with Bardonia to form the Great Northern Confederacy, a failed union state that would dissolve after it was revealed that Bardonia had collaborated with Yimmu-Audal in a plot to invade Ryzan. Following this, the assassination of Mocoslav Kovalsky and the re-election of Josbar Liberium as the sixth President left the majority of the populace distrusting the government, and this was only exemplified when Azrael Arden-Astera couped Josbar during his inauguration and announced the formation of the Empire of Ryzan. The War in Ryzan was one of the most sluggish wars of the century, with numerous secessions, coups and unions culminating in the end of Ryzani sovereignty for a third time as the Greater Syltör Empire, and later Fourth Empire of Bardonia administered Ryzan as a core part of Bardonia.

This would change in 919 ACA, when Bardonia would allow Ryzan to form its own occupational government. The Fifth Tsardom, or Ryzani Autonomous Zone was similar to the Tsardom of Westreach in its purpose and internal function. However, the Tsardom would gradually begin reintroducing democracy into their government, reestablishing the Duma and allowing for the return of Josbar-era politicians who had fled persecution to other countries. This sudden change brought a lot of attention to Ryzan, causing the population to grow exponentially until it made up 40% of the total population of the Fourth Empire. It would lead the charge against Mithra in the Mithran-Dandelion War. Shortly after this, however, the Empire would descend into turmoil, with the rising Blank Dandelion movement slowly building itself across the core realms. A coup in Andorn would trigger the Black Dandelion to overthrow the central government, with Duke Azael, infected by the Chancellor's soul, assuming dictatorial control over the government. Initially expecting no resistance, the Black Dandelion was caught off guard when the Fifth Tsardom of Ryzan and other regions of the empire expressed their opposition to the coup. Crezyman would attempt a countercoup, only for yet another coup to cause the conflict to spill over, causing the complete collapse of the Fourth Empire.

First Ryvenate of Ryzan
Following the collapse of the Fourth Empire, the new Ryvenate of Ryzan was the only continually stable nation in Syltor. It would embark on a year-long campaign of desecrating Bardonian symbolism installed across Ryzan during the occupational period. The territories of Ozeanburg, Novatress and Credia would integrate into the Ryvenate over the following 15 years, with Ryzan developing an interventionist foreign policy in conflicts such as the War in Veldion and later the Galadonn-Aldovir Conflict, to preserve its interests on the international stage. A near-miss war with the Bardonian Enclave would cause Ryzan to seek alliances with nations such as Uldarash, the Three Thrones and the Aurlûnor Velande. This would eventually lead Ryzan to seek union with the latter of these nations, with the gradual recovery of Bardonia under the Soleannan Imperium potentially threatening Ryzan's future independence.

Aurlunoren-Ryzani Unions
The first union between Aurlûnor and Ryzan was created in 848 ACA (42 SMP) between Tsar Canadian Tossovich and Velereth Sareariel Lelya-Earcala. The union was brief, and only lasted a single year, before its collapse. The state broke due to accusations on both sides and mutual distrust, which continued long after Ryzan and Aurlûnor split up. The two nations had rocky relations, as Aurlûnor tried siding with Bardonia out of opportunism when the Bardonians tried to integrate Ryzan by conquest. Still, fear of Bardonian imperialism drew the two nations together, as did a growing number of shared dual citizens and the growth of the Twin Dragon religion into Ryzan. The nations had ups and downs; being allies in the Syltör League, then the Aurlûnoren occupation of Deutzan during the War in Ryzan, to the return of the Deutzan region and a brief embargo, to the rebuilding of relations once more. The Tsarina of the Ryvenate of Ryzan, Shan Yazovich Toss, was herself a member of the Lelya-Earcala Dynasty, which aided in cementing friendly relations to the dynasty's matriarch Sareariel.

The defining moment of Aurlûnor-Ryzani relations prior to the second union was the Red Sun Campaign, wherein Josbar Liberium II, the king of Remtal, attempted to filibuster a part of western Aurlûnor for his own personal gain utilizing an army of mercenaries and Soleannan Imperium volunteers. Most of the rest of the Ryzani government resisted this, and working alongside Aurlûnor, the two prevented Josbar's soldiers from invading the city of Quacomar. Still, the threat of invasion led to Sareariel's abdication, and the creation of a regency under Chancellor Mao Meili. The Chancellorate Era of Aurlûnor saw the rise of a union movement. Initially as a mere joke, the plan began to be taken seriously, as the Chancellorate government and Ryvenate began to work together towards unification. Finally, in 961 ACA, the two states signed the constitution of the Union and the union officially began. The regency in Aurlûnor ended as Tsarina Shan was chosen as Velereth, uniting the two states under one monarch.

The interventionist policies of Ryzan would continue under the Union, with wars against Laumont, Carvay and Galadonn being intervened in by the Union and its allies, to prevent the new Bardonian Empire and its allies from gaining a foothold in other regions of the world. Following a month's conspiracy, on 20th Heicane 987 ACA, the United Crowns was founded as the successor state to Aurlûnor-Ryzan. The Union would be structured almost exactly the same as its predecessor, however with further changes for the addition of Lennox-Credia as the third member state and future additions (Ombria and Andorn had been rumoured as potential candidates for the fourth member). The change from a more federal government structure to a confederate structure was a vital change, however, despite the fact that some are still calling the Union a 'federation of semi-sovereign states'.

Second West March War
Following the white peace at the end of the West March Crisis, the war was triggered once again with the UCS announcing their counteroffensive on New Dorasterrock with the assistance of their allies and mercenary groups such as Paragon, Uldarash and Shirokaneza. This had been months in the waiting after Bardonia's near-collapse at the end of the crisis, which was only saved following the return of Crezyman and The Chancellor as the Autarchs of Bardonia. Following this, the war was restarted.

The counteroffensive got off to a flying start when the first assault on New Dorasterrock resulted in the UCS and allies declaring a siege victory, being able to push to the plaza in front of the Bardonian Senate building. However, the siege victory was not confirmed for another 22 hours afterwards due to a long, drawn out session of debate. Following this victory, Velereth-Tsarina Shan declared the West Lands Alliance to be dissolved, replaced by the Western Commonwealth, an alliance network designed to combat Bardonia and defeat them once and for all. Following the first assault, the Bardonians went into a state of panic, desperately trying to prepare for the next battle. In a move that surprised absolutely nobody, Bardonia announced the day following the assault that they would be joining the Shirokanezan Empire, one of if not the most powerful nations in Eldham. This move was condemned greatly by the international community of Rathnir, especially by the forces of the Western Commonwealth. This also meant that the mercenary group, commonly known as 'Shiro', would be fighting for Bardonia during the next assault.

The second assault began on the night of 30th Luyander 997 ACA, with the battle initially leaning towards a potential Bardonian victory, with the UCS and Allies unable to penetrate the city centre. However, following a combined UCS and Paragonite pincer assault, the battle ended with the Senate building swarmed with Allied soldiers. Despite this, it was announced the next day that the Bardonians would keep New Dorasterrock as it was 'not fair to Crezy' to give the city to the UCS despite the fact that they had got a siege victory. This was met with mass outcry, calling out admin bias in this situation. No battles could occur for another eight years. Over the course of the following years, the Bardonians would make lightning gains in the Second West March War, and completely turn the war on its head. With Lennox, Halge, Paloro, Boulderov and Hearthstone Yuldai departing from the union in an effort to keep those territories free from the fighting and conquest. Sanctuary would ultimately fall to Vinovia while Tossagrad and Carthya would fall to the Bardonians. With one last desperate fight at Slouttawa failing to stop the Bardonian advance, and the pressure mounting, the UCS sued for peace and subsequently dissolved as per the terms of the Treaty of Playistan in 1018 ACA.

Fourth Occupation Period and Peterhoff's Flight
Following the takeover of the Phoenixian Ryzani Government after the Second Westmarch War, the Imperial Federation of Ryzan, led by Peterhoff Tossovich attempted to unite the Ryzani state involving hosting democratic elections in their duma and their presidential position. However, instability was still precedent in the region and mixed popularity with the Imperial government. Elle Ní Shan, daughter of the former leader of the Phoenixian Imperium Shan Tossova Medici, returned from her family's exile to reclaim the Ryzani Throne and territories that were lost during the Third Ryzani Civil War during the Second Westmarch War. She would settle in the city of Lebadville to begin a plot to overthrow the Federation Government and form a new Ryzani government. The Federation would discover that Elle had resettled back into the Ryzani Region and ordered the mayor, Dimitri I. Magilith to remove her from the city. This would be disregarded, and subsequently the Second Ryvenate of Ryzan would announce a reclamation of all former Ryzani lands. This would result in the collapse of the Imperial Federation, and the departure from Ryzan and later suicide of Peterhoff Tossovich, which resulted in the war being nicknamed Peterhoff's Flight. Following the consolidation of power over independent Ryzani lands, they would look outwards to Bardonian occupied territories. Alongside pro-government insurgents, notably GR-FUTILLA, Ryzan would reclaim the majority of Carthya Province, as well as Liberium and other cities from foreign powers. Following the beginning of the Siege of Dorasterrock, Bardonia would begin giving away its Ryzani lands to the Ryvenate in trades in an effort to keep them neutral and gain some money from the deals. After 12 years of this policy and the fall of Dorasterrock in 1040 ACA, in a surprising movement, Ryzan would announce the reformation of Aurlunor-Ryzan.

Government
The Second Ryvenate of Ryzan was a federation of non-independent sovereign states. There are many different layers to the government structure, and certain limitations mean that only certain parts of the government function in certain states.

Velereth-Tsarina
The Velereth-Tsarina was the head of state in the Union, similar to their role in Aurlûnor-Ryzan prior. In government, the Velereth-Tsarina had near absolute power, getting the final say on laws, pardons, judicial sentences, honorary distinctions, among other things. However, they are still not above the constitution, and hence can still be tried for violation of the document. The role of Velereth-Tsarina was highly symbolic, and the incumbent stands as the representative of the United Crowns' image on the international frontier. The title of Velereth usually dominates affairs due to the Aurlûnor Velande's title of Velereth directly linking to the first Velereth, and was seen as a sign of great disrespect if it was below any other title.

Regional Administrator
The Regional Administrator acts almost as a Regent, serving the duties of the Velereth-Tsarina when they are not available for whatever reason. The Regional Administrator also had the ability to call a vote of impeachment on the Velereth-Tsarina if they have evidence that the head of state had violated the constitution. When not filling in as head of state in the Velereth-Tsarina's absence, the Regional Administrator acts as the right-hand of the head of state, acting as head of the Imperial Court.

Imperial Court
The Imperial Court was comprised of selected trusted individuals who act as the highest governmental body of the Union. Each member was selected by the Velereth-Tsarina herself. The Imperial Court was headed by the Regional Administrator.

State's Councils
The Architectural Minister manages their region's infrastructure projects. Cultural Ministers are responsible for production, collection and archiving of the documentation of their region's culture. The People/Propaganda Minister organizes events and manages the Department of Propaganda's production in their region. Events Ministers manages all aspects of their region's events, such as holidays, parties, anniversary celebration.

Geography
the Second Ryvenate of Ryzan, sits in solely central Syltör, within the larger Aurlunoren-Ryzani Empire. Its northern border with Askonia sits along the Kobold Mountains and was marked by a series of Nebskoslavian border towns along the northwestern Nebek Plains. The western border spans the eastern seaboard of the Gulf of Ryzan, as well as the Bay of Deutzan, with its smallest land border with its fellow member of Aurlunor-Ryzan, Deutzan. The southern border was a collection of islands part of Vologda, as well as the former Nova Balreskan coastline. The eastern border with Bardonia cuts directly through the middle of the Bardonian Plain, which extends deep into Carthya. Historically, the Ryzani-Bardonian border was a straight diagonal line from Neuheim to Carthya, however that had changed since the establishment of the Ryvenate of Ryzan. The eastern coast of Ryzan gives way to the Gulf of Carthya and the Sea of Petals, sharing contested territory with Synderia and the narrowest point between Syltör and Yulara.