Ardulkhadra (Europe without a Roman Empire)
Ardulkhadra, the ‘Land of Green’ is a subcontinent on the massive continent of Aryosina (Asia). This is a very unique place of land, representing a culture clash between Chirstians, Muslims, Pagans and Animists.
The continent was home to two different general cultural and geographic regions, the North and the Medditeranian basin. The North was always historically Pagan/Animist, but the medditeranian region was a major melting point. It was originally dominated by greeks and carthaginians, but now is mainly under islamic culture, with a lot of christian influences.
There has been quite a bit of a merger between medditeranian and north european culture in the last millenium, mainly due to islamic outreach onto the atlantic coast and Shamlohrd (Scandinavia). There have also been large christian movements in the Caucasus and the Balkans. Let us look over some of the countries in this continent.
Albayun: Originally a strong foothold of Celtic traditions, Albayun became very much islamicized by secularist sufi muslims from the Yasrid sect. The islands are now staunchly entrenched in that religion, and have since spread it to nearby Shamlorhd and later, nearly all corners of the world as the Bayunu managed to control the largest naval empire in all of history, even surpassing Nusantara, Oman, Galliard, Andalus and even China in terms of it's outreach. It was the heartland of the industrial revolution, and today stands as a very wealthy and highly developed country.
Galliard: Once a region full of divided tribes and warring states, Galliard has united into the true powerhouse of Ardulkhadra. This is a massive nation with over a hundred million souls, which is one of the world's richest countries and of near superpower status. This country represents Ardulkhadra more than any other, being a half pagan half muslim nation with several diverse culturers, united under the Galliardian banner. There is a general divide between the Muslims in the coast and the Kalqui pagans in the valleys, but these are generally fading away in favor of a pan Gallian identity, and in many places these religions blend together. The country is also home to a thriving culinary, music and art culture, well known all over the world.
Shamlohrd: A country located on the peninsula of the same name at the north of Ardulkhadra, the Shamlohrdis used to once be feared naval pirates and plunderers. With the arrival of Yasrid preachers from Albayun, they began to settle, and today have the world’s highest living standards.
Suomilard: A massive nation located in the far north of the subcontinent, Suomilard has felt a fair bit of Yasrid influence, but it remains mainly Suomic pagan to this day. It is known as a stereotypical winter wonderland, with snowly landscapes dominating the countryside. The country also has a high living standard.
Guhthia: One of the more pagan inclined regions of Ardulkhadra, Guhthia is generally known as strange yet cultured. It is well known for its magnificent temple architecture and culinary traditions, as well as oppression by Galliardian kingdoms to the east. Guthia has managed to survive, and today is known as one of the more prominent of the Deuchian cultures of Ardulkhadra, sometimes even surpassing Qhadilard. The country mainly follows Kalqui paganism, along with some Romuvi and Islamic influence in the north.
Ghbsida: A generally small and quaint little country, Ghbsida is a mostly pagan, Deuchian country, not too different from Guhthia. The country once used to be at the helm of a large empire, but is now a quaint little corner in Ardulkhadra.
Romuvia: This is probably the most staunchly pagan region of Ardulkhadra, with these traditions being well integrated into the nations government itself. The country is a small nation located around the Baltic sea, and is home to a very unique group of people with interesting customs and traditions. It is not a very wealthy country by Ardulkhadran standards, but is definitely a unique place worth a visit.
Mukhranam: Another Kalqui pagan and Deuchian country, Mukhranam is a leading center for finance and business. It was devastated heavity by wars in the last century, but has risen up and become a fairly prominent power. The country has a rich poetic culture as well as a well known literature tradition.
Qhadilard: Descended from the mighty Qhadian kingdoms, this country is the leading Deuchian power, having a big militaristic and slightly authoritarian government, tracing its roots to the Deuchardian State that terrorised Ardulkhadra in the last century before breaking up. It is mostly in decline now, but it is still a cultured nation, even if they are losing it due to emigration and harsh government policy.
Datshia: Datshia is a small country, with a rich history as it is descended from the legendary Dacians of years prior, which used to be a major civilization in years prior. Their strength is long gone, but they still manage to hold out as a fairly significant power.
Arrus: The number two power in Ardulkhadra, Arrus is a large and powerful nation, with a massive agricultural economy and population. Descended from the old Slavic people, Arrus was islamicized by large numbers of missionaries and is now a strong bastion of the sunni islamic faith. Many languages are spoken here, but they all stand up for the Arruski identity that binds them together.
Kwimyina: This is not a very much Ardulkhadran power, but half of its population lies west of the Dulkhadi mountains. Kwimyina is a massive and vast country spanning the northern regions of Aryosina, with a sparsely populated population. It has a massive agriculture and technology industry, and is mainly of mixed muslim and tengri in population. There are many smaller ethnicities that live in the Kwimyini Federation, which each have their own cultures.
Bulghur: A small country hailing from what was once a northern region of Kwimyina, the Bulghuris managed to stand down invasions from their three stronger neighbors. They have a strange Slavo-uralic culture.
Bespouran: The last remnant of the once mighty Scytian culture (with Greek influence), Bespouran is one of the stronger powers in Ardulkhadra. It has always been known for its strong warriors, but is now one of the leading countries in athletics in the world. Although it was once a wealthy kingdom, the country has been in decline for centuries, but still is well known in the region. The country mainly is sunni muslim, like their neighbors, with some christian influence.
Mcyarnep: Mcyarnep traces its origins to the Hunnic empire, and is now a quaint little country in the caucasus. It is kind of irrelevant, but well known for its food and dance. Its population mainly subscribes to Gnostic Christianity.
Imertia: This is a very strange country with a bizarre language and customs, but it is a beautiful yet secludied country. Imertia has many historical wonders and sights, and is today a mainly Gnostic country.
Oguzstan: Oguzstan is a nation based in the Southern Caucasus as well as Central Asia, being the leading Turkic nation and the heir to some mighty empires of the past. It has prospered from being on the center of silk road trade, and is a country with a very artsy and old timey flare. It is well known for its TV dramas.
Hayastan: Hayastan is home to the world’s largest Christian population, which is divided into a ton of different sects and branches. Hayastan is home to a very large mining and industrial economy, as well as a thriving art culture. It has a formidable military, and is often considered as a major regional power.
Ellaida: Probably being the most well known of the Christian countries of the world and the progenitor of Ardulkhadran civilisation, Ellaida is a large, wealthy and powerful nation. Its capital of Byzantium is the largest city in the subcontinent, and it has had a very prosperous history for nearly all of its existence. It is a major trade, transportation, industrial and economic powerhouse, as it has been for thousands of years. It is the seat of power for the Byzantine Pauline Church, the largest chirstian branch in the world.
Morea: Morea was one of the regions of Ellaida that was more inclined toward paganism, and it has long since left the sphere of Ellaida. It follows a reformed branch of old Hellenic paganism, and is today a country with an industry mainly built around tourism and trade. The region of Crete, although having a similar religion, wishes to break away from Morea soon.
Trakya: Trakya is one of the three Danubu states in the region, the others being Samtira and Muoisea. The people from Trakya are descended from the oldest of the Danubu cultures, and have built up a reputation hailing from them. The country is a large producer of Roses and Yogurt, and is Byzantine Christian, like the other Danubu states.
Samtira: Samtria is a mixed Datshian-Danubu-Duechian (yeah a lot of D’s) culture with a staunch Byzantine religious background. Pagan influences are still widespread though, and the country has a reputation for being very weird.
Muoisea: This is the largest of the Danubu countries, with the strongest economy and the largest population. Muoisea is a rich country, which has recovered from years of occupation under the Duechian Union and has since progressed into a land ruled by market forces, although this has raised some concerns in the public eye due to poor living standards. It is mostly Byzantine Christian, but has become very secular.
Paharndora: One of the two Illiric nations, the other being Illiri of course. Paharndora is similar to its southern neighbor, other than the fact that it subscribes to Kalqui paganism. It has recently gained independence after a brutal occupation under the Duechian Union.
Illiri: Not too different from Paharndora, Illiri is a Byzantine Christian country. It has a small economy, but it is growing faster than other countries in the region. Investment and development from Ellaida has spurred its growth, and it could be a major regional power soon.
Atrushka: This country is one of the major centers of art in the entire world, and was once at the forefront of technological progress. Atrushka is a very unique culture, having been descended from the ancient atrushkan tribes that inhabited the area. It is mainly islamic today, but quite a bit of the population still follows a form of paganism similar to that of Morea. Atrushka is home to many brilliantly designed mosques, palaces and ancient temples, which the world scrambles to see.
Lighuria: Lighuria is a Germanic-Celtic nation, not too different from the makeup of Albayun. It is home to a fruitful agricultural, tourism and financial economy, home to some technological smart cities that blend futuristic tech with old temples and streets. It is well known for its cuisine, admired across the world.
Uskara: Ardulkhadra is full of weird countries, languages and cultures, but this is probably the weirdest of them all. Uskara is home to people who speak a practically alien language, with some odd cultures that have been preserved in the face of Andalusi and Galliardian invasions and rule. The country mainly follows a bizarre feminist islamic religion.
Andalus: Andalus is one of the more influential and grandiose of the Ardulkhadran nations, and it mainly has done this by being a pioneer in exploration and conquest, conquering massive swaths of land in the Elmahnjran continents to the west. Today it is a wealthy and prosperous nation, and the Andalusian dialect of Arabic is practically the main language of the world.