The Republic of Kaskiv is a sovereign state located to the east of the Divine Republic of Kresimiria. It shares a long, flat border with the districts of Kakerovecska and Pologradska.
Historically a province of the Vosti Empire, Kaskiv is Kresimiria’s most stable and friendly neighbor. Unlike the hostile southern border with Boskenmark or the chaotic western frontier with Valkaristan, the eastern border is open to trade and relatively demilitarized.
Kaskiv is a secular parliamentary republic with an economy based on vast agricultural steppes and natural gas extraction. It plays a critical role in the Kresimirian economy, supplying the natural gas that powers the heavy industry of Novi Otonik and serving as a secondary market for Kresimirian technology exports.
History
The Eastern Province (Pre-1918)
Under the Vosti Empire, Kaskiv was the “Imperial Granary.” Culturally similar to the Kresimirian east, the region was nonetheless distinct for its lack of religious zealotry. While Kresimiria was dominated by the Sanctian Church, Kaskiv developed a more secular, mercantile culture focused on the grain trade along the great steppe rivers.
The Velvet Exit (1918)
During the Collapse of the Vosti Empire in 1918, Kaskiv achieved independence without bloodshed, a sharp contrast to the Kresimirian Unification War.
As the Empire disintegrated, the local governor in Kasgrad simply declared the Republic and nationalized the imperial garrisons. Kresimirian General Dominik Loncar, occupied with the war in the south and west, signed the Treaty of Kasgrad (1919), a non-aggression pact that recognized Kaskiv’s borders in exchange for neutrality. This allowed Loncar to pull troops from the eastern front to besiege Ravna Skrad.
The Energy Partnership (1980s–Present)
Relations deepened in the 1980s. As Kresimiria industrialized under Ljubo Sanjakorin, it needed more energy than its domestic coal and hydro sources could provide. Kaskiv, having discovered massive natural gas reserves in its eastern steppe, became the primary supplier. The construction of the Trans-Republic Pipeline in 1985 linked the gas fields of Kaskiv directly to the steelworks of Maj Steel in Novi Otonik.
Politics and Society
Kaskiv is a secular democracy, a fact that often causes friction with the Kresimirian Council for Divinity.
- Religion: While Kresimirianism mandates religious adherence for citizenship, Kaskiv has no state religion. The Sons of Kresimir frequently denounce Kaskiv as a “godless bazaar,” warning against the cultural influence of Kaskivian television and literature crossing the border.
- Diplomacy: Despite ideological differences, the Council for Foreign Affairs prioritizes the relationship. Kaskiv serves as a diplomatic buffer, protecting Kresimiria’s eastern flank.
Economy
Agriculture
Kaskiv competes with Ravna Skrad in wheat production. However, through the Eastern Trade Accords, the two nations have established quotas to prevent price wars. The National Grain Trust frequently purchases Kaskivian grain during drought years to maintain the strategic reserve.
Energy
The Kresimirian industrial sector is dependent on Kaskivian gas.
- The Pipeline: Operated jointly by National Energy and the Kaskiv State Gas Company, the pipeline is considered critical infrastructure.
- Leverage: Kaskiv occasionally uses gas prices as leverage in trade negotiations, forcing Kresimiria to lower tariffs on Kaskivian consumer goods.
Cross-Border Life
The border is defined by the flat steppe, marked only by customs posts.
- Novi Otonik: The city has a significant Kaskivian expatriate community, working in logistics and trade.
- Smuggling: While less severe than in the west, there is a steady flow of “secular contraband” (uncensored books and films) entering Kresimiria through the eastern checkpoints, often distributed by the CRF-aligned underground.
— END OF FILE republic_of_kaskiv.md —
Retrospective Updates
For the Novi Otonik article:
Update to “Economy”: The city’s heavy industry is powered by the Trans-Republic Pipeline, which delivers natural gas directly from the Republic of Kaskiv. This energy link makes Novi Otonik strategically dependent on friendly relations with the eastern neighbor, influencing the pragmatic foreign policy views of the district’s CRF representatives.
For the National Energy article:
Update to “Infrastructure”:
- The Eastern Connector: NE manages the Kresimirian side of the gas pipeline from Kaskiv. This import channel provides the fuel for the gas-fired peaker plants that stabilize the grid when the northern coal plants or western dams fluctuate in output.
For the Collapse of the Vosti Empire article:
Update to “The Partition”:
- The Kaskiv Exit: The eastern province of Kaskiv achieved a “Velvet Exit.” By quickly declaring neutrality and signing a non-aggression pact with the Centralist Faction, Kaskiv avoided the devastation of the Unification War, establishing itself as a stable, secular republic while Kresimiria descended into conflict.