Gemurtrak

Gemurtrak, officially the Federated Duchies of Gemurtrak, is a country in north-west Osamia. It is situated by the Ornyenka-Sthulista Strait to the west, alongside the Osamian sea, and has land borders with Takjaana west of the Skorn Ortna, [Raaznation] to the south, and Kwamplik to the south east. The capital, Ornpyat, is often regarded as a major hub for global trade given its location. It is comprised of 4 duchies which are separated into 12 states, and one federal administrative territory, all of which collectively spans 1,496,557.08 km2, holding a population of 102,244,122, making it the most populous in Osamia. Other major cities include Metenzhana, Sywetatum, and Raswe.

Formally a collection of minor nations, Gemurtrak formed following military pressure from the Southern Empire which threatened to consume the various nations. They joined together as the Confederation of the North and held back numerous small invasions. The Confederation almost collapsed after some time into the Great Southern War but made an immediate recovery following the catastrophic defeat of the Southern Empire after the death of the Stag King and subsequent loss in the Battle of fallen kings. This victory soon led to a consolidation of power in the northern nations behind the Yedak drisnyet into Gemurtrak. This period of success soon fell apart after King Ardik, the original Yedak drisnyet died in 1045 after decades of attempts to maintain control in the region. What followed was decades of scheming and infighting caused by a weak central government and uncertain lines of succession. The internal strife calmed following the ascendance of Udrak of Nzek to the throne and the implementation of the Rights of Imperial Lineage in 1090. The nation enjoyed general prosperity until the Inheritance Wars in 1490 following the death of the entire royal family. This caused shock waves that would additionally result in the loss of much of the eastern territories of Gemurtrak after the Two Brothers War. The nation continued to maintain its position of trade power it was lucky to possess that soon fell into the ire of international interests during the mid-late 1600’s in the interest of opening the international trade-way to be better aligned to the goals of foreign powers, particularly those of Salia. This series of struggles for control of the area (later dubbed the Wars for the gap) saw Gemurtraks dominant presence begin to dwindle after numerous painful losses in cessation of territory. These were later reobtained during the Fury War of 1872 which saw the collapse of salian control in Osamia and the return of Gemurtrak.

With independence secured, the country rapidly modernized and efficiently organized under Korya Dzekana, the first president of the Republic of Gemurtrak, who stabilized negotiations between the various interest groups of the Gemurtrak government and reformed numerous parts of the archaric national administration. These reforms would not be completed to their entirety following his death in 1891. With the hegemony of Korya gone, the national government ceased to function effectively and would suffer numerous power grabs for complete control over the country, all of which failed to reach the same heights of power. The disorganization and internal conflicts led the government incapable to react to the Osamian economic crisis of 1899 in a responsive way, aggrevating the public. Problems would intensify further with an additional economic crash following the beginning of the First World War leading to a fear of potential revolution that came true in 1914 after Petek Muzo, leader of the Party of national solidarity, stormed the capitol building and declared the Osamian Federation, leading to a Continent spanning revolt resulting in the formation of the first Gekezikist state in the world. The Federation, while initially proving successful, struggled under external and internal pressures for its existence and fostered a growing demand for the return of pre-revolution conditions. The demands were granted following numerous defeats of the National Federation Army and a coup initiated by high ranking military members in 1951. Since then, the new reformed Monarchy and its variety of political parties have maintained a generally stable peace within the nation.

Gemurtrak still holds popular control of the Ornyenka-Sthulista Strait which has allowed it to remain a major trade entity which, besides ideological differences, has kept the Strait generally open for business in the interest of continued national economic prosperity. The position of Ornpyat has allowed it to become regarded as a global city, acting as one of the key cities for global trade. Gemurtrak stands as one of the strongest nations in Osamia and is the largest economy on the continent. Gemurtrak is a member of the international community heading the Southern Prosperity League and is an active member of the World Forum.

Etymology
Prior to the Age of the raiders, People of the northern parts of Osamia referred to themselves and others as Katamur, meaning All People or in a literal sense, what was every person in existence according to them. Following the strides in boat design and cartography brought about by the initial !TBD invasions in the 500's CE, Many began to adopt the title of Gemurtrak, meaning People of the North or People belonging to the North. This later stuck following the formation of the unified nation as a spit to the face of the then shamed Southern Empire, seeing the declaration of the name as the movement of imperial right, from the defeated south, to its victorious northern counterpart.

Pre-history and old empires
The first hints of human presence have been predicted to have gone as far back as some 45,000 years ago with movement across the land bridge that now forms the Ornyenka-Sthulista Strait. Numerous old artifacts and cave paintings have been discovered across the Jwem psabki mountain range area dating as far back as 20,000 BCE. The first signs of established settlements are denoted to coming around 6000 BCE after previous millennia of hunter gatherers. These settlements later became larger entities by 1500 BCE, numerous communities forming along the western side of the ranges, soon becoming a variety of kingdoms. The region suffered immense societal pressures across the following centuries due to reduced food security and trade disruption set on by various natural and man made disasters. These disasters brewed turmoil within and among the ancient hegemons, leading to a struggle for supremacy in the Scramble wars, stability being restored under the Kingdom of Ornas, bringing about the first imperial era in 920 BCE.

Ornas would fall from it's position in 780 BCE during the Golden betrayal and subsequent rebellion, further falling into disarray following a series of succession crises leading to the implosion of the Ornas kingdom, the Kingdom of Gadram forming from the conclusion of events in 544 BCE. The new kingdom would come to conflict against the now independent northern Kingdom of Ostmar and the once solitary Kingdom of Thizen to the south. Gadram would claim it's victory in Thizen following the volcanic eruption near its national capital during the Pedagozya frontier war and instate the second imperial era in 465 BCE. Struggles between Gadram and Ostmar would continue until the end of the second imperium following a string of unsuccessful emperors and the Ostmar victory in obtaining the Borzh-kasu peninsula, with these events leading to the fracturing of Gadram in 210 BCE. The reduced trade from the peninsula worsened relations towards them and the Ostmar, soon leading to the Ostmar retreat from the region, leaving it to be fought for by the new growing powers along the western coast.

Confederation of the North
The former Gadram imperial region would continue to remain fractured by struggles to bring about the next imperium, however centuries of failed attempts soon left any legitimate claims gone or forgotten. Pushes by outside powers to reign control over the Ornyenka-Sthulista Strait through the peninsula would leave it divided among a multitude of interested parties including what remained of the Ostmar Kingdom, reduced after numerous conflicts against the Kingdom of Okrimet. The regional balance was tested with the arrival of the Southern Empire into the region and its successful push onto the peninsula in 569 CE, bringing with it a violent push out of regional trade if they did not agree to the terms of the empire, many of them taking a defensive stance and increasing naval forces to counteract.

Centuries of ongoing raids with little success from nations along the west coast pushed many lesser powers to bankruptcy or in search of protection under wealthier powers, bringing about a regional consolidation, creating power blocs including the Council of Utek and the Duchy of Stiorzhya. As pushes from the Southern Empire grew in ferocity into the 8th century, calls for a better solution grew. Stiorzhya's King, Kanay III, called for a dialogue in helping to resolve the centuries long crisis, suggesting a joint declaration of protection and the formation of a confederation. Much of the region joined under the new confederation under various pretense, however their interests aligned enough to show prominant success, with a string of military successes against the empire from 757-810.

While the security of the strait grew guaranteed, alternative approaches by the Southern Empire appeared, as invasions from south of the Skorn ortna grew more prominant with the centralization of power in the region under the Empire with Tákjaana's subjegation. Large amount of resources were moved to solidify the southern border of the confederation, culminating in the development of the Zwarkin Walls, the largest architectural project in Osamia at the time, and a major boon during the Prelude wars after it's completion in 957.

On June of 1002 the Southern Empire began a full scale invasion along the southern stretches of the confederation, pushing beyond the Zwarkin Walls and reaching the psaki mountains during the early years of the Great Southern War. The growing failures of confederation led to changes in military organization, most major of them with the introduction of the confederate warmaster, granted to Badak Truka. The changes showed improvements but only slowed the still advancing Southern armies. The conflict would continue for another decade, the focus turning to the seas after the army failed to push through the southern mountain pass.

With forces stretched thin during 1011, the confederation failed to hold the southern army, now led by the Stag King in a definitive push to end the war. A deciding conflict would abruptly end the push through confederate territory with the death of the Stag King and a routing of the now disorganized imperial forces. The success of the war and the end of almost a half millenium of Southern Imperial harassment led many to see the Imperial right of the south transfer to the north, a perception King Ardik I, the commander during the battle of fallen kings, used to push for a formal unification of the confederation, an action that was officially recognized in 1012 with the crowning of Ardik as emperor of the Northern Empire

First Noble Council period
The crowning of the new emperor, while supported, was heavily contested by numerous other lords across the new empire. A series of conflicts to pacify these areas would solidify the empire's claim but begin a trend of insubordination answered with violence that would stretch for the length of the First Noble Council period. The dissapearence of the Southern Empire additionally led to the reignition of old feuds previously set aside to which imperial forces often intervened, bringing the question of the governance structure of the empire towards its subjects. The Imperial Codex codified a common legal structure and process to grant limited autonomy in exchange for military and financial support to members of the empire that follow the Codex.

The Northern Empire would continue to be mired in a variety of complications over its structure leading to escalations of war but still remain a powerful entity in the western osamian region, however surrounding entities along the internal struggles of the empire would lead to little or no expansion of the Imperial borders for the whole of the first council period. The first council would collapse in 1074 with the assumption of a child to the throne with many elite members of the council vying to be regent in attempts to usurp imperial authority. Udrak of Nzek would be the first to make military movements to assume control, leading to a collapse of the council and subsequent war. Udrak was later installed as the new emperor in 1090 and formed the Second Noble Council. The Rights of Imperial Lineage was additionally created, turning the Northern Empire into an elective monarchy, reducing the risk of such an incident from occuring again.

Second Noble Council period
By 1183, the Northern Empire was at its height with development on the west coast growing and trade in the region bringing in all time high rates of finance. The Trenwa household would come to grow massively in influence over the second council, commonly assuming the position of Emperor and holding a massive personal realm within the empire. Many states along the Borzh-kasu peninsula began to grow dissatisfied with their representation in the empire as their economic dominance grew. The Tenrok household of the city of Tratum initiated attempts to divide the council with success after the Koyado Imperial Stalemate ended the Trenwa dominance.

The cities of the peninsula continued to disrupt the empire after a second stalemate in the imperial election divided the empire between the House of Zhemu and Magete, starting the War of Two Emperors in 1231 and a subsequent push by the peninsular cities for representation within the new third council. The choice was not popular, and numerous concessions were made on either side including the consolidation of the many cities into fewer representative coalitions within the council. The Tazenu household would remain a staunch opposition towards the cities and garner support from the rest of the council, securing themselves as the imperial dynasty, eventually partially abolishing the elective monarchy and positioning themselves as the new imperial family, if not by name.

Third Noble Council period
Dissatisfaction by the peninsular cities eventually brought the demand for aid beyond the borders of the empire. Seeking aid by the Kingdom of Krayorzhya, the city coalition of Nagnenwan introduced the foreign family of Kazha as a representative in the council. The action was seen as a severe overstep of the coalitions authority and the Kazha family forcefully removed as a canidate, prompting the Kingdom of Krayorzhya to invade. The Kazha family would eventually assume themselves as the imperial family of the Northern Empire by 1376. Political chaos occurring in Mitruhmoer during the 15th century would encourage the empire to invade in 1455, experiencing intense competition for the peninsula. The war would stretch on across three separate campaigns (in 1455, 1461, and 1468) eventually concluding in 1470 with the establishment of Ketra yenka and its dominions on Skephon. In 1490, a suspicious fire in the imperial palace killed almost all of the imperial family excluding the wife of the emperor, Empress Miki. The council seized the incident as a chance to replace the foreign Kazha family as emperor, however a definitive candidate could not be decided, leading the empire into a state of conflict.

Inheritance War
For the next 20 years, the Northern Empire would remain in a state of civil war over claims of legitimacy, territorial disputes, and influence in a grab for Imperial leadership. Attempts by the leader of the peninsular city coalition to legitimize his claim were made through the attempted marriage of the last living now adolesent daughter of the Kazha family, Daysikya. Numerous other powers in the war would use her as a tool for legitimacy which would be subverted by her in her own attempt at legitimizing a personal claim. She would formally declare herself as empress of the Northern Empire in 1515 after murdering her husband, and began a campaign of unification under the Makazhu household name. The war would continue for another 30 years under Daysikya's leadership with the successful unification of the western territories by 1540. The eastern stretches of the empire would remain in a state of division during the reign of Daysikya's son, Maguste III, who would attempt multiple times in reclaiming the territories but would fail to push beyond the city of Raswe in the 1560 war.

Atuzkur period
The Northern Empire would continue to reel from the inheritance war for the rest of the 16th century with a massive transformation of the imperial structure after the 1567 noble revolt effectively abolishing the feudal system and placing the emperor as the sole sovereign figure of the empire. This action would see numerous push backs from noble remnants and the merchant republics alike. The Atuzkur system would be introduced as the final measure of Emperor Kamozhi's centralization reforms, reducing any remaining nobility to a ceremonial function within their own territory, managed under former or relatives of generals during the Inheritance war and it's subsequent conflicts. The bureaucratic structures of the empire would continue to be heavily strained as neglect of the home region to focus on the eastern frontiers would lead to an uncontrolled degree of corruption within the Atuzkur system, something that would be partially dealt with during the reign of Yazukani.

Salian colonial occupation
With the turn of the 16th century, naval trade began to expand exponentially due to a period of colonialism in the Alutran region. The Ornyenka-Sthulista strait became a major artery of global trade, acting as the fastest route around the old world. The importance of this route caught the eye of multiple Alutran states. Salia would begin acts of invasive trade conflicts in Gemurtrakian ports through the course of the 1600's and escalate over the century. Gemurtrak was largely incapable of fending off the invasions and submitted land to the Huenarno Import Company (HIC) in 1666 after crushing losses in the trade conflict of that year.

Further territories would be ceded as Salia strengthened their position in the strait, choking trade of the region and requiring a violent response from Gemurtrak, which would commonly result in their own loss. With the Salian dominance all but established in the region, Salia initiated a finishing assault on the Imperial palace of the emperor of Gemurtrak and demanded the signing of the formal surrender of Gemurtrakian sovereignty. The treaty was signed in 1702 and officially declared the former empire as a subsidiary of the HIC and placed the Imperial family into permanent house arrest. The HIC grew to exorbitant heights off of the abundant resources and strategic trade region their conquest gave. The company grew to being one of the most profitable within the Osamian region.

While the HIC and the Salian authority claimed total control of the territories stipulated in the 1702 agreement, their official control was far more limited. Administrative authority outside of the western coast was only partial and heavily limited, instead direct control was handed towards the local nobility who governed in the stead of Salia. These nobles were typically staunchly against the imperial family and happily cooperated with the foreign authorities.Control would grow more centralized as the colonial authority expanded in size and fortune. While nobles were still kept into positions of power, their actual powers were progressively being curbed in favor of more direct systems that communicated more efficiently, placed under colonial provinces. While these nobles did occasionally rebel due to their positions in governance retracting, such as the Budwagu rebellion, they held very small military forces that were only given for local control, and were incapable of competing against the larger direct colonial forces.

Conditions for Gemurtrakians varied depending on their state of assimilation into Salian society with those refusing to partake in the new system finding little success while those who submitted to Salian rule were treated to government positions within the regional administration. This caused a disparity within the territories, widening the gap between the lower and upper echelons of Gemurtrakian society. The colonial occupation of Gemurtrak would continue until a string of rebellions led by Mazkwat, formerly removed and later restored Emperor of Gemurtrak, led to numerous large scale conflicts within the country. The Fury War of 1872-1876 was the conclusive blow to the Salian control of the colony, which admitted defeat and lost its grip on the Osamian continent, agreeing to terms laid out by Korya Dzekana, the new leader of the colonial revolution following Mazkwat's death in the conflict. The various former colonial provinces would reunite into the Republic of Gemurtrak lead by Korya.

Republic of Gemurtrak
Restored to the front stage of affairs, Gemurtrak quickly developed to the new environment it had found itself in. Korya, a large supporter in the efforts of modernization, introduced multiple national restructuring programs to take advantage of any and all industrial facilities left behind by Salia. All Salian industry was forcefully repossesed by the government and were nationalized under the Osamian Industrial Collective (later named the Gemurtrak Imperial Industry Collective), centralizing and focusing the industry into key parts of the Gemurtrakian economy to jumpstart reconstruction. These efforts paid off as industrial development in Gemurtrak exploded in size over the course of the 1880's. These actions and his general push for mass reform in Gemurtrak made Korya a popular public figure, holding massive influence over all the political factions within the republic's legislature.

Almost all members of the republic legislature were high ranking officials in the military or other positions of power, Korya was able to maintain these groups under his leadership during his time as president allowing him to push highly necessary reforms including the Liberalization of the Nagsenur system, introduction of a welfare system, the confirmation of the status of religion (specifically Owkuga), and the creation of a formal Gemurtrakian constitution. All of these efforts eventually culminated in Gemurtrak becoming one of the most developed countries in Osamia and holding considerable power in international affairs.

With relations still sour towards Salia and a growing fear of retaliation in the near future, Korya would begin travels around the world in the late 1880's where he would formalize relations and guage Gemurtrak's position in the world. His trips to Haksarad and Mitruhmoer were the most successful and solidified the position of Gemurtrak in the world stage. Korya would die on the 12th of August, 1891 after being shot by a member of the Osamian national revolution following his return to Osamia after a trip to Alutra which the nationalist group viewed as a traitorous act against the republic. The incident would throw the republic into immediate chaos as the government factions, previously held under Korya's control, argued over the position of presidency and who would obtain it.

Kazhena, grand niece of Mazkwat, suspected daughter of Korya, and the head of what remained of the royal family, asserted herself in claiming the powers of the presidency and converting the republic into a constitutional monarchy, stating that it was the best option for the preservation of the republic. The proposition was met with mixed feelings, later resolving with the republic recognizing the imperial family as a head of state, but only in a ceremonial role. The presidential position would eventually be filled by Yanro Katezuza, head of the patriots party, who would lead as president until 1899. During his presidency, Yanro pushed for improved construction regulation laws and a hallmark reform of the legislative system. His reforms called for term limits as well as restrictions of private ownership of companies by members of the Imperial chambers. The reforms passed with a slim majority with numerous caveats favoring ministers who were active or formerly active members of the Imperial Army.

Following the disastrous financial crash of the Ornpyat Stock Exchange in April 1899, believing to have originated from the bursting of the national investment bubble, the economy of Gemurtrak entered a freefall with some of the largest private corperations part of the investment program including Korzha and Central Transit declaring bankruptcy by the end of the month. Unemployment rose as high as 31%, and nominal GDP dropped 8% by 1900. The situation eventually spilled out to surrounding countries in Osamia and east Skephon and global shipping routes began to experience complications when docking in Gemurtrak, making many companies to use ports in Mitrumoher, worsening economic conditions. Numerous attempts were made in the government, led by Marbuk Sagra, to alleviate the growing economic crisis, but internal divisions continued to place the government in a standstill. The situation only worsened with labour protests and riots that threatened to spill across the country. Twethak Nyen would replace Marbuk in 1901 after his forceful push of the controversial economic refurbishment act led to members of his party unconfident of his leadership. Twethak would only lead until the start of 1905 when he is forcefully removed from his position by Stagek Mazya. Opposition within the party by Marbuk, Twethak, and Stagek erupted on the 12th of March, 1905 when Twethak forcefully stormed the capitol building with members of the Imperial Army and attempted a coup. His attempted was thwarted when other members of the Imperial Army broke the siege and killed Twethak. Marbuk barely survived but recovered and reinstated himself as president and declared a maximal state of crisis.

With Marbuk holding presidency, a mass purge of ministers was instigated in attempts to replace uncooperating members of government. Further pushes in industrial reform and revitalization in 1906 would begin resolving the damages caused by the 1899 crash. With the beginning of the First World War in 1910, the efforts of the reforms were wasted as international shipping lanes were disturbed by the conflict resulting in the economy falling even further. While Marbuk and his government would continue to try to overturn the economic hardships, public opinion was at a new low as workers and some military units began organizing with hopes of overthrowing the government. The Party of National solidarity, an unofficial and banned political party under the crisis declaration in 1902, led by Petek Muzo, would instigate protests and riots across the country. Crackdowns and a state of martial law was announced in February of 1914 with the situation slipping away from the governments hands. On the 23rd of June 1914, Petek, alongside members of the self declared National Federation Army stormed the capitol building and declared the Osamian Federation, a new republic built on new ideas free from Alutran control. The Osamian revolution erupted all across the continent as colonial governments buckled under the strains of the First World War and growing dissent of the native population. Osamia would be plunged into chaos for the next seven years as colonial control collapsed and a panicked response by the international community would lead the continent to being a major battlefield of the First World War. After securing their position, the Osamian Federation signed the Treaty of Ornpyat, formally recognizing the Federations existance and its control of the Osamian continent.

Geography
Gemurtrak sits along the western stretch of north mainland Osamia, bordering Tákjaana to the south. The country can be split into 3 distinct regions consisting of the western highlands, northern lowlands, and eastern plains. The highlands consists of the whole western stretch of coast gemurtrak occupies, where the Jwepsab mountain range resides and influences the rest of the geographic landscape. The mountain range is the tallest and longest on Osamia with the highest point on the continent being Mount Gemabukza standing at just above 7000 m. The height of the mountains causes a rainshadow, making the western portion of the mountains dry and lightly forested. Rivers are still abundant on the west side, generated by the snowmelt of the upper Jwepsab mountains.

The amount of rivers in the area are capable of supporting a considerable amount of flora and fauna that are heavily focused around these major rivers. Areas further north and south of the mountains are typically unaffected by the rainshadow and are some of the most heavily vegetated. By the northern coast, the low coast combined with exposure to monsoons has led to a vibrant ecosphere among the swampy lowland with extensive forests.

The monsoonal weather patterns of the region lead some parts of the northern region lacking in yearly rainfall. While the coast still obtains a sustainable amount of water for year round widespread vegetation, the central plains is less consistent. Rainfall comes in strong season specific periods under 30° southern latitude. This leads to long periods of little to no rainfall within the central plain. The lack of year long rain, and only one major river, has encouraged grazing animals who migrate across the region, typically moving northwards during the dry season and returning south with the arrival of the monsoon season.

Climate
Gemurtrak possess a varying climate primarily dominated by a climate that covers the whole northern coast and the majority of the interior caused by monsoonal weather that hits around just before the summer period (October-December). The Jwepsab mountain range causes a drier climate on the western side of the mountains, leading to a along the central western coast before turning to a  further south along the Isthmus of Jwepsab. The higher altitudes of the mountain range gives way to an and later  and  grade climates at its highest points. A small section east of Skorn ortna also displays traits of a. The northern coast experiences considerable tempreture swings between dry and monsoonal seasons. During the monsoonal period of the latter end of the year the area experiences a high rate of humidity averaging around 82% in the northernmost parts of the country. The summers have average highs of around 30°C with daily averages ranging around 27°C in most parts of the north coast. June-August are the cold periods for the whole country where it can reach freezing tempretures in the southern reaches. The north experiences little to no snowfall during this time while the interior is commonly covered in a few inches of snow every year.

Government and politics
Gemurtrak functions under a federal parliamentary system led by the Minister of the Republic (MR) as the head of government, and a monarch as the head of state. Legislative power at the federal level is managed by the collective Imperial Chambers consisting of the Chamber of Ministers and the Chamber of States. The Chamber of Ministers is elected through using the  system and are all elected every four years. The Chamber of States are separated into three sets of seats that are elected at different times either during separate state elections, specific chamber elections, and council elections (in regards to seats assigned to the state of Suzhya). Direct chamber election seats are voted on every four years through single transferable vote, while state election seats are voted on through and are done alongside state elections and are subject to the term lengths of the state. The political framework observed in Gemurtrak is enshrined in the 1960 constitution which is separated into two parts; the Unity Edicts and the Rights of the Republic. While the Unity Edicts have remained largely untouched since their condification into law, the Rights of the Republic have been changed on multiple occasions with the most recent changes occurring in 2004. The constitution guarantees the preservation of the separation of power between the monarchy and states, the structure of the federal government, and the declaration that no man, not even the monarchy, is above the rule of law.

The monarch, currently Metenyanu, is the head of state and holds the most power within the executive and legislative government. The position is an inherited title via law for the imperial family of Ramizna and is legally unattainable and cannot be claimed by any other family. The monarch controls the majority of executive functions of the federal government alongside the hereditary Council of Lords and the Minister of the Republic and their cabinet. The monarchy has the right to intervene in standard political procedure within the legislative government should they see it as a necessary use of their imperial powers. The Chamber of Duchies is a part of the executive branch comprising of the four lords who lead their respective duchies and state subdivisions. Their position likewise inherited via primogeniture law through the current ruling family, each legally locked to that single family. The chamber of duchies acts primarily as an advisory position towards the monarch and minister of the republic concerning the conditions of the respective states. These lords are each the heads of their own duchies and lead the respective states as the head of the state executive branch. The Minister of the Republic is the highest electable office within the federal government, who is elected through the chamber of ministers based on the leading party of the chamber. Their duties focus on the management of the daily affairs of the federal government and to lead an executive cabinet created in tandem with the monarch. The MR, alongside his cabinet, work with the monarch and chamber of duchies to manage the federal government, however, most daily tasks are completed independent of the nobility, with collaboration between the two sections of the executive branch occurring during uncommon matters of the government.

Administrative divisions
As of 2004, Gemurtrak is divided into 4 duchies and one federally administrated state, Suzhya. Each duchy is further subdivided into three states, one of which is designated as the head state of the duchy for the purpose of acting as the administrative center for the duchy. Each state is then subdivided into 57 districts, each further subdivided into rural and urban councils, numbering around 205 in total. Many of these councils are typically combined into departments for services that act between multiple councils including policing and paramedics as well as establishing inter-state judiciary jurisdictions. All subdivisons are given a level of self administration excluding departments and the cultural Nagsenur subdivisions, of which are managed by their respective duchy boards. Alongside the council subdivision, some cities may possess a special designation including the autonomous administration zone of Raswe and designated capital council of Krasyet kwez. These subdivisions are grant special exemptions towards the cities for various purposes including heightened self governance through the self appointment of an elected city council independent of the state (granted through the autonomous administration zone designation), and interstate cooperation towards a single city, (such as Krasyet Kwez, which is divided across three state lines).

Independent of this is the federal state of Suzhya, who possesses a significantly different administrative structure. The monarchy is the formal leader of the federal state, taking the position typically held by state leaders. Suzhya is subdivided into 4 Economic regions each comprising of a various number of cities. All city subdivisions are given a grade which signifies the degree of self autonomy that city has from the rest of the state ranging from grade 1, called Self Managed Regions, up to grade 3, a Direct National Region, with only a single grade 4, the Central Federal Region. Most cities in Suzhya are either grade 2 or 3 with only one major city, Tratum, being a grade 1. These cities, regardless of levels of autonomy, subdivide further into prefectures. The federal capital of Ornpyat, the only grade 4 city is additionally comprised of seven boroughs.

Military
The Imperial Armed Forces of Gemurtrak are comprised of five branches - Army, Navy, Air Force, Special Forces, and the Local Service Aid & Defense (LSAD). All branches excluding the LSAD, are organized under the Department of National Defense, while the LSAD are placed under the authority of the Department of Internal Management and is lead by the Duty Bearer of Internal Management. All other branches are relegated under the Department of National Defense unless in the occasion of military conflict. On such an occasion the LSAD can be reorganized under the Department of National Defense as an milita force should the purpose be necessary. The powers of commander-in-chief is split between the Duty Bearer of National Defense and the Acting Monarch. Majority of the authority of the monarch is relinquished to the Duty Bearer but can be forcefully reaquired at the demand of the Monarch. The commissioning of officers and the arrangement of the military cabinet remain as powers exclusively exercised by the Monarch.

The Imperial Armed Forces has an active state of conscription demanding all Gemurtrakian civilians from the ages 18 to 28 for a limited period in a single branch (excluding special forces) or within public service departments including state police, firefighting or paramedics. Men must serve a total of 18 months while women serve 12 months, after which they are excused of active duty and placed into reserves until age 35. Gemurtrak has a sizable force, possessing the largest naval fleets and equally one of the largest land forces in the southern hemisphere. Gemurtrak spent $75 Billion in 2020 on the military, roughly 3.3% of the total GDP, a reduction that has been active in the budget since the 2010's coming from the former high of 5.8% in 2012. The Imperial Armed Forces stands as one of the most active military entities in the world, providing support for international missions under the World Forum or directly in some occassions(such as the Agar civil war. Although formerly recognized as a nuclear power in the 1960's, Gemurtrak formally disarmed all their nuclear warheads in 1976 under the 1976 Gemurtrak Nuclear Disarmament Act. Demands by the military were made to reverse the act during the 1980's following heightened tensions during the Ordish Revolution but were ultimately kept in place across the period.

Economy
Gemurtrak has a developed that stands as the 8th largest global economy by  and in terms of purchasing power parity according to 2020 estimates. Gemurtrak has stood as one of the top ten largest global economies following its economic recovery and boom in the 1960's and 70's.

In the modern day, Gemurtrak has a highly skilled labour force and a major innovator in the international field. Gemurtrak is often considered a major economic power, leading to it membership in international economic groups including [Group], [Group], and [Group]. While they are the largest economy in Osamia, being the only country surpassing Ꝟ2 trillion in GDP (Nominal), Gemurtrak is one of the slowest growing economies in Osamia, averaging 1.4% GDP growth since the beginning of the 2010's, being outpaced by Kwamplik in rate of growth. Despite falling GDP growth, the Trakian yosker remains a popular within the Osamian economic sphere.

The unemployment rate has remained at 2.7% in 2020, maintaining Gemurtrak's record low unemployment rate, reaching below 3% in 2018. Approximately 62% of total GDP is represented by the, 29% towards the , and 9% from. Gemurtrak is a net exporter, with its agricultural, and mining industries being the largest exports.

Gemurtrak is a founding member and major contributor to the Southern Prosperity League, an economic bloc initially created as a customs union with Mitruhmoer before the formal creation of the league in the 1980's following economic disparity concerns. The league represents the economic doctrine of Zhyagameten, a economic philosophy focused on policy towards non-osamian economic powers to support the local economy and protect it from abrasive foreign intervention, however some cities (such as Raswe) have special policy to circumvent these restrictions. This has led Gemurtrak's economy to be largely insular, having their largest exports being nearby Skephonese countries or the eastern coast of Alutra. Gemurtrak's main export partners are Tákjaana (16.2%), Gladomyr (12.7%), and Mitruhmoer (11.6%), the Osamian market alone accounts for 39% of Gemurtrak's total exports. Gemurtrak primarily exports vehicles and vehicle parts, foodstuffs (primarily rice), rare metals, and general media and telecommunication.

As a mixed economy, Gemurtrak is known to intervene in the economy but maintains a free market economy with measures implemented to ensure economic competition. This has given way to a highly competitive economy that has been infamously difficult for foreign companies to maintain popularity. This has been met with support and disdain over the economic systems of Gemurtrak, some seeing the market as being too restrictive and risky to compete with other international economies. Gemurtrak also has nationalized some industries considerably, primarily mining (through Zhwagezwar), media (Imperial Entertainment Industries), and shipping (OISC), however many of these have slowly been reduced in size with parts becoming privatized in recent decades.

According to reports from the Gemurtrak central bank, Gemurtrak is 15th in the world for GDP (PPP) per capita, at Ꝟ28,400 per capita. Majority of the economic wealth and infrastructure of the Gemurtrakian economy is situated on the coast concentrated in one of the three major cities of Gemurtrak, colloquially known as the three seaside diamonds, of Ornpyat, the largest and most prosperous of the three, Raswe, and Nagnenwan. These three cities have acted as the bulwark of the economy since industrialization and have each been major sites of trade. Ornpyat, being the largest of these cities, is also home to the Ornpyat Stock Exchange, the largest by  in the southern hemisphere.

Of the 500 largest companies according to the World Forum's international economic report, 12 are headquartered in Osamia, seven of which are located in Ornpyat alone. Onrpyat is infamously known for being one of the hardest economic regions to break into, many corperations part of economic collectives to circumvent monopoly laws. Most smaller companies are generally part of low cap collectives (typically referred to as free local collectives) in order to compete against other coperate collectives within the economic region. This collation of some sections of the Gemurtrakian economy has allowed for continued economic competition while still allowing for risk that can be mitigated by cooperation between multiple large cap companies or a mass of low capital companies. This has also invoked worker competition between and within collectives. Jobs within Ornpyat and the surrounding region are often regarded as life-setting careers, causing many to remain in a single company or company collective for their entire lives. This has left much of the lower level careers in Gemurtrak to be highly competitive and result in large yearly turnovers for those unable to achieve more permanent positions.

Energy
The energy sector of Gemurtrak is majority owned by the former state-controlled Semur Janucha Company

Demographics
According to the 2020 Census, Gemurtrak's population stands at 102,244,122 with a population density of 68.32km2. This population is concentrated heavily on the coast with more than half of the total population living in one of the major coastal cities in Suzhya, Ros Yorges, and Meduser swe.

Ethnic groups
Indisputably, the largest ethnic group in Gemurtrak are the various culture groups of the northern reaches of Osamia, collectively termed the Greater Trakmir Group (GTG). This grouping comprises all ethnic communities that have collectively developed under Gemurtrak and its predecessors and make up 90% of the whole population (around 92 million). Modern Gemurtrak holds four groups of the GTG; Rasuk, the largest group comprising about 35% of the nation, who are primarily located on the Borzh kasu peninsula. Tragyorgesuk, the second largest at 25%, cluster largely in the northern lowlands and extend across much of the northern coast. Ortnowk, at 18%, is the last major coastal group, consolidating between the western coast and the Jwem psabki mountain range. Okirmir, the smallest group at 12%, represent the collective nomadic northern cultures that cover the entire north central region. Outside of the GTG, the remaining 10% consist of other Osamian ethnicities including the Tákjaan people (4.2%), the Kwamplek (1.8%), and the Yuchvanese people (0.8%). The remaining 3.2% consist of non Osamian groups including Mudruvese, Sedic people and various other minor peoples. All of these groups, excluding the Tákjaan and Kwamplek, who generally live in the southern parts of Gemurtrak, live in the major cities of Gemurtrak, namely Ornpyat.

Languages
Gemurtrak in a practical format has only a single official language in the country, Trakian, which is spoken by the vast majority of the population with at least 98% of people showing lingustical competency. Gemurtrak also partially recognizes the salian language of Cídeach which is only officially recognized in the autonomous region of Nyiki swe due to the large concentration of Sarya-Gemurtrakians on the island, ethnic salians who were born and raised in Gemurtrak from holdouts of the colonial period. Other languages spoken within the country are largely tied to other ethnic groups including for the Tákjaan minority, and Tenkogul for the Yuchvanese. These groups however, also showed the largest rate of competency during the lingustical census, with 98% of them capable in Trakian. The lowest rate of competancy in language based on ethnic group was the !TBD people with only 37% showing a solid understanding of the language. No other native languages are known to be actively spoken

Religion
Gemurtrak has declared itself a secular state in its 1952 constitution, permitting any and all faiths to practice within the country. According to the 2020 census, around 84% of the population took part in some form of religious activity within the past month relating to the Owkugan faith. While they may practice it, only 43% of the population considers them as following the cultural religion of Owkuga actively. It has been denoted that this comes from the basis that Owkuga is a largely passively followed faith with many holidays, cultural traditions, and non religious practices stemming from the faith originally. About 22% of the population has declared themselves as atheist or agnostic in nature, a continuing drop that has reportedly occurred since the 1980’s from a high of 48% in 1982 and has steadily declining since. Many have denoted the origin of this trend as a sign of an increased cultural push by post federation families reinitiating themselves and their children into religious faiths after the religious crackdown during the 1910-50’s. A popular trend of growth has been the H’Ejrad faith, which has had a meteoric rise in practitioners from around 0.7% in 1960 to almost 16% in 1978 where it has been trending since, remaining at 10% in the 2020 census. The cause of such growth comes from numerous Gemurtrakian exiles picking up the faith in their time in Haksarad and returning as active practitioners. 11% were noted as following faiths originating from Mitruhmoer, primarily Tsuapshong, and a remaining 4% practitioning a variety of faiths ranging from cultural background faiths (such as Sedic people practitioning Ayekism) to new age religions.

Health
Gemurtrak functions under a universal healthcare system paid for by either state providers or company based healthcare subscription funds depending on a persons employment and/or personal decisions. Gemurtrak has maintained this system since the 1960's after demands to reintroduce workplace based healthcare schemes after their removal during the transition from the Osamian Federation. The system has since remained generally balanced with the option to opt into private health funds for a higher quality if a person has the financial capital. While the medical system has been successful, many health problems still plague the country with heavy concerns on smoking originating complications including lung and various other s, and concerns of overworking leading to heart based medical episodes such as, , and. Gemurtrak has one of the highest global rates of smoking with around 37% of the adult population being active smokers.

Education
Officially codified in 1960, the National education act enforced the requirement of compulsory education for any Gemurtrakian civilian under the age of 18. Schools are active year round and are separated into two semester years, with a month break between each. The education system is partially decentralized with education curriculum having some differences between duchies. Education lasts for 12 years comprised of 3 groups; primary, junior secondary, and senior secondary. Each last for 4 years with most schools accommodating both groups of secondary education in their facilities. All education facilities are publically funded and free for all Gemurtrakian citizens to attend. All of these matters apply to all duchies. While curriculum can vary, it is still compulsory for all schools to teach liturature, maths, and humanities at a minimum. All other subjects are left to the respective education board of the duchy in question. Although Gemurtrakian students are regarded as very successful in their studies, many do not continue into tertiary education. A steady decline has been occurring in tertiary enrolment from its peak of 48.6% in 1990 to its lowest of 15.7% in the 2016 cencus. Many claim the decline from pessimistic opinions of a tertiary degree in the working field of Gemurtrak, most opting to enter the workforce or study for Vocational Training Diplomas. This decline has provoked the government to institute multiple systems of encourgement including offering financial compensation towards tertiary education to those who served beyond the compulsory military training period, atop of other financial services they were already recieving.

Despite the decline in tertiary education, the secondary education sector of Gemurtrak still remains a very successful field. International education program results typically place Gemurtrakian students within the top 10 most well educated secondary students. Multiple universites in Gemurtrak are also internationally renowned for their quality of education and see the vast majority of enrolments in the country, the most popular including the Mazkwat university, the Suzhyan imperial university, and Maguste university, all of whom rank within the top 50 of the best universities in the world.

Culture
Gemurtrakian culture is regarded as one of the most well known of the broader Osamian cultures given its international exposure across ancient and modern history. Gemurtrak has stood as the cultural center for Osamia since its period of political domination during the 11th till 17th century where much of its traditional culture is derived from including classical forms of literature, art, performance, music, and philosophy. Many surrounding countries on the Osamian continent take influence from elements of Gemurtrakian culture during these periods of hegemony the empire enjoyed as well as the cultural revolutions that were commonly emphasised during the Federation period. These fields would develop and change drastically after the colonization of Gemurtrak from 1702 until 1846 by the Alutran state of Salia, who would bring many Alutran practices to Gemurtrak and generate a blend of the two that remained in popular use even after Gemurtrak's independence, becoming the contemporary formats alongside the traditional forms maintained by the Owkugan clergy. Gemurtrak's modern position in the international community and the growth of popularity of traditional Gemurtrakian practices has brought about a Renaissance in reinterprating much of the traditional arts to realign with the modern world, giving way to a multitude of unique practices that are growing in popularity again. studies generally separate Gemurtrakian culture, commonly refered to as the Greater Trakmir Group, into four groups, these being the most prominant cultures within the modern Gemurtrakian borders that have developed to have major similarities between one another. These include the Gemamir, Ostzamir, Thizemir, and Okirmir. Much of Gemurtrak's cultural variance within its regions originate from the major group in the region which has changed and gained influence due to their connected exposure to one another over the multiple centuries.

Music and performing arts
Music within gemurtrak has been a major focus within society since the classical developments of the Owkugan faith which regarded the learning and performance of music as one of the great pillars of spiritual enlightenment. The culminiation of this was large scale performances comprised of the full bredth of instruments within the Gemurtrakian repertoire. This took the shape of and Gemurtrakian opera which became the two defining features of high court music across the nation. Opera would later permeate into popular culture and transform the format into numerous sole or small group performances such as Kradenizu which had only two performers make use of three separate instruments, one of which is shared between the two. This gave way to a popular culture that would see the creation and retention of numerous oral stories that are well preserved to the modern day. Gemurtrakian performers would also frequently travel to Skephon and Alutra where they would pick up traits and return with them, introducing a wide range of performaces by Gemurtrakian musicians which would only increase in intensity after the arrival of the colonial period. Traditional opera would also develop into a variety of smaller (and in cases such as [Performance], larger) performances that would also develop to be popular within the common cultural sphere.

Into the 20th century, while the party line of the Osamian Federation called for it removal, non-Osamian genres of music still remained popular during the period (such as ), however attention was still placed on traditional folk songs and transforming them into modern anthems of the federation. Counterculture movements within the Federation led to the popularization of newly growing genres that would explode in activity following the Federations fall. took an especially popular hold of the young post federation population which saw the rise of artists and bands such as [Rockartist] who would become national stars and have some success in the international music field. Further liberalization across the late 60's and 70's would see the creation of the genre, one of the most internationally successful genres to come out from Gemurtrak. After the blue scare of the 80's, the rock field gained even more popularity with, , as well as the newly growing international scene of , taking hold within the country. Modern Gemurtrak still holds a vibrant rock and metal scene with a growing revival of the shortlived disco scene in the form of.

Fashion
Prior to the liberation of many cultural elements of Gemurtrakian culture, which were restrained by the Nagsenur system, clothing and the styles and presentation were commonly used as a sign of determining a persons position in the societal hierarchy. Some articles of clothing were outright banned for some to wear due to the association of these pieces towards the Owkugan clergy, the Imperial family, and in extension, an association with some degree of divinity. This stratification of clothing developed a large and complex collection of meanings and styles of clothing associated with certain topics or events. Following the liberalization of the Nagsenur system, the legal consequences of wearing improper attire were removed, bringing about a boom in the fashion industry across the 19th century with a large range of new clothing inspired by court fashion.

This gave way to numerous formerly court fitters creating fashion companies including Getradum, [Company], and [Company], all of which remain major players in the modern fashion field. The formation of the Osamian Federation saw a radicalization of fashion culture which demanded for a reimagination of former styles to relinquish the traditional ties of Gemurtrakian fashion with the upper class and nobility, as well as any influences that were deemed as a product of outsider intervention, typically only targetting influences that were attributed to the Alutran continent. This gave way to the Semurchagu movement, which saw a rejection of popularly accepted trends and adoption of ideas which would permeate into later trends even after the fall of the federation.

Internationally, Gemurtrakian fashion remains largely nieche outside of Osamian fashion circles, most outside exposure being countries of eastern Skephon. Outside of these regions much of the popularity stems from members of the Gemurtrakian diaspora who've generated small fashion circles within places of significant Gemurtrakian people including diasporas found in Haksarad and Ordrey.

Media
Gemurtrak is home to multiple major media companies including Westbank media, The Makadena Company, and the Crown National Productions. These companies were created during the privitization of multiple industries following the dissolution of the Osamian Federation. The People's National Media Collective (PNMC) was the first major media organization after the culmination of a multitude of minor media groups under the federal department of culture and arts. The media collective was later separated and sold to financially aid in the redevelopment of Gemurtrak. One of the major companies made from the split, Imperial Entertainment Industries, is the official state owned entertainment company which operates three major child companies: Imperial Media and Filmworks (IMF), National Channel 3, and the Imperial Community Broadcast Network (ICBN).

Holidays
Since 1846, Gemurtrak has officially used the [Universal Calendar] as the official national calendar to recordkeep. National holidays and festivals however are instead based on the Gemurtrakian calendar which is still maintained and updated by the Owkugan faith. The Gemurtrakian government have officially observed national holidays for 12 of the traditional calendar holidays including Foundation Day, Emperor's Birthday, Teguznorma, Unions Day, and the Summer and Winter Lunar Convergence Day. Gemurtrak also celebrate two instances of based on both calendars, however the traditional new years is far more popular, consisting of a multitude of festivals across the ten day celebration. Additional non-religious holidays are observed but through use of the [Universal Calendar] including, Independence Day, and Rememberance Day. Multiple national holidays have been removed and replaced by non-religious holidays due to events of cult based terrorism during these holidays which had been in debate concerning some controversial material surrounding them.