Post by Aersoldorf on Jul 25, 2011 14:01:27 GMT -5
The Theocracy of Aersoldorf
No one knows for sure where the original settlers of Aersoldorf came from. Even their own ancient scrolls only hint that they had fled across the sea to escape the religious persecution that was running rampant during a civil war in their native land. Some legends say that those original refugees were so loathe to mention their former homeland that they struck all reference to it from their writings and forbade the uttering of the country’s name. What is known is that the island they eventually settled on was already home to several indigenous tribes who viewed the newcomers as gods because of the technology that they brought across the sea with them. The earliest scrolls mention that the wanderers embraced the natives and worked hard to maintain good relations with them. Over the course of many centuries, the natives and the settlers intermarried until it became impossible to distinguish one group from the other. The one trait that remained from those early pioneers was an extreme distrust of other nations and so for all practical purposes and intents the people remained avowedly isolationist. The government structure had always been a collection of tribal elders that met to discuss internal matters and was headed by a prophet who was chosen by drawing. In the early 19th century a whaling ship wrecked off the coast and several of the survivors managed to make it to shore. They brought with them stories of the rest of the world that enthralled the populace as well as new weapons that brought fear. A movement among the people began to gain momentum. If Aersoldorf were to continue to exist as a nation, it was argued that she needed to adopt a governmental form that would be more acceptable to the world at large and so in 1854 the prophet Jonas decreed that God had heard their cries and commanded him to anoint Eldrich Avardias to be the first president of the newly formed government. Isolationism still held much sway over many of the older citizens and so in those early years of the presidency, little was done to improve relations with the outside world. One concession that was made was the formation of a fleet that would sail around the world, bringing back whatever news and technology that could be bought or bartered for. The Aersoldorfian Armada was also instructed to offer refuge to any Christians that were being persecuted in other nations. As word spread of the religious freedom offered to those who chose to adhere to the teachings of Christ, Christian refugees from around the world began to flock to the tiny nation and its population exploded. By the year 1900 Aersoldorf boasted a population of 375 million and contained 4 major cities. Shekinah, the capitol in the southeast; New Jerusalem to the west along the coast; Comopolis in the interior along the banks of the Manna river and Pentagolon along the eastern coastline. In 1902 President Avardias passed away and the new Prophet Mikhail anointed Jeremiah Nun to take his place. The discovery of many rich metal ore veins in the mountains of the west led to the creation of an Arms Manufacturing industry and gave the economy a tremendous boost. Civil Wars and religious persecution around the world helped to continue fueling a rapid rise in the population of Aersoldorf and by 1950 the population had increased to 495 million. Also in 1950, President Nun passed away and Socratius Campen was named as his successor. For the next 60 years the people of Aersoldorf continued to spread across their island, building settlements to accommodate the expanding population. During all of this time the government maintained an isolationist attitude and foreign trade and diplomacy were of little import. In 2011, the northern settlements were invaded and conquered by Takaran forces. The Prophet Eleazar proclaimed that the invasion was a sign from God that the people had strayed from the narrow path and urged the people to repent. President Adonijah Jeelz (appointed in 1981) was killed during a campaign to reclaim the northern territories in 2013 and was succeeded by current president Zaphod Beeblebrox. Upon taking office, President Beeblebrox urged the people to fast and pray for forgiveness for a period of 3 days and the people at long last obeyed. After the 3rd day, the President led the army on a successful campaign and liberated all of the northern territories over the course of the next 3 weeks. At the conclusion of hostilities, the President announced that the time had come for Aersoldorfians to prepare to enter the World Community and asked the various tribal elders to formulate a structure for government that would allow diplomatic and trade relations with other nations to begin. This process was rather lengthy due to the fact that for all of her history Aersoldorf had had nothing to do with the outside world apart from taking in refugees and there was much work that needed to be done to prepare. Finally, in February of 2016 it was announced that Aersoldorf was ready to enter the world stage and open her borders for the establishment of embassies. It was also announced that a diplomatic team would be sent to attend the Unification Day Parade sponsored by Kannex in an effort to meet members of other governments and lay the groundwork for improving relations with her neighbors. President Beeblebrox also announced that Aersoldorf would be interested in joining LUSS to help further efforts to ensure peace and prosperity for all, and the nation rejoiced at the news that their application had been approved.
No one knows for sure where the original settlers of Aersoldorf came from. Even their own ancient scrolls only hint that they had fled across the sea to escape the religious persecution that was running rampant during a civil war in their native land. Some legends say that those original refugees were so loathe to mention their former homeland that they struck all reference to it from their writings and forbade the uttering of the country’s name. What is known is that the island they eventually settled on was already home to several indigenous tribes who viewed the newcomers as gods because of the technology that they brought across the sea with them. The earliest scrolls mention that the wanderers embraced the natives and worked hard to maintain good relations with them. Over the course of many centuries, the natives and the settlers intermarried until it became impossible to distinguish one group from the other. The one trait that remained from those early pioneers was an extreme distrust of other nations and so for all practical purposes and intents the people remained avowedly isolationist. The government structure had always been a collection of tribal elders that met to discuss internal matters and was headed by a prophet who was chosen by drawing. In the early 19th century a whaling ship wrecked off the coast and several of the survivors managed to make it to shore. They brought with them stories of the rest of the world that enthralled the populace as well as new weapons that brought fear. A movement among the people began to gain momentum. If Aersoldorf were to continue to exist as a nation, it was argued that she needed to adopt a governmental form that would be more acceptable to the world at large and so in 1854 the prophet Jonas decreed that God had heard their cries and commanded him to anoint Eldrich Avardias to be the first president of the newly formed government. Isolationism still held much sway over many of the older citizens and so in those early years of the presidency, little was done to improve relations with the outside world. One concession that was made was the formation of a fleet that would sail around the world, bringing back whatever news and technology that could be bought or bartered for. The Aersoldorfian Armada was also instructed to offer refuge to any Christians that were being persecuted in other nations. As word spread of the religious freedom offered to those who chose to adhere to the teachings of Christ, Christian refugees from around the world began to flock to the tiny nation and its population exploded. By the year 1900 Aersoldorf boasted a population of 375 million and contained 4 major cities. Shekinah, the capitol in the southeast; New Jerusalem to the west along the coast; Comopolis in the interior along the banks of the Manna river and Pentagolon along the eastern coastline. In 1902 President Avardias passed away and the new Prophet Mikhail anointed Jeremiah Nun to take his place. The discovery of many rich metal ore veins in the mountains of the west led to the creation of an Arms Manufacturing industry and gave the economy a tremendous boost. Civil Wars and religious persecution around the world helped to continue fueling a rapid rise in the population of Aersoldorf and by 1950 the population had increased to 495 million. Also in 1950, President Nun passed away and Socratius Campen was named as his successor. For the next 60 years the people of Aersoldorf continued to spread across their island, building settlements to accommodate the expanding population. During all of this time the government maintained an isolationist attitude and foreign trade and diplomacy were of little import. In 2011, the northern settlements were invaded and conquered by Takaran forces. The Prophet Eleazar proclaimed that the invasion was a sign from God that the people had strayed from the narrow path and urged the people to repent. President Adonijah Jeelz (appointed in 1981) was killed during a campaign to reclaim the northern territories in 2013 and was succeeded by current president Zaphod Beeblebrox. Upon taking office, President Beeblebrox urged the people to fast and pray for forgiveness for a period of 3 days and the people at long last obeyed. After the 3rd day, the President led the army on a successful campaign and liberated all of the northern territories over the course of the next 3 weeks. At the conclusion of hostilities, the President announced that the time had come for Aersoldorfians to prepare to enter the World Community and asked the various tribal elders to formulate a structure for government that would allow diplomatic and trade relations with other nations to begin. This process was rather lengthy due to the fact that for all of her history Aersoldorf had had nothing to do with the outside world apart from taking in refugees and there was much work that needed to be done to prepare. Finally, in February of 2016 it was announced that Aersoldorf was ready to enter the world stage and open her borders for the establishment of embassies. It was also announced that a diplomatic team would be sent to attend the Unification Day Parade sponsored by Kannex in an effort to meet members of other governments and lay the groundwork for improving relations with her neighbors. President Beeblebrox also announced that Aersoldorf would be interested in joining LUSS to help further efforts to ensure peace and prosperity for all, and the nation rejoiced at the news that their application had been approved.