Barbarian Republic
| Barbarijse Republiek | |||
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| Motto: Pay the toll or drink the salty water | |||
| Anthem: Song of the Sailor Lost at Sea | |||
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| Map versions | Pending | ||
| Capital | Arvidsudde | ||
| Largest city | Straitburgh | ||
| Official language(s) | common Alriggian | ||
| Official religion(s) | Theist | ||
| Demonym | Barbarian | ||
| - Adjective | Barbarian | ||
| Government | Republic | ||
| - President | Vacant | ||
| - Legislature | Council of Arvidsudde | ||
| Establishment | 1685 | ||
| Area | |||
| Population | 5,328,000 | ||
| Currency | Jingdaoese Kala | ||
| Calendar | |||
| Time zone(s) | CMT-3 | ||
| Mains electricity | |||
| Driving side | Right | ||
| Track gauge | |||
| National website | government.bar | ||
| National forum | On the Bastion Union | ||
| National animal | Hamster | ||
| National food | Tomato rice with fish and beans | ||
| National drink | Barbary Libre | ||
| National tree | Western Cibolan date palm | ||
| Abbreviation | BAR | ||
The Barbarian Republic (Dutch: Barbarijse Republiek) is a nation in Western Southern Cibola. It considers itself a successor state to Alrig and South Batavia. The nation was founded in 1685 after the Batavian Revolution and the Jingdaoese-Alriggian War created the opportunity. South Batavians living in Bretalyon sought an alliance with Alriggians living unhappily in Sankt Ludwigshafen. A provisional government was formed by representatives of major corporations and labour unions on the first day of the 6th month of 1685, which issued a proclamation declaring the establishment of the republic on the seventh day of that month. The declaration was sent to 's-Koningenwaarde but no answer was given, as at the same time King Arkadius the IVth was reported to have suffered from a mental breakdown following the start of the Batavian Revolution and developments in the southern colonies were not closely monitored. Without response from Benacia, nothing stopped the provisional government to put up placards throughout the city declaring the republic's independence. Confused police departments who did not receive orders from 's-Koningenwaarde either, did nothing to obstruct the secessionists. At the end of the 7th month, most government organisations active in the region had adapted to the new reality and the MCS was informed that the Barbarian Republic had assumed control over the territory.
Government
The republic is governed by a council, the Council of Arvidsudde which is composed of four leaders of business, four union leaders, the high priest of the Cult of Cato, the high priestess of the Cult of Germania, and the high priest/priestess of the Cliff of the Elders, the commander of the Republican Guard and the Republican Coast Guard. It is presided by a president, who is elected by the members of the council, but can not come from their midst. The council's main responsibility is legislative. Executive functions are delegated to various institutions.
International relations
The Barbarian Republic has a pragmatic and ad-hoc attitude towards international relations. Formal relations are only sought when necessary to preserve the peace and/or to open up markets for the republics' merchants. The nation is not a member of the MTO or any other international organisation, but the Convention on the Seas is considered to be part of Micran legal customs and usually followed.
Human Rights
The state protects the rights of free men, the general rule is that they have the right to do with their life and their body as they see fit, as long as they do not hurt anyone else. It is not allowed to force anyone into slavery in the Barbarian Republic. Those forced into slavery abroad are eligible to become free citizens of the republic once they enter the territory or territorial waters of the republic.
The Barbarian Republic recognises the right to free speech, freedom of conscience and the right to own property. Freedom of religion is accepted, but worship of the Gods and Demigods of the republic is mandatory, as is performing the rituals associated with them. The state offers protection against unlawful imprisonment, torture and unlawful executions. A basic right to receive education is also recognised but usually restricted to reading, writing, map reading and arithmetic. Apart from intellectual education, the state offers lessons in swimming, sailing and exercises for general fitness.
Discrimination on any grounds by private persons, barring the unspeakable, is not restricted, but is considered to be backwards. The state does not officiate marriages and records of biological parents are only kept to prevent incest and inbreeding. The nation's corporations and unions agree to a memorandum of understanding which does not allow discrimination on grounds such as race, colour, gender, sexual orientation, language, religion, national or social origin or birth. Arbitration councils exist for each economical sector that enforce this agreement. Discrimination by state officials is punishable by law.
Military
The Republican Guard is responsible for maintaining law and order within the republic and defending it against internal and external threats. Its numbers are relatively modest, it hovers around 25,000 marksmen, of which 15,000 are stationed on ships, boats and bridges. It is the responsibility of business owners and wealthy individuals to take care of their own protection for their posessions. This includes protection against foreign threats. Large corporations are expected to be able to raise a militia in war times.
Economy
The Barbarian Republic is dependent on maritime trade for its income. Barbarian traders find customers for their goods in all countries of Micras, though the ports in some nations are only frequented under the cover of the night. Compared to the trading fleets of larger maritime nations, Barbarian traders tend to employ lighter and faster ships. While they can carry a smaller cargo weight, their ability to deliver quick and besides the official ports gives them a competitive edge. The Bazaar of Arvidsudde is one of the largest markets specialized in dried foods of Micras. Here food products ranging from rice to fish and coffee, sugar and cacoa are bought and sold in many halls. With regard to coffee and sugar, it is the leading trading place. The market caters both to small traders and restaurants as well as wholesale merchants buying per metric ton.
Fishing provides income to a significant portion of the population but few fish is exported. Tourism is a small but growing industry, with some Natopians visiting Arvidsudde to learn more about the background of Nathaniel Ayreon-Kalirion who was born there and lived there before his adoption by Shirerithian Kaiser Elijah Ayreon and Natopian Emperor Nathan Waffel-Paine. Artefacts proclaimed to have belonged to Nathaniel are often sold in city markets, but their provenance is often uncertain.
In order to traverse the Barbarian Strait, a small token of appreciation is requested for obligatory piloting services. This provides a welcome addition to the treasury. The tolls were historically levied by the Jingdaoese Empire, which used them as an economical weapon against the Alexandrian Empire. Tolls issued by the Barbarian Republic have not been made as extortionate as the republic does not have the naval power to enforce them against larger nations, most captains are happy to accept the help in the treacherous waters filled with the shipwrecks of penny-pinching captains.
The western island, Balqisland, is home to sugarcane plantations. The sugarcane is an important source for the paper industry on the island, but more importantly for the rum distilleries on the island. High quality rums are often sold pure and are among the most prized on Micras. Cheaper versions are mixed with psychoactive herbs or even cabbages which make it a powerful and unpredictable drink banned in several nations on Micras.
Most of the industry in the Barbarian Republic is part of the food supply chain. This includes the food industry itself, sugar refineries, rum distilleries, coffee roasters but also machine builders for the food industry. A second significant branch of industry is shipbuilding.
Important agricultural products are the aforenentioned sugar, coffee and cacoa. Many vegetables such as tomatoes and beans are also grown, but mostly for the domestic market.
Religion
The customary religion everyone in Alrig is expected to adhere to is Barbarian theism, which is the belief in a supreme God who can be called Lord or Cato. The religion is based on Alriggian theism. It is accepted that foreigners perform worship services for other gods they revere, but they are expected to also worship Cato. Besides Cato, many demigods are highly respected, these are usually beautified historical figures. Examples are: Mordechai ben Erasmus, Miguel Windsor, Sisera bat Erasmus, Balqis Addurasalaam, Ludwig von Walstadt, Elijah Ayreon and Hieronim Erazm. It is believed that all these demigods live on the cliff that overlooks the strait of Barbary. However, in order not to disturb the demigods and bring misfortune to the city, no one is allowed to go up there and check except for the priests. The faithful are however allowed to write a letter to the demigods, that the priests will bring them for a small fee that covers expenses.
