When I was designing a nation for a fanfic I was thinking of, originally it was going to be Prance. The story originally was going to be princess Celestia and the mane 6 going to Prance and attend the inauguration of a new Chancellor. But what I was coming up has been done to death with the invasions, downfalls,etc,etc. I basically scrapped the idea and thought of just design and create a nation for the heck of it.

I base Uhlania and the mini-kingdoms as kind of what it would be like mixing high fantasy and Eastern European culture. I am currently designing the map layout of the overall country. Uhlania's origin story starts during the great migration, a group of ponies got separated from the main herd during the big blizzard ( see "Hearth's Warming Eve") where the ponies take refuge at the base of some mountains. That is what I have come up with so far (more on the origins after completing the nation). the feif kingdoms are basically states within the country that would act on their own accord, but is governed and protected by the main capital of Uhlania. Their are 4 total kingdoms:

1.HUSSARIA (named after the cavalry unit, made famous during the Renaissance era)

Hussaria is a state on border with Shirewood (a nation of shire horses) and Prancelvania. Hussaria is famous for its royal guard led by one of their captains, silverwing. Alot of ponies found it quite strange that a pegasus would rather take charge of the royal ground forces than air forces. To show that the earth ponies are his equal, he designed a set of armor to show that they are his equal. (I was thinking of this design for the guard ponies...it is going to be a slight challenge:

2. COSSACKISTAN (named after the group of people in Ukraine & southern Russia)

Cossackistan borders on Equestria. One of few unique things of this state is the colt's unique mane and keepers of their fine traditions (was thinking of designing the colt's mane as such) :

3. Cuirsica (named after another famous cavalry unit)

This state is bordered on the Volten sea. One of the richer states of the 4 kingdoms, Cuirsica has a large and industrious ship industry.

4. Drakhun (If you sound it out, it is Dragoon)

Drakhun provides food to the capital with its many farmlands. The state is also famous for its universities and above average intelligence amongst the population.

This is all that I have come up with so far. I will be coming up with more updates and going into more detail with the capital itself (still not done with that yet) Just to give you an idea with what I am designing for the capital, think Minas Tirith but a bit taller. Also more updates coming soon regarding origins, complete information regarding the 4 kingdoms and how they became one nation.