Difference between revisions of "Shireroth"

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'''The Imperial Republic of Shireroth''', or simply '''Shireroth''' ([[Shirithian English]]: ['ʃaɪɻ.ɻɑθ]; [[Yardistani]]: ''Širo'' ['ʃi.rɔ]; [[Written Halluci]]: [sgaæaæaæg]) is a monarchist micronation founded in 2000 by [[Erik Metzler]]. It is particularly old. Over the years the nation has fluctuated in size and activity, but it has endured in great part because of its loyal citizenry. The nation has a rather novel system of government, unique amongst most micronations, which its supporters claim has allowed it to survive all these years. However, in spite of repeated calls from disgruntled citizens and outsiders alike, Shireroth has historically been very resistant to calls for a more democratic system of government. The nation is culturally rich, its large number of territorial subdivisions contributing to a vast array of people and traditions. Overall, Shireroth is very diverse and has a well-seasoned history, making it a very distinctive micronation.
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{{Nation1|
 +
country = Imperial Republic of Shireroth|
 +
image_flag = New_flag_Shireroth.png|
 +
coat of arms = Shire_coa.png|
 +
national anthem = [[The Benacian Beast]]|
 +
motto = Shireroth sumus. Tempus in parte nostrum est|
 +
|capital = [[Shirekeep]]
 +
|largecity = Shirekeep, [[Ardashirshahr]], [[Musica]], [[Brookshire Hamlet]]
 +
|lang = [[Præta Sxiróþes]] (official), [[Istvanistani]] (administrative), Elw (tolerated)
 +
|demnoun = Shirerithian, Shirithian
 +
|demadj = Shirerithian, Shirithian
 +
|govtype = [[Shirocracy|Neo-Feudal Commonwealth]] <br><small>(Presently ruled as an ''Oligarchic Federation'')</small>
 +
|headofstatetitle = [[Kaiser of Shireroth]]
 +
|headofstate = [[Kaiser Ayreon IV]]
 +
|headofgovernmenttitle = [[Steward of Shireroth]]
 +
|headofgovernment = [[Liv Dravot]]
 +
|legislature = [[Landsraad]]
 +
|estdate = bN 1214 (First Era)<br />1443 (Third Era)
 +
|agerank = 1st
 +
|area = NA
 +
|arearank = 1st
 +
|pop = Citizens: 29[http://bastionunion.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=224&t=15312(1)]<br /><small>Subjects: 684,444,256[http://bastionunion.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=228&t=16681(1)]</small>
 +
|activepop = 8-10
 +
|poprank = NA
 +
|currency = Erb (€)
 +
|abbrev = SXI
 +
|site = [http://www.shireroth.org/shirewiki ShireWiki]
 +
|forum = [http://bastionunion.org/forum/viewforum.php?f=14 Shirithian Forum]
 +
|animal = Blue Moose
 +
|food = Mango
 +
|drink = ''The Benacian Twist''
 +
|tree = [[Malarbor]]
 +
}}
  
==History ==
+
[[Image:Shireroth global.png|thumb|right]]
The Republic of Shireroth was founded on April 24, 2000, by [[Erik Metzler]]. In its original incarnation, it was a direct democracy, but this lasted only a few weeks before the country was absorbed into first [[Audentior]], then [[Jasonia]], and finally the [[Union of Apollo States]].
 
After the last of these broke apart, Shireroth reasserted its independence. Erik Metzler, once again in charge, changed the government to an absolute monarchy under a [[Kaiser]], and created a small feudal system with two Duchies, [[Brookshire]] and [[Goldshire]].
 
  
Shireroth soon became much more important than its youth would indicate as [[Patrick Foley]] chose to bequeath the remnants of the UAS to it as the [[Duchy of Kildare]]. With a number of military-oriented types like [[Daniel K]] and [[Greg Russell]], Shireroth even menaced the largest power of the time, the [[Flying Islands of Jasonia]]. However, due to real life issues, [[Kaiser Metzler I]] disappeared for a while, and Shireroth disappeared with it.
+
'''The Imperial Republic of Shireroth''', or simply '''Shireroth''' ([[Istvanistani]]: ['ʃaɪɻ.ɻɑθ]; [[Elw language|Elw]]: ''Xiroo''); is a Federal Commonwealth founded in bN 1214 by [[Kaiser Raynor I]] as an absolutist feudal monarchy. It is particularly old. Over the years the nation has fluctuated wildly in wealth and territorial extent, but it has endured in large part because of its core territories in eastern [[Benacia]]. The Imperial Republic remained essentially feudal in nature throughout the entirety of its existence, which its supporters claim has allowed it to survive all these centuries. Following a brief period of Elwynnese independence, and the more enduring loss of [[Kildare]], the core duchies of Shireroth morphed into Imperial States with a high degree of autonomy and constitutional protection. However, in spite of increased devolution, the franchise remains restricted to the ranks of the nobility. The Imperial Republic is a culturally diverse empire, its sprawling domains, which cover two thirds of Benacia, contributing to a vast array of people and traditions.  
When Erik returned, he pulled the newly revived Shireroth into the [[Benacian Commonwealth]] with [[Hyperborea]] and [[Machiavellia]]. This soon led to the merge that became the [[Hegemony of Alexandros]] and later [[Tymaria]], tying up Shireroth in larger nations until 2002.
 
  
When Shireroth reappeared after the Tymarian secessions of July 2002, it had managed to gobble up several smaller Tymarian states and gained the territories of [[Hyperborea]], [[Yardistan]], [[Jaris]], and [[Akerbjorn]], among many others. The feudal system expanded vastly to include a new level, Baron, and the [[Landsraad]] became a major organ of government.
 
  
Over the next two and a half years, Shireroth managed to dispel its image as being less serious and take its place alongside [[Babkha]] and [[Attera]] as one of the world's leading micronations. Through a series of diplomatic victories like the [[Mango-Camel Pact]] with Babkha, it gained a strong position in the international community despite a continued isolationist bent when nothing is going on that directly affects it. It also continued gaining citizens and territory, so much that the [[MCS]] has a rule that Shireroth can never gain any more land.
+
== History ==
  
== The Government ==
+
See also [[History of Shireroth]]
Shireroth is, for all intents and purposes, a feudal nation with a supreme ruler.
 
  
===The Kaiser===
+
Heretical pseudo-history removed for re-evaluation.
The [[Kaiser of Shireroth]] is the absolute monarch of the country, whose word is law. Traditionally, the Kaiser has issued his edicts in the form of Imperial Decrees, though there are also Imperial Proclamations that voice opinions but without the force of law. The Kaiser has the ability to appoint Nobles and Ministers, and his power is only limited by the Imperial Charter -which he can edit at any time with the consent of the [[Prætor]].
+
 
 +
==Government==
 +
[[File:Fishian Feudalism.png|thumb|left|The Fishian Feudalism government model.]]
 +
===Kaiser===
 +
<del>Shireroth is ruled by a [[Kaiser]], an absolute monarch technically bound only by a weak charter that ze zirself can change with only slight inconvenience. The Kaiser rules by decree, and zir word supersedes all other law and institutions. However, the Kaiser is effectively bound by a number of traditions, most important of which is that ze can rule only for a maximum of three months before appointing an heir and abdicating gracefully. Any Kaiser who disobeys these traditions or the will of the people is likely to be dethroned in a rebellion.</del>
 +
 
 +
===Imperial Advisory Council & Ministries===
 +
<del>The Kaiser appoints or dismisses at will three Imperial Advisors and approximately six Ministers, each of whom controls one of the country's Ministries. The current ministries of Shireroth are Exterior, Interior, Information, Military Affairs, Immigration and Naturalization, and Trade. A Minister has full power over zir Ministry, limited only by the generally uninterested Kaiser.</del>
  
 
===The Landsraad and Nobles===
 
===The Landsraad and Nobles===
{{update}}
 
  
Historically, the Kaiser has enlisted the aid of a council of [[Nobles]] known as the [[Landsraad]] as a voting legislature. The body exists at the Kaiser's pleasure and he can dissolve or restore it at any time for any reason. Initially the body was a small council composed solely of [[Duke|Dukes]], but it later grew to include [[Baron|Barons]], the class of noble below a Duke, and, with some restrictions, ministers. It has now reverted to a body with only Dukes. The Landsraad is limited in its power and cannot pass laws that violate Imperial Decrees. Laws passed by the Landsraad are amended to the Lawbook, a document which contains all of the laws of the nation except for Imperial and Ducal decrees.
+
<del>All Dukes and some Barons have access and votes to Shireroth's legislature, the Landsraad. Exactly who has how much power there is a hotly debated issue; right now, all Shirerithian citizens may speak and vote, but conservatives occasionally succeed in barring the chamber to all but Dukes. In between the Kaiser, the Ministries, and the traditions, the Landsraad rarely has much to do, but issues of national importance sometimes come before it. The Landsraad is controlled by a Praetor, elected by the populace, who acts as its speaker and enforces the rules of order.</del>
  
Shireroth is divided up into a number of territories known as subdivisions. Each subdivision is ruled over by a noble who has absolute control over the subdivision, provided that he or she does not violate Imperial law and that he or she does not opt to use a non-feudal government within the subdivision. Dukes are the highest level of noble below the Kaiser and they control a teretory in Shireroth known as a duchy. There have been many Duchies in Shireroth, including [[Brookshire]], [[Elwynn]], [[Kildare]], [[Straylight]], [[Yardistan]], [[Goldshire]], [[Hyperborea]], [[Lothlaria]], and [[Arminy]].
+
<del>Historically, the Kaiser has enlisted the aid of a council of [[Nobles]] known as the [[Landsraad]] as a voting legislature. The body exists at the Kaiser's pleasure and he can dissolve or restore it at any time for any reason. Initially the body was a small council composed solely of [[Duke|Dukes]], but it later grew to include [[Baron|Barons]], the class of noble below a Duke, and, with some restrictions, ministers. It has now reverted to a body with only Dukes. The Landsraad is limited in its power and cannot pass laws that violate Imperial Decrees. Laws passed by the Landsraad are amended to the Lawbook, a document which contains all of the laws of the nation except for Imperial and Ducal decrees.</del>
  
Brookshire and Goldshire were the original Duchies; the others are formed from other nations which chose to join with Shireroth or were created from other land that Shireroth controlled. Duchies may be divided up further into [[Barony|Baronies]] under a [[Baron]], and those Baronies may be divided up further into [[County|Counties]], under a [[Count]]. Dukes and Barons are officially recognized as legitimate nobles by the Imperial Government; however, Counts are not.
+
<del>Shireroth is divided up into a number of territories known as subdivisions. Each subdivision is ruled over by a noble who has absolute control over the subdivision, provided that he or she does not violate Imperial law and that he or she does not opt to use a non-feudal government within the subdivision. Dukes are the highest level of noble below the Kaiser and they control a teretory in Shireroth known as a duchy. There have been many Duchies in Shireroth, including [[Brookshire]], [[Elwynn]], [[Kildare]], [[Straylight]], [[Yardistan]], [[Goldshire]], [[Hyperborea]], [[Lothlaria]], and [[Arminy]].</del>
  
===Ministers===
+
<del>Brookshire and Goldshire were the original Duchies; the others are formed from other nations which chose to join with Shireroth or were created from other land that Shireroth controlled. Duchies may be divided up further into [[Barony|Baronies]] under a [[Baron]], and those Baronies may be divided up further into [[County|Counties]], under a [[Count]]. Dukes and Barons are officially recognized as legitimate nobles by the Imperial Government; however, Counts are not.</del>
The Kaiser gives menial tasks and other executive duties to his assistants, known as Ministers. They perform many tasks that the Kaiser could not be bothered with or which he does not have the specific knowledge to effect.
 
  
 
===The Imperial Judex===
 
===The Imperial Judex===
 
The [[Imperial Judex]] serves as the Judicial system for Shireoth. It allows citizens to address grievances either amongst each other or with the laws. Cases are judged by the [[Arbiter]]. There is no jury.
 
The [[Imperial Judex]] serves as the Judicial system for Shireoth. It allows citizens to address grievances either amongst each other or with the laws. Cases are judged by the [[Arbiter]]. There is no jury.
  
== Culture ==
+
===Imperial Judex===
Shireroth is a recreational micronation, and although it claims Sonoma County, California, where most of the population once resided, it is not seriously secessionist. The [[Yardistani Annexation Corps]], however, can and does annex anything that strikes its fancy.
+
Constitutional crises, as well as the occasional criminal trial, get referred to Shireroth's sole court, the Judex. The Arbiter of the Judex is charged with interpreting the Charter, the Lawbooks, and the Imperial Decrees. However, the Kaiser outranks the Arbiter and can fire zir or use imperial decrees to avoid the effects of zir decision. The only case in which the Arbiter has power beyond the Kaiser's is that both Kaiser and Arbiter must mutually agree on any changes to Shireroth's Charter.
 +
 
 +
 
 +
==Foreign Affairs==
 +
Shireroth is unusually isolationist for a micronation, but nevertheless has several productive foreign relationships. It even joined the [[Bastion Union]], a forum sharing project between several nations.
 +
 
 +
Shireroth is frequently accused of believing their country is better than everyone else, to which the most traditionally Shirerithian response is "But we ARE better than everyone else, aren't we?" The nation's attitude to foreign relations has been compared, not unfairly, to that of Imperial China.
 +
 
 +
 
 +
===Small Commonwealth===
 +
Shireroth is the founder and host of the Small Commonwealth, an organization that allows nations to sign specific treaties of operation. Though some denounce the Commonwealth as a YAMO, it had some real successes - for example, unifying the economy of most members and creating an international criminal court. Current Small Commonwealth members are Shireroth, [[Batavia]], [[Ashkenatza]], [[Natopia]], [[Nelaga]], [[Gralus]], [[Nederlanden]], and [[Stormark]]. Some enemies of the Commonwealth, especially [[Antica]], accuse members of being Shirerithian puppet states or the Commonwealth of being committed to Shirerithian domination. The Commonwealth itself loudly denies these allegations.
 +
 
 +
 
 +
===Micronational Cartography Society===
 +
Shireroth is the founding member of the Micronational Cartography Society (MCS), which links thirty six nations, mostly English-speaking but also Dutch and Polish, together on a single map. Shireroth is a strong partisan of the Society and fiercely defended it during its conflicts with other cartography societies like the [[Geographical Standards Organization]]. Some accused Shireroth of dominating the society, which was once plausible when most of its top positions were held by Shirerithians. However, today only one of five MCS Council Members is Shirerithian, and most nations have stopped complaining about Shirerithian influence even though it holds much more Micras territory than any other country.
 +
 
 +
 
 +
===Past annexations===
 +
In the past, Shireroth frequently entered into agreements to annex other countries. For many struggling nations, Shirerithian annexation was attractive both because Shireroth had a good track record of surviving and because its feudal system made it easy for countries that joined it to keep their own land. During its history, Shireroth has directly annexed [[Apollonia]], [[Cimmeria]], [[Hyperborea]], [[Jaris]], [[Akerbjorn]], [[South Mondesia]], [[Cognito]], [[Lac Glacei]], [[Arminy]], [[Antica]] (dinarchy), [[Comstokia]], and [[Hurmu]] (among others).
 +
 
 +
 
 +
===Babkha===
 +
Shireroth had a very long history of interaction with Babkha, culminating in the Mango-Camel Pact of 2003 which allied the two countries. After a falling-out, Babkha and subsequently the [[Grand Commonwealth]] it created became Shireroth's chief rival. This enmity lessened when popular Babkhan [[Hesam Jahandar]] won the throne of Shireroth, but flared up again with the revelation that he was under the control of Babkhan interests. Though the line "May we slay all treacherous Babkhans" was added to an unofficial version of the Shireroth anthem, after Babkha closed shop as a micronation Shireroth mostly agreed to let bygones be bygones. Recently, Babkhan-Shirerithian relations received a boost when former Babkhan [[Ardashir Osmani]] attained the throne of Shireroth.
 +
 
 +
 
 +
===Antica===
 +
The living micronation with which Shireroth most often interacts is Antica. Shireroth had a very warm relationship with the Dinarchy of Antica, but when it was overthrown by revolutionaries, Shireroth's relationship with its successor state, the Republic of Antica, started off on the wrong foot and has stayed there ever since. Shireroth, which allied with the defeated Dinarchy, fought the Republic for control of Antican territory. Although it won control of the territory, political factors later forced it to give most of it up to the Republic; this incident caused enmity which has persisted ever since. However, with the departures of prominent anti-Shirerithian Anticans [[Olorix]] and [[Steven]], the Antica-Shireroth rivalry has recently turned into more of a friendly competition than bitter hatred, with only a few holdouts like [[Ben Kern]] still causing trouble. Many Anticans, especially [[Chris Mules]], are respected by Shirerithians and welcome in Shirerithian territory, while a few Shirerithians, such as [[Scott Alexander]], head to Antica for their macronational political arguments.
 +
 
 +
 
 +
==Culture==
 +
 
 +
 
 +
 
 +
===Notable Projects and Accomplishments===
 +
====Literature & Art====
 +
Shireroth is the subject of several works of art and literature. Most notably, it gets a mention in [[Harvey Steffke]]'s [[Control of Destiny]] series of computer role-playing games, in which several Shirerithians are prominent characters. A few other Shirerithians are involved in programming projects in one way or another, including [[Jonas Windsor]] (who is working on a game about Shireroth's Duchy of Kildare), Erik Mortis (who wrote the Small Commonwealth Bank), and [[James Raine]], who created the ShireFox modification for Firefox to allow easier access to Shireroth's internet presence.
 +
 
 +
The novel Unaimed Arrow takes place in Shireroth, as do several shorter works of fiction. Notable among these are the Elwynnese story threads pioneered by [[Andrew Allot]] and his friends, the poetry of Philip Locke, and the Lac Glacei and Mirioth story arcs in Yardistan.
 +
 
 +
 
 +
===Religion===
 +
====Cedrism====
 +
Shireroth [[Imperial Cult|state cult]], and de-facto state religion is [[Cedrism]]. Its polytheistic belief system is based around Mors, the God of Death, and his ex-wife Viviantiana, the Goddess of Life. Worship tends to involve sacrificing citrus fruits, mixed with offal and the setting off of explosions, which in turn gave rise to a sub-sect known as the [[Cult of the Sacred Detonation]]. Cedrism also shares some gnostic beliefs like reincarnation and enlightenment.
 +
 
 +
Major Cedrist gods include Anandja, Goddess of Bliss, Lumina, Goddess of Light, Ifni, Goddess of Luck, and Sakat, God of Time. Minor deities such as Mog, God of Political Blunders, and B'caw, God of Spicy Chicken, have historically been tolerated but are now being gradually demoted and expunged under the influence of the [[Holodomatic School]] and its focus on the veneration of the Highest Divinity.
 +
 
 +
One of the more infamous objects of popular veneration, [[Malarbor]], is in fact a demonically possessed tree which has been bound to Shirekeep - the legend has it that so long as Malarbor remains rooted in the soil, Raynor's Keep will continue to stand and the Imperial Republic will never fall. The ancient tree has been the subject of numerous arson attempts over the centuries. Malarbor became, inexplicably, associated with the Imperial Republic's propaganda efforts over many years, and has become the country's unofficial mascot and ambassador of ill-will. Malarbor's catch phrase, insofar as a daemon can have catchphrases, is "MALARBOR DEMANDS IT!"
 +
 
 +
Other features of Cedrism include the Demon (occasionally Deamon) Fish of Balgurd, the archdemon [[Rrakanychan]], and the legendary [[Sword of Vengeance]], symbol of the Kaiser's might (but arguably pilfered by the Babkhans a while back).
 +
 
 +
==Economy==
 +
'''Main Article: [[Economy of Shireroth]]'''
  
The national animal is the mythical, rare Shirerithian Blue Moose, the national fruit is the mango, and the national guard is the sheer ugliness of the forums, topped off by [[Malarbor]], a menacing evil-tree-guy-figure in the background.
+
Shireroth's currency is the [[Erb]], which comes in denominations of 1, 5, 18, 29, and 100.
  
Every Duchy also tends to have its own specific culture. Some duchies, such as Brookshire, seem to have a culutre that strongly resembles the culture of the nation as a whole. Others, such as Hyperborea, have a strong and developed culture that has developed independently of Shireroth. Shireroth is also home to [[Cedrism]] and its more famous sister faith [[Boomism]].
+
Shireroth was a founding member of the defunct [[Small Commonwealth Economy]], and hosted the [[Small Commonwealth Bank]] and SCEX, the [[Small Commonwealth Stock Exchange]].  
  
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The economy is divided between the noble houses, Imperial Government, the Imperial States, and a collection of corporations that operate across numerous sectors.
More extensive histories of Shireroth can be found
 
[http://www.geocities.com/giantsquid1_1999/Histories/Shireroth/history.htm here] and [http://www.geocities.com/giantsquid1_1999/Histories/Shireroth/moreshireroth.htm here].
 
  
==See Also:==
+
The primary interest of the Imperial Republic is in extracting revenue from the Imperial Dominions by both direct and indirect taxation overseen by the [[Office of Bounties and Factorage]] as well as voluntary contributions levied from the autonomous Imperial States of [[Elwynn]], [[Goldshire]], [[Kezan]], and [[Malarboria]].
[[History of Shireroth]]
 
  
 
==Links==
 
==Links==
[http://p211.ezboard.com/bshireroth Discussion Boards]
+
*[http://shireroth.org/forum/index.php Old Forums]
[http://www.shireroth.org Website]
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*[http://www.bastionunion.org/forum/viewforum.php?f=14 Current Forums]
 +
*[http://www.shireroth.org/ Website]
  
[[Category: Nations]] [[category:Shireroth]]
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[[category:Nations]]
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[[category:Shireroth]]
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[[category:Small Commonwealth]]

Latest revision as of 03:21, 25 July 2018

Imperial Republic of Shireroth

New flag Shireroth.png

Shire coa.png

Shireroth sumus. Tempus in parte nostrum est
The Benacian Beast
Capital Shirekeep
Largest city Shirekeep, Ardashirshahr, Musica, Brookshire Hamlet
Official language(s) Præta Sxiróþes (official), Istvanistani (administrative), Elw (tolerated)
Demonym Shirerithian, Shirithian
 - Adjective Shirerithian, Shirithian
Government Neo-Feudal Commonwealth
(Presently ruled as an Oligarchic Federation)
 - Kaiser of Shireroth Kaiser Ayreon IV
 - Steward of Shireroth Liv Dravot
 - Legislature Landsraad
Establishment bN 1214 (First Era)
1443 (Third Era)
 -Ranked 1st
Area NA
 - Ranked 1st
Population Citizens: 29[1]
Subjects: 684,444,256[2]
 - Active 8-10
 - Ranked NA
Currency Erb (€)
Abbreviation SXI
National website ShireWiki
National forum Shirithian Forum
National animal Blue Moose
National food Mango
National drink The Benacian Twist
National tree Malarbor
Shireroth global.png

The Imperial Republic of Shireroth, or simply Shireroth (Istvanistani: ['ʃaɪɻ.ɻɑθ]; Elw: Xiroo); is a Federal Commonwealth founded in bN 1214 by Kaiser Raynor I as an absolutist feudal monarchy. It is particularly old. Over the years the nation has fluctuated wildly in wealth and territorial extent, but it has endured in large part because of its core territories in eastern Benacia. The Imperial Republic remained essentially feudal in nature throughout the entirety of its existence, which its supporters claim has allowed it to survive all these centuries. Following a brief period of Elwynnese independence, and the more enduring loss of Kildare, the core duchies of Shireroth morphed into Imperial States with a high degree of autonomy and constitutional protection. However, in spite of increased devolution, the franchise remains restricted to the ranks of the nobility. The Imperial Republic is a culturally diverse empire, its sprawling domains, which cover two thirds of Benacia, contributing to a vast array of people and traditions.


History

See also History of Shireroth

Heretical pseudo-history removed for re-evaluation.

Government

File:Fishian Feudalism.png
The Fishian Feudalism government model.

Kaiser

Shireroth is ruled by a Kaiser, an absolute monarch technically bound only by a weak charter that ze zirself can change with only slight inconvenience. The Kaiser rules by decree, and zir word supersedes all other law and institutions. However, the Kaiser is effectively bound by a number of traditions, most important of which is that ze can rule only for a maximum of three months before appointing an heir and abdicating gracefully. Any Kaiser who disobeys these traditions or the will of the people is likely to be dethroned in a rebellion.

Imperial Advisory Council & Ministries

The Kaiser appoints or dismisses at will three Imperial Advisors and approximately six Ministers, each of whom controls one of the country's Ministries. The current ministries of Shireroth are Exterior, Interior, Information, Military Affairs, Immigration and Naturalization, and Trade. A Minister has full power over zir Ministry, limited only by the generally uninterested Kaiser.

The Landsraad and Nobles

All Dukes and some Barons have access and votes to Shireroth's legislature, the Landsraad. Exactly who has how much power there is a hotly debated issue; right now, all Shirerithian citizens may speak and vote, but conservatives occasionally succeed in barring the chamber to all but Dukes. In between the Kaiser, the Ministries, and the traditions, the Landsraad rarely has much to do, but issues of national importance sometimes come before it. The Landsraad is controlled by a Praetor, elected by the populace, who acts as its speaker and enforces the rules of order.

Historically, the Kaiser has enlisted the aid of a council of Nobles known as the Landsraad as a voting legislature. The body exists at the Kaiser's pleasure and he can dissolve or restore it at any time for any reason. Initially the body was a small council composed solely of Dukes, but it later grew to include Barons, the class of noble below a Duke, and, with some restrictions, ministers. It has now reverted to a body with only Dukes. The Landsraad is limited in its power and cannot pass laws that violate Imperial Decrees. Laws passed by the Landsraad are amended to the Lawbook, a document which contains all of the laws of the nation except for Imperial and Ducal decrees.

Shireroth is divided up into a number of territories known as subdivisions. Each subdivision is ruled over by a noble who has absolute control over the subdivision, provided that he or she does not violate Imperial law and that he or she does not opt to use a non-feudal government within the subdivision. Dukes are the highest level of noble below the Kaiser and they control a teretory in Shireroth known as a duchy. There have been many Duchies in Shireroth, including Brookshire, Elwynn, Kildare, Straylight, Yardistan, Goldshire, Hyperborea, Lothlaria, and Arminy.

Brookshire and Goldshire were the original Duchies; the others are formed from other nations which chose to join with Shireroth or were created from other land that Shireroth controlled. Duchies may be divided up further into Baronies under a Baron, and those Baronies may be divided up further into Counties, under a Count. Dukes and Barons are officially recognized as legitimate nobles by the Imperial Government; however, Counts are not.

The Imperial Judex

The Imperial Judex serves as the Judicial system for Shireoth. It allows citizens to address grievances either amongst each other or with the laws. Cases are judged by the Arbiter. There is no jury.

Imperial Judex

Constitutional crises, as well as the occasional criminal trial, get referred to Shireroth's sole court, the Judex. The Arbiter of the Judex is charged with interpreting the Charter, the Lawbooks, and the Imperial Decrees. However, the Kaiser outranks the Arbiter and can fire zir or use imperial decrees to avoid the effects of zir decision. The only case in which the Arbiter has power beyond the Kaiser's is that both Kaiser and Arbiter must mutually agree on any changes to Shireroth's Charter.


Foreign Affairs

Shireroth is unusually isolationist for a micronation, but nevertheless has several productive foreign relationships. It even joined the Bastion Union, a forum sharing project between several nations.

Shireroth is frequently accused of believing their country is better than everyone else, to which the most traditionally Shirerithian response is "But we ARE better than everyone else, aren't we?" The nation's attitude to foreign relations has been compared, not unfairly, to that of Imperial China.


Small Commonwealth

Shireroth is the founder and host of the Small Commonwealth, an organization that allows nations to sign specific treaties of operation. Though some denounce the Commonwealth as a YAMO, it had some real successes - for example, unifying the economy of most members and creating an international criminal court. Current Small Commonwealth members are Shireroth, Batavia, Ashkenatza, Natopia, Nelaga, Gralus, Nederlanden, and Stormark. Some enemies of the Commonwealth, especially Antica, accuse members of being Shirerithian puppet states or the Commonwealth of being committed to Shirerithian domination. The Commonwealth itself loudly denies these allegations.


Micronational Cartography Society

Shireroth is the founding member of the Micronational Cartography Society (MCS), which links thirty six nations, mostly English-speaking but also Dutch and Polish, together on a single map. Shireroth is a strong partisan of the Society and fiercely defended it during its conflicts with other cartography societies like the Geographical Standards Organization. Some accused Shireroth of dominating the society, which was once plausible when most of its top positions were held by Shirerithians. However, today only one of five MCS Council Members is Shirerithian, and most nations have stopped complaining about Shirerithian influence even though it holds much more Micras territory than any other country.


Past annexations

In the past, Shireroth frequently entered into agreements to annex other countries. For many struggling nations, Shirerithian annexation was attractive both because Shireroth had a good track record of surviving and because its feudal system made it easy for countries that joined it to keep their own land. During its history, Shireroth has directly annexed Apollonia, Cimmeria, Hyperborea, Jaris, Akerbjorn, South Mondesia, Cognito, Lac Glacei, Arminy, Antica (dinarchy), Comstokia, and Hurmu (among others).


Babkha

Shireroth had a very long history of interaction with Babkha, culminating in the Mango-Camel Pact of 2003 which allied the two countries. After a falling-out, Babkha and subsequently the Grand Commonwealth it created became Shireroth's chief rival. This enmity lessened when popular Babkhan Hesam Jahandar won the throne of Shireroth, but flared up again with the revelation that he was under the control of Babkhan interests. Though the line "May we slay all treacherous Babkhans" was added to an unofficial version of the Shireroth anthem, after Babkha closed shop as a micronation Shireroth mostly agreed to let bygones be bygones. Recently, Babkhan-Shirerithian relations received a boost when former Babkhan Ardashir Osmani attained the throne of Shireroth.


Antica

The living micronation with which Shireroth most often interacts is Antica. Shireroth had a very warm relationship with the Dinarchy of Antica, but when it was overthrown by revolutionaries, Shireroth's relationship with its successor state, the Republic of Antica, started off on the wrong foot and has stayed there ever since. Shireroth, which allied with the defeated Dinarchy, fought the Republic for control of Antican territory. Although it won control of the territory, political factors later forced it to give most of it up to the Republic; this incident caused enmity which has persisted ever since. However, with the departures of prominent anti-Shirerithian Anticans Olorix and Steven, the Antica-Shireroth rivalry has recently turned into more of a friendly competition than bitter hatred, with only a few holdouts like Ben Kern still causing trouble. Many Anticans, especially Chris Mules, are respected by Shirerithians and welcome in Shirerithian territory, while a few Shirerithians, such as Scott Alexander, head to Antica for their macronational political arguments.


Culture

Notable Projects and Accomplishments

Literature & Art

Shireroth is the subject of several works of art and literature. Most notably, it gets a mention in Harvey Steffke's Control of Destiny series of computer role-playing games, in which several Shirerithians are prominent characters. A few other Shirerithians are involved in programming projects in one way or another, including Jonas Windsor (who is working on a game about Shireroth's Duchy of Kildare), Erik Mortis (who wrote the Small Commonwealth Bank), and James Raine, who created the ShireFox modification for Firefox to allow easier access to Shireroth's internet presence.

The novel Unaimed Arrow takes place in Shireroth, as do several shorter works of fiction. Notable among these are the Elwynnese story threads pioneered by Andrew Allot and his friends, the poetry of Philip Locke, and the Lac Glacei and Mirioth story arcs in Yardistan.


Religion

Cedrism

Shireroth state cult, and de-facto state religion is Cedrism. Its polytheistic belief system is based around Mors, the God of Death, and his ex-wife Viviantiana, the Goddess of Life. Worship tends to involve sacrificing citrus fruits, mixed with offal and the setting off of explosions, which in turn gave rise to a sub-sect known as the Cult of the Sacred Detonation. Cedrism also shares some gnostic beliefs like reincarnation and enlightenment.

Major Cedrist gods include Anandja, Goddess of Bliss, Lumina, Goddess of Light, Ifni, Goddess of Luck, and Sakat, God of Time. Minor deities such as Mog, God of Political Blunders, and B'caw, God of Spicy Chicken, have historically been tolerated but are now being gradually demoted and expunged under the influence of the Holodomatic School and its focus on the veneration of the Highest Divinity.

One of the more infamous objects of popular veneration, Malarbor, is in fact a demonically possessed tree which has been bound to Shirekeep - the legend has it that so long as Malarbor remains rooted in the soil, Raynor's Keep will continue to stand and the Imperial Republic will never fall. The ancient tree has been the subject of numerous arson attempts over the centuries. Malarbor became, inexplicably, associated with the Imperial Republic's propaganda efforts over many years, and has become the country's unofficial mascot and ambassador of ill-will. Malarbor's catch phrase, insofar as a daemon can have catchphrases, is "MALARBOR DEMANDS IT!"

Other features of Cedrism include the Demon (occasionally Deamon) Fish of Balgurd, the archdemon Rrakanychan, and the legendary Sword of Vengeance, symbol of the Kaiser's might (but arguably pilfered by the Babkhans a while back).

Economy

Main Article: Economy of Shireroth

Shireroth's currency is the Erb, which comes in denominations of 1, 5, 18, 29, and 100.

Shireroth was a founding member of the defunct Small Commonwealth Economy, and hosted the Small Commonwealth Bank and SCEX, the Small Commonwealth Stock Exchange.

The economy is divided between the noble houses, Imperial Government, the Imperial States, and a collection of corporations that operate across numerous sectors.

The primary interest of the Imperial Republic is in extracting revenue from the Imperial Dominions by both direct and indirect taxation overseen by the Office of Bounties and Factorage as well as voluntary contributions levied from the autonomous Imperial States of Elwynn, Goldshire, Kezan, and Malarboria.

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