The Autarchy of Filia
03-02-2006, 21:44
Filia is an electoral inherited autocracy, currently led by Hirkulian III. Hirkulian, son of Euson IV, has been Autarch for seven years and ascended to the throne in the midst of the Second Invasion with a unanimous vote on the part of the Village Mayors. While his main focus of the early years was clearly on the military, seeking to keep his people free from the constant attempts at invasion, he distinguished himself from his predecessors by also diverting much of his attention to civilian matters and long-distance goals. He standardised the Flash-Code used by the Filian Army, which had previously had many 'dialects' throughout the island nation, began earnest construction of a modern navy, and instituted nation-wide mining of the mountains which provided the vastly unexploited mineral wealth that made Filia such a ripe target for invaders.
The island of Filia itself lends itself perfectly to human habitation. The island, 210,860 km² in area, is roughly circular in shape and located within the Pacific Ocean. The outer edge of the island, seperated from the ocean by a small strip of land ranging from one to three km in width, is a highly mountainous region that is largely impassable by foot or mount. The few passable routes through the mountains to the islands interior are well known and travelled, easily defended if necessary and providing the inhabitants with connection to the sea and, as a result, the world at large. The mountains themselves are rich with heavy metals and provide the Filians with all the necessary resources to maintain their society. Beyond the mountains at the islands interior (The center of the donut, if you will) the territory is fertile and level, perfect for large-scale agriculture and city construction as long as adequate protections against floods are utilised. There are approximately three dozen large-scale housing clusters within the islands interior, each home to several thousand individuals.
The government of Filia, the Autarchy, is determined by a combination of inheritence and democractic election. The Village Mayors, themselves democratically elected by their townmates, select the best and brightest from among the blood heirs of the previous Autarch. Gender is no official barrier, but female heirs rarely posess the qualities viewed as necessary to adequately run the nation and are often passed over by the Mayors. The Autarch wields supreme power, both passing and executing laws, however a unanimous Mayor vote may overrule a decision of the Autarch and, if it is deemed necessary, they may even remove the ruling Autarch from power if the populace signifies their agreement. Fortunately, such an action has only been performed once in Filian history when an Autarch, certifiably insane, attempted to pass a law placing the entire population under the service of Amonar, a foreign woman who had managed to manipulate the Autarchs already fragile mind.
For communication across the island, which is much to vast for any timely foot travel (Even on horseback), there are a series of massive mirrors strung along the peaks of the mountain range. Used to reflect sunlight, or torchlight at night, when used in sequence they can carry a message across the island in mere minutes. A sophisticated code allows the various military outposts to keep in near instant contact with one another. This allows for coordinated military strategies, a sharing of culture from the various cities, and cooperation on all national endeavors.
The Military:
The Army of Filia is the primary defensive force of the nation; until recently the only defensive force.
Landed infantry is the primary component, the majority serving as Long Swordsmen and Pikemen. These bear the brunt of combat and serve as the active guards of mountain passes and army outposts.
Taking advantage of the massive high-ground offered by the large mountain range, there is also a large amount of Bowmen and Crossbow soldiers employed by the army. They provide exquisite cover for the infantry while they engage the enemy and allow the army to harass the enemy without placing Filian lives in direct danger.
Cavalry occupies the remaining positions of the Filian Army, with both mounted archers and swordsmen. The Cavalry Archers provide rapid responses that the crossbows simply can't equal for speed, also giving themselves access to more distant areas of combat that footsoldiers can't reach in any timely manner. The mounted swordsmen, armored more heavily than their walking counterparts and carrying larger weaponry, are used for dramatic assaults at the center of enemy forces, their size and weaponry allowing them to plow through landed infantry with ease.
The Filian Navy is a new creation that sprung into existence only recently, construction commencing only after the ascension of Hirkulian III to the Autarch throne. Never anything more than a wishful dream while it tried to stand of Filias own abilities, their lack of experience with the sea precluding any serious naval accomplishments, the recent victory over the invading army on the shores of Filia gave the island nation access to the already existing fleet they had used to reach Filia in the first place. A massive combat, transport, and exploration force was now at Filias fingertips. Unfortunately, the lack of any existing training for Filian sailors meant that the newly claimed ships could not be operated with anything approaching competence. It will be years until the Flotilla, as the captured fleet has become known, will be at full combat capability.
The largest vessels captured were the Battleships, massive ships that carry large trebuchets and catapults aboard their decks for use in combating other vessels. In addition, their large size makes them well suited to transporting infantry soldiers to other areas of combat.
http://67.18.37.17/595/43/upload/p1664212.jpg
Below the Battleships were the Frigates, smaller vessels that nonetheless carry suitable firepower with several Ballistas present. Much quicker and more maneuverable than their larger companions, the numerous Ballistas allow them to combat many smaller enemies at once. In addition, large groups of Frigates are more than sufficient to damage or destroy the larger Battleships, which can't adequately strike back without enough weapon emplacements.
http://67.18.37.17/595/43/upload/p1664213.jpg
Finally, the Galleys were the smallest vessels captured from the invading army. Carrying neither massive stone throwers or Ballistas, the Galleys instead make use of fire when combating other naval vessels. Flaming arrows, each insignificant in and of themselves, are used to ignite the hulls and sails of opposing navies; smaller ships able to strike devastating blows against larger enemies when their first spark instigates a massive blaze. More maneuverable than even the Frigates, the Galleys are perfect for darting in and out of massive formations of enemy ships.
http://67.18.37.17/595/43/upload/p1664214.jpg
My first post (Where the Filians defeat their enemy and capture their fleet): http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=10350423&postcount=1
My first RP (Which is still looking for participants): http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=466770
The island of Filia itself lends itself perfectly to human habitation. The island, 210,860 km² in area, is roughly circular in shape and located within the Pacific Ocean. The outer edge of the island, seperated from the ocean by a small strip of land ranging from one to three km in width, is a highly mountainous region that is largely impassable by foot or mount. The few passable routes through the mountains to the islands interior are well known and travelled, easily defended if necessary and providing the inhabitants with connection to the sea and, as a result, the world at large. The mountains themselves are rich with heavy metals and provide the Filians with all the necessary resources to maintain their society. Beyond the mountains at the islands interior (The center of the donut, if you will) the territory is fertile and level, perfect for large-scale agriculture and city construction as long as adequate protections against floods are utilised. There are approximately three dozen large-scale housing clusters within the islands interior, each home to several thousand individuals.
The government of Filia, the Autarchy, is determined by a combination of inheritence and democractic election. The Village Mayors, themselves democratically elected by their townmates, select the best and brightest from among the blood heirs of the previous Autarch. Gender is no official barrier, but female heirs rarely posess the qualities viewed as necessary to adequately run the nation and are often passed over by the Mayors. The Autarch wields supreme power, both passing and executing laws, however a unanimous Mayor vote may overrule a decision of the Autarch and, if it is deemed necessary, they may even remove the ruling Autarch from power if the populace signifies their agreement. Fortunately, such an action has only been performed once in Filian history when an Autarch, certifiably insane, attempted to pass a law placing the entire population under the service of Amonar, a foreign woman who had managed to manipulate the Autarchs already fragile mind.
For communication across the island, which is much to vast for any timely foot travel (Even on horseback), there are a series of massive mirrors strung along the peaks of the mountain range. Used to reflect sunlight, or torchlight at night, when used in sequence they can carry a message across the island in mere minutes. A sophisticated code allows the various military outposts to keep in near instant contact with one another. This allows for coordinated military strategies, a sharing of culture from the various cities, and cooperation on all national endeavors.
The Military:
The Army of Filia is the primary defensive force of the nation; until recently the only defensive force.
Landed infantry is the primary component, the majority serving as Long Swordsmen and Pikemen. These bear the brunt of combat and serve as the active guards of mountain passes and army outposts.
Taking advantage of the massive high-ground offered by the large mountain range, there is also a large amount of Bowmen and Crossbow soldiers employed by the army. They provide exquisite cover for the infantry while they engage the enemy and allow the army to harass the enemy without placing Filian lives in direct danger.
Cavalry occupies the remaining positions of the Filian Army, with both mounted archers and swordsmen. The Cavalry Archers provide rapid responses that the crossbows simply can't equal for speed, also giving themselves access to more distant areas of combat that footsoldiers can't reach in any timely manner. The mounted swordsmen, armored more heavily than their walking counterparts and carrying larger weaponry, are used for dramatic assaults at the center of enemy forces, their size and weaponry allowing them to plow through landed infantry with ease.
The Filian Navy is a new creation that sprung into existence only recently, construction commencing only after the ascension of Hirkulian III to the Autarch throne. Never anything more than a wishful dream while it tried to stand of Filias own abilities, their lack of experience with the sea precluding any serious naval accomplishments, the recent victory over the invading army on the shores of Filia gave the island nation access to the already existing fleet they had used to reach Filia in the first place. A massive combat, transport, and exploration force was now at Filias fingertips. Unfortunately, the lack of any existing training for Filian sailors meant that the newly claimed ships could not be operated with anything approaching competence. It will be years until the Flotilla, as the captured fleet has become known, will be at full combat capability.
The largest vessels captured were the Battleships, massive ships that carry large trebuchets and catapults aboard their decks for use in combating other vessels. In addition, their large size makes them well suited to transporting infantry soldiers to other areas of combat.
http://67.18.37.17/595/43/upload/p1664212.jpg
Below the Battleships were the Frigates, smaller vessels that nonetheless carry suitable firepower with several Ballistas present. Much quicker and more maneuverable than their larger companions, the numerous Ballistas allow them to combat many smaller enemies at once. In addition, large groups of Frigates are more than sufficient to damage or destroy the larger Battleships, which can't adequately strike back without enough weapon emplacements.
http://67.18.37.17/595/43/upload/p1664213.jpg
Finally, the Galleys were the smallest vessels captured from the invading army. Carrying neither massive stone throwers or Ballistas, the Galleys instead make use of fire when combating other naval vessels. Flaming arrows, each insignificant in and of themselves, are used to ignite the hulls and sails of opposing navies; smaller ships able to strike devastating blows against larger enemies when their first spark instigates a massive blaze. More maneuverable than even the Frigates, the Galleys are perfect for darting in and out of massive formations of enemy ships.
http://67.18.37.17/595/43/upload/p1664214.jpg
My first post (Where the Filians defeat their enemy and capture their fleet): http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=10350423&postcount=1
My first RP (Which is still looking for participants): http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=466770