When the New World was discovered, most people that settled there were citizens of countries in the Old World. There were no natives found there, just odd wildlife and beautiful landscapes. Life there was seen as a vacation and expeditions for research, money, money, gold, money, and silver. Roughly 50 years into the New World's discovery, a small group of explorers struck it rich. They were in a massive cave, and were lost in it, until they found a small section of the cave that "was lined with shiny bits as far as the eye could see" and got to work mining. The explorers were possibly the richest men on Serva, New World ores and metals were seen as very valuable, even if Old World equivalents had more practical use.
The expedition leader declared that they would give 1/10 to their masters, and keep the rest hidden. However, the rest of the explorers went into mutiny, and while the leader prepared to set sail back to Europa, they strangled him with ship rope. The small group of 32 men and 15 women, the explorer's cooks and wives, found themselves without a leader. They brought the ship ashore and used its wood to get small homes together, and got to work building settlements. Population increased there as more explorers found themselves lured into riches and glory. They joined the new nation: The Fordi.
The Fordi culture admires its history, and its mother country of Italia. The Italians do not share this admiration. They enjoy rum, cod, and hunting game. The Fordi are not very advanced, having just reached the Industrial Revolution. But they maintain their old culture, not wanting to let go of what they believe has worked so well for many centuries.
The Fordi were genetically descended from Italia. They created the very first of the New World nations. Its military would come to rely on infantry and navy. They view the Gallian War as a pointless one, and remain neutral. However, in fear that their country should someday go to war, they mobilize nonetheless.
(Represent the Vikings)