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Bolívar, in western Terra, is more a region than a country. Once the prosperous Bolívar Viceroyalty, it is now chaotic and war-torn, with Leithanien and Columbia both failing to control it. Its story begins with Francisco de León, born in 698 in a poor Northern Iberian village, who joined an eastward expedition in 717, showed great talent, and rose to command. In 735 he petitioned the King of Iberia to sponsor an expedition to Terra's uncharted northwest, and the King agreed. De León deceived the King with a false itinerary, took a shortcut through Sargon, negotiated passage with Padishah Beyad, and discovered a vast, resource-rich plain in 737. He began a settlement, and Iberia formally established the Viceroyalty of Bolívar with De León as first Viceroy. Its economy rested on agriculture, mining, and colonization, with profits split among Sargon, local operations, and Iberia. Settlers flooded in, and the region flourished.
De León died in 759. In 767, Beyad's successor closed the trade route, and Victoria, Gaul, and Leithanien allied to pressure Iberia, prompting Bolívar to declare independence as an "autonomous region." Core nations then exploited and undermined it; Sargon offered help only in exchange for submission, which Bolívar rejected. The autonomous region lasted about 130 years through over forty rulers amid collapse, plague, and factional chaos. With nomadic cities easing invasions, Leithanien won a diplomatic struggle (885–897), and the Kurfürst of Sturmland installed the puppet "Singas Dynasty," which modeled itself on Leithanien but lacked its core unity, remaining mediocre and corrupt. After Columbia's independence in 1019, it disrupted the Leithanien trade, backed oligarchs, and helped form the "Bolívarian Coalition Government" in La Unidad, a unique "oligarchic parliamentary system" ruled by fifteen life-tenured wealthy oligarchs. The Coalition rebranded its territory the "Independent State of Bolívar," and civil war erupted. In 1050 various groups—the Liberation Front, Freedom Alliance, and Youth Party—united as the "True Bolivarians," a loosely united junta opposing both governments, sometimes employing extreme violence, though the Youth Party's rise moderated this.
Dossoles, the only neutral nomadic city, belongs solely to its mayor, Candela Sanchez, and thrives on tourism, commerce, and entertainment. Bolívar's war economy still grows through agriculture, mining, and mercenaries, sustained by a rich multicultural heritage. De León's dying wish—that Bolívar cast off foreign control—remains unfulfilled.
Bolívar was once called "Paradise of Explorers", "Kingdom of Conquerors", and "Glittering Fields of Pure Gold", though these names have faded. Situated in western Terra, Bolívar is more of a "region" than a "country". Over three centuries, the prosperous Bolívar Viceroyalty became the chaotic, war-torn Bolívar region. Both the established power Leithanien and the emerging superpower Columbia have tried to control it, but neither has succeeded, and the region lies in ruins from invaders on all sides. Yet life goes on for her people, even as unrest lingers.
Exploration defined the 8th century. Adventurers sought noble and royal patrons, and in that era of expansion, Iberia's creation of the Bolívar Viceroyalty seemed almost inevitable. Had it not been established, there might instead have been a Victorian Duchy of Bolívar, a Sargonian Bolívar Satrapy, or a Gaulish Bolívar Département. The story begins with Francisco de León.
Born in 698 in a poor village in Northern Iberia before nomadic cities, De León spent his first decade as an unknown wanderer. In 717 he joined a small expedition exploring lands east of Iberia, displaying resilience, energy, strategic thinking, ambition, and guile. He quickly seized command and became a favored guest in royal courts, counseling a Gaulish Emperor and presenting treasures to Victorian Dukes. Between 717 and 735 he traveled nearly all of Terra, from Yan to Sargon and from Ursus to Iberia, but sought something greater.
In 735 he petitioned the King of Iberia to sponsor "the most ambitious expedition in human history", planning to explore Terra's uncharted northwest. If a suitable site were found, Iberia would claim it; if not, the expedition would still showcase Iberia's power and the King's wisdom. The King was swayed and mobilized resources nationwide. In the 8th century, venturing into unknown lands was seen as heroism, and patrons were celebrated as if they had carved out new territories.
After two years of preparation, De León set out in 737. He presented the King a false itinerary promising a longer, safer route, but had no intention of returning to Iberia. He gambled everything on establishing a territory of his own, took a shortcut through Sargon, and secured twice the supplies he needed. Once underway, he revealed his true intentions.
De León approached Sargon's highest local authority, Padishah Beyad, proposing collaboration and new trade routes. The Padishah admired his all-or-nothing spirit, let them pass, and sent troops to clear a path. De León discovered a vast, resource-rich plain in the northwest, began construction of a settlement, and sent envoys to Iberia. That year an official envoy proclaimed by royal decree the land part of Iberia, establishing the "Viceroyalty of Bolívar" with De León as first Viceroy. Its economy was based on agriculture, mining, and colonization; profits were split between Sargon, local operations, and Iberia. Granted the title "El conquistador", De León oversaw towns sprouting across the plains, and Iberia reaped substantial rewards.
Under De León the Viceroyalty flourished, attracting settlers from Sargon, Leithanien, Victoria, and beyond. De León died in 759, and his successor was competent enough, though lacking his skills and popularity. Everything changed in 767 when Padishah Beyad died. His successor closed the crucial trade route to bolster his own reputation. Meanwhile the Victorian Emperor, fearing Bolívar's growth, allied with Gaul and Leithanien to pressure Iberia and sever the link between Iberia and Bolívar. Faced with pressure, the Viceroyalty declared independence as an "autonomous region".
This began Bolívar's descent into chaos. The Core nations, led by Victoria, only sought to weaken Iberia, extracted resources, and secretly undermined Bolívar's relations with other countries rather than aiding it. Sargon offered help but demanded submission to the Shahanshah and governance by a Padishah, the same strategy used against the Vouivre Alliance. Bolívar's Viceroy rejected the offer; the people believed their struggles temporary, unaware they lived in "the best of times".
The Bolívar Autonomous Region lasted about 130 years, cycling through over forty rulers, each averaging less than three years. Internally, government collapsed, the economy was paralyzed, and plagues ravaged the land, splitting the country into factions. Externally, nomadic cities changed the international landscape, and nations that once avoided invading due to logistics reconsidered.
In the latter half of the 9th century, Gaul, Victoria, and Leithanien intervened. A diplomatic tug-of-war from 885 to 897 ended with Leithanien victorious. In 897 the Kurfürst of Sturmland marched in under the pretext of "assisting the new government" and after wars to "suppress rebellions" unified Bolívar under a puppet regime called the "Singas Dynasty", modeled entirely after Leithanian governance. Its leader crowned himself king and established his capital in Gran Sinderacato, beginning the Kingdom of Bolívar.
The Singas government's rule was largely nominal, with locals outwardly compliant but covertly resistant. It annually provided Leithanien with Originium ore, food, manpower, and large sums of money. Bolívar became a favored destination for Leithanian expatriates enjoying a noble lifestyle built on the suffering people. Despite its bloated bureaucracy and mediocre governance, Bolivarians saw slight improvement over the autonomous government.
Columbia's emergence shifted matters again. After independence in 1019, Columbia sought control of the Bolívar-Leithanien trade route, disrupted travel and commerce, and supported influential businesses. From 1020 to 1047 Columbia's actions grew blatant; some factions broke from the Singas Dynasty to seek Columbian protection, and Columbia invested heavily in the struggle for dominance.
Bolívar's true ruler then was Herkunftshorn, the "Witch King". By 1048, near the end of his reign, he had nearly lost his mind but not his power. He dispatched a large army—largely refugees and bandits, since Leithanien itself was in chaos—to crush those aligned with Columbia, hoping to use Bolívar as a base to incite conflict within Columbia. The Gesetzeswächter commanders, citing the Güldenesgesetz, refused orders to protect only the Nine Major Kreise. This undisciplined force's march was likely more about escaping the Witch King than confronting Columbia.
As the Leithanian army advanced, Columbia rallied merchants and local governments in its pocket. In La Unidad they formed the "Bolívarian Coalition Government", led by a council of financial oligarchs, to overthrow Leithanian control and exploit resources. Columbia supplied weapons, drillmasters, and staff officers, but its investment dragged it into a protracted civil war. To weaken Leithanien's influence, Columbia rebranded Coalition territory the "Independent State of Bolívar".
Various military groups emerged: the Bolívarian Liberation Front sought to end the war and expel the puppet government; the Bolívarian Freedom Alliance, influenced by Rusthammer ideology, opposed all government; the Bolivarian Youth Party advocated a parliamentary system. In 1050 these united as "The True Bolivarians Liberation Movement". Both the Singas and Coalition governments labeled the True Bolivarians "terrorists", a term they also applied to officials of both.
Bolívar remains embroiled in civil war. Over three centuries, the nations shaping its fate transformed: Gaul collapsed after battlefield defeat; Iberia faces upheaval and is on the brink; fissures emerge in Victoria as the monarchy wanes; Leithanien recovers after a regime change; Columbia is a rising power. Bolívar, from inception, has lived under external control. As one True Bolivarians warlord said, "My life and I seem like two separate entities—I want to take control of my life, but my life has never cared about what I want."
Geographically, Bolívar features a north-to-south gradient. The central plains form the heartland; northern and southern areas are called the "border". The north, near the Norte Sea, is the "Bolívarian Border Plateau"—barren, resource-poor, with minimal rainfall and extreme temperatures, covering about twenty percent of the country. Most of the territory lies on the plains, which drew explorers with open fields and rich biodiversity. The Kolossal Prime Vein, one of Terra's three largest Originium deposits, stretches across the plain's center; over ninety percent of the 16 million inhabitants live there. The southern jungle bordering the Vouivre Alliance has dense rainforests, near-daily downpours, and long rivers, and is sparsely populated.
Bolívar has three political regimes—the Singas Government, the Coalition Government, and the True Bolivarians Liberation Movement—plus Dossoles, under a completely different form of governance.
The Singas Dynasty, the longest-standing regime, is a classic absolute monarchy where the King theoretically controls all resources. It imitates Leithanien's structure: a hereditary king, courtiers, six levels of nobility (from the original seven), and a suffering populace. But it lacks Leithanien's core principles of compromise and mutual assistance among its nine Kreise, making the model futile, especially far from Gran Sinderacato, where villagers would not care about a hundred noble titles. Corruption and injustice are likely to continue.
The well-organized Singas military contrasts with the ineffectual government. All citizens serve three years regardless of gender or class. Leithanian military academy instructors train the army; this aid stopped when the civil war began but revived under the Twin Empresses. Singas areas retain industrial equipment, and the military's discipline and ample supplies have underpinned over 200 years of rule.
The Coalition Government's system is unique; the author coins "oligarchic parliamentary system". A Supreme Council of fifteen members—the wealthiest oligarchs, leaders of financial conglomerates or military factions—votes on critical matters. Members serve for life, leading to extortion and assassination attempts; locals say every member has attempted to seize control, blocked by fellow members or Columbia. Stability relies on external Columbian support, more fragile than the decaying Singas monarchy. Conscription is official, but oligarchs fund professional soldiers; hired foreign instructors bring inconsistent training. A "Bolívarian Citizens' Guard" serves as paramilitary police, and equipment is purchased annually from abroad.
True Bolivarians are chaotic and disorganized, a loosely united junta of more than a dozen armies whose only common ground is opposing both governments. Officers are policymakers and enforcers under strict hierarchy; controlled areas face near-constant martial law, relaxed only on holidays. Lacking a unified vision, they destroy anyone remotely associated with the enemy, using scorched-earth tactics. From 1050 to 1060 they completely destroyed settlements that could have supported at least 300,000 people. The moderate Bolivarian Youth Party's recent prominence reduced such brutality, but extreme violence was never fully abandoned.
Dossoles is the calm eye of the storm, the only neutral nomadic city in Bolívar, belonging solely to the mayor. Located in the northwestern plain, it draws seawater from the Norte Sea to refresh an artificial sea. Known as the "City of Entertainment", it thrives on tourism, commerce, brewing, and coffee. It is among the few places where the Infected are not persecuted by policy, though they are restricted to designated establishments. Its predecessor, El Sol, was established in 1007; the Singas Dynasty's 1040s plan to transform it into a tourism city stalled after Columbia backed the Coalition. In the 1070s Mayor Sanchez purchased and resumed the transformation; Mayor Candela Sanchez took office in 1083. In 1086, after the artificial sea's completion, it was renamed Dossoles. Mayor Candela Sanchez rules firmly, maintaining neutrality amid turmoil. With over one million people, it is Bolívar's economic center, though its prosperity is built on everyday Bolivarians' suffering.
Despite constant war, Bolívar's economy grows steadily. Agriculture and mining are most developed; De León marveled that scattered seeds would flourish. The south grows coffee and sugarcane; the north grows melons, fruits, and sugar beets. Plantation laborers earn extremely low wages, and most crops are seized by powers like Leithanien and Columbia, making them prohibitively expensive locally. Bolívar is also rich in Originium, iron, steel, and precious stones, fiercely contested. Mercenary work booms: soldiers from across Terra earn substantial pay and spend lavishly, boosting local economies.
Bolívar also has a vibrant culture, contrary to perceptions of a backward colony. Though literacy is not high, many speak two or three languages, and the region produces abundant literary and musical works. Centuries of coexistence among peoples from Iberia, Gaul, Sargon, Leithanien, Columbia, and Victoria created a unique cultural fusion, and the turbulent climate fuels artistic protest against the world's ugliness and injustice.
On his deathbed in 759, De León said: "Bolívar will cast off Iberia's yoke. This is inevitable." The prophecy has come true in a sense—Iberia no longer arbitrates Bolívar's fate—but other countries have taken control. De León's true hope was for Bolívar to be free from any foreign influence, and Bolívar still has a long way to go to fulfill that vision.
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Recently, the Wrankwood film, City of Mystery, was released to widespread acclaim. This action-packed movie, full of intense combat and exhilarating car chases, is adapted from the late Bolivarian author Carlos Fernández Melo's novel of the same name. Critics and audiences alike have praised the film, noting its wealth of creative fight scenes as various factions chase each other through the bustling streets of Dossoles. The movie flows seamlessly and keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. However, the original novel it is based on contains no combat at all. The book is celebrated for its extensive exploration of surreal experiences and its deep examination of pain. It tells the story of someone in Dossoles whose soul and mind are slowly twisted and consumed by the city's bottomless abyss. Why are the residents of Bolivar crying out in anguish? To answer the question, let's examine Bolivar itself a bit more closely.
Official Languages
Iberian, Lethanian Victorian, Columbian
Dominant Groups
Perro
Official Currency
Dukat, Columbian Gold Certificate, Sol
"Paradise of Explorers", "Kingdom of Conquerors", "Glittering Fields of Pure Gold"—these once-famous names have long faded from public memory, yet they once referred to what we now call "Bolívar". Situated in the western part of Terra, Bolívar is more of a "region" than a "country". Over the past three centuries, the prosperous and powerful Bolívar Viceroyalty has transformed into the chaotic, war-torn Bolívar region. For those removed from danger, chaos often means opportunity. Both the established power, Leithanien, and the emerging superpower, Columbia, have tried to take control of Bolívar for their own purposes, but neither has succeeded. Bolívar, once sprawling and prosperous, now lies in ruins due to the onslaught of invaders from all sides. Yet, life goes on for her people, even though the dark clouds of unrest still linger overhead.
Exploration and discovery were the defining themes of the 8th century. Restless adventurers moved from one royal court to another, hoping to find noble and royal patrons who shared their grand visions and ambitions and could support their expeditions. In an era driven by fervent expansion, Iberia's creation of the Bolívar Viceroyalty seemed almost inevitable. It's likely that if the Viceroyalty had never been established, we would instead be talking about the Victorian Duchy of Bolívar, the Sargonian Bolívar Satrapy, the Gaulish Bolívar Département, or some other Bolívar elsewhere. The story of what we now know as Bolívar begins with a man named Francisco de León.
Born in 698 in a poor village in Northern Iberia (before the dawn of nomadic cities), De León spent the first decade of his life as an unknown wanderer, frequently roaming the wilderness. In 717, he joined a small expedition passing through his village. This group aimed to explore the uncharted lands to the east of Iberia. During this journey, the young De León displayed all the qualities of an excellent explorer: resilience, energy, strategic thinking, ambition, and guile. In the years that followed, this poor young man from the north quickly seized command of the expedition, becoming a favored guest in royal courts across the land. He counseled a Gaulish Emperor on territorial expansion and presented exotic treasures to Victorian Dukes. Between 717 and 735, Francisco de León traveled nearly all the lengths and breadths of Terra, from Yan to Sargon and from Ursus to Iberia. However, he became determined to achieve something even greater.
In 735, De León formally petitioned the King of Iberia for support, seeking sponsorship for what he described as "the most ambitious expedition in human history". He told the royal court that he planned to explore Terra's uncharted northwest. If they found a suitable site, Iberia would claim and develop it; if not, the expedition would still showcase Iberia's power and the King's wisdom. After extensive deliberation with his courtiers, the King was ultimately swayed by the explorer's proven capabilities and the promise of glory. He decided to mobilize resources and manpower from across the nation to support De León's venture.
People today, far removed from the era of relentless expansion, may find it hard to understand why a sovereign would invest so heavily in such a risky and uncertain venture. But in the 8th century, venturing into unknown lands was seen as an act of heroism. People everywhere revered explorers who risked their lives, and the patrons who backed them were celebrated as if they themselves had carved out vast new territories for humanity.
After two years of meticulous preparation, Francisco de León set out in 737 on his journey to the northwestern reaches of Terra, laden with ample supplies. To secure additional resources, De León presented the King with a detailed itinerary, assuring him that he would follow the established trade routes of the Core nations—a longer, but safer, journey. However, De León had no intention of returning to Iberia. He gambled everything on this expedition, hoping to establish a territory of his own with the resources he had gathered. To minimize the time and supplies needed to reach his destination, he decided to take a shortcut through Sargon, the most direct route. Thus, De León was able to secure twice the amount of supplies he actually needed by presenting the King with a false plan. Once the expedition left Iberia, De León, now fully in command, revealed his true intentions to his team and ordered them to follow the new plan.
At that time, relations between Iberia and Sargon were limited to minor commercial exchanges, with very little state-to-state dialogue. Upon reaching Sargon, De León, acting as the expedition's sole representative, sought out the highest local authority, Padishah Beyad. During their discussions, De León proposed various possibilities for collaboration, inviting the Padishah to establish friendly ties with Iberia and join him in developing new trade routes. The Padishah admired the explorer's all-or-nothing spirit and bold, imaginative ideas, and so they negotiated a series of cooperative agreements. After carefully inspecting the expedition's supplies, which were all ordinary provisions, the Padishah agreed to let them pass and even dispatched his own troops to clear a new path for them. In the end, Francisco de León's gamble paid off handsomely, bringing him immense wealth and success. In the northwestern reaches of Terra, De León discovered a vast, resource-rich plain. He decided to establish a settlement there. He started construction while also sending envoys back to Iberia to negotiate the establishment of the new territory.
Before the advent of nomadic cities, people were often forced to relocate from their temporary settlements to minimize the damage caused by Catastrophes. This led many nations to explore uncharted regions of the continent in search of resources. These exploratory ventures, known as "expeditions", were not only about finding resources and new settlements. They also reflected the Terran peoples' ambitious desire to conquer the frontier. This dawned the age of exploration. Some countries and organizations formed expedition teams to seek out new territories for themselves.
■ Iberia's calls for immigrants during that time were seen as sincere, especially when compared to the more opportunistic pioneering campaigns of modern-day Columbia. Certainly, Bolivar was not the treasure-laden land depicted in propaganda—her livestock and crops were not made of gold. However, people did indeed find fertile lands and abundant mineral resources. Even though most of the economic gains were sent back to Iberia, the colonists in Bolívar managed to live relatively prosperous lives.
Later that same year, as De León and his team tirelessly worked on the first settlement and monastery, an official envoy from Iberia arrived, following De León's Messengers back to their camp. The envoy proclaimed to all present that, by royal decree, the land discovered by the expedition was now part of Iberia. Thus, the "Viceroyalty of Bolívar" was established. De León was appointed as its first Viceroy, entrusted with overseeing all affairs. The Viceroyalty's economy was based on agriculture, mining, and colonization. It paid a portion of its annual profits to Sargon to maintain its trade routes, retained another portion locally to sustain its operations, and sent the remainder back to Iberia.
De León. (now Viceroy de León), was granted the title "El conquistador" by the royal court, both to honor his achievements and to underscore Iberia's ambition to conquer the wilderness. Towns sprang up across the Bolívar plains, with cooking smoke gently rising into the sky. The Sargon trade route bore witness to Bolívar's rise, and Iberia reaped substantial rewards. Everything seemed to be flourishing. At that time, no one could have predicted the long years of suffering and war that awaited this burgeoning region.
Under De León's leadership, the Viceroyalty of Bolívar flourished, quickly becoming a land of opportunity that attracted settlers from Sargon, Leithanien, Victoria, and beyond, all eager to tap into its vitality and promise. In 759, Francisco de León passed away, and Iberia appointed a new chief executive to oversee Bolívar. Although the new Viceroy lacked De León's remarkable skills and widespread popularity, he was competent enough to manage the region effectively. For several more years, Bolívar remained active and prosperous.
However, everything began to change in 767. That year, Padishah Beyad, who had developed the Iberian-Sargon-Bolívar trade route, passed away. His successor, seeking to downplay Beyad's legacy and bolster his own reputation, forcibly closed this crucial and prosperous trade route between Bolívar and Iberia. At the same time, the Emperor of Victoria grew concerned that the rapid development of Bolívar, an Iberian outpost, could threaten his nation's future security. He sought to collaborate with other countries to disrupt Bolívar's growth. Coincidentally, Gaul and Leithanien were harboring similar plans. After brief discussions, the three nations quickly formed an alliance and began pressuring Iberia. They attempted to sever the crucial link between Iberia on the southern coast and Bolívar in the northwest interior. Faced with mounting pressure from all sides, the Viceroyalty of Bolívar declared independence, establishing Bolívar as an "autonomous region" free from any external control.
This marked the beginning of Bolívar's gradual descent into chaos. The Core nations, led by Victoria, were solely interested in weakening Iberia's power and showed no concern for the residents of Bolívar. These old empires, while guarding against threats from other great powers, also sought to extract as many resources from Bolívar as possible. Ultimately, they decided that abandoning plans to monopolize Bolívar was the most cost-effective strategy. Consequently, none of these Core nations offered aid to the newly independent Bolívar; instead, they secretly undermined its trade and political relations with other countries. Sargon, Bolívar's southern neighbor, offered assistance. However, in return, they demanded that Bolívar submit to the Sargonian Shahanshah (King of Kings) and
accept governance by a Padishah. This was the same strategy that Sargon had used against the Vouivre Alliance. Bolívar had just experienced thirty years of vigorous growth and remained very optimistic about its future. Sargon's arrogant, condescending attitude prompted Bolívar's Viceroy to reject its offer. The people of Bolívar believed their struggles were temporary, unaware that they were living through what would later be remembered as "the best of times".
The Bolívar Autonomous Region lasted for about 130 years. During that time, it cycled through over forty rulers, with each holding power, on average, for less than three years. The region was engulfed by both internal and external crises. Internally, the government collapsed, the economy was paralyzed, and plagues ravaged the land. The country splintered into various factions, and chaos reigned supreme. The first Iberian settlers struggled to survive amid poverty, disease, and violence. Only a few settlements retained their religious faith; they still longed to one day reconnect with their homeland. Externally, society was also undergoing dramatic upheaval. The advent of nomadic cities completely changed the international landscape. Nations that had previously refrained from invading Bolívar due to the logistical challenges of long-distance military campaigns now reconsidered their plans to control the region.
In the latter half of the 9th century, nations like Gaul, Victoria, and Leithanien, having acquired their own nomadic cities, began to intervene in Bolívar's affairs. The chaotic diplomatic tug-of-war lasted from 885 to 897, with Leithanien emerging as the ultimate victor. In 897, the Kurfürst of Sturmland, under the pretext of "assisting the new government", assembled forces from across the region into a large army and marched into the Bolívar Autonomous Region. After a series of wars to "suppress rebellions", Bolívar was largely unified under the Kurfürst's control. The Kurfürst called the new puppet regime the "Singas Dynasty". They modeled it entirely after Leithanian governance. The leader of the Singas Dynasty crowned himself king and established his royal capital in Gran Sinderacato, marking the beginning of the Kingdom of Bolívar.
After the Kurfürst's forces withdrew, the Singas government attempted to govern Bolívar following Leithanien's regional district model. However, this governance was largely nominal, with local factions universally adopting a policy of outward compliance and covert resistance. Each year, the Singas government provided Leithanien with Originium ore, food, manpower, and large sums of money. Bolívar also became a favored destination for Leithanians traveling abroad. They could speak their mother tongue, live a noble, expatriate lifestyle, and enjoy the unique scenery of a foreign land—all of which were built on the backs of the suffering people of Bolívar. The Singas Dynasty, with its bloated bureaucracy and mediocre governance, failed in its attempts to continue Bolívar's rapid growth. However, Bolívarians did see some slight improvements, compared to their lives under the autonomous government.
However, this was just the calm before the storm. The emergence of Columbia as a great power once again shifted the Core's diplomatic approaches towards Bolívar. After gaining independence in 1019, Columbia sought control over the Bolívar-Leithanien trade route. Though not yet powerful enough to completely sever this connection, Columbia significantly disrupted the flow of travel and commerce between the two regions. The Columbian federal government also
sought to influence Bolívar's domestic affairs by supporting politically influential businesses and merchants. From 1020 to 1047, Columbia's actions became increasingly blatant, to the point where some factions in Bolívar broke away from the Singas Dynasty and sought protection from Columbia. The Columbian authorities concluded that Leithanien could no longer effectively control Bolívar, so they decided to invest as many resources as possible into the struggle for dominance over the region.
During this period, the true ruler of Bolívar was Herkunftshorn, the "Witch King". By 1048, towards the end of his reign, he had nearly lost his mind, but not his power. He dispatched a large army to Bolívar to crush all those who had secretly aligned themselves with Columbia. Herkunftshorn also hoped to use Bolívar as a base to incite internal conflict within Columbia. At that time, Leithanien itself was in chaos, so the army Herkunftshorn assembled was largely made up of refugees and bandits. The Gesetzeswächter commanders, citing the Güldenesgesetz, refused his orders, stating they were obligated to protect only the Nine Major Kreise. This makeshift army—or more accurately, these mercenaries—were undisciplined and weak. Their march toward Bolívar was likely more about escaping the Witch King's rule than confronting Columbia.
As the Leithanian army slowly advanced, Columbia rallied Bolívar's influential merchants and local governments, long in her pocket, to support her cause. In La Unidad, they formed the "Bolívarian Coalition Government", led by a council of financial oligarchs, to overthrow Leithanian control and exploit the region's resources. Columbia continuously supplied the Coalition with weapons, drillmasters, and staff officers to help them take control of Bolívar. However, Columbia clearly underestimated the level of chaos in Bolívar. Their massive investment failed to yield quick returns. Instead, it dragged them into a quagmire. Bolívar was plunged into a protracted civil war. To weaken Leithanien's influence in Bolívar, Columbia rebranded the territories under Coalition control as the "Independent State of Bolívar", instead of the Kingdom of Bolívar.
In the early years of the war between the Bolívarian Coalition Government and the Singas Government, various military groups emerged in Bolívar, each with different aims. The Bolívarian Liberation Front sought to end the civil war and expel the puppet government. The Bolívarian Freedom Alliance, influenced by Rusthammer ideology, opposed all forms of government. The Bolívarian Youth Party advocated for a new parliamentary system. In 1050, these different groups united under one banner: "The True Bolivarians Liberation Movement" (abbreviated as "True Bolivarians"). Both the Singas Government and the Bolívarian Coalition Government labeled the True Bolivarians as "terrorists", a term the True Bolivarians also used for officials of both governments.
The emergence of True Bolivarians did little to unite the fragmented, war-torn region. To this day, Bolívar remains embroiled in a fierce civil war. Over the past three hundred years, the nations that have shaped Bolívar's fate have each transformed in their own ways: Gaul collapsed after her defeat on the battlefield. Iberia has faced significant upheaval and is now on the brink. Internal fissures are emerging in Victoria as her monarchy's power wanes. Leithanien is in a period of recovery after a regime change, and Columbia has emerged as a rising power. Yet Bolívar, from the day of its inception, has always lived under external control. As one of the True Bolivarians warlords once said, "My life and I seem like two
separate entities—I want to take control of my life, but my life has never cared about what I want."
Overall, Bolívar's most prominent geographical feature is her north-to-south gradient, with the northern regions being higher in elevation than the southern regions. The great plains of central Bolívar form her heartland, while the northern and southern areas are referred to by locals as the "border". The northern region, near the Norte Sea, is known as the "Bolívarian Border Plateau". Covering about twenty percent of the country, it's a barren area with few natural resources, minimal rainfall, and extreme temperature fluctuations, which is why it is sparsely populated.
The majority of Bolívar's territory lies on the plains. Explorers were drawn to settle in this area by its vast, open fields and rich biodiversity. The Bolívarian plains are also rich in mineral resources. The Kolossal Prime Vein, one of Terra's three largest Originium ore deposits, stretches across the center of the plain, from southwest to northeast. More than ninety percent of Bolívar's 16 million inhabitants live on this expansive plain.
The southernmost region of Bolívar, bordering the Vouivre Alliance, is a sprawling jungle. The dense rainforests obscure the sky, with near-daily afternoon downpours and fast-flowing rivers that span hundreds of kilometers. Similar to the north, these southern areas are also sparsely populated due to their harsh environment.
Bolívar has three different political regimes, each with their own systems and governing principles. In this section, I shall speak about the Kingdom of Bolívar (the Singas Government), the Independent State of Bolívar (the Coalition Government), and the True Bolívarians Liberation Movement. Lastly, I will discuss a unique place—Dossoles—which operates under a completely different form of governance from the rest of Bolívar. If you find this section confusing, I apologize in advance—I myself am perplexed by it.
The Singas Dynasty, the longest-standing regime in Bolívar, does not exhibit any distinctive characteristics typical of the region. In fact, its very mediocrity might be the reason it has persisted for so long.
The Kingdom of Bolívar under the Singas Dynasty is a classic example of an absolute monarchy, where the King theoretically controls all resources within the realm. As a government propped up by Leithanien, the Singas Government, from its inception, seeks to emulate, or more accurately, imitates Leithania's governmental structure. The Singas government mirrors Leithanien's familiar setup: a
king (or Kurfürst) whose ascension to the throne is purely hereditary, an array of bumbling courtiers, six levels of nobility (altered from the original seven), and a perpetually-suffering populace. However, it lacks the core principles of compromise and mutual assistance that underpin Leithanian governance. Leithanien's system is built on the cooperation and mutual support of its nine major Kreise. Despite occasional internecine conflicts, these Kreise recognize that they belong to a single collective, which is why the Witch King was able to unify Leithanien by expelling the Siracusan Autonomous Region. The Singas Dynasty, on the other hand, has never embraced, and will never need to embrace, such a notion of unity. Thus, its attempts to apply the Leithanian governance model are as futile as someone with no control over the Originium Arts trying to cast with a staff. This futility becomes more evident the farther one moves from the capital of Gran Sinderacato. Residents of remote villages under Singas control might not even care that their region, theoretically, has six levels of nobility. To them, it would not matter if there were a hundred different noble titles. In contrast, people living under other more typical monarchies, like the Empire of Ursus, instinctively learn how to properly address each level of nobility as they grow up. This suggests that the Singas Government's cultural influence over its people might be even weaker than that of its overlord, Leithanien—at least the common folk there still speak Leithanian. Corruption and injustice are commonplace in the Kingdom of Bolívar, and this is likely to continue for the foreseeable future.
The well organized Singas Military stands in stark contrast to its chaotic, ineffectual government. The Kingdom of Bolívar mandates three years of military service for all citizens, regardless of gender or social class. Instructors and students from top Leithanian military academies are stationed in Bolívar to help train the Singas army while gaining valuable firsthand frontline experience for future wars. Most of them are future commanders with excellent academic records. The Witch King stopped providing military assistance to the Singas Dynasty after the Bolívar Civil War officially began, but this tradition was revived after the ascension of the Twin Empresses. The areas under Singas control have retained most of their industrial equipment and infrastructure, allowing them to adequately supply their military with weapons and provisions. The Singas military maintains its good discipline and ample supplies, which have been the foundation of the regime's more than 200-year rule in Bolívar.
During my travels in the Independent State of Bolívar, many residents complained about the government's chaos and the pressures of daily life. One remark in particular left an impression on me: "It may be called the Bolívarian Coalition Government, but those of us living here have no idea what it's united for or where the government even is."
The Bolívarian Coalition Government's political system is quite unique, unlike anything found elsewhere in Terra. I even coined the term "oligarchic parliamentary system" to describe it. Decision-making power within the Coalition Government lies with a Supreme Council of fifteen members, who vote on the nation's most critical matters. Without exception, these council members
are the wealthiest, most powerful individuals in the Independent State of Bolí- var, controlling the largest share of resources. They are typically the leaders of financial conglomerates or military factions, commonly referred to as "oligarchs". Members of the Supreme Council are appointed for life; new members only take seats upon the resignation or death of existing members. This arrangement has led to widespread extortion and assassination attempts.
Locals in La Unidad often tell visitors that every Supreme Council member has attempted to take control of the country, only to be blocked by fellow coun- cil members and/or Columbia. While I am not willing to sign onto this rumor without solid evidence, I can understand why it's so widespread. Each council member is an opportunist who seizes upon others' misfortune during turbulent times to improve their own standing. When this council of "high performers" gath- ers together, it's clear to everyone what each of them truly desires—to outshine the rest and be the most successful of all. While Columbia remains steadfast in its support for these individuals, it will never tolerate them fully realizing their ambitions and/or escaping its control. Typically, political stability requires strong internal forces which counterbalance one another, such as the General Chamber of Commerce and the Adeptus Sprawiedliwi in Kazimierz, or the King and the Dukes of Victoria. However, the stability of the Bolívarian Coalition Government relies on external support from Columbia, a precarious balance even more fragile than the decaying Singas monarchy. Considering that the Coalition Government has only existed for about fifty years, I can only say that the stability of this system remains to be seen.
The Independent State of Bolívar officially enforces conscription, but in reality, it's the oligarchs who fund and recruit local residents to serve as professional soldiers. The military instructors, highly paid veterans from various different countries, hired by oligarchs, bring a mix of training methods and military theories, leading to inconsistent levels of discipline and combat effectiveness within the Coalition Army. In addition to the regular military, the Coalition Government also maintains a force called the "Bolívarian Citizens' Guard", a paramilitary police force trained separately from the main army. Each year, the Coalition Government spends a substantial amount to purchase new military equipment from other countries to arm its soldiers.
The vast majority of privately-owned military organizations I've encoun- tered in my life are highly professional groups that operate strictly for payment. However, there are exceptions, like True Bolívarians who claim to fight for justice but are chaotic and disorganized. What exactly are they trying to achieve? Who or what are they really aiming to liberate? No two True Bolívarians I've spoken to gave me the same answer.
The True Bolívarians Liberation Movement is a loosely united junta, with more than a dozen completely different armies fighting side by side. Their only common ground is their opposition to both the Singas Government and the Coalition Government. In this movement, military officers serve as both policy- makers and enforcers, with a strict hierarchical structure that greatly enhances
the efficiency of policy implementation. The areas under their control are under near-constant martial law, with only minor relaxations during holidays.
Many people living in peaceful regions often rally support for True Bolívarians, as the group's name alone conjures up images of oppressed people rising up against their inhumane overlords. While I wouldn't say this perception is outright wrong, I must add that there's a part of this scenario that foreigners often miss. True Bolivarians lacks a unified vision, and their actions aren't solely focused on overthrowing the Singas Government and the Coalition Government. Many among them are also eager to destroy anyone even remotely associated with the enemy—even if these are just ordinary people struggling to survive in chaotic times. True Bolivarians employs a scorched-earth policy on enemy-held territories, eradicating all inhabitants and looting everything before completely destroying the settlements. In the eyes of True Bolivarians, they are not killing civilians tormented by nobles or oligarchs, but rather traitors who supply food and clothing to the enemy. From 1050 to 1060, the total number of settlements completely destroyed by True Bolivarians—by then a powerful military group—could have supported a combined population of at least 300,000 people. In recent years, the more moderate Bolivarian Youth Party has gained prominence within True Bolivarians, reducing the frequency of such brutal incidents. However, True Bolivarians has never fully abandoned the use of extreme violence.
People often say that the eye of a storm is the calmest place, and Dossoles is exactly that—a calm center amid the vast chaos of Bolívar. The bustling markets, thriving streets, and the presence of foreign tourists make this city appear vibrant, seemingly out of place in war-torn Bolívar. Yet beneath this peaceful exterior lies the essence of everything that defines Bolívar.
Dossoles is the only neutral nomadic city within Bolívar, not belonging to any government but solely to the mayor. Located in the northwestern part of the Bolívar Plain, it has a unique waterway that draws seawater from the northern Norte Sea each year to refresh the artificial sea within the city. Known as the "City of Entertainment", Dossoles boasts a highly developed tourism industry, along with thriving commerce, entertainment, brewing, and coffee production sectors. The
■ Dossoles is so wealthy that it hardly seems like a Bolivarian city. At night, the lights from the tall buildings illuminate the horizon. For the poor who are struggling to survive in other parts of Bolívar, the only bright lights they see are the Coalition Government's forces bombarding True Bolivarians.
various businesses in the city generate substantial tax revenue for the municipal government. Dossoles is also one of the few places in Bolívar where the Infected are not persecuted by policy. They are allowed to enter the city but are restricted to spending their money in designated establishments such as Infected-only bars and casinos.
The predecessor of Dossoles, El Sol, was established in 1007. Initially, El Sol was an unremarkable nomadic city. In the 1040s, the rulers of the Singas Dynasty sought to transform El Sol into a nomadic city centered on tourism and entertainment. However, a series of events, including Columbia's support for the Bolivarian Coalition Government, stalled these plans, leaving El Sol a massive, unfinished project. In the 1070s, the previous Mayor Sanchez purchased El Sol and resumed its transformation. Mayor Candela Sanchez took office in 1083. Under her leadership, El Sol underwent a period of rapid development. El Sol became an important neutral ground and economic hub within Bolívar. In 1086, after the completion of the artificial sea, the city was renamed Dossoles.
Mayor Candela Sanchez rules Dossoles with a firm hand, using her considerable political skill and resolve to maintain the city's neutral status amid the surrounding turmoil. Today, Dossoles has grown into the economic center of Bolívar with a population of over one million. Life in Dossoles may seem idyllic, but this prosperity is built upon the suffering of everyday Bolivarians.
Bolívar has been in a constant state of war, yet her economy has managed to maintain steady growth. Agriculture and mining are the most developed industries in the region. The fertile and flat Bolívar Plain is often regarded as a natural boon for agriculture. Francisco de León once marveled that in this land, you could simply scatter seeds with little effort, and crops would flourish. Much of the later conflicts in the region also centered around this very plain. Bolívar's agriculture varies significantly between the northern and southern regions. The south is primarily focused on coffee and sugarcane, while the north grows melons, fruits, and sugar beets. The plain is dotted with plantations of various sizes, where owners hire laborers at extremely low wages. The majority of these crops are seized by powerful nations like Leithanien and Columbia, driving up prices and making them prohibitively expensive for the local Bolivarians. In addition to agricultural products, Bolívar is rich in resources like Originium ore, iron, steel, and precious stones, all fiercely contested by various factions.
Mercenary work is another booming industry in Bolívar. Soldiers who hire themselves out to any of the warring factions can earn substantial pay. These neutral mercenaries, hailing from all corners of Terra, roam within Bolívar. They spend their war earnings lavishly, purchasing vast quantities of supplies and goods, which significantly boosts the local economy wherever they go.
In addition to its thriving economy, Bolívar also has a vibrant cultural scene. Contrary to common perceptions of Bolívar as a backward and uncivilized colony, it has a rich and vibrant cultural heritage. Contrary to common perceptions of Bolívar as a backward and uncivilized colony, it has a rich and vibrant cultural heritage. Although literacy rates are not high, many people are fluent in two or three languages. The region produces a wealth of literary and musical works. For centuries, people
■ There was a particularly imaginative Columbian merchant who decided to turn Bolivarian dried cactus into tea bags and ship them all the way to Yan. The cactus tea was heavily panned, described as "worse than lemon and fin mint noon tea".
In Bolívar, however, dried cactus is a common food item. Thanks to its low cost and long shelf life, dried cactus has become the primary staple for workers and farmers. While the refined cactus sold in high-end markets might taste like candied fruit, the cheap, coarse bulk versions have the texture of dried wood. The laborers who eat it likely do so because they have no other choice.
Dried Cactus [?]
from Iberia, Gaul, Sargon, Leithanien, Columbia, and Victoria have lived together in Bolívar, bringing with them their languages and arts. The interaction of these diverse cultures has led to a unique fusion, shaping the cultural landscape of Bolívar for generations.
Exposure to diverse cultures and a turbulent political climate have fueled a wealth of artistic expression in Bolívar. Through their art, Bolívarians protest the ugliness and injustice of the world around them.
One early spring day in 759, as Viceroy De León lay on his deathbed, he struggled to utter his final words to the attendants by his side: "Bolívar will cast off Iberia's yoke. This is inevitable." In a sense, Francisco de León's prophecy has come true. It has indeed been many years since Iberia was the arbiter of Bolívar's fate. However, other countries have since taken control. We all understand that De León's true hope was for Bolívar to be free from any foreign influence. As things stand, Bolívar still has a long way to go before it can fulfill his vision.