Grand Duchy of Lydriz

Formed in 1550 as a personal union between the duchies of Lyria and Diztiv, the Grand Duchy would rise from humble beginnings to a military and economic power and a major player on the political stage, enjoying the sttatus of the predominant great power in the 17th century under Grand Duchess Ophelia. Following the Ophelian era (1624-72), Lydriz would remain a major power, but would see its military stagnate as result of the aristocratic nature of its command structure and a misplaced confidence the perfection of its armed forces. These factors also made subsequent Grand Dukes increasingly hesitant to reform the absolute monarchy despite an ever louder call for reform. The end result would be humiliation and near defeat in the early stages of the Anastasian wars, forcing Grand Duke Alberecht II to make concessions to the liberal constitutional movement at the Karmenborg Convention of 1797. However with the aid of the energetic reactionary Rickard Schwerrman as chancellor, the Grand duke held onto the lion's share of power in the new system, remaining powerful enough to block any motion made by parliment if he so chooses and dissolving it at will, at least in theory. With the death of Alberecht and the dismissal of Schwerrman, Lydriz enters the new industrial age successfully yet tenously, as the Liberals rally, preparing to reverse the defeats of the Karmenborg Convention. While the current Grand Duke Ludwig continues his father's absolutist policy, though dismissing the most reactionary cabinet members, his younger brother Karl is seen by many as the hope of liberalism and constitutionalism. With the emergent nationalism of the new age, old ethnic and cultural divisions may also re-emerge, while industrialization has brought about the creation of a third power, the Labour movement of the urban working class, who seek even more radical reform: the creation of an industrial democracy. Even as the state is pulled in every direction, the soldiers of Lydriz remain firmly loyal to the Swann Banner in times of war, and remain a fearsome opponent to any would-be challanger. Even as the storm approaches, they know where they will be standing when it comes. Do you?