Rivro

Rivro, officially the Rivrish Republic (Rivrish: Ỽolᵹϱ𝔦x ꞇi Ρ𝔦ỽϱoᵹуn foretanised Volgrix ti Rivrogyn, [vɔlɡɻi:x ti: ɻi:vɻɔɡɪn]), is a country in eastern Ostrovia. It is located in the Rift subregion, and shares borders with Guthjadland to the north, Talwugug to the west, Lostra to the south, and via its exclave on the east bank of the Rift it borders Seilurok, Trimap-Celazemo and Skozheroda. It consists of 17 Sceren (counties) and 2 Guralen (self-governing territories). The country has a population of 29.3 million, making it the most populous country in the Rift region. The country's capital and largest city is Gwinavan. Other large cities include Ritenbaer, Trevalyn, Maesuyn and Domesuz. Rivrisc is the official language, with Enbrish and Welenian having minority status.

The area now called Rivro has been inhabited since prehistory, but the modern country largely has its origins during the Migration Period and the conquest of the East Bank of the Rift by the Alar Khaganate during the 10th century. The Kamiver people were driven out of their homeland in the east bank of the Rift, and crossed over to the west bank taking refuge in the lands of the Velans. Eventually the Kamiver lords would take advantage of the 982 Athelburh succession crisis to gain power, with the Kamiver leader Madok I eventually taking the throne of the Lordship of Adelburh, marking the beginning of Kamiver political organisation on the east bank of the Rift. Through a period of expansion towards the Udenpik range, diplomacy and alliance building, the Kingdom of Rivro would begin to take shape. By the 1420s the Kamiver lands on the west bank of the Rift had also been retaken. The regal period of Rivrish history marks its economic and geopolitical peak. However, by the late 19th century the country had begun to decline. Its lack of colonies and quasi-landlocked status meant it began to be outpaced by its neighbours, and its economic and political power began to decline. The 1909 Rivro-Gothic war cemented the countries new status as a faltering secondary power. These factors, and the continent wide rise of radical social movements, culminated in the 1920 Rivrish revolution and the following civil war. Out of this upheaval the modern Rivrish Republic arose.

Rivro is a semi-presidential constitutional republic. Gynrad Pouyl is the countries prime minister, and Oshaen Guyn-Probert serves as president. Although the country is officially a multiparty liberal democracy, it has been dominated by the Republican Party since the end of the civil war, except for the period 1999-2007 where the Christian Union governed in coalition with the Labour Party. Whistleblowers and human rights groups have expressed concern over the governments increasing authoritarianism. From 1926 until 1981 the Republican Party and the Communist Party had a powersharing agreement, however this broke down as the countries dissident communist insurgency began to intensify. Modern Rivro is a highly industrialised country and ranks as one of the most prosperous in Ostrovia, it is ranked number # on the Ostrovian Development Index. The country is also a member of a number international organisations, such as the MfP, EOEF and the AODP. The country is also an observer of the AOLWS and formerly had observer status on the YTP.

Etymology
The name Rivro comes from the Old Xambroyk phrase 'rhydd fro', in reference to the fact the Kamiver were free of Alar rule while living on the west bank of the Rift. In middle Rivrish this became "Rhyvro" and eventually "Rivro" in the early modern form of the language.

Prior to the arrival of the Kamiver, the Velans (the ancestors of the Welenians) referred to the area as 'þeod land', meaning 'peoples land' or perhaps the land where their people lived. In the Welenian language the name for Rivro is 'Tjudland', a term descended from 'þeod land'.

Post-war recovery and strife
In the years following the war, conditions were tough in Rivro. Rationing and reconstruction continued until 1930, and the Gothic occupation of Abergrai would not end until 1932. Food scarcity was a major concern during the early years of reconstruction, and its estimated 15,000 to 20,000 people starved to death between 1926 and 1928.

The 1927 Rivrish General Election marked the first ever democratic election in Rivrish history. The Labour-Republican Alliance sweeped the country, with the Judicialist party coming a distant 2nd. The first Labour-Republican government primarily focused on the task of reconstruction, however political changes were also made. The establishment of a universal state run healthcare system, nationalisation of the commanding heights of the economy, the breaking up of noble estates and the distribution of land amongst the peasantry and the banning of the Church of Rivro] being major policy implementations during the period. Most controversially of all, a debate arose early on whether to establish a philisophical replacement for Ametsianism. This culminated in the creation of the Universal Church by Minister of Culture Zergsy Pris, a philisophical and new religious movement centred around the supremacy of man. This move was criticised by some members of the Labour Party as a move towards social individualism. By 1929 the Universal Church would be branded a cult and outlawed by the government due to rising violence against Ametsians committed by Universalists. Following this Zergsy Pris was also sacked from the cabinet.

By the time of the 1931 Rivrish General Election it was clear the country was on the path to recovery. The Labour-Republican Alliance slightly increased its majority, and more countries began to recognise Rivros new government as legitemate. In 1932 Guthjadland withdrew from Abergrai, and in the same year Rivro would accept the Patokian occupation of Rivros former East Bank territories. During this period Rivro also built closer ties with Lostra, signing a friendship treaty and trade agreement. Despite these positive moves forward, relations with neighbouring countries such as Patok, Guthjadland, Vandeca and Tvaharn remained tense. As well, Rivros northern border with Guthjadland remained insecure with frequent incursions by the Gothic army and interferance in the economic and political affairs of the region. The government moved to solve this crisis in 1934 via the reoganisation of the Democratic Forces of Rivro into a diciplined and standing army, called the Unified Armed Forces. This, in tandem with the relaxtion ofthe governments attitude towards the Ametsian community, would cause rifts between the governments cabinet and progressive backbenchers within both Labour and the Radical Party. In particular the progressive wing of the Labour Party, centred around Gynvor Uyliamsen, would express there outrage at these changes. Despite protests, the government largely implemented its reforms unhindered. A clear division within the Labour Party had begun to chrystalise.

1936 saw the emergence of the Welenian National Movement, an advocacy group reprensting the interests of Welenians in western Rivro. Up until the revolution, Welenians had largely lived in the countryside and small towns and were primarily regarded as backwards Rivrish rather than their own distinct people group. This legacy meant the movement was largely ridiculed by the urban press. Regardless, the movement would swell in size in that same year a rally in Trevymyl would see see a turnout of 15,000 or more. Motivations included poor farmihn conditions, lack of representation in government institutions and lack of status or recognition for their culture of dialect. While the emergence of the WNM amused some in the press, it deeply worried members of the government as it was believed to be the beginnings of a seperatist movement. Attitudes on how the government ought to respond were divided, with moderate frontbenchers urging the Prime Minister to crush the movement before it got out of hand, and the progressives centred around Labour backbencher Gyunvor Uyliamsen calling on the government to hear the protestors out. In the end the it was decided that no action ought to be taken and the fledgling movement simply be ignored, leaving neither camp satisfied.