The Principality of Saalenia

The **Principality of Saalenia** (German: **Fürstentum Saalenien**) is a country in the south of the Continent of Aranna ruled by the noble house of Saranians. According to the constitution, Saalenia is an aristocratic-democratic hereditary monarchy with a matriarchal basic order. This matriarchy is characteristic of Saalenia and is unique in its form worldwide. Saalenia is home to the religion of Gayanism, with the Principality being the only state to have this religion as a state religion.

## History

### Antiquity (approx. 600 BC to 515 AD)

A Stone Age settlement of today's area of Saalenia could not be proven. The oldest settlement that could be proven by archaeological findings was a Germanic village from about 600 BC. This belonged to the Saalenians, a group of Germanic tribes who settled in the area of today's Saalenias, as well as the Saalon further up the river. These are through various sources and findings, which allow the way of life of the Saalenians to be reconstructed. They lived together in very decentrally organized farm settlements or in individual farms with land holdings.

The Germans believed in the classical Germanic pantheon and had income classes. They went to war with each other and had no state structure.

## Geography

Saalenia is located in the south of the Aranna continent around the river Saalon. The country has 1569.03 km² and is therefore quite small, especially in the western bordering, culturally similar Teressien. In the east, Saalenia borders on the dwarf state of Ennia.

There are many bodies of water on the territory of the Principality, which were mainly created from former coal mines. The largest body of water is Gate Lake (German: *Torsee*) with 73 hectares. The highest mountain is the Auenberg in the area of the village of Waldaue.

The settlement in the eastern part of the principality is much denser than the western part. This is due to the capital Matria, which is the only major city. Otherwise there are various small towns and villages spread over the area. In total, Saalenia had 426,073 inhabitants in 2022.

### Monarchy and central government

The Principality of Saalenia is a constitutional hereditary monarchy and, according to the constitution, a democratic-aristocratic mixed system. According to the constitution, all state power emanates from the people, but the nobility has certain privileges. By convention, the legislature is the domain of democracy and the executive is the domain of aristocracy.

At the top of the political system is therefore the Princess of Saalenia, who is both head of state and head of government. She is First Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Saalenian Army. The title of Princess is always reserved for the matriarch of House Sarania and is thus hereditary. The princess elects and leads a cabinet of ministers, which is called the Privy Council (German: *Kronrat*).

The Princess has extensive privileges within the political system, but the legislature is determined by the actions of the Congress of the Realm (German: *Reichskongress*). This is a parliament of 100 freely elected members. Every woman over the age of 16 is entitled to vote, while a candidate must be female and at least 18 years old. As the "upper house" but with fewer rights is the Congress of the Cities (German: *Städtekongress*). This is considered the controlling body for the first house and represents the cities of the realm. Each municipality considered a city sends a directly elected candidate. The election conditions are the same.

### Administrative division

*Main article: List of Dominions of Saalenia and List of the heads of dominions in Saalenia*

The administrative division of the country is generally called "dominion" (German: *Herrschaft*) and there are two groups of dominions. First, there are counties (German: *Grafschaften*), which are all dominions that include a city. Dominions consisting only of villages are called baronies (German: *Baronien*).

The Dominions are roughly based on historical fiefdoms and are each assigned to a high noble house. These each represent the head of state, who then bear the title "Baroness/Countess of..." (German: *Braronin/Gräfin von...*). The executive is usually provided by these high-ranking baronesses and countesses, but there is always a regional parliament that is democratically elected. These represent the legislative.

The Dominions are broken down into Municipalities (villages and cities). Some counties consist of only one city, which means that the political structures of Dominion and Muncipality are congruent. These usually bear the title "City and County of..."

### Cities, villages, hamlets and local governments

The subdivisions of the Dominions are called Municipalities and are independent political communities with their own political institutions. These can exist in the form of a city or in the form of a village. As already mentioned, some cities have the status of a county. The heads of town are thus the respective countesses. Cities that are subordinate to a county have a democratically elected mayor. For villages, it's a Village Chief. The legislature is also democratically elected.

A special form of settlement is the hamlet. This is a separate, spatially separate settlement, which, however, politically belongs to a village.

### Constitutional Court and the Protection of the Constitution

A special institution is the Constitutional Court (German: *Verfassungsgericht*) of the Principality. It is a technocratic-oriented body protecting the rights enshrined in the Constitution. Should a political action act against them, every citizen can complain to the court and the court can reverse political actions, including those of the Princess. The court is also responsible for interpreting the constitution and can ban political movements. It also serves as the supreme court.

## Culture

### Language

*Main article: Saalenian German*

The official language of the Principality is German. A standard language ("High German") is used in the written language, which is adapted to the German font. In general, an independent dialect of German is spoken in Saalenia, which is reminiscent of the East Westphalian dialects around Göttingen and Braunschweig in its pronunciation. Over the years of French and Japanese immigration, French terms in particular have crept into the dialect. In most classes, speaking the dialect is considered appropriate patriotism. In the intelligentsia and in the nobility, the dialect has been reduced somewhat and one adapts to the standard German pronunciation. In the theater and in other acting, standard German is mandatory and Katarina II in particular is known for her pure standard German.

### Religion

*Main article: Gayanism*

Saalenia has a religious society and while more and more secular structures are emerging, Saalenians are managing to reconcile this with their religion. Less than 1% are atheist. The largest religion is Gayanism, i.e. belief in the goddess Gaya. This religion has developed over the centuries from a matriarchal branch of Christianity and has always shaped the culture in the Principality. Even if it is not enshrined in law, it is the state religion.