Highreach

Highreach

Flag of Highreach
Motto: Would you like a sticker?
Region	Alanium
Capital	The Holy City of Atrica
Official Language(s)	Atrican, English
Leader	The Guru of Highreach
Population	150 Million
Currency	ALD (Alanium Dollar)
NS Sunset XML

The Holy Empire of Highreach is a nation located in the central part of the region of Alanium. The ruler of Highreach is the Guru, who serves as the highest authority in the land as well as the head of the clergy. He is a member of the royal family, but does not make direct descisions in the government. Instead, the people are free to elect the Ministers, who collectively rule the country by government under their various departments. For example, the Minister of Defense focuses on defending the country, and the Minister of Foriegn Relations heads activities outside of the country. Highreach is also well-known for it's wide array of political freedoms and civil rights, as well as it's powerful economy.

The Guru

The Guru functions much as the member of any other royal family. Instead of inheriting political power, the Guru inherits the highest rank of the clergy, which is passed from firstborn male to firstborn male. His responsibilities include maintaining the religious teachings, seeing over the functions of the Ministries, and keeping general peace within the nation. The current Guru is Carlyle Vesimus, the fourteenth Guru who inherited the position from his father in 1989.

Until 1931, the city of Archanon was the capital of Highreach, and the Old Palace housed twelve Gurus from the time of the nation's founding. When Guru Stephan II of Highreach ascended to the throne, he decreed that the government be moved from of Archanon left in favor of the economically powerful port city Atrica, mainly because of Archanon's decaying industrial cityscape. Atrica was decreed the Holy City and the Gurus have led the country from there since then.

The Holy City of Atrica has been the seat of government and religion in Highreach from August 10, 1931 until present day. The largest structure in Highreach, the Palace of the Guru, is where most government action occurs. From the palace, the Guru is able to oversee his spiritual works while the various Ministries handle affairs in their own respectful domains. Guru Carlyle Vesimus I was born and raised in Atrica, and served as Crowned Prince from his birth in 1947 until 1989, when he received the status of Guru himself.

Economy

Highreach's location on the Evian Straight makes it an economically strong location. Because of its exposure to waterways, northern Highreach contains many docks and port cities, the largest of these being the Holy City of Atrica, the technologically advanced city of Sephrus, and the previous capital of Archanon. The port city of Sephrus, a recent addition to Highreach, has quickly grown into one of the leading mercantile ports in the region, averaging over a third of Highreach's annual income. Archanon also has a large port system, and continues to make a large (though not as large as Sephrus') profit for the country. Many factories are also located in Archanon, making it a valuable place in which to export goods. Several companies were recently discovered to let harmful waste into the Evian Straight, and thus the government now places harsher regulation laws on the disposal of waste harmful to the environment. Atrica, the capital, recieves many visitors, and thus has quite a market in tourism. Many of these are citizens of Highreach interested in seeing such sights as the ports, the Guru's Palace, and the nationally famous Caryle I Memorial Stadium, which serves as a place for sports events of all sorts. Many fans visit the stadium to see the games of Highreach's most popular basketball team, the Atrican Tremors.