Difference between revisions of "Nation/Stratarin"

Revision as of 02:14, 1 May 2017

The Militarized Communist State of Stratarin
Motto: "Glory to the Workers"
Regional Map
Capital		Coyden
Official languages		Codexian, Strataric, Bastardized Strataric
Ethnic groups (Estimate/2016)		86.2% Human 11.5% Vulpine 2.3% Other
Demonym		Noun: Stratarian Adjective: Strataric
Government		Communist Dictatorship
-	General Secretary	Viktor Drugov
-	Primary Minister	Anatoly Baryshnikov
-	Primary Ministress	Pravda Lilova
-	Primary Minister	Rurik Lukin
-	Primary Minister	Igor Stralov
Area
-	Total	775,943.28 km2 482,150.00 sq mi
Population
-	estimate	154,000,000
-	Density	198.47/km2 319.40/sq mi
GDP (nominal)		2016 estimate
-	Total	4,493,820,749,748D
-	Per capita	29,180.65D
Gini		23.4 low
HDI (2016)		0.63 medium
Currency		Dreyk (D)
Date format		/MM/DD/YYYY
Drives on the		right
Calling code		+91
Internet TLD		.stn

The Militarized Communist State of Stratarin is a mid-sized nation that is located in the East Pacific region. Stratarin is a militarized Communist state, known mainly for its role as a founder of the South-East Pacific Coalition. It shares borders with Setzna, arguably Stratarin's closest ally; and Bourun, a tinpot dictatorship. Stratarin controls several islands off its coast, which are used for some military bases and tourist hotspots. Although the southern part of the nation, where the capital is located, temperatures can be reach very high. However, much of the population is located in the tall northern mountains, which tend to be colder and occasionally experience snow.

History

Ancient History (600? AD - 861 AD)

Not much is known about the early Stratarians, or as they were known at the time, the Bolvans. They were organized as a loose host of houses and clans, and are said to have worshiped such gods as Zevs (the father of the gods), Razrushitel (the god of war), and Drakhyn (the ferryman of the dead). Some historians posit that the Bolvans originally came from Concord, whereas others strongly hold to the belief that they were cast out from a tribe located in the Gondwanan inland. One of the few things agreed on by all accounts is that they were ferocious raiders and slavers.

Being mostly land-based, they would attack settlements in modern day Setzna quite frequently, and occasionally clashed with more northern Gondwanan tribes. The latter of these rarely were much of a threat again the Bolvans, and were considered primitive by the raiders. The Setznan settlements, on the other hand, were respected to a degree by the Bolvans, to the point that many would keep their captives as spouses instead of selling them into slavery.

After many years of uneasy coexistence, the various Bolvan factions finally grew dissatisfied with their respective territories, and skirmishes between them became more and more common. These escalated when the chief of the Rus house was poisoned, and the regional power that the Bolvans had enjoyed collapsed as their infighting turned more and more serious. Finally, after an estimated twenty years, the Strat clan, led by a powerful warlord named Vadim, seized total power over the others and unified the clans under the Strat banner - a depiction of a crouching tiger. Vadim is regarded as the father of Stratarin.

From Strats to Stratarians (862 AD -)

Around approximately 862 AD, a Vayan Catholic missionary from Vekaiyu named Yiisu Imlostroviyey arrived in the Strat lands with the intent of spreading his religion. The clansmen were startled at the Vulpine’s fox-like appearance. They initially confused him for the elusive Stroynyy fox from their mythology, only realizing that he was not after the missionary had already been in jail several days. Imlostroviyey was quickly released, mainly because the Strats feared what revenge his God would deal to them. After learning as much of their language as he could, the missionary attempted to preach the words of One that the Strats called ‘Troitsa’, or ‘Trinity.’ Despite a valiant effort, Imlostroviyey’s attempts to spread Vayan Catholicism were a resounding failure. But he was not the last missionary to come.

After several more evangelists followed him, one of which even played a pivotal part in the development of the Strataric written language, the Strat chieftain known as Ipati agreed to be baptized and took the Christian name Isai. Though this originally seemed a massive success for the Vekaiyaun efforts, Isai was killed several days later for his rejection of the old ways by an old political adversary, who took the opportunity to kill the deceased chieftain's wife and twelve children. The third eldest son, known to history as Legkiy, managed to escape. At the time, he was 17, and therefore a grown man according to Strat custom. Also known as a feared and bold warrior, Legkiy wasted no time mustering anyone he could against the usurper, aided by and soon overcame him and put him to death. Legkiy became the new leader of the Strat tribes.

As briefly recorded in an ancient Strat document known simply as 'The Collection’ in Codexian:

Legkiy began to question whether or not the Strat beliefs were more destructive than productive. If one could betray his lord on the grounds of protecting the old faith, could it be more of a shield to protect one’s acts from being labeled as wrongdoing than a legitimate belief? After much debate, many meetings with various other Strat warlords, and late night discussions with the local Vayan Catholic missionary, Legkiy decided to follow his father’s example and publicly accept the religion of Vekaiyu. To further signify his devotion, he even went so far as to demand that a Vulpine be sent for him to wed. And finally, to fully indicate that the Strats would be ‘born again’, Legkiy changed the house name slightly, from ‘Strat’ to ‘Stratarin.’

Although great strides had been taken to evangelize the Stratarians, there were still many who rejected the new faith. This was mainly due to the underlying anti-slavery theme found in the Vayan Catholic Bible. These objectors mocked Legkiy publicly, calling him ‘zoofil’ (roughly translated as ‘one who has sex with animals,’ due to his Vulpine wife), ‘pushistyy’ (meaning ‘fluffy’ or ‘furry’. Again, an insult relating to his wife’s fur-covered skin), and other such epithets. This went on, with little or no reprisal (any such act would surely cause rebellion), until Alenin’s brother, Vladic, challenged Legkiy to a fight to the death.

After careful consideration, Legkiy accepted on one condition, the winner of the fight would prove once and for all which belief was stronger. This was not to be a contest between Legkiy and Vladic, but Troitsa and Zevs. Vladic gladly accepted, the bargain was struck, and the date of the duel was set.

There was a massive gathering of clansmen present at the combat, a greater crowd than almost all previous major Strataric events. As it was recorded in the Collection:

It goes on to say that as the fight wore on, Legkiy began to weaken. His previously strong and precise strokes were beginning to be slower and weaker. Seeing this, Vladic summoned all his strength and readied a crushing blow against his foe. As he was about to do so, the sun suddenly shone through the clouds, temporarily blinding him. Legkiy took advantage of this and quickly killed his opponent (Sources differ as to how. Some say a stab through the heart, other believe that Vladic was decapitated. A more unlikely, but still prevalent theory is that the unfortunate Stratarian was clove in twain). It is said that in the crowd’s silence, an insect could be heard buzzing.

Although there had been previous attempts, this is the official date that the Stratarians converted to a Christian people group. After hearing of the safety of the Strataric lands, several Vulpine families journeyed across the sea and settled there. This event is widely credited as the reason there are still Vulpines in Stratarin today, although several smaller groups of them will have made a similar journey before the present day.

Communist Dictatorship (2001-Present)

After the initial success of the Great Revolution, Ruslan Voronin officially declared Stratarin a one-party state and named himself General Secretary of the Strataric Communist Party. Practically immediately, he cracked down heavily on crime, opened several Gulags in which the working conditions were hellish, and began the first of the Five Year Plans. He also instituted an isolationist policy that left many discontented. However, none dared to speak out for fear of being taken by the recently-founded STP.

After Voronin sent many politicians and co-conspirators who had helped his rise to power to the gulags, Viktor Drugov, a brigadier general who had backed Voronin’s rise to power, began orchestrating a coup, stirring up deeply-buried resentment in the people and bribing politicians for aid or information. After several years of this slowly building, this culminated in Voronin being assassinated in 2007 and Drugov taking his place.

Already well-liked by the people of Stratarin, Drugov immediately ended the isolationist policy and, though he did not completely discontinue them, improve the working conditions in the Gulags drastically. Furthermore, he appointed an entirely new assemblage of ministers from those who had helped his cause, perhaps most notably his old friend, Rurik Lukin, and a rising star in the Strataric Military, Anatoly Baryshnikov. There were some institutions that he kept from his predecessor’s reign, such as the STP and the Five Year Plans.

Government

Primary Offices

Head of State

General Secretary and Premier Viktor Drugov, Current Strataric Head of State

The two highest administrative positions of Stratarin are the Premier and the General Secretary of the Strataric Communist Party. The office of Premier is the official head of Stratarin, whereas, due to the power that the Strataric Communist Party holds, the office of General Secretary is effectively the [i]de facto[/i] ruler of the nation. The current head of state is Viktor Drugov, who carries out the duties of both offices.

The Premier’s duties included managing the [put a linky here]Five Year Plans, resolving state administrative duties that do not come under the competence of the Supreme Council, and ensuring socio-cultural development.

The General Secretary wields incredible power, due to two factors: One, the Communist Party more or less controls the state, and the position of General Secretary is the head of the Communist party. Two, the holder of this office even controls the staffing of party positions, which means that he could pack them with his own most loyal supporters and be unfettered by any opposition. In effect, he has almost complete control over his country. This system, proposed by former General Secretary Ruslan Voronin, is liable to turn a General Secretary into an autocrat, should he be so predisposed. Though he maintained that he was in fact not an autocrat, Voronin essentially had all the powers thereof. Viktor Drugov, after seizing power, did little to change this system, though he is slightly more honest about it than his predecessor.

First Deputy Premier

The First Deputy Premier of Stratarin is essentially the equivalent to the vice-head of government. Unlike other similar government positions, several politicians may have this title at the same time.

Generally, each First Deputy Premier has responsibility over a single area. For instance, ____ oversees and is responsible for agriculture, while ____ headed industry. An officeholder could also be responsible for coordinating the activities of ministries state, committees, and other various government bodies. He must give these various institutions guidance efficiently and speedily and occasionally ensure that orders from the Council of Ministers are being followed. Should the Premier ever be unable to perform his duties, one of the First Deputy Premiers will be selected by the Presidium of the Council of Ministers to assume the Premier’s position until such time as he is fit to return.

Administrator of Affairs

The Administrator of Affairs is a relatively high-ranking government official whose primary duty is to co-sign resolutions made by the Council of Ministers with the Premier. The government apparatus prepares items of policy, which the Administrator checks systematically against decrees of the Party-Government.

Procurator General

Procurator General Mikhail Starikov

The Procurator General is responsible for the whole system of offices of public procurators and supervision of their activities on Strataric territory In turn, public procurators are state officers charged with the investigation and prosecution of crime.

Councils and Organizations

Supreme Council

The Supreme Council is the highest legislative body of the Strataric government, and the only one capable of passing constitutional amendments. It formed the Council of Ministers and appoints the Procurator General.

The officials of the Supreme Council are elected by secret ballot in accordance with the principles of so-called ‘council democracy.’ However, only candidates approved by the Strataric Communist Party are permitted to participate in the elections. There is one official elected for every 150,000 people in the Militarized Communist State of Stratarin. The Council elects a chairman to lead its sessions and four deputies under him.

The Presidium of the Supreme Council is elected by the Supreme Council at the first session of each following convocation. The deputies of the Presidium were appointed for the duration of the term of office of the Supreme Council. The Presidium of the Supreme Council of the consisted of a chairman, his seven deputies, a secretary, and 20 members. The Presidium is accountable to the Supreme Council.

Council of Ministers

Chairman of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs Rurik Lukin

The Council of Ministers is the highest executive and administrative body in Stratarin, as well as the de jure government.

The Presidium of the Council of Ministers is the collective decision-making body of government. The Chairman of the Council of Ministers, his First Deputy Chairmen, Deputy Chairmen, ministers, State Committee chairmen, and other classified personnel make up the Presidium.

The Council of Ministers is completely accountable to the Supreme Council. It is responsible for management of the national economy; formulation of the Five Year Plans; defense of the interests of state, socialist property, and public order; ensuring state security; general leadership over the Strataric Military and determination of how many citizens were to be conscripted; confirming or denouncing international treaties signed by Stratarin; and several more.

Ministries

Supreme Court

The Supreme Court of Stratarin is the highest judicial body in the government. It includes a Military Collegium and other minor elements that are atypical of supreme courts across Urth.

Communist Party Organizations

Political Bureau

The Political Bureau is the highest policy-making government authority under the Strataric Communist Party. The General Secretary, naturally, is the chairman of the Political Bureau. In practice, the Political Bureau essentially acts as the executive branch.

Organizational Bureau

The Organizational Bureau was created to make important decisions about organisational work in the Stratarin. It oversaw the work of local party committees and had the power to select and place Communist members in the positions that they saw fit. The functions of the Organizational Bureau and the Political Bureau were often interconnected, but the latter is ultimately the final decision-maker. While the Political Bureau is mostly concerned with strategic planning and monitoring of the people and status of the country, the Organizational Bureau is tasked with overseeing the party cadre and its assignment to various positions and duties, presumably in furtherance of the government's strategic agenda.

Secretariat

The Secretariat of Stratarin is responsible for technical issues such as coordination of the activities of regional party organizations and handling routine administrative affairs of the Party.

Economy

The economy of Stratarin is guided by a series of nationwide centralized five year plans developed by Uplan, a state planning committee. Since sixteen years have passed since the rise to power of the Strataric Communist Party, three has so far been completed, with the fourth currently in progress. They have so far had a heavy focus on industrialization, with notable contributions to the military and transportation as well.

Military

The Strataric Military, officially known as the Strataric Armed Forces, was completely revitalized following the takeover of General Secretary Voronin. Massive amounts of funding began to pour into military funding and weaponry. Conscription was also reintroduced, although this policy was toned down to a wartime-only conscription by General Secretary Drugov.

Culture and People

Religion

Due to the theories of the 'Father of Strataric Communism', Rishim Rubashkin, modern Stratarin is incredibly atheistic. Only an estimate of 3.6% Stratarians follows a religion, of which Vayan Catholicism is drastically the most common. Although there is technically no freedom of religion guaranteed to the people, atheism becomes less and less prevalent the further into rural areas you go. The least atheistic people group in Stratarin is predictably made up of the Vulpine citizens, many of whom still cling to the previous centuries of Vayan Catholicism.

Before Rubashkin's ideology was fully embraced, religion was an important part of state affairs and daily life, and state-funded Vayan Catholic missions being sent out overseas were common. There are even rumors that the Stratarin of those days helped other Christian states defend against the Pax Caliphate, though these are word-of-mouth tales passed down from generation to generation and have yet to be proven archaeologically.

Language

According to the theory that the Bolvans originated from Concord, the Strataric language was originally much different, and evolved rapidly after contact with and the influence of Gondwanan tribes. It more or less stabilized after a Vekaiyuan missionary helped develop a written Strataric language, though there have been minor adjustments over the years.

Its present form has been described by foreigners as 'brutal,' 'gutteral,' and 'angry.' One tourist hailing from Kaeliv reported that it was, "Like the sound of sandpaper scraping on a rough surface and scaring a cat, which then proceeds to yowl. This awakes a nearby chicken, which squawks as loudly as it can." Some, however, enjoy the sound. A surprising amount of tourists, especially among Tuvalts, have described it as 'sexy.'

Due to immigration from Fortuna near the 17th century, in which the arrivals combined their language with aspects of Strataric, there exists a lesser-known version of Strataric known as Bastardized Strataric. Despite its name, it is much more similar to Fortunan. It is predominantly still spoken in rural areas, rarely used in more urban areas, and never on any official documentation.

Among Vulpines especially, some Unonian is spoken. However, it is even less common than Bastardized Strataric.

Architecture

Modern Strataric architecture relies on an extensive communal apartment system in the larger cities, in which tenants are ruled over by a housing committee. Typically, an average of four to five families share a single communal apartment, although in special cases (if a member of a tenant family is diseased, needs space for medical reasons, or feeble due to age), it is not uncommon for a single family group to live in one. In the more rural areas, such as the mountainous regions, a house is more likely to be small, single floored, and built for a single family. Most military men prefer living in this area, as do Vulpines.

Architecture from years past tends to be much grander. There is a heavy Vayan Catholic theme, although many religious symbols have been removed from buildings and public places. There are also some various Setznan influences present, although these are much rarer. However, there are uniquely Strataric design elements to architecture, such as the onion dome. It also has a penchant for tall spires. Several government buildings have been constructed after this more traditional style, though with modern security.

Underneath most government buildings, there exists a catacomb network for quickly departing the building, such as in case of a terrorist attack or invasion.

Media

Strataric media is solely controlled by the government. The primary news source for Stratarin is The Coyden Harbinger, a news broadcast named after a newspaper that existed in the 1900's. Out of the various forms of media in Stratarin, the internet is the least tightly regulated. Certain restrictions are in place for it, though (for instance, internet pornography is illegal).