Cradenza
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| Flag of Cradenza | |
| Motto: "Semper Eadem" | |
| No Map Available Yet | |
| Region | Haiku |
|---|---|
| Capital | Dahon |
| Official Language(s) | Cradenzian, English, French, Russian |
| Leader | Grand Duchess Dascha Shimano |
| Population | Over 100 Million |
| Currency | Link |
| NS Sunset XML | |
Background
The Grand Duchy of Cradenza was formerly a constitutional monarchy, now a democracy with a beloved “Royal figurehead”. All actual governmental decisions are made either via Parliament or national vote. Cradenza is currently a part of the region of Haiku.
History
The Founding of Cradenza
Many years ago, Cradenza was made up of a series of loosely-affiliated feudal kingdoms, each headed by a warlord (or simply “Lord”). The warlord Mikhail Shimano organized the kingdoms to repel the Barbarian Invasion and was proclaimed the first Grand Duke of Cradenza.
The Golden Age
The reign of Grand Duke Mikail III (“The Great”) is generally accepted as the Golden Age of Cradenza. It was during his reign that the formerly insular country established its first permanent foreign contacts, initiated mandatory military service for protection of the Duchy, declared equal rights for all citizens under the law, and enacted the first environmental protections with the establishment of the Grand Ducal Reserves.
Constitutional Monarchy
After the disasterous reigns of Boris II (“The Mad”) and Pavel I (“The Dissolute”), the ascension of Alexei II was met with widespread hope by his long-suffering subjects. It was after his marriage to a woman from a nearby democracy, Grand Duchess Greta “The Voter” that he implemented the first reforms to the monarchy. Before his death, he had turned the country over to rule by Parliament.
Democracy
Upon the death of Alexei II, the people voted to retain the Grand Ducal office, making his daughter, Grand Duchess Olga I, the first “figurehead” ruler of Cradenza. This tradition continues even today, with the Grand Ducal representative playing a mostly ceremonial role in the country’s government.
Ruling Grand Dukes/Duchesses
Mikhail Shimano, "The Uniter"
Alexei I, "The Heir"
Tatiana I “First Lady of Cadenza”
Peter III “Trey”
Kyril I "The Boy Duke"
Marie I “Second Lady of Cradenza”
Mikail III “The Great”
Boris II “The Mad”
Pavel I “The Dissolute”
Alexei II “The Democrat”
Economy
The government levies taxes at varying rates determined by the needs of the Duchy, currently sitting at approximately 30%, with higher taxes for the wealthy. Most tax revenue is channeled in to Defense and Environmental Protections. Tourism accounts for a great deal of Cradenzian revenue, though the top industry is Soda Sales (CZ Cola has become a worldwide phenomenon).
Culture
Cradenzians are known for their intense patriotism and adoration of national holidays. Approximately 1/3 of Cradenzian holidays were originally created merely to give employees a day off of work.
Ethnicity
While the citizenry is technically mostly Russian, they identify themselves as Cradenzian. Many Cradenzian families make it a point of pride that they have lived and married Cradenzian for several generations.
Religion
There is no established national religion, but citizens are guaranteed complete religious freedom by the articles established by Mikhail the Great. Every major Cradenzian city will generally contain a multitude of churches, mosques, temples, and other houses of worship.
Language
The recognized languages are Cradenzian, English, Russian, and French. The diplomatic language is English.
Government and Policy
Uniting of the Cradenzian Kingdoms
Before its unification under the first Grand Duke, the various Cradenzian kingdoms had maintained no cohesive structure and operated as singular entities, each ruled by its own Warlord.
Upon unification, the various citizens of the former kingdoms (now known as townships) were each given a Minister, whose responsibility it was to report his townships’ needs to the Grand Duke.
Adoption of Constitution
With the adoption of a constitution, the Ministers were retained and now reported to the Prime Minister. In addition, each township was given two members of Parliament to vote on behalf of their citizens. Under the constitutional system, the Grand Ducal representative maintains a rarely-used power of veto.
Regions of Cradenza
There are nine distinct townships contained within Cradenza, each based upon the ancient boundaries of the old kingdoms.
Dahon
Dahon Township is home of the capital of Dahon, containing the houses of Parliament, the Lemur Palace, the Prime Minister’s Palace, and foreign embassies. It also contains the barracks of the Grand Ducal guard and the First Calvary division, the most celebrated branches of the Cradenzan army.
Toniq
Toniq Township is home of the city of Toniq, site of the triumph of Cradenza over the barbarians in the Battle of Toniq. Site of the Battle of Toniq National Historical Monument.
Mariner
Mariner Township is the south-eastern coastal township and home of Mariner City, Cradenza’s main seaport. Site of the Mariner Grand Ducal Naval Base.
Jak
Jak Township is located to the south of Toniq and is mostly agrarian. Known as the bread-basket of Cradenza, its largest town is also named Jak and is the site of the National Food Processing Center.
Tulos
Tulos Township is the south-western coastal township and home of Tulosgrad and the Tulosgrad Air Station and Cradenzian Air Academy.
Jadek
Jadek Township is immediately to the west of Dahon Township, and its main city is Jadeko, barracks of the Second Calvary division and First Infantry division. It is mainly known for the lavish country estates that dot the landscape, as its close proximity to Dahon makes it a favorite get away for the Cradenzian elite.
Yul
Yul Township is site of thousands of acres of virgin rainforest and is patrolled by the Ministry of Preservation by land and air continually to guard against deforestation. A favorite of tourists, its largest city is the tourist-mecca of Yulan.
Zuul
Zuul Township stands to the east between Dahon and the ocean. It is the site of the Grand Ducal vacation home of Spaala. Spaala is the usual site of “casual” or unofficial diplomatic meetings.
Talin
Talin Township is the home of the city of Talinise and the industrialized section of Cradenza. It is home to factories, manufacturing plants, the Nuclear Power Project, and the CZ Cola bottling facility.
