Japuile

The Grand Duchy of Japuile "Grane Ducc Japuileon"
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: Ducco vi endoro! We Will Endure!
Anthem: National History
Capital	Artane
Official languages	Japuilian
Recognised national languages	Japuilian
Ethnic groups	Japuilean
Religion	Church of the Sun and Moon
Demonym(s)	Japuilean
Government	Theocretic Absolute Monarchy
• His Grand Majesty	Casamir I of the House of Episcopo
• The Honorable Prime Lord	Alard Reyrond
Legislature	His Grand Majesty Court
• Upper house	Noble Chamber
• Lower house	House of Delegates
Establishment
Population
• Estimate	40 Million
GDP (PPP)	estimate
• Total	$ 2.08 Trillion
• Per capita	$ 52'000
Currency	Pythian Dime (PDE)
Driving side	left
Calling code	+000
Internet TLD	.jp

Grand Duchy of Japuile, natively Grane Ducc Japuileon - a unitary state located in the western part of Pythia. The nearest neighbor is Fillionia and Willoughby. The country was formed two times. The first at the end of the golden age of Jaquile civilization, where the city-states were united by the historically first Grand Duke Hermann. However, after the Grad Duke's wake, everything returned to its old form and civilization entered Zakerboh, the Middle Ages. At the beginning of the modern age, the city-states reunited. The capital and largest city is Artane. The current Grand Duke is Casamir I of the House of Episcopo.

Goverment

The government of Japuile operates under the Ducco system, a distinctive blend of absolute monarchy and democratic principles. This system is designed to facilitate a gradual transition from pure autocracy to a more democratic governance structure. The country’s political framework is characterized by a tripartite division of power and a bicameral legislature.

Legislature

The legislature of Japuile consists of two chambers:

• Noble Chamber: The upper house, comprising appointed nobles, aristocrats, and distinguished scientists. This chamber functions as an advisory body, providing insights and recommendations on legislative matters.
• House of Delegates: The lower house, consisting of elected representatives. Each of the three Grand Cities (Oros, Limne, and Artane) elects 33 delegates, while smaller villages and towns each elect one delegate. The House of Delegates holds the primary responsibility for creating and passing legislation. Elections for the House of Delegates are held every two years using the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system, which allows for the election of a main candidate and a replacement candidate should the main candidate resign, as resignation from the position is freely permitted.

Executive Power

The executive power in Japuile is structured into three hierarchical tiers:

• Grand Duke's Court: At the apex, the Grand Duke is the head of state with substantial executive and legislative powers. The Grand Duke can establish executive commissions to implement laws and policies.
• Duchies: The country is divided into several duchies, each governed by local duke who oversee regional administration and enforce national laws. Their work is supported by the Council of Magnates
• Local Magnates: Below the duchies, local magnates manage smaller administrative units, ensuring governance at the grassroots level.

Judiciary

The judiciary in Japuile is independent and headquartered in Artane, where the Supreme Court is located. This branch of government ensures that laws are interpreted and applied fairly, maintaining judicial independence from the legislative and executive branches.

Head of Government

The Honorable Prime Lord serves as the Head of Government, overseeing the administration and implementation of government policies. The Prime Lord works alongside the Grand Duke, ensuring the smooth operation of the state.

Integration Challenge

The right to rule of the current monarch is validated through the "Integration Challenge," a unique process that can be initiated by the monarch's Guard, the Head of Government, or the heads of the Royal Cabinets (akin to ministries, of which there are 12 in total). This process ensures that the ruler's legitimacy is continually affirmed.

Constitutional Framework

Despite being an absolute monarchy, Japuile operates under a constitution that guarantees individual rights and outlines the gradual shift towards a more democratic society. The constitution enshrines personal freedoms and provides a legal foundation for incremental reforms.

Nature

Climate

The Tropical Savannah climate experiences distinct wet and dry seasons. From Novus to Primo, the wet season brings frequent and heavy rainfall, contributing to the majority of the annual precipitation. The dry season, spanning from Florentina to Pax, is characterized by significantly reduced rainfall and clear skies.

Temperatures remain relatively consistent throughout the year, typically ranging from 20°C to 30°C. The hottest period occurs between Lyncis and Audax, with average highs of around 32°C. Conversely, the coolest period, from Lux to Magnus, sees temperatures averaging around 18°C during the night.

Precipitation

In the Tropical Savannah climate, precipitation is heavily concentrated in the wet season, accounting for most of the annual rainfall of approximately 1500 mm. The dry season experiences minimal rainfall, creating a marked contrast between the two periods. This variation supports a diverse range of flora and fauna adapted to these conditions.

Vegetation

The Tropical Savannah is characterized by grasses and scattered trees, adapted to withstand both the intense rains of the wet season and the dryness of the dry season. During the wet season, the landscape becomes lush and green, while the dry season turns the vegetation to shades of yellow and brown.

Amate Tezillo, acacias, and various grass species are typical of this environment. These plants are well-suited to the alternating conditions of the savannah, with trees often found near water sources or in small clusters. Their resilience and adaptability make them crucial components of the ecosystem, providing economic and ecological benefits.

Protection

Environmental and ecological education remains deeply ingrained in the culture of the Serenwood region, with a strong focus on responsible resource management. Mindful of the Tropical Savannah climate's unique attributes, the region carefully regulates all raw material extraction from the earth, ensuring sustainable utilization.

The goverment advocates for localized production practices, especially within designated zones of the wood industry situated close to villages and towns. This approach streamlines resource management and reduces transportation impact, fostering an eco-friendly ecosystem. To maintain the beauty and current state of nature for future generations, there is a very active police subunit in the wilderness, The Nature Rangers. These dedicated protectors monitor activities, ensuring compliance with environmental laws and preventing littering or any detrimental actions that may harm the natural environment.

The Grand Ducal Army

The Grand Ducal Army is the official military organization of the Grand Duchy of Japuile. Comprised of four distinct branches - the Grand Army, the Grand Navy, the Grand Air Force and Grand Forces of Future - the Grand Ducal Armed Forces is responsible for the defense and security of the Grand Duchy and its citizens. Each branch is commanded by a General, who is responsible for the administration and operations of that branch. In the event of a crisis or the need for unified command, the Grand Duke may be called upon to assume command of the Grand Ducal Armed Forces.

The Grand Ducal Armed Army is overseen by a Military Disciplinary Commission, which holds the authority to exercise military control over the organization. The Lord of Defense, a senior military official appointed by the Grand Duke, serves as the chief advisor on military matters and holds ultimate responsibility for the readiness and effectiveness of the Grand Ducal Armed Forces. Additionally, civilian commissions, composed of individuals with military experience or expertise, provide oversight and input on the management and operations of the Grand Ducal Armed Forces.

All members of the Grand Ducal Armed Forces are sworn to defend the Grand Duchy and its citizens, with their oath of service legally binding and similar to a contract. Ultimately, all soldiers are accountable to the Grand Duke as the commander-in-chief of the Grand Ducal Armed Forces.

Society and culture

The Grand Duchy of Japauile is a culturally homogeneous society, shaped by a longstanding policy of isolationism that has directed its focus inward towards its cities, towns, and villages. This intentional isolation has not only preserved the purity of its culture and language but also fostered a deep respect, and even love, for the natural world and its bounties, curses, and blessings. In Japauile, nature is often invoked through sayings and proverbs that illustrate its relevance to everyday situations and the importance it holds in the lives of its inhabitants.

Each of the Grand Cities within Japauile has developed its own unique traditions based on its historical destiny, culture, or resident community. Artane, known as the Capital of State and Civilization, serves as a prominent center of culture and power, garnering much praise and attention. Its rival, Limne, referred to as the Capital of the Army, shares a long history of conflicts and strife with Artane, driven by struggles for influence or deep-seated animosity. The third and final Grand City is Oros, which draws inspiration from the characteristics of both Artane and Limne. Oros embodies a profound faith and pacifism, having never initiated war but always prepared to defend itself against invasions.

The following are examples of sayings and proverbs prevalent in Japauile:

1. "Nature is not a place to visit. It is home."
2. "Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience."
3. "Keep close to nature's heart... and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean."
4. "We are all compost for the next generations."
5. "Flowers that do not bear fruit need to be harvested to give room for new seeds."

The predominant religion in Japauile is the Church of the Sun and Moon, which originated in the ancient Grand City of Oros, known as the Capital of the Sun and Moon. In this city, warriors from Limne and nobles from Artane settled upon a hill where they received enlightenment from the Lord of the Sun and the Lady of the Moon, leading to the establishment of Oros. Over time, as faith in the Lady of the Moon and the Lord of the Sun matured, the two deities began to diverge, causing a schism during the Middle Ages. In modern times, the parties have reconciled, giving rise to a concept of dualism. Each individual possesses a part of both the Lord of the Sun and the Lady of the Moon, and it is their personal endeavor to nurture and develop these aspects as they see fit.

The primary theme in both sacred texts—the Codices of Sun and the Guidance of Moon—revolves around a cycle of maturation. Maturation holds great significance for believers, as it signifies goodness, virtuous deeds, and self-development. Followers who lead a righteous life are said to transform into radiant stars upon death, illuminating the night sky with their brilliance. On the other hand, those who have lived a stagnant or unvirtuous existence may become obscured black stars, invisible during the night while overshadowed by the sun during the day.

To aid adherents in their pursuit of maturation, believers gather monthly in temples, either during the day or at night, under the guidance of priests. The motif of light encourages devotees to engage in physical activities, developing their physical and mechanical skills. Conversely, the motif of the moon inspires followers to embark on nocturnal journeys into the fields or spend time within temple chambers. Moon Faithful engage in lunar mysticism, engaging in activities such as painting, sculpting, experimenting, and philosophical contemplation. Each deity encourages the development of distinct skills and modes of thinking, resulting in Sun Faithful who are active and sincere, while Moon Faithful tend to be more tranquil and contemplative.

Economy

Grand Duchy of Japuile is a relatively young state in the region's political landscape; however, it actively operates in the economic sector, built upon favorable international agreements and free trade, which the court is gradually developing to allow goods to flow in and out of the country, nourishing less developed industries like manufacturing.

For centuries, the Agricultural Sector focused mainly on meeting external demands or engaging in barter trade if the counterpart found agricultural products more beneficial than monetary exchange. With current technology and greater knowledge of Mother Nature, larger farms are gradually emerging, seeking to export their agricultural products beyond the country. Additionally, all farmers create natural fertilizers from flowers, enriching the soil just before sowing.

The Industrial Sector can be categorized into two main branches: light and heavy industries. The light industry significantly dominates, including textiles, clothing, woodworking, and renewable energy. The heavy industry struggled initially to establish itself due to strict environmental regulations and a lack of raw materials. However, the raw material issue has been resolved through contacts with foreign partners, with the most significant being the Grand Republic of Tepror.

The largest company in the heavy industry is the Petroleum Refinery Research Laboratory, founded by Baron Aimeric Chevalier. The company is involved in oil extraction and sales, while also advancing more environmentally friendly methods of oil extraction and refining.

Grand Duchy of Japuie is a popular tourist destination thanks to its mild climate, welcoming local population, and excellent conditions for nature-based and active tourism.

Infrastructure

Regulatory Bodies for Transport, Telecommunications, Energy, and Transit

The Royal Cabinet of Infrastructure, as the primary governing body overseeing the development and regulation of critical aspects of life in the Grand Duchy of Japuile, comprises three departments: the Department of Transportation, the Department of Telecommunications, and the Department of Energy. These departments oversee and regulate key aspects of the national infrastructure.

Under each of these departments, specialized agencies are responsible for more specific areas:

- Department of Transportation: Focuses on matters related to road, rail, and maritime transportation. This includes the Regulatory Authority of the Royal Ports (Autorité de Régulation des Ports Royaux), the Royal Inspection of Trains and Railway Network (Inspection Royale des Trains et du Réseau Ferroviaire), and the Royal Land Transport Authority (L'Administration Royale des Transports Terrestres). These agencies regularly collaborate to ensure consistent transport management.

- Department of Telecommunications: Oversees the telecommunications sector and maintains communication standards. Within this department operates the Royale Communication Standards Commission (Japuilean Commission Royale des Normes de Communication), which monitors and regulates the quality of telecommunications services.

- Department of Energy: Manages and regulates energy-related issues. The Royale Power and Utilities Regulatory Agency (Japuilean Agence Royale de Régulation de l'Énergie et des Services Publics) is responsible for monitoring energy efficiency and ensuring compliance with energy supply regulations.

These agencies convene four times a year to consult on their plans and actions. This collaboration helps ensure the coherence and effectiveness of regulatory and inspection activities in critical sectors of the infrastructure of the Grand Duchy of Japuile.

Road and Rail Infrastructure

The road system in the Grand Duchy of Japuile is fairly extensive and carefully tailored to meet the diverse needs of its inhabitants. Here are several examples of types of roads:

- Rural Roads: These roads are primarily designed to withstand the loads of tractors and smaller trucks. They are crucial for farmers and the transportation of local products. While they are not paved, they are regularly maintained to preserve their utility.

- Urban Roads: Roads within cities are adapted for heavier traffic and adorned with small roadside greenery. Urban life thrives along these routes, making road quality crucial for city traffic flow.

- City Roads: These roads take green infrastructure a step further, featuring more extensive roadside greenery that provides shade and comfort for commuters. Gradual introduction of low-noise asphalt with modified rubber components enhances the comfort of residents.

- Highways: Highways connect major cities and regions in the Grand Duchy of Japuile, providing the best possible conditions for traffic flow and heavy loads. They are vital transport arteries facilitating travel between major cities.

The railway system also plays a significant role in intercity transportation. There are two main types of railways:

- Royal Railways: This railway network connects the major cities of the Grand Duchy of Japuile, offering fast and secure transportation for both people and goods on a large scale. It ensures convenient and efficient travel between major urban centers.

- Ducal Railways: These railways provide connections from smaller towns to major cities. They are an essential component of the transportation infrastructure, granting access to cities and other areas of the Grand Duchy of Japuile.