Sankt Ludwigshafen
| Republik Sankt Ludwigshafen | |||
| |||
| 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. The state was established in 1680 as an independent nation. Explorers operating from Sankt Ludwigshafen were among the first to be infected by 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 is known as the Cibolan Circle. Despite the annexation, governance of the republic has not fundamentally changed as Alrig is a decentralized state where most policy decisions are made by the circles. This does not mean the republic has autonomy, as Alrig is a unitary state where the Council of Driftwood has the final say.
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. 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 aforementioned Alexandrian flu.
Politics
The Republic of Sankt Ludwigshafen is a parliamentary republic governed by a Stadtparlement (city parliament), which is presided by the Vorsitzende des Stadtparlements and elected by all citizens. The Stadtparlements elects a Statthalterin (stadtholder), who leads the executive branch of the state.
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 are permanently stationed in Sankt Ludwigshafen.
International relations
Sankt Ludwigshafen has friendly relations with Alrig, to which it exports a significant share of its lumber and fish products. A regular line service between Sint Anna and Sankt Ludwigshafen is operated by the Apollonian Shipping Company. In order to support the fledgling republic, the Jingdaoese Empire subsidises imports from Sankt Ludwigshafen.
Economy
The economy of Sankt Ludwigshafen thrives on logging and fishing. The national currency is the Jingdaoese Kala. Whaling is a traditional practice of the inhabitants of Sankt Ludwigshafen 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.
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
The national religion of Sankt Ludwigshafen is Siseranism. The particular branch of Siseranism that is prevalent in Sankt Ludwighafen is derived from the Siseranist period in 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 good qualities to possess, 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 recognize 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 recognized, 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.
