Eskeiura

Order State of Eskeiura Rīkojums Eskejūrjas
Flag of Eskeiura Coat of arms
Motto: "Tie ir māksla, kas nodrošina kādu beigas." "These are the arts that ensure an ending."
Anthem: Mēs Esam Gailis Melnā Ķekars "We Are Gailis's Black Bunch"
File:Orthographic Eskeiura GO.png Orthographic map depicting Eskeiura in green.
Capital	Kresla
Largest	Tudone
Official languages	Eskeju
Religion	Theoin
Demonym(s)	Eskeri
Government	Unitary elective military order
• Prince-Commander	Vadims Godmanis
• Chancellor	Ilizana Gaile
Legislature	Diēta
• Upper house	Dienasta
• Lower house	Montāža
Establishment
• Establishment	1138
• Handover to Eskeri	1223
• Vaironian Reformation	1543
• Congress of Tudone	1681
Area
•	124,374 km2 (48,021 sq mi)
Population
• Census	36,450,000
• Density	293.06/km2 (759.0/sq mi)
GDP (nominal)	2019 estimate
• Total	$559 billion
• Per capita	$15,336
Currency	eskes
Driving side	right
Internet TLD	.ek

Eskeiura (/ɛsˈkɪˌjuːrʌ/; Eskeju: Eskejūra [eːskiːjuːraː]), officially the State of the Holy Military Order of the Knights of St. Aurelija in Eskeiura (Eskeju: Svētā Militārā Rīkojums Stāvoklis no Bruņinieki no Svētais Aurelija Eskejūrjas), typically shortened to the Order State of Eskeiura (Eskeju: Rīkojums Eskejūrjas [rikɔːjiums eːskiːjuːrɛijes]), is a country in the northwest corner of Lira. It is bordered by the Aurum Ocean in the west, Grenzeria to the southeast and by the Esketres Sea in the south, where it shares a maritime border with both Lunderfrau and Grenzeria. Eskeiura has 36,450,000 inhabitants, primarily concentrated in the western Rikisnan peninsula and the eastern shore of the Esketres Sea, as well as territory of 124,374 square kilometers.

Although evidence of proto-Eskeri tribes in the region dates back to at least 2000 BCE, Eskeiura in the modern context did not coalesce under any recognizable polity until the late 11th century, when the Ayeraji tribe united under Welgen the Black in the form of the Kingdom of to carry out small raids on the Lunderfruasian coast to the south. In reaction to this, Magi Lorem Ipsum of the Verro Church sent missionaries to convert the natives of the region to Beoin; when the locals largely rebuked these attempts, the magi called for a crusade to convert them, which was rapidly organized and spearheaded by Verro military orders from Lunderfrau. After a rapid conquest which drove many native Eskeri from their homes and into the swampy coasts and islands of the Esketres Sea, Saint Aurelija of Tudone, an Eskeri woman, converted to Beoin and began proselytizing to her countrymen, causing them to convert en-masse. Impressed by the population's rapid turn to faith, the crusading Lunderfrausians began to enlist them in their ranks, eventually handing over administration of the region to the Knights of St. Aurelija in Eskeiura, an almost entirely Eskeri organization, in 1223.

In the late 15th century, with the beginning of the Theoin Reformation, the majority of Eskeri tacitly accepted the revelations of Arda and converted to Theoism, culminating in the establishment of the Church of Eskeiura in 1527 and heavy Eskeri involvement in the ensuing wars of religion to the south; the break from the Verro Church was finalized in 1543 with the Vaironian Reformation under Prince-Commander Vaironis Kažoks, which stripped the Order of St. Aurelija of many of its ecclesiastical elements, solidifying the secular rule of the Prince-and-Lord-Commanders over the bishops. With the Congress of Tudone in 1681, the commandries' iron grip was loosened in favor of input from local seima assemblies, implementing the framework of the modern Eskeri government.

Today, Eskeiura is still a military order led by a Prince-Commander and is made up of 13 commandries, each guided by an indirectly elected Lord-Commander and popularly elected seima councils. It is a member of the Monarchist League, and maintains close relations with other member states such as Lundfrau and Zanaro. Eskeiura is considered a high-income country and possesses advanced manufacturing and service sectors defined by extensive industries in automobile manufacturing, shipbuilding, pharmaceuticals, and telecommunications. Known for its vibrant cultural history, Eskeiura has been continuously the home of influential and successful artists, writers, entrepreneurs, scientists, and engineers, and possesses rich architectural and musical traditions.

Etymology

Eskeiura is the lorianized form of the Eskeju word Eskejūra. This word is a clipped compound of the Old Eskeju words esketres and jūra, meaning "sturgeon" and "sea" respectively - thus, when put together, they can roughly be said to mean "sturgeon sea", which is the Eskeju name (in its unclipped form) of the sea which makes up a significant portion of the historical Eskeri homeland. The sturgeon, while being common in these waters, is also a well-known national symbol since the early Middle Ages. The earliest written use of the name Eskejūra appears in a letter between Eskeri merchants in Lundfrau from 1361.

Geography

Eskeiura lies in northwestern Lira, partially separated from the rest of the continent by the Esketres Sea to the south and the X Mountains to the east, and borders the Aurum Ocean to the west. It's total land boundary is roughly X kilometers long. It lies between 63°N and 55°N, and X°W and Y°W. The Eskeri portion of the Esketres Sea contains approximately 40 islands and dozens of smaller islets, with the largest ones being, in order: Ziedošs, Samyen, Cietoksnis, Ramyvis, and Baltasala; while all are inhabited, Cietoksnis and Ramyvis are both heavily urbanized. Numerous bays along the indented coastline of both the islands and mainland provide good harbors, and are frequently characterized by striking grey-white cliffs.

Much of Eskeiura's territory is less than 100m (330ft) above sea level, leading to low swampy environments along much of the southern coast and among many of the islands. The eastern shore and the western end of the Rikisnan peninsula, as well as the islands of Cietoksnis and Ramyvis, are heavily urbanized with very high population densities, hosting most of the population - nearly 70% of the population lives in the metropolitan area of the cities of Kresla, Tudone, Drosmiņšavpils, and Akšniai. Most of the interior landscape consists of fertile lowland plains and modest hills, a mosaic of vast forests alternating with fields, farmsteads, and pastures. Arable land is spotted with birch groves and wooded clusters, which afford a habitat for numerous plants and animals. The swamps and woodlands of Eskeiura host many diverse flora and fauna, such as the lesser and great hodag and Lady of the Lake.

The entire country hosts a temperate, oceanic climate, characterized by cool summers and mild winters and four distinct seasons. Temperatures are mild year-round, with mean temperatures in January of 1.5°C (34.7°F), and cool summers, with a mean temperature in August of 17.2°C (63.0°F). The most extreme temperatures recorded in Eskeiura, since 1874 when recordings began, was 36.4 °C (97.5 °F) in 1975 and −31.2 °C (−24.2 °F) in 1982. Due to its position between the Aurum Ocean, Glaucus Ocean, and Liran continent, weather tends to change rapidly.

Politics

Although Eskeiura is officially a military order, most authorities consider it a de facto constitutional monarchy, and has been said to operate on the basis of benevolent dictatorship and meritocracy.

The country is organized into 13 commandries led by Lord-Commanders, whose power is devolved from the First Commandry, based in the national capital of Kresla, which are then each divided into various varasis (roughly translated as "dominions" or "authorities"), led by a reeve (Eskeju: vaitas; sometimes translated as voigt). Reeves are elected to 4 year terms by the local population, and in turn together elect the Lord-Commander, who leads the commandry for a 20 year term. Reeves also preside over local assemblies, the seimas, which serve to ensure the local population's voice is heard.

The Lord-Commanders are responsible to the Prince-Commander, also called the Grandmaster, who serves for life as Lord-Commander of the First Commandry, and is elected by and from among the Lord-Commanders upon the previous one's death. The Prince-Commander selects and presides over a First Council, which encompasses the conventional role and powers of a cabinet in other countries, headed by the Prince-Commander and the Chancellor, the latter of whom serves a role analogous to a Prime Minister.

Potential reeves and Lord-Commanders can be recommended to be certified to be elected by the Adelaster House in Kresla, which judges their suitability based on a holistic evaluation of education, military service, charitable and volunteer work, public reputation, and other skills and life experiences. Those deemed suitable are awarded the Rose of Kresla, which is both a legal status and a physical badge which communicates it, allowing individuals to legally run for and hold political office above a local level.

The First Council is approved by, and often drawn from, the Montāža (Assembly), the lower house of the legislature - the Diēta (Diet) - which consists of 100 representatives (distributed proportionally based on population of the commandries) elected directly by the population and can propose and pass legislation with a simple majority. The upper house is the the Dienasta, which is an assembly of all 12 Lord-Commanders (or their delegates), presided over by the Prince-Commander, who also has a vote. Legislation can be proposed by either house, but requires the ultimate approval of the Dienasta with a 7/13 vote (importantly, the Prince-Commander's vote is not required, but his signing of the bill is, although a veto can be overturned with a 10/13 vote from the Dienasta); if legislation originates in the Dienasta, it must be sent to the Montāža for review and suggested amendment before being passed, although the Dienasta does not legally have to accept these amendments.

Although there is no legal basis for political parties, and they have been officially discouraged by the office of the Prince-Commander since the early 19th century, there exist several semi-formal political factions with various ideologies and goals.

The judicial system relies on civil law and interpretations thereof, administered by judges (traditionally called "justiciars") appointed by Lord-Commanders.

The 48th and current Prince-Commander, Vadims Godmanis.

Administrative divisions

Flag Commandry Capital Population (2015) Area Aizlaca Keda # 2695 km2 Ariosai Vallozi # km2 Cietoksnis Drosmiņšavpils # km2 Laurdran Akšniai # km2 Luloži Jellvi # km2 Klairkas Dagkritum # km2 Mavaine Tudone # km2 Ramyvis Aiga # km2 Samyen Zizi # km2 Saulbate Kresla # km2 Telvarija Marijgai # km2 Viesškelis Riksne # km2 Ziedošs Aurelijaplis # km2

Culture

Aurelian Code

The Aurelian Code (Eskeju: Aurelijes Kodas) is the name given to the original writings and teachings of Saint Aurelija of Tudone, and has long been considered an important centerpiece and guiding light of Eskeri culture, religion, and politics.

The Code is often summarized by a collection of seven "tenets" given by St. Aurelija in the Letter to the Vallozians:

• "Life is a pure flame, and we live by an invisible sun within us."
• "There are common sentiments in every thunderclap."
• "The young ones dance as the old ones whistle."
• "Some words are spelt correctly only when the proper ink is used."
• "Blind zeal is fire without light."
• "Solace is not found at Dawn."
• "These are the arts that ensure an ending."

Religion

Diomairais =

Diomairais refers to a group of faiths which appeared the late 17th century in northern Eskeiura, claiming to be descended from the various local folk religions of the northern islands, syncretized with Theoism, through the work of the natural-philosopher Zigmans Birziņš. However, no Beoist church, including the Church of Eskeiura, has recognized Diomairais as Beoist. There are believed to be five sects of Diomairais, each concentrated, for the most part, in one specific region, and each is henotheistic in nature, with their own unique deities and beliefs but frequently accepting those of other sects and religions as valid as well. These sects typically revolve around one major deity, who is venerated and given sacrifices (which, before outlawed in 1723, could sometimes include humans, and before 1859, animals) in the hopes of receiving miracles and spiritual revelations.

• The Wood-Witch: A witch, always portrayed as a dark gap in the trees, who is said to dwell wherever the leaves obscure the sun and whisper secrets in the wind.
• The Deep-Dweller: Portrayed as a huge leviathan lurking in the deep ocean, pulling ships beneath the waves and pushing survivors to survive and grow stronger.
• The Shambling Dawn: A huge stone humanoid with a sun in place of its head, which walks forever forward, ending worlds and beginning new ones in its wake.
• The Darklight: A grey presence always at the edge of perception, which, it is said, when observed for long enough will reveal the pattern of the world and separate one from it.
• The Yellow Prince: A young man, sickly and disfigured, who wields a sword and wears a crown of thorns, eternally seeking new conquests because old ones grow sick and collapse.

Holidays

• Allhallowtide (Vissvaidītlaiks)
• Aureliamas (Aurelijamasa)
• Citadel Day