ZB1996 — Roleplayer Guild

Kingdom of Zenovia



Type of Government

Zenovia is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy. Established forty years, under the new type of government the monarch is only a symbolic head of state. The Parliament of Zenovia is the ruling body, and its members are chosen from among the  provinces. There are two houses in parliament. The House of Commons is the branch that governs, and are made up of officials. The other is the House of Lords, which is made up of landed nobles, who are  appointed by the sovereign under the recommendation of the Head of the House of Lords, and are not elected. They can serve as prime minister or cabinet ministers, and although there have been those who have done the latter, none have done the former yet. They do not vote on policy, but can technically veto it, although doing such an act with major legislation would create a constitutional crisis. The number of members of parliament sent is dependent on the population. Each member of parliament is from a district, and each district has its own election to select their member of parliament. The head of government is chosen by a majority vote among the members of parliament, and he is popular known as prime minister. He forms a government by recommending a number of fellow parliamentary members to the sovereign, and the sovereign will then officially appoint them.


His Majesty Mircea II, the King of the Zenovii, in his trademark simple attire


Capital: Ilezabeta City

-Head of State: His Majesty the King of the Zenovii Mircea II (born 1898) since 1934

-Head of Government: The Honorable Nikolas Cinsti (born 1885) since 1935

-Head of the House of Lords: Inclestare Lewin (born 1892) since 1936

-Minister of Foreign Affairs: Lord Boris Perigord, 1st Count of Focregiune (born  1866) since 1925

-Minister of War: Adrian Brasab (born 1886) since in 1935

-Minister of Finance: Lord Alexandru Gheata, 35th Baron of Morte (born 1899) since 1938

-Minister of Law: Lord Dragomir Fierfa, 27th Count of Damizir (born 1888) since 1935

-Minister of the Interior: Sir Vali Radmridreu (born 1882) since 1937

-Leader of the Opposition: Frideric Checescu ( born 1868) since 1935

-Head of the High Court: Lord Mikel Danesti, 11th Duke of Strantivist (born 1870) since 1925

Political Lexicon
Conservative - referring to the now defunct Conservative Party.
conservative - Along with the usual meaning, it often can mean support things at odds with the Liberal establishment.
Liberal - referring to the policy or supporters of representative democracy, as supported in the Liberal Constitution of 1900.
Radical - Referring to the left-wing anti-revolutionary political party, who advocate sweeping yet gradual and democratic changes in society.
Patriot/Patriotic - referring to the political party that supports military build-up and tariffs.
Centrist - referring to the free-market right-wing Liberal political party.

Division of Parliament
His Majesties Government
Zenovii Patriotic Party: 262

The Loyal Opposition
Centrist Democratic Party: 181
Radical Party: 60

List of Prime Ministers since 1900
Boris Perigord		1866 - present	1900		 Conservative Party
Radu Popescu		1837 - 1917	1900 - 1917 	 Liberal Party
Frideric Checescu	1868 - present	1917 - 1919	 Liberal Party
Boris Perigord		1866 - present	1919 - 1925	 Independent
Frideric Checescu	1868 - present	1925 - 1935	 Centrist Democracy Party
Nikolas Cinsti		1885 - present	1935 - present  Zenovii Patriotic Party

Political Parties of Zenovia
The ruling party is the Zenovii Patriotic Party. They stress support of the nation, traditionalism, building a stable economy, and espouses political organism (aka One Nation Toryism), as well as building up to protect again outside threats (i.e. Moravia). The Centrist Democracy Party stresses pragmatism and fewer economic regulations. The Centrist Democracy Party was formed after the Liberals split following the establishment of the Liberal Constitution of 1925, and were far more traditional, and controlled parliament from 1925 to 1935. The Radical Party was founded by the more radical part of the Liberals, who felt the constitution did not go far enough. The radicals support disarmament, establishing relations with the PRK, the disbandment of the House of Lords, the establishment of radical change to industrial regulations, and redistribution of wealth, but not socialism. The fourth largest party is the Zenovii Radical Nationalist Party, which is fascist, and has no representation. The closest it ever got was in the 1933 election, when they were 3 points away from winning a seat. The Zenovii Party of the Left, a united front sort of radical leftist party of socialists, anarchists, and communists, would be the fourth largest party, but is outlawed and remains underground.

Economy of Zenovia
The gold standard still remains in Zenovia. Economic policy leans towards demand-side economics. Zenovia institutes a relatively free-market economy, although there are tariffs and moderate protectionism to protect homegrown industry. Imports to the urban areas is essential for the still-incomplete industrialization process. The economy is dependent on imports, and the collapse of foreign economies would be disastrous for the economy of Zenovia.


Race and Species
Most of the population are Zenovii, who are light-skinned, dark-haired humans who have settled this land since circa 700.  However, there are number of the peoples from the south who have moved north into Zenovia. However, the largest and most prolific minority are the trolls from Setra, who immigrated to Zenovia for better working conditions, treatment, and to escape the social conditions of Setra. Although they faced many similar conditions, the higher pay and travel fatigue made most unwilling to move back or further. With nearly 80 years of immigration, discrimination has lessened to the level of life being noticeably better than in Setra, but there are still glaring issues with speciesism and discrimination.
93% Zenovii: 61,558,269
5% Troll: 3,309,584
2% Southern Peoples: 1,323,834

Population
66,191,687
Demographics
61% peasants: 40,336,592
27% urban workers: 17,853,901
6% independent farmers: 3,967,534
5% burghers: 3,372,404
1% Soldiers: 661,256

Culture
Ioan Sforarza (1840 - 1900), the premier Zenovii romanticist, said "Zenovii have two qualities: peace and vibrancy." What is meant is not the normal definition of peace, but that Zenovii love the peace that stability brings. They are generally conservative, but they are not puritanical, and their conservatism did not stop them from revolution in the 1920s. Zenovii society is still fiercely traditional and patriarchal, although women have achieved suffrage in recent times. Zenovii fashion has always been marked by vibrant colors, and even modern fashion is so. Zenovii politicians, even though they wear normal polite official fashion, will have suits which seem upbeat.  There is a strong folklore tradition, and oral traditions are strong in Zenovia. Bards still exist in the Zenovian countryside. There is a strong music tradition in Zenovia of upbeat music and emotional music, and the latter is especially treasured. With the coming of the Trolls, a major cultural influence from Setra came. Modern, foreign musical styles have yet to dent Zenovia. There is a strong literary tradition in Zenovii, which started when the national epic of The Song of Zeno was written. The literary eras are generally broken into the eras of Epic (700 - 1000), Medieval (1000 - 1500), Renaissance (1500 - 1600) Early Modern (1600 - 1720) Gothic (1720 - 1800) Romantic (1890 - 1900), Realist (1900 - 1930) Modern (1930 - present). Modern has turned its back on the radical realist literature of the recent past and returned to the fantastical. Modern plays have existed in Zenovia since the 17th century with the advent of Gavril Nestarontic (1600 - 1643) and Liviu Sulita (1610 - 1678), and have existed ever since, generally following the literary trends. The 17th century is considered the Golden Age of Zenovii Theatre.

Life in Zenovia
Zenovii are stereotyped by other nations as being backwards, as a nation full of peasants, and unnecessarily aristocratic. The social classes are split between the rich, the burghers, and the lower classes. The rich are split between the established aristocrats and the newly rich industrialists. The burghers are divided by the old traditional classes, such as the merchant class, and the newer class that came from urbanization. The peasants of the countryside, who still labor under the employment of lords, are still a majority of the country, but their conditions have improved since the abolition of feudalism. About a third of the population lives in the cities. Working conditions are relatively good, but very poor nonetheless. The safety laws are holdovers from the 1890s, themselves only a reform of an 1855. About 70% of factory machines are approved to have fundamental safety features, but there are no reparations for injuries or any safety doors. Child labor is common, but is on the decline, with only 35% of urbanite children working, although it is 78% among Trolls. The work-hour limit for adults is 12 hours, and 8-hours for children. Trolls make up 18% of urban areas. Due to the demand for labor, industrialists rarely attempt to give trolls discriminatory labor, as this would only aid a rival who does not do so, and because labor in Zenovia is still quite valuable. The Trolls still face discrimination, as large portions of Zenovii society ostracizes and discriminates against them. The most open-minded section of society, paticularly the Radicals (as in the political party) engaging in interaction with the Troll community.The literacy rate is on average 51%. Literacy among men is 42% greater than women due to disparities in education. Among children literacy is greater in boys than girls, but the divide is far smaller, 10%, than their adult counterparts, and girls are more literate than men on average. Trolls in general have a literacy rate of 15%, with females in general having a literacy rate of 2%. A divergent study shows that this is misleading, as the literacy rate in Troll is 25% in Trollish, with Trollish women having s literacy rate of 8%. 

History

Medieval Era
In 694, facing plague, a poor harvest, and an incoming Elven invasion, the tribal Zenovii people moved south. Despite tribal legends claiming they either displaced or exterminated the natives, geneticists and archeologists have proven they merely slowly merged to create a single culture. As far as the 12th century, two different cultures could be found in Zenovia. 699, when what is now Northern Zenovia was conquered. In 725, the religion of the natives, Aeonism, was adopted by the Zenovii. In 1078, Zenovia adopted a more stable for of government, feudalism. From 1224 to 1237 the Zenovii moved south, conquering what is now Southern Zenovia. Carol I, King of Zenovia from 1240 to 1276, known as Carol the Conqueror, brought Zenovia to its largest extent it had ever seen. When he died in 1276 his son, Sfaditor, kept a tight fist of the empire until his death in 1287. However, the empire was simply too big to sustain, and Sfaditor's son split the empire in three, with the foreign kings, the Zenovii who ruled abroad, having their dynasties fall in 1374 and 1409, respectively. The remaining kingdom was reduced to the current borders of Zenovia by 1467. However, it remained a sizable empire. 

Early Modern Era
In 1425, a new royal dynasty began in Zenovia, which rules to this day. This new dynasty saw the rise of a sophisticated culture. From about 1500 to 1600, an era of unprecedented cultural sophistication, known as the Zenovian Renaissance. However, during the era Zenovia gained its reputation as an undeveloped peasant nation. Although a vibrant cultural tradition continues, a reputation of a peasant nation an era behind except in the arts was established. In 1767, with changing economic and social attitudes, as well as the influence of enlightenment philosophy, serfdom was abolished. In 1773, the monarch, wanting to organize his advisors in a more orderly fashion, organized a group of ministers to advise him, which in turn lead to the creation of bureaucracy. 

Modern Era
In 1836, the first factory was built. Industrialization, however, was slow until the 1870s. Trolls, wishing to escape the virtual wage slavery in Setra, immigrated to Zenovia. Eager for willing manpower, Zenovii industrialists were willing to pay higher prices for labor than was available in Setra. Under Radu IV, Zenovia instituted a series of trade and military reforms which helped bring Zenovia into the modern world. In 1874, the Diet of Zenovia met for the first time. However, the sovereignty still held great powers, and parliament merely aid in governance and gathered taxes. The 19th century brought in nationalism and liberalism as well. For the most part, liberalism was not answered, and royal decrees in 1855 and 1875 declared the continuation of the traditional powers of the monarch. However, nationalism became a strong force, influencing society from politics to literature. The 1860s are considered when Zenovian nationalism finally met its height, coinciding not coincidentally with the height of speciesism against trolls. Nationalism unfortunately turned deadly in the 1870s, when the heir apparent of the throne of Zenovia, was assassinated while on a diplomatic visit to the kingdom of Qualia. During these years, Carol XV was King. He was assassinated by Zenovii radicals who had followed him to Qualia. Zenovia blamed Qualia, and demanded strong monetary reparations and demanded the proper Qualian culprits be found. When Qualia did not, Zenova declared war. The war ended inconclusively, destabilizing the region and proving politically disastrous for both nations. Carol XV died before the end of the war. While Qualia was overthrown by a fascist coup, transforming into the Commonwealth of Moravia. The process was slower in Zenovia, thanks to the abdication of King Radu X in 1891, a political masterstroke by the parliament and the Bishop of Campulung, Boris Perigord, then only 25. However, it only delayed the inevitable. Clamor for change in the political system shot up as liberalism replaced nationalism. Facing the possibility of a stronger reaction and the rebellion of parliament, a liberal constitution was created in 1900, and the king abdicated in favor of his son, Carol XVI, who still lives as King Emeritus Carol Andronicus, and serves now as an agent of goodwill at home and abroad, and is now more popular than he was in 1900. The leader of the liberals, Radu Popescu, the man they said even Kings feared, was made prime minister. Popescu, however, was surprising traditional after taking power, much to the ire of his former peers. The old regime had saw that their was actually a major ideological split between the Liberals between classical and social liberalism, and hoped they could split the Liberals and have an aristocratic party dominate parliament. However, the Liberals retained party unity under Popescu until his death in 1917. The Conservative Party, a purely agrarian and aristocratic party, serves as the Official Opposition. His successor, Frideric Checescu, was prime minister for two years, but did not have the same trust among the Liberals as Popescu and in 1919 the Liberals split into two parties. The free-market classical liberals became the Centrist Democracy Party, who had the support of the leader of the liberals, Popescu, and thus became the majority faction. The Social Liberals, wanting a radical change in society in the form of the end of a politically powerful aristocracy and aid to the poor, became the Radical Party. From 1919 to 1925, Boris Perigord led a bi-partisan coalition, where he depended on the Conservatives more than the Liberals, but could not join the Conservative Party since he knew it would eventually limit his political career. 1928, forming from a coalition of aristocrats, economic protectionists, and anti-Moravians, the Zenovii Patriots Party is formed. It replaced the Conservative Party as the Official Opposition, and in 1929 the Conservatives merged completely. Despite forming a powerful political machine, Checescu was voted out of power in 1935 due to the Opposition focusing on protection against Moravia and promises of an ambitious overhaul of the sluggish economy. Perhaps most instrumental was a number of MPs defecting to the Zenovii Patriotic Party. In 1933 it was discovered that King Dragomir VI had stomach cancer, and no doctor was able to treat him successfully, and he died in 1934. He was succeeded by the current king, Mircea II. Women's suffrage was the biggest domestic issue of the 1930s behind the economy, and had not been granted by the Liberal Constitution of 1900. The supposedly symbolic figurehead, seeing that the world was no longer the way it was when he had grown up, and Zenovia needed to accept change in order to preserve itself. In 1937, Mircea II came out in support of women's suffrage. The prime minister tried to have this create a constitutional crisis, so he could have the monarch discredited, but found himself out maneuvered, and in 1939 women's suffrage was achieved. A new, increasingly hot social issue is inter-species romance between Zenovii and Trolls, with a burgeoning civil rights movement led by the renowned Throgg Magog, President of the National Trollish League (NTL).


Religious Beliefs
The Zenovii believe in Aeonism. According to the Enneads of Aeons, Ilezabeta was a prophetess who was dictated the history of God, his general nature, and the true moral lessons. God's name to mankind was Aeon. It's holy books are collected in a holy text known as the Holy Scriptures of Aeon.
Ilezabeta (225 - 150 bce) is the prophetess of Aeonism according to the Holy Scriptures of Aeon. Practically nothing is known about her life before landing in the land of Celes. Ilezabeta in scripture claims "from afar, I came by the sail. [advenientia 1:3]. It was generally believed by the Celians that she came from beyond the Ceresian, from the Ceresian Empire. However, this is unlikely, as her sermons reveal a mind highly trained in the philosophical tradition of Moravia. While the Ceresians had a strong philosophical tradition as well, it was quite unlike that of the Moravians, and of Ilezabeta. Whatever the case, Scripture details Ilezabeta coming to Celes. She claimed herself as a prophet, as well as the last there ever will be. She organized a ministry and quickly developed a local following of loyal worshippers. During the first six years of her ministries, she wrote the six holy books of Aeonism, as collected in the Holy Scriptures of Aeon. No other historical records other than the scriptures themselves detail her ministry when she wrote the Holy Scriptures of Aeon, but a plethora of historical records exist, detailing her rise to national fame and her claim to prophethood. In fact, it is by historians and not her own writing that details of her later life are known. Her later sermons are summarized and abridged in the last book of the Holy Scriptures of Aeon, Maxims. She married a former soldier, Saint Andros, and bore children. According to legend, her line existed until the Zenovii invaded, and the last of her holy lineage, Saint Cerberus Maximus, fought in against the heathenish Zenovii, ten thousand against himself. This is false; her line died out 123 CE when Remus Ilezabetianus died. He was finally accepted as a mythical saint in 1878 by the Church of Aeon. All her descendants had acquired the title of Blessed until 678, when the Council of Cassander ruled this was a type of unique nepotism. However, some of her descendants, such as Saint Lucidius Ilezabetianus and Saint Ruinus Ilezabetianus, kept their sainthood due to their own accomplishments. Later in life, Ilezabeta's religion of Aeonism became a national phenomenon. She was not an ascetic, but did not live a lavish lifestyle. She once met the King of Celes. Eventually, she died a natural death, surrounded by her closest devotees. Many biographies have been written about Ilezabeta, most hagiography, which have been mainly focused on analyzing what is seen as the saintly, holy, and perfect character of the prophetess rather than real biography. Several atheistic and agnostic biographies of her, which are more critical, have been suppressed in Zenovia.

The Holy Scriptures of Aeon were written from 195 to 189 bce and organized by Ilezabeta herself in 187 bce.

Advenientia
Historia
Theologica
Annalis
Ethicae
Maxims

Advenientia
The Book of Advenientia is the first book of the Holy Scriptures of Aeon. It is written in the first person, and is written in Ilezabeta's usual dispassionate style. It details Ilezabeta first six years of her ministry. A number of encounters, with men and women who becomes disciples, are written in detail, as well as a number of government officials. Discussion in these encounters are dealt with in the form of a Socratic dialogue. Ilezabeta speaks of hearing the voice of Aeon, and recites the words of Aeon from memory. Ilezabeta draws on Moravian philosophy uses philosophy (Aristotelianism) to support and explain the words of Aeon. Aeon's speeches imply Ilezabeta's philosophy, but it would take one versed in philosophy to make the connection. To prove she not merely a philosopher and sage, she performs many miracles, at least according to scripture.

Historia
Historia is the first of four Sermon-Books. These sermon books are supposedly Ilezabeta's recalling of her sermons. They resemble philosophical lectures and books of that ancient era. Historia deals with a few things. First and foremost, the nature of God is made clear. His name is Aeon, and God is referred to as Aeon, but referring to the deity as God is also common, and both are used interchangeably. God is omniscient, but he is not omnipotent. Thus, the problem of evil is avoided. Despite having only one prophet in all of history, Aeon is a personal God. However, to mortals, Aeon's power is awe-inspiring and incredible. The cause of evil is Monad. Aeon is not responsible for Monad, and good and evil once existed in different realms. Aeon existed first, but he did not create Monad. Monad, like Aeon, possesses aseity, meaning he created himself. Monad's influence came later, and is referred to as a "piercing cloud of evil darkness." This book is concerned with theology. It very clearly uses monotheistic rhetoric and terms to describe Monad, and opposes polytheism and any possible attempts to characterize Aeonism as pagan or partly pagan.

Theologica
Theologica is the third book in the Holy Scriptures of Aeon, and appears to have been written much latter. Religious scholars, especially more liberal ones, speculate that this was the last written. However, the scarcity of historical records make it impossible to prove. Like historia, it discusses theology, but it is far more detailed. It delves into metaphysics as well. Ilezabeta writes that humans have complete free will, and decide whether they will follow Aeon or Monad. Most humans lean towards Aeon, but none have been able to follow him completely. Some lean towards Monad, but they are a minority. Unlike its opposite, some extremely wicked individuals have followed Monad completely. Ilezabeta confirms illuminationism, saying that thoughts, at least the good ones and especially the intellectual ones, are cause by Aeon and are his greatest daily gift to mortals. Angels are mentioned for the first time. Angelogy is mentioned in detail. There are nine orders of angels, who each has an assigned task, and is led by a certain angel. The fallen angels are mentioned for the first time, and are goven a similiar angelogy. The servants of Monad, the Monadii, are mentioned for the first time and are given their own demonology. 

Annalis
In Annalis Ilezabeta goes into detail on the divine history. Aeon was the first being to be in existence, and is called the prime mover. His first creations are called the Angels, which are far more powerful than his later creation, and do not age. They exist along with Aeon in a higher plane of existence. Then he created the world, the animals, and the first man and woman, in that order. At first, Aeon created a paradise on the world, where there was no sin, hardship, pain, et cetera. It is declared that Aeon said that the mortals were the prize of creation. However, they are not the pinnacle of creation, as the angels are greater. This was the Era of the Patriarchs of Alpha, Beta, and Gamma. At the end of the life of Gamma, Monad entered the world, and with his corruption came sin, hardship, pain, et cetera. Moral corruption seeps in, and by the time of the death of Gamma, paradise on Earth ends. However, while Monad was powerful enough to end paradise, he was never strong enough to turn the tide of the divine battle, and would always be on the losing side. This means that the good in the world has always been greater than the evil. However, Monad briefly being on the winning side is not impossible, but will be brief. Then Aeon commanded the angels to serve as guides to the mortals, and fight in a holy war against Monad. In a symbolic gesture of their new position as guides, Aeon commands the angels to bow before the mortals. One angel, named Lux, who is described by Ilezabeta as being "quite noteworthy in his position in heaven, due to his high standing with Aeon and for heading the command of angels who did not subscribe to the divine army," defiantly refuses. He takes with him a third of the angels and rebels. Ilezabeta states that Aeon declared the doctrine of free will, stating that all the angels were free to choose their paths, just like the mortals. This is followed by the remaining 2/3rds of the angels, lead by the archangel Archon, throwing down the rebelling angels to Monad's realm, who are henceforth called fallen angels. Monad is described as welcoming them to his fold, and they accept. Monad is then described as possessing, like Aeon, the power of creation, albeit in a more limited degree. Monad creates legions of demonic creatures, known simply as the Monadii, who are made to counter the angels but are inferior to them. Then Aeon is described as having lead a siege to Monad's realm soon after, with Archon and his loyal angels turning it into a scorching lake of fire which lights up the darkness, which is known as hell. Ilezabeta does not speak much of hell, but calls it a place for the wicked, and it appears unpleasant for them. Then Ilezabeta speaks of the situation of the angels. While she speaks of how the rebellion in heaven changed it, her description of the angels mainly details the divisions of the angels, and who is notable among them. In regards to history, Ilezabeta continues. Gamma had two prominent sons, Delta and Epsilon. Epsilon is called "the false prophet, father of paganism," and forms the root of other religions, which the sons of Epsilon follows. The root of other religious traditions are attributed to Epsilon. Delta follows the true religion, but his descendants adopt the religions of the sons of Epsilon. Ilezabeta ties back to the ancient Kingdom of Om, a monotheist kingdom that existed from 1700 to 1300 bce. Ilezabeta claimed the Om followed the true religion. She details a long history, it is not history but appears to over a thousand years. Aeon revealed himself to a righteous descendant of Delta, Unum. Aeon tells him that he will grant him a nation. The descendant of Unum, Michus, is a beautiful man full of virtue, but his only vice is pride. Angry at his prideful manner and jealous of their father's favoritism towards him, they sell him into slavery to the King of Celes. In Celes, Michus has a son named Om. Om's descendant Jerome is taken as a boy as a slave for the King of Celes. As a prophet, Jerome is able to create a prosperous kingdom for the King. However, his people remain enslaved. Jerome's descendant Axxos lived like a brother to the prince of Celes until he heard the voice of Aeon. Axxos leads his people on an exodus, and forges a kingdom. The wisest and greatest of the Kings of Om is said to be Aran the Wise (1556 - 1490 BCE). However, after his death, the kingdom goes astray and eventually is conquered by an eastern kingdom. It was under the spiritual leadership of Anaseus that the Om receive genocide, and the religion of the one true god is lost. However, God is not erased from the world, and eventually Aeon chooses a prophet from a worthy woman from another people. This is of course Ilezabeta herself. This is the epic tale Ilezabeta said. As very little knowledge is known about the Om and its kingdom, next to nothing can be verified or disproven about Ilezabeta's tale. The kings she mentions in Om historically existed, and their reign lengths are almost completely accurate. Her kings of Celes have counterparts in historical record.

Ethicae
Ethicae is the last of the so-called sermon books. It details with the moral or ethical lessons of Aeon. Ilezabeta states that ethics is not an abstract thought, but a practical philosophy. This is the only book where Ilezabeta specifically uses the word "philosophy." Things that are approved of are called "good" and things that are disapproved of are called "bad." Charity is good, and the Church is to be a force of charity. The golden rule of doing unto others as you would want done unto yourself is mentioned, but it is also said that going further is an even greater good. However, it is acknowledged that men cannot be expected to do so always, as no man is perfect. Monasticism is forbidden. The best way to fight against evil is with what Ilezabeta calls good works. Retreat from the world is thus called a surrender to Monad. As the world is dualistic, no action is neutral. Therefore, Ilezabeta says that, monasticism being a surrender to Monad, is an evil action, as it does not aim towards good works.

Maxims
The last book in the Holy Scriptures of Aeon is called Maxims. Unlike the other books, it was not contained in the holy book Ilezabeta organized. It was organized after the prophetess' death, and contains the excerpts from her later sermons. Each quote is called a maxim, and are often less than twenty words. The quotes generally consist of quote-worthy words of wisdom. This book shows Ilezabeta's message remained the same throughout her life. Early in the religion's history, some Aeonists regarded the book as superfluous and invalid. After the clergy was properly organized, these views were declared heretical.
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It was only until 1900 that true religious tolerance was established. The Church still includes disapproval of "heathen" religions in its official doctrine. 
The trolls follow their folk relion from Setra. The Church put pressure on the Trolls as a result. The capitalists and industrialists were opposed to the Church's medieval views on toleration. The industrialists, already disproportionately coming from non-High Church denominations, entered a conflict with the Church. This was seen as yet another extensions of the battle between the bourgeoisie and the traditional aristocrats. The Church called on their power as the ordained right hand of God, but like all traditionalist elements in society, they could not long resist against the growing forces of capitalism. The Church continued to rally against capitalism, however. In the end, it resulted in greater toleration for the animist, polytheist, trolls and a Church opposed to the excesses of capitalism. While the Church certainly did not have altruistic goals when they began their opposition of capitalism, some venerable bishops pushed the Church towards that direction.

Territory


Climate
The climate is fairly moderate. Zenovia is ideal for farmland, and is filled with green pastures, hills, and prairies. The Vladistok River is the largest river in Zenovia, running almost entirely through it, and there are other rivers and lakes, such as Lake Visare. It rains often enough to make farmland across the country.

Agriculture
About 2/3rds of the population lives in rural areas. Although modern agricultural techniques cause the shrinking of farms, and many start to move to the city, farming is still done by a majority of the population. Sustenance farming still is the most common technique, so it isn't exactly a large export.

Industry
Zenovia has several large exports. There has always been a market for Zenovian tobacco and cotton, and although they no longer warrant the prestige they once did, they continue to have a market. Steel is both exported and used in the industries, although Zenovia does not have capacity to be a top exporter in steel in the quantitative sense. Other metals, such as iron and copper, as well as coal, can also be found. Silver and gold can be found in Zenovia and are essential to the economy, but if overseas economies collapse, Zenovia's economy will go with it. 

Main Exports: Tobacco, Grain, Cotton, Steel, Iron, Copper, Coal, precious metals, Alcohol
Main Imports: Luxury Goods, Gas, Military parts, Industrial Parts, Foodstuff

The Press
Unlike the other sections of Zenovii business and industry, the press is competitive and monopoly has been avoided. This is likely because all the newspapers and magazines of Zenovia are politically motivated, and rich party supporters, interest groups, and the parties themselves pour money into the press.

The Newspapers
As a general rule, the newspapers contain less political analysis than the tabloids, but they are just as biased. They may be a little more subtle with their bias, or they may not. Yellow Journalism, sensationalist reporting with little regard for accuracy, is the norm. There had once been local newspapers, but they have all been fizzled out by the powerful publishing companies.

The Capital Journal: Founded by Cezar Sabie in 1895, and it is the most profitable of all the newspapers in Zenovia. It was pro-Liberal when it first premiered, but has always been pro-capitalist and anti-labor. Politically, it backs the Centrist Democracy Party. It is largely responsible for the rise of Yellow Journalism and helped sparked the Little War.

The Zenovii Tribunal: Founded in 1883 by Dragomir Vis, it currently plays second fiddle to the Capital Journal. It opposed the Liberal Revolution of 1900 as radical. Currently it supports the Zenovii Patriotic Party. It is anti-reform and protectionist, unless the Zenovii Patriotic Party is not anti-reform or protectionists. It is read by the Patriotic Party faithful regularly.

The Castelul Tribune: Found by Andrei Galca in 1870, it is based in Castelul, the second largest city in Zenovia. It has always been strongly pro-reform. After the Liberal split, it has supported the Radicals. However, they have always been the most neutral of the newspapers, and did not embrace Yellow Journalism.

The Daily Advent: Founded in 1904. The Daily Advent is often the go-to newspaper for clerics and the religious right, and was founded by a Cardinal of the Church.

The National Neutral Newspaper: Founded in 1901. Despite its name, it is far from neutral, and takes a pro-aristocratic viewpoint and worldview. It is widely appreciated for its promotion of the arts and has been praised by Radicals for its promotion of environmentalism. It supports the Zenovii Patriotic Party. It has the best writers.

The Times: Founded in 1911, the Times is politically moderate and supports the Centrist Democracy Party.

The Liberty Times: Founded in 1925. The Liberty Times in read by the left wing of the Radical Party and has been endorsed by the National Trollish League, with a strong focus on civil rights.

The Magazines
The Magazines, as well as focusing on gossip, society, and culture, offer a more honest and in-depth political analysis that the newspapers are unable to accomplish.

The Liberal Review: The mouth-piece of the Centrist Democracy Party. Formed in 1890 by Nikolai Cusa to help spread Liberal ideals, since the time of Checescu and Nikolai Cusa's retirment due to a stroke in 1918 (he died in 1921) it has since made a hard turn towards to the right, unless the Centrist Democracy Party wills it otherwise. Cusa himself actually joined the Radical Party, but was unable to regained his magazine.

The Dragoon: The magazine in support of the Zenovii Patriotic Party. It offers mainly political analysis, and often defends protectionism and militarization, along with eugenics and speciesism.

The Radical: A magazine which openly supports the Radical Party. It is anti-racist, both in practical speciesism and in scientific speciesism. Until its legalization, it was a strong supporter of female suffrage. Social Liberalism, of course, is a primary concern here.

Aeonism Today: A religious magazine which runs mainly religious articles supporting Aeonist Orthodoxy and reactionary political articles which oppose liberalism. Politically, it gushes on praise on the Zenovii Patriotic Party for being a party opposed to liberalism, which is at best 50% correct. 

The National: Originally the official magazine of the National Trollish League, it has since then been adopted by others. It has been adopted by the non-Orthodox Aeonists as their magazine, as well as others who would challenge social conventions.

The Intellectual: A condescendingly-named magazine which is read by those interested in intellectual subjects. Politically, it will eloquently refute the policies of the main two parties, and supports the Radical Party. However, its main focus is the arts, science, philosophy, math, and education.


Commander in Chief: His Majesty Mircea (born 1898) since 1934

Minister of War: Adrian Brasab (born 1886) since in 1935

His Majesty's Army

Commander of the Army: General Adelbert Trimiscir

Commander of the Troll Legion: Brigadier General Dragos Focavis

By far the largest of the three branches. It was established in its current state during the reform of Vladim VII in 1604. Their uniforms have remained old fashioned. They fight in black and gray uniforms with a pinkelhaume helmet. The Zenovii Guards were originally meant to guard the King, but they grew in size, and served as elite troopers. In 1910, a section of the Guards was separated from them, and they became known as the Stormtroopers. The Stormtroopers served as shock troopers and special forces. A section of the army is the Troll Legion, not actually designed to be legion-sized, which is composed entirely of Trolls. The Troll Legion is composed of ferocious fighters who serve as shock troopers and the vanguard of the army, who are justifiably feared. Their uniform is identical to the main army.
The standard-issue rifle for most soldiers in the Zenovii military. It is issued to both army and navy soldiers. A solid bolt-action rifle, it led Zenovii through a war, and could lead them through another.

Infantrymen, elite or regular, are still issued a bayonet with the purpose of use in close combat.

An entrenching tool is still in wide-use, and given to all regular infantrymen. It is used both to dig in and as a melee weapon.

Manufactured in Zenovia ever since 1921. It is the mainline sub-machine gun in the Zenovii army.
 

The first machine-gun of Zenovia. Even with new, lighter designs being invented by innovative foreign competition, this gun still has great killing power.

A heavy, stationary machine gun. It is not mobile and requires a squadron to move. It has been used to great effectiveness in defending in trenches and forts. 

A revolver containing six bullets, plus one in the chamber. It is small, but kills as easily as any of its larger cousins.

The standard issue pistol for officers and the elite of the army. 

A fully automatic pistol issued to some higher ranking officers and used by the Special Forces Stormtroopers.

The so-called stick grenade. It is an explosive grenade which has kept its effectiveness since its invention in 1916.

Although high casualties in the Great War led to the disbandment of the Zenovii Cavalry Corps, cavalry continue to be used extensively in reconnaissance and especially in moving heavy equipment.

A truck that saw production mainly in the 1930s. It is used for transportation of cargo and infantry, as well as the dragging of artillery.

The mainline tank of the Zenovii army, as well as the newest of the designs that the Zenovii army commissions. It is a modern tank, transcending the rhomboid prototype tanks. It has thick armor and a heavy cannon.

This is a light tank, designed to help infantry. It is armed with a machine-gun and a light cannon.

This was the last of the rhomboid tanks that Zenovia adopted. It mostly bypassed the earlier tanks inability to traverse tough terrain, and has thick armor, but its cannon is not as strong as those in newer tanks.

The infamous death guns of Zenovia. It could only be moved by horses or vehicle, which is what is used now. 

The Frautzinger Howitzer is a light, mobile and destructive piece of artillery. It requires less to move than the Death Guns by a considerable amount.


His Majesty's Navy

Commander of the Navy: Admiral Laguna (born 1872)

The navy controls the battle-worthy ships, which are sworn to the sovereign. It was first created in its current state in  1714. The sailors of the navy are equipped with a uniform lighter than the army, and with no pickelhaube. They are equipped with the same infantry weapons.
The battleships of Zenovia. Although the era of battleships has ended, they are still touted as the pride of the Zenovii navy.

In 1925, hoping to modernize the navy to protect against an increasingly dangerous world, a new cruiser design was put into place to replace the old Katalina cruisers. However, in the 1930s production slowed as the growth of the military slowed and focus on the army increased.

Although old, Zenovia has many of these cruisers. While not state of the art, they are still useful and quick. They are mainly reserved for reinforcements at the time.

The aircraft carrier of Zenovia. Also known as Wraths. Named after the the Zenovii deity, it has the same effect as naming something wrath of God. Zenovia is in possession of two of these powerful aircraft carriers.

The destroyer-class of the Zenovii navy. It is designed to escort larger vessels and protect them from smaller powerful short-range attacks.

These submarines are intended to discretely sink enemy vessels and then retreat undetected, and avoid enemy missiles while underwater. 


His Majesty's Air Force

Commander of the Airforce: Air Marshal Ion Pritienmanie

Created only in 1917, when Zenovia first acquired aircraft, it is the smallest and newest of Zenovia's military branches, and Zenovia has a weak air force compared to its powerful northern neighbors. 
In 1933, the King made a comment on how the kingdom needed stronger bombers, which led to a commission of a modern Zenovii bomber. However, it wasn't until 1935, under the Zenovii Patriotic Party, that they were built in notable numbers. It is heavy bomber, intended to strategically bomb cities and fortifications.

The light bomber of the Zenovii Airforce. It is intended to attack lighter targets and to aid infantry on the battlefield. It is made of wood.

The first fighter plane in Zenovia built, it is still in wide use by the Zenovii Air Force. Developed in 1917, it was intended to tip the war in Zenovia's favor, but did not. It is armed with a single Spadfra gun. There are two versions of the Legate, the Mark I and Mark II. Mark I is the version developed in 1917 during the Great War, and Mark II is the improved upon version developed in the 1920s, and both are in wide use. It was briefly mass produced during the war, and many of them go unused.
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