Ulster-Gaelia Factbook

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The United Kingdom of Ulster-Gaelia





National flag with Royal coat of arms

Est: 1207

Language: Caledonian

Government: Elective Tanistry Constitutional Monarchy 

Population: 74,389,000 main islands, 36,750,240 Cricon, 20,845,360 Zedonia. 131,984,600 total.

Capital: Baile Glas

Currency: Gaelian pounds: valued 1.01 against Koi Jewel

Heads of State: King Rufus McDonald, Taoiseach Richard O'Donnell

Demonym: Gaelian, Gaelic, Celt

National Animal: Gaelic Stag

National Anthem: 


Summery

The United Kingdom of Ulster-Gaelia is a colonial empire located West of the main continent and throughout the Shawbalt ending up on the continent of Touli. For over 700 years, the UKUG has played a large role in global politics, expanded its empire and create a wealthy economy across its vast territory. 

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Important Figures



Rufus McDonald
Age: 42
Clan: McDonald

Rufus ascended to the Gaelic throne following his cousin's disastrous war with Kumosenkan. Rufus has implemented reforms within the UKUG that have advanced the lower and middle class as well as reform the economy to perform at a better pace for the new modern world. Rufus oversaw the reconstruction of the Royal Navy and much of the UKUG military following the incompetency of the after mentioned war, significant increases in military spending have however been saddled with a much softer and more respectful tone in Gaelic foreign affairs. Many in the realm feel Rufus is an idealist a man who thinks walking softly with a big stick will be enough to protect Ulster-Gaelia and her empire, but others feel he will shy away from conflict at the worst time weakening the UKUG further.



Meridieth McDonald
Age: 38
Clan: McDonald (Maiden clan Dunbar)

Meridieth is one of the most competent rulers of Ulster-Gaelia, prior to her engagement with Rufus she was already well known in upper class circles and nobility to be a woman who accomplished what was needed. Her cold demeanor and harsh temperament toward men who have gotten accustomed to not seeing a Gaelic Queen do much has earned her the nickname 'Iron Maiden'. Meridieth embodies the Queens that have come before her much better than her most recent predecessor who sat on the throne quietly while her fool of a husband went to war with Kumosenkan something Meridieth and Rufus warned against. Meridieth does show a loving and warm nature to her husband and daughter but tends to keep the domestic affairs of the Kingdom functioning alongside the Taoiseach while her husband deals with foreign affairs. 



Richard O'Donnell
Clan: O'Donnell
Age: 45

O'Donnell was a career military man in the Royal Army before entering politics roughly a decade ago. O'Donnell rides on a platform of increasing military spending, anti-Kumosenkan politics, and the preservation of the Second Empire of Ulster-Gaelia. O'Donnell is a blunt and rather to the point individual which leaves him better suited to the functions of overseeing the military, domestic issues and close allied functions of Ulster-Gaelia rather than participate in foreign arrangements making the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have a priority of sending diplomats to new nations over the militant Taoiseach. O'Donnell is a veteran of the Kumo-Gaelic war and earned a set of scars on the left side of his face during the ground war on Hawaii, O'Donnell became effective at killing Kumo ground troops in the later stage of the conflict and was considered by some Gaelic troops as a demon for the brutish nature he treated them with some soldiers called him 'Black Falcon' for wearing dark and blackened clothing to better counter ambush Kumo forces at night, to this day O'Donnell only wears black and many cannot recall a time when he wore anything but black. 


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Colleen McDonald, the sole child of Rufus and Meridieth, Colleen is the young heir to the throne. She is loved by the general populace and is typically kept out of the public eye to enjoy her childhood. (she's a kid at this time).

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Territories and Geography




Eastern Keys

The Islands of Marshall, Stafford and Avalon make up a trio of islands known as the Eastern Keys. These islands are sparsely populated with small townships and villages, an airbase on Marshall employs some locals and has Royal Airforce patrols up the channel carried out. The main source of income for the islands is usually boat traffic stopping in to rest at the inns or sell off fish caught by the local fishermen living on the keys.

Alba

Alba is the largest island in the region, the central heart of the Kingdom of Ulster-Gaelia, it has several cities, industrial centers, large towns, crucial ports and home to the monarch and parliament. Alba is home to over a thousand years of historical significance that gave rise to a civilization based on the island chain, hundreds of castles dot the region either abandoned or made into historical sites/museums for tourists. Alban natives have a strong harsh accent that makes them sound aggressive to foreigners despite the laid back nature many of them exempt. Southern Alba is defined with several cities and towns close to one another while the central region and North are less populated and have more open country and farms.

Faroe

The Western most island, Faroe is mostly green countryside with only two large cities both located on the Eastern coast. Faroe is home to most of the farms for Ulster-Gaelia and supplies almost all the beef and dairy to the island nation. Faroe locals have a lighter accent than Albans and typically find the main island's politics bothersome and annoying. Historically Faroe has always been an island that toys with the idea of splitting from the United Kingdom due to Clan Gordon having their home there and being one of the largest and wealthiest Clans in Ulster-Gaelia. 

Mid islands

Solsthiem and Tannak are two islands between Faroe and Alba, the islands are lightly populated but serve as critical points to transport goods between the two islands. Tannak the Southern most isle is home to a unique breed of crab called the Langford after the Clan that originally fished and ate from them. Their large numbers during the Winter make fishing them a multi million pound industry and the crabs are considered a delicacy. Clan Langford who primarily operate on the island permit private boats and small fisheries to fish in their waters but keep foreign crab fisherman out making it a near exclusive market for Ulster-Gaelians. 

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UKUG Railway network

Following the Rail Act of 1878 all Gaelic railroads are now privatized and heavily regulated by the Ministry of Transportation. With rail making over 90% of land travel for passengers and cargo the rail industry is very lucrative. The two largest companies are Wallace Rail and Great Western Railway with some smaller companies filling in certain areas and markets. 


Wallace Rail

Owned and operated by Clan Wallace, Wallace Rail is the largest railroad company in Ulster Gaelia operating in Alba, Cricon and on some of the smaller islands. Wallace Rail runs hundreds of lines that distribute passengers and cargo across their network areas, they also research and develop locomotive technology as well as produce parts for other companies. Wallace Railway locomotives are known for their royal blue or black paint schemes.

Caledonian 812, Wallace Rail's finest locomotive and their workhorse model

Great Western Railway

Headquartered in Cladai Orga, GWR is the second largest railroad company in the UKUG and a direct competitor to Wallace Railway. GWR operates in Faroe and Zedonia the latter it is tasked with expanding the rail network of the colony. GWR is a publicly owned company compared to its privately owned rival and has attempted to match Wallace rail in everything from passenger services on coaches to locomotive development. GWR locomotives are painted green. 

GWR pannier D-3 tank engine in Jamestown, Zedonia

Ethel-Carmichael

A small rail company located on Tannak and Solstheim, they primarily ship cargo to towns inland but some passenger lines do carry people from town to ports. The small company is family owned by two prominent clans Clan Ethel and Clan Carmichael who employ the local population. Their locomotives are hand made in their own shops and have a unique look to them. They use yellow as a color scheme. 

ECR Stepney locomotive transporting passengers across Solstheim

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The Colonies

Established during the height of the Ulster-Gaelian Empire 1523-1669, the Outer Colonies are still territories of Ulster-Gaelia to this day, the colonies have the same representative power as the main islands. The natives in these territories have equal rights to natural born citizens of the UK and as a result the colonies have been extremely stable under UK rule.


Oceanic Islands

These small islands have served as supply ports for the Royal navy and Merchant fleets for centuries. These islands are lightly populated and are typically undesirable to live compared to the main islands and other colonies. 

Cricon

The colony of Cricon is one of the most important territories of the UK, Cricon serves as a major military post for the Outer Colonies as well as the industrial heart of the Western region. Cricon Celts have over time, developed their own accents and culture. 

Touli territories (Zedonia)

The Touli colonies are Ulster-Gaelia's least developed and largest region in landmass. The native population was quickly assimilated into Celtic society and earned equality rather quickly. The territory dubbed Zedonia serves predominately as the largest agricultural state and a massive lumber industry. The colony openly accepts immigrants to help develop the under developed western reaches.

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Major Cities


Baile Glas

The central heart of the United Kingdom of Ulster-Gaelia, Baile Glas is one of the oldest cities in the world and has been a major center of trade and commerce for over 700 years. The city has been the seat of power in Ulster-Gaelia ever since Eddard the Black named it his capital following the war of unification 1192-1207. The city has centuries of history well preserved by a well-mannered population, the capital of the United Kingdom is nestled in the Southeast of Alba touching the coastline and is home to numerous large ports. 



Baile Glas circa 1930, the Emerald Palace overseeing the city as one of the oldest keeps in the kingdom.


Cathair Iarainn

The largest city in Ulster-Gaelia, Cathair Iarainn is home to dozens of industries and banking institutions earning its name "the iron city". Cathair Iarainn has grown immensely in the last century with industrialization being home to millions of Gaelians who work in and around the city. Cathair Iarainn is located in Northern Alba. Cathair Iarainn compared to the capital is far more modern and considered the second most important city in the entire empire.

A montage of Cathair Iarainn showing the modern development growing in the city.

Baile Abhainn

Located in Central Alba, Baile Abhainn is considered to be the battleground city. Being situated on the Orlan River, Baile Abhainn was a critical important city during the warring clan era (978-1190) as controlling gave firm control to the river and the fertile farmland nearby. York has the most castles and keeps of any city in Ulster-Gaelia and hundreds of historical markers from the city's historic role in Ulster-Gaelia's rise as a nation. Even today, it is a battleground for political parties within Parliament, the city has been known to swing political power within Parliament and has been home to four Prime Ministers. Baile Abhainn is also home to several major military bases and training camps for the Royal Army, cadets can be seen almost year-round within the city.

Tír na sean



An old city located in Western Alba, Tir na Sean is home to the Ulster-Gaelian fishing industry and textile industry. The city is the smallest of the major centers on Alba and considered by many as the best little city in the realm. Tir na Sean has several ancient Celtic ruins and is the burial location of Queen Boudicca, the Celtic Queen who waged war against oceanic raiders and defended the islands as its first real ruler. Tir na Sean is the least traveled to city in Ulster-Gaelia by traders, tourists and other outsiders save historians who want to study the ruins. 

Cladai Orga

The largest city on Faroe, Cladai Orga is home to the Ulster-Gaelian auto industry, beer brewing, and its beef industry. Cladai Orga easily rivals any city on Alba as the only major city on Faroe and home to several multi-million pound producing companies. Cladai Orga has a huge tourism draw due to its beautiful layout, friendly atmosphere and of course massive selection of dark beer bars.

Sliabh

The central city on Cricon, Sliabh was founded in 1678 by Gaelian colonists and has been a major trade center for the Shawbalt sea ever since. Sliabh is a heavily industrialized city and boasts itself as one of the wealthiest and more developed cities in the region. Sliabh is located in the Northeast coast of Cricon.

Gael Nua

The Second largest city on Cricon, Gael Nua is home to a large chemical development industry that makes pesticides and fertilizer. Gael Nua is also one of the most modern built cities in Ulster-Gaelia having a new aesthetic in comparison to other settlements.

Jamestown 


The Western most city of the Touli colony, Jamestown is located in the Western region and is the colony's agricultural center. Jamestown oversee's hundreds of small villages and towns scattered across the colony and a massive farming and logging industry. Jamestown was established in 1690 and named for the current monarch at the time King James Campbell who pushed for exploration and colonization of undiscovered territories at the time. 

Sepedia

Sepedia is the capital of the Touli Colony of Zedonia, located on the East Coast it is a major port city for trade and commerce for the colony. It is also the governing seat of Zedonia and Gaelia's center of power on the Touli continent. 

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Parliament

Implemented following the War of the Rose almost 595 years ago, Parliament serves as the elected voice and balance to the Emerald throne. Since its inception it has become a massive body of government representing 700 districts of the United Kingdom and being seated in Edinburgh within the Green Hall a large building that houses the large assembly. UKUG Parliament's sheer size can make decisions and votes rather drawn out and the diversifying of political parties in the last fifty years has seen more power being taken away from the old powers that be. 

The parties

Common House Party

Founded in 1793, the Common House Party seeks to bring power to the common people of the UKUG. The Common House has held Parliament majority more elections than any party in the UKUG and is seen as the party responsible for the Crown Health Act 1889 giving accessible health insurance to citizens, pushing for better wages in the work force and pushing for Parliament to have more power from the Emerald throne. 

Nationalist Gaelia Party

A Warhawk party that wants to instill military spending increases and expand the Gaelic Empire over Touli. The current Taoiseach is a member of this party and the Nationalist have gained immense ground following the Kumo war. 

Royalist Party

The oldest active party in Parliament, the Royalist are primarily filled with upper classmen and members of the Clan nobility. The party plays a huge role in the Court of Succession and selection process of the monarchy. Royalist push for the overall wellbeing of the realm at perhaps the cost of the common man, they seek to bring wealth to the state and power to the monarchy. 

Libertarian Party

A newer power in Parliament, Libertarians want a smaller government and the outright abolishment of the monarchy. They are exceedingly popular in Zedonia where a movement to Republicanize the UKUG gained ground in the 1920's but has slowly lost steam. 

Socialist Party

Founded in 1893 from splintered members of the Common House Party, the Socialist party wants to implement socialism in the UKUG and remove the monarchy to install a proper elected head of state. The Socialist are pacifist in their movement but due to the Common House Party fulfilling some of their objectives they tend to be one of the smaller political forces in the UKUG.

Nationalist Socialist Party

The newest party in Ulster-Gaelia. The Nationalist Socialist Party (NSP) are an ethno driven political force that wants to establish Ulster-Gaelia as a global hegemon. The NSP want a far larger military, the role of Taoiseach to be head of state and the removal of all non Galiecs from the nation. They are the smallest player in Parliament due to their race driven politics not being popular with many in the UKUG, however they've gained ground due to Kumo hate being a popular thing in the UKUG. 

Workers Party


The Workers party pushes for workers' rights and the improvement of working conditions and expanded rural representation in the Gaelic Parliament. 

Others

Parties that are too small to be recognized or even independent candidates. 

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Gaelic Ministries

Ministry of Interior 

Responsible for the function of lower government offices, Minister of Interior upkeeps the flow and regulation of the UKUG lower government and administrates the Royal Police. 

Ministry of Defense

Oversees the Royal military branches and is headed by the Minister of Defense who is usually an experienced military officer, the MoD is responsible for the defense of Ulster-Gaelia and her allies.  

Ministry of the Court

Judicial branch and collection of the royal courts of the UKUG.

Ministry of Coin

Regulates the banking institutions, finance firms of Ulster-Gaelia. Protects the integrity of the UKUG pound. 

Ministry of Education 

Ensures the proper function of public and private schools, colleges and secondary educational institutions. 

Ministry of Media

Oversees the distribution of books, radio shows, sporting events and other forms of media consumed by the people. 

Ministry of Transportation

Governs the railroads, roads, shipping and airways going into and outbound of Ulster-Gaelia. 

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Organizes diplomats and missions to establish ties, trade pacts and negotiate for the UKUG.

Ministry of Trade

Regulates the flow of foreign and domestic trade.

Ministry of Agriculture

Governs the farming, logging, fishing, and food distribution industries of Ulster-Gaelia. 

Ministry of Firearms and Outdoors

Enforces civilian firearm regulation and hunting activities. Double as a wildlife and nature reserve preservation arm of the UKUG government to preserve parks. 

Ministry of Labor

Oversees Gaelic labor rights and guarantees safety regulations are followed. 

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UKUG map update.