Midrasia

Kingdom of Midrasia Reialme de Mydrazia
Motto: "La vertat a besonh de paucs mots" "Truth needs not many words"
Anthem: "Imne de Constitucion" "Anthem of the Constitution"
Map of metropolitan Midrasia
Region		The Federal Union
Capital and largest city		Thraice
Official languages		Midrasian
Recognised national languages		Midrasian Ibbeneian Vaelian
Demonym		Midrasian
Government		Constitutional Monarchy, with elected parliament
-	Monarch	King Luix XII
-	Prime Minister	Charles Vauban (SDP)
Legislature		Parliament
-	Upper house	Senate
-	Lower house	National Assembly
History
-	Mydran Realms	~420
-	Unification (as Midrasia)	1309
-	Writing of first Constitution	1790
Area
-	Total	540,857 km2 208,826 sq mi
-	Water (%)	2.4%
Population
-	1995 estimate	85,540,225
-	Density	205/km2 530.9/sq mi
GDP (PPP)		1986 estimate
-	Total	$3.6 trillion
-	Per capita	NS$42,085.46
GDP (nominal)		estimate
-	Total	$3.912 trillion
HDI (1986)		0.82 very high
Currency		Ursa (URS) (U)
Time zone		West Asuran Standard (UTC0)
Date format		dd ˘ mm ˘ yyyy
Drives on the		right
Calling code		27
ISO 3166 code		MD
Internet TLD		.mdr

Midrasia, officially the Kingdom of Midrasia (Midrasian: Reialme de Mydrazia) is a Constitutional Monarchy in western Asura that includes overseas regions and territories. Metropolitan Midrasia borders the nations of Valenia, Alpiens, Marhemia and Isolatonia. Midrasia is the only nation in Asura other than Delsola to have both a coastline on the Opal Ocean and in the Centrélseia. The nation has a largely temperate seasonal climate, with higher temperatures in the south of the country for the vast majority of the year. Midrasia is a Constitutional Monarchy with an elected parliamentary system, with its capital in Thraice, the nation's largest city and main cultural and commercial center. With a population of 85 million, Midrasia is one of the largest nations in Asura, after Delsola. The nation was a founding member of the Federal Union in 1952 and remains a leading economic power within the region.

Since antiquity, Thraician, Mydrollian and other cultures have flourished in the territory of present-day Midrasia, being eventually absorbed by Hearthuria. For centuries Hearthuria remained the leading political and religious centre of Western civilisation, ruling over vast swathes of territory throughout northern Asura. After the fall of the Empire, throughout the Dark Ages, Midrasia faced calamitous invasions by barbarian tribes, but beginning around the tenth century, numerous Midrasian kingdoms rose to great prosperity through conquest and southern trade from areas such as Agyptiota and Arpadesia. Midrasia has been a major power in Asura since the Late Middle Ages, with the outcome of the Sixty Years War (1309 to 1371), which led to a united Midrasian Kingdom, paving the way for a future centralized monarchy. During the Renaissance, Midrasia experienced a vast cultural development and established the first steps of a worldwide colonial empire along with nations such as Delsola and Isolatonia.

However the height of Midrasia's empire was reached in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries when it held the second largest colonial empire in the world. Midrasia's position in world politics was undermined greatly by the state's inability to prevent the outbreak of the Great Asuran War. However as a member of the Grand Alliance, Midrasia and her allies were victorious against the forces of Stovillium, Dolorem and Pandirossa. The mid-twentieth century saw the process of decolonisation, with the Congress of Thraice seeing arguably the most peaceful and successful transfer of power to home rule, relative to other Asuran powers during the period.

With the 1950s marking a period of considerable economic and military instability in Asura, Midrasia played a leading role in the formation of the Asuran Federal Defence Union, the predecessor of today's Federal Union. Midrasia still wields considerable power within the union and as a member of the World Assembly, Midrasia remains a major entity in both Asuran and international politics to this day.

Etymology

The name "Midrasia" comes from the ancient Hearthurian Míydrios which means "Land of the Mydra". Originally the name only applied to the Mydroll Peninsula. However as the empire grew, the name come synonymous with all lands south of the Valléin Mountains.

The name Mydra is believed to have come from the Valelander word Muidranas which is believed to mean farmers. This is because the north of Midrasia was and remains home to vast pastures and farmlands for growing grapes, wheat and apples. Hence the Mydra being "farming folk".

History

Prehistory

The oldest traces of human life in Midrasia are believed to date from around 1.7 million years ago. Many early humans in Midrasia lived hunter gatherer lifestyles in the northern lands, around the Valléin mountains. However as the climate became milder, many began to migrate south towards the valleys and shores, where the first settlements were established utilizing basic agriculture and fishing techniques in what was believed to be a subsistence society. This is where the link of Midrasians being "farming folk" is believed to have been established.

Antiquity

It is believed that around 450 BC settlers from modern day Isolatonia settled in the south of the Mydroll Peninsula, establishing the city of Almíaros (modern day Almiaro) and interbreeding with the locals. This exodus is believed to have occurred due to the arrival of the Isól on the shores of Pike's Point and the establishment of early Isolatonian settlements such as Holy Wood, east of Midrasia. However settlements in Midrasia began to gradually become overshadowed by Hearth, to the south of Midrasia.

The Hearthurian Empire began life as the city state of Hearth around 50BCE, initially Hearthuria began building up power through conquests of other Midrasian tribes and city states, spreading along with it their religion of the Holy Flame (later known as Alydiansm). Over time the state grew and under the leadership of the legendary General Titus, swift invasions of Delsola took place, along with the famous "Hundred Day March," conquering land through Valenia and towards the region now known as Lhedronna. After his campaigns the General established himself as dictator (Imperium of Hearthuria). Under the guidance of the house of Titus, Hearthuria began to grow and establish its dominance within Asura.

Over time however rebellion swelled within the empire and with the loss of Delsola and the Stovilá colonies of Essté and Hephtá, the military power of the empire fell. However its biggest defeat was the sack of Hearth in 382CE, by Midrasian raiders. After the sack, the Imperial remnant attempted to re-establish the empire, briefly taking back Hearth in 385CE. However it was not to be, and on what is believed to be the 15^th September 393CE the betrayal at Mydroll occurred and Imperium Emyhr V Deliahn was killed by King Marciús II of Mydroll, effectively ending the reign of the Empire within Asura.

With the collapse of Hearthuria came the rise of new powers such as the Delsolan Republic in the south of Asura and the Empire of Greater Phaedria in the north of Asura, beginning the age of Pax-Phaedria in Asura.

Middle Ages

Following the collapse of the Hearthurian Empire, many smaller kingdoms rose to prominence throughout the area now known as Midrasia. The region also saw an influx of settlers from northern territories such as Valenia and Marhemia, with Valenian settlers eventually establishing the Kingdom of Kaedweldd in the northwestern regions.

Threatened by barbarian invasions from the north and Delsolan raids from the south saw the regions many Kingdoms and principalities adopt decentralised structures, with many historians marking this as the beginning of feudalism within the region. Local rulers became reliant upon administrative land holders who quickly established themselves as an aristocratic class, with titles passed down on the basis of inheritance rather than appointment. Religious authority within the region also began to re-emerge within the region. Despite the destruction of the Hearthurian Empire, the Alydian church had sustained itself wielding considerable wealth and power from within the temple lands of Laterna, however Alydian authority had very rarely extended outside of the temple grounds. The Ninth century however saw an increasing number of rulers turn to the church to establish their own legitimacy for rulership. Over the course of the century an increasing number of Hierarchs sought to establish their authority over the numerous regional Kings, especially in the face of the growing threat of Paganism and Titanism. By the turn of the millennium, in all matters of religion, the Hierarch's authority was superior to that of a Kings, a matter which would remain unresolved until the religious wars of the mid 16th century.

By the Tenth Century however Midrasia had become dominated by numerous Kingdoms, the most notable being Toussaint, Mydroll, Ibbeny, Bretaleaux and Kaedweldd. However numerous other principalities were spread throughout the region including the Free Cities of Argois, Almiaro and the various tribes that scattered the Valléin Mountains. Although initially isolated from wider Asuran events the rise of southern trade as well as the arrival of Titanist missionaries within the region opened the Kingdoms up to wider diplomacy and trade, ushering in a new era of prosperity and peace. However this peace was not to last and with Titanist influences becoming increasingly prominent in regional affairs, an era of religious war broke out in the early 12th century. The Titanist Wars prompted by the conversion of King David II of Ibbeny to Titanism lasted for over fifty years, ending in the effective removal of all Titanist influences from the Midrasian region. With Titanism defeated in Midrasia, subsequent missionaries would focus their efforts in regions such as Furturr and Pandyssia.

Over the centuries the power of Midrasian Kingdoms remained relatively comparable, with diplomatic efforts used to retain what historians see as early semblances of the principle of the 'balance of power'. However this system was broken following King Luix of Toussaints accession as King of Bretaleaux. Although initially the weakest of the Mydran Kingdoms, Toussaint had come to prominence following its union with the crown of Mydroll. With King Luix as heir to Bretalaux howevert, leading to the outbreak of the Sixty Years War in 1309. As a result of the prolonged conflict a unified Midrasian Kingdom was created as the Hierarch of the Alydian faith declared King Luix King of all Mydra. The newly unified state would go on to dominate Asuran affairs throughout the remaining middle ages and beyond.

Early Modern Period

The unification of Midrasia paved the way for a cultural renaissance within Midrasia, as court painters, musicians and science brought great prosperity to the new Kingdom. The era also saw the standardisation of the Midrasian language, which would go on to become the official language of Midrasia and that of Western Asuran aristocracy. In 1521 under Henri II, the Kingdom also established colonies within the new world, with Henribourg established in modern day Viscontia, under the command of explorer Jean Arcadié.

Although parliament had existed throughout Midrasia's history, it remained little more than a legitimising agent for monarchical authority. By 1750 the monarchy within Midrasia continued to rule with absolute power, despite calls for the establishment of a more permanent and powerful parliament. However the reign of Hugh III, widely viewed as despotic in the eyes of much of the Midrasian aristocracy and gentry, saw the establishment of truly powerful legislature. The Chartist Revolution saw the King peacefully removed from power by the military who invited his brother-in-law to take the throne as Philippe V. Although Hugh soon returned with loyal forces he was repulsed and sent into exile at the Battle of Hellingbourg.

Modern Period

The onset of the modern period in 1780 saw Midrasia involve itself in the Asuran Revolutionary Wars, backing the League of Izjerdam in its war against the rising Empire of Lhedronna. The war, widely viewed by many historians as the first truly total war, saw the mobilisation of over 5,000,000 Midrasian men to fight the Revolutionary powers. Although severely defeated at the Second Battle of Estermont and forced to sign the humiliating Treaty of Sapis, Midrasia rebounded following Delsolan intervention in the war, playing an integral role in the decisive Battle of Hausen.

Contemporary Period

Geography

Metropolitan Midrasia extends from the Opal Ocean in the west to the Centrélseia in the south east. Midrasia is situated in the west of Asura, lying within the southern temperate zone. The northern border of Midrasia is mostly marked by the Valléin mountain range and the river Ávo to the north east.

Governance

Midrasia is a unitary state under a constitutional monarchy. King Luix XII is the head of state, as well as monarch of seven other independent former Midrasian colonies. The monarch has "the right to be consulted, the right to encourage, and the right to warn." Midrasia's first constitution was written in 1790 following the Chartist Revolution and the removal of King Hugh III from power. The constitution contains the fundamental law of the realm and can be amended through basic parliamentary procedure, requiring a supermajority within the lower house. In all there have been 32 amendments to the Midrasian constitution since its creation in 1790.

Government

Midrasian Parliament buildings with the Assembly (Left) and Senate (Right)

Midrasia has a parliamentary government with a bicameral legislature. The parliament of Midrasia meets in the Parliamentary buildings in the city of Thraice and has two elected chambers: the National Assembly and the Senate. All bills passed must be passed by both chambers and given Royal Assent before becoming law. Contrary to many other Asuran democracies, the Midrasian legislature is located within two separate buildings, having symbolic significance since the creation of the Midrasian parliament. As members of the Lords prior to the creation of the Senate system were landed members of the Aristocracy they were barred from entry to the lower house. As such when the Lord Chancellor or Monarch was to make an address to the lower house they were required to physically exit the building and journey across Parliament square to the adjacent building. Although in recent years in order to avoid issues when travelling between both the Assembly and Senate a tunnel was installed underneath Parliament square for ease of access between both buildings.

The position of prime minister, Midrasia's head of government, belongs to the person most likely to command the confidence of the National Assembly; this individual is typically the leader of the political party or coalition of parties that holds the largest number of seats in that chamber. The prime minister chooses a cabinet and its members are formally appointed by the monarch to form His Majesty's Government. By convention, the King respects the prime minister's decisions of government and the reigning monarch has not intervened within Midrasian democratic affairs since 1804.

Before 2016 both chambers of the Midrasian legislature were elected via first-past-the-post elections in the nations 612 constituencies for the National Assembly, whilst members of the Senate were appointed by the reigning monarch. However upon the election of the SDP-Liberal government and the passage of the Electoral Reform Act, this was changed to utilise a Mixed-member proportional within the Assembly, whilst the Senate's 100 seats are distributed to the 20 regional municipalities throughout Midrasia, with each region appointing 5 members based on local election results. Although such reform was criticised by many on the Right who saw the move as implemented simply for the benefit of minor parties such as the Liberals and Greens, the move was welcomed by the majority of the population as well as democratic think tanks who praised the move as reinvigorating Midrasian democracy.

Economy

Society

Culture