Countries of Mundus: Ludvalla
Introduction: The Ludvalla Republic, formerly the Ludvalla Empire, is a proud country located in northern Eodeth. It is bordered to the north by Decheyle, to the east by Nivala, to the south by Girolla and Jogesula, and to the east by the Iiln Sea. A predominantly Avesian country with a strong Spawn presence, Ludvalla is well known for its long history of wars, its hardy winters, and producing men and women built more like mountains than flesh and blood. Due to its strategic location close to the Medus Gol capital city, Thul, Ludvalla is the hub of politics when dealing with Medus Gols in this modern age.
History: While the history of Ludvalla is more complicated than can be adequately detailed here, a brief and simple examination of the country is possible. The history of Ludvalla can be traced back as early as 853 CE. The Zhar Lud’, a loose federation of Avesian tribes that had previously migrated from the Laraizo Plains and the region that become Girolla, were united by the Gamayun Dynasty. They built a city-state of the same name at the river junction that connects the Iiln Sea to Lake Krome and the Moroz Sea, as well as the pre-Girolla region. The Zhar Lud’ thrived off this trade, and whenever they ended a war with another country, trade concessions were a common way to resolve remaining political tensions. They specialized in trade materials such as fur, wax, and slaves.
The ruler of the Gamayun Dynasty was known as the Grand Prince. Early into the history of the Zhar Lud’ in 1120 CE, the Grand Prince Casimir converted himself and the city-state to Eastern Reydios, choosing the religion over the religion Tabjil, mostly because of the Tabjil’s prohibition on alcohol. While the Zhar Lud’ fell in the 13th century to Moti invaders, partly due to centuries long disputes with three large tribes from Decheyle and trade wars with Spawn merchants from pre-Jogesula, the Moti allowed the conquered Zhar Lud’ to continue practicing Eastern Reydios if they paid tribute to the Moti pantheon. This period of Moti rule is known as the Gryazi Period, as the Moti divided the Zhar Lud’ into various princedoms, whose puppet rulers vied for power with the other princes and caused the region’s economy to stagnate.
During the Gryazi Period, the people of Zhar Lud’ migrated further north, leaving territories in what is now northern Girolla into parts of former Decheyle, whose own failing economy forced weaker border control and allowed the Zhar Lud’ to absorb Southern Decheyle over a few generations. This migration was partly due to massacres by the Moti, but the Moti were largely indifferent rulers: so long as the Zhar Lud’ paid tribute, the Moti were content to give their subjects relative freedom and live separately in their nomadic huts. The Moti largely exerted control by elevating a low-ranking noble to the position of Grand Prince to rule over the princedoms, who acted in their interests. However, during this migration, the people of Zhar Lud’ became increasingly isolated from the influence of other Otera and Eodeth countries, which allowed them to develop a cultural identity of its own.
This also migration also lead to the formation of the first capital city of the Zhar Lud’, Tudovo, which would later be named Tomsburg. Tudovo would would act as the cultural and sociopolitical heart of the Zhar Lud’ and lead it into modern day Ludvalla. For further details on this, please read the section on the Regions of Mundus: Tomsburg.
Government & Politics: While the Ludvalla Empire was originally a monarchy, this has changed within the past ten years. After a disastrous calamity with Girolla, Ludvalla lost a significant amount of territory. This caused a heavy blow to its economy, throwing the prosperous country into a deep recession. The blame for this calamity and the turmoil that ensued was placed on Tsar Pyotr, who was forced to abdicate the throne during the Ludvalla Revolution.
After the Revolution, the Ludvalla Empire has become the Ludvalla Republic. The republic is governed by a socialist government lead by the Aviary party. General Secretary Sasha Utkin is the current head of the Aviary party.
Economy: The economy of Ludvalla relies partly on their agricultural sector, as much of the country is blanketed in heavy forests, such as the Yew Valley. Ludvalla is only second to Girolla in terms of lumber production. However, while Girolla has made great strides through their production of rail systems, Ludvalla lies directly at the heart of Eodeth’s bloodstream: its diverse and interconnected river systems. Ludvalla trades products throughout Eodeth, acting as a merchant state that all countries in Eodeth rely on. The country can also send ships to and from the Iiln Sea, connecting them to countries as far as Vosuarhiel.
Ludvalla’s financial success relies as well on partly on their close relationships with the neighboring Spawn countries of Nivala, Jogesula, and Abnu, which also allows them indirect access to markets in the Moroz Sea. However, in the face of the Girolla Empire’s growing economy might, Ludvalla has recently been searching for new markets and sources of wealth. Explorations of the depths of the Iiln Sea have already begun, as well as the the western waters of the Cerwiss Ocean.