King | Queen |
Must be at least 18 years of age. Must be of the Ermwhal Strata Must be unmarried Must be from a family with no Guine in for three generations Must be able to hold the Axe of the King (4.4 lb) horizontally for a minute Must be deemed physically intact | Must be at least 16 years of age Must be of the Ermwhal Strata Must be unmarried Must be from a family with no Guine in for four generations. Must be capable of producing children Must be deemed physically intact. Must be deemed beautiful (judged by King) |
Queen Karin Biermann | King Phillip Theissen | |
Date of Birth | 18 April 1987 | 7th June 1981 |
Reigned since | 2015 Replaced Queen Anna Verchek after challenge | 2000 Replaced King Marcel Bartial after challenge |
Children | With King Philip Hannah b. 2016 Madeline b.2018 | With Queen Anna Verchek Jonas b.2001 Stefan b. 2004 Agatha b. 2007 |
Standard of Education | University graduate in Economics | University graduate in Chemistry |
Employment | Worked for the Treasury as a researcher. | Naval Officer (still enlisted) |
Family Background | Comes from a rather noble bloodline, three previous members of the Biermann family have been monarchs. Her father is an ambassador while Mother was a Minister of Education. The family are also the holders of the Lordship of the Highways meaning they can collect private tolls from six roads in the nation. It is a largely symbolic title but non the less does make them one of the more esteemed families in the nation. Has a younger sister who is a pilot in the Air Force. | Comes from a family that have extensive military service. His father was an Army Colonel and later served as Minister of Defence. His mother meanwhile worked for the Diplomatic Service as a translator and became a senior member of the Civil Service. He has an elder brother who also tried to become King at the same time. He has a younger sister who is currently at University. |
Route to the crown. | Was one of four challenges to Queen Anna Verchek in 2015. King Philip rejected one as not beautiful enough, he then had the remaining three undertake a challenge to be the first to return the Kings Axe from a Temple 20km away. The challengers were made to leave the Palace immediately after and were accompanied by a Royal Guardsman to ensure they received no outside help or used motorized transport. Karin was victorious and fought Queen Anna a week later breaking her arm and receiving her submission. | Was one of six men to challenge the then 52 year old King Macel. Queen Anna Verchek rejected one of the six and a further one failed the axe challenge. The four remaining were ordered to be supervised by a Royal Guardsman and told to catch as many fish as possible in 48 hours. The one with most weight would win. Philip won with ease and a week later fought King Marcel knocking him unconscious in less than a minute. |
1. | Taken from Christian Democrats on NS |
Age Undertaken | Name of Ritual | Description |
A week after Birth | The Planting of the Seed | The child is taken by it parents to the local Temple and there a naming ceremony similar to a Christian baptism is held. The Priestess of Sandraudiga and the Priest of Heremod present the parents with a seed each. Sandraudiga with the seed of a fruit tree to symbolize future fertility. The Priest of Heremod gives a gift of a yew tree seed (as yew was used in bows). These seeds are then taken back to the woodlands nearest the childs birthplace and planted. It is expected the family throw a big party after. |
12th Birthday | Joining the Strata | The child on this day is formally assigned a Strata. This is usually determined well before the 12th birthday but symbolically it would be at this age in the faith people were considered grown. On this day at sunrise the family go to the local river or lake. The child is washed in the waters and is then taken to the Temple. The daily ceremony takes place early in the morning. All those reaching their 12th birthday are dressed in a plain white robe. They are inspected by the Priestess who determines what Strata they belong to. The first two letters of the Strata are then painted on the back of the robe before the ceremony particpant is presented on the steps of the Temple. The part where a Priestess determines your Strata is a legal requirement. |
18th birthday | The Day of Blood | On the Monday following their 18th birthday a member of the faith is expected to demonstrate a devotion to the two Gods. All those taking part in the ceremony are paraded through the street in a black robe with their head covered. Upon reaching the temple they are split male and female. The participants are expected to stand in a chalked circle in the Temple and try and throw others out of the circle. The idea is not to win but to show bravery. If deemed to have tried hard and acted bravery the initiate is permitted to perform a sacrifice of a small animal for the Gods. This brings about a special blessing. |
Marriage | Day of Oneness | Marriage is not seen as vital in Duality. Procreation among your own Strata is is considered most important. Should two people wish to marry they may. The evening before the marriage day the Priest visits the bride, Priestess the groom and inspect that they are from the same Strata. The day of the wedding the pair are bound together and placed inside a chalked circle. The pairing must stay within the circle as the Priest and Priestess try and force them from it. It is predetermined that they do not get pushed from the circle. The victory over the Priesthood shows that the Gods support the union, |
30th Birthday | The Renaming | By the age of 30 it is assumed a person has given service to the Gods. It is expected that on the 30th birthday the person attend temple taking gifts for the God of the same gender. They are asked to account for their actions to the Priest or Priestess. Once finished they are required to take a new middle name. Following this ceremony they are supposed the visit their trees from birth and leave offerings. |
50th Birthday | End of Burden | On the 50th birthday a persons duty to physically fight for the faith is considered over. They are required to bring a homemade weapon to the Temple of their gender. They are accompanied by family. The person celebrating their birthday hands over their weapon to the Priest or Priestess. It is then placed on the alter for a lunar month. If the weapon is still there (it always is) the person's duty to stand physical ready is considered done. The person is then presented with a Holy Scroll symbolizing their duty is now to guide those younger. |
Death | The Reckoning | The deceased is washed in the same river or lake as they were for their 12th birthday. The family then fell the trees planted at birth. The wood from the trees is used to make a funeral fire. The robe from the Joining of The Strata is thrown on the fire, as is the scroll for the End of Burden. Once the fire had stopped they take the ashes and sprinkle them in the woods where the trees were planted. |
Building | Details |
(https://travelwirenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/www.eturbonews.comdottravelfix-1-300x300-ae0feda02673d5fa6b22641053a647da2a5274f7.jpg) Palace of the Two (https://independentorder.net/wiki/Sigmaringen_Castle) | The Palace is the official home of the King and Queen of Hassfurt. It is also the home of the children of the King and Queen. The Palace is in the capital of Codilla and sits on the Eastern edge of the Old Town which essentially is still the late Medieval period section of the city. |
(https://img.locationscout.net/images/2019-06/schwerin-castle-from-drone-germany_m.jpeg) Palace of the Queen (https://independentorder.net/wiki/Schwerin_Palace) | The Palace of the Queen is located on Peniche Bay in the town of Finsing. |
(https://pragueeventery.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Prague%E2%80%99s-historical-venues-for-events-Hluboka-Castle-3-1-400x400.jpg) Palace of the King (https://independentorder.net/wiki/Hlubok%C3%A1_Castle) | The Palace of the King is located next to the town of Eitting close to the border with Neu Urburzis |
(https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1062327034062487552/G4kNycug_400x400.jpg) Temple of the Two Gods (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guildhall,_London) | The most important Temple in the Dualist faith. It has been rebuilt many times following natural disasters and fires. The last time was in the 18th Century. Today it has a complex built around it where a school of the priesthood is based as well as an archive and museum. |
Title | Give to | Criteria | Additional Information |
Champion of Sandraudiga/Heremod | King/Queen | The reigning monarchs | The title passes along with the crown. |
Soldier of Sandraudiga/Heremod | Former King/Queen Children of King/Queen having passed Day of Blood ceremony | Royal Children must successfully pass the Day of Blood ceremony on the 1st attempt | Are expected to do everything within their power to defend the reputation of the Gods. |
Oracle of Sandraudiga/Heremod | Leading Priest of the Gods | Is elected from the ranks of the two Priesthoods. | The title is held for life or until resignation. They are like the Popes of the faith. One male and one female exist at a time. |
Cantor of Sandraudiga/Heremod | Leader of the Faith in geographical Districts | Is elected by the Priesthood based in the District | Similar to a Christains Bishop/Archbishop |
Guardian of the Crown | A courtly order | Must be nominated by a sitting King or Queen for service to the nation. | Limited to 50 living members |