Republic of Lerza (NATION, PC/NPC)

Republic of Lerza

Flag of the Republic

Info to the Republic

## Etymology

Called the Remlic uto Lerza in its native language translating into the Republic of Lerza. The name follows from the form of government a Republic and then the birthplace of the Republic on the planet of Lerza. It is common to call members of the Republic ether an Republican or Lerzan.

## **Geography**

The Republics' home system contains 5 major rocky planetary bodies, an Asteroid Belt, and 5 Gas Giants. The RTF calls it's home on the 4th body on the system the planet of Lerza which has 1 moon. Lerza is the only naturally habitable planet in the system with other planetary bodies that are habit or becoming habitable mainly due to terraforming projects by the RTF government, however, these projects due take time to complete.

The first planet in the system is called Kœr is the closest planet in the system at .21 Au away from the home star. It is a largely barren planet made most of Iron and Silicates, blasted by the Sun and rocky impacts. However, it is home to around a thousand workers who run the manufacturing and research facilities, along with it being the launch point for the Dyson Swarm around the home star. The second planet called (name TBD) in the system is a rocky body that holds a trace atmosphere with frequent Electromagnetic storms that can cover the planet for weeks on end, the planet is also home to a number of military bases and research facilities shielded from the storms that cover the planet. Third in line is the first grouping of Asteroids in the system with it being home to a large number of Shipyards, Military bases, and Black sites. The fourth planetary body that exists in the system is Lerza the home planet of the Republic of Terra Firma and is a habitable planet, home to the Humans, along with holding one moon. Lerza has a number of Orbital shipyards, Space elevators, and other facilities to help the Republic to space. Lerza's moon is also home to shipyard and Space elevators along with one of the largest Spaceports in the Republic for shipping goods and people around the system. The fifth planet in the system is called Chirum was the second body is the second body that was settled by the Republic and is the second most populated planet in the system along with being the most developed body outside of Lerza, with several large settlements and cities that almost rival cites and states on Lerza herself.

After Chirum lays another Asteroid Belt also home to Black sites, shipyards, and Starports. Followed suit are the 5 Gas Giants in the system Dahundi Sǫʼlla, Dilttor, Caer'bis, Tonare Sǫʼlla, and Spatian Orban. Dahundi Sǫʼlla is the largest Gas Gaint in the System with a number of moons that are around it, last totaling at 107 rocky bodies of sizes and makeup. Dahundi Sǫʼlla holds a mix of colonies Military bases, Research yards, Shipyards, and Communication arrays. Dahundi Sǫʼlla is a third hub behind the Lerzan/moon pair and Chirum for moving goods around the System. Dilttor and Caer'bis have little function for the Lerzan United Government, but there does exist a small number of Military bases, Listening post, and even tourist stations this far out into the system.

## Demographics

### Population

The total population of Lerza is around 34 billion primarily located in the home system of Solas Helios. Split between two species Lerzans' the primarily species who are around 95% of the population and then the Kuswawet'i who are around 5% of the population. Lerzan's on average live to about 120 without modifications and age slower, however the general population due to genetic and cybernetic modifications this has been pushed out to 150 years and will only continue to rise as time goes on. Along with due to both a higher rod count and Mitochondria counts in muscle cells, allows for improve vision in the night along with an on average stronger individual then normal. This along with ontop of any number of other modifications that a regular Lerzan has access to. The Kuswawet'i the secondary species within the Republic, have had a troubled history in Lerza, being the subject to both persecution and killings over Lerza's history, however, over recent years changes for the better have had the Kuswawet'i become to be seen as equals more and more to Lerzan's in everyday life. The Kuswawet'i are a very psionically active species with all members being capable of some form psionic abilities, with their most notable ability being to "shapeshift" via a Psionic projection, along with other minor psionic abilities. It should be noted that training is still required for more advanced psionic abilities though it does come at an easier time than other species. The Kuswawet'i are also a pisonic hivemind and are able to commutate and see though each other via this connection, it is with that they are a hive species with Queens serving as the mothers to hives that share a birth connection to them, but it is not common for non-Queen Kuswawet'i to have children with each other or in the very rare case Lerzan's.

### Religion

Religion is a simple affair in Lerza with regions within the nation having there own main religion within the area, but there exist no state religion along with a very strict law for the separation between any church and state. Most religions on Lerza are Polytheistic with a few Monotheistic ones along with a handle of moral codes and animalist religions. It is with this that most religions serve more as a general moral code then something majorly important in a person's life. And it is very uncommon for anyone to bring up religious matters in a public space other then in passing.

### Language

The Republic of Lerza speaks Lerzan as it's common tongue, having long since been the defacto language for the republic. That said it is not uncommon for regional variations to come about due to the language that was spoken before. These variation becoming similar to accents in nature, however, base Lerzan has some call it is what is spoken in most places of power due to how common it is and the somewhat simple nature of speaking it has compared to some of it's variations.

### Family Structure

Family Structure is as varied as the people who live in the Republic. It is hard to say there is a single-family structure that people will follow. A common thread is often a group of one or more parental figures, followed by one or more children. However, this broad definition does not cover all family types, as it can be common for families related by blood to live in a multigenerational house or a grouping of homes in an apartment complex. What is essential to understand with the Lerzan Family structure is that there is not just one type of structure. Within Lerzan society that a family means a group of individuals who are loving and supportive of each other and willing to help in times of need, no matter what. And it should be considered a great value with any member of Lerzan society considers an individual has a member of their family.

### Education

There are four levels to a Lerzan education; primary education taking up the early life of a Lerzan a teaches basic skills and history to create a solid if a basic understanding for the students. Followed by Secondary education, which prepares skills that Lerzans would need to know for their adult life and civic duties to be good citizens and continue on the basic skills and history from primary education; however, the focus is on the life skills and civic responsibilities. Continuing education is primarily left to the individual. The system will have done an excellent job preparing them for this change into adulthood, but the encouragement to never stop learning is always there. However, suppose one wishes to continue their education. In that case, they could either start with a Technical skills college, which is free and will teach any number of advanced skills and jobs that one could go into without spending a significant amount of time investing in it. Or they can head to a University where one will find most of their specialized schools, where one will receive some of the most potent education Lerza offers. The key part of early Lerzan education is a focus on practical use and understanding of knowledge, then remembering the facts to create Lerzans with a solid ability to live on their own and be productive members of society. With the use of AI to assist in understanding on the knowledge being taught and to help those behind.

## Government and Politics

### Government Structure

There exist four branches that make up the Lerzan government the Legislative, Executive, Judicial, and Examination branch each with their own powers and duties. The Legislative branch is split into two houses an upper and lower house whose general duties include making laws, generating and controlling money, and declaring war. The Executive branch is headed by a President and is chiefly incharge of leading the Armed Forces in times of war and carrying out the laws set by the Legislative. The Judicial in large part acts as referees for the Lerzan government, but power wise is limited in what they can do. Lastly the Examination branch which acts as a large oversight committee who are independent of the over branches and work to prevent fraud or illegal victories within Lerza.

### Military

The Lerzan Security Forces(LSF) is the primary professional fighting force of the Republic of Lerza. Lerza maintains a permanent standing professional fighting force, along with an extensive Reservists force capable of being called up in times of war, along with a national militia force for defensive in nature operations on home territory. The LSF operates 8 main branches being the following

* **Republic Security Forces**; The Planetary Ground Warfare Branch of the LSF, maintaining the largest force with the task of engaging in combat.
* **Republic Aerial Security Forces**; The Planetary Air Force branch who operate a number of different aircraft for the goal of securing, maintaining and denying the enemy air superiority in planetary engagements
* **Department of Navigational and Trade Safety**; The Space Navy for the LSF, with the main focus of engaging in offensive operations in space and giving top cover to ground forces in planetary operations
* **Maritime Security Force**; The 2nd smallest out of the branches the Maritime Security Force specializes in water operations on planets for both Special forces and Regular Ground troops
* **Cyberspace Central Command**; Tasked with the defense and offense of Lerza's information networks and systems from hostile attacks
* **Information Security Command**; Tasked with large scale and theater wide information gathering and processing for the use by other branches
* **Logistics Command**; Tasked with maintaining supplies for units along with the development and procurement of new equipment for other branches
* **Special Operations Command**; An Organizational command tasked with maintaining a united command and logistics for Lerzan Special Operations Forces

Further Reading on Organization, Equipment, and Tactics can be found here

### Law Enforcement and Crime

Lerza's main focus for it's Criminal justice and law enforcement is that of rehabilitation. As such the only time the death penalty will been invoked is in the case of War criminals and treason against the republic and its people. Because of this a great effort is place on preventing the causes of crime or what could cause an individual to commit crime via an intensive social care system, designed to stop situtions from forming that would cause an individual to commit crime. It is with this that in cases were an individual fails out of rehabilitation programs or commits crime that is deemed as extreme that they are normally given life sentences. To carry out this social workers are often used to deal with situations to de-escalate them and come to a workable solution to problems. However if they fail in there duties response teams equipped with nonlethal and stun equipment are sent in, these teams are also equipped with lethal measures should there be a case it is needed. These teams along with most of the system is overseen by a combination of local and national committees who review the actions of all members of the system to make sure they are focus on helping rather then trying to meet any sort of quota. With all of this most things in Lerza are buy in large legal so long as it does not provide harm to another member of society or damage the public good. In the rare case of an large scale attack on the Lerzan public there do exist specialty trained SWAT teams to deal with such threats, such as terrorist attacks.

## Economy

### Overview

Lerza has seen a great deal of large-scale infrastructure and colonizing many places on the planet that could not be colonized in the years before with floating cities doting Lerza's oceans and a few underwater cities, mainly for the use of research and technology development. This colonization includes the settling of deserts and the Polar Ice Caps; however, with the latter, these settlements are often are a lot smaller to maintain the environment of the Icecaps, with the colonies mainly being used for governmental and research purposes. Large roadways covered driverless vehicles and magrails connected cities outside of these fringe areas. Even inside cities, the public transportation systems are highly developed, with solid inter-city rail lines and shelters for civilians to move. On the orbital infrastructure on Lerza, there are 13 space elevators around the equator of the planet than to the planet's poles. Mass drivers and space planes assist in getting payloads to space—lastly, four orbital starports orbit with their shipyards for civilian and military use.

### Heavy Industry

There are a number of centers of heavy industry within Lerza but the three main areas are Lerza, Lerza's moon, and the Gas Giant Dahundi Sǫʼlla system. These three areas are all the center point of Lerzan Industry within the system. Lerza has been home to Lerzan Industry for all of the Republic history from ancient times to the modern day. As such it is hard to contest or even removed Lerza as a center point of industry, due to the hundreds of years of built up infrastructure. However, there has been a change in what Lerza bring to the table of industry, as Lerza in the past few years has become more of a research center, then a heavy industry center, but it can not be understated that the center point of heavy industry for Lerza remains it's home planet. In spite of Lerza's moon only having featured large scale heavy industry for the past 300 years, it has rapidly become the secondary heart for shipbuilding and material production for Lerza. Using a combination of solar and nuclear klims along with a very large fleet of mining drones including resources shipped in from outside the moon is able to refine these resources into materials for shipbuilding and construction, along with the lower gravity of the moon shipping these resources is easy by using a combination of mass drivers, space elevators, and ships these resources are able to be moved into orbit for shipbuilding over the planet or else where like Lerza for shipbuilding there. Making the moon an important part in the Lerzan production line. Lastly of the three main heavy industry areas in the Gas Giant Dahundi Sǫʼlla system, while different the the former two, the Gas Giant Dahundi Sǫʼlla System Indsutry Area or GGDSSI, uses the Gas Giant and it's moons as the main production site for fuel for starships in Lerza, in large part due to Dahundi Sǫʼlla being a Gas Giant and the Gas mining which comes from it. Along with the 121 moons of which 18 are major and the resources that come from them, allows for the system to be a nexus for fuel production. The main cause by this was a need in the early days of settling the Gas Giant the need for ship travel before mass drivers could be set up, which meant the resources for fuel which were common in the Gas Giant system to be used and the infrastructure needed being quickly setup. While there other sites of industry like Chirum and Nedeso these sites are mainly secondary and while major places, are not as such focal points in the production chain as the three main sites, but no slouches for industry by any means.

### Energy Generation

Lerza's energy sector is potent, taking on the growing demands of an expanding Republic. While many of the old forms of nonrenewable energy generation are gone, a small number of Petrochemical plants which still use oil and other fossil fuels remain that are used make utility goods which have yet to be replaced by artificial means using biofuels. The Republic's primary way of generating energy now come from two major sources. The first is the most crowning achievement of the Republic is the Dyson swarm which has been generating almost all of the power Lerza would need, which as allowed for explosion of industry and other projects with a now overabundance of energy since it's construction. The power generated by the Dyson swarm is used in two main ways, first the solar beam network for moving goods around the system and the second beaming power all across the system to were it is needed. Moving onto the second major source of power generation is nuclear-type energy plants with Fusion, Fission, Cold Fusion, and Thorium reactors generating a large part of the power needs when solar energy is not as available. Green power is also used but it's power generation is more minimal then the other two sources and comes from Tidal Turbines, Large solar farms, Solar Banks, and geothermal plants covering the rest of the requirements. Along with a combination of improved batteries and power satellites means that powerlines are hard to come by with power being beamed over cities and taken in by batteries or to be used right then and there.

### Infrastructure

Lerza is home to a large network of complex transportation systems for goods and people, the most notable of these is the Orbital ring which exist over the planet with connections running down all around the planet. Over the many years of Ring standing over Lerza it has come to be expanded many times to include in modern times, defenses, research, production, and living spaces making it a secondary gateway to get to and from Lerza. Even with the ability of the Orbital ring other methods of transportation exist including but not limited to driverless cars. magrails, and low orbital supersonic aircraft to travel between cities. Inside cities a combination of strong public transport and foot paths have allowed for a slow reduction in the use of cars, with many cities making use of the space now for public areas or in some cases green space. This is not to say that cars don't exist within Lerza but that there use as been greatly reduced and is not needed for most common Lerza lives. Offside Lerza in her colonies infrastructure remains different and not 100% the same for each planet and moon, but common themes remain. It is common for Space Elevators and Mass Drivers to exist on many colony worlds with lower gravity however, on Chirum and Nedeso exist orbital rings due to their gravity and the ease of construction over such planets. It is also a common sight for underground magrails though dry lava tubes on these planets and moons to protect them from outer space events. A more recent development for Lerza has been making use of mined out Asteroids to build O'Neill Cylinders for more living space to continue to grow the Republic. With the crowning achievement of Lerzan infrastructure being the Solar Beam network making use of the Dyson swarm to power large cargo ships by beaming concentrated solar energy to what are large solar sailers for the moving of cargo around the system.

### Agriculture

Lerzan Agriculture has seen massive changes in how it works over the years, with today it being very different from what it was even 50 years ago. Vertical farming and the use of public green spaces have changed the very face of Lerzan cities from what once were abandoned warehouses have found new life for farming being turned into greenhouses making use of a combination of Aeroponics, Hydroponics, and Aquaponics to make produce. With the warehouses making use of heavy automation to continually grow corps throughout the year. With how apartments and residential units are set up within cities, they operate their own internal Vertical Farming Greenhouses able to generate the food that the complex or area would need. Making those who live in the cities have a healthy diet with the food going almost straight from the farm to the table. As one leaves the city this interconnectedness becomes harder to find, however, individual houses are still able to grow their own food. Fishes are very common within the Lerzan diet due to widespread use of hydroponics, along with advances in lab-grown/artificial meats for items like beef or pork means that Lerzans are able to enjoy a healthy diet. This is not to say that animal-based beef or pork does not exist just that it is more of a luxury/uncommon then the other two. It is because of these factors that Large scale food production/factory farms and retail centers are uncommon and serve as more specialty sites than where someone would go to get their food on a daily or weekly bases. Another factor is the use of autonomous or low-level AI trucks which also carry specialty items will go around to the areas that need them and as a form of barter trade fuel or repairs for what they carry.

## Culture

### Philosophy

Lerza holds democracy and community in the highest regard; it is easy to see how these things have flowed throughout Lerza. It is widespread for neighborhoods and apartment complexes to be their own self-contained communities with everyone knowing and supporting each other, sharing knowledge and skills in their daily lives. It is not uncommon to see that families will often live within the same area with others forming small collective tribes and supporting each other. There is a balance between the people and the Republic, which the Republic protects, expands into space for the people, and cares for the people in good faith. In turn, the people support the Republic in times of need, such as in defense of it. There is a great deal put on the individual for being self-reliant; as such, it’s widespread for many Lerzans to have strong technical knowledge and know-how to be independent if times get tough and know when to come together for a greater good.

### Culture

Cybernetic and biological modifications are common all across Lerza, and due to the wide use of biological modifications, Lerza has eliminated most genetic diseases from the regular population. With this, Lerzans are overall as a species is healthier and live longer, pushing their age limits to 50 years more than what it was. Advancements in cloning have allowed those who lose limbs to get new ones almost as good as the old ones or repair damaged organs—cybernetic enhancements serve as another option for  Lerzans who wish to go down that path. With a full scope of enhancements that even regular Lerzans can access, to improve on or augment what they can do. With things like neural implants that allow Lerzans to enjoy the full scope of knowledge that the Republic has access to, with the implants able to do AR, it is a safe bet to say that even regular Lerzas are a step above most others.

### Cuisine

Lerzan Cuisine does not exist in a traditional sense. A combination of information sharing, 3D printing, artificial meats, and homegrown food has allowed people to enjoy what they would want daily. There are still common themes to what Lerzans will eat nationally. Protein-wise, fish has replaced most red meats due to a quicker and easier time growing them, along with food grown within a Lerzans home, namely fruits and vegetables. This change has primarily been allowed by advancements in AI and automation, allowing for a more tailored diet for Lerzans, depending on what they enjoy and what is needed nutritionally-wise. Red meat from animals is still eaten but is uncommon and more for special events and times than a commonplace everyday meal item. Hunting in the Lerzan wilds is more down to the individual and falls into the same place as Red meat and large-scale industrial farms. These items have become specialty items because of these factors and can be found in local stores for people to still buy along with other products that they may not have an easy time making themselves.

### Sports

The different environments of Lerza’s home system have allowed for an explosion of diverse and innovative sports to come about for Lerzan’s to watch. The most common is the Solar Grand Prix which follows racers through almost every environment within the system, facing challenges and needing to overcome different problems that were and have been faced by space explorers over the years ending with a final lap all over Lerza. While the SGP is the biggest and most famous due to its use of live racers, other races have come up using drone piloted vehicles and included weapons in their races for added artificial danger. On the flip side, the SGP is essentially a ground-based affair with some elements in space. The Solar Winds Competition falls into this role, being the same as the SGP but different in there being teams and an acrobatics part to the competition outside of just a race. Other sports like Gravity ball and Triangulation revolve around teams or individuals having to maneuver in low gravity environments via RCS to deliver balls into goals while being interfered with by the other team and gravity germinating objects.

### Literature, Music, and Cinematography

Lerzan entertainment remains an interesting landscape for those who follow or pay attention to it, as it seems there are two schools of thought that follow throughout it. The first and often more dominant of the two is a collectivist, patriotic ethos in placing a value on the Republic and its importance for regular Lerzans, finding its home in both Literature and Cinematography and mostly in Music but not a very commonplace thing in the former. Entertainment produced under this school of thought will often be war movies or similar because of this. The second school of thought still follows a similar thought process but shifts the view to a more rebellious, counter-government movement placing the value and focus on a group of individuals striking out on their own or being able to handle themselves in the face of adversity, and finding its home in Music more than Literature and Cinematography but by no means unpopular in those forms for regular Lerzans. These two schools often serve a symbiotic relationship with each other and by no means are the only two schools of thought, and even within the two can be mindless fun or reach a degree of thought and Philosophy to give those who are entertained pause for thought.