Metalgolem

The Towering Omnipotent Realm of Metalgolem

National Motto: "Kick 'Em When They're Up, Kick 'Em When They're Down"
Map:	Metalgolem is in Blue
Region	Cerescapia
Population (August 2007)	~5.766 Billion
Official language	Metalgol
Capital	Despair
Largest Religions	???
National Plant	???
National Animal	Buffalo
Tech Level	Modern Tech
Government  - Leader	Dictatorship The Omnipotent Benevolent All-Knowing Father.
CHDI	0.995 - very high (2007 Government Estimate)
Currency	Celeron (Cel)
Independence	200s BC
National Holiday	???
UN Status	Non-Member
Internet TLD	.mg
Phone Code	???
Stats: NSEconomy Pipian XML

Metalgolem is a huge nation in the northwestern part of Cerescapia, west of Pmace and north of Asyhlo AO. Its population is 5.766 billion (August 2007 estimate).

Flag

The current flag of Metalgolem was commissioned by The Omnipotent Benevolent All-Knowing Father and represents his oneness as the creator and beloved leader of the The Towering Omnipotent Realm of Metalgolem. The white star represents the bright guiding light of supreme divine power on a blue sea of all creation. Metalgol law states that no other flag shall fly above the nation's flag. All government buildings fly the flag prominently. Previous flags of Metalgolem are not flown or displayed except in a historical context - most notably during the Octoberfest celebrations that take place during the month of October.

History

Early Metalgolem (500BC-1800)

The first people of Metalgolem were known as the Insular Metalgolans. Little is known of their habits or history, though their language has been reconstructed as related to Pmace (see Languages of Cerescapia) and it is thought that they inhabited the southern coasts and islands of Metalgol from about 500 BC until the early 600s AD. Non-Insular Metalgol texts describe them as a primitive people, with little knowledge of the use of metals.

Metalgolem was next settled around 300 BC, predominantly by nomadic warrior tribes of Scandinavian, Visigoth and other Germanic origin. Settlements founded by these early settlers included some of the earliest evidence of fortified emcampments ever found. While being known as fierce warriors, the soldiers of Metalgolem were also military historians who wrote of the exploits and tactics of neighbouring tribes and foes alike.

Metalgolem is one of the first countries to ever build and staff a military academy. The development of weapons and armor as well as the study of military tactics made the armies of Metalgolem highly disciplined and most feared. There is evidence that Sun Tzu may have once been a student at the first military school in Metalgolem.

The warriors of Metalgolem were very much in demand as ship crews and mercenaries for dozens of naval incursions worldwide.

In the 1300s, the Gypsy or Roma people began to establish camps in the hills and forests of northern Metalgolem.

Colonial Period (1800-1900)

Metalgolem's aristocracy first began to colonize offshore areas in the very late 1700s, when they seized control of the islands of Prosper and Rapture. This began a period of colonization that would last a century.

During this period, the nation of Metalgolem was the primary source of the alcoholic beverage absinthe. During the early 1700's a Swiss chemist training in Metalgolem copied a recipe for absinthe into one of his notebooks. Years later he introduced absinthe to Switzerland as a tonic. Quickly the drink caught on in France with writers and artists whose romantic associations with the drink still linger in popular culture. While the French are generally more well-known for their drinking of absinthe during this period, it was common knowledge that all absinthe exported to Europe was delivered to French ports. The government of France had issued an order that all Metalgolem's absinthe be rebottled and relabelled. This practice continued until absinthe was banned worldwide in 1915.

Colonization of Asyhlo AO

In 1812, settlers from Metalgolem "discovered" Asyhlo AO, despite the fact that it was already inhabited. They quickly colonized the island over the next thirty years, building up a town at Palmela in the north of the island (Palmela had previously been the largest native community, with about 36 residents). The colony did well due to extensive banana and tobacco plantations around the north of the island. In the south's mountainous jungle, the natives lived relatively undisturbed.

The Metalgol leaders created an aristocracy system like they had back home, and created a Duke at the top. The most prominent of these, and the first one to rule from Asyhlo and not back in Metalgol, was Duke Wanderley, who preferred to be referred to as the Duke of Palmela. Appointed in 1885, he was a very popular leader, and a small pro-independence movement sprang up in the 1890s. The Duke himself felt that the Asyhloan people should have the right to create their own laws and elect their own leaders.

In 1896, after an informal poll of citizens, Duke Wanderley declared that normal citizens should have the right to conduct informal polls. The government of Metalgolem criticized this, and attempted to remove Duke Wanderley and replace him. The Duke refused, and Metalgol sailors were sent to attack the island. The Duke therefore declared the Asyhlo Autonomous Organization, a military and political body that would fight for independence. (The new nation was eventually named Asyhlo AO in its honor.) The Asyhloans eventually won their independence by sinking one of Metalgolem's ships using coconuts bombarded at it; the Metalgol government decided that dealing with the Asyhloans would be “too bothersome.”

Post-Colonial Period (1900-1970)

By 1900, Metalgolem was one of the strongest nations in Cerescapia. They formed a close alliance with the other two large nations, Pmace and Baalzebob, to form an alliance of rightist, aristocracy-based nations that dominated the region for about 70 years.

Modern Metalgolem (1970-2007)

In 1970, during a period in Cerescapian history known as "the era of revolutions", the people of Metalgolem rose up against the aristocracy which had dominated the country for 250 years. However, once their leader gained control of the country, he created a dictatorship in which he was viewed as a father figure. He proclaimed himself The Omnipotent Benevolent All-Knowing Father, and has led the nation since then. (Compare Baalzebob)

Expansion

In the late 1990s, the government of the Satanic Nymphs, a small nation along the River of Nymphs, collapsed. In the 1999 Treaty of Yam City, with delegates from all five remaining nations (Metalgolem, Pmace, Baalzebob, Asyhlo AO and Oxenia) plus several factions in the former Nymph territory, the area on the west bank of the river was awarded to Metalgolem, while the east bank was awarded to Pmace.

In 2001, Baalzebob officially merged into Metalgolem after the death of Baalzebob's dictator.

Geography and Climate

Geographically, the nation of Metalgolem is the second largest nation of the Cerescapian mainland. Its northern and western boundary is the Northwest Range, its eastern boundary the River of Nymphs, and its southern is the sea.

Cities

Despair

Despair is Metalgolem's capital. It is located on the southern coast between the two islands.

Baal

The only other city of note is Baal, formerly the capital of Baalzebob until that nation merged into Metalgolem in 2001. It is on the western end of the coast of Metalgolem. Baal is Metalgolem's major maritime center.

Coast

The southern coast of Metalgolem has a number of small fishing villages. In recent years, the population of these villages has decreased, due to people moving into the two main cities.

South of the mainland are two offshore islands. The larger island is Prosper and the smaller island is Rapture. Currently, the islands are in use as penal colonies. Each of the islands is self sufficient for it's own energy and the only way onto or off the island is by air transport.

Interior

Approximately in the center of the nation is a large tableland known as the Metal Plateau, with Mt. Metal rising in its center. Additionally, the far northwest of the country is the location of the Northwest Range, a high series of mountains that form a natural border on the country's (and Cerescapia's) north and west.

Most of the interior is hilly and forested. This is the traditional home of the Roma or Gypsy people, although they are a small minority of the total population.

Climate

Metalgolem's climate is temperate and mild for the majority of the year. Snow-covered mountains line the northern edge of the country, however the nation experiences little snow or frost except for the month of January.

The annual average rainfall for Metalgolem is 25 inches with the majority of rain occurring between September and December.

Maritime Claims

Metalgolem claims a 50km exclusive economic radius. This comes into conflict with Asyhlo AO's 20km fishing radius, but the overlap is not used for fishing.

Natural Resources

Metalgolem has a number of natural ores, including copper and iron, in the interior, especially on the Metal Plateau.

Government

Executive

The leader of Metalgolem is the Omnipotent Benevolent All-Knowing Father. He holds complete power.

Legislative

Political Parties

Political parties are considered illegal, and there are no operative opposition parties in Metalgolem.

Outside of Metalgolem, the opposition is led by a woman named Malea, who runs a website at metalgolopposition.aao. That site has news from Metalgolem and the Metalgol community in Asyhlo. The site was officially banned by the Metalgol government soon after it went online.

Judicial

The courts of Metalgolem are controlled directly therough the military and police organizations of Metalgolem.

There are seven police divisions within Metalgolem. The Presidential Protection Service are an elite organization of police specialists who directly serve the leader of Metalgolem. Included in the organization are the Intelligence, Investigation, Praetorian Guard and Special Task Force.

The commander of each elite group reports directly to the deputy leader of the country on a daily basis.

The other police organizations are Federal, State, District, City, Border and Customs, and Treasury police.

All levels of law enforcement share information and there is currently unprecendented cooperation between all jurisdictions. This results in an almost crime-free Metalgolem.

The nation of Metalgolem has two large penal colonies on the islands of Rapture and Prosper.

Foreign Relations

Centerpieces of Foreign Policy since Decolonization

From 1900 to the 1970 revolution, Metalgolem wa one of three major aristocracy-based nations in Cerescapia, the other two being Pmace and Baalzebob. After the revolution, the nation moved closer to Baalzebob's dictatorship, and away from Pmace's growing democracy. This eventually led to the merger of Metalgolem and Baalzebob in 2001.

Currently, Metalgolem maintains an embassy in Pmace City. It does not have official ties with Asyhlo AO due to several disputes:

• The primary dispute is over the status of political refugees. Asyhlo AO currently grants asylum to all Metalgol political refugees who make it into its territorial waters, and it says it will only return those refugees born in Metalgolem (not their descendants) once the current government is deposed and free and fair elections have been held. Metalgolem insists that the return of political refugees and their descendants be a condition of the creation of official ties.
• A second, more recent dispute, is over Asyhloan Prime Minister Sidney Santos' 2005 statements concerning the areas along the River of Nymphs that belong to Metalgolem. Santos claims that after the collapse of the Satanic Nymph government in the late 1990s, the areas on the west bank of that river were unfairly given to Metalgolem (the east bank belongs to Pmace). She said that relations can only be reestablished once a referendum has been held in the formerly-Satanic areas, with options of remaining in Metalgolem, moving sovereignty to Pmace or some other nation, or regaining independence. Metalgolem has criticised her for not making the same accusations towards Pmace, where there has also been no referendum; they claim that she does not want to upset Asyhlo's close ally. Ms. Santos responded by saying she would support a referendum on the East Bank as well, although she did not view it as being as pressing since polling shows that nearly 80% of Eastern Nymphs support Pmace, while only 45% of Western Nymphs report supporting Metalgolem (and that figure may be inflated due to fears of retribution from Metalgolem's government). In fact, the areas along the Satanic River, especially its southern reaches, are the only area with open anti-Metalgolem unrest.

However, the two nations do speak unofficially, especially at regional summits held on Pmace's territory.

Membership of the United Nations

Metalgolem is not a UN member. It is the only nation in Cerescapia not to be.

Military

Army

The army of Metalgolem comes from a long and storied history dating back to approximately 300 B.C. when Germanic, Visigoth and Scandinavian tribes conquered nations throughout Europe. The uneven distribution of plundered loot and the hiring of Asian mercenaries led to internal power struggles within the ranks.

The nomadic armies split along tribal lines and inhabited the area that would become Metalgolem.

Navy

The Navy of Metalgolem dates back to the era when Vikings and other Nordic tribes hired soldiers of Metalgolem as mercenaries. As skilled warriors on ships, the men of Metalgolem were sought out to travel the world as members of other countries' raiding parties.

The naval technology of other countries was brought back and incorporated in the design of many large, fast battleships that led to the navy being feared worldwide.

Many of the same style of tactics from Metalgolem's naval history are taught to Navy personnel through the basic training at Trident Maritime Academy. Navy boarding parties (in conjunction with the Metalgolem Coast Guard) conduct boarding operations daily in the waters off Metalgolem's shores. In 2001, 65,000 tonnes of counterfeit products were seized in addition to Metalgolem taking possession of the offending vessels.

Air Force

The Metalgolem Air Force was formed in the early 1920's as a result of aerial attacks on farms in the northern areas of Metalgolem.

Originally, a private air force with aircraft purchased from the Civilian Air Patrol, the Air Force was commissioned as an official arm of the military on August 23rd 1924.

The first military pattern aircraft used by the air force were the Cornet-Whadle Wasp attack planes and the Fairlance Albatross bomber. Both types of aircraft were used extensively by the air force in defending the northern borders of Metalgolem.

Due to underfunding, the original aircraft were used until the 1935 when Kaiser Wilhelm Mannheim ordered Metalgolem's automotive manufacturers to begin building aircraft.

The air force of Metalgolem has trained fighter pilots from neighbouring nations since the 1970's as a result of military technology sharing agreements.

Currently, air force crewman and pilots are extensively trained in the Metalgolem Army for a year before they can be considered eligible for air force service.

The air force also oversees all maritime rescue operations through its Coast Guard division.

Economy

Currency

Celeron (Cel)

Subdivision	???
Exchange Rate to NS$	1 NS$ : .66 Cel (free floating)
In use since	1700s (Official), 1400s (First Use)
Currency Code	MCEL
Symbol	Cel

The currency of Metalgolem is the Celeron. Currently, the most recent exchange rates for the Sjmea are:

• 1 Celeron = 1.51 NS dollars; NS$1 = .66 Celeron
• 1 Celeron = 77 Pmace cents; P$1 = 1.31 Celeron
• 1 Celeron = .337 Sjmea (Asyhlo AO); 1 Sjmea = .003 Celeron

Agriculture

The nation of Metalgolem boasts a wide array of crops including corn, wheat and barley. Livestock farming is also widespread throughout the central areas of Metalgolem, with cattle, pigs, sheep and chickens being predominant.

Energy

Metalgolem uses numerous energy sources including solar, nuclear, wind, and hydroelectric power.

Current scientific advances are being made in particle/plasma and cold fusion energy research.

Industry

Metalgolem is the largest automobile manufacturing nation in Cerescapia. Other prominent industries include pizza production, weapons manufacturing and strudel production.

Textiles

The nation of Metalgolem is known for its growing textile industry. Silk and cotton are the most popular textiles produced; however, textile mills that specialize in chenille, wool and corduroy are being built north of Despair in what is commonly referred to as Metalgolem's "Cloth Belt".

Tourism

Metalgolem's tourism industry has been increasing annually since 1937. With popular tourist sites being the northern mountain resorts, Metalgolem shares its Old World history with trips to the reconstructed Metalgolem Military Academy (circa 100-300 A.D.), the National Museum Of History, the Metalgolem Library Museum, the Metalgolem Zeppelin Terminal (world's largest), the Absinthe Museum and the Tomb of Kaiser Wilhelm Mannheim.

Finance

Communications

Trade

Exports and Imports

Infrastructure

Demographics

Ethnic Groups

The predominant ethnic group is the Metalgol, which also includes the Baalze people in the west. They make up about 95% of the population by the latest estimates, although the government views that number as 100%. Other ethnic groups include the Roma and Nymphs (see Other Languages below).

Religion

Language

(See also Languages of Cerescapia)

The native languages of Metalgolem are descended from one standard language, Old Metalgol, which broke up around the year 1300 A.D. The languages are relatively similar, due to their close geographic proximity. Old Metalgol was similar to Old English, with some Latin influences.

The primary language is Standard Metalgol, generally referred to as just "Metalgol". It is the language of the area around Despair, but it has been gaining ground and uprooting the other languages since the 1700s. In 1970, after the revolution, Standard Metalgol became the only language that can be legally used in publications, etc. with other languages being reclassified as nonstandard dialects. This has greatly accelerated the decline of the other languages: in 1700 there were ten Metalgol languages, in 1970 there were eight, and now there are only three which have more than just a few speakers. (One of these is Baalze, which is also descended from Old Metalgol).

Other Languages

The other primary languages of the area is Roma, language of the Gypsys, and Nymph, spoken along the River of Nymphs. Roma has been on the decline since the revolution, due to persecution of the Gypsy people. Speaking Nymph is officially banned, but it is still a common day-to-day language around the Delta of Nymphs area.

Culture

Literature

Music and Theater

The earliest music of Metalgolem dates back to the military bands of the 9th century.

The first military band was comprised of a dozen Turkish warriors who had been hired as a mercenary group to augment an archery platoon. The band was used to inspire the troops during battle.

Martial music has very much played a part in the history of Metalgolem's music.

Currently, the city of Despair is host to the Metalgolem Symphony.

In popular music, the band "Die You Cretinous Bastards!" has become famous in other nations for their "scientific aggro" music.

Visual Arts

Education

Cuisine

Popular cuisine in the nation of Metalgolem is traditional Germanic foods such as wienersnitzel, sauerkraut and Bavarian sausage; however, popular foods available in Metalgolem are pizza, pasta, beef based-dishes and Metalgolem's world famous nougat candy.

Some of the world's greatest chefs have studied at the famed Metalgolem Cuisine Institute under the tutelege of the well known master chef Mario Della Pascuzzi.

Cerescapia

Main articles: Cerescapia, Languages

Pmace

Metalgolem

Asyhlo AO: Asyhloan Language, .aao

For more information or to see non-listed pages, please see Category:Cerescapia.