Benagitia

Principality of Benagitia Fürstentum Bennachatien
Flag
File:Benagitia.jpg
Benagitia (dark green) in West Artemia (light green)
Capital	Tochibaro
Official languages	Veikan Veigeudic
Ethnic groups	Veikan Veigeudic Curgov
Demonym	Benagitan, Benagite
Legislature	Parliament
Area
•	194,060 km2 (74,930 sq mi)
Population
• 2023 census	287 738
• Density	1,483/km2 (3,841.0/sq mi)
GDP (PPP)	2019 estimate
• Total	$ 9,68 billion
• Per capita	$ 33 642
Gini	58 high
HDI (2019)	0.93 very high
Driving side	right

The Principality of Benagitia (Veigeudic: Fürstentum Bennachatien), often Benagitia, is a small nation in West Artemia. It has stationed army units of various nations in its borders. It borders Veikaia to the west, Plot 109 to the east, and Mero-Curgovina to the south for a few miles.

It has a population of (286 000 + some more), and an area of 1940,60 km^2 (158 pop/km2).

Etymology

The name means roughly 'seven castles' in Veikan, as understood by Veigeudic speakers.

History

Middle ages

• The principality became subject of the Veikan crown.

The valley provided good grounds for building castles, with accessible stone and lime and abundant wood. The various traditional forts would slowly be replaced by stone fortifications. The region became known as Minua Fino-Gatexa (lit.: five forts hill, retroactively also called Finogatia), in the late 12th century, for the five castles constructed in close proximity. In the same period, it became custom to construct homes with a stone ground floor and timber framed upper floor, a construction style called rikoxina.

• Gained sovereignty
• some coalition war?

Early modern period

The principality became a puppet or smt.

Independence

During the Veikan Civil War, Benagitia saw an large influx of Veikan refugees. From the start of the conflict, a steady flow of circa 600 people per week. By early 1975, 65000 people had crossed the border. Prince Richard requested Mero-Curgovina and Plot 109 to aid by taking up families, as resources became strained in the nation. Although some assistance was provided, it was not enough for Benagitia as from 1976 on the stream picked up pace to 1400 and peaked with circa 3500 per week in early 1977. By this point, a humanitarian crisis was proclaimed, as the refugee camp threatened to outgrow the nations population. The prince decided to close the border for any refugee on the 3rd of June 1977, which has been controversial to this day. It is estimated that 145000 civilians from Veikaia of various ethnicities would end up crossing the border between 1972 and 1979, with the majority never returning.

During the civil war, various incidents happened between the battling parties and Benagitia. On the 9th of November 1976, a skirmish broke out between border patrol and an element of the Veikan National Salvation Committee. After a navigational error, a NSC platoon entered the country were they encountered Moraler Hennin d'Ornans. After a subsequent firefight and failed manoeuvres, the Veikans retreated, taking d'Ornans hostage. He would be released nearly a month later.

Operation Anvil

See also: Operation Anvil

From the night of the 8th to the 9th of November, a coup d'etat was attempted by a special operations unit from the PRF. Their goal was to take the government hostage, capture or assassinate the prince, and prevent intervention by Curgov forces. They armed about 400 Benagitians and 100 sympathisers in the refugee camp. They detonated explosive in military strategic locations in Tochibaro, such as the main police office and the two telephone centers. The perpetrators had set up machine guns and anti-material rifles in key access routes to prevent reinforcements. A small task force attempted to storm the princely palace and the Landesbeirat, but failed to enter.

Public support did not materialise. Fighting continued during the day, with most of the revolutionaries surrendering the following night. Various leading figures attempted to escape, some successfully while others were arrested or shot in the following week. In the end, 47 revolutionaries were killed and 211 were arrested, while 108 Benagitans (both security and civilian) were wounded or killed.

The incident caused international outrage. [...]

Contemporary history

...

Geography

Terrain use in Benagitia

Benagitia is located in a valley of the Phlache Krete. The main river is RIVER, which flows down into the LAKE.

Climate

The climate of Benagitia is continental, with the usual temperatures ranging from -6°C in winter and up to 23°C on summer. The temperatures tend to be stable within a season, with summer having more rainfall, while the winter sees significant snowfall. During high summer, the water level of RIVER reaches its max, which some years can threaten flooding of the settlements down the valley.

Government and Politics

      Benagite Order: 18 seats

      Rose Party: 11 seats

      Cooperation Party: 7 seats

      Veikan Restoration Party: 5 seats

Benagitia is a parliamentary democracy headed by a constitutional monarch, Prince Ubu (Veikan: ?). Executive power is exercised by the prince and the cabinet, which consists of a set of ministries.

Legislative power lays with the Landesbeirat. This is an unicameral legislature of 41 members, who are directly elected to five-year terms from seven constituencies. However, the reigning Prince retains substantial political authority, such as the power to dissolve the legislature, reject laws (even if they have passed the legislature), and propose laws of their own.

Divisions

The country is divided up into 7 cantons. Each canton has an executive XYZ, but local legislative decisions are made via the Chatejassprach (Anglic: Castle meeting), a form of direct democracy. The Chatejasprach is a yearly gathering where various articles are decided upon via a public non-secret voting system operating by majority rule. The articles can supplied by any national (even to meetings outside their province) via letter, whereafter they first go through a committee, the NAME, who verify the feasibility of the law. The NAME might deliberate with the suggester to reformulate the law.

Map	Province	Capital	Population
North-West North-East Tochibaro Middle Talle Lower Talle South	North-West Nordwest	Barava	30 955
	North-East Nordost	Konn	2344
	Tochibaro Tochibaro		173 482
	Middle Talle Mitteltal	Grotto	54 143
	Lower Talle Niedertal	Saint Hinnin	25 117
	South Süd	Okder	1697

Demographics

Self-reported national identities in Benagitia

      Benagitan (Veigeudic national) (37.58%)

      Veikan (24.11%)

      Foreign Veigeudic (13.42%)

      Curgov (9.20%)

      5th nat (6.86%)

      Other (8.83%)

The Veigeudic speaking natives, called Benagitan, are the largest nationality in the country. They are regarded separately from Veigudics who immigrated to the country in the past century from Veikaia. Although they speak the same language (save from some dialect elements), their separated history caused cultural differences; Veigudics were actively oppressed in Veikaia since the 16th century, which resulted in more orthodoxy in some practices while adapting Veikan ones in others. These differences were exaggerated under 19th century nationalist awakening movements. Nowadays, there remains a split which can be observed in religious practices and holiday traditions. This split carries over into politics, most notably in the conservative sphere.

A 2017 research paper reports that immigrant Veigeudics face discrimination in hiring processes in Benagitia, most notably in companies run by native Veigeudics. This report caused national outrage and the creation of a committee to improve the position of foreigners in the country. The committee is critiqued by leftwing protestors for being sham aid.

Nearly a quarter of the population identifies itself Veikan. They speak the Veikan language and often are a member of the Triuvist church. Many are immigrants from the Veikan Civil War, although Veikans were always prevalent in Benagitia. They have formed their own political party to represent issues faced by the communities.

Immigration

A large portion of the population are refugees from the Veikan Civil War. During the conflict, large tent camps were formed to house them. As the conflict endured, these grew to enormous size, to the point of food scarcity and severe strain on infrastructure. A portion of refugees were taken up by Mero-Curgovina, would continue on to other destinations, or would be transported to other nations. After the war, many would end up migrating away, but about 35 000 would remain. For these people, Tochibaro and Grotto saw significant expansion. These neighbourhoods are colloquially called Veicherstall (Veikan coop).

Culture

Illustration of a Tochibaro city street, 1896, NAME.

Architecture

Traditional rikoxina, Barava.

During the 12th century, rikoxina (a type of Timber framed houses, richohena in Veigeudic) became popular. Often, the lower floor is constructed using locally mined stone, with the upper floors made of wood. The frames are made in a piece sur piece or wattle and daub construction, layered with lime.

Security

Benagitia has officially no armed forces. The constitution forbids the creation of an army, or conscription of its civilians in foreign armies. To defend itself, it has to rely on foreign intervention. However, Benagitia police force has been equipped with military equipment to function as a national guard. Additionally, it has various institutions to train its population in fire arms and survival while not officially conscripting the population.

Police

To meet its security needs, it deploys an armed police force. The police has seen significant militarisation through the decades, which has had negative consequences on its regular functioning.