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Viridia, officially the United Viridian Kingdom, is a parliamentary presidential monarchy located in southern Palet. Geographically, Viridia is mostly made up of flat plains and irrigating river systems. Other natural resources are generally in good supply, but many industries are reliant on sourcing from foreign states.

Their once balanced government, consisting of the Senate, Monarchy, and Presidential seat, has been temporarily tipped in favour of the monarchy as the president is absent, resulting in increased military mobilisation and aggressive military occupations. In the Great War, they’re mostly occupied directly fighting Northwind in the east, and Sangrian influence in the form of PMCs and Insurgencies in the west. With a population of 138 million, it is the 2nd most populous country in Palet.

Viridian citizens, on average, enjoy an unparalleled quality of life thanks to a strong economy, excellent educational institutions, and fair political rights guaranteed by the constitution. The average citizen highly values these rights and is committed to upholding egalitarian ideals. Viridia is mostly made up of flat plains and irrigating river systems. Other natural resources are generally in good supply, but many industries are reliant on sourcing from foreign states like Sangria.

Viridia is home to numerous sprawling urban centres, each functioning as a hub of commerce, industry, and innovation. These cities are densely populated and highly developed, renowned for their exceptional public infrastructure. Underground rail networks, efficient public transit systems, advanced utilities, and state-of-the-art telecommunications are the norm. At the heart of each urban zone are powerful domestic corporations, many of which specialise in the mass production of commodity goods that cater to Viridia’s expansive and economically empowered middle class.

From consumer electronics and household appliances to fashion, processed food, and everyday essentials, Viridian corporations maintain a steady stream of products that fuel both domestic consumption and limited exports. This focus on commodity manufacturing not only supports national self-sufficiency but also reinforces Viridia’s strong internal market, making it less vulnerable to foreign economic pressure.

The economy of Viridia boasts a large commodity output and plenty of financial capital, but this is all built on the backbone of agriculture. Vast amounts of farmland and extensive river/canal systems produce almost the same as the rest of Palet combined. The food surplus is so great that many smaller nations find it cheaper to import Viridian grain than grow their own, granting Viridia significant leverage over nearby states.

Income disparity is, unfortunately, a significant problem in Viridia, and corruption is uncommon, but not unheard of, even in the Senate. Most people do not directly benefit from the Freedom Party’s economic reforms, leaving much of the population feeling snubbed. Unemployment figures are low, but a large part of it is the result of low-income citizens turning to the military.

Viridia has the strongest military in Palet. It is also the most technically developed military, domestically and industrially, making it the prime superpower. But only by a smaller margin than you would think.

The Viridian military is a predominantly volunteer force, shaped by a deeply ingrained culture of national service and pride. However, in times of strategic need, limited conscription ensures that troop numbers remain stable and ready for deployment. This blend of career soldiers and conscripted personnel allows Viridia to sustain a large and flexible force without overextending its population or economy. However, there is an exception.

To sustain the consumerist middle class, corporations kept production costs low by outsourcing labour to Sangria and exploiting Viridian prisoners. Convicts could either serve their full sentence or work for minimal pay in exchange for early release. The system boosted the economy but dehumanised convicts. During the Great War, the Viridian military adapted this model, offering prisoners even shorter sentences in return for frontline service, primarily in the United Viridian Kingdom Marines, where they were used as the spear when high command wanted cheap casualties. Though the practice of frontline convicts faded after the war, recent rising tensions have prompted Viridian military to revive it once more.

Viridia's strategic doctrine is centred around flexibility and rapid power projection. It favours a combined arms approach, seamlessly integrating airpower, mechanised infantry, and fast-moving armoured units into cohesive strike groups. Viridian forces are trained to strike swiftly and decisively, overwhelming opponents before they have time to mobilise a proper defence. Air superiority is often the first step in any campaign, with reconnaissance and precision bombing paving the way for high-speed armoured thrusts and rapid mechanised deployments.

Viridia’s continental military is divided into three main branches: the Viridian Defence Force (VDF), the United Viridian Kingdom Marine Corps (VMC), and the Viridian Airborne Forces (VAF). The VDF is the largest and most conventional of the three, serving as the backbone of Viridia’s military power. Often described as the nation’s shield, they are primarily tasked with defensive operations and the consolidation of captured territory. Domestically, they also serve in military policing and SWAT-like roles during internal security incidents.

The United Viridian Kingdom Marine Corps serves as the blunt-force arm of the Viridian military. Originally established for amphibious assaults and rapid coastal incursions, the Marines have since evolved into Viridia’s primary offensive force. While they retain their capacity for seaborne operations, their role has broadened to encompass frontline assaults across all terrains. Equipped with heavy armour comparable to that of the Viridian Defence Force, they are deployed where combat is most intense—leading charges, breaching enemy lines, and enduring the heaviest resistance. Their reputation as shock troops makes them the vanguard of Viridia’s most critical and brutal operations.

The Viridian Airborne Forces, nicknamed the "Glory Boys", are an elite airborne special operations branch of the Viridian military. Renowned for their precision and daring, they specialise in aerial infiltration and the elimination of high-value targets deep behind enemy lines. Their operations often involve rapid deployment by air, followed by swift and decisive strikes. To support these high-risk missions, the Airborne Forces are often equipped with lightweight, air-droppable armoured vehicles, allowing them to maintain mobility and firepower even in isolated combat zones. The VAF are also credited with the development of the bullpup rifle, a compact, high-performance weapon designed specifically for paratroopers and close-quarters engagements without compromising long-ranged capabilities. This weapon has since become a symbol of their battlefield adaptability.

Viridia’s legislature is formed of a 231-seat National Senate directly elected by the citizenry. Viridia has both a President and a Monarch as the heads of state; the President serves for 5 years without any term limits, and is a voting member of the Senate.

Viridian politics is underscored by conflict between the conservative and liberal factions. The Senate is divided between the conservative United Viridia Party (Union Party) and the liberal Democratic Freedom Party (Freedom Party). The centre-right Union Party is the oldest party, and has been in control for the majority of the republic’s existence. Unionists are supportive of maintaining the status quo, keeping a strong monarchy and state. During the early years of the King’s reign, Union party policies aimed at a planned-economy system that kept the people of Viridia secure, though this somewhat stifled economic growth and political rights.

The liberal Freedom Party, in contrast, supports reform, adopting policies that increase privatisation and decrease government control. The Freedom Party has won presidential elections since the end of the Great War, credited with bringing Viridia out of war-torn ruin into the continent’s economic powerhouse. Citizens enjoy a greater standard of living than they did in the decades before, but the usual dregs of capitalism have damaged the livelihoods of many.

The President is able to approve or veto any Senate bills, while the Monarch is the chief of the military, among other powers. Emergency powers may be granted to both, though only with the agreement of both the President and the Monarch. Only one is needed if the other is incapacitated, unfit, or otherwise unable to agree or deny. This is subject to ongoing legal review, as the ability for the current Regent to decide is ambiguous. It is projected that said powers will be permitted for the regent.

Sangria is a socialist, democratic nation located in east Palet. It is a successful model of Marx’s concept of a socialist society, with its labour locked into an endless stream of mass production. Everyone benefits from it, as resources are split relatively evenly and all accommodations are accounted for. While critics point to the system’s rigidity, its supporters hail Sangria as a beacon of stability in an otherwise fractured world.

Sangria fields a formidable military, built around the principle of attrition warfare. With a vast working-class population and industrial output, its strategy emphasises overwhelming force, mass-produced weaponry, and battlefield durability. The military is split into two major branches: the People’s Liberation Army and the Foreign Legion.

The People’s Liberation Army is composed of mass conscripted forces supported by heavy armour and artillery, designed to overwhelm enemies through sheer numbers and long bombardments in prolonged engagements. However, this brute-force strategy proved vulnerable in urban warfare, where enemies used tight spaces and vertical cover to their advantage and inflicted disproportionate casualties. To counteract this, Sangria repurposed a weapon they first developed during the Great War: the flamethrower. Originally created to clear entrenched positions, in the modern battlefield its role has shifted to urban combat, where it is used to flush out fortified enemies from buildings and strongholds. Alongside this, Sangrian engineers developed active protection plating for its tanks, designed to neutralise urban anti-armour threats such as handheld rocket launchers.

Sangria’s socialist system attracts waves of refugees and exiles seeking escape from capitalist regimes. Many individuals enlist in the Foreign Legion, a branch composed of non-citizen volunteers, often veterans from their respective nations. Generously compensated for their experience and expertise, Legionnaires operate with greater tactical flexibility than the PLA and are frequently deployed in high-risk operations. The Legion specialises in foreign interventions, proxy conflicts, and urban suppression campaigns. They are particularly known for their combat engineers, who pioneered the aggressive use of shaped charges in close-quarters warfare, though this has drawn international criticism due to alleged civilian casualties during urban operations.

The country is made up of unions, each one overseeing a certain product or sector of industry. Advancement within a union is merit-based—those who deliver results rise through the ranks. Higher-ranking members gain more influence over decision-making, allowing them to direct resources and policies that further enhance their productivity. This creates a self-reinforcing cycle of output and influence, forming a positive feedback loop that drives national efficiency.

Unions influence the country by participating in the Roundtable Council. Here, the councillors represent their union's interests and vote on decisions that influence the country, such as foreign policy, commerce plans, enacting laws, and declaring wars. The councillors vote for the Director, a figurehead that holds their position as long as they maintain majority approval within the council.

Of course, it is impossible to prevent political parties from forming. The Roundtable Council is dominated by the Sangrian Socialist Workers Party, a collection of the largest unions that perpetually maintain a ninety percent majority. The minority parties remaining participate only with the SSWP's approval, effectively making the political system a single-party government.

Sangria's diplomatic relations are generally positive, particularly with smaller nations that benefit from its expansive trade network. Its commitment to resource sharing, infrastructure aid, and socialist solidarity makes it an attractive partner for many developing or neutral states. However, its relationships with the major powers of Palet are far more complicated, largely due to the aftermath of the Great War.

Viridia remains Sangria’s primary geopolitical rival. Although some grain and resource exchanges occur, these are more out of necessity than goodwill. The legacy of the Great War left a deep scar between the two nations, and tensions have only escalated since. Both sides engage in proxy struggles, vying for influence over neutral border states to undermine each other’s regional dominance without triggering open conflict.

Northwind is regarded with deep suspicion, viewed as a hostile power due to its imperialist tendencies and history of violating the sovereignty of neutral states, on which Sangria depends on for trade. Ideologically, the contrast is stark: Sangria’s socialist democracy stands in direct opposition to Northwind’s imperial theocracy and aristocratic hierarchy. This philosophical divide further fuels diplomatic strain, even when direct conflict is avoided.

Aurelia maintains a pragmatic and stable relationship with Sangria. While ideological alignment is minimal, mutual trade interests—particularly in industrial and agricultural goods—form the backbone of their interaction. The two nations prioritise economic cooperation over political friction.

Serving as a buffer state between Sangria and Viridia, Basilo's friendly alignment with Sangria is both tactical and economic. Sangria supplies agricultural equipment and some weapons, quietly supporting the nation to prevent Viridia from being on their borders.

Vioela is a protectorate of Sangria. Sangria is actively supplying them with weapons and modernising their infrastructure to prevent Northwindian advances. Vioela is an austere state situated along the contested borderlands of central Palet.

Born from the ashes of the Great War, Vioela was established as a breakaway republic from the Empire of Northwind, forged by dissident soldiers, partisans, and radicals who refused to accept imperial rule following the post-war chaos. After the Great War, a tenuous peace settled between Vioela and Northwind, largely due to Northwind’s own internal disarray. However, once Northwind emerged from its internal civil war, its imperial ambitions resurfaced. Viewing Vioela’s independence as a lingering insult and strategic liability, Northwind launched an offensive aimed at reclaiming its lost territory. The scattered Vioelan paramilitaries managed to hold their ground, using guerrilla tactics and superior knowledge of the terrain, to disrupt supply lines and ambush military columns, eventually forcing a stalemate.

The campaign's failure deeply embarrassed Northwind. But for Vioela, it was a sobering reminder of its vulnerability. Fearful of future incursions and aware of its strategic disadvantage, the Vioelan leadership turned to Sangria, the socialist powerhouse of eastern Palet. The two nations signed a defensive pact, and though Vioelia officially remained independent, it quickly fell under Sangria’s sphere of influence. Sangrian advisors, materials, and economic support soon followed, hoping to modernise Vioelia’s infrastructure and strengthen its internal security so it would become a strong bulwark for Sangria.

Vioela's military is emblematic of its origins. Lacking the infrastructure and industrial base of its neighbours, it is composed primarily of paramilitary units, former resistance fighters, and conscripted militias. Its infantry is often poorly equipped, outfitted with outdated rifles and salvaged gear. What it lacks in armour and firepower, it compensates for through improvisation and strategic cunning. The backbone of its defence lies in makeshift light vehicles, often converted from civilian machinery—armoured trucks, jury-rigged bikes, and mobile artillery platforms that can strike quickly and disappear into the terrain.

Basilo, officially the Basilo Federation, is a country that seceded from Viridia. It is officially recognised by every country except for Viridia.

The regions that Basilo comprised of were culturally once “Basilo” as a nation. They had joined the United Viridian Kingdoms many decades prior for protection and economic integrity, but fell out due to a lack of support during the Great War.

Geographically, Basilo is characterised by its lush valleys, rolling hills, and fertile plains, making it an ideal region for agriculture. The land is fed by a network of clean rivers and sustained by a mild, temperate climate, allowing for the cultivation of wheat, corn, grapes, and a variety of fruits and vegetables.

Agriculture forms the backbone of Basilo’s economy, with most of its rural population engaged in farming or related trade. In particular, Basilo is renowned for its vineyards and olive groves, with its wine and olive oil exports being among the most valued on the continent.

Although Basilo is a nation built on agrarian strength, its existence has never been without conflict. The Federation faces frequent threats from its former ruler. As a result, Basilo has been forced to develop and maintain a standing military despite its limited resources. Much of Basilo’s military arsenal is of Viridian origin. Many Basilian officers are defectors from Viridia’s ranks, bringing with them both expertise and equipment. Stockpiles of Viridian-made rifles, armoured vehicles, and uniforms were either commandeered during the split or salvaged from abandoned bases. Even now, decades later, many of these supplies remain in use as Basilo has a weak weapons manufacturing industry.

Comprised of countless regions that broke off from Viridia, its political system elects representatives, or "councilmen", for each region to govern and report to the Capital of Basilo, Almezure. They convene in the Grand Basilan Council to democratically discuss matters and handle situations. Each councilmen is elected by their own region, serving for a year before the people of their region are allowed to decide whether they may continue to serve. A representative may serve as long as the people of their region demand. Each representative forms a small group of advisors and figures to assist in their management of their elected region, with all representatives being under the watchful eye of the Adjudicators. These hardened figures, of which only 3 exist, guide Basilo and root out corruption in its elected representatives. Said Adjudicators were once elected by the people and act as unbiased enforcers that ensure the democracy under the Basilan Federation remains absolute and unshaken. You and her escaped a Basilan ambush, and ended up in a single cottage