Nation/Yelda

The People's Democratic Republic of Yelda is a space-faring nation located in the M45 star cluster (The Pleiades), Pleione system, planet Trid. From their beginnings as a small city-state centered around the ancient city of Yelda, the Yeldans continuously expanded their power and influence, eventually uniting the whole of Trid under their banner during the Imperial era.

The Culture of Yelda is inherently hard to define. However, there are some general characteristics often associated with Yeldan society and every day culture. Yeldans are generally a reserved people, similar in character to the peoples of Norway or Sweden on Earth. Traditionally, Yeldans enjoy peace and nature, though the modern, urban lifestyle is becoming increasingly common as demographics shift away from rural life.

A sense of melancholy and depression is sometimes associated with the Yeldans. People in Yelda are reserved when meeting strangers and sometimes take a long time to become familiar with others but, as a result, relationships are deep and lasting. Alcohol is considered to be an effective method of lowering these inhibitions. Still, Yeldans tend to be less gregarious and inclined to small talk than most of their Tridyan peers.

Yeldans are proud that their nation has managed to rise from its troubled past (and near extinction) during the 10th century to a modern, technologically advanced interstellar state. Equality is an important part of Yeldan culture, so much so that success or what may be seen as a deliberate attempt to distinguish oneself from others may be viewed with hostility. It is commonly frowned upon in Yeldan culture to believe yourself to be better than others, whether by birth or achievement.

The Yeldan national character is called Ustê, for which an exact English equivalent does not exist. Composed of stamina, tenacity and sheer will, it is a kind of tough, persevering strength in the face of adversity.

History

The Kingdom of Yelda

This section covers the ancient history of present Yelda and its early medieval period, which is historically referred to as "The Kingdom."

The state we now know as Yelda had its beginnings in the fertile plain of the Slekyva River after the collapse of the Potomian Empire. The lands of present Yelda were home to numerous city-states and small kingdoms who were variously overwhelmed by invading Bigiöks, Potomians, and Memperisians between the first and third centuries AD. They in turn were displaced by the Misteil, whose Kings established a capital at the city of Yelda and gradually merged with the Yeldan ruling classes. The Yeldans constituted the bulk of the population from the 5th century onwards and slowly assimilated both the Misteil as well as native Bigiök and Potomian peoples.

The Misteil dynasty lasted several centuries, during which they conquered the Bigioks and briefly moved the capital to Bigiök in 764 A.D. In this era the term "Yeldan" first came to be applied not only to the Bigiöks but also to the other peoples of the region who spoke Yeldan-like languages, or were under Yeldan influence. In the 8th century to 9th century this state became the largest on the continent and was quite prosperous, due to diversified sea trade.

In the 10th century the area suffered from internal disputes and was overrun by the Memperisians. Also known as the Cozams, they ruled the southern and central expanses of present-day Yelda.

The northern part of Yelda together with the area surrounding Bigiök retained some degree of autonomy during the time of the Cozam occupation and was largely spared the atrocities that affected the rest of the country. The Yeldan kings continued to reign during this time, but were essentially vassals of the Cozams.

Long-lasting Memperisian rule retarded the country's economic and social development. Cozam influences degraded many of the country's institutions and affected its culture and economy in a very negative way.

In spite of this, Yelda was able to revive, and organized its own war of reconquest, finally subjugating its enemies and annexing their territories.

The Yeldan Empire

This section covers the history of the Yeldan conquest of Trid, which is historically referred to as "The Empire." It is worth noting at this time that Trid, unlike Earth, is mostly a “water world”. The surface of the planet is 80% water and the land-mass consists of one large continent (Eorðand) with an archipelago of islands surrounding it.

While still nominally under the domain of the Cozams, the Yeldan kings began to assert their influence, and eventually tossed off the control of the invaders late in the 12th century.

In the beginning of the 13th century the Yeldan state set the national goal to regain all Yeldan territories lost as a result of the Cozam invasion and to protect the borderland against attacks of various nomadic tribes. It was at this time that the Yeldan lands were first divided into provinces, with provincial governors given responsibility for defense of their respective territories. This era also saw the first codification of Yeldan laws, and the beginning of massive public works in Yelda and other major cities of the realm.

In 1257 A.D., following the final conquest of the Republic of Potomia, King Aǻlwoch II took the title of Ymeråwþwr, or emperor. Beginning around this time, the Yeldan policy towards conquered peoples was one of benevolent assimilation. Conquered peoples were granted Yeldan citizenship, and enjoyed the same civil liberties as native Yeldans. The study of the Yeldan language was encouraged, but not mandatory and newly annexed areas were allowed to maintain their native customs and religions. The construction of libraries, schools, roads, bridges and other infrastructure was given a high priority in these areas.

Through a series of wars, alliances, economic maneuvering and treachery Yelda completed the conquest of Eorðand in 1350 A.D.. Over the next two centuries, Yeldan rule was extended to all the islands surrounding the continent. It was at this time that the Yeldan army ceased to exist as a separate entity. The old Yeldan army regiments were incorporated into the navy and thereafter referred to as "naval infantry". By 1415 the entire surface of Trid was brought under the rule of the Yeldan state, mostly due to the invention of gunpowder. This also coincided with the beginnings of industrialization.

The later years of the Empire saw the development of steam power, the telegraph and the establishment of a modern industrial economy, but also the increasing corruption of the Imperial Government. The last Misteil emperor died without heirs in 1595 and was succeeded on the throne by General Sentyiu Gæþ. Emperor Gæþ was followed by his son, grandson and great-nephew and are known collectively as “The Four Devils”. Social and economic conditions deteriorated rapidly with the introduction of the “Domain Laws” which granted 51% ownership of all the means of production to the Imperial household.

Unrest of the workers and suppression of the growing liberal intelligentsia were continuing problems however, and the position of Emperor Gæþ IV and his dynasty became precarious. Opposition to the Domain Laws and increasing oppression at the hands of the Imperial Government led to widespread rioting in the major cities of the Yeldan Empire and to the overthrow in 1704 of the Gæþs by an alliance of the military, students and workers.

At the close of the revolution, a Marxist political faction called the Yeldan Worker's Party seized power in Yelda and Bigiök. A bloody civil war ensued, pitting the Yeldan Worker's Party's “Red Army” and much of the former Imperial Navy against a loose confederation of democrats, anti-socialist and monarchist forces, including some “pretenders” claiming to represent the former Misteil dynasty. The Red Army triumphed, and the People's Democratic Republic of Yelda was formed in 1714.

The People's Democratic Republic

This section covers the history of Yelda from the establishment of The People's Democratic Republic until the present day.

The first act of the new revolutionary government was to execute all remaining members of the Gæþ family, as well as all competing revolutionaries. All vestiges of the Gæþ dynasty were erased and a campaign to purge “the time of the devils” from memory was instituted. The old black and gold Imperial banner was replaced with “the people's flag”, a red and gold facsimile of the old flag. Paintings, images, statues and any other reminders of the Gæþs were outlawed and destroyed. Statues and images of the old Misteil kings and emperors were, however, unmolested. Ironically, the Imperial Government was never “officially” disbanded. The Constitution was amended radically to reflect the new reality, but to this day Yelda is technically an Empire with an empty throne. The Peoples Democratic Republic serves as a sort of “regent”, or caretaker government. It is unlikely, however, that any attempt by Misteil descendants to ascend to the throne would be greeted warmly by the Party.

Mention should be made at this time of the peculiar nature of “Yeldan Socialism”. It is not “revolutionary” socialism in the normal sense. At the time of Yelda's revolution, the Yeldan Empire controlled the entire surface of Trid, thus a policy of “exporting the revolution” never developed since there was at that time nowhere to export the revolution to. The Yeldan government is always willing to share its economic and political teachings with those who are interested, but has never had a particular interest in forcing socialism upon other nations.

In the nearly 300 years since the establishment of The People's Democratic Republic, Yelda has been transformed into a huge, space-faring, post-industrial state. All modern innovations from radio, television and flight to nano-technology, spaceflight and eventually, interstellar flight have come to pass under the guiding hand of the Yeldan Worker's Party.

The Directorate

This section covers the development of interstellar space flight and Yelda's subsequent dealings with other space-faring nations.

Perhaps the most important event in Yeldan history occurred in 1820 when an ancient spacecraft was discovered on Trid's lesser moon, Ællos. Yelda had developed spaceflight some years earlier, in 1805, and was taking it's first cautious steps in exploring the two moons of Trid. Upon discovering this well-preserved relic, it was immediately decided to construct a base near the craft with the goal of possibly activating it. The next 50 years were spent studying and back-engineering the vessel and its systems. In 1865, having worked out a translation of the builder's language, the ship's computer was activated, revealing a veritable treasure trove of engineering data. The next five years were spent in an effort to re-activate the ship. This effort was abandoned in 1870 when it was decided that the data contained in the ships computer would be better used to construct new vessels of Yeldan design. The Gwyddæf Design Bureau of Yelda Ship Works was given the task of constructing an orbital building yard to fabricate the new vessels. This involved the development, using technology from the ancient ship, of an entire new infrastructure dedicated to building the yard, and later the vessels themselves.

In 1915 the first ship, a Yælm class cruiser, was launched. This led to first contact with the space-faring nations of Kungpaomao and Nerdocrombesia and all of the other nations of The Pleiades.

In 1934, a regional government for The Pleiades known as “The Directorate” was established. Made up of Yelda, Kungpaomao and Nerdocrombesia, the directorate rules as a triumvirate over the international affairs of The Pleiades, while internal matters are left to the discretion of the various national governments.

In 2004, having made contact with several other space-faring nations, Yelda learned of the existence of the United Nations. After much debate, it was decided that Yelda and Kungpaomao would join the organization, with Yelda serving as delegate.