Republic of Johaulia
The principle city of Corundy and ally of Aurice, Johaulia is the capital of the Republic of Johaulia which extends over the historic core of the ancient Midretassene Empire. This article discusses both the city proper of Johaulia and the Republic which it rules.
The official language of Johaulia is Tassan, descended from ancient Midretassene and is the most commonly spoken in Johaulia and her territory. Ithatian Language, Throvian Language, and Corundian Language are occasionally heard, mainly because these are the dominant neighboring tongues.
Poised above the Great Cataracts of Liluthio, also known as the Liluthionic Falls, Johaulia looks north to the sea and south to Lake Vimala. Johaulia is world-renown for her great towers of reinforced stone and concrete reaching as high as twenty stories. The appearance and maintenance of the city's historic and budding structures is preserved by strict laws.
Government
Johaulia is the seat of government for the Republic of Johaulia. The Meddix, the ruler of the Republic of Johaulia, is appointed by the Senate for a length of office determined by the Cobalt College which consists of the high priests, the cobalt-robed augurs. The exact length of time determined by the priests must be in increments of a year, no less than one year and no greater than seven (Thus a length of one, two, three, four, five, six, or seven years). The Senate consists of the elders appointed by the numerous municipia that constitute the Republic of Johaulia.
Senate of Johaulia
Senators of Johaulia receive their office through inheritance or appointment by the local municipalities of the Republic. Each municipality sends one, two, or three Senators to the Capital to deliberate and vote in the Senate of Johaulia. The number of Senators due each municipality is based on tradition and only the Cobalt College can approve any change, if recommended by the Senate.
The garb of a Senator while convened in the Senate consists of a long-sleeved Dalmatic Robe of red wool, a red or white surcoat with a short cape, and a red cap with a long tail.
The Meddix
The office of Meddix derives from ancient Midretasso. The Meddix serves a term of one, two, three, four, five, six, or seven continuous years, as determined by the Cobalt College. Typically the Cobalt College selects a term of three or five years, but often varies. Only aristocrats, either by birth or disposition of the Johaulian Senate, may become Meddix. Members of the Cobalt College are traditionally ineligible and this precedent has never been broken. The Cobalt College selects the Meddix in Rhiomel and he begins his term immediately the same day.
The Meddix administers the defensive forces of the Republic and appoints the Chief Magistrate of the City of Johaulia. By law the Meddix may not leave the bounds of the Republic without permission of the Senate. The Meddix appoints all generals of the military and determines how funds appropriated for the military and defensive purposes are spent.
The Meddix may be removed from office by decree of the Cobalt College, but only after one full year of service. There is no limit to the number of terms a person may serve as Meddix, but no one may serve two consecutive terms and anyone removed from office through the process of 'Revocation of Rod and Robe' is forever after ineligible to become or serve as Meddix.
Cobalt College
The Augurs of the Cobalt College are nominated by the municipalities and approved or rejected by the College itself. Augurs serve for life and must undergo rigorous study for several years before they can become candidates. Commoners are not barred from the Cobalt College and many famous augurs were common-born. The Augurs enjoy exemption from property taxes and are immune from prosecution by individual members of the Senate.
The Augurs determine the length of term served by the Meddix and can remove him from office anytime after the first full year of his term is served through a long process called 'Revocation of the Rod and Robe.'
The costume of the Augurs of the Cobalt College consists of a great, flowing robe of cobalt silk, with intricate white embroidery, and horned, fabric cap of white with cobalt embroidery.
Candidacy for the Cobalt College
During the last month of each year, just before Summer Solstice which marks the beginning of the new year, the candidates sent forth by the municipalities convene at the Palace of Thagdala in Addinoro. Augurs subject the candidates to rigorous tests of mind and body. Only the best candidates are chosen and some years none are chosen. Candidates must show extraordinary knowledge and understanding of Johaulian religion, including scriptural, literary, constitutional, doctrinal, auspicious, astrological, and hieratic mastery. Candidates must also demonstrate a high degree of bodily well-being, such as physical fitness and endurance of pain, although self-torture is considered immoral.
Quaestor of Locks and Channels
The sacred waters of Lake Vimala and the Great Cataracts of Liluthio require constant engineering and inspection to safeguard their purity and preserve the safety of the lakeside communities, particularly Johaulia and Edineir which are poised on great plateau of Lake Vimala that looks over the waterfalls down to the sea. The Quaestor is directly responsible for the maintenance of the locks and dikes that control the release of water from Lake Vimala down to Lake Amalcumir to the sea.
Municipia
The twenty three Municipia (Municipalities) of Johaulia constitute the local governments. Prophecy foretells that there shall be twenty-four when Estyo Rhe (Free Republic of Rhiony) becomes part of the Republic of Johaulia. In fact, the Estyo Rheans would love to be part of Johaulia for the most part, but Johaulia has refused due to inauspicious astrological signs and political expediencies.
| Precedence | Municipal Name | Seat | Delegation | Other Cities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Johaulia | Capitol | 3 | Edineir |
| 2 | Cetibrymio | Ancient Oracle | 2 | Daspari |
| Addinoro | Temple to Vimal, city of Addan | |||
| Vimaluna | Temple to Vimal | Creluna | ||
| Agdaire | ||||
| Tiruna | ||||
| Thuvoria | ||||
| Askam | ||||
| Thugdabis | ||||
| Grisimbi | ||||
| Byssobia | Speluna | |||
| Medui | ||||
| Throma | ||||
| Pradomena | ||||
| Thibsha | ||||
| Melsuna | ||||
| Gashuka | ||||
| Dhassahune | ||||
| Swadath | ||||
| Lihusha | ||||
| Chasuga | ||||
| Japath | ||||
| Zhasilune |
Taxation
Only nobles and foreigners are required to pay property taxes. Commoners, diplomats, and members of the Cobalt College are exempt from taxes assessed against personal and land property. However, tenants typically must pay a fee or rent to their landlords that makes immunity from property tax in practice irrelevant. Fees for governmental services are not so limited as the property tax. Commoners who own their own property cannot be required to pay property tax to their respective municipality, but can be charged for services rendered to their property or as individuals.
Johaulian Nobility
Nobles only are eligible to become Senators. Numerous other national offices are eligible only to nobles. A noble is one who owns a qualifying amount of land or monetary wealth or has been given the honor of senatorial office as a reward for artistic achievement or military service. The status of noble cannot be directly given to ones heir, but the transmission of wealth means that aristocrats can often bequeath the means to nobility to one or more of their offspring.
Principle Cities
The main cities of the Republic of Johaulia are Addinoro, Thuvoria, Creluna, Tiruna, Askam, Speluna, Byssobia, Vimaluna, Pradomena, Thugdabis, Agdaire, Cetibrymio, Daspari, Gabinosia (Koliat Island), Lioska (Dadaë Island), Throma, and Medui. The Arathracian Sanctuary of Hiobh is also within the territory of the Republic.
Anti-Slavery Laws
Like most states of the Pallathantic, slavery is unlawful and any enslaved person brought by his master into the territory of the Republic is considered forever after free. Serfdom is legally considered the same as slavery and this was a point of contention with Johaulia's powerful neighbor and ally, Aurice, before Grand Duke Stalcast Bijäl emancipated serfs in Throvy by decree.
Artistic and Religious Heritage
Johaulia is also known for its artistic traditions and sacred rites. The parents of budding artists through the Pallathantic will often send their offspring to Johaulia to develop their artistic gifts. Just equally often, youths from families that frown upon artistic pursuits will run away to Johaulia and live among artist colonies.
Religion
The gods and rites of Johaulia stem from the ancient Midretassene religion, including traces of the sacred observances of pre-Quinnian Kalama. Lake Vimala represents the sacred waters of the gods and forms a principal component of the Johaulian religion. Consultation of the auspices and regular sacred rites constitute much of their religious practice.
Oracle of Cetibrymio
The most ancient surviving oracle of Johaulia rests in Cetibrymio by the sea and extends into pre-Isxinthion times and the worship of pre-Isxinthion gods.
International Standing
Johaulia is largely neutral and beholden to the dictates of the Empire of Aurice which it borders. Johaulia does not maintain a large military presence outside of its homeland and has no colonies. Johaulia enjoys good relations with Estyo Rhe, its western neighbor, with whom it shares a common language and religious heritage. Despite her military insignificance, Johaulia enjoys immense prestige as a leader in the arts and for her religious heritage. Pilgrimages to the oracles and temples of Johaulia are frequent. The other states of Corundy are culturally dependent upon Johaulia which was historically the core territory of the ancient Midretassene Empire. Tensions do arise between Johaulia and Tiomaire which is culturally dependent upon the Yophenthean Sun Religion and subject to the rule of the Sunfather of Corundy who reigns in Tiomaire.
The Republic of Johaulia rests in the historic core of the ancient Midretassene Empire and is world-famous for her art and temples.
City of Johaulia
The city of Johaulia enjoys the spectacular views of the Great Cataracts of Liluthio which drain Lake Vimala into Lake Amalcumir and thence to the sea.
Principle Sights
- The Curia
- Temple of the Speakable Gods
- Oracle of the Cobalt College
- Hospice of Pilgrims
- Villa of House Terissara
- Presidio of Locks and Dikes
- Grand Palace of Guilds
- Aviators Palace
- Municipal Skyports
- Basilica of the Arts
- Basilica of
- Hermitage of St. (Name?)
- Dragonrail Station
Chronology of Johaulia
- 2587 Liberation of Johaulia as consequence of the Fifth Geddamin War
See Also
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