Capitollium

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Capitollium
Guncath6.png
Flag of Capitollium
Motto: "Aut Pax Aut Bellum"
See Europe
Region Europe
Capital Wyndhaven
Official Language(s) English, High Gunnish
Leader First Citizen Edward MacIntyre
Population +4.5 billion
Currency Gunnmark (ġ) 
NS Sunset XML

The Free Republic of Capitollium

Overview

The Free Republic of Capitollium is a large European republic notable for its libertarian government, powerful globalized economy, and international leadership. Capitollium, also correctly called Gunnlandia, is a leader in all three areas.

General Information

Conventional Long Form: The Free Republic of Capitollium
Conventional Short Form: Capitollium (or Gunnlandia)
Government Type: Republic
Data Code: GU

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Edward MacIntyre, the Libertarian First Citizen of the Free Republic
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Cheif of State: First Citizen Edward MacIntyre


Abbreviated History

The name Capitollium is an Anglicanization of Karpoutelos (Greek for 'the end of fruit'), a name legend attributes to Phillip the Shipwright saying "It is the end of fruit-eating for us" when he lead his Alephite people to the barren shores of the country somewhere around 40 A.D. The Alephites, a tiny community fleeing persecution for their faith in Palestine, brought Christianity to the rocky shores of the country along with their name. They also brought their beautiful art, architecture, and democratic government. All of this would shape the culture of the new nation, as would their less progressive institution of slavery.

From their citadels at Andros and Thassalos, Alephites and Lord Phillip encountered a society of warring tribes, namely the Dalmyrs and Ogradas (ancient Sutherlanders). But the Seven Alephite Cities in what would become the Capitollium city would witness the subjugation of the Ogradas by Ferchar Stronghands, a half-legendary tribal leader who then turned to exact tribute from Phillip in the form of precious metals, timber, exotic products of Alephite trade, and most importantly women. As a result of the latter, the small Alephites have disappeared as a distinct race, though they left a strong impact.

The fourth of the four major races to shape modern Capitollium bestowed upon the country its more popular name, Gunnlandia. The Northmen, or Gunns, lead by Gunnar the Conqueror swept through the country in 813. With superior arms and tactics, they overwhelmed the Dalmyrs and their subject peoples. Their militaristic regime expanded their newly-unified country to its present borders.

A native king, Fergus the Great, overthrew the Invader Kings' dynasty but it was too late to erase their tremendous impact upon the nation. The miscegenation of the two peoples created a new race of Gunnishmen that would be marked by Alexander Half-Breed's usurpation of the throne.

See main article, History of Gunnlandia

Politics

Government

Citizens' Congress

A 500-member legislature with wide powers that include electing the First Citizen, passing legislation, levying taxes, declaring war, and amending the constitution. 20 members are elected from 25 constituencies mapped by population across the country.

First Citizen

Elected by the Citizens' Congress, the First Citizen is a powerful executive who makes ministeral appointments, judicial appointments, signs treaties, and has wide powers in wartime.

Constitutional Court

The final branch of government is the Constitutional Court, an independent judiciary appointed by the First Citizen for life terms that can only rule on matters of Constitutional law.

Important Documents

Declaration of Rights

Penned in the 18th Century by Robert Wyllie, Lord Kilmarnock, it lists inalienable rights of the Gunnish citizen that have been held inviolate by the post-revolutionary governments. The Consitution gives it preeminence over any other laws in the land. The Rights are as follows:

  • The Right and Duty of LIFE, which is inalienable and undeniable under any circumstances.
  • The Right of INTELLECT, including religious belief and scientific thought.
  • The Right of EXPRESSION of anything through any nonviolent means.
  • The Right to ASSEMBLE PUBLICLY in peace without harrassment.
  • The Right to BEAR FIREARMS without regulation or infringement.
  • The Right to a FAIR TRIAL and lawful prosecution.
  • The Right to PROPERTY as just compensation of one's work.
  • The Right against CONSCRIPTION into the armed forces in peacetime.
  • The Right to REVOLT against the government which does not guarantee these freedoms.

These rights are recognized by the government unless an individual specifically repudiates them. The first Right to LIFE is also a Duty, and may not be repudiated lawfully. Life is held to be a duty and prerequisite to having any rights, and so it may not be forfeited.

The Constitution

Written in 2001 and largely amended in 2005, the Constitution organizes the government of the Free Republic and describes the relationship between the people and the state. It formalizes ancient Gunnish political thought that the government rules with the consent of the governed and the people have the right to revolt against the state that does not guarantee the Declaration of Rights.

The Cabinet

The cabinet, appointed by the First Citizen, comprises the following departments:

The Home Office

  • Secretariat of Citizens' Affairs
  • Secretariat of Justice
  • Secretariat of Commerce
  • Secretariat of the Treasury
  • Secretariat of Infastructure

The Foreign Office

  • Secretariat of Foreign Affairs
  • Secretariat of Trade

The War Office

  • The High Command
  • The Grand Admiralty

The Special Office

  • Secretariat of Intelligence
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Andria Llewelyn, the 'new face of Gunnish diplomacy' is the Undersecretary for Foreign Relations.
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  • First Citizen: Edward MacIntyre (LP)
  • Minority Whip: William Hehir (SP)
  • Secretary of Citizens' Affairs: Archibald MacLeish (LP)
  • Secretary of Justice/Attorney General: Samuel Adams (LP)
  • Secretary for Foreign Relations: Kair Heikkala (LP)
  • Secretary of Trade: Robert Block (LP)
  • Secretary of Commerce: Nigel Byrd (LP)
  • Secretary of the Treasury: Michael Lynch (LP)
  • Secretary of Infastructure: Alasdair Murphy (LP)
  • Director of Intelligence: Giles Cromarty (LP)
  • Undersecretary of Justice/Solicitor General: Thomas MacGregor (LP)
  • Undersecretary for Foreign Relations: Andria Llewelyn (LP)
  • High Commander, CSF: James Starke
  • Grand Admiral, NFC: Douglas Fitzpatrick

The Libertarian Party

With 417 of the 500 seats in the Citizens' Congress, the Libertarian Party is indisputably the strongest political power in the nation. Due to its size and prestige, it has a very specific hierarchy. It is usually considered to be the true wielder of the power of the state. The Libertarian Party is also well connected in the Church, Gunnlandian Chamber of Commerce, Council of Thrains, and Armed Forces as well as the State itself. Dissidents claim that they are often unable to procure supplies or capital to mount opposition campaigns due to the Libertarian domination of many aspects of Gunnish society.

Revolutionary Directorate

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Revolutionary hero and elder statesman, the stoic world-famous political figure Robert Wynne is the semi-retired Chairman of the Libertarian Party.
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Five men, Robert Wynne (former First Citizen; revolutionary hero), James Starke (High Commander of the Capitollic Security Forces), Jan Persson (Prelate of State for the Gunnish Catholic Church), James Ryder (COO of the Gunnlandian Chamber of Commerce), and James Wyllie (James VI King of Gunnlandia) make up the Revolutionary Directorate. It is elected by a special elections committee selected by the annual party Congress. Robert Wynne is the Chairman.

Revolutionary Guard

Nicknamed "argies (RGs)", these men are handpicked by the Chairman of the Revolutionary Directorate and protect the interests of the party in a paramilitary fashion. They provide security at meetings, rallies, and other official party events.

Defense & Intelligence

Capitollic Security Forces

Formerly the Armed Forces of the Federation, the Capitollic Security Forces include the Air Corps and the Land Corps, two prestigious branches under the command of the national High Commander. Both the Land Corps and the Air Corps have a proud history of fighting in Daracnia and Vocur in the Great Southern War. Usually, the CSF is the 'second responder', and is mobilized only in the most serious conflicts, while the Naval Forces of Capitollium are the first responders.

Naval Forces of Capitollium

Formerly the Naval Forces of the Federation, the Naval Forces of Capitollium consists of the Sea Corps and the Marine Corps, both under the command of the Grand Admiral. Both the Marine Corps and the Sea Corps have a proud history; fighting in Shahlep, the former Sussiel, Russia-Borisgad, Arkhangelskaya, Daracnia, Vocur, Novorossiya, and other flashpoints around the globe.

15AR

The government now confirms the existence of 15AR, its specialist intelligence service. 15AR, however, is not a branch of the government but a private service contracted to the Government. It is unclear what the real name of this organization is, but it is commonly called "15AR" because its Wyndhaven headquarters is 15 Avenue of the Revolution. The only known employees are the Director, who is the legal owner of the company. The company charter gives the First Citizen of the Republic the right to appoint the Director and make executive decisions that override him or her. None of the 15AR's missions have been declassified.

Yeomanry

The reserve army of Gunnlandia, or Yeomanry, is comprised of volunteers who are trained soldiers but serve part-time. The units retain their historical names. Before the formation of the CSF, the Yeomanry was the only land-based military force in the country.

Infantry

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A woodcut of two yeomen in the Croftburgh Regiment, 1793.
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  • 1st Royal Highland Fusiliers
  • 2nd Royal Highland Fusiliers
  • Duke of Fraserburgh's Own Volunteers
  • 1st Dalmyre Rifles
  • 2nd East Dalmyre Volunteers
  • Earl of Kilmarnock's Own Volunteers (Lanarkshire Regiment)
  • Earl of Kilburn's Own Volunteers (Northkirk Regiment)
  • 1st Wyndhaven Regiment
  • 2nd Wyndhaven Regiment
  • Royal Airborne
  • Sunderkirk Volunteers
  • Earl of Kinnaird's Own Regiment (Ayrshire Regiment)
  • Royal Sutherland Regiment
  • Thassalos Rifles
  • Perthshire Volunteers
  • Highgarden Volunteers
  • Royal Alephite Regiment
  • Croftburgh Regiment
  • Duke of Caithness's Own Rifles (Caithness Rifles)
  • Duke of Westcross's Own Volunteers (Westcross Volunteers)

Artillery

  • Ostgard Regiment, Royal Artillery
  • Andros Regiment, Royal Artillery
  • Royal Wealdingham Artillery
  • Duke of Wyndhaven's Own Horse Artillery (Wyndhaven Artillery)
  • Earl of Lachlan's Own Artillery Regiment (Dalmyre Artillery)

Armored

  • 3rd West Dalmyre Horse
  • Earl of Braemar's Own Lancers (Seaguard Lancers)
  • Earl of Fyvie's Own Dragoons (Kirkvaerness Dragoons)
  • Keldgard Hussars
  • Starkfield Yeomanry
  • Royal Sutherland Horse
  • Royal Capitollic Lancers
  • Earl of Caervaerlock's Own Horse (Brighthelm Horse)
  • Athenry and Acton Yeomanry
  • Rathlaig Dragoons
  • Brighthelm Yeomanry

Engineers

  • 301st Mackendrik's Engineers
  • 302nd Sinclair's Engineers
  • 303rd Mackay's Engineers
  • 304th Duncan's Engineers


Language

English is spoken primarily in Capitollium, while an archaic form of Greek is spoken in Shahlep. Many citizens are also versed in Latin, which is traditionally used in schools. Norwegian and other Nordic tongues are spoken in the east by small minorities. But the largest 'second-language of Capitollium is High Gunnish.

Hyguniş

High Gunnish is a phoenetic equivalent of English and some linguists classify it as a dialect or alternative alphabet more than a seperate language. But due to centuries of confusion among English-speakers that Gunnishmen, with their thick accents, actually speak modern English, High Gunnish has been classified invariably as a seperate language.

Alphabet

The alphabet is the same as English except for the following consonants:

  • Çç = 'ch' : church > çurç
  • Şş = 'sh' : shoe > şü
  • Ţţ = 'th' : thorn > ţorn
  • Ŋŋ = '-ng' : Flying > Flyŋ

And the following vowels:

  • Åå = 'ow' : house > hås
  • Ăă = 'aw' : saw > să
  • Øø = 'oy' : toy > tø
  • Ůů = 'ueh' : look > lůk

Long Vowels

Long vowels are always denoted by umlauts or macrons, except ī, which, in the middle of words, is written 'y'.

  • faith > fäţ
  • bee > bë
  • tie > tï
  • fire > fyr
  • vote > vöt
  • root > rüt

Other Rules

  • The English hard 'c' is always written with a 'k'.
  • The English 'w' is sometimes written 'uu', though this is now outmoded.

Common Phrases

  • Helö.

Hello.

  • Gůdbï.

Good-bye.

  • Nys tü mët yü.

Nice to meet you.

  • Hå ar yü düiŋ tüdä?

How are you doing today?

  • Dönt şüt!

Don't shoot!

  • Anuţer skotç, plës!

Another scotch, please.

  • Vöt Libertärëyun!

Vote Libertarian!

Cultural

The Land

Gunnlandian culture is based on a backbone of a conservative class of landowning yeoman farmers. A largely agrarian society, it prizes individual liberty and work ethic. Most Gunnishmen are rural farmers and shepherds, which lends to an independent lifestyle of dignified labor.

Women

Women are often excluded from parts of Gunnlandian society dominated by traditional Gunnishmen, and international groups criticize the fact no women have been electe to the Federal Congress north of the Fennbridge. Only eleven of the five hundred members are women, and most women in the rural states do not vote, though they are enfranchised. Despite this, the EU President from Capitollium, Kathryn MacIntyre, was a woman, as is the Undersecretary for Foreign Relations, Andria Llewelyn.

The Church

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Eamon Carroll is the Patriarch of Shahlep, and the leader the Gunnish Catholic Church in the tradition of his very influential predecessors.
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The Alephite Catholic Church, led by Patriarch Eamon Carroll, is in many ways simply a rite of Catholicism. Alephite Catholicism recognizes the right of the Twentish Cardinal to re-claim the authority of Peter as pope, but until then will not subject itself to the Cardinal's authority. This is still a sensitive issue, though it was largely settled by the last nationwide synod. It is also known as the Gunnish Catholic Church.

Minorities and Citizenship

Liberals also criticize treatment of minorities. Gunnishmen and Sutherlanders have traditionally been at odds, the latter being a sort of subjugated people for most of Gunnlandia's united history. Poor immigrants, often forced to work in menial service jobs (in many cases as domestic servants) are often cited by international groups as being persecuted unfairly. This is largely due to Capitollic citizenship laws, which allow for individuals to opt out of citizenship and therefore taxation. This brings the disadvantage of being protected only by the Basic Declaration of Rights and Human Freedoms, which theoretically allows a person to choose to live in slavery to another. Liberals claim that this is the unfair case with many minorities and foreigners who are not familiar with the laws of the land.

Economic

Gunnlandia has one of the strongest economies in Europe, diversified in agriculture, mining, and manufacturing. Many service based industries exist and the tertiary sector is rising due to the location of the Free Market Stock Exchange in Wyndhaven. Gunnlandia also has the largest shipping fleet and is the home of Gunnar Seaguard, the largest shipping company in Europe. The Federation maintains a series of ports throughout Europe in a free-trade alliance known as the FTA, or Federative Trade Association.

The nation's main trading partners are Kheion, Azores, and Qantrix. Other important economic links include Daracnia, Wazistan, Erlangen-Ansbach, Twente, and Great Brittania. Most of these are connected to the Federation through the FMS-ACE Trade Pact or the Federative Trade Association.

Geography

See List of Capitollic cities

A temperate climate, Capitollium has five major regions that are drawn proportionally to population for political purposes of representation. Roughly speaking, they are also geographic regions. Most famous is the Highlands, a stretch of rugged terrain at high altitudes. Ranching and farming are important to its economy. There is also the Sutherland, more of a cultural region of the Ograda people with a history of subjugation to the Gunnish race, which it has largely been assimilated into. The Coastal region is a warm coastal plain, while Dalmyre is of the same climate pattern but is urbanized and at a higher altitude. The main river, The Wash, runs from the Highlands into the Capitollium Valley and into the sea.

Landmarks

  • The Freehold: The First Citizen's residence, an ancient fortress of the Invader Kings in Wyndhaven.
  • Castle Kilmarnock: The seat of the King of Gunnlandia in Lanarkshire.
  • The Glass Halls: The meeting place of the Federal Congress in Wyndhaven.
  • The Gunnlandian Commercial Spire: The Headquarters of the Gunnlandian Chamber of Commerce.
  • St. Andrew's Cathedral: The seat of the Archbishop of Wyndhaven.
  • St. Phillip's Cathedral: The seat of the Patriarch of Shahlep in Hazeva.
  • 15 Avenue of the Revolution: The offices of the clandestine Secretariat of Intelligence in Wyndhaven.

Did You Know?

  • Full citizenship is voluntary for all Capitollics, and can only be attained after passing a proficiency exam at age 12?
  • Capitollium is often cited by the United Nations as being Europe's most liberal nation?
  • The Azorean people are descendants of ancient Dalmyrians, who are the major contributor to the modern Gunnish gene pool?
  • Some Capitollic citizens go through their entire life without seeing a government employee?
  • Capitollium ranks only behind Azores in the largest European agricultural sector?
  • Alamein claims 20 of their soldiers actually cannot fit twenty men into an APC?