Northern Goneril

Goneril, Throne of the Strand of Orc (GTSO or, simply Northern Goneril) is an authoritarian absolutist nation-state taking up a significant amount of The Northern Continent's western half. It is one of two nations claiming the name "Goneril." It borders the Harmonian Civilization to the north, Eldergrin to the northeast, Elderfey Paradise to the southeast, and Baldur to the south. It is a semi-authoritarian feudal monarchy under the godlike Barron Ganth, who has ruled there for more than a thousand years. It controls much of the productive land between Elderfey and the ports in the Rillian (Great Green) Sea. It is sometimes known as "The Breadbasket of Aegis." It's capital is Goneril City, and it's primary port is Point North.

It's major rival is Baldur, which which it does not recognize legally. It is more mildly opposed to the Harmonians, the Nyasans, Malvont, and the Elderfey. It's major trading partner is South Goneril, and is allied with the Eldergrin.

Geography
From north to south the Strand of Orc or Goneril Plane, is clad sequentially in tundra, coniferous forest, mixed and broad-leaf forests, grassland, and semi-desert (fringing the great Rillian Sea) as the changes in vegetation reflect the changes in climate.

Government and Economics
Goneril is a feudal semi-authoritarian dictatorship under Barron Ganth. The Barron rules from Goneril City, the capital and largest city. He is represented throughout the nation through appointed Throne Representitives, usually members of his close family or those most loyal to him. These imperial "people's courts" can be found at the center of any major city, through the amount of power they influence over local affairs differs greatly.

All non-serf subjects are expected to pay a %20 tax on all income. The official currency of Goneril is the Astral Dabloon, a gold, silver, or copper coin which depicts on one side the face of and on the reverse the official seal of the Throne. Gold coins from other countries are equally accepted as currency, due to the lack of natural gold in Goneril outside of the Ulgrof Mountains. Given the economy over most of Goneril's landmass, bartering and subsistence farming are still common practices.

Goneril is a self-described Self Reliant Material State, with a pronounced cult of personality organized around Barron Ganth. Ganth's current rank is Supreme Magistrate, though at various times in his tenure he has been called Mayor, King, Chief, and Supreme Emperor. He has ruled constantly since 390 SA. The legislature of Goneril is the Supreme Assemby of People's Tribunes, currently led by President Nabokil Omarov. Each legislative district elects a People's Tribune. There are also Tribunes of the Military, whom Barron Ganth appoints to positions of five-year command over each of his 17 legions.

In practice, Ganth's government is still highly authoritarian. Ganth appoints representitives to each of the administrative districts, usually members of his family, and those representitives hold a vast amount of sway over the election of Tribunes to the People's Assemby. The purpose of the Assemby, then, is less about providing democratic representation to the people of the provinces and more about providing arbitration between the provinces without recourse to factionalizing the empire.

Culture and Ideology
Worship of gods or goddesses is illegal in Goneril, although the penalties differ from place to place. There exists a class of secular clerics dedicated to the Throne of Prime who provide much of the magical work and healing that would normally be done by god-worshipers. These secular clerics are sworn to a life of poverty, giving away all their valuable material posessions to help the poor.

Although culture varies greatly throughout the empire, culture within the capital city is highly regulated. Subjects of Goneril often wear identical black greatcoats modeled after their leader. Workers and farmers demand great respect in Goneril, the way adventurers and clerics would in other nation-states.

There is also a pervasive warrior culture in Goneril. The country commands 17 Legions of the People's Tribunes. The lower numbered tribunes are more powerful and specialized. Legion 1 is the country's legendarily powerful secret police, the First Legionaries. Legion 2 defends the capital's airspace, which includes a massive system of seeing-mirrors and airships. Legions 3 and 4 form an elite airmarine force of shock troops. Legion 5 forms the country's regular airforce, which includes beastriders. Legion 6 is the nation's blue water navy. Legion 7 is there green water navy. Legions 8, 9 and 10 run the country's extensive system of concentration camps. Legions 11-17 form the country's core conscripted fighting and police force, though they are normally dispatched to maintain internal control of the empire.

The Throne of Prime is the official state ideology of Northern Goneril. It teaches that "man is the master of everything and decides everything," and that insiders to the Prime Material Plane are the masters of the Prime Material Plane. It has also been translated as "independent stand" and the "spirit of self-reliance." It has four main tenents:


 * 1) The people must have independence in thought and politics, economic self-suficiency, and self-reliance in defense.
 * 2) Policy must reflect the will and aspirations of the masses and employ them fully.
 * 3) Methods of production, construction and destruction must be suitable to the situation of the country.
 * 4) The most important work of the state is molding people ideologically and mobilizing them to constructive action.