Difference between revisions of "Idreiga"

Revision as of 22:31, 10 July 2017

Waltch Proletarian Empire Valthzenjia
Motto: “Let justice be done though the heavens may fall..”
Anthem: Awaken, Waldzer
Idreigan Continent
Capital		Aszensioun
Largest		Vivijana
Official languages		Standard Waltch
Recognised regional languages		Haalomic, Naquishaji
Demonym		Waltch (adj), Waldzer (noun)
Government		Federal constitutional socialist monarchy
-	Empress	Sebire II Valdreiga
-	First Minister	Adeliza Korana
-	Chancellor of the Dagsatzung	Zavier Laberenz
Legislature		Imperial Congress
-	Upper house	Riksdag
-	Lower house	Dagsatzung
Establishment
-	Volthic Migrations	~200 CE
-	Kingdom of Austragia	533
-	End of Elder Crusades	783
-	First Waltch Empire	800
-	Second Waltch Empire	1548
-	Third Waltch Empire	July 1st, 1809
-	Elder War	1934-1956
-	Fourth Waltch Empire	July 8th, 1938
Area
-		9,348,769 km2 3,609,580 sq mi
Population
-	2040 census	343,931,650
-	Density	36.7/km2 95.3/sq mi
GDP (PPP)		2040 estimate
-	Total	US$16.92 trillion
-	Per capita	US$49,203
Gini		30.4 medium
HDI		0.921 very high
Currency		Waltch vaicza (℣) (WVZ)

Waldzenia (Waltch: Valthzenjia), officially the Waltch Proletarian Empire (Waltch: Valthzer-Proletarizreich), also called the Imperial Waltch People's Republic (Waltch: Kesjarisch-Valthzerfolksrepublik) in some circles, is a federal, parliamentary constitutional monarchy which occupies the entire of the continent of Idreiga in the far north of the Pluviostan region. It includes 12 constituent kingdoms, 7 autonomous cities, and 1 capital district, covers 9,348,769 square kilometers, and has a widely varied but largely cool, wet, temperate climate. It has approximately 343,931,650 inhabitants, most heavily concentrated in the southern half of the continent and along the Richter Waterway. Waldzenia's capital is the city of Aszensioun, while its largest metropolis is the city of Vivijana; its largest conurbation is the Viktoriakyst along the eastern coast of Austragia, revolving around the coastal cities of Viktoria (the nation's second largest city), Zurin, and Hannes. Other major cities include Superior, the largest city on the north coast; Lorelei, the largest city on the west coast; and Venau, the largest city on the east coast.

A mass migration of Volthic tribes occurred in the Middle Classical period, believed to have originated from northernThedosia due to both population pressures and encroachment by Thedosian war parties. These tribes arrived in the peninsula of Austragia around 200 CE and expanded from there, pushing out the native Nequisebi people. Beginning in the 6th century, these tribes unified into a plethora of petty kingdoms which would wage war against the the Thedosians in the 8th century during the Elder Crusades. Following the death of several prominent lords, the kingdoms were united into the First Volthic Empire by Emperor Godric the Great. The continent of Idreiga would remain in a constant state of flux as kingdoms rose and fell throughout the Middle Ages and the Waldzers pushed deeper into the continent, displacing the Nequisebi and forcing them to adopt Waltch customs. During the 16th century, a vast majority of the Waltch-speaking areas of the continent (primarily in the south and west) were united under the Second (or Great) Volthic Empire; however, by a mere two centuries later the nation was wracked by corruption and republican uprising. It was at this time, beginning in the late 18th century and continuing well into the 19th, that the concept of a "socialist monarchy" was developed throughout the empire. King Wolfram II Waÿbel of Hallanaw saw rising discontentment among the masses and began implementing a series of socio-economic reforms in the fields of education, healthcare, and civil rights, which were meant to placate the populace; it was from him that the concept of "Lyzantism" (from the world 'valyzant', vaguely meaning 'luminous') originated - that a monarch is a servant to and the embodiment of the will of his people. Wolfram II's reforms soon spread to the rest of the empire before being made universal by Empress Viktoria II in 1853 with the Act of Socialist Monarchy. By the 20th century, tensions were beginning to mount between the aristocracy and the legislatures, as each side struggled for more power; in the 1930s, with the outbreak of the Elder War against Thedosia, the empire disintegrated into civil war between the Nationalists, Communists, and the Monarchists, as well as a variety of other smaller factions. The Monarchists, under Empress Viktoria III, were able to win over communist support - in exchange for the promise of key reforms after the end of the War - and won the civil war, allowing the empire to focus all of its attention on fighting back against Thedosia.

With the end of the war, Viktoria III delivered on her promises - which included legalized trade union congresses, popular election of monarchs and ruling nobles (from a certain pool of candidates), revocation of the Hallowed Acts of 1678, and the bestowing of true legislative power to the masses - establishing the current constitutional system that remains in place today.

In modern times, Waldzenia is a leader in several industrial and technological sectors. It is a developed country with a very high standard of living sustained by a skilled and productive society, and upholds a social security and universal health care system, environmental protection and a tuition-free university education. Waldzenia is known for its rich cultural history and traditions of music, art, literature, philosophy, architecture, entrepreneurship, science, and engineering.

Etymology

The word "Valthzenjia" is believed to link to the Proto-Valdzic words "walts" ("people"), and "ghyem" ("winter"), vaguely translating to "people of winter", and this is also where it is believed the word "Waldzer" stems from. The English translation, "Waldzenia", is simply an Anglicization of the Waltch word.

Geography

The continent of Idreiga consists five main overarching geographical and climate regions.

History

Politics

Economy

Demographics

Culture

Religion

Soraianism

Although there are dozens of diverse folk religions and pantheons found throughout the continent, the dominant religion in Waldzenia is Soraianism, centralized in the Imperial Waltch Soraianic Sviera of the Edacious Cycle, known colloquially as the Sviera of Waldzenia or the Imperial Sviera. The religion of Soraianism revolves around veneration of the World-Dragon Soraia and her Four Aspects and the anticipation, preparation, and acceptance of the ultimate end and rebirth of the world. Its symbol is a four-pointed star, a sviera, which shares its name with the traditional place of worship for Soraians, which is often built in the shape of a four-pointed star in honor of this.

Svieras are frequently focal points of local communities, often containing libraries, classrooms, nurseries, community kitchens, and other services open to people regardless of faith or origin. Svieras usually contain two parts. The first is the main center of worship, the herzka, which has four walls - each one featuring a statue or other depiction of one of the Maidens depending on the direction - and a central raised platform where a priestess often speaks, holding the holy book, titled the Aikreisa, on a podium; surrounding the platform is a circle of seats allowing the congregation to watch, with enough room at the walls to allow for prayer and worship to individual Maidens. In the center of the raised platform is usually a torch embellished with dragon imagery - a bryzant - which is kept burning permanently by the sviera, representing Soraia's life and Humanity's vigor, and directly above the bryzant is the center of the herzka's domed roof. The rest of the sviera extends out in four directions, containing various other rooms and services the sviera may provide. Symbolism of dragons, fire, and femininity are common throughout the entire building.

Worship frequently involves prayer or meditation - both private and group - of Soraia, the Maidens, the Exalted, and the Prophets. Music, sermons, and discussion all play a large role in veneration. Clergy is almost entirely female - women are seen to have a closer connection to the divine Maidens. Much of the message of Soraianism can be summed up in a similar way to many other religions: be kind and work hard. While Soraians see Soraia as omnipotent and the true goddess, they accept worship of other gods outside of Soraia, seeing them as a way to achieve peace and happiness in life, although salvation by any being other than Soraia is impossible, and certain religions are seen as inherently opposed to the Soraian message.

The Eidreiga: Soraia

Soraia is said to be a massive dragon large enough to hold the entire Earth in her talons and wrap herself around it, and to be the very incarnation of ultimate chaos. It is believed that she is, for all intents and purposes, all-powerful and all-knowing steward of the world, and that, one day, she will "bite her own tail" and devour herself, alongside the world, ending it, and then restart the universe afterward after hatching from an egg, along with a new Earth, she transforms into upon completing the devouring. In modern times, the Imperial Sviera has adjusted its theology to claim that Soraia is not literally a dragon wrapped around the world, but is instead an omnipotent being that appeared to humans as a dragon and conveyed its power over reality in a way humans could easily comprehend. The Imperial Sviera portrays her as a distant but caring maternal figure who seeks to nurture and strengthen her children - humans. She is known by a plethora of titles, including The Eidreiga, All-Dragon, World-Mother, World-Eater, World-Dragon, Great Dragon, She-Who-Devours, She-Who-Destroys, She-Who-Creates, and many more.

The Mågdenas: Four Aspects

The Mågdenas, or Maidens, are the four "aspects" of Soraia - distinct personalities and forms which take on various roles throughout Soraianic theology. The Maidens, while all technically being Soraia herself, represent the various aspects of Soraia's nurturing and guidance of Humanity and act independently of one another to ensure tasks are complete. Each maiden takes the form of just that - a beautiful young woman, frequently a virgin, usually only distinguishable from humans by glowing, ancient eyes and an aura of sheer holy power surrounding them. They are variously called by other titles as well, including Sister, Daughter, and Destiny; colloquially, the Maidens are also called frequently goddesses. While they are all part of and extensions of Soraia, they are frequently called "sisters" of one another.

Syga, Maiden of Justice: Syga is depicted as having blonde hair and blue eyes, dressed in a crimson red tunic and carrying a black sword. She represents the concepts of justice, vengeance, and arbitration. Syga is the judge who determines the fate of souls and the executioner who strikes down wicked beings on Earth. She is a severe and angry personality, not taking lightly to being ignored, dismissed, or mocked, and is frequently prayed to by those seeking victory in battle or competition and those seeking guidance to repent from their wrongdoings.

Sira, Maiden of Mercy: Sira is depicted as having pure white hair and golden eyes, dressed in a snow-white tunic and carrying a silver torch. She represents the concepts of mercy, salvation, and forgiveness. Sira plays an ancillary role to her sisters usually, helping those in phyiscal pain or emotional anguish and trying to guide sinners towards redemption. While Syga judges and punishes souls, Sira forgives and rewards souls. She is serenely gentle and kind personality which is often prayed to by those seeking relief from pain, forgiveness for sins, general goodwill. She is believed to be the second most prayed-to maiden after Sisa.

Sisa, Maiden of Life: Sisa is depicted as having scarlet red hair and bright green eyes, dressed in a dark green tunic and carrying a flute. She represents the concepts of life, fertility, happiness, love, and song. Sisa's duties revolve around helping humans live their lives to the fullest and obtain true happiness. Sisa is perhaps the most direct of the maidens on Earth, making people fall in love (or lust) with one another, instilling artists with passion, bringing good health, and fostering camaraderie among people. Her personality is that of an enthusiastic and optimistic reveler which is frequently prayed to by all manner of people seeking love, inspiration, and happiness. She is perhaps the most prayed-to maiden.

Syna, Maiden of Death: Syna is depicted as having jet black hair and crimson eyes, dressed in a black tunic; she is unique among the maidens, as she does not usually have a signature item associated with her. She represents the concepts of death, entropy, decay, and tranquility. Her duties revolve around taking souls from Earth to be judged, punished, and rewarded by the other maidens, as well as elucidating the nature of existence to these souls and ensuring they can fully accept their death. While she does represent death, she also represents the peace all beings must come to eventually, and the end of all things which Soraia promises to bring. Syna's personality is that of a somber, quiet guardian, gentle yet firm, comforting yet frightening. Those dealing with death, secrecy, or abstract concepts frequently pray to her for guidance and help.

The Äther: Afterlife and Rebirth

The Soraianic afterlife is an enigmatic and confusing thing. When souls die, they are taken by Syna to the Court of All Fires, Enleissa, where they relive - or perhaps, re-watch - their entire life and are required to justify their sins and wrongdoings to Sira and Syga; a flame, representing their soul, grows and dims in intensity as their sins and good deed stack against each other; also present, Sisa evaluates the fullness to which the person lived their life and what they may have learned throughout the years. Finally, Syna ensures that the person has fully come to terms with their death and the coming punishments.

Punishment: Ninvella: From there, Syga, with input from the other maidens, sentences the person to a certain punishment in the Black Land - Ninvella - for a certain (immeasurable, for mortals) period of time. The Black Lands are depicted as a vast, empty tundra where the sky is black and filled with faint, crimson lights that move and sing. Usually, a soul will simply be forced to wander for some time, dealing with the perils of wildlife, cold, starvation, and madness - they may be grievously injured but will always return to perfect health eventually, only to be killed again. Sometimes, they may be sentenced to a specific punishment or torture; it is believed that those who preformed truly irredeemable acts on Earth are subject to everything from immolation, to dismemberment, to rape. Some souls become angry and resentful of the maidens and Soraia for their fate and become twisted, dark beings known as Şaviz, which are consumed by hatred, anger, and sin. They pose no threat to the maidens or Soraia, but can and frequently do capture, mutilate, rape, and kill souls trapped in Ninvella . Eventually, these souls will either fall out of their rage and return to normal to complete their punishment, or will be brought back to reason by the intervention of a Syna, as Ninvella is her realm. After Syna determines that Syga's punishment has been carried out satisfactorily, she will elevate the soul out of Ninvella and all of the maidens will purify it in Enleissa by placing it in a substance referred to only as "molten light" at the center of the Court.

Reward: Halla: After purification, souls are taken to Halla for a period of rest and reflection. Halla is portrayed as a quiet, peaceful meadow that stretches as far as the eye can see, filled with vibrant flowers and small animals. Usually, Halla is shown as a nexus of vaguely connected, similar parts of that meadow with various different features depending on the soul. Depending on the verdict of Sira - for Halla is her realm - the soul may be rewarded with various luxuries and indulgences in Halla - food, recreation, sex, knowledge, etcetera. It does not matter the soul's sins in its previous life - after its punishment in Ninvella and subsequent purification in Enleissa, souls are considered "clean".

Rebirth: Aikreisa: After a period of merrymaking and reflection on their experiences in Halla, the soul will be taken back to Enleissa by Syna and be told about the Dormant Cycle - the Aikreisa. All humans on Earth are reincarnated after their times in Ninvella and Halla, usually an inconceivable amount of times. Though they never remember their past lives while they live the current one, their soul remembers every single one - the experiences, desires, failures, etc - alongside all of the punishments and rewards. Reincarnation is not linear - a soul may be born in one place in the year 2000, only to be reincarnated on the other side of the world in the year 700 after their death; souls are transported continually across time and space, experiencing every possible situation they can, each time growing more humble, more enlightened.

Eventually, a soul will reach the point where the have transcended humanity and become fully enlightened, becoming an Exalted, a Vanyzir, whose soul "hatches" like an egg and ascends into the Äther to be alongside Soraia and the Maidens. It is unknown for what purpose the Vanyzirs ascend, or what the ultimate plan of Soraia is, but when all souls have ascended, the world will finally end Soraia will devour all of existence, alongside herself, to begin again as an egg which births the world anew.

Prophetesses

Central to much of Soraianism are the Three Prophetesses On Earth - embodiment of the Maidens who convey the word and will of Soraia to Mankind.

The first prophetess, the Prophetess of Syga, was Viktoria, who established the first widespread Waltch Sviera around the 7th century CE and began the Elder Crusades against Thedosia, forming the basis for most of the Soraian religion.

The second prophetess, the Prophetess of Sira, was Elsi, who filled out many of the details in Soraian theology regarding the afterlife and reincarnation in the 14th century.

The third prophetess, the Prophetess of Sisa, was Anna, who in the 19th century spread the word of kindness and camaraderie among Waldzers and encouraged the formation of the socialist monarchy, responsible for much of the liberalization of the modern Sviera.

The fourth and final prophetess, the Prophetess of Syna, has either not been born or has not revealed herself it. It is believed that her arrival will mark the beginning of the End Times in which Soraia devours the Earth, at which point the Prophetess of Syna will reveal some instrumental truth to Humanity.