Sankt Ludwigshafen

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Dritte Republik Sankt Ludwigshafen
Flag of Sankt Ludwigshafen
Flag
Coat of Arms of Sankt Ludwigshafen
Coat of Arms
Motto: Lernet Gutes tun, trachtet nach Recht, helfet dem Unterdrückten, schaffet dem Waisen Recht und helfet der Witwen Sache! (Jesaja 1:17)
Anthem: Schafe können sicher weiden
Location of Sankt Ludwigshafen
Map versions 16.7.8 - 16.8.4, 17.0.8 - present
Capital Stadt Sankt Ludwigshafen
Largest city Stadt Sankt Ludwigshafen, Louisville
Official language(s) Southern-Cibolan Saxon, Alexandrian
Official religion(s) Ludwiggian Reformed Church
Demonym Ludwigger
 - Adjective Ludwiggian
Government Republic
 - Statthalter(in) Adam Rettich
 - Vorsitzende(r) des Stadtparlaments Thomas de Louisville
 - Legislature Stadtparlament
Establishment 1680
Area
Population 97,385 (1690 census)
Currency Ludwigspfennig

Before 1690 reforms: Jingdaoese Kala and Craitish Cräite

Calendar Norton calendar
Time zone(s) CMT-10
Mains electricity 230/400 V - 50 Hz
Driving side Right
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in)
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 an independent country in southern Cibola, bordering Craitland's dominion of Zandarijn in the south. The nation was also previously on the MCS map from version 16.7.8, published on 12/04/2020 till 16.8.4, published on 14/06/2020. Originally, the city was a safe haven for Siseranist Saxons who had fled Natopia after the fall of the Principality of Walstadt. The name Sankt Ludwigshafen was derived from Prince Ludwig of Walstadt, who was revered as a saint. Siseranism no longer has many followers, it has since been replaced by the Nazarene faith. While the nation was previously on the MCS map as part of Alrig, since map version 17.0.8, which was published on 02/11/2020, the nation is recognised as an independent nation. The republic is currently governed by Stadtholder Adam Rettich, its first stadtholder and founder was Siegfried von der Elfenbeinküste.

The two largest cities in Sankt Ludwigshafen are Stadt Sankt Ludwigshafen and Louisville. With 29,634 inhabitants as of 1700 Stadt Sankt Ludwigshafen is the most populous city, and also functions as the capital. Lousville has 19,912 inhabitants according to the 1700 AN census and is the cultural home of the Alexandrian speaking community of the republic.

History

First republic

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 artefacts 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 bullets, injuring 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 recognised that he had lost the faith of the population and stepped down. Without his guidance, the republic collapsed on the 23rd day of the 9th month of 1685.

Second republic

In the 12th month of 1689 a group of Cibolan-Saxons who had fled the violence in the Barbarian Republic during its collapse arrived in Sankt Ludwigshafen. Ever since 1685 more and more Alriggians had left the region, which had become predominantly populated by Cibolan-Saxons again. To determine whether the refugees should be welcomed, a provisional Stadtparlement was called together. It was decided that the refugees would be welcome, as long as they spoke Saxon as their native tongue and were devout worshippers of Sisera. New elections were also announced, to be held on the first day of the first month of 1690. Claudia Weißdeich, who had been president (Vorsitzende) of the Stadtparlement in the previous parliamentary period, was named Statthalter for the period of the provisional Stadtparlement. Religious changes occurred in 1690 after a discovery about Saint Ludwig's adherence to the Nazarene faith and an expedition to the South Sea Islands, that follow the Nazarene faith. In that year most of the people of the republic repented from their Sisteranist ways and converted to the Nazarene faith, the Ludwiggian Reformed Church was founded on 7.IV.1690 and most citizens were baptised by it. On 2.VIII.1690 the republic incorporated the Lanzerwald into its territory, which included the ruins of Alexandrian Lancôme and Alriggian-Ludwiggian Erazmhafen.

In the 13th month of 1693 a famine and the loss of a fishing vessel brought distress to the Siseranist community. In an attempt to appease their Gods, Siseranist priestesses captured twenty-four children, with the intent of sacrificing them.The Stadtparlement condemned the abductions and the intended sacrifices, to which the Siseranists responded by appoint their own queen, who was named Elijahna. Following relatively light skirmishes in the Ludwigshafener Civil War, in XV.1693, Siseranists insurgents were able to bring a nuclear device into the Sankt Ludwigshafen national parliament, and they were also able to detonate it. The blast killed most citizens of the republic that were present in Sankt Ludwigshafen and wiped away the government structure. During the conflict, several thousand citizens were able to flee, especially Nazarene believers who had fled from the Siseranist regions where they lived previously. Many of them settled on Capolona, where Neu Ludwigshafen was founded, although the colony would perish in its first winter.

Third republic

In the 6th month of 1696 leaders from Ludwiggian and Louisian tribes gathered north of the ruins of Sankt Ludwigshafen to re-establish the republic and adopted the constitution of the third republic. Plans were made to decontaminate the radioactive former capital and re-establish it as national capital by the year 1700. The town of Hinterdünen was designated as a temporary capital and the Louisians were invited to establish their own settlements in the former territory of the second republic. Only Nazarene tribes participated in the consultation between the tribes, but envoys were sent to the Siseranists informing them of the plans. The Siseranists were told to repent of their evil ways, subscribe the Helicorean Creed and be baptised, or leave the territory. Most Siseranists gave up their former religion, but the third republic had to endure several violent uprisings. In these uprisings, an estimated 3,200 people lost their lives before the republic returned to peace. An expedition to the remains of Neu Ludwigshafen in the 5th month of 1697 brought Sankt Ludwigshafen two-hundred survivors and assets that made it possible to establish its own automobile industry. The Stadtparlement was determined to make sure that Sankt Ludwigshafen would develop itself into an industrial nation.

While many citizens supported the industrialisation of Sankt Ludwigshafen, they opposed the steps that the Stadtparlement wanted to take to get there. The construction of roads was for example seen as a danger to the social cohesion in towns, by promoting internal migration. There were also lingering concerns that the construction of new roads would make it easier to perform armoured assaults on the republic's cities, and before any wide roads were built, the republic started to build fortifications around its town, most notably Stadt Sankt Ludwigshafen and Louisville. As the republic started to develop, it also become more self-conscious and began to participate in international relations. In 1697 a consul was sent to Oudorp to further Ludwigshafener interests in the Craitish seaport. To cater to the spiritual needs of the Ludwiggian people in Oudorp, the Ludwiggian Reformed Church also established a mission in that town. The church evangelised among the local population, at first without success, but as the political situation in Zandarijn worsened and Monovian militants threatened the dominion, more and more found comfort in the Nazarene teachings.

In late 1699 Zandarijn, which neighboured Sankt Ludwigshafen in the south, disintegrated following the Sack of Hamstadt. The Ludwiggian consul in Oudorp warned Stadtholder Rettich that the situation in the vitally important seaport had become very unstable and that Sankt Ludwigshafen risked losing its ability to trade with overseas nations on Micras. The Stadtparlement was called together and it resolved to inform the Craitish government in Cherry Trees that Sankt Ludwigshafen would assume government in Oudorp until Craitland would restore law and order in Zandarijn. At the same time the Dragonerkorps Ludwigshafen was deployed to the town, which did not resist the Ludwiggian incursion. Several thousand refugees from other parts of Zandarijn made their way to Oudorp as well and were redistributed among the various settlements throughout the republic in emergency housing facilities, while funds for construction of permanent housing were brought together. The Craitish government in Cherry Trees responded to the Stadtparlement resolution by recognising Ludwiggian rule over Oudorp a few days later.

Politics

The Republic of Sankt Ludwigshafen was a parliamentary republic governed by a Stadtparlement (city parliament), with 50 seats, which was presided by the Vorsitzende des Stadtparlements and elected by all citizens every three years. The fist act of a new Stadtparlement was to elect a Statthalterin (stadtholder), who led the executive branch of the state. Several parties participated in the elections, the most popular of which were the Traditional Party of 1680 and the Slight Reform Party of 1681, which advocated a more humane death penalty for heretics and pagans. The Progressive Alliance of 1683 participated in the 1683 elections, with an agenda of religious freedom and tolerance. In 1689 the Stadtparlement's composition was not the result of elections but a provisional Stadtparlement was agreed upon by delegations of the Traditional Party and the Slight Reform Party, which saw a need to re-establish law and order in Sankt Ludwigshafen, following the influx of refugees from Barbary. The Progressive Alliance was left out of negotiations and forcefully disbanded as part of the first session of the Stadtparlement.

Over the years the Traditional Party has been able to update its policies and was able to remain relevant. Around 1690 leading members of the Traditional Party were the first to recognize that the nation would become more and more a Nazarene nation, rather than the Siseranist nation it had been before. The Slight Reform Party did not anticipate this and kept pushing for a Siseranist agenda, leading to a landslide election victory for the Traditional Party in 1690. After the civil war Siseranism was no longer a tolerated religion within the republic and the Slight Reform Party was only barely able to remain part of the Stadtparlement, with one seat. In II.1697 the Tekeel Party of 1697 was founded, which represented citizens that felt that the Traditional Party had championed too far-reaching reforms, such as the 1696 law on infrastructure, that paved the way for electricity, paved roads and rail roads in the republic.

Election results

Year Traditional Party '80 Slight Reform Party '81 Progressive Alliance '83 Tekeel Party '97
1680 50
1683 39 10 1
1689* 35 15
1690 47 3
1696 49 1
1699 43 4 2 1
* Pro forma, no actual votes cast

The 1696 Constitution of the Third Republic of Sankt Ludwigshafen reflects the morals and values of the Ludwiggian Reformed Church. The constitution both recognises the fallen nature of the people, but also the prospect of redemption. The constitution forbids the death penalty, and life sentences without the possibility of parole. The constitution also confirms the Nazarene faith as the national faith of the Ludwiggian people, although it does not ban other religions explicitly. The Siseranist religion, and other religions that demand human sacrifices are banned in seperate legislation.

Foreign relations

Sankt Ludwigshafen is not a member of any international organisations. The nation is not a member of military pacts. The republic has not formally adopted a policy of permanent neutrality but there is ongoing debate within Ludwiggian society whether this should be considered in the future.

The republic has friendly relations with Craitland, which borders Sankt Ludwigshafen in the south with its province of Zandarijn. Using the Craitish seaport of Oudorp, Sankt Ludwigshafen is able to conduct commerce with nations all over Micras. Relations with Jingdao are friendly as well, due to cultural and, previously, religious ties. In 1691 the republic signed the Treaty of Rherci with its neighbour Calbion, establishing friendly relations with that nation as well.

Military

Traditionally the republic only had a small standing army, the Dragonerkorps Ludwigshafen which is a mounted infantry corps. This was previously complemented by a conscription army that could be levied during times of war. In the 1699 military reform the conscription model was abandoned and replaced by a standing army of professional soldiers, complemented by a military reserve force of volunteers. From 1682 to 1685 500 regulars of the Alriggian presidential army were permanently stationed in Sankt Ludwigshafen.

The professional armed forces that were established in 1699 are called the Republikswehr. It consists of the Dragonerkorps Ludwigshafen, a mounted infantry corps, the Füsilierkorps Ludwigshafen, a naval infantry corps, and the Bunkerkorps which mans the casemates in Stadt Sankt Ludwigshafen and Louisville. Both expeditionary branches of the Republikswehr have a manpower of 2,000 souls. The Bunkerkorps has a manpower of circa 300 souls, it is heavily dependant on the reservists of the Bezirkbürgerwehr in times of war. Like before the reform, the Ludwiggian armed forces do not have a focus on mechanization, without having armoured vehicles or large-hulled sea-faring vessels to its disposal.

All physically and mentally fit students of the Mittelschulle are trained in basic markmanship and military skills. Until 1699 they would be added into the Bezirkbürgerwehr (district citizen’s militia) of the district where they resided, which was headed by a Hauptmann. The different militias fell under the command of one single Oberst, who had the authority to call for the mobilisation of conscripts in emergencies. Since 1699 the Bezirkbürgerwehr invites all young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 to continue their training, but this is no longer mandatory.

Throughout its history Sankt Ludwigshafen has had a military doctrine that is focused on defence and the republic has hardly ever spent resources on developing offensive capabilities. This policy was originally born out of necessity as the republic was simply too small to command an expeditionary army. In the late 1690's, casemates were constructed around Stadt Sankt Ludwigshafen and Louisville to be able to defend these cities even when wider paved roads are built in the near future. In order to deter naval attacks on the port of Stadt Sankt Ludwigshafen, plans have been drafted to build two concrete forts just off the coast, that will be armed with heavy cannons and radar and sonar installations.

Economy

The economy of Sankt Ludwigshafen was based on the logging and fishing industry. Whaling was a traditional practice of the inhabitants of Sankt Ludwigshafen. It was 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 were exported as raw materials, with most of the profit being made overseas. In the months before the first republic's collapse, the Stadtparlement was trying to change this by offering subsidies and loans for the construction of factories in Sankt Ludwigshafen. This was not as successful as was hoped, within the republic there was not much expertise on the construction and management of large factories, and foreign investors expressed their doubt about the republic's aversion to infrastructure. Still, some smaller scale operations were set up, creating high quality wooden objects that are prized on the international market, such as casings for clocks and intricate carvings.

Until 1690, the national currency was the Jingdaoese Kala, but the Craitish Cräite was also commonly used. While the Ludwigspfennig was minted in Sankt Ludwigshafen, it was usually only used for everyday purchases such as groceries. This changed in 1690 when the Stadtparlement accepted a reform of the Ludwigspfennig, which made it a fiat money with lighter coins and banknotes, so that it would be more practical in daily use. The foreign currencies remained in use in international trade but were slowly phased out in the domestic market.

Infrastructure

Until late 1693, cars and other motorised vehicles were extremely uncommon in Sankt Ludwigshafen, if not explicitly banned. Ludwiggian roads outside the city were originally constructed a maximum of 88cm wide to make it more difficult for modern armies that depend on armour to attack the city. In the city, roads were usually suitable for cars and light trucks, but draught animals were usually preferred. Heavy transport usually took place over water, from the inland to Sankt Ludwigshafen over the river Karlsfluß in hulks. In the harbour the goods were placed on cogs that sail them to Oudorp in Zandarijn, Craitland from where they were distributed across Micras in modern container ships. In XI.1693 the Stadtparlement abandoned this policy as it was considered to be restraining economic growth in the republic too much. Construction of gravel roads to Molkhof, Hinterdünen and Craitmark were ordered. In IV.1694 an agreement was reached between Zandarijn and Sankt Ludwigshafen to construct a gravel road from Stadt Sankt Ludwigshafen to Oudorp in Zandarijn, Craitland.

From 1696 onwards, the Stadtparlement explored the possibility to pave some of the main roads of the republic, but high anticipated costs and local resistance prevented swift action. When in VII.1696 the Stadtparlement adopted a law detailing standards to be used in the road, rail and electric infrastructure. Among other things it was decided that future rail connections would be built using a 1,435 mm track gauge, cars would drive on the right side of paved roads, and 230V would be the standard for home and office delivery of electricity. At the moment when the law was adopted, the construction of relevant infrastructure had not yet commenced. The law became a point of contention in the Traditional Party, with many members opposing the introduction of these novities which they feared would erode the social structure of their communities. The law was only adopted when stadtholder Adam Rettich promised that none of the infrastructure described in the law would be built before the year 1700 and that nothing would be built without permission from the Stadtparlement after that date.

Demographics

Population

Year Population
1680 89,286
1690 97,385
1700 94,654

Ethnicity

The republic was initially founded to provide a safe haven for South Cibolan Saxons who still followed the old Siseranist religion that Prince Ludwig publicly confessed to during his lifetime. What constitutes a South Cibolan Saxon was a point of divergence between ethnonationalist hardliners and linguistic/religious nationalists who claimed that anybody who prays to Sisera in the South Cibolan Saxon language is welcome. In reality, the discussion was mostly academic in nature as very few people from outside felt attracted to the slightly anachronistic state. Most people who were naturalised into the republic joined through marriage with a native Saxon and conversion to Siseranism, effectively assimilating into Sankt Ludwighafen's society. After most people in the republic were baptised into the Nazarene faith from 1690 onwards, the requirement to adhere to Siseranism was naturally waived. The fact that the Ludwiggian ethnicity was no longer related to Siseranism led to the idea that the citizens of the republic were not just Cibolan Saxons, they constituted the Ludwiggian people. Following the establishment of the third republic in 1696, the republic also welcomed the Alexandrian speaking Louisians.

Religion

The national religion of Sankt Ludwigshafen was traditionally Ludwiggian Siseranism. Which was a particular branch of Siseranism, derived from the Siseranist periods of Walstadt. The crucifixion of Elijah Ayreon by Sisera was one of the key theological pillars of the religion. In contrast to Jingdaoese Siseranism, Siseranism in Sankt Ludwig saw both Sisera and Elijah Ayreon positively. This was due to the influence of Natopian Bovinism. Prince Ludwig of Walstadt was celebrated as a saint in Sankt Ludwig. The stories about how he gained control over the principality were legends with which all Ludwigians are familiar. The return to Walstadt in the late days of Micras was also a common theme in Ludwigian Siseranism.

A key teaching of the religion was 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. This opened up the religion to cases of abuse, where elders would try to cover-up wrongdoings by claiming that exposure would hurt the community more and that the victim of an "incident" should not pursue persecution. After a series of incidents, involving cases of physical, mental and rare cases of sexual abuse, the Church of Sankt Ludwig showed remorse for its position and stressed the need for transparency and accountability.

In 1690 the personal diary of Ludwig of Walstadt was discovered, which shook the republic on its theological foundations. It became clear that Ludwig of Walstadt did not follow the theology of Sisera out of conviction, but because he felt allying with the strong Jingdaoese Empire was the only way to secure the future of his people. Later in his life Ludwig became to regret this choice and was even baptised into the Nazarene faith. The discovery led to an increased interest in the Nazarene faith in Sankt Ludwigshafen, with some fishermen heading out to the South Sea Islands to learn more about the religion from the Protestantse Kerk in de Zuidzee-eilanden. The Ludwiggian Reformed Church was founded, which quickly became the largest religious denomination within the republic with 84,4% of the population of Sankt Ludwigshafen baptised into the new faith by the end of 1690, with only 15,6% still claiming to adhere to the old Siseranist faith. The Siseranist religion was completely outlawed in 1696 when the Third Republic was established, because of the gruesome deeds executed in the name of Siseranism during the civil war. However, a new small religious minority emerged as the Louisians joined Sankt Ludwigshafen, some of them are members of the Autocephalous Nazarene Church of Alexandria.

Culture

The culture in Sankt Ludwigshafen is egalitarian but also traditional. Ostentatious display of wealth is considered a 'faux pas' by Ludwiggers. Ludwiggian society values the written, spoken or sung word above visual images. Highly valued cultural works are first and foremost religious hymns and poems, but also poetry that deals with the everyday secular life of the Ludwiggian people.

Cuisine

The cuisine of Sankt Ludwigshafen is based on the products of the local farming and fishing industry. Staples are wheat, from which bread and pasta are made, apples and pears, root vegetables, cabbages and fish. Spices and herbs are only used in moderation and refined sugars are unheard of.


Feminism and LGBT rights

During the Siseranist era, the state did not formally recognise differences between man and woman. However, the prominence of the Siseranist religion had led to some differences in the acceptance of behaviour in men and women. For example, ruthless and tyrannical behaviour was more often accepted in women than in men. Many leading positions were taken by women. An exception was the fishing fleet, which was and is dominated by men. This was however a dangerous industry which mourned many casualties each year, including captains of ships lost-at-sea. Starting in 1690, the Siseranist viewpoint eroded in Sankt Ludwigshafen following the adoption of the Nazarene faith by a majority of the population, which in the short-term resulted in a more equal society.

LGBT rights have always been recognised in the republic. Homosexuality was not prevalent more or less in Sankt Ludwig society compared to other states on Micras, but has never been an issue of debate within secular society. Marriage is open to all people over the age of 20 and all marriage ceremonies are performed by the state, after which a religious ceremony to bless the marriage is customary. Under the old Siseranist religion, the story of the transgender Mrs Donders, who was one of the helpers of Sisera in the Hurmu Genocide was the basis for a doctrine of tolerance towards trans people. The state does not record the sex or gender of citizens or travellers in passports, visa or other official documentation. Gender affirmation surgeries are not performed in the hospitals of Sankt Ludwigshafen as the state hospitals do not have enough patients to warrant this. Referral to foreign clinics is possible, but not usually paid for by the state's medical insurance organisation.

The Ludwiggian Reformed Church sees the presence of homosexuality on Micras as a result of the Fall of Man. Despite this view, it initially did not see homosexuality as something that could be changed by the individual and encouraged homosexual believers to find comfort in a monogamous relationship with a partner of the same sex, including marriage. Whether the Ludwiggian Reformed Church should continue to bless homosexual marriages was debated throughout the early 1690's, with some local churches refusing the blessing. These churches remain a small minority among the republic's many churches. Overall, the churches of the republic are open and welcoming to all members of the LGBT community.