Author Topic: Demarchic Republic of Runavik  (Read 2491 times)

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Offline RobertAgira

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Demarchic Republic of Runavik
« on: June 15, 2020, 11:24:47 PM »

Motto:-Better Stout Heart than Sharp Sword
National Anthem:- Name of Anthem

BACKGROUND

Following some exploration and raiding of southern Albion by the Nordic peoples originating from modern day Nya Aland in the 10th Century some of the lesser sons of families realised the fertility of the islands portion of Runavik. Some of them elected to stay and the various islands formed part of the old Viking Kingdoms that made up the former Union of Nordic Peoples. Throughout the period though the wars from back home in Eastern Albion also saw a theatre in the South West. It wasn't until the early 14th Century that a King called Rasmus Storm-axe united the various islanders and even went as far as establishing a foothold on the mainland. With the death of an heirless Rasmus though people were unsure how to proceed and at a council of his advisers held a "Thing" during this meeting it was determined that every six months a Thing would take place with every settlement over a certain population represented by a "Law-giver" and a "Chieftan". The system of government evolved to represent the will of the people and now a system thought to be unique called a Demarchic Republic exists.

Government Type:- Demarchic Republic (Nation elect a President every five years. There is a Parliament where every citizen over the age of 18 stands a chance of being randomly selected to serve a period of six months.
Population:-:- 37,800,000
Capital City:- Koltur (5,200,000)
Demonym:- Runaviks


ECONOMY

Currency:- Geld
GDP per Capita:- $30,000
Unemployment Rate:- 2.8%
Main Industries:- Agriculture, ship building, fishing and e-commerce


PEOPLE

Ethnicity:- Nordic
Languages:- Norse
Religions:- 70% Odinist 25% Lokist 5% Other
Average Life Expectancy:- Male 77 years Female 79 years


GOVERNMENT

Head of State:- President Tobin Grimwal
Head of Government:- N/A
Name of Legislative Body:- The Thing

Offline RobertAgira

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Re: Demarchic Republic of Runavik
« Reply #1 on: June 16, 2020, 02:23:50 PM »
HOW THE COUNTRY IS RUN

The nations government is split into two parts, the Office of the President and the Thing.

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

President Tobin Grimwal

The President is tasked with ensuring the constitution of the nation is carried out in accordance with its rules. This means overseeing the six monthly process of changing The Thing, appointing judges, overseeing the Armed Forces and dealing with foreign relations amongst other duties. The President also selects the cabinet but this must be approved by The Thing, any changes he makes to the cabinet must be subsequently be approved. The President holds the office for a maximum of five years before another election is scheduled, he can however be removed should a majority of two consecutive Things vote for his removal. There are no limits to the number of times a President can be elected however it is very rare for anybody to seek re-election for a third consecutive term and this has become an almost unwritten rule.

THE THING

The Palace of the Thing

The Thing is the nations version of a Parliament. It is rather unique in the fact that it has no single leader and is temporary in its make up. It has 281 members.

How is it selected?

Every six months The Thing is reformed. The President is responsible for overseeing what is called "The Thing List", this is a register of every citizen of the Republic regardless of where on Mundus they live. The only people not on the list are those currently serving in the military, those having been released from prison within the last 10 years and those deemed to be "medically incapable" of assuming the duties required to be a member of The Thing. On the appointed day 280 names are drawn at random (originally there were more restrictions of who could be on the list and names where physically drawn out of a giant mead barrel, today this is done electronically). At the same time members of the current Thing select one of their members to remain for a further six months to serve as the "Law Speaker", a position that they hold for the next six months and will see them essentially speaking on behalf of the Thing with the President. The Law Speaker also has the cast vote in the event of ties. Once the 280 individuals have been called they are given 72 hours to report to the Palace of The Thing to be sworn into office. Should a person be unable to meet the 72 hour deadline they must gain an exemption directly from the President. Should the President determine they have no valid reason for refusing to serve on the Thing and they fail to attend they are fined a maximum of $100,000 (the figure is determined by a persons wealth) and imprisoned for six months. Anyone gaining a Presidential exemption is replaced randomly. On the day should an individual not report for their duty on The Thing a warrant is issued for their arrest and a member of the outgoing Thing is able to volunteer to remain, should there be more volunteers than places lots are drawn. A person may only serve on two consecutive Things.

It is possible to serve on Things many times if your name is drawn, however while it is not part of the written constitution it is more likely that you will be granted a Presidential exemption if you have already served.

How does it make law?

Any member of the Thing may present an individual known as the Chief Scribe a motion for either passing or repealing a law. The Chief Scribe then has 48 hours to ensure that the proposal complies with law and is written in such a way that it can be utilised if passed. In reality the Chief Scribe has a staff of around 40 scribes who work with members of the Thing to ensure their ideas are properly written before they are presented to the Chief Scribe. Once the Chief Scribe is satisfied the proposal is fit for purpose it is presented to the Law Speaker who, as the name suggests, informs the Thing of the proposal. This is then debated with the Chief Scribe acting as a kind of chair for the debate. Once the debate is over votes are taken in public. A majority is required to change, repeal, or create any law. In the event of a draw the Law-Speaker casts the determining vote.

What responsibilities does The Thing have

There are no restrictions on the areas that The Thing can pass legislation on except for the case of the constitution. If a change to the Constitution is required then this must first be approved by the Thing, then The President before being subject to a national referendum.

The Thing also have many voulentary sub committees which Cabinet Ministers oversee. These range from issues such as The Environment, Education and Agriculture. The Cabinet Minister is able to offer guidance or advice to the committees members and is effectively a backdoor for the President to be able to try and have his own ideas for laws heard in The Thing.

What happens to your life while your in The Thing?

One concern citizens often cite if they apply for a Presidential exception to service is fears over their jobs and family etc. Members of The Thing are paid during their tenure. They receive a salary equivalent of $42,000 for simply being a member of the Thing, but they also receive funding for expenses such as necessary travel, additionally they are provided quarters in the Thing Lodge, which is an estate on the edge of the capital with lodgings for approximately 300 people. The island citizens of the nation tend to find the positives of being on The Thing are a major increase in wages however as most of these are agricultural workers they often are concerned about what will happen to their land back on the islands while away. As such many islanders end up using parts of their salary to ensure extra workers on their farm. To many of the mainland inhabiting members of the Thing the salary is a pay cut.

Strange traditions of The Thing

* At the start of each day the "wapentake" is carried out. This translates into English as "The Weapon Take" and sees members of the Thing asked to declare upon entry to the Palace of the Thing that they are carrying no weapons.

* The only weapons permitted within The Palace of the Thing are carried by the Úlfhéðnar (Wolf Soldiers) who are tasked with the security of the Palace. The Úlfhéðnar are members of the armed forces who have served in The Thing previously and then re-voulenteered for the military. They are renowned for their ceremonial daggers having wolf head pommels and Grey Wolf tails used on their headwear.

* Each day members of The Thing collect a rune-stick bearing their name from the Office of the Scribes. Attached to it are any notices for the day concerning that member. During debates if a person wishes to speak they walk to the front of the chamber and deposit their stick into a velvet bag from which the Chief Scribe draws the names of the person to speak next. The sticks are returned once the debate is over and the vote is taken. Should you wish to speak twice in the debate you must first wait for all those with rune sticks to have their say before raising a hand to speak. Members are permitted to keep their runestick as a souvenir of their service in the Thing (each are dated and often designs incorporated)

* The Thing has a public gallery which any person may sit in and observe the days proceedings. Today this is behind bulletproof and sound proof glass with the audio being played directly into the gallery.

* The oldest member of the Thing is referred to as Thing Parent and are given the seat next to the Chief Scribe on the right hand side.

* The youngest member of The Thing is referred to as Thing Child and are given the seat next to the Chief Scribe on the left hand side.

* Should a member of The Thing become a parent during their tenure they are expected a month later to bring the Child to The Thing where each member is expected to have brought a gift. Often this is just a monetary gift but sometimes larger gestures are made.

* Should a member of The Thing die during their term they are not replaced and their Runestick is ceremonially burnt in the debating chamber.

* The President is never permitted in the debating chamber by law. The sentence for any President entering the debating chamber is "to be disembowelled and their head displayed above the Chief Scribes chair." this law was passed in the 1400's and has never been used however their is a spike built into the top of the elaborate chair the Chief Scribe uses for the purpose of displaying the Presidents head.

* On days of significant anniversaries, holidays or other momentous occasions the spike on the Chief Scribes chair is used for other items than the Presidents head. This is a tradition dating back to the 1800's when a long serving Chief Scribe would skewer something symbolic each day onto it. For example when discussing a law about taxation on fishing nets he skewered a whole Haddock onto it, however it was removed three hours later as members of The Thing complained about the stink.


Offline RobertAgira

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Re: Demarchic Republic of Runavik
« Reply #2 on: June 17, 2020, 02:08:47 PM »
ADMINISTRATIVE QUIRKS OF RUNAVIK

Runavik has many administrative quirks based on traditions which still exist today.

HUNDREDS = This was a measure of land established in 1363 under King Rasmus Storm-axe. It was an area of land deemed capable of supplying the King with 100 spearmen along with food for a month for them. This saw some Hundreds geographically larger than others as it depended on resources. Today Hundreds still exist and serve a function in terms of local administration, religious instruction and even sporting leagues. Each Hundred had an hereditary Jarl, today that role exists only in a ceremonial way and while the Jarls retain their titles and in many cases own an above average amount of land they have no responsibility or privilege beyond an ordinary citizen.


Offline RobertAgira

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Re: Demarchic Republic of Runavik
« Reply #3 on: June 17, 2020, 04:24:44 PM »
RELIGION IN RUNAVIK

ODINISM IN RUNAVIK (70% of the Population)

As the original founders of Runavik originated from the Nordic homeland of modern day Nya Aland it is no surprise the nation is mainly made up of followers of the Odinist faith. While they do not follow the same rules on religion as the Alanders the faith plays just as important a part in their lives as in their ancestoral land.

Runaviks believe in the same fundamental tenants of the Odinist faith such as the Creation Story, the tribes of Gods, the End of Time and the Nine Worlds. They also have the same reverence for the ancient saga's that tell the tales of the Gods and are used as a kind of moral compass.

The Odinists of Runavik do not follow the Head Gothi of Nya Aland, despite his title he is not seen as a figure similar to a Pope. In fact while Nya Aland has not official priesthood as such with each community electing their own religious leaders Runavik does have a Priestly hierarchy. Each hundred is guided religiously by a Gothi who is officially trained at the nations University of The All Father. That Gothi may give a licence to any individual who they believe is capable of teaching about the faith to individuals and these individuals usually look after local shrines and groves on a volunteer basis. Each Hundred belongs to a District which overseen by a Senior Gothi who is responsible for ensuring 10 Hundreds are run effectively. All the Districts then are overseen by the Master Gothi who is the leader of Odinism in the nation. The Gothi's of each hundred select from their number the Senior Gothi for their District, and in a similar manner the Senior Gothi's select the Master Gothi. Each of these positions serve until they either resign or die.

The faithful gather on the days allocated to the Gods at local shrines for worship which still involves some manner of sacrifice, although human sacrifice was outlawed in the 17th Century.


LOKIISM (25% of the Population)


In the 1100's Nils Lundberg founded a small community on one of the islands that at the time was uninhabited. The community grew steadily based around the religious teachings of Lundberg and what he called Lokiism. This faith shares many of the beliefs of Odinism however it believes that Loki is the God to whom all devotion should go and that the others are merely his minions. They believe however that Loki is not being punished by the Gods. They believe that Loki is in fact responsible for all the good and bad in the world. Essentially believers of this faith think Loki is best described as an attention seeker and that if his faithful do not shower enough on him he causes mischief. While he is content the faithful are rewarded.

The faith spread slightly off of the Lundberg Island but struggled to establish a core of believers on the mainland. However since the turn of the 20th Century more youngsters have begun leaving the islands and have taken the faith with them.

The faith is overseen in a similar manner to Odinism however because of the geographic nature of the faith very few hundreds have a Gothi.

Offline RobertAgira

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Re: Demarchic Republic of Runavik
« Reply #4 on: June 17, 2020, 05:26:37 PM »
GEOGRAPHY OF RUNAVIK

Runavik is made up of two very different communities. The original settlements of Runavik evolved on 25 inhabited islands, these range from having less than 80 people on to the largest which is Hornstrandir with a population of just over 180,000. These islands are predominantly agricultural and fishing communities. The mainland was settled in the 1300's and today has a mainly urban population. There are two huge cities on the mainland,  Koltur with a population of around 5,200,000 that is positioned on the coast and the inland city of Húsavík with a population of 4,400,000.

ISLANDS OF NOTE


The Isle of Hornstrandir

The largest of the islands it was one of the first settled by the Nords. It is an island primarily split between two ancient industries. The soils of the island are rather thin and it is hard to grow a large variety of crops so the focus is on livestrock which roam the inland parts of the nation which are typified by harsh grasslands and rocky outcrops. As such hardy varieties of cattle and sheep are common place. The second type of industry is fishing and there are large ports dotted around the island. The largest of which sits on the southern end of the island and is called Hornstad and has a population of around 35,000 people. IT does have a rather large port which is much bigger than you would normally need for the size of settlement. The reason for this is the port has increased constantly in size as the island began developing its commerce. Today it allows large ships to take produce off to markets across Mundus. As one of the closest ports to Hygelac it is also often visited by tourist ships keen to refuel and restock prior to heading south.


Kileoy

Kileøya translates literally as "Wedge Island" it was named because in the view of the discoverers it resembled the shape of a woodman's cutting wedge. The Island was utilised for tin mining and had a whaling station. Today it has a population of around 30 people who are mainly farmers. The cliffs are home to a large number of seabirds which bring many tourists to the island to sit in the bays and birdwatch. The island did until 2009 host a small naval patrol base however as it was now possible to patrol for longer periods it became redundant and while its infastructure of two quays, a 25 room mess hall and a maintainence lodge still stand they are utilised occasionally by search and rescue teams on exercise or by groups of tourists.


Sandøya

Sandøya translates literally as the Island of Sand. The island got its name for its large shallow and sandy beaches, combined with its two large deep bays the island was ideal for boat building. This was an important industry along with cattle rearing. The beef produced by Sandøya is well known for a rather unique reason. As the cattle are allowed to wander a large area they often walk onto the beaches and graze on the ample amounts of seaweed which are washed up by the tides. It is believed that this gives the beef a rather unique flavour which has made the meat rather prized by some across Mundus.  Today the island is home to about 100 people and several thousand head of cattle. The beaches are popular with tourists however there are strict rules about their use as the local farming community are concerned about the damage caused to the seaweed which is vital to their cattle marketing strategy.

THE MAINLAND


Koltur

Koltur is the capital of Runavik and sits on the mainland in a large bay which makes it a useful major port. It has a population of 5.2million however this expansion has only really happened since the 1920's when the nation discovered supplies of natural gas in the region. This money was invested heavily in manufacturing, industrial services and shipbuilding. This allowed the city to grow rapidly, especially as younger Runaviks began to leave the island for better opportunities. The investment of money then lead to various other changes in the economic nature such as high tech manufacture, computing and e-commerce. The city is rather densely populated and this has caused problems in the last two decades as the city is outgrowing its space.


Húsavík

Húsavík is the 2nd largest city in the country, it is also one of the newest. With Koltur expanding many of the wealthy became annoyed at the heavy industrialisation that was taking place. In the 1930's they moved inland to the small city of Húsavík. This began to rapidly expand and is due in 2060 to overtake Koltur as the largest city in the nation. It has an economy that was built heavily on gambling and lumber. In 1940 a deposit of uranium was discovered nearby and this has lead to a growth in this field through to the 1970s. Today Húsavík is the wealthiest city in the nation where on average people earn 15% more than in Koltur.

Offline RobertAgira

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Re: Demarchic Republic of Runavik
« Reply #5 on: August 31, 2020, 08:02:01 PM »
THE MILITARY OF RUNAVIK

Spoiler: The Republican Navy • show


24,764 Sailors
14,746 Reservists

All ship names are prefixed with RNV standing for Republican Naval Vessel. Tradition dictates that each new class of ship is named after a Norse God. Each ship within class is named after a mythological giant with the first ship in a class being given a name starting with "A", the second a "B" and so on. (There are no giants with names starting with C)

Baldr Class Attack Sub

1. Alfarinn
2. Bakaruf
3. Dofri
4. Eggther
5. Fala

Bragi Class Landing Dock

1. Alsvatr
2. Beli

Dellingr Class Assault Ship

1. Alvaldi
2. Bergelmir

Forseti Class Destroyer

1. Angeyja
2. Bestla
3. Drofn
4. Eimgeitr

Heimdallr Class Frigate

1. Angrboda
2. Billingr
3. Dufa
4. Eistla

Hermoor Class Frigate

1. Asvid
2. Brandingi
3. Dumbr

Hoor Class Patrol Ship

1. Atla
2. Buseyra
3. Durnir
4. Eisurfala
5. Farbauti
6. Galarr
7. Hafli
8. Ima
9. Jarnglumra
10. Kaldgrani

Hoenir Class Missile Boat

1. Aurekr
2. Bylgja
3. Djalbe
4. Eldr
5. Fenja

Itreksjoo Class hovercraft

1. Aurgrimnir
2. Bolborn
3. Dahl
4. Eyrgjafa
5. Fenrir
6. Galavi
7. Hala


Spoiler: Republican Air Force • show


24,422 Airmen
14,344 Reservists

70 x F-16 Egil Multi-Role Fighter
50 x F-7 Hervor Fighter Bomber
5 x P-1 Arngrim Maritime Patrol Aircraft
5 x P-200 Beowulf Search and Rescue Aircraft
5 x E-6 Bjarki Electronic Warfare and Bomber Aircraft
14 x P-5 Breca Scout Seaplane
10 x B-5 Folcwalding Bomber
3 x E-2 Haki AEWACS
20 x C-27 Hama Transport Plane
15 x H-17 Helgi Utility Helicopter
32 x H-90 Hloor Naval Helicopter
30 x F-191 Ingeld Naval Capable Fighter
10 x T-6 Offa Basic Trainer
10 x T-10 Rerir Advanced Trainer/Light Fighter



Spoiler:  Republican Army • show


55,822 Soldiers
28758 Reservists

80 x Ask Main Battle Tanks
100 x Embla Infantry Fighting Vehicle
130 x Beyla Armoured Personnel Carrier
80 x Borr Armoured Personnel Carrier
300 x Byggvir Scout Vehicle[/url]
300 x Dis Mobility Vehicle
200 x Eldir Mobility Vehicle
20 x Fimafeng Self Propelled Howitzer
30 x Fenrir Towed Howitzer
25 x Garmir Mobile SAM
20 x Hel Mobile Anti-Air Gun
10 x Gyllir Attack Helicopter
20 x Skinfaxi UAV