Difference between revisions of "The Zoogie People"
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capital=[[Jaganda]] | | capital=[[Jaganda]] | | ||
population=2,400,000,000 | | population=2,400,000,000 | | ||
| − | currency= | + | currency=Limor (lime) | |
leader=[[Michael Hanelis]] | leader=[[Michael Hanelis]] | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | This is the | + | This is the definitive resource guide to the nation Zoogiedom; the forum username being ''The Zoogie People.'' Feel free to contribute to it, but please add something to the discussion page if you do. For [[The Zoogie People#Current News|Current News]] on the latest developments in the IC world, follow the link or if you prefer, scroll through an excruciatingly large amount of text. |
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
| − | ''Liberae Terrae Zoogidi Plexis'', generally known to the world as 'The Free Lands of the Zoogie People,' or, more simply, as Zoogiedom, is a | + | ''Liberae Terrae Zoogidi Plexis'', generally known to the world as 'The Free Lands of the Zoogie People,' or, more simply, as Zoogiedom, is a large island nation located on the easternmost edge of [[The Isles of Arden]]. Its history goes back several ages, running thousands of years long, and is defined by its highly specific and complex culture. The nation will be hitherto referred to as 'Zoogiedom.' |
| − | + | Zoogiedom covers, from North to South, upper sub-polar regions to tropical cancer regions. Located directly above Zoogiedom is the nation of [[Drizzts Army|Drizzts]] and somewhere to Drizzts' west [[Redmire]]; the closest nation to Zoogiedom's west is [[Anaressa]], although the distance between Zoogiedom and Anaressa is greater than that between Zoogiedom and Drizzts. | |
| − | + | <!--What's to the South? I'm unsure--> | |
| − | + | ==Climate and Geography== | |
| + | Zoogiedom is primarily defined by 'the mainland' as seen on the map. The mainland itself may be divided into several regions. IN the west there is the Skurven Peninsula, the bottom portion of which enjoys temperate climates to year-round warmth in certain areas, while the northen portion is much colder. A mountain range runs first east, then southeast, starting a little southwest of Armenisburg; the land to the north of this range and indeed across much of Northern Zoogiedom is sparsely populated cold tundra. | ||
| − | + | The rest of the western coastline is a typically warm, mountainous region, with tropical beaches towards the south. The Mythelian Isles are a series of tropical islands, some of the smaller ones formerly volcanic, located off the southwest coast of Zoogiedom. The climate along the southern coastline of mainland Zoogiedom is temperate and not exceedingly hot, though it is near tropical regions and there is a desert in the area between Beaufort and Meiersdon, non-inclusive. Tagyr Island in the southeast is a military fortress; it is neither tropical nor volcanic. | |
| − | The | + | The east coastline is moderate and temperate; much colder up in the north and around Palishdar, and covered in trees. A significant runs under Palishdar and across a good deal of the mainland. To the west of Chisliag is ''Laecus Quaerotix,'' a lake of massively colossal proportions. Some distance above Jaganda is Zoogiedom's ''Mauritae'' rainforest; another lies a few hundred miles back from and along the southern border. Northwest of Utengard is another large, mostly uninhabited desert; the rest of mainland Zoogiedom is composed of various shades of temperate zones. |
| − | + | The Island Nordil has harsh weather and cruel winters. In the summer it enjoys moderate, refreshing temperatures but it is generally thought of as bitterly cold, maintaining only token fertile soil. The same applies to the first island, Arimos, which has no bearing to the [[Arimos|nation of the same name]]. The second island, Walthoris, is mostly temperate and also mountainous; the third, Trimes is highly volcanic and tropical. All military and civilian presence on Trimes tends to be a safe distance away from the major active volcanoes there. | |
| − | + | ==Culture and Government== | |
| − | + | Zoogiedom is today composed entirely of one ethnicity - ''Zoogiedus Plex,'' the Zoogie People. In ancient times many races apparently intermingled, accounting for unusual genetic diversity that is present. The culture is, as aforementioned, tremendously unified and ties intricately with the government. | |
| − | + | The sense of cultural unity is astounding. To be zoogie - virtuous, honorable, learnèd, compassionate - is seen as the greatest status possible. To be deemed not worthy is to be utterly shamed. The glorified virtues and the hated vices are well-defined and known. Citizens have not much patience for the lazy and the greedy, and people of such a kind are looked down on and cast aside. | |
| − | |||
| − | + | This mindset has several major ramnifications. First, many things that are perfectly legal in Zoogiedom would be considered blasphemous in other cultures. Indeed, many of the things that the law does not touch on would be considered blasphemous in Zoogiedom itself. It is simply not seen as the government's duty to concern itself with prostitution, smoking and other drug use, hard liquour, and other such activities. There are accordingly little to no regulations or laws concerning them. Despite this, theses are all rare. Drug and tobacco use is nearly non existent; as is prostitution. Most Zoogiedom adults drink in moderation and have an appreciation for fine wine, but drink with care. Beer is not nearly as common. Gun ownership is moderate, though hunting is nonexistent and the more serious gun aficionados are usually members of the military. | |
| − | + | The military is one of the major government priorities and responsibilities, although the size of the military is not at all large; it is rather small comparatively. To be in the military is highly prided, but available positions are not in abundant supply. | |
| − | + | The other primary government focus is in education and research, to which considerably more funds are dedicated. Education is a partially privatized industry; run by private organizations but heavily mandated and overseen by the government on both the federal and provincial level. A General Curriculum is set by federal the government with mandates for the core curriculums of all students. Provincewide Curriculums are more specific and vary in depth and specific focus of courses as well as the timeframe and order in which they are to be completed. Local Curriculums - pertaining to each individual private school system - further refine the aspects of education at a local level. Research and environmental preservation is conducted with a similar private industry-federal government relationship, except the federal government here has less of a burden. <!--Expand on this in separate page?--> | |
| − | + | Government spending is directed mostly at these objectives; commerce regulation & management, as well as administrative spending, are typically minimal, except in special circumstances. Police, hospital, fire, and the public services are generally private organizations run under strict government regulations. | |
| − | + | To many the quasi-libertarian system, with proliferate civil rights and private sectors in everything from education to police, is simply absurd. However, it has run itself smoothly and effectively by the unified Zoogietic identity of the Zoogie People; it is accepted that such a system would not work everywhere. A similar system exists in [[Letila]], where lofty goals are accomplished by the intense sense of unity and the common goals of the people. | |
| − | + | One should also see [[Zoogiedom Alliances]]. | |
| − | + | <!--Section on Government policy pending--> | |
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==Population and Demographics== | ==Population and Demographics== | ||
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Zoogiedom is populated by roughly two billion people; this population is spread for the most part loosely across the vast expanses of the nation. A large part of Zoogiedom is wholly unpopulated, and population density rarely reaches high levels. | Zoogiedom is populated by roughly two billion people; this population is spread for the most part loosely across the vast expanses of the nation. A large part of Zoogiedom is wholly unpopulated, and population density rarely reaches high levels. | ||
| − | == | + | ==Language== |
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| − | + | Zoogiedom's official language is [[latin]]; more commonly and perhaps properly known to foreigners as [[Zoogietic Extended Latin]]. The language itself is known in Zoogiedom as ''Zolovusa (-ae),'' and is an ongoing, continually updated variant of classical latin. The only changes are extensions of the language to incorporate modern day; hence, ''extended'' latin. In Zolovusan, as it may also be called, Zoogiedom is known as Z.P., or ''Zoogiedus Plex,'' the Zoogie People. | |
==Motto== | ==Motto== | ||
| − | ' | + | Zoogiedom's national motto is VSVS LIBRI NON LECTIO PRUDENTES FACIT - ''The use, not the reading of books makes us wise''; this and other phrases can be seen inscripted on federal buildings. In keeping with classical style and format the ltter U is rendered as V and all forms of punctuation eliminated. |
| − | + | ==National Symbols== | |
| − | + | Zoogiedom's national symbols are deeply respected and revered. The national animal is the cherub, which frolick in great numbers in the forests and rainforests of Zoogiedom; also, tourists entering the Mythelian Isles are greeted with a Statue of the One Cherub, holding aloft a torch ine one hand and in the other a scroll. The currency is the Limor, generally rendered ''lime'' in English and most likely having certain relation to a tangy, green-colored citrus fruit; its plural is ''Limores'' and it is a masculine noun. The Lime is issued in coins (the highest being $1, which is rare) and bills (the highest being $50, also rare). The lime is valued at $1.7014 USD. | |
| − | + | The national anthem is ''Of the coming of Cherubs,'' telling of, appropriately enough, the coming of the Cherubs. The de facto national sport is badminton; there is no official federal-defined sport of choice. | |
| − | + | ==History== | |
| − | + | The ancient Zoogies have a long and rich history that deals mostly within Zoogiedom itself and of which little is known to the outside world. Consequently little of it will be discussed. | |
| − | + | The point of relevance in Zoogiedom history begins with Consul (or President) Victor Melius, who carried the title ''Imperator,'' one who commands. An intense nationalist Imperator Melius instated a strict but generally fair and benevolent rule, expanding the military to its greatest modern-day height in numbers and using it often. He abolished elections and limited political freedoms to ensure his continued reign and was subsequently ousted from power by Praetorius general Patrick Ciel. AN interim government was instated for the next eighteen or so months; libertarians emerged victorious in the 1978 elections. A mostly socialist period followed then, dominating the 1980s. By the mid-90's it had begun to show signs of waining; in 1998 the moderate liberal William Ciel was elected. | |
| − | + | Ciel's administration, and that of William Fontair before him, was filled with turmoil. Fontair had endured international ridicule of joining a socialist organization called the IUSS without a clear idea of the ramnifications. He had also shot down nuclear missiles fired in the war between Deanery and Hoobang, but nearly provoked nuclear retaliation in the process. In 1996 Fontair entered Zoogiedom into [[Colerica]]'s struggle with Isla de Palata, withdrawing twelve months later. Shortly after taking office Ciel again sent forces to Colerica, commiting a Zoogiedom presence for the duration of the Isla de Palatan War. This having been won, Zoogiedom deployed a greater force to the Colerican civil war, mostly fought between Colericans. | |
| − | + | Zoogiedom also involved itself in the [[Hogsweat]] Civil War, a disastrous endeavor in which all five thousand ground forces - none of which saw any significant action - were wiped out when the Hogsweatian nationalist leader, approaching defeat, launched nuclear weapons on the near entirety of his country. | |
| − | + | Zoogiedom's most significant action in Ciel's administration occured within the region, when a shipment of arms in regular trade was attacked and destroyed by the [[Lashugan|Lashuga]] military. This was followed by attacks on the Zoogiedom embassy in Lashuga, and provoked an all-out assault on the Lashugan military in a war that lasted two-years, resulting in the utter destruction of the Lashugan military and toppling of its administration by an internal rebellion. Today Lashuga no longer has international, or momentarily, regional weight due to internal strife. | |
| − | + | Michael Hansien ascended the consulship, or as more commonly used among foreigners, presidency, after Ciel finished his two terms, and brought in sweeping changes. He reduced the miltiary and government size greatly, shifting focus and proving not afraid to act whenever necessary. A new era of peace and prosperity was ushered in. The peace was however short-lived: longtime ally [[Drizzts]] fell to a dictator's rule, an action to which Zoogiedom aggressively responded to. This resulted in a standoff and massive mobilization on both sides; aggressive diplomacy in the form of an all-or-nothing ultimatum was delivered to the Drizzts dictator Dean, who rejected it, plunging the Isles into war. Zoogiedom rallied support of staunchest ally [[Anaressa]], while [[Natoa]] and [[Tseukamu-Rekuwatoru]] aided Drizzt. [[Redmire]] also deployed forces against Dean's empire. | |
| − | === | + | ===A funny thing happened on the way to 2 billion=== |
| − | + | Zoogiedom announced a nationwide day of festivities when it hit this landmark, to which other nations joined. However, once Euroslavia got involved, things made a turn for the...awkward. Bar violance and strategically fired yolks of egg notwithstanding, reports surfaced that the entire [[Generic Empire|Generian]] and [[Borman Empire|Borman]] populations arrived in the capital area to join in; further rumours circulate that a chasm opened in the earth, from which Abraham Lincoln rode on a tide of fire. The story goes that Thor the Thundergod having descended from the heavens did epic battle then with Lincoln having ascended from the fire, Godzilla having emerged from the volcano, and a Giant Robot having arrived from somewhere unimportant. In the meanwhile it is said that the President and his cabinet and advisers celebrated with other national leaders, including a drunken derelict identified as Emperor Antonius of [[Generic Empire]]. Further, there are those who claim that the Cherub looked on with glee, and that a horde of Vikings commanded by Thor vied for battlefield supremacy and woman-snatching with the Roman army led by Titus the Manly, who was further opposed by the Hellenistic army. | |
| − | + | These reports are purely speculative, although they might explain the existence of a dormant volcano whose actions and whereabouts before this date were utterly unknown, as well as the recently discovered skeleton of a ninety-foot tall carnivorous dinosauriad creature with gigantic wings (carbon dated to be twenty days old). | |
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==Military== | ==Military== | ||
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This section is for current [[IC]] developments regarding Zoogiedom and the Isles of Arden. | This section is for current [[IC]] developments regarding Zoogiedom and the Isles of Arden. | ||
| − | + | ''Drizzts'' forces launched a successful and devastating attack on the three forward stationed fleets in the area, destroying or hindering four carriers of various magnitudes in all; in response Zoogiedom has initiated a massive counterstrike and called the [[Edict of Naortes]] into action, essentially transforming the country into a gigantic war machine on high gear. [[Anaressa]] hasalso launched a naval assault in Ardenian waters to intercept the [[Tseukamu-Rekuwatoru|Tseukamuan]] fleet. These are the latest updates in the [http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=387378|Great Arden War.] | |
| − | '' | + | |
Revision as of 21:03, 14 January 2005
| |
| Flag of The Zoogie People | |
| Motto: Usus libri non lectio prudentes facit | |
| Map of Zoogiedom | |
| Region | Isles of Arden |
|---|---|
| Capital | Jaganda |
| Official Language(s) | Zoogietic Extended Latin |
| Leader | Michael Hanelis |
| Population | 2,400,000,000 |
| Currency | Limor (lime) |
| NS Sunset XML | |
This is the definitive resource guide to the nation Zoogiedom; the forum username being The Zoogie People. Feel free to contribute to it, but please add something to the discussion page if you do. For Current News on the latest developments in the IC world, follow the link or if you prefer, scroll through an excruciatingly large amount of text.
Contents
Overview
Liberae Terrae Zoogidi Plexis, generally known to the world as 'The Free Lands of the Zoogie People,' or, more simply, as Zoogiedom, is a large island nation located on the easternmost edge of The Isles of Arden. Its history goes back several ages, running thousands of years long, and is defined by its highly specific and complex culture. The nation will be hitherto referred to as 'Zoogiedom.'
Zoogiedom covers, from North to South, upper sub-polar regions to tropical cancer regions. Located directly above Zoogiedom is the nation of Drizzts and somewhere to Drizzts' west Redmire; the closest nation to Zoogiedom's west is Anaressa, although the distance between Zoogiedom and Anaressa is greater than that between Zoogiedom and Drizzts.
Climate and Geography
Zoogiedom is primarily defined by 'the mainland' as seen on the map. The mainland itself may be divided into several regions. IN the west there is the Skurven Peninsula, the bottom portion of which enjoys temperate climates to year-round warmth in certain areas, while the northen portion is much colder. A mountain range runs first east, then southeast, starting a little southwest of Armenisburg; the land to the north of this range and indeed across much of Northern Zoogiedom is sparsely populated cold tundra.
The rest of the western coastline is a typically warm, mountainous region, with tropical beaches towards the south. The Mythelian Isles are a series of tropical islands, some of the smaller ones formerly volcanic, located off the southwest coast of Zoogiedom. The climate along the southern coastline of mainland Zoogiedom is temperate and not exceedingly hot, though it is near tropical regions and there is a desert in the area between Beaufort and Meiersdon, non-inclusive. Tagyr Island in the southeast is a military fortress; it is neither tropical nor volcanic.
The east coastline is moderate and temperate; much colder up in the north and around Palishdar, and covered in trees. A significant runs under Palishdar and across a good deal of the mainland. To the west of Chisliag is Laecus Quaerotix, a lake of massively colossal proportions. Some distance above Jaganda is Zoogiedom's Mauritae rainforest; another lies a few hundred miles back from and along the southern border. Northwest of Utengard is another large, mostly uninhabited desert; the rest of mainland Zoogiedom is composed of various shades of temperate zones.
The Island Nordil has harsh weather and cruel winters. In the summer it enjoys moderate, refreshing temperatures but it is generally thought of as bitterly cold, maintaining only token fertile soil. The same applies to the first island, Arimos, which has no bearing to the nation of the same name. The second island, Walthoris, is mostly temperate and also mountainous; the third, Trimes is highly volcanic and tropical. All military and civilian presence on Trimes tends to be a safe distance away from the major active volcanoes there.
Culture and Government
Zoogiedom is today composed entirely of one ethnicity - Zoogiedus Plex, the Zoogie People. In ancient times many races apparently intermingled, accounting for unusual genetic diversity that is present. The culture is, as aforementioned, tremendously unified and ties intricately with the government.
The sense of cultural unity is astounding. To be zoogie - virtuous, honorable, learnèd, compassionate - is seen as the greatest status possible. To be deemed not worthy is to be utterly shamed. The glorified virtues and the hated vices are well-defined and known. Citizens have not much patience for the lazy and the greedy, and people of such a kind are looked down on and cast aside.
This mindset has several major ramnifications. First, many things that are perfectly legal in Zoogiedom would be considered blasphemous in other cultures. Indeed, many of the things that the law does not touch on would be considered blasphemous in Zoogiedom itself. It is simply not seen as the government's duty to concern itself with prostitution, smoking and other drug use, hard liquour, and other such activities. There are accordingly little to no regulations or laws concerning them. Despite this, theses are all rare. Drug and tobacco use is nearly non existent; as is prostitution. Most Zoogiedom adults drink in moderation and have an appreciation for fine wine, but drink with care. Beer is not nearly as common. Gun ownership is moderate, though hunting is nonexistent and the more serious gun aficionados are usually members of the military.
The military is one of the major government priorities and responsibilities, although the size of the military is not at all large; it is rather small comparatively. To be in the military is highly prided, but available positions are not in abundant supply.
The other primary government focus is in education and research, to which considerably more funds are dedicated. Education is a partially privatized industry; run by private organizations but heavily mandated and overseen by the government on both the federal and provincial level. A General Curriculum is set by federal the government with mandates for the core curriculums of all students. Provincewide Curriculums are more specific and vary in depth and specific focus of courses as well as the timeframe and order in which they are to be completed. Local Curriculums - pertaining to each individual private school system - further refine the aspects of education at a local level. Research and environmental preservation is conducted with a similar private industry-federal government relationship, except the federal government here has less of a burden.
Government spending is directed mostly at these objectives; commerce regulation & management, as well as administrative spending, are typically minimal, except in special circumstances. Police, hospital, fire, and the public services are generally private organizations run under strict government regulations.
To many the quasi-libertarian system, with proliferate civil rights and private sectors in everything from education to police, is simply absurd. However, it has run itself smoothly and effectively by the unified Zoogietic identity of the Zoogie People; it is accepted that such a system would not work everywhere. A similar system exists in Letila, where lofty goals are accomplished by the intense sense of unity and the common goals of the people.
One should also see Zoogiedom Alliances.
Population and Demographics
Under 5% of all Zoogiedom citizens are immigrants; the vast, vast majority are from the diverse group identified as of the Zoogie race. Despite this fact, racial tensions have not really been a problem; the soul has always been judged to be more important than the man.
Zoogiedom is populated by roughly two billion people; this population is spread for the most part loosely across the vast expanses of the nation. A large part of Zoogiedom is wholly unpopulated, and population density rarely reaches high levels.
Language
Zoogiedom's official language is latin; more commonly and perhaps properly known to foreigners as Zoogietic Extended Latin. The language itself is known in Zoogiedom as Zolovusa (-ae), and is an ongoing, continually updated variant of classical latin. The only changes are extensions of the language to incorporate modern day; hence, extended latin. In Zolovusan, as it may also be called, Zoogiedom is known as Z.P., or Zoogiedus Plex, the Zoogie People.
Motto
Zoogiedom's national motto is VSVS LIBRI NON LECTIO PRUDENTES FACIT - The use, not the reading of books makes us wise; this and other phrases can be seen inscripted on federal buildings. In keeping with classical style and format the ltter U is rendered as V and all forms of punctuation eliminated.
National Symbols
Zoogiedom's national symbols are deeply respected and revered. The national animal is the cherub, which frolick in great numbers in the forests and rainforests of Zoogiedom; also, tourists entering the Mythelian Isles are greeted with a Statue of the One Cherub, holding aloft a torch ine one hand and in the other a scroll. The currency is the Limor, generally rendered lime in English and most likely having certain relation to a tangy, green-colored citrus fruit; its plural is Limores and it is a masculine noun. The Lime is issued in coins (the highest being $1, which is rare) and bills (the highest being $50, also rare). The lime is valued at $1.7014 USD.
The national anthem is Of the coming of Cherubs, telling of, appropriately enough, the coming of the Cherubs. The de facto national sport is badminton; there is no official federal-defined sport of choice.
History
The ancient Zoogies have a long and rich history that deals mostly within Zoogiedom itself and of which little is known to the outside world. Consequently little of it will be discussed.
The point of relevance in Zoogiedom history begins with Consul (or President) Victor Melius, who carried the title Imperator, one who commands. An intense nationalist Imperator Melius instated a strict but generally fair and benevolent rule, expanding the military to its greatest modern-day height in numbers and using it often. He abolished elections and limited political freedoms to ensure his continued reign and was subsequently ousted from power by Praetorius general Patrick Ciel. AN interim government was instated for the next eighteen or so months; libertarians emerged victorious in the 1978 elections. A mostly socialist period followed then, dominating the 1980s. By the mid-90's it had begun to show signs of waining; in 1998 the moderate liberal William Ciel was elected.
Ciel's administration, and that of William Fontair before him, was filled with turmoil. Fontair had endured international ridicule of joining a socialist organization called the IUSS without a clear idea of the ramnifications. He had also shot down nuclear missiles fired in the war between Deanery and Hoobang, but nearly provoked nuclear retaliation in the process. In 1996 Fontair entered Zoogiedom into Colerica's struggle with Isla de Palata, withdrawing twelve months later. Shortly after taking office Ciel again sent forces to Colerica, commiting a Zoogiedom presence for the duration of the Isla de Palatan War. This having been won, Zoogiedom deployed a greater force to the Colerican civil war, mostly fought between Colericans.
Zoogiedom also involved itself in the Hogsweat Civil War, a disastrous endeavor in which all five thousand ground forces - none of which saw any significant action - were wiped out when the Hogsweatian nationalist leader, approaching defeat, launched nuclear weapons on the near entirety of his country.
Zoogiedom's most significant action in Ciel's administration occured within the region, when a shipment of arms in regular trade was attacked and destroyed by the Lashuga military. This was followed by attacks on the Zoogiedom embassy in Lashuga, and provoked an all-out assault on the Lashugan military in a war that lasted two-years, resulting in the utter destruction of the Lashugan military and toppling of its administration by an internal rebellion. Today Lashuga no longer has international, or momentarily, regional weight due to internal strife.
Michael Hansien ascended the consulship, or as more commonly used among foreigners, presidency, after Ciel finished his two terms, and brought in sweeping changes. He reduced the miltiary and government size greatly, shifting focus and proving not afraid to act whenever necessary. A new era of peace and prosperity was ushered in. The peace was however short-lived: longtime ally Drizzts fell to a dictator's rule, an action to which Zoogiedom aggressively responded to. This resulted in a standoff and massive mobilization on both sides; aggressive diplomacy in the form of an all-or-nothing ultimatum was delivered to the Drizzts dictator Dean, who rejected it, plunging the Isles into war. Zoogiedom rallied support of staunchest ally Anaressa, while Natoa and Tseukamu-Rekuwatoru aided Drizzt. Redmire also deployed forces against Dean's empire.
A funny thing happened on the way to 2 billion
Zoogiedom announced a nationwide day of festivities when it hit this landmark, to which other nations joined. However, once Euroslavia got involved, things made a turn for the...awkward. Bar violance and strategically fired yolks of egg notwithstanding, reports surfaced that the entire Generian and Borman populations arrived in the capital area to join in; further rumours circulate that a chasm opened in the earth, from which Abraham Lincoln rode on a tide of fire. The story goes that Thor the Thundergod having descended from the heavens did epic battle then with Lincoln having ascended from the fire, Godzilla having emerged from the volcano, and a Giant Robot having arrived from somewhere unimportant. In the meanwhile it is said that the President and his cabinet and advisers celebrated with other national leaders, including a drunken derelict identified as Emperor Antonius of Generic Empire. Further, there are those who claim that the Cherub looked on with glee, and that a horde of Vikings commanded by Thor vied for battlefield supremacy and woman-snatching with the Roman army led by Titus the Manly, who was further opposed by the Hellenistic army.
These reports are purely speculative, although they might explain the existence of a dormant volcano whose actions and whereabouts before this date were utterly unknown, as well as the recently discovered skeleton of a ninety-foot tall carnivorous dinosauriad creature with gigantic wings (carbon dated to be twenty days old).
Military
Historically Zoogiedom has prided itself in its military and continues to do so, although the concepts of military and its purpose have evolved with time. In this modern day and age wars are decided often not by numbers, or by individual heroics. In classical and medieval times the armies of Zoogiedom were very much based on individual skill along with group cohesion. However, a recent trend has reflected the new concept of war that has now taken hold.
Most marked in the current administration of President Hanelis, defense spending has gradually declined, but not with it military pride. The military has become a drastically smaller organization, as focus has shifted from manpower to technology and efficiency. The modern Zoogiedom army is based on intelligence, technology, communications, and the cooperation of all available units. The military is regarded as a war machine that is fully integrated with all relevant branches of the government (primarily, defense and intelligence) and operates as such.
The Zoogiedom Air Force and Navy are the most heavily invested in forces, and are employed first and foremost. The Marines, generally defined as a separate unit, are included in this definition under the auspices of the navy. In contrast, the army, while technologically advanced and logistically stable, is ridiculously small in comparison. The army has been reduced to a bare minimum in manpower as Zoogiedom has no land borders with other nations and therefore the army would be rarely used for defensive purposes.
Being a member of the military is something highly prided - those that give up a comfortable, stable life that would probably otherwise await them for service to their country fit every definition of 'honorable' in Zoogiedom - but not all who want to are admitted; in contrast to most countries, the physical is not the only exam that is required for admission. The military's recruiting drive is almost nonexistant because it is not needed: there is a considerable recruiting excess, and so it is not a force that can take as much manpower as it can get. Many that wish to join their ranks are deemed not worthy enough; as famous former defense minister William Tarquin often joked, "We're probably one of the few countries that don't have a recruiting problem, and it's because our army is so damn small." (This quote can be found on a plaque in the current defense minister's office)
In fighting wars, Zoogiedom has also never instituted a draft (although this is perfectly legal and within the bounds of the constitution in emergency situations such as defense of the homeland) or instated a tour of duty system. Soldiers sent to fight a war are generally stationed there for the entire duration of the conflict; rotations may be enacted based on necessity, depending on the circumstances.
Current News
This section is for current IC developments regarding Zoogiedom and the Isles of Arden.
Drizzts forces launched a successful and devastating attack on the three forward stationed fleets in the area, destroying or hindering four carriers of various magnitudes in all; in response Zoogiedom has initiated a massive counterstrike and called the Edict of Naortes into action, essentially transforming the country into a gigantic war machine on high gear. Anaressa hasalso launched a naval assault in Ardenian waters to intercept the Tseukamuan fleet. These are the latest updates in the Arden War.
