MicrasWiki - User contributions [en]

Arctic Straylight

2012-03-17T01:02:11Z

Ari rahikkala: Created page with '== History == The single greatest appreciation of any resource's value in the history of Straylight's markets was felt in the years following the popularisation of the [[Oceanic…'

== History ==

The single greatest appreciation of any resource's value in the history of Straylight's markets was felt in the years following the popularisation of the [[Oceanic]] system. This resource had been considered important for a long time, but it was always economical enough to produce on location for all relevant needs. Unfortunately its supply fluctuated seasonally, and it was particularly expensive around the high tropical and sub-tropical seas that were the most often preferred spots for building sancts. Once large amounts of that resource suddenly were needed to be socially competitive, demand went up, prices went up, and all of a sudden, harvesting it where it was plentiful began in earnest.

'''Cold''' is the entire reason for the existence of Arctic Straylight. The basic equation for the cooling needs of computing is very simple: All energy that you spend on computing turns into heat. One hundred percent. It is a perfect process.

File:Arctic Straylight-flag-200x324.png

2012-03-16T12:45:42Z

Ari rahikkala:

Straylight

2012-03-16T12:43:02Z

Ari rahikkala:

[[File:Straylight-flag-200x324.png|framed|right|The common flag of Straylight]]

'''Straylight''' is the common name of a global network of [[sanct]]s, or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seasteading seasteads] - floating cities on the sea. These cities are united by little other than their physical nature and the fact that they are commonly inhabited by people believing in ideologies too extreme for the nations they originally hail from. There is no unified Straylightian government, certainly no Straylightian people or ethnicity, and not even a Straylightian ideology. However, the common perception of Straylight as a place for socially and economically libertarian, technically-minded people is not wrong: A large majority of all sancts identify as having little formal government. Furthermore, there is a common identity: Seasteads can identify as a Straylightian sanct or not, depending on the wishes of their citizens or government. Those that identify as Straylightian are united by a common name, a common flag, and a belief that communities of people with different ideologies should have a chance to try that ideology out in practice.

Sancts are located across the planet, and Straylight is not a name tied to any one particular nation. However, there are three major agglomerations of sancts that can be considered the core areas of Straylight:

; [[Shirithian Straylight]]: The very first sancts were built in the bays of Yardistan by the isle's wealthy libertarians wishing to escape some of the limitations of Imperial law. Over time the Halberd Strait between [[Shireroth]]'s land holdings on [[Apollonia]], [[Benacia]] and [[Yardistan]] became the Duchy of Straylight.
; [[Antican Straylight]]: Borne from continuing discontent with Imperial control - which was always considered necessary for the sake of self-defense - Antican Straylight came to exist from a major migration of sancts from Shireroth into Antican territorial waters around the time of [[Elwynn]]'s secession.
; [[Arctic Straylight]]: The area most recently risen into economic prominence, the sancts of Arctic Straylight are dotted widely across the oceans near Micras's northern ice caps. In particular, the seas around Lesser Automatica are a popular place for sanct-building.

Duchy of Straylight

2012-03-16T08:44:29Z

Ari rahikkala: Redirected page to Shirithian Straylight

#REDIRECT [[Shirithian Straylight]]

County

2012-03-16T08:44:03Z

Ari rahikkala:

A [[County]] is a [[subdivision]] of a [[Duchy]] or a [[Barony]].
Counties usually consist of one to two people seeking Baronial status,
who have not yet gained the permission needed to form a [[Barony]], but
may also be created for purposes of cultural development. The ruler of
a [[County]] is a [[Count]] or [[Count]]ess.
Counties are not considered official [[subdivision]]s from the
perspective of the [[Imperial Government]].
Permission is needed from a [[Duke]] or [[Baron]] to form a [[County]].

==List of Current Counties by Barony==

==Barony of [[Dolor]], Duchy of [[Brookshire]]==

County of [[Woodshire]]

County of [[Monty Crisco]]

County of [[Caverden]]

County of [[Alexandretta]]

==Barony of [[K'Tzuni]], Duchy of [[Brookshire]]==

County of [[Shimmerspring]]

County of [[Crestfall Downs]]

County of [[Lywind]]

County of [[Modan-Lach]]

==Barony of [[Vorpmadal]], Duchy of [[Brookshire]]==

County of [[Upper Lunaris]]

County of [[Lower Lunaris]]

County of [[Ran]]

County of [[Elsenar]]

==[[Barony of Solecism]], Duchy of [[Brookshire]]==

[[County of Benacia]]

County of [[Amar]]

County of [[Thanatos]]

County of [[Highpass]]

==[[Barony of Ynnraile]], Duchy of [[Brookshire]]==

County of [[Syrelwynn]]

County of [[Asantelian]]

County of [[Goldendown]]

County of [[Holwinn]]

==Barony of [[Opplysta Smørvirket]], Duchy of [[Froyalan]]==

County of [[Araxion]]

County of [[Smjörkýr]]

County of [[Illumination]]

==Barony of the [[Elw]], Duchy of [[Froyalan]]==

County of [[Eliria and Utasia]]

County of [[Lesser Zjandaria]]

County of [[Hyperborea]]

==Barony of [[Fórntida Kærleikalanden]], Duchy of [[Froyalan]]==

County of [[Bjorngard]]

County of [[Cimmeria]]

County of [[Wintergleam]]

==Barony of [[Atterock]], Duchy of [[Kildare]]==

County of [[Old Hallucination]]

County of [[Vervollkommnung]]

County of [[Norfolk]]

County of [[Melangia]]

County of [[Raynor Isles]]

==Barony of [[Antya]], Duchy of [[Kildare]]==

County of [[Automatica]]

County of [[Blackrock]]

County of [[Schlangen]]

County of [[Gong Li]]

==Barony of [[Lumina's Light]], Duchy of [[Kildare]]==

County of [[Kitanus Fields]]

County of [[Nova Dalmacija]]

County of [[Lesser Attera]]

==Barony of The [[Holy Lands of Shireroth]], Duchy of [[Yardistan]]==

County of [[Naudia'Diva]]

[[County of Yardistan]]

County of [[Florencia]]

County of [[Mirioth, Amity, and So-Sara]]

==Barony of [[Absentia]], Duchy of [[Yardistan]]==

County of [[Mar Sara]]

==Duchy of [[Shirithian Straylight|Straylight]]==
(There are no Baronies in Straylight)

County of [[Sunderspray]]

County of [[Discontinuity]]

==Map==

[[Image:Shireroth.baronies.PNG]]

[[category:government]]
[[category:Provinces]]

Yardistan

2012-03-16T08:43:45Z

Ari rahikkala:

{{subdivision |
image_flag = Yardistanflag.png |
subdivision = Yardistan |
status = Duchy |
capital = [[Novi Nigrad]] |
largecity = Erudition, Nordagaat, Capitolia, Sileni |
title = The Anarch |
government = Controlled Anarchy |
leader = [[Greg Russell]] |
language = [[Yardistani]] |
religion = [[Cedrism]]
}}

'''Yardistan''' ([[Yardistani]]: Iardista [jar'dis.ta]) can refer either to the '''Duchy of Yardistan''', the '''County of Yardistan''', or the '''[[Isle of Yardistan]]'''. The duchy has existed in one form or another since Shireroth left [[Tymaria]], making it one of the older duchies in Shireroth. It's history stretches farther back than that, into the days of Alexandros.

== The Beginning of Yardistan ==
Since it's creation by [[Erik Mortis]] and [[Stjepan Aracic]], it has been a place of general insanity and political instability. It was first noted as an official body on 11 April, 2001, when the [[Hegemony of Alexandros]] annexed it. Prior to that, it was simply Erik running around and taking stuff from the former [[Flying Islands of Jasonia]].
Stjepan came to visit, and when Erik asked him if he had anything to donate, Stjepan gave up several square inches of his back yard. Accordingly, the territory became known as "Yardistan", and Stjepan was appointed as its governor. As he was co-founder of [[Istvanistan]], his influence caused pieces of it's more unusual culture to be absorbed. Meanwhile, the famous [[Yardistani Annexation Corps]] was created by Erik, and under its name began stealing things in the name of the newly created territory.

Soon after, [[The Color Rebellion]] started in response to the color layout on the Alexandros message board. It was the first [[Yardistani Rebellion]] to take place, but it basically ended when it was
discovered that Erik was controlling the militaries on both sides of the conflict. This event sparked the tradition of nonsensical rioting that Yardistan became known for.

== Nick the Yardistani ==
Stjepan became less active over time. A newer micronationalist called [[Gryphon Avocatio|Nick the Yardistani]], who had recently been annexed by the YAC, became active in Alexandros and saw the empty territory in which he resided as an opportunity to find his way in his new hobby. He asked [[Kaiser Metzler I]] for permission to control the territory, and it was granted, assuming that Stjepan would still be the owner.

Under Nick's rule, the area quickly became a controlled anarchy. As there was no formal law in Yardistan, he was considered to be the [[Anarch]] of Yardistan. Yardistan's culture began to develop in this period, in spite of the fact that it had on average one citizen.

It was also Nick who started the [[Whit Rebellion]] in [[The Republic of Tymaria]] in response to [[Joe Whit]]'s mockery of the YAC. The rebellion brought about great turmoil in the nation which had just begun to settle down. The result of the rebellion was Yardistan's completely taking over Shireroth, the only time it has ever successfully done so. It also nearly resulted in Nick and Erik being kicked out of Tymaria. This state did not last long, and Erik soon seized power back from Nick and returned Shireroth to its rightful place.

Nick the Yardistani later changed his name to [[Gryphon Avocatio]].

== Baronies ==
Shireroth eventually left Tymaria and re-established itself as a an independent micronation. Yardistan began to get interest from other citizens during this time.

In order to give his most active citizen a reward for his activity, Gryphon created [[the Barony of Amity and Mirioth]] for [[Gregory Russell]]. The Barony was Yardistan's first. It also absorbed the
former Duchy of [[Shirithian Straylight|Straylight]], making it into a barony as well.

Currently, Yardistan consists of two baronies, the [[Holy Lands of Shireroth|Barony of the United Isles]] and the Barony of [[Absentia]].

== Notable Yardistanis ==
Two [[Kaiser]]s have hailed from the island duchy, [[Kaiser Alejian I]] ([[Greg Russell]]) and [[Kaiser Wylþeow I]] (Gryphon Avocatio). [[Kaiser Los III]] ([[Scott Alexander]]) can also be counted, though not originally from Yardistan.

Other former residents include [[Ari Rahikkala]] and [[Stjepan Aracic]].

==Dukes, Anarchs, and Governors of Yardistan==
(In no particular order, a work in progress)
*[[Stjepan Aracic]]
*[[Nick the Yardistani]] / [[Gryphon Avocatio]]
*[[Duke Lacara]]
*[[AngelGuardian93]]
*[[Joe Whit]]
*[[Scott Alexander]]
*[[Osmose]]
*[[Gman Russell]]
*[[Jacobus]] Loki
*[[benkern]]
*[[Prodigy]]

==Historical Websites==
Yardistan, while never as huge as it liked to pretend it was, created a number of websites that by some mystery managed to survive to this day. Many of these were created in its heyday and, though irreparably out of date, still serve some historical interest.

*[http://p103.ezboard.com/byardistan Yardistani ezboard] - Back in the days when the only way to be a Micronation was to be on [[ezboards]], Gryphon created this one in order to give Yardistan more of a semblance of being independent and to have a board he could be administrator of.
*[http://www.geocities.com/animanga_fan/yardistan/yardweb/index.htm Yardweb] - The ancient website of Yardistan. Some of this poorly constructed website still refers to [[Tymaria]] as being the 'host nation'. It was probably abandoned some time in 2002.
*[http://members.aol.com/RetroBoy54/yardistan.htm Yardistani Webpage] - What looks to be a page about Yardistan, probably part of a greater website.

----
''See Also:'' [[Yardistani]], [[Rantsilastan]]

[[Category:History]]
[[Category:Government]]
[[Category:Duchies]]
[[Category:Provinces]]

Barony

2012-03-16T08:43:33Z

Ari rahikkala:

A '''Barony''' is one of the many kinds of subdivisions of a [[Duchy]] one can make. Currently not a position of much significance, since Barons can't speak in the [[Landsraad]] any more than a commoner. However, the position is recognised by Imperial Law and is a part of the feudal system, so it is a meaningful form of organisation (and will become more meaningful if we get a few barons in here again).

==List of Current Baronies by Duchy==
==[[Brookshire]]==

*Barony of [[Dolor]]

*Barony of [[K'Tzuni]]

*Barony of [[Vorpmadal]]

*[[Barony of Solecism]]

*[[Barony of Ynnraile]]

==[[Kildare]]==

*Barony of [[Atterock]]

*Barony of [[Antya]]

*Barony of [[Lumina's Light]]

==[[Yardistan]]==
*The [[Holy Lands of Shireroth]]

*Barony of [[Absentia]]

==[[Froyalan]]==
(previously The [[Hyperborea|Boreal]]-[[Elwynn]]ese Duchy)

*Barony of [[Opplysta Smørvirket]]

*Barony of the [[Elw]]

*Barony of [[Fórntida Kærleikalanden]]

==[[Shirithian Straylight|Straylight]]==

Straylight's unique culture based on it's [[Sancts]] does not lend itself to Baronies.
The Duchy does contain two [[Counties]].

==Map==

[[Image:Shireroth.baronies.PNG]]

[[Category:Government]]
[[Category:Shireroth]]

Landsraad

2012-03-16T08:43:19Z

Ari rahikkala:

{{Shirerothfactbox}}

==The Landsraad==

The Landsraad is the legislative body of [[Shireroth]]. It is primarily made up of the [[Duke]]s of the land, but over time has come to include the [[Baron]]s of Shireroth. At one point [[Count]]s were also allowed into the Landsraad but this is no longer practiced.
Recently, [[Minister]]s of Shireroth have been allowed to speak in the Landsraad on issues related to their ministry, but are not allowed to vote, unless they are also a noble. This came into effect from the [[Implied Summons Bill]] created by [[Fax Celestis]], after a fiasco where he spoke in the Landsraad when he should not have.
The Landsraad is overseen by a [[Praetor]] who acts to organize, tally and close votes.

== Current Composition ==
Each [[Duchy]] receives 1 vote.

'''[[Duchy of Brookshire]]'''

'''[[Duchy of Kildare]]'''

'''[[Yardistan|Duchy of Yardistan]]'''

'''[[Elwynn|Duchy of Elywnn]]'''

'''[[Shirithian Straylight|Duchy of Straylight]]'''

== The Lansraad has ruled (briefly) in place of the Kaiser ==

{{start box}}
{{succession box|title=
[[Kaiser|Succession of the Shirithian Kaisership]]|before=[[Letifer I]]|after=[[Nikkolo I]]|years=1233–1238}}
{{end box}}

{{start box}}
{{succession box|title=
[[Kaiser|Succession of the Shirithian Kaisership]]|before=[[Wylþeow I]]|after=[[Lacrymosa II]]|years=1767–1770}}
{{end box}}

[[category:Laws]]
[[category:Government]]
[[Category:Shireroth]]

Duchy

2012-03-16T08:43:02Z

Ari rahikkala: Redirecting Straylight links

'''Duchies''' are subdivisions of land within [[Shireroth]], ruled by a [[Duke]]. Each tends to have its own culture.

Duchies are the largest subdivisions possible. Duchies may be divided into [[Barony|Baronies]] and further into [[County|Counties]].

Originally, Duchies were the only subdivisions in Shireroth. This made for simpler [[Landsraad]] voting, but it did not allow for many positions for deserving people. So, they began to be divided and Baronies appeared.

There have been numerous duchies in Shireroth's history, and the number keeps changing as subdivisions are annexed, merged, promoted and demoted.
==Current Duchies==
*[[Brookshire]]
*[[Kildare]]
*[[Yardistan]]
*[[Elwynn]] (previously [[Froyalan]])
*[[Shirithian Straylight|Straylight]]
'''Former Duchies'''
*[[Arminy]]
*[[Antica]]
*[[Goldshire]] ([[Northshire]])
*[[Lothlaria]]
----
==See Also==
*[[Imperial Government]]
*[[Ministries]]

[[Category:Government]]
[[Category:History]]
[[Category:Shireroth]]

Shireroth

2012-03-16T08:42:39Z

Ari rahikkala: Redirecting Straylight links

{{Infobox Nation Comprehensive
|fullname = Imperial Republic of Shireroth<br>''Sxiroþ''
|commonname = Shireroth
|flag = File:Shire flag.png
|coa = File:COA Shireroth.png
|motto = ''[[Shireroth sumus. Tempus in parte nostrum est.]]''
|anthem = [[Land of the nifty]]
|map = File:Shireroth global.png
|mapversions = All
|capital = [[Shirekeep]]
|largecity = Shirekeep, Apollo City, Musica, Treesia City, Brookshire Hamlet
|lang = Præta Sxiröþes (official), Shirerithian English (administrative), Yardistani, Written Halluci (local)
|demnoun = Shirerithian, Shirithian
|demadj = Shirerithian, Shirithian
|govtype = [[Feudalism]]
|headofstatetitle = [[Kaiser of Shireroth]]
|headofstate = Kaiser Magni I (Corey van der Sluijs)
|headofgovernmenttitle = [[Kaiser of Shireroth]]
|headofgovernment = Kaiser Magni I (Corey van der Sluijs)
|legislature = Landsraad
|estdate = April 24, 2000
|agerank = NA
|area = NA
|arearank = NA
|pop = 25
|activepop = 10
|poprank = NA
|currency = Erb (€)
|abbrev = SXI
|site = [http://www.shireroth.org/shirewiki ShireWiki]
|forum = [http://bastionunion.org/forum/viewforum.php?f=14 Shirithian Forum]
|animal = Blue Moose
|food = Mango
|drink = [[Antyan wine]]
|tree = [[Malarbor]]
}}

'''The Imperial Republic of Shireroth''', or simply '''Shireroth''' ([[Shirithian English]]: ['ʃaɪɻ.ɻɑθ]; [[Yardistani]]: ''Širo'' ['ʃi.rɔ]; [[Praeta Sxirothes]]: ''Sxiro'') is a feudal micronation founded in 2000 by [[Erik Mortis]]. Over the years the nation has fluctuated in both size and activity, but has endured in great part because of its loyal citizenry. Although Shireroth has started such well-known international projects as the Micronational Cartography Society and the Small Commonwealth, it tends to be inwardly focused, ignoring most other countries and devoting the majority of its energy to its hideously complex feudal politics.

== History ==
===First & Second Era===
Although Shireroth's fictional histories describe a '''First Era''' and '''Second Era''' of rule by legendary Kaisers, Shireroth was in fact founded on April 24, 2000, by Erik Mortis as the [[Republic of Shireroth]]. In its original incarnation, it was a direct democracy, but this lasted only a few weeks before the country was absorbed into first [[Audentior]], then [[Jasonia]], and finally the [[Union of Apollo States]].

===Third Era===
[[File:Imperial Charter of Shireroth.png|thumb|left|The ''Imperial Charter of Shireroth'' [http://shireroth.org/shirewiki/The_Imperial_Charter_of_Shireroth] was written down during the Third Era.]]
After the last of these broke apart, Shireroth reasserted its independence in the '''Third Era''' of Kaiserial rule. Erik Mortis, once again in charge, changed the government to an absolute monarchy under [[Kaiser Gaelen II]], and created a small feudal system with two Duchies, [[Brookshire]] and [[Goldshire]]. Shireroth soon became much more important than its youth would indicate as [[Patrick Foley]] chosed to bequeath the remnants of the UAS to it as the [[Duchy of Kildare]]. With a number of military-oriented types like [[Daniel K]] and [[Greg Russell]], Shireroth even menaced the largest power of the time, the [[Flying Islands of Jasonia]]. However, due to real life issues, Kaiser Metzler I disappeared for a while, and Shireroth disappeared with it.

When Erik returned, he pulled the newly revived Shireroth into the [[Benacian Commonwealth]] with [[Hyperborea]] and [[Machiavellia]]. This soon led to the merge that became the [[Hegemony of Alexandros]] and later [[Tymaria]], tying up Shireroth in larger nations until 2002.

When Shireroth reappeared after the Tymarian secessions of July 2002, it had managed to gobble up several smaller Tymarian states and gained the territories of [[Hyperborea]], [[Yardistan]], [[Jaris]], and [[Akerbjorn]], among many others. The feudal system expanded vastly to include a new level, Baron, and the [[Landsraad]] became a major organ of government.

Over the next two and a half years, Shireroth managed to dispel its image as being less serious and take its place alongside [[Babkha]] and [[Attera]] as one of the world's leading micronations. Through a series of diplomatic victories like the [[Mango-Camel Pact]] with Babkha, it gained a strong position in the international community despite a continued isolationist bent when nothing is going on that directly affects it. It also continued gaining citizens and territory, so much so that the [[Micronational Cartography Society|MCS]] had to write a rule that Shireroth could never gain any more land.

By 2003, Shireroth's post-Tymaria glory days were gone, and many observers thought it was being outcompeted by flashier micronations like [[Menelmacar]]. In response, [[Steward Nikkolo]] declared "[[Oustfest]]", a tradition of kicking out anyone with more than three citizenships as insufficiently loyal. The tactic worked, with a smaller, sleeker core of patriotic citizens more willing to place Shirerithian interests first, and became a yearly occurence. Around the same time, the unpopular [[Kaiser Mog I]] was overthrown by [[Kaiser Letifer I]], creating a Shirerithian tradition of revolting at the drop of a hat.

The next few years saw many highlights, including the [[War of the Wylthean Succession]], an ultimately failed pro-democracy movement by rebel [[Philip Locke]], and the reduction of and combination of the country's many Duchies into six "classic" ones: [[Brookshire]], [[Goldshire]], [[Elwynn]], [[Kildare]], [[Yardistan]], and [[Shirithian Straylight|Straylight]]. This era ended when [[Kaiser Yarad I]] attempted the brave but ultimately doomed "[[New Feudalism]]" experiment, in which the country's traditional feudal structure was turned on its head to allow more independence and bargaining between counties. Around the same time, many of Shireroth's traditional enemies allied into a "[[Grand Commonwealth]]" designed to check Shirerithian power; due to poor communication between the government's many ministries and branches, Shireroth's response was lackluster at best. For a combination of reasons including the new feudalism, a series of weak Kaisers, foreign stagnation, and bad luck, many Shirerithians departed and by 2007 the country was in a state of complete disrepair.

===Fourth Era===
In October 2007, Jonas (illegally) seized the Throne as Mahamantot I to restore order in the Shirerithian lands. However, Erik Mortis returned and took the royal name Kaiser Mors V (which was seen as the beginning of the '''Fourth Era'''), and along with [[Ari Rahikkala]] led the "[[Great Consolidation]]", a reconstruction of Shireroth's institutions that shook off the inactivity of the past year. After Mortis' abdication, a long civil struggle began between a faction based in Shireroth's ally [[Babkha]] and a second faction that wanted to see ex-Cyberian [[Jacobus Loki]] on the throne. The early dominance of the Babkhan faction collapsed when it was revealed to be a front for a Babkhan plot to take over the country, and Jacobus took the throne as Kaiser Loki the Long-Awaited in 2008.

Through 2009, Shireroth gradually collected new citizens, repaired its relationship with Babkha, gained international prestige as the home of the Small Commonwealth, and otherwise enjoyed growing prestige and power abroad completely unmarred by a series of constant low-grade feudal struggles at home.

Most recently, long-standing debates between traditionalists, semi-traditionalists and liberal views resurfaced in battles over Shireroth's beloved but graphically questionable flag during Kaiser Leto III's reign and in Kaiser Agni I's controversial disbanding of the Duchies in favor of a system of noble houses.
These two arguments created an era of bad feelings that led to several Shirerithians "ragequitting", especially during the short but exciting reign of [[Kaiseress Anandja II]]. Her successor, [[Kaiser Ikol II]], declared an "Age of Tranquility" in which he hoped to resolve some of these bad feelings but failed in doing so.

Kildare stayed active during the House System as a House and was in a constant and bitter debate with the national government over the lost counties (which had come under Imperial control).

===Fifth Era===
[[File:Duchies Shireroth 4188 ASC.png|thumb|right|The Duchies during the beginning of the Fifth Era.]]
The discontent over the House System and the disbandment of Duchies ultimately led to a secession of Elwynn and Straylight in August / September 2010. At that time, there was also an operation (called Operation Interdict) going on from anti-Shirerithians to make Shireroth a miserable place and get the key players (Erik Mortis, Ari Rahikkala and [[Scott Alexander]]) leave the nation. This plan partially succeeded as a lot of the citizenry left or became inactive over a quite short period of time. However, the reigns of Kaiser Ometeotl I and Fish XII led to a slow recovery and, most importantly, to the restoration of the Duchies. The Landsraad was also opened for minor nobles at that time, and the rebirth of national spirit was termed the '''Fifth Era''' of Shirerithian history.

Kildare, at that time the only active subdivision, remained loyal to the Crown despite its constant complains about the House System. It quickly became the only powerhouse within the Empire, overshadowing the once so glorious Duchies of Brookshire and Yardistan. For most of the beginning of the Fifth Era, Kildare would stay the most influential subdivision.

==Government==
[[File:Fishian Feudalism.png|thumb|left|The Fishian Feudalism government model.]]
===Kaiser===
Shireroth is ruled by a [[Kaiser]], an absolute monarch technically bound only by a weak charter that ze zirself can change with only slight inconvenience. The Kaiser rules by decree, and zir word supersedes all other law and institutions. However, the Kaiser is effectively bound by a number of traditions, most important of which is that ze can rule only for a maximum of three months before appointing an heir and abdicating gracefully. Any Kaiser who disobeys these traditions or the will of the people is likely to be dethroned in a rebellion.

===Imperial Advisory Council & Ministries===
The Kaiser appoints or dismisses at will three Imperial Advisors and approximately six Ministers, each of whom controls one of the country's Ministries. The current ministries of Shireroth are Exterior, Interior, Information, Military Affairs, Immigration and Naturalization, and Trade. A Minister has full power over zir Ministry, limited only by the generally uninterested Kaiser.

===Landsraad===
All Dukes and some Barons have access and votes to Shireroth's legislature, the Landsraad. Exactly who has how much power there is a hotly debated issue; right now, all Shirerithian citizens may speak and vote, but conservatives occasionally succeed in barring the chamber to all but Dukes. In between the Kaiser, the Ministries, and the traditions, the Landsraad rarely has much to do, but issues of national importance sometimes come before it. The Landsraad is controlled by a Praetor, elected by the populace, who acts as its speaker and enforces the rules of order.

===Adelsraad===
There is also some discussion of creating an Adelsraad, a Council of Dukes, which will return some power to the Nobles - perhaps the ability to veto Landsraad decisions with a unanimous vote.

===Imperial Judex===
Constitutional crises, as well as the occasional criminal trial, get referred to Shireroth's sole court, the Judex. The Arbiter of the Judex is charged with interpreting the Charter, the Lawbooks, and the Imperial Decrees. However, the Kaiser outranks the Arbiter and can fire zir or use imperial decrees to avoid the effects of zir decision. The only case in which the Arbiter has power beyond the Kaiser's is that both Kaiser and Arbiter must mutually agree on any changes to Shireroth's Charter.

==Foreign Affairs==
Shireroth is unusually isolationist for a micronation, but nevertheless has several productive foreign relationships. It even joined the [[Bastion Union]], a forum sharing project between several nations.

Shireroth is frequently accused of believing their country is better than everyone else, to which the most traditionally Shirerithian response is "But we ARE better than everyone else, aren't we?" The nation's attitude to foreign relations has been compared, not unfairly, to that of Imperial China.

===Small Commonwealth===
Shireroth is the founder and host of the Small Commonwealth, an organization that allows nations to sign specific treaties of operation. Though some denounce the Commonwealth as a YAMO, it had some real successes - for example, unifying the economy of most members and creating an international criminal court. Current Small Commonwealth members are Shireroth, [[Batavia]], [[Ashkenatza]], [[Natopia]], [[Nelaga]], [[Gralus]], [[Nederlanden]], and [[Stormark]]. Some enemies of the Commonwealth, especially [[Antica]], accuse members of being Shirerithian puppet states or the Commonwealth of being committed to Shirerithian domination. The Commonwealth itself loudly denies these allegations.

===Micronational Cartography Society===
Shireroth is the founding member of the Micronational Cartography Society (MCS), which links thirty six nations, mostly English-speaking but also Dutch and Polish, together on a single map. Shireroth is a strong partisan of the Society and fiercely defended it during its conflicts with other cartography societies like the [[Geographical Standards Organization]]. Some accused Shireroth of dominating the society, which was once plausible when most of its top positions were held by Shirerithians. However, today only one of five MCS Council Members is Shirerithian, and most nations have stopped complaining about Shirerithian influence even though it holds much more Micras territory than any other country.

===Past annexations===
In the past, Shireroth frequently entered into agreements to annex other countries. For many struggling nations, Shirerithian annexation was attractive both because Shireroth had a good track record of surviving and because its feudal system made it easy for countries that joined it to keep their own land. During its history, Shireroth has directly annexed [[Apollonia]], [[Cimmeria]], [[Hyperborea]], [[Jaris]], [[Akerbjorn]], [[South Mondesia]], [[Cognito]], [[Lac Glacei]], [[Arminy]], [[Antica]] (dinarchy), [[Comstokia]], and [[Hurmu]] (among others).

===Babkha===
Shireroth had a very long history of interaction with Babkha, culminating in the Mango-Camel Pact of 2003 which allied the two countries. After a falling-out, Babkha and subsequently the [[Grand Commonwealth]] it created became Shireroth's chief rival. This enmity lessened when popular Babkhan [[Hesam Jahandar]] won the throne of Shireroth, but flared up again with the revelation that he was under the control of Babkhan interests. Though the line "May we slay all treacherous Babkhans" was added to an unofficial version of the Shireroth anthem, after Babkha closed shop as a micronation Shireroth mostly agreed to let bygones be bygones. Recently, Babkhan-Shirerithian relations received a boost when former Babkhan [[Ardashir Osmani]] attained the throne of Shireroth.

===Antica===
The living micronation with which Shireroth most often interacts is Antica. Shireroth had a very warm relationship with the Dinarchy of Antica, but when it was overthrown by revolutionaries, Shireroth's relationship with its successor state, the Republic of Antica, started off on the wrong foot and has stayed there ever since. Shireroth, which allied with the defeated Dinarchy, fought the Republic for control of Antican territory. Although it won control of the territory, political factors later forced it to give most of it up to the Republic; this incident caused enmity which has persisted ever since. However, with the departures of prominent anti-Shirerithian Anticans [[Olorix]] and [[Steven]], the Antica-Shireroth rivalry has recently turned into more of a friendly competition than bitter hatred, with only a few holdouts like [[Ben Kern]] still causing trouble. Many Anticans, especially [[Chris Mules]], are respected by Shirerithians and welcome in Shirerithian territory, while a few Shirerithians, such as [[Scott Alexander]], head to Antica for their macronational political arguments.

==Culture==
===Influences===
Shireroth deliberately avoids basing itself wholesale on any particular real world country or even around a coherent idea or political system. Instead, its culture evolved chaotically over its existence. Some dispute the very existence of a national culture, instead saying that culture is mostly limited to the various subdivisions with the imperial government tying them together politically. Those who believe in culture cite elements taken from Germany, Hinduism, the (Holy) Roman Empire, Warcraft and Dune, plus a large chunk that is uniquely Shirerithian and mostly incomprehensible to other micronationalists.

Much of Shireroth's culture is an accretion of the dozens of other micronations that have risen and fallen over Shireroth's lifetime. Shirerithian conversations are peppered with references to [[Menelmacar]], PRH, [[Diga]], [[YAMO]]s, magigarp, and the apocollapse. Although most citizens understand these, they present a formidable barrier to foreigners trying to make sense of Shirerithian life.

===Duchies===
Shireroth's five Duchies are each ruled by a Duke, technically ruling at the pleasure of the Kaiser but effectively chosen by the previous Duke. Each Duchy previously had several Baronies under Barons who rule at the pleasure of the Duke, and Counties, one-person feudal units to develop culturally in whatever direction takes the fancy of the Count - but these have mostly been done away with since the Fifth Age began.

Shirerithians can go on for hours about their subdivisions, each of which is fiercely patriotic and occasionally locked in deadly war or alliance with various other subdivisions. Although the subdivision list is subject to frequent change, the most current list includes:

*[[Kildare]], a collection of historic lands built up from the territories of some of Shireroth's progenitor states. It wears its history with great pomp and ceremony, is the country's economic center, and sometimes flirts with an Irish theme. It calls itself a Dutchy instead of a Duchy, an old joke that refuses to die.

*[[Machinaria]], once the core Shirerithian lands of Brookshire and Goldenmoon, now a vaguely steampunk area of people merged with technologies in disturbing ways. Likely to change back to Brookshire at some point in the future thanks to Shirerithian conservativism.

===Real-world territory===
In terms of real-world territory, Shireroth claims Sonoma County, California as its capital. However, this claim was placed when a much higher proportion of Shirerithians resided in the county, and is now generally ignored.

===Notable Projects and Accomplishments===
====Literature & Art====
Shireroth is the subject of several works of art and literature. Most notably, it gets a mention in [[Harvey Steffke]]'s [[Control of Destiny]] series of computer role-playing games, in which several Shirerithians are prominent characters. A few other Shirerithians are involved in programming projects in one way or another, including [[Jonas Windsor]] (who is working on a game about Shireroth's Duchy of Kildare), Erik Mortis (who wrote the Small Commonwealth Bank), and [[James Raine]], who created the ShireFox modification for Firefox to allow easier access to Shireroth's internet presence.

The novel Unaimed Arrow takes place in Shireroth, as do several shorter works of fiction. Notable among these are the Elwynnese story threads pioneered by [[Andrew Allot]] and his friends, the poetry of Philip Locke, and the Lac Glacei and Mirioth story arcs in Yardistan.

====Conlangs====
Shireroth has several constructed languages in various states of completion and complexity. The most notable of these is [[Audente]], developed by [[Bill Trihus]] as the language of the County of Greater Audentior. [[Nicholas du Grifos]], a linguistics grad student and former Duke of Yardistan, is currently working on [[Praeta Sxirothes]], which when completed will take its place as Shireroth's national conlang.

====Advertisement Campaign====
In 2006, Shireroth ran a successful advertisement campaign on the webcomic Real Life Adventures, whose creator, Greg Dean, was at the time a Shirerithian citizen. Shireroth's other brush with the spotlight was a brief mention on BBC during the program [[How To Start Your Own Country]], in which [[Danny Wallace]] signed treaties with several leading micronations including Shireroth.

====Micronational Olympics====
Shireroth co-hosted (with limited success) the 2004 [[Micronational Olympics]]. Although logistical problems prevented it from continuing in the field of micronational sports, it now hosts a relatively popular online version of the board game Diplomacy that attracts participants from all over the world. There's even a micronational variant.

====Other Intermicronational contributions====
Shireroth is also responsible for starting major organizations such as the Small Commonwealth, the MCS, and [[SNARL]] (the Shireroth-Natopia-Antica Recwar League). A Shirerithian (Scott Alexander) runs the [[FNORD Awards]], and another ([[Josh Coales]]) runs the [[Forum List]].

===Religion===
====Cedrism====
Shireroth doesn't have an official national religion, but [[Cedrism]] is so important in daily life that it is informally seen as the national religion. It's a native (fictional) pagan mythology based around Mors, the God of Death, and his ex-wife Viviantiana, the Goddess of Life. Worship tends to involve sacrificing citrus fruits (hence the name) and lighting explosions (which has given it its alternate and more popular name BOOOOMism). Cedrism also shares some Hindu beliefs like reincarnation and enlightenment.

Major Cedrist gods include Anandja, Goddess of Bliss, Lumina, Goddess of Light, Ifni, Goddess of Luck, and Sakat, God of Time. More popular are the minor "joke" gods, including Google, Bringer of Knowledge, Mog, God of Political Blunders, and B'caw, God of Spicy Chicken. However, by far the most popular god is [[Malarbor]], the Evil Tree God of Online Forums. Malarbor has had a prominent place in the announcement box of Shireroth's forums for many years, and has become the country's unofficial mascot and badwill ambassador. Malarbor's catch phrase, insofar as gods can have catchphrases, is "MALARBOR DEMANDS IT!"

Other features of Cedrism include the Demon (occasionally Deamon) Fish of Balgurd, the archdemon Rrakanychan, and the legendary Sword of Vengeance, symbol of the Kaiser's might (but arguably pilfered by the Babkhans a while back).

====Soloralism====
Furthermore, [[Soloralism]] also plays an important part in religious affairs. The religion is most practised in the Antyan counties ([[Kildare]]). Nonetheless, the religion is also influenced by Cedrists: the God of History, Sakat, is very popular in the Soloralist society.

==Economy==
Shireroth's currency is the erb, which comes in denominations of 1, 5, 18, 29, and 100.

Shireroth is a founding member of the [[Small Commonwealth Economy]], and hosts the [[Small Commonwealth Bank]] and SCEX, the [[Small Commonwealth Stock Exchange]]. Its economy is based on a system of bounties, in which people work without assured compensation but the Ministry of Trade rewards anyone who helps the country especially greatly with a cash gift. There are then gradual taxes that replenish the government treasury. Although the economy hasn't entirely caught on, there are several cases of people selling land and titles for money.

In the past, the country experimented with a system in which votes in the Landsraad were linked to the amount of money people in a Duchy had. But because Shireroth's Duchy-based voting system made it impossible to link it to personal wealth, this became awkward and was later abandoned; the economy has not really recovered.

[[Andreas Mayer]], Minister of Trade, is widely considered to be the only person who fully understands Shireroth's economy.

==See Also:==
[[History of Shireroth]]

==Links==
*[http://shireroth.org/forum/index.php Discussion Boards]
*[http://www.shireroth.org/ Website]

[[category:Nations]]
[[category:Shireroth]]
[[category:Small Commonwealth]]

Talk:Straylight

2012-03-16T08:40:14Z

Ari rahikkala: moved Talk:Straylight to Talk:Shirithian Straylight: Reworking stuff.

#REDIRECT [[Talk:Shirithian Straylight]]

Talk:Shirithian Straylight

2012-03-16T08:40:14Z

Ari rahikkala: moved Talk:Straylight to Talk:Shirithian Straylight: Reworking stuff.

Straylight

2012-03-16T08:40:13Z

Ari rahikkala: moved Straylight to Shirithian Straylight: Reworking stuff.

#REDIRECT [[Shirithian Straylight]]

Shirithian Straylight

2012-03-16T08:40:13Z

Ari rahikkala: moved Straylight to Shirithian Straylight: Reworking stuff.

{{subdivision |
image_flag = Straylight-flag-200x324.png |
subdivision = Straylight |
status = Duchy |
capital = [[Discontinuity]] |
largecity = [[Discontinuity]], [[Gensym]], [[Deep Trouble]] |
title = [[HONIS]] |
government = [[Adhocracy]] |
leader = [[Ari Rahikkala]] |
language = [[Shirithian English]], [[Straylightian English]] |
religion = [[Cedrism]], [[Soloralism]], Christianity, animism, atheism |

}}

'''Straylight''' is one of Shireroth's more many-faced and unique subdivisions, although its published cultural development is nowhere near as deep as that of, say, [[Hyperborea]]. Since its creation somewhere around 976 [[ASC]] by Ari Rahikkala, its legal status has gone from [[duchy]] to dissolution, to [[barony]] under [[Brookshire]], to another dissolution, to [[county]] under [[Yardistan]], to [[county]] under [[Naudia'Diva]], and finally to duchy again. Its most constant attribute during this time has been the semi-presence of its founder (except for a brief time when [[Shyriath]] was its Baron), relative lack of published culture and great activity (except for that whole [[Shirlan]] affair that we're still a bit ashamed about), and the use for tech support. It's only since [[The Great Consolidation]] that Straylightian works have started coming out into the public while simultaneously tech support questions have become quite absent - however, Straylight is still not nearly as regularly active as [[Kildare]] currently is.

== Original Duchy of Straylight ==

The original incarnation was largely inspired by David Brin's science fiction novel [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Startide_Rising Startide Rising], and the many sentient [[dolphin]] characters in the book. Founding a duchy in the sea, between Brookshire and Kildare, was unproblematic and provided a free token of cultural uniqueness for the fledgling duchy. Its founder had plans for significantly expanding its culture and connecting it to [[Khaz Modan]] ((many of) the sentient dolphins would actually have been Khaz Modanians who had gone into hiding in the form of an (immortal) dolphin from whatever it was that destroyed their culture... but infighting and getting a bit too used to their new form would finally destroy them) - all that he ever actually got around to was postulating some pieces of [[Technomagi]] technology, mostly for allowing the dolphins to operate freely on land.

== Straylight from the Barony age onwards ==

Later on, as Ari learned of [http://seastead.org/ Seasteading] (originally from [http://www.cjfearnley.com/fuller-faq-5.html#ss5.6 R. Buckminster Fuller's concept of a floating city]), the culture got completely upturned. The dolphins were completely forgotten and a new backstory was drafted.

Straylight, in its current incarnation, is an extremely loose conglomeration of city-states, each of which is built on a floating platform. These cities are called ''sancts'' in [[Straylightian English]]. Most sancts are built on [http://seastead.org/commented/paper/designs.html#Above_Water floating spar platforms], but the largest ones - specifically Discontinuity - are "simpler" constructions with platforms inside artificial or natural breakwaters. Some sancts, most notably [[Pohjankaupunki]], also include a seafloor base as an important (or even dominating) part of the citystate.

Straylightian society is mostly governed by a form of "unenlightened anarchism" - most forms of leadership are ad-hoc, any contact with a bureaucracy might just as likely to be painless as a long race through dark places and traditions of bribery, and vigilante justice is common and generally accepted despite being known to not always be accurate. Obviously, there are exceptions - several sancts contain authoritarian or theocratic enclaves, and ones run by Pohjanvälke generally tend to have largish democratic governments.

The only common thread through the government of all of Straylight is the general adherence to the feudal system. While the feudal system currently basically "stops" at the level of the Duke of Straylight, the will of the Duke of Straylight, of the Landsraad, and of the Kaiser *is* considered the law in Straylight.

In the [[Layers of simulation|real]] Shireroth, the Duke of Straylight is Ari Rahikkala (by tradition). In the [[Layers of simulation|fantasy]] Shireroth, the current Duke of Straylight is Pero Zermelo, a mathematician from the sanct of Incremental Search. Straylightian feudal leaders in the "fantasy" Shireroth are chosen according to the rule that ''the threat posed by a leader is relative to [[zir]] ambition, their power, and their incompetence''. People chosen to be Straylight's feudal leader are usually accomplished mathematicians, physicists, or medical doctors. However, businessmen, COSAC members, actors and the occasional athlete have also found their way to the top in Straylight's fictional history.

== Culture ==

Since Straylightian culture has had only a couple of hundred years to develop, most of it is directly attributable to influences from the surrounding Duchies. [[Yardistan]]i influence is strong everywhere in the Duchy, whereas [[Kildare|Kildarian]] culture is very dominant in [[McCallavre]] and [[Deep Trouble]].

The most significant work of Straylightian culture are the sancts themselves. The greatest architect of sancts is widely considered to be [[Dante McCallavre]]. While some of his creations have had to be scrapped, many of them have been floating on the sea for almost four hundred years by now. Each one is considered to be both a unique work of art and a show of technical and technological brilliance hardly reached even by current state of the arts centuries after.

While there are dozens of smaller experiments and pilot projects by Dante McCallavre moored in bays around every coast of Straylight (this group includes [[Incremental Search]], of course), his most important work is out on the high seas. [[Sargassum]], [[Much Rejoicing]], [[Deep Trouble]] and [[Wave Manifold]]. While it takes an expert eye to see the original work under all of the rebuilding (and, in some
parts, disrepair), each of these sancts is still considered a work of great value to all Straylightians.

There is, however, a component to Straylight's make-up that mostly lies outside the sancts and separate from most of their inhabitants, in the form of the ethnic group known collectively known to others as [[Sunderspray]]. Descendants of the Benacians, the Sundersprites generally prefer a more mobile way of life than their fellow Straylightians, and reside and travel mostly on ships and boats. Though numerically small, they make up a considerable proportion of the shipping traffic and seaborne commerce in Straylight.

== Sancts ==

''Main article: [[Sancts]]''

The word "sanct" was originally technically used only for free-floating cities on the high seas. This is because they actually ''were'' sanctuaries: Piracy is rampant in many parts of Shireroth, so much so that places like [[Norfolk]] and [[Port Nevermore]] are actually famous for their pirates. As piracy fosters in narrow straits and bays that are difficult to navigate, actually placing a city right on the high seas with no navigational hazards and plenty of oversight makes it practically impossible for pirates to operate.

Later on, however, the word has come to refer to every city in the Duchy of Straylight, whether it be a seafloor base, a large city on the high seas, or a small one in a bay or some other area that's safe from the winds.

The economically most important sancts are [[Discontinuity]], [[Gensym]] and [[Pohjankaupunki]].

== Geography ==

Most of the Straylight sea is quite deep, averaging four kilometers outside of the continental shelves. The only significant exception is the extremely old unnamed [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hotspot_%28geology%29 volcanic hot spot] that has created a series of undersea mountains known as the ''Porpoise Leaps''. These mountains have, with continental drift over millions of years, produced an almost perfect line northward from Yardistan. While none of them actually reach the surface of the sea, they are quite important in that [[Pohjankaupunki|Downtown Pohjankaupunki]] is built on one of them.

The general shape of the map of sancts is a rather obvious "Y". The reason for this is rather obvious: A lot of the long-distance shipping in Straylight is actually handled by relatively small ships that quickly hop from one sanct to the next. The "Y" shape neatly connects Aracigrad (and Nigrad), Novi Nigrad and Musica. While the distance between these cities, especially Musica and Aracigrad, is quite a bit farther along the sancts than right over the sea, the cheap, small ships that can do the job by shipping between sancts are an affordable (if slow) and popular alternative. [[Discontinuity]], of course, benefits from the perks of its central location.

== The flag of Straylight ==

The flag of Straylight, also known as the RGB flag, was not designed. Like the best of them, it was discovered - Ari was playing around with zooming out from different fractals with different colouring options in [http://wmi.math.u-szeged.hu/xaos/doku.php XaoS], and from some set of choices that he's long since forgotten, this flag just happened to emerge. There's nothing fractalish about the flag, of course - in fact, the file you see was rendered by a little C program written for the task - but the point is that he was not trying to create a flag when he discovered this, and it was only by chance that XaoS happened to make one for him.

Being a discovered flag, the RGB flag does not have any intentional symbolism in it. For instance, the colours represent nothing but their own colour channels, and the shapes are, in a way, accidental. Despite this, it actually symbolises the culture of Straylight very well:

* It's perhaps not immediately recognisable as a flag, but it does follow many of the basic ideas of vexillology - Straylight's strange adhocracy hardly reminds one of an honest government, but the same basic ideas are there.
* The flag has a kind of a primitive symmetry and balance (but no actual axes of symmetry unless you render it in a way that makes it, well, something else than the flag of Straylight)... but despite being a "good idea" in theory, in practise the colours clash in horrible ways. Just like Straylightians often do.
* Still in another way it represents an ideal: If you understand basic colour theory and have in your life seen a plot of the function f(x) = -1/x, you can just look through the flag and see that the 18 different "pieces" of the flag are really made up of only three simple shapes... just as Straylightians believe that with the right knowledge there is a way to see through human nature and really improve and simplify society.
* Finally, the creation of the flag itself has its own symbolism. A flag that's designed would carry its creator's intent and by necessity stifle others' imagination. The RGB flag is free of that concern: What you see in it is your own business. A true Straylightian will seek to never prevent others from making their life what they want it to be. Not that there are all that many true Straylightians in Straylight, of course.

[[Category:History]]
[[Category:Government]]
[[Category:Duchies]]
[[Category:Provinces]]