Ivlya

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The Principality of Ivlya
Motto"Blessed Be Ivlya"
CapitalMisto Doshchi
Official languages Codexian, Ivlyazyk, Yoruba (less commonly used)
Ethnic groups (Estimate/2017) 51.3% Vulpine

42.8% Human

3.3% Lutryne

2.6% Other
Demonym Ivlyan
Government Hereditary Constitutional Monarchy
 -  Prince Lucas Enrique Durand Tejada
 -  Heir Apparent Enrique Lucian Durand Venegas
 -  Princess Katerina Adelaida Venegas Núñez de Durand
Population
 -  estimate 42,304,436
GDP (nominal) estimate
 -  Total 460,314,568,116 SHD
 -  Per capita 10,881 SHD
HDI (2017)0.55
medium
Currency Valyet (V)
Date format /DD/MM/YYYY
Drives on the left
Calling code +27
Internet TLD .ivl

The Principality of Ivlya, better known simply as Ivlya, is a hereditary absolute monarchy ruled by a prince. While not a theocracy, Ivlya has a large, devout Troitsan Christian contingent. This is reflected by its conservative policies and its largely moralistic populace. It shares borders Stratarin and maintains frosty relations with the communist dictatorship.

History

Tribeland(????-1105)

Tyali masks that have been discovered and unearthed

Archaeological research has revealed that the land currently known as Ivlya was once the home to a tribe known as the Tyali. While it is not known how they came to inhabit the region, the Tyali stood apart from other Gondwanan tribes such as the Bours, as they did not worship Siada or any god similar to that of Islam. Their religion is more fully explored later in the article.




Stratic (1105-1114)

When the Empire of Stratarin was divided into three parts, Konstantine Ivanoff, a Vulpine Strataric general, was left with the least profitable and most problematic region known as Stratic (often known as Yama). The main problem with this region was the massive amount of military effort it took to keep the Bour tribes and those affiliated with them suppressed. Furthermore, there was animosity between Stratirium and Stratarin as well, due to the fact that all three states claimed to be led by the Tsar of the Western Vayan Catholic church.

In 1109 AD, Stratic was visited by explorers from Kalatianburg, and the two nations quickly established peaceful relations. In fact, several Kalatianburgers settled in Stratic, despite religious differences with the government.

By the year 1114, the Bour tribes had grown stronger and more united, giving rise to a mighty revolution led by Kamili the Strong, a tribal warlord. Ivanoff, his family and personal guard, and several thousand citizens (including the Kalatianburgers) were forced to flee or face death. Leaving Stratic to Bour control, these refugees fled to the lands of the Tyali, which bordered Bour territory.

Settlement (1115-1121)

Initially, the Tyali worshiped the Vulpine Stratarians, believing them to be spirits that had taken physical form. However, at both the refugees' insistence that they were not gods and their condemnation of the Tyali human sacrifice, the tribespeople, led by the Sovereign, attacked the former Stratarians in the Battle of Widik’eti. The Tyali people were annihilated, and Konstantine's people settled in the land which would become Ivlya.

Ivlya (1121-Present)

Tsardom (1121-1247)

After several years, the small yet defensible state of Ivlya was established. Though he had no authority whatsoever in most of the Gondwanan Vayan Catholic church, Ivanoff was still considered its Tsar in Ivlya. His rule spawned many evangelistic programs to the Kalatianburgers who resided in Ivlya, eventually leading to their complete integration into the society.

After Konstantine's death in 1147 due to illness, his son Grisha Ivanoff took power. His reign introduced a new language for the Ivlyan people. Based on Strataric, this language (known as Ivlyazyk) was similar enough to learn with relative ease and different enough to be unique.

Following his demise in 1203, more rulers came after Grisha, all of the Ivanoff line. They accomplished nothing too significant, other than expanding little by little to make room for the growing population, bolstering defenses, and further establishing Ivlya as a nation.

Reformation (1239-1246)

During the year 1239, the Tsar Volodymyr Ivanoff had consolidated the Church's power in Ivlya. Using his religious power to eliminate adversaries by claiming they were heretics, he was infamous to most of Ivlya's citizens. This growing discontent led to small revolts starting to pop up, though most were quickly suppressed.

A small group, calling themselves Troitsans, started meeting in secret and gathering others to their cause. Somewhat different from the other revolts, their goal was not only political but also religious, as the Troitsan movement began to diverge in several beliefs from the Vayan Catholic church. Despite their movement gaining popularity, the original Troitsans were found and publicly hanged as a warning.

However, Volodymyr's son Borys Ivanoff, known as both Borys the Patriot and Borys the Heretic, actually was convinced by the Troitsans. Following his father's death to in 1246, Borys officially declared that no man should be the head of the state's church, and took the title "Prince" instead.

Principality (1247-Present)

Borys passed away in 1301; however, he had abdicated ten years prior, leaving the throne to his son Artem. When Artem came of age, he found himself falling in love with Countess Angela Rasgado, of Kalatian descent. This was considered incredibly foolish, as Vulpines cannot reproduce with humans, meaning that Artem would be unable to produce an heir with her. Much to the royal court's dismay, he persisted, and the two wed in 1299. Tragically, five years later, Artem's hunting party was ambushed by a small Bouruni force. The Bouruni for were defeated; however, Artem was struck by an arrow. His final words were a request to see his wife one last time. This wish was not to be granted.

The Vulpine population grieved Artem's death to an incredible degree. Not only was he a beloved, although perceived as a little foolish, leader, his death also marked the end of the long line of Ivanoffs before him. Historical records diverge slightly here in regards to the princess. According to Ivlya: A Proud History, written by Diego Garcia Lorca, Princess Angela mourned him greatly, hardly eating and refusing to leave her room for weeks. However, according to The History and Struggle of Ivlya, and How It Applies Today, penned by Vulpine historian Pylyp Yovenko, she was hardly effected. However, both accounts agree that she remarried to a human three years later. Since she had not produced an heir with Artem, and due to the government reeling without a royal leader, her husband, Enrique I was quickly placed in the position of Prince. He was the first of the Durand royal family, which lasts to this day.

Government

Economy

The economy of Ivlya ascribed to a free market system, with few restrictions or subsidies from the government. While some essential services are in the public sector, the fast majority of services are provided by a very competitive private sector.

Currency

Ivlya operates on a silver standard, with every Valyet silver certificate in circulation backed up by a corresponding amount of silver stored in a silver vault. Each Valyet coin contains precisely one ounce of silver.

Primary Sectors

Industrial

Agricultural

The agricultural sector of the Ivlyan economy is fairly large -- roughly 40% of the national economy and comprising 46% of the workforce. As many of the primary cities tend to be near the center of the nation, the most agricultural areas tend to be along the outskirts, especially along the north-west.

The nation's main agricultural product are various types of grains, which are grown extensively throughout Ivlya. Its staples which are second to that are headed by beans, and also include cotton, maize, chicken products (especially eggs), and cow products (especially beef). Secondary agricultural products include blueberries, strawberries, wool, and livestock meat in general.

Technological

Military

The Ivlyan military, known as the Ivlyan Armed Forces, though small compared to that of its neighbor Stratarin, is regarded for its soldiers' skill and bravery. The Ivlyan Armed Forces considers itself a small yet strong and proud line of defense against invasion from the Islamic theocracy or Communist dictatorship it borders.

Culture and People

Religion

For the average Ivlyan citizen, religion is incredibly important. While the nation has some Vayan Catholics, Ivlya predominantly follows Troitsan Christianity. Near the border with Bouruni Stratarin, Islamic communities are not uncommon.

Troitsan Christianity

The Troitsan Cross, emblem of the faith

An offshoot of Vayan Catholicism that arose in the 14th century, starting with a small revolt due to the authoritarian nature of the Ivlyan Vayan Catholic church. While the belief's main grievance was that the state should not decide all matters of religion, many different differences between the two Christian ideologies arose. Although the revolt was put down, Troitsan Christianity gained traction and spread, quietly at first, then more openly. Today, over 70% of the population claim to be Troitsan Christians.

Structure

Troitsan Christianity in Ivlya is structured as a communion comprising the several separate autocephalous hierarchical Troitsan churches, which each recognize each other. Each constituent church is self-governing; its patriarkh (the highest-ranking bishop of each church), reports to no higher earthly authority. Each regional church (such as the Church of Harkhire, or the Church of Misto Doshchi) is composed of constituent yeparkhiyi (or provinces) ruled by bishops. Some autocephalous churches have given an yeparkhiya or group of yeparkhiyi varying degrees of autonomy. Such autonomous churches maintain high levels of dependence from their regional mother church. In many cases, autonomous churches are almost completely self-governing, with the mother church retaining only the right to appoint the lesser patriarkh of the autonomous church.

There is an odd hierarchy for the various Ivlyan constituent churches and patriarkhs. The Ecumenical Patriarkh of Misto Doshchi is often seen as the leader of the Troitsan faith. However, he is regarded internally as "pershyy sered rivnykh," or "the first among equals," as he has no real authority over the other autocephalous churches.

Saenism

The flag used by the few modern day proponents of Saenism to represent their faith

The ancient Tyali system of worship was known as Saenism, which involved the worship of their ancestral leader (whom they called "Sovereign") and his predecessors as gods. Hence, lest the Sovereign condemn them in the afterlife, they tried to appease him in all things. Items of religious significance were common, as there has not been found a Tyali structure yet that has not contained several religious artifacts.

From the writings of Konstantine Ivanoff, Saenism was "steeped in primitive naturist traditions, with spirits being said to inhabit all things." Little more detail has been unearthed in that aspect of the religion.

The spiritual role of the Sovereign was said to be dominion over all natural spirits. A common saying that Ivanoff recorded was that "the reeds bow to the Sovereign as he passes, and the wind itself grows still so that he might be heard."

Saenists commonly practiced human sacrifice.

While the ancestral line of Sovereigns had been long ago ended, there are several extremist groups across Ivlya that maintain that they know and worship the Sovereign's only living heir. Due to the violent sacrificial murders that modern-day Saenists often practice, Saenism is the only religion to be officially banned by law in Ivlya.

Architecture

The architecture of Ivlya is very similar to that of Stratarin from the days of old. Tall, grand, spiraling buildings often dominate the landscape of major cities. Modern Ivlyan architecture, by comparison, is somewhat blander. Military bases especially clearly show that the Ivlyan desire for practicality has surpassed its desire for beauty.

Across its western border, due to having reclaimed lost land from Bourun after it had been settled, Islamic architecture is quite common.

Politics

Effects of Religion on Politics

Due to the devout nature of the populace, Ivyla is currently rooted in conservative values. In March 2014, a controversy was sparked by the decision by the Ivlyan Parliament voting to uphold the illegalization of gay marriage. Prostitution is also illegal, as well as pornography. Abortion is regarded as murder.

Brief Explanation of the Flag

The red is symbolic of the Ivlyan blood spilled (an act neither forgiven nor forgotten) by Bourun over the centuries. The purple asserts the royal history of the nation, and the cross design displays the traditional and modern faith of Ivlya.

Border

Due to the nature of the nations neighboring it, Ivlya has never had any sort of open border policy. The small nation has a strong military presence across its border with Stratarin, with a very strict and limited immigration policy.

Sexes

According to a 2017 poll, the vast majority of Ivlya believes in traditional gender roles. Men are to be the servant leaders of a family as Biblically defined, as well as the protectors and breadwinners. Women are to be the homemakers and supporters of their spouses. While this is the view shared by most Ivlyans, it is not legally enforced. Women have the right to vote and can own property. It is illegal to pay a woman less for the same work than a similarly-skilled male peer.