Reijia
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Dominion of Reijia | |
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 Flag
 Emblem
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Motto: "လူအပေါင်းတို့၏ကောငျးကြိုးအတှကျ" (Reijian) "For the Good of All" | |
Anthem: "အပြာရောင်ညု" (Reijian) "Anthem of the First Praetor" | |
 Location of Reijia (dark green) on the continent of Gondwana (grey) | |
| Capital and largest city | Khaj |
| Official languages | Reiji |
| Recognised national languages | Staynish-Codexian Tavari |
| Ethnic groups (2020) | Orc 65% All others 35% |
| Demonym(s) | Reiji |
| Government | Diarchical Elective Monarchy |
• Provost | Rani Amin |
• Praetor | Ora Rashka |
| Establishment | |
• Independence of the Dominion of Reijia | 1530 CE |
• Basic Constitution established | May 19th, 1793 |
| Area | |
• Total | 3,082 km2 (1,190 sq mi) |
| Population | |
• 2021 estimate | 4,600,000 |
• 2019 census | 4,514,998 |
| GDP (nominal) | estimate |
• Total | $457,304,400,000 SHD |
• Per capita | $99,414 SHD |
| Currency | Reiji Zora (Ꙃ) (RZ) |
| Time zone | (UTC -08:00) |
| Driving side | right |
| Calling code | +117 |
| Internet TLD | .rj |
The Dominion of Reijia (Reiji: 
, reijia samaita), known commonly as Reijia (Reiji: 
, sometimes given as "Ragea"), is a country in Gondwana located on a peninsula in the Strait of Khaj, which connects the Sea of Gondwana to the Gulf of Northwest Gondwana. It is a founding member of the International Forum and the Alliance of Northwest Gondwana.
History
The modern Dominion of Reijia traces its direct origin to a tributary state that was established by the Kingdom of Tavaris in 1530 CE. When the Tavari arrived to the Strait of Khaj in the 1520s, they remarked that there were conspicuous torches stood along the banks every few paces. Initial explorers called it the "river of flames" in their diaries. The resident population was a somewhat small tribe of orcs called the Reiji; they were called "fire people" by the Tavari. Although early relations were peaceful, the Tavari eventually conquered the peninsula in order to capitalize on the peninsula’s ideal position in a trade-heavy strait. The Tavari set up the Tributary State of Reijia, unifying the peninsula under a centralized puppet state which sent large sums of money to Tavaris as tribute every year.
In order to pay the hefty Tavari tributes, the tributary state tolled non-Tavari trade ships passing through the strait, as well striking trade deals with several Northern and Southern Gondwanan States. Over time, some powerful native Reiji figures, mostly from the merchant class, began to emerge alongside the Tavari political elite. Tavari ability to effectively govern the reaches of territory so far south gradually became restricted shortly after 1793 because of the break away of Vakani Dalar from the Tavari Empire, causing a large debt to amass within Tavaris. A wealthy Reiji merchant named Anao Renza offered to pay a large chunk of Tavaris’ debts in exchange for Reijia’s complete independence from Tavari influence, and Tavaris, being sorely in debt, agreed to the offer.
Shortly after purchasing the peninsula, Renza established himself as Reijia’s first Praetor, a title which attempted to blend traditional Reiji politics and the Tavari tributary administration. Praetor Renza initially controlled many aspects of government by himself, but eventually created the Khaj Council and the position of Provost to help him in controlling Reijia. Renza chose Ija Kiman, one of his closest followers, to be Reijia’s first Provost. Both Renza and Kiman often worked together to establish a more traditionally Reiji government led by a class of wealthy Reiji elites.
Many Tavari merchants fled Reijia following Renza’s purchase out of fear that their wealth would be targeted by the new ruler. On the other hand, many Reiji welcomed Renza and Kiman’s rule as they were happy Reijia was under Reiji control once more. Very quickly after independence, Reijia turned its focus to shipping and commerce, and commissioned fleets of ships to be built to carry Reijian merchants and trade envoys everywhere they could reach. The Strait of Khaj is naturally navigable by ship, but was dredged regularly beginning in the 17th century to allow for even larger ships to pass. Khaj's position as a major city right in the middle of the strait meant it was virtually certain to be a stop for every ship that passed through.
Merchants and shipowners very quickly became a powerful class in Reijian society. Initially, the Council of Khaj served as appointees from either Renza or Kiman directly, but as the Senate became populated with more and more merchants, the merchant class was able to gradually establish itself as a political power separate from either the Praetor or Provost. The governmental system changed from an absolute monarchy to a semi-constitutional one, with the Praetor and Provost’s power being restricted by a Constitution created in 1753, primarily protecting freedom of trade and the rights of the merchant class.
Reijia endeavored to remain neutral in world affairs, especially during the Great War. It specifically permitted ships of both sides to pass through its waters for any reason, in order to prevent any side from blockading it. Both sides of the Great War decided to leave Reijia alone, but many feared that one side would try to take over the Strait of Khaj. After the Great War, the Reiji Agreement was signed between Reijia and several of the world’s most influential powers in order to create a mixed military force whose purpose is to ensure Reiji neutrality in world affairs. It was a founding member of the International Forum in 1921 and of the Alliance of Northwest Gondwana, a regional trade bloc, in 2018. Reijia typically attempts to remain unaligned in global events, but one exception to this policy is the Tripartite Pact of Amity, a trade agreement signed in 1895 between Reijia, Asilica, and Mexregiona. The countries have remained close allies since the signing of the treaty, which establishes several economic and political links between the three states.
Government
In the early years of the Dominion, Preator Renza began centralizing the Reiji government. Beginning in the early 1530s, Renza created the position of Provost, which mostly dealt with legislative issues, and the Council of Khaj, which served as the state’s supreme judicial body. The powers of the Praetor were relegated to executive and military matters.
The positions of Praetor and Provost appoint each other in a cyclical system. Once either a Praetor or Provost dies, the other is responsible for appointing the next one. During the early years of the Dominion, the members of the Council of Khaj were appointed directly by either the Praetor or the Provost, but in the modern day the council members are appointed from a select group of electors.
On May 19th of 1793, a basic constitution protecting the right to own property and the freedom of trade was implemented by Provost Valor in order to try and encourage further use of the strait and to stimulate trade by cementing mercantile rights into law. Following the Akuan Atrocities and other violations of Sapient Rights during the Great War, Provost Hosh added several civil rights and civil liberties into the Reiji Constitution, with permission from the Council of Khaj. In order for further changes to be made on the Reiji Constitution in the modern day, the Provost needs the permission of the Council.