Sankt Ludwigshafen

Republik Sankt Ludwigshafen
Flag Coat of Arms
Motto: Gemeinsam für Sisera
Anthem: Vorwärts Siseras Streiter
Map versions
Capital	Sankt Ludwigshafen
Official language(s)	Southern-Cibolan Saxon
Official religion(s)	Siseranist
Demonym	Ludwigger
- Adjective	Ludwiggian
Government	Republic
- Statthalter(in)	Siegfried von der Elfenbeinküste
- Vorsitzende(r) des Stadtparlaments	Claudia Weißdeich
- Legislature	Stadtparlament
Establishment	1680
Area
Population	89,000
Currency	Jingdaoese Kala
Calendar
Time zone(s)	CMT-3
Mains electricity
Driving side	Right
Track gauge
National website	staat.rsl
National forum	On the Bastion Union
National animal	Sypyr blue whale
National food	Salted whitefish
National drink	Kräuterwasser
National tree	Juniper bush
Abbreviation	RSL

The Republic of Sankt Ludwigshafen is a city state in southern Cibola, bordering Craitland's dominion of Zandarijn in the south.

The city is a safe haven for Siseranist Saxons who have fled Natopia after the fall of the Principality of Walstadt. The name Sankt Ludwigshafen is derived from Prince Ludwig of Walstadt, who is revered as a saint.

History

Until 1650 the area where Sankt Ludwigshafen is situated was claimed by the Empire of the Alexandrians. Very little reminds of that period as the Alexandrians did not have significant settlements in the area. The only archaeological sites where minimal remnants of the Alexandrian period are found is at the border with Zandarijn. Here some artifacts once belonging to border patrols have been recovered. The republic was established in 1680 as an independent nation. As the Ludwiggian perspective on Alexandria is heavily influenced by the hostility of the First Jingdaoese Empire, there is very little interest in the Alexandrian history. However, looting expeditions into the ruins of Lancôme, which used to be located north of Sankt Ludwig's location, brought back the Alexandrian Flu in 1682. While the disease was not more problematic in Sankt Ludwigshafen than a normal seasonal flu, in Alrig it led to the Alexandrian flu epidemic of 1682. Because of the death toll in Alrig, Alrig launched a punitive expedition to Sankt Ludwigshafen and annexed it in 1682. Within the Alriggian Republic it was known as the Cibolan Circle. Despite the annexation, governance of the republic had not fundamentally changed directly after the annexation as Alrig was a decentralised state where most policy decisions are made by the circles. This does not mean the republic had autonomy, as Alrig was a unitary state where the Council of Driftwood had the final say. The situation changed in 1684 when many Alriggians fleeing from the violence of the Jingdaoese-Alriggian War settled in the Cibolan Circle, outnumbering the native population. While attempts were made to reconcile religious differences, these attempts proved to be futile. The Alriggian refugees retreated into their newly founded city of Erazmhafen after they found themselves unwelcome in Sankt Ludwigshafen. After the founding of the Barbarian Republic, many Alriggians left Erazmhafen in 1685. On the 7th day of the 9th month of the year 1685, the Stadtparlement adopted a resolution reverting the annexation and declaring Sankt Ludwigshafen to be an independent nation again. A herald was sent to Erazmhafen with the declaration and an ultimatum. The ultimatum gave the inhabitants of Erazmhafen three days to convert to Siseranism or leave the city. When the ultimatum had passed, the Dragonerkorps Ludwigshafen was sent into the city, and inquired of everyone they encountered if they had repented and accepted Sisera as their Lady and Saviour. Twenty-three people claimed they hadn't and were burned in the city market. The execution of these people created unrest in the republic, both Ludwiggians and Alriggians took to the streets to protest, demanding that the dragoons would be defunded. Stattholder Siegfried von der Elfenbeinküste responded to the protests with force. Dragoons were ordered to repel protesters with rubber bulllets, injurying a dozen. The use of force against peaceful protesters only escalated the situation and more and more citizens joined the protests. On the 20th day of the 9th month of 1685, Siegfried von der Elfenbeinküste recognized that he had lost the faith of the population and stepped down.

Politics

The Republic of Sankt Ludwigshafen is a parliamentary republic governed by a Stadtparlement (city parliament), with 50 seats, which is presided by the Vorsitzende des Stadtparlements and elected by all citizens every three years. The fist act of a new Stadtparlement is to elect a Statthalterin (stadtholder), who leads the executive branch of the state. Several parties participate in the elections, the most popular of which are the Traditional Party of 1680 and the Slight Reform Party of 1681, which advocates a more humane death penalty for heretics and pagans. The Progressive Alliance participated in the 1683 elections, with an agenda of religious freedom and tolerance.

Year	Traditional Party '80	Slight Reform Party '81	Progressive Alliance
1680	50	0	0
1683	39	10	1

Military

The republic only has a small regular armed forces, the Dragonerkorps Ludwigshafen. As part of the educational curriculum, all physically and mentally fit students of the Mittelschule are trained in basic marksmanship. As adults they are added into the Bezirkbürgerwehr (district citizen's militia) of the district where they reside. 500 regulars of the Alriggian presidential army were permanently stationed in Sankt Ludwigshafen from 1682 to 1685.

Economy

The economy of Sankt Ludwigshafen is based on the logging and fishing industry. Whaling is a traditional practice of the inhabitants of Sankt Ludwigshafen. It is not economically viable anymore due to the high costs associated with whaling in the waters surrounding Sankt Ludwigshafen and the lack of an export market. As of 1685, most products of the logging and fishing industry are exported as raw materials, with most of the profit being made overseas. The Stadtparlement is trying to change this by offering subsidies and loans for the construction of factories in Sankt Ludwigshafen.

The national currency is the Jingdaoese Kala, but the Craitish Cräite is also commonly used. While the Ludwigspfennig is minted in Sankt Ludwigshafen, it is usually only used for everyday purchases such as groceries.

Ethnicity

The republic was founded to provide a safe haven for South Cibolan Saxons who still follow the old religion. What constitutes a South Cibolan Saxon is a point of divergence between ethnonationalist hardliners and linguistic/religious nationalists who claim that anybody who prays to Sisera in the South Cibolan Saxon language is welcome. In reality, the discussion is mostly academic in nature as very few people from outside feel attracted to the slightly anachronistic state. Most people who are naturalised into the republic join through marriage with a native Saxon and conversion to Siseranism, effectively assimilating into Sankt Ludwighafen's society.

Religion

Tthe national religion of Sankt Ludwigshafen is Ludwiggian Siseranism. Which is a particular branch of Siseranism, derived from the Siseranist periods of Walstadt. The crucifixion of Elijah Ayreon by Sisera is one of the key theological pillars of the religion. In contrast to Jingdaoese Siseranism, Siseranism in Sankt Ludwig sees both Sisera and Elijah Ayreon positively. This is due to the influence of Natopian Bovinism. A central dogma of the religion is that while individuality and personal expression are not inherently bad, in the end all people must be ready to be sacrificed for the stability of the state.

Prince Ludwig of Walstadt is celebrated as a saint in Sankt Ludwig. The stories about how he gained control over the principality are legends with which all Ludwigians are familiar. The return to Walstadt in the late days of Micras is also a common theme in Ludwigian Siseranism.

Feminism and LGBT rights

The state does not formally recognise differences between man and woman. However, the prominence of the Siseranist religion has led to some differences in the acceptance of behaviour in men and women. For example, ruthless and tyrannical behaviour is more often accepted in women than in men. Many leading positions are taken by women. An exception is the fishing fleet, which is dominated by men. This is however a dangerous industry which mourns many casualties each year.

LGBT rights are recognised, the story of the transgender Mrs Donders, who was one of the helpers of Sisera in the Hurmu Genocide is the basis for a doctrine of tolerance towards trans people. Homosexuality is not prevalent more or less in Sankt Ludwig society compared to other states on Micras, but is not often discussed. Marriage is open to all people over the age of 20.