Rikutsar

**Motto**Tśeta dźynar, simar, o graethar ceor ba. (Ancient Rikutsaren)Tśeta dźionar, timar, o greatsar ce orba. (Rikutsaren)

**Rikutsar**, officially the **Golden Empire of Rikutsar**, is a unitary socialist state in the southeastern Indian Ocean off the western coast of Australia, 917 km (nearly 570 mi) WSW of Perth. Founded on June 18th 433 CE, it is one of the oldest countries in the world. It has a land area of 78,370 km2 and, as of 2023, has a population of 7.84 million people.

Most of its area is divided between two islands, the larger **Ricutoac** and the smaller **Swoorlac**. Rikutsar is notable for its capital city, Ceagár, built in the center of a volcanic caldera, as well as for its one active volcano, **Sareanár**. The overall climate is a warm-summer Mediterranean climate (Csb), with mild, wet winters. As such, the biosphere of Rikutsar is like that of western Australia, including forests of Eucalyptus and grass trees.

The Government of Rikutsar is an Absolute Semi-Diarchy, led interchangeably by two Empresses: Smenaer and Óasmae. When in power each Empress exercises absolute, nearly unchecked authority over the Rikutsaren government, with only the other Empress being able to veto.

# Etymology

The name comes from **Ricutsar**, the Rikutsaren endonym for the country which translates literally to "Great(ness) Land."

# History

Main article: History of Rikutsar
Rikutsar has existed as a united, sovereign state since the foundation of the First Empire in 433 CE, but the current national and governmental structure, commonly referred to as the Fourth Empire, was established with the current Constitution in 1873.

# Geography

The Rikutsaren archipelago resides in the southeastern Indian Ocean, and its three major islands are *Ricutoac*, *Sweorlac*, and *Pretoac*. Ricutoac, with an area of 73,173 km2, is the 23rd largest island in the world.

The average population density of Rikutsar is 100.04 people per square kilometer, comparable to countries of similar size and density such as Ireland and Czechia. 3 of the 5 least densely populated cantons are in the west.

Rikutsar lies between latitudes 30° and 34° S, and longitudes 102° to 111° E. Its two main topographical regions are:

* *Pretsara*: The hilly regions, where all of the visible surface volcanoes lay.
* *Ulec*: The coasts, which are flat.

16 rivers and numerous creeks flow from the centers of Ricutoac and Sweorlac, the most notable of which are arguably the Ricuv river, the Lóar river, and the Íorenforg river.

## Climate

The Rikutsaren climate is mediterranean, although cold summer/glacial climates exist at the top of Sareanár. Summers tend to be warm to hot with some rain, although rain is more common along the north coast where crops are more plentiful. Rikutsar is generally safe from the storms of the Australian cyclone basin, although the northern coast bears some of the brunt of those storms when they pass far enough south.

## Flora and Fauna

Rikutsar consists, very generally, of flora that would normally be expected for a Mediterranean climate. The ecosystem of Rikutsar is poor in diversity, sporting few species of plants or animals. However, the animals native to the island are particularly larger than their counterparts on the mainland, a classic case of insular gigantism. Rikutsar also sports one species previously thought extinct: a particularly orange breed of Upland Moa (*Megalapteryx didinus ricutaris*) known natively as the ***Ceaoteo*** or "Sun Bird". Due to the nature of Rikutsar's terrain and its location, the ecosystem is relatively safe from the effects of climate change, at least in the short term.

Due to its mediterranean climate, Rikutsar possesses much of the vegetation of west Australia, including forests of *Eucalyptus* and members of *Xanthorrhoea*.

# Geology

Main article: Geology of RikutsarRikutsar is famous for its enormous volcanoes, 4 of which are still visible on the surface. Sareanár is the youngest and only active volcano in the complex. The Ugárac caldera still maintains some geothermal activity, but the remainder of the volcanoes in the complex are extinct and have been for millennia. The archipelago formed approximately 11 mya when a mantle plume caused a tectonic rift in Earth's crust to the northwest of Australia. As such, the majority of underlying rocks are igneous and, to a lesser extent, sedimentary.

The archipelago contains three basic geological regions:

* Central Ricutoac: where all but one of the visible surface volcanoes lay, very geologically young ground and shallow soil (although it gets thicker and richer around Cazegár due to its age)
* The coasts: flat and rich in volcanic sands
* Swoorlac: for this purpose, includes parts of the eastern coast of Ricutoac; is characterized by smoother hills and coastlines indicative of erosion. Landslides are also common in this terrain.

# Government

Main article: Government of Rikutsar
Rikuchar runs under the **Rikutsaren Imperial** system of government, which is unique to Rikutsar. In this system, the Empresses hold lifelong terms in office. It consists of 2 governmental levels through which all acts of government must pass through in order to become official. Beneath the Empresses there are three councils: the *Gumdiuz*, the *Lisdiuz*, and the *Neardiuz*.

The heads of state and government in Rikutsar are the **Empresses** (*Cárriguisurec*) from whom all governmental power flows. Both are not bound by the constitution, possesses all legal power, and are by all definitions Absolute Monarchs. No national-level decision of any kind described in the constitution can be made without their express approval, and they have veto power over all local-level decisions should they be reported to them. However, all decisions one makes when in power can be overridden by the other.

The Empresses exchange power every 90 years, meaning that the government can look vastly different from one period to the next.

National, cantonal, and local-level elections overwhelmingly employ a Borda count system of ranked voting. Political parties exist, but they function more so to lobby for issues than to hold actual governmental power.

## Cantons

The Empire of Rikutsar consists of 29 *tuvuc* (cantons). The cantons are part of a unitary system, and unlike Swiss cantons they are completely under central government control. Under the current Constitution, all 29 cantons are equal in status. Each canton's laws, government, police and courts are subject to national discretion. Cantons do, however, vary widely in terms of both population and land area.

In ancient times, Rikutsar had 7 *riaric* (regions). Originally the primary 1st level administrative division type, as municipalities arose the need for smaller administrative divisions became clear. Though today the riaric no longer legally exist, they are still depicted on most maps.

## Foreign Relations

The world has mixed opinions on Rikutsar. The United States considers Rikutsar a danger and typically avoids relations with Rikutsar. However, Rikutsar does enjoy good relations with the European Union, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. Many socialist countries do not like Rikutsar due to its "unwillingness to fully embrace socialist philosophy" by allowing western cultural influence, as former Chinese president Jiang Zemin once stated. Empress Smenaer has stated that she and Óasmae will "run our government however we see fit regardless of whatever purist nonsense people have to say about it."

## Military

`[since military stuff is not my forte, I might get somebody to help me with this]`

# Economy

Generally the Rikutsaren economy, like its government, is Socialist. Ever since the Lovebay Revolution forced an early end to the Third Empire, Socialism has flourished under the leadership of Óasmae and been embraced as the best economic system by most Rikutsaren. The best term to describe the political, cultural, and economic ideology of Rikutsar would probably be "Socialist Nationalism."

## Education

Under the Fundamental Laws, education is a guaranteed right for all citizens, including children. Parents are not allowed to withhold their child from education, though accommodations are made for children with special needs. Adults are free to pursue whatever line of education they see fit. Professions generally do not make more money than others, meaning that finance plays no part in the career one might choose.

## Infrastructure

Rikutsar is primarily train-based, with cars being less common than in a country like the United States. City cars do exist, but they are typically used for larger cities where public transport can become complicated or overcrowded. Trains and ships are used for freight.

There is a state-run airline service known as **RvR Airlines** (short for *Rivisig Ricutsaren*, or "Imperial Rikutsaren"). Most of the time it deals with flights between cities in Rikutsar, but it maintains some (about 10) larger planes for international travel. Additionally, there are two international airports in Rikutsar serviced by other airlines across the globe:

* **Carrivisur International Airport** in Ceagár [*CGL; RICZ*]
* **Sicibun International Airport** in Oomeei Luh [*OOM; RIOL*]

These airports are small, a move meant to discourage international travel to the country.

# Demographics

## Languages

Main article: Rikutsaren languagesToday, two languages are spoken in Rikutsar:

* **Ricutsari**, spoken on most of Ricutoac
* **Swoorlac**, spoken on all of Swoortoc and the cantons of Lanul and Greettsan.

Ricutsari is split into 8 regional dialects:

* **Northern**, spoken in Horgtsar.
* **Western**, spoken in most of Sareanár.
* **Southern**, spoken in Weantsan and southern Subrep cantons.
* **Plains**, spoken in most of Bevicul.
* **Lóariteo**, spoken in Lóariteo canton.
* **Central**, spoken in most of Nevar, Pirreas canton, and Simiolśo canton.
* **Ceagár** or **Imperial**, spoken in Ceagár canton and parts of Nuchul canton. Used as the standard for the Rikutsari language.
* **Eastern**, spoken in Siositeo and Iteotses cantons.

Swoorlac is split into 2 dialects:

* **West Swoorlac** - spoken in Lanul and Greettsan cantons.
* **East Swoorlac** - spoken on Swoortaoc.

## Towns and Cities

There are 12 major cities in Rikutsar

* **Ceagár**, **Melagea**, and **Heogen** in Ceagár region
* **Lóariteo** in Bevicul region
* **Iteotses** in Sórul region
* the twin cities of Swoorlac, **Natiiri Luh** and **Oomeei Luh**
* **Íorenforg**, **Sweorul**, and **Ugára** in Horgtsar region
* **Jastgú** and **Wentsan** in Sareanár region

Many of these are among the first cities ever built in Rikutsar, Ceagár being the oldest of them. Lóariteo is the economic center of Rikutsar and is nearly as large as Ceagár.

# Culture

## Death

In Rikutsaren culture, death is both celebrated and feared. There are two types of death in Rikutsar: one, called “**Piassoro**” or “body-death”, is the part which people celebrate. Families will throw a day-long celebration called *Sorodasonar* where everyone comes together and has a great feast in honor of the life of the deceased, often telling stories of how they knew the person or showing photo albums.

However, the second kind of death, called “**Sysahabusoro**”, is the feared part of death in Rikutsar. It means “forgotten-death”, literally the death of your influence on people, the death of your memory. By its very nature, nobody knows when this happens. For this reason, a person, throughout their life, will meet with a biographer (normally more than one) and tell what has happened in their life. People are encouraged to focus on their feelings during these sessions, and the biographers normally have experience in psychological therapy.

When that person passes away, the biographer will compile their life into a comprehensive story and bury it with the person. This story can be stored in a physical book, an electronic device, or both. Sometimes people will request custom methods of storing their biographies, such as in spoken audio form or even in the form of a movie. These methods are more difficult to obtain.

The biographies of the people have copies accessible in a public database. The purpose of the biographical process is to delay Sysahabusoro for as long as possible after Piassoro. Rikutsaren culture believes that reading a heartfelt account of the life of a deceased person can bring them back to life, in a way. As long as they are remembered or sympathized with, they will live on.

## Holidays [FIX]

**Leagwirnar**- initially *Parentalia*, a nine-day festival beginning 13 February, where sacred offerings of flower-garlands, wheat, salt, wine-soaked bread and violets to the "shades of the dead" at family tombs. This holiday ended 21 February with the midnight rites of *Feralia* (**Nyrorjeriachu**), where the patriarch would would address the malevolent, destructive aspects of his ancestor spirits, and was followed the next day by *Caristia* (**Nyrorsal**), where the family held an informal banquet to celebrate the amity between them and the dead.

* Temples closed, marriages were forbidden, and magistrates walked without their insignia during this time, function effectively as a yearly renewal of the rite of burial.
* Other times could be times to celebrate ancestors as well, such as on their birthday or during the Kalends, Nones, or Ides of each month.
* *Lemuria* which happened on the 9th 11th and 13th May was aimed at kinless and hungry spirits.
* Also during this time, from the Nones of February to the 14th, *Fornacalia*, which celebrated Fornax the god of bread and grain, was held. In Rikutsar this was merged into the second day of *Núrirnar*.
* As Beokornoru stood by the 800s AD, Nyrorjeriachu and Nyrorsal had been merged into the last 2 days of Leagwirnar, and **Jajiornar** was merged into the 2nd day. As such, the festival consisted of the following:

**Beokorene Dasoamymzi** - the "Festival of Ancestors"; a nine-day festival held starting on the *Gibnar* of the first month (The weekend day closest to the 3rd day divisible by 18.

* Day 1: **Núrirdiuz** - the "Parental Mass"; a gathering of the heads of all Rikutsaren families, a convention of sorts centered around a mass rite.
* Day 2: **Jajiornar** - the "Day of Bread"; a celebration of bread, and its offering to the ancestor spirits to satisfy their hunger after years of death.
* Day 3: **Guprotnar** - the "Day of Wine"; a celebration of wine, and its offering to the ancestor spirits to quench their thirst (in the form of a libation) after years of death.
* Day 4: **Gaethnar** - the "Day of Flowers"; families engaged in a rite where they would plant flowers, especially violets, around the ancestors' tomb.
* Day 5: **Cágunar** - the "Day of Rest"; a day of rest and prayer where the family prays and sleeps at or near the tomb.
* Day 6: **Sevjugnar** \*\*the "Day of Giving Jewels"; a day where the family would bring their own valuables, such as jewelry, to the tombs of their ancestors.
* Day 7: **Naovnar** - the "Day of Want"; a day of devotion towards the personal preferences of the ancestors, as recorded in the *Lithgheos* at the end of their life. Family would bring things the ancestors liked, after a long 6 days of devoting their own time, energy, and material possessions to the spirits.
* Day 8: **Nyrorjeriachu** - the "Cleansing of the Spirit"; a day of reflection ending in a midnight ritual where the family addresses the evil, toxic, or malevolent aspects of their ancestor spirits. The family would also put salt on the tombs.
* Day 9: **Nyrorsal** - the "Spirit Mercy"; a feast where the family comes to terms with their ancestor spirits and declares their amity.

## Religion

Though much of Rikutsar is non-religious, religious minorities do exist.

### Hazugim

The Jewish people in and from Rikutsar are known as **Hazugim**, from the term "*ahádim shel ha'zúg*" (**הַזוּג שֶׁל אוֹהֲדִים**), or "followers of the Two" (referring to the Empresses). Hazugi Jews follow a modified form of the now mostly lost Jerusalem Talmud, an older version of the Babylonian Talmud which most Jews follow today.

Hazugi Jews are distinguished by their use of Judeo-Rikutsaren, or *Ydnuvir* (**אְדנוּויר**)

### Chenemeź

The most unique religious minority in Rikutsar are the followers of **Chenemeź**, practiced by around 15,000 people. It is primarily based on a section of the *Nørøc Beogøn*, a biographical history of over 14,000 pages written in the 6th century AD by The Empresses. Though most of the writings are documentary, there is a section on Ancient Lithon myth upon which Chenemeź is based.

It is also mixed with various Roman practices and borrowed practices from other religions encountered on the Founders' Expedition, such as ancestor worship.

#### Creation Story

The universe was unformed chaos for eternity. The chaos was the primordial god, **Nuith**. However, among this chaos was **Graefur**, the Goddess of Love, whose power multiplied without bound. Eventually it became too great to bear, and with Graefur Nuith birthed a child: **Norūr**, the Goddess of Light. With her birth, she brought order to the chaos, and as an unintended consequence another god emerged: **Laon**, the God of Dust and Stone. Norūr created all the stars in the sky, and Laon created all the planets and nebulae. Norūr fell deeply in love with Laon, and they birthed **Lithon**, the Goddess of Inorganic Life (like the inhabitants of Lithos), and **Nerūr**, the Goddess of Water.

However, Nuith also fell in love with Laon and they too birthed children: **Gwethur**, the Goddess of Organic Life, and **Saraion**, the God of Fire. Saraion was an evil child. He wished nothing but to see his own propagation across the universe. He went to kill Gwethur and Lithon, for he hated life more than anything else. Due to his heat his own grandmother, Graefur, could not gift him with her love, so he only hated. When the deed was done, Gwethur rose again stronger and healthier, but Lithon died from the burning and shattered into a million pieces (representing the start of the Lithon species, with Lithos itself supposedly being Lithon's heart)

For this, Saraion was condemned by Nuith to spend the rest of eternity under the control of the other gods. This is why, the myth says, fire is extinguished by water (Nerūr made Saraion eternally weak to her powers, and Laon made it so that fire would turn to ash or lava to stone when it touched water), why it must emit light and light must carry heat (Norūr bound Saraion to her), why the centers of all the planets are made of fire (Laon encased Saraion in a prison of stone), and why organic life rebounds from fire (Gwethur was made strong against Saraion's power)

Nerūr and her parents were very close, which is why the seas are cradled by the land, and why water melts under the light. Nerūr nursed Gwethur back to health, and to pay that debt Gwethur promised that organic life would depend on water to live, and that the deserts where Saraion roamed would be devoid of life.

From the power of love that permeated that primorial chaos, all the emotions descended. From the void outside love, hatred, jealousy, and greed can be derived. From within love, kindness, and laughter are derived.