Holy Lanlanian Empire

The Holy Lanlanian Empire, commonly referred to as Lanlania, the HLE, or the Empire is a sovereign state originating from the continent of Brigidna. The empire's homeland, the island of Lanlania, is located off the southern coast of western Brigidna, while the country also has significant holdings on the mainland: Rylmark, the Sansa peninsula: Syorid, the Midgyr Valley: Azreae, and northern Skathia: Gynavae. The empire also controls a multitude of islands and chains across the globe. Lanlania is surrounded by the Lagrain Sea to the west and south, the Loche Gulf to the east, and the Landaran Sea to the north. Rylmark is bordered by Rohn and Gehenna to the north and Lochland to the east; Syorid by Lomarre to the north and Arljord to the east.

The relationship between the various countries in the empire has remained largely consistent over the centuries, with breaks few and far in between. Rylmark and Syorid were annexed by Lanlania at some point before the 1st century BCE, while Azreae was conquered in the 5th century. Vyrlund—and, indeed, most of Lanlania's modern overseas territories—are the remnants of the country's colonial empire. Lanlanian influence can still be observed in the language, culture, and systems of many of the empire's previous territories, including Nylund.

Lanlania is a developed country and is in the world's top ten economies. It is considered to have a high-income economy and a very high Human Development Index. It was the world's first industrialized country and a leading power during the 14th and 15th centuries. It remains a great power, with considerable economic, cultural, military, scientific, and political influence internationally.

Geography

Administrative Divisions

Template:Main Article The Holy Lanlanian Empire is one core country (considered the motherland by ethnic Lanlanian), three peripheral countries, and several Holy Lanlanian Overseas Dependencies and Crown Territories. Each country has its own system of administration and demarcation, though each recognizes the Holy Lanlanian Emperor as ultimate sovereign. Though national legislatures do tend to handle most local administrative duties, they do recognize the Holy Lanlanian Riksdag as a higher authority, as the Emperor's prime legislating medium. Each country is organized differently and largely dependent on local traditions before its accession into the empire.

The Kingdom of Lanlania is the oldest country in the empire and, unlike other countries, governed by the Holy Lanlanian Riksdag directly. It's subdivided into #LANDUCHIES duchies, which do hold some legislative authority within their borders. Duchies are further divided into counties, which also hold legislative authority within their boundaries through councils. Some duchies and counties are owned and inherited by hereditary rulers, who may govern their territory as they chooses. However, at no point may a devolved territory overrule a greater authority. Most counts and dukes have reduced themselves to rubber-stampers for elected authorities.

The Kingdom of Rylmark is less complex compared to Lanlania. The Rylmarker Riksdag is the primary legislative body, with local governments having no legislative powers. Instead, local governments are tasked with executing the Riksdag's laws. Of course, Holy Lanlanian laws are superior and both the Rylmarker government and Rylmarker county (Rylmark has no duchies) administration must execute them.

The Kingdom of Azreae is a unitary state under the Azrean Riksdag. It is further divided into six hereditary duchies, with executive powers over their territories. The capital city, Nellaheim, holds a status equal to the duchies.

The Principality of Syorid is also a unitary state. It is subdivided into #SYOCOUNTIES counties, who each elect a representative to the riksdag. The Riksdags is nominally lead by the Prince, who is appointed by the Emperor and is usually the heir. Most duties are in fact handled by the Prince's Chancellor.

Dependencies

The Holy Lanlanian Empire has several territories in addition to its four central countries: one Dominion, #NN Overseas Dependencies, and ##XX Crown Territories. There are distinctions between each type and even some between members of one.

The empire's sole remaining Dominion is the Dominion of Gynavae.

It's overseas Dependencies include: the Kale Islands, the Ivan Islands, and South Alden.

Holy Lanlanian Crown Territories are territories owned by the Emperor but not formally annexed into the Holy Lanlanian Empire. They are: Lylie and Dover.

Politics

Foreign Relations

Lanlanian foreign relations is centered on national security and trade interests. The empire has territories across the globe, the largest being in northern Skathia, and is very much concerned with their defense, especially considering the high levels of militarism on the Brigidnan mainland, and the growing far-right influence.

Military

The Holy Lanlanian military—officially His Imperial Majesty's Armed Force — consists of four professional branches: the Imperial Navy, the Imperial Marines, the Holy Lanlanian Army, and the Imperial Air Force. It is managed by the Ministry of Defense (Holy Lanlanian Empire), headed by the Minister of Defense. The commander-in-chief is the Holy Lanlanian Emperor, Wilhelm IV, to which all members swear allegiance. Their main charge is protecting the empire and its territories and safeguarding its interests.

The Holy Lanlanian military is one of the most powerful and largest in the world, with a strong naval focus. The Imperial Navy is the largest by number of ships. However, the Holy Lanlanian military as a whole largely lacks significant recent experience in modern warfare, its most recent conflict being the Holy Lanlanian-Oslanburgan War over Bisica in 1538. Though, the empire has engaged in interventions against third-world countries: the New Kyrland Intervention in 1544 and the Gable Intervention in 1556.

In addition to the Imperial military, the larger states and territories also have self-defense forces.

Immigration Policy

Holy Lanlanian immigration policy is largely set per country. However, most tend to have restricted it in recent years, only allowing west Brigidnans into the country. Of course, there are exceptions for notably bright persons that might postively contribute to the Holy Lanlanian economy. Tourist visa are largely readily available, and Lanlanians as a whole are relatively warm towards tourists — though less so towards immigrants.

The crack down on immigration can be attributed to inherent Lanlanian cultural discrimination.

Culture

Discrimination

Lanlanians believe themselves culturally superior to other peoples (including many Brigidnans), which has resulted in limited tolerance for foreign cultures. Syorid and Azrean cultures (and, indeed, ethnicities) have largely been squeezed out — a process that seems to be repeating itself in Gynavae. Lanlanians do seem to have a higher tolerance for cultures they are "reeducating" (a term used by Wilhelm IV's predecessor, Soren II). Indeed, persons that seem and act Lanlanian are somewhat accepted.

Less common in discrimination based on the color of one's skin. This is perhaps due to the country's historical interaction with people of the Near East, including Azreae. However, they see less and "less intense" racism, unlikely foreign cultures and adherents of other religions.

A Sentrite state, the empire does at times enforce the One State Religion Act of 966, which enable it to persecute all non-state religions. This has at times led to civil conflict, especially in newly conquered foreign territories.

Derp.