Ironwell
| |
| Flag of Ironwell | |
| Motto: Strength in Brotherhood | |
| Region | North Pacific |
|---|---|
| Capital | Republica |
| Official Language(s) | English(s) |
| Leader | President Strom Gunderson |
| Population | 132 million |
| Currency | Dollar |
| NS Sunset XML | |
The Republic of Ironwell is a very large, safe nation, renowned for its barren, inhospitable landscape. Its hard-nosed population of 132 million enjoy extensive civil freedoms, particularly in social issues, while business tends to be more regulated.
The large government juggles the competing demands of Law & Order, Education, and Defence. The average income tax rate is 27%, but much higher for the wealthy. A powerhouse of a private sector is led by the Book Publishing industry, followed by Arms Manufacturing and Pizza Delivery.
Citizens are encouraged to report friends, family members or co-workers who seem depressed to the government for "counselling", government officials frequently cut taxes as a distraction from antics with their secretaries, citizens are permitted to carry concealed handguns, and skateparks can be found in every city. Crime is totally unknown, thanks to the all-pervasive police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Ironwell's national animal is the Phoenix, which teeters on the brink of extinction due to widespread deforestation, and its currency is the Dollar.
Ironwell is ranked 77th in the region and 61,453rd in the world for Largest Furniture Restoration Industry.
Contents
History
The Beginnings
In 334 AD the city state of Republica began an aggressive military annexation of the neighbouring city states. Eventually a large coalition consisting of the cities of Republica, Marathon, Iron Rapids and Solara met an opposing faction put forth by the nearby city state of Rakara with her allies Cania and Rockforge. After a brutal five year war known as the Crusade of Unification, Rakara lay in ruins as Cania and Rockforge quickly acquiesced. Rakara's final last stand was the climactic Battle of Ironwell Valley. In respect for the Rakarans who fought with grim resolve and steadfast determination the newly formed alliance was named after the valley in which they fought to the last. And so was the fledgling Empire of Ironwell born on September 19, 370 AD.
The Age of the Enlightened Senate and the Great Emperors
After the Crusade of Unification, the Empire of Ironwell began to take form. An elected senate was assembled to guide the new nation with an appointed Emperor as the head of state. For years the Senate met in the Grand Forum, an awe inspiring marvel of architecture built of iron and stone. As the Empire's influence expanded the standard of life in Ironwell grew to amazing heights under the tempered wisdom of the Emperor and the Senate, working in check with each other.
Fall from Grace
As the Dark Ages threw the world into chaos and renewed barbarism even the Great Empire was not immune. In 502 Crom Larsson was elected Emperor after the highly suspicious death of Empress Rika Nordstrom. Before the Senate could convene to discuss the circumstances of the previous ruler's death, Larsson disbanded the Senate, had all it's members seized by the elite Phoenix Guard and declared that supreme power was now vested solely in the hands of the Emperor. The coming centuries were ones of darkness and decay for the once proud Empire as Ironwell switched hands between a never ending cycle of petty despots jockeying for position in a crumbling empire.
The Civil War
By the reign of Emperor Juston IV in 1707 AD, the Empire of Ironwell had shrunk to a third of it's size with poverty and disease running rampant. Little did Juston know, that he was to be Ironwell's last Emperor. On October 7th 1714, the city of Iron Rapids declared it's independence from the Empire and invited the original city states to join. Juston sent the Phoenix Guard, the elite paramilitary palace body guards whose history dates back the the first emperor, to bring the city back into the fold and crush any and all rebellion. At the gates of the city, as the Phoenix Guard marched on the city walls is when the revolution truly took shape. The residents of Iron Rapids stood at the gates of the city, arm in arm stating their desire to live free or perish that very night. General Arturo Tartarus, commanding officer of the Guard ordered his men to stop. The provincial governor ordered them to march again, but the Guard were intently loyal to Tartarus and would not fire upon the city. At that moment he realized the madness that destroyed the nation he loved, fought for and swore his life to defend. And thus began the Ironwell Civil War. The war raged for three long years until Tartarus' forces marched on Republica and dethroned Emperor Juston IV. It was during the long and trying war years that Tartarus kept morale at a constant high by reminding his troops of the glory of days past and how they could accomplish any task as long as they stood together in simple brotherhood. His rallying cry of "Strength in Brotherhood" would later become the official state motto.
Birth of the Republic
After Tartarus defeated the imperial forces in March 1717, a provisional government was established in the capital of Republica and the Senate was reinstated. The Senate unanimously elected Tartarus Emperor but surprisingly, he declined. Tartarus decreed that the age of the Empire was well and truly over and in it's place would rise a great republic out of the ashes of the fallen empire like a mighty phoenix. This republic would be governed by the elected senate, with a president, elected directly by the people as it's new head of state. And a supreme court of esteemed justices would act as a check against the power of the goverment. On March 18, 1718 the Republic of Ironwell was established and Arturo Tartarus was elected president in a landslide victory by the populace.
The Great Burn
During the Great Patriotic War Ironwell's military fought bravely against foreign invasion. But facing superior numbers the defenders were pushed back. Faced with the prospect of invading troops being near Republica for the first time since Tartarus marched against the emperor Ironwell's leaders lauched a desperate move. Ironwell was once filled with lush, beautiful forests but the year of 1944 was the driest year on record. Soldiers deemed too wounded to fight on, woodsmen and even children were equipped with flamethrowers, petrol bombs and other incindiery devices and seeded into the forests. As the invaders advanced farther the army lured them inwards and at the stroke of midnight on October 9, 1944 a preplanned signal of fireworks marked the beginning of The Great Burn. Many on the invaders, and most of the firestarters perished in the ensuing blaze. The forests, as well as the land itself have never recovered.
Government
Political System
The Republic of Ironwell is a federal constitutional republic and the current President is Strom Gunderson, former commissioner of the Ironwell Republican Police.
The federal government is comprised of three branches, which are designed to check and balance one another's powers:
Legislative: The Senate, which makes federal law, declares war, approves treaties and has powers of impeachment.
Executive: The President, who appoints, with Senate approval, the Cabinet and other officers, who administers and enforces federal law, can veto bills, and is Commander in Chief of the military.
Judiciary: The Supreme Court and lower federal courts, whose judges are appointed by the President with Senate approval, which interpret laws and their validity under the Constitution and can overturn laws they deem unconstitutional.
Law
Justice system
Ironwell's justice system is based on the British model of common law. Punishments for most offenses are rather strict and the death penalty has been reintroduced for first and second degree homicide, aggravated sexual assault and treason. The Supreme Court of Ironwell is the highest court and final arbiter and is led by Chief Justice Edward Tigh
Policing
Policing in Ironwell is administered by the Ironwell Republican Police, an armed national force founded in 1798. The IRP provides policing services to the capital of Republica and the outlying countryside except for the major cities which all maintain their own municipal police services. The IRP's Security Service is responsible for intelligence and counterintelligence duties and the Phoenix Guard is responsible for the protection of the President, other persons of importance and the nation's embassies.
