Kazimierz
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Kazimierz, formally known as the United Knightly Territory of Kazimierz (Zjednoczone Terytorium Rycerskie Kazimierza) or simply the Kazimierz Alliance[2] (Przymierze Kazimierza), and previouly called the Pegasus Kingdom (Królestwo Pegaza) is a Terran country located between Columbia, Leithanien, Sami, Ursus, and Victoria. Dubbed the "Land of the Knights," Kazimierz is a confederation of feudal chivalric orders that is famous for its knightly traditions for generations. However, ever since the rise of Kazimierz's capitalists, such tradition has been gradually corrupted by greed, leading to the heavily commercialization of its triennial Kazimierz Major. While the bustling capitalism bolsters Kazimierz's economy and improves the citizens' livelihood, it also causes several social issues such as inequality in development between its rich mega-cities, i.e., the capital of Kawalerielki, and its remote, sedentary villages across its vast grasslands and forests, causing the common folks to suffer from poverty more than other nations.[3]
Although the Kazimierzian society has been much open as it modernizes, it still retains its old, feudal traditions like chattel slavery and hierarchical structures. In the Infected's case, they are outwardly treated better many other places in Terra; however, they are being discriminated behind the scenes such as gladiatorial fights between Infected competitive knights in both open and underground tournaments and living in underground ghettoes. Nevertheless, following the 24th Major season and the subsequent establishment of Rhodes Island's branch office in Kazimierz, the condition has been gradually improved.
The Kazimierzian language is similar to Polish in our world. But somehow, both have distinct grammars and accents even though both are mutually intelligible enough with each other.
The majority of Kazimierzians are of the Kuranta race, which is reflected on its national emblem resembling a knight piece.
Background
The Golden Bloodline
Kazimierz' knightly tradition traces its roots to the Pegasi - a royal house of Kuranta Elders. In ancient times, the Pegasi, who didn't wanted to be conquered by other races, formed an improvised military group known as "Knights", and alongside other Kuranta, they interfered in a tug-of-war between other factions for the control of a certain plain simply called "Kazimierz". Although the Pegasi won the war, the newly-established knights suffered from internal disputes and misdirection due to their increasing size. The Pegasi decided to reform the knighthood system by splitting the old and new knights, and allow other races to join their ranks. At the same time, they started enacting the rights and obligations of every knight, servant, and civilian under the Pegasi's rule, eventually leading to the foundation of the Pegasus Kingdom.[4]
Rise and fall of Knighthood
The Pegasi also came into conflict with the Hippogryphs who once ruled Ursus. However, one particular day in Terran year 12, all of the Hippogryph aristocrats stationed in the border suddenly dissapeared. When the Pegasi knights went to investigate, they encountered a new, terrifying threat: the Nightzmoran Khagan and his horde. Soon enough, the Pegasi's regime was threatened by the Khagan's worldwide conquest campaign, eventually falling and being surrounded by the Nightzmoras' Originium Arts.[5] The Pegasian regime was preserved through a humiliating defeat in which they were forced to admit surrender to the Khaganate, after he refused their peace treaty. Being gravely humiliated of the defeat that tarnished their glorious chivalry, the knights refused the Pegasi's negotiations and organized themselves to fight the Nightzmoras on their own, until he led his hordes to the next destination. They rebelled against the Pegasi a year after the Nightzmoran war and seized their political power. The United Knightly Territories of Kazimierz was established, the ruling knightclubs grew into knight-nobles of the present, and the prestige of knightly nobility over the country increased drastically during their rule. With their position seemingly unshakeable, some of the knight-nobles grew more and more abusive of the populace under their rule, triggering numerous rebellions that were brutally crushed.[6][7][8]
This status quo, however, would eventually be broken: the industrial revolution and the rise of capitalism across Terra ushered in the modern age. Although Kazimierz' complicated economic panorama dates back to the knight-retainers hired during the Pegasi-Nightzmora War, the turning point came around 120 years ago, a knight-retainer became a nouveau riche overnight after buying off the assets of a deceased noble auctioned by the National Council. This event inspired others to do the same, eventually leaving the old Kazimierzian aristocracy virtually penniless with the retainers becoming almost indistinguishable with the merchants. The nouveau riche eventually took over Kazimierz from the now-powerless old aristocracy after a period of strife where they rebelled against their tyrannical knight-nobles.[9][10] This rough transition gave rise to powerful corporations who are descendants of the oppressed knight-retainers and assassin organizations such as the Armorless Union.
In modern era, Kazimierz's main conflict centers on the different ideology between the traditional campaign knights led by the surviving nobilities and the Adeptus Sprawiedliwi that controls its military and the modern competitive knights led by the corporation heads and the representatives of the General Chamber of Commerce. The nobles and campaign knights see competitive knights as weak imitations and even a blasphemy of their proud tradition, while the corporate leaders see the knight-nobles as backward and obstinate, oblivious to the relentless march of progress in the modern era.[6] Such is the clash between tradition and modernity, between knightly honor and materialism fostered by the prosperity of modern age; the two factions sabotage each other either through manipulation of national laws or by underground means like hiring the Armorless Union. But amidst this conflict, there are still some moderates such as Margaret Nearl and Spokesman Malkiewicz who seek compromises to transcend short-sighted differences in order to truly bring Kazimierz towards a brighter future.
Despite the diminishing knightly traditions, the campaign knights continues to be an essential force that maintain Kazimierz's security. For generations, they garrison and maintain border fortresses to guard Kazimierz from the expansionist march of Ursus and Leithanien. Most recent of such conflicts is the "Tenth Ursus-Kazimierz War" in which Kazimierz was driven to its final stronghold, but ultimately turned the tide and prevailed thanks to the the legendary Kirill Nearl and his fellow Silverlance Pegasi during the decisive battle later known as the "Daybreak over the Golden Prairie" in the year 1072. Kazimierz would have undoubtedly fallen under Ursine and Leithanian rule had it not been for the campaign knights, their long-standing martial tradition and culture of knightly honor.[11] However, if unrestrained, the campaign knights could also post a threat to the country as they yearn to end the country's materialistic dilemma and restore their traditional, pure knighthood; such is evident by the plotted uprising led by Czcibor who attempted to start a new war against Leithanien.
In the past, Kazimierzian knights maintained a tradition of rich funeral. Upon their deaths, their dead bodies would be buried on a specific site alongside their property, notably expensive goods, gold coins, and advanced equipment. These grave goods are better known as the "Knights' Treasures" by later generations. Most of these tombs are lost in the advent of Catastrophes while some of them remain well preserved. But in the recent years, tomb-raiding are occurring all around Kazimierz as the stories become much more exaggerated among the bounty hunters.[12]
Notable people
| Expatriate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Émigré | |||
- Jostk
- Duke: The former Associate Justice of the National Council who was arrested during the 24th Major season for being suspected of numerous crimes.[13]
Enemies
| Normal | |
|---|---|
| Elite | |
| Boss |
Places
Settlements
- Kawalerielki
- Dewville
- Dzwonek
- Ognisko: Once known as the "City of Saplings and Artisans," it is surrounded by numerous slums, one of which is where Mob was born into.
- Twierdza: A rural village close to Dzwonek that was once owned by a Knight Noble named Marek, who decided to hypothecate it to Gale Industries seven years ago, only for him to turn arround and sell it to the villagers, who bought the farmlands for ten years worth of tax incomes. After his passing due to illness, Gale Industries would put the village on their demolition and relocation plans, revoking their farmlands.[14]
- Strumykowo: A village close to Dzwonek which already sold its lands to the megacorporations.[15]
References
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