Eburon

Most Serene Republic of Eburon Serene Republiek Eburon (Eburonian)
Flag
Motto: "Eendracht en Vrede" (Eburonian) "Unity and Peace" (English)
Anthem: "Sanomi"
Capital	Amoras
Official languages	Eburonian
Ethnic groups (1990)	88.7% Eburonian 4.8% Hellonian 6.5% Others
Demonym(s)	Eburonian
Government	Anarchistic Republic
• Doge	Ambiorix van Rodenhof
Establishment
• Independence of Eburon	1866
• Membership of the Empire of the Trident	1870-now
Population
• 1888 estimate	49,138,831
Currency	Trio (TRI)
Date format	dd/mm/yyyy (CE)
ISO 3166 code	EBU
Internet TLD	.Ebr, .tri

Eburon, officially the Most Serene Republic of Eburon (Eburonian: de Serene Republiek Eburon), is an anarchistic republic in Veterra. Lying off the north-western coast of the Veterran mainland, it includes the island of Eburon, the island of Nirix and many smaller islands. Eburon is surrounded by the Danonian Ocean, with the Lysenium Sea to its east, the Mauros Channel to its south and the Crystal Sea to its southwest. The Nirix Channel lies between Eburon and Nirix. Eburon has an estimated population of 49 million. Eburon also has a small colony on the Astros Island, two protectorates that are completely self-governing, namely: Ushiela and Pithythrae, and helps to maintain a wildlife reserve in Lilotuka Island on Balituka Island.

Eburon has entered the Empire of the Trident in 1870 and currently acts as a judge in the Imperial Court of Justice.

History

The name "Eburon" comes from "Eburo" meaning Taxus(-tree). The name was given to the island by the Tungri tribe in northern Veterra when they migrated to the island around 2400 BC. In the following century the Tungri founded settlements all across the islands. Around the 17th century BC the first city-states arose. The population continued to grow which lead to the founding of the Amorian League in 1038 BC to manage the resources and legislation of the many city-states. These city-states developed in peace for the next 1,5 millennium until they came in contact with the Hellian empire.

In 734 the Hellonian empire claimed the Eburonian Islands as a constituent country. The Amorian League saw value in protection by the Hellonian army and continued to act as the de facto government, keeping the city-states united.

Geography

Situated in at the edge of North-West Veterra, the Eburonian Isles lie above Moundra and Tyrean, across the Mauros Channel. In the center of the main island of Eburon lies the Menapi mountain chain (Menapi-gebergte). A dormant volcano, the great Menapi can be found in the southern part of the mountain chain. North-East of Eburon lies the smaller island of Nirix, with in its center the Tungri mountains. Eburon also shares a maritime border with Hellona.

Most of Eburon is predominantly forest, with self-sustaining cities in the middle of these forests. The highest population density is in the Southern part of the island, around the Menapi mountains.

Temperatures are average around the isles except for East Nirix which experiences a warmer climate around the coral reefs. The nation has warm summers and cold winters, with average high temperatures of 19 to 25 °C in the summer, and average temperatures of −16 to 3 °C in the winter.

Demographics

Population

Almost the entire population(98%) is native and around 67% is urban. The population density of Eburon is 918,7 per square kilometer.

Language

The official language of Eburon is Eburonian (Eb: Eburoons) which is spoken by 99% of the population. The language has multiple dialects around the Eburonian Isles but an official standard is kept up to date for foreigners who wish to learn the language. Because of the increasing amount of contact with the mainland, more parents have started to educate their children in neighbouring languages like Hellonian.

Religion

More than 99% of the population of Eburon is Atheist but 98% follows the life-philosophy of Sanomi. Sanomi is a musical poem from an unknown author that dates back to the 5th century BC. It explains the value of all life and tries to teach people how they can live in harmony with nature. The complete poem is 314 pages long and the musical shorts only repeat themselves after every 314 years.

Race

Native Eburones can be distinguished from others by their green eyes and, sometimes, 4 toes. It’s yet unclear when or why these characteristics developed themselves but it’s often the basis of a lot of gossip and pseudo-science. Some people sometimes see the Eburonians as magical creatures from local myths.

Government

Eburon is an anarchistic republic and a direct democracy. Note that, since Eburon is an anarchy, no decisions made by the following organizations are binding.

The States-General is the highest political body, concerned with international relations and the distribution of resources between the provinces. It's forum is located in Amoras. Each province is led by its own States-Provincial who further distributes resources between the municipalities. The States-Provincial have there forums in the city-state of their province. The municipalities each have there own States-Municipal, the most local political body. Their forums are mostly located in a central area of the municipality. Any Eburonian citizen can participate in the multiple democratic bodies of the nation and people have the right to speak at any forum. Traditionally citizens gain experience on the more local forums for a few years before participating in the States-Provincial and States-General. The traditional age to start participating is 17 although there have been multiple younger people who have achieved great things.

Culture

The large amount freedom within the nation has always created the opportunity for a lot of people to pursue the arts. Today a large amount of the population is skilled as a painter, sculptor, musician or writer. A lot of great works have been created throughout the history, most notably of them is the musical poem called Sanomi from a unknown author. All art is accessible for the public.

Architecture

Today houses are often made of a mix of plant life, different kinds of stone and wood. These plants are grown into a specific shape by using a technique called arbortecture. Most buildings are decorated with beautiful patterns in often vivid colors. Earlier buildings were often fully constructed of living trees and plants. These kind of buildings are still very common in smaller villages.

Architectural highlights include the Pixia Forum, the main stage for debates in Pixia, made from plants with different kinds of colored leafs. Some of these plants are fluorescent and lighten the forum at night.

The Great Bridge of Antigoon, named after its designer Antigoon de Ruiter, is a large structure connecting both sides of the great milopus river at Lysene. It is completely made out of trees, shaped and connected by different techniques. It is 450 meter wide and is still daily used by the citizens of Lysene. The bridge is also covered in vivid geometrical patterns.

Eburonian values and traditions

The Eburonian people are very pacifistic and are often considered very kind by other nations. When necessary however they can be very critical and direct. They prefer telling the truth, although sometimes sugarcoated. Eburonian society is anarchistic, vegetarian and egalitarian. The people tend to view themselves as kind, generous and part of a greater whole: life . They value helpfulness and intelligence.

Eburonians have a strong tradition of mutual respect. Eburonian for example has an informal form “gij “and a formal form “u”. The informal form is only used when you are in a casual situation with people you know well. Eburones will often ask you however to use the informal to make you feel more comfortable.

Cuisine

Eburonian cuisine is traditionally simple. Most dishes have a combination of potatoes, vegetables and dairy products. Potatoes are a wildly used in Eburonian cuisine. Fries, made from potatoes are the national dish of Eburon and are often eaten with mayonnaise. Pastries and chocolate are another very important part of nations cuisine. The people often make pralines as a gift for each other. pralines consist of a chocolate shell with a softer, sometimes liquid, filling, traditionally made of different combinations of hazelnut, almonds, sugar, syrup and often milk-based pastes.

Holidays

Besides new year's and birthdays the Eburonians also celebrate the holiday of Sinterklaas on the 6th of December. Sinterklaas is a mythical figure that brings gifts to the children. He is accompanied by his helpers called “Pieten”. In the early afternoon Sinterklaas and his Pieten arrive at the city by ship and then walk to the city centre. During the walk the Pieten give fruit to the children and do acrobatic tricks. This is called a “stoet”. When they arrive at the city center Sinterklaas asks if the children have been kind an gives them presents. On the 7th he leaves to prepare the gifts for the next year.