Republica

Flag of Republica

> *"The home of the Divine Church is the home of the Gods. We are honoured to protect it."*
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## History

One of the first settlements to attain a great deal of wealth and power in the Dawn Era, Republica is home to the great Divinicia, the home city and main temple of the Divine Church. Republica was built over and into the ruins left behind by the Augury, and as such has a variety of Augury stylings to it's architecture.

Although ostensibly a democracy, in reality the elected government holds little sway and the real control lies in the hands of the Church itself, and it's speaker who resides within the Divinicia.

From Republica has launched every Divine Crusade, in some manner, and at several points it has been accused of starting these crusades purely for the benefit of itself, notoriously in the Third Crusade, where conscripts and volunteers fought purely to expand the southern border of Republica.

## Politics

### Noble Houses of Republica

Although the average citizen is better off than in most other countries due to the tithes the Divine church takes from other places, there is still a form of nobility in the House system.

Established Noble Houses are allowed to run for positions of political power. These Noble Houses are confirmed by the Divine Church as being ordained by the gods to be able to compete for leadership of Republica. A Noble House will accept those who have no other allegiance and prove themselves "Worthy" of a position within the House.

### President of the Republic

Officially, once every eight years a House is chosen by popular vote to lead the people of Republica, the leader of the House is then given the title of President. However every house that has ever been elected has been almost entirely under the rule of High Priests of the church, and Houses that do not seek the approval and oversight of High Priests tend to disperse quietly or be implicated in treasonous affairs and forced to disband in shame.

In practice, Republica is a theocracy under the thumb of the Divine Church. This has proven very beneficial, as it has allowed Republica to sharpen it's claws and feast on the offerings brought to it by other nations who follow the Divine's preachings.

Republica grants the right to vote to all citiens who are or have served in a government branch- including the Military and Churches- or who have a yearly income above fifty thousand gold.

## Military

The Republica Military Service (R.M.S.) is an army composed of Legions owned by the Houses.

Interestingly, Republica does not have an official Conscription policy. Every male, upon reaching the age of 10, is given military training each Prayer Day. Many of these will volunteer to serve in one of the Legions.

Outsiders may claim that the propaganda the church and the government provide is what is causing such a high turnover of recruits, but the payscale and benefits to a Republica soldier are enormous- including the potential to be promoted into the Household of the legion in question.

Each Legion's funding is based on how rich the family who owns it are, but typically they will have an enormous budget and a huge technological component. The might of your legion is considered to be a symbol of the status of your household.

### Mercenaries

Mercenary Legions are common, frequently trying to get enough of a positive reputation within Republica to be officially recognized as a new house. The promise of becoming a House once the Legate who hired them becomes a Senator is often enough to keep them fighting- as the benefits are huge.

## The Law and Criminality

The laws of Republica are almost entirely a match for the guiding principles of the Divine Church. Theonly additional laws are that a Priest is to be shown the utmost respect, punishments for saying bad things about a preacher of the Divine Church include public canings and other seriously painful 're-education' methods.

If you break the law in Republica, you are arrested, brought to trial in the temple on Prayer Day, and publicly sentenced. Sentences often include immediate public execution, removal of personal properties, and corporal punishments including canings, whippings, and the usage of Stocks and other such implements.

Republica is also the only government whose own guards and military uphold the Apostasy Charter, willingly aiding the Order of Venator. They also persecute followers of the Righteous Flame.

People whose relatives have been convicted, or who have themselves been convicted, are considered to be "In bad standing" and must pay a huge donation to the church for their soul to be purified and return to Good Standing.

## Technology

Despite it's at-times ornate designs, Republica is incredibly high-tech. Buildings in particular tend to be incredibly tall, spiralling structures of metal and marble.

Although paying lip service to the Elven Accords, many devices utilize Soul Magic and other such potent, often considered dark, powers in their creation and function. Supposedly, according to the Divine, these devices are Holy Relics of the Elven Era and therefore are exempt from the Accords in much the same way as the Elven Domains themselves claim to be exempt with certain technologies.

## Geography

The lands of Republica are sweeping hills and beautiful floral fields, the natural beauty is helped due to the lack of farmland as the majority of food is imported, and the ajority of the workforce are in the military.

## Society

Republica society is militaristic and deeply religious. Regular parades are held for soldiers returning from battles in the Wilds, and it is considered a matter of pride to volunteer for military service as young as you possibly can.

Republica is remarkably egalitarian towards it's civilians; there is little to no class divide, and there are very few poor, especially within those who follow the teachings of the Divine.

### Food and Drink

Republica food is known to be extravagant, Republica people are known for their generosity when inviting people to dine with them. In Republica, people only eat once a day- a huge sprawling meal at midday known as "Dayfeast", although some would refer to it as a large lunch.

### Clothing

Republica clothing is known for it's usage of fine silks, extravagant cuts, and many buckles. Metal pieces, such as armored boots, are also highly popular due to the perceived military standing of those who wear them.

### Marriage and Family

Marriage is monogamous. People in Republica marry quite late, and after they have had a few children will not often see each other. It is considered odd for both parents to take an active role in rearing their children, so fathers will raise daughters and mothers will raise sons until the age of ten, where they switch until the mid teens.

### Popularity

Automobiles, such as cars, are looked upon as great status symbols and are considered to be signs of great prestige. Having more than one car is seen as a beyond opulent, and therefore enviable, lifestyle.

### Education

Education is provided by the church every prayer day, and in the week children are educated by their parent.

People, due to the Church's interest in Republica, are highly educated.

### Medicine

For citizens of Republica, healing is free in any church, provided they are considered to be "In Good Standing" with the church. For outsiders, these services are exhorbitantly expensive.

### Species and Religion

The primary species are Humans, with some Dwarves and Minotaur. The primary religion is the Divine Priesthood.

Other religions do exist, however as people who follow other gods are looked down upon and shunned, as well as in permanent bad standing, these people are often persecuted.

### Death in Republica

When a person dies in Republica, their body is buried in a cemetary. The family pays a sum of money to the nearest church for a priest to attend the burial and bless the body so that it is not risen as undead. This amount varies, but is almost always very high. For poorer families, this can be enough to put them into debt with a bank owned by the Church.

The dead are treated with great respect, however, even those bodies of their enemies.

### Bathing and Utilities

Bathing is done every day, before the meal, in order to be purified before eating. Soldiers are given special dispensation to forgo this act before their main meal. Bathing is commonly shared between married couples, and there are bathhouses adopted from the Draconic Empire, but otherwise it is a solitary affair.

Steamrooms are common and used frequently for bonding between friends and business partners. Almost every house has a steamroom, only the very poor cannot afford them and therefore go to a public steamhouse.

### Taboos

There is a strong anti-magic taboo. Linked to the Second Crusade and the Apostasy Charter that followed, most people despise magic users in all their forms except the clerics and paladins of the church, seeing them as disturbers of the peace.

A great respect is put upon hospitality, to be invited into someone's home is to be-for the duration of your visit- family. Similarly, visitors pay great respect to the people who own their house.

Although steamrooms are affairs between friends and there is no official law against it, it's seen as odd and possibly perverse to have mixed-gender sessions.

Although drink and drug use are fine, they are only to be consumed in designated areas, such as homes or opium dens. Opiates are the drug of choice for many.