Torentine Empire
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| National motto: Fortitudo proficio (Ingliz: Advance with moral strength and bravery) | |||||
| National anthem: Rise Majestic Torentine| | |||||
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| Founding date | 548 CE | ||||
| Official languages | Ingliz and Antaran | ||||
| Capital | Torentine | ||||
| Largest City | Imsys - (1.4 million) | ||||
| Admin. Divisions | 1 Kingdom 6 Grand Duchies 1 Principality 1 Territory | ||||
| Government - Type - Emperor |
Constitutional Monarchy Gallus II | ||||
| Area - Total - % water |
2,700,544 km² .6% | ||||
| Population - Total - Growth Rate - Density |
66,581,000 (2115) 1.37% 24.65/km² | ||||
| GDP - Total - GDP/capita - Growth Rate |
Ԏ410.6 Billion Ԏ5,352 4.8% | ||||
| Currency | Torentine Crown | ||||
| Trigraph | TOR | ||||
| Time Zones | WDT (Western Danetian Time), (AMT -7) ELT (Eastern Lusitierran Time), (AMT -8) | ||||
| Calling Code | +44 | ||||
 Political Map of the Torentine Empire | |||||
 Topographic Relief Map of the Torentine Empire | |||||
The Torentine Empire is a sovereign, unitary state consisting of the Kingdom of Torent, or metropole, in northwestern Danetia and the much larger region of New Idreia which encompasses the entire eastern quarter of Lusitierra. These two distinctly different portions of the nation, while separated by a thousand miles of ocean, are bonded together by a long history.
Contents |
Etymology
The evolution of the name Torentine can not be told without also explaining that of the River Torent. Throughout the centuries the influence of several occupations and migrations with their accompanying languages and interpretive spellings, have caused the River Torent and its adjacent city of Torentine to have seen several name changes.
Early Anadili languages of the region share the root word torrens, meaning deluge, which probably referred to the rush of the river fed by the Efferus Mountains' springtime thaw.
The first cartographic and written reference to the river and surrounding region come from the Antaran historical record, the oldest in the world. It shows the river as Flume Taryn as far back as 1030 BCE. It is possible that this name was designated by the Antarans, but is more likely a reflection of indigenous nomenclature.
The Arcasian record refers to the river with a variety of names; Tarin, Torin and Tarn but was also commonly referred to as the Shoffa (Eternalist goddess of rain and daughter of Eimera, the goddess of water) or Vessel of Eimera.
Throughout the Cimmerian or Idreian era the river's name is more solidified as Torin, for which the city of Arcasium is also commonly referred to as the City at (the) Torin. Later Norric Djärvan rulers interpret it as torner, Norric for tower, of which the large adjacent city had many as a part of its massive defensive wall. Althought the Djärva renamed Arcasium to Väggriklighamn (rich walled port), it was popularly called Tornerstad, which literally translates to City of Towers in Djärvan Norric.
The age old intermingled name development of the river and city wound down with a brief name change for the city to Torentium after independence in 548CE, then finally to the current name of Torentine with the river being known as Torent.
History
- Main article: History of the Torentine Empire
update needed to accompany new improved history...
Government
- Main article: Government of the Torentine Empire
Traditionally an absolute monarchy, the term Empire wasn't adopted until 1919 by Queen Lenara II to celebrate victory over the long seceded rogue kindoms of Enali and Nyame in the War of Reunification. Within a decade of this victory, the stresses of managing the large realm were becoming apparent. In 1930, Empress Esmé I enacted sweeping reforms, most notably were the Act of Equal Noble Dispensation; designed to reorganize the feudal system and distribute the responsibilities of government, and the Act of Imperial Military Concentricity; which centralized military power. It was at this time that the nation adopted the limited-power parliamentary system that is currently in place.
The limited-parliament constitutional monarchy consists of 4 branches of government. While normally functioning as a standard constitutional monarchy, the Sovereign retains ultimate power having final say on all matters and reserves the power to dissolve parliament.
IMPERIAL
The Imperial branch consists of the Emperor or Empress and their Privy Council, 'The Crown' and The Cabinet. The Cabinet is made up of the Prime Minister, the Chancellor (Minister of the Treasury), the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of the Interior and the Minister of Justice. The Cabinet and Privy Council advise the Monarch and act as their liaison to Parliament and the Ministries. This is the strongest branch of government as the monarch ultimately has supreme power.
PARLAIMENT
The parliament is bicameral, consisting of an upper house, the Hydra Council and a lower house, the House of Commons. Parliamentary decisions can ultimately be but rarely are annulled by the monarch. It serves as the voice of the populace and is usually the deciding factor on important issues.
The Hydra Council consists of the an appointed regent of the Kingdom of Torent and the 5 ruling Dukes and/or Duchesses, one of which is the heir apparent (or sovereign appointed substitute) and another the heir presumptive. The Hydra Council meets in the capital 4 times a year and in the city of Enali 4 times a year.
The House of Commons is made up of elected representatives from the Kingdom of Torent and each of the 5 Duchies, 1 per 200,000 population by region. Representatives serve a 4 year term with no limit on consecutive terms. The House of Commons meets in the capital and is in session 8 months out of the year. The council has power equal to that of the Hydra Council.
JUSTICE
The Justice branch is made up of 13 judges; 1 Supreme Judge raised from High Judge by seniority, 6 appointed High Judges and 6 elected Chief Judges. Elected judges serve 4-year terms and appointed judges serve for life unless they choose to retire. This branch determines the constitutionality of laws and other government policies or situations.
MINISTRY
The Ministry is divided into 3 ministerial levels, primary, secondary and tertiary which each contain several ministerial departments. Each of these departments is led politically by a Government Minister, sometimes a member of the Cabinet and cover matters that require direct political oversight. Subordinate to these Ministerial Departments are executive agencies.
Territorial Divisions
The Empire is made up of 1 Kingdom, 5 Duchies and 2 Crown Territories each presided over by a person of genetic nobility or monarch appointed pro tem. Only a Duke or Duchess of the realm can ascend to the Imperial Throne. The heir apparent also holds the title of Prince of Torent.
In the past, each Duchy was allowed to create many of it's own laws and administer select taxes. This was changed by Emperor Milix VII's Law and Order Consolidation Act, one of many sweeping reforms meant to energize the then sluggish economy. Subdivisions of the Empire still enjoy a fair degree of autonomy within their borders while adhering to a set of umbrella laws set down by parliament and the Sovereign.
Royal Lineage
Torentine royalty are directly descended from the founding nobility of the nation. These five ancestral groups are referred to as noble houses.
| Noble House | Short Name | Glyph | Duchy Seat | Ancestral City |
| Chimenus | Chi | Ф | Enali | Sanchi |
| Ialduithær | Ia | Ѩ | Nyame | Atia |
| Eiinar | Eii | Ҽ | Vertan | Malleii |
| Raius† | Ra | Ԉ | Charn | Nora |
| Ettuditanus | Ett | Ѯ | Balmix | Bastett |
| Reigning family shown with † subscript | ||||
Economy
- Main article: Economy of the Torentine Empire
As one of Aurora’s emerging nations, the last half century has seen Torentine’s economy turn from agricultural to industrial, from moderate to vibrant. Despite some growing pains in the past the nation has rebounded thanks to economic reforms, government subsidies and infrastructure development. Abundant natural resources and increasing interest from the international economic community are working to build a thriving economy for the Empire.
Resources
- Main article: International Marketplace of Torentine
Torentine is Aurora's leading producer and exporter of Bauxite Ore with Rubber and Iron Ore production also making up a respectable share of the regional raw materials market. The Empire is also the hemisphere's largest producer of cane-sugar and has a secure foot-hold in regional coffee production.
Due to new drilling techniques and investments in state of the art equipment, the nation's oil industry has grown eightfold in the last 20 years. This boost has consistently shown Torentine on the top 10 list of international oil producers and has caused significant population growth in the cities of Imsys, Milix and Petronak. The nation also boasts similarly thriving coal, livestock and stone industries. Torentine quarries are world renowned for beautiful Cloudness granite and ultra-white Vertan limestone. Though not as important to the economy as it once was, the large fishing industry continues to thrive and is the primary supplier for several nations.
Manufacturing
Geography and Climate
Maps
National
Political
Topography
Resources
Population Density
Territorial Waters
Climate
Temperature
Rainfall
Sub-National
Cities
Downloadable PDF's
- NEW UPDATED MAP! Detail Map of the Torentine Capital
Culture and Society
Education
Religion
When it comes to religion, Torentine has been a relatively tolerant place, which can for the devout outsider seem almost like indifference. Long ago, before the Arkanist missionaries arrived, there was the ancient Eternalist religion which experienced a resurgence with the founding of Torentine. While Eternalism remained the predominate religion of the countryside and highlands, the ports and trade centers which saw an influx of Antaran influence tended to adopt Arkanism, was regarded as the more progressive of the two.
The nation’s strong focus on the arts and trade are thought to have led the state, as well as many individuals, to not adopt either of the primary religions. For whatever reason, the Empire has an unusually large percentage of Agnostics and Athiests which interestingly enough is comprised mostly of artisans, politicians and educators.
Miotine is the home of the Sacred Eternalist Temple where the Elemental High Priest presides over the organized Eternalist religion.
Religions by Percentage:
Arkanism 33%, Eternalism 23%, Agnostic 18%, Keleuthism 9%, Athiest 8%, Nordism 5%, Other 4%
Census & Demographics
Foreign Affairs
- Main article: Foreign Relations of the Torentine Empire
Military
- Main article: Torentine Armed Forces
Throughout history Torentine has kept ready a well trained Army and powerful Navy. However, due to a variety of internal factors, the last century has shown a gradual decline in the Empire’s military power.
With the recent change of sovereign this trend has been halted. The current government has pledged a return to military glory and has sought out the assistance of Antara to work toward fulfilling that pledge.
Torentine is a partner of the Tandem Imperium.
