The Isthmus
| |
| Flag of The Isthmus | |
| Motto: Cuimhnich bas Ailpein | |
| [1] | |
| Region | The Maritimes |
|---|---|
| Capital | Chignecto |
| Official Language(s) | Gaelic (82%), French (14%), Micmac (4%) |
| Leader | Anndra MacFhionghuin |
| Population | 14 Million |
| Currency | The Sterling (£) |
| NS Sunset XML | |
Contents
Introduction
Located in The Maritime Region, The Holy Republic of The Isthmus is a nation that can trace it's roots back to the emigration of the Great Ossian in the Middle Ages. Effectively ruled by Gaelic Church, government is hindered by pesky inter clan squabbles.
People
Religion
The citizens of The Isthmus take their religion very seriously. Predominantly belonging to the Celtic Church (81%), but Catholics also make up a significant portion of the population (15%), which is represented by the Recent appointment of Archbishop of Chignecto, Duncan MacLean (Donnochadh MacGhille Eoin) as Spiritual Advisor to the Government. Presbyterians (4%) are a small minority, mostly made up of descendants of immigrants from the old country during the 17th century, but most of them converted to the Celtic Church within a generation.
Language
The Official State Language is Scots Gaelic, but French is also recognised. English is spoken by a small segment of the population, but is rarely used in public as it is strongly associated with Ignorance. As well, popular superstition about "the saxon" make it extremely unpopular amongst the lower classes, and is looked upon with loathing. The only Languages that can be taught in Schools are Gaelic and French. Universities however, are allowed to teach a plethora of languages, but few actually teach Beurla (English).
National Holidays
- Saint Andrew's Day
- November 30th, Marks the Day of the Patron Saint of the Isthmus, Saint Andrew. An occasion of much feasting and rejoicing, this is by far the most popular and spiritful holiday in the Isthmus.
Society
- Family Life
- The people of the Isthmus are very clannish, their original Celtic roots they hold quite strongly. Blood ties are very important in the Eastern Highland Region of the Isthmus, but the Agricultural Lowland regions are much more modern, but clan ties remain important. Even the French Population has been incorporated into this culture, viewing their families as clans, many of them tracing their roots to the mass highlander immigration from the old world to the Isthmus 12th century
Geography
Government
The Council of the Ithmus and the Isles
The Council of the Isles is the governing body of the Holy Republic of the Isthmus. It contains a council of twelve hereditary positions, held by Chiefs or Abbots of great spiritual Importance.
The Positions, and the Holders thereof are as Follows:
(1) Chief Councillor
This Position is held by the Abbot of Mishnish, MacKinnon of Roinne Sagairt. Mishnish is an Island of great Spiritual importance to the Gaels in the new world, and adherrents to the Gaelic (Celtic) Church. This Position is held by a member of Clan Fingon.
The Head of the Council can veto any resolution of the council unless it recieved more than 2/3rds of the vote. The Abbot of Mishnish is also the De Facto head of the Gaelic Church, making the Church a powerful ingluence in the Isthmus Indeed.
(2) Lord Protector of the Isthmus
This position is held by MacDonald of the Isthmus, High Chief of the septs of Clan Donald within the Nation's realm. MacDonald is Commander and Chief of the Isthmus Militia.
Clan Donald is constantly at odds with members of Clan Gillean and Clan Galbraith, and to a lesser extent Clan Fingon and Clan Leòd.
(3) Holy Defender of the Straight
This Position is held by MacNeil of Barra. He is in charge of the navy of the isthmus, largely paid for from his own pocket.
The members of Clan Nèill brought the name of their home in the old country to the new. Renown as the best seamen of the Gaels, Clan Nèill has kept up their pirating ways up until the present day - though MacNeil of Barra has denied it.
(4) Chief Scholar
This Position is held by The Abbot of Kilclunie, Cameron of Kilclunie. Kilclunie is the the site of the first University established in the Isthmus.
Cameron oversees the educational institutions of the nations, almost all of which are run by the Gaelic Church, with a small but increasing number of Catholic schools.
(5) Guardian of the Meek
This position is held by the Abbot of Kilodair, MacNab of Kilodair. He is responsible for looking out for the poor, and to provide social welfare to the masses.
MacNabs are known as "The MacNabs of the Marshes", which is represented by the seat of Macnab - Kilodair, which means "Church of the Marsh". The Kilodair region is one of the few regions where the marsh not diked and converted to agricultural potential. Often looked upon as the most uncivilised of the clans, these men of the marshes take great pride in their fens, their swampy, bog ridden marshy territory. It is no surprise then that MacNab spends most of his money improving the lot of his people.
(6) Chief Physician
This position is held by Macdonald of Strathaird. He is responsible for the Nation's Healthcare system.
The chieftain of this lesser branch of Clan Donald historically recieved this position due to the fact that many of Clan Beaton lived within his territory. In popular mythology, Beaton's are renown for being the best physicians available. So much so in fact, that many of the Highlanders, when they can be convinced or dragged to a hospital, often refuse to be treated by anyone but a Beaton. This favouritism has caused a significant percentage of the population of Beaton's to enter the medical proffession, whether qualified or not. They are accepted more so on the basis of their family name than on the skills that they posess.
Economy
The economy of the Isthmus is primarily agricultural, with the majority of the industrial cities being located close to the mineral rich highland border. The lowland regions to the west become more agricultural the further west you go, whereas in the east, the economy is dominated by mining and pastoral farming.
The industry of the Isthmus is dominated by the Pizza Delivery Industry. "Isthmus Pizza" is world renown for it's quality and speed of delivery. So much so in fact that it is the #1 Pizza Delivery Service in the Maritime Region.
As well, the Isthmus's economy has a small Automobile Manufacturing industry, which is just beggining to become fashionable amongst the members of the upper middle class.
Military
The Military of the Isthmus is mostly militia based, with the Highland Regiments forming the core of the Military. Their defence spending represent a very small percentage of their budget, and as a result, the regular forces represent only a small fraction of the available manpower.
The militia represents about 8% of the population of the Isthmus, and is completely volunteer based. The population believes that it is their duty to defend the nation from it's enemies, especially if they speak English.
History
Ossian
From the misty Isles of the old country, in the beginnings of the 12th century, a mystic appeared. He called himself Ossian, and preached a devastation of the language and culture of the Gael if they remained in their native land.
Fingon, the great abbot of Iona, called a meeting of all the great leaders of the gaels, the chiefs, the bishops, and the abbots to hear what the great Ossian had to say.
He told them of the coming of the saxon to the Gaidhealtachd, bringing death and destruction in their wake. He told them of the coming of the Caoraich, the Sheep, displacing the people, being evicted from the lands of their ancestors, and those who remained to be doomed to a life of poverty and servitude. Their language, their culture, and their way of life would die, and many grave injustices would be inflicted on the Gaelic Peoples.
He also told them of their salvation, of a land of destiny that lay to the West. . .
The Lands to the West
Fingon outlined a plan, following the route of St. Brendan the Navigator, they would take as many of their people to these new lands as they could.
This caused a great rift amongst the people, many wanted to stay. Campbell wanted no part in it, but his eldest son would take all of his clan who were willing with him. MacLeod was one of the greatest proponent, promising to move as many of his clan as possible, though his wife was firmly against it.
Ossian remained behind, saying that it was not for him to go, that he must die on his native soil. But for the rest of his life he continued too urge his fellow Gaels to depart their home and head to the Lands to the West.
But the Exodus had Begun, and for the Next Hundred Years, thousands of Highlanders left the Highlands for the West. Nearly all of the Abbots, Priests, Monks, Chiefs, Chieftains, and Tacksmen, along with large numbers of their clansemen made the dangerous voyage. Large numbers foundered in the seas, or were caught in the storms, but at the end of the treacherous journey, they arrived in the Lands of the West.
The Isthmus
The Gaels settled far and wide in this new land, quite heavily in the Northern Isles, but predominanty the settled in the Isthmus, where the Holy Republic takes it's name.
Transnational Issues
The Most Serene Republic of Hectanooga
The Holy Republic of the Isthmus has, with the consultation of the Nation's Spiritual Advisor, decided to ban Harry Potter in all forms due to it's promotion of Demonic Possession amongst the Children of the Nation. This has led to a thriving smuggling industry based on these illicit books, produced, and largely carried out by Hectanoogans. This has been a great boon the the Hectonoogean Publishing industry, but a bane for The Isthmus's security officials, resulting in long line-ups and waiting times at border crossings.
