Isenheim
Principality of Isenheim | |
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 Flag
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| Motto: "Christus vincit, Christus regnat, Christus imperat" (Latin) "Christ conquers, Christ reigns, Christ commands" | |
National hymn
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| Capital and largest city | Granstad |
| Official language | Latin |
| National language | Isenheimar |
| Religion | Apostolic Church |
| Demonym(s) | Isenheimer |
| Government | Elective ecclesiocracy |
• Prince | Dom Nils Helgesen |
• Chancellor | . Frank Hermansen |
| Legislature | Allting |
| Kirketing | |
| Verdsting | |
| History | |
• Settlement by non-natives | 8th century |
• Christianization | 13th century |
• Great Remonstrance | 16th century |
| Currency | Daler (DAR) |
| Date format | dd/mm/yyyy |
| Driving side | right |
| Calling code | +06 |
| Internet TLD | .is |
The Principality of Isenheim, commonly known as Isenheim, is a country on Eurth. Though relatively large, it is sparsely populated, owing to the climate, which is mostly tundra and taiga. Major population centers are clustered at southerly, hemiboreal latitudes, where winters are less harsh and agriculture is practical. A belt of mountains provides additional protection to this coastal region, centered on Isenheim's capital, Granstad. The Northern reaches of Isenheim are located within the Arctic Circle.
The majority of Isenheimers are descended from Scandinavians. Though aware of the lands today known as Isenheim since at least the 700s, permanent settlement did not begin until the 10th century, triggered by political unrest and population growth in the old country, and a period of warming which made Isenheim more hospitable than on average. Large-scale migration ended by the 13th century, as the warming period ended and the population hit carrying capacity. When the Scandinavians arrived, they encountered the ____, who had inhabited the region for thousands of years, surviving primarily through reindeer herding. The ____ had no immunity to the alien diseases carried by the Scandinavians, which devastated their population within years of contact. Higher birthrates and low emigration rates between the 18th century and present day has allowed the native population to recover, and they now make up roughly 1/4 of Isenheim's population. ____s are divided into two broad groups: the ____, who fled North in response to Scandinavian settlement, and the ____, who were captured and enslaved by the settlers.
Salvian Catholicism arrived in the 1100s, and was firmly established by the 13th century. As there was no central political authority at the time, the Church played an enormous role in solving disputes between families and towns, providing social services, and maintaining civic life. Already at this time, Granstad, the seat of the Bishop of Isenheim, was widely recognized as the de facto political capital of the country, In the 15th century, the Kings of ____ established political control over Isenheim. For over a century they would rule, a period that has come to be known as the Dark Years. In the early 1500s, Oscar Eike, Bishop of Granstad was executed by forces loyal to the King for alleged sedition. Oscar's son Nicholas engineered his own election as Bishop and led a revolt against the monarchy, eventually triumphing and establishing Isenheim as a sovereign principality under direct episcopal rule. Motivated by pressure from the monarchs of Christendom and opposition to Nicholas' theological views, the Salvian Pope refused to ratify his election and excommunicated his election. In response, Nicholas issued the Great Remonstrance, declared the Salvian Pontiff illegitimate and established his own, reformed, Church in Isenheim, creating a political order which has survived until today.
Isenheim is a developed country with a market economy, dominated by bioengineering, electronics, and the service sector. Though it has a civilian government and competitive elections, the Prince-Archbishop and the Kirketing hold significant constitutional powers, and the informal influence of the Church is pervasive, with some organizations accusing the Church of opposing human rights, particularly in the areas of reproductive rights and freedom of speech.