Selbstschutzverband

Selbstschutzverband (Luthoran: Self protection association) are political, economic and cultural associations of Volksdundorfische operated in countries where the majority government is not Volksdundorfische. These units are located in Rutania, Kirlawa and Aloria. They were previously active in Ikradon and Dorvik, they have either collapsed entirely or serve a lesser purpose in these countries. These self protection units were founded as the basic level of organization for Volksdundorfische throughout Artania, they act as a meeting place for those Volksdundorfische who would otherwise have no contact with other Volksdundorfische throughout their respective countries. Selbstschutzverband are linked closely to the Volksdundorfische Cultural Association who help provide finance, information and organization to the groups.

The first selbstschutzverband was organized in Dorvik in 1813 and then subsequently expanded to Rutania and Kirlawa in 1814 and eventually to Aloria in 1815. The first non-Artanian Selbstschutzverband was organized of Volksdundorfische in Al'Badara as a pre-emptive "fifth column" to the eventual Badaran Protectorate.

Militant culture
A large majority of the Selbstschutzverband were former military members of the Dundorfian Reichsheer, they eventually came to join the Selbstschutzverband because it offered a means of fraternity. The self protection units were originally established as paramilitary organizations to fight against rising national governments as the Dundorfian Reich collapsed underneath the weight of self-determination of national cultures during the 20th century. This lead to the self protection units to arm themselves as well as develop a highly centralized rank structure (which would later be borrowed by several nationalistic Dundorfian, Dorvish and other Volksdundorfische political parties) and a sometimes xenophobic culture. The Volksdundorfische Cultural Association has attempted to shed this image of a militant organization but the self protection units in Kirlawa continue to take this image with them wherever they go.