NationStates Jolt Archive

The history of the Free Republic of Ilek-Vaad is long ,many changes have occurred between it's offical inception and the political and social changes that have taken place in it's nearly two thousand years of existance. I will attempt to break the major points and dates of the history of Ilek-Vaad into sections for easier reading and understanding.

Each section will have a heading and a range of dates that the history covers. Each major point in historical development will have a co-inciding date(s) and a synopsis of what ocurred and the effect of the changes on Ilek-Vaad.

The history will not be put down all at once, but in several seperate installations.

Minister of Education, Ilek-Vaad

800 a.d.-1256 a.d., The Dark ages

In 800 a.d. The Kingdom of Lassic is founded around the hamlet of Lassic. Lassic is the current capital of modern day Ilek-Vaad.

Prince Lhasa Vaad I founds the Vaad dynasty and is given the title Rex Lasscis by the Constantine Emperor Nicephorus I for Prince Lhasa's aid to the Empire against invading huns.

815 a.d. Lhasa Vaad I falls in battle against the Principality of Coventry and is suceeded by his son Tomislav Vaad.

815-1000 a.d. Tomislav Vaad and his heirs fight several bitter wars against Coventry and the border regions to the north against the several 'Border Princes'. In 1000 a.d. Coventry defeats Vadim Vaad II and Lassic is forced to accept the Kings of Coventry as overlords as well as accept a Catholic Archbishop appointed by the Kings of Coventry.

1000 -1200 a.d. The Catholic Archbishop establishes the inquistion in Lassic. The former Princes of Lassic were not very involved with any particular religion. The religious tolerances of the Princes gave many 'heretical' sects such as Gnostics, Manicheans and Atheists a safe haven in Lassic. This ends when Coventry's 'Knights Purifiers' march into the Kingdom of Lassic in support of Archbishop James Stervace.

Over the next 200 years the 'Knights Purifiers' and inquisitors fight to expel and exterminate the 'heretics'.

1188 a.d. The birth of Prince Namaan Ilek-Vaad. The Vaad dynsaty during it's subserviance to Coventry diminishes and it's last heir Lasar Vaad marries into the hugely rich and powerful Border Dynasty of the house of Ilek. Lasar marries Syria Ilek. Syria will not accept the name of Vaad and the hyphenated Ilek-Vaad is adopted to appease the House of Ilek. 2 years later Syria gives birth to Namaan Ilek-Vaad.

1205-1210 a.d. At 17 years of age Prince Namaan takes control of the Kingdom of Lassic from his ailing father. With monetary aid from his mothers family he recruits and trains an army. He also goes about setting up the 'Council of Lassic' of learned men to be his advisors. Catholic Archbishop Stervace is alarmed when several of Prince Namaan's advisors are known heretics. This leads the Archbishop to recall the 'Knights Purifiers' and leads to war.

Prince Namaan (now known as THE Vaad) leads his army against the Knights Purifiers and expels them, routing them at the battle of Glen Hale. The Vaad then burns the Catholic Archbishop at the stake and declares the Kingdom of Lassic to be free of Coventry and the Church. The King of Coventry promptly declares war.

Citizens of Lassic flock to The Vaad's banner.The Vaad promises to end serfdom for all who fight for him and to end religious intolerance. In 1210 The Vaad takes possession of Coventry and it's territories and forces abdication of the King of Coventry.

1211 a.d. The Great Republic. The Vaad makes his 'Council of Lassic' an elected body. He gives each offical jurisdiction over a particular department of government. Elections take place later that year and for the first time ever the peoples of Lassic and Coventry elect popular governments.

1223 a.d. The Vaad renames the Kingdom of Lassic, it's new name is 'The Free Republic of Lassic and Coventry'. Since 1211 The Vaad fights several small scale wars against the border princes and the Heirs of Coventry. The Vaad never loses a battle.

1253 a.d. The Will of The Vaad. The Vaad now in his sixties and ailing with no heir publicly writes his will. He leaves his kingdom to 'The People and the Council', The Vaad legally disowns his family and gives them no right to claim the throne.

1256 a.d. at 71 years of age ,Prince Namaan Ilek-Vaad I dies and the Free Republic of Lassic and Coventry passes into the hands of The Council. The House of Ilek claims the throne as do the heirs of Coventry. The Council faces it's biggest test yet in these two threats.

1256-1578 The Rise of The Free Republic

With the death of The Vaad in 1256, Lassic is left leaderless. The Council of lassic retains civilian control but faces a crisis as the house of Ilek and the Heirs of Coventry begin to raise armies to crush the fledging Republic.

1256-7 The Council of Lassic meets and creates two new posts to replace the king. The military is given to the Supreme Commander and the civilian authority to the First Councillor. Both are to be selected by the council every year. The first Supreme Commander is William 'the silent' Issem, the first First Councillor is Vabeck Nikopol.

1257-1268 William 'the silent' routes the Republics enemies on two fronts.In the eleven year 'War for the Republic' forces of the house of Ilek and the heirs of Coventry are defeated in nearly every battle they field forces in. Willaim Issem retires in 1268 after securing the surrender of the last of the heirs of Coventry.

1269 The Council of Lassic chooses Colonel Namroth Vedic as the new Supreme Commander. Colonel Vedic promptly re-organises the military creating the current system of Velite Guard and Retaliatory Guard. The Velites are the citizen army and perform garrison and policing functions. The Retaliatory Guard are built from the Knights Purifiers (renamed simply the 'Purifier Army') and are designed to attack the Republic's external enemies.

1308 The Retaliatory Guard see their first action against the western czardom of Narvik. Narvik's young Czar Valumar Von Raukov sets and increasingly expansionist policy that brings Narvik to blows with Lassic and Coventry.

1346-1367 Prince Vedlar Vaad founds the first political party. The Vaadist Loyalist Party is founded with the dedication to bring The Vaad's heirs to power through the vote. Over the next 21 years the V.L.P. has varying success. Infighting in the Vaad family as to who is best qualified to run for office hampers the overall power of the party as it becomes more and more factional.

1456 The Battle of Haddeon Heights. Supreme Commander William (the reckless) Issem the younger defeats the army of Narvik at the Haddeon heights. Through adept generaling Commander Issem lures the powerful cavalry of the Czar's body guard into an uphill charge against the billmen of the Purifiers. Czar Boris Von Raukov is killed and Narvik begins a steady decline as his family fights for the throne.

1498-1578 The Council of Lassic set the current format of yearly elections in February. Southern settlements clash with the mysterious 'Tolteca Jaguars' as the southern Tolteca Empire steadily moves northward from it's southern jungle strongholds. The Supreme Commander creates the Naval Guard to fend off attacks from Barbary Pirates along the eastern coast around Coventry. Two additional Retaliatory Guard armies are established. The Retaliatory Guard now comprises of the Purifiers (heavy infantry) the Levelers (armed with newly invented and rapidly improving firearms and artillery) and the Hunters (wilderness specialists.)

The Tolteca Wars

With Narvik on the decline the Free Republic take advantage and annex much of the land on it's southern and western borders. The southern lands abutting up to the lush southern rainforests is quickly filled with eager immigrants. It is soon learned that these southern lands were claimed by the Tolteca God-Emperor and conflict soon breaks out.

1578-1600 The Tolteca Emperor Itzcoatl commands his Jaguars to remove the offending settlements of the Free Republic in his lands. A delegation from the Council of Lassic is ritually sacrficed atop the great pyramid of Teztcatlipoca in Tollan. War ensues. Suprisingly the Tolteca Jaguar are a match for the Retaliatory Guard. The Tolteca carry on a healthy trade with barbary pirates along the southern coast and often are as well armed and most of the time more numerous than the Retaliatory Guard.

1601 After several hundred battles with hundreds of thousands losses on both sides the Free Republic and The Tolteca Empire sign an armistice. This offically sets the southern border and ends the Tolteca wars.

1609-1625 The Free Republic and Tolteca Empire jointly move to free the coasts of barbary pirates , the Tolteca also move to secure the arabic strongholds along the souhern coast and bring them under Tolteca dominion and keep them from being used as safe havens by the pirates.

1668 The Free Republic leases the southern port of Costa-Tula as a base for the Naval Guard. Embroiled in a war within it's own factions, the Tolteca Emperor needs the financial support of the Free Republic and is willing to lease Costa-Tula for 75 years. The Olmeca faction also enlists the aid of Prince Yevgeny Von Raukov of Narvik. Narvik and the Olmeca seek on and off over th next decade to unseat the Tolteca Empeor.

1679 With a full scale war now brewing with Narvik and the western Olmeca, the Tolteca Empire signs a pact of alliance with the Free Republic.

1682-1700 The Retaliatory Guard and the Tolteca Jaguar wage war on the Olmeca and on Narvik. The war ends when in 1700 the city of Narvik falls to combined Republican/Tolteca forces. The Von Raukov's abdicate and Narvik is organised and annexed by the Free Republic. The Purifier Army moves it's headquarters to Narvik to ensure stability. The Olmeca surrender to the Tolteca Emperor after the fall of Narvik.

1701 Unprecedented peace in the Republics. The only major events are scientific and political. Retaliatory Guard armies do not see official action until 1999.

Growth and Consolidation

1701-1898 The Free Republic puts all of it's considerable resources into consolidating the annexed territories and promting trade and economic growth. The Free Republic comprises of Lassic, Coventry, Narvik and The Border Princes and has the rather cumbersome title of 'The Free Republics of Lassic, Coventry Narvik and The Combined Border Principalities' most people simply use 'The Free Republic'.

The Free Republic's businessess concentrate on research and development, helping to pioneer scientific advancement and turning scientific knowledge into practical and profitable use. The Free Republic's banking and investment system diversifies and provides capital to businessess at home and abroad and in 1890 the 'Lassic Exchange' is opened to investors for commodities trading.

Militarily, the Naval Guard sees minor action against pirates and privateers. The Retaliatory Guard maintain cutting edge weapons technologies and grows to 9 armies. Sucessive Councils of Lassic pour resources into building a strong defence. In 1743 the Naval Guard renews it's lease for the southern port of Costa Tula. Costa Tula becomes a center of trade and ship building.

1899 The Tolteca Emperor Ehecatl dies after 274 years of rule. It is doubted that Ehecatl actually lived 274 years as it is common practice among the Tolteca to name eldest sons after the father and Tolteca customs makes no distinction between the father and first son. In his will Ehecatl gives the Tolteca Empire into the stewardship of the council of Lassic .

1900-1928 The Tolteca Empire becomes the Tolteca Republic. The Tolteca population follows Ehecatl's command even in death and it takes several years for the Council to convince the Emperor's Jaguar Warriors to stop killing those who are not 'sufficently loyal' to the Republics.

1929 The Jaguar Warriors are added to the Retaliatory Guard as the Jaguar Army.

1932 Supreme Commander Coyo Itihetacl creates the Red Jaguar Command and moves the Retalitory Guard headquarters from Lassic to Tollan.

1942 Themirin Ilek-Vaad is born in Lassic. The next chapter in the history of the Free Republic will be written by Themirin Ilek-Vaad and the Progressive Republicans.

The Progressive Republican Revolution

This period of the Free Republics History is marked by great social and economical changes. It is well regarded that this is the most important phase in the development of the current Republic. The main figure in this time frame is the Honoured Statesman Themirin Ilek-Vaad, whose name would eventually become the name of the Republic. Themirin Ilek-Vaad's style and marked intelligence made him a hero to peoples in all of the Republics and brought a bout a sense of national identity that did not previously exist.

1944 The Progressive Republican Party is founded. The Progressives mainly get involved in local politics in each of the republics, fostering labour unions and pushing for improved safety and fair tax laws.

1952 Massa Kanaan becomes Minister of Economics and is the first Progressive to hold a seat on the Council of Lassic

1959 The Progressives hold 3 seats on the Council of Lassic, they are able to steer the council but lack control. Politics in the Republics is still a local thing, no candidate can garner national support. Candidates still mainly draw support from their ethnic base, Tolteca's vote for Tolteca candidates, people of Coventry vote for Coventry officals, whichever region has the higher voter turnout, usually wins power.

1962 at the age of 20 Themirin Ilek-Vaad joins the Progressives. While still in college he runs for and is elected to the Lassic City Council.

1963 Themirin Ilek-Vaad organises all of the unions in Lassic and presides over a general strike. He urges the Council to limit the workday to 8 hours, to force companies to provide healthcare and to regulate and compensate workers for overtime. Lassic is held by the strike for 40 days, Themirin Ilek-Vaad publicly confronts the Governor of Lassic and his conversation with the governor becomes legendary.

His careful questioning of the governor and his easy going moderate speaking style humiliates the governor publicly at one point Themirin Ilek-Vaad asks " Why is it so hard to give these people the same rights we have? We meet only eight hours a day, with a lunch break and all I am asking that our fellow citizens are treated as we are?"

The Governor replied " You don't undestand business or economics young man, businesses need a free hand to deal with the common folk...."

Themirin interupts "Common folk? Who are they? Are they the same folk that voted for you?"

The Governor "Yes, of course, but the common folk understand that I have their best interests at heart..........." The crowd hoots and jeers but Themirin raises his hand to them and replies.

"Of course you do sir, but will you admit that you are no different from them, other in that you hold a public office?"

The Governor "Yes, of course, we are all the same!"

"Then why do you not give them the same rights they have given you through the vote?" The crowd erupts in cheers.

The Governor "We must consider economics, impact on the economy, you cannot fully understand, it is too complicated to explain here, that is why I am elected, to make the hard choices for the people......."

Themirin interrupts "Too hard to explain here? Too hard because we are listening?Why don't you explain it to us, the common folk are listening! We want to learn why you are better than us!" At this point the crowd erupts in deafening roar and the Governor hurries into the Council Chamber. Later that day the strike ends when the city council meets all of Themirin Ilek-Vaad's demands.

1964-1968 Themirin Ilek-Vaad is asked by the Progressives to go on a nation wide tour, his victory in Lassic empowers other unions and soon the Progressive become a fixture in every loacl government. Themirin Ilek-Vaad travels the country to help organize the Progressives Nationally. The Council of Lassic enacts tepid natonal laws that take steps to empower the workers, but the laws are not enough in the eyes of the Progressives.

1969 Themirin Ilek-Vaad turns 25 and is now old enough to run for a seat on the Council of Lassic, he is nominated by the party for Minister of Foreign Affairs. Themirin Ilek-Vaad runs the first ever national campaign, appealing to all the ethnic groups and all of the Republics. Themirin Ilek-Vaad not only wins, but the Progressives also dominate, the years spent organizing pay off as the Progressives win 6 seats and elect Progressive chairman Lynam Arnout to the post of First Councillor. The progressives now have the power to effect real change and they do.

The Progressive Revolution, Continued

Having been swept into power and being the first party to hold a majority in the Council the Progressives move to make profound changes in government and the way it is run.

1969 The Council of Lassic votes to offically change it's name to the Republican Council. The post of First Councillor becomes the First Republican and the Supreme Commander becomes the Supreme Republican Commander. The Council moves to reform campaign finance. Under new laws the size of donations are not restricted, but they must be publicly disclosed if they are from a business or a member of a board of a business etc. The law also bans businesses that donate to a particular candidate are automatically disqualified from bidding for contracts from that candidates Ministry should they win. The Judiciary is re-organized and are elected through direct local elections for terms of 10 years, the local justices then meet to appoint 3 Supreme Judiciaries to act as the supreme court. Nationally businessess that record over 1 million DR in profits are more heavily taxed, all businesses receive government tariff protections and subsidies so long as they agree to strict government regulations.

1978 The Communist Republican Party is founded as an offshoot of the P.R.P. The C.R.P. calls for state ownership of all business and a whole redistribution of wealth. The party is founded by Negyev Vaikov. The C.R.P. gains some support, but with the overwhelming P.R.P. sucess and support it remains a minor party.

1982 At the age of 38 Themirin Ilek-Vaad is elected to a record 13th time to the Republican Council as Minister of Foreign Affairs. Over the last 13 years the Free Republic has become a socialist nation with strong unions, a strong code of ethics in government and business and an industrial powerhouse.

1983 Themirin Ilek-Vaad does not run for re-election, he accepts the position of P.R.P. Chairman . The P.R.P. win all 8 seats in the Republican Council and Themirin Ilek-Vaad is elected unanimously to the post of First Republican.

With it's total control of the government the P.R.P. institutes mandatory military service. Every citizen between the ages of 19-58 is at least a Velite Reserve. At age 18-19 every citizen must server as an active Velite. The Velites take over postal services and just about every other govermental beaurcratic position, including the staff of elected officals.

The military service provides wildly popular as ALL citizens are required to join (men, women, blind, handicapped etc..) assuring that every citizen receives at least 1 year of some sort of job training, free medical care and money for college tuition. The Velite Guard become fully integrated as part and parcel of citizenship in the Free Republic.

1984-1992 The P.R.P. remains in at least majority control through these years, further stabilizing the Republic. Growth in all areas is exponential.

1993 Themirin Ilek-Vaad serves his last term and retires at age 48. He goes on to found the Coventry Institute of Democracy with Sir Lloyd Hamilton. The C.I.D. honours people nationwide that work actively democracy and civil liberties by giving them Honourary Knighthoods. The First Recipient is the Right Honourable Sir Issac Issem. Themirin Ilek-Vaad also goes on to wrire several books and goes on an International speaking tour.

1995 The C.R.P. defeats the P.R.P. gaining a majority in the Republican Council. Negyev Vaikov is named First REpublican, his son Vadim is Minister of Defence and his son in law Rastov Nevsky is minister of foreign affairs. That year the 22 year old Red Jaguar Leftenant, Istvan Vaikov (Negyev's other son) is named Supreme Republiacn Commander.

1996 The C.R.P. cause much conflict, but is able to retain a majority. Sevral large corporations are all but dismembered by the state. Reactionary parties like thr R.O.P. and the Warhawks spring up as anti-communist parties. The V.L.P. re-asserts itself as a right wing fascist party.

1997 The C.R.P. win only 3 seats in the Republican Council, but all of the other seats are split between the various anti-communist factions and unable to form a coalition, the C.R.P. retains power with it's 3 seat 'majority'.

1995-1998 Supreme Republican Commander quietly and efficently re-organizes the Retaliatory Guard. He cuts waste and streamlines the Guard. Training is at it's highlest level ever. With the Full monetary backing of the C.R.P. controlled government the Retaliatory Guard are once again equipped with state of the art equipment.

1998 Themirin Ilek-Vaad dies from a stroke at the age of 56. The nation mourns. His death is to have severe reprecussions in 1999.

Rebuilding of the Republic

Over the next several months after the bloody and failed coupe d'etat, the Supreme Republican Commander rules with absolute control. Investigations into the coupe show that the C.R.P. had planned for a violent overthrow of the government for nearly two years. The Retaliatory Guard summarily excute nearly 450,000 people that are directly implicated by the C.R.P's files seized from the Kalimegdan.

It is reported that the Supreme Republican Commander swings between being inconsolable over the death of his family and terrifying anger at his family and the communists. He channels his anger into gaining revenge on the communists and re-building what they destroyed. He outlaws the C.R.P. and any 'overtly communist party', he adds this to the Constitutions articles that deal with treason.

In September with the Velite re-organised and re-building of the countries physical damage well under way the Supreme Republican Commander recalls the surviving members of the Republican Council and asks them to form a government. With two council members dead, six still remain for a technical quorum and the P.R.P. Chairman at Large,Theleb Kanaan, is elected First Republican. His first act is to re-instate Istvan Vaikov as Supreme Republican Commander. In a moving speech Theleb Kanaan helps assuage the nations fears and heal the deep wounds left by the insurgency. His speech also gives the Supreme Republican Commander his popular nickname of 'Uncle Istvan' as he points in his speech

"I know that we all have suffered terrible losses, and we all are in mourning for our mothers,fathers,brothers and sisters and to the scars across all of the Republic. The Supreme Republican Commander has lost his entire family, even his most beloved nieces, but we should ask him that in his mourning he remember that he now has millions of nieces and nephews, he protected us as only a favorite uncle might and we cannot ever thank him enough." Chants of 'Uncle Istvan! Uncle Istvan!' forced Theleb Kanaan to pause for nearly half an hour.

The People of the Republic see the Supreme Republican Commander as their greatest hero, and with the Republican Council back in control he once again busies himself with training and equipping his men, staying very much out of public view and decidely well away from politics. Many have said that if he wished to be king the People would carry him on his shoulders to the throne of The Vaad, on display in the House of the Republic in Lassic. His selfless actions during the insurgency and his quick return of power to the Republican Council give him undestimable respect in the eyes of the people.

The Communist Insurgency


With the death of Themirin Ilek-Vaad in 1998 the Progressives were once again in the spotlight and poised to re-take power in the 1999 election. Public sympathy for the loss of The Honoured Statesman and the general disdain for the corruption and cronyism of the communists made their collapse inevitable. However the Communists had been secretly preparing for just such an event for years, and it was assumed that their hand-picked lame duck Supreme Republican Commander would not oppose them.

1999 The Communists lose all but 1 seat in the Republican Council, 5 seats go to the P.R.P. and 2 go to the V.L.P. Within 20 minutes of the offical results Velites loyal to the communists take up arms simultaneously at the Command of Yevgeny Vaikov and begin to massacre non-communists. The first victim is P.R.P. Chairman Sir Lloyd Blair.

For two days the fighting rages unabated with Communist Velites quickly overwhelming all opposition, the Retaliatory Guard remain quiet in their barracks. It is assumed that Supreme Republican Commander Vaikov is complicit in the communist coupe.

The third day sees the Supreme Republican Commander making a televised address to the nation, Tollan Fire Control uses it's satellites to ensure that the broadcast is carried on all channels and is repeated at least a dozen times during the day. The speech is as follows.

"Fellow citizens of the Republic, we have recently seen factions within our nation taking up arms against the lawfully elected government. According to our great constitution in the event of circumstances preventing a new government from being formed the Supreme Republican Commander is to take control of the Republic until the peoples duly elected officials can take power. I am now doing this. All armed fractions have 24 hours to lay down arms, all Velites must return to their bases. At this time tomorrow I will activate all 11 Retaliatory Guard armies and they will crush the enemies of the Republic. My Life for the Republic."

This brief statement causes some confusion, the C.R.P. believes that Commander Vaikov will not go against his family and is prepared to turn over the council to them, their loaylists stay in the streets and continue killing.

24 hours later the C.R.P. see how dead wrong they are. The Air Cavalry Army the 'Fists of the Vaad' break over Lassic like a storm as A-10 fighters and HIND helicopters begin gunning down Communist Partisans. Reports all over the nation come in stating that every Retaliatory Guard unit has taken the field.In Coventry Commander General Ibn Baibars and his 5th Red Jaguar Command lead the 'Eagles' army in crushing the Communists. In Narvik (the communist stronghold) The 'Purifiers' under Colonel Sir William 'The Patient' Issem abandon their barracks and take to the hills and forests encircling the city. From Tollan the 1st-4th Red Jaguar Command and the entire Jaguar army streams from the massif to re-claim Lassic. The Naval Guard under Supreme Naval Commander Itxaad re-take Costa Tula. For 5 months the bitter fighting rages as the Communists refuse to give up .

In July Lassic Falls and the Red Jaguar speed towards Narvik to relieve the Purifiers who have (remarkably) held the bulk of Communist forces at bay,Sir Issem's wily hit and run tactics confuse and demoralise Communists fighters and prevent them from gaining effective re-inforcements. The Red Jaguar Command 'Chok-Muul' super heavy battle tanks become bogged down well south of Narvik from Communist Artllery, this however is by design. After the fall of Lassic the Red Jaguar abandon their tanks and head straight through the wilderness on foot to Narvik. The Chok-Muul tanks are driven by regular Jaguars and move to sweep south and then east through the easy (and expected) route. The Communists pour fighters into the city of Kurtsk on the main road to Narvik in the south to halt the Chok-Muul.

Meanwhile the Red Jaguar arrive outside of Narvik and on the Supreme Republican Commander's order the Purifiers begin an intense bombardment of the city, the Communist fighters prepare to move out and attack the now static Purifier positions completely unaware that 8,000 Red Jaguar await them. The Columns of Communist fighters begin their march and are immediately flanked by the Red Jaguar. The Battle for Narvik lasts 5 days as the nearly 300,000 communist fighters take on the 8,000 Red Jaguar. The Red Jaguar, fortified by the drug 'Ixpei' do not sleep and go on a 5 day killing spree, by the 4th day they have run out of ammunition and are killing communists with their machetes, macanas, clawed gauntlets and even their bare hands.

The 6th day with Narvik silent the Purifiers march in and find no Communist fighter or leader alive, only 1,500 Red Jaguar Remain. Supreme Commander Istvan Vaikov reportedly led the assault on Narvik's 'Kalimegden' fortress where the communist leaders are holed up, most accounts claim that it was he that personally killed the members of his family (father, brother, brother in law and sister) that initiated the Communist coupe, it is further reported that his brother in law attempted to used the Supreme Commander's nieces as body shields to keep Istvan back, rumours are persistant that he killed them all.

With the Communist insurgency ended, the Supreme Republican Commander declares martial law and rules the nation.

#tag# / friendly bump /compliment post.

Nice :)

The Modern Republic

The Free Republic once again passed into a restful state, with the horrors of war and insurgency behind them the people of the Republic once again moved building and creating. The Free Republic also moved to become more of an international power.

2000-2005 A grass roots campaign begins to officially rename the Republic to 'The Free Republic of Ilek-Vaad' in honour of the memory of the honoured statesman and his legacy of national unity. The campaign ends when in 2005 the proposal in put into referendum and the people vote to make it law.

2006 The Republic of the Lumpen Proletariat (Ilek-Vaad's nothern neighbor) is seized by President for Life MacTaggart, civil war begins.

2007-2009 President MacTaggart enlists Milosylvanian forces to kill the rebels, the Milosylvanians are soon in control and the Princes Axes hunt down refugees and insurgents alike. Several of their 'hunts' take them across Ilek-Vaad's border. Ilek-Vaad requests that international peacekeepers be sent and that the Milosylvanians contain themselves, they refuse. July of 2008 the Republican Council gives Mandate to The Supreme Republican commander to 'Secure the northern border by any means necessary.' The Forces of the Supreme Republican Commander easily route the over-confident Milosylvanians and also depose MacTaggart. Ilek-Vaad rebuilds the Lumpen Republic and a year later Joachim Tequila y Muerta becomes the democratically elected president of the Lumpen Republic.

2012 The R.O.P. wins control of the Republican Council for the first time in decades. The R.O.P. presides over sucessful peace keeping missions in Cyberjaya, Syrique and takes part in the war against slavery in Yurka and Zenti. The Minister of Foreign Affairs negotiates peace in Augnista and gets Augnista to promise to free it's slaves thereby averting war. The Lumpen Republic is annexed after 72% of it's population requests membership into the Republic. Avery Frost Aeronautics invents an anti-gravity engine and it's partner Narvik Advanced Ordinance developes a highly powerful Neutron 'Neutrino' bomb.

2013(present day) The wildly popular Minister of Foreign Affairs is killed by rebel forces loyal to Antiachus in Phyrric's civil war, the Retaliatory Guard are mobilized to defeat Antiachus. The VLP gain control of the Republican Council for the first time ever and the Republic votes to ratify the UnAPS treaty.

The Free Republic becomes embroiled in the several armed conflicts in it's home region of Haven. These conflicts cause the Free Republic to withdraw from the UnAPS and the Republican Council gives mandate to the Supreme Republican Commander to 'Cease all hostilities in Haven'

The Retaliatory Guard mount 2 campaigns. The First is an assault on the Empire of Fluffywuffy's fleet attacking Edolian Yasmara, the Naval Guard win in spectacular fashion , Fluffywuffy's expeditionary force is crushed by Admiral Coyohuitl. The second is an assault on Allanea's SW coast. Command General Adan Ring quickly seizes the entire coast, Heston City (Allanea's capital) and forces Allanea to accept peace and relinquish it's cliams on Edolian Axackal. Peace ensues after the Free Republics intervention.

The Free Republic of Ilek-Vaad

Introduction

Background: The background of The Free Republic of Ilek-Vaad has been previously detailed and will continue to updated as time progressess



Geography

Location: Ilek-Vaad is located in the Region of Haven

Area: Ilek-Vaad comprises 998,897 square miles.


Land Boundaries:



Maritime Claims: Ilek-Vaad claims waterways within 100 miles of it’s political borders.



Climate: Temperate over most of the nation, tending to warm/tropical in the southern areas closer to the equator.

Terrain: The terrain is mostly rolling hills bounded on the north by high mountains. The land has several areas of large forested regions and rainforests and mangrove swaps along the southern coast. Near the central region of the is a large range of mountains and plateau.

Elevation Extremes:

Lowest Point: Sea-level
Highest Point: Mt. Tlaloc on the Tollan plateau 22,986 feet

Natural Resources:

Land Use:

Arable Land: roughly 30% of the land is suited for agriculture
Other:
Permanent Crops: Soybeans, wheat, barley, corn

Natural Hazards: Because of very liberal wildlife protection laws all manner of wolves, bears and especially jaguars roam quite freely and are protected from hunting.

People

Population: 2.531 billion at last census

Life Expectancy at Birth: 78 years





Nationality:

Noun: Vaadian
Adjective: Vaadian

Ethnic Groups: Human: Lassean 34% , Tolteca 21% , Narvians 15% , Arabic 12% , 18% other (Ilek-Vaad’s open immigration policy allows in many ethnic groups that are far to numerous to list.)

Religion: Ilek-Vaad’s constitution dictates a ‘total’ separation of church and state. Ilek-Vaad has no official religion and does not perform a census of religions and their members.

Languages: English, Arabic, Lassean, Russian

Literacy:

Definition: age 12+ can read and write
Total population: 100%
Male: 100%
Female: 100%

Government

Country Name:

Conventional Long Form: The Free Republic of Ilek-Vaad
Conventional Short Form: The Free Republic
Local Long Form: The Free Republic
Local Short Form: Ilek-Vaad
Abbreviation:
Government Type: Democratic republic

Capital: Lassic

Administrative Divisions: The Repulics of Tolteca, Narvik, Lassic , Coventry, the Border Republics and the Lumpen Repulic

Dependant Areas: none, The constitution of Ilek-Vaad forbids colonialism or the formation of protectorates.

Independence: Independence is generally dated at 1211 a.d. when the first Council of Lassic was convened.

National Holiday: Birthday of the Honoured Statesman march 5th

Legal System: Verdicts based on preponderance of the evidence, the burden of proof lies with the prosecution.

Suffrage: Universal at the age of 16

Executive Branch: The Office of the First Republican. The First Republican is chosen by a majority vote of the Republican Council.


Legislative Branch: The Republican Council. The Republican Council is made up of eight elected officials, each overseeing a separate ministry. The Republican Council meets and passes laws by a majority vote. The First Republican also votes as head of the Council.

Judicial Branch: The Judiciary. The Judiciary is made up of local elected judges and is overseen by the Supreme Judiciary made up of three judges appointed by the Minister of the Judiciary and approved by the Republican Council.

International Organisation Participation: The Free Republic of Ilek-Vaad is a member of the UnAPS treaty organization

Environmental Agreement Participation: none

Economy

Economic Overview: Ilek-Vaad is a socialist nation that is very protective of national industry. Ilek-Vaad is only committed to free trade after the several conditions have been met. Companies that wish to trade with Ilek-Vaad or operate in Ilek-Vaad must agree to environmental standards, providing a minimum standard of living for it’s employees and must agree to government oversight. This applies to businesses that operate in other nations and sell goods to Ilek-Vaad. This policy prevents companies from selling goods manufactured in foreign sweat shops or in countries that do not have progressive environmental and workers rights policies.



GDP: 12.9 Trillion DR

GDP - per capita: 32,000 DR

Population Below Poverty Line: 1%
Unemployment Rate: 3%

Inflation Rate: 2.25%

Industries: Automobile Manufacturing, Software development, advanced aircraft and arms manufacturing.

Electricity - Production: 78.683 trillion kWh

Electricity - Consumption: 67.184 trillion kWh

Electricity - Production by Source:

fusion: 100%

Currency: Drachma (approx 1.75 USD)

Currency Code: DR

Fiscal Year: Fiscal year begins in Februaray

Communications: Ilek-Vaad relies heavily on it’s thousands of advanced communication satellites. The nation does have a redundant fiberoptic backbone. Ther is not any region in Ilek-Vaad that does not have satellite access or high speed fiber optic access to both tele communications and internet communications.
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Internet Country Code: .riv

Internet Penetration: 100%

Internet Service Providers: 670

Transportation:

Ports and Harbors: International : Costa-Tula, Coventry. Domestic : Ilek, Costa Mela and Tulumn
Merchant Marine: 9,456 ships of various sizes and classifications


Airports: International: Lassic International Airport . Domestic: Narvik Airport, Costa-Tula Airport, Coventry Airport.

Military:

Military Budget: Currently 3 trillion DR

Military Branches: The Velite Guard, The Retaliatory Guard, The Naval Guard and The Air Guard

Military Manpower: Velite Guard- 8.8 million , Retaliatory Guard 2.2 million



Transnational Issues:

Disputes - International: none


Disputes - National: none



Illicit Drugs: marijuana, cocaine and herion. Extensive rehabilitation and help programs exist through the penal system.

Religion in Ilek-Vaad

Since the days of THE Vaad, religion has been seperated from state, seperated absolutely. The laws of the Free Republic penalize politicians for even mentioning religion while they are in office. This absolute seperation makes it hard to guage exactly how most people in the Free Republic view religion and what religion they belong to. The government and government funded universities cannot conduct relgious surveys, churches (unless they are 100% non-profit) are taxed as businesses and religious leaders are banned from holding political rallies or forums in churches, mosques or synagogues.

What I will present here are reports from independant international religious groups to give an overall view of how religion has shaped , and what role it plays in the Free Republic.

Over 38% of people surveyed in the Free Republic report that they are members of the Paulican religion. The Paulican religion is a 'heretical' off shoot of the eastern orthodox faith, they revere and follow only the teachings of the disciple Paul. Many writings attributed to Paul that are not included in the new testament form the basis of the religion. Paulicans are gnostic dualists. They believe that there is the 'physical' corruptable body and world and the incorrupt metaphysical soul . They further believe that Christ was not physically resurrected but that when he was crucified, his 'resurrected' self was a manifestation of his metaphysical incorporeal soul. Denying the physical resurrection made the Paulican's the main target of Coventry's inquisitions in ancient times.

It is extremely difficult to ascertain exactly how many Paulican's there are and how active they are. Paulicans do not believe in Priests, churches, organized worship or prayer. They believe that only the metaphysical soul can understand God and it can only do this once it is free of the corrupt physical world. They believe that the sould is reincarnated until it achieves 'balance with the physical and is finally freed to rejoin the metaphysical world. The Paulicans also belive that prayer is blasphemy, that asking god for favors is a spiritual affront. The Paulicans also believe that missionary work and the work of religions that attempt to convert others is inherently flawed, they believe that every person must reach balance through personal experience and a personal relationship with God and that missionaries priests and organized mass only interfere with understanding God and the metaphysical.

It is well known that THE Vaad had several Paulicans on his original Council of Lassic and that he was very friendly to the Paulican movement. The Paulican ideals of self sacrifice, living without fear and keeping peacefully to oneself has shaped the entire nation. Paulicans have always been known as being absolutely unafraid of anything, they have a staunch belief that the physical body is transitory and damage to it is inconsequential and that death is an illusion. The psyche of the Free Republic has overwhelmingly been shaped by the quiet Paulican majority.

The next largest group at about 15% is the Episcopal Churh. Centered mostly in Coventry. The Episcopal Church gained prominence with the backlash against the Catholic Church. Once Coventry was free of absolute Catholic domination the people were quick to embrace less harsh, but familiar, aspects of Christianity. The Episcopal Church was further strengthened when the government cracked down on Catholic book-keeping. As most people are well aware a large porion of Catholic revenue goes directly to the Vatican, this money is essentially profit for the Vatican but was being listed as expenses by local Catholic Churches to keep their non-profit status, this clash led to arrests of Catholic book-keepers and a cold war with the Vatican. Even today Catholic officials are carefully scrutinized and the Free Republic maintins no relations with the Vatican.

Catholics in the Free Republic number about 2%. The Catholic Church is extremely unpopular for hundreds of years of inquisitions and the siphoning off of local charitable monies to line the Vatican's pockets.

Muslims number 2-3% as well. Sunni muslims make up the majority of the Muslim population and are seen as very egalitarian and integrated into the Free Republic.

The rest of the Free Republic's citizens are either agnosic, atheist or 'other'.

The 'other' category makes up about 15% of the poulation and includes Hinduism, Buddhism, Janaism, Taoism, Judaism , Voodooism and a plethora of other 'isms' ,the Free Republic's open door immigration policy adds a diverse collection of religions that can change from month to month.

The great 'unreported' religion is that of the old 'Border Princes' centered around the House of Ilek. The Border Princes were served by and were often themselves Drunes or Drune Lords. The Drunes are an animistic pagan religion that allegedly have mystical powers. The Drune were often persecuted by the Inquisition as witches. The mother of THE Vaad , Syria Ilek-Vaad allegedly imparted some of her Drune powers to her son, accounting for his battlefield invinceability. The Drunes are allegedly still around and the House of Ilek are reportedly still chief among the Drune Lords and are rumoured to be of elven heritage. The Drunes have left many stone dolmens and stone circles scattered across central Ilek-Vaad, the sacred pools of the Drunes deep in virgin forests are still shunned and are reported to be at the root of missing curiosity seekers and tourists. Incidentially there are no citizens of the Free Republic that will admit to being a member of the Drune religion.

The last topic we will touch upon is the Tolteca state religion of the God-Emperors. This religion is also very hard to study, the Tolteca themselves do not see it as a religion , they see it as daily life, seperating it's 'religious' aspects and it's daily aspects is near impossible, even for Tolteca scholars. The 'religion' is basically total devotion to the God-Emperor and his designated Tlatloni (those who speak). Other than it's ritual nature is completely unknown and aside from household shrines and the ancient palaces of the God-Emperors , there are no physical religious centers.

The creation myth of the Tolteca states that the first God-Emperor came from the underworld through the caves in mount Tlaloc, and that he created all men to serve him. At different and seemingly random intervals (the death of the God-Emperor?) the old Emperor would 'return to the underworld' and a new one would 'emerge from the underworld'. The returned Emperors were and are still revered as immortal as are their Tlatloni.


Minister of Education, Ilek-Vaad

The Free Republic of Ilek-Vaad's military structure

The military in the Free Republic has operated along the same lines since 1269 when Supreme Republican Commander Vedic divided the military between the 'Velites' and the 'Retaliatory' Guards. This essentially created two distinct and seperate armed forces with distinct and seperate functions.

The Velites were the 'citizen-soldiery' of Lassic, levied from every family in the territory during times of war. During times of peace the Velites also acted as a police service. Supreme Commander Vedic kept this system in place, but also added the volunteer 'Retliatory Guard' as a standing, permanent army. The first Retliatory Guard unit was the Purifier Army.

Today in the Free Republic military service is mandatory. Upon reaching the age of 18 every citizen must serve at least a year in the Velite Guard and can re-enlist for up to 12 years, or join a Retaliatory Guard army. The Velite Guard are organized into units of 80,000 and carry out every task normally associated with mid and high level bureaucrats in other nations. The Police, mail and civil services all fall under the jurisdiction of the Velite Guard. The staff of elected officials is drawn from the Velite Guard as are state prosecutors and advoctaes. Careers in the Velite Guard are just as profitable as private sector careers and about 10% of those that fulfill mandatory services stay on with the Velite Guard for life.

The Retliatory Guard are the professional soldiers of Ilek-Vaad. No Retaliatory Guardsmen goes into the field without three years of mandatory combat training. The Retaliatory Guard are organized into armies of 80,000 each.

The Average Velite guard has a bullet-proof coat an FN-FAL assault rifle, FN-Browning high-power side arm and a mostly enclosed 'athenian' style helmet.

The Average Retlaitory Guardsman has a bullet proof vest, coat and heavy carbon-mesh 'spartan' style helmt, a FN-Minami assault rifle modified for caseless ammunition and a 20mm under the barrel grenade launcher and a tactical computer.

The Free Republic spends on average 450,000 DR per retaliatory Guard for equipment.

The Heavier Jaguar and Panther armies carry a specialized FN-HAR .30-06 assault rifle with a tactical computer, grenade launcher and depleted uranium rounds. Their armour consists of 'banded' ceranite body armour, with peltier cooling 'blocks' a bullet proof longcoat , ceramite greaves, gauntlets and bracers. The FN-HAR is capable of hitting targets 3/4th of a mile away with accuracy and shredding through even tank armour. These heavy units receive a minimum of 6 years of combat training , this is needed to get used the weight of their equipment and learn how to use it to it's best effectiveness.

Guard Units also use the FN-MAG squad automatic at about 1 for every 20 men. The Smalles organizational unit of the Retliatory Guard is the 100 man 'Squad', rarely do they move about in combat in smaller units.

The following is a list of the current Retlaitory Guard units:

1st Army - The Purifiers
Headed by Colonel Isem Arden

2nd Army- The Jaguars (heavy army)
Headed by Colonel Coatl Ixihili

3rd Army- The Lancers (all four divisions are mechanized)
Headed by Colonel Vadim Isfor

4th Army- The Eagles
Headed by Colonel Lawrence Ashton

5th Army- The Panthers (heavy army)
Headed by Colonel Nival Shura

6th Army- The Twisted Serpent
Headed by Colonel Ilo Coaxatlya

7th Army- The Levelers (all four divisions are armour)
Headed by Colonel Ital Ehecatl

8th Army- The Fists of Vaad (all four divisions are air support)
Headed by Colonel Naman Yross

9th Arny- The Ring Bearers
Headed by Colonel Varim Raustov

10th Arny- The Hunters
Headed by Colonel Mustapha Kemal

11th Army- The Storm Clouds
Headed by Colonel Coyohuatl Huathaultla

12th Army- The Signifiers
Headed by Colonel Erith Kanaan

13th Army- The Scorchers (2 mechanized division, 2 air support)
Headed by Colonel Vaan Arden

14th Army- The Leopards
Headed by Colonel Recipp Tayyiggan

15th Army- The Dark Horse
Headed by Colonel Talman O' Connor


There is also a Red Jaguar Command Battalion consisting of 2,000 of the Red Jaguar Commandos for each army. The 15 Red Jaguar Battalions are made up of the best of the best, they average 10 years of combat training and 3 years of combat duty. They are taught to use the drug Ixpei, to enhance their physical strength, endurance and speed. They are able to go for days without rest and have racked up kill ratios of 500:1 in most deployments. They are savage, cunning and trained to the level that exceeds even officer training in most armies. They are equipped just as the Heavy Jaguars and Panthers are and have additional use of the Chok-Mool super heavy battletank 200 of which can carry the entire battalion into battle.

Each Red Jaguar Command has a Command General, they report directly to the Supreme Republican Commander and are all masters at battlefield tactics and troop motivation.


Minister of Defence, Ilek-Vaad

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