Ile du Fleurs

The Imperial Territory of the Ile du Fleurs Le Territoire Impérial de L'île du Fleurs (French)
Flag
Motto: Ad Victoriam (Latin: Until Victory)
Anthem: United we Stand
Capital	Killon
Largest	Boundary Bay City
Official languages	English, French, Native Rhodeavn
Recognised regional languages	Native Rhodevan Dialects
Demonym(s)	Rhodeve, Fleurian
Government	Rubinian Monarchy
• Queen	Diana Wolff
• Princess Heir	Sierra Everen-Abrams
• Imperial Governor	Mary Shuvell
Legislature	The Parliament of Rhodevus
• Upper house	Senate
• Lower house	Governor's Council
Established  The Kingdom of Galaria
• The Conquest of Bertolf the Lesser	1103
• The Ile du Fleurs	3 September, 1719
Area
• Total	24,063 km2 (9,291 sq mi)
• Water (%)	too much
Population
• 2018 estimate	4,026,840
• Density	229.67/km2 (594.8/sq mi)
GDP (PPP)	2018 estimate
• Total	High
• Per capita	Enough
HDI (2015)	0.937 very high (6th)
Currency	Rhode (R)
Time zone	UTC+0 (Artwingen Time)
• Summer (DST)	Not Observed
Date format	dd-mm-yyyy
Driving side	the right
Calling code	+398
ISO 3166 code	RDV
Internet TLD	.rdv

The Ile du Fleurs, commonly referred to as the IdF, is an Imperial Territory of Rhodevus located in Ventismar. It is bordered to the East by Mackenzie and Athabaska which lies across the Galarian Straight, and surrounded by the Lutetian Ocean. The Ile du Fleurs is home to 14 world heritage cites.

Etymology

The etymology of the name has been studied since the 7th century. The earliest known attempt at this was due to _______, who related the name of the Galarians to the Greek word γάλα, milk, 'they are called Galarians because of their fair skin. For they are fairer than the rest of the peoples of the region.' Currently, scholars relate the name of the ancient Callaeci either to the Proto-Indo-European *kal-n-eH2 'hill', derived through a local relational suffix -aik-, so meaning 'the hill (people)'; or either to Proto-Celtic *kallī- 'forest', so meaning 'the forest (people)'. In either case, Galaria would mean "land of the Kallaikoi", and be unrelated to the Insular Celtic word Gael, which derives from the root *weydʰ- 'wilderness', or to Gallia, which derives from Celtic *galn- 'power, might'.

The most recent proposal comes from linguist Francesco Benozzo after identifying the root gall- / kall- in a number of Celtic words with the meaning "stone" or "rock", as follows: gall (old Irish), gal (Middle Welsh), gailleichan (Scottish Gaelic), kailhoù (Breton), galagh (Manx) and gall (Gaulish). Hence, Benozzo explains the ethnonym Callaeci as being "the stone people" or "the people of the stone" ("those who work with stones"), in reference to the builders of the ancient megaliths and stone formations so common in Galaria.

Demographics

Language

The predominant language in the Ile du Fleurs is French, being spoken as a first language by 61% of the population. English is the second most spoken language, especially among non-residents.

Religion

Catholicism is the most practiced religion in the Ile du Fleurs.

Health

The Ile du Fleurs shares a common healthcare system with mainland Rhodevus. The binary system provides public and private healthcare to all people in the Ile du Fleurs. The islands holds two of the top five hospitals in Rhodevus; the Boundary Bay General Hospital and Whistleton Children's Hospital, ranked 3rd and 5th respectively.

History

The Ruzkov Empire

The Ruzkov Empire conquered the island in 622 CE until 1073 CE. Sometime in the 800s CE, the Arch of the Fallen was constructed.

The First Kingdom of Galaria

The Kingdom of Flowers was created in circa. 1103, by the inhabitants of the island; the Galaric people. Being a coastal island, it was able to keep its way of life safe from the medieval kingdoms on the mainland, yet still be able to trade or attack them when necessary.

In 1044, a Rukonian Warlord named Bertolf the Lesser started a campaign to remove the Ruzkovian Empire's influence from the island. His war lasted until 1073 when they relinquished control. Bertolf the Lesser tried himself to take control over the entire island, but was unable to muster the forces necessary after 29 years of fighting. Instead, he claimed a section of the North and East of the island to found his own tiny empire. Bertolf the Lesser had two sons, Carlomann and Arnulf.

In 1097, a small Ruzkovian force was sent to reclaim the island for the empire. In the Battle of Ramsfold, Carlomann and Arnulf combined their forces to defeat the Ruzkovian invaders. During this battle, Arnulf was said to have seen an Ichthys in the clouds and believed the victory to be a sign from god. After, he converted from his native Aunhii religion to Catholicism.

The Bertolvian Dyansty from 1044-1210

In 1103, after the death of Bertolf, Arnulf, the younger son was crowned by a Catholic Priest as King Arnulf I. He took a Catholic wife and they had one son; Konradine. King Arnulf I ruled from 1103 to 1113 when he died at the hands of his elder brother during the First War of Succession. As the victor, Carlomann crowned himself as King Carlomann I and ruled under the Aunhii faith. Carlomann I was better known as Carlomann the Rukonian. Prince Konradine and his mother fled the island and took refuge in the Kingdom of Anduri (modern day Rezua).

King Carlomann I has two sons: Arnulf and Carlomann. In 1128, Konradine returned to reclaim the throne which was stolen from his father, beginning the War of the Three Princes. During the course of this war, King Carlomann I died of natural causes (1129) and his eldest son Arnulf was crowned King Arnulf II. In the decisive Battle of Suioex Von, Konradine defeated King Arnulf II and Carlomann, throwing both in prison. He was then crowned King Konradine I.

In 1139, King Konradine I pardoned Arnulf and allowed him to serve as a lord. In 1142, this pardon was extended to Carlomann, who accepted, but after being freed, fled to the island's South, to raise an army and lead a revolt. Carlomann won the Battle of Killon in 1142, but lost the Battle of Alzenau along with his life. King Konradine I ruled from 1131 to 1157. During that time, he and his wife; princess Joann Maraise of the Kingdom of Anduri had 7 children. The first 6 were daughters with the youngest being a son, whom he named Arnulf.

King Konradine I died in 1157, passing the throne onto his only son, who was crowned King Arnulf III. During his reign, he fought in the War of Andurian Succession against the Southern Coalition between 1161-1167, when he claimed the Kingdom of Anduri as his inheritance due to his mother being the princess of Anduri. The war was a defeat and he relinquished claim to the Anduri throne, just as the Kingdom fo Anduri was engulfed and divided amongst the victors.

The Flag of Galaria from 1150-1715.

King Arnulf III died in 1171 and his eldest son Arnulf became King Arnulf IV.

King Arnulf IV was succeeded by his younger brother, King Leopold I in 1177 and King Leopold I was succeeded by his son, King Konradine II in 1191. King Konradine II extended the borders of his kingdom farther South on the island.

In 1210, King Konradine II died of Influenza, splitting his kingdom among his four children: Gewan, Henrick, Burghard and Arnulf.

The War Era

The four kings each settled into their own territories. Gewan was given the Western portion of the Kingdom and became known as the Kingdom of Eowalina. Henrick was given the South portion, which became known as the Kingdom of Brorewin. Burghard was given the North portion of Galaria and Arnulf was given the Eastern portion, which became known as the Kingdom of Baredia. Almost immediately, all four kingdoms vied for power and complete control over the island. In 1211, the Kingdoms of Brorewin and Galaria went to war, fighting in the Battles of Henwick and Leffiel in 1211 and 1213 respectively, both of which were Galarian victories.

King Henrick was killed in the Battle of Leffiel in 1213 and the throne passed to his only child, his daughter Queen Ellise I; known more as the Red Queen.

King Arnulf V and the Kingdom of Baredia pushed further South along the coast into the Southern Forests. the Kingdom of Baredia did go to war against the Kingdom of Galaria in 1212 and would be in a semi-continuous state of war with the kingdom until 1289.

The Kingdom of Eowalina fought small wars against Baredia and Brorewin for control over the valuable Fleurian Shield; the lands at the center of the island. These wars took place in 1215-1219 and 1223-1234 respectively. King Gewan died of disease in 1235, his throne passing to his second son, Ander due to the death of his first in the Battle of Waik's Shield in 1232.

In 1227, the island was invaded by the Ruzkov Empire once again, from the South-West of the island. The Kingdoms of Brorewin, Eowalina and Baredia fought together to slow the expansion of the Empire towards the center of the island, in the War of Ruzkov Expansion from 1227 to 1230.

King Arnulf V of the Kingdom of Baredia would be killed in the Battle of Whistleton in 1230 against the Ruzkov Empire and was succeeded by his ten year old son, King Arnulf VI.

King Burghard of the Kingdom of Galaria died in 1231 and was succeeded by King Arnulf VII.

The Kingdoms of Galaria and Baredia partake in the Battle of the Rift in 1237 which saw half of Galaria's armies crushed. Later that same year, war between Brorewin and Eowalina began, lasting until 1240 with the death of Queen Ellise I of Brorewin. In that time, five battles took place, all of which were major Brorewene victories. Queen Ellise I was killed in the fifth battle, but her son King Bernhard took up the charge and defeated the Eowalinan army in the Battle of the Castle in 1240.

Galaria and Eowalina fight the Ruzkov Empire in the War for Survival, lasting from 1241 to 1250. King Arnulf VIII of Galaria perished in the first battle of this war, with his son King Konradine III taking up the throne. The Ruzkov Empire does win the war, claiming territory from each kingdom. King Ander of Eowalina dies from age in 1249, a year before the war ends and is succeeded by his son King Richolf.

In 1252, King Arnulf VI of Berdia dies from disease and is followed by King Konradine IV. In 1255, King Richolf of Eowalina dies of disease and is succeeded by his son King Arnulf VIII.

In 1259, the Battle of Konradine begins, between King Konradine III of Galaria and King Konradine IV of Baredia. Both kings are killed in the battle and it ends in a draw. Konradine III is succeeded by King Ruper and King Konradine IV is succeeded by King Carlomann II.

The Kingdoms of Brorewin and Galaria create a tenuous alliance against the Kingdoms of Baredia and Eowalina and begin the War of Petals (1260-1273). During the course of this war, King Ruper of Galaria dies of old age in 1267, passing the throne to his daughter Queen Geladine. King Bernhard of Brorewin dies in the Battle of Callway in 1262, the throne passing to his son, King Libing. King Arnulf VIII of Eowalina dies in the Second Battle of Callway in 1271, the throne passing to his only son, King Volmar. The Kingdoms of Brorewin and Galaria come out as victors of the war and accept large sums of gold and silver as payment.

Not long after in 1275, Brorewin and Galaria fight in the Battle of Willimshold, which is a decisive Galarian victory.

In 1278, King Carlomann II of Baredia dies of old age, the throne passing to his sickly son King Lukas. King Lukas dies in 1283 of disease, passing to his uncle, King Henri.

In 1289, Queen Geladine of Galaria and King Henri of Baredia broker the Peace of the Archway, ending their 77 year long war. In the same year, the Ruzkov Empire and the Kingdom of Brorewin face off in the Battle of Sheepsridge. King Libing is killed in the battle, but they manage to win. King Debul takes the throne of Brorewin.

Brorewin defeats Galaria in 1294, executing Queen Geladine. Brorewin then defeats the Kingdom of Eowalina in 1290, leading to the death of King Volmar in the Battle of Stead and the Kingdom of Baredia in 1296 leading to the death of King Henri of Baredia by poison. Baredia is ruled by Queen Liela, Eowalina by King Wortwin and Galaria by King Arnulf IX.

in 1297, the Kingdoms of Eowalina, Baredia and Galaria form the Alliance of the Brave and declare war on the Kingdom of Brorewin. In the massive Battle of Henslow in 1299, King Debul of Brorewin is defeated and killed. His kingdom is absorbed and divided amongst the three remaining kingdoms. The Alliance is dissolved and all go to war with one another. Lacking sufficient forces for such a large war, King Arnulf IX of Galaria marries Princess Frederika Louise of the Kingdom of Hohenzern (Ventismarian Engleberg) whom provides a large army of 15,000 to fight alongside them.

In 1299, Galaria and the Ruzkov Empire go to war.

In 1300, the Kingdom of Galaria crushes the Kingdom of Eowalina in the Battle of Kingship. King Wortwin of Eowalina is captured and executed, his territory being absorbed into Galaria.

In 1301, King Arnulf IX of Galaria and Queen Liela of Baredia lead two massive victories in the Battles of Hastings and Little Rock against the Ruzkov Empire, driving them from the island and dividing their territory between the two. Following that war and discovering that after five years of trying for children, Queen Liela is barren, she authorizes the creation of a treaty which states if she is unable to bear an heir by the time of her death, the throne and the kingdom of Baredia will pass on to the Kingdom of Galaria. Two months later, she was discovered dead in her bed. Most believe she was assassinated by King Arnulf IX who took control of Baredia and unified the island under a single kingdom and monarch.

Unification Era

King Arnulf IX spent the early years of unification consolidating his hold over the island. He did this by proclaiming Catholicism as the official religion of the kingdom, placing extra burdens on people of Aunhii faith and Kerlitists; those people who mixed Aunhii with Catholicism. Between 1301 and 1315, the Kingdom of Galaria paid for large building projects, including fortifications of the keep and castle as well as a road network between the castles governed by lords.

In 1310, King Arnulf IX and Queen Frederika had their first children; twins Mikael and Ruper. To celebrate their birth, he commissioned a set of tournaments, awarding vast prizes to the winners, bankrupting the kingdom. To pay for the growing expenses, the king began auctioning off the use of his armies. The Galarian army, numbered some 22,000 could be sold to larger kingdoms to fuel their wars.

In 1312, King Arnulf IX makes a deal with the Kingdom of Lindenholt to have Galarian soldiers work as guards to the royal family. Due to the loyalty shown by the soldiers, this honour remains to this day with Fleurian soldiers still acting as a part of the Lindian Royal Guard.

In 1339, King Arnulf IX dies, passing the throne to his eldest son, King Ruper II.

In 1348, King Ruper declares war on _____ and leads an army of 15,000 away from the island to fight in mainland Ventismar. In 1354, a minor lord from Allentyr named Lord Gustav Karlsen leads a force of 6,000 to take the Kingdom of Galaria for themselves. The Galarian army of 15,000; more than twice the size of the Allentyrian force is disastrously defeated in the Battle of Anjou Hills.

Hearing of the loss of his kingdom, King Ruper II returns with his force, now numbering just 10,000 to reclaim his homeland. The Allentyrians and Galarians face off in two major battles. The Battle of the Sand in 1355 was a Galarian Victory and the Siege of Galaria was a Galarian defeat. King Ruper II was captured in the assault on his own castle. Tried for treason, he was executed by hanging in a public execution. His wife and all male heirs were then found and slaughtered. Only King Ruper II youngest son, Ander, known as Ander the Swift was able to flee thanks to the actions of his eldest brother, Prince Henri engaging the Allentyrian forces in the futile Battle of Village Keep. King Ruper II's remaining female children were allowed to remain to live as long as they swore their allegiance to Lord Gustav Karlsen, officially turning the Kingdom of Galaria into a vassal kingdom of Allentyr. Lord Gustav married the eldest daughter Cateline. With their marriage, the Bertolvian dynasty ends and the Karlsenian dynasty begins.

Vassal Kingdom

From 1355 until 1510, the Kingdom of Galaria was a vassal kingdom to the Kingdom of Allentyr. During this time, multiple rebellions were lead to free themselves from this vassalage.

While a lord in Allentyr, Lord Gustav was crowned King Gustav in 1356 in the Cathedral of Sainte-Ameliea.

In 1359, news began resurfacing of the one remaining heir to the Bertolvian dynasty still being alive. Almost at once, lords began choosing sides. Either to back Prince Ander's claim to the throne, or Lord Gustav's. What was to follow was the Anderian War of Redemption, which saw Ander the Swift leading a force of 4,000 on a hit-and-run campaign against King Gustav's much larger army all across Galaria. Prince Ander was finally captured in 1366 and sentenced to life in prison, after Queen Cateline's famous request for Safety. Prince Ander the Swift died a year later of disease; most likely of tuberculosis.

The Second Kingdom of Galaria

Finally free from the Kingdom of Allentyr, Galaria threw itself into the Renaissance, catching up to its Ventismarian neighbours.

The 8th of August, 1511 saw the coronation of Willburr Augustine Dubois as King of Galaria, tracing his lineage through his father to the second son of King Louis Karlsen and his mother to a third child of King Arnulf of the Bertolvian Dynasty. Already a minor lord, he moved the capital from Travaisé to his own palace at Killon.

In 1527, the Protestant Reformation made its way to Galaria. The movement was heavily criticized by the Catholic nobility as well as the Catholic church, but it gained popularity with the peasants and lower classes. It became especially popular with the growing middle class and traders. The separation between the aristocracy and common-people came to a head in a series of peasant rebellions between 1536 and 1564.

The Rhodeve Empire

In 1718, The Republic of Rhodevus attacked the Kingdom of Galaria during the Six Years' War. The island would surrender in 1719 and be completely annexed by 1721.

A large-scale revolt led by members of the nobility erupted in 1727. The Rhodeve military cracked down hard on the rebels in the 'Midnight Massacre', imprisoning some 150 noblemen and ladies of the court, as well as killing another 47. Taking place on the night of _______, the Rhodeve military destroyed the noble houses of Dubois, Azaïs, Lacan and Jauffret. This was significant as the House of Dubois was the house of the monarchy of Galaria. Without a monarch to rally behind, this became the only large scale rebellion in the Galarian territory until the War of Flowers in the late 1970s. The date of the Midnight Massacre has since become a holiday in the Ile du Fleurs known as 'Jacques von Jauffret Day', named after the first man killed in the event.

Under Rhodevus, Galaria would be renamed to the territory of the Ile of Flowers in 1731 and become a base of operations for Rhodevus's foothold in Ventismar. The island became a major trade hub in the empire, as the most western point before travelling across the Lutentian Ocean to reach the mainland. It was an important location for trading Ophionite goods taken from the colonies and territories in Ophion with Ventismar.

The Ile du Fleurs

Following the Rhodeve Collapse in 1845, the Ile of Flowers was renamed the Ile du Fleurs and officially integrated into the Kingdoms of Rhodevus as a territory. The Ile du Fleurs became an internationally recognized territory of Rhodevus according to the Treaty of Bussón, which ended the conflict, much to the dismay of those in the Ile of Flowers who wished for a return to independence in Galaria.

The Riot of 1846 took place on the night of 7 April 1846 to protest Rhodevus's continued control over the territory. The riot was put down by the RRMP and a curfew was instituted under September of the same year.

Tensions were alleviated when King Rubin Machin chose William Vaisselle as the new governor of the Ile du Fleurs, replacing Henri Grant. William Vaisselle, as opposed to Henri Grant, was born in the Ile of Flowers and had much more sympathy for the Fleurian people. This would start the tradition of choosing Fleurian born or Fleurian-raised governors for the territory. This would remain the case until 1976 and the eventual War of Flowers.

The War of Flowers (1977-1979)

Main Article: The War of Flowers

Often called the War for the Ile of Flowers, this war began in 1977 between Rhodevus and the Ile of Flowers, who declared independence after the failed referendum. It lasted from May 4, 1977 until August 19, 1979. The war was fought between 3 sides; Rhodevus, Loyalists and Royalists. The Royalists fought to re-install the Kingdom of Flowers, and remove Rhodevus from control, while Rhodevus and the Loyalists fought to reinstate Rhodeve control. Rhodevus sent 40 warships to the small island, to re-enforce the Loyalists.

With a Rhodeve victory over the Royalists, the Ile of Flowers was brought back into Rhodeve control. It did result in heavy losses, with only 7 of the Rhodeve ships ever returning home and 33,000 of the islands population killed.

As a result of this war, the Ile of Flowers did gain more authority over its internal workings and has been nominated for Imperial status is Rhodevus.

Geography

Climate data for someplace(1998–2018 averages)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °C (°F)	19.4 (66.9)	22.6 (72.7)	28.5 (83.3)	37.2 (99.0)	42.2 (108.0)	43.3 (109.9)	45.0 (113.0)	43.3 (109.9)	40.0 (104.0)	34.0 (93.2)	26.1 (79.0)	22.2 (72.0)	45.0 (113.0)
Average high °C (°F)	5.6 (42.1)	6.4 (43.5)	10.0 (50.0)	14.0 (57.2)	18.0 (64.4)	20.4 (68.7)	22.8 (73.0)	22.6 (72.7)	19.1 (66.4)	14.6 (58.3)	9.6 (49.3)	6.1 (43.0)	14.1 (57.4)
Daily mean °C (°F)	3.1 (37.6)	3.3 (37.9)	6.2 (43.2)	9.2 (48.6)	13.1 (55.6)	15.6 (60.1)	17.9 (64.2)	17.5 (63.5)	14.5 (58.1)	10.7 (51.3)	6.7 (44.1)	3.7 (38.7)	10.1 (50.2)
Average low °C (°F)	0.3 (32.5)	0.2 (32.4)	2.3 (36.1)	4.1 (39.4)	7.8 (46.0)	10.5 (50.9)	12.8 (55.0)	12.3 (54.1)	9.9 (49.8)	6.9 (44.4)	3.6 (38.5)	1.0 (33.8)	6.0 (42.8)
Record low °C (°F)	−61.1 (−78.0)	−63.0 (−81.4)	−54.7 (−66.5)	−48.9 (−56.0)	−32.2 (−26.0)	−20.6 (−5.1)	−8.9 (16.0)	−15 (5)	−31.7 (−25.1)	−41.7 (−43.1)	−54.4 (−65.9)	−60.0 (−76.0)	−63.0 (−81.4)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	69.6 (2.74)	55.8 (2.20)	66.8 (2.63)	42.3 (1.67)	61.9 (2.44)	65.6 (2.58)	81.1 (3.19)	72.9 (2.87)	78.1 (3.07)	82.8 (3.26)	79.8 (3.14)	75.8 (2.98)	832.5 (32.78)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm)	17	14	17	13	14	14	14	14	15	16	18	17	184
Average snowy days (≥ 0 cm)	6	6	4	2	0	—	—	—	—	0	2	5	25
Average relative humidity (%)	87	84	81	75	75	76	77	79	84	86	89	89	82
Mean monthly sunshine hours	62.3	85.7	121.6	173.6	207.2	193.9	206.0	187.7	138.3	112.9	63.0	49.3	1,601.5
Source: statsrhode.rdv/en/weather/Kingstown

Politics

Parliament

The parliament of the Ile du Fleurs is known as the Governor's Council, which is presided over by a Governor. In the past, the governor was an appointed position, chosen by the monarch, but it has since become an elected position, with the final choice being approved or disapproved of by the monarch. Since the monarchs have stopped selecting the governor of the Ile du Fleurs in 1898, there has yet to be a rejection. This has lead to a great deal of good faith between the island's residents and the monarchy back in Rhodevus.

The Governor's Council is comprised of 215 seats, with the party who holds a majority, selecting one of their own to act as governor.

Political parties

There are four major political parties in the Ile du Fleurs and seven minor parties. Major parties are given the ability to attend all election debates in the next election cycle, while minor parties must be asked to attend. To be considered a major party, the party must hold at least five seats on the Governor's Council.

The largest and most popular party on the island is the Environmentalist Party; more commonly known in the Ile du Fleurs as the Green Party. The party had maintained the governorship of the island since 1964, due to their policies which promote environmentalist reform, increased tourism and low taxes for residents of the island. Since 1997 and the end to the housing bubble crisis in Kingstown, the Green Party has also passed a number of laws with the support of the Liberal Party to prevent foreign buyers of Fleurian property.

The second and third largest parties are the Liberal and Conservative parties. Both the Liberals and Conservatives often vie for official opposition status in the territory. The last time the Liberals won the governorship in the Ile du Fleurs was in the

Local politics

  Liberal Party: 31 seats

  Conservative Party: 24 seats

  Environmentalist Party: 138 seats

  Royalist Party: 1 seat

  Imperialist Party: 1 seat

  United Peoples Party: 4 seats

  New Justice Party: 6 seats

  Independents: 5 seats

  Le Parti de la Liberté: 1 seat

  Free Galaria Party: 3 seats

  Kingdom of Flowers Party: 1 seat

As an Imperial Territory, the autonomous region of the island holds its own elections with its own political parties. Most parties are branches of those on the mainland, but there are some uniquely Fleurian parties which help split the vote. Elections for the 215 seats on the Governor's Council are held every 4 years. The party who wins the most seats on the council selects a member to act as the Imperial Governor. This person is always chosen before the election cycle begins as they represent the face of the party on the island.

Since 1950, only two parties have ever held the governorship of the island; the United Peoples Party, which held the position from 1952-1964 and the Environmentalist Party from 1964 until the present day. The Green Party has considered the Ile du Fleurs as a secure election, as they still maintain a favourable position, having won the most recent elections with incumbent Governor Mary Shuvell, with a majority 64% of the vote at a 71% voter turnout.

There are three independence oriented political parties; The Free Galaria Party, Le Parti de la Liberté (Freedom Party) and Kingdom of Flowers Party. As of 2019, the three parties have formed a joint coalition in order to not separate independence voters.

Imperial Status

The Ile du Fleurs is an Imperial Territory of Rhodevus. With an Imperial status, portions of the Ile du Fleurs are considered autonomous or semi-autonomous regions. Autonomous zones make up 25% of the Ile du Fleurs land area and are home to the three largest Fleurian cities. Semi-autonomous regions consist of 15% of the land area with the remaining 60% considered federal territory.

While the Fleurian government has jurisdiction over the entire island, the federal government has the final say in all actions done outside the Ile du Fleur's autonomous regions.

Military and Military Bases

The Ile du Fleurs is commonly referred to as one of the most heavily fortified places in Sunalaya. This is due to the massive international military presence on the island, thanks to multiple treaties and agreements with nations to allow for the establishment of military bases on the island. There are four primary military bases; two operated by Rhodevus, one by the Rhodeve Commonwealth and one by Aznazia. Smaller facilities and bases surround nearly the entire island as well.

Other nations with bases on the island include Belantica, Romaikos and Kiez.

All bases have access to docks to house and maintain ships of various sizes, while larger bases also possess runways. Smaller bases like the Romaikos Base is allowed to use the runway in the nearby Rhodeve base for its planes.

Economy

Transport and infrastructure

The Ile du Fleurs has a comprehensive transportation system, with access for ships, cars and planes to reach the island. Stanton Airport in Braughtin Bay and Boundary Bay Airport in Boundary Bay City are the two international airports on the island, with Boundary Bay Airport being the most trafficked one. There are multiple port cities for cruise ships and civilian vessels to dock at, all with required customs offices for international travellers. The Fleurian-Athabaskan Bridge allows cars, trucks and trains to cross the Galarian Straight into the Ile du Fleurs from Makenzie and Athabaska. There is also a foot-path and bike-path to allow people to cross without motorized transport.

The Fleurian-Stiuran Tunnel, built in 1954 and completed in 2000 connects the island to Dormill and Stiura. It allows for cars and trucks to pass between the country and territory.

The IdF transit board operates a fleet of electric busses which transport people to each of the major cities and towns, while city busses allow for travel within a given city. The Fleurian train system circles the island, moving passengers and cargo from the docks to other cities. It is connected to the Fleurian-Athabaskan Bridge to allow for imports and exports to the country.

Taxis are available in the Ile du Fleurs, with travel apps also gaining traction.

There are four highways which connect the Ile du Fleurs, all built in the 1930s.

Flights from Rhodevus mainland to the Ile du Fleurs cost 300 NSD per person for rhodeve citizens. The majority of the air travel costs are covered by the Rhodeve government in order to promote intranational tourism. This has become useful for Rhodeve tourists as well, who fly cheap to Ile du Fleurs and then on to their destination country.

Energy

Energy Breakdown 2019

The Ile du Fleurs has a wide variety of potential sources for energy, including some of Rhodevus's only usable natural gas reserves. Until the 1970s, oil and coal made up the vast majority of Fleurian energy usage, reaching peak use of 84% in 1959. Following the Coal Reduction Proposal in 1964, which requested of the Rhodeve government to pass a law to mandate the reduction of coal usage in the territory, coal use fell steadily. The final coal plant on the island was shut down in 1999.

Renewable resources, primarily wind and solar became extremely popular since the 1980s, seeing increased use year after year. After the Solar Act was passed in 2003 which recommended the placement of solar panels on all newly constructed houses, residential solar use has remained high. Large industrial battery farms are located in Suioex Vonn and Cushaeux to maintain power at peak demand hours.

The Green Party has maintained their election promise to run entirely on renewable resourced by 2025. They are currently ahead of schedule, with plans to shut down the remaining two oil-fueled electricity generation plants in 2020 and 2021.

Culture

Holidays

Bealau Day

Bealau Day is a holiday celebrated annually on October 18. It marks the signing of the treaty of Brembont between Gustav Baelau and the Galarian monarchy, allowing for greater religious tolerance in the kingdom. The holiday is usually celebrated with a large festival and a half day at school.

Independence Day/Unity Day

Celebrated on the fifth of May, this holiday commemorates Rhodevus's independence. In the Ile du Fleurs, it is more often referred to as Unity Day rather than Independence Day due to political and historical controversies. The day is marked by parades, the full day off from school and work, as well as fireworks.

New Year's Day

Celebrated on December 31st and January 1st, New Year's day is two days off school and work.

Reuben Day

Reuben Day commemorates the first king of Rhodevus and is celebrated on the first Monday of September. The school year all across Rhodevus begins on the Tuesday following Reuben Day.

King's Day/Queen's Day

Celebrated twice every year; on June 10 (King's Day) and December 10 (Queen's Day). These days commemorate the ascension of past kings and queens, and according to tradition, these are the only days that a king or queen may truly be named the monarch. The holidays are celebrated with a full day off school and work. The June date holds festivals and outdoor celebration, as well as is the starting point to many summer festivals. The December is much quieter and is mainly seen as just a day off work/school.

Art

Art in the Ile du Fleurs is often broken down into periods and styles, such as the Ruzkovian Period, Bertolvian Period and Arnulfian Period. The Galaric style of art is the most famous and can be seen in paintings into the modern day.

A recreation of the Dua Gama tapestry

Ruzkovian Period artwork tends of focus on animals and spirits; often in multicolored tapestries or on painted canvas. One of the only completed tapestries remaining from this period is called the 'Dua Gama'. It has a faded image of an old nature spirit carrying an unfastened collar. While the actual tapestry can be seen in the Museum of Killon, representations have been made of the Dua Gama and can be bought all around the Ile du Fleurs. Art historians have recreated the Dua Gama using the same tools and techniques of the time and have discovered that when first made the tapestry was primarily green and black, with red sap binding it together.

Bertolvian Period artwork is commonly associated with scenes of people, often standing upright or bending at awkward angles.

Most medieval artwork comes from the Arnulfian Period, from 1213-1380. There are paintings, murals, stained glass, mosaic and sculptures from this era.

The Galaric style of painting has its roots in the Arnulfian Period, and can be seen all around Ventismar. Art is done in a circular format, so that the focal point is in the middle of the piece, with objects of lesser importance further to the outside of the circle. It is now common to find bowls and plates with Galaric style artwork, but the inside of domes of churches and archways all around the Ile du Fleurs are painted with this style.

Philosophy and literature

Fleurian literature, more commonly known as Galarian literature or Galarian folklore is widespread and common, thanks to the two major publishing houses on the island as well as the people's unique and diverse culture. During the middle ages, dozens of fairy tales were written in order to promote specific behaviours and beliefs among its people. The most well known of these fairy tales is 'The Kitten' (trans. La Chaton Fille), believed to be written originally in the early 1330s by a priest named Gaétan Pinchon. This however was just the first known version of the fairy tale, with many historians believing that Pinchon's version was a rewritten and modernized version of a story from even earlier. Since the Pinchonite version, it has been copied and rewritten numerous times with the most famous being published in 1583 by a Rezuan scholar named Adalbert Pracht.

Once in the village of Piquéon, there lived a woman most wanted in the lands. Many a lord and noble were turned away at her door with gifts of flowers and song and poetry. In a late summer's day, the woman so wanted announced that she shall be married to the one who can open the front door with the key around her cat's neck.

So suitors from the East and suitors from the North came and they went. The greatest hunters and trappers. The wisest of scholars. The ennobled knights and proud princes. All ventured forth to the village of Piquéon to find and capture this cat. The hunters and trappers swept through the forests and grasslands, reading the leaves and pawprints. Leaving traps behind to capture the kitten. They chased and tracked and trailed the kitten, only for it to overcome and outrun them. The greatest hunters and trappers left the village of Piquéon with their heads hung low, unable to capture the kitten.

The wisest of scholars read their books and studied kittens. For them, they waited in the sunniest spots in the village of Piquéon. They waited for cool days, when the sun's warm rays would entice the kitten to them. For then, they could pounce when the kitten is tired and weakened. And for once, the cat did come. But none were able to ensnare the kitten. The wisest scholars left the village of Piquéon with their heads hung low, unable to capture the kitten.

The ennobled knights and proud lords would find the kitten. They would command the kitten to follow them. To hand over the key to the most wanted woman's front door. But that kitten, being a kitten, did no such thing. As the ennobled knights and proud lords commanded and called, the kitten would play and eat and run. And once again, the ennobled knights and proud lords left the village of Piquéon with their heads hung low, unable to capture the kitten.

In the village of Piquéon, a young man, a farmer of the fields lived. With no great skill at the hunt, or wealth of the mind, or riches of the world lived. Tending to his fields, he watched each day as hunters and scholars and lords chased and prodded a kitten. As the kitten ran and grew tired of the events of the day, evading suitors, much like her owner, the young man took pity on the kitten and left some food from his table on his porch and went to sleep.

The next morning, the food was gone and the kitten was not in sight. And so he tended his meager fields, and watched as trappers and scholars and knights chased and prodded the kitten. Again he took pity and left food from his table on his porch. And the kitten appeared, and so he let her inside and fed her food off his table and cleaned the dirt from her fur. And then the kitten would leave.

As the men of the many lands surrounding the village of Piquéon worked tiredly to catch and capture the kitten, the young farmer would feed her and clean her and pet her. And when the hunters and trappers, scholars, knights and lords left, heads hung low, the kitten would spend the night in the farmer's home. And in the morning, left a key on the young man's pillow.

Believing the kitten to have left it by mistake, he went forth to the woman most wanted's home and unlocked her front door. In doing so, he won the heart of the woman, by winning the heart of her kitten. And by Autumn's end, the young farmer and most wanted woman were married.

— Adalbert Pracht, La Chaton Fille

Other famous fairy tales include 'La Fille de la Taille d'une Fleur' (trans. The Girl the Size of a Flower) written by Augustine DeChoise in 1464 (earliest version unknown), 'Le Poisson et l'Âne' (trans. The Fish and the Donkey) and 'Le Cercueil en Verre' (trans. The Glass Coffin) both written by Septimus Bartholemew Rivier in 1527 and 1529 respectively. The earliest known version of each predate the Ruzkonian conquests in 622 CE and are considered among the oldest known fairy tales in Ventismar.

Sport

The largest sport in the Ile du Fleurs is football (soccer). Other popular sports include ice hockey and Bontwa; both national sports of Rhodevus.

Cuisine

Fleurian cuisine is mostly predominantly comprised of seafood and fruits. Species like the sardine, Lutetian mackerel, tuna, and the Ventismarien hake are important for the Fleurian commercial capture fisheries. Other, widely used species in Fleurian cuisine is the cod, known in the Ile du Fleurs as morue. Salt cod has been produced for at least 500 years, since the time of the Ventismarien discoveries. Before refrigeration, there was a need to preserve the codfish; drying and salting are ancient techniques to keep many nutrients and the process makes the codfish tastier.

World Heritage Sites

Arch of the Fallen, located in Arch of the Fallen National Park, Ile du Fleurs. Built between circa 845 and 830 BCE

There are fourteen world heritage sites in the Ile du Fleurs; the most famous being the Arch of the Fallen. Each heritage site is a major tourist attraction for the island, as well as a vital piece of information regarding pre-medieval and medieval civilization on the island.

Bousson Flooded Temple, located in Arch of the Fallen National Park, Ile du Fleurs. Built circa 1550 BCE

The Arch of the Fallen National Park was set up in 1902 in order to preserve the monument and the surrounding area from land development and trespassers. It is the only national park in the Ile du Fleurs, and holds three other world heritage sites not including the Arch of the Fallen.

The Bousson Flooded Temple is also located in the Arch of the Fallen National Park. It predates the Arch of the Fallen by about 700 years and is considered one of the megaliths of Neolithic Ventismar. Made out of carefully carved stone, it is an submerged open-air temple which is now filled with water, creating a swamp inside the structure. Water most likely entered the temple through eroding the walls on the western side, and slowly filling up due to groundwater and rainwater. Multiple plans have been made since 1930 to pump out the water to allow for closer excavation and research, but all attempts have failed due to public backlash. The most recent scrapped plan was in 2002.

There are currently four species of fish and two species of bird which made the Bousson Flooded Temple their home during mating season or year-round.

The Castle of Callway is located in the Arch of the Fallen National Park, near to the town of Callway. The castle is one of many castles around the islands which date back to the early Bertolvian dynasty.

The Ancient City of Bujj takes up 145 acres, although only 15 acres have been explored and are open to the public. It is also located in the Arch of the Fallen National Park. The ancient city dates back to xxxx BCE.

Controversies

Independence

Since the Ile du Fleurs was first annexed by the Republic of Rhodevus in 1721, the island's inhabitants have had thoughts of independence. Independence movements have changed since the 18th century, which had hoped to restore the Kingdom of Galaria. Now, independence-hopefuls are split on the issue, with some favouring a return to monarchy, others a republic and others still a mixture of the two in the form of a constitutional monarchy or Rubininian style monarchy. Thoughts of a communist or socialist Galaria were abundant from the 1950s through 1980s, but have since died down, following the War of Flowers.

Every second year, a referendum is held to determine if independence is supported by the people of the Ile du Fleurs. Based on the results of the 2018 referendum, only 12.86% of the population (62% voter turnout) supports calls for independence. A larger share of residents support closer ties with Rhodevus, by becoming a full province or an Imperial province, rather than an Imperial territory.

Imperial Territory Status

The Rhodeve government has maintained the Ile du Fleurs as an Imperial Territory, instead of granting them provincial or Imperial provincial status, even with growing calls for an elevation in national status. Concerns have been brought up that the federal government does not wish to relinquish its hold over the island as a territory, as this allows them to continue building and renting out military bases on federal land, which makes up 75% of the island's land area.

The federal government however, cites the need to open up the nation's constitution to amend the Ile du Fleur's status into that of a province or Imperial province. The government believes that opening up the constitution could also force Rhodevus's hand in granting the island independence as an opening of the constitution is also needed for this to take place.

Military Bases

The Fleurian government and the Rhodeve federal government have been at odds over distribution of rental fees for international military bases and military stationed on the island. At present, there is an 85-15 split between the Rhodeve and Fleurian governmentas, due to all military bases being located on federally controlled land. The federal government has repeatedly told the Governor's Council that it stands by the current distribution of rent, as it is entitled to 100% of the profits of federally controlled lands, but is generous enough to allow the territory's government to receive 15% of the profits. The Fleurian government believes the split should be at minimum 60-40 between Rhodevus and the Ile du Fleurs as it is Fleurian land being utilized which changes the effects of tourism, agriculture and other important economic interests for the autonomous portion of the island.

The Supreme Court Cases; Rhodevus v. Flowers in 1962 and Rhodevus v. Fleurs in 1994 issued that the current distribution of profits is legal under Rhodeve law and more so an issue of economics than law.

External links

• Rhodevus's NationStates web page