Valsora - The Crucifistian state (Maesië)

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Overview

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Officially, The Unitary Crucifistian state, known to its people as Maesië, is a one-party theocratic state led by the Grandmaster Sebastiaen Dreack and supervised by the Grand Confessor, Head of Faith Pieter Vermant. The Crucifistian state adheres to and enforces Crucifistianism, governing itself by the principles of divine law, which can be broadly summarized as: adhering to the will of God, leading a welfaring life, respecting God's creations, spreading the word of God, and striving to make the world a better place. Officially, the Crucifistian state is the only nation in the world that openly practices Crucifistianism.

Culturally, the Crucifistian state is defined by its Knight culture, where principles such as chivalry, honor, pragmatic ability, self-sacrifice, and brotherhood are highly valued. Swordfighting, fencing, and jousting are the most popular pastimes, and it is culturaly custom to wield a sword at all times. The nation boasts some of the best sword wielders on average and Military service is mandatory The state is linguistically divided into regional sections spanning horizontally in the lower center of the nation. The urban north is dominated by Dutch-speaking Maesers, while the more rural south is dominated by French-speaking Maesions. Unified through historical hardship and civic nationalism, both cultures devote their lives to God and Crucifistianism.

The state operates on a pragmatic model where individuals who demonstrate consistency are given the most opportunities. Additionally, the state maintains a network of welfare programs aimed at supporting individuals who may fall behind.

The Crucifistian Government is a Unitary Theocratic state without elections; the Council of Crusaders appoints the next Grandmaster with the supervision of the Divine Council. The state runs on a model of Moralistic capitalism, where Christian welfare, health, defense, and industry are top priorities. The government promotes the Nuclear family concept, Crucifistian values, and the total eradication of heresy within borders, while on foreign policy, it focuses on combating paganism, infidelity, and spreading the word of God through any means necessary. The nation has closed borders, forbidding people from leaving or entering, and employs an extensive firewall system to block foreign influences deemed "corrupting."

Etymology

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The name "The Crucifistian State" derives from the state's religion. As a theocratic entity, it represents both the church and its followers on the global stage. Crucifistianism draws its name from "Crucifix," which, according to the final testament, is described as the righteous tool to enact divine punishment upon those who indefinitely reject God. This symbolizes the avenging nature of the Crucifistian Church, using the crucifix to inflict upon others the same suffering endured by Christus for those who reject its believed divine figures.

To its citizens, the state is known as Maesïe, officially the Unitary State of Maesïe. Its name is derived from the largest river in the country, the River Maes. The river Maes is considered by its citizens to be the starting point of Maeser cultural settlement. Its fresh, sweet water streams are the life force of the surrounding area, enriching the land with vegetation. The River Maes is believed to be the same river in which Saint Dumas was baptized by Jean-Pierre Delcroix. Both Maesers and Maesions names derive from the river.

History

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Pre-historyIt is believed that the first human settlements in the region of the modern-day country began along the River Maes and gradually expanded into nearby regions. Initially, inhabitants were of Germanic/Keltic cultural descent, but over time, they shifted more towards the Germanic side with the immigration of neighboring tribes. The tribe reportedly spoke a Germanic language with soft tones.

Historical records suggest that the tribesmen practiced an ancient Germanic religion, worshipping gods such as Odin, whom they called Wotan.

1118: Around the establishment of the first crusader order, the Germanic tribal kingdoms in the region experienced frequent warfare, with borders rapidly changing every few years. A unified Germanic country was never established; the region remained deadlocked in tribalistic divisions, seemingly divided by scarce cultural differences. In 1147, the first southern missionary expeditions arrived but encountered heavy resistance.

1210: Missionaries operating in the region received valuable assistance from French-speaking Crusaders, which helped ensure their safety amidst frequent attacks and armed resistance. Despite these challenges, missionary efforts persisted, albeit with moderate casualties among Christian believers.

1300: Responding to the persistent pagan presence in the region, the Pope sanctioned small-scale holy wars aimed at combating paganism. While these campaigns faced financial constraints, they achieved moderate success in converting certain regions to Christianity. The establishment of a small Crusader base facilitated ongoing missionary endeavors, although frequent battles remained a reality.

1320: The establishment of the French Order of Saint Elizabeth, a sub-order of the Templar Order, marked a strategic shift in efforts to Christianize the Germanic tribes. This specialized order diverted resources from the main Templar Order's focus on the Holy Land, prioritizing the establishment of a Christian state and the attraction of Christian settlers. Financial autonomy granted to the Order of Saint Elizabeth revealed the tragic reality of the Pope's commitment to their mission.

1400, the Coming of Saint Dumas, the Birth of Crucifistianism: Despite progress in the spread of Christianity, religious and tribal conflicts continued to pose challenges to stability in the region. The establishment of Christian communities and churches in former pagan territories represented significant milestones in the ongoing conversion efforts. However, uprisings and resistance movements persisted.

Born on the Germanic grounds, Adam Dumas, the son of a Crusader general and a local Germanic healing woman, emerged as a major figure in the coming events. Dumas joined the Crusader Order of Saint Elizabeth and remarkably ascended to the rank of Crusader general at the young age of 20, a rarity in the order. He reportedly shared teachings on theology during his free time, often referring to himself as the son of God, which unsettled many of his fellow members, who considered him a fanatic.

Adam Dumas faced little trouble within the order due to his father's prominent position as a general in the Crusader army. However, when his father perished in the conquest of the Mekelen tribes, Dumas demonstrated exceptional bravery, leading his forces to a miraculous victory despite being vastly outnumbered. Charging into battle with seemingly suicidal fervor, Dumas's courage inspired the Crusader forces, who zealously followed him to victory with minimal casualties.

After the battle, blood-soaked but unharmed, Dumas spoke to his commanding officer in a trance-like state, proclaiming, "My father, God Almighty, sent us to this earth for one purpose: to cleanse the wicked. Can you deny what you saw today? I heard His voice as I charged into battle. I did not see the enemy but the Archangel of Death. I became its scythe, cutting down our foes effortlessly. Do you deny that this is His work?" Moved by Dumas's conviction, his commanding general knelt and praised the heavens.

Subsequent battles mirrored the conquest of the Mekelen tribes, with Dumas leading his forces to miraculous victories. Over time, he garnered a cult following within the order. After each battle, Dumas demonstrated remarkable healing abilities, not only tending to his fellow knights but also extending his care to wounded enemies on the battlefield. His reputation for embracing enemies into his heart and converting them earned him the moniker "Adam the Bloody Missionary."

Around this time, the Pope completely abandoned the Crusader Order after receiving reports of heretical activities by some of its members. In the subsequent years, Dumas oversaw the complete conquest of the region, even expanding beyond the established modern-day borders. In his final battle at the age of 55,Now Grandmaster Adam Dumas was fatally wounded by an arrow. Miraculously, he rose from what many perceived as his deathbed, charged the enemy, and slew his assailant. Kneeling on the blood-soaked battlefield, Dumas proclaimed that God had released him from his mortal body and that his blood was the seal of approval. Passing his banner to his subordinates, Dumas declared, "God has bestowed upon you His banner and war cry. His will manifests here today. I have been called to stand by His side. I foresaw this event and anticipate a great coming of the Lord. You are my knights, my spiritual body and will. Follow my example, follow the great general, our patron Azraël, and you will witness this world transformed into paradise."

Around this time, a subsect of Christianity, divorced from the Pope, emerged as the spiritual leaders of the Crusader state. The spiritual leader proclaimed Adam Dumas to be a saint. In later years, Dumas's legend and teachings were officially adopted by this subsect, leading to the creation of Crucifistianism.

1700-1771: The year 1771 officially marks the discontinuation of the Order of Saint Elizabeth, deeming its purpose fulfilled after overseeing, governing, and defending the Germanic populace for over 200 years. While its territories had mostly shrunk due to wars, entering a peaceful period led to its disbandment into several nation-states, each with its own governing systems and political leanings. This decentralization caused unforeseen problems, as conflicts between nation-states often led to tension. The Crucifistian Church became independent and kept the peace between nation-states. Often, if one nation-state was threatened by outside forces, a united Crucifistian defense pact would occur, only to be disbanded afterward.

1890: Despite conflicts raging around its borders, the nation-states enjoyed a peaceful haven on the continent, attracting immigrants, mostly of French descent, to mine coal in the western part of the nation. These regions were welcoming, as their historical order was comprised of French knights. However, surrounding conflicts eventually disrupted the long peace the region had known, disturbing the neutrality of some nation-states.

1930: The Formation of the Crucifistian State to Modern Day: The year 1930 was a tense time as the Crucifistian nation-states had dwindled down to six. Most of the micro-states were annexed or joined other nation-states out of necessity. Six nation-states remained, each with different types of governing bodies such as monarchy, republic, dictatorship, and parishdom. The strongest among them, the Maesian state, was led by Vincentius Baert, more commonly referred to as Saint Vincentius. He was a theologian, monk, and politician who united the nation-states under one state with the endorsement of the independent Crucifistian Church. They argued that Crucifistianism was a brotherhood and a united effort to combat sin and infidelity. Vincentius contended that historically, the Crucifistian nation-states were strongest under a single centralized state and that Crucifistianism's message could only be realized if all Crucifistians were united. Those who protested backed down in the face of the state's might. Vincentius and the Confesorium drafted a constitution according to divine law, and Vincentius undertook the position of the 1st Grandmaster until his death. In the years that followed, the state underwent several reforms driven by pragmatic thought. Many Grandmasters came and went, often leading to periods of autarky and the policy of a closed and safe state, which were reverted as resources became less available. Initially closed off from the global political stage, the state only engaged in trade with some unrecognized nation-states. Today, the state has opened its foreign diplomacy but keeps its borders closed out of fear of social corruption, allowing only very selected groups to immigrate and MPs inside.

Demographic

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Population

As of January 1st ---, the total population of The Crucifistian state, according to its population register, stood at approximately 25,000,000. The population is culturally divided, with the majority comprising around 55% Maesers (Dutch speakers) living in the more urban north and approximately 45% Maesions (French speakers) living in the more rural south. This linguistic division is reflected in the country's two distinct linguistic regions. Despite cultural and linguistic differences, national unity is maintained through civic nationalism, historical bonds, and shared religious beliefs. Politically, both cultures are represented by a central Unitrian government. It is mandated by the state for citizens to learn all three official languages: Dutch, French, and Latin.

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Religion

Crucifistianism has been declared the official state religion, with the government asserting that 100% of the population adheres to this denomination of Christianity. However, due to the government's policy of not releasing state information to foreign statistical bureaus, this claim cannot be independently verified. Operating as a theocratic state, the government enforces "divine law" as the law of the land, to which they claim complete adherence without exception. Citizens are expected to follow the faith's policies without exception, with the government prone to enforcing divine punishment upon failure to adhere. Confesorium is similairly structured as the Sanguis papacy.

Trivia: Crucifistianism is the only Abrahamic religion that allows homosexual marriages while still enforcing procreational thought, Angelic worship is a central thought and worship of the second son is mandatory. Read more about Crucifistianism

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Government

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Officialy The Crucifistian state is a one party elected council state.

The Divine council

The Divine Council, also known as the Council of Holy Figures, holds significant power and influence within the Crucifistian state, consisting of 18 members. The Crucifistian constitution grants the council three main mandates:

a) Veto Power over Legislation: The Divine Council has the authority to veto legislation passed by the parliament, except in matters concerning military affairs.

b) Supervision of Elections: It supervises elections to ensure they are conducted in accordance with the law and principles of Crucifistianism.

c) Approval of Candidates: The council approves or disqualifies candidates seeking to run in various elections, including local, parliamentary, Grandmastery, or Assembly of Experts elections.

The composition of the Divine Council is as follows:

- Six esteemed Crucifistian theologians, experts in Divine Law, selected by the Grand Confessor.
- Six jurists specializing in different areas of law, elected by the Crusader Council.
- Five political scientists, also elected by the Crusader Council.
- The Head of Faith, the Grand Confessor.

In terms of legislative functions, the Crusader Council's decisions do not have legal status without the approval of the Divine Council, except in matters of military affairs. Any bill passed by the Crusader Council, excluding those concerning military affairs, must be reviewed and approved by the Divine Council to become law.

The Divine Council holds absolute veto power over all legislation, except in cases concerning military affairs approved by the Crusader Council. It can nullify a law if it is deemed to be against Divine laws or the constitution. While all members vote on the compatibility of laws with the constitution, only the six clerics and the Grand Confessor vote on their compatibility with Crucifistianism.

If a law is rejected, it is sent back to the Crusader Council for correction. If both councils cannot agree on a case, the law is voided until another proposal is made in the future.

The Crusader council

The Cruserder council, also called the Maesian crusader Parliament, is a a unicameral body and the national legislative body of Crucifistian state. The Parliament currently consists of 150 representatives.

The Crusader council holds the authority to legislate laws on all matters within the boundaries defined by the Constitution. Nevertheless, it is restricted from enacting laws that contradict the fundamental principles of the official religion of the nation (Crucifistianism) or the Constitution itself. Government bills are submitted to the Crusader Council.

The Crusader council possesses the prerogative to investigate and scrutinize all matters concerning the country.

International treaties, protocols, contracts, and agreements necessitate approval from the Crusader council.

Sanctioning and obtaining national or international loans or grants by the government requires ratification from the Crusader Council.

The President must secure a vote of confidence from both wings of the Crusader council.

In the event that at least one-fourth of the total members of the Crusader Council raise a question to the Grand master, or if any Crusader Council member poses a question to a minister regarding their duties, the Grandlmaster or the minister is obligated to attend the Crusader Council and address the query.

All legislation endorsed by Crusader Council must be submitted to the Divine Council. Within a maximum of ten days from its receipt, the Divine Council must review the legislation to ensure its compatibility with Divine law criteria and the Constitution. If any incompatibility is identified, the legislation is returned to the Crusader council for further review. Otherwise, the legislation is deemed enforceable.

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