The Divine Queendom of Lodja (Post 2022 Civil War)

[Libby]

Motto:- "To love beauty is to see light"
National Anthem :- In Your Name

Spoiler: National Anthem Lyrics • show

The song is to the tune of Katyusha and in English the lyrics are
The Lodjain people gathered,
To worship their goddess Sessifet.
They prayed for her guidance,
And for her protection.

Chorus

Sessifet, Sessifet,
Your light is our guide.
We will build a nation
In your name.

Verse 2

They worked together,
To build a city on the coast.
They called it Gaia,
And it was a symbol of their hope.

Chorus

Sessifet, Sessifet,
Your light is our guide.
We will build a nation
In your name.

Bridge

The city grew,
And the Lodjain people prospered.
They were a peaceful people,
But they were also strong and resilient.

Chorus

Sessifet, Sessifet,
Your light is our guide.
We will build a nation
In your name.

Outro

We are the Lodjain people,
And we will never be defeated.
We will build a nation
That will last for all time.

The Divine Queendom of Lodja is a non-heriditary monarchy. Its earliest origin can be found in the 10th Century when the city of Gaia was claimed by raiders from the "Rus" originating Lodjain tribe. These people had mirgated steadily south from Aranye over the proceeding centuries and claimed various islands in the Alucard which brought them into clashes with people from Paracambi, the Alanders and what were to become the Bakkermayans. The original Lodjain tribe were persecuted in the Rus homeland for worshipping the Goddess Sessifet and under the guidance of the Priestesses sought out where Sessifet had first begun to inhabit a human host in the form of Miriam. It was believed here the people could have a home. Evidence suggests it was Queen Rosanna, who was one of multiple Lodjain Queens who inhabited the islands and claimed to be High Queen of Sessifet, who launched a raid on the mainland of Albion. There her Priestesses, while inspecting for slaves, discovered a cave on a tidal island and "evidence" of this being the location of Sessifet and Miriam's joining. Rather than leave the mainland as had happened in other raids the Lodjains remained, fortified the island and then began claiming the land. This finally saw all Lodjains declare loyalty to Rosanna and thus the modern day version of the nation was born.

The Divine Queendom remained largely unchanged until the 1600's when Duke Vitali Eramenko used his influence to effectively pick three Queens, one being his daughter and two his nieces. This gave him effective control of the Queendom and while the nation remained one devoted to the worship of Sessifet and venerating the Queen as a living guardian of the Goddess the power balance began to shift. As the nation remained on paper a matriachy Duke Vitali effectively ensured that in terms of military power and control of the Conclave the nation was all but ruled by men. While the Queen has had the power to rule practically unopposed the Conclave selecting the Queen at the previous ones passing have ensured that the Dukes have remained largely in control. It was only in the reign of Queen Sonya  which began in 1916 that this balance began to reshift. Under the subsequent Queens, first Viktoriya, then Klara, this power shift continued but political uphevel at these changes caused change to be slow and many believe lead to their deaths. Viktoriya via assassination by the then High Priestess for effectively marginalising the Priesthood, and then Klara who died during the "Civil War" which began after King Leopold believed he could seize power. 

Government Type:- Theocratic Monarchy
Population:-:- 164million
Capital City:- Gaia (2million)
Demonym:- Lodjain

ECONOMY

Currency:- The Geld
GDP per Capita:- $26,000
Unemployment Rate:- 2.7%
Main Industries:- Natural Gas/Oil, Precious Metals, Textiles, jewellery, ores.

PEOPLE


Ethnicity:- 90% Lodjain (RL.Russian)/ 10% Other
Languages:- Lodjain
Religions:- Nation is based on Sessifet teachings
Average Life Expectancy:- 78 years of age

GOVERNMENT

Head of State:- Queen Natalya Guardian of Sessifet
Head of Government:- Lord  Lubos Kubik
Name of Legislative Body:- The Conclave

[Libby]

SESSIFETISM

The people of Lodja are devout followers of the Goddess Sessifet.

The faith is based upon the belief that there were once a whole host of Gods and Goddesses with Sessifet being the Goddess of Beauty, Fertility and Love. She was considered the most beautiful of the Goddesses and lived on Mundus with the other Gods amongst the creatures they created. The Gods most favoured creations were humans and the Gods did all they could to create a happy world for them. This however displeased the evil God Samus who sought to turn the Gods against humanity. This saw battle lines begin to be drawn between the Gods who wished to protect humanity and those who wished to destroy it and have Mundus for themselves. Using her beauty and charm Sessifet was able to seduce the greatest and strongest Gods to join the side of humanity. When the battle began all the Gods were killed except for Sessifet and Samus. The two Gods fought however Sessifet was losing to the stronger Samus when one of her disciples called Mariam used a magic spell taught to her by Sessifet to help the Goddess. It was however too late for Sessifet's earthly body, the Goddess was heartbroken that she would have to leave Mundus and so using the last of her magic powers Mariam offered her body as a vessel for the Goddesses spirt. The two then joined and Mariam-Sessifet was proclaimed the first Queen of Lodja.

Upon the death of Mariam it was believed that Sessifet's spirit was trapped in her body. Before her death however Mariam had informed the priesthood that fire would release Sessifet's body and that by consuming the ash the spirit would enter a selected host body. This host should be a young girl who was in the first year of "adulthood". Since then a fortnight after the death of a previous Queen the ceremony of cremation, consumption of ash and the crowning of the new Queen takes place.

KEY BELIEFS OF SESSIFETISM

1. Each human being is created in the eyes of Sessifet. (This means every person is considered special)

2. Each human contains an ever living spirit. (This means there is life after death)

3. Upon death the spirit is trapped in the body until the body is destroyed (Hence most Sessifetians are cremated)

4. Spirits of the good go to a paradise where they reside with the spirits of the Gods who sided with Sessifet in the great battle between the Gods. (This paradise is described like Valhalla minus the fighting. Think more pretty clothing and dancing)

5. Spirist of the evil go to "The Dark Place" a cave so large that a person never sees light and never finds another person. (Essentially you spend eternity cold, hungry, blind and alone)

6. The human body is a precious gift from Sessifet and should be cared for diligently both inside and out. (Things such as obesity are seen as an afront to Sessifet and drugs and smoking while common are not taken to extremes.)
 
7. Physical beauty is considered a sign that someone is greatly loved by Sessifet. (This often explains the shallowness of the Lodjains and their pre-occupation with looking good)

8. Sessifet requires gifts to be kept happy. As she is also generous giving gifts in her name is also pleasing to her. (This explains why so many members of the Conclave do charitable deeds with the Queen's name)

9. Sessifet selected humans who served her well to sit at the high table in Paradise and that only be devoted service to the Goddess can you earn a place at this top table (Explains the class system)

10. Sessifet's spirit is eternally trapped on Mundus (explains the ritual of passing the crown of Lodja on)

11. Sessifet is the most perfect thing to exist and to emulate her is to be perfect. (Sessifet is seen as being rather devoted to other humans, concerned about everything and everyone being in their rightful place as well as surrounding herself with all things beautiful and making sure all things are that way. She also is seen as a strong determined leader. Many stories tell of her being involved with the other Gods/Goddesses and even humans as lovers that help bring about things such as the passing of seasons, tides etc etc. Many theologians believe this is the reason why to outsiders Lodjains may seem ratther shallow and promiscious.)

Celebrations of Sessifet

March 5th - Day of Unity - Marks the date on which it is believed Sessifet joined the Gods supporting humanity into one group either by directly absorbing their power or seducing them onto her side. People celebrate with big parades carrying floats bearing effigies of Sessifet. (It is considered bad form to dress as Sessifet)

May 28th - Day of Beauty - A day given over to praise the beautiful creations of Sessifet as well as her own beauty. On this day each town and village select a Princess of Beauty who presides over a great feast held in that settlement. Traditionally it is a young beautiful woman who has recently been engaged. Ceremonies are held at places of outstanding natural beauty.

October 17th - Day of Victory - Marks the date on which Sessifet destroyed the final God determined to destory humanity (Samus). There is a day of prayer and offerings are take to Shrines and gifts given to charity in order to show thankfulness to the Goddess.

November 19th - Feast of Mariam - During the final battle between Sessifet and Samus a young Priestess of Sessifet used her magic to help the Goddess and despite winning a victory Sessifet's physical body was so damaged she too would die. Mariam used her remaining knowledge to give her human body to Sessifet as a vessel and the two joined. Legend has it Mariam is the first Queen of Lodja (despite the nation having several massive gaps in their list of Queens.). People celebrate by carrying effigies of Mariam around their town or village with the highest ranking male noble sitting next to it during the feast. At the conclusion of the feast the effigy is burnt and its ashes added to a ceremonial pot kept in the vaults of the nearest Temple/Shrine, alternatively in some settlements the ash is placed in a hole for a new tree to be planted.

December 27th - The Feast of Love - Sessifet was originally simply the Goddess of Love, Fertility and Beauty. This was according to folklore the original feast in her honour. 

[Libby]

THE ISLAND OF THE GODDESS

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The Island of the Goddess is an island in the bay of Gaia only reachable by causeway for a few hours each day, the rest of the time boat is the only way to reach the island. It is believed by followers of Sessifet that the Island is the first and last place the physical form of Sessifet touched Mundus. Over the centuries more and more has been added to the Island, the oldest building being a subterranian shrine to the Goddess dating from around the 11th Century. Today the Island is home to the Palace of the Goddess which is the home to central government and the Queen's household. The Palace sits at the very top of the Islands hill and is reached either by a winding road or since the early 19th century a Vernacular Railway.

The Island has a series of Terraced style houses that today are often made into self contained apartments, these are given as part of the salary of the servants and staff who work on the Island in the Queen's household. This has seen a little community start on the Island that consists of around 1,000 people who live permanently there. The community has a small school, a few shops, a two boat fishing fleet and a tavern which sits next to the Quay.

On top of the hill and sits the Palace itself. This is home to many nobles who have suites on the Island including all members of the Conclave, Ladies in Waiting and several ambassadors. The palace has 19 state rooms (for the Queen, her husbands and children), 52 principal bedrooms (for the Ladies in Waiting, Conclave and Ambassadors), 188 staff bedrooms (for Junior Ministers and Palace servants on rotation) and 92 offices. Many of the rooms are lined along stone carved Cloisters open sided corridors looking out either to the sea or many of the small gardens in the Palace. The Palace is built around a number of Quads which are spots for social gatherings by staff or informal meetings. The Queen has her own private Quad which is shared by her direct family and the Ladies in Waiting.

Under the Palace itself is the complex dedicated to the Goddess Sessifet. The main room of this is the Temple of The Goddess this small circular brightly decorated room is said to have been where the Goddess first joined with a Queen of Lodja. It is reached by passing down a large decorated corridor and then through a smaller shrine where a staircase takes you down to the Temple. The Queen's funeral, wedding and coronation all take place in the Temple.

Two of the Palace Staff meditating in the Temple of The Goddess

The Palace also is supposed to be more of a community for nobility than just the Island, it hosts regular balls and events and great artists, musicians, scholars and other respected cultural figures are guests. The Queen keeps a company of dancers, musicians and poets who are all encouraged to make the Palace into a thriving and beautiful retreat. Many foreign ambassadors, if of noble heritage, are given bedrooms in the Palace and while usually also having rooms at their own embassy are encouraged to spend as much time as possible on the Island being part of the nobles community. It is a tradition that many approaches to the Queen by ambassadors come through members of the Conclave who have formed informal relationships with the ambassadors. It is also not uncommon for an Ambassador to "Bump into" the Queen during her regular journeys around the Palace.

View from the Queens Seat in the Conclave

The Queen's council known as The Conclave meet in a room used only for this purpose. The Queen sits on a seat on the top of a series of steps, one step below her sit her husbands if present and then one below that their children (if attending). A large rectangular table sits at the bottom with no one sat at the head, the Lord of the Conclave (think Prime Minister) sits closest to the Queen on the right hand side, the other ministers and any specialists addressing the Conclave arranged down the table in order of their service to the monarchy. To date only two foreign delegates have been permitted inside the Conclave room, the first being er Most Sublime and August Majesty, the Autįrimė Emperor of Arda Tuluva (who was sat at an equal level to the Queen), the second being King David III of East Moreland (when Queen Viktoriya was in hospital and sat on the 2nd step). The Conclave room is also occasionally used for private audiences with the Queen.

POST CIVIL WAR RECONSTRUCTION


During the conflict in 2022 parts of the Isle were damaged. Most noticeably the streets of the settlement at the foot of the hill saw intense gun battles fought on the opening day. As such a great many of the homes required extensive reconstruction. This was done to maintain the style of the period in which they were built but interior work was also carried out meaning that the vast majority of these homes are now powered by tidal energy and modern central heating systems making them much cosier and sustainable. The Palace was also damaged, most extensively around the parts where the Queen lived. In the rebuilding the total number of bedrooms were reduced, especially for staff who can now access the mainland more easily than the 16th Century when the Palace was largely constructed. In addition large underground sections of the Palace which had once been used for cold storage etc were renovated so that the Palace now has a fully functioning gym, bowling alley, 50 seat cinema and swimming pool. Work is underway to further expand these undergound areas into the rock on which the Palace sits to allow for even more facilities.

[Libby]

LODJAIN CONCEPT OF SOCIAL STATUS

"My children are to be arranged into two groups. The first are the children of the earth, the farmers, the merchants, the craftsmen. They are the embodiment of my love for nature, and they deserve my respect and guidance. The second are the children of the sky, the nobles, the priests, the warrior elite. They are the embodiment of my wisdom and my power, and they deserve obedience.

Sessifet instructing humanity through Miriam

As instructed by the Goddess Lodjain society is split into two social classes. Each of these have certain rights and responsibilities. The system is a clear hierachy and while movement up the ladder is possible it has traditionally been rather difficult. Initially the classes lacked names however it was soon clear many of the "Children of the Earth" lied about their status, additionally there was no formal way of recording the membership of each group. At some point, suspected to be in the early 3rd Century the various Lodjain groups spreading across the Alucard adopted a system to formalise this. As a result "The Book of Children" was created which records a families social standing, today these records are digitally kept. When records began to be kept so did the names used and as such the Children of the Earth became the Plebians while the Children of the Sky became the Patricians.

Patricians

A Patricians ceremonial bracelet

In the beginning the family of Miriam and twelve other families were made "Children of the Sky" it is believed that when the first "Book of Children" was created the Children of the Sky represented less than 1% of the population. As well as establishing a record of the groups rules for moving between the two were made. These have changed periodically however generally to become a a Patrician there must be the following criteria fulfilled.

*Multi-generational service to the nations military.
*Multi-generational service to the Priestly classes (only Patricians can be Priestesses)
*Acts of heroism
*Decree from the Queen (can be non-heriditary)

Normally once a person is made a Patrician there spouse, mother, father and any children are also made Patricians. Then any children born from that marriage are also Patricians. While it is rare if a marriage takes place between Patrician and Pleb any children born assume the status of their mother. Marriage does not confer the rank of Patrician automatically. At birth the childs rank is recorded on their birth certificate and they are presented with a silver bracelet with a red gemstone in, the design can be customised to the individual and while they do not have to be worn as a daily routine they are worn on formal and religious occasions.

A Patrician can lose their status, or their families, for any of the following.

*Treason
*Blasphemy
*Decree from the Queen (only an individual)
*Failure to support the monarchy (only an individual)

While there is no formal written law on the matter it is assumed that anyone from abroad holding a hereditary title of nobility is automatically a Patrician, as to are those with titles such as "Sir" however in that case only they and not their family are seen as Patricians.

Plebians

Originally known as the Children of the Earth this group are considered the lower of the two social classes. Plebians today have many more freedoms however some quirks of the past remain that can be said to reduce their rights compared to Patricians. Some of these are in the forms of restrictions and conditions which the major ones are outlined below.

1. No Plebian may operate a business without the approval of a Patrician - This means many Patricians have become rather wealthy by taking payments in return for approval or by taking part share of the business. This has also seen some noble families form close bonds with groups of Plebians and a form of patronage has existed for hundreds of years. This was challenged by Queen Viktoriya who established the Queens Trading Agency which for an annual payment of $1000 or permanent ownership of 2% of the business will give any Plebian a licence allowing them to run a business. This however has not proven that popular as many Plebians prefer to find their own backer as often that opens up more relevant opportunities for them.

2. No Plebian may set foot on the Isle of the Goddess without permission from the Queen - This is still technically punishable by death however no one in 200 years has been sentenced to this.

3. No Plebian may marry without permission from a Patrician - In similar ways to approval for businesses the permission to marry has been made much simpler. The Beureu of Marriage has been set up with a Patrician employed in many town who will, for $100 grant a licence to any Plebian couple who can prove they have been in a relationship for longer than 18 months, are not related (to the extent of 2nd cousins) and are below the age of 30. Many Plebians however are tied to families from the Patrician class and traditionally have always asked the same family. Ironically no noble may marry without the Queens permission.

4. No Plebian may get a passport without permission form a Patrician - Initially this rule was that no Plebian could leave their district without permission from their Patrician, this however has gradually changed. Now however to get a passport an individual must, when they hand in their passport application, have their photo and application signed by a Patrician.

[Libby]

ROYAL PREPARATION ACADEMY


"Royal Preparation Academy: Women of Excellence, Leaders of Change"

In 2023 Queen Natalya made several significant changes to the rules surrounding the selection of future Queens. With support from the Priesthood she changed the law so that any future Queens would have to be 21 at the time they inherit the throne and have been a graduate of a government backed school / university known as the Royal Preparation Academy. The school welcomed its first students in September 2023 as they began pursuing University education. In 2024 the school will welcome its first students aged 16, in 2025 those aged 11 will begin their education here. By 2030 the schools will offer education from ages 11-21. The school is female only and has strict entry criteria. In 2026 the school will see its first graduates and on graduation day the Queen, after consultation with the priesthood, will pick one graduate who will be named as Crown Princess and will, for 12 months, be the heir to the throne. Until that time the Queen and the priesthood will name a 21 year old each summer to be the the heir. If during their 12 months the heir does not inherit the throne they will, on the day the new Crown Princess is named, lose their title but gain the title Lady Protector and will give them the right to sit on various councils for the rest of their life.

The school also intends to create a new cohort of diplomats and civil servants as Queen Natalya believes that Queen Sonya permitted women to be side-lined in many of the government roles.

SELECTION

Once fully operational the school will have three criteria for admission. Each year there will be no more than 30 students in a year group. Students will be picked one a combination of "academic potential, beauty and patrician heritage". The decision about the cohort each year will be made by a combination of the Priesthood, the Principle of the School and a Royal representative. Once a student reaches 16 they may be removed from the school if it is believed they no longer fulfil the three criteria, additionally should there be anyone deemed to have "Undiscovered potential" they can be admitted for Higher Diploma studies and then again a final chance for admission is possible for degree at the age of 18.

CURRICULUM

When fully operational students aged 11-16 will receive a broad education identical to any student in Lodja. The students will however also receive lessons on matters such as etiquette and current affairs.

At the age of 16 all students will, in line with Lodjain High School Diplomas, take three subjects. One of those subjects must be either History, Politics, Geography or Theology.

The University section of the Academy will offer just a handful of options. Students will have the ability to pick whether they want to study just "International Leadership Studies" a degree that will feature the study of historical examples, international law, politics, Sessifetism, economics and management sciences. Students may opt to do a joint honours degree by also adding one of the following to their degree course, Dance, Music, Literature, Linguistics, Philosophy or Business Management.

FACILITIES

The Academy is a boarding school at all levels. There are three distinct living accomodation blocks.

The Home House - This is for students aged between 11-16. Students share a room with two other students. The block is a three floor stone built building with each floor being a "Fellowship". The Home House features four common areas, one for each Fellowship and one for general use. These common rooms include communal TV areas, gaming zones, hobby stations, a kitchen, small library and various other things required for socialisation and relaxation. Each room has its own bathroom and a small loft area for use as a lounge.

A typical undecorated dorm room view in the Home House

The Scholars Barns - These are a series of five converted barns arranged around a courtyard that feature self contained bedrooms, each with their own bathroom. Much like the Home House the Scholars Barn has in each of the barns a social area but also has a large communal area in a separate barn. Each student is also a member of a Fellowship

One of the Scholars Barns

The Annex  - This is an old estate house set back from the main campus. It has a series of private ensuite bedrooms with a shared kitchen and dining room between four students. There is a large communal lounge and kitchen, a gym, swimming pool, computer lab, library and music room for students to use. In addition "The Annex" also is home to the schools ball room and theatre. These are accessed through an external entrance so no lower school student sets foot in the living areas of The Annex. One stark difference is that students in the annex have no curfew so long as their attendance to lectures is above 95%.

The Annex