Highpass
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| Motto: Work Gets Done Quicker if an Intimidating Weapon is at Hand | |||
| Anthem: | |||
| [[|250px|Location of Highpass|frameless]] | |||
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| Capital | Rhodondra | ||
| Largest city | Spleazure, Abermeade, Tusk | ||
| Official language(s) | Passikaans, Istvanistani | ||
| Official religion(s) | Cedrism | ||
| Demonym | Highpassian | ||
| - Adjective | Highpassian | ||
| Government | Absolute monarchy | ||
| - Passikraap | Oze IV | ||
| - Kraapkunzeler | Osmosis Preent | ||
| - Legislature | Passistaats | ||
| Establishment | 7.VII 1703 AN (County) 13.XIV 1699 AN (One-Party Humanist Corporate State) | ||
| Area | 618,820 km2 | ||
| Population | 2,534,288 (1714) | ||
| Currency | Highpassian hoor | ||
| Calendar | Norton (AN) | ||
| Time zone(s) | CMT -9 | ||
| Mains electricity | |||
| Driving side | Right | ||
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| National website | |||
| National forum | |||
| National animal | |||
| National food | |||
| National drink | |||
| National tree | |||
| Abbreviation | HPS | ||
The County of Highpass is a palatinate county of Shireroth, located in south-central Benacia.
In 1703, the then unrecognized Humanist republic participated in the Port Esther Summit and walked away with full recognition from Sanama, Cisamarra, Shireroth, Hurmu, the Imperial State of Constancia and the Benacian Union. On 7.VII.1703, the Humanist government under Pit Kuuk fell in the Highpass Putsch.
In 1707 Alto Siccre University in Sanama issued the first Micras Democracy Index report. In the report, Highpass was rated as an autocratic regime, with a zero score in the category "electoral process and pluralism". Highpass also scored poorly in the other four categories. Modest calls were made for a modernisation of the Passi political system in light of the results in the report.
In 1715, the Count of Highpass submitted to the Kaiseress and the county was restored to Shirerithian sovereignty.
Geography
Highpass is geographically known for The Veldt.
The Veldt is a vast area of grassland stretching from northern Tusk to southern Perrynge. Populated by such species as Aaak Birds and the Wulde Boar, it is a popular hunting ground and because of this there are many historical hunting towns surrounding the Veldt.
The Wulde Boar is farmed on the Veldt and is an important part of the local diet. It is also kept by farmers because its footsteps help prepare the soil for the planting of Graan, which can be brewed for beer.
Law
Due to incidents in the mid-1500's, the sale and purchase of eggs and methylated spirits is forbidden within 16.09344 kilometers of the Tellian border as it was in 1544.
A common penalty for certain types of crime is transportation. Since Highpass has never had any overseas colonies, transportation traditionally entailed being driven to the next town, city or village. For unknown reasons, over time, the "next town over" has almost exclusively been interpreted as the town Vaap, leading to the town having a big problem with petty crime.
Culture
Stick Fighting
Highpass was once fiercely tribal with constant battles between those in the North and the South. This regional violence continues today in the form of Steikfaat, a martial art based on the ancient battles of the Veldt and the national sport of the county. Fighters take branches of the Veldt Acacia Tree tied to the bones of the Aaak Bird to form intimidating weapons, sometimes up to two Boys in length.
Fighters from all of the towns of the region gather in on the outskirts of the city of Tusk to take part in the yearly Steikfaat tournament. The winner of the tournament is declared Champion of the Veldt. A quirk of the Charter of Highpass, declared by Count Oze decrees that the means of winning at Steikfaat shall never be recorded. Because of this, all of the fighters have their own idea of how to win.
Steikfaat is usually carried out in the name of the demi-god of Broken Limbs, Spleazure.
Steikfaat is open to all people of Highpass over the age of 14. It is a mostly unregulated sport, although with some general guidelines:
- All those under the age of eighteen years taking part in Steikfaat shall wear a headband made from glue and Aaak feathers. This is to indicate to their opponents that they should go easy on them.
- No Steik shall be below one Boy in length.
- All parts of the body may be struck apart from the kneecaps and elbows.
- An Arbiter shall be present at at to enforce these rules.
- The means of winning at Steikfaat combat shall not be recorded.
- Sticks shall be "straat" (meaning straight) or "kweer" (meaning curved, bent).
Music
While Steikfaat interests the more barbaric north of Highpass, the southern towns Abermeade, Churn and Shampayne enjoy a rich musical culture. Highpassian Folk Music can be heard on the streets of these towns on most days. With its bending notes and intricate ornamentations, Highpassian music could be considered one of the most difficult styles to play. Count Oze himself enjoyed to practise the Highpassian Fiddle, and often made guest appearances in the band Veldt Noise. The Academy of Highpassian Music is located in Abermeade and the Count traditionally serves as its patron.
Religion
Most of the residents of Highpass are firm Cedrists, worshipping the local deities of Rhodondra and Spleazure with various explosions. Natives of the Veldt may also be followers of the Way of the Veldt, a way of life passed down for centuries.
