Rhotia

Rhotia, officially the Republic of Rhotia, is a country in Levantia. It is neighbored by Hollona and Diorisia and Anglei to the west, Urcea to the southwest, Lapody to the east, and Fiannria to the north.

Republic of Rhotia Repubblia Rhotia (Rhotian)
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: O Natio! ("Oh Nation!")
Anthem: O Natio!
Location of Rhotia (green) in the Levantine Union (light green) and Levantia (gray)
Capital and largest city	Corcra
Official languages	Rhotian
Religion	Catholic Church
Demonym(s)	Rhotian Rhotes (plural)
Government	Federal constitutional presidential republic
• President	Alexandru Lash
• Upper house	All-States Delegation
• Lower house	All-Rhotian Assembly
Establishment
• Proclaimed	2030
Population
• Estimate	131,396,801
GDP (nominal)	estimate
• Total	$5,214,824,950,803
• Per capita	$39,687.60
Currency	Taler

Rhotia was established in 2030 in the aftermath of the Dissolution of the Deric States, unifying the five Rhotian language-speaking countries of Allaria, Corcra, Orclenia, Kronenia, and Vinesia that were members of the Deric States. The new Rhotian nationality emerged as the idea of a unified Derian identity collapsed, emphasizing the shared history, language, and day-to-day social mores of Rhotian-speaking peoples.

Rhotia is a member of the Levantine Union.

Etymology

Rhotia is named for Rhotian, the language spoken in the northern part of Dericania. It is unclear when this derivation was first used in a geographical sense, with scattered references beginning in the late 17th century. The term did not enter common parlance until the 20th century, when it was used to collectively refer to the northern Deric States.

Geography

Rhotia is a landlocked country in central Levantia.

History

Main article: History of Dericania

Pre-union states

Corcra

Further information: Corcra (City)

Rhotian unification

Main article: Dissolution of the Deric States

Government

Rhotia is a federal, constitutional republic with various democratic values. It is governed by the Fundamental Statute of 2030, which serves as the Republic's constitution. In style, and particularly in nomenclature, it is based partly on the government of Fiannria, the oldest democratic republic in Levantia, although in form it resembles a more straightforward presidential republic. Rhotia is relatively unique among members of the Levantine Union in that its head of state and head of government are the same office, eschewing both the semi-presidential model of Fiannria, the Julian form of governance, as well as the more conventional constitutional monarchical systems employed by states like Lapody and Anglei.

Rhotia is a federal union of five states who retain some degree of local governance and are coterminous with the predecessor states of the Deric States which formed Rhotia.

Executive

The head of state and head of government of Rhotia is the President of Rhotia.

The current President of Rhotia is Alexandru Lash. Lash, who is a self-described non-partisan academic, was selected as provisional President by the All-States Delegation at the time of the constitution's adoption. The first regularly scheduled Presidential election will be held in 2035.

Legislature

Rhotia has a bicameral legislature divided into the All-Rhotian Assembly, the lower chamber, and the All-States Delegation, the upper chamber. The All-Rhotian Assembly is considered the primary legislative chamber and has authority over all laws and has power of the purse inasmuch as all budgets must originate there, while the All-States Delegation has limited authority over foreign trade deals, constitutional matters, and labor laws, similar to the Urcean Gildertach. The All-Rhotian Assembly is elected by a national ballot every five years (with elections in years ending with "0" and "5") by means of a nation-wide party-list proportional representation system. The All-States Delegation, meanwhile, is comprised of individuals appointed by the state legislatures of Rhotia's five constituent states, with apportionment based on population, with the smallest state having three delegates and the largest six.

Local governance

Rhotia is divided into five states, each of whom have a unicameral State Assembly and Governor. These states are coterminous with the pre-unification borders of Allaria, Corcra, Orclenia, Kronenia, and Vinesia, though the territory in and around the city of Corcra itself has been turned into a federal district.

Politics

At present, Rhotia is governed by a national government of all political parties within the All-Rhotian Assembly in conjunction with a provisionally elected non-partisan President of Rhotia, Alexandru Lash. Rhotia, as a new country comprised of five former countries, has four primary "coalitions" rather than political parties; these coalitions are made up of the various local political parties of the five states. All four coalitions have committed themselves to reforming into centrally organized political parties by 2035. The four coalitions, by order of size within the Assembly, are the Pan-Deric National Union League (center-right), the Post-Deric Front (left), the Coalition of Patriotic Democrats (big tent/populist), and the Coalition for the Right Governance of the Kingdom of Dericania (far right).

Culture

A distinctly Rhotian cultural identity - and what traditions, mores, and practices define Rhotian cultural life - is a new concept. It is still being defined by its practitioners and studied by scholars, but its basic outlines came into view in the 1980s with the rise of the internet, as Rhotian speakers identifies the practices and traditions common to them as opposed to those of the people of Lapody. To most Rhotes, the Rhotian language is their major source of pride and main identifying point of what identifies a Rhotian as opposed to any other ethnic group. Accordingly, a public effort has been made to distinguish Rhotia historically as a center of poetry, writing, music, and general use of the written and spoken word. In addition to this focus on language, scholars have also identified Fiannan heritage influences as another central part of Rhotian life, as significant parts of the Fiannan music and written tradition (be they songs, common tropes, or other elements) are present throughout Rhotian arts. This is true in common practices in Rhotia; as an example, Rhotian cuisine is more similar to Fiannan cuisine in style, ingredients, and presentation than Lapodard cuisine.

Scholars have classified the antecedents of a unified Rhotian cultural identity as "Upper Deric culture", referring to the general continuity of mores and traditions in northern Dericania since the medieval period. This culture is shared with Hollona and Diorisia, which emerged from it by its cultural intermixing with the Ænglish people. Upper Deric culture formed in the wake of the collapse of Great Levantia, integrating the urban Latin-speaking elite with the rural Gaels, as happened elsewhere in Levantia. In both Rhotia and Lapody, a more distinctly Latin, rather than Gaelic or pure fusion culture, emerged by the 9th century. This common origin for the Upper Deric and "Middle Deric" (Lapodard) as opposed to other peoples like Urceans or people of the Lower Deric culture (Burgoignesc culture) formed the early basis of the Derian identity in the 18th and 19th century.

Cuisine

Hunter's stew

Due to its inland and mountainous terrain, as well as the large amount of lowlands forestry, Rhotian cuisine is exceptionally varied, rich in meat, especially pork, chicken and beef, in addition to a wide range of vegetables, spices, and herbs. It is also characteristic in its use of various kinds of noodles as well as cereals and grains. Fish is common in many dishes, with salmon and trout being consumed by a large portion of the coastal populace. These are most often smoked, salted or marinated. In general, Rhotian cuisine is hearty and heavy in its use of butter, cream, eggs and extensive seasoning. The traditional dishes are often demanding in preparation, with some meals taking days to prepare fully. Notable Rhotian dishes include hunter's stew, pyrohy, pork loin breaded cutlet, mined meat cabbage roll, beef roulade, sour cucumber soup, mushroom soup, tomato soup, sour rye soup, tripe soup, and red beetroot borscht.

Traditional Rhotian dinners consist of three dishes, with the first portion being of some variant of soup. Most commonly this would be tomato soup or meat broth. Following this soup would be an appetizer, such as herring (prepared in either cream, oil, or in aspic) or other cured meats and vegetable salads. Following the appetizer is the main meal, often of roast, breaded pork cutlet, salmon, or chicken, accompanied by shredded root vegetables with lemon and sugar (carrot, celeriac, seared beetroot) or fermented cabbage. Side dishes are often boiled potatoes, rice, noodles, or kasha. These dinners are concluded with a dessert including poppy seed pastries, cream pies or cheesecake.

Alcoholic beverages within Rhotia are commonly mead, beer, and vodka, with wine being rarely consumed. By far the most popular of these is beer, which has experienced a resurgence since the early 2000s due to lower costs and the ease of manufacture. In regards to nonalcoholic beverages, tea is widely drunk often with a slice of lemon and sweetened with sugar or honey, while drinking with milk is far less common. Coffee, introduced during the Second Great War period, is also common. Locally produced gira is consumed in the eastern portions of the country. It is typically made from rye bread, usually known as black bread, and is not classified as an alcoholic beverage as its alcohol content usually ranges from 0.5-1% or 1-2 proof. Frequently consumed beverages also include buttermilk, kefir, soured milk, instant coffee, various mineral waters, juices, and numerous brands of soft drink.

Demographics

Religious Demographics

Religious affiliations in Rhotia (2030)

  Catholicism (89.2%)

  Collegiate (4.2%)

  Irreligious (5.5%)

  Other (1.1%)

The vast majority of Rhotes are members of the Catholic Church.

4.2% of Rhotes in 2030 - about 5.5 million Rhotes - are members of the Protestant College of Levantine Churches. Rhotia has a long history of being associated with Protestantism in Levantia, and Rhotia was geographically the primary battleground of the Great Confessional War, a war of religion that took place in the Holy Levantine Empire during the 16th century.

Economy

Rhotia boasts a unique economic landscape shaped by cooperative ideals and a commitment to shared prosperity. Emerging from its Third Fratricide roots, various component elements of what would become the Deric States - and later Rhotia - adopted experimental economic models throughout the 1950s and 60s. These economic experiments gradually faded in the 1970s and 1980s, transitioning from a rigid command economy to a vibrant market socialist model that values innovation, hard work, and equitable wealth distribution. In Rhotia, the spirit of collaboration permeates the economy. State-operated enterprises, cooperatives, and small worker-owned businesses harmoniously coexist. Cooperative ownership thrives, especially in sectors like construction, finance, mining, and agriculture. Large enterprises, classified as "Publicly Owned Enterprises" (POEs), represent a blend of shareholder investments and public ownership. Foreign involvement is welcomed, yet stringent regulations ensure that the essence of Rhotia’s cooperative vision is preserved. Rhotia is a member of the Levantine Union, and accordingly shares a common market with other LU members, though at times the economic relationship between foreign capital and Rhotian communities can be tense. Despite this, Rhotia heavily engages in trade with its Levantine Union colleagues. Import substitution policies bolster self-sufficiency, ensuring that Rhotia's economy remains robust.

Cooperatives form the backbone of Rhotia’s business landscape, fostering a sense of community ownership. Meanwhile, Publicly Owned Enterprises (POEs) combine public and shareholder interests, ensuring a diverse and inclusive approach to decision-making. The government, Worker's Investment Board, and dedicated Rhotian investors share ownership, ensuring a harmonious balance of power. Rhotians, recognizing the importance of balance, enjoy a comparatively short workweek of 30 hours spread over five days. The workdays are flexible, accommodating various preferences. Some choose the standard 6-hour workdays, while others opt for longer days in exchange for shorter ones, depending on operational needs. This flexibility enhances the overall quality of life, allowing citizens to relish the Mediterranean splendor that surrounds them.

The nation's picturesque landscapes and rich cultural heritage make tourism a significant contributor, not only boosting the local economy but also fostering international friendships. Corcra - and its significant historical sites ranging from Great Levantine ruins to the former Holy Levantine Imperial palace - is the largest tourism destination in the country and one of the most visited cities in Levantia. Other noteworthy industries in Rhotia include agriculture, renewable energy and renewable manufacturing, and a nascent high-tech sector fostered by the new Rhotian government since unification.

Military

The Republican Guard of Rhotia is the nation's armed forces, with two branches: the Republican Army, which serves as the nation's ground forces and also includes helicipters, and; the Republican Air Force, which serves in both air defense and air power projection roles. The Republican Army is designed to seamlessly be integrated within the Levantine Union Defense Council force command in time of war, and is organized in such a way as to have flexible command structures depending on various allied needs. Accordingly, the Republican Guard is doctrinally designed to not be a freestanding force capable of acting independently (except in extreme cases of national defense) but is intended to serve a complementary role to larger allied forces.

The Republican Guard was assembled from the five component countries' military forces. The officer corps of both branches are disproportionately made up of officers from the former countries of Allaria and Kronenia, who were the two largest Rhotian-speaking countries. Orclean-origin officers and enlisted personnel make up the next largest share. Corcra and Vinesia were virtually disarmed, only retaining small national defense formations and a national gendarmerie for police purposes, and accordingly their military traditions are not well represented within the Guard.