This article belongs to the lore of Kouralia.
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{{wip}}
| style="background: #990000; height: 0.8em; border-bottom:1px solid #947676;" colspan=2 |
 
|-
{{Infobox country
| style="font-size:140%; text-align: center; font-size:2em; padding:0.4em 0em 0.4em 0em;" colspan=2 | <big>'''The Royal Union of Kouralia'''</big><br />
|conventional_long_name = Crown Union of Kouralia
|-
|native_name = Kyneslyyt aþe’Kuuralya
|-
|common_name = Kouralia
| style="background: #003398; height: 0.8em; border-top: 1px solid #947676; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCD2D9;" colspan=2 |
|image_flag = Kouralian Flag.png
|-  
|alt_flag =  
| style="padding:10px; text-align:center; align:center; width:50%;" colspan=2| [[File: Kouralian Flag.png |250px|center|border|Flag of the Royal Union]]
|image_flag2 =       <!--e.g. Second-flag of country.svg-->
|- class="mergedrow"
|alt_flag2 =          <!--alt text for second flag-->
| style="padding:4px; text-align:center; font-size:90%; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCD2D9;" colspan=2| Flag of the Royal Union
|image_coat = Kouralian CoA.png
|- class="mergedrow"  
|alt_coat =  
| style="padding:4px; text-align:center;" colspan=2|  '''{{wp|National anthem|Anthem}}'''<br><i>Heart of Red</i>  
|symbol_type = Coat of Arms
|- class="mergedrow"
|national_motto = <br>''"Þeri Kuunya Y'Meye Kyne"''<br><small>([[High Kouralian]])</small><br>"''For Honour and Our Crown''"<br><small>({{wpl|English language|Mystrian Common}})</small>
| style="padding:4px; text-align:center; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCD2D9;" colspan=2| '''{{wp|Motto|National Words}}'''<br><i>Þeri Onore, Gyustysia ont Þe Curune</i>  
|national_anthem =
|-
|royal_anthem =      <!--in italics (double quotemarks) and wikilinked if link exists-->
! style="padding-left: 0.8em;" | {{wp|Capital City}}
|other_symbol_type = <!--Use if a further symbol exists, e.g. hymn-->
| Kurton
|other_symbol =
|-
|image_map =
! style="padding-left: 0.8em; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCD2D9;" | {{wp|City|Largest City}}
|alt_map =           <!--alt text for map-->
| style="border-bottom: 1px solid #CCD2D9;" |  Chyricfriþyning
|map_caption =
|-
|image_map2 =        <!--Another map, if required-->
! style="padding-left: 0.8em;" | {{wp|Ethnic group}}
|alt_map2 =           <!--alt text for second map-->
| Human 82.5%<br>Fae 18.5%
|map_caption2 =       <!--Caption to place below second map-->
|-
|capital = [[Kurton]]
! style="padding-left: 0.8em;" | {{wp|National language|Languages}}
|largest_city = Chyricfriþyning
| {{wp|English language|English}}<br>[[High Kouralian]]
|official_languages = [[High Kouralian]], {{wpl|English language|Mystrian Common}}
|-
|national_languages = <!--Country/territory-wide languages recognised but not necessarily in country/territory-wide law, etc-->
! style="padding-left: 0.8em;border-bottom: 1px solid #CCD2D9;" | {{wp|Demonym|Demonym}}
|regional_languages =  
| style="border-bottom: 1px solid #CCD2D9;" | Kouralian
|languages_type =     <!--Use to specify a further type of language, if not official, national or regional-->
|- class="mergedrow"
|languages =         <!--Languages of the further type-->
| style="padding:4px; text-align:center;" colspan=2| '''{{wp|Government|Governing Structure}}'''
|languages_sub =      <!--Is this further type of language a sub-item of the previous non-sub type? ("yes" or "no")-->
|- class="mergedrow"
|languages2_type =   <!--Another further type of language-->
| style="text-align:center;" colspan=2| <small>Bicameral Westminster-Style Constitutional Monarchy</small>
|languages2 =         <!--Languages of this second further type-->
|- class="mergedrow"
|languages2_sub =    <!--Is the second alternative type of languages a sub-item of the previous non-sub type? ("yes" or "no")-->
| style="padding-left: 1.2em;" | <i>Queen</i> || Alyxandra Campbell
|ethnic_groups =  
|- class="mergedrow"
|ethnic_groups_year =  
| style="padding-left: 1.2em;" | <i>[[Capoðaine aþe’Gyustycyaras|Captain of Justiciars]]</I> || Sir Barynel Caeryn
|demonym = Kouralian
|- class="mergedrow"
|government_type = {{wp|Constitutional monarchy|Constitutional}} parliamentary federal monarchy
| style="padding-left: 1.2em;" | <i>[[Cambhyt aþe’Gyustycyaras|Justiciars' Court]]</I> ||
|leader_title1 = [[Kynessym Kantaasym|Crownbearer]]
|- class="mergedrow"  
|leader_name1 = [[Sir Alyxandra Camhoayl]]
| style="padding-left: 1.2em;" | <i>Noble Assembly</I> ||  
|leader_title2 = [[Crown Captain of Justiciars]]
|- class="mergedrow"
|leader_name2 = [[Sir Barynel Cæryn]]
| style="padding-left: 1.2em; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCD2D9;" | <i>Kouralian Senate</I> || style="border-bottom: 1px solid #CCD2D9;" |
<!--......-->
|-
|leader_title6 =      <!--(up to six distinct leaders may be included)-->
! style="vertical-align:top; padding-left: 0.8em;" | {{wp|Population|Population}}
|leader_name6 =
|- class="mergedrow"
|legislature =  
| style="padding-left: 1.2em;" | Total (2015 Est.) || 1,079,000,000
|upper_house = [[Senate of Kurton]]
|- class="mergedbottomrow"
|lower_house = Noble Assembly
| style="padding-left: 1.2em;" | Increase || 0.6% per year
|sovereignty_type = Formation
|- class="mergedrow"
|sovereignty_note =
| style="padding-left: 1.2em;" | Total Area || 3,510,721 {{wp|Square kilometre|km2}}
|established_event1 = Foundation of [[Kurton]]
|- class="mergedbottomrow"
|established_date1 = ~750 <small>{{wp|Common Era|BCE}}</small>
| style="padding-left: 1.2em; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCD2D9;" | Population density || style="border-bottom: 1px solid #CCD2D9;" | 307.3 per km2
|established_event2 = Re-unification of Kurton & Altonia
|-
|established_date2 = 1816 <small>{{wp|Common Era|CE}}</small>
! style="padding-left: 0.8em;" | {{wp|Calendar date#date format|Date}}
|established_event3 = End of Millennial War
| dd/mm/yyyy
|established_date3 = May 2001 <small>{{wp|Common Era|CE}}</small>
|-
|established_event4 = Restoration of the Crown
! style="padding-left: 0.8em;" | {{wp|ITU-T|Dialing Code}}
|established_date4 = 2002 <small>{{wp|Common Era|CE}}</small>
| +319
|area_rank =
|-
|area_magnitude =
! style="padding-left: 0.8em;" | {{wp|Country code top-level domain|Internet TLD}}
|area =              <!--Major area size (in [[Template:convert]] either km2 or sqmi first)-->
| .Kour
|area_km2 = 8,094,000
|}
|area_sq_mi = 3,125,000
|area_footnote =      (4 {{wp|Significant figures|s.f.}})
|percent_water = 2.32%
|area_label = Total
|area_label2 =        <!--Label below area_label (optional)-->
|area_data2 =         <!--Text after area_label2 (optional)-->
|population_estimate =  
|population_estimate_rank =
|population_estimate_year =
|population_census = 746,419,440
|population_census_year = 2017
|population_density_km2 = 92.2
|population_density_sq_mi = 238.9
|population_density_rank =  
|GDP_PPP = $34.76 Trillion
|GDP_PPP_rank =
|GDP_PPP_year = 2018
|GDP_PPP_per_capita = $46,565
|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank =
|GDP_nominal = $26 Trillion
|GDP_nominal_rank =
|GDP_nominal_year = 2018
|GDP_nominal_per_capita = $34,843
|GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank =  
|Gini = 35.9
|Gini_change = increase
|Gini_ref =                    <!--(for any ref/s to associate with Gini number)-->
|Gini_rank =
|Gini_year = 2018
|HDI = 0.892
|HDI_change = steady
|HDI_ref =                    <!--(for any ref/s to associate with HDI number)-->
|HDI_rank =
|HDI_year = 2018
|currency = [[Kouralian Kætſya|Kætſya]] (Ꞣ)
|currency_code = <code>KKY</code>  
|time_zone = (Mystrian Far Western)
|utc_offset =        <!--in the form "+N", where N is number of hours offset-->
|time_zone_DST =  
|utc_offset_DST =    <!--in the form "+N", where N is number of hours offset-->
|DST_note =          <!--Optional note regarding DST use-->
|antipodes =          <!--Place/s exactly on the opposite side of the world to country/territory-->
|date_format = dd.mm.yyyy
|drives_on = left
|cctld = .ku
|iso3166code = KRA
|calling_code = +379
|image_map3 =         <!--Optional third map position, e.g. for use with reference to footnotes below it-->
|alt_map3 =          <!--alt text for third map position-->
|footnote_a =        <!--For any footnote <sup>a</sup> used above-->
|footnote_b =         <!--For any footnote <sup>b</sup> used above-->
<!--......-->
|footnote_h =        <!--For any footnote <sup>h</sup> used above-->
|footnotes =          <!--For any generic non-numbered footnotes-->
}}
 
'''Kouralia''' ([[High Kouralian]]: ''Kuuralya''), also known as the '''Crown Union of Kouralia''' (''Kyneslyyt aþe’Kuuralya''), is a {{wp|Human|human-majority}} {{wp|Sovereign state|nation-state}} located in Western [[Mystria]], straddling the Hobbiest Straits.  Kouralia consists of two main areas of land with one on each side of the Hobbiest Straits - the Kouralian Homelands sits on the southern coast of Norstralia, while the Kouralian Farlands stretch from the Hobbiest and Ceffytlirian Peninsulae to the Harvest Sea on Borealia. Approximately 60% of the population of Kouralia resides in the Kourlalian Homelands, which is bounded by the [[Hobbiest Straits]] to the South and the [[Gulf of Ino]] to the East and North as well as having land borders with [[Hippocratia]] and [[Fortuna]] to the WestThe North Coast of the Kouralian Farlands stretches from the Hobbiest Straits to the [[Harvest Sea]], along with having a West coast on the [[Cambreth Sea]].  Most of the land borders to the Kouralian Far Lands are to the magic-blasted wastelands of the [[Forynthry]].  The total area of Kouralia is 3,125,000 square miles.
 
Kouralia is a {{wp|Federation|federal}}, [[Inanimatocratic|inanimatocratic]] {{wp|Constitutional monarchy|constitutional monarchy}}The {{wp|Head of state|head of state}}, called the [[Kynessym Kantaasym|Crownbearer]] is primarily a figurehead with some key constitutional powers.  The Crownbearer is currently [[Sir Alyxandra Camhoayl]]. who has reigned since the restitution of the monarchy in 2002 after the [[Millennial War]]. Kouralia's {{wp|Head of government|head of government}} is the [[Crown Captain of Justiciars]], currently [[Sir Barynel Cæryn]].  Kouralia's [[Central Coronial Government (Kouralia)|Central Coronial Government]] is predominently based in its capitol city of [[Kurton]] in the Kouralian Homelands.
 
Kouralia is divided up into twenty one regions, each led by a directly-elected Governor and with various devolved powers subordinate to the national government. Kouralia also has an {{wp|Extraterritoriality|extraterritorial}} {{wp|Enclave and exclave|semi-exclave}} in the [[Malgrave|United Kingdom of Malgrave]] called Progress Hill which includes a  military installation as well as other land.
 
Kouralia's population is one with a sizeable human majority, though there are minority populations of both indigenous werewolves, Fei Folk, and undead, and also of immigrant species such as Ponies, Beastlings, and Elves.  Magic use is rare in the nation, and heavily regulated due to historical fears of a Thaumocracy or Feiviocracy.  It has never approached the prevalence of other nearby states such as [[D'hɑlbrisir]].
 
Kouralia has a {{wp|World Bank high-income economy|High-Income Economy}} with a high {{wp|Human Development Index|Human Development Index rating}}.  Its economy is based largely on services, though the nation does have sizeable manufacturing and production sectors. Whilst the nation is the foremost power in Western Mystria, it is comparable to many other states from the Dragon Sea and Continental Mystria in terms of {{wp|Soft power|soft}} and {{wp|Hard power|hard power}}, leaving it generally as a {{wp|Middle power|middle power}} in the region.  It is a recognised nuclear power, and is a member of the [[Gryningsvägen Alliansen]] and [[Coalition of Ponyist States]].
 
==Etymology==


The '''Royal Union of Kouralia''' is a large nation located in the Northern [[Pony Lands]] (''Alogoledas'' in [[High Kouralian]]), straddling the straits between the continents of Norstralia and Borealia.  Like many nations within the [[Pony Lands]] and [[Mystria]], it has supernatural elements to it, and both magicusers and non-humans are prevalent within its borders.  Unlike most nations in the Pony Lands however, Kouralia is the only large human-majority power.
The common name for the Crown Union, '''Kouralia''' is a {{wp|Anglicisation|Commonisation}} of the [[High Kouralian]] name for the Norstralian peninsula that makes up the Kouralian Homelands.  This phrase, '''Kuuralya''' is an evolution of the [[High Kouralian#Old Kouralian|Old Kouralian]] Adjective ''Karus'' and noun ''Ala'', which respectively mean ''Beloved'' and ''Wing''.  The '''Nyemynys Kuuralya''' or ''Kouralian Peninsula'', is therefore the ''Peninsula of the Beloved Wing''.  It is believed that this term originated from a romanticised myth that the peninsula was the wing of a great primordial beast which stretched out and separated the [[Gulf of Ino]] from the [[Hobbiest Straits]].


Kouralia is a {{wp|Federation|federal}} {{wp|Constitutional monarchy|constitutional monarchy}} ruled by both the Crown as head of state, and the [[Crown Captain of Justiciars|Captain of Justiciars]] as head of government.  While the Crown holds absolute Executive Power, its powers are delegated to different institutions to ensure that no one branch of government holds absolute power.
The Kouralian capital city of '''Kurton''' shares a similar etymology as the ''Beloved City''.


==History==
==History==
[[Image:WIki Ancient Kurtonian Architecture.jpg|thumb|300px|left|Artist's impression of BCE Kurtonian civic complex]]
''See Also: [[History of Kouralia]]''
For many millennia the [[Kouralian Peninsula]] had been populated by human beings, fae and demi-fae.  However, despite there being a multitude of states extant on the peninsula in its history, the only ones which are regarded as 'predecessors' to the Second Royal Union are those with the city of Kurton as its capitalOther states generally were originally subsumed as Imperial Provinces, before becoming part of Kouralia proper rather than seen as separate administrative districts.
===Kouralian Prehistory===
[[Image:Kour Megalithic Tomb.png|thumb|300px|Example of Pre-Historical Kouralian {{wp|Megalith|Megalithic}} Tomb]]
The oldest discovered traces of human life on the Kouralian peninsula date to between one and two million years {{wp|Common Era|BCE}}, and reflect a primarily hunter-gatherer lifestyle throughout and before the {{wp|Stone Age}}, before moving to a predominantly agricultural society in the {{wp|Neolithic}} era between 7,000 BCE and 3,500 BCE.  Between the third millennium BCE and the last millenium BCE, the peninsula went through the {{wp|Bronze Age}}.  This was characterised by tribal social groups of growing complexity and hierarchy, an increased scale of agriculture resulting in forest clearances and human change to the environment, and both trade and emigration of material and peoples across and between the West Mystrian continents.  On the main Kouralian Peninsula, the {{wp|Iron Age}} represented the end of Pre- and Proto-Historical Kouralia until the start of the local {{wp|Historiography|historiographical record}} in 511 BCE when the [[Senate of Kurton]] commissioned a written account of the history of Kurton that dated the formal foundation of the Senate to 753 BCE. 
 
There had been evidence of human occupation of the Reðuynyc River Valley in general and Kurton in particular from as early as 10,000BCE, and prior to the formal creation of the Senate as a governing body over the federation of tribes and villages in the immediate area there were various settled groups that made up the area.  In the time before the [[Kurtonic Histories]], years were dated according to the nominated Captain of the Senate for that period.  However, after the Histories was completed in 510 BCE the Senate embarked on an effort to reestablish a calendar based on the year since the foundation of Kurton - decreeing the current year to be 244 AS, or Aastæ Senaati'astuma (''Year of the Senate's Founding'').
===Classical Kouralia===
[[Image:WIki Ancient Kurtonian Architecture.jpg|thumb|300px|left|Artist's impression of the Classical Kurtonian civic complex]]
For the latter century of the Captaincy Dating Period, '''The City of Kurton''' participated in the [[Reðuynyc League]] confederation with a number of other local tribes and villages.  In its early stages, this was clearly led by the city of Rheðuyn, the pre-eminent local polity.  However, between 513 & 511 BCE the growing influence of Kurton resulted in a number of conflicts between Kurtonyc- and Reðuynyc-aligned camps that resulted in the sacking of Rheðuyn. Having commissioned the Kurtonic Histories in celebration of their victory, the next five years saw Kurton annexe or setablish protectorates over much of the remainder of the league.  By 501 BCE these groups had representation in the [[Senate of Kurton]], and modern Historians regard the 5th century BCE as the start of the Republic of Kurton, or the '''First Republic of Kouralia'''.
 
Kurton's power and influence grew rapidly during the ensuing period until it had established direct control over almost a quarter of the entire Kouralian Peninsula, stretching from the [[Gulf of Ino#Ino Straits|Ino Straits]] to parts of the modern region of Cofyledas.  Much of this rapid growth is attributed to a synergy of purpose with local [[Feivienas|Fei-Folk]] such as nature spirits whose innate understanding of [[Thaumistry|magic]] lent great power to the diplomats and soldiers of the city.  Whilst the Fei-folk themselves generally showed little interest in temporal power, their influence and importance to the strategy of Kurton resulted in a great rise in the importance of the priestly class that had responsibility for liaison between them and the city's secular governmentIn 109 BCE this situation resulted in the [[Æhrycreda|Æhrycredan]] High Priest, the ''Oyðelcyniin'', becoming the de-facto absolute leader of the Kouralian State.


The first example of a predecessor state to the current '''Second Royal Union of Kouralia''' is regarded as the republican City of Kurton which was founded in the 8th Century BCE, probably around 750 BCEAt the mouth of what is today the Reðuynyc River within the fertile Reðuynyc Valley, the City of Kurton was more-or-less protected from extreme outside aggression, and had sufficient abundance of resources to expand in magnificenceIn the 4th century BCE a war between the City of Kurton and fellow neighbouring states of the [[Kouralian League]] {{wp|Defense pact}} engaged in a 'civil war', predominantly to decide which between Kurton and the city of Rheðuyn would lead the league.  In 338 BCE Kurtonian soldiers sacked Rheðuyn and the other states of the League were absorbed into the Kouralian Republic.  Over the next 200 years the territory of the Republic expanded greatly and it rapidly became the foremost power in its area of the peninsula.  In 120 BCE the rising power of the appointed high priest over the last two centuries saw the ostensibly Senate-appointed Oylacunin, or 'Noble King' of the {{wp|Pagan}} Kouralian religion be de facto the absolute ruler of Kouralia.
Over the next three hundred years this relationship was cemented with the Senate acting purely as an advisory body for the Oyðelcyniin, or ''Noble King'', of the Collegyſsym SacræAll of the Senate's responsibility to approve the nomination of a new Oyðelcyniin from amongst the members of the Collegyſsym Sacræ was gone, and the ''Noble King'' now exerted full control of the City Treasury and LegionsEcclesiocratic rule ended in the 3rd century CE following the [[Imerian Invasion of Kouralia|Imerian Invasion]] when the Commander of the Armies of the North, Sebastos Camhaoil deposed him and became the first secular King of Kouralia.


This theocratic rule ceased after the Imerian Invasion in the 3rd Century CE when Sebastos Camhaoil, Commander of the Armies of the North, deposed the last Æðelcyning and became High King of Kurton.
===Medieval Kouralia===
<code> > SECTION INCOMPLETE < </code>


As Kouralia expanded and the beliefs of its religion developed and experienced a reformation, conflicts occurred.  Due to the close links between the Kouralian Church and the political power, the eventual schism resulted in a splitting of the Kouralian Empire into two nations by 1071: the Eastern Kingdom of Kurton and the Western Altonian Empire.  Between 1200 and the 1680s the power of Kurton waned on in their Homelands, but grew in the Southern continent of Borealia where established trading settlements had grown to be provinces in their own right, and militantly expanded all the way to the borders of Discord's Realm in the South.  In the late 18th century expansionist Kurtonian policy saw non-aligned nations within the Homelands becoming protectorates, puppet states, and finally provinces of the Kurtonian Empire while Altonia similarly conducted an attempt to prevent non-aligned states from being subsumed into Kurton's hegemony.
As Kouralia expanded and the beliefs of its religion developed and experienced a reformation, conflicts occurred.  Due to the close links between the Kouralian Church and the political power, the eventual schism resulted in a splitting of the Kouralian Empire into two nations by 1071: the Eastern Kingdom of Kurton and the Western Altonian Empire.  Between 1200 and the 1680s the power of Kurton waned on in their Homelands, but grew in the Southern continent of Borealia where established trading settlements had grown to be provinces in their own right, and militantly expanded all the way to the borders of Discord's Realm in the South.  In the late 18th century expansionist Kurtonian policy saw non-aligned nations within the Homelands becoming protectorates, puppet states, and finally provinces of the Kurtonian Empire while Altonia similarly conducted an attempt to prevent non-aligned states from being subsumed into Kurton's hegemony.
===Modern Kouralia===
<code> > SECTION INCOMPLETE < </code>


From 1790s to 1815 the invasion of Chieti by Altonia resulted in conflict between the two powers spilling out into open warfare, that concluded only with the surrender of Altonia and its absorption into the First Royal Union of Kouralia.  Kurton (and then Kouralia) continued to become more and more Constitutional in terms of the authority wielded by the Crown until in 1963 when, following an incredibly deep recession the Chief of the Opposition in the Senate (and former Chief of Military Staff) launched a successful coup and deposed the monarch and lawful government.  Immediately appointing himself temporarily 'August Father' of the nation to repurpose a historical republican title for the dictatorial commander-in-chief appointment in times of crisis, he established a faux-republican dictatorship while the surviving monarchists were either imprisoned and executed or fled to exile.
From 1790s to 1815 the invasion of Chieti by Altonia resulted in conflict between the two powers spilling out into open warfare, that concluded only with the surrender of Altonia and its absorption into the First Royal Union of Kouralia.  Kurton (and then Kouralia) continued to become more and more Constitutional in terms of the authority wielded by the Crown until in 1963 when, following an incredibly deep recession the Chief of the Opposition in the Senate (and former Chief of Military Staff) launched a successful coup and deposed the monarch and lawful government.  Immediately appointing himself temporarily 'August Father' of the nation to repurpose a historical republican title for the dictatorial commander-in-chief appointment in times of crisis, he established a faux-republican dictatorship while the surviving monarchists were either imprisoned and executed or fled to exile.
===New Coronial Kouralia===
<code> > SECTION INCOMPLETE < </code>


The Kouralian New Republic was destroyed following the Millenial War between 1998 and May 2001, resulting in the restoration of the monarchy in the new Second Royal Union of Kouralia and the execution of the new August Father: who was unsurprisingly a blood relative of the first August Father.  First brought back as a summary measure, in 2002 the newly elected and empowered Senate voted to restore new constitutional authority to the Campbell family as monarchs and bearers of the Crown's Authority.
The Kouralian New Republic was destroyed following the Millenial War between 1998 and May 2001, resulting in the restoration of the monarchy in the new Second Royal Union of Kouralia and the execution of the new August Father: who was unsurprisingly a blood relative of the first August Father.  First brought back as a summary measure, in 2002 the newly elected and empowered Senate voted to restore new constitutional authority to the Campbell family as monarchs and bearers of the Crown's Authority.
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==Geography==
==Geography==
===Location===
===Location===
<code> > SECTION INCOMPLETE < </code>
[[Image:Political Map.png|thumb|Map of Kouralia showing its place within the region]]
[[Image:Political Map.png|thumb|Map of Kouralia showing its place within the region]]
Kouralia is an immense nation with two main territories straddling both the continents of '''Norstralia''' to the North (Kouralia Proper) and '''Borealia''' to the South.  They are separated by the Hobbiest Straits, which is a major waterway for seaborne traffic between Mystria and the Southern Pony Lands.  On 'Kouralia Proper' is functionally a large peninsula which covers most of the Southern coast of the continent, and limits access to the Gulf of Ino.  That of Kouralia on Borealia broadly separates the former Celestial Empire of Harmony to the East, known as [[Forynthry#Forynthry-Oryens|Forynthry-Oryens]] in High Kouralian, and the remnants of the Hobbiest Republic Empire to the West (now [[Forynthry#Forynthry-Boreous|Forynthry-Boreous]]).  To the South is, among other nations, the wasteland formerly known as Montesardo-East Adanzi (now [[Forynthry#Forynthry-Auster|Forynthry-Auster]]), the hostile rogue state of the Realm of Discord, and Shrilland.
Kouralia is an immense nation with two main territories straddling both the continents of '''Norstralia''' to the North (Kouralia Proper) and '''Borealia''' to the South.  They are separated by the Hobbiest Straits, which is a major waterway for seaborne traffic between Mystria and the Southern Pony Lands.  On 'Kouralia Proper' is functionally a large peninsula which covers most of the Southern coast of the continent, and limits access to the Gulf of Ino.  That of Kouralia on Borealia broadly separates the former Celestial Empire of Harmony to the East, known as [[Forynthry#Forynthry-Oryens|Forynthry-Oryens]] in High Kouralian, and the remnants of the Hobbiest Republic Empire to the West (now [[Forynthry#Forynthry-Boreous|Forynthry-Boreous]]).  To the South is, among other nations, the wasteland formerly known as Montesardo-East Adanzi (now [[Forynthry#Forynthry-Auster|Forynthry-Auster]]), the hostile rogue state of the Realm of Discord, and Shrilland.
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===Climate and Terrain===
===Climate and Terrain===
<code> > SECTION INCOMPLETE < </code>
Due to the size of Kouralia, its climate and terrain varies immensely.  The islands and mainland approaching the North of the Homelands territory are very tropical alike the Caribbean.  The land below there and to the West rapidly becomes a Mediterranean climate with green rocky mountains.  Across the straits, the Borealian part of Kouralia generally has a temperate oceanic climate, though there are some Alpine areas (especially in the Mountains toward the South), and the hellscapes of [[Forynthry]] across the borders do tend to leak to an extent, and affect natural Kouralian flora and fauna in the Marches.
Due to the size of Kouralia, its climate and terrain varies immensely.  The islands and mainland approaching the North of the Homelands territory are very tropical alike the Caribbean.  The land below there and to the West rapidly becomes a Mediterranean climate with green rocky mountains.  Across the straits, the Borealian part of Kouralia generally has a temperate oceanic climate, though there are some Alpine areas (especially in the Mountains toward the South), and the hellscapes of [[Forynthry]] across the borders do tend to leak to an extent, and affect natural Kouralian flora and fauna in the Marches.
{{Gallery
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|align=center
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|File:Wiki Kouralian Mountains.jpg |<center>Sunrise over the Mountains in XYZland</center>
}}


===Administrative Divisions===
===Local Authority Government===
[[File:Kour COuncil Chamber.png|300px|thumb|Governate Assembly-Chamber of the Palatine Principality]]


==Government==
Kouralia is divided into three principal levels of administrative sub-divisions.  The largest of these is the Region, followed by the Province and then the Municipality. Each of these has responsibility for, and exercises particular responsibilities when it comes to local Government.  In spite of these local governments, Kouralia is a unitary state where central Coronial power is absolute over the constituent sub-divisions.


The Royal Union is a {{wp|Constitutional monarchy|constitutional monarchy}} of the {{wp|Westminster system|'Westminster' style}} in which the [[House of Campbell|royal family]] plays a major role in the running of the state as the physical embodiment of the Crown. As {{wp|head of state}} the monarch of Kouralia is supported by a {{wp|Separation of powers|tripartite}} government consisting of the {{wp|Executive (government)|Executive}}, {{wp|Legislature}}, and {{wp|Judiciary}}.
At each administrative division, there are four main elements to the local authority:
* The '''Local Government Executive''' is the individual personally responsible for overseeing the local government department.
* The Locak Government Executive is supported by a '''Local Executive Committee''' that is selected by the Head of Local Government and will be responsible for various delegated portfolios.
* The Local Government is held to account by a '''Local Government Assembly''' which also acts as a sub-national legislature for the purposes of any secondary legislation and various constitutional powers.
* The local government will usually be supported by various salaried staff, ranging from bureaucratic administrators to regulatory inspectors and service providers.


===Monarchy===
Most areas in Kouralia are covered by both a Province and also a Municipal Authority, both of which are subordinate to the Regional Governate.  However, some areas have started to combine the administrative responsibilities of the Province and the Municipality into a single government body referred to as the Provincial Municipality.  Provincial Municipalities tend to be areas that both require provision of Provincial-level services, but which cannot easily be divided into Municipalities or where one or the other level of government is believed to be inefficient.  This is most common in large cities, for example the [[City of Kurton Regional Province]] which is also outside of the control of any Regional Governate.  Another unique area is the [[Palatine-Principality of Rheðuyn]] which exercises the three levels of local government with special autonomy to exercise various other functions of the Coronial Authority.
''See Also: [[Kynessym Kurtonyc|Kouralian Crown]], [[Royal Households of Kouralia]]''


The [[Kynessym Kurtonyc|Crown of Kouralia]] is, on paper, the authority for all legal governance in KouraliaNominally the Crown enjoys an 'aeternal ryte' to govern as 'foremost of those crowns within this land, now and forever.' The power is vested in the Crown, not the Monarch - the current personal bearer of the crown's authority - and certain Kouralian Statutes give power for state officials to remove the reigning monarch and replace them with the next appropriate personPractically speaking most powers the crown holds are exercised by state officials, for example the Monarch's powers as the absolute arbitrating authority on criminal cases are handled by the Most Noble and Supreme Court of Kouralia while the {{wp|Royal prerogative of mercy|royal prerogative of mercy}} is usually exercised on the advice of the appropriate Juticiar.
<center>
{| border="2" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse;"
|- bgcolor="#efefef"
! width="200"|'''Ordinary Municipality''' !! width="200"|'''Provincial Municipality'''
|-
! style="align: center;" colspan="2"  | '''The Coronial Union'''
|-
! style="align: center;" colspan="2"  | '''Regional Governate'''
|-
! <div style="text-align: center;">Provincial Council</div>
| <div style="text-align: center;"></div>
|-
! <div style="text-align: center;">Municipal Authority</div>
| <div style="text-align: center;">'''Provincial Municipality'''</div>
|-
! <div style="text-align: center;">Local Ward</div>
| <div style="text-align: center;">'''Local Ward'''</div>
|-
|}
</center>
 
Regions are led by a Directly-elected '''Regional Governor''', who heads a '''Regional Governate'''.  The Governate consists of both of the full-time employees that carry out local government functions, and the '''Governate Council''' of Governate Assessors.  The Assessors are appointed by the Governor and serve until his term ends, he resigns, or they are dismissedThe people of the Region are represented by the '''Regional Assembly''' that has responsibility for scrutinising the work of the Governate, holding the Governor to account for its effectiveness and efficiency, and representing the interests of their local constituents. Governate Assessors do not have to be members of the Regional Assembly, but if they are then they must suspend voting for the length of their appointment.
 
Provinces are led by a '''Provincial Steward''' who is invariably the head of the majority party or majority coalition in the '''Provincial Assembly''', which is the corresponding sub-national legislature.  The Steward acts as the chairperson of the '''Provincial Council''', and appoints Provincial Assessors that serve at their pleasure.  The Provincial Assessors cannot be members of the Provincial Assembly, and if they accept appointment they are considered to have resigned. 
 
The Province is also overseen by the '''Provincial Prefect''' who acts as the Coronial Government's representative in the area.  They are responsible for overseeing the effectiveness and efficiency of local uniformed services, adjudicating in disputes between Local authorities, civil protection, immigration and upholding civil rights, and suspending local government officials in the event of failure to exercise their dutiesThe Provincial Prefect is a [[Coronial Officer]] who is a career [[Clerk Coronial]], usually of the 'Principal Executive Officer' grade.
 
Municipalities are led by a '''Mayor''' who is either elected by a college of the '''Municipal Aldermanry''' or, in the case of a Provincial Municipality, is directly elected by the people.  The '''Municipal Council''' consists of those Aldermen that are voted from among their number or, in the case of a Provincial Municipality, selected by the Mayor to have governing responsibility for a particular portfolio area.
 
==Central Coronial Government==
The Coronial Union is a {{wp|Constitutional monarchy|constitutional monarchy}} of the {{wp|Westminster system|'Westminster' style}}  in which the '''Crown''' has absolute legal authority.  Unlike many monarchies however, the authority is legally vested in the physical object of the Crown and the authority to exercise its various powers are vested in particular officials, referred to as the [[Coronial Wardens (Kouralia)|Coronial Wardens]]. As {{wp|head of state}} the Crownbearer of Kouralia heads a {{wp|Separation of powers|tripartite}} government consisting of the {{wp|Executive (government)|Executive}}, {{wp|Legislature}}, and {{wp|Judiciary}}, whilst being advised by the [[Crown Council (Kouralia)|Crown Council]].  The relationship between these branches of government is set out in the '''Twelve Statutes-Principal of Kurton of 2001'''.
 
===Twelve Statutes-Principal===
''See Also: [[Statutes-Principal (Kouralia)|Statutes-Principal]]''


The exercise of some powers does require a personal undertaking by the monarch, though almost always this is at the behest of the relevant state official.  Some are described below:
[[File:Government Flow Chart (Kouralia).png|300px|thumb|Relationship between the Crown (Purple) & Executive (Blue) branches of government and the Judiciary (Red) and Legislature (Green).]]
* The Monarch must declare war against any foreign sovereign state to provide the legal basis for any continuation of hostile military action against them beyond a given threshold set down in law. This is carried out on the recommendation of the Captain of Justiciars following a Senate vote.
The '''Twelve Statutes-Principal''' of the Statute of Kurton of 2001 form the {{wp|Constitution|Constitution}} of Kouralia and set out the division of Coronial authority between the three branches of Government and the person of the CrownbearerWhilst it is a core principle that any Statute made by one Senate can be amended or unmade by a subsequent Senate, the First Statute-Principal codifies the means of amending all Statutes-Principal as through the unanimous assent of the [[Coronial Wardens (Kouralia)|Coronial Wardens]]The remainder of the Statutes-Principal go on to set out the legal foundations of the Post-Republican Era of Kouralian Government, the Second Coronial Union.
* The Monarch must dissolve and reform the Senate following each general election, and must remove/approve the change of any senate seat incumbent mid-term (e.g. due to infirmity, resignation, criminality or other reasons). This power is exercised on the recommendation of the Captain of Justiciars when in general, or at the request of the Speaker of the Senate in individual cases.
* The Monarch must appoint a Captain of Justiciars who acts as Head of GovernmentThis can only be a sitting member of the Senate or Noble Assembly for a period of 5 years at a timeNotionally it can be anyone who 'commands the respect of the [Senate]', however to cause them to do so it is inevitably the head of the majority political party/coalition appointed to this post.


===Legislature===
{| class="wikitable"
[[File:New Senate Map.png|300px|thumb|Senate composition [[2017 Cæryn Captaincy|post-election]] {{legend|#E6AC00|Ba'C: 244 seats}} {{legend|#0000E6|Blue Nationals: 55 seats}} {{legend|#E60000|Red Nationals: 94 seats}} {{legend|#00B359|Popular Levellers: 48 seats}} {{legend|#990000|Popular Unionists: 41 seats}} {{legend|#FFFF00|Libertarian Party: 8 seats}} {{legend|#E6E6FF|Altonia Afore: 5 seats}} {{legend|#006600|Chietan Indep.: 1 seats}} {{legend|#B8B894|Independents: 4 seats}} ]]
|-
''See Also: [[Senate of Kurton]]''
! Statute-Principal
! Title
! Statute-Principal
! Title
|-
| 1st
| On Statutes-Principal, and Amendment Thereof
| 7th
| On the Crownbearer, and the Authority Thereof
|-
| 2nd
| On Citizens & Residents, and Duties Thereof
| 8th
| On the Crown Council, and the Authority Thereof
|-
| 3rd
| On Citizens & Residents, and Rights Hearth
| 9th
| On the Crown Court, and the Authority Thereof
|-
| 4th
| On Citizens & Residents, and Rights Abroad
| 10th
| On the Speakers-President, and the Authority Thereof
|-
| 5th
| On Feikind and Not, and Relations Betwixt
| 11th
| On the Prince-Justice, and the Authority Thereof
|-
| 6th
| On the Crown, and the Authority Thereof
| 12th
| On the Crown-Captain, and the Authority Thereof
|}
 
===Crown===
''See Also: [[Kynessym Kurtonyc|High Crown of Kouralia]], [[Kynessym Kantaasym|Crownbearer]], [[Crown Council (Kouralia)|Crown Council]], [[Coronial Wardens (Kouralia)|Coronial Wardens]], [[Royal Households of Kouralia]], [[House of Campbell (Kouralia)|House of Campbell]]''


Kouralia has a {{wp|Bicameralism|bicameral}} {{wp|Legislature}}: the {{wp|Lower House}} of which is the democratically elected [[Senate of Kurton]] and the {{wp|Upper House}} of which is the appointed Noble Assembly. The Senate is considered to be supreme of all parts of the Kouralian Government, and is responsible for ensuring the bearer of the Crown is fit to continue to do so - exercising the authority of the Crown to choose its bearer in a way that the monarch cannot lawfully interfere with.
The '''High Crown of Kurton''', or ''[[Kynessym Kurtonyc]]'' in High Kouralian, is the font of all legal authority within Kouralia, and notionally holds absolute authority.  Practically speaking, however, it is exercised in commission.  Each of the [[Coronial Wardens (Kouralia)|Coronial Wardens]] holds the authority to exercise particular powers at their own discretion or on binding advice from other officials.  The authority is specifically derived from the High Crown itself rather than the monarch, who is known as the '''Crownbearer''', or ''[[Kynessym Kantaasym]]'' in High Kouralian.  Prior to the [[History of Kouralia#Republican Era|Republican Era]], significantly more power was vested in the person of the Crownbearer which had been a hereditary office since the Imerian Crisis of the 3rd Century.  This increase in power had been gradual but persistent for over 1,500 years, and the Second Kouralian Republic only resulted in even more centralisation of authority into the figure of the President.


The Senate is filled with elected lawmakers known as Senators who are chosen by their constituents in national elections every five years. The number of seats, five hundred is selected due to the sacredness of the number five in the [[Æhrycreda|Kouralian national religion]]. The first known mention to a Senate sitting in Kurton was in 749BCE as the ruling body of the Republic of Kurton.
Following the Millennial War, the Committee to Restore the Crown established the Twelve Statutes-Principal to ensure a fairer distribution of authority that had checks and balances on one person possessing too much power. The House of Campbell was restored to the role of Crownbearer with a new check requiring the Crown Council to assent to the accession of the new Crownbearer, with a specified process to follow if the Crownbearer-Designate was not selected.


The Upper House in the Kouralian Government is known as the '''Noble Assembly''' and its members are appointed by the Crown on advice from the SenateAll Princes of Kouralia hold seats within it, including Princes of the BloodFurthermore the heads of a number of executive functions hold seats by virtue of their office, such as the 'Lords of War' who are the heads of the [[Kouralian Military]].  Finally, a number of foremost private individuals such as captains of industry, professionals, artists and charity advocates can be ennobled for life with a seat there.  Such ennoblements are not hereditary.
Most of the authority wielded by the '''Crownbearer''' may only be exercised on the binding ''Executive Advice'' of the Crown-Captain of Justiciars, or the Justiciar they allocate responsibility for itThis includes declaring war, issuing pardons and commuting sentences, speaking on behalf of the nation, and knighting or ennobling peopleOther powers including making certain appointments to the Crown Council, assenting to proposed laws, dissolving the Senate and Assembly to cause an election, acting as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, representing the nation in foreign affairsas its foremost ambassador, and appointing various officials following nomination of a candidate by other governmental bodies.


Currently the Senate has a majority coalition of the Bonyas aþe’Coralyvienas and the Red Nationals Party, with the National Royalist Party leading the Opposition.
The Crownbearer is advised on the exercise of their powers by the '''Crown Council''', or ''[[Crown Council (Kouralia)|Kynessym Konſylyoræ]]'' in High Kouralian.  This is a combination of appointees serving at the pleasure of the Crownbearer, {{wp|Ex officio member|ex officio}} serving government figures from all three branches, and some former office-holders.  The advice of the Crown Council is not binding unlike ''Executive Advice'', however it is expected to give honest and insightful counsel on whatever matter it meets to discuss.  In matters of succession, the Crown Council is also responsible for selecting and appointing the '''Ynterrecæ''', and acceding to the Crownbearer-Designate's accession to the Crown.


===Executive===
{{Gallery
[[File:Kouralian Courtroom.jpg|300px|thumb|Royal Guardsman on duty in trial of Tyrannic Regime officials, May 2002]]
|title= Current [[Coronial Wardens (Kouralia)|Coronial Wardens]]
''See Also: [[Kouralian Government]], [[Crown Captain of Justiciars]], [[Justiciars of Kouralia]], [[Crown Adjutant Clerk Corps]].''
|width=200 | height=200 | lines=2
|align=center
|footer=
|File:Kouralia Queen.jpg |<center>HM Sir Alyxandra Camhoail<br>[[Kynessym Kantaasym|Crownbearer]]</center>
|File:Kouralia Sir Barynel 2.jpg |<center>Sir Barynel Caeryn,<br>[[Crown Captain of Justiciars]]</center>
|File:Kouralia Laeyla Kyryl.jpeg |<center>Læyla Kyryl,<br>[[Coronial Wardens (Kouralia)#Speaker-President of the Senate|Speaker-President of the Senate]]</center>
|File:Kouralia Tor Solynae.png |<center>Lord Tor Solynæ<br>[[Coronial Wardens (Kouralia)#Speaker-President of the Assembly|Speaker-President of the Assembly]]</center>
|File:Kouralia Sir Eryka Altæryama.png |<center>Sir Eryka Altæryama<br>[[Coronial Wardens (Kouralia)#Prince-Justice|Prince-Justice]]</center>
}}


The {{wp|Executive (government)|Executive}} branch of government is responsible for enforcing laws and running the Kouralian state.  It is headed by the [[Crown Captain of Justiciars|Captain of Justiciars]], assisted by a '''[[Justiciars of Kouralia|Cabinet of Justiciars]]''' who are the political heads of government Justiciaries.  Members of the Cabinet are almost universally Senators or Assemblymen of the majority political party.
===Legislature===
''See Also: [[Senate of Kurton]]''


The Executive branch is assisted by the '''[[Crown Adjutant Clerk Corps]]''' (often known as the 'Secretariat') which consists of the professional staff responsible for implementing the policy decisions of the Cabinet.  The Justiciaries themselves are assisted by 'Executive Agencies' which are a type of department lacking direct ministerial control, whether because of their insignificance or because it would be inappropriate to politicise.
Kouralia has a {{wp|Bicameralism|bicameral}} {{wp|Legislature}}: the {{wp|Lower House}} of which is the directly elected '''[[Senate of Kurton]]''' and the {{wp|Upper House}} of which is the part-hereditary '''Noble Assembly'''.  The Senate is responsible for writing proposed Statutes, while the Noble Assembly ostensibly edits them to ensure they are justiciable before sending it to the Crown to become law.  Collectively they are also responsible for holding the Executive branch of government to account.
[[File:Wiki Kouralian Senate House.jpg|300px|thumb|West Facing of the Senate of Kurton]]
Each of the houses is overseen by its Presiding Officer, with the '''Speaker-President of the Senate of Kurton''' being superior to the '''Most Noble Speaker-President''' in the same way the Senate is itself superior to the Noble Assembly.  The Presiding Officers are [[Coronial Wardens (Kouralia)|Coronial Wardens]], and exercise the Crown's authority to set the schedule within their house, allow representatives to speak, and discipline representatives who sit in their house.  They are responsible for ensuring business in their house is conduct in a civil fashion, and for ensuring the security of both their house itself and the representatives who sit in it - with the '''Speaker-President of the Senate of Kurton''' being responsible for the overall security of the Legislative Estate.


Following the 2017 elections, the current government of Kouralia is the [[2017 Cæryn Captaincy]] under Barynel Cæryn.
The '''[[Senate of Kurton]]''' numbers five hundred '''Senators''' due to the sacredness of the number 5 in the [[Æhrycreda|Kouralian national faith]].  Senators are directly elected in a number of districts nation-wide by their local constituents, and are expected to both serve their local constituents and serve the nation as a whole when conducting business. Senators are usually members of a particular political party which assists them in coordinating and funding campaigns, though they can run and be elected independent of the influence of a Political party. The leader of the political party or alliance that holds the majority of seats in the Senate is nominated by a vote of the whole house to become the Crown-Captain of Justiciars. The Senate is principally responsible for proposing and writing draft legislation, and redrafting it at the request of the Noble Assembly as part of the Process of it becoming a Statute.  In addition to this, Senators scrutinise national issues and Government activity through various Committees.  Currently the Senate has a majority coalition of the Bonyas aþe’Coralyvienas and the Red Nationals Party, with the National Royalist Party leading the Opposition.
[[File:Wiki Kouralian Senate Interior.jpg|300px|thumb|left|Chamber of the Noble Assembly]]
The '''Noble Assembly''' numbers one hundred '''Noble Electors''', who are divided up into three main categories.  Firstly, the twenty foremost Princes of the Union are entitled to sit in the Assembly as hereditary members, and when their title passes upon their death, so too does their right to speak and vote in the chamber.  Secondly, a variety of senior public sector executives are granted the right to sit in the chamber by virtue of their position - serving {{wp|Ex officio member|ex officio}}.  This includes the five '''Lords of War''' of the [[Kouralian Military#Staffs|Armed Forces]], the five members of the High College of the Faith, the Lord Mayor of Kurton, and four of the seniormost members of the Judiciary.  Finally, the Crownbearer is entitled to appoint five people to sit in the Noble Assembly at their pleasure.  The remaining sixty individuals are those honoured by the Government of the day with an '''Executive Lordship''' which is an honour bestowed by the Crown on ''Executive Advice''.  These individuals serve on a matter of seniority, with the oldest serving Nobles relinquishing their right to speak and vote in the Chamber when replaced by a new appointee - though they retain their title for life.  A Government may only appoint up to five Executive Lordships per year, ensuring that it would take three full terms in office before the entire chamber were stacked with that party or alliance's appointees.  The Noble Assembly scrutinises proposed legislation drafted by the Senate, and has the right to propose changes up to three times before being required to give assent to the bill and send it to the Crown.  In this way it is meant to act as a barrier to populism, while the Crownbearer's right to refer proposed legislation to the Crown Court and to Referendum guards against unconstitutionality.  Like Senators, Noble Electors serve on committees and scrutinise the Government's efficacy.


===Judiciary===
The {{wp|Judiciary}} of Kouralia refers to the courts, and the judges and lawyers who work within them - respectively referred to as [[Magistrates & Advocates of Kouralia|Magistrates and Advocates]].  Its responsibility is to ensure that actions within the country are lawful - whether by striking down government policies for contravening the rights of citizens, or by hearing cases against individuals and groups and sentencing them in punishment for illegal actions. 
<center>
<center>
{| border="2" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse;"
{| border="2" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse;"
|- bgcolor="#efefef"
|- bgcolor="#efefef"
! width="200"|'''Criminal''' !! width="200"|'''Civil
! width="500"|'''Senate of Kurton''' !! width="500"|'''Noble Assembly'''
|-
! style="align: center;" colspan="2"  | '''The Supreme Crown Court'''
|-
|-
! style="align: center;" colspan="2" | '''High Court of Justice'''
! <div style="text-align: center;">[[File:Kouralian Senate Composition 2017.svg|250px|border]]</div>
| <div style="text-align: center;">[[File:Svgfiles 2021-03-11-17-22-21-558379-15505380558333386017.svg|250px|border]]</div>
|-
|-
! style="align: center;" colspan="2"  | Provincial Appellate Court
! <div style="text-align: center;">{{legend|#E6AC00|Bonyas aþe’Coralyvienas: 244 seats}} {{legend|#0000E6|Nationalmen's Party: 55 seats}} {{legend|#E60000|National Royalist Party: 94 seats}} {{legend|#00B359|Popular Levellers: 48 seats}} {{legend|#990000|Popular Unionists: 41 seats}} {{legend|#FFFF00|Libertarian Party: 8 seats}} {{legend|#E6E6FF|Altonia Afore: 5 seats}} {{legend|#006600|Chietan Indep.: 1 seats}} {{legend|#B8B894|Independents: 4 seats}}</div>
|-
| <div style="text-align: center;">'''{{legend|#D7BA00|Current Captaincy's Electors: 20 seats}} {{legend|#E20000|Preceding Captaincies' Electors: 39 seats}} {{legend|#BAA86E|Lords of War: 5 seats}} {{legend|#D8D8D8|Noble Lords Collegiate: 5 seats}} {{legend|#23DD0E|Noble Lord Maior: 1 seat}} {{legend|#212121|Noble Lords Togate: 4 seats}} {{legend|#1D77D1|Noble Lords Coronial: 5 seats}} {{legend|#B329D6|Hereditary Princes: 20 seats}}'''</div>
! <div style="text-align: center;">Court of Justice-seat</div>
| <div style="text-align: center;">District Court</div>
|-
! <div style="text-align: center;">Court of Petty Sessions</div>
| <div style="text-align: center;"></div>
|-
|-
|}
|}
</center>
</center>
[[File:Wiki Master Praetorians.jpg|350px|thumb|Lords Praetor of the Crown Prætorium arrayed, as is custom, for judgement in Constitutional Cases: Legalisation of the Millennial Coup, September 2001]]
'''Civil''' Cases are regarded as wrongs by a party against another party, such as non-payment for services where one party believes the services were insufficient, or trespassing.  These are brought privately by one party against another, and even if the [[Kouralian Government]] brings a case against someone, it does so as a private party.  All cases are heard in a District Court, with appeals taken to the Superior courts.


'''Criminal''' cases are regarded as wrongs against society, and are generally caused when conventional dispute resolution fails: for example when rather than disputing payment in a Civil Case, one party forcibly demands payment under threat of violence, a robbery can be said to have taken place. These cases are primarily brought by the Crown, and state-employed advocates against individuals or corporations, though it is possible for a private criminal prosecution to be initiated.  Very simple cases which merit smaller punishments can be heard at a local Court of Petty Sessions before a bench of Justices of the Peace - part-time, unpaid magistrates who are usually local worthies of good repute.  These are referred to as 'Petty' offences, such as 'Petty theft', or 'Petty Assault', and can be appealed to a Court of Justice-seat before going to a Superior court.  More serious crimes have 'Solemn' hearings at a Court of Justice-seat before professional, legally trained magistrates such as the Justices-in-Eyre, with appeals taken to the Superior courts. 
===Judiciary===
''See Also: [[Magistrates & Advocates of Kouralia]], [[Crown Court (Kouralia)|Crown Court]]''


The '''Superior Courts''' hear appeals from District, Petty Sessions, and Justice-Seat courtsThey principally rule on matters of law, rather than matters of factIf a junior court has erred on a matter of fact, then a Superior court can order a retrialIf the factual findings of the court are undisputed but the Magistrate has erred in their advice to the jury, then the successively superior courts will hear appealsEach Province has its own Appellate Court, and appeals on their judgement can be heard at the High Court in KurtonIf this does not satisfy, then the Supreme Crown Court is the final chance to change the judgement.  The Magistrates of the Supreme Crown Court are also legislative officers, and will usually only hear cases of constitutional significance.
The {{wp|Judiciary}} of Kouralia refers to the law courts responsible for adjudicating legal disputes and interpreting the law written by the Legislature in practice.  The Judiciary also refers to the magistrates who are empowered to make such judgements as lesser [[Coronial Officer|Coronial Officers]]The Courts of Kouralia are divided into the Law Courts Ordinary and Extraordinary, with each division having various further distinctionsThe head of the Judiciary is the '''Prince-Justice''', who is also a [[Coronial Wardens (Kouralia)|Coronial Warden]]They are responsible for ensuring the independence of the judiciary, for holding the other branches of the government to account in line with the law, and for internally regulating the judiciaryThis function is usually carried out in commission with the '''Judicial High Council''' which the Prince-Justice presides overThe Judicial High Council is chaired by the Prince-Justice by virtue of his position, with the Principal President of the High Court of Justice-seat and the President of the Guild of Advocates also sitting on it ex officio.  Ten Judicial High Councillors are elected by Inferior Magistrates, two by Superior Magistrates, four by advocates.  The remaining eight High Councillors are lay-members without legal qualification, selected by the [[Senate of Kurton]] in a vote of the whole chamber.


===Local Government===
The '''Law Courts Extraordinary''' refer specifically to those courts which are outside of the scope of the Judicial High CouncilThis includes the Courts Martial, the Admiralty Court, and the Crown CourtThe former is regulated internally by the military, and is only responsible for military discipline matters - any serious criminal charges that fall outside its authority are passed to an Ordinary Law Court.  The Admiralty Court is responsible both for civil and criminal maritime matters - including matters of slavery and piracy. Finally, the '''Crown Court''', or ''[[Crown Court (Kouralia)|Kynessym Kuryæ]]'' in High Kouralian, acts as a supreme constitutional check as well as carrying out various ancillary functions, and is presided over by the [[Kynessym Kantaasym|Crownbearer]] in most business.
Below the National Level, Kouralia has a number of geographic subdivisions which exercise delegated governmental authorityProvinces are federal in nature and exercise some ability to legislate and self-governThey are headed by an elected Governor who has his or her own Cabinet, a Unicameral Provincial Assembly, and government departments, along with the Provincial Appellate Court.  'Local Authorities' are those below Provincial Level which are responsible for the provision of local government services (e.g. education, waste disposal, housing etc.) within a given area.  There is a general delineation between different levels of governemnt as to which levels are responsible for which services.


<center>
<center>
{| border="2" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse;"
{| border="2" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse;"
|- bgcolor="#efefef"
|- bgcolor="#efefef"
! width="200"|'''Unitary Authority''' !! width="200"|'''Metropolitan Authority''' !! width="200"|'''Non-Metropolitan Authority'''
! width="200"|'''Civil Courts''' !! width="200"|'''Criminal Courts'''
|-
|-
! style="align: center;" colspan="3"  | '''National Level'''
! style="align: center; background: #efefef" colspan="2"  | '''Superior Courts'''
|-
|-
! style="align: center;" colspan="3"  | '''Provincial Level'''
! style="align: center;" colspan="2"  | '''High Court of Justice-seat'''
|-
|-
! <div style="text-align: center;">Unitary District Level</div>
! <div style="text-align: center;">Appellate Court of<br>Preture & Tribune-in-Eyre<br>(''Civil Division'')</div>
|style="align: center;" colspan="2"  | <center>'''Riding Level'''</center>
| <div style="text-align: center;">'''Appellate Court of<br>Preture & Tribune-in-Eyre<br>(''Criminal Division'')'''</div>
|-
|-
! <div style="text-align: center;">Unitary District Level</div>
! style="align: center; background: #efefef" colspan="2" | '''Subordinate Courts'''
| <div style="text-align: center;">'''Borough Level'''</div>
| <div style="text-align: center;">'''Hundred Level'''</div>
|-
|-
! style="align: center;" colspan="3" | '''Ward Level'''
! <div style="text-align: center;">Collegiate Tribunal</div>
| <div style="text-align: center;">'''Preture aþ'Aſsyse'''</div>
|-
! <div style="text-align: center;">Collegiate Tribunal</div>
| <div style="text-align: center;">'''Shyrræval Preture<br>(''Solemn Sitting'')'''</div>
|-
! <div style="text-align: center;">Summary Tribunal</div>
| <div style="text-align: center;">'''Shyrræval Preture<br>(''Summary Sitting'')'''</div>
|-
|-
|}
|}
</center>
</center>
At all levels of local government there exists an elected 'Council' which is usually supported by a permanent staff of assistants along with any local government agencies which carry out the services the council providesCities as divisions generally fall at the Borough or Ward level, and are granted City Status by the Governor or Royal City Status directly by the CrownCities are entitled to also elect or appoint a Mayor with varying levels of executive power depending on the Province, while Royal Cities may appoint or elect a Lord Mayor. Royal Cities are almost invariably Unitary Districts with strong levels of executive authority.
[[File:Wiki Kouralian Court Dress.jpg|200px|thumb|Shyrræval Magistrate's Court Dress]]
The '''Law Courts Ordinary''' are divided up into the Inferior Courts, and the Superior Courts.  The former are {{wp|Trial court|trial courts}} while the latter are {{wp|Appellate court|appellate courts}}.  Their work is divided up into two types of law - civil and criminal.  {{wp|Civil law (common law)|Civil Law}} courts, known as Tribunals, deal with civil wrongs, and disputes between individuals or companies.  {{wp|Criminal law}} courts, known as ''Pretures'', deal with wrongs against society that have been defined in law as criminal offences and therefore are subject to a criminal sentence if one is found guilty of it. 
 
The '''Subordinate Courts''' have two grades depending on the severity of the matter under consideration.  In the civil law track, a '''Summary Tribunal''' consists of a single Magisterial Assessor and decides on disputes with a financial value of less than 10,000.  A '''Collegiate Tribunal''' consists of three Magisterial Assessors and both hears more serious claims in the first instance as well as hearing appeals from the Subordinate Tribunal.  In the criminal law track, there are two grades of subordinate court.  The '''Shyrræval Preture''' is responsible for hearing minor cases.  In a so called Summary Court, a single Shyrræval Magistrate summarily hears the most minor of cases - often without a fully qualified advocate on the part of the defence.  These are usually administrative matters such as traffic tickets, and can only result in financial sanction.  In a Solemn Court a bench of three Shyrræval Magistrates hear more serious allegations that can command a maximum of ten years in prison on a guilty verdict - and the defence has the right to an Advocate funded publically.  In addition, a '''Preture aþ'Aſsyse''' consists of three Coronial Magistrates and six Lay-Justices and can impose sentences of up to life imprisonment.  It is responsible for hearing cases related to most serious crimes as well as appeals from the Shyrræval Preture, and all Defendants must be represented by an Advocate by law.
 
The '''Superior Courts''' have two grades - the Appellate Court of Preture & Tribune-in-Eyre and the High Court of Justice-seat.  The '''Appellate Court of Preture & Tribune-in-Eyre''' is a single Court, but which sits simultaneously in each Region as required.  Benches of three Magistrates-in-Eyre will either address specific legal challenges raised by the parties in the case, or review the facts of the case again.  In either case they can alter a civil judgement, or quash a criminal conviction, convict a Defendant, extend or curtail a sentence.  A further appeal may be made to the '''High Court of Justice-seat''' in [[Kurton]] which can only consider the interpretation of the law when it comes to judgements of Subordinate Courts as it may not rehear evidence or retry either party.  A hearing of the High Court consists of a bench of five Lords or Ladies Justice of Appeal. The High Court may amend civil judgements, quash criminal convictions, or order a re-trial.  The High Court only accepts appeals where the grounds for appeal are clearly articulated in advance by the applicant so it can review their appropriateness.  By default the High Courtwill hear any Subordinate Appeals relating to malfeasance by the Government, and would then direct the appropriate Appellate Court to carry out a retrial if necessary.
 
===Executive===
''See Also: [[Kouralian Government]], [[Crown Captain of Justiciars]], [[Justiciars of Kouralia]], [[Crown Adjutant Clerk Corps]], [[Foreign Policy of Kouralia|Foreign Policy]].''
 
The {{wp|Executive (government)|Executive}} branch of government is responsible for running the Crown Union effectively and ethically, and efficiently in accordance with the Laws of the Senate.  This it does in the name of the Crown, and with varying degrees of delegated authority that avoid the need of the Crownbearer to carry out the business of governance themselves.  The Government consists both of the Government departments called Justiciaries or Chancelleries made up of professional bureaucrats, and also of its elected Political leadersThis second part is referred to as a '''Captaincy''', and each takes its name from its head - the [[Crown Captain of Justiciars|Crown-Captain of Justiciars]].  The Crown-Captain is a [[Coronial Wardens (Kouralia)|Coronial Warden]] that is nominated in a vote of the Senate following an election, and therefore is invariably pre-determined to be the leader of the majority political party or alliance of political parties.  The nominee is then appointed by the Crownbearer, whereupon they divide up the business of government into various portfolios and make nominations to the Crown by way of ''Executive Advice'' for Justiciars to head the departments responsible for executing policy in that area of business.
 
Following the 2017 elections, the current government of Kouralia is the [[2017 Cæryn Captaincy]] under Barynel Cæryn.
 
The executive branch of government has the authority to do many things required to run the country on a day-to-day basis - and through ''Executive Advice'' can require the Crownbearer to exercise their powers in particular ways too. The executive also has a presumption of precedence in proposing legislation for discussion and voting in the Senate over laws proposed by other Senators.  Indeed, over 95% of time spent debating and voting on legislation in the Senate and Noble Assembly is spent on governmentally proposed statutesHowever, there are various checks and balances against executive overreach.  The Noble Assembly and the Crownbearer scrutinise proposed legislation before it becomes a Statute, while any person or organisation can - if their case has merit - make an application to the Crown Court to strike down a Statute in whole or in part as incompatible with the Statutes-Principal.  Ordinary Courts and various tribunals can also hold the Executive to account, securing redress for citizens or communities wronged by those in power.  Furthermore, the various Committees of the Senate and Noble Assembly regularly summons witnesses and data to conduct hearings and publish reports into the efficiency and effectiveness of the government of the day.  Finally, on a personal level, the Crownbearer has weekly audiences with the Crown-Captain to be updated on the progress of the government in carrying out its manifesto and dealing with any identified issues.
 
In additional to the bureaucratic staff directly employed within the Justiciaries and Chancelleries, the Government also provides direction to various apolitical professional agencies and organisations that support the working of the state.  These organisations are not directly headed by a Justiciar or Chancellor, but their professional heads will report to one and take direction from them in a relationship defined in law to assure apolitical independence of decision-making.  There are hundreds of such agencies, ranging from the Office of the Cartographer-General and the Grocers' Public Adjudication Board to the Central Coronial Archives and the Signals Information & Security Service.  Some of the most visible of such executive organisations are the Kouralian Armed Forces, the Police and Prison services, and the Intelligence Services.
 
====Policing and Prisons====
''See Also: [[Law Enforcement in Kouralia]], [[Vygelas aþ’Tesoro|Treasury Guard]], [[Vygelas Chaunceryas|Carcerial Guard]], [[Kouralian Service Police|Service Police]], [[Coalition of Policial Networks|Coalition of Policial Networks]]''
 
[[Image:Kour Watch Traffic Police.png|200px|thumb|Two City Watch traffic officers.]]
Preventing and investigating criminal offences, maintaining public order, and apprehending suspected and accused offenders and people unlawfully at large is primarily the responsibility of local '''Territorial Watches''', or ''Vygelas Astycus'' in High Kouralian.  These are uniformed discplined services of sworn Constables employed full-time to enforce the law, with each Watch having responsibility for a particular gegraphic area.  The Watches tend to number between 2,000 and 30,000 staff, depending on the population size of the administrative division they cover - which can range from a Province or two to a single Municipality in the case of large cities.  Territorial Watches are responsible for the full-spectrum of law enforcement activities: from road traffic enforcement and community Policing, to tactical armed operations and major crime investigations.
 
A number of other organisations have a specialist role in Law Enforcement across the Coronial Union.  This includes various Inspectorates that investigate administrative offences such as the [[Inspectorate of RICE|RICE Inspectors]], the [[Yronway Guard (Kouralia)|Yronway Guard]] who provide security on the national rail network, and the [[Vygelas aþ’Tesoro|Treasury Guard]] who lead, coordinate, and assist Territorial Watches on serious & organised crime, major crime, and national security investigations and operations.
 
Convicted Offenders can be sentenced to custodial terms of prescribed or indeterminate lengths at Prison establishments operated by the centrally-administered [[Vygelas Chaunceryas|Carcerial Guard]].  These prisons are secure establishments with entry, exit, and activity within controlled according to central regulation and local Governance. {{wp|Prison officer|Officers of the Carcerial Guard}} are sworn in as Constables within the limits and immediate vicinity of their establishment, and within the remit of any transportation operation they are employed with.
 
Kouralia is the founding nation of the international '''[[Coalition of Policial Networks|Coalition of Policial Networks]]''' and takes an active role in international cooperation in this field.
 
====Intelligence Services====
''See Also:  [[Kouralian Intelligence Community]]''
 
As National Security is the responsibility of the Central Coronial Government, gathering information about threats to the Kouralian state and people is the responsible of the [[Kouralian Intelligence Community#Statutory Intelligence Services|Four Statutory Intelligence Services]].  These four agencies have respective responsibility for one of the main functions of the old Intelligence and Security Agency:
 
* Executive Oversight, Vetting, Training and Record-keeping.
* Espionage and Counter-Espionage, including against non-state actors such as terrorist groups or organised crime groups whose activities threaten national security.
* Telephony and Digital information gathering and analysis to create Signals Intelligence.
* Grand Strategic military intelligence.
 
The Intelligence Services do not have any operational capability to act on information gathered beyond those officers responsible for installing or monitoring equipment, meeting covert human intelligence sources, or conducting surveillance operations.  Where their domestic activities uncover national security offences then Special Branches of the Treasury Guard or local Territorial Watch will be responsible for intervening to protect the public, apprehend those responsible, and secure charges for relevant criminal offences. Where intelligence activities show a need for direct-action operations abroad, these can only be sanctioned by the Central Coronial Government and carried out by the military personnel.


===Armed Forces===
====Armed Forces====
''See Also: [[Kouralian Military|Kouralian Armed Forces]], [[Royal Kouralian Army]], [[Kouralian Royal Navy]], [[Kouralian National Air Force]], [[Provincial Militia]]''
''See Also: [[Kouralian Military|Kouralian Armed Forces]], [[Royal Kouralian Army]], [[Kouralian Royal Navy]], [[Kouralian National Air Force]], [[Provincial Militia]]''
[[File:Wiki Kour Provost Close Protection.png|200px|thumb|Kouralian {{wp|Infantry|Infanteers}} deployed in D'halbrisir]]
[[File:Wiki Kour Provost Close Protection.png|200px|thumb|Kouralian {{wp|Infantry|Infanteers}} deployed in D'halbrisir]]
The [[Kouralian Military]] is a venerable institution, tracing its lineage back to the Kurtonian Citadel Guard of the 8th Century BCE.  It is divided into three services: the [[Royal Kouralian Army|Royal Army]] (or Crown Host), [[Kouralian Royal Navy|Royal Navy]] (or Crown Fleet), and the [[Kouralian National Air Force|National Air Force]] (or Air Fleet).  These services are supported by the [[Kouralian Provincial Militia|Provincial Militia]] (or Limitanei-Provincias), a secondary reserve force which primarily reports to the Provincial Governor but which can be called upon by central government to deploy alongside the regular military (then referred to as Pseudocomitatensian Cohorts).  Due to the high social prestige placed upon military service, veterans are often lionised and military service is generally seen to be an important part of the course of offices through public life.


The Kouralian military is highly advanced, with modern technologies such as 5th generation aircraft, stealth technologies and unmanned technologies being used by all branches to great effectThe three services are regularly trained to conduct Joint Operations, and while it is impossible to prveent some element of service bias/blindness to the duties of other services, it has experienced great success in joint operations command.  The Kouralian Army possesses both heavily mechanised forces for the defence of the homeland and for follow-up waves in expeditionary warfare, along with distinct lighter formations specialised for purposes such as mountain or jungle warfare, or airborne or amphibious commando operations.  The Kouralian Navy doctrine focuses primarily on power projection from aircraft carriers, along with regular long-distance patrols of busy sea lanes and to interdict slaveryThe Kouralian Air Force is responsible for provision of all fixed and rotary wing aircraft for both naval and land-based operations, including strategic operations and those in direct support of other services' operations.
The [[Coronial Armed Forces (Kouralia)|Coronial Armed Forces]] consist of three professional service branches: the '''[[Grand Legion (Kouralia)|Grand Legion]]''', the '''[[Grand Fleet (Kouralia)|Grand Fleet]]''', and the '''[[Marshalcy Air Fleet (Kouralia)|Marshalcy Air Fleet]]'''. The Commander-In-Chief is the Kouralian Crown, which is represented by the Crownbearer in all ceremonies and formal processes, to which all servicepersons swear oaths of allegianceHowever, the Crownbearer has no role in managing or commanding the armed forces and civilian control of the military is exercised by the Central Coronial Government through the [[Justiciars of Kouralia#Justiciaries|War Justiciary]] and its executive-level Military Boards.  The Coronial Armed Forces are charged with protecting the integrity of the Crown Union and its citizenry, ensuring national security by promoting Kouralian interests abroad, and keeping the peace. 
 
Individual professional service branches are responsible for organising, training and equipping forces, and their professional heads come together in the Grand Legatine Council to discuss high level military policy and advise the Central Coronial Government on military matters.  The Prince-Martial is the chairperson of the Grand Legatine Council, is the military head of the Armed Forces and is the principal military advisor to the Central Coronial Government while operational control over forces is through Joint Thematic/Theatre Commands (JTCs) as part of a chain of command that originates with the Justiciar for WarWhilst there is an existing legal process for instituting conscription this has not been put into effect since the Second Crown Union was formed; the Coronial Armed Forces remain an entirely professional military and leverages its popular image to exceed recruitment targets and selectively accept only the highest scoring candidates.  Full-time personnel serving in the Coronial Armed Forces are also supported by both the part-time reserve components to each of the professional service branches, and also the '''[[Regional Special Reserve (Kouralia)|Regional Special Reserves]]'''.  These latter forces are part-time militias which answer to the Regional Governates unless miustered for Coronial Service.


Ongoing commitments include peace support operations in [[D'hɑlbrisir]], and maintenance of the [[Forynthry#Securing the Forynthry|Forynthry Security Perimeters]].
Ongoing commitments of the Armed Forces include peace support operations in [[D'hɑlbrisir]], maintenance of the [[Forynthry#Securing the Forynthry|Forynthry Security Perimeters]], raids against the [[Lord Atum|Hundred Worlds of Lord Atum]], and repelling the return of Tambelon.


{{Gallery
{{Gallery
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|title=
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  |Kouralian Offshore Patrol Vessels in Formation.}}
  |Kouralian Offshore Patrol Vessels in Formation.}}


==Justice==
==Economy==
''See Also: [[Law Enforcement in Kouralia]], [[Kouralian Service Police]]''
<code> > SECTION INCOMPLETE < </code>
 
As a nation, Kouralia places the concepts of 'Justice' and 'Honour' very highly, and careers in associated professions are often regarded as more prestigious as in other nations.  For this reason, the Justiciar for Public Safety is one of the senior-most government officials and exerts a lot of power within the nation.  Kouralia is the founding nation of the international [[Coalition of Policial Networks|Coalition of Policial Networks (CoPNet)]].
 
===Crime===
Local crime is a continual fact of life in Kouralia, ranging from individual criminals to small gangs which are responsible for volume crime such as burglaries and dealing of drugs.  This sort of criminality is dismissed by many members of society, and those who participate in it are often derided as thugs, and those who failed to make something more of themselves.  There does tend to be a link with the more organised crime 'Firms', in that smaller local gangs will attempt to almost bid for contracts to carry out the low-level criminality on behalf of the Firm.  Full, 'Blooded' membership of a Firm is no small deal, and the popular image of a cultured, honourable and affable 'gentleman gangster' is carefully cultivated and in most cases is the truth.  There is an element of self-regulation in the major crime Firms which attempt to curb any excesses of violence to avoid drawing too much attention from the authorities and cutting into profits.
 
Common crimes include the smuggling and distribution of narcotics, firearms, and other prohibited items from foreign nations.  This ranges from drugs and firearms from Allanea to corrupted artifacts from the [[Forynthry]]
 
===Law Enforcement===
[[Image:Armed Watchmen.jpg|200px|thumb|Two Treasuryguardsmen.]]
 
Most [[Law Enforcement in Kouralia|law enforcement]] is carried out by watchmen serving in the territorial watches or 'Vygelas Astycus'. These territorial services are complemented by national organisations such as the [[Vygelas aþ’Tesoro|Treasury Guard]] and [[Yronway Guard]], and specialist squads of certain lead regional Watches.  Their primary duties are the protection of life and property, preservation of the peace, and prevention and detection of criminal offences.  All watch officers hold the Office of Constable, which gives them additional powers under law which are used to gather evidence of offences for presentation before a Prætor, or to keep the peace. 
 
These organisations are supported by a multitude of Regulatory Inspectorates which have a limited law enforcement remit (for example, regulation of food and drug quality) but which can have their officers be given full law enforcement powers as 'Special Officers.'  The most well-known of these is the [[Inspectorate of RICE|Inspectorate of Revenue, Immigration, Customs and Excise]] who have responsibility for investigating offences relating to tax evasion and investigation of border offences.  Other agencies exist which have much more limited scope of operations such as the Frontier Guards who have responsibility for border law inspection and enforcement, and the [[Crown Waterguard (Kouralia)|Crown Waterguard]] who have maritime interdiction responsibility.
 
===Intelligence Services===
''See Also:  [[Kouralian Intelligence Community]]''
 
Oversight for National Intelligence gathering is now held by the '''[[Kouralian Intelligence Community#Executive Intelligence Board|Executive Intelligence Board]]''' which acts as a means of coordinating the actions and facilitating cooperation between all the intelligence agencies without having any actual operational control of them.    The Executive Intelligence Board consists of the Directors-General of each {{wp|Intelligence agency|Intelligence Agency}} along with political figures and senior [[Crown Adjutant Clerk Corps|Adjutant Clerks]]. 
* [[Kouralian Intelligence Community#Crown Intelligence Service|Crown Intelligence Service]] - Director-General of Crown Intelligence
* [[Kouralian Intelligence Community#Signals Intelligence Service|Signals Intelligence Service]] - Director-General of Signals Intelligence
* [[Kouralian Intelligence Community#Military Intelligence Service|Military Intelligence Service]] - Director-General of Military Intelligence
** Army Intelligence Corps - Commandant General, Army Intelligence Corps
** Naval Intelligence Branch - Superintending Admiral, Admiralty Intelligence Branch
** Air Intelligence Branch - Superintending Marischal, Air Marischalcy Intelligence Branch
 
The Intelligence Services do not have any official operational direct-action or overt capability as they are purely responsible for gathering and analysing information to produce workable and actionable intelligence in furtherance of the government's policy aims.  Where action needs to be taken domestically it is through the Special Branch of the Treasury Guard or of other [[Law Enforcement in Kouralia|territorial watches]] to investigate or detain the subjects of intelligence, and in conflict zones abroad the military will carry out operations informed by the intelligence gathered.  However, in situations where extreme discretion and deniability may be required, the [[Joint Intelligence Exploitation Regiment]] can be deployed abroad and at home to assist Intelligence operations.
 
===Prisons===
Each Province has its own Prison Service, referred to as a [[Vygelas Carceryas]], however they are all held to identical standards and inspections are carried out by national government which also operates a national prison service for specialist, major, and high security establishments.  There are varying types of Prisons, ranging from young offender training centres and Open Prisons which are more akin to a boarding school teaching skills necessary for rehabilitating offenders all the way up to 'Cat.(egory) A' Prisons which are functionally 'Maximum Security.'  The decision about which category the offender will serve their sentence in is based on a combination of the type of crime committed, the length of sentence, the likelihood of escape, and the danger to the public if they were to escape.
 
Prisons have a great deal of autonomy about their running, though they must all comply with national guidelines and standards.  The Governor of a Prison is tantamount to Captain of a ship and has final authority for matters of discipline, release, and staffing which are not required to be referred to a court.  In this way parole boards are purely advisory.


==Economy==
The Kouralian economy overall has strong performance across all sectors of the economy, however the government has been criticised recently for allowing domestic production to slip in the face of imported materials.  Kouralia produces many precision engineered goods domestically such as cars and other machinery, however traditionally high-tech goods such as computers, phones and digital products are often sourced from abroad.  The Kouralian arms industry is one of the major exceptions to this rule, with advanced domestic-produced vehicles, munitions and weapons systems overwhelmingly supplying the [[Kouralian Military]], and also being a strong export sector.   
The Kouralian economy overall has strong performance across all sectors of the economy, however the government has been criticised recently for allowing domestic production to slip in the face of imported materials.  Kouralia produces many precision engineered goods domestically such as cars and other machinery, however traditionally high-tech goods such as computers, phones and digital products are often sourced from abroad.  The Kouralian arms industry is one of the major exceptions to this rule, with advanced domestic-produced vehicles, munitions and weapons systems overwhelmingly supplying the [[Kouralian Military]], and also being a strong export sector.   


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==Demographics==
==Demographics==
<code> > SECTION INCOMPLETE < </code>


Kouralia is a large and populous nation with roughly 1.78 billion residents, of whom the vast majority are citizens (whether by birth or otherwise), but which also includes permanent and temporary residents and illegal immigrants. This is currently growing at a rate of 0.9% per year according to the average birth rates in the last four years although population growth rates in the future are projected to decline due to declining {{wp|Fertility}} and immigration rates. Despite this, the population growth rate is expected to remain net positive for the foreseeable future as immigration rises limit the impact of declining fertility.
Kouralia is a large and populous nation with roughly 1.78 billion residents, of whom the vast majority are citizens (whether by birth or otherwise), but which also includes permanent and temporary residents and illegal immigrants. This is currently growing at a rate of 0.9% per year according to the average birth rates in the last four years although population growth rates in the future are projected to decline due to declining {{wp|Fertility}} and immigration rates. Despite this, the population growth rate is expected to remain net positive for the foreseeable future as immigration rises limit the impact of declining fertility.
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===Fei===
===Fei===
''See also: [[Feivienas]]''
''See also: [[Feivienas]]''
<code> > SECTION INCOMPLETE < </code>


The so-called '''Feivienas''' (otherworldly-folk) of Kouralia are the second main species group extant in the nation after the {{wp|Homo sapiens|human}} majority, making up roughly 20% of the population.  They are made up of a wide ranging collection of sub-species which are possessed of magical affinity, and even inherent powers unique to their species.  The correct term in Kouralia is regarded as 'Fei' (both singular and plural), or 'Feivien' and 'Feivienas' (singular, plural) in formal wording.  Many of these sub-species have their own formal names along with colloquial names derived from the term 'Fei'; as an example, Kouralian werewolves are correctly termed [[Lvpan Selenes]] (the Moon's Wolves), however they can be identified as 'Fei-hounds', though many would find the term offensive.  Throughout Kouralian history other terms have existed for these types, including 'elves', 'others' and 'otherkin', and 'the folk.'  In the present day though, these terms have fallen by the way-side.  Furthermore, while 'elf' can be used to describe Feivienas in some minor dialects of High Kouralian, it only refers to the Quendi of Menelmacar in mainstream usage.
The so-called '''Feivienas''' (otherworldly-folk) of Kouralia are the second main species group extant in the nation after the {{wp|Homo sapiens|human}} majority, making up roughly 20% of the population.  They are made up of a wide ranging collection of sub-species which are possessed of magical affinity, and even inherent powers unique to their species.  The correct term in Kouralia is regarded as 'Fei' (both singular and plural), or 'Feivien' and 'Feivienas' (singular, plural) in formal wording.  Many of these sub-species have their own formal names along with colloquial names derived from the term 'Fei'; as an example, Kouralian werewolves are correctly termed [[Lvpan Selenes]] (the Moon's Wolves), however they can be identified as 'Fei-hounds', though many would find the term offensive.  Throughout Kouralian history other terms have existed for these types, including 'elves', 'others' and 'otherkin', and 'the folk.'  In the present day though, these terms have fallen by the way-side.  Furthermore, while 'elf' can be used to describe Feivienas in some minor dialects of High Kouralian, it only refers to the Quendi of Menelmacar in mainstream usage.
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===Language===
===Language===
<code> > SECTION INCOMPLETE < </code>
Most Kouralians are at least bilingual, speaking both Common and the historic [[High Kouralian]] language.  This is due to extensive globalisation policies from the Tyrannic era which forced multilingualism at both primary and secondary levels of education in Kouralia, resulting in the present day a very common-fluent population.  Other languages including Equestrian are common, with some such as Necrontyr, Quenya and Malgravean becoming more common over the last decade.
Most Kouralians are at least bilingual, speaking both Common and the historic [[High Kouralian]] language.  This is due to extensive globalisation policies from the Tyrannic era which forced multilingualism at both primary and secondary levels of education in Kouralia, resulting in the present day a very common-fluent population.  Other languages including Equestrian are common, with some such as Necrontyr, Quenya and Malgravean becoming more common over the last decade.


===Religion===
===Religion===
''See Also: [[Æhrycreda]]''
''See Also: [[Æhrycreda]]''
<code> > SECTION INCOMPLETE < </code>


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{{bar box
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===Education===
===Education===
<code> > SECTION INCOMPLETE < </code>
Education is divided into 'Principal Education,' and 'Further Education' by the Kouralian Government.  Principal Education is provided from age 5 to 16, and Further Education is from age 17 and beyond both by Colleges and Universities.
Education is divided into 'Principal Education,' and 'Further Education' by the Kouralian Government.  Principal Education is provided from age 5 to 16, and Further Education is from age 17 and beyond both by Colleges and Universities.


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===Social Class===
===Social Class===
''See Also: [[Kouralian Orders, Decorations and Medals|Kouralian Honours]], [[Palatine Principality of Rheðuyn]]''
''See Also: [[Kouralian Orders, Decorations and Medals|Kouralian Honours]], [[Palatine Principality of Rheðuyn]]''
<code> > SECTION INCOMPLETE < </code>


While a democracy, Kouralia's functioning constitutional monarchy comes with a predominantly ceremonial nobility.  Notionally there exists a hereditary Principality that equates to each Province, and the holders of which are entitled to sit in the Noble Assembly.  Hereditary Lordships often largely equate to counties, hundreds, boroughs or other local authority areas, though the boundaries will have changed over time, and there are only some authority areas which have their own hereditary lordship.  In addition to this there are 'Civil Lords' who are ennobled for life by the crown at the recommendation of the Government.  These tend to be people who have served the public extensively, often as a retirement package for figures such as Chiefs of Staff in the Military, Permanent Secretaries in the Adjutant Clerk Corps, Praetors, and major figures from the private sector for whom knighthoods do not fully represent their contributions to society.
While a democracy, Kouralia's functioning constitutional monarchy comes with a predominantly ceremonial nobility.  Notionally there exists a hereditary Principality that equates to each Province, and the holders of which are entitled to sit in the Noble Assembly.  Hereditary Lordships often largely equate to counties, hundreds, boroughs or other local authority areas, though the boundaries will have changed over time, and there are only some authority areas which have their own hereditary lordship.  In addition to this there are 'Civil Lords' who are ennobled for life by the crown at the recommendation of the Government.  These tend to be people who have served the public extensively, often as a retirement package for figures such as Chiefs of Staff in the Military, Permanent Secretaries in the Adjutant Clerk Corps, Praetors, and major figures from the private sector for whom knighthoods do not fully represent their contributions to society.
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===Fashion===
===Fashion===
<code> > SECTION INCOMPLETE < </code>
While casual clothes such as jeans and casual shirts are common in every-day life, Kouralian fashion tends toward formal dressing of one of two styles.  Regardless of the style worn, Kouralian attire is usually unisex whether it be tunics or trousers and shirts worn.   
While casual clothes such as jeans and casual shirts are common in every-day life, Kouralian fashion tends toward formal dressing of one of two styles.  Regardless of the style worn, Kouralian attire is usually unisex whether it be tunics or trousers and shirts worn.   


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===Marriage and Æfenlytya===
===Marriage and Æfenlytya===
<code> > SECTION INCOMPLETE < </code>
Kouralia does not have widespread marriage, with only roughly 30% of the adult population choosing to marry.  This is because Kouralia has traditionally had two forms of bonding: marriage, and the institution of '''Æfenlytya''' or 'Companionship.'  Throughout the formative early stages of the [[Æhrycreda]] it was held that legal sharing of property and titles and bonding of families and factions was of importance.  Thus a marriage in Kouralia is a legal process whereby a contract of marriage is drawn up to give one's partner increased rights over joint property.  However, the Æhrycreda teaches that love and lust, and acting on those forces is a force for good in the world and a way of venerating the gods.  Thus, the religious institution of Æfenlytya was formed from a more structured way of regulating unmarried lovers.
Kouralia does not have widespread marriage, with only roughly 30% of the adult population choosing to marry.  This is because Kouralia has traditionally had two forms of bonding: marriage, and the institution of '''Æfenlytya''' or 'Companionship.'  Throughout the formative early stages of the [[Æhrycreda]] it was held that legal sharing of property and titles and bonding of families and factions was of importance.  Thus a marriage in Kouralia is a legal process whereby a contract of marriage is drawn up to give one's partner increased rights over joint property.  However, the Æhrycreda teaches that love and lust, and acting on those forces is a force for good in the world and a way of venerating the gods.  Thus, the religious institution of Æfenlytya was formed from a more structured way of regulating unmarried lovers.


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===Cuisine===
===Cuisine===
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Kouralian cuisine focuses on the idea of a single hearty main meal to the day which is cooked traditionally overflows with meat and side dishes.  This can be consumed as breakfast, or at lunch or tea-time, where that will be termed 'dinner.' This traditional dinner will consist of a main dish of meat, which is supported by a side dish of vegetables and a possible side dish of starchy food such as bread or pasta.  After this follows a sweet dish.  Alcohol, generally wine, is consumed throughout that meal.
Kouralian cuisine focuses on the idea of a single hearty main meal to the day which is cooked traditionally overflows with meat and side dishes.  This can be consumed as breakfast, or at lunch or tea-time, where that will be termed 'dinner.' This traditional dinner will consist of a main dish of meat, which is supported by a side dish of vegetables and a possible side dish of starchy food such as bread or pasta.  After this follows a sweet dish.  Alcohol, generally wine, is consumed throughout that meal.


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===Sports===
===Sports===
<code> > SECTION INCOMPLETE < </code>
Kouralia as a nation has a number of sports, and its national sport is denoted by law.  {{wp|Association football|Association Football}} is a common ballgame, however the msot followed sports are {{wp|Combat sport|combat sports}} ranging from empty-handed events such as wrestling through to one-on-one swordsmanship and group 'battles.'  The official sport of Kouralia is a combination wrestling and boxing event termed the {{wp|Pankration|Omniperio}} which is renowned for its violence and lack of rules. {{wp|Greek wrestling|Flat-hand combat events}} generally feature matches of periods, and can be won through technical superiority and scoring of moves, or through simple knock-outs.  {{wp|Ancient Greek boxing|Striking combat events}} such as boxing are common and different events will vary in terms of which zones may be struck and struck with, weight classes, and protection.
Kouralia as a nation has a number of sports, and its national sport is denoted by law.  {{wp|Association football|Association Football}} is a common ballgame, however the msot followed sports are {{wp|Combat sport|combat sports}} ranging from empty-handed events such as wrestling through to one-on-one swordsmanship and group 'battles.'  The official sport of Kouralia is a combination wrestling and boxing event termed the {{wp|Pankration|Omniperio}} which is renowned for its violence and lack of rules. {{wp|Greek wrestling|Flat-hand combat events}} generally feature matches of periods, and can be won through technical superiority and scoring of moves, or through simple knock-outs.  {{wp|Ancient Greek boxing|Striking combat events}} such as boxing are common and different events will vary in terms of which zones may be struck and struck with, weight classes, and protection.


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===Public Holidays===
===Public Holidays===
<code> > SECTION INCOMPLETE < </code>
Kouralia has a number of public holidays or '''Feryæ''' which are observed due to tradition and which typically result in a day or multiple days off of work along with other traditions.  These occur throughout the year and have been formalised by the National Holiday Act 2013, which provides for which holidays necessitate either double pay for working, or a day off.  The Kouralian calendar does not correspond to the Gregorian Calendar directly, however most Kouralians use the Gregorian calendar for business purposes, and it is only for the placement of certain holidays that the Kouralian calendar is used.  Where one of these holidays falls on a weekend, the next following working day is pronounced to be a public holiday.
Kouralia has a number of public holidays or '''Feryæ''' which are observed due to tradition and which typically result in a day or multiple days off of work along with other traditions.  These occur throughout the year and have been formalised by the National Holiday Act 2013, which provides for which holidays necessitate either double pay for working, or a day off.  The Kouralian calendar does not correspond to the Gregorian Calendar directly, however most Kouralians use the Gregorian calendar for business purposes, and it is only for the placement of certain holidays that the Kouralian calendar is used.  Where one of these holidays falls on a weekend, the next following working day is pronounced to be a public holiday.


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* On the 31st of October the '''Feryæ aþ'Amburbyum''' celebrates the purification of communities of evil and dishonour through public processions and rituals in the day, and at night the wearing of costume and partaking in communal games to represent the early return of dishonour: a remnant of a reminder to be ever-vigilant about evil.
* On the 31st of October the '''Feryæ aþ'Amburbyum''' celebrates the purification of communities of evil and dishonour through public processions and rituals in the day, and at night the wearing of costume and partaking in communal games to represent the early return of dishonour: a remnant of a reminder to be ever-vigilant about evil.
* At some point throughout the year each Province is authorised to hold its own '''Provincial Day''' as a public holiday, though these are generally taken to be paid-double within that Province for inter-provincial business (e.g. a call-centre) rather than for days off to be taken, except, for example, for local retail work.
* At some point throughout the year each Province is authorised to hold its own '''Provincial Day''' as a public holiday, though these are generally taken to be paid-double within that Province for inter-provincial business (e.g. a call-centre) rather than for days off to be taken, except, for example, for local retail work.
 
{{Kourbox}}
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[[Category:Kouralia]]

Latest revision as of 21:53, 8 March 2023

Crown Union of Kouralia
Kyneslyyt aþe’Kuuralya
Flag of Kouralia
Flag
Coat of Arms of Kouralia
Coat of Arms
Motto: 
"Þeri Kuunya Y'Meye Kyne"
(High Kouralian)
"For Honour and Our Crown"
(Mystrian Common)
CapitalKurton
Largest cityChyricfriþyning
Official languagesHigh Kouralian, Mystrian Common
Demonym(s)Kouralian
GovernmentConstitutional parliamentary federal monarchy
Sir Alyxandra Camhoayl
Sir Barynel Cæryn
Senate of Kurton
Noble Assembly
Formation
• Foundation of Kurton
~750 BCE
• Re-unification of Kurton & Altonia
1816 CE
• End of Millennial War
May 2001 CE
• Restoration of the Crown
2002 CE
Area
• Total
8,094,000 km2 (3,125,000 sq mi)(4 s.f.)
• Water (%)
2.32%
Population
• 2017 census
746,419,440
• Density
92.2/km2 (238.8/sq mi)
GDP (PPP)2018 estimate
• Total
$34.76 Trillion
• Per capita
$46,565
GDP (nominal)2018 estimate
• Total
$26 Trillion
• Per capita
$34,843
Gini (2018)Negative increase 35.9
medium
HDI (2018)Steady 0.892
very high
CurrencyKætſya (Ꞣ) (KKY)
Time zone(Mystrian Far Western)
Date formatdd.mm.yyyy
Driving sideleft
Calling code+379
ISO 3166 codeKRA
Internet TLD.ku

Kouralia (High Kouralian: Kuuralya), also known as the Crown Union of Kouralia (Kyneslyyt aþe’Kuuralya), is a human-majority nation-state located in Western Mystria, straddling the Hobbiest Straits. Kouralia consists of two main areas of land with one on each side of the Hobbiest Straits - the Kouralian Homelands sits on the southern coast of Norstralia, while the Kouralian Farlands stretch from the Hobbiest and Ceffytlirian Peninsulae to the Harvest Sea on Borealia. Approximately 60% of the population of Kouralia resides in the Kourlalian Homelands, which is bounded by the Hobbiest Straits to the South and the Gulf of Ino to the East and North as well as having land borders with Hippocratia and Fortuna to the West. The North Coast of the Kouralian Farlands stretches from the Hobbiest Straits to the Harvest Sea, along with having a West coast on the Cambreth Sea. Most of the land borders to the Kouralian Far Lands are to the magic-blasted wastelands of the Forynthry. The total area of Kouralia is 3,125,000 square miles.

Kouralia is a federal, inanimatocratic constitutional monarchy. The head of state, called the Crownbearer is primarily a figurehead with some key constitutional powers. The Crownbearer is currently Sir Alyxandra Camhoayl. who has reigned since the restitution of the monarchy in 2002 after the Millennial War. Kouralia's head of government is the Crown Captain of Justiciars, currently Sir Barynel Cæryn. Kouralia's Central Coronial Government is predominently based in its capitol city of Kurton in the Kouralian Homelands.

Kouralia is divided up into twenty one regions, each led by a directly-elected Governor and with various devolved powers subordinate to the national government. Kouralia also has an extraterritorial semi-exclave in the United Kingdom of Malgrave called Progress Hill which includes a military installation as well as other land.

Kouralia's population is one with a sizeable human majority, though there are minority populations of both indigenous werewolves, Fei Folk, and undead, and also of immigrant species such as Ponies, Beastlings, and Elves. Magic use is rare in the nation, and heavily regulated due to historical fears of a Thaumocracy or Feiviocracy. It has never approached the prevalence of other nearby states such as D'hɑlbrisir.

Kouralia has a High-Income Economy with a high Human Development Index rating. Its economy is based largely on services, though the nation does have sizeable manufacturing and production sectors. Whilst the nation is the foremost power in Western Mystria, it is comparable to many other states from the Dragon Sea and Continental Mystria in terms of soft and hard power, leaving it generally as a middle power in the region. It is a recognised nuclear power, and is a member of the Gryningsvägen Alliansen and Coalition of Ponyist States.

Etymology

The common name for the Crown Union, Kouralia is a Commonisation of the High Kouralian name for the Norstralian peninsula that makes up the Kouralian Homelands. This phrase, Kuuralya is an evolution of the Old Kouralian Adjective Karus and noun Ala, which respectively mean Beloved and Wing. The Nyemynys Kuuralya or Kouralian Peninsula, is therefore the Peninsula of the Beloved Wing. It is believed that this term originated from a romanticised myth that the peninsula was the wing of a great primordial beast which stretched out and separated the Gulf of Ino from the Hobbiest Straits.

The Kouralian capital city of Kurton shares a similar etymology as the Beloved City.

History

See Also: History of Kouralia

Kouralian Prehistory

Example of Pre-Historical Kouralian Megalithic Tomb

The oldest discovered traces of human life on the Kouralian peninsula date to between one and two million years BCE, and reflect a primarily hunter-gatherer lifestyle throughout and before the Stone Age, before moving to a predominantly agricultural society in the Neolithic era between 7,000 BCE and 3,500 BCE. Between the third millennium BCE and the last millenium BCE, the peninsula went through the Bronze Age. This was characterised by tribal social groups of growing complexity and hierarchy, an increased scale of agriculture resulting in forest clearances and human change to the environment, and both trade and emigration of material and peoples across and between the West Mystrian continents. On the main Kouralian Peninsula, the Iron Age represented the end of Pre- and Proto-Historical Kouralia until the start of the local historiographical record in 511 BCE when the Senate of Kurton commissioned a written account of the history of Kurton that dated the formal foundation of the Senate to 753 BCE.

There had been evidence of human occupation of the Reðuynyc River Valley in general and Kurton in particular from as early as 10,000BCE, and prior to the formal creation of the Senate as a governing body over the federation of tribes and villages in the immediate area there were various settled groups that made up the area. In the time before the Kurtonic Histories, years were dated according to the nominated Captain of the Senate for that period. However, after the Histories was completed in 510 BCE the Senate embarked on an effort to reestablish a calendar based on the year since the foundation of Kurton - decreeing the current year to be 244 AS, or Aastæ Senaati'astuma (Year of the Senate's Founding).

Classical Kouralia

Artist's impression of the Classical Kurtonian civic complex

For the latter century of the Captaincy Dating Period, The City of Kurton participated in the Reðuynyc League confederation with a number of other local tribes and villages. In its early stages, this was clearly led by the city of Rheðuyn, the pre-eminent local polity. However, between 513 & 511 BCE the growing influence of Kurton resulted in a number of conflicts between Kurtonyc- and Reðuynyc-aligned camps that resulted in the sacking of Rheðuyn. Having commissioned the Kurtonic Histories in celebration of their victory, the next five years saw Kurton annexe or setablish protectorates over much of the remainder of the league. By 501 BCE these groups had representation in the Senate of Kurton, and modern Historians regard the 5th century BCE as the start of the Republic of Kurton, or the First Republic of Kouralia.

Kurton's power and influence grew rapidly during the ensuing period until it had established direct control over almost a quarter of the entire Kouralian Peninsula, stretching from the Ino Straits to parts of the modern region of Cofyledas. Much of this rapid growth is attributed to a synergy of purpose with local Fei-Folk such as nature spirits whose innate understanding of magic lent great power to the diplomats and soldiers of the city. Whilst the Fei-folk themselves generally showed little interest in temporal power, their influence and importance to the strategy of Kurton resulted in a great rise in the importance of the priestly class that had responsibility for liaison between them and the city's secular government. In 109 BCE this situation resulted in the Æhrycredan High Priest, the Oyðelcyniin, becoming the de-facto absolute leader of the Kouralian State.

Over the next three hundred years this relationship was cemented with the Senate acting purely as an advisory body for the Oyðelcyniin, or Noble King, of the Collegyſsym Sacræ. All of the Senate's responsibility to approve the nomination of a new Oyðelcyniin from amongst the members of the Collegyſsym Sacræ was gone, and the Noble King now exerted full control of the City Treasury and Legions. Ecclesiocratic rule ended in the 3rd century CE following the Imerian Invasion when the Commander of the Armies of the North, Sebastos Camhaoil deposed him and became the first secular King of Kouralia.

Medieval Kouralia

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As Kouralia expanded and the beliefs of its religion developed and experienced a reformation, conflicts occurred. Due to the close links between the Kouralian Church and the political power, the eventual schism resulted in a splitting of the Kouralian Empire into two nations by 1071: the Eastern Kingdom of Kurton and the Western Altonian Empire. Between 1200 and the 1680s the power of Kurton waned on in their Homelands, but grew in the Southern continent of Borealia where established trading settlements had grown to be provinces in their own right, and militantly expanded all the way to the borders of Discord's Realm in the South. In the late 18th century expansionist Kurtonian policy saw non-aligned nations within the Homelands becoming protectorates, puppet states, and finally provinces of the Kurtonian Empire while Altonia similarly conducted an attempt to prevent non-aligned states from being subsumed into Kurton's hegemony.

Modern Kouralia

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From 1790s to 1815 the invasion of Chieti by Altonia resulted in conflict between the two powers spilling out into open warfare, that concluded only with the surrender of Altonia and its absorption into the First Royal Union of Kouralia. Kurton (and then Kouralia) continued to become more and more Constitutional in terms of the authority wielded by the Crown until in 1963 when, following an incredibly deep recession the Chief of the Opposition in the Senate (and former Chief of Military Staff) launched a successful coup and deposed the monarch and lawful government. Immediately appointing himself temporarily 'August Father' of the nation to repurpose a historical republican title for the dictatorial commander-in-chief appointment in times of crisis, he established a faux-republican dictatorship while the surviving monarchists were either imprisoned and executed or fled to exile.

New Coronial Kouralia

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The Kouralian New Republic was destroyed following the Millenial War between 1998 and May 2001, resulting in the restoration of the monarchy in the new Second Royal Union of Kouralia and the execution of the new August Father: who was unsurprisingly a blood relative of the first August Father. First brought back as a summary measure, in 2002 the newly elected and empowered Senate voted to restore new constitutional authority to the Campbell family as monarchs and bearers of the Crown's Authority.

Due to the lack of enforced speciesist discrimination and sapient rights abuses since then, Kouralia has seen increased acceptance and involvement on the international stage.

Geography

Location

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Map of Kouralia showing its place within the region

Kouralia is an immense nation with two main territories straddling both the continents of Norstralia to the North (Kouralia Proper) and Borealia to the South. They are separated by the Hobbiest Straits, which is a major waterway for seaborne traffic between Mystria and the Southern Pony Lands. On 'Kouralia Proper' is functionally a large peninsula which covers most of the Southern coast of the continent, and limits access to the Gulf of Ino. That of Kouralia on Borealia broadly separates the former Celestial Empire of Harmony to the East, known as Forynthry-Oryens in High Kouralian, and the remnants of the Hobbiest Republic Empire to the West (now Forynthry-Boreous). To the South is, among other nations, the wasteland formerly known as Montesardo-East Adanzi (now Forynthry-Auster), the hostile rogue state of the Realm of Discord, and Shrilland.

Due to its position, Kouralia claims de facto rights to the Gulf of Ino, aside from the territorial waters of, and international waters endeavours of other nations bordering the Gulf. It is extremely wary of and greatly opposes any attempts by foreign states to influence or operate within the Gulf of Ino. The Royal Union assumes a similar ownership of the waters surrounding the former Hobbiest Republic Empire, however this is primarily due to Kouralia's role in maintaining the secure perimeter surrounding the wilderness.

Climate and Terrain

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Due to the size of Kouralia, its climate and terrain varies immensely. The islands and mainland approaching the North of the Homelands territory are very tropical alike the Caribbean. The land below there and to the West rapidly becomes a Mediterranean climate with green rocky mountains. Across the straits, the Borealian part of Kouralia generally has a temperate oceanic climate, though there are some Alpine areas (especially in the Mountains toward the South), and the hellscapes of Forynthry across the borders do tend to leak to an extent, and affect natural Kouralian flora and fauna in the Marches.

Local Authority Government

Governate Assembly-Chamber of the Palatine Principality

Kouralia is divided into three principal levels of administrative sub-divisions. The largest of these is the Region, followed by the Province and then the Municipality. Each of these has responsibility for, and exercises particular responsibilities when it comes to local Government. In spite of these local governments, Kouralia is a unitary state where central Coronial power is absolute over the constituent sub-divisions.

At each administrative division, there are four main elements to the local authority:

  • The Local Government Executive is the individual personally responsible for overseeing the local government department.
  • The Locak Government Executive is supported by a Local Executive Committee that is selected by the Head of Local Government and will be responsible for various delegated portfolios.
  • The Local Government is held to account by a Local Government Assembly which also acts as a sub-national legislature for the purposes of any secondary legislation and various constitutional powers.
  • The local government will usually be supported by various salaried staff, ranging from bureaucratic administrators to regulatory inspectors and service providers.

Most areas in Kouralia are covered by both a Province and also a Municipal Authority, both of which are subordinate to the Regional Governate. However, some areas have started to combine the administrative responsibilities of the Province and the Municipality into a single government body referred to as the Provincial Municipality. Provincial Municipalities tend to be areas that both require provision of Provincial-level services, but which cannot easily be divided into Municipalities or where one or the other level of government is believed to be inefficient. This is most common in large cities, for example the City of Kurton Regional Province which is also outside of the control of any Regional Governate. Another unique area is the Palatine-Principality of Rheðuyn which exercises the three levels of local government with special autonomy to exercise various other functions of the Coronial Authority.

Ordinary Municipality Provincial Municipality
The Coronial Union
Regional Governate
Provincial Council
Municipal Authority
Provincial Municipality
Local Ward
Local Ward

Regions are led by a Directly-elected Regional Governor, who heads a Regional Governate. The Governate consists of both of the full-time employees that carry out local government functions, and the Governate Council of Governate Assessors. The Assessors are appointed by the Governor and serve until his term ends, he resigns, or they are dismissed. The people of the Region are represented by the Regional Assembly that has responsibility for scrutinising the work of the Governate, holding the Governor to account for its effectiveness and efficiency, and representing the interests of their local constituents. Governate Assessors do not have to be members of the Regional Assembly, but if they are then they must suspend voting for the length of their appointment.

Provinces are led by a Provincial Steward who is invariably the head of the majority party or majority coalition in the Provincial Assembly, which is the corresponding sub-national legislature. The Steward acts as the chairperson of the Provincial Council, and appoints Provincial Assessors that serve at their pleasure. The Provincial Assessors cannot be members of the Provincial Assembly, and if they accept appointment they are considered to have resigned.

The Province is also overseen by the Provincial Prefect who acts as the Coronial Government's representative in the area. They are responsible for overseeing the effectiveness and efficiency of local uniformed services, adjudicating in disputes between Local authorities, civil protection, immigration and upholding civil rights, and suspending local government officials in the event of failure to exercise their duties. The Provincial Prefect is a Coronial Officer who is a career Clerk Coronial, usually of the 'Principal Executive Officer' grade.

Municipalities are led by a Mayor who is either elected by a college of the Municipal Aldermanry or, in the case of a Provincial Municipality, is directly elected by the people. The Municipal Council consists of those Aldermen that are voted from among their number or, in the case of a Provincial Municipality, selected by the Mayor to have governing responsibility for a particular portfolio area.

Central Coronial Government

The Coronial Union is a constitutional monarchy of the 'Westminster' style in which the Crown has absolute legal authority. Unlike many monarchies however, the authority is legally vested in the physical object of the Crown and the authority to exercise its various powers are vested in particular officials, referred to as the Coronial Wardens. As head of state the Crownbearer of Kouralia heads a tripartite government consisting of the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary, whilst being advised by the Crown Council. The relationship between these branches of government is set out in the Twelve Statutes-Principal of Kurton of 2001.

Twelve Statutes-Principal

See Also: Statutes-Principal

Relationship between the Crown (Purple) & Executive (Blue) branches of government and the Judiciary (Red) and Legislature (Green).

The Twelve Statutes-Principal of the Statute of Kurton of 2001 form the Constitution of Kouralia and set out the division of Coronial authority between the three branches of Government and the person of the Crownbearer. Whilst it is a core principle that any Statute made by one Senate can be amended or unmade by a subsequent Senate, the First Statute-Principal codifies the means of amending all Statutes-Principal as through the unanimous assent of the Coronial Wardens. The remainder of the Statutes-Principal go on to set out the legal foundations of the Post-Republican Era of Kouralian Government, the Second Coronial Union.

Statute-Principal Title Statute-Principal Title
1st On Statutes-Principal, and Amendment Thereof 7th On the Crownbearer, and the Authority Thereof
2nd On Citizens & Residents, and Duties Thereof 8th On the Crown Council, and the Authority Thereof
3rd On Citizens & Residents, and Rights Hearth 9th On the Crown Court, and the Authority Thereof
4th On Citizens & Residents, and Rights Abroad 10th On the Speakers-President, and the Authority Thereof
5th On Feikind and Not, and Relations Betwixt 11th On the Prince-Justice, and the Authority Thereof
6th On the Crown, and the Authority Thereof 12th On the Crown-Captain, and the Authority Thereof

Crown

See Also: High Crown of Kouralia, Crownbearer, Crown Council, Coronial Wardens, Royal Households of Kouralia, House of Campbell

The High Crown of Kurton, or Kynessym Kurtonyc in High Kouralian, is the font of all legal authority within Kouralia, and notionally holds absolute authority. Practically speaking, however, it is exercised in commission. Each of the Coronial Wardens holds the authority to exercise particular powers at their own discretion or on binding advice from other officials. The authority is specifically derived from the High Crown itself rather than the monarch, who is known as the Crownbearer, or Kynessym Kantaasym in High Kouralian. Prior to the Republican Era, significantly more power was vested in the person of the Crownbearer which had been a hereditary office since the Imerian Crisis of the 3rd Century. This increase in power had been gradual but persistent for over 1,500 years, and the Second Kouralian Republic only resulted in even more centralisation of authority into the figure of the President.

Following the Millennial War, the Committee to Restore the Crown established the Twelve Statutes-Principal to ensure a fairer distribution of authority that had checks and balances on one person possessing too much power. The House of Campbell was restored to the role of Crownbearer with a new check requiring the Crown Council to assent to the accession of the new Crownbearer, with a specified process to follow if the Crownbearer-Designate was not selected.

Most of the authority wielded by the Crownbearer may only be exercised on the binding Executive Advice of the Crown-Captain of Justiciars, or the Justiciar they allocate responsibility for it. This includes declaring war, issuing pardons and commuting sentences, speaking on behalf of the nation, and knighting or ennobling people. Other powers including making certain appointments to the Crown Council, assenting to proposed laws, dissolving the Senate and Assembly to cause an election, acting as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, representing the nation in foreign affairsas its foremost ambassador, and appointing various officials following nomination of a candidate by other governmental bodies.

The Crownbearer is advised on the exercise of their powers by the Crown Council, or Kynessym Konſylyoræ in High Kouralian. This is a combination of appointees serving at the pleasure of the Crownbearer, ex officio serving government figures from all three branches, and some former office-holders. The advice of the Crown Council is not binding unlike Executive Advice, however it is expected to give honest and insightful counsel on whatever matter it meets to discuss. In matters of succession, the Crown Council is also responsible for selecting and appointing the Ynterrecæ, and acceding to the Crownbearer-Designate's accession to the Crown.

Legislature

See Also: Senate of Kurton

Kouralia has a bicameral Legislature: the Lower House of which is the directly elected Senate of Kurton and the Upper House of which is the part-hereditary Noble Assembly. The Senate is responsible for writing proposed Statutes, while the Noble Assembly ostensibly edits them to ensure they are justiciable before sending it to the Crown to become law. Collectively they are also responsible for holding the Executive branch of government to account.

West Facing of the Senate of Kurton

Each of the houses is overseen by its Presiding Officer, with the Speaker-President of the Senate of Kurton being superior to the Most Noble Speaker-President in the same way the Senate is itself superior to the Noble Assembly. The Presiding Officers are Coronial Wardens, and exercise the Crown's authority to set the schedule within their house, allow representatives to speak, and discipline representatives who sit in their house. They are responsible for ensuring business in their house is conduct in a civil fashion, and for ensuring the security of both their house itself and the representatives who sit in it - with the Speaker-President of the Senate of Kurton being responsible for the overall security of the Legislative Estate.

The Senate of Kurton numbers five hundred Senators due to the sacredness of the number 5 in the Kouralian national faith. Senators are directly elected in a number of districts nation-wide by their local constituents, and are expected to both serve their local constituents and serve the nation as a whole when conducting business. Senators are usually members of a particular political party which assists them in coordinating and funding campaigns, though they can run and be elected independent of the influence of a Political party. The leader of the political party or alliance that holds the majority of seats in the Senate is nominated by a vote of the whole house to become the Crown-Captain of Justiciars. The Senate is principally responsible for proposing and writing draft legislation, and redrafting it at the request of the Noble Assembly as part of the Process of it becoming a Statute. In addition to this, Senators scrutinise national issues and Government activity through various Committees. Currently the Senate has a majority coalition of the Bonyas aþe’Coralyvienas and the Red Nationals Party, with the National Royalist Party leading the Opposition.

Chamber of the Noble Assembly

The Noble Assembly numbers one hundred Noble Electors, who are divided up into three main categories. Firstly, the twenty foremost Princes of the Union are entitled to sit in the Assembly as hereditary members, and when their title passes upon their death, so too does their right to speak and vote in the chamber. Secondly, a variety of senior public sector executives are granted the right to sit in the chamber by virtue of their position - serving ex officio. This includes the five Lords of War of the Armed Forces, the five members of the High College of the Faith, the Lord Mayor of Kurton, and four of the seniormost members of the Judiciary. Finally, the Crownbearer is entitled to appoint five people to sit in the Noble Assembly at their pleasure. The remaining sixty individuals are those honoured by the Government of the day with an Executive Lordship which is an honour bestowed by the Crown on Executive Advice. These individuals serve on a matter of seniority, with the oldest serving Nobles relinquishing their right to speak and vote in the Chamber when replaced by a new appointee - though they retain their title for life. A Government may only appoint up to five Executive Lordships per year, ensuring that it would take three full terms in office before the entire chamber were stacked with that party or alliance's appointees. The Noble Assembly scrutinises proposed legislation drafted by the Senate, and has the right to propose changes up to three times before being required to give assent to the bill and send it to the Crown. In this way it is meant to act as a barrier to populism, while the Crownbearer's right to refer proposed legislation to the Crown Court and to Referendum guards against unconstitutionality. Like Senators, Noble Electors serve on committees and scrutinise the Government's efficacy.

Senate of Kurton Noble Assembly
Kouralian Senate Composition 2017.svg
Svgfiles 2021-03-11-17-22-21-558379-15505380558333386017.svg
  Bonyas aþe’Coralyvienas: 244 seats
  Nationalmen's Party: 55 seats
  National Royalist Party: 94 seats
  Popular Levellers: 48 seats
  Popular Unionists: 41 seats
  Libertarian Party: 8 seats
  Altonia Afore: 5 seats
  Chietan Indep.: 1 seats
  Independents: 4 seats
  Current Captaincy's Electors: 20 seats
  Preceding Captaincies' Electors: 39 seats
  Lords of War: 5 seats
  Noble Lords Collegiate: 5 seats
  Noble Lord Maior: 1 seat
  Noble Lords Togate: 4 seats
  Noble Lords Coronial: 5 seats
  Hereditary Princes: 20 seats

Judiciary

See Also: Magistrates & Advocates of Kouralia, Crown Court

The Judiciary of Kouralia refers to the law courts responsible for adjudicating legal disputes and interpreting the law written by the Legislature in practice. The Judiciary also refers to the magistrates who are empowered to make such judgements as lesser Coronial Officers. The Courts of Kouralia are divided into the Law Courts Ordinary and Extraordinary, with each division having various further distinctions. The head of the Judiciary is the Prince-Justice, who is also a Coronial Warden. They are responsible for ensuring the independence of the judiciary, for holding the other branches of the government to account in line with the law, and for internally regulating the judiciary. This function is usually carried out in commission with the Judicial High Council which the Prince-Justice presides over. The Judicial High Council is chaired by the Prince-Justice by virtue of his position, with the Principal President of the High Court of Justice-seat and the President of the Guild of Advocates also sitting on it ex officio. Ten Judicial High Councillors are elected by Inferior Magistrates, two by Superior Magistrates, four by advocates. The remaining eight High Councillors are lay-members without legal qualification, selected by the Senate of Kurton in a vote of the whole chamber.

The Law Courts Extraordinary refer specifically to those courts which are outside of the scope of the Judicial High Council. This includes the Courts Martial, the Admiralty Court, and the Crown Court. The former is regulated internally by the military, and is only responsible for military discipline matters - any serious criminal charges that fall outside its authority are passed to an Ordinary Law Court. The Admiralty Court is responsible both for civil and criminal maritime matters - including matters of slavery and piracy. Finally, the Crown Court, or Kynessym Kuryæ in High Kouralian, acts as a supreme constitutional check as well as carrying out various ancillary functions, and is presided over by the Crownbearer in most business.

Civil Courts Criminal Courts
Superior Courts
High Court of Justice-seat
Appellate Court of
Preture & Tribune-in-Eyre
(Civil Division)
Appellate Court of
Preture & Tribune-in-Eyre
(Criminal Division)
Subordinate Courts
Collegiate Tribunal
Preture aþ'Aſsyse
Collegiate Tribunal
Shyrræval Preture
(Solemn Sitting)
Summary Tribunal
Shyrræval Preture
(Summary Sitting)
Shyrræval Magistrate's Court Dress

The Law Courts Ordinary are divided up into the Inferior Courts, and the Superior Courts. The former are trial courts while the latter are appellate courts. Their work is divided up into two types of law - civil and criminal. Civil Law courts, known as Tribunals, deal with civil wrongs, and disputes between individuals or companies. Criminal law courts, known as Pretures, deal with wrongs against society that have been defined in law as criminal offences and therefore are subject to a criminal sentence if one is found guilty of it.

The Subordinate Courts have two grades depending on the severity of the matter under consideration. In the civil law track, a Summary Tribunal consists of a single Magisterial Assessor and decides on disputes with a financial value of less than 10,000. A Collegiate Tribunal consists of three Magisterial Assessors and both hears more serious claims in the first instance as well as hearing appeals from the Subordinate Tribunal. In the criminal law track, there are two grades of subordinate court. The Shyrræval Preture is responsible for hearing minor cases. In a so called Summary Court, a single Shyrræval Magistrate summarily hears the most minor of cases - often without a fully qualified advocate on the part of the defence. These are usually administrative matters such as traffic tickets, and can only result in financial sanction. In a Solemn Court a bench of three Shyrræval Magistrates hear more serious allegations that can command a maximum of ten years in prison on a guilty verdict - and the defence has the right to an Advocate funded publically. In addition, a Preture aþ'Aſsyse consists of three Coronial Magistrates and six Lay-Justices and can impose sentences of up to life imprisonment. It is responsible for hearing cases related to most serious crimes as well as appeals from the Shyrræval Preture, and all Defendants must be represented by an Advocate by law.

The Superior Courts have two grades - the Appellate Court of Preture & Tribune-in-Eyre and the High Court of Justice-seat. The Appellate Court of Preture & Tribune-in-Eyre is a single Court, but which sits simultaneously in each Region as required. Benches of three Magistrates-in-Eyre will either address specific legal challenges raised by the parties in the case, or review the facts of the case again. In either case they can alter a civil judgement, or quash a criminal conviction, convict a Defendant, extend or curtail a sentence. A further appeal may be made to the High Court of Justice-seat in Kurton which can only consider the interpretation of the law when it comes to judgements of Subordinate Courts as it may not rehear evidence or retry either party. A hearing of the High Court consists of a bench of five Lords or Ladies Justice of Appeal. The High Court may amend civil judgements, quash criminal convictions, or order a re-trial. The High Court only accepts appeals where the grounds for appeal are clearly articulated in advance by the applicant so it can review their appropriateness. By default the High Courtwill hear any Subordinate Appeals relating to malfeasance by the Government, and would then direct the appropriate Appellate Court to carry out a retrial if necessary.

Executive

See Also: Kouralian Government, Crown Captain of Justiciars, Justiciars of Kouralia, Crown Adjutant Clerk Corps, Foreign Policy.

The Executive branch of government is responsible for running the Crown Union effectively and ethically, and efficiently in accordance with the Laws of the Senate. This it does in the name of the Crown, and with varying degrees of delegated authority that avoid the need of the Crownbearer to carry out the business of governance themselves. The Government consists both of the Government departments called Justiciaries or Chancelleries made up of professional bureaucrats, and also of its elected Political leaders. This second part is referred to as a Captaincy, and each takes its name from its head - the Crown-Captain of Justiciars. The Crown-Captain is a Coronial Warden that is nominated in a vote of the Senate following an election, and therefore is invariably pre-determined to be the leader of the majority political party or alliance of political parties. The nominee is then appointed by the Crownbearer, whereupon they divide up the business of government into various portfolios and make nominations to the Crown by way of Executive Advice for Justiciars to head the departments responsible for executing policy in that area of business.

Following the 2017 elections, the current government of Kouralia is the 2017 Cæryn Captaincy under Barynel Cæryn.

The executive branch of government has the authority to do many things required to run the country on a day-to-day basis - and through Executive Advice can require the Crownbearer to exercise their powers in particular ways too. The executive also has a presumption of precedence in proposing legislation for discussion and voting in the Senate over laws proposed by other Senators. Indeed, over 95% of time spent debating and voting on legislation in the Senate and Noble Assembly is spent on governmentally proposed statutes. However, there are various checks and balances against executive overreach. The Noble Assembly and the Crownbearer scrutinise proposed legislation before it becomes a Statute, while any person or organisation can - if their case has merit - make an application to the Crown Court to strike down a Statute in whole or in part as incompatible with the Statutes-Principal. Ordinary Courts and various tribunals can also hold the Executive to account, securing redress for citizens or communities wronged by those in power. Furthermore, the various Committees of the Senate and Noble Assembly regularly summons witnesses and data to conduct hearings and publish reports into the efficiency and effectiveness of the government of the day. Finally, on a personal level, the Crownbearer has weekly audiences with the Crown-Captain to be updated on the progress of the government in carrying out its manifesto and dealing with any identified issues.

In additional to the bureaucratic staff directly employed within the Justiciaries and Chancelleries, the Government also provides direction to various apolitical professional agencies and organisations that support the working of the state. These organisations are not directly headed by a Justiciar or Chancellor, but their professional heads will report to one and take direction from them in a relationship defined in law to assure apolitical independence of decision-making. There are hundreds of such agencies, ranging from the Office of the Cartographer-General and the Grocers' Public Adjudication Board to the Central Coronial Archives and the Signals Information & Security Service. Some of the most visible of such executive organisations are the Kouralian Armed Forces, the Police and Prison services, and the Intelligence Services.

Policing and Prisons

See Also: Law Enforcement in Kouralia, Treasury Guard, Carcerial Guard, Service Police, Coalition of Policial Networks

Two City Watch traffic officers.

Preventing and investigating criminal offences, maintaining public order, and apprehending suspected and accused offenders and people unlawfully at large is primarily the responsibility of local Territorial Watches, or Vygelas Astycus in High Kouralian. These are uniformed discplined services of sworn Constables employed full-time to enforce the law, with each Watch having responsibility for a particular gegraphic area. The Watches tend to number between 2,000 and 30,000 staff, depending on the population size of the administrative division they cover - which can range from a Province or two to a single Municipality in the case of large cities. Territorial Watches are responsible for the full-spectrum of law enforcement activities: from road traffic enforcement and community Policing, to tactical armed operations and major crime investigations.

A number of other organisations have a specialist role in Law Enforcement across the Coronial Union. This includes various Inspectorates that investigate administrative offences such as the RICE Inspectors, the Yronway Guard who provide security on the national rail network, and the Treasury Guard who lead, coordinate, and assist Territorial Watches on serious & organised crime, major crime, and national security investigations and operations.

Convicted Offenders can be sentenced to custodial terms of prescribed or indeterminate lengths at Prison establishments operated by the centrally-administered Carcerial Guard. These prisons are secure establishments with entry, exit, and activity within controlled according to central regulation and local Governance. Officers of the Carcerial Guard are sworn in as Constables within the limits and immediate vicinity of their establishment, and within the remit of any transportation operation they are employed with.

Kouralia is the founding nation of the international Coalition of Policial Networks and takes an active role in international cooperation in this field.

Intelligence Services

See Also: Kouralian Intelligence Community

As National Security is the responsibility of the Central Coronial Government, gathering information about threats to the Kouralian state and people is the responsible of the Four Statutory Intelligence Services. These four agencies have respective responsibility for one of the main functions of the old Intelligence and Security Agency:

  • Executive Oversight, Vetting, Training and Record-keeping.
  • Espionage and Counter-Espionage, including against non-state actors such as terrorist groups or organised crime groups whose activities threaten national security.
  • Telephony and Digital information gathering and analysis to create Signals Intelligence.
  • Grand Strategic military intelligence.

The Intelligence Services do not have any operational capability to act on information gathered beyond those officers responsible for installing or monitoring equipment, meeting covert human intelligence sources, or conducting surveillance operations. Where their domestic activities uncover national security offences then Special Branches of the Treasury Guard or local Territorial Watch will be responsible for intervening to protect the public, apprehend those responsible, and secure charges for relevant criminal offences. Where intelligence activities show a need for direct-action operations abroad, these can only be sanctioned by the Central Coronial Government and carried out by the military personnel.

Armed Forces

See Also: Kouralian Armed Forces, Royal Kouralian Army, Kouralian Royal Navy, Kouralian National Air Force, Provincial Militia

Kouralian Infanteers deployed in D'halbrisir

The Coronial Armed Forces consist of three professional service branches: the Grand Legion, the Grand Fleet, and the Marshalcy Air Fleet. The Commander-In-Chief is the Kouralian Crown, which is represented by the Crownbearer in all ceremonies and formal processes, to which all servicepersons swear oaths of allegiance. However, the Crownbearer has no role in managing or commanding the armed forces and civilian control of the military is exercised by the Central Coronial Government through the War Justiciary and its executive-level Military Boards. The Coronial Armed Forces are charged with protecting the integrity of the Crown Union and its citizenry, ensuring national security by promoting Kouralian interests abroad, and keeping the peace.

Individual professional service branches are responsible for organising, training and equipping forces, and their professional heads come together in the Grand Legatine Council to discuss high level military policy and advise the Central Coronial Government on military matters. The Prince-Martial is the chairperson of the Grand Legatine Council, is the military head of the Armed Forces and is the principal military advisor to the Central Coronial Government while operational control over forces is through Joint Thematic/Theatre Commands (JTCs) as part of a chain of command that originates with the Justiciar for War. Whilst there is an existing legal process for instituting conscription this has not been put into effect since the Second Crown Union was formed; the Coronial Armed Forces remain an entirely professional military and leverages its popular image to exceed recruitment targets and selectively accept only the highest scoring candidates. Full-time personnel serving in the Coronial Armed Forces are also supported by both the part-time reserve components to each of the professional service branches, and also the Regional Special Reserves. These latter forces are part-time militias which answer to the Regional Governates unless miustered for Coronial Service.

Ongoing commitments of the Armed Forces include peace support operations in D'hɑlbrisir, maintenance of the Forynthry Security Perimeters, raids against the Hundred Worlds of Lord Atum, and repelling the return of Tambelon.

Economy

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The Kouralian economy overall has strong performance across all sectors of the economy, however the government has been criticised recently for allowing domestic production to slip in the face of imported materials. Kouralia produces many precision engineered goods domestically such as cars and other machinery, however traditionally high-tech goods such as computers, phones and digital products are often sourced from abroad. The Kouralian arms industry is one of the major exceptions to this rule, with advanced domestic-produced vehicles, munitions and weapons systems overwhelmingly supplying the Kouralian Military, and also being a strong export sector.

Agriculturally speaking Kouralia is a net importer of food, however the nation does produce enough of its food to not be fully reliant on foreign foodstuffs and recent initiatives such as the 'Starred Tractor' have seen a national shift toward 'eating Kouralian.' Kouralian fishing fleets are a thing, but fish consumption is not a major part of the diet of many Kouralians and the vast majority of seafood consumed in Kouralia is likely imported if not locally sourced. Metals and minerals are drawn from the ground in vast quantities though the growth of this sector has been stunted in recent years due to imports, however sourcing of certain goods such as the luxury Chiaræn Marble have continued strongly.

In terms of manufacturing, Kouralia produces many highly engineered goods such as machinery, defence technology, automobiles, and both water and aircraft. Marble-shaping and carving is also a sizeable industry in areas where marble quarrying is a major employer too. The manufacture of goods with a thaumical aspect to their construction is a growing trend in Kouralia and is expected to grow further with the government's initiatives to increase thaumical involvement at all stages of the education system.

In terms of the Service sector, Kouralia has a number of financial institutions, trading groups, and other service-providing companies. However, these have yet to significantly break onto the national market.

Many professions in Kouralia are represented by guilds which generally act as interest groups and guarantors of quality for their members but are not mandatory for a license to trade. There is no requirement that a company or practitioner join a guild, and many professions lack an appropriate guild, but generally most tend to join the relevant guild. Examples of guilds include the Free Companies' Guild and the Guild of Watchmen.

The currency of Kouralia is the Ryal, divided into 50 Crowns or 100 Half-Crowns. The ratio is currently 1 Ryal to 1.31 NSD.

Demographics

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Kouralia is a large and populous nation with roughly 1.78 billion residents, of whom the vast majority are citizens (whether by birth or otherwise), but which also includes permanent and temporary residents and illegal immigrants. This is currently growing at a rate of 0.9% per year according to the average birth rates in the last four years although population growth rates in the future are projected to decline due to declining Fertility and immigration rates. Despite this, the population growth rate is expected to remain net positive for the foreseeable future as immigration rises limit the impact of declining fertility.

The overall life expectancy is 81 years, which is roughly an average amongst developed nations. In the most recent census, roughly 40% of the adult population of Kouralia defined itself as belonging to a group included under the LGBT+ umbrella.

Approximately 83.4% of the population lives in cities and urban areas as of 2018, with the majority of those living in cities with populations above 100,000. Population growth in cities remains high at over 1% per annum. This expansion in cities has resulted in the creation of several major conurbations such as the Chyricfriþyning Megalopolis. Overcrowding in cities has become an ongoing concern, encouraging the development of mass transit and more space and energy-efficient housing designs than the conventional Insula community model.

Fei

See also: Feivienas

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The so-called Feivienas (otherworldly-folk) of Kouralia are the second main species group extant in the nation after the human majority, making up roughly 20% of the population. They are made up of a wide ranging collection of sub-species which are possessed of magical affinity, and even inherent powers unique to their species. The correct term in Kouralia is regarded as 'Fei' (both singular and plural), or 'Feivien' and 'Feivienas' (singular, plural) in formal wording. Many of these sub-species have their own formal names along with colloquial names derived from the term 'Fei'; as an example, Kouralian werewolves are correctly termed Lvpan Selenes (the Moon's Wolves), however they can be identified as 'Fei-hounds', though many would find the term offensive. Throughout Kouralian history other terms have existed for these types, including 'elves', 'others' and 'otherkin', and 'the folk.' In the present day though, these terms have fallen by the way-side. Furthermore, while 'elf' can be used to describe Feivienas in some minor dialects of High Kouralian, it only refers to the Quendi of Menelmacar in mainstream usage.

Despite being separate species, the thaumical nature of their divergence from homosapiens means that reproduction is possible without barrier. This produces off-spring known as demi-fei who will regularly experience greater affinity with conscious magic usage, greater longevity, and often residual influence of that species of fei's inherent magical qualities. The degree to which this is experienced will often depend on the degree of separation from the original fei's influence on the human's bloodline. Research has been done as to why the degree to which one is 'demi-fei' does not conform to or reflect current understanding of genetics, but is inconclusive. As with the prevalence and probability of magic affinity within humans, the magical element makes it difficult for conventional science to pin down.

Language

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Most Kouralians are at least bilingual, speaking both Common and the historic High Kouralian language. This is due to extensive globalisation policies from the Tyrannic era which forced multilingualism at both primary and secondary levels of education in Kouralia, resulting in the present day a very common-fluent population. Other languages including Equestrian are common, with some such as Necrontyr, Quenya and Malgravean becoming more common over the last decade.

Religion

See Also: Æhrycreda

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Religion in Kouralia
Religion
Percentage
Æhrycreda
61.4%
Æhrycredan-Harmonism
15.4%
Æhrycredan-Other
10.5%
Other
7.2%
Harmonism
5.1%
Irreligion
0.4%

The Æhrycreda is the national religion of Kouralia, and has been for millennia. Organised worship and following of the traditions of the faith are evident since the founding of Kurton and other settlements within the area, and references to the deities and primary concepts of the faith exist before the founding of the Kouralian Republic. Strictly-speaking the vast majority of Kouralians follow the Æhrycreda in some way or another, as it does not preclude the existence of other divinities. In fact, the Æhrycreda teaches that other divinities are a certainty, but focuses on the worship of those relevant to its own faith. The visible manifestations of the Æhrycredan Pentatheon in Kouralian life, such as in the 31st Annual Demon War, preclude consideration that the religion is false, and account for the low atheism rate in Kouralia. Only 12.7% in the last census recorded not 'duly venerating' the Æhrycredan Pentatheon, while 61|% of Kouralians worship them exclusively.

Education

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Education is divided into 'Principal Education,' and 'Further Education' by the Kouralian Government. Principal Education is provided from age 5 to 16, and Further Education is from age 17 and beyond both by Colleges and Universities.

Culture

Social Class

See Also: Kouralian Honours, Palatine Principality of Rheðuyn

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While a democracy, Kouralia's functioning constitutional monarchy comes with a predominantly ceremonial nobility. Notionally there exists a hereditary Principality that equates to each Province, and the holders of which are entitled to sit in the Noble Assembly. Hereditary Lordships often largely equate to counties, hundreds, boroughs or other local authority areas, though the boundaries will have changed over time, and there are only some authority areas which have their own hereditary lordship. In addition to this there are 'Civil Lords' who are ennobled for life by the crown at the recommendation of the Government. These tend to be people who have served the public extensively, often as a retirement package for figures such as Chiefs of Staff in the Military, Permanent Secretaries in the Adjutant Clerk Corps, Praetors, and major figures from the private sector for whom knighthoods do not fully represent their contributions to society.

In addition to the Nobility, there is a class referred to as the Celareas (singular, Celarean) or 'Knights.' These can be 'Knights Bachelor' who are knighted by the Crown without regard to a particular order, or members of a particular chivalric order such as the Order of the Citadel.

Fashion

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While casual clothes such as jeans and casual shirts are common in every-day life, Kouralian fashion tends toward formal dressing of one of two styles. Regardless of the style worn, Kouralian attire is usually unisex whether it be tunics or trousers and shirts worn.

  • The Classical Style, as the name suggests, harkens to a modern interpretation of clothing worn in the Classical period of Kouralian civilisation, around the commencement of the common era. Because of this it is considered equal parts old-fashioned and folky by many adherents of the Modernist Style. It generally entails dress-like, collarless tunics known as tunicas with smooth upper halves, but which often transition at the waist to an accordion pleat ending mid-thigh. When belted, the tail is tied off adjacent to the buckle and allowed to dangle off-centre.
    For summerwear these are generally thin and breathable, and are liable to show more skin with higher hemlines and with sleeves and necklines which retreat into thin straps. These tunicas are worn with ankle-height sandals which allow wear of sheaths for the Caltaryæ Feraa. In colder climates, thicker material is used while boots and thick ankle socks perform a similar function regarding securing the knife sheaths. These can be hooded, and may be work with a coat or a cloak in inclement weather. Hats are rarely worn, however circlets are common. The tunica is often embroidered, and may feature design features to enhance their visual appeal. The Classical Style is noted for its comfort and light weight as it is a single garment with footwear.
  • The Modernist Style originated from the development of modern, traditionally male foreign fashion. Accordingly it is considered a passing fad and distressingly conventional by adherents of the Classical Style. It consists of button-up shirts worn with jackets and trousers, sometimes with neckties and always with dress shoes. Belts are secured by loops on the trousers, and are universally of leather. This differs from the proclivity to use cinctures and cloth when cinching the waist on a tunica.
    While akin to formalwear worldwide, the Kouralian Modernist Style is generally more colourful: even formally colours such as purple, green and red join traditional blues, greys and blacks. Shirts and neckties are also brightly coloured - with the former rarely being coloured pastel if they are not white. Shirts can be worn with and without a necktie, but will always feature a rigid fold-down collar of some description. They may be worn with a waistcoat or corset in a traditional three-piece suit, or more casually with a waistcoat or corset alone. Suits are common both casually and in business situations, whether with a traditional suit jacket or a more formal tailcoat or spencer. More casually blazers or sporting jackets are worn with contrasting trousers. It is common for the Caltaryæ Feraa to be sheathed under a trouser leg in this style. In colder weather either coats or a cloak can be worn, and hats of many descriptions are common. Shoes are commonly worn in the monkstrap style.

These styles will cross together, such as a recent proclivity to Purist fashionistas will generally adhere to one style or another and may regard cross-styling such as a Spencer with a tunica as sacrilege, most Kouralian wardrobes will feature a collection of outfits from either style as appropriate. Formal parties will often indicate on their invitations which style is desired. The Kouralian Military has adopted both styles for its uniforms. Principally Service and Dress uniforms are of the Modernist Style, however many more ceremonial units such as the Citadel Guard Regiment wear classical tunicas with military accoutrements such as aiguillettes, swords and even decorated and sculpted breastplates and helms.

Marriage and Æfenlytya

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Kouralia does not have widespread marriage, with only roughly 30% of the adult population choosing to marry. This is because Kouralia has traditionally had two forms of bonding: marriage, and the institution of Æfenlytya or 'Companionship.' Throughout the formative early stages of the Æhrycreda it was held that legal sharing of property and titles and bonding of families and factions was of importance. Thus a marriage in Kouralia is a legal process whereby a contract of marriage is drawn up to give one's partner increased rights over joint property. However, the Æhrycreda teaches that love and lust, and acting on those forces is a force for good in the world and a way of venerating the gods. Thus, the religious institution of Æfenlytya was formed from a more structured way of regulating unmarried lovers.

While marriage is between a Husband and a Wife (or Husband and Husband/Wife and Wife), the state of Æfenlytya is between a number Æfenle (non gendered, pl: Æfenlas), which are given gender as the Æfenlo and Æfenla (pl: Æfenlas) for male and female respectively. The state of Æfenlytya is purely religious rather than administrative and is acquired and lost through a religious ceremony conducted by a priest of the Æhrycreda. It was only recently in 2002 that 'Æfenlytya' was recognised by statute as a marital status for forms, between 'Marriage' and 'Single': it does not automatically confer any enhanced legal rights to the person or property of one's Æfenle. Both marriage and Æfenlytya are permissible as of age 16, but Marriage requires the consent of a legal guardian until the age of 18.

The presence of such an informal institution of intimacy in Kouralian culture is often seen as a reason for its greater openness and acceptance of promiscuity and sexuality than in cultures which have a more socially reserved faith such as Christianity. In 2015 studies showed that while 30% of the adult population were married, 74.5% recorded a state of Æfenlytya, including 29.7% of the 30% of the population which was married. This included 1.4% of the population in polyamorous relationships (i.e. an Æfenlytya with more than one person) however that does not count all individuals in the statistic: only each individual who is registered with more than one Æfenlytya.

Cuisine

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Kouralian cuisine focuses on the idea of a single hearty main meal to the day which is cooked traditionally overflows with meat and side dishes. This can be consumed as breakfast, or at lunch or tea-time, where that will be termed 'dinner.' This traditional dinner will consist of a main dish of meat, which is supported by a side dish of vegetables and a possible side dish of starchy food such as bread or pasta. After this follows a sweet dish. Alcohol, generally wine, is consumed throughout that meal.

Traditionally the most common meat in Kouralia is pork, including gammon, bacon, ham, and in sausages. Beef, venison, veal, lamb, mutton, and game are also common, as is poultry. Fish is less so, unless close to the coast or in the North of the country. Lauryba is one of the national dishes of Kouralia and consists of dried cured meat, consumed as a snack. This can be of any meat but is commonly pork, beef or game. Another national dish is Testaroli, a pancake-like sheet made with chestnut flour which is cooked upon a skillet before being sliced into small squares or triangles and then prepared as if it were pasta. This is served with many

Meals which are not the 'Dinner' of the day will usually be smaller, and are often cold finger food such as salads and sandwiches.

Eating establishments can generally be divided into three categories. A restaurant is generally higher class and for the consumption of food. Eating is always at a table, and food is more expensive and there is a focus on the aesthetic of a dish. A tavern is less formal and generally focuses greatly on the consumption of alcohol - to the degree that most will have separate 'restaurant' and 'bar' areas where people can sit and eat, and stand or sit and drink. A Bar is a smaller establishment which is generally for the consumption of alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages, and foodstuffs that can be eaten on the go.

Sports

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Kouralia as a nation has a number of sports, and its national sport is denoted by law. Association Football is a common ballgame, however the msot followed sports are combat sports ranging from empty-handed events such as wrestling through to one-on-one swordsmanship and group 'battles.' The official sport of Kouralia is a combination wrestling and boxing event termed the Omniperio which is renowned for its violence and lack of rules. Flat-hand combat events generally feature matches of periods, and can be won through technical superiority and scoring of moves, or through simple knock-outs. Striking combat events such as boxing are common and different events will vary in terms of which zones may be struck and struck with, weight classes, and protection.

There are also a number of combat events involving weapons ranging from quarterstaff fighting through to swordsmanship with and without shields. Another sport is team-based combat which varies in terms of rules, weapons, and discipline requirements. The most common of these involves teams of armoured fighters attempting to defend and seize a crest from the opposing team's captain, and return it to their captain.

Public Holidays

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Kouralia has a number of public holidays or Feryæ which are observed due to tradition and which typically result in a day or multiple days off of work along with other traditions. These occur throughout the year and have been formalised by the National Holiday Act 2013, which provides for which holidays necessitate either double pay for working, or a day off. The Kouralian calendar does not correspond to the Gregorian Calendar directly, however most Kouralians use the Gregorian calendar for business purposes, and it is only for the placement of certain holidays that the Kouralian calendar is used. Where one of these holidays falls on a weekend, the next following working day is pronounced to be a public holiday.

  • On the day of the Hibernal Solstice and the day after, Kouralians celebrate the Yearsend by handing out presents and getting royally drunk. While it is slightly off the Gregorian 'New Year', it is used in lieu of this ceremony, and no public holiday is approved on the 1st of January or on the 25th of December whose festivals are mirrored by this celebration.
  • On the 15th of March the Feryæ Salyæ is celebrated, to commemorate the concepts of Honour and truthfulness, and Justice and law. It is traditional on this day for the royal prerogative of mercy to be used ceremonially by both the Crown and each Provincial Governor to commute the sentence of a prisoner. The selection of which prisoner is to be freed for this ceremony is rigorous, and if none can be found who it is suitable to free, then a ceremonial faux prisoner is released.
  • The Glorious 25th of May is a celebration of the restoration of the Monarchy to Kouralia and the end of the Millenial War in 2001.
  • On the Estival Solstice and the day after, Kouralians celebrate the Demiferyæ or Half Festival, which marks half way through the year. This is generally celebrated with public parties in parks and streets which are subsudised and organised by local authorities: though road-obstructing street parties have been clamped-down on recently due to interference with emergency responses.
  • On the 13th of September the Festival of the Fallen commemorates those of the Watches, Military, and civilian who have otherwise fallen in the pursuit of Honour, Justice, and Freedom.
  • On the 14th of September the Feryæ aþe'Probatyo Vygelas celebrates the Kouralian Military and Guards, and is an occasion for military parades throughout many cities.
  • On the 31st of October the Feryæ aþ'Amburbyum celebrates the purification of communities of evil and dishonour through public processions and rituals in the day, and at night the wearing of costume and partaking in communal games to represent the early return of dishonour: a remnant of a reminder to be ever-vigilant about evil.
  • At some point throughout the year each Province is authorised to hold its own Provincial Day as a public holiday, though these are generally taken to be paid-double within that Province for inter-provincial business (e.g. a call-centre) rather than for days off to be taken, except, for example, for local retail work.