Vjalad

Theocratic Republic of Vjålad, (German: Westar Föderation) is a Theocratic Republic located in North Artemia, between Schvålle and Präden. The Federation is made up of 7 constituent states with a mostly temperate climate and covers xxx square kilometres. The Westar Federation is made up of over 32 million inhabitants of largely Westar culture with the Westar Capital of Freifeld being the largest city in Westar holding the highest population density in the Westar Federation.

Unification
In the early 1840's the region known as modern day Westar was a divided region of twenty nations and city states, with the largest state being the Wesen Republic which at the time was a relatively small nation of only six million inhabitants, however due to the extremely often occurrence of war amongst the minor nation states had become one of the more militarily experienced nations. Many of these other nations sought the unification of the region, however those who didn't had begun to agree on partnerships ultimately resulting in the formation of a defense pact between thirteen out of the twenty nations. Throughout the 1840's the Wesen Republic and its varying minor other regions would unify peacefully, however by 1851 all that remained were the thirteen states who had signed a defense pact leading to the official beginnings of the Westar Federation. Westar at this point was military stronger than the entire pact, and under the casus belli of unifying the people of Westar with their brethren the Westar Federation initiated a war against the thirteen remnant states. The war would last until 1856, and end in a Federation victory through revolts amongst the thirteen states due to the public support for unification and successful Westar military campaigns.

The Rise of Westar
After the unification of the Westar Federation, the Westar government quickly made an effort to grow Westar’s military and industrial capabilities in order to ensure Westar’s continued existence and repair of the damage caused within Westar during the wars for unification. This government plan would start on the 3rd of January 1860, which would see the gradual growth of the Westar industrial sector which allowed the Westar Federation to catch up to its far older neighbours, such as Schålle and Teutonia. The swift rise of Westar left older empires and nations uneasy, as the newly formed federation not only challenged the aristocratic ideals of many nations in Artemia but was also quickly proving to be a militarily, industrially and economically capable nation. Westar’s militarisation and industrialisation effort would only increase under the pressures of the old nations of Artemia.

The Grand Campaigns
While Westar remained neutral during the start of the conflict, it would see itself secretly backing the democrats and the various democratic rebel groups in Vallis, due to the newly elected nationalist government seeing the opportunity to expand Westar’s influence and help remove the monarchies within Artemia, coincidentally after Legantus began backing the republican groups in order to assist the removal of monarchies from Artemia. Westar would also assist Legantus’ military modernisation prior to the agreed upon intervention into the war by both nations. During the 1920's republican revolts in the region, Westar would swiftly declare war alongside Legantus, which would see Westar advance Westwards into Teutonia with the frontline ultimately merging with Legantus after continual Westar advances.

The Post-War Period
After the Grand Campaigns, Westar would more military and industrial reform, learning from the lessons of the Grand campaigns. The Westar Nationalist Government which remained in power through several re-elections established War Plan Red. War Plan Red outlined several invasion plans for varying Westar neighbours and other potential Artemian threats which could put Westar’s democracy and continued existence at risk. The plan would mandate that the Westar Bundesheer be as well armed and prepared as it potentially could be alongside with the civilian population being carefully provided for in the event of a catastrophe. Unintentionally backing the Westar reforms was the League of Free Nations who Westar had agreed to join in return for economic subsidies in order to repair the damage Westar had sustained during the Grand Campaigns. The plan would see heavy government subsidies towards research and development, both civilian and military within Westar placing it ahead of other Artemian nations on a technological level.

While War Plan Red was never enacted by Westar, the mentality of being always prepared to enact such an extreme plan would leave Westar as an extremely capable military power in the 1940’s, with many of the government subsidies towards civilian research gradually expanding the Westaren economy, on top of the increased arms sales during the period.

Military
The Westar military has remained competitive on an international scale through consistent government funding has been able to keep up to date on technologies sufficient to defend its territories and reach out if it was required. Westar makes use of compulsory service laws in order to grow its reserves in the event it is required in order to preserve the nations continued existence. The Westar Bundesheer has been able to keep consistent numbers in the 170,000 active personnel range for several decades, with the Landstreitkräfte sitting at 95,982 soldiers on duty and the Luftstreitkräfte sitting at 39,123 active duty personnel and the Marinestreitkräfte sitting at 38,357 active personnel as of 2018 bringing total active force of the Westar Bundesheer to 173,462 personnel. The reserve counts per branch has been less consistent as conscripts continue to complete their training every year, with the Landstreitkräfte having 37,762 reservists, the Luftstreitkräfte having 18,652 reserve personnel and the Marinestreitkräfte having 17,872 Working in conjunction with the Bundesheer, the Westar Gendarmerie is a paramilitary militia which operates in Westar as domestic security and as one of the rapid reaction forces of Westar in the case of an invasion.

Foreign Relations
Westar has mostly maintained a neutral stance throughout history, through policies of non-alignment being part of the constitution despite this Westar makes an effort to stay on friendly terms with as many nations internationally as possible in order to have groups to fallback upon in the event of a catastrophic event such as war against Westar or internal problems such as civil wars. Westar's closest ally is Schvålle with both nations participating in combined military exercises, enacting open trade and sharing much of their culture with each other.

Demographics
As of 2018 the Westar Federation has a total population over 32 million, with 65% of that population residing in urban regions of the country. The Westar population has seen steady increases in the population. Much of the Westarian population resides in the state of Wesen, where the capital is located with a relatively high population density of on average 201.86 people per square kilometre. The Westar population has a relatively high average life expectancy, with the expectancy for males and females being 81.2 and 83.7 respectively. Current Westarian government programs do not grant citizenship to foreigners born within Westar, unless they are born to at least one Westar parent. Citizenship is a heavily controlled system within Westar Westarians born outside of Westar are granted citizenship granted they can prove they are of Westar descent but must complete integration courses upon arrival before gaining full citizenship status. However, the people of Schvålle are able to gain citizenship within Westar due to long running ties with the nation.