Neustadt

Neustadt (New City) was founded on the 24th of February 2022, by the first Expeditionary Team lead by Ryankelly96. The Team had chosen to begin the fledgling Town on the banks of Lake Victoria as a base of operations to expand their influence around the Center and Eastern regions of Africa, as it provided fertile land and transportation options for the eventual expansion of the new State. Due to the recent arrival of the second Expeditionary Team on the 25th of February 2022, lead by Denmike, the Towns resources and abilities are set on the expansion of the State and the development of the central continent.

**The First Expeditionary Team**

The first Expeditionary Team as formed on the 22nd of February 2022 after their arrival in South America to the World of SterraMC. The task that was placed on them from their former world of Dreamless, was to create a state in the virgin world, that would equal, if not surpass its former. Debate was had over which continent would serve the purpose of the new Settlement. With possible allies and enemies dotted throughout the world, it was decided that the beautiful continent of Africa would be a fitting host for the Expeditionary Team.

After the long journey over the vast pacific ocean and the trek over the Tanzanian plains, the settlement of Neustadt was established in a cove, on the eastern side of Lake Victoria. It was here that Expeditions task was for the most part complete and the new Task of Expansion and cultivation began. No longer as the First Expeditionary Team, but instead as the town of Neustadt.

**The Founding Principles**

Once the necessary materials had been harvested from the surrounding land, the foundations of the town built and relations established with distant Nations, Neustadt was able to be called a real Town. During this time a set of Principles were established for the community that would live here, guidelines that would not be enforced, but instead aspired to. The creation of these principles were influenced, in no small part, by the ethnic and historic makeup of the Towns. In an effort to be respectful of the land they would settle, the Principles were created.

**Liberty of the Soul**

Citizens of Neustadt are expected to understand that no one is to be forced or to be made to hide their beliefs. As it is your soul and no one else, these beliefs may vary from religion to statehood and are yours to hold. Any beliefs are welcome, as long as they do not contradict the Tenant of Unity and the 'Every Man a King' Principle. Any belief that contradicts these, will be judged by the community as either acceptable or not, whereupon their citizenship will be judged following the result.

**Every Man a King (sort of)**

It is to be expected that each citizen of Neustadt is to be treated as a king in their own right. No person is superior to another, regardless of the context. This may be called into question, for example in the cases of beliefs and skills. To which the attitude of the town is, that when one person/belief is proven to endanger the future or health of another, a hearing of the community will be held to judge the future of the Person in question. Although it is the second Principle, the equality of all, is no less as necessity than the presence of oxygen in the air.

The only exception to the rule, is Statehood. The town believes that although 'equality of all' is non negotiable, mob rule has shown to be unreliable at best and catastrophic at worst. Therefore checks and balances through certain positions have been created to keep the equality of the community and the State humble:

**Leader** - unelected - Held by the founder of Neustadt - to give guidance of the future of the community and the implementation of the Principles. The leader may implement all rule they desire, as long as they are shown to be beneficial to the community as a whole. The Leader is an administrative role, they may not use their authority to receive extra treatment of any kind, as they are there to watch and guide, not to benefit solely from the wealth of the community. Breaking this rule of the Leader position is cause for rebellion by the community and if proven, allows the replacement of the Leader.

**2x Sergeants** - appointed by the Leader and ratified by the community - to assist the community where possible and the implementation of the Tenant of Unity. If a Sergeant oversteps their position or breaks the Principles, a vote will be held to see if they are to keep the position. The leader may not vote.

**The Tenant of Unity**

A state is only as strong as the drive and loyalty of its people, therefore, it goes without saying, that without these characteristics, the future of Neustadt will never shine without its peoples belief in the State and its purpose. The third principle stands as the main binding tenant of the community, that all citizens will strive to work together and labor for a united and harmonious community, that does not seek friction in its own members. That the future of the citizen, is the future of Neustadt, must not be forgotten in the expansion of the State. One may assume, that this quasi socialist statement, may confuse some to believe that the state will control the populace, nothing can be further from the truth. It is the populace that controls the state, through the checks and balances and the democratic court system, only the citizens of Neustadt may determine the success and wealth of the State. Glory and territory will not be won by secretaries and clerks, but by the citizens hands and their drive to expand their territory for the community of Neustadt and themselves.