Koven

Koven, also known as the Grand Duchy of Koven, is a coastal nation on the Sea of Silver. It shares borders with North Ghurrka to the west and Karelia to its north and west. To its south is Kambria. It has a largely temperate climate, with its south being chapparal.

History
Recorded time came to the region Koven currently inhabits by its initial Karelian and Mullic settlers. Trade with the southern continent Propeterram was the regions primary industry, bringing goods from Hoffnungian and Imanian markets up to the city states further north. Talingrod became a major trading hub and the largest city in eastern Propastra.

The name Koven and its rough boundaries came from the Second Arcean Empire, which established the first Duchy in 1251 RT. Koven was given as the name for the region in deference to the powerful Fonwichian covens that held great power in Talingrod's courts at the time. The first Duchy collapsed after the Karelian revolution in 1612, with Koven becoming a county within the First Kingdom of Karelia.

During the Karelian Civil War, the Duke of Koven sided with with the White Houses in Korinta, despite being surrounded by black loyal eastern houses. Kovenian soldiers fought at several major battles alongside Korintan and other white houses throughout the war. After the conflict, its loyalty was rewarded with increased anonymity, creating the modern Kovenian state. However, a great deal of northern territory was lost to Nordvest.

Initially, Koven remained neutral in the Great War, only joining after defying the Shirudo and accepting Nordvestian refugees alongside Blazej Kolar's Army. Koven was managed to defeat the Shirudo with inspired defences organised by the Nordvestian general, managing to repeat the success it had in the Karelian Civil War. After the treaty of Phyber, Koven was regained much of the territory it had lost in the Karelian Civil war, and its population over doubled in size including millions of displaced Dwyranians and Nordvestians.

The next major international incident for the Duchy was its disastrous Intervention on the Scarabeen Kingdom (1818-1821RT). Under the leadership of Duchess Sovarina Cezanne-Skola, a koveni battlegroup was deployed to the troubled kingdom with the goal of stabilising it. The Duchy leadership saw the former shirudan ally as a valuable partner in the region. There was a plan to use the nation as a base to increase anti-piracy operations in the Alwenachta sea. The Intervention started off badly. Mismanagement of resources and underestimating the severity of the problems faced by the King of Scarabeen were the main causes of the overall failure of the Koveni mission. Koveni and scarab forces could not pacify the various rebel groups inhabiting the southern region of the country. The Intervention climaxed in a nationwide revolt, openly supported by troops from the United Kingdoms of North Ghurkka (UKNG), that ended with a battle for the capitol city in 1821 RT. A portion of the koveni expeditionary force was stranded in the country and the Duchy of Koven had to ask Mayayore for support. After this, Duchess Sovarina yielded her authority to her husband, Svetmir Skola. However, after this proclamation, the new Duke went missing.

What followed was a week long conflict between Mayayorin troops trying to rescue the stranded koveni all the while facing off agains North Ghurkkan and scarabeen troops. Furthermore, the border between Koven and the UKNG erupted into several small scale skirmishes. The fighting was stopped by a bizarre event. A man riding one of the giant land crabs approached a UKNG border outpost seeking peace and an audience with the young king Aldanesh Hakanar of North Ghurkka. This man was Duke Skola and the astounded border guards granted his request. Within days the fighting ceased completely

Organisation
Koven's Duke Svetmir Skola I is the first Skola to rise to the throne. He is technically the uncle of Empress Frida Gunvor Hillevy, despite being similar ages. While the Karelian Emperor or Empress theoretically has the ability to overrule the executive powers of the Duke or Duchess of Koven, this power has never been exercised. Furthermore, Skola and Hillevy operate as equals, mutually respecting each others authority. As is traditional in most northern Propastra cultures, Koven features a royal family and a protector family, with the protector family being next in line to the throne should the monarchy collapse.

Demographics
The majority of Kovenians since the Great War have been Severnian, the majority-minority ethnic group in former Nordvest. However, Cournagormians and Mullians collectively make the make up the majority of the population and are generally more affluent and make up the majority of the nations ruling houses.

In fighting between Fonwichian and Traditional Fonwichian houses have been an ongoing source of tensions between the inhabitants of Koven and refugees. Koven's foundation around Fonwichian matriarchal order and its adoption of mercantile values continue to anger traditionalists.

Military
Since the Great War, Koven has largely followed the Birgir Reforms in Karelia. It's military is built around Supreme Command of the Combined Forces, with Duke Skola being the commander of this office and High Commander Dalibor Kratochvil being its leader. Supreme Command controls the KKAV (Kovenian Duchy Royal Army), Nebecorp (Skycorp) and Kralovaska Milice (Royal Militia).