[quote=@Iluvatar] [hider=The Most Serene Republic of Nova Scotia] [center] [h1]The Most Serene Republic of Nova Scotia[/h1] [img]http://www.aitc.sk.ca/saskschools/canada/flags/nsflag.gif[/img] [hr] [b]Other Names:[/b] Most Serene Republic of Nova Scotia Republic of Nova Scotia Nova Scotia Haligonia Halifax [hr] [b]Demonym:[/b] Haligonian [hr] [b]Government:[/b] Thalassocratic, Mercantile, Semi-parliamentary Republic ([i]a la[/i] Venice). The system of government in Nova Scotia exists as a compromise between monarchy, oligarchy and 'democracy'. The Head of State and of Government is the Doge of Halifax, who is appointed for life (as an elected monarch) by the High Council, an oligarchical body composed of members of the noble families of Halifax, as well as representatives of the influential merchant class. The High Council governs Nova Scotia directly, establishing and upholding the laws made. However, the initial implementation of new legislation is only made legitimate with the consent of the Doge of Halifax. This creates a power balance between the Doge and the Council that promotes cooperation in the Council and restrains the Doge's power - he (there has yet to be a [i]Duchess[/i] of Halifax, as there have been few female members of the Council) cannot push through a law on his own, but must propose the legislation to the Council, have it approved, and then consent to the law in writing. The third, 'democratic' government body is the 'Senate of the Republic', a meeting of various officials from each of the 'Free Cities' - mercantile colonies populated predominantly by Haligonian colonists. Each are self-governing, according to each city's traditions, and Halifax interferes little with their internal affairs. The High Council does not hold authority over their domestic issues. However, the Republic operates on a semi-federal system, thus necessitating a federal body to decide common policies. These primarily consist of economic, military and diplomatic matters. The Senate is not a gathering of equals, however. Each delegation consists of three voting representatives, with the exception of Halifax. The Capital has the right to send a delegation of nine voting representatives, justified (in theory) by the larger relative population of Nova Scotia (which the Halifax delegation supposedly represents). In addition, the Doge has a permanent presence in the Senate by virtue of his position as 'Speaker' of the House. While scholars tell of the former impartiality expected of the position millennia ago, the Doge has no such convention expected of him. The Doge essentially has a veto over all federal laws proposed, and, as Speaker, can direct the debate in the direction that best suits his interests. [hr] [b]Territory and component subdivisions:[/b] [hider=The Most Serene Republic of Nova Scotia] [img]http://s33.postimg.org/fgt159nym/After_the_End.jpg[/img] [/hider] [hider=The Free Cities of the Republic] [img]http://s33.postimg.org/eolv3ejdb/After_the_End_Nova_Scotia.png[/img] [/hider] [hr] [b]Leader(s):[/b] The current Doge of Halifax is Robert II. He is much respected in Nova Scotia itself, and wields great influence in his home Free City. However, his authority is increasingly being challenged in both the High Council and the Senate by politicians dissatisfied with the overrule of the Dogeship. The Chancellor of Providence is Peter Oak. The Doge of Newhaven is Keith Accord The Doge of Elizabeth is Richard Johnson The Duchess of Bar is Lilian Wright The Chancellor of Moncton is Irwin Bishop The Lord Minister of Novaebrunswick is Leonard Craven The Lord Minister of Bermuda is Harold Baker [hr] [b]Culture:[/b] WIP [hr] [b]Demographics:[/b] 86% Haligonian 9% Inuit 5% Other (primarily merchants) [hr] [b]Nation History:[/b] WIP [hr] [b]Description of Economy:[/b] Nova Scotia has a small consumer base, due to its relatively small population size. However, as one of the only major naval powers along the Easter Seaboard of the Amerocanadian continent (as it is known in Haligonia), the city of Halifax has developed excellent methods of naval trade, company types and financial techniques. It has a complete monopoly on the fur and seal trade from northern Amerocanadia by virtue of its strategic position at the southern entrance to the Saintlawrence Gulf, and therefore enjoys a positive trading relationship with other states by virtue of being the almost exclusive source of these amenities. Nova Scotia's economy is almost entirely deregulated. Just two industries; State Naval and State Armaments, are regulated by Haligonian law. However, private corporations are free to invest and trade in armaments, though the military is permitted to commandeer private armament producers during times of emergency. Other than this, a highly capitalistic society based on the exchange of goods and services is prevalent throughout the Republic. This rarely disadvantages the 'lower classes' of Haligonian society as Nova Scotia primarily acts as a 'middle-man' for coastal nations unwilling to invest in large merchant fleets. Halifax itself has little industry, other than Shipbuilding. The knowledge held by the Shipwrights' Guild is closely guarded state secret, aimed at preventing the rise of competition. The Haligonian merchant fleet is entirely in the hands of the large merchant class of Nova Scotia. Even members of the High Council and the Doge himself possess their own cargo fleets - indeed, they are usually elected to their positions due in part to the fact that they are able to finance their own departments themselves, as there is no state-owned merchant navy. There is a great deal of social mobility with regards to commerce - ordinary fishermen have been known to build commercial empires with the right mindset and a bit of luck (or sponsorship!). There are several different types of merchant organisation - some sail with empty ships to foreign ports and purchase wares to transport elsewhere; some are involved with the lucrative seal fur trade; some carry enormous catches of fish hither and thither across the ocean to sell. Some merchants are given diplomat status by the various governments of the Free Cities of the Republic - i.e. they are given sanction to seek trade concessions and beneficial arrangements with foreign states in the name of the Republic (or the constituent units therein). [hr] [b]Description of Military:[/b] The Haligonian Army is relatively small. Each Free City boasts only a small local force, primarily consisting of pikemen, swordsmen and crossbowmen. Longbows are more prevalent in Nova Scotia itself and further north, in Novaebrunswick. Morale is rarely high, but, due to its distance from other major powers, it is perfectly effective as an anti-raid defensive force. The true strength of the Republic lies with its Navy. The Haligonian Fleet is massive, financed both by the central government (as a national force) and private corporations (to protect merchant shipping). In times of war, all private military vessels are expected to turn themselves in for commandeering if requested by the government. The most powerful and important ship class is the Galleas, of which the design is almost unique to Haligonia. Also included in the Fleet are galleys, and even a few primitive galleons, amongst other types. The Haligonian Fleet boasts its own elite, if small, land force, knows as the Shipmarines. These troops are usually professional mercenary soldiers from within the Republic that are hired primarily by private companies. However, in times of tension or open warfare, the central government may demand that the contracts of these mercenary Shipmarines be turned over to the State. Shipmarines are equally effective at sea or on land - they are employed mostly as anti-pirate forces, but have been utilised to defend merchant outposts and land supply routes in the past. The Shipmarine Guild is often subsidised by the Republic, and the profession is deeply respected in Haligonian society. Their primary weakness is lack of numbers, and relative inexperience on land compared to primarily land-based empires. They are 'elite' to Haligonians in that they are better than the standard Haligonian sailor at fighting ashore.[/center] [/hider] [/quote] I like it so far, here is the map. [img]http://i.imgur.com/4QnF1A1.png[/img]