Luthori

[Ligbruderkrieg]

“The Czarina’s Dream”: an interesting view into an alternate reality of diplomatic relations.
May 18th, 5669



Luthorian author “J.B.M”, the shortened form for James Bryne Morgan, has recently released a book set in an alternate reality, in which, the great powers' dynamics are radically changed compared to our own. The main difference in worldbuilding compared to our own world is the fact that the Trigunian Empire remains strong and tall, under a new (Rothingren-Traugott affiliated) dynasty that sets its eyes on hegemony over the continent of Keris. The Tsardom of Trigunia has become the dominant power in Keris, with her dominion stretching from Altéa in Egelion to Petrograd, passing by New Endralon and Dolgava. In the Winter Palace, Tsar Nicholas IV (Nikolai IV - in the book) dies unexpectedly without an heir - leaving the fate of the Empire at the hands of a regency council that would be responsible for choosing the next Czar or Tsarina.

We soon indulge ourselves deep into the Trigunian court culture, with intrigues surrounding the choosing of the next Tsar. We learn that the House of Pavenlov, the Trigunian imperial house that reigns over the double-headed eagle, is related to the House of Orange-Villayn, which rules the Imperial Confederation, the House of Ananto, that remains the ruling house of Kalistan and the House of Orléans-Vasser, reigning over the Canrillaise Empire, which in this timeline assembles Lourenne, Alduria, Kanjor and Rildanor. Through these links, a series of dynastic marriages had taken place, leading to numerous candidates being able to take the throne. Apart of these candidates is Grand Duke Nikolai Alexandrovich, a cunning tactician trying to make his way unto the top, Grand Duchess Anna, a charming yet ruthless woman and an unexpected candidate, the deceased Tsar’s second cousin, Grand Duchess Yekaterina, a young princess with no real ambition on the throne, she comes across as being “easily influenced” by most of the Trigunian aristocracy, leading to her being chosen to reign as Tsarina, in her surprise. She takes the name “Yekaterina III (Katherine III)” as her regnal name, with her being stated as Trigunia’s first female monarch over two centuries of a male-dominated institution.

Now as being “Empress and Autocrat of all Trigunias” (Trigunian: Императрица и самодержица всех Тригуний), Tsarina Yekaterina III will need to first deal with her obvious lack of preparation before taking the throne, for that aim, the Empress appoints a government composed of ministers that she can trust in their respective offices - rather than trusting their competence, closely retaining her key allies in government to survive in a turmoiled era. There the part about the diplomatic situation is introduced, the Trigunian Empire is an absolute monarchy, where the Tsar retains all forms of powers, due to their political system, they remain close with the Anantonese Empire - even though the two have some disputes over territories in Keris that the Anantonese recognises as theirs, the Empire remains also close to the so-called “Reactionary Twins” in Dovani, the Kingdom of Baeguk, who in this alternate reality crushed off the Dranean revolutionaries and further consolidated its semi-constititionalist rule with institutions such as the Hwabeck being sidelined in favor of increased responsibilities being granted to the Royal Family and the Celestial Empire, also known as the Great Wu or as Yingdala, the traditional hegemon of Dovani remains prominent in this timeline, sharing much of Trigunia’s beliefs in terms of conservatism, autocracy and the need for absolute monarchies to remain closely aligned with each other.

While Czarina Yekaterina remained focused on solidifying her claim to the Trigunian throne - and actually begin governing, while struggling to figure out which path the Trigunian Empire would take - would it actually democratise or liberalise, in the same styles as the monarchies of the Canrillaise Empire and the Confederation? Or would her reign be one of continued autocracy and increased Trigunification of the Empires’ many minorities, in the style of the reign of her uncle, Czar Nikolai IV? Before she could even make her decision about the tenure of her reign, an important issue took place in the world, the Anantonese made their moves on Athosia. For a while, Kalistan (the other name of the Anantonese Empire) remained at odds with the United States of Baltusia over the ownership of the Athosian region, Ananto stating that its theirs and Baltusia vice versa. On October 4th, 5670, in the book’s timeframe, Kalistan officially announced their intention to annex Athosia by force if necessary and the Kalistani military was put under high alert in anticipation of an invasion. Baltusia was protected by the Confederation as per with its doctrine that any Luthorian-speaking state would be automatically under the Confederation’s protection - and the Confederal Government announced that it would enter a state of war with the Anantonese if force was used against Baltusia. 

The Canrillaise, while enjoying high relations with the Confederation, remained neutral. Yingdala openly supported Kalistan, the Jelbics in the Southern Hemisphere, sensing weakness in the Confederation’ southern outpost in Majatra, supported Kalistan as well, with preparations to enter the war against the Imperial Confederation when needed and possible. Seeing war looming and with a neutral benefactor in Canrille, the Trigunians offered a peaceful summit to be organised under the guidance of the world’s great powers - that would decide the fate of the territory, both nations accepted and that is where the book ends.

Apart from the obvious suspense left after the end of the book - the author stated that a follow-up story in this “World of Monarchies” - focusing on both the Eroncourt Summit, the fate of Athosia and a greater focus upon other nations than only Trigunia. Readers left questions, it was obvious that the Imperial Confederation was either Luthori or Hutori who united the Luthorian-speaking world, but who did? Was it Hutori and the House of Steuart-Carmichael united both branches of the OVs? It would explain the relations between Canrille and the Confederation or was it Luthori? The author promised to drop “bits of lore” in his next work. Criticism about the book mostly laments its lack of “lore” explaining how we got there in the first place - a criticism that the author responded with: “make your own lore”.