Retania

Retania (Naearinorian: Retaynya), officially the Empire of Retania (Naearinorian: Aesthalynaer ver Retaynya), is a nation in Syvanirastir. It possesses some overseas territories, located primarily in that same continent and in Altrefi. It is one of the most influential, powerful nations in Syvanirastir, particularly following the beginning of the Arkasian Civil War, which it has chosen not to involve itself in.

Originally the Great Kingdom of Retania as part of the First High Kingdom of Arkasia, Retania became independent following the collapse of the latter as part of the collapse of the Ebon Sovereignty of Syvanirastir. Soon afterward, the Great King of the time, Valykus III Valyrnar, declared the Great Kingdom dissolved and replaced by the Empire, naming himself as it's first Emperor. Largely because of this, Retania did not initially join the United Arkasian Realms, taking centuries longer than most of it's members to do so, only joining after it was remade into the Arkasian Confederation by High King Arcadius IV Doomer shortly after his coronation.

During the Cold War, Retania nominally took the place of the divided Arkasia in keeping the peace in Syvanirastir, however unlike Arkasia, it often chose not to act on this perceived role. In more recent times, the last Emperor, Vesanycus IV Valyrnar, significantly reformed and democratized the government, notably by establishing that after his death, rather than there being one successor in keeping with tradition, there would be two. These Co-Emperors have different defined roles in the government, however they have equal power and are meant to be selected as two dissimilar individuals in order to promote balance in the government.

Currently, the Co-Rulers are Arkas I Valyrnar, whom acts primarily administratively and diplomatically, and Desalya IV Valyrnar, whom acts primarily legislatively and militarily. Arkas I is the son of the previous Emperor, while Desalya IV is his niece. However Arkas I's brother, Valykus VII Valyrnar, has been granted more and more power within the government by popular demand of the Imperialist Faction in the Retanian Parliament. This reached new heights in 2016, when he was appointed as the new head of the Retanian Armed Forces, and some have expressed fears that he may attempt a coup d'etat, reverting Retania to it's old autocratic ways. One notable supporter of action against this is Arkius II Doomer, King of Arksalis and hereditary heir to the throne of the High Kingdom of Arkasia, whom provided this statement on the matter shortly after Valykus VII's appointment as head of the Retanian Armed Forces; "Many people cannot see the threat that Valykus poses to Retanian democracy and the sovereignty of the nations surrounding Retania. Many adults, especially those from nations in Europe or the Americas. I am not an adult by Arkasian law, let alone by their laws, and still I know the threat that he embodies. Ask yourselves, what is worse; admitting that a child was right, or risking war in Syvanirastir?"