Three countries make up our world: Arthevic, Gensval, and Shena. There are other landmasses on their planet, but they suffer uninhabitable conditions and infertile ground, and are incapable of sustaining life. Due to the shortage of land, the three countries have become violently defensive of their borders and cultures. Our story takes place within a longstanding period of segregation, isolation, and war between the three; racism, xenophobia, and the struggle for land keep the three countries in constant conflict, but the new Gensvalian King, Seneca, seeks to end the war in peace. Technology in the three countries is similar to real modern day first world countries, with some exclusions, including: nuclear weapons/energy, satellites, and drones.
Tip! People from Gensval are called Gensvalians and speak the language Gensvalian. People from Arthevic are Arthevicans and speak the language Arthevican. People from Shena are called Sheni and speak the language Sheni.
Gensval is a country vaguely equivalent to a mix of Sweden, Switzerland, and China. It is known for its picturesque landscapes, agriculture, and devotion to the environment. It is considered bad taste in Gensval to waste ground space that could be used for growing things, so many buildings are narrow and tall, surrounded by foliage and festooned with planters. Flowers are very prevalent in Gensvalian culture- Gensvalians are highly respectful and knowledgeable about all plants and their symbolic meanings, and they play an important role in local festivals, holidays, traditions, and the economy. Gensval also boasts the most abundant farmlands and best agricultural conditions. Eastern Gensval is interspersed with steep, rolling mountain ranges, which soften very gradually across the country before turning to flatland at the international borders. Gensval has warm and bright summers, eclectic springs, cool autumns, and freezing winters with a hazardous amount of snow.
Politically, Gensval is governed by an absolute monarchy, and (nearly) full executive powers rest with the king or queen. The crown passes through the direct line of Gensval's Royal House of Marleng, and Seneca is its sole survivor and reigning king. The monarch appoints ministers to compose the executive branch called the Cabinet of Ministers, and the Legislative Council is elected by the people. Due to his absence of family or an heir apparent, Seneca has appointed two opposing ministers as High Advisors to inherit control of the powers of state in the event of his death, a position they would hold in abeyance until the election of a new leader.
Atheism is the dominant demographic in Gensval, and most of their holidays are concerned with harvests or folk stories. Gensval's official language is Gensvalian, considered the softest language of the three. Its words tend to start with hard consonants and slide into light vowel-sound endings (for example, combine the first syllable of a Swedish word and the last syllables of a French one). The majority of the country speaks only their native language of Gensvalian, but about 15% of the population have learned some Sheni, Arthevican, or both as a second language in order to better understand international affairs. In terms of appearance, Gensvalians on average have the narrowest builds and palest skin of the three nations.
Politically, Gensval is governed by an absolute monarchy, and (nearly) full executive powers rest with the king or queen. The crown passes through the direct line of Gensval's Royal House of Marleng, and Seneca is its sole survivor and reigning king. The monarch appoints ministers to compose the executive branch called the Cabinet of Ministers, and the Legislative Council is elected by the people. Due to his absence of family or an heir apparent, Seneca has appointed two opposing ministers as High Advisors to inherit control of the powers of state in the event of his death, a position they would hold in abeyance until the election of a new leader.
Atheism is the dominant demographic in Gensval, and most of their holidays are concerned with harvests or folk stories. Gensval's official language is Gensvalian, considered the softest language of the three. Its words tend to start with hard consonants and slide into light vowel-sound endings (for example, combine the first syllable of a Swedish word and the last syllables of a French one). The majority of the country speaks only their native language of Gensvalian, but about 15% of the population have learned some Sheni, Arthevican, or both as a second language in order to better understand international affairs. In terms of appearance, Gensvalians on average have the narrowest builds and palest skin of the three nations.
Rekfra is the capital city of Gensval and the seat of the government.
The royal palace is a beautiful and massive sprawl of 18th century-style buildings, interspersed with many well-kept gardens and courtyards. The interiors are ornately decorated, with an extensive collection of art of all varieties lining the walls, and always brightly lit thanks to the many tall windows. The palace is the residence of both Seneca and Kincaid, though their living spaces are located in different wings. It also houses their offices, and neighbors the equally impressive buildings that host the highest orders of Gensval's government (including the Cabinet of Ministers, and the Council/Parliament/Assembly). Kavallå was a river-facing fortress of reinforced concrete and stone, neighboring a drawbridge. It was built by Gensval to provide a base of operations for their navy, which made use of the river to transport cargo. As the war shifted to a different front and the river route was no longer relevant, the fortress was decommissioned and abandoned. |
Arthevic is a Latin-esque country with a very strong militaristic culture. Arthevicans take great pride in their nation and are fiercely dedicated to its development. The country operates on a meritocracy, and Arthevicans who have proven themselves in the military are appointed to key posts in the government. There are no hereditary titles in Arthevic; someone’s position is primarily determined by their military rank. The country's leadership position of Overseer is handed down to the most able candidate as determined by the government and the people. Even so, the Overseer is allowed to cultivate a relationship with the potential candidates to succeed them, enabling them to influence the policies of their successors. Overseers adopt regnal names, and the current Overseer is Gloria II, formerly General Sol Adelina Portia De La Rosa.
The country is the flattest of the three. Their agricultural options are far more limited than the other countries due to the difficult nature of their land and the harsh weather conditions; a large desert spans the southwestern third of the country, and a centrally-located jungle further limits the space that could be used for farming. Arthevic typically has a warm, dry climate.
The people of Arthevic are known for their golden eyes. Genetically, they have the broadest and tallest builds of any nation. Arthevic's official and only language is Arthevican, a low, guttural, and purring language full of words to be spoken in a hard rumble. Natives speak only Arthevican, believing it the superior language, with even the highest members of government refusing to learn or speak Gensvalian or Sheni for international communications. An overwhelming majority of the population is religious, believing in a God who told a warlord called Vica that her people, who would become the Arthevicans, were chosen and destined to rule the earth.
The country is the flattest of the three. Their agricultural options are far more limited than the other countries due to the difficult nature of their land and the harsh weather conditions; a large desert spans the southwestern third of the country, and a centrally-located jungle further limits the space that could be used for farming. Arthevic typically has a warm, dry climate.
The people of Arthevic are known for their golden eyes. Genetically, they have the broadest and tallest builds of any nation. Arthevic's official and only language is Arthevican, a low, guttural, and purring language full of words to be spoken in a hard rumble. Natives speak only Arthevican, believing it the superior language, with even the highest members of government refusing to learn or speak Gensvalian or Sheni for international communications. An overwhelming majority of the population is religious, believing in a God who told a warlord called Vica that her people, who would become the Arthevicans, were chosen and destined to rule the earth.
Shena is a tropical island-nation ruled by a monarchy. They have the best beaches, and a very infantile king.
The Court is the only neutral ground on the continent, and the location of semi-annual international summits between the leadership of the three nations. A small, absolutely demilitarized city, it houses a large main meeting center and several hotel complexes, divided into highly guarded sections of the Court, one for each country.