The Glorious Dominate of Beautancus

[Beautancus]

The Glorious Dominate of Beautancus

Short name: Beautancus (Diplomatic Spelling)

Local name: Botankus (Cussian Spelling)

 

Official language(s): Cussian (A Western Iranian language with elements of Greek adapted in)

Other language(s): English, (Koine/Kalupsipolitan) Greek, Tagmatine Greek, Areopatene

Capital: Ttoille

Currency: Labor Credit

National animal: Cussian Lion

Motto: "Let them hate so long as they fear."

National Anthem: ?Psalm of the Blessed Mother?.

 

Government

Head of State: Shahanshah Janus IV, of House Ttoille

Head of Government: President and Regent Eli Myllyharju

Form of Government: Theocratic Empire, of a Totalitarian (Unitary) Nature

Executive Branches: 1, the President as appointed by the Shahanshah to serve until the Shahanshah's good pleasure runs out.

Legislative Branches: No permanent body, Imperial Diets similar to Ecclesiastical Courts are called irregularly by the President at the behest of the Shahanshah when significant issues arise that cannot be solved at the level of the local governor or Provincial Legislature.

 

Society

Ethnicities: Cussian (all-inclusive, no other ethnicity is recognized in Beautancus)

Religions: Zoroastrianism, Nestorian Christianity, ?zid?, Theravada Buddhism, Mandaeism, Crypto-Judaism

Economy: Beautancus? economy was and is designed to support and facilitate the growth and advancement of the national military machine. As a result Mining, Arms Manufacture, Information Technology Development, and Bio-Technology are the major industries, and non-military career fields. Agriculture has traditionally been the major trade resource in Beautancus? history, but recent booms in population requires that all surplus produce remain within the nation now, to feed the burgeoning masses.

 

Geography and Climate

Highest point: Mt. Ttoille, 17,509 ft.

Lowest point: Hamai Canyon, -3,417 ft.

 

Avg. summer tempurature: 81 degrees Fahrenheit

Avg. winter tempurature: 34 degrees Fahrenheit

 

 

Political Leaders

President: Eli Myllyharju

 

Presidential Cabinet:

Domestic Affairs Minister: Serena Kaphtraunt

Foreign Affairs Minister: Saulot Burghedes

Defense Minister: Protector-General Xerxes Haakon

[Beautancus]

HISTORY

Though most often categorized as a brutal, totalitarian and uncivilized nation by most Her neighbors, Beautancus is in truth all that and much more. The ancient and mysterious Empire that Europa now knows is the product of centuries of isolation and xenophobia mingled with a harsh and rigid martial culture supported by an equally harsh and rigid (realistic) faith.

All said, Beautancus' current incarnation is slightly more progressive than in ages past. Beginning in 1992 after a brief and small-scale civil war and successful coup, the regime fashioned by Janus (the IV) and his Chief-Retainer and current President Eli Myllyharju has reformed many of the obsolete edifices of the Dynamocracy's government/religious establishment, producing a more stable nation. As a result of the very immanent nature of the government in society, the new Emperor's reforms have carried over universally into all corners of Cussian life. The most obvious and drastic changes came with the final abolition of Beautancus' caste system, freeing tens of millions of formerly impoverished and hopeless Cussians to work for the government in massive public works projects (whereas their caste status prohibited this before). With the success of the early public works projects, President Myllyharju created new exploratory commissions for the purpose of developing and expanding Beautancus' staple industries- arms production and mining/mineral refinement. Again, the government put its full weight behind these ventures, which proved to be enormous successes.

The military also began a series of reforms during this period, pulling from the surplus in resources and people-power created by the new regime's sweeping programs. The semi-clerical martial order known as the (Cussian) Immortals had experienced a series of suppressions under the previous (Augustinian) regime, due largely to their unwillingness to sacrifice their Ethical Code in the pursuit of wealth and power, and with Janus' ascension to the Throne, The Immortals experienced a vibrant revival. Quickly reestablishing their primacy within the military, the Immortals set about training a new generation of Cussians in the Art of War.

The great colleges of The Unending Path also turned their resources to the purpose of revolutionizing Beautancus. Whereas before all initiates of the Path were required to study and master the Immortal's martial doctrines and the theology of The Path's holy scriptures, The Sublime Articles, new initiates could also choose to study engineering or medicine, for the purpose of serving as special government advisers in the far-reaching public works projects.

[Beautancus]

An Expanded Introduction to the Current and Recent Affairs of Beautancus

 

Many political-theorists within Beautancus' college system (and those few foreigners with some of the same albeit limited knowledge) have dubbed the sweeping reforms initiated by Emperor Janus IV and President-Regent Eli Myllyharju the Cussian "Cultural Revolution." Nothing comparable in scope or success has ever been attempted in the history of the nation, and many within and without see it as a sign of a growing readiness on the part of Beautancus to finish its drive out of murky isolationism.

 

The previous regime under Janus' older brother, August was characterized by the "typical" Cussian xenophobia and brutal suppression of any hints of foreign culture and modernism. Though August ruled for a relatively short time (1983-1992) the damage done to the nation was considerable. The better part of a generation of children were stripped of the chance of receiving an adequate education (despite the requirement handed down through the Cussian Holy Scriptures that the education of children never be neglected) out of August's fear of foreign cultural incursions. This naturally had a detrimental impact on Beautancus' already struggling industrial sector, and ensured that no truly new innovations- in any field- would occur until well after the Fortunate Events of 1992.

 

Aside from crippling the nation's industry, August also lashed out against the most respected Clerical-Order in Beautancus' history. The Cussian Immortals had provided philosophical insight, physical discipline, and stalwart defense to the Cussian people for time out of mind when in 1989 the Arch-Deacon of the Order came into conflict with August over a simple theological interpretation. Deeming the Arch-Deacon to be a traitor to the Cussian people and The Undending Path, and claiming that such treason had been born with the sole aim of ending the life and rule of August, the steadily worsening Emperor declared an official inquest into and suppression of the Immortal Order. This initial action drew criticism from nearly every corner of The Unending Path's clerical cosmos, excluding only the venomously racists and ultra-nationalistic Dog-Star Guard. When the widespread support for the opposition became apparent, August clamped down on the traditional "liberties" accorded the Clerical Orders, and mandated that all Orders be brought under the direct supervision of the Emperor and his elected agents, namely the Dog-Star Guard.

 

Violence broke out almost immediately, as the Immortals and several other like-minded Orders refused August's mandate. Imperial forces moved on the colleges and cathedrals of the Immortal Order on the evening of March 03, 1989 with the intention of seizing and permanently closing each. Friends from within the military notified the Arch-Deacon long before the "move" began, and those Immortals who had not removed themselves to the Wilderness of Beautancus lay in wait for August's men.

 

OOC: More to come, it's getting time for bed. Start a new job at 6 in the morning, and as much as I'd love to finish this tonight, I am in desperate need of sleep. Until next time...

Edited June 19, 2007 by Beautancus (see edit history)

[Beautancus]

An Expanded Introduction to the Current and Recent Affairs of Beautancus, contd.

 

The largest engagement between August's forces and the Immortals and their allies took place near the legendary Avizeh Cathedral, one of Beautancus' holiest shrines.

 

Most of the the Augustinian Force (excluding only the leadership core, which was derived from the Dog-Star Guard) was comprised of raw recruits from the Imperial Defense Brigades, unprepared for the fierce resistance of the veteran Immortals. Though boasting heavy artillery, and a detachment of tanks the Augustinians took heavy initial losses and were forced to make a hasty retreat. By the 4th of March, the news had spread throughout Beautancus, and for the first time in several hundred years the nation faced a serious division and the threat of civil war.

 

August was quick to clamp down on the flow of information, and the suppressions worsened. Several Orders lost their Imperial recognition, though at this point such a move only strengthened the standing of these Orders in the eyes of the Cussian people. Further large scale military movements were heavily restricted after the failure at Avizeh, and for the remainder of the conflict August would rely heavily on special forces and out-right assassins.

 

OCC: Once again, more to come- gotta run for now.

Edited June 11, 2007 by Beautancus (see edit history)

[Beautancus]

An Expanded Introduction to the Current and Recent Affairs of Beautancus, contd.

 

Aside from waging a war on the rebellious Orders of The Unending Path, August also waged an undeclared war against the opposition's constituency, namely the poorest members of Cussian society, the tens of millions of low-caste serfs that had served the whims of the ancient warrior-aristocracy since time immemorial. Many "philosophers" in the Augustinian Regime and the Dog-Star Guard maintained that a betterment of the condition of these millions would require the adoption of alien political policies, and would constitute a denial of the most ancient and holy Cussian traditions, in turn opening the door to further foreign incursions. Naturally, the Immortals disagreed and pursued a program of underground humanitarian aid, working in secret with agencies from governments across Europa to secure the resources necessary for such a broad program, which included health-care (denied to all but the military and aristocracy), education, and travel. It was these dealings that jump-started the now burgeoning foreign trade market in Beautancus, one that still remains almost completely independent from government regulation.

 

In forcing the Immortals and their allies from their traditional homes August also unwittingly created further difficulty for his cause, by necessitating guerrilla tactics for his enemies. Though unaccustomed to such tactics, the Immortals were more than up to the challenge, and were able to answer every assassination or ambush with the bombing of an government or military facility. In addition the power of massive protest and in extreme cases nation-wide rioting was also made evident, severely weakening the resolve the aristocracy and nobility. By the end of 1990, it seemed that the Cussian people would would no longer accept the rule of such a tyrant, and the stage was nearly set for a change in power. Sensing the coming night, August began to lash out against his enemies more violently, culminating in an attack that killed the Arch-Deacon of the Immortals, and several hundred protesters in one fell swoop.

 

The Arch-Deacon, Kuspodorik XIII, an aging but still powerful soldier-saint chanced an unprecedented public appearance at a rally in the town of Albirsa in rural Kalupsis Province. The rally was aimed to cement the discontent amongst the local farmers in the region, who though accorded some respect by the Augustinian Regime and generally very nationalistic (a cause feverishly espoused by the Regime) were growing very concerned with the escalating martial presence and the growing demand for increased production- which was a near impossibility with the seriously outdated farm equipment available to them. Cutbacks in government benefits (such as health-care) and a sizable Immortal Order following drew a crowd of nearly a hundred thousand, filling tiny Albirsa's fair-ground. Nearly instantly agents of the Regime became aware of Kuspodorik's presence, and the command for a tactical strike was issued. Though quickly becoming obsolete (as no new models had been purchased or designed during August's reign) the Cussian Sky-Guard was still capable of putting a jet in the air quickly enough to strike, and strike it did. Kuspodorik and other high-ranking Immortals were slain in the bombing, along with the leadership core of the Kalupsis Farmer's. Considering the death of Kuspodorik to be far more important than the goodwill of the farmers, the Augustinian Regime tauted the strike a success, naming the hundreds killed as enemies of the state in an official cyclical.

 

The days immediately following the attack are remembered as amongst the bloodiest in national history. The conflict that had been restricted to fighting between the military and the Holy Orders had now broadened to include innocent civilians (if any Cussian could be called such). The public backlash was ferocious, as tens of thousands of veterans, warrior-clerics, and farmers mobilized emboldened by the enormous number of foreign made fire-arms (from a still unspecified foreign trading partner) available at a few hours notice, by way of the incensed Immortal Order.

 

Though many soldiers in the rural Provinces refused any further actions against the general population, enough in the "imperial" Provinces supported the Regime to create a significant confrontation. Fighting in the Dynamocracy's capital, Ttoille was especially bloody, with the combined death-toll reaching 15,000 by the sixth day of hostilities.

 

Perhaps most importantly, Janus- brother and oldest critic of August's regime quietly returned from exile in Stegetefter. The beloved Prince was greeted by a small, but ecstatic crowd at the northern port-city of Mehrrun. Disappearing into the coastal foothills, Janus quickly met with his chief supporter, and closest blood relative aside from August- the Grand-Duke of Kalupsis, retired Marshall of the National Defense Brigades, and second cousin to both Emperor and Prince, Waelfwulf of House Ttoille. With the arrival of Janus, Waelfwulf was able to publicly declare his support of the Immortal's cause- as well as his intention to see Janus established upon the throne.

Edited June 11, 2007 by Beautancus (see edit history)

[Beautancus]

February 17, 1991
Campsite in rural Kalupsis Province

The firelight cast a strange shadow on the craggy features of the Grand-Duke of Kalupsis. Waelfwulf was born of an ancient and proud line, nearly as old as Cussian history, and more than fit to play so grand a role in so Fortunate an Event. It had been no surprise that his declaration of support for the Immortal's Cause and Janus ascent to the throne had been well received throughout most of Kalupsis Province, and in the wilderness reaches of Beautancus Province, but many of the younger nobles from the cities- whom August had courted for years had condemned his actions, and were calling for his ouster...and for the death of the youthful Janus of House Ttoille- and now a rival claimant to the Throne of the Dynamocracy.

Waelfwulf smiled against the weight of it all, and turned from the roaring fire-pit to face the honored assemblage. Nearly all of the commanders of the National Defense Brigades within Kalupsis had thrown their lot in with Waelfwulf, who had always been a just and practical Lord. Likewise, nearly all of the surviving Deacons of the Immortal Order were present, including the most likely candidate for election as the next Arch-Deacon, the dynamic Cyrus Kaphtraunt. It seemed fit to meet in such a fashion, as had the warlords of old.

"Honor to our Fathers and Mothers, Honor to all those who have sought Truth before us." Waelfwulf began with the simplest invocation possible, as he detested pretentiousness.

The murmur that rolled back gave him ascent to continue, "Many thanks for making this trip on such short notice, and at such a bitter hour. I would not be so foolish as to gather us all together lest the cause was desperate. We have committed ourselves to a bloody but righteous course. We must see this finished, and with haste, lest the common people suffer any more than they already have."

Waelfwulf paused before continuing, allowing them all time to offer a silent prayer for the needlessly murdered. "We languished in inaction for too long, with no banner to unite under, save the bloody standard of the mad tyrant in Ttoille- and that was no standard worth claiming. Many of you say that I should have stepped forward, and I still say: to what effect? I am a man of the sword, a man of fire and steel, not a man made to sit on a throne and please the masses with my prettiness. I could bring naught save that which have always had...but this new man, this young man brings the promise of a better tomorrow for us all."Scanning the assemblage's faces quickly, Waelfwulf noted the vigorous nodding of Cyrus Kaphtraunt and his retinue. With his support, it would not be long at all before Janus was securely on the Throne.

"Young, yes- and newly returned to the Cradle of His People- but innocent of his brother's taint, and free from the ignorance that so permeates our land. Janus could offer us the chance to stand shoulder to shoulder with the grand tribes of the world, proud and mighty as in the days of old. Janus would free our people from hunger and fear, inspiring them to forge an industry the likes of which have never been seen. We must but swear ourselves to this cause here and now, as we have to cause of Righteousness, and it shall be so."

The ringing of steel answered him now, as each man present unsheathed their khora-like war-blades, traditional weapon and symbol of the Cussian warrior-way. The firelight flickered off their blades in the night, and silence consumed them all. Waelfwulf nodded solemnly and drew his own blade in turn, holding it to his heart. Tomorrow was here.

[Beautancus]

OOC: Just a quick check, how is everyone liking this? I'm kinda iffy on it myself, but if everyone is enjoying I will continue on. I do have a fall back plan that is slightly more European-Southern American in flavor...But, I'm well into this by now (but not to far) and this contains more elements of my original Beautancus story.

[Beautancus]

An Expanded Introduction to the Current and Recent Affairs of Beautancus, contd.

 

With the conflict escalating into a full-blown civil war, the Augustinian Regime began to waver, and many former Loyalists began to lose their resolve in the face of such an unprecedented onslaught. Casualties were mounting for the Imperial Defense Brigades still loyal to the Emperor, and the failings of their antiquated tactics and armament were becoming painful. The once overwhelming manpower of the Augustinian Regime began to dwindle, as problems with supplying such large numbers became more than the enfeebled Quartermaster Brigades could handle.

 

By April, the forces cobbled together by Grand-Duke Waelfwulf and the commanders of the Kalupsis Brigades (now under the command of the veteran- and openly progressive General Xerxes Haakon) were gaining territory outside of Kalupsis Province, and gaining international attention. Lightning fast raids characterized most of the early gains, but by the end of April the amount of armor and fuel (which remained in supply for both sides) available made sieges possible.

 

The bloodiest engagement of this period of the conflict, and arguably (exact casualties are still unknown) the bloodiest battle involving one of the Holy Orders occurred when a large force made up of the now veteran Farmer's Brigades and the Immortals laid siege to the occupied Avizeh Prefecture, site of the first major engagement between the Immortals and the Augustinian Forces. A series of night-time artillery duels saw the Augustinian forces pushed out of Avizeh town itself and into the hills. At this point the Augustinians dug in around Avizeh Cathedral, in open spite of their attackers. The Immortals' assaults were relentless, and are now the stuff of legend. Three days of bloody trench warfare resulted from both sides unwillingness to give, and perhaps more importantly an unwillingness to damage the symbol of the Cathedral. By the end of the three days, the Immortals had fought- tooth and nail to reclaim their most holy shrine, and had succeeded. This victory proved to be an ideological death-knell for the Augustinian Regime, and set the stage for the endgame.

 

The pace of the conflict slowed slightly after the decisive Immortal victory at Avizeh, and the remaining Augustinian commanders began to delay full confrontations, and in cases where they could- avoided fighting altogether. The summer of 1991 was one of the hottest on record in Beautancus, creating miserable conditions for all in the field, though particularly for the Farmer's Brigades and other hastily constructed militias- who though "well" armed, were ill-equipped with field gear, medical supplies and motorized transportation. Fate dealt harshly with these proud yeoman-soldiers during the later blistering summer months, as the Farmer's Brigade had pushed into a geographic bottleneck, where the vastness of the central Cussian steppe met the rolling foothills of Feizon Province. Natural resources were scant in this terrain, and the farmer's were denied one of the skill-sets that had seen them through the early summer- foraging. The nearest location capable of providing any succor for the Farmer's Brigade was the Keits Valley District, along the border between Feizon and Inner Beautancus. Orders were drafted quickly, and the Farmer's Brigade began the long march to the valley- which was unfortunately one of the few remaining strongholds of the Augustinian Regime.

 

Fighting began as soon as the first scouts crossed into the Keits Valley, blossoming into a three day, two night firefight. Though lacking much in the way of mechanized cavalry, the farmer's were equipped with anti-tank and anti-aircraft infantry devices, allowing them to cope with the most obvious hurdle facing them. Despite their resolve, casualties were steep for the farmers. Nearly 65% of their effective fighting forces were in one way or another claimed as casualties in the battle of Keits Valley, though losses for the Augustinian defenders proved to be much higher, at around 80%, most of which died in action or as a result of their injuries (again, due to a general lack of basic medical supplies). One boon of the battle had been the liberation of several weapons caches and the capture of one fully functional airbase, with half of the compliment of aircraft intact. With an effective springboard into Inner Beautancus in place, the now proudly dubbed Janusite forces began to prepare for an unavoidably bloody campaign in the Imperial heartland.

 

Autumn soon gripped the nation, bringing the Cussian people's holiest season with it- Harvest. It had been centuries since large-scale fighting had carried over more than two consecutive Harvests, and the toll began to tell on all, regardless of faction. Even in proud Ttoille, all the pomp and posturing of the failing Regime couldn't lighten the mood, as nearly all acknowledged that the end of this bloody conflict was quickly approaching. Many of August's remaining advisers gave council in favor of attempts at reconciliation with the Holy Orders and Grand-Duke Waelfwulf, but August wouldn't hear anything of it. Even to the end, the mad Emperor remained defiant and haughty.

 

Nearing the end of November, well-equipped soldiers from the Kalupsis Brigades began the long approach of Ttoille, encountering valiant resistance in every hamlet, at every crossroads. With the capital in range of Kalupsopolitan artillery, (then) Field-Marshall Xerxes Haakon offered the Augustinian Regime a chance for surrender, and a general amnesty for all save the highest echelons of the government and military. The offer was refused, and fighting intensified, complete with massive artillery barrages directed at crippling the transportation systems into and out of the city. Very few actions were taken directly against the city, for fear of unavoidable loss of civilian life that such would bring. A long and protracted siege was on, and showed no signs of lifting by the end of the December, and the Cussian New-Year (Dec. 25) came and went with no change.

 

Growing desperate for an end to the conflict, Waelfwulf and Haakon began to seek alternative means to ensure victory. A plan was hatched involving both the Immortals and the Beau-re-Gard (Special Forces) units of the Kalupsopolitan Brigades. A crack team of black-ops specialists (dubbed "Team Kyralya") was formed with the purpose of liquidating the Emperor in mind. As such, on the morning of January 18, 1992 a diversionary attack began in Ttoille's eastern suburbs, drawing the bulk of the city's defenders. The infiltration of the city went over with no problems, and Team Kyralya made their way to the Imperial Palace with similar ease. Gaining entry into the Palace proved slightly more difficult, and necessitated the team splitting into three squads, two to divert the attention of the Palace Guards, and one to assassinate August and his Advisers. The firefight outside the Palace was grueling, and claimed the lives of all but four team-members (all are honored as national heroes) but provided a large enough window to allow the assassins to complete their task. August was slain in battle in his personal chambers, with the fatal blow delivered in the form of a war-blade to the liver (an honorable death for a Cussian warrior, as the liver is symbolically tied to the fighting prowess) by the Immortal Deacon Yurekt Anuzervam. The news spread like wildfire through the streets of Ttoille and beyond, and a battered, confused, and weary nation ground to a halt to decide its future.

Edited June 19, 2007 by Beautancus (see edit history)

[Beautancus]

NOTES ON THE CURRENT GOVERNMENT

 

THE THRONE

 

The Emperor is the foremost living-symbol and authority within the Dynamocracy, in theory wielding almost unlimited power in all spheres of influence. Beautancus has a long history of absolute (though most often of the enlightened sort) monarchy, and Janus is no exception despite his pseudo-socialistic policies, and plans to introduce a permanent legislative body on the national level. In times past, the Emperor was aided in the responsibilities of governance by a council of able nobles, serving in much the same style that a Presidential cabinet does. Lower level government appointments were normally the responsibility of this council, and promotions were based entirely on the merit of the applicant- or or most often bestowed upon an unsuspecting but qualified Imperial subject.

 

With the advent of the Presidency under Janus, much of this has changed. There is no longer a Throne Council, and much of the more tedious work of governance is handled by the President. Janus spends much of his time with his favorite subject, the formerly low-caste multitudes that saw him established upon the Throne. Janus also has a considerable number more foreign contacts and relations than any previous Cussian Emperor, allowing for much less diplomatic red-tape when dealing with potential trading partners.

 

THE PRESIDENCY

 

The President similarly wields near unlimited power, limited only by the will of the Emperor, and the resources of the nation. Unlike other offices and institutions in Beautancus, the office of President is solely defined by the character and personality of Eli Myllyharju, Janus' Regent and most trust friend. Long ago Eli Myllyharju established himself as the most successful administrator and politician in Janus' household, and since commissioned in this office he has proven himself to be a brilliant orator. The President is now the central authority in Beautancus, relying on Janus only for ceremonial purposes. Adjudication, commerce (international), domestic and foreign policy, legislation, and military action are responsibilities of the President and his Cabinet, who function in similar capacities to their counterparts in other nations. Most of the aforementioned areas are represented in the Cabinet, save for the Judicial System, which is currently under the direct control of the Presidency. Complete reforms are necessary to create uniformity between the Provinces and build a frame-work for a Supreme Court system, and for such a task as this Myllyharju's presence is required to sooth the proud Patriarchs and Matriarchs of Beautancus' outer reaches.

 

The President is also largely unencumbered by the religious trappings of power in Beautancus, easing his tasks slightly, and making him a more easily approachable executive than the Emperor (for both domestic and foreign affairs).

 

THE CABINET

 

The Cabinet, like the Presidency is a new institution in Beautancus, and as such has the fortune of setting its own precedents. Until the last quarter of the previous century, the concept of unified Imperial ministries was frowned upon by the Cussian government(s), belying the intensely competitive nature of Beautancus' brand of Provincial-Tribal planned economy. Now, each Cabinet member, bearing the title Minister (regardless of sex), oversee the final stages of the current Regime's Cultural Revolution. Despite the enormous power these newly commissioned bureaucrats, they have received a remarkable level of support and continued cooperation at all levels of the Dynamocracy's power structure. This has more to do with the high regard the President is held in, and beyond that- the nearly religious devotion that most government officials (and general citizenry) offer to Janus IV, seemingly the redeemer of the Cussian people.

 

The three most important Ministers pursue the government's interests with nearly unlimited people-power and resources, with bases of operation in every corner of Beautancus. The Domestic Affairs Ministry, overseen by Serena Kaphtraunt, sister of the immensely influential Arch-Deacon Cyrus Kaphtraunt of the Immortal Order, is the largest single entity within the government, "employing" tens of millions of citizens in its public works projects. The Foreign Affairs Ministry is much smaller, but wields a similar amount of influence within the nation. Overseen by Saulot Burghedes, a distinguished linguist and charismatic speaker with the total confidence of both Emperor and President. Burghedes was a rare exception for the young Cussian warrior-noble, spending much of his youth abroad, and as such has a much more expansive knowledge of Europa than the majority of Cussians. The last, and potentially the most powerful (and certainly the most revered) ministry, the Defense Ministry is commanded by the now legendary Protector-General Xerxes Haakon, protege of Grand-Duke Waelfwulf of Kalupsis. The central command for all of Beautancus' military forces, the Defense Ministry is the most advanced and secretive of the Ministries (naturally).

 

PROVINCIAL AUTHORITIES

 

The most extensive and well tightly knit of the Dynamocracy's institutions are the Provincial governments, with traditions stretching back hundreds (if not thousands) of years. For most of Beautancus' history, this is the only branch of the government that the average Cussian spared any thought for- as in most cases (most notably Kalupsis and Feizon) the Provincial governments are sprawling all-pervasive entities that intimately tend to the concerns and needs of their citizens. Each Province is guided by a powerful Imperial Representative, traditionally a Grand-Duke. In times past, all the responsibilities of providing for the citizens of a Province fell to the Grand-Duke, from the distribution of food and medical supplies to the provisions and upkeep of the National Defense Brigades assigned to the Province. With the advent of the Presidential system, much of this has changed. Though still responsible for housing and overseeing the affairs of the Brigades, most of the other affairs of the Grand-Dukes have been subverted to the various Cabinet Ministries. This has seen a steady increase in agricultural and industrial production, leading to an increase in the standard of living for all the Provinces- and justifying the new Regime's policies. It would seem that the ultimate place of the Grand-Dukes will be as supreme arbitrators for their Provinces, and as representatives of the will of the Emperor to the Cussian people.

 

THE HOLY ORDERS

 

The most unique of Beautancus' institutions, the Holy Orders represent the hopes and passions of the Cussian people. The Holy Orders boast their own histories and traditions stretching down from time immemorial, and exercise a certain amount of autonomy due to this fact. Most of the major Holy Orders predate the united Cussian state by several hundred years, and are much more deeply entrenched in their home regions than even the Provincial Governments. Though according the Emperor a great deal of honor and respect, most of the Orders continue to operate independently of the government- answering only occasionally to the President or Emperor, so long as their affairs do not blatantly infringe upon the Regime's good pleasure. Currently, the Orders play a much larger role in the nation's affairs than they ever have before, a fact that is jealously guarded by both the Orders and the Governments. The brainchild of Grand-Duke Waelfwulf and President Myllyharju, a secretive plan dubbed simply: "The Tomorrow Protocol" has united the Holy Orders (under the nominal leadership of Arch-Deacon Cyrus Kaphtraunt of the Immortal Order) in an attempt to mold a new collective consciousness for the Cussian people. This includes the slow but steady introduction to Europan culture, and eventually a transition to a partial market-based economy. To this effect, the Holy Orders represent the largest portion of the Cussian Black-Market, called the Shadow Bazaar. Through extensive networks of international allies and contacts, the Orders provide needed goods and services in the regions of Beautancus' that lack an appropriate government presence. This also provides back-doors into place around the region that would be otherwise inaccessible by any Cussian.

 

OOC: Sorry for switching gears and deleting, I just need to start getting this stuff up now that I meet the requirements for a map plot- you know that way I have some basics to work from whenever I start to make IC posts.

Edited June 19, 2007 by Beautancus (see edit history)

[Beautancus]

MILITARY OF THE GLORIOUS DYNAMOCRACY OF BEAUTANCUS

 

National Defense Brigades

 

3rd Farmer's Brigade, Kalupsis Provincial Defense Brigades

 

Overwhelmingly the largest and most prominent of Beautancus' military forces, the National Defense Brigades are the truest manifestation of the Cussian societal ideal. Multitudes of men and women laboring for one purpose- the glory of the Cradle of the Cussian People. The Brigades shoulder much of the burden of the government's massive projects, from policing the formerly lawless wilderness regions, to overseeing (and in some cases contributing engineering and labor for) the government's sprawling public works projects. With the advent of the revolutionary Cussian Standard Arms Template system and direct Imperial control, the Brigades were able to standardize all equipment and vehicles and develop a unified national command and communications system.

 

The National Defense Brigades all now fall under the direction (supremely autocratic rule) of the Defense Ministry, in the person of Protector-General Xerxes Haakon. Beneath Haakon in the chain of command are the last vestiges of the Provincial Brigade system, the Grand-Dukes.

 

Nearly always descended from important Cussian noble or warrior-cleric families, the Grand-Dukes are more figureheads than anything, as nearly all high-level command decisions are made by Protector-General Haakon, and any applied interpretations are made at the level of the Brigadier Generals. Grand-Dukes do still function in a practical capacity and are responsible for the allocation and distribution of hardware supplied by the Imperial government and/or local industrial centers, serve as supreme arbitrators of military law (which includes the constant task of monitoring all channels for corruption or negligence), and the general direction of individual Field-Marshals.

 

Field-Marshals are amongst the most feared and respected personages in all of Beautancus. Though not possessed of the regal dignity of the Grand-Dukes, and not so often seen or encountered as their direct subordinates, the Brigadier Generals, the calculating intelligence and ruthless efficiency of the Field-Marshals are objects of admiration and loathing for the common Brigadier (the common term for an NDB soldier). Field-Marshals oversee regional commands, or a collection or geographically or operationally linked Brigades with a Province. To ensure cohesion amongst such truly massive forces, the Field-Marshals rely on extensive networks of subordinate Intelligence Officers, "civilian" observers and advisers, as well as a number of Immortals (attached to the Brigades as something similar to Chaplains) as a sort of unofficial Military Police, reacting quickly and harshly against any part guilty of dishonorable conduct. Field-Marshals also handle the general disposition of resources allocated at the Provincial level. In theory, Field-Marshals also act as the directors of what were referred to as Crusades (or carefully chose campaign-theaters), and much time is spent planning how this newer, better incarnation of the National Defense Brigades might react, or pursue a conflict in Europa, as such an event would be possible if Beautancus finalizes its plans to enter the international community.

 

The Brigadier Generals function in much the same way that similarly ranking Generals (though the most common equivalent ranks are Lieutenant General, or General). The designation Brigade is slightly misleading, as the average size for a Brigade is much larger, usually of comparable strength and people-power to a Division (though there are a significant number of smaller Brigades that are currently being phased into larger forces). The number of Brigadier Generals sharply increased with the addition of the Janusite Militia Brigades into the already untold legions of Beautancus. This, coupled with the acceptance of modern firepower, and the ready availability of a variety of new forces has created a truly exciting, dangerous, and dynamic period for the hero-commanders of the Brigades.

 

Through intensive modernization programs the Provinces also have an exponentially larger number of mechanized infantry, tanks, and self-propelled artillery to bring to the field than ever before, necessitating new additions to the command structure of field Brigades, including a notable decrease in the number of active Field-Marshals, and an increase in the number of Colonels, and the addition of the Lieutenant Colonel rank.

 

As noted above, the Brigades have a wider variety of forces available to them now, and a new (and untested) system deployment and strike coordination. During the last Cussian war just past five years ago, there were no existing protocols for the rapid transportation of forces by any means (land, sea, or air) other than a extensive highway system that was in varying states of disrepair and reconstruction. A great deal of time has been spent remedying this fact in the past five years, and the next time the need arises to transport a large number of troops and material across the country, it will be done so in a very precise and orderly fashion. Another note of interest, previously unmentioned is the near total lack of special operations forces in the National Defense Brigades. Though at the time of the last Cussian Civil War the Beau-re-Gard was a part of the National Defense Brigade command structure they now operate as a completely independent force, with their own mechanized infantry, artillery, and seaborne vessels, and fighting and transportation aircraft. The Beau-re-Gard does continue to operate under the nominal direction of the Grand-Dukes, and as such train to operate in conjuction with larger Brigadier maneuvers.

 

Cussian Standard Arms Templates

 

The advent of the Standard Arms Templates totally revolutionized the Cussian military machine. Emerging from a chaotic tumult of ignorance and inadequacy at the end of the Civil War, the National Defense Brigades were left with a serious problem: a coalition of para-military forces and citizen's militias had gathered enough modern firepower and tactical experience together to overwhelm a force vastly superior numerically.

 

Amongst the first projects undertaken by the Janusite Regime was a total overhaul of military hardware, basing new models largely upon the improvised weapons designs promulgated by the Immortals, and upon improvised variants of foreign arms smuggled into Beautancus during the conflict. Not only did this provide a unifying focus for areas of the Cussian industrial complex, it served to build a reputation of success for the government amongst Brigadiers, and generated a great deal of faith in their new Brigade system. The true genius of the Standard Arms Template system came with the construction of a sprawling network of regional Arms Manufacturing Facilities, each linked with a specific Regional Command. The Regional Command extends into these facilities, which are under the sole auspice of the Brigades, from the highly skilled and motivated Production-Corporals on the assembly lines, to the Engineer-Colonels that oversee the entire facility. Most of these facilities lie near to the sources of the raw materials vital to such industry- and largest population centers in the country, and as such have become alarmingly monolithic in nature, representing a key symbol of Cussian identity in the modern era.

 

For the first time since its inception, every Cussian Brigadier-Infantryman carried the same rifle, and side-arm, and was protected by the same, and surprisingly improved body-armor. Many of the early templates focussed on these issues, mainly increasing the fighting effectiveness and survivability of the basic Cussian foot-soldier. As larger industries were regularized within the first three quarters of Janusite Regime, larger items quickly became possible, and Immortal and Brigadier engineers went to work at a scalding pace to meet the government's needs.

 

With the variety of harsh environments available to test materials and prototypes, planners were able to push out a number of ruggedized, high-performance, all-purpose vehicles to facilitate the massive transportation requirements for the program. These early vehicles proved the first generation of several templates that remain staples of the Brigades.

 

 

 

OOC: Ok, I think I've come to the end of creative rope for the evening, more to come later. Also, I will be making a seperate post for information and pics of Beautancus' military hardware.

Edited July 1, 2007 by Beautancus (see edit history)

[Beautancus]

MILITARY COMMAND STRUCTURE, AND NOTABLE BATTLE GROUPS

 

National Defense Brigades

 

Name / No. of personnel / No. of subordinate units / Officer in command

Provincial Command / 5,000,000 (avg.) / 5+ Regional Commands / Grand-Duke

Regional Command / 1,000,000 (avg.)/ 4+ Brigades / Field-Marshal

Brigade / 250,000 (avg.) / 4+ Hosts / Brigadier-General

Host / 62,500 (avg.) / 3+ Corps / General

Corps / 20,800 (avg.) / 2+Divisions / Colonel

Division / 10,400 (avg.) / 2+ Regiments / Col./Lt. Colonel

Regiment / 5,200 (avg.) / 4 + Battalions / Major

Battalion / 1300 (avg.) / 3+ Squadrons / Captain

Squadron / 430 (avg.) / 2 + Companies / Senior Lieutenant

Company / 215 (avg.) / 2 + Troops / Lieutenant

Troop / 105 (avg.) / 2 + Sections / Master Sergeant

Section / 50 (avg.) / 2+ Squads / Sergeant

Squad / 25 (avg.) / 2+ Fire-Teams / Corporal

Fire-Team / 10-15 / Senior Brigadier

 

OOC: I'm gonna have to rework this numbers a bit, as the numbers at the very top area little high. Sorry if it pisses anyone off to look at it for right now.

Edited July 17, 2007 by Beautancus (see edit history)

[Beautancus]

Standard Arms Templates

-for use by the Cussian National Defense Brigades, and invested Holy Orders only-

 

Firearms

 

"Akinakes" mk. 3, Cussian service rifle

The Akinakes has been the working design model for the NDB's for four years, and there are no plans to develop a new model for mass applications within the next ten years. Based heavily upon the mk. 2's design, the Akinakes is of a bull-pup configuration, and allows for ambidextrous use. This assault rifle makes use of a smaller cartridge- the 5.56x45 mm round, allowing for increased firepower and decreased strain on resources. The Cussian variant of the 5.56mm round, often referred to as the "NATO" round, is a lightly constructed bullet designed for higher fragmentation at short range, and a longer fragmentation distance. Another 5.56mm variant (adapted from techniques used for much larger rounds), for use primarily by the Beau-re-Gard, features a tungsten core and is designed for maximized penetration and armor piercing.

 

 

Simsil, Immortal Order special purpose rifle

Though primarily dedicated to the education and spiritual nourishment of the Cussian people, The Immortal Order also maintains a tradition of martial prowess and something close to clerical chivalry. Translated into the modern world through the lens of modern Beautancus, this means pursuing an agenda of proactive offensive and defensive actions on behalf of the Cussian people. For this purpose, the Defense Ministry was "contracted" to produce a large number of this Immortal design in bulk, for use strictly by the Immortal Order. "Simsil" translates roughly into "sword" in Old High Cussian, an archaic and contrived language at best. The Simsil is a modular rifle, making use of the larger and more powerful 7.62mm NATO round, though it should be noted that the original Simsil, produced solely by the Immortals was nearly as effective (and possessed a longer range) with a 5.56mm NATO round). Ideally suited for close (urban) combat, and built to suit the Immortal Order's spartanesque lifestyle (thus the Simsil is naturally ruggedized) the Simsil remains a symbol of the martial prowess of the Cussian people.

 

In the picture below, the weapon on the top is the 5.56mm Immortal original, and the bottom is newer, mass produced 7.62mm version.

 

 

Shamshir, field command modular carbine, Foreign Advocacy's service carbine

The Shamshir is a rather new addition to the Cussian military, though a highly prized and much feared one. Related distantly to the same technology that birthed the Kopis machine pistol, this carbine features a number of new, and unique traits. It is a blowback-operated firearm, firing from a closed breech, with both a semi-automatic and automatic firing mode. The Shamshir features an ambidextrous safety selector and cocking handle, along with downward ejection of spent cases. The Shamshir is built in a unique bullpup configuration that places the 50-round translucent magazine above the weapon, parallel to the barrel. This design makes the firearm extremely compact and maneuverable and the translucent magazine makes it easy to quickly check the number of rounds left. The Shamshir is constructed largely out of weight-saving polymers. This carbine also makes use of the low-recoil cartridge used in the Kopis machine pistol, the Cussian armor piercing 5.7x28 mm round. The 5.7x28mm allows for greater burst accuracy. The Shamshir also has a slightly increased effective range, around 350m at aimed semi-auto fire.

 

 

Kefelehzet, Cussian sniper rifle

Translating rather darkly as, "Head-Shot," this high powered rifle more than gives Cussian snipers the means to compete and successfully complete their missions in the modern military arena. As with most militaristic societies, marksmanship is a highly prized trait amongst Cussians of either sex, and if a child displays a keen talent for the gun, a concerted effort will be made on the part of the community to encourage and refine this talent. Snipers are dispersed throughout the armed services, as their abilities might be required anywhere and any time. The highest concentration of snipers are naturally found in the Beau-re-Gard, which possesses some of the most talented gunmen in the world. A large number are also present with the Infantry Brigades, dispersed throughout squadrons to provide vital fire-support. The Kefelehzet itself is a large, powerful sniper rifle with a number of modes of fire. Normally firing the standard 12.7x99mm NATO round, in a 12 round box magazine, the Kefelehzet is a semi-automatic rifle with minimized recoil. This leads to more efficient and lighter reloading mechanism, and with some snipers, this accounts for a slight increase in accuracy and average rate of fire. The effective range of this rifle is 2000m, under optimal firing conditions.

 

 

Yatagan, mk. 3 underslung grenade launcher attachment for Cussian service rifles

The Yatagan is a time-tested and trusted member of the modern Cussian military machine. Starting with the first generation of Standard Arms Templates, the concept of an underslung grenade launcher has been vital to Brigadier infantry tactics. The modern incarnation of the Yatagan can be modified to fit the Akinakes, Simsil, and Shamshir assault rifles, in each configuration featuring a separate pistol grip detachable and side mounted view finder. As in many modern weapon systems including the Yatagan series, extensive use of polymers and high strength aluminium in the mark 3 launcher contributes to its low mass and durability. It is capable of firing almost all 40 x 46 mm rounds, including plastic training rounds, flexible baton rounds, CS gas, and OC (oleoresin capsicum, the same chemical used in pepper spray) gas cartridges, WP/HE (white phosphorus/high explosive) and HE grenades.

 

 

Kopis, mk. 5, field command and combat specialist machine pistol

The Kopis mark 5 is one of the newest additions to the Defense Ministries growing repertoire of advanced personal weapons. Originally designed with the intention maximize the fighting potential of highly trained and highly motivated field commanders, the Kopis was quickly adopted as a means of personal defense for artillery crews, engineers, and air-crews. The Kopis itself is a unique Cussian design, featuring a loading mechanism and magazine at the very rear of the gun itself. The cartridges are loaded in a magazine sideways behind the users thumb. They are spun 90 degrees as the exit the top. The Kopis is a selective fire, straight blowback-operated firearm with semi-automatic and fully automatic firing modes. It is fully ambidextrous, with an ambidextrous fire selector and charging handle. The Kopis fires an armor piercing 5.7x28 mm cartridge that greatly reduces the recoil impulse of the weapon, greatly increasing burst accuracy.

 

 

Kilij mk. 1-b, and mk. 2, portable recoiless anti-tank weapons

The Cussian military has always placed a heavy emphasis on the ability of the average Brigadier infantryman to bring as much firepower as possible to bear against the enemy. Though not available in large numbers during the last Cussian/Haru conflict, the Cussian arms industry has seen to the mass production and widespread distribution of the Kilij, in hopes of stemming the armored tide of the next great Haru advance onto Cussian soil. As with all recoiless weapons, both of the Kilij models currently in service operate on the principle of a "recoilless weapon," meaning that the forward inertia of the projectile is balanced by the mass of propellant gases ejecting out the rear of the barrel. Since the weapon generates almost no recoil, a relatively large projectile can be fired which would otherwise be impossible in a man-portable weapon. Additionally, since the barrel does not have to contend with the extreme pressures found in traditional guns, they have been designed to be very lightweight. The problem of back-blast has been eliminated recently with both Kilij. The new weapons deploy salt-water from the rear when it is fired. This spray captures and dramatically slows down the pressure-wave. The improved weapon allows troops to fire at armoured personnel carriers or tanks without exposing their bodies to enemy fire. The Kilij mk. 1-b makes use of a more conventional and less volatile 84mm rounds, ranging from high-explosive anti-tank rounds to high penetration round. The Yatagan mk. 2 fires a substantially larger round, at 120mm, and designed specifically to counter the most recent advances in tank armor.

 

 

 

Tanks

 

Mammut, Cussian main battle tank

The Mammut is the crowing achievement of the National Defense Brigades and the Standard Arms Template system. Translating into English as "Mammoth," the Cussian main battle tank more than fills the requirements of such name. The Mammut figures heavily into modern Cussian battlefield tactics, and as such, a much higher than normal ratio of resources and personnel are devoted to them than in foreign armies with similar hardware. The Mammut also deviates from the Standard Arms Template principle of basic simplicity, due to its superior armament and armor naturally requiring much finer circuitry and specialized mechanical skills than any other Cussian ground vehicle. The Mammut's main armament is a powerful 125mm rifled cannon, equipped with nearly all modern rounds, with a normal capacity of 50 rounds. One 12.7mm coaxial chain gun is attached slightly to the left on the cupola, providing the tank's commander with a panoramic thermal vision viewfinder, with a normal round capacity of 2500. A slightly smaller 11mm anti-air defense chain-gun is attached near the loader's hatch, with a normal round capacity of 3000. Defensive weapons include a number of grenade launchers (including smoke and chaff grenades for concealment purposes). The thermal image used for all targeting is displayed on both the gunner's and commander's sights and monitors. The gunner has a stabilised Primary Sight using a laser range-finder with a range of 175m to 15km. It is known that the Mammut possesses a targeting system that is at worst, on par with the best in the world, but very few particulars beyond optimal range are known to the international community. The Mammut weighs in at a whopping 70 tonnes, due to the highly secretive armor system utilized by the National Defense Brigades (known to include an advanced anti-NBC system). The Mammut's maximum speed is slightly better than what could be expected from a tank its size, maxing out at around 61-62 km/h. The exact production numbers for the Mammut remain unknown, but it can easily be assumed that there are several hundred models currently in service, with many more potentially waiting to go into active service.

 

 

Aurokz, Cussian secondary battle tank

The Aurokz is directly descended from the Standard Arms Template systems first attempt to design and mass produce a suitable modern tank for the National Defense Brigades. Obviously translating into English as "Aurochs," this tank exhibits a number of decidedly bull-like features. Though in service for nine years, the Aurokz continues to meet the needs of the Cussian military machine, and there are no plans for widespread decommissions within the next three to four years. The Aurokz is considerably smaller than the Mammut, and though it does not boast as formidable a selection of firepower and armor, the Aurokz does compensate through increased speed and maneuverability, and a general decrease in technical knowledge required to service and operate the tanks. The Aurokz was also constructed with less than ideal deployment theaters in mind. There area a number of Aurokz variants in service, configured for all the climates and terrains represented in Beautancus, ranging from the very marshy (the predominant terrain in most of southern and western Beautancus), to the vastness of the Cussian steppe (ideal tank country, when fuel is readily available), to the rugged and semi-mountainous terrain of Beautancus' interior. It is conceivable that the marsh variant would perform nicely in jungle terrain, though a number of outside factors would figure into the overall performance of the Aurokz in that environment. The basic armament for the Aurokz is a smaller, more compact version of the Mammut's (125mm) main cannon- a 120mm turret mounted smooth bore rifled cannon, with a 7.62mm coaxial turret mounted chain gun with panoramic view (fired by the commander), and a slightly more robust 11mm anti-air defense cannon mounted near the loader's hatch. The Aurokz has two laterally mounted grenade launchers with the full range of modern rounds available. The Aurokz does make use of most modern targeting systems, though an unknown fall-back has been incorporated in most units in service. Though more lightly armored than the Mammut, the Aurokz still provides considerable protection for the crew with The Aurokz is much smaller than the Mammut, weighing in at around 54 tonnes. As noted above, the Aurokz is also much faster than the Mammut- with an average maintained speed of 68 km/h. There around 1500 Aurokz battle tanks currently in service with the National Defense Brigades, mostly in the Mountain Districts of Marmak Province and along the River District in Kalupsis Province.

 

Edited August 14, 2007 by Beautancus (see edit history)

[Beautancus]

OOC: Updates for weapons- good ones I should think. Reserved for information on the Inquisition.

[Beautancus]

Cussian Religion

 

Introduction

 

There are several points concerning the nature of Cussian religion that most be addressed before a fruitful study of such can begin. The nominal translation of the Cussian "Au' Auneshur Dekau" into English is generally accepted to be: "The Unending Path." While this is a technically accurate translation, it fails to convey the fullness of the original meaning. The word "path" may also mean life, and usually means both in the context of the Cussian language- and does mean both in the case of this designation. The term, "The Unending Path" was coined by the Immortal Order in the late 1700's to describe the set of philosophical and theological precepts ordained as the official Imperial canon of the Ttoille Dynasty. At this time, the all consuming nationalistic mentality of the Cussian people was in its infancy, barely emerging from tribalism. In order to constantly remind the Cussian tribes of their higher calling, the Immortal decided upon a name that recalled the wholeness of an individuals lives, as connected by one driving goal: perfection. The conceptualization of eternity and immortality are especially significant in Immortal theology, and such language quickly became popular amongst their movement- popular enough to develop into a self designation. Most Cussians use the language "The Unending Path," and "my path/life" interchangeably.

 

That being said, the religious body making up "The Unending Path" includes a number of systems that predate the Ttoille Dynasty's canon by several hundred years, and are nearly unrecognizable as relatives of that relatively recent "denomination." Though the basic eschatology of most of these denominations is the same, there is a great deal of variation in the way of liturgy and theology. For example, with The Unending Path proper (or the Immortal Sect, to be distinguished from the Immortal Order) maintains that there is only God, the creator and sustainer of all things, and that all things exist within God, though God is much more than the sum of the creation. This has allowed a number of popular household gods, and aspects of the other five disregarded Star Gods to slip through into popular ritual as "Emanations" of God, also easing the transition for practitioners of older belief systems into the Immortal Sect. The sect now infamously called "The Empty Heart" is a nihilistic sect focusing on the supposed (but not widely accepted) martial and racial superiority (gained via generations of selective breeding, and constant mental and physical conditioning) of the Cussian warrior-elite. This sect has previously caused a great deal of civil and international strife for the Cussians, and is currently banned by the Imperial Government. Older sects, such as the "Family of Ten-Thousand Thunders" hold to the belief in the Six Star Gods, the classical deities of the Cussian people, with the addition of a number of lesser household or family divinities and three thousand years of accumulated superstitions, with little to no emphasis on the mystical philosophy/theology of the Immortals. There is also a growing tradition of hero and Emperor worship amongst younger members of the military. This is considered by many to be a synthesis of Immortal beliefs (which predominate the military) and Family of Ten-Thousand Thunders traditions, and is only accorded nominal recognition, most usually as a particular form of either of the two aforementioned sects.

 

One of the chief symbols of the Immortal Sect- the Peacock Angel (Melek Taus), itself a face of God as seen through the enlightened mind's eye.

 

The Immortal Sect, or the Unending Path Proper

God View: Highly Interactive Monotheism/Panentheism. The God of The Immortal Sect is referred to as "au' Yil", translated directly as, "the God," or referred to in a passive respectful fashion as "au' Euronekehz" translated directly as, "The Heavens," allowing for a more "inter-denominational" sentiment. In the reckoning of the Immortal Sect, God is experienced through a variety of emanations, as well as through, and most importantly through the unified presence of God held in the heart and mind of each individual.

Spiritual Aim: The Immortal Sect maintains a multi-tiered eschatology. Beginning with at the bottom of the spiritual ladder are those dubbed sinners, or heretics (though this is a term often used to designate enemies of the state) who are consigned to destruction, with no rebirth or form of eternal punishment in reward for a life spent causing chaos or committing evil deeds. The next tier are those who fail to live up to their potential in life without causing an undue amount of chaos, and are reincarnated in an essentially random form, with the chance of progressing towards something more in the next life. The next tier are those who live up to their potential , but still fail to achieve any of the following: the ultimate goal of complete harmony with nature and God, philosophical enlightenment, and martial/physical perfection. It is with this tier that the most unique feature of Immortal theology is found. The entire rationale behind calling themselves Immortals is connected to an honor-bound sin debt that Cussian warriors feel they must continually pay. So that the common people are not unnecessarily burdened with the weight of murder-sins, Cussian warriors (and Immortals) must do the unthinkable, and take lives. For these sins, the Cussian warrior or Immortal is denied the ultimate goal in the cycle of reincarnation, union with God, or entry into Heaven. As such, Immortals reason that they will always be as they are now, since there will always be a need for defense of the people. At the highest tier are those who lead holy and blessed lives, without sin and in a state of worldly perfection. These select few pass on to become one with God, and experience the fullness of all things.

Devotion Required: Constant Devotion: No word, act, deed or thought that isn?t connected with religious belief should ever be tolerated. Religious ceremonies and rituals are held/conducted everyday, though there is a particularly holy day set aside for communal ceremonies (Saturday). There are several religious seasons which require different forms of reverence on the part of the faithful.

Organizational Structure: Rigid hierarchy answerable to a central authority (The Arch-Deacon) with a rather high number of decisions made at intermediate and lower levels. The Arch-Deacon is theoretically answerable to the Emperor, and is in fact answerable to the Grand-Master of the Inquisition, though only members of the Inquisition know this.

Liturgical Formality: "Word of God? is pronounced by widely acclaimed and accepted "Saints" or "Prophets" where rituals are combined with an open teaching policy. Communal rituals are performed only by the Priesthood, while common practitioners are encouraged to pray actively and without ceasing.

Missionary Fervor: Zealous and willing to convert anyone, though particularly Cussians.

 

-Avizeh Cathedral (on the first mesa to the left of the divide), one of the core Cathedrals of the Immortal Order-

 

Members of the Immortal Order, of various ages and including a Deacon (seated)

 

______________________________________________________________________

 

-Ancient carving of the Cussian god of honor, storms, and war and one of the three lower great gods, Nidhehk. From Grand-Duke's Collection in Kalupsis-

 

The Family of Ten-Thousand Thunders

God View: Polytheistic Animism, with elements of classical rationalism. There are only six acknowledged "great gods", arranged in a six-pointed star pantheon. The greatest of the gods, and at the highest point of the star of is "Au' Yil Pandestau" or the God of Everything. This deity is a relatively remote God, seen more as the God of things beyond the material world, being also the Deity that waits for all the worthy dead that are capable of entering into the perfect harmony of the Heavens. The next two gods in the hierarchy are Kehaurnobeg, the god of time and death, and Melek Taus, the god of space (materialistic existence) and sentience/reason. These two gods represent dualistic elements from the past that once dominated a vast portion of Cussian religion. The next three gods are the most commonly worshiped by those belonging to The Family of Ten-Thousand Thunders. The most important of these deities is Nidhehk, a universal lord of warriors. His sister, Insadena is a goddess of mercy and mothers, overseeing the safe birth of Cussian children. The final of these three is a shadowy god of knowledge and mystery- and power, called Semauehl, often turned to by the Great Kings of the past. There are also a host of lesser deities, in some way connected to these six greater gods, but of such a varied and localized nature that it would be imprudent to name even a few.

Spiritual Aim: In respect to the greater gods, reincarnation with a karmic doctrine. One?s level in the next life is based on one?s devotion and/or morality in this one. In respect to the local household divinities, worshipers will be rewarded in this life. Prayers are answered, regardless of their nature.

Devotion Required: Several times per day, as all the greater gods are paid some homage during the day, for some reason or another. The household gods are called upon similarly, though in a variety of fashions.

Organizational Structure: Loose hierarchy with most decisions on a local level. Though the worship of the great gods remains basically uniform, there are slight geographic variations in their worship even. In this respect, The Family of Ten-Thousand Thunders differs greatly from the Immortal Sect.

Liturgical Formality: Rituals are combined with an open teaching policy.

Missionary Fervor: Conversion attempts are highly infrequent, and the main means of spreading the faith is simply relying the Cussian tradition of having large families. After a few centuries of mass conversions to the Immortal Sect, the numbers of conversions has decreased sharply, and for the most part worshipers belonging to The Family of Ten-Thousand Thunders remain loyal to their parents faith.

 

-Illustration of an Altar of Kehaurnobeg, in his aspect of the Hungry Demon, Death.-

 

-Nidhehk, slaying the Great Bull of Kehaurnobeg, from the Grand-Duke's Collection in Kalupsis.-

Edited July 5, 2007 by Beautancus (see edit history)

[Beautancus]

OOC: Added info on religion.

[Beautancus]

Howdy folks. In an effort to add a bit of historical realism, and also to bring Beautancus' culture and language more in line with its Iranian/Persian cultural under and overtones, there will be a few changes coming up in Beautancus, many of which have already come into play. I probably won't be taking the time to go back and edit all of my posts, but if I come across some where it's really important, I will be editing them as I go along.

 

For starters, Beautancus will no longer be known as the "Glorious Dynamocracy." Dynamocracy was a cool word I came up with in my first year of Greek class, but it's not a real world, and it really doesn't reflect my vision of Beautancus that well. As such, the new title of Beautancus will be "The Glorious Dominate," as reflected in the Leopard and the Lion historical thread, and A River Runs Red. More often than not, Beautancus can be referred to as the Cussian Dominate, which is a pretty close translation of the what the official Iranian title "Shahr" would mean.

 

The Emperor of Beautancus is now, and should be hereafter, referred to by his Iranian title, "the Shahanshah," which means "Great King," or "King of Kings."

 

Likewise, the characters formerly referred to as Grand-Dukes (the rulers of the individual Provinces of the Dominate) will now be referred to as "Shahs" reflecting their status as regional Kings, subservient to the Cussian King of Kings. These men are the upper echelon of what is referred to as the "Shahrdaran," which is the uppermost level of Cussian nobility. The Shahrdaran are the center of the nation's industrial complex, providing the necessary capital for such ventures, and also directly overseeing the industries in cases where the military does not (though often, the military leadership and the Shahrdaran are one in the same). Shah Waelfwulf (to use his new, and correct title), and the President Eli Myllyharju are members of this class, as are most of the (note the loss of the "re" before the last name) Rostam/Rostem characters.

 

Beneath the Shahrdaran are the "Vurzurgan", which might be best described as the "Grandees" of the Cussian Dominate. They are the middle rank of the nobility, and often entrusted with sub-regional and district governorships, and make up the majority of the highest ranking bureaucrats in the government of the Dominate.

 

The lowest, but perhaps most commonly encountered level of nobility are the "Azadan," who are in the nature most like European knights of old. Though wholly noble (Azadan means "Men of Noble Birth"), these men most often concern themselves with martial pursuits, preferring to leave industrial and commercial affairs to non-nobles and the Shahrdaran.

 

Keeping all of this in mind, the rights of the common-folk were greatly fortified and increased with the rise of the current Shahanshah, Janus, and his Regent- the President. Whereas before, the status of the lower classes had remained unchanged for almost 1500 years, now the general Cussian populace is free to roam as they see fit, and more importantly to buy as they see fit. Rather than being directly tied to the land (and through the land, the local Lord) Cussians are now only directly subservient to the will of the Shahanshah, who very rarely makes direct commandments.

 

Beautancus is a nation of laws, rather than a nation of sheer brutality and force. That all being said, most Cussians are still fairly conservative culturally. The overwhelming majority (somewhere around 87%) of the population is still vehemently Zoroastrian (one of the gradual changes I've brought into play), while most of the rest are Nestorian Christians. Only a very small percentrage of the population (perhaps around 1-2%, mostly involved in various fringe Socialist or Communist movements)) are atheistic or agnostic, and then only privately. With this in mind, the Priestly Class, of whom the militant Immortals are the best example, hold a tremendous level of influence over the Cussian people- influence that the Cussian people are more than happy to allow them to hold, going so far as to be willing to fight and die for it.

Edited March 22, 2008 by Beautancus (see edit history)