Lestykhol

Lestykhol, officially known as the Republic of Lestykhol (Yarovan: Лестихол) is an Ecclesiastical Representative Republic in North-East Artemia. The country is bordered to the south by Yarova, and to the west by Aukalnia and Sartland. Lestykhol has a population of over 14.1 million people, with the largest city being Brezhnegrad with a population of 2.3 million. The capital city is Kholdnareka with a population of over 900,000. The republic was formed after the Kholak War of Independence against Yarova during the Grand Campaigns in 1919-1920. The country is divided primarily by its two dominant landscapes: A massive tundra to the north, and a hilly taiga in the south. The nation is known for its traditionalist cultures and history of militarism with an active standing military.

History
Antiquity

The Kholaks were prized archers and horseback riders centuries ago, serving in armies all across the land.

Yarova

At some point, the Kholaks became a client of Yarova, and were treated like their own warrior-class.

Early Separatist Movements

In the 19th century, sensing the growing modern imperialist nature of Vojiskiy Yarova, and the continued infringement of Kholak rights, combined with the near-obsolescence of cavalry, Kholaks were seen as unnecessary. Their traditions were considered barbaric compared to the rapidly modernizing world. Not wanting to lose their identity, history and culture, nationalist sentiments took hold by the time of the Great Campaigns. A Kholak known as “Volkachev” rallied the people to form their own nation-state in the wake of the Vojiskiy Empire’s entry into the Campaigns with the hope that they would be too occupied to send troops against them.

Grand Campaigns and Independence

By 1919, the Kholaks had written their own constitution and submitted a formal declaration of independence. The Vojiskiy Empire responded by immediately declaring war on Lestykhol. Vojiskiy’s armies confidently marched into the taigas, expecting to face little effective resistance. They were stunned when the Kholaks unleashed a brutal guerilla campaign, hiding in the forests and wreaking havoc on the Yarovan supply lines with cavalry counterattacks. In only several months, the Vojiskiy Empire had suffered tremendous casualties, losing many troops that could have better been used on other fronts. Once winter came, the severely weakened and demoralized Yarovans began freezing to death in droves. Meanwhile, thousands of others were captured as prisoners of war. The disastrous campaign rocked Tsar Fidrik III to his core, and was forced to call back what remained of his army in Lestykhol. Inter-war and Kesh War

Post-Kesh

Contemporary History

Demographics
Ethnic groups

Lestykhol is home to the Kholaks, who make up 89% of the population. Yarovans make up 7% of the population while Rovsnoskis make up 2%.

Language

Yarovan is the officially recognized language of Lestykhol, while Rovsnoski is a recognized minority language.

Religion

The Svogda Patriarchate is the official religion of the state. 94.13% of the population worships this religion.

Health

Economics
Industry

Farming is difficult due to the low temperatures and dense taigas, but a large amount of root vegetables and rye are produced. There are also dedicated farms for harvesting cattle and venison. In the north, commercial fishing makes up a large portion of industries, and provides one of the leading exports. In major cities, chemical factories contribute another significant portion of economic output. The dense taigas provide for the lumber industry.

Exports

Lestykhol's primary exports are lumber products, processed fish and chemicals. Textiles are also produced in the country, and are known for their high quality and intricate detail.

Imports

Lestykhol's primary imports include industrial machinery, transportation/vehicles, petroleum and military equipment.

Politics
Government

Lestykhol is an Ecclesiastical Representative Republic. The main authoritative figure is a democratically elected “Ataman,” who is the Chief of State. The Ataman also has the power to appoint Chairs of Departments. Duma speakers and heads of the National Orthodox Synod (court of law) are chosen by the unicameral legislature, the Duma. Representatives of the Duma are democratically elected. They have power to over-rule the Ataman’s decisions. National and Foreign Affairs are handled by a series of Federally-administered departments. The head of the Department of Security serves as Commander-in-Chief of the Lestykhol National Defense Forces.

Federal Departments
 * Department of Security (police, military, and secret service)
 * Department of Agriculture (farming, fishing and hunting)
 * Department of Commerce (trade, market regulation)
 * Department of Education (schools and post-secondary institutions)
 * Department of Health (healthcare, general wellbeing of citizens)
 * Department of Church (deals with religious affairs)
 * Department of Culture (tourism and entertainment/culture/stuff)
 * Department of Resources (mining, lumber, oil, etc.)
 * Department of Labor (worker’s affairs)
 * Department of Foreign Affairs (foreign policy, diplomacy)

Administrative Districts

Military
The Lestykhol National Defense Forces are the armed forces for Lestykhol. They primarily serve as a defensive force against foreign aggressors, although expeditionary forces can be called upon request.

Doctrine

Kholak doctrine is defensive in nature. Defensive networks are comprised of a series of small, easily-defensible hardpoints (usually located in or near towns) aided by infantry scouts on skis or lightweight, fast moving vehicles. The job of these hardpoints is to distract the main invasion force while heavier infantry and vehicles counterattack from their flanks.The doctrine of the Air Force is focused on surveillance and supporting the infantry.

Organization

The Lestykhol National Defense Forces are split into three separate branches; The Army, Navy, and Air Force. The Army is comprised of ground troops, trucks, snowmobiles, armored personnel carriers, tanks and trains.The Navy is mostly comprised of littoral combat ships, patrol vessels and submarines. The air force is composed mostly of helicopters and ground-attack aircraft.

Equipment

In ancient times, Kholaks were trained to shoot bows from horseback. Soldiers are still trained with bows and arrows today out of respect for traditions, and in case weapons or ammunition become scarce. Most of the military equipment of the LNDF is imported from foreign countries. The largest source of imported weaponry is Rovsnoska.

Service

At the age of 18, all males are conscripted into the military while women may volunteer. After 1 year of training and 3 years of service, LNDF members are placed into a reserve program where they can be called upon to serve. Once they reach the age of 50, they may retire. Officers can serve their entire lives, and be promoted.

Culture
Kholaks, as a culture, are unified in their traditional values and Orthodox faith. They value family, community and country. Because their country is a taiga with coastal tundras, the population is organized into small communities dotting the landscape with a few industrial cities. Many Kholak children grow up in rural communities learning basic trades like farming, fishing, hunting, smithing and carpentry among others. Kholaks are renowned for their skills in archery, horseback riding, craftsmanship and culinary arts.

Cuisine

Moose and Cow’s milk is used in the production of cheese. Rye is also grown, and is a staple of the Kholak diet. In the more northern parts of the country, fish are often eaten, although the process can be difficult for parts of the year due to the freezing temperatures. Most of the Kholak diet comprises of salted/smoked meats. Venison, moose, and beef from wild cattle are the most common. The national dish of Lestykhol is “Schedrost,” a venison stew similar to Goulash. It symbolizes the bountiful meats and vegetables (etymologically, its name is the Yarovan word for “bounty”) of the region, along with the fact that it is often served to large groups of people, usually on special events which symbolises the sense of community.

Sports

The cold and unforgiving terrain makes Kholaks physically strong and very athletic. Hunting, Cross-country Skiing, sledding and ice hockey are popular sports.

Music

The Kholaks are known for their traditional folk music, and their traditional dance style known as

Literature

Much like their music, Kholaks are renowned for their folklore and fiction-based literature.

Fine Arts

The beautiful forest and frigid shores of Lestykhol draw artists from all across Anterra for inspiration. Some of the best-known artworks based on landscapes are of Lestykhol.

Education

Education is handled by the Federal Department of Education. Lestykhol is home to several universities along with hundreds of primary schools.