(A depiction of a crumbling Vienne, inhabited by Charles I and Aaunic noblemen, 1914)
TREATISE ON THE KINGDOM OF HAENSE
On Impending Demise
Lorenz Gavaudin of Adria
20th of Horen’s Calling
1921 IC | 125 SA
I have witnessed the fall of the once-great Holy Orenian Empire and now cast my gaze upon the Kingdom of Haense. I cannot help but notice striking similarities between these two nations, leading me to believe that Haense may be doomed to meet a similar fate as the Empire. In this thesis, I will outline the reasons for the Holy Orenian Empire's fall and explore the parallels that threaten Haense's future stability.
In my observations, one of the most prominent factors contributing to the decline of the Holy Orenian Empire was the dwindling activity of the Imperial State Army. It once protected and enforced the Empire's power, but as its activity waned, the nation's security weakened. Desperate for support, the Empire tried to induct mercenaries into its lands several times, much like Haense does now. However, these mercenary groups often turned their backs and betrayed the monarch they swore to serve. Similarly, the Kingdom of Haense's Brotherhood of Saint Karl appears to be suffering from a decline in activity, which renders it incapable of providing any sufficient security and strength for the nation. Due to Haense's reliance on capricious mercenaries and the deterioration of its own military might, the state finds itself in a vulnerable position.
(A generic painting of an abandoned fort within Haense)
Another aspect that troubles me is the excessive number of royal family members in both the Holy Orenian Empire and Haense. The elevated status and power of these individuals eventually leads to internal strife and competition, ultimately weakening the stability of the ruling class and the nation as a whole. It is my belief that the abundance of royal family members often results in a clash of interests and a struggle for influence, which proves detrimental to the Crown's unity and governance.
Furthermore, I have noticed that both nations have a majority of nobles who have already achieved the highest attainable position within the social hierarchy. This lack of motivation and room for growth results in stagnation and complacency, further eroding the nation's ability to adapt and respond to challenges. I fear that this stagnation, which contributed to the Holy Orenian Empire's fall, now threatens the Kingdom of Haense.
My concerns also extend to the isolationist foreign policies adopted by both the Holy Orenian Empire and Haense. This approach has led to missed opportunities for Haense, such as the potential annexation of the Heartlands. Instead, Haense focuses on ensuring that weak rulers control these territories, which may prove to be a short-sighted strategy in the long run. By maintaining an isolationist stance, Haense is limiting its growth and influence, allowing its neighbors to gain power and potentially threaten its existence.
Another disconcerting similarity is the lack of confidence in the leadership of both nations. The populations of the Holy Orenian Empire and Haense have questioned the decisions and direction of their respective rulers. This lack of trust can lead to unrest, disobedience, and even rebellion, as the people begin to lose faith in the ability of their leaders to govern effectively. I also perceive a pattern of indecisiveness and inconsistency in the policies and actions of both nations. This wavering propagates to confusion, inefficiency, and a lack of strategic direction, all of which contribute to the decline of a nation. The Holy Orenian Empire's inability to maintain a consistent and coherent policy contributed to its downfall, and Haense seems to be struggling with similar issues.
Lastly, I have observed that both the Holy Orenian Empire and the Kingdom of Haense have experienced a pacifist population that is less inclined to defend their nation and its interests. While pacifism may be admirable in certain contexts, it is a certain liability when the Crown faces external threats or internal challenges. A passive population may be less willing to support the military, engage in political activity, or contribute to the nation's defense, leaving it vulnerable to collapse.
The Holy Orenian Empire's fall serves as a cautionary tale for the Kingdom of Haense, which faces strikingly similar challenges. The decline of their military, the high number of royal family members, stagnation within the noble class, isolationist foreign policies, lack of confidence in leadership, indecisiveness, and a pacifist population are all factors that contributed to the Empire's collapse and now threaten the future of Haense. As Lorenz Gavaudin, I can only hope that the Kingdom of Haense will recognize these parallels and take swift, decisive action to address these issues, lest it succumb to the same fate as the Holy Orenian Empire.
Lorenz Gavaudin