|
|common_name = Tavaris
|image_flag = File:Tau1.png
|alt_flag = The flag of the Tavari EmpireTavaris.
|image_coat = File:Kot seal.png
|alt_coat = The Great Seal of the Kingdom of Tavaris.
|symbol_type = Great Seal
|national_motto = "Ítan Erevat, Ítan Eredan!" (Tavari)<br /><small>"For the King, For the Empire!"</small>
|national_anthem = ''MonarelkanarUvari Voi!Tavarís'' (Tavari)<br /><small>"MarchBeautiful On!Tavaris"</small>
|image_map = [[File:Tavari empire wiki.png|200px]]
|alt_map = A map indicating the location of Tavaris on Urth.
|leader_name1 = Zaram V
|leader_title2 = Prime Minister
|leader_name2 = Žarís Nevran Alandar
|leader_title3 =
|leader_name3 =
Beginning in the 1470s, a religious movement known as Akronism after a deity known as Akrona, arose in the northwest regions of the country, particularly near the Crystal Coast.
===Modern History===
[[File:India+in+world+war+two+2.jpg|left|thumb|300px|AcronianTavari troops moving supplies through muddy conditions during the Siege of Idalan by Vultucan and Asendavian troops in the Great War.]]
In 1895, AcronisTavaris hosted the [[The Worldwide Exposition of 1895|The Worldwide Exposition]], an international cultural festival. Previous hosts had been such large nations as [[Packilvania]], [[Salovia]], and [[Great Morstaybishlia]]. AcronisTavaris hosted the 1895 Expo as an attempt to introduce itself to the world as an international cultural and tourist destination, as well as an advanced country with all the amenities of modern civilization such as streetcars, high-rise buildings, electricity and telegraph systems. By all accounts the Expo was popular, and AcronisTavaris earned a reputation as an environmentally pristine destination to visit.
In 1904, the [[Great War]] began. AcronisTavaris found itself on a frontier between two opposing colonial powers: [[Great Morstaybishlia#Morstopackia and the Great War|Morstopackia]], who controlled what is now [[Lunaria]] to AcronisTavaris' west, and [[Asendavia]], who controlled AcronisTavaris' only neighbor by land, [[Vultuca]]. While AcronisTavaris had maintained a friendly trading relationship with the Morst and had somewhat less interaction with Asendavia - mainly due to the fact that it was easier and less expensive to trade by sea than traverse the land crossing to Vultuca that was in most places undeveloped wilderness - AcronisTavaris declared that it would be neutral in the war. However, in May of 1908, in what is known as the Anarís Incident, a group of Morst ships moved through AcronianTavari-controlled waters off the coast of Metrati Anar to attack a group of Asendavian ships from behind. While AcronisTavaris formally summoned the Morst ambassador for an explanation and sent a demand to the Morst government that its ships respect AcronianTavari neutrality, Asendavia held the incident to be an AcronianTavari violation of neutrality and declared war on AcronisTavaris. AcronisTavaris would then join the war on the Morst side.
The Great War caused significant loss in AcronianTavari lives and property, due in large part to its disadvantageous position between Morst and Asendavian colonial holdings. With Asendavia's larger colonial presence in northwestern Gondwana, it had better supply lines, and was able to position military assets in the area at less expense than AcronisTavaris' allies. Additionally, when Tavaris joined the nationswar ofon [[Tavarithe Union#Tavaris|Tavaris]]Morst andside, neighboring [[Tavari Union#Bana|Bana]], both led by nationalist governments, declared warjoined on the Asendavian side,. primarilyBana withinvaded the intention of attacking Acronis. Tavarisand seizedoccupied Metrati Anar for the duration of the war and bothconducted Tavarisa andbombing Banacampaign bombedalong the east coast of the country from Zaram to New EastGood Harbor.
After the Great War, AcronisTavaris entered into a period of isolationism as it became politically unpopular for policies to involve other nations. AcronianTavari neutrality had been a resounding failure and it had ended up attacked on multiple fronts because, as the political wisdom of the time said, it had become "entangled" in the affairs of foreign powers. AcronianTavari politics shifted heavily towards isolationism and anti-imperialism, with AcronianTavari foreign relations largely reduced to denouncing the involvement of foreign powers in Gondwana. This period of isolationism lasted for nearly the entire 20th century, although towards the latter half of the century there was a gradual period of re-engaging with foreign affairs - especially as it came to communications technology and military equipment. In the 1980s, AcronisTavaris began purchasing tanks and other modern military equipment from Morstaybishlia. In 2004, AcronisTavaris joined the [[Arkian Civil War]] on the side of the [[West Arkalarius|West Arkian Republic]] in an effort to negotiate and enforce a cease-fire. The West would later lose to the imperialists who would install the [[Arkian Empire]]. In 2008, in a further attempt to counteract global dominance by the two major powers of Morstaybishlia and Asendavia, AcronisTavaris joined the [[Union of Commonwealth Alliances]].
On January 31st, 2017, the election of [[ŽarísŠano NevranŠonai AlandarTuvria]] on a platform of increasing global trade and diplomatic relations is widely considered to have completely ended the isolationist era of AcronianTavari politics. A major part of her platform was establishing a regional free trade agreement, the [[Alliance of Northwest Gondwana]], which was negotiated in 2017 and took effect a year later. In 2020, after BanaTavaris and [[Tavari Union#New Rania|New Rania]] joined the Tavari Union, the two countriesBana normalized relations by appointing ambassadors and announcing the opening of embassies for the first time in almost 50 years. Also in 2020, AcronisTavaris became an observer-state of the [[League of Novaris]], after having been denied full membership. In 2021, AcronisTavaris announced that it had become a [[nuclear weapons state]] through developing its own nuclear warheads as well as purchasing warheads from [[Vistaraland]].
==Government==
[[File:Storer House, Hollywood 02.JPG|rightleft|thumb|300px|The official residence of the Prime Minister at 300 King DavrasZaram Avenue in ZaramNuvrenon.]]
The Acronian Empire is governed by two separate authorities, which are referred to as governments: the civil government of the King and the [[Cabinet of the Acronian Empire|Cabinet]], and the religious government, which is led by an official known as the [[The 37th Matron|Matron of the Empire]]. The Matron is elected by and from a body known as The Elders, which is the collective head of the Church. Both governments serve separate functions and act as a check on the other.
The Kingdom of Tavaris is a constitutional monarchy in which the monarch has theoretically broad reserve powers, but in actual practice is a figurehead who takes no part in the day-to-day administration of the country. The King, currently Zaram V, is expected to remain politically neutral, and does not use his reserve powers unless advised to do so by the Council of State, a body similar to the Privy Council in other monarchies.
The state religion of the Acronian Empire is [[Akronism]], a monotheist faith following the Goddess Akrona, for whom the country and the people are named. The Church of Akrona governs the moral aspects of life in Acronis and maintains and enforces the country's system of criminal law. Criminal law is adjudicated in courts organized and governed by The Elders. As examples, laws against murder and assault are the jurisdiction of the religious government. Additionally, the social safety net is administered by the Church, as according to Acronian jurisprudence it is considered a matter of morality. Pensions, unemployment benefits, food assistance and housing assistance are coordinated by the Church and paid for by mandatory tithes from Church members.
In 1793, a document known as the Instruments of Governance was ratified, which became the Tavari constitution. It has been amended several times. The Instruments placed significant restrictions on the power of the Monarch and instituted a legislature called the Diet. Under the Instruments, executive power is formally vested in the Cabinet, which is headed by the Prime Minister.
The civil government handles the temporal affairs of the country. The executive body of the civil government is the [[Cabinet of the Acronian Empire|Cabinet]], which is led by the [[Cabinet of the Acronian Empire#Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister|Prime Minister]]. Foreign affairs, economic affairs, military defense, education and civil law are all the domain of the King and Prime Minister. Civil law is defined as all those areas of law outside the realm of The Elders and is usually described as "crimes against property, rather than people." For example, theft, embezzlement, drug crimes, and regulations of industries or occupations are all areas of civil law. Parliament debates and passes laws, and the King ratifies them. There is only a very limited veto power on the part of the King.
The Prime Minister leads the government and holds the positions of President of the Council of State and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. A Prime Minister must maintain the confidence of the Diet, and is therefore typically the leader of the largest party or coalition of parties in the Diet. The current Prime Minister, [[Žarís Nevran Alandar]], took office on 18 February 2021 after her predecessor Šano Šonai Tuvria stepped down to become [[International Forum]] Secretary-General.
The powers of and the relations between the King and the Elders are governed by a document known as The Pact, which was ratified on February 20th, 1496. It is the signing of The Pact that is considered to be the moment the Empire was established, although it would not consolidate power over the entire area for three more years.
===Diet===
To be a resident of the Acronian Empire is to be subject to the civil laws of the Empire. To be a member of the Church of Akrona is to be subject to its religious law. To be a citizen of the Acronian Empire, one must be both a resident and a member of the Church. The protections of civil law are not afforded to non-residents, and the benefits of Church membership (including social programs) are only available to members in good standing. Perhaps most controversially, because citizenship of the Acronian Empire requires good standing in the Church of Akrona, this effectively removes the right of non-Akronists to vote in elections, even if they were born in Acronis. Native Rodokans who are not Church members have the right to vote due to a law passed in 1992 in a package of reparations, which also allows them to access social services. Some municipalities have passed laws allowing non-citizen nationals to vote in municipal elections.
The Diet is a unicameral legislature with 1,172 members, each of them to be considered a delegate of a Line in the Tavari clan system. With the exception of the 20 seats allocated to Native Rodokans, members of the Diet are elected not from delineated geographic constituencies, but are instead each elected by every other Tavari sharing their line name, which is the second name out of the three every Tavari has. These lines are clans - groupings of Tavari according to kinship and common descent. As an example: each Tavari who is a member of Line Nevran would therefore use Nevran as their second name, and each of them would have a vote for Delegate to the Diet for Line Nevran regardless of where they lived.
===Parliament===
[[File:Acronis Diet 2021.svg|thumb|300px|left|The composition of The Diet of the Acronian Empire as of February 2021: (parties from left to right) <br /><br />'''Government:'''<br />Remembrance: 261 seats <br />'''Official Opposition:'''<br /> Socialist Party for Democracy: 89 seats <br />The Greens: 64 seats<br />'''Other Opposition:'''<br />Liberal Party: 38 seats<br /> Elder-Appointed Caucus: 14 seats]]
When Tavaris annexed Rodoka in 1634, the Queen ordered that the 20 Rodokan tribal chiefs be integrated into the Tavari clan system. In 1992, the Rodokan Native Tribal Administration was formed as a legal successor body to the hereditary chiefdom system, and they re-allocated their 20 seats into geographic districts.
Members of the Diet, often referred to by the title Delegate, are elected through an instant-runoff vote system in both the Rodokan seats and the Tavari line seats. Voters rank the candidates, who are typically nominated to run by political parties, in order of preference. If no candidate attains an actual majority of votes, meaning at least 50% plus one vote, the lowest performing candidate is removed from consideration and the votes that were given to that candidate are re-allocated according to the second choices on the ballots. The process repeats until one candidate attains a majority.
The Parliament of the Acronian Empire consists of a Senate and a Diet. Legally, a Parliament is elected to a seven year term, although it has historically been very rare for a Parliament to last that amount of time. When an election is called, both houses are dissolved at the same time, and all seats go up for election. A Prime Minister, who is selected from among the members of Parliament, must command the confidence of both houses of Parliament. The monarch, by law, must first offer the role of Prime Minister to the leader of the largest political faction in the Diet, but has some latitude to appoint the individual of their choice if that person cannot form a government. A Parliament serves from election for up to seven years, or until either an election is called by the monarch upon the advice of the Prime Minister, or the Prime Minister loses a vote of no confidence in either house and no suitable candidate can be selected from the current membership within 28 days.
The Senate of the Acronian Empire has 165 elected seats and a non-finite number of members appointed by the King for a life term. Currently, there are 8 appointed Senators, making a total Senate membership of 173. Among the seats up for election, the Senate is elected proportionally. 120 members are elected from 6 multi-member constituencies, and 45 members are elected from a single, nationwide party list. Historically, the Senate has been seen as the more "collegial" of the two houses, with its membership typically comprised of more senior politicians. However, the Senate is the less powerful of the two houses, as it cannot initiate funding bills and it cannot block the passage of legislation on its own. It can pass bills as passed by the Diet, it can delay passage by referring a bill back to the Diet one time, or it can refer a bill "to the monarch," meaning it recommends to the monarch that they withhold Royal Assent.
The Diet of the Acronian Empire currently has 452 elected seats, with members elected from single-member constituencies in first-past-the-post elections. Additionally, The Elders have the right to appoint members of the Diet for terms coterminous with those of the elected members, with each Elder allowed to appoint two members. The Matron historically declines to make appointments except in times of war or other national emergency. In 2021, [[the 37th Matron]] appointed herself and another individual to seats in the Diet, the first time a Matron had done so since the [[Great War]]. With 14 appointed members, the total membership of the Diet is currently 466 members. The size of the Diet is set in statute, but the Instruments of Governance mandates that constituencies consist of no more than 120,000 people each. As in most parliamentary systems, the Diet is the more powerful body, with the right to initiate funding bills. While both houses can initiate any other kind of bill, only the Diet can reject a bill outright.
Historically, more Prime Ministers have come from the Senate rather than the Diet, a contrast to many other parliamentary systems. However, the current Prime Minister, [[Žarís Nevran Alandar]], is a member of the Diet. By law, there is always a Deputy Prime Minister, who must come from the house the Prime Minister does not, and who leads government business in that house.
[[File:Acronis Senate 2021+1 Life Senator.svg|thumb|300px|right|The Senate of the Acronian Empire as of February 2021: (parties from left to right) <br /><br />'''Government:'''<br/>Goddess and Country: 2 seats <small>''(confidence and supply)''</small><br /> Remembrance: 86 seats <br />'''Official Opposition:'''<br />Socialist Party for Democracy: 48 seats <br />The Greens: 31 seats<br/>'''Other Opposition:'''<br /> Liberal Party: 6 seats]]
===The Monarchy===
The Tavari monarchy is based in absolute-primogeniture from among the descendants of King Utor I. The current monarch is King Zaram V, who assumed the throne on March 31st, 2000 upon the death of his father, King Zaram IV. He has one son, Crown Prince Otan. His wife, the Prince’s mother, was Queen Torevar, who passed away in childbirth. Zaram has stated his intention is to never remarry.
The Acronian monarchy is based in absolute-primogeniture from among the descendants of King Davras. In order to assume the throne, the designate must be a member of the Church of Akrona in good standing, must not have been convicted of any crimes, and must be resident in the country. The monarch is known as His or Her Royal Highness and also bears the titles of High Chief of the Tribes of Rodoka and Head of Line Davras (sometimes called "Chief of Line Davras.") There have been 20 monarchs, with 8 queens and 12 kings. Mital II, the reigning monarch, assumed the throne upon the death of his father King Kanor IX on March 31st, 2000. The heir apparent is Crown Prince Otan, born in 1990, who is the only child of King Mital II. The king's wife, and the crown prince's mother, was Princess Torevar, who died in childbirth. The King has never remarried. While the monarch does not use a family name like other Acronians, they do technically have them. King Mital's full legal name, as recorded on his certificate of birth, is Mital Davras Šolosar. The King's full name and title is officially presented in this way: ''His Majesty Mital II, King of the Acronian Empire and High Chief of the Tribes of Rodoka, Chief of Line Davras, Representative of the People Before The Elders of the Church of Akrona, Lord Patron of Ilarís, Defender of the Faith, Davras Šolosar''.
The monarch, as Head of State, represents Tavaris to foreign countries and receives ambassadors from foreign countries. The monarch is also the pinnacle of the traditional Tavari clan system. It is by virtue of the monarch’s position as Head of Line Nuvo that they are the King or Queen of Tavaris, and one of the monarch’s titles is “Chief of Chiefs.” Other than Line Nuvo, no other extant clan has a “Chief,” with those offices replaced by Delegate to the Diet in 1793. (Non-royal members of Line Nuvo also elect a Delegate to the Diet.) By ancient custom, this means that the monarch has the absolute right to make any changes to the clan system - such as creating a new clan, or abolishing an extant one. The monarch may also declare particular individuals members to be a member of a clan. This power was commonly used in the early years of the Empire, but has only been used once since the year 1496.
The powers of the monarch are established in both The Pact and the Instruments of Governance, as well as through historic convention. Officially, the monarch appoints and dismisses the Prime Minister, summons and dissolves Parliament, declares war and peace, imposes and repeals taxes, and promulgates laws. In reality, all of these powers are exercised only on the advice of the Prime Minister or upon passage of legislation by Parliament. The monarchy does reserve the power to appoint or dismiss the Prime Minister, or dissolve Parliament, on its own initiative, but has never done so since the ratification of the Instruments of Governance. By law, the monarch does not have a veto and cannot reject bills that have been passed by the Parliament, with one exception: the monarch may choose to withhold (or choose not to withhold) Royal Assent if the Senate votes to "refer the bill to the monarch" - meaning the Senate has, in effect, delegated its authority to the monarch. However, a monarch may always choose to refer a bill to referendum, in which case the bill only takes effect if approved in a national referendum. Also, the monarch may refer a bill to The Elders if he or she believes the bill to be unconstitutional. ▼
▲The legal powers of the monarch are established in both The Pact and the Instruments of Governance , as well as through historic convention. Officially, the monarch appoints and dismisses the Prime Minister, summons and dissolves Parliamentthe Diet, declares war and peace, imposes and repeals taxes, and promulgates laws. In reality, all of these powers are exercised only on the advice of the Prime Minister or upon passage of legislation by ParliamentDiet. The monarchy does reserve the power to appoint or dismiss the Prime Minister, or dissolve Parliamentthe Diet, on its own initiative, but has never done so since the ratification of the Instruments of Governance. By law, the monarch does not have a veto and cannot reject bills that have been passed by the Parliament, with one exception: the monarch may choose to withhold (or choose not to withhold) Royal Assent if the Senate votes to "refer the bill to the monarch" - meaning the Senate has, in effect, delegated its authority to the monarch. However, a monarch may always choose to refer a bill to referendum, in which case the bill only takes effect if approved in a national referendum. Also, the monarch may refer a bill to The Elders if he or she believes the bill to be unconstitutional.
The monarch, as Head of State, represents the Acronian Empire to foreign countries and receives ambassadors from foreign countries. Additionally, the monarch serves as a check against the Matron and the Elders. The monarch may reverse any decision of the Matron or The Elders if they believe the decision is unconstitutional. This technically includes any judicial decision such as a conviction or a declaration of a new crime, although this is rarely exercised. This power belongs to the monarch exclusively, and the Prime Minister, cabinet, and Parliament have no legal say in the process.
The monarchy also reserves the right to veto legislation passed by the Diet. However, by law, the monarch may only do so on the advice of the Council of State. As the Council of State is composed almost entirely out of members of the Cabinet, no monarch has ever done so since the Instruments were ratified. However, a monarch may always choose to refer a bill to referendum, in which case the bill only takes effect if approved in a national referendum. Also, the monarch may refer a bill to the Constitutional Court if they believe the bill to be unconstitutional. These two powers are granted to the monarch to exercise on their own initiative, with or without advice from the Council of State to do so.
===The Elders and The Matron===
The Elders are the collective head of the Church of Akrona. They are a body of seven women and have been since the beginning of the Church. The first Elders are held by the Church to be the first people that the Goddess Akrona appeared to and blessed. As a body, The Elders have historically been very reclusive, and with the exception of the Matron are rarely seen in public. When they do appear in public, it is almost always as a group. The Elders have ultimate and total control over the administration of the Church of Akrona and over criminal law. The Elders are led by an official known as the Matron of the Empire. The Matron is the presiding officer of The Elders and serves as the Church's most public face - except for very rare occasions, only the Matron ever appears alone, and she is generally considered to be a public figure.
Since the annexation of Rodoka in 1634, the monarch has also been the head of the Rodokan tribes, of which there were historically twenty, all of which are now part of the Rodokan Native Tribal Administration. Since then, the title “High Chief of the Tribes of Rodoka” has been part of the monarch’s title. The title of the current monarch is, in full: His Majesty Zaram V, King of Tavaris, High Chief of the Tribes of Rodoka, Chief of Nuvo, Chief of Chiefs, Lord-Patron of Ilaris, Defender of the Faith. While the monarch does not use a line name or family name in day-to-day life, they do have them just the same as other Tavari. King Zaram’s name as recorded on his certificate of birth is Zaram Nuvo Šolosar.
Elders serve for life terms. Upon the death of an Elder, a replacement is named by the Matron. When the Matron passes away, a replacement is elected by the remaining six Elders. Other than being a woman, there is no other qualification set out under the law. Constitutional scholars have noted that there is not even a requirement that an Elder be a member of the church. The Elders have never disclosed any of the factors they use in deciding who should be a Matron. In 2018, the current Matron made an unprecedented disclosure, in response to a question from a member of the church, that for purposes of selecting an Elder the definition of "woman" is any individual who identifies as and "sincerely holds themselves to be, in their whole self and spirit" a woman - meaning transgender women are eligible for the office. It is unknown if any transgender women have ever served as an Elder - although it is equally unknown if any cisgender women have ever served in the role.
The Elders, as a body, are the highest judicial authority for criminal and constitutional law in the country, acting in effect as a court of last appeal. The Elders have the authority to declare any law or action of the government unconstitutional, although by convention they only do so if presented with a formal complaint or if asked to weigh in on the matter by the King.
===Political Parties===
In the current day, Tavaris is a multi-party system in which coalition governments are common, especially since the dawn of the 21st century. The current government, however, is comprised of just one party, after the Democratic National Party (DNP) won a majority in the election on February 10th, 2021. The current leader of the Democratic National Party is [[Žarís Nevran Alandar]], who assumed that position on the 18th of February 2021 when her predecessor was elected International Forum Secretary-General.
Politics in the Acronian Empire, since the establishment of the Diet in 1763 until the mid-20th century had been primarily a two-party system, with power alternating between the Liberal Party and Remembrance. The Liberal Party is, as the name suggests, a classically liberal party that advocates for smaller government, a lightly-regulated economy, and a monarchy with less reserve power. There are factions of the party that call for abolition of the monarchy and the established church. Remembrance defines itself as a centrist party, although it has significant center-right movements in support for the monarchy, the established church, and a strong military.
The Tavari political left tends to be split among three different parties: The Socialist Party for Democracy (SPD), a social democratic party; the Green Tavaris Party, which broadly focuses on environmental issues; and the Tavari Communist Party (TCP), which is an explicitly Akronist-socialist political party. The TCP is the most popular among Akronists, but tends to have less reach into non-Akronist communities. The Greens are not explicitly Akronist under party rules, but tend to be dominated by Akronists, as the Akronist faith emphasizes stewardship of the environment. All three major leftist parties advocate for abolishing the monarchy, and SPD and TCP call for replacing the line-based electoral system with geographic districts. A minor Akronist center-left political party, Orange Left, has had representation in the past but won no seats in the most recent election.
Since the middle of the 20th century, the political system has re-organized into a multi-party system. The other major parties of Acronis include the Greens and the Socialist Party for Democracy, both of which being largely aligned with the center-left. The Greens are a member of the international environmental movement and have served as a coalition partner with both of the oldest parties. The Socialist Party for Democracy, known as "The People First" until 2020, identifies as a "party of social democrats and democratic socialism," and was formed from the remnants of a previous party called the Social Democratic Party that was dissolved in 2005 due to campaign finance violations.
The Tavari political right is similarly split. The DNP is generally described as center-to-center-right, and both Žarís Nevran Alandar and Šano Šonai Tuvria are considered to be among the centrist faction of the party and are sometimes referred to as “neo-liberal.” Other parties on the right include the Liberal Party, which as its name suggests is a classical liberal party; and Goddess and Country (G&C), a socially conservative Akronist political party. Unlike the Akronist parties on the left, G&C advocates for integrating an Akronist political system into the extant monarchical system. Minor parties on the right include the Tavari Nationalist Party, who are generally described as far-right, and Republican Alternative, which advocates for removing the monarchy but otherwise professes generally center-to-center-right policies.
Smaller parties that have also had seats in Parliament at any point in time include the Acronian Communist Party; Goddess and Country, a religious conservative party; and Acronians First, a nationalist party most solidly associated with opposition to immigration. Of these, only Goddess and Country has current representation in Parliament, with two Senators.
==Geography==
===Physical geography===
[[File:Acronian provinces - rodoka.png|300px|thumb|left|A map depicting the provinces of Acronis and their capital cities. Inset is to scale.]]
Acronis is composed of territory on two continents. The [[Gondwana|Gondwanan]] portions of Acronis, known as "the mainland" despite their island location, are located on four islands in the Gulf of Northwest Gondwana. It is south and west of [[Vultuca]] and to the east of [[Lunaria]]. The largest island, which contains most Acronian territory, is known to Acronians as ''Avnatra'', which is Acronian for "elder sister." (In comparison to the neighboring largest island of Lunaria, which is ''Tanatra'', "younger sister.") In addition to the southern and western portions of Avnatra, the Empire controls the island known as King's Island to the south, upon which the capital of Zaram is located, and two small islands immediately to the west of Avnatra known as the "Tears of the Moon." Both of these islands, known individually as the Greater and Lesser Tears, are restricted access areas owned by the Church of Akrona that are reserved exclusively for The Elders. ▼
▲AcronisTavaris is composed of territory on two continents. The [[Gondwana|Gondwanan]] portions of AcronisTavaris, known as "the mainland" despite their island location, are located on four islands in the Gulf of Northwest Gondwana. It is south and west of [[Vultuca]] and to the east of [[Lunaria]]. The largest island, which contains most AcronianTavari territory, is known to AcroniansTavaris as ''Avnatra'', which is AcronianTavari for "elder sister." (In comparison to the neighboring largest island of Lunaria, which is ''Tanatra'', "younger sister.") In addition to the southern and western portions of Avnatra, the Empire controls the island known as King's Island to the south, upon which the capital of ZaramNuvrenon is located, and two small islands immediately to the west of Avnatra known as the "Tears of the Moon." The islands are considered sacred ground by Akronists. Both of these islands, known individually as the Greater and Lesser TearsTear of the Moon respectively, are restrictednational accessparks areaswhere ownedvery bylittle development is permitted, largely due to Akronist political pressure. Among the Churchmost notable features on the Tears of Akronathe thatMoon are reservedtwo exclusivelylarge forAkronist Themissionaries, Eldersincluding one at the site of a meteor impact in the year 1 CE whose impact is the epoch of the [[Common Era Calendar]].
The [[Novaris|Novari]] portion of Acronis is the island of [[Rodoka]], which is located off the coast of West Novaris between [[Meagharia]] and the [[Lapinumbia|Lapinumbian]] island of Rhodos. Rodoka was initially settled by the Rodokan people, it is believed, in the 9th or 10th century CE. Acronian settlers reached the island in 1620. After a brief war between 1632 and 1634, Acronis claimed the entire island as a dominion, with significant areas of land reserved for the exclusive control of native Rodokans. On August 18th 2020, Rodoka voted in a referendum to become the 18th Province of the Acronian Empire. The capital and largest city of Rodoka is Lantaž, an Acronian word meaning "paradise." ▼
▲The [[Novaris|Novari]] portion of AcronisTavaris is the island of [[Rodoka]], which is located off the coast of West Novaris between [[Meagharia]] and the [[Lapinumbia|Lapinumbian]] island of Rhodos. Rodoka was initially settled by the Rodokan people, it is believed, in the 9th or 10th century CE. AcronianTavari settlers reached the island in 1620. AfterThe aTavari briefand warRodokan betweenpeople 1632found andmuch 1634in common, Acronisboth claimedbeing thelargely entireclan-based islandsocieties aswith astrong dominionmaritime traditions. In 1634, withTavaris significantand areasRodoka signed the Treaty of landSinajärv, reservedwhich forannexed theRodoka exclusiveinto the controlKingdom of nativeTavaris but established significant autonomy for the Native Rodokans. On August 18th 2020, Rodoka voted in a referendum to become the 18th Province of the Acronian EmpireTavaris. The capital and largest city of Rodoka is Lantaž, an AcronianTavari word meaning "paradise." However, the Rodokan Native Tribal Administration still maintains the same level of autonomy, which has been described as making it basically a province in and of itself.
The Aequator passes through southern Acronis, bisecting the Greater Tear of the Moon. Given the country's location on the Aequator, the climate is tropical. All of Avnatra was once covered in rainforest, although the southern portions of the island have been cleared since ancient times. A large portion of the north of Acronis have been declared a nature preserve, known as the National Reserve, in order to maintain the rainforest, including nearly all of the country's border with Vultuca. Most of northern Acronis is undeveloped and sparsely populated. Crystal Coast is the largest city in the region, and also the country's most popular destination for domestic and international tourism. ▼
Also in Novaris are the Isles of Kanor, two islands seized from [[Meagharia|Milofia]] in 1714 during the Tavari-Milofite War, in which Milofites attacked Rodoka in an effort to seize the islands and in response to what they considered to be heresy. Tavaris won the war and claimed the islands as a “buffer” between Rodoka and Milofia. They are not administratively part of the Province of Rodoka, but most land on the islands that is not taken by military facilities is owned by the Rodokan Native Tribal Administration.
Southern Acronis is the country's industrial base and most populated region. Most of Acronis' major cities are located here, especially along the Bight of Acronis in the southwest. Further inland is the primary agricultural region of the country. Off the southeastern coast is King's Island and the capital of Zaram. With the distance too long for a bridge, Zaram is connected to the mainland by a fleet of state-operated hovercrafts and private boats and ships. The portions of King's Island not taken by the Zaram urban area are primarily palm oil plantations, with some heavy industry. There are fewer large cities along the east coast, as this region has bore the historical brunt of Tavari invasion, but the city of New East Harbor is one of Acronis' major ports and the heart of Acronis' primary coffee and cocoa-growing regions. The body of water to the east of Avnatra is known officially as the Strait of Vultuca but is also known among Acronians as the Sunrise Sea. ▼
▲The Aequator passes through southern AcronisTavaris, bisecting the Greater Tear of the Moon. Given the country's location on the Aequator, the climate is tropical. All of Avnatra was once covered in rainforest, although the southern portions of the island have been cleared since ancient times. AAkronist largepolitical portionopposition ofto thelogging northand ofresource Acronisextraction, haveespecially beenin declaredthe anorth where Akronists are naturepolitically preservestronger, knownmeans asthere theare Nationalmany Reserve,protected inor orderotherwise toundeveloped maintainareas in the rainforestnorth, including nearly allmuch of the country'sarea along the border with Vultuca. Most of northern AcronisTavaris is undeveloped and sparsely populated , particularly in the far north, which is significantly more mountainous than the rest of the country and in some places is even a desert. Crystal Coast is the largest city in the region, and also the country's most popular destination for domestic and international tourism.
▲Southern AcronisTavaris is the country's industrial base and most populated region. Most of AcronisTavaris' major cities are located here, especially along the Bight of AcronisTavaris in the southwest. Further inland is the primary agricultural region of the country. Off the southeastern coast is King's Island and the capital of ZaramNuvrenon. With the distance too long for a bridge, ZaramNuvrenon is connected to the mainland by a fleet of state-operated hovercrafts and private boats and ships. The portions of King's Island not taken by the ZaramNuvrenon urban area are primarily palm oil plantations, with someand heavy industry such as manufacturing. There are fewer large cities along the east coast, as this region has boreborne the historical brunt of TavariBanian invasion, but the city of New EastGood Harbor is one of AcronisTavaris' major ports and the heart of AcronisTavaris' primary coffee and cocoa-growing regions. The body of water to the east of Avnatra is known officially as the Strait of Vultuca but is also known among AcroniansTavari as the Sunrise Sea.
===Political geography===
[[File:ACR Passport draft.png|thumb|right|300px|An Acronian passport. While it features the Rodokan language, Native Rodokans are actually issued separate passports which indicate their status of "non-citizen national."]]
Acronis is divided into eighteen provinces for the purpose of civil administration. The provinces are units of civil government established by Parliament, with the current system established by the Province Reorganization Act of 1961. While most power in civil government resides with the national government in Zaram, the provinces have the power to set income taxes, regulate certain businesses and industries, and establish public school systems, among other responsibilities. Each province elects a unicameral Legislative Council, from which a government headed by a First Councillor is appointed. The National Reserve, under law, is classified as its own province, but as it has no residents and no cities, it is governed directly by the national government. The Minister of the Environment holds the title of "First Councillor of the National Reserve" ''ex officio''. The Tears of the Moon are not part of any province because, as the private property of the Elders, they are not subject to civil government administration. ▼
▲AcronisTavaris is divided into eighteen provinces for the purpose of civil administration. The provinces are units of civil government established by Parliamentthe Diet, with the current system established by the Province Reorganization Act of 1961. While most power in civil government resides with the national government in ZaramNuvrenon, the provinces have the power to set income taxes, regulate certain businesses and industries, and establish public school systems, among other responsibilities. Each province elects a unicameral Legislative Council, from which a government headed by a First Councillor is appointed. The National Reserve, under law, is classified as its own province, but as it has no residents and no cities, it is governed directly by the national government. The Minister of the Environment holds the title of "First Councillor of the National Reserve" ''ex officio''. The Tears of the Moon are not part of any province because, as the private property of the Elders, they are not subject to civil government administration.
The Province of [[Rodoka]] has a special arrangement due to the status of the native Rodokans. The Treaty of Sinajärv signed in 1634 between the Acronian government and the five remaining independent Rodokan tribes granted the Rodokans sovereignty over areas of land that were reserved explicitly for their use. These reserved areas remain and are today governed by the Rodokan Native Tribal Administration, a body comprised of representatives from the five tribes. The reservation is able to set its own tax rate and regulate businesses and construction in its own territory. Notably, things that are illegal in the rest of Acronis, such as gambling or cannabis, are legal on the reservation. An order dating to 1632 banned alcohol on Rodoka, which was in 1936 amended to forbid only the sale of wine and spirits to consumers outside of bars. However, all kinds of alcohol have always been legal on the reservation. The reservation is located primarily on the northern "branch" of the island, although it also contains various non-contiguous tracts on the southern branch that are intended to be hunting grounds to allow native Rodokans to practice their cultural hunting practices that would be illegal elsewhere. Legally, native Rodokans are Acronian subjects, as the King of Acronis holds the title "High Chief of the Tribes of Rodoka." While legally Rodokans who are not members of the Church of Akrona are "non-citizen nationals" of the Empire, all native Rodokans have access to the social programs instituted by the Church, such as welfare and the national health service, through an agreement with the Church ratified in 1992 as a means of reparations to the native Rodokans.
Areas of Tavaris that are not provinces are administered differently. Metrati Anar and the Isles of Kanor are referred to by a term that translates into Staynish roughly as “Unprovinced Territory.” The Tavari term is ''Nomanerís Ítaktanerísa'', but the Staynish acronym “UPT” is used most commonly. UPTs have an appointed Administrator who is responsible for the day-to-day governance of the territory. Residents of UPTs also elect an Assembly that acts as a legislature, though the Administrator has the power of veto.
Officially, each province is divided into townships and cities. Cities are built-up population centers that have a certain degree of autonomy, whereas townships are largely subject to governance from the province of which they are a part. While cities and townships are responsible for the delivery of most services and establishing courts, most Acronians instead use the parishes of the Church of Akrona as the primary way to indicate where they are from. In fact, nearly half of the townships in the country are coterminous and share a name with a parish of the church. Cities are an exception, as they often consist of multiple parishes. While under the law, cities have the power to establish municipal police departments, nearly all of them have not done so, leaving the Royal Acronian Marshals to serve as the police. The three cities with their own police departments are Zaram, Dravai, and Lantaž. ▼
The Province of [[Rodoka]] has a special arrangement due to the status of the native Rodokans. The Treaty of Sinajärv signed in 1634 between the Tavari government and the Rodokan tribes integrated the island of Rodoka and all the Rodokan tribes into the Kingdom of Tavaris. Certain areas of the island were reserved specifically for tribal use, including most of the northern “branch” of the island. These reserved areas remain and are today governed by the Rodokan Native Tribal Administration, a body composed of representatives from the twenty tribes. The reservation is able to set its own tax rate and regulate businesses and construction in its own territory. Notably, things that are illegal in the rest of Tavaris, such as gambling or cannabis, are legal on the reservation.
▲Officially, each province is divided into townships and cities. Cities are built-up population centers that have a certain degree of autonomy, whereas townships are largely subject to governance from the province of which they are a part . While cities and townships are responsible for the delivery of most services and establishing courts, most Acronians instead use the parishes of the Church of Akrona as the primary way to indicate where they are from. In fact, nearly half of the townships in the country are coterminous and share a name with a parish of the church. Cities are an exception, as they often consist of multiple parishes. While under the law, cities have the power to establish municipal police departments, nearly all of them have not done so, leaving the Royal AcronianTavari Marshals to serve as the police. The three cities with their own police departments are Zaram, Dravai, and Lantaž.
==Military==
The military of the Acronian EmpireTavaris is the [[Royal AcronianTavari Armed Forces]]. AcronisTavaris has a strong military tradition, and for centuries maintained mandatory conscription for citizens of all genders. Mandatory conscription was ended in 2016. The strong military culture was shaped early in AcronianTavari history by the frequent armed attacks from the Tavari. Despite the fact that there has been no such attack from the Tavari since the [[Great War]], the two peoples remain bitter enemies and there is still a belief that the country must be protected. As such, the military remains one of the most popular institutions in the country.
The Royal AcronianTavari Armed Forces consist of:
* The Royal AcronianTavari Army
* The Royal AcronianTavari Navy
* The Royal AcronianTavari Air Force
* The Royal AcronianTavari Marshals
[[File:HMAS Canberra sailing in formation at RIMPAC 2016.jpg|300px|thumb|leftright|The Royal AcronianTavari Navy aircraft carrier ''Žavražan'', foreground, in formation at sea. The ''Žavražan'' is one of two AcronianTavari aircraft carriers. In the background are destroyer ''Kanor IX'' and corvette ''Lansai''.]]
While citizens are no longer required to serve in the military, many choose to serve in the reserves, of which there were approximately 2.5 million servicemembers in 2020. The law allows for conscription to resume in the event of a defensive war, in which case all adult citizens would be called back into reserve status to begin training. These reserves would be drawn from as needed onto the front lines. The law does not allow for wartime conscription if the Acronian EmpireTavaris has not been directly attacked.
Including the Royal AcronianTavari Marshals, the total number of active duty AcronianTavari troops is 507,718. The Marshals are the primary police force for the entire country, as only three cities ([[Zaram]], Dravai, and Lantaž) have established independent, civilian police departments. The Marshals also include the Coast Guard Division and the Border and Immigration Control Division. Excluding the Marshals, who would not be counted among military personnel in many countries, the number of AcronianTavari troops is 307,695.
The Acronian EmpireTavaris maintains a blue-water navy capable of deployment across the world, although a majority of operations are conducted within the AcronianTavari EEZ, or alongside fellow [[Union of Commonwealth Alliances|UCA]] members in international joint operations. The Empire maintains two nuclear-powered submarines as part of its nuclear deterrent, and two diesel-electric aircraft carriers, one of which is typically (though not always) deployed in a helicopter dock configuration. On January 19th, 2021, Acronis announced that it had begun a nuclear weapons program through both a native production program and through an agreement with [[Vistaraland]]. The two countries will continue to cooperate in nuclear weapons research and development. Acronis does not maintain a [[wikipedia:nuclear triad|nuclear triad]], instead maintaining sea and air-based nuclear weapons systems. Acronis does not maintain biological or chemical weapons.
On January 19th, 2021, Tavaris announced that it had begun a nuclear weapons program through both a native production program and through an agreement with [[Vistaraland]]. The two countries will continue to cooperate in nuclear weapons research and development. Tavaris does not maintain a [[wikipedia:nuclear triad|nuclear triad]], instead maintaining sea and air-based nuclear weapons systems. Tavaris does not maintain biological or chemical weapons.
Notable international conflicts in which the Acronian armed forces have participated include the [[Great War]], the [[Arkian Civil War]], the Civil War in [[Ni-Rao]], and UCA engagements in [[Puntalia]] and [[Balistria]]. Along with [[Durakia]], it participated in the LN military [[occupation of Karolingia]]. ▼
▲Notable international conflicts in which the AcronianTavari armed forces have participated include the [[Great War]], the [[Arkian Civil War]], the Civil War in [[Ni-Rao]], and UCA engagements in [[Puntalia]] and [[Balistria]]. Along with [[Durakia]], it participated in the LN military [[occupation of Karolingia]].
[[File:Coffee Farm (45255016475).jpg|thumb|300px|right|A coffee farm in northern Acronis]] ▼Largely the result of Akronist religious teaching that mandates stewardship of the environment, the Acronian economy is more strictly regulated (on average) than other economies. Heavy industry is especially scrutinized, though recognized as necessary.
Agriculture still remains a central part of the economy. A tropical country, Acronis grows and exports timber, tropical fruits and nuts, palm oil, coffee, sugar, and cocoa, among many other products including paper and paper goods. Perhaps Acronis' most well-known agricultural export is chocolate - the production of chocolate is dated to almost the very beginning of Elven settlement in the region, and Acronis exports more chocolate than any other country on Urth. Additionally, Acronis produces significant amounts of ethanol and bio-fuels, although these are not typically exported but used by the population instead, as the extraction of petroleum resources is illegal. ▼▲[[File:Coffee Farm (45255016475).jpg|thumb|300px|right|A coffee farm in northern AcronisTavaris.]]
Tavaris is considered to be a developed economy. As in most similar economies, the service sector has grown to become the largest sector of the economy. Historically, agriculture and fishing were the center of the Tavari economy, and both of them remain significant.
▲Agriculture still remains a central part of the economy. A tropical country, AcronisTavaris grows and exports timber, tropical fruits and nuts, palm oil, coffee, sugar, and cocoa, among many other products including paper and paper goods. Perhaps AcronisTavaris' most well-known agricultural export is chocolate - the production of chocolate is dated to almost the very beginning of Elven settlement in the region, and AcronisTavaris exports more chocolate than any other country on Urth. Additionally, AcronisTavaris produces significant amounts of ethanol and bio-fuels, although these are not typically exported but used by the population instead, asdue to policies that encourage the extractionuse of petroleumrenewable resourcessources isof illegalfuel.
Akronist religious teaching has a significant influence on the economy in that it has led to relatively unusual proportions of land use in the country. Akronist religious teaching holds life as sacred, and killing animals in general, but especially to eat, is discouraged. As such, there is almost no livestock in Acronis, freeing the land to be used for the growth of planted crops. There is, however, one major exception to the Akronist rule on eating animals: seafood. Because Akrona is said to have emerged from the sea, the Church of Akrona teaches that everything that comes from the sea is a blessing and gift from Akrona to the people. A significant percentage of Acronian off-shore area is devoted to fish farms and other aquaculture. Acronians both eat and export large amounts of seafood and also engage in whaling within their territorial waters. Kelp and algae are also grown as bio-fuel resources. ▼
▲Akronist religious teaching has a significant influence on the economy in that it has led to relatively unusual proportions of land use in the country. Akronist religious teaching holds life as sacred, and killing animals in general, but especially to eat, is discouraged. AsWith suchnearly half of the population being Akronist, theredemand isfor almostmeat nofrom livestock is significantly lower than in Acronisother countries. As a result, there are much fewer livestock farms, freeing the land to be used for the growth of planted crops. There is, however, one major exception to the Akronist rule on eating animals: seafood. Because Akrona is said to have emerged from the sea, the Church of Akrona teaches that everything that comes from the sea is a blessing and gift from Akrona to the people. A significant percentage of AcronianTavari off-shore area is devoted to fish farms and other aquaculture. AcroniansTavaris both eat and export large amounts of seafood and also engage in whaling within their territorial waters. Kelp and algae are also grown as bio-fuel resources.
Acronis has some mineral resources, including copper, nickel, significant cobalt deposits, and sand and gravel, but extraction of these is very strictly regulated and almost exclusively done by state-owned enterprises. Development of mineral resources is politically unpopular and production of these elements has seen very little growth over the past two decades. Refining of both domestically- and foreign-mined metals is somewhat more common, but still very strictly regulated as a highly polluting industry. Acronis does have domestic heavy manufacturing, including automobiles, watercraft, renewable energy equipment such as wind turbines and solar panels, and especially arms and military equipment.
Tavaris has some mineral resources, including copper, nickel, significant cobalt deposits, and sand and gravel. It has smaller reserves of precious metals like gold and silver, and was once a source of diamonds, but Tavari diamond reserves are thought to have been mostly depleted since the 20th century. There are some oil reserves off Tavari coastlines, especially among the islands in Metrati Anar. Tavaris does have domestic heavy manufacturing, including automobiles, watercraft, renewable energy equipment such as wind turbines and solar panels, and especially arms and military equipment. Most of these industries are subject to significant environmental rules and other regulatory scrutiny as well as protest by members of the public, especially Akronists.
The services sector, as in other countries, is the largest driver of the Acronian economy. While the strict environmental regulations result in difficulty in other sectors of the economy, they are largely credited with creating an environment that is very popular to visit. Tourism and hospitality are a major source of economic activity in Acronis, and the government leans hard into tourism as a way to make up for economic limitations elsewhere. ▼
▲The services sector, as in other countries, is the largest driver of the AcronianTavari economy. While the relatively strict environmental regulations result in difficulty in other sectors of the economy, they are largely credited with creating an environment that is very popular to visit. Tourism and hospitality are a major source of economic activity in AcronisTavaris, and the government leans hard into tourism as a way to make up for economic limitations elsewhere.
Technically speaking, taxes are low in Acronis, however this is only the case because the social benefits programs are paid by tithes to the church, not taxes to the treasury. Taxes and tithes combined result in total costs to citizens being higher than the world average, but the benefits afforded to Acronian citizens are considered to be better than average.
[[Category:Nations]][[Category:Gondwana]][[Category:The Acronisphere]][[Category: RP Award Winners]]
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