Latest revision as of 15:38, 29 October 2007

Xanthal

Flag of Xanthal
Motto: “Unity Through Respect”
Maps available upon request.
Region	SPACE
Capital	Olenk, Olĭnk, Rənku
Official Language(s)	English, Mirfakan, Than
Leader	Yătzĭl Ąmsi
Population	approximately 8.7 billion.
Currency	kwĭnąlt
NS Sunset XML

The nation of Xanthal was founded on Earth in 1960 on the values of freedom, equality, and justice. After a mass move of the government and population to the Aellis System, which was completed in 2150, Xanthal prospered under a long line of administrations until the Humankind Empire Abh seized control of Aellis and physically moved it to their own galaxy in 2603. With the seat of power gone in the highly centralized Xanthalian government, order quickly collapsed in the two remaining Xanthalian star systems, Mirfak and Than. It wasn’t until 2957 that these two systems and Trasnia, a former Xanthalian protectorate that had declared its independence before the Aellis System’s disappearance, reunified under the common name of Xanthal. Today Xanthal operates as a federation of semi-independent states unified by institutions for their common defense and the maintenance of foreign relations. A timeline of significant events in Xanthalian history can be found here.

Territory

The Xanthalian Federation encompasses four major star systems. Several other systems not listed here are claimed either by the Federation or one of its member states.

Kanell

The Kanell star is 503 light-years from Sol, in the Perseus arm. Xanthal claims the entire system.

• Planets:
  • Arferdal (hot/cold desert climates).
  • Shinra (homeworld).
  • Rem (gas giant).
  • Hayfago (gas giant).
  • Gulee (gas giant).

Mirfak

The Mirfak star is 590 light-years from Sol, in the Perseus arm. Xanthal claims the entire system, which forms the core of its operations and houses its national capital.

• Planets:
  • Nivz (molten).
  • Fina (various rock and metal types).
  • Renku (homeworld).
  • Danika (various rock and metal types).

Than

The Than star is 62 light-years from Sol, in the Orion arm. Xanthal claims the entire system.

• Planets:
  • Prime (molten).
  • Next (gas giant).
  • Imnala (barren rock).
  • Megukuga (homeworld).
  • Kender (gas giant).
  • Wakimaishu (homeworld).
  • Solace (ice planet).

Trasnia

The Trasnia star is 105 light-years from Sol, in the Orion arm. Xanthal claims the entire system.

• Planets:
  • Hades (molten).
  • Covect (gas giant).
  • Madre (gas giant).
  • Tsukasa (barren rock).
  • Soviet (homeworld).
  • Freeland (homeworld).

Government

Xanthalian Constitution. Xanthalian National Anthem.

Xanthal is a democratic republic, with a traditional three-branch government. The executive power is vested in three Triumvirs, the legislative power in the [Xanthalian States|States], and the judicial power in the nine-member panel of the High Court.

Triumvirate

Triumvirs in order of seniority:

• Yătzĭl Ąmsi
• Teanin Kisnash
• Carrie Anders

Legislature

When a Federal law is proposed, each State votes on the proposition. The resulting decisions returned by the Legislatures are tallied to determine if the proposed law will be approved. Two-thirds in favor is required to pass new law; a unanimous vote is required to amend the Constitution. A simple majority can repeal existing law. Decisions of the Legislatures can be overturned by referendum. A list of political parties in Xanthal and how they are represented in each state legislature can be found [Xanthalian political parties|here].

Ministries

Xanthal's Federal Ministries act with broad autonomy to carry out the routine duties of the Federal government.

The Ministry of Education operates Xanthalian schools. While the Ministry’s Federal level oversees the proper administration of federal law and maintains standards, the local districts handle practical matters such as hiring and firing of staff, enrollment of students, and distribution of supplies. The Ministry of Education is financed by a Federal tax, dispensing funds to individual districts based upon need.

The Ministry of Environment wields the power to set standards that ensure sustainability. It monitors conditions on Xanthalian planets to assess potential problems.

The Ministry of Economics mints quinaults and determines exchange rates under the authority of the Legislatures, and manages Federal tax collection and distribution alongside the Triumvirate. The Ministry also operates Federal banks.

The Ministry of Transportation regulates interstate travel in Xanthal and maintains the country’s interstellar communications with its massive fleet of police and courier ships.

The Ministry of Health maintains Xanthal’s master medical and patient database. It also acts to prevent and control disease by regulating and inspecting consumables and medications.

Society

Modern Xanthal is home to a diverse population with a variety of lifestyles and political views reflected in the democratic republic state government, which strives to maintain a balance between the regulations that maintain order and social equality and the liberties that allow people to live normal, free lives. Xanthalian territory is policed by locally-organized forces; the federal security force is the National Security Agency. The country’s justice system focuses on rehabilitating criminals. Foreigners are usually deported if convicted of a crime under Xanthalian law.

Leaning overall to the moderate libertarian left, Xanthal is a state of tolerance and equality with a respectable set of civil freedoms. Housing, transportation, utilities, hospitals, groceries, and other goods and services commonly accepted as necessary for civilized life are in the public sector in the more left-leaning territories; most affairs are dealt with on the local or planetary level. There is a large private sector in Xanthal, especially in Trasnia, where business is less tightly regulated.

Though the federal government exercises some power over all of Xanthal, each major planet (homeworld) has a distinct political and social climate. Renku, the center of Xanthalian power, is an authoritarian left-wing society populated mostly by members of the xanthalian species. Mirfakan is the official language, though most xanthalians can speak fluent English as well. Security is tight, as are social mores. The planet has a decent variety of climates and a sizable minority population, but conservative urban design and social order is worldwide.

The Thanic worlds are the least diverse in Xanthalian space, in no small part thanks to their harsh climates. Megukuga is almost exclusively populated by than, whereas Wakimaishu has a thanic majority, but supports a notable minority of other hardy sentient species as well as a few determined humans. Than is the most common language on both, most non-than speak Mirfakan or English. Being originally of a hive mind, the than as a society have retained a strong sense of community and show remarkable dedication to their assigned tasks, loyalty to their leaders, and unity in their common goals. Politically the two planets are somewhat more distinct. Due to many centuries of complications while evolving away from collective intelligence and the resulting internal and external affairs entanglements, the worlds have grown apart and even made war on one another. Megukuga still retains the left-wing libertarian attitudes impressed upon it by its Old Xanthalian masters. Short, reinforced earthen buildings and extensive underground burrows characterize this suburban planet, belying its modernity and technological sophistication. Wakimaishu is much less advanced than its neighbor, and its population is concentrated into highly urban, industrial areas and rural agricultural zones. It has retained the hard-line authoritarian attitude of a nation trying to maintain the order it once had under a hive mind. Displays of individuality are frowned upon if not actively suppressed. Considering the tough work conditions and subsistence lifestyle endured by most of the population, it is only the inherent nature of the than that allows one to spare the term “abusive.”

Freeland and Soviet, collectively known as Trasnia, are by far the most socially liberal of the Xanthalian planets, also falling significantly right of center on economic issues. Humans are by far the most common sentient species on these worlds, but a wide array of species make up a sizable minority. Originally a pirate colony, Freelanders retain a fierce spirit of independence and libertarianism. Freeland has a much larger and freer private sector than any other planet in Xanthal, and even provides public services through privately-owned companies. Freelanders typically have more personal freedom and exercise their freedoms much more broadly than people in other parts of Xanthal. Everything about Freeland screams diversity, from the myriad species and cultural centers to the manner of dress (or lack thereof), from the variety of climates to the mixture of archetectural styles. As the most populous and prosperous of the Xanthalian planets, Freeland arguably stands at the pinnacle of achievement among its fellow federated states. Soviet is a new homeworld, terraformed in large part to lighten Freeland’s population load. It is a small colony compared to its burgeoning neighbor, but is already showing promise as a business and cultural center. English is the official language of both Freeland and Soviet.

Shinra has a warm, balanced climate; perfect for agriculture. Its small population can be generalized as socially conservative, moderate right-wingers; typical for rural populations. Conditions are pleasant, if one doesn’t mind the low population density. A few urban centers are in place, but they are fairly small and tend to serve more as a location for marketplaces, common areas, and gateways to spaceports than as permanent places of residence for large populations. The preferred method of transportation on Shinra is air shuttle. Private craft are typically leased to families for their individual needs by the planetary government. Since its colonists came from across Xanthal, it has adopted both English and Mirfakan as official languages.

People

By species

• 58% human
• 22% xanthalian
• 10% than
• 10% other

By religion

• 36% agnostic
• 13% Theravada Buddhist
• 9% atheist
• 9% Sunni Muslim
• 7% Lutheran Christian
• 6% Hartish
• 5% Baptist Christian
• 4% Mahayana Buddhist
• 11% other

Literacy and language

Literacy rate: 98%

Common languages: English, Merfăkan [Mirfakan], ░ְֲֳּ [Than].

Each Xanthalian planet typically adopts one or more official languages based upon the languages commonly spoken there. Citizens who have reached majority are required to be able to read and write at least one of their planet’s official languages proficiently to be considered literate. The federal government conducts its official business in English, and other languages as necessary.

Economy, resources, and trade

Essential operations in the Mirfakan and Thanic states are owned and operated by their respective governments. There, government agencies regularly collect and redistribute currency. In Mirfak and Than, all necessities of living are provided to citizens as a public service, and the government issues substantial refunds for spending on both public and private goods and services. The public sector accounts for about one quarter of Xanthalian economic power. The rest is generated by private enterprise, mostly in Trasnia.

Xanthal’s primary resource is raw materials, mostly metal ores and gasses. Kanell is most important for the extensive agricultural activity of Shinra, though Arferdal’s military facilities are significant and essential to the nation’s defense. Mirfak supports large commercial markets, mostly on Renku. Than focuses its economic efforts on industrial output, especially Wakimaishu; Megukuga has a powerful commercial sector as well. Trasnia is the most balanced of the four systems, supporting thriving agricultural, commercial, and industrial capacity as well as most international markets.

Trade law in the Federation is written by its individual States. Although tariffs and other trade restrictions on goods with Xanthalian-made substitutes are heavy in the economically-authoritarian Mirfakan and Thanic states, there is a huge foreign market in Trasnia. Xanthal also has a sizable export market.

Common imports

• Consumables
• Media
• Electronics

Common exports

• Spacecraft
• Automobiles
• Raw materials

Common exchange currencies

• The Common Credit is the only currency accepted by the federal government in international transactions. As the most available and easily convertible currency in Xanthal besides the quinault, it is also accepted by many private businesses.
• The Euro is commonly used by private companies in transactions with Earth nations, especially those lacking the capacity for faster-than-light travel. Xanthalian companies that regularly import from and export to Earth will readily accept Euros.

Technology

• Xanthalian spacecraft
• Xanthalian space stations

Military

• Xanthalian Labule
• Xanthalian Nabule

Binding international agreements

• Constitution of the Galactic Federation
• International Aid Consortium Agreement
• International Planespace Tactical Security Agreement
• Martian Port Authority Charter
• Friendship Treaty with New Dornalia
• Friendship Treaty with the Huntarian Alliance
• Equal Rights Accord