Shadre.net / Entry nº9 - Zastravingar

Capital: Zuastern

Type: Militar Oligarchy

GDP: 5th (ranking)

Military: 1st (ranking)

Population: 3rd (ranking)

The insular territories of Zastravingar started to be colonised right after its discovery at the beginning of the age of the oceans. This new land was deemed ideal for developing manufacturing complexes and industries. This is because coveted natural resources and minerals were abundant and particularly easy to extract in the Zastravingaran regions. Thus, a rush for gold and many other precious metal drove many professionals to the new Terian and Esfirian territories overseas.

Eventually, as did those of Karkand, war came to the Zastravingaran territories. The land, claimed by multiple Terian and Esfirian factions, was submerged in an internal conflict, far more costly than the Karkandiak war.

The Zastravingaran people grew accustomed to these continuous wars and skirmishes over the control of the land. Eventually, peace came, but the war left in its wake a largely destroyed realm, deprived of most of its precious resources which had gone to the old continent.

Years passed, during which Zastravingaran resentment towards their oversea masters festered and grew. Many organisations, companies, and paramilitary groups, controlled by powerful and influential figures, started to unite the colonies under a single secret flag. In the meantime, the fear of losing the Zastravingaran colonies drove Terian leaders to build a union of countries. Though this would solidify their grasp, it was a tedious process that gave time to the Zastravingarans, who were building and training, in secrecy, the most advanced army of all time.

When it came, the Zastravingaran uprising swiftly took over the most important provinces, and soon cornered the unwelcome foreign armies against the Arkandic ocean. This movement served as an inspiration for other nations to face the allied powers of Teria, Esfiria, Ursikan, Albanir, and Karkand.

The war of the silence had begun, and this initial series of Zastravingaran victories would prove to be crucial in defeating the allied powers in the future.

The war of the silence lasted fifty-five years. It was a slow but deadly burn – a prolonged series of campaigns full of costly battles for all sides, but also the perfect inciting incident for the development of new technologies. In this time, Zastravingar found a new philosophy, and developed a new martial-based culture, determined to keep the flame of the rebellion ignited. This was their land, after all. And having lost it once, they were determined to never lose it again. It was time to decide their own destiny as a nation.

In the end, Zastravingar and its allies (Jardovia, Nosrisia, and Osteria) won the war after succesfully developing nuclear weapons. Unable to keep waging such a war, the allied nations surrendered and finally recognised Zastravingar as an independent sovereign country.

Zastravingar is considered the strongest nation in terms of raw military power in the current time. It has the biggest sea and land fleet, army and reserve pool in the world. It also has a mandatory military service, transforming its young and bright-eyed civilians into hardened soldiers, ready for war, but committed to keeping the peace. In the absence of such wars, Zastravingar is ready and willing to provide some of the best mercenaries and PMCs worldwide.

It is fortunate that Zastravingar benefits economically from its military, as besides its soldiers and arms, the country’s economy is stagnant. Its main exports consist of military hardware that, while reliable, are considered to be inferior to the high-tech goods manufactured by the Helian corporations. 

Zastravingar takes care of its citizens – after all, how can a starving and deprived country be ready to fight? Salaries range from medium to high, and the quality of life is good. Still, there is a large gap between the social classes. The largest groups consist of soldiers, workers, and other specialists, or top military personnel, governmental agents, and politicians.

The geography of Zastravingar is not considered particularly interesting. Its territory mainly consists of badlands, low density forests, mountains, and big deserts, and many of its lands were ravaged by its mineral boom. Its climate is hot all year round. It is not a favoured destination of most tourists, though numerous Jardovians and Osterians still visit to enjoy its many beaches and night clubs.

Zastravingarans are usually seen as evil, egocentric, and aggressive individuals, but also as ambitious, resourceful, and unbreakable people.