Edamim

Holy Edamiri Republic 𐤄𐤃𐤀𐤌𐤌 𐤒𐤅𐤃𐤃𐤏𐤂𐤎𐤀𐤌𐤌𐤄𐤂 (Edam'm Quddocxammec)
Motto: “Arac taher pit'al.”a
Anthem: A New Crusade
Location of Edamim
Capital		Jezal
Largest		Tiamat
Demonym		Edamir (n., pl.); Edamiri (adj.)
Government		Unitary parliamentary republic
-	Sophet	Izavel min Yasha
-	Sidnasir	Alissa min Sisa
-	Iddetiram	Arishat min Demna
-	Berakminec	Nikkal min Mitunbaal
Legislature		Tabxataam
-	Upper house	Ra'ciim
-	Lower house	Surxaam
Area
-		685,389 km2 264,630 sq mi
Population
-	2040 census	97,739,140
-	Density	142.6/km2 369.3/sq mi
GDP (PPP)		2040 estimate
-	Total	US$4.327 trillion
-	Per capita	US$44,275
Gini		41.4 medium
HDI		0.856 very high
Currency		Edamiri amin (₳) (EDA)
Date format		dd.mm.age:year
Drives on the		right
Internet TLD		.eda, .eqx
a.	Translation: “Prayers of the innocent have no wings.”

Edamim (Edamiric: 𐤄𐤃𐤀𐤌𐤌 | tr. Edamm), officially the Holy Edamiri Republic (Edamiric: 𐤄𐤃𐤀𐤌𐤌 𐤒𐤅𐤃𐤃𐤏𐤂𐤎𐤀𐤌𐤌𐤄𐤂 | tr. Quddocxammec Edamm) is a country in Pajaxay in the region of Caranos. It is a unitary parliamentary republic consisting of 13 zarexim and covers 685,389 square kilometers. It has a population of 97,739,140, concentated mostly along the northwestern coast. While the coastlines have a hot-summer Mediterranean climate, the interior hosts a searng hot desert climate. This means that most of Edamim's major cities, including Maron, Ashor, Qarth, and its largest city, Tiamat, are located either along coastlines or a major river. The capital of Jezal is located further inland along the River Jbeil.

Written records have existed of the Edamiri people - particularly of the cities of Ashor, Jol, and Qarth - since early antiquity, 800-600 BCE, although archaeological and oral records suggest the region has been inhabited by relatively wealthy polities since at least 2000 BCE. Protected by harsh desert from the south and east, and the ocean from the other directions, the Edamiri city-states of antiquity were thriving, powerful centers of trade with strong navies and sophisticated economies. In the early 4th century BCE, the Cult of Ashtoreth, goddess of war, sex, and prosperity, took significant prominence over the other gods of the Edamiri pantheon due to the appearance of the Prophet Jezabel, who led the city of Ashor to victory against long-time rival Qarth, which was swiftly annexed in an unprecedented move. She later led her followers into the desert to the present site of Jezal, which serves as the holy city of Ashtorminism and capital of Edamim to this day.

City-states, following Ashor's example, waged wars of conquest and conversion, spreading the Ashtorminian faith and consolidating power for centuries. By the 3rd century CE, much of the land currently within the Holy Edamiri Republic was under the direct or indirect control of Ashor; the sophet (translated to anything from "queen" to "dictator"), Domina of Ashor was crowned Great Sophet of Edamim by the Koliylit of Jezal, the spiritual leader of all Ashtorminians, in 441 CE, estimated to be the 1000th anniversary of the beginning of Jezal's pilgrimage into the desert, creating a recognizable predecessor to the modern state which would remain mostly intact to the present day.

In the 21st century, Edamim is a developed nation with a powerful economy centered around arms manufacturing, shipping, finance, information technology, and tourism. It has a high standard of living and notoriously lax economic code (outside of specific religious and environmental stipulations). Internationally, it is recognized for its extensive tourism industry full of high-class resorts and brothels, as well as many exceptionally well-preserved buildings and artifacts dating back thousands of years, many of which are open to the public; its rich cultural history and tradition of architecture, philosophy, engineering, and entrepreneurship; and its generally alien culture which flies in the face of many Western ideas about sexuality and morality. Universal healthcare and tuition-free university education, along with a plethora of other public services, are upheld by the country's religious institutions.

Etymology

The word "Edamim" (Edamiric: 𐤄𐤃𐤀𐤌𐤌 | tr. Edam'm) is an Old Edamiric word that means "(the) people". So, when Sophet Domina of Ashor crowned herself "Sophet of Edamim", she was quite literally declaring herself "queen of the people", referring to the general ethno-cultural group spanning the region.

History

Geography

Politics

The government of Edamim is a religious, oligarchic parliamentary republic consisting of three branches that frequently blur together: the Sophet, the Adiir, and the Tabxataam.

The sophet is a dictator with theoretically unlimited power outside of restrictions explicitly codified in the Xaamhikmat, the constitution of the Holy Republic, such as stipulations against nepotism or increasing one's own power. The sophet is elected when the prior sophet turns 60 years old and is legally required to step down. As a result, many sophets enter the political position relatively young with a general cultural agreement that the longer a sophet serves, the more stable the nation will be.

The Adiir, meanwhile, is both the supreme judicial authority of Edamim and the cabinet of the sophet, serving for ten year term. They serve to check the power of both other branches while also carrying out the government's law through extensive ministries. The Adiir is headed by the Sidnasir, who serves as the nominal president of the Adiir - elected by her peers - and the second in command to the sophet. Members of the Adiir are appointed by the sophet with approval from the legislature.

The Tabxataam is the legislative body of the Holy Republic consisting of two houses: the upper house, the Ra'ciiim, and the lower house, the Surxaam. The Ra'Ciim consists of 100 members, frequently members of ancient or wealthy families, appointed by the Adiir for five year terms (although, once again, there is no term limit). The Surxaam is the popular assembly of the government, made up of 300 representatives elected directly by citizens, although only those who have already performed some sort of military or political service are eligible for election, to two year terms. The legislature has the ability to suggest bills to the Adiir, which must be approved by the sophet, or to veto statutes passed by the sophet or Adiir. Although it is exceedingly difficult and has only happened three times before, the Tabxataam can theoretically depose the current sophet before their term is up, with 75% of the vote, or with 50% of the vote plus the approval of the Adiir. Theoretically, the Tabxataam is the most powerful branch of government, with the power to appoint members of the Adiir (with the sophet's approval) and playing the key role in the election of new sophet.

The sophet is frequently elected from within the Adiir, although there have been cases of members of the legislature - even the Surxaam - being elected as well. It also has not been uncommon for businesswomen, military officials, and other non-politicians of exceptional status to be invited to be sophet. Although very rare, sophets may abdicate their position before the age of 60.

Political parties are common in the Tabxataam, although theoretically the sophet is meant to be a neutral actor renouncing all party ties. Parties were never codified in Edamiri law, but all major parties tend to be quite similarly social conservatives and market liberals. Many are single-issue groups which dissolve or merge with larger ones as soon as their grievances are addressed.

Although not required by law, the all sophets throughout Edamiri history have been female, as have the vast majority of government and civic officials in Edamim. This reflects the deep role religion plays in the state - all clergy of the Great Ashtorminian Maqad of Jezal are female, as is the Koliylit, who symbolically crowns the sophet upon election and in fact participates in their selection as a member of the Adiir, are female. While the Maqad does not technically play a direct role in government, the vast majority of Edamiri citizens are Ashtorminian and religious law is deeply ingrained within the Edamiri legal system, which the Maqad does have significant influence over.

Law

Edamim utilizes a religious form of civil law known as Qadiimic Law. While the Adiir is the supreme judicial authority, the vast majority of judicial power lies with the Great Ashtorminian Maqad of Jezal, whose priestesses serve as judges at various organizational levels. Thus, the Maqad's - and more importantly, the Koliylit's - opinions on various matters determine the fate of many criminals, making the Koliylit the second most powerful individual in Edamim, perhaps at times the most powerful. Despite this, the Maqad is not allowed to field its own military or police forces, having to rely on the state to enforce its laws and detain criminals.

Citizenship

In Edamim, there are three legal classes of inhabitants: citizens, residents, and slaves.

Citizens are either the children of existing citizens or individuals who have lived in Edamim and completed various requirements over the course of a decade. They are allowed to vote in elections and ascend to political office and military leadership.

Residents are non-citizens who legally resides in the nation, either permanently or temporarily, and possess almost no rights to engage in the politics of the nation.

Slaves are people - either citizens or residents - who are legally the property of a citizen. They are placed in this category either through the judicial system - criminals sentenced to a certain amount of time as slaves, as punishment, in service to the government or maqad; by being sold by their parents before the age of six and eventually being able to buy their freedom at 16; or the child of slave who has not bought their freedom. Generally, slaves are used for hard labor (mining, agriculture, etc) or domestic servitude, and are afforded various legal protections against physical and sexual abuse. Typically, they are paid wages (however meager) or allowed to work secondary jobs by their masters and thus able to buy their own freedom eventually. However, in certain cases - particularly with criminals - sexual slavery is permitted by the state, especially in service to the Maqad.

Zarexim

Zarexim (from a Edamiric word meaning "seed" or "offspring") are the main administrative subdivisions of Edamim, typically named after the cities which serve as their capitals, which are frequently the largest cities in their territory. They are led by a popularly elected jophet who answers directly to the sophet and Adiir. Zarexim lack separate legislative authority and therefore cannot write their own statutory law. They levy their own taxes and, in return, receive a decreasing part of their budget from the central government, which gives them a portion of the taxes it levies. A popularly elected legislature of 100 members, a damitxazar, serves to help manage the zarexim's budget and bring popular issues to the jophet's attention.

A zarexim's primary responsibility is the collection of taxes and local maintenance of state or maqad services such education or police. In addition, zarexim have considerable discretionary power over infrastructural spending, ie., public transit, universities and research, and assistance to business owners. This means that the jophets of wealthy zarexims such as Tiamat or Ashor can be high-profile positions.

Flag	Name	Population
	Jezal	Example
	Tiamat	Example
	Jol	Example
	Ashor	Example
	Maron	Example
	Tulaha	Example
	St. Amara	Example
	Irem	Example
	Lixal	Example
	Bezetha	Example
	Nashira	Example
	Jalalil	Example
	Ariha	Example
	Rezayel	Example
	Dalet	Example
	Manzimar	Example
Example	Example	Example

Military

The armed forces of Edamim, the Malhamot is organized into the Shaba (Army), Habila (Navy), Sasijad (Air Force), and Miimshaba (Marine Corps). Much of the military is supplemented by one of the many exceptional native private military contractors, with the professional Malhamot being used primarily for the defense of sovereign territory or intricate strategic operations. The Malhamot proper (separated from mercenary forces, which are called the Dammseher, often even if closely integrated into the Malhamot) has roughly 400,000 service members, armed with an extensive arsenal of native-manufactured weapons and vehicles. Edamim is a major international arms exporter.

Citizens are required to serve two years after turning 18 or finishing higher education; non-citizens must also complete two years of military service before being allowed to gain citizenship. Typically, these conscripts are funneled into the Habila or Sasijad, while more traditional land forces are filled out by mercenaries.

Women are allowed to serve on equal grounds to men, and are in fact favored for roles in command, intelligence, and logistics. However, stringent physical and mental standards are upheld by the Malhamot, meaning that men, as the typically larger, stronger sex, make up a majority of personnel. Women however, tend to make up at least half of military officers and officials, if not more.

Economy

Edamim has a highly developed Singapore model economy which revolves strategic government investment, low taxe rates, ease of doing business, and brutally punishing corruption.

The Edamiri economy relies heavily on the tourism and hospitality industries, with its brothels, casinos, and historical sites/museums being among the most visited yearly in Caranos. For this reason, the government enforces strict environmental and hygiene regulations and has a no-tolerance policy for organized crime, as any deaths, STI epidemics, or decline of the natural landscape could spell disaster for the overall economy.

Pharmaceuticals, arms manufacturing, and finance all also play major roles in the economy. Due to companies like Xizmat and Nahara, Edamim is one of the largest exporters of weaponry in the region. Additionally, Edamim is a leader in solar and hydroelectric power in Caranos due to the advances of companies like Qadakal.

Transportation

Edamim is connected by a vast, sophisticated network of public transportation; this is seen as an absolute necessity by most, as Edamiri cities are typically vast and sprawling, difficult to traverse on foot due to confusing alleyways or steep hills, and often also difficult to fully drive across by automobile due to the ancient layout of many roads and large number of pedestrian-only zones. This means that various trams, subways, trains, and ferries connect cities and allow ease of travel within cities. There were attempts in the 1800s and 1900s to modernize the road networks of many cities to allow for mass use of the automobile, but cars continue to remain relatively unpopular modes of transportation to this day, with only roughly 300 personal motor vehicles per 1000 people.

So, bicycles and trains/trams of various descriptions remain the most popular modes of transportation. Many cities utilize "subroads" in addition to subways, which allow large masses of people to walk underground, out of the heat of the daytime sun. This system has also given rise to vast "underground cities" in which various interconnecting roads allow stores, services, and even housing to extend underground for several stories near various metro stations.

Demographics

Ethnic Groups

Edamiri

By far the dominant group in Edamim.

Frequently have olive skin, black hair, and eyes ranging anywhere from red to violet.

Rezaylites

Dominant group of the zaraxim of Rezayel. Worshippers of the god Rezayel wiith a much more distinct cultural and ethnic identity than most other zaraxims.

Have blonde hair and brown or blue eyes.

Aranites

Group that has traditionally been pastoral nomads in the deserts of Edamim's hinterlands.

Typically has browner skin and auburn or brown hair, with green eyes.

Culture

Clothing

Edamim has a tradition of distinct native fashion seperate from many other nations. In many ways, much of the clothing worn by Edamiri is similar or identical to that worn by their ancestors thousands of years ago, with only the manufacturing methods or materials changing.

Clothing tends to be light and, depending on if one is one the coast or further inland, form-fitting or baggy, respectively, frequently made of linen or silk. The most common outfit worn by most native Edamiri is the pashta'rk; more common for women is the pasht'acta. The length of both garments varies, with it being acceptable for both sexes to wear them either at knee or ankle length.

Nudity is not taboo in much of Edamim, so the extent to which both sexes cover their body is usually governed by practicality and hygiene. Men and women both frequently go shirtless, sometimes wearing only a skirt in addition to underpants/knickers. The skirt is often seen as the bare minimum for most activities, with total nudity only being completely acceptable in either casual, leisurely settings - such as parks, beaches, public baths, etc. - or in certain athletic activities such as gymnastics, swimming, or running. Various occupations where hygiene or safety are important will require employees to wear either specific uniforms or a simple pashta'rk.

In business or other formal settings, men are expected to wear a kisayja, while women wear xi'ayibs, also known as Maronite dresses. Both garments often feature bright colors. In countries that restrict the women's rights, businesswomen and politicians frequently oblige their hosts by wearing a kind of tight undergarment, a mihiqib, to cover their breasts.

Architecture

Most major Edamiri cities were founded thousands of years ago, and a unique architectural style has survived into the modern day. Typically, Edamiri cities are enormous, sprawling affairs. They feature huge complexes called mijdilebans, which are labyrinthes of whitewashed stone buildings with violet accents often stacked atop one another, either freestanding or built into hillsides, often merging into one another and growing to surprising heights. Another famous hallmark of Edamiri architecture are high-rises built in a similar style, which are found in incredible numbers throughout most Edamiri cities. A popular style of short Edamiri skyscrapers, mijdisurs are also uniquely remarkable in their style, utilizing a bundled tube structure and featuring various arches and stone designs; mijdisurs are the tallest masonry structures in Caranos. Mixed among buildings of the older style are more modern buildings, particularly among skyscrapers where traditional glass and steel structures are favored by international businesses. Also scattered throughout cities are Ashtorminian temples (maqads), complexes, and shrines, along with public baths and vast parks.

While many of these buildings were originally built hundreds or even thousands of years ago, they have been continuously maintained and upgraded throughout the ages, or else torn down and rebuilt almost identically to be up to more modern standards. The popularity of lower, stone-based structures has been attributed to a Edamiri fondness for ages past, and potentially a desire of numerous sophets to build cities that would serve as labyrinthian meat grinders for potential invaders.

Religion

Edamim's religious landscape is dominated by the Great Ashtorminian Maqad of Jezal, and the Ashtorminian faith in general, which makes up roughly 83% of the religious population. The Jezali Maqad is recognized by the majority of Ashtorminians as the absolute authority on matters of the divine.

Asthorminianism is, in essence, the evolution of an ancient divine cult revolving around the Old Edamiri goddess Ashtoreth (also known as Astarte, Asha, or Ishtar in various localities, although Ashtoreth is upheld as the "correct" name by the Maqad), who is the goddess of war, sexuality, prosperity, and fertility in the Old Edammiri pantheon of antiquity. Her cult exploded in the city-state Ashor in the 4th century BCE, when the Prophet Jezabel led the city to victory against its ancient rival, supposedly with divine assistance, and then led her followers into the desert to found the city of Jezal and the Great Maqad, which survives to this day as the Great Asthorminian Maqad of Jezal.

Ashtoreth is portrayed as a beautiful young woman with long black hair and piercing violet eyes, frequently nude, often variously holding a spear while wearing an ancient warrior's helmet, riding an elephant, with a lion at her feet, or wearing the moon as a tiara. The modern symbol of a sideways crescent moon holding an eight-point star like a basket, the yarikaba, featured on the flag of Edamim and in use as its official emblem, is an ancient symbol of Ashtoreth which has appeared in various forms since at least 1300 BCE.

Worship is characterized by a combination of mass prayer and complex rituals meant to invoke the power of the Goddess, carried out mainly by an all-female clergy, but also with participation by worshippers. Such rituals can include everything from sacrificing animals (frequently through burning them alive or slitting their throats), to sexual acts, to group chanting. Followers of the Great Maqad are supposed to go to a temple (maqad) twice a day, once at sunrise and once at sunset, to participate in worship; alternatively, they may worship in the presence of a statue or image of Ashtoreth.

Each of the 17 zarexims of Edamim are divided into three ayxazar at the discretion of a Great Maqad, which have a high priestess (aidakehinit) appointed by the Great Maqad to be the local liaison for the Maqad and the coordinator of lower temples. The three High Priestesses of a zarexim also serve as a judicial tribunal for the entire subdivision if a case is appealed beyond the local or zarexim level.

Priestesses (kehinits) carry out many crucial roles for communities (of which almost all have at least one maqad/temple). The local maqad frequently either directly runs or indirectly finances local schools and healthcare facilities, a mandate given to it by the state for the past several centuries. Priestesses also serve as local judges, carrying out judgement on the laws of both the state and the Great Maqad. Funds for the local maqad are usually collected through a combination of state funds, donations, and profits that come from sacred prostitution and various services the maqad provides.

The spiritual leader of the entire Great Ashtorminian Maqad is the Koliylit, who is seen as the conduit for the word and will of Ashtoreth on Earth. She is always a member of the Adiir with direct input to the government's decision making process and in frequent contact with the sophet. The Koliylit serves as the ultimate source for religious law. She is elected from among the High Priestesses upon the death of the last Koliylit, frequently from a pool of the youngest candidates, as younger women are seen as "closer to the Goddess".