Aylongam
| Great Kingdom of Aylongam Qvâ Modreng Aylongam Qoa Mozēi Ērongam エーロガム偉大王国 | |||||||
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| UŊ member | |||||||
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 Location of Aylongam (dark green) | |||||||
| Capital city | Ruôy Rûdak (Khaath Tran beginning in 2025) | ||||||
| Demonym | Aylongami | ||||||
| Government | unitary parlimentary constitutional monarchy Quing: Zendrid Prime Minister: KorzeN ħ | ||||||
| Official languages | Xindvâ, Virenese (regionally) | ||||||
| Currency | Tenō (₮) (AYT) | ||||||
Aylongam (/ˈej.ləŋ.(g)æm/; Xindvâ: /ɛː.lo.ŋæm/; Japanese: エーロガム Ērogamu /eːɾogamɯ/), officially the Great Kingdom of Aylongam (Xindvâ: Qvâ Modreng Aylongam; Japaneseː エーロガム偉大王国 Ērogamu Idai Ōkoku), is a country located in Thasusa on the coast of the Sea of Fortune. It shares land borders with Fishland and Xtrakva to the east and East Pua to the west, as well as maritime borders with the Realm of Madness. It is a member state of the United Ŋations.
History
The northern edge of what would become Aylongam was first settled in February 2024, by Zendrid, on the southern shore of Guhâr Nhem. Over the course of the next month, the settlement grew into a small fishing and farming village, which came to be known as Ruôy Rûdak. The Kingdom of Aylongam was accepted into the United Ŋations on 6 March, with Zendrid as Quing.
In early April, Quing Zendrid discovered the presence of a village in the southwest of Aylongam, and ventured to it to establish trade relations. This village became known as Chûnnod (Xindvâ for 'broken earth', so named for its highly uneven terrain). A Cenrail line was laid through Aylongam in late April, and a Poste d'Imerchal office was established (alongside a customs office) in Ruôy Rûdak in early May, connecting the nation to the surrounding states.
On 31 May, KorzeN ħ was appointed as Prime Minister of Aylongam. Shortly after, an iron farm was constructed just north of Chûnrod, marking the beginning of the construction of the city of Khaath Tran and the industrialization of the nation. The Viren Islands were annexed in early June with the intent of building an outpost or naval base in the future; a Cenrail station was later added to it as part of a South Amujan project to connect Ngauzichig and Zanrynjaung.
On 7 October, the country opened the world's first creeper farm, allowing for the mass production of gunpowder. The next day, through the power of Ætérnal, the Temple of Leporia was relocated from Ettêre Ðiffyt to Khaath Tran, following an agreement between Quing Zendrid and former Leporian Queen Charlotte.
Following the Amujxplosion, sovereignty over the Jē Mẽo Islands was fully transferred to Aylongam per the request of Jukbuch Ian of South Amuj.
Geography
Aylongam is dominated by four major types of biome: dark forest, which comprises most of the eastern half of the country; jungle (primarily bamboo jungle), which surrounds the dark forest to the west and north; savanna, which covers almost all of the southwest, along with South Viren Island and the far north; and plain forest, which covers the far south and north. Windswept hills may be found around the peaks of Luôd and Byelu Mountains in the northwest, and birch forest exists on the upper bank of the River Ragnith, as well as south of the dark forest.
The western boundary of Aylongam is mostly defined by the River Ragnith, which flows into the Sea of Fortune. Along the Aylongami course of the river are three lakes, starting from the most upstream: Bellflower Lake (Nhem Dlingbon), Lake Minmin, and Lake Liwar (Nhem Livâr).
Below ground, the eastern half of the country contains an entensive complex of lush caves, while dripstone caves are found in the west.
Flora and Fauna
The bamboo forests of Aylongam are home to populations of pandas, which are protected under federal law.
All species of tree may be found natively in Aylongam except cherry and mangrove trees, which were later imported and naturalized in Bonbon Prefecture.
Politics
Aylongam is a constitutional monarchy in which a hereditary monarch serves as the head of state while a Prime Minister serves as the head of government, although their functions overlap somewhat. For instance, both leaders may represent the country at diplomatic functions and sign treaties, have the power to issue decrees (if from the monarch) or executive orders (if from the PM), and can dismiss leaders of lower-level governments. The monarch serves as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, and has the power to approve or veto legislation. The Prime Minister is appointed by the monarch with the approval of Parliament, and must maintain its confidence in order to remain in office. They preside over and select the Cabinet (again with the approval of Parliament), which leads the various ministries of the government.
Legislative power is vested in a unicameral Parliament, made up of both heads of noble houses and elected representatives from each of the prefectures. While a bill is being drafted, either the Monarch or Prime Minister may suggest revisions, but these are not binding and are not required to be implemented by Parliament.
Each prefecture has its own government, cabinet, and legislature, headed by an elected Governor. Any powers not explicitly reserved to nor prohibited by the national government may be exercised by the prefectural government, but these powers are not guaranteed and may be revoked by the national government at any time.
Administrative divisions
Aylongam is divided into six prefectures: Bonbon, Mikkot, Luyquim, Zonmon, the Viren Islands, and the Central Reserve. The last of these has special status as an area barred from human activities aside from travel.
Citizenship and immigration
Aylongam has an open border policy; no passport or visa is required to stay in or work in the country. Citizenship, however, is only granted to permanent or semi-permanent residents of the country. Foreign nationals who wish to become Aylongami citizens must have lived (for server purposes this is simply owning a home) in the country for at least 1 month, demonstrate knowledge of Aylongami customs, and adopt a Xindvâ name for local use.
The rights to vote, run for office, and enter civil or military service are reserved exclusively for Aylongami citizens.
Foreign relations
The government of Aylongam does not officially recognise any country which proclaims itself to be anarchic.
Kozdenen
Aylongam's oldest diplomatic ties are with Kozdenen, which is the only country in which Aylongam has an embassy.
Amuj
Amuj frequently sought cooperation with Aylongam, initiating talks of an economic union (though it was ultimately unsuccessful) and establishing a condominum with the nation in the East Kuzhgub Islands (now known as the Jē Mẽo Islands).
Pua
Aylongam maintains friendly ties with both East and West Pua, though remains officially neutral on the issue of Repunification.
Culture
Holidays
(This section is a work in progress)
The following holidays are observed in Aylongam (dates are in the Gregorian calendar until the Aylongami calendar is worked out):
| Holiday | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's | second new moon after winter solstice (usually sometime in February) | Celebrates the start of spring and the hope of good fortune in the new year; offerings are made to Yunda, the goddess of spring, and reconciliation is a major theme, with conflicts, old and new, being strongly discouraged. Festivities last from the night before to the third day of the year. |
| Aylongam National Day | 6 March | Celebrates the founding of the nation. |
| Flower Festival | spring equinox (20 March) | A fusion of Puan Florist and Aylongami tradition, the Flower Festival celebrates fertility, youth and the peak of the earth's connection to Heaven. People adorn themselves and every building with flowers, and children and expecting mothers are taken to temples to receive blessings. |
| Summer's Rest | second new moon after the spring equinox (between May and June) | A festival held at the end of the planting season to pray for healthy crops and good harvests. |
| Visitation Day | 7-9 August | A day on which the spirits of one's ancestors return to visit their family. People traditionally return to their ancestral homes and arrange the place so that the spirits can find their way. |
| Harvest Festival | one day before and after the autumn equinox (21-23 September) | A celebration of the year's bounty; offerings are given to Sēg, the god of autumn, and a great variety of foods are prepared. |
| Quing Zendrid's birthday | 24 September | The reigning monarch's birthday is always celebrated as a national holiday. In the capital, the monarch traditionally hosts a large public banquet. |
The agricultural holidays are celebrated despite the fact that Minecraft does not have seasons.
Seals
Rather than signing documents, Aylongami people stamp custom seals in ink for authentication. These seals may bear any design the owner desires (with the exception of the national emblem or the crown within it), and creativity and individuality are encouraged. Many seals are derived from personal and family crests. A person may have multiple seals, with each having a different purpose, but only those registered with the government will have legal force. Seals are not limited to Aylongami nationals; foreigners may also design their own seals and use them inside the country. Seals are also used by artists and craftsmen to mark their work, and by merchants to identify their cargo; such seals are classified as personal and do not have to be registered.
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Seal of the Quing, used to confirm government documents such as laws, treaties and appointments
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The privy seal of Quing Zendrid, used for personal matters such as correspondence and artwork
Religion
Aylongam has no official religion; the majority of citizens follow local spiritual traditions centered around worship of an extensive pantheon of deities and nature spirits, veneration of ancestors, and the cultivation of phaan (/fɑːn/, 'breath, life force'), a vital energy thought to be tied to one's health. Gods and spirits are honored at temples and shrines, while ancestors are enshrined in the home (though tribute may also be given at their grave sites and locations of significance to them). While Ætérnalism has been introduced to Aylongam, it is not practiced as an independent faith, but rather Ætérnal himself (called Iteônôl in Xindvâ), along with Charlotte, his Messiah, was simply folded into the existing pantheon of Aylongami deities and is worshipped alongside them. Influence from Florism, especially Cornflorism, is also present, with cornflowers, daisies and alliums being featured in temples, and Te Hae (Tehây) being equated with the favor of Heaven.
Language
Xindvâ is the sole official language of Aylongam at the national, but English and Japanese are designated as working langauges, and both can be seen in use on signage. In Viren Islands Prefecture, Virenese is co-official with Xindvâ. Some aspects of these languages differ from their home nations. Xindvâ and Virenese are normally written in their native Lunar Script (liume Nuyxo/lȳme Nycy), but due to the limitations of text in Minecraft, abugidas are unable to be used and the language is written with a Latin orthography instead. Meanwhile, Aylongam's use of Japanese often combines written calques with phonetic transcriptions of other languages to produce idiosyncratic readings for place names: for example, Khaath Tran is translated as 新葉, which is normally read しんば shinba, but for the city is given the reading ハース・トラン hāsu toran, approximating the Xindvâ pronunciation of the name.
Names in other languages
- Albanian: Madhmbretëri Elongam /maðmbɾetəɾi elonɡam/
- Augish: Сҭоу Кесөви Елонгам Sthou Kesöwi Elongam [stʰɔu̯ kʼɛ.sœ.wi ɛ.lɔn.ɡam]
- Áwaric: Foífoísuéfráhti Elońam Fóífóísuéfráhti Elońam [ˈɸɨ.ɸɨs.wiɸ.ʀɔː.te ɛ.lo.ŋam]
- East Narkevin: Fök'ë Fwënan zda Äjroŋam/ɸøˈkʕə ɸwəˈnan zda ˈɛj.ɾoŋ.am/
- Hebrew: הממלכה הגדולה אילונגם Hamamlakha Hagdola Eylongam [ɦa.mam.la.ˈχa ɦa.ɡdo.ˈla ˈej.lon.ɡam]
- Isle Narkevin: Þek Þunan zda Ajloňam/θɛˈk θuˈnan zda ajˈloŋ.am/
- Itsoikt: Ne Níeugaid Āilonan [ne ˈni˩˧.ɛʊ̯.gaɪ̯z ˈaɪ̯˥.lo.nan]
- Kathyrian: Eloŋäm Eloŋäm [ɛˈloŋəm]
- Knrawi: Gùhivu Âivugam[ŋʊ˩hɛwɔ a˥˩jβɔŋam]
- Kyawcenni: Elaunam/ɛˈlɔːnam/
- Mosici: an-ahiloncamc ascán an-Ahiloncamc Ascán /ãtɛːlõkamk askɔ̃/
- Old Narkevin: Feku Funan zda Ajlaŋam/fɛˈku fuˈnan zda ˈɛj.laŋ.am/
- Rokadong: Élongam [eːlɔŋgam]
- Soc'ul': Ñéyan Ailoñam[ŋəː˧ɰa˧n a˧jlo̞˧ŋʷɒ˧m]
- Syzkyn: Ӕлонгамс Тур Риқыҭ/ˈɛlongɑms tʹur ˈrikʰɨtʰ/
- Śácamþaśá: jUfa jwi nmgAloiA Ailáŋan Wij Fájy /ɐi̯lɑːŋɐn wij fɒːjɵ/
- Toki Pona: ma Elonan/ma ˈe.lo.nan/
- West Narkevin: Fökë Fonan zda Äjloŋan/ɸøˈkɤ ɸoˈnan zda ˈɛj.loŋ.an/