View source for Zy-Rodun

{{Imperial Dominion
 |image_flag = Flag_Zy-Rodun.png
 |coat of arms = Arms Zy-Rodun2.png
 |motto = ''Zełe au ka rinei āvāvi''<br/><small>(Classical Āirumāli, translation unknown)</small>
 |subdivision = Zy-Rodun
 |status = [[Subdivision#Imperial Dominions|Imperial Dominion]]
 |capital = [[Zy-Rodun Town]]
 |largecity = [[Zy-Rodun Town]]
 |population = 536,546
 |title = Marquess
 |government = Absolute monarchy
 |leader = [[Kaiser Ayreon IV]]
 |language = [[Roduna language|Roduna]]<br>[[Præta Sxiróþes|Præta]]<br>[[Yardistani language|Yardistani]]<br>[[Istvanistani language|Istvanistani]]<br>[[Elw language|Elw]]<br>[[Babkhi language|Babkhi]]<br>[[Āirumāli language|Āirumāli]]
 |religion = Zurvanism<br>[[Ilathnarari]]<br>[[Cedrism]]<br>[[Boomism]]<br>[[Elven Naturalism]]<br>[[Thanidoranism]]
 |}}

'''Zy-Rodun''', also known as '''Chel Modan''', is an island in the Gulf of Khaz, and an [[Subdivision#Imperial Dominions|Imperial Dominion]] of Shireroth covering it, which is held by Kaiser Ayreon IV (in his personal capacity). The capital of the dominion is [[Zy-Rodun (City)|Zy-Rodun Town]]. The population is 536,546 (as of 1656) of which 1,607 are citizens. The rest are denizens ([[Census 1656]]).


==Introduction==
Prior to the second government of Seneschal Altea Lomax, the use of machinery and electricity on the island was restricted to nobles. Farming was hard, and many people died prematurely due to worn out bodies. The feudalism on the island restricted the movement of people, and the movement of technology.

Manor lords were usually allowed electricity, but electricity itself was scarce. The island banned petroleum and other fossil fuels, and there are no general streams on the island to generate electricity and the two small rivers on the island are nearly inaccessible. The roofs of the manors are therefore often clad in solar panels. It is not often enough for the household, as storms and heavy winds reduce the sunlight.

As such, life on the island is hard, but not so very hard for the manor lords and their families. The manor people have not only the freedom to leave the island, but also the means. Yet, they stay, and fight for their class. For societal control and harmony, they support the electricity restrictions, as long as they are given certain exceptions that serfs could only dream of.

The island is known for having the largest proportion of safir of any subdivision of Shireroth.

==Geography==
The island of Zy-Rodun is geographically one of the [[So-Sara|So-Saran islands]]. It is surrounded by clear sparkling azure waters teeming with coral nurseries which are ideal for snorkeling and scuba diving. Most of the island's coastline is rocky and cliffy, except for the shoreline to the north-west which is sandy. Around the island, tides differ on average 5 metres between ebb and flow. Safe anchorage is only to be found at a few sites on the island's coast.

Zy-Rodun is rocky and hilly as well as lush and tropical. There is a marked lack of any larger swaths of flat land, except for its stunning north-western white-sand beach. 

==Economy==
The island's economy is presently completely based on agriculture, and services and industry associated with agriculture, with some tourism opening.

When [[Noah of Elwynn|Noah]] of Ettlingar Freyu was seneschal, his government announced a series of rigorous economic, legal and social reforms, with, among others, included the electrification of Zy-Rodun - with power provided by offshore wind farms situated in Zy-Rodun's Exclusive Economic Zone - and the abolition of several restrictions of serfs, to turn Zy-Rodun into a trade centre. However, the nobility of the island objected loudly to the reform package, and made the situation so difficult for Noah that he was unable to carry out any government on the island, and he left the nobility to carry on as usual. When he, following the Auspicious Occasion in 1651, was replaced by his predecessor, Altea Lomax, a local noblewoman from the island, managed to convince the nobility to accept a new reform package, which included:

[''list'']

The reform took place under a ten-year period. In 1653, all loyal subjects (called “serfs” in Zy-Rodun) were freed from their indentured service and given the option to leave the island or contract employment with their former masters. In turn, the nobility received extensive tax breaks, while normal employment carried income taxes. That way, the revenue for the authorities remained the same, while the situation for both nobles and former serfs ameliorated.

The island receives some revenue from the MoMA training base on the inland of the island, through the occasional trips by soldiers to town.

==History==
Historically associated with the [[So-Sara|So-Saran Islands]], Zy-Rodun was a noted trading centre until its decline in the mid-15th century. Largely left to deal with its own affairs, the island feudalism evolved under its own circumstances. This lead to a harsh feudal order that remains on the island. Serfs constitute around half of the population and their movement is severely restricted.

Following the dissolution of [[Yardistan]] as an [[Subdivision#Imperial States|Imperial State]] under [[Kaiser Redquill]], informal promises had been made to the ruling family there that they would be reimbursed for their loss of power and territory. In 1620, [[Kaiseress Isa IV Cassandrae]] created out of the island an [[Subdivision#Imperial Dominions|Imperial Dominion]] called the Marquessate and Dominion of Zy-Rodun, and gave it as fief to the [[Shireroth|Shirerithian]] heir of the [[Safir|safir]] [[House of Ašura]], Prince [[Daniel Ashura|Daniel]]. Daniel, as Marquess, began codifying the already existing structures of the island, and adapted them to the new rule, with a Constitution (still in force). Disputes between Daniel and the [[Imperial Government]] led to Daniel's emigration. Legal advice to the [[The Kaiser|Kaisership]] was then given that despite Daniel's loss of residency and repudiation of his citizenship in [[Shireroth]], the island fief would still be vested in him.

In 1631, negotiations between the [[Emir of Sathrati|Emirate of Sathrati]] and the [[Imperial Republic]] led to a breakthrough. Instead of seeing the kaisership in Shireroth as pretenders to the [[Golden Mango Throne]], from now on would the Emirate of Sathrati see it as the rightful ruler of Shireroth. In the agreement, the Emirate promised to return to Shireroth the [[Sword of Vengeance]] which had been in the Emirate's possession since its formation in 1541. The [[The Kaiser|Kaiser]] promised in return to reimburse the Emirate for the loss of its most important possession, and in so doing, Zy-Rodun was offered the Emirate for it to hold in perpetuity.

The island has, since the 1630's, served as the main processing and basic training center for new conscripts into the [[Imperial Army]]. During the rule of Noah, these unfortunate souls, mostly captured in [[Goldshire]], [[Mishalan]] (until its occupation by Elwynn in 1650) and [[Shirekeep]], were brought down the river Elwynn, chained in batches, aboard open barges before being transferred onto chartered cargo vessels off-shore from [[Musica]]. The conscripts that survived the voyage from Musica were thrown ashore at the first high-tide and those who manage to successfully wade through the notorious surf and rip-tides were inducted formally into the Imperial Army register and begin the punishing process of indoctrination, physical and mental hardening and training. Since 1651, the island’s army camp was upgraded to more humane standards, and the more rigorous training occurred in other parts of the Imperial Republic.

==Governance==
Although a personal fief of Kaiser Ayreon IV as Marquess, Zy-Rodun is governed by a corporation sole entitled ''Corporation of the Marquess of Zy-Rodun'' . The corporation possesses, within the confines of being an [[Subdivision#Imperial Dominions|Imperial Dominion]] the [[Imperial Republic]] of [[Shireroth]], the ultimate power of governance over the island.

In the event that the Marquess of Zy-Rodun is not in residence, the ultimate power of governance over Zy-Rodun lies with a corporation sole entitled Corporation of the Seneschal of the march. The occupant of the aforesaid corporation sole is appointed by the Marquess.

The island used to be feudal in a classic Shirerithian sense, but since the reforms of the early 1650s, there is discussion on how to reform the constitutional make-up. 

Below the Marquess there are the Township Lords. The Township Lords in their turn hold power over the Lords of Manor, who in their turn hold power over serfs. The Lords of Manor own their land, and all persons living there must obey the commands of the Lords of Manor. The Township Lord owns the decisions on intra-manor trade and exchange, and any contract between manors must receive the appropriate township lord's (or lords') approval.

Workers are legally free, but may not reside in any other land than their employer’s, without that employer’s consent and the consent of the appropriate lords. Workers pay their rent (for being allowed to live on the land) through work and the fruits of their labour, with a basic salary too, and may not leave their land without consent from the appropriate lordships.

Each lord sits as judge for offences under the law. The lord judges only the persons below him. The serf is judged by the manor lord, the manor lord by the township lord, the township lord by the Marquess.

=== List of Marquesses ===

*1620—1631 [[Daniel Ašura|HIH The Prince Daniel]]
*1631—1632 [[Nathaniel Ayreon-Kalirion]]
*1632—1650 [[Kaiseress Noor|Noor bint Daniyal]]
*1650–''pres.'' [[Kaiser Ayreon IV]]

=== List of Seneschals ===
*1636—1646 [[Altea Lomax]]
*1646—1651 [[King Noah of Elwynn]]
*1651–pres. Altea Lomax

== Zy-Rodun in Imperial law ==
*[[Imperial Decree 686]]: The Recognition of the D and R Bill
*[[Imperial Decree 692]]: Zy-Rodun
*[[Imperial Decree 716]]: Assent to Constitution of Zy-Rodun
*[[Imperial Decree 770]]: (Emirate of Sathrati to hold Zy-Rodun)
*[[Imperial Decree 776]]: Concerning antiques and titles

[[Category:Imperial Dominion‎]]