NATION
Nation Name: Anicea
Chosen Colour for Nation: Light Green
People of Importance:
Population: 8.2 million approx. although an exact census is impossible due to the recent influx of refugees.
TRAITS:
National Traits
Cunning Linguists – Throughout their history, the Aniceans have discovered that war is not always the best answer to a solution which can often be far more effectively resolved with dialogue. Anicean diplomats and negotiators treat their work almost as an art, and as necessary to the country’s survival as its army and fleet, even if the words they say are threats to use said forces.
Homeland Security – The Aniceans like to keep to themselves and take the defence of their borders seriously. Counter-intelligence agencies work in tandem with naval patrols to defend the country, although with the recent influx of refugees, who knows what may get out?
Farmhands – Even before the founding of the Empire the Aniceans were famed for their agriculture, indeed before the mighty industries of Anicea, it was farming that helped sustain the fledgling country and allowed it to reach the heights it did.
Population Traits
Industrious – The people of Anicea forged an Empire in the past with the sweat of their brow, the blood of their hearts and the iron of their swords, when they are motivated, the Aniceans can truly achieve greatness.
Look at all the babies! – Although a moderately sized nation, the sudden influx of refugees following the invasion of the Shadow has caused Anicea’s population to explode dramatically.
Academic Traits
Academy of War – The Schools of War in Anicea are old as their heritage suggests, and can draw upon the knowledge of centuries. Although not as popular as some of the centres of military knowledge the Alliance could call upon, the Naval Colleges in particular still are amongst the leaders in their fields.
Science Academy – Technology has always driven Anicea in favour of magic, and their centres of learning are evident of this. The Univerisites and colleges of Anicea are respected across Kolnur for their rich histories - indeed many credit the Science Academies of Anicea for the first steamships, which now dominate its fleet - although access has been difficult for outsiders for some time, it has not been impossible.
Military Traits
For King and Country! – The Aniceans have always maintained a standing force as a deterrence to any Alliance aggression. The army are expertly trained and highly skilled, and was of modest size compared to the total population before the influx of refugees, as befit a nation that constantly stared down an opponent across the waves.
Soldiers of the Line – The infantry form the backbone of the Anicean army, they are highly disciplined, and skilled and are looked at as the honourable warriors of the nation. They will not falter, they will not fail and they will not let up.
Strategists – The War Academies of Anicea have produced officers and Generals who are among the best in Kolnur, and wherever the military of Anicea may act, there is always some plan in play.
Military Units Traits
Light Infantry – The lightly armed infantry of Anicea have largely fallen out of fashion in recent times, with the conscript armies disbanded long ago, although given recent events, there have been calls for the recreation of the Light Infantry forces as both a conscript army, and an elite section of the army.
Heavy Infantry – The backbone of the Anicean Army, the Heavy Infantry have become immersed in stories of honour, heroism and bravery throughout Anicea’s culture, and although dwarves are the most common, both Gnomes and Dwarves can be seen standing shoulder to shoulder in the shield walls as brothers and sisters.
Arquebussers – The arquebusser has taken up a prominent role in the Anicean army, completely replacing the archer soon after their weapon’s invention. Both Gnomes and Dwarves fill the ranks, supporting the lines of Heavy Infantry with the potent firearms.
Artillery – The Artillery batteries of Anicea are powerful indeed, sporting cannon second to none throughout Kolnur, with the improvements of the Gnomes closely guarded secrets of the Artillery and Arquebusser brigades.
Naval Traits
Ship Building – ¬The shipyards of Anicea have long been famed throughout Kolnur for their work, and have produced some of the mightiest vessels to sail the seas.
Ship Artillery – The devastating cannon that line the broadside of an Iron Navy vessel can loose a barrage capable of sinking lesser ships at great range and pierce the armour of the larger vessels that stray to close.
Ironclad – The Ironclads are the pride of the Iron Navy and the symbol of Anicean naval power.
Iron Waves – The Iron Navy has always been a distributer of Anicean foreign policy, both through peacekeeping and pirate operations as well as through acts of war. Whether feared or admired, none can doubt the power of the Anicean Fleet.
Necromancy Traits
Divine Magic Traits
Elemental Magic Traits
Illusion Magic Traits
Technology Traits
This…is….my…BOOMSTICK! – Developed and improved by Gnommish sceintists, the Arquebusser has quickly become a mainstay within the Anicean army.
Alchemical Alloys – The mighty walkers of the Anicean army and the hulking Ironclads of the Fleet both benefit from the superior alloys that line their hulls, allowing them to weather the fury of battle thanks to the exploitation of Alchemy and Chemistry. Even the dwarven forts and strongholds could utilise bunkers made of Alchemical Alloys superior to stone.
Cannons – The cannon has become common throughout the Anicean military, whether it be in dwarven forts, onboard mechanical walkers, within the artillery brigades or even in the Ironclads of the fleet; they deal death and destruction to those who oppose Anicea.
Steam Engine – The steam engine is a more recent development in Anicea, but has quickly become adopted in everything from the mechanical walkers of the army, the factories in industries, the Ironclads in the fleet to even more situations between.
Mechanical Walkers – The land Ironclads of the Anicean army support the Infantry in battle, giving the force some much needed mobile strength in place of traditional cavalry. Powered by steam engines, walkers are also beginning to be used much more aggressively as their mobility and speed have increased dramatically.
Trains – Since the development of steam engines, railroads have crisscrossed the nation, allowing for the mobilisation of troops and for an economic boom in industries benefiting from the network. Some have come to call the trains the ‘Ironclads of Industry’.
Racial Traits
Dwarven defences – The forts and strongholds of the dwarves have held invasion, raid and storm, they are bastions of strength and will not give in without a fight.
Need more boom – The Gnomes of Anicea have long sought to utilise superior weaponry to counter their diminuitive size, although similar in height to the dwarves, they lack their build and strength. This lead to the rapid adoption and development of firearms, and now the Arquebussers and Cannon of Anicea are among the most powerful in Kolnur.
History
Legends tell that the nation of Anicea came into being from an alliance between a collection of dwarves and gnomes, driven in part by marriages between the royal families and the ruling classes as well as the desire to stand together against the dangers of the world. However, this Anicea would be unrecognisable with the one that exists today as much has changed in the land throughout its turbulent history. The formation of modern Anicea, however, was the result of what has come to be called the Anicean Revolution. For decades the land was under the iron fist of a tyrannical king, with his reign fermenting anger, hatred and discontent amongst the populace; many feared that the nation would tear itself apart if the King did not recognise the cries of his people. Indeed, many attempted revolts were forcefully putdown in brutal shows of force. This terror could not last, and the spark that rallied the disgruntled people to action was none other than the heir to the throne, an ancient Gnommish Prince. Although battles were fought and blood was spilled, the violence was minimal as entire armies joined their fellow countrymen in overthrowing their despot. The result of this uprising was the ascension of King Jagus I to the throne, whose first act of office was to establish a parliament that would work in tandem with the monarchy so as to ensure that the people’s wishes were always heard. The system that was eventually put in place was based on the ancient councils of the gnomes, as well as the feudal system of the dwarves, and it has survived as the system of government of Anicea to this day.
As time wore on, the nation of Anicea rapidly grew in influence and power, with the devotion and dedication of its industrious citizenry allowing it claw its way to prominence. Wars were fought, victories were enshrined and the economy of Anicea fuelled the imperialistic expansion of a Superpower. Two centuries before the formation of the Grand Alliance, Anicea was inarguably the most powerful state in all of Kolnur, or at the very least the most powerful nation that chose to throw its weight around. It was in this period that Anicea took the task of keeper of the peace upon itself, intervening in conflicts across the lands with its mighty army and patrolling the trade routes with an unrivalled fleet; Anicea mounted operations to quash civil unrest, pioneered economic aid packages and even played a role in the expulsion of bandit tribes that dared harass their merchants. However, rather than see the actions of Anicea as attempts to maintain order in the world, the country’s fellow nations soon grew irritated by the constant interventions and interference in what they considered to be domestic affairs. Soon, even the victims that Anicea tried to save resented the assistance and by the time the mighty Superpower found itself in its inevitable decline, it had no more friends to turn to.
The leading theory is that it was economic, but the decline of the Anicean Empire eventually lead to military withdrawals and the expulsion of its fleets form other countries’ territorial waters. Soon the once invincible Empire was hounded from every direction, being portrayed as the bully that dared to stick its manipulative paws where they were not wanted. The cancellation of trade agreements and the economic isolation was the last straw for Anicea, which made the decision to take the resources that needed to survive and heal its ailing economy. At first the invasions surpassed expectations, and the Empire’s armies were ordered deeper and deeper inland as politicians lost sight of military necessities and became infatuated with their own greed and the supposed ‘resurgence’ of the Empire. Although the Empire was past its prime, it was still stronger than any single nation and as such brushed aside all who opposed it. Amongst the cries of nationalism and imperialism, one voice was drowned out, that of the Navy, long since pushed out of mind as simply a deterrence force against pirates and bandits the Admirality became frantic as they saw the winds of change gather their strength, unnoticed by those in Anicea.
Two Hundred years ago the Grand Alliance was formed, and although the fledgling Alliance did not wield nearly as much power as it eventually would come to command, its Armies shattered the Anicean lines, not expecting a concerted attack. Within a week, all the gains the Empire had made in War was overturned, and by the end of the month the Empire was being pushed to the coast, lands that it had called its own for centuries being left behind in a no-holds-barred retreat off the mainland. The mighty armies of the Empire lay tattered and ruins and the Alliance prepared to mount an invasion of Anicea and put an end to the country’s tyranny. However, its forces came up against the Iron Navy, holding the line against the Alliance at sea until a shaky stalemate was earned through blood and iron. Eventually, the lives and sacrifices of the Navy lead to the signing of a treaty as the Grand Alliance chose that the losses of a protracted campaign were not worth the results, and decided that a demolished Anicea was as good as an obliterated one. Anicea survived but the Empire was no more, and it found itself cast in the Shadow of the greatest alliance Kolnur has ever known.
During the time of the Grand Alliance, Anicea became reserved and focused within its own sphere of influence, with a generation growing up bitter with the outside world and considering themselves all the better for not interfering in it and its countless problems. The one exception to this rule of self-imposed isolation, was the Navy which took on the role it always had, patrolling the seas against pirates and brigands, although when once it guarded the oceans, it was now restricted to the diminished Anicean sphere of influence. Many today argue that the continued enforcement of the Iron Navy was the only reason the Grand Alliance chose not to finish the job that it had started, and eventually the two powers learned to leave each other to their own devices. However, upon the invasion of the Shadow, even the Aniceans had to take notice of the world around them. The first indication of anything amiss to Anicea was the full-scale mobilisation of the Grand Alliance garrisons that they had been monitoring for the past 200 years; the immediate thoughts were of a coming invasion and fears of another great war. The truth, it was discovered, was far worse.
Whilst Kolnur burned, nations fell and the permnament deterrence against Anicea turned their backs on the island nation and made their way inland, the Council bickered amongst themselves as to how best deal with the situation, should they take advantage of the weakened Alliance and deal their rightful vengeance, or should they take any action at all? It wasn’t their problem, they reasoned and the Alliance had made it clear what they thought of Anicean interference. However, once again it was the Navy that took the lead, bearing witness to the fires on the mainland and the cries of cities burning in the night, the Fleet mobilised itself and decided to take the only action it could; for the first time in nearly two centuries, the Iron Navy sailed beyond Anicea’s territorial waters to stand shoulder to shoulder with its Alliance counterparts.
The end was never truly in doubt, the Alliance could not stand against such a force; however, the war with the Alliance did leave the Shadow reeling, at with its final cry of freedom and the flames of its funeral pyre, the Grand Alliance cast back the relentless armies of the dark – at least for a time. The fleets which the Iron Navy had fought alongside returned to their own nations, most of the crews wondering if there was anything left of their homes at all. As such, the Iron Navy once again took to the oceans in order to shepherd the fleets of refugees to sheltered lands; for many, the first indication that civilization was still existing beyond their shattered borders, was the glinting sight and steam cloud of an Ironclad off the coast.
Now, Anicea has found that it is not alone in this new world, and although some countries did survive, not nearly did as was hoped. The result is that refugees who were expected to move on to other nations had to be taken in by Anicea, causing its population to explode. Fortunately, the land had always maintained a powerful military as a deterent against the Alliance, so was able to maintain order and control, and the bountiful farms of Anicea could feed the masses. In spite of this, one thing was for sure: in this new world, no more could Anicea seclude itself and trust in the waves as its wall, although whether this is the moment for the Empire to once again ascend, or the final nail in the coffin of a fallen giant, only time will tell.
MILITARY:
Navy
1000 Ironclads
Army
90,000 Heavy Infantry
20,000 Artillery Batteries
3,000 Mechanical Walkers (30,000 total)
60,000 Arquebussers
OOC: Ok the bare bones here. I’m posting this up because I’m short of time thanks to exams coming at me this week, I’ll try to fix it up ASAP but I hope I’ve put enough up so as not to impede the creation of the map etc ;)
Chaos Marine - "Where's your god Emperor now!?"
Loyal Astartes - "Right Behind you...."
Chaos Marine - *Turns around*
Chuck Norris with a Powerfist - "FALCON PUNCH!"
Last edited by Yru0; 03-03-13 at 05:51 PM.