Dacia (Principia Moderni III Map Game)

The Principality of Wallachia, proudly ruled by its Voivode and Boyar council, sits along the north bank of the mighty Danube, and west of the fierce Black Sea. The state serves as a buffer state between the Ottoman Empire and the Empire of Poland-Lithuania.

History
Wallachia's history as a country is very short, only completely independent for roughly 70 years by 1400, however the western half had been part of the Roman Empire many years before, and then was heavily influenced by the Byzantines. During the age of Migrations before Rome fell the area was occupied by the Goths and Sarmatians, who conducted much trade with the romans. Later the area was part of the First Bulgarian Empire and then fell under Pecheneg rule until 1091 when the Cumans defeated them. After this a period of unorganization and minor viodviates dominated by the Kingdom of Hungary followed until 1241 and the Mongolian invasion, during which a direct mongol rule is probable but not known to be true. Then in 1272 a record shows that Litovio, a powerful local ruler in Wallachia refused to pay tribute to the king, after this Hungarian hold over Wallachia falters, until 1330 when Basarab I defeated Charles I of Hungary.

Useful links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:History_of_Wallachia

http://romerica.com/rom/hist_emp_ad1400_ov.htm#h4Boost

Economy
Several larger towns support a thriving trade network dominated by german merchants, who bring many goods from the rest of Europe in exchange for expensive salt.

Major Exports: Salt, Agricultural Products

Imports: Metals, Maufactured goods

Social
There are several major distinctions between Wallachia peseants and western european serfs, most notably that all Wallachia peseants were origionaly free persons, however there are some serfs. Also the nobility of Wallachia, its Boyars, have a much greater amount of power compared to their western counterparts resulting in an uncenteralized system of government.

Military
Wartime Army: 30,000-40,000 (mainly volunteer peasants determined to defend the fatherland)

Peacetime Army: <5,000 (The Voivode has very little power over the lords unless supported by a magority)