Serujji

The Serujjan Theodarate, also commonly referred to as Serujji, or the Kingdom of Serujji, is a theocratic monarchic state to the south of East Artopa and to the north of Escana, taking the form of a large and sprawling archipelago. Serujji is comprised of Marachia, the Saigo Islands, the Kiloo Isles, Kalal, Fraksos, Ganae, the Yaitio Isles, the Crusoe Islands, the Sajo Isles, Jambalaya, Lapak, Ikalo, Nollop, Falla and Sula. The nation sits within the Dunic ocean, but sits within close proximity to the Escanan Rhoddic ocean. Serujji is one of the largest collections of islands on Mytas, and with it's thick tropical rainforests, it boasts an extraordinary variety in its natural life and habitats. The capital, and largest city, is known as Bastiijin, and sits across the Robinssahn Strait. Serujji has a total area of 42,0886 square kilometres (162,504 square miles), and features one of the largest coastlines on Mytas, and being an exclusively island based nation has no land based borders.

King Besuji VI of The Bastii Dynasty is the current King of Serujji, and has been King since 1931 after the death of his father King Besuji V. Although the country features a bi-cameral legislature featuring the upper house, the House of the Lords, and the lower house the House of the People, these bodies have limited powers. The House of the Lords is made up of 80 seats which are automatically allocated to a specific political faction, and 20 elected seats, where as the House of the People is made up of 100 elected seats, however operates as a primarily advisory body as the King is able to create and veto legislation without their approval. This acts as one of the primary checks on the power of the monarch, however it is understood to be of a severely limited scope, due to the presence of unelected seats within the upper house.

Serujji features one of the most unique foreign policies on Mytas, Serujji is notable for only having advanced relations or trading with fellow Theodaric nations, something that sets it distinctly apart from the rest of the nations around the globe. This policy is believed to be a favourite of King Besuji and the rest of the prominent political elite within the country, who are very devout Theodarics. This has lead to some strained relationships, particularly as Serujji is not within a pre-dominantly Theodaric area, however Serujji has been able to supplement domestic production, with trade with the Theodaric nations of West Artopa. However, interestingly, Serujji did not join the Holy Accord or participate in the Great War generally, and instead remained somewhat isolated from the conflict.

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The House of The Lords
Main Article: The House of The Lords

The House of The Lords is the upper house of the bicameral Royal Council and is a partially elected body. Those within the house are known as "Lords of the Chamber" and serve 10 years terms, with elections occurring every 5 years for the elected positions, and the unelected positions being re-allocated by the relevant bodies every 5 years with a 5 year disparity. The chamber is traditionally made up of 100 Lords, however this is not legally binding and the Monarch is free to increase this at any point. Of these 80 are typically unelected and 20 are usually elected, with the country being split into 20 roughly even constituencies. Out of the 80 unelected seats: 20 are reserved for the Clergy, 20 are reserved for the Serujjan Armed Forces, 20 are reserved for the Labour Unions, and 20 are reserved for the Aristocracy, with the remaining 20 being the elected Lords. This chamber is designed to act as a check against the House of the People and to some extent the Monarch, by ensuring that all of the major groups are politically represented, thus attempting to prevent any political violence. This body acts as a check against legislation pushed through by the lower house, as well as being a major advisory body for the Monarch, and typically helps to formulate financial plans under the direction of the Monarch. In order to be eligible to become a Lord, one must have been a citizen of Serujji since birth, must be aged 40 years old or over, and must have no criminal convictions.

The House of The People
Main Article: The House of The People

The House of The People is the lower house of the bicameral Royal Council and is an entirely elected body. Those within the house are known as "People's Representatives" and serve 4 year terms, with half being elected every 2 years. The chamber is typically made up of 100 representatives elected via a first past the post "winner takes all" election between independent representatives for evenly sized constituencies. Political parties are not permitted within the lower house, however in practice those of similar beliefs and ideologies typically vote in informal blocks however this is typically overlooked and is difficult to prevent. This chamber is able to create legislation to be considered by both the upper house and the Monarch, however this is fairly rare with on average 20 pieces of legislation successfully being passed each year, with most of these being minor or informal changes. However, their power is typically within their local communities, where they typically run local areas, and wherein they wield significant influence, and seek to advance both their region, and their own personal power and wealth. As with the upper house, representatives must have been a citizen of Serujji since birth, however the minimum age is only 35, and criminal convictions are permitted, although no members of the current chamber have been convicted of a criminal offense.

King Besuji VII (T)
Main Article: King Besuji VII

King Besuji VII is the current ruler of Serujji, having inherited the title from his father King Besuji VI, and is a fairly popular king, noted for his devoutness and his mistrust of foreigners and foreign cooperation, it was his choice to ensure that Serujji was not dragged into the Great War, despite the natural alliance that presented itself with the Holy Accord. Besuji is by far the most powerful man in the land, in the de-jure sense, possessing total control over the country's finances, legislation and all three of the branches of government: legislative, executive and judiciary, and possessing substantial individual wealth. He is popular among the middle classes, as well as the more elderly population, especially within the central islands. Although Prince Bakasii is his son, they often frequently conflict, especially over matters of finance and the economy, whereas Beujji and Marshal General Sarav conflict most over foreign policy, although through their shared close friendship with Bishop Kasan, nicknamed the Triumvirate, prevents any conflict between the two from escalating.

Queen Adiratna
Main Article: Queen Adiratna

Queen Adiratna is the current wife of King Besuji VII, current ruler of Serujji, and is the mother of Prince Bakasii, heir to the throne, and is by far the most popular, well loved, and respected individual within the nation of Serujji, possessing enormous political capital, despite her total lack of legal power. Queen Adiratna has a somewhat difficult relationship with her husband King Besuji VII, and often privately clashes with his decisions, however in all aspects remains a loyal and dutiful wife, and continues to provide a united front for the nation. She is a particularly devout Theodaric, and a very close friend of Bishop Kasan of Bastiijin, a childhood mentor of hers. As a young, beautiful, and faithful woman she provides the model for the idealistic Serujjan woman, however her popularity makes her a threat to any political opponents, and any attempt to seize power relies almost entirely on her cooperation.

Prince Bakasii
Main Article: Prince Bakasii

Prince Bakasii is the current heir to the throne of Serujji, son of King Besuji VII and Queen Adiratna, and is a figurehead for the internationalist, free market capitalist ideal within Serujji, frequently bringing him to clash with those around him. However, despite this unpopular viewpoint, he is seen fairly fondly by the nation’s upper class and younger population, however lacks any support amongst the masses. He often comes to blows with his mother, over his lack of apparent faith in Theodarity, and has on numerous times been sighted asleep during services, something that has made him deeply unpopular with the older generations. The Prince has also had many public disagreements with Marshal General Sarav, a staunch supporter of the working classes, and is considered by some to be the “impossible King”, with many predicting his assassination.

Marshal General Sarav (T)
Main Article: Marshal General Sarav

Marshal General Sarav is the Marshal General of the Serujjan Armed Forces in its entirety, and currently commands the entirety of the nation’s forces, as well as being the personal commander of the elite Republican Guard. He is a friend of Queen Adiratna, and is seen as an ally to the royal family. Marshal General Sarav is a large supporter of the labour movements and unions throughout Serujji, as well as having the backing of the Armed Forces, making him arguably the most powerful man in the entire nation, behind perhaps only King Besuji VII himself, someone that he often conflicts with, although usually solely over foreign policy. Marshal General Sarav, is a devout believer of Theodarity, and his piety is second only to Queen Adiratna, however many are unsure as to the genuineness of this faith. Sarav however certainly is the most dangerous man in the nation, stories of black bags and trucks are infamous, however he has never faced any charges, and evidence for these claims are dubious at best, however as a member of the “Triumvirate” it’s difficult to assess the validity of these accusations, however regardless as to how truthful these accusations are, he is certainly a man who is feared as much as he is venerated.

Bishop Kasan of Bastiijin (T)
Main Article: Bishop Kasan of Bastiijin

Bishop Kasan of Bastiijin, is currently the most powerful member of the Clergy, and one of the “Triumvirate” alongside the King and Marshal General, and is a very close personal friend of Queen Adiratna. As an older man, he lacks the ambition of those around him, however he has immense political support as the head of faith within Serujji, and any move within Serujji requires his approval. Kasan is the key figure behind the idea of “Theodaric diplomacy” that is that the nation should only engage in diplomacy with fellow Theodaric nations, however he does believe that the current levels of diplomacy are too low, and supported the possibility of joining the Holy Accord, however was unwilling to risk the loss of his power to achieve the joining of said alliance. Bishop Kasan is believed to possess a vast fortune, and as a member of the "Triumvirate" he is likely one of the wealthiest men within the entire nation, and is known for his links to foreign nations, which many view as making him difficult to trust.