Shirudo

Shirudo, also known as the Shirudan Kokkunate, is an island nation north east of the continent of Propastra. Composed of hundreds of islands, Hokuriko and Gosumo are by far the largest and most populated. It is largely temperate, with sub-arctic climates in its northern regions. Most of the nation is dominated by the Nohago mountains.

History
The Shirudo islands were first inhabited by refugees from the Hijjian exodus around 500 BRT. Early Shirudan writings from the time describe the construction of Kohwoor from the hulls of the ships of the early settlers.

Shortly after the foundation of Kohwoor, Hokuriko was entirely populated by these early refugees under the Tenno Dynasty. However, Gosumo and many outlying islands fiercely defended their independence.

The Rule of the Tenno Dynasty 500 BRT to 840RT
The Tenno Dynasty was said to have ruled a large realm that included the entire islands of Hokuriko, Gosumo and the eastern coasts of Propastra. The few records of that era are stored at the Royal Archives in Kohwoor.

Fall of the Hokurikan Empire 840-890rt
Tenno Dynasty loses its control of the ancient nation as it lost several wars against the peoples of Propastra. The propastrans would later create the Nordvest Kingdom in the centuries to come. The remnants of the Tenno Dynasty was wiped out in this perilous era.

Splintered Clans Era 890s-1300s RT
An era of intense infighting between the Noble Clans of Hokuriko. Each one vying to regain what the Tenno Dynasty lost. The constant fighting left the hokurikans isolated from the rest of Unos Solum. The clans in Gosumo were relatively better off than their counterparts at the bigger islands.

Amid the conflict one benevolent organisation was formed. This group of healers and gravediggers would eventually be known as the Red Healers. They would attach themselves to the rising Shirudo Clan and become influential and would often be seen alongside the priesthood.

Unification of Hokuriko 1300s - 1500 RT
The Shirudo Clan launches an unconventional campaign to unite the island through food and culture and eventually war. The shirudans extensively used war shirds in their campaign. Flocks of these dark feathered birds often signify the presence of the Shirudo clan. At around 1389 RT most provinces in the main island of Hokuriko would be under shirudan control. Norudo Shirudo was the Dai-Shogun of the Clan. He was closely tied with the Red Healers and his conquest was done mostly through negotiation.

The Red Healers would solidify their position in the shirudan royal court at this period. The Institution accepted commoners and nobility alike and trained them in the medical arts. The Red Healers were the first to advocate reaching out to other nations and ending the isolationist policy the Shirudan Shogunate adopted from the 1400s. The group wanted to learn more of the world outside of Hokuriko. It was not long before the Shirudan Shogunate realised the massive benefits of expanding their realm. In 1453RT the Shogunate prepared an expedition to the nearby island of Gosumo where they encountered several clans and pirate groups. In 1467RT, the Shogunate launched an expedition eastward and encountered the enshawdian peoples and later on in 1470RT the Mabuting Monarchy in the midst of civil strife.

Rivalry against the Holy Kingdom of Nordvest 1500s- 1600s RT
In 1512 RT Dai- Shogun Kage Shirudo led an expedition westward and made contact with the Dukedoms of Nordvest. The nordvestians disliked the shirudans the expedition was chased southward to the Kingdom of Konhinentaru. Kage Shirudo would pledge support for the Konchinentaru people for as long as the Shogunate persists.

By 1590 the shirudans would landed several armies in Konchinentaru to reinforce their relationship with their ally. These forces would constantly face off against the nordvestians and their karelians allies who came from the west. The shirudo believed that the konchijin were decendants of the Tenno Dynasty but were unable to reach Hokuriko or Gosumo. This belief fueled their zeal to protect their distant people. The shirudo fought against the continentals at the borders of Konchinentaru as well as the waters of the Silver Sea.

Shirudo Gosumo Wars- 1600-1640 RT
The campaigns against the Dukedoms of Norvest pulled away a large portion of the shirudan navy that would usually be patrolling the coastal areas of Hokuriko. This absence allowed pirates to continually raid villages wiht impunity. In 1616RT Dai Shogun Toyama Shirudo decided to go on the offensive. He recalled forces from Konchinentaru and assembled a large fleet to invade Gosumo. His goal was to take over pirate held towns around the coast of the island. Hoever by 1625 RT, his conquests of several gosujin coastal towns emboldened him to fully conquer the island. His campaign would end in 1636 RT when he was struck down by gosujin gunmen. His successor, Tou Shirudo took over and harshly prosecuted the war thereafter.

Industrialisation came late to the Shogunate. While the nations in the main continent had access to vulcore powered machines by 1400 RT, this revolutionary technology would be brought to Hokuriko by hessian machinists in late 1500s RT. The shirudan Shogunate would immediately commence designing their own creations. However the Shogunate did not undergo rapid industrialisation and instead concentrated their industrialisation at the capital of Kohwoor and south eastern cities.

The ekranoplane is invented and is used against the clans inhabiting Gosumo. Shirudan naval warfare tactics evolved in this war.

Another major factor in this series of conflicts between the island nations were the Hoffnung merchants who opened trade routes in Gosumo. The gosujin withheld impressive hoffnung merchandise and goods from the shirudans. The gosujin armies supplemented with hoffnung mercenaries proved to be more than a challenge for the shirudan warriors. However the gosujin were not able to turn the tide against the vast armies of the Shogun Tou Shirudo and were defeated in 1640 RT.

Industrialisation of Gosumo
After the Shirudo-Gosumo Wars, the Shogun mandated that the lands of Gosumo be transformed to become the industrial base of the Shogunate. The Shogun hired many hessian engineers and guilds to further improve shirudan technology. One consequence of this act is that Gosumo becomes dependent on food imports from Hokuriko and the Shogunate could easily cut the island off from supplies should its people misbehave.

Northern expansion 1650s-1700 RT
The Shirudan Shogunate turns their eyes northward. They were set on colonizing the vast landscape of Allerod and its resources. Shirudan prospectors seemingly found vast deposits of vulcore in the southern part of Allerod. This discovery would allow for major trade agreements with the hessians. The profits from this venture would have been used to support the goals of the Shogunate in Propastra had in not been for the Sanzuko Rebellion in 1715RT.

“Sanzoku” Rebellion 1715-1740 RT
Disgruntled nobles and their privateer conspirators rebelled against the Shirudo Shogunate. These groups gathered and made their base in industrialised Gosumo. There they attempted to regain it's independence in a movement known as the Sanzuko Rebellion.This was the first time seaplanes and ekranoplanes fought against each other. The foes were evenly matched. By 1733 RT the nobles of Gosumo managed to assemble a force larger than that of the Dai- Shogun Dyura Shirudo and his loyalists. The Sanzuko had taken control of all cities in Gosumo by then. While they celebrated, the loyalists in Hokuriko made preparations for a counter attack.

Dai Shogun Dyura Shirudo decided to once again look outside of the country for inspiration for a new type of weapon. In 1735, the Shogunate unleashed the first true shirudan airships. The Tani-To class and the bigger Renzan class outgunned their seaplane counterparts and could stay in the air for much longer. The new airships convinced the Sanzuko to lay down their weapons and work with the Shirudo for the decades to come.

This conflict led to the formation of the Imperial SkyFleet and the Royal Marines. The Dai-Shoguns will no longer rely on nobles for naval support.

Enshaw Shirudo war 1753-1757RT
Emboldened with the recent display of the power of his airships Dai Shogun Dyura Shirudo launched an invasion of the Enshawdian home islands in 1753. After 4 years of fighting, the Shogun's Sky Fleet and armies returned home in defeat. This was a terrible defeat for the shirudans.

The shirudans deployed a massive but uncoordinated army. The soldiers were more loyal to their clan and this led to several set backs and constant bickering. After the war, Dai-Shogun Shirudo mandated the formation of the Shogunate Grand Army. Nobles will no longer be able to raise their own military units. There would only be 1 professional standing army that would be loyal to the Dai-Shogun.

This decree would then be followed by another more controversial one; The Mohei Edict. This law mandates that every family of the realm, low-born or of noble blood must provide 1 member into the service of the Grand Army, the Skyfleet, or any institution in direct service to the Dai-Shogun. When the Edict was enacted on the year of 1758 RT shirudan militarism became an unshakeable part of shirudan culture and way of life.

First Nordvest- Shirudo war 1770-1771RT
During the 18th century, the Shirudans and Nordvestians continuously engaged in several small scale skirmishes. These battles were fought across the ill defined borders between the Konchinentaru Shogunate and the Holy Nordvestian Empire. In 1769, the recently crowned Dai-Shogun Ueda Shirudo ,coordinated a plan that led to a full blown war to regain the royal familiy's honour after his father's loss in the war against Enshaw in 1757 RT. It was time to test the efficiency of the new Grand Army. With the lessons learned in the previous war the Sky Fleet proved invaluable in paving the way for the troops on the ground. This conflict was known as the First Nordvest-Shirudo War.

3 months into the war, all seemed according to Ueda's plans. However there was a shortage of supplies and ammunition in the main drive towards Norinta. One of the vanguard elements of the Grand Army was led by none other than Crown-Prince Hyrho Shirudo himself. His unit suffered shortages but pushed through regardless and was encircled. Crown-Prince Hyrho was captured for the rest of the war. The main shirudan force continued to advance towards Norinta. When Ueda reached the capital city and his sone was released the Dai-Shogun wept at the sight of his mutilated son.

Despite personal tragedies of the Shirudan royal family, this quick war was an overwhelming success. Shirudan soldiers marched into Nortina in just six months of fighting. The Nordvestian leadership had little choice but to recognise the existence of the Konchinentaru, and cede a great deal of land to the small Shirudan allied country. Another victory for Ueada was that now shirudan soldiers can stay indefinitely within Konchinentaru territory.

The successes in this war proved to the Dai-Shogun that his methods were right. His Shogunate's military is as strong as ever and now after having won his war his reputation at was secured. He would think that it was time to seek allies abroad.

Industrialisation of the Shogunate 1780-1800RT
In 1778RT, Magna Tranfa was found in a state of near death by Princess Hathor Shirudo in the edges of Shirudan occupied Alerod. The princess was an initiate of the Red Healers and her efforts to restore Magna's health was repaid with his eternal loyalty. He impressed the shirudan officials in charge of Allerod. These officials then endorsed Magna to serve the Dai Shogun back in the home islands. Skeptical at first, Dai-Shogun Ueda tasked the giant with small matters. His efficiency and charisma won over Ueda and by 1780 RT Magna became his top advisor. With the Dai-Shogun's blessing, Magna created the Office of the Arrowhead and began to systematically "put things in order." Dissident groups ranging from dissatisfied workers, maverick industrialists, paranoid aristocrats, and even members of the priesthood were dealt with by the Arrowheads through a variety of methods.

By 1790RT, the Arrowheads had control over the Shogunate via a web of intermediate agencies and organizations. Through the Arrowheads the Shogunate could coordinate the country's industry and economy with unmatched efficiency. With the use of propaganda and stern leadership Ueda's subjects had come to relish their role in society. Ueda and the royal family became part of everyday life for the shirudan people. Everyday they sing the anthem and pledge allegiance to the Royal Crest. From the military farms teeming with cadets and youth corps trainees, to the vast shipyards of Kohwoor and the factories dotting all over Gosumo, visitors from abroad could see the expanding potential of an industrialised Shogunate. One particular visitor, Ham von Ravine of Hesse would be totally convinced that Magna's methods would serve his nation as well.

With things at home working in peak efficiency, Magna looked beyond and saw that the world could be likened to his adopted country but would never choose to be so willingly. Magna convinced his Dai-Shogun to prepare for a war on a scale unmatched before. In the following decade, the shogunate would amass an arsenal so large it could supply an army of millions. by 1789 RT, the Shirudan Shogunate Sky Fleet and the Grand Army would become one of the largest military force in Unos Solum.

Second Nordvest Shirudo War 1800RT/ Great war 1800-1810RT
Spurred on by their King, the nordvestians rallied to wage war against the Shirudo for a second time. This would be the beginning of the world wide Great war envisioned by Magna and Dai-Shogun Ueda Shirudo. A decade of war against the Continental Alliance would pit the best and the worst of the shirudan nation into situations of savagery and bravery not seen before in recorded history.

BIG war with a decade of plots and schemes and action. See here for a more in depth breakdown of events (To be linked once done.)

Dominion of Sovereign States (1803- 1810RT)
The Dominion was officially formed in 1803RT. Its founding members are the nations of the Shirudan Shogunate, Konchinentaru, Hessia and Imania. Later on as the Great war continued, more nations joined or were assimilated into the alliance. In chronological order, the later members of the Dominion would  include Scarabeen, Dahomey and the occupied territories.

Kokkunate Era 1811-1830RT
After defeating Magna and scattering his Arrowhead armies Hathor Shirudo was declared the new Dai-Shogun in 1810RT. Her leadership led to many reforms in the shirudan government. The military was removed from power and a new civillian government was formed. This new government will be inspired by the enshawdian government and the hessian republic and influenced by the arcean republic. The Kokkunate would be officially formed in 1812 RT.

Organization
Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy with a constitution inspired by the hessian republic. With Dai-Shogun Hathor Shirudo at helm the reformed Kokkunate balances its alliances and policies delicately to avoid causing another Great War.

Royal Family
Shirudo Clan had control of the islands of Hokuriko, and Gosumo since 1500 RT. Current Dai-Shogun is Hathor Shirudo.

Executive Branch
Under construction and taking inspiration from enshawdian, arcean government and hessian republic. The Prime Minister will be voted into office by the Parliament.

Legislative Branch
Kokkunate Diet is composed of :

Chamber of Councilors

Chamber of Representatives

Judicial Branch
Office of Supreme Justice

Economy
Currency: Gingami

Culture
Food loving, shird petting, bird watching, seaplane flying, war mongering and shub cooking

Nearly 80% of the population of the Kokkunate are adherents to Torikazoku.

Demographics
The main ethnic group foundi n Hokuriko are hokujins who are often referred to as shirudans. They make up 86% of the total Kokkunate population. The second group are gosujin, people who had come from gosumo but the differences with the hokujin are not apparent except in spoken dialect. At the northern regions of Hokuriko are families with allerodian traits. They posses reddish brown hair and blue eyes giving them a distinct appearance. They make up the 3rd largest ethnic group in the hokuriko.

The 3rd largest ethnic group of the Kokkunate are the hessians. They are spread throuhgout the Kokkunate territores. Some families have been residing in Gosumo since the 1500s.. Nordvestians make up the 4th largest ethnic group in the Kokkunate. Most of them reside in Kokkunated Nordvest. The next group are the konchijin. The majority of these people have fled from continent during the Great War.

There are even reports of migrants from Imania, Ephesus and Scarabeen. These families are relatives of soldiers who fought for the Dominion. Many of these foreign demographics are inhabiting Gosumo as part of the repopulation effort in the aftermath of the tragic events there in the final battles of the Great War.

Military
The Shirudan Kokkunate maintains an extensive military force spread across its wide territory. The country's new military force organized after the Great War is known as the Kokkunate Military Service. The KMS was officially established in the year 1811RT. Unlike its predecessor the Shogunate Grand Army and the Sky Fleet, the KMS is largely governed by the Kokkunate Office of Security and can no longer act on its own volition. However in times of emergency the Dai-Shogun, as the commander-in-chief, could overrule civilian decisions. The two main branches of the KMS are the Kokkunate Ground Army and the Kokkunate Sky Fleet. There are smaller auxiliary branches that include the Logistics Division and the Cyclone Brigade. One of the most notable units in the KMS is the Special Naval Operations Brigade.