Devinshire

The Kingdom of Devinshire or Devinshire is a large nation located in the southwestern portion of the Azerath region and is a member nation of the Azerath Nations.

Devinshire is the most secluded nation within the Azerath Nations, thus they are rarely considered part of the treaty. However, Devinshire does provide valuable trade with the Azerath Nations and due to their exclusion, the Azerath Nations are the only nations to exclusively trade with the kingdom.

Devinshire is also infamous for its maltreatment of Elves. Elves within Devinshire are often subjected to imprisonment or extermination, which many activists urged the Azerath Nations to hold Devinshire accountable for.

The Tribal Era
Tribes that inhabited the region that is occupied by Devinshire today were secluded Devin worshipers who were not exposed to the God-Kings. This is because of the river separating the two landmasses, the Barbaric Tribes who inhabited the most southern region of modern Baasvonclad were not able to get over the gap.

Due to the lack of exposure to the God-Kings, the tribes in the Devinshire region kept their traditional culture.

Formation of the Kingdom
Devinshire's formation into a kingdom happened quite late compared to the other Azerath Nations. Devinshire's tribes decided on unification under a single figure after a priest told of a vision he had from Devin showing a great and powerful kingdom. That priest became the first King of Devinshire and his bloodline still inherits the throne to this day.

Joining the Azerath Nations
Historically, Devinshire has never wanted to be part of the Azerath Nations and instead prefers to be independent and secluded.

Devinshire was pressured into becoming an Azerath Nation from other Azerath Nations who wanted to take advantage of Devinshire's exports and trade routes. When Devinshire was independent, their border extended out, to what is today, the Horizon Road. The original trade route that was built over by the Horizon Road was controlled by Devinshire and anyone wanting to use the trade route to get in or out of the Azerath region had to pay a fine. Devinshire's economy made a lot of money off of this checkpoint, so when the Azerath Nations proposed their treaty extend to them, they refused.

Devinshire was baited into promises of heavy subsidies provided by the Azerath Nations if they joined the treaty and Devinshire eventually gave in, believing being an Azerath Nation was far more profitable.

After a couple of years of paperwork, Devinshire was officially made an Azerath Nation and she was forced to give up the area that now connects Baasvonclad to the Horizon Road. Devinshire is able to break off from the Azerath Nations and regain control of their checkpoint, as outlined in the treaty. However, Devinshire's economy didn't rely on the checkpoint and thus, it wasn't a major loss to them. Devinshire decided to remain as secluded as they could be, conducting limited trade with the Azerath Nations and foreign nations.

Government
Devinshire is an Absolute Monarchy, with the King being a direct decedent of the first King of Devinshire.

Most decisions within the government are decided by the King but elite citizens often have a say. This has caused some observers of Devinshire's government to label it an oligarchy, although this claim is not supported by the Devinshire government.

Unlike all of the other Azerath Nations, bills that Devinshire wishes to put forward to the Dynasty are not voted on by citizens. This is not seen as an issue to the citizens of Devinshire for their government rarely participates in the Dynasty meetings anyway.

Military
Devinshire has an army named the Army of Devin and also a police force called the Vundercranz.

Devinshire's active army is small, with only a couple of thousand members. However, Devinshire's reserve force is massive as it contains every adult man and woman in Devinshire. Every citizen is required to get military training, although they are not put into active duty ranks upon completion. This military training is part of Devinshire's education system and every citizen goes through the training at the age of 16. Due to Devinshire's control on their citizen's careers, only select individuals are made to serve active duty, which they will remain active duty until their retirement.

Activists have questioned the other Azerath Nations on why they tolerate Devinshire's mistreatment of their citizens and blatant genocide of Elves. Although speculation, it is widely accepted that the Azerath Nations wish to keep Devinshire within the treaty so they could have free access to the Horizon Road. If Devinshire was to leave the treaty, they would regain control of their checkpoint. Due to Devinshire's ability to mobilize their entire civilian population to war, the Azerath Nations would not be able to regain control of the checkpoint without mass casualties.

Most of Devinshire's focus is on the Vundercranz who serve as the kingdom's police force. The Vundercranz are infamous for their brutal tactics and treatment of civilians, specifically lower class civilians. As Devinshire's police force, they enforce Devinshire's strict laws and often throw citizens into work camps or prison for minor offences. The Vundercranz are feared by the population thus the Devinshire government is able to keep their population in line.

Banner
Devinshire's banner consists of a yellow background with a red cross, black diagonal cross and a orange diamond.

The yellow represent's Devinshire's national color but also represents the God Devin, who is the God of the Sun.

The red cross represents the kingdom's strength.

The orange diamond represents the monarchy while the black diagonal cross represents crossed swords.

Foreign Relations
Devinshire is regarded as a secluded nation, thus they rarely interact with the outside world. Yet there are exceptions. Aside from their trade with the Azerath Nations, Devinshire often interacts with other nations that worship the Devin religion. They also interact with foreign nations that share the same ideologies.

Although these relationships are regarded as purely friendly interactions, some nation's influences on Devinshire are evident through policy changes. Much of Devinshire's racism toward Elves are encouraged by foreign nations they interact with.

Due to Devinshire's secrecy, no one knows if these interactions with foreign nations extends into treaties or not but many assume that they do.

Aside from interactions with foreign nations with similar interests, Devinshire often shows hostility of Elf nations such as Authorania. Although these hostilities go no farther than smack talking, some smaller Elf nations fear Devinshire.

Ethnic Groups
Devinshire is the only nation in the Azerath Nations whose population has no diversity. Devinshire's population is 100% Human. This is due to Devinshire's efforts to eradicate any other race within their border.

Devinshire is openly racist against any other races other than humans, although Elves get the brunt of hostilities. Any race other than humans that travel into Devinshire are almost guaranteed to be imprisoned or killed.

Unlike the other Azerath Nations, Devinshire's racism specifically toward the Elf race predates Parmethious the Lustful's propaganda. No one knows where their ideologies originated but some suspect it's a result of their religion.

Language
Devinshire's official language is Azrathian, although the Fraenish Language is making a comeback due to its religious significance.

Religion
The religion worshiped in Devinshire is the Devin religion. This religion, being a human religion, is infamous for its promotion of genocide against "inferior" races. According to Devin worshipers outside of Devinshire, Devinshire's practice of the religion is extreme and is frowned upon by the international Devin community.

Geography
Devinshire occupies the southwest lowland, in what is nicknamed the "Devinshire region".

Devinshire is split into 5 Districts: Government District, Wood District, Stone District, Iron District and Diamond District. Each district, excluding the Government District, is populated by a certain class of citizens.

The Wood District is populated by the lowest class citizens. Due to Devinshire's policy of providing free housing to those who cannot afford housing, the Wood District contains all homes that were built by the government. The Wood District is considered the slums and many of the upper class try to avoid the district.

The Stone District is considered a lower class district although the district holds all of the shopping centers of Devinshire.

The Iron District is home to the middle class and citizens who live within the Iron District pay for their own homes.

The Diamond District is home to the elite class, mostly business owners and government officials. The citizens of the Diamond District have the most freedom of any other citizens within Devinshire.

Climate
Devinshire's climate is generally cold year round, with more mild summer and cold winters.

Below is a table documenting the average temperature in Fahrenheit as of 6D 235