Eorpa
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| Flag of Eorpa | |
| Motto: "Peace is Only a Dove's Flight Away" | |
| No Map Available Yet | |
| Region | Sheogorath |
|---|---|
| Capital | Haen |
| Official Language(s) | Eorpan (A Bastardisation of English) |
| Leader | Aes Hasatha |
| Population | 7 Million |
| Currency | Eor |
| NS Sunset XML | |
Contents
The Democratic Republic of Eorpa
"Peace is Only a Dove's Flight Away"
Beginnings
Many years ago, a lone man from the Armed Republic of Volghon was able to escape from the oppresion of that nation. His name was Aesthatar. He managed to flee to a neighbouring nation, and after a time set out alone. He gathered to him people who were displeased with their governments, for whatever reason, and together they formed a small community, orignally a Province of the Republic of Irashiru, and abided by the rules of that Nation. However, after several years, when Aesthatar was in his final days, as a reward for military service the Province of Eorpa had provided Irashiru, Eorpa was granted independence, and a large plot of land. They added to this in a series of wars with Volghon, and soon grew to match their first ruler's Home Nation.
Since those days, it has been tradition for the rulers of Eorpa to take on pseudonyms, often beginning with 'Aes' and often using that as a seperate word, as in the ninth Prince of Eorpa, Aes Caradin.
Beliefs
The Old Gods
The Eorpans, perhaps as a reminder of their founder's Volgha heritage, worshipped the same deities as Volghon, albeit with less sacrificial offerings, and more thanksgiving and praise. The Nine, as they were called, were split into two groups. First were the Elder Gods, Vatar (the King of Gods, called the Creator), Tyrus (Patron of Soldiers, and the most powerful warrior known to Man), Caalrax (Patron of the Mind, it is He who gifts mortals with thought) and Anghrist (also called the Xanthous, he is the God of Blood). The four Elder Gods created the world, and had a hand in shaping it. The other five, called the Lesser Gods, were called Bael (God of the Fire, often revered as an Elder God), Rinan (Lord of the Waters, given a status alike to Bael), Lyft (Queen of the Winds), Gaia (Goddess of the Harvest) and Eorobueund (Father of the Mountains and the Valleys).
The Pantheon were often used to explain the unexplainable, for example the Eruption of Mount Niyor and the resulting ash storms, tidal waves and earth tremors were said to be the Lesser Gods fighting off the evil of Anghrist after the death of Vatar and the disappearance of Caalrax and Tyrus. The full documentation of this can be found in the Saga of the NightBlade, written in ancient times by an unknown and uncredited author.
The New System
Eventually, as with all things, free-thinkers were able to find holes in the stories of the Gods. This led to the creation of the Commune of Free Men, a 'Political Party' (if it could be called that, it was more of a collection of individuals who did not believe in the Old Divinities) who sought to entirely eradicate the Pagan religion. They achieved this when in 1678 Prince Zarkon the Shrewd learned of the Commune of Free Men. He agreed with their policies, and over the next twelve years removed Paganism as the official religion. Of course, there are still those who worship the Old Gods, and throughout the history of Eorpa there have been innumerable efforts to reinstate Paganism, all failing due to lack of popular support.
Thanks to Eorpa's Freedom of Worship, there are no penalties for worshipping the Old Ones, but those who do keep it a guarded secret, for fear of reprisal within the community, as they are hopelessly outnumbered. It would seem that any chance of reinstating Paganism died with its last advocate, Prince Aes Dior.
Misc. Beliefs
There are several traditions held within Eorpa, several dating back to time when they were thralls of Volghon. For instance the offering of bread when visiting another's home dates back to when poverty wracked the nation, and the wealthy would donate their bread to others when they made the rounds through the villages.
Another such tradtion was act of knocking thrice on a doorframe before entering a room. This was the recognised secret code for members of the anti-Volgha resistance that Aesthatar was a member, and eventual leader of. Also, other traditions are the result of the variety of different nationalities that comprise Eorpa, such as the Syria Majoran fear of whistling held in many places.
Political Views
Election of the Princes
Being a Democratic Nation, Eorpa maintains the unusual practice of electing their monarch. The monarch, called the Prince (as a sign of deference to Irashiru, called the Kingland), is chosen one month after the death of the previous ruler. It is common practice for the heir of the dead Prince to run for the rulership, but they are often discouraged, as the six cases where the heir won the election, claims of vote rigging were rife, five of the six ended up abdicating after no more than a month (the other dying of mysterious causes).
The election itself is typical of a democratic nation. It is held four weeks after the death of the previous ruler (the first week being dedicated to national mourning, and the following three set aside for the canditates to campaign). The Prince is decided by secret ballot, and after a week for the counting of the votes by two different companies, and the checking of any discrepancies, the new Prince is crowned. The ruler of Irashiru is traditionally the one who places the Golden Circlet on the Prince's head, but this has not been possible a handful of times in the nation's history.
The Prince then has near total control of the nation. This of course has led to more than one Prince going slightly mad, and passing irrational laws. One such Prince banned the flushing of toilets, and another put a tax on sexual intercourse. These Princes were always deposed one way or another soon enough, and always accorded the proper respect in death.
Reign and Powers of the Princes
It is traditional for Princes to be elected late in life, and to reflect this a law was passed making the minimum age for candidacy 65. This then means the Princes rule for the rest of their natural life, unless they abdicate or for some reason they find themselves unable to rule, in which case the Council takes over until the Prince recovers, or dies (see below).
The Prince has near total power over Eorpa. He is able to create legislation and pass it without the consent of any other party, his seal is enough to deem it law.
The Council of the Twelve
The Government of Eorpa is called the Council of the Twelve (often just called the Council). They meet twice every month (except during the harvest) and discuss state affairs. It is not uncommon for the Prince to be present at these meetings, to oversee the discussions.
The Council is used as a communications point between the Common folk and the Prince. The Council suggest laws, and the Prince decides if they are to be passed. If the law is rejected, the Council rewords it, and adjusts the terms, and puts it before the Prince again. This can happen a total of three times. If on the third time the bill is rejected, it is abandoned completely, and may not be put forward to that Prince again. If on the final time the Prince accepts, it becomes a temporary law, lasting only as long as the Prince. This does not occur if the bill is passed first or second time.
Economy
The economy of Eorpa relies on their numerous exports. They grow large amounts of Cocoa and Coffee, as well as some Tea and Sugar. The surrounding countries who Eorpa has trade agreements with buy these for high prices, contributing to Eorpa's thriving economy.
They also import some produce, chiefly from Irashiru. These include Cotton and some meat. The goverment see to it that food is distributed where it is needed, which leads to the lack of poverty in the country.
Alliances and Emnities
The main enemy of Eorpa is Volghon. The two have never agreed, and the Leaders of Volghon have always said they have a claim to the throne, since the nation was founded by a Volghan.
Eorpa has many allies, though, and it is for this reason that Volghon has never dared invade. The main allies are Irashiru and Richanchu. They have always seen eye to eye, and have retained diplomatic ties during even the most turbulent times in Sheogaroth.
Then there is Intermundia. Its Facist doctrines have always contradicted with Eorpa's liberal outlook, and the two have almost come to blows several times.
All Names and Places Mentioned in the Above Article are Copyright Thomas McDowall 2006
