Idreiga

United Idreigan Federation Eidbondverenlanidreiga
Motto: “Let justice be done though the heavens may fall.”
Anthem: The Makoganite
Idreigan Continent
Capital		Regnau
Largest		Vivijana
Official languages		Waltch
Recognised national languages		Waziyupa, Naquişaji, Menoomin, Yeminazi, Şadisali
Ethnic groups		Gemeşen (33%), Waldzers (20%), Wazikoda (19%), Anişina (14%), Xadishali (9%), Yeminazi (5%)
Demonym		Idreigan
Government		Devolved federal parliamentary republic
-	Minister-President	Adeliza Korana
Establishment
-	Valzic Migrations	~500 CE
-	End of Elder Crusades	783
-	Holy Waltch Empire	~810
-	Great Northern Crusades	1130
-	Three Fires Coalition	1300
-	Great Elder War	1934-56
-	Idreiga's Awakening	July 8, 1943
-	New Federation	July 8, 1946
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		Idreigan valdra (℣) (IVD)

"What these men - the aristocrats and generals, the Thedosian invaders, the reactionary terrorists - don't seem to understand is that they fight against an idea. They don't want to recognize it because that idea terrifies them. The idea that all men are equal. The idea that you don't have to hate another person because of the place they were born, the language they speak, or who their father was. The idea that a state of nations is preferable to many states of a nation. The idea that the worker is more than a simple servant, a replaceable machine. The idea that the people united will never be defeated." - Armin Magnus, 1942

Idreiga, officially the United Idreigan Federation (Waltch: Eidbondverendlanidreiga), is a devolved federal parliamentary republic which occupies the entirety of the eponymous continent of Idreiga. It includes 14 constituent nations, 1 federal district, and 3 constitutional states, covering an area of 9,348,769 square kilometers which hosts a widely varied but generally cool, wet, temperate climate. It has approximately 343,931,650 inhabitants, concentrated in the southern half of the continent and along the Idreigan Great Lakes, the Anikegama, in the center of the continent. Idreiga's capital is the city of Regnau, while its largest metropolis is the city of Vivijana; its largest conurbation is the Viktoriakyst on the eastern coast of Austragia, revolving around the coastal cities of Viktoria (the nations second largest city), Zurin, and Hannes. Its third largest city is Makoga, a major industrial and financial hub situated along Lake Ogimokwa. Other major cities include Zuverieur, the largest city on the northern coast; Marsen, the largest city on the west coast; and Mogollon, the largest city on the east coast.

A mass migration of Valzic peoples, the ancestors of the modern Waltch people, into Idreiga occurred in Late Antiquity, believed to have crossed the Elder Sea, originating from northern Thedosia where they were pushed out due to population pressures and the encroachment of other peoples. Much of the Middle Ages were characterized by the expansion of Waltch settlements and the diffusion of their language, religion, and technology to the native peoples of Idreiga (who lacked advanced metallurgy and beasts of burden), as well as numerous crusades waged by the High Viktorian Sviera. Idreiga was in a constant state of flux, made up of hundreds of warring principalities and petty kingdoms which would frequently unite temporarily before shattering again. By the late 16th century, these polities began coalescing into recognizable nations based around shared geographic history. In the 1930s, economic depression swept across the continent and the southern Waltch nations were swept into a war with Thedosia across the Elder Sea to the south, rallying all other nations in Idreiga against the Thedosian threat after the disastrous Rape of Lorelei. Increasingly authoritarian measures used to suppress dissent against the war kept governments in power, and soon triggered a massive popular anarcho-syndicalist revolution that seized many industrial, transportation, and population centers across the continent; Loyalist forces temporarily agreed to a truce with the Socialists in order to drive the Thedosians from Idreiga, and the civil war resumed in 1947, resulting in a crushing victory for the far more popular and industrially powerful Socialists. Various disparate, nascent socialist states throughout the continent were swiftly adopted into a pan-Idreigan socialist federation, birthing the modern nation.

In the People's Constitution of Idreiga, the federation is said to be founded upon three main principles: militant democracy, nations within a state, and workers'/citizens' rights. Each nation within the federation is equal in its rights and autonomy, entitled to its own official language (although Waltch is the official language at all levels of government and a second language for all schoolchildren), parliament, and laws. The Central Government, based out of the Federal Capital District of Regnau, dictates matters all foreign policy, defense, and finance, but generally allows constituent nations enormous amounts of devolved autonomy in most matters. A broad spectrum of human rights - including the rights to free speech and free religion, the right for homosexuals to marry (already legal in several northern nations where it has always been acceptable), and the right for women to get abortions (with some restrictions, until the development of highly safe procedures in the 1970s) - are guaranteed directly in the constitution.

In modern times, Idreiga 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. Idreiga is known for its rich cultural history and traditions of music, art, literature, philosophy, architecture, entrepreneurship, science, and engineering.

Etymology

Geography

The continent of Idreiga consists five distinct, overarching geo-climatic regions. The largest region, which dominates much of the center of the continent, the Wiskoba Flats, named for the Wiiskoba Waterway which dominates its center, has a humid continental (Dfa) climate with four distinct seasons: wet,cool springs; somewhat hot, and often humid, summers; pleasantly mild autumns; and cold, snowy winters, with the average temperature frequently swinging between 27°C in the height of summer and -20°C in the depths of winter. The Wiskoba Flats are the agricultural and population heartland of Idreiga, possessing several large industrial centers such as Vivijana, Brenz, and Ezeron. The Ogimokwa Northwoods, named for the lake which has symbolic served as the "gateway" to the region, is very similar to the Flats except for much more forest in a much higher density, often with cooler, wetter winters (Dfb); winter temperatures can frequently lows of -25°C in the more northerly parts. The Northwoods' main industries consist of tourism, lumbering, and farming. To the far north, along the coast of the Sea of Ghosts, are the Northern Highlands, which possess a Boreal climate (Dfc) that is significantly colder and drier on average than any of the other regions. Dairy and beef farming are very important industries historically and in modern times in both the Lowlands and Northwoods; cranberries, potatoes, corn, manoomin, and apples are all also major focuses of agriculture in these regions.

The geo-climatic regions of Idreiga. Red: Eldric Basin; Orange: Sisari Lowlands; Yellow: Alesex Shore; Light Green: Wiskoba Flats; Dark Green: Ogimokwa Northwoods; Blue: Northern Highlands.

In the south, the most influential region is the Sisari Lowlands, making up a majority of the Austragian Peninsula, Vivijanic Islands, coast of Neustragia, and stretching up into Skaskiwa. True to their name, the Lowlands exist close to sea level and are exceptionally flat, especially in the south. The Lowlands have a warm-summer Mediterranean climate (Csb) with moist, mild winters and warm, dry summers. The climate lends itself well to large-scale farming of certain crops that cannot be grown in the cooler north - such as grapes, cotton, almonds, and oranges - and the region is host to some of the largest cities in Idreiga such as Viktoria, Zurin, Hannes, and Marsen. While the industrial hub of the nation is farther north along the Wiskoba Waterway and tourists flock to the Northwoods, the Lowlands - primarily the city of Viktoria - serve as a major center of tourism, information technology, and finance in their own right.

Across the Gulf of Vivijana, in the interior of the Nikeyani peninsula is the Eldric Basin. Influenced by high elevation and hot winds travelling north from eastern Thedosia, the Eldric Basin is a cold desert (BWk) climate, whose climate is characterized by extremes: hot, dry summers and cold, snowy winters; frigid alpine ridges and warm, windy valleys. While there are some pockets of dense forest or other greenery, much of the region is hot, arid scrubland. It is sparsely populated, with the main industries revolving around mining and tourism and its largest city being Mogollon.

Found along much of the western coast and a sizable part of the east coast, the Alesex Shores possesses a Maritime climate (Cfb) which features moderately cool temperatures and common precipitation year-round, although its northern reaches are prone to the cold temperatures and heavy snowfall expected of the Ogimokwa Northwoods. Technology, mining, and tourism dominate the economy of this region, centered in major cities such as Sacha, Alesex, Wawex, and Archangel.

History

Politics

Constituencies

Economy

The Idreigan economy operates on a market socialist model. All businesses fall into one of four categories: consumer cooperative (Waltch: Verbrauchergenossenschaft, abbreviated VG); worker cooperative (Waltch: Arbeitersgenossenschaft; abbreviated AG); cooperative federations (Waltch: Genossenschaftseidbond, abbreviated GE); and state corporations (Staatgenossenschaft, abbreviated SG). Consumer cooperatives are individual businesses owned and managed democratically by their consumers, while worker cooperatives are individual business which are owned and managed entirely by their own workers, adhering to the Rochdale Cooperative Principles; cooperative federations are larger groupings and associations of consumer and worker cooperatives throughout a given area; finally, state corporations are state-owned entities, frequently in strategically important sectors of the economy, owned and managed entirely by the Central Government.

Some of the major industries within the Idreigan economy include processed foods, lumbering and mining, production of steel, textiles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and pulp\paper products; the manufacturing of motor vehicles and machinery, and tourism.

Demographics

Culture

Religion

Soraianism

[[[ needs updating for no monarchy ]]]

Although there are dozens of diverse folk religions and pantheons found throughout the continent, the dominant religion in Waldzenia is Soraianism, centralized in the Holy Waltch Soraianic Sviera of the Edacious Cycle, known colloquially as the High Viktorian Sviera or the First 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 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.