Directionland: Difference between revisions
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The '''United Empire of Directionland''' (commonly '''Directionland''') is a constitutional empire on the world of Mundus. It emerged from a centuries-long process of settlement, alliance, and reform that culminated in [[The Great Unification|the ''Great Unification'']]—an election that centralized authority under an imperial crown and bicameral legislature. The official capital is '''[[Ironwood]]'''; the state faith is the '''[[Aetherian Faith]]''' (with [[Simonius]] as primarch deity); and the imperial currency is '''[[Directian Crown]]''' (originally the ''Gref'').{{Infobox nation|name=The United Empire of Directionland|flag=Directionland_Flag.jpg|flagsize=260px|flag_alt=Directionland Flag|flag_caption=The flag of Directionland|coa=Directionland_CoR.png|coasize=220px|coa_alt=Directionland CoA|coa_caption=The Coat of arms of Directionland.|nation_type=Empire|government=Constitutional | The '''United Empire of Directionland''' (commonly '''The Empire of Directionland''', or simply '''Directionland''') is a constitutional empire on the world of Mundus. It emerged from a centuries-long process of settlement, alliance, and reform that culminated in [[The Great Unification|the ''Great Unification'']]—an election that centralized authority under an imperial crown and bicameral legislature. The official capital is '''[[Ironwood]]'''; the state faith is the '''[[Aetherian Faith]]''' (with [[Simonius]] as primarch deity); and the imperial currency is '''[[Directian Crown]]''' (originally the ''Gref'').{{Infobox nation|name=The United Empire of Directionland|flag=Directionland_Flag.jpg|flagsize=260px|flag_alt=Directionland Flag|flag_caption=The flag of Directionland|coa=Directionland_CoR.png|coasize=220px|coa_alt=Directionland CoA|coa_caption=The Coat of arms of Directionland.|nation_type=Empire|government=[[Hierarchical structure of the Empire of Directionland|Constitutional Imperial Monarchy]]|anthem=Our Sacred Land|motto=Unity, Wisdom, Mercy|currency=Directian Crown|language1=Common Directian|language2=Ruulden|alliance1=Imperial Defense Union|hos=Emperor Alexander XVII|hog=Chancellor Nathaniel Crowley|population=~ 80 million|capital=Ironwood|city1=St. Stylinson|city2=Simonville|city3=St. Niam|city4=Evergreen|province1=Central Directionland|province2=Eastern Directionland|province3=Western Directionland|province4=Eastern Directionland|province5=Greater Stylinson|province6=Gandry|province7=Capital Province}} | ||
== Etymology == | == Etymology == | ||
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=== Light Energy, forcefields, and railways === | === Light Energy, forcefields, and railways === | ||
About '''200 cycles ago''', engineers learned to concentrate '''[[Light Energy]]''' into large defensive domes. Iconic '''forcefield towers''' soon protected major settlements (the '''[[Golden Tower]]''' in St. Stylinson was repurposed for this role). By '''220 cycles ago''', the '''[[Directionland Royal Railways]]''' had connected the empire into a single network. | About '''200 cycles ago''', engineers learned to concentrate '''[[Light Energy]]''' into large defensive domes. Iconic '''[[Forcefield tower|forcefield towers]]''' soon protected major settlements (the '''[[Golden Tower]]''' in St. Stylinson was repurposed for this role). By '''220 cycles ago''', the '''[[Directionland Royal Railways]]''' had connected the empire into a single network. | ||
== Government and politics == | == Government and politics == | ||
Directionland is a '''parliamentary democracy''' with an '''imperial structure'''. Laws originate in the '''[[Imperial Parliament]]''' (lower house), pass through the '''[[Imperial Senate]]''' (upper house), and require the '''[[Imperial Crown]]’s''' assent. The '''[[Chancellor]]'''—head of government—is elected by the parliamentary majority or a coalition. General elections occur '''every 4 cycles'''; citizens vote from '''18 cycles'''. Senate membership combines [[provincial premiers]] (appointed ex officio) with city representatives. | Directionland is a '''parliamentary democracy''' with an '''imperial structure'''. Laws originate in the '''[[Imperial Parliament of Directionland|Imperial Parliament]]''' (lower house), pass through the '''[[Imperial Senate of Directionland|Imperial Senate]]''' (upper house), and require the '''[[Imperial Crown of Directionland|Imperial Crown]]’s''' assent. The '''[[Chancellor of Directionland|Chancellor]]'''—head of government—is elected by the parliamentary majority or a coalition. General elections occur '''every 4 cycles'''; citizens vote from '''18 cycles'''. Senate membership combines [[provincial premiers]] (appointed ex officio) with city representatives. | ||
Early in the empire, friction between houses led to a physical separation of chambers: Parliament sits in '''[[Ironwood]]''', while the former unicameral building in '''[[St. Stylinson]]''' became the Senate—an arrangement meant to deter inter-house interference. | Early in the empire, friction between houses led to a physical separation of chambers: Parliament sits in '''[[Ironwood]]''', while the former unicameral building in '''[[St. Stylinson]]''' became the Senate—an arrangement meant to deter inter-house interference. | ||
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* '''Four crowns in chief''' — two '''ducal coronets''' (left/top-left) and two '''royal crowns''' (right/top-right) — mark the '''two duchies and two kingdoms''' that united to form the first Imperial union. | * '''Four crowns in chief''' — two '''ducal coronets''' (left/top-left) and two '''royal crowns''' (right/top-right) — mark the '''two duchies and two kingdoms''' that united to form the first Imperial union. | ||
* '''Ear of wheat (base dexter)''' honours '''Simonville’s grain''' that sustained the realm during the '''War of Grief'''. | * '''Ear of wheat (base dexter)''' honours '''Simonville’s grain''' that sustained the realm during the '''[[War of Grief]]'''. | ||
* '''Broken sword in a | * '''Broken sword in a bare hand (base sinister)''' represents '''Saint''' '''Stylinson''' and the sacrifice made to save another. | ||
* '''Central crystal''' is the '''[[Durias Stone]]''', the ancient gem now mounted in the '''Imperial Crown''' and emblematic of lawful authority and continuity. | * '''Central crystal''' is the '''[[Durias Stone]]''', the ancient gem now mounted in the '''Imperial Crown''' and emblematic of lawful authority and continuity. | ||
* '''Imperial Crown''' above the shield signifies the sovereignty of the Emperor over the union. | * '''Imperial Crown''' above the shield signifies the sovereignty of the Emperor over the union. | ||
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* '''Kingdoms:''' '''[[St. Stylinson]]''' (founding kingdom; its lion became the imperial sigil). '''[[Gandry]]''' was once a kingdom and remains a storied region rebuilding after wartime devastation. | * '''Kingdoms:''' '''[[St. Stylinson]]''' (founding kingdom; its lion became the imperial sigil). '''[[Gandry]]''' was once a kingdom and remains a storied region rebuilding after wartime devastation. | ||
* '''Duchies:''' '''[[Simonville]]''' (transport and grain), '''[[St. Niam]]''' (agricultural heartland), '''[[God’s Landing]]''' (sacred sites of [[Simonius]] and the [[Ancient Cross]]), '''[[Grasped Hollow]]''' ( | * '''Duchies:''' '''[[Simonville]]''' (transport and grain), '''[[St. Niam]]''' (agricultural heartland), '''[[God's Landing|God’s Landing]]''' (sacred sites of [[Simonius]] and the [[Ancient Cross]]), '''[[Grasped Hollow]]''' (Balmeran Mines), '''[[Fort Shagogbot]]''' (eastern fortress and “Eastern Shield”). | ||
* '''Outposts/Colonies:''' '''[[The Merchant City of Wolfwater]]''', a guild-founded city with trade privileges under a Grand Magistrate elected by merchants. | * [[File:DLProvinces.jpg|alt=The Provinces of Directionland|thumb|The Provinces of Directionland]]'''Outposts/Colonies:''' '''[[The Merchant City of Wolfwater]]''', a guild-founded city with trade privileges under a Grand Magistrate elected by merchants. | ||
== Geography == | == Geography == | ||
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== Economy and infrastructure == | == Economy and infrastructure == | ||
Directionland’s economy blends agriculture, mining, trade, and public works. '''[[Simonville]]'''’s wheat fields historically helped feed the empire; '''[[St. Niam]]'''’s farms were famous before the [[Great Fire]]. '''[[Grasped Hollow]]’s | Directionland’s economy blends agriculture, mining, trade, and public works. '''[[Simonville]]'''’s wheat fields historically helped feed the empire; '''[[St. Niam]]'''’s farms were famous before the [[Great Fire of St. Niam|Great Fire]]. '''[[Grasped Hollow]]’s Balmeran Mines''' remain strategically important (iron, redstone, diamonds). '''[[Wolfwater]]''' manages merchant routes under special tax terms. The imperial currency evolved from the '''Gref''' (old Ruulden for “gold”) to standardized [[Directian Crown|'''Directian Crown''']] (colloquially referred to simply as '''Gold'''). A unified '''railway''' network binds the provinces, managed by [[Directionland Royal Railways]]. | ||
== Demographics and religion == | == Demographics and religion == | ||