Name of Nation: The Sacred Union of the Royal Theocracies of Röðull (S.U.R.T.R.)Banner/Flag:The flag represents the star at the centre of the galaxy, and the four capital worlds of the SURTR: Musdl, Halmr, Kegh, and Njor.
Type of Government: Theocratic RegencyLeader(s): Officially: High Lord Rhöðull (deceased, incumbent)
Functionally: The Royal Regency Council
Persons of Importance:-High Lord Rhöðull
-Prime Councillor Rhodullveita (capital world 1)
-Deputy Prime Councillor Rhodullvard (capital world 1)
-High Rage-Channeler Fen (capital world 3)
-Archpriest Rhomaera (capital world 2)
-President Dyrrboen (capital world 4)
-Secretary of the People's Faith Rhodull-Umbud (world 1)
Species(s) and Demographics:There are four main races in the SURTR, who rule over all of the under-races of the lesser worlds:
-The True: bipedal creatures with thick exoskeletons, and no visual perception
-The Humans: bipedal creatures with fragile, squishy outer layers, highly perceptive
-The False: lanky quadrupeds, with overactive salivary glands and limited communication ability
-The Herfiligr: Small aquatic bipeds, with no sense of smell. Their small, hyperactive lungs make speaking difficult.
Religion Description and Demographics: The official faith of the Union is called "Rhöðulldyarkan", the worship of Rhöðull.
Rhöðull was a sun-worshiping cult leader, who died around the hear 200 IC. Followers of Rhöðull claim him to be their only true ruler, with all others being "false kings". As such, rise of this cult created a great deal of turmoil and rebellion in the later days of the Empire. Over the last couple centuries of the Empire's reign, the faith was greatly subjugated, and was eventually pushed back to a select number of planets near the center of the galaxy.
The main tenents of Rhodulldyarkan are based around the admonishment of authority and pride. Followers are to remind themselves at all times that their life comes from the radiation of the stars, and that they are forever indebted to the stars for this. Worship is a daily practice, involving many verbal chants, as well as various fire rituals.
All members of the Union are required to profess a faith in Rhodull, but it can take a number of forms. As the faith has developed on each planet in the SURTR, it has branched off into a number of sects.
The True of Musdl and Halmr, the first two worlds, uphold the oldest, truest, and most demanding variation of the faith. Worship is an almost constant process, and it is socially encouraged to work praises of Rhodull into day-to-day conversation. This results in long-winded greetings like "
In Rhodull's glorious name, it is good to see you again, thanks be to Rhodull, peace be upon him", and "
By Rhodull's grace, you look well, praise to the High Lord".
The Humans of the SURTR are very devout, and adhere to the commandments without difficulty, although they rarely feel compelled to work Rhodull into regular conversation. They generally uphold the principle that religion is a personal thing, not to be flaunted in public.
The Herfiligr of Njor, the fourth world, are a moderate people, very similar to the Humans. Of all the racial leaders of the SURTR, they are the most casual with their faith. Worldly concerns take the forefront, and the faith is ignored culturally, although still enforced by the government. When legally able to do so, the Herfiliger instead celebrate their own traditions, as their culture is rich with various expressions of art. Of all the races, they are also the most soft-spoken.
The False of Kegh, the third world, are an impulsive, aggressive people. They are highly religious, but their variation of Rhodulldyarkan is the most deviant. The reverence of humility and solar energy are mixed up with traditional war rites and mating rituals. The False were dubbed "false" because of their inability to speak, preventing them from taking part in proper Rhodulldyarkan worship. The False communicate among each other exclusively through body-language, and with other planets through a crude writing system.
Culture: The culture of the Union varies by planet, with the only shared customs being worship of Rhodull, and the proliferation of the languages of both the Humans and the True.
The True essentially have no culture, outside of that which reflects, represents, or serves their religion. What they call "music", are rhythmic religious chants. What they call "art", are countless cathedrals dedicated to Rhodull. What they call "community" is communal prayer.
The Humans observe a mashup of traditional Earth holidays and customs. Of all the races, they are the most culturally diverse.
The False base their customs around food, war, and reproduction. Cultural events feature wrestling tournaments, feasts, and public orgies. Their version of singers are those among them with the most impressive battle-cries.
The Herfiligr have a rich, colourful culture. The giant tile murals of the Herfiligr are famous throughout the galaxy, and are sold for unfathomable prices. Their music is based around filling the air and water with euphonic reverberations, surrounding the listener with pleasant sounds. To this end, they have complex systems of drums, flutes, and acoustic sound amplifiers. The Herfiligr have an old saying, that "A note that doesn't echo five times, is a note wasted".
History:Military: