Cennito
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Holy State of Cennito | |
|---|---|
 Flag
 Coat of arms
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| Motto: Deus Vult | |
| Capital and largest city | Cennito |
| Official languages | English |
| Demonym(s) | Cennitan |
| Government | Congregational Theocracy |
| Hiram Pymer | |
| Legislature | Assembly of Reverends |
| Establishment | |
• Founding | 1641 |
| Area | |
• Total | 2,601 km2 (1,004 sq mi) |
| Population | |
• 1980 estimate estimate | 12,000 |
| HDI | 0.74 high |
| Currency | Cent |
| Date format | dd-mm-yyyy |
| Driving side | right |
Cennito, officially the Holy State of Cennito, is a small, isolated, self-proclaimed theocracy, lying on the border of the Republic of Fiucce and the Grand Principality of Livoli. Occupying an area of 200,601 km2 and with a population of about 12 million, Cennito is a deeply religious society where life is focused around the church. Congregational churches dispense with titled positions such as Bishop as a requirement of church structure. The local congregation rules itself, elects its own leaders (Reverend or Prior), both clergy and laity, ordains its own clergy, and as a "self-governed voluntary institution". The church leadership and council also act as local leaders and councils, setting laws and managing administrative duties for their localities. the Moderator of the Assembly of Reverends serves as the nominal head of state, and is the chosen representative for foreign affairs. The Assembly of Reverends acts as a legislature, and is made up of the congregationally elected reverends in each parish.
The nation is largely agricultural, with a majority of the population living in small communities centered around churches and Priories. The economy is slow, but most of the population live simply without a need for consumer goods. Most of the population are farmers, stonemasons, carpenters or monks. The main exports of Cennito are oats, cheese, potatoes and tobacco. Monastic orders are common, and monasteries can be seen dotting the landscape. The most notable monastic orders are the Order of Saint Laurence the Recluse, the Order of Saint Anne, and the Order of Saint Cuthbert. While the government has no official ideology, it can be describes as aninsular quakerist christianity. It yet retains a greater emphasis on penance and monasticism, encouraging pastoral and rural isolation.
The only legal form of marriage is heterosexual and monogamous. Divorce must be approved by a Reverend or Prior. Same-sex relations are shunned. Male and female adultery is criminal, as is deviancy and witchcraft. The only form of law enforcement is the Order of the Faith and Peace, a group of monks that handle public disputes and aid the public in the search of criminals. The main form of non-lethal punishment is public flogging or humiliation via pillory. Those sentenced to death suffer crucifixion or burning at the stake.
Geography
Climate
Politics
Government
Cennito has long since done away with titled positions such as Bishop as a requirement of church structure. Each individual local congregation rules itself, elects its own leaders (Reverend or Prior), both clergy and laity, ordains its own clergy, and acts as a "self-governed voluntary institution". The church leadership and church councils handle religious and civil government, taking the role of local administration by setting laws and managing municipal duties for their localities. The Moderator of the Assembly of Reverends serves as the nominal head of state, and is the chosen representative for foreign affairs. The moderator coordinates the exercise of the administrative duties and oversees the Assembly of Reverends and is responsible for the execution of the decisions, and it is his duty to safeguard the rights and liberties of the people and to speak in their behalf to the Assembly of Reverends in need be. The position has been compared to that of a chief operating officer (COO) in a corporation. As Cennito is a mostly decentralized state, there is a lack of formal departments in the government. When faced with a problem pertaining to economics, society or foreign affairs, the Assembly of Reverends convenes to solve the matter. The Assembly of Reverends acts as a legislature, and is made up of the congregationally elected reverends in each parish. When the assembly convenes, Reverends from all over the nation meet to discuss matters of state, voice problems or disputes, and make decisions on behalf of the lay community. As a legislative body, the Assembly of Reverends could make proclamations of law as needed. These laws are formally compiled in the Book of Laws. These laws included the levying of "rates" or taxes and the distribution of lands. The Assembly of Reverends established townships as a means of providing local government over settlements. Specific distribution of land to individuals within those towns is given to the Reverend, church council and congregation of said locality. When new land is granted to a freeman, it is directed that only the person to whom the land is granted (and direct family) is allowed to settle it.
Laws and Law Enforcement
The Order of the Faith and Peace is the only military-like organization in Cenntio. Mostly comprised of volunteers and monks, the order serves as the full time police force, performing peacekeeping and criminal deterrence activities. Since crime is near non-existant, the Order of the Faith and Peace rarely sees action. The order also deals in sentencing of criminals, ensuring that the will of the congregation is carried out in serving punishments, ranging from floggings to crucifixion to community service (hard labor). There are several crimes that carried the death penalty: treason, murder, and rape. Prisons are considered rather progressive, attempting to correct through "workshops" rather than through hellish confinement. The laws of behaviour laid out are rather Puritanical: swearing, lying, and drunkenness were forbidden as well as "idle amusements" such as stage plays, gambling, revels, masques, cock-fighting, and bear-baiting. Severe crimes not punishable by death were witchcraft, arson, sodomy, bestiality, adultery, and cursing or smiting one's parents.
