Orthodox Arzalism and New Harren: Difference between pages

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{{wip}}[[File:PSM V31 D091 Sacrificial stone or cuauhxicalli of tizoc.jpg|thumb|Bird's eye view of an Arzali sacrificial altar]]
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'''Arzalism''' is the official and overwhelmingly predominant religion of [[Draft:Varshan|Varshan]]. {{wp|Polytheistic}} and {{wp|henotheistic}} in nature, Arzalism recognises a vast pantheon of deities, but includes many sects and movements specifically dedicated to particular gods or groups of gods. {{wp|Religious sacrifice|Sacrifice}} - rather than prayer, doctrine, or ethics - is the essential and defining rite of the Arzali faith, with {{wp|human sacrifice}} considered its ultimate form. Arzalism has had a profound impact on the [[Culture of Varshan|culture of Varshan]].
{{Infobox country
|native_name                =
|conventional_long_name      = Kingdom of the Confederation of New Harren
|common_name                = New Harren
|image_flag                  = NewHarrenFlag2023.png
|image_coat                  = New yustona seal.png
|symbol_type                = Arms of New Harren
|national_motto              = <br>''Heaven's Light Our Guide''<br/>
|national_anthem            = <br>''[[My Crona, Heaven Sent]]''
|image_map                  = NH Locator.png
|map_caption                = Location of '''New Harren''' (green) in northern [[Crona]] (gray). Other dependencies of [[Urcea]] and [[NSTA]] members are depicted in light green.
|map_width                  = 250px
|image_map2                  =
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|capital                    = Port St. Charles
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|religion                   = [[Catholic Church]]
|demonym                    = New Harrenic
|legislature                = Grand Council
|government_type            = [[Benefactor confederacy]]
|leader_title1              = [[Apostolic King of Urcea|King]]
|leader_name1                = [[Riordan VIII|Riordan I]]
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|established_event2          = [[War of the Northern Confederation]]
|established_date2          = 2008
|established_event3          = Crona Organic Act
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Although the history of Arzalism is difficult to trace, it is generally accepted that Arzalism has been the religion of the Varshani people since time immemorial, though it has undergone major changes through the millennia. The most significant of these changes occurred in 1408, when the Varshani ruler Žuqul I proclaimed the Death God as the paramount deity over the Sun God. From the [[Varshan#Žuqulid_Revolution|Great Edict of Žuqul]] to the culmination of [[the Deluge]], orthodox Arzalism was inextricably fused with the Varshani state.
The '''Kingdom of the Confederation of New Harren''' is a country in [[Cusinaut]]. Levantine colonization of the area of modern New Harren began in the 1850s, beginning the introduction of populations of [[Urcean people]] to Cusinaut. The Rectory of New Harren, the resulting colony, grew throughout the 19th and 20th century. In the 21st century, the Rectory was joined together with several local polities during the [[War of the Northern Confederation]] to create the Kingdom, which unified the local allied polities and Rectories together into a single, new [[benefactor confederacy]].  


After the [[Final War of the Deluge]], orthodox Arzalism became illegal in [[League-occupied Varshan]] and most places abroad. In the areas of Varshan where Arzalism was reestablished, it was replaced by [[State Arzalism]].
The country, which is under a {{wp|real union}} with [[Urcea]], is one of the largest [[Occidental]] countries in the [[Nysdra Sea]] region. Historians and observers have noted that it is the most readily identifiable home of the [[Nysdrine people]], a cultural and ethnic group which incorporates both Levantine and Cronan heritages. New Harren is viewed as the cultural crossroads between the Occident and Cusinaut. Economically and culturally, New Harren is significantly influential on [[Urcea]] and its allies. Since the [[Final War of the Deluge]] and construction of the so-called "[[Nysdra Sea Treaty Association|NSTA]]-sphere", New Harren is taking on the characteristics of a cosmopolitan global hub, becoming the political and economic center of the Nysdrine world.


==Terminology==
It is adjacent to several [[Nysdra Sea Treaty Association|NSTA]] members as well as [[Cao]], [[Porfiria]], and [[Iriquona]]. The Kingdom was greatly expanded following the [[Final War of the Deluge]], with the four constituent peoples of the [[Nysdra Provisional Republic]] voting to join in late 2024.
The word 'Arzalism' is derived from the Modern Latin ''Arzalismus'', which itself comes from the Varshani word ''arzal'', meaning "worship" or more broadly, "religion". The Varshani language has no proper name for the religon, simply referring to it as ''arzal'', or alternatively as ''arzal žub rizul'' ("worship of the true gods") when it is necessary to distinguish it from other religions.


The term 'Arzalism' is first attested in Old World sources in the 1890s and entered into common currency over the course of the 20th century ''anno Domini'', replacing terms such as "Niscism" (''Niscismus'', from Varshani ''Nizčo'', the native term for the Death God), "Varshanism" (''Varscianismus'') or "the Varshani religion" (''religio Varscianorum''), which still enjoy some usage.
The Kingdom is a member of the [[Nysdra Sea Treaty Association]].


===Theonymy===
==Etymology==
Most Arzali deities do not have proper names, reflecting a general lack of distinction between the deities and the phenomena they govern, as well as the highly {{wp|polysemy|polysemic}} nature of the Varshani language. For example, Arzali religious texts and incantations refer to the Sun God simply as "the Sun" (''Aq'') and the Death God simply as "Death" (''Nizčo'').
New Harren is named for [[Harren]], one of two core constituent parts of [[Urcea]]. The realm takes its name from the original Urcean [[Constituent_states_of_New_Harren#New_Harren|Rectory of New Harren]], now one of the Kingdom's constituent parts.  


==Pantheon==
The Kingdom's long name, the "''Kingdom of the Confederation of New Harren''", is of relatively unusual construction for national names in the [[Occident]]. The Statutory Charter of 2024, the nation's {{wp|constitution}}, provides that the "Confederation of New Harren" is the "cultural" and "geographical" name for the country, with "Kingdom" describing its form of government. In common parlance, both "the realm" and "the confederation" are used to refer to the country.
===The Sun God===
The Sun God is the Arzali creator deity, responsible for the creation of the world.


Human sacrifice to the Sun God shows gratitude to the Sun God and recognition of the Sun as the source of all life by "returning" a life to them. Human sacrifices to the Sun God are only performed at certain times during the year (e.g. harvest and planting festivals), or in times of dire need (e.g. to ward off crop failure), and only at high noon. The Sun God also accepts sacrifices of animals, produce (mainly grain), and incense, which can be made at dawn, noon, or sunset. Sacrifices to the Sun God during nightfall are anathema and punishable by death, either because they are believed to have the effect of sacrificing to the Moon or because they were once used to conceal clandestine Moon worship.
== Geography ==
New Harren sits along the southeastern and eastern coast of [[Cusinaut]], a large peninsular region in [[Crona]], and is predominantly [[Nysdra Sea]] facing. It is one of the most habitable parts of the Nysdra basin and also sits not far from [[New Veltorina]] on the other side of the Nysdra and Northern Approaches. There are two main centers of human habitation within New Harren. The southeastern coast of the country, within the [[Constituent_states_of_New_Harren#New_Harren|Rectory of New Harren]], is heavily settled and urbanized, with new development radiating out from the coast. The second center is the so-called "native belt", a string of cities and heavily urbanized areas which largely run across the country's western border in the country's "middle" running north to south.
===Climate===
Much of the country's coastal regions, especially in the southern two thirds of the country, are temperate and suitable for large scale human habitation. The area which encompassed New Harren between the [[War of the Northern Confederation]] and the [[Final War of the Deluge]] exhibit a {{wp|Oceanic_climate#Marine_west_coast_(Cfb)|marine mild winter}} climate. This part of New Harren has year-round cloud cover due to the presence of warm sea currents and western sea breezes. This area receives significant precipitation. The northern third of the country, roughly approximate to the territory of the former [[Nysdra Provisional Republic]] has a {{wp|Subarctic climate|subarctic climate}} with long, cold winters. As a whole, the country has significant vegetation cover, although the diversity of such coverage decreases in the subarctic region to {{wp|conifer}} trees.
===Topography===
Much of New Harren is flat, with gentle rolling hills lowering out towards the [[Nysdra Sea]] where low elevation land has significant human habitation. The country is bordered to the west by highlands which separate it from [[Porfíria]]. The pre-Final War of the Deluge northern border of the country was a riverine system which separated it from the highlands that extend throughout much of central [[Cusinaut]], but following the annexation of the Nysdra Provisional Republic, the northern third of the country is largely comprised of these highlands.


===The Death God===
<gallery mode="packed">
The Death God is the paramount deity in Orthodox Arzalism.
File:Kuysumy mountains and Torgashinsky range. View from viewing platform on Kashtakovskaya path (Stolby reserve, Krasnoyarsk city) 4Y1A8757 (28363120875).jpg|The northern highlands are largely coniferous with low flora diversity; despite their northerly location, they remain relatively pleasant during the summer months.
File:29th Annual Baltimore Parade of Lighted Boats - 31662521322.jpg|Port St. Charles and other Levantine cities like it dot the southeastern coast of the country and form its first major population center.
File:Town of Athabasca, Alberta photograph.jpg|To the west, the "native belt" areas of the western border make up the second population center of the country. Many of its indigenous peoples have begun to organize their settlements along Levantine lines, as seen here with Kuysuma, [[Constituent_states_of_New_Harren#Mixcala|MX]].
</gallery>


The Death God accepts both human and animal sacrifices, but the state priesthood accepts animal sacrifices only from worshippers who are too poor to afford slaves.
== History ==
===Prior to the 19th century===
{{Main|Northern Confederation}}
The territory now encompassing New Harren was initially part of a larger entity in Western [[Crona]] known as the [[Northern Confederation]]. Established in the 17th century, the Northern Confederation aimed to solve long-standing disputes between a myriad of local tribes via Confederate arbitration. It was held that forming such a Confederation would help all members resist the incoming [[Levantia|Levantine]] traders, who had already extracted trade interests and established treaty ports in Crona, particularly in [[Quetzenkel]]. The Confederation was comprised of six "great tribes" along with many smaller tribes and Cronite city-states; the Mixcala, the Cheektowaga, the Tepetlcali, the Tonawandis, the [[Algoquona]], and the Schoharie. The Mixcala and Tepetlcali in particular frequently required Confederate intervention to prevent war.


===The Blood God===
===Colonial establishment===
Devotion to the Blood God is strongest among warriors, who consider him their patron.


Blood priests practice many rituals involving scarification, body modification, mortification of the flesh, bloodletting, and vampirism. Bullfighting is a popular Blood devotion performed at major festivals by Blood priests who train as matadors. The Blood God accepts human and animal sacrifices, and blood must be spilt in order for the sacrifice to be efficacious. Worshippers may offer their own body parts as sacrifices to the Blood God.
In the 1850s, [[King Aedanicus VIII]] sought to acquire land in Crona to boost Urcea's prestige and, additionally, in order to find territory to settle veterans of the [[Third Caroline War]]. After much searching, the tribe of [[List of peoples of Cusinaut#Q-T|Schoharie]], the southernmost tribe in the Northern Confederation, agreed to sell its marshy southern coastal region to Urcea for four million talers in 1857. King Aedanicus declared the territory the colony of New Harren in 1858, and the new settlers arrived to find a difficult, swampy environment, which was only cleared through expensive application of new industrial technologies. Port St. Charles was established by the settlers in 1858, and by 1868 most of the bogs had been drained, allowing for arable land. [[Urcean people|Urcean]] colonists flooded into the country in the 1870s in light of constant overcrowding in [[Urcea]], and by 1880 it was clear that the small territory was no longer sufficient to hold the growing population. Urcea declared war on the Schoharie in 1881 in the hopes that overwhelming Occidental power would prevent the Confederation from intervening, but it became clear that the gambit had failed as huge warbands and armies from the Confederation appeared on New Harren's frontiers. Using the power of its advanced [[Royal Navy (Urcea)|Royal Navy]] and [[List of equipment of the Armed Forces of Urcea#Muskets%20and%20rifles|bolt-action rifles]], Urcea quickly seized coastal fishing areas, transforming the war into a war of attrition. Growing expenses lead to the war ending in 1883; Urcea was ceded some territory from the Schoharie but the effort was largely considered a failure due to the inability to win a decisive victory. The war had claimed the lives of thousands of natives, and the Schoharie living in the ceded territory fled northward, settling in the lands of the Tepetlcali and Algoquona. Many of the Schoharie living in its remaining territory also began to migrate northwards, as many believed it would only be a matter of time until the Urceans returned.


===The Pain God===
[[King Aedanicus VIII]] did intend to try again, but died in 1889, and the colony was considered one of the King's vanity projects. New Harren was the sole overseas possession of [[Urcea]] to recognize the immediate succession of [[Patrick III of Urcea|King Patrick III]] during the period of the [[Red Interregnum]]. Following the Crown Regency and Red Interregnum, Patrick III sought to restore Urcea's reputation abroad and to test Urcea's rebuilt military might. New Harren had again reached its comfortable population limit, and the King intended to prove that it was not merely his father's side project - Urcea was here to stay. To that end, he deployed several of Urcea's rebuild Royal Navy ships to shell the [[List of peoples of Cusinaut#Q-T|Schoharie]] coast before a formal declaration of war came In August of 1908, after which time the [[Royal and Imperial Army (Urcea)|Royal Army]] expeditionary force came to occupy Schoharie by the end of September, though they found it mostly depopulated. This time, the very well-armed Urcean expeditionary force defeated the Confederation in several major battles, advancing as far inland as the city of Tepetlcali in November of 1909 before malaria and supply issues forced the Urceans to turn back. The Confederate troops - armed mostly with muzzle loading rifles purchased from [[Audonia|Audonian]] nations in the late 1860s - were overwhelmed by Urcean fire, but the sheer number of troops made a total victory over the Confederation difficult and it was determined that an advance past Schoharie would be impossible given the resolve of the Confederation. The [[Treaty of Electorsbourg]] ended the war in 1910; Urcea annexed Schoharie but agreed to recognize the Confederation's extant borders, and the Confederation agreed to open fair trade relations with Urcea. The Schoharie War was the last formal conflict fought between Urceans and Cronites in the 20th century, and Urcea formed strong trade relations with its Confederation neighbor, the tribe of the Mixcala. Though there was peace, numerous Urcean and other Levantine settlers filibustering into Confederate lands; these efforts were all defeated, sometimes with Urcean assistance.
The Pain God is the Arzali deity governing both pain and visceral, bodily pleasure, which Varshani culture understands as two sides of the same coin, referring to them by the same word (''riq''). Like the Raid God, the Pain God is unusual among Arzali deities in that she does have prescriptive teachings for how her followers should live. Pain priests teach that devotees should sadistically strive to maximise their own pleasure (and the Pain God's) by maximising the pain of others.


Worship of the Pain God centres on the torture of human and animal victims. Pain priests have devised (and continue to devise) various methods of tormenting sacrificial victims while maintaining their life and consciousness as much as possible in order to prolong suffering. Pain worship can also include a number of sadistic-masochistic sexual rituals, self-flagellation, and ritual scarification and amputation performed on willing worshippers (often by their own hand) to show devotion.
===20th century===


===The Raid God===
===21st century===
The Raid God is the deity that governs humanity, and his commandments form the bulk of Arzali doctrine regarding government, "ethics", and the social order. Unlike the other Arzali gods, whose relationship to mankind is generally limited to granting divine favour in exchange for sacrifices, the Raid God prescribes how his followers are to behave. Most Varshani social institutions, including the caste system, slavery, the policy of perpetual aggression, and compulsory military service, are believed to have been established by the Raid God.
====Organization====
In the wake of the [[War of the Northern Confederation]], [[Urcea]]'s position in [[Cusinaut]] saw it in direct control of the [[Constituent_states_of_New_Harren#New_Harren|Rectory of New Harren]], allied with the [[Constituent_states_of_New_Harren#Mixcala|Mixcalan state]], sharing a condominium over the former [[Constituent_states_of_New_Harren#Weluta-New_Mixcala|Tepetlcali lands]], and with various treaties and agreements with several former members of the [[Northern Confederation]]. These agreements varied in type from legitimized military occupation to mutually agreed upon dependency. Prior to the war, a new confederation aligned with [[Urcea]] was envisioned, but the idea of incorporating the Rectory into a new confederated Kingdom structure was discussed among members of the [[Concilium Purpaidá]] as early as October of [[2009]] while the war was ongoing. The idea was proposed to Urcea's new allies and dependents in secret negotiations beginning in December of that year, and it was agreed the formation of a [[benefactor confederacy]] with [[Urcea]] as a strong hand might prevent the new confederation from collapsing as the [[Northern Confederation|old one had]].  


The Raid God created the Varshani race, and a plurality of Varshanites claiming divine ancestry believe themselves to be his descendants. All ethnic Varshani (even slaves) owe worship to the Raid God. The "Martial among Gentiles" also worship the Raid God, and their devotion to him forms the religious basis of their more privileged status in society. However, they can only make sacrifices to him collectively, in order to obtain divine favour for their race as a whole, whereas Varshanites can petition him as individuals. Non-Varshanites who do not belong to the martial races are forbidden from sacrificing or praying to the Raid God, and doing so is punishable by enslavement (for free persons) or death (for slaves and repeat offenders). People enslaved for this reason become the property of the temple system.
The newly reorganized state was formed by the Crona Organic Act of 2010, an act of the [[Concilium Daoni]] which formally divested Urcea of its Rectory territory and recognized its independence as a new [[House de Weluta|de Weluta]]-ruled realm. The incorporation of the constituent parts was alluded to by the Organic Act, but not formally accomplished until a treaty could be reached with each constituent part, a process which was completed by November of 2010. The Organic Act, the treaties, and the Conciliar Proclamation would form the basis of an {{wp|unwritten constitution}} for the Kingdom until [[2024]]. In December of 2010, [[Riordan VIII]] traveled to Port St. Charles and was crowned King of New Harren by the Archbishop on 4 December 2010. After his coronation, he held a council with the leaders of the various constituent parts in the traditional style of the [[Northern Confederation]], signifying his commitment to their traditional rights and autonomy. In the council, the King then issued the "Conciliar Proclamation", a document providing for the basic administrative and legislative governance of the confederation. The Proclamation had been negotiated beforehand, and all of the principal leaders accepted the Proclamation on behalf of their constituency. After the council, the local leaders offered obeisance to the King in the traditional [[Occidental]] manner before the King and leaders departed.


The Raid God only accepts human sacrifices. Historically, victims were required to be captives of war, but due to constraints on the supply of captives in more modern times, it is now permissible to sacrifice slaves descended from war captives. The priestly caste has created a fairly extensive bureaucracy to certify the captive lineage of slaves and regulate the supply of acceptable sacrifices to the Raid God.
====Expansion====
{{Main|Nysdra Provisional Republic|Treaty of Electorsbourg (2024)}}
====Refugee settlements====
The end of the [[Final War of the Deluge]] brought many disparate ethnic groups and former slaves in [[Varshan]] under Urcean political control, and many of these groups sought new lives elsewhere. After significant deliberation and negotiation with the [[Constituent_states_of_New_Harren#Mixcala|Mixcala]], the [[Constituent_states_of_New_Harren#Weluta-New_Mixcala|Condominium of Weluta-New Mixcala]] was opened to settlers from eastern Crona and Varshan, largely supplanting intended Levantine colonial settlement there.
== Government ==
New Harren, as a [[Benefactor confederacy|benefactor confederacy]], consists of several indigenous polities, tribes, cities, and the primarily [[Occidental]] Rectory of New Harren under the loose executive presidency of the [[Apostolic King of Urcea]] and his Governor-General in his stead, who the King directly nominates and submits for the approval of the [[Concilium Daoni]] of [[Urcea]]. Accordingly, the Kingdom of the Confederation of New Harren is largely characterized by its confederate nature. The Kingdom functioned without a constitution until the conclusion of the [[Final War of the Deluge]]. [[Riordan VIII|Riordan I]] in his capacity as King, in consultation with the constituent parts of the Kingdom, issued the Statutory Charter of [[2024]]. The Charter replaced a series of individual treaty relationships between the Crown and constituent nations with a constitutional structure wherein the constituents retained a large amount of rights and autonomy. The Charter also replaced the Crona Organic Act of 2010, an act of the Urcean [[Concilium Daoni]] which provided for New Harren's indpendence, and the Conciliar Proclamation, an act of King [[Riordan VIII|Riordan I]] providing for the administration of the state.  


The Raid God is closely associated with [[The Hunt (Varshan)|the Hunts]], an era of large scale military raids and demographic destruction against the [[North Songun civilization]].
The Kingdom has a small central government apparatus, responsible for regulating relations between the constituent parts of the Kingdom as well as providing for the basic functions of a small welfare state. Much of the domestic policy decisions reserved to the constituent level of governance, though the Kingdom's legislature has broad discretion to keep local laws and statutes similar by providing for legal baselines for conduct and the regulation of economic activity.  Under the King and Governor-General is the Grand Council of the Kingdom of New Harren, the Kingdom's legislature.


===The Fire and Lightning God===
Much of the government's activity is done under the purview of representatives of the [[Government of Urcea]].
The Fire God accepts only burnt offerings. These can take the form of animals, grain, incense, tobacco, oil, or burnt effigies; but the highest form of sacrifice to the Fire God is to immolate a human victim alive. Fire priests make extensive use of incense, tobacco, cannabis, and ash in their rituals.


===The Rain God===
===Executive===
One of the oldest Arzali deities, the Rain God was the second most revered figure in Primitive Arzalism after the Sun God. The Rain God is worshipped throughout the country and features prominently in the rites of Orthodox Arzalism, but a much more extensive Rain Cult exists in rural areas among the agricultural population.
The King, and consequently the Governor-General, has total control over the Kingdom's foreign policy, but relatively limited influence in the domestic affairs of the constituent parts of the Kingdoms save for the New Harren Rectory, where the Crown exercises direct control. The Governor-General is responsible for signing legislation sent to him by the Grand Council into law. Accordingly, the Governor-General has full veto power, but the Statutory Charter of 2024 provides specific areas under which the Governor-General may withhold his signature from legislation: 1. The legislation adversely affects one particular constituent unit without their express consent (by means of a {{wp|home rule}} notice); 2. The legislation runs contrary to the Statutory Charter of 2024 or of some other organic law of the state; 3. The legislation pertains to foreign policy and runs contrary to the goals and policies of the Kingdom and its relationship to [[Urcea]], and; 4. The legislation is antithetical to the preservation of the union. Observers and critics have noted that the fourth grounds for an executive veto are overly broad and do not conform to the "limited veto spirit" of the Statutory Charter. Nonetheless, no legislation submitted to the Governor-General has been vetoed in the entire history of the Kingdom.
====Administration====
The Governor-General's government in Port St. Charles has a number of executive agencies which have limited and specific legal authority; they are largely responsible for the provision of a basic administrative state in New Harren.


The highest form of sacrifice to the Rain God is by throwing live victims into sacred limestone {{wp|cenotes}}, although it is also licit to use purpose-built {{wp|cisterns}} or certain sacred lakes and waterfalls for this purpose. Urban Rain Temples mostly sacrifice victims by drowning in tanks with glass walls. The most prestigious sacrificial cenote for the worship of the Rain God was [name], until 2022 when its aperture was collapsed by a [[Kiravian Army Air Corps|Kiravian airstrike]].
===Legislative===
The Grand Council of the Kingdom of New Harren serves as the primary legislative body for the realm. It is comprised of three representatives from each of the constituent parts of the Kingdom elected every five years, on the same cycle as elections in [[Urcea]]. The Grand Council's thirty three members have a relatively limited mandate of governance due to the expansive rights reserved for the Kingdom's constituent parts, but it does have a major role in terms of regulating trade between the constituent units and the Kingdom's external trade policy. In practice, the Council serves primarily as an economic planning body, where the eleven constituencies gather and vote on large confederation-wide economic plans to be implemented within each of the constituent units. The Grand Council has extremely limited oversight of the Governor-General or the executive agencies.
===Confederated units===
{{Main|Constituent states of New Harren}}


===The Earth God===
As a confederation, the constituent parts of New Harren are its key political, social, and administrative unit. The eleven constituent parts of the Kingdom of New Harren are:
Sacrifices to the Earth God are made by burying victims alive or by burying them up to the neck and stoning them to death. There are also two Earth Temples specially authorised to crush victims using large rocks. Burying the remains of victims sacrificed to other gods is also considered an act of Earth Worship.


===Victory Goddess===
* The Rectory of New Harren
The goddess of {{wp|military victory|victory}}, often referred to as ''dabz nakaz'' ("Sweet Victory"), is an important deity to the martial and civic dimensions of Arzalism and Varshani culture. As with Raideron (see above), the Victory Goddess demands captives of war as sacrifices, and such sacrifices are made to commemorate important military victories in Varshani history, as well as during times of war after successful battles. Waršani warriors do not seek Dabz Nakaz's favour or intervention to aid them in battle. Rather, they go to battle to prove their worth and devotion to her, and undertake fasts or painful acts of physical penitence in her name after military defeats. Dabz Nakaz is the most prominent Arzali deity described and portrayed with expressly feminine attributes.
* The Tribal Dominion of Mixcala
* The Tribal Dominion of Cheektowaga
* The Tribal Dominion of Tonawandis
* The Condominium of Weluta-New Mixcala
* The Free Cities
* The Free Tribes
* The Tribal Dominion of Honeoye
* The Tribal Dominion of Gowandis
* The Tribal Dominion of Canandaigua
* The Tribal Dominion of Saranac


===God-Emperors and God-Kings===
===Politics===
The ''Zûrg'' ("Emperor") and Preclassical Varshani kings (''wuz'') are accorded the status of {{wp|Demigod|demigods}} in orthodox Arzalism, being viewed (like many other aristocratic Varshanis) as having divine ancestry from birth and as semi-divine figures during their reign, before being {{wp|deification|deified}} upon their death. The Shorter Book of Worship, a major Arzali text, expresses this distinction succinctly: "While the Zûrg rules under the favour of the Sun [God], all owe him obedience. While he holds court in Death's halls, all owe him their sacrifices. All shall pay what they owe."
New Harren is a multiparty democracy and enjoys robust public debate on most issues. It scores relatively highly according to most global metrics for the hallmarks of a free society.


Most recorded Zûrgs have at least one temple dedicated to them, most of which were constructed during their reign and house their tomb. Several less notable Zûrgs with shorter reigns are entombed (and many more are worshipped) at the Temple of Kings, which forms part of the Great Death Temple complex in Anzo. Typically, sacrifices to a God-King peak with the dedication of their temple and steadily decline the longer they have been dead, with slight upticks corresponding to the weddings and coronations of their sons and grandsons. Temples dedicated to long-dead God-Kings are rarely visited and sparingly staffed, with clerical posts there highly sought after as sinecures by the priestly caste. However, there are several God-Kings who are exceptions to this rule and continue to regularly receive sacrifices, often at multiple temple sites, long after their death. These include:
New Harren's political parties are organized as coalition groupings, with nation-wide political party organizations operating in Port St. Charles (as well as directly within the [[Constituent states of New Harren#New Harren|Rectory of New Harren]]) with associated groups functioning within each constituent unit. All three major parties have affiliate organizations in each constituent unit, making for relatively well organized political parties despite the disparate nature of governance in New Harren.  


*'''Biji -''' Commenced the Varshani transition from a migratory warrior tribe to a state society by conquering the city of Hoklo, which became the Varshani city-state of Anzo.  
The three political parties are:
*'''Žuqul I (the Great) -''' Founded orthodox Arzalism by establishing the primacy of the Death God over the Sun God.
* The '''Movement for the Confederation''', which supports the Statutory Charter of 2024 and is generally viewed to adhere to a {{wp|status quo}} view of the confederation as it is. The Movement does support using the authority of the limited Confederation government to improve economic development and customs cohesion between the various constituent units. The Movement is the most popular of the three political parties and counts many constituent native leaders among its members.
*'''Burušo IV (the Moonslayer) -''' Destroyed the Kulukusi, an advanced, Moon-worshipping civilisation that stood as the Varshani kingdom's main strategic rival.
* The '''Constitutional Union Party''', which advocates for a more centralized constitution, a system of {{wp|one man, one vote}} representation within the national government rather than equal delegations from each of the constituencies, and reforms which would make the country more like [[Urcea]]. The Constitutional Unionists are considered the most "pro-Occidental" party and are also strong supporters of [[House de Weluta]]. It is the second largest party and is the party most popular among direct Occidental descendants and those living within the [[Constituent states of New Harren#New Harren|Rectory of New Harren]], although it also has strong minority support among the [[List_of_peoples_of_Cusinaut#M-P|Mixcalan people]].
*'''Angbal I -''' First Zûrg of the Ninth Dynasty, who reunified the empire by winning the Sixth Varshani Civil War, killing and enslaving entire cities for their allegiance to the defeated factions. He is credited with expanding the cult of the Raid God and the use of enslavement (previously reserved for conquered non-Varshani peoples) as a penalty for crimes.
* The '''Independence League''', which calls for the dissolution of the Confederation into its constituent parts. The Independence League has two main factions, the majority "conservatives" who are moderately pro-[[Urcea]] in outlook and believe that, once independent, the eleven states would have to rely on Urcea for economic and military support due to their relatively small size. The "conservatives" envision a continued benefactor relationship similar to the status enjoyed by some [[NSTA]] stated. The minority "radicals" meanwhile view themselves as "anti-colonial" in outlook and envision total independence for the constituent states, free of the influence of [[Urcea]] specifically and the [[Occident]] generally.


===Other figures===
== Culture ==
*'''The Moon''' - Sometimes referred to by scholars as the "Arzali Satan", the Moon is the most reviled figure in Arzalism, framed as the primary adversary of both the Sun God and the gods of the Dark Pantheon.
{{Main|Nysdrine people}}
*'''The Soccer God''' - Patron of the {{wp|Mesoamerican ballgame|Varshani ballgame}}, an organised team sport which doubles as an Arzali religious ritual.
New Harren has a diverse culture made up of dozens of different ethnic groups and two primary heritages; [[Levantia|Levantine]] and [[Crona|Cronan]]. Due to its nature as an originally colonial nation, New Harren contains people of both of these descents, with the Levantine heritage residents tracing their origin to [[Urcean people]]. Urcean-descendant residents of the country comprise a slim majority of the residents of the nation, and accordingly Urcean culture is the dominant cultural and social system of people living in New Harren, not just those of Urcean descent. Among residents of New Harren, an increasing number refer to themselves as [[Nysdrine people]], an emergent cultural and ethnic group that predates the establishment of the confederation in 2010. Nysdrines view themselves as having some degree of Levantine cultural influence (or Levantine ethnicity) while having a distinctly Cronan personal origin. Nysdrine identity ranges greatly from indigineous people who practice [[Catholic Church|Catholicism]] to Levantine-descent individuals who were born in [[Crona]].
*'''The Hail God''' - Many tribes, both Varshani and non-Varshani, living in mountainous areas of the country have traditionally worshipped hail deities. Preclassical Arzalism as practiced in the lowlands may have incorporated the Hail God as a minor god of punishment, but due to the tendency of mountain-dwelling tribes to rebel against the Zûrg, orthodox priests long ago relegated the Hail God to being the Rain God's retarded cousin and outlawed their worship. Nonetheless, devotions to the Hail God persist in isolated mountain settlements and among some Solar Arzalis.


===Syncretic Figures===
Cultural integration of [[Occidental]] and [[Crona|Cronan]] heritages is one of the central social and political concerns of life in New Harren. The more overt integration, and efforts towards integration, occur against the backdrop of the emergent Nysdrine people. Integration within a New Harren context specifically means the combination of [[Urcean people|Urcean]] influences with those of the ten constituent peoples and their culture. In the decades since the establishment of the confederation, cultural exchange began occurring almost immediately within the realm's large cities. Young, unemployed native peoples from the constituent states began large scale migrations to New Harren's southeastern coastal cities beginning around 2013. Though native peoples had always been present in this region, the arrival of young people from the constituent states began the process of "integration" in a confederated New Harren context in earnest.
Many figures in Arzalism (especially regional and heterodox forms) are shared with or recognisably adapted from other Cronan religions.


*'''[[Xzibit]]'''
Policymakers in New Harren have made a conscious effort to try and speed up the pace of cultural exchange, a process which can normally take hundreds of years. Several cultural exchanges, new universities, and other institutions have been created by the government of New Harren to attempt to create a new, blended culture. These efforts almost always occur within the same set of "guard rails," namely that the exchange must take place within the Levantine-settled territories of the country first and radiate out. The state describes that "the context in which a culture can be formed...must not be the same one in which ones are destroyed." Significant efforts are being made to ensure that the formation of new shared traditions does not lead to {{wp|cultural genocide}} for the constituent peoples of the country. As part of cultural preservation efforts, the realm's government have begun construction of large museums in each of the constituent parts of the country to ensure that constituent cultures - ranging from everyday life to ancient traditions - are preserved.
*[stuff from Ma'acunism]


==Key Beliefs==
The interplay between Levantine and Cronan cultures is one of the defining aspects of New Harren's culture, and lays the foundation for many of its major social products, ranging from cuisine to fashion to sports.
Arzalism lacks a {{wp|systematic theology}} or a unified canon of authoritative scriptures. There are a large number of religious texts describing Arzali beliefs, myths, and rituals, but unlike the Bible, Koran, or Vedas, the texts are not held to be divinely-inspired or authoritative in and of themselves. Rather, they are simply considered written records of the priestly caste, who are collectively regarded as divinely inspired and the font of religious knowledge.
=== Cuisine ===
=== Fashion ===
The fashion industry is New Harren's most well known economic sector and cultural ephemeron, with clothing produced in Port St. Charles's fashion shops becoming famous worldwide by the mid-2010s. The Port St. Charles fashion scene has quickly become one of the world's most prestigious centers of fashion, with "the PSC look" or "the PSC style" becoming rapidly emulated abroad. Port St. Charles fashion melds [[Occidental]] clothing form factor with colors, styles, and production methods developed among the peoples of [[Cusinaut]] to produce colors and patterns considered highly unusual to Occidental customers. New Harren has become closely associated with fashion in the popular Occidental imagination since the mid-2010s.
[[File:Santa Fe Indian Market fashion show 2015.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Fashion inspired by methods of New Harren's indigienous people are popular in [[Occidental]] circles.]]
The first fashion houses and associated clothing manufacturers in New Harren were formed in the 1970s, not with an eye to any particular style but out of economic necessity. Importing clothing from Urcea was relatively expensive while raw materials were readily available within the Rectory for the production of clothes. The earliest local fashion emulated popular Occidental styles. During the 1970s and 80s, indigenous seamstresses would move to Port St. Charles looking for work in this field. While most simply adapted Occidental methods, some of these indigenous women began to introduce their own flare to the work, and by the late 1980s a visibly distinct Port St. Charles style began to emerge. These styles began to reach exposure in the [[Urcea]]n market in the early 2000s. From there, they began to see the attention of [[Sarpedon|Sarpedonic]] high society by the late 2000s. By 2015, "PSC style" was entrenched as a global phenomenon.


===Caste System===
Clothing made in New Harren is subject to export controls due to the [[Nysdra Sea Treaty Association|Nysdra Sea Treaty]], and accordingly most brands have to export directly to [[Urcea]] before they are available for purchase abroad. Most of the major fashion houses hold a shared ownership interest in a [[Urceopolis (City)|Urceopolis]]-based brand called "Treasures of the Nysdra", quickly identifiable by its "rising sun" symbol, which functions as the international retailer for most Port St. Charles fashion houses. Many economists believe that the relative scarcity and cost resulting from the export controls have kept Port St. Charles brands relatively hard to come by, maintaining brand novelty and prestige. The export controls also mean that populations of the other [[Nysdra Sea Treaty Association]] nations have ready access to the Port St. Charles style. As a result, many global fashion analysts have consistently referred to the people of [[Quetzenkel]] as "best dressed" every year since [[2021]].
{{Main|Varshani caste system}}


===Reign of Terror===
===Sports===
One of the most important Arzali beliefs is ''mapuz gožu'', variously translated as "state of violence", "violent order", or "reign of terror". It is the idea that violence is the fundamental ordering principle of society (including non-Varshani society), and that the Varshani race has a divine mission to use violence to subjugate and exploit other groups and to maintain the integrity of the caste system. State-sponsored Orthodox Arzalism interprets ''mapuz gožu'' as the basis of the Zûrg's divine mandate to rule, and as the legitimising principle of the state and its military-first policy. However, Arzali fundamentalists dispute this interpretation, believing instead that the violent order or reign of terror ordained by the gods was not meant to create a state society, but rather a society of loosely-aligned predatory warrior bands practising an "economy of violence", sustaining themselves through raiding and the forced labour of others.
[[File:Cornell lacrosse shot.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Outdoor lacrosse is the most popular sport in New Harren.]]
{{wp|Lacrosse}} is the most popular sport in New Harren, both among descendants of Occidentals as well as the native population. Many historians and scholars believe the modern form of the game originated in what is today New Harren. The game is played at all levels of society, ranging from pickup games to leagues organized by academic institutions and, most prominently, at the professional level at the Northern Crona Lacrosse Association (NCLA), which includes fourteen teams from New Harren and [[Porfiria]]. The NCLA is the most popular professional sports league in New Harren by far, drawing the most television views as well as most tickets sold. The league is considered one of the world's premier Lacrosse leagues due to the cultural history of the sport among the native peoples of [[Cusinaut]], leading to great aptitude for the sport among New Harren's constituent peoples. Lacrosse stadiums were one of the earliest large infrastructure projects in the history of New Harren, with nine stadiums of a capacity greater than 35,000 built throughout the country between 2012 and 2019.
[[File:Ball players.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A depicition of traditional lacrosse players in New Harren, ca. 1860.]]
New Harren and [[Porfiria]] are closely aligned in professional sports, not only with respect to their membership in the NCLA but also with a professional {{wp|soccer league}} called the Cusinaut Football Associated League (CFAL), which includes sixteen teams from both countries. The CFAL is the second most popular professional sports league in New Harren, and soccer is popular throughout the country.
===War impact===
Cultural observers have noted a significant transformation in the culture and society of New Harren since the [[Final War of the Deluge]]. Many of the nation's most prominent political leaders served in the [[Royal and Confederate Army (New Harren)|Royal and Confederate Army]] in some capacity, and their military service appears to have left significant changes on how New Harren's people view themselves. The changes are not only unitive - the shared service appears to have bonded the people of the country closer together - but many social and cultural institutions have taken on a decidedly military character. The nation has been increasingly adapting the imagery of the [[Order of the North Star]], an honorary order associated with military service to the [[Nysdra Sea Treaty Association]], within its government symbols. The decision is in part due to the strong association of many [[Royal and Confederate Army (New Harren)|Royal and Confederate Army]] veterans with new national pride for the state. In [[2025]], the motto of the order, "''Heaven's Light Our Guide''", was adopted as the Kingdom's motto. The ribbon of the order, and the medal, appear in the Kingdom's arms. In [[2027]], a famous marching song of the Royal and Confederate Army, "''[[My Crona, Heaven Sent]]''" was adapted as the national anthem of the Kingdom. Many retail products in the realm have taken on a martial character. Several large veterans groups have been established since [[2024]], and these groups are some of the first large scale cross-cultural social groups in the history of the realm. Some observers have referred to the "new" culture of New Harren as a "republic of veterans".


==Sects==
===Symbols===
===Orthodox and State Arzalism===
The motif of the rising sun is prominently used throughout both New Harrenic government and society, representing the "dawning" of the country as a new and distinct nation.
Following the proclamation of the Death God's primacy over the Sun God by Zûrg Žuqul I, Arzalism was gradually transformed from a polycentric and syncretic religion governed by the autonomous priestly castes into a highly centralised civic religion whose institutions were fused with the state. Arzali doctrinal orthodoxy is defined by the High Priests in Anzo with the approval of the Zûrg, and adherence to it is enforced using state power. A vast clerical bureaucracy exists to manage the performance of public rituals, ensure that all subjects make their mandatory sacrifices, regulate the supply of sacrificial victims and offerings, and document the ritual status and purity of an enormous population.
====Flag and arms====
The flag of New Harren employs the rising sun motif used throughout New Harrenic society which signifies the status of the country as a new nation, "dawning" within history. Also depicted on the flag are 11 stripes, depicting the Kingdom's [[Constituent states of New Harren|constituent parts]] in blue and white, utilizing some of the traditional colors of the [[Northern Confederation]]. Impaled on the sun is a cross, emphasizing the nation's [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] identity. It also gives the sunrise a double meaning, with the Kingdom being seen as bringing about a new dawn of Christianity in [[Crona]]. The nation's arms also depicts the rising sun in a more traditional heraldic manner impaled by the arms of [[House de Weluta]], the ruling dynasty of both Urcea and New Harren.


===Arzali Fundamentalism===
== Demographics ==
Fundamentalism is a tendency within Arzalism that rejects Orthodox Arzalism (or aspects thereof) as deviations from the true will of the gods, in favour of stricter adherence to older and more severe manifestations of the religion.


===Solar Arzalism===
=== Linguistic Demographics ===
Also known as "Primitive Arzalism" or "Pre-Classical Arzalism", Solar Arzalism is a heterodox movement that rejects the supremacy of the Death God and instead reveres the Sun God as the paramount deity. Although Solar Arzali beliefs are considered heretical by the Orthodox authorities, Solar Arzalis participate in all of the state-mandated rituals to the other gods and can easily conceal their worship of the Sun as paramount god under the guise of the state-sanctioned solar devotions. The largest heterodox current within Arzalism, Solar Arzalism is most popular among the non-élite and non-warrior free castes, especially metics and serfs. It is most openly practiced in rural areas and in the outer regions of the country, where the central clerical authorities have less control. The Cornlands in particular are a hotbed of Solar worship.
Due to the presence of Levantine-descendants throughout the country the majority language of New Harren is [[Julian Ænglish]], which is not only spoken as a first language by a majority of residents but is also used as a {{wp|lingua franca}} by the constituent nationalities of the Kingdom, both in communication with Levantine-descendants and with eachother. Accordingly, Julian Ænglish is spoken on a daily basis by the vast majority of residents of the realm, but it is the first language of only a small majority of residents, almost all of whom are Levantine-descendant or ethnic [[Nysdrine people|Nysdrines]].  


===Racial Arzalism===
Scholars believe hundreds of languages are spoken as a first language within New Harren. Each of the seven primary constituent groups of the Kingdom speak their own language, and many of them have sizable minority dialects or no official language at all. Among the Free Cities and Tribes, dozens of languages are spoken. Within the Condominium of Weluta-New Mixcala, the native [[List_of_peoples_of_Cusinaut#Q-T|Tepetlcali]] language is still widely spoken, but many settlers from across [[Cusinaut]] and even some from occupied [[Varshan]] have greatly increased the number of languages being spoken. Even within the [[Constituent_states_of_New_Harren#New_Harren|Rectory of New Harren]], many Occidental immigrants retain their language in addition to Julian Ænglish, making the Kingdom as a whole one of the most linguistically diverse countries on earth.
Racial Arzalism is a heterodox movement that believes that all ethnic Varshanis are descendants of the Raid God (rather than just a few noble lineages), and that the divine mission of the Varshani race is to subjugate and eliminate all other races. Unlike orthodox Arzalism, Racial Arzalism views slavery and the caste hierarchy as necessary but ultimately temporary systems meant to maintain the purity Varshani blood and support the Varshani war machine, rather than as ends in themselves. They reject addition of the Martial Races to the caste system and believe that they should be enslaved and eventually exterminated once Varshan has conquered the world, and also reject the idea that ethnic Varshani can be born into slavery. Racial Arzalis believe that once all other races have been eradicated, the Death God will restore all dead Varshanites who did not dishonour their race or the gods to life, and will grant the race a reprieve from death to enjoy dominion over the Earth as godlike beings. This sect discourages (but does not prohibit) miscegenation with enslaved women.
=== Religious Demographics ===
{{Pie chart
| radius = 100
| thumb =left
| caption = Religious affiliations in New Harren (2016)


===Postmodern Arzalism===
| other =  
"Postmodern Arzalism" is a scholarly {{wp|umbrella term}} used to describe several similar heterodox adaptations of Arzalism that emerged in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, mostly outside the borders of Varshan. The unifying theme of "Postmodern Arzali" movements is the embrace of Arzalism as a challenge to [[Occidental world|Occidental]] hegemony and the prevailing power structures and social mores of Occidental civilisation.
| label1 = [[Catholic Church|Catholicism]]
| value1 =72.1
| color1 =CadetBlue
| label2 = [[M'acunism]]
| value2 =21.4
| color2 =NavajoWhite
| label3 = Other Christian
| value3 =2.1
| color3 =LimeGreen
| label4 = Other
| value4 =4.4
| color4 =LightYellow
}}


The more consequential manifestation of Postmodern Arzalism is '''"Revolutionary Arzalism"''' a religious ideology adopted by some militant groups (mainly non-Varshani in ethnicity) in modern Crona fighting against neocolonial expansion, recognised Cronan governments, and foreign corporate activity, such as the [[Revolutionary Guerrilla Triads]]. The reformulation of Arzalism adhered to by such groups is a significant departure from Orthodox Arzalism, usually incorporating Pan-Cronanism (whereas orthodox Arzalism is Varshani-supremacist), emancipatory political ideas (in contrast to slavery and expansionist Varshani statism), and extensive syncretism with the previous local religious practices of its members. It may incorporate ideas borrowed from the Occidental far-left, while heavily emphasising the martial aspects of the religion and its glorification of merciless aggression. Revolutionary Arzalists typically claim that Arzalism represents the "original" faith of all indigenous Cronans which was distorted and obscured by centuries of disorder and malign Occidental influence. Some also claim that the orthodox Arzalism of Varshan is itself a heretical departure from the primordial Cronan faith, and see Revolutionary Arzalism as a restorationist movement. Notions of caste, divine kingship, and an ordained priesthood are generally absent from Revolutionary Arzalism. Sacrifice remains the central and defining rite, but animal and vegetable sacrifices are the norm, and some groups do not practice human sacrifice at all.  
[[Urcean people|Urcean]] and [[Nysdrine people]] comprise the large majority population of the Kingdom of New Harren, and consequently, the [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] faith is the predominant religion in New Harren. The majority of non-Catholics live in territories acquired during the [[War of the Northern Confederation]]. The Dominions of Mixcala and Tonawandis, prior to incorporation within the Kingdom, each had large Catholic minorities in their coastal regions, adding to the overall number of Catholics within the teritory. [[Orthodox Arzalism]] is banned within the Kingdom; approximately 2.5% of the overall population of the Kingdom on its foundation, all native people, were Arzalists; the majority of these individuals are now [[M'acunism|M'acunists]], though a minority became Catholic following the banning of the Arzalist practice.


A much more minor and incohesive, though perhaps better-documented, manifestation of Postmodern Arzalism exists as a fringe movement in Occidental countries, where it is variously referred to as "Countercultural Arzalism", "Hipster Arzalism", or "Edgelord Arzalism". These movements position Arzalism as an intellectual antithesis to challenge prevailaing ideas in the occident, such as Christianity, liberalism, and humanitarianism. Many edgy Occidental teens and heavy metal bands employ Arzalist imagery and themes for {{wp|shock value}}, with varying (mostly limited) degrees of sincerity.
== Economy ==
New Harren's economy is considered "moderately strong" by most global metrics especially considering the relative poverty of other nations and territories in northern [[Crona]]. Much of its economy is centered around the extraction of uranium and other fissile materials discovered during the [[War of the Northern Confederation]], but the heavy presence of the [[Armed Forces of the Apostolic Kingdom of Urcea]] within the country also serves as a major boost to the economy. As of 2017, the Kingdom had a GDP of $453,042,192,195, bringing its GDP per capita to $22,401; the GDP per capita declined somewhat with the incorporation of the former [[Nysdra Provisional Republic]] to $20,884, but the GDP increased overall.


===State Arzalism===
Much of New Harren's economy is centered on its capital city of Port St. Charles, which is emerging as one of the major financial and diplomatic hubs of northern [[Crona]] in the aftermath of the [[Final War of the Deluge]]. The city is largely the center of the nation's transportation infrastructure, and also houses a major international airport which sees the most traffic of any city on the [[Nysdra]]. New Harren has relatively limited surface transportation infrastructure, largely limited to major road and rail networks within the Rectory of New Harren itself. The Rectory's existing network connects with an ad hoc system of paved roads throughout the remaining constituent parts of the realm, and rail transportation into the interior is functionally non-existent. The Grand Council negotiated and finally enacted the Surface Transportation Reform Act of [[2023]] following serious allied logistical problems in the [[Final War of the Deluge]] caused by the nation's lack of a major transportation system. The STRA allocates funding for the creation of a unified highway and railway system throughout the country, which has been under construction since [[2025]]. Accordingly, construction services make up a large part of New Harren's economy as of [[2029]]. Economists anticipate, once completed, the unified highway and railway system will generate billions of dollars of economic activity within New Harren and will play an important role in unifying the realm's economy.
{{Main|State Arzalism}}


==Analysis==
For most of New Harren's existence, its economy has been dependent on the presence of the [[Royal Navy (Urcea)|Royal Navy]] within the country. The Royal Navy's Nysdra Squadron has been based in the territory since [[1927]], and the squadron slowly transformed from a coastal defense force to the Royal Navy's largest formation. With this transformation, an economic transformation occurred throughout the coastal region of New Harren, with major infrastructure built to provide for the Navy, both including basic ship mooring stations as well as advanced construction and repair systems. The modern New Harren service sector economy was largely built around the Navy's presence, although it has since emerged as a free-standing economic sector. New Harren is widely acknowledged to have some of the best port infrastructure in northern [[Crona]], and besides the Navy, the country generally and Port St. Charles in particular have become well-worn locations for commercial shipping routes. Accordingly, maritime commercial affairs make up a large part of the country's economy.
The exotic and brutal nature of the Arzali religion have secured it a place in the imagination of the Old World and have attracted a great deal of interest from Hesperic scholars. There are major barriers impeding the development of academic studies of Arzalism, including the difficulty and danger of visiting Varshan, the inherent ambiguity of the [[Hieratic Varshani|Hieratic Varshani language]], deliberate {{wp|obscurantism}} on the part of state and clerical authorities, and certain characteristics of the religion itself.


Many Hesperic scholars view Arzalism as a conglomeration of many different religious traditions brought together as a result of the expansion of Varshani civilisation and the consolidation of the Varshani state. This is sometimes expressed as the division of Arzalism into several different pantheons.
Although Port St. Charles's fashion scene makes up a relatively small part of the Kingdom's economy, it nonetheless is its most famous economic product.


Nature Pantheon - Exemplified by worship of the Sun, Rain, Earth, and Fire Gods; possibly a homogenisation of various forms of nature-centred pagan traditions practiced across North Punth. Forms the focus of modern Solar Arzalism.
== Military ==


Dark Pantheon - Exemplified by worship of Raideron and the Death, Blood, Pain, and Rape Gods; theorised to have been the tribal religion of the High Varshani when they lived as nomadic warriors before the founding of Anzo. Forms the focus of Fundamental Arzalism today.
Prior to the [[Final War of the Deluge]], New Harren had no distinct military and was under the protection of the [[Armed Forces of the Apostolic Kingdom of Urcea]]. During the conflict, policy changes in the [[Government of Urcea]] lead to a focus on having local defenses. Since the War, New Harren has maintained the [[Royal and Confederate Army (New Harren)|Royal and Confederate Army]], which is the primary land forces of the Kingdom. New Harren is a member of the [[Nysdra Sea Guard]] (NSG), the naval force for several of [[NSTA]]'s members. New Harren is the largest contributor of manpower, materiel, and budget funding of the NSG, and the NSG serves as New Harren's primary naval force. Besides air contingents of the Royal and Confederate Army, Urcea's [[Royal Air Force (Urcea)|Royal Air Force]] still provides the primary air defense for the Kingdom.
 
State Pantheon - Exemplified by worship of the Death God, God-Kings, and Soccer God (etc.); theorised to have developed after the establishment of the first sedentary Varshani state society in Anzo as a mechanism for social control, resolving conflicts among rival nobles and warrior clans, and regulating relations among the castes.
 
Lesser Pantheon - Various minor and local deities absorbed into (mostly informal) Arzalism with the conquest of other Punthite tribes.
 
==Prevalence==
If Arzalism and its adherents are broadly defined, Arzalism likely has the third largest religious following in the world, behind only Christianity and Islam. However, unlike these {{wp|world religions}}, the prevalence of Arzalism is virtually exclusive to a single region, central North Crona, and heavily concentrated in a single country within that region.
 
Comprehensively describing and measuring adherence to the various facets of Arzali belief and practice in Varshan was not possible before the [[Final War of the Deluge|demise of the Arzali Varshani state]], and remains a challenging task in the social and religious disruption following therefrom. Because all other religions were banned for millennia and no non-Arzali religious institutions functioned on the territory of Varshan, the state did not collect statistics on religious identity. Varshan's largely {{wp|closed society}}, state repression, and very limited penetration of telecommunications technology into the general population constrained the reach of open-source monitoring and prevented covert surveys from reaching a representative sample. Instead, scholars relied on analysis of (often unreliable or incomplete) early modern sources, accounts from refugees and expatriates, and studies of Arzalist minority communities outside Varshan.
 
===Pre-Deluge Prevalance Outside Varshan===
18% in [[Quetzenkel]]; [other Cronan countries]
 
In 2022, [[The Cape]] and [[Koré'hetanùa]] enacted legislation outlawing Arzalism.
 
==Post-Deluge Developments==
The destruction of the Arzalist Varshani state and the [[disappearance of the Zûrg]] was a cataclysmic event for orthodox Arzalism and opened a chaotic and still-unsettled chapter in the history of the religion. In addition to the prohibition and suppression of many of its core practices and institutions by the League of Nations occupation, the loss of state compulsion, and competitive pressure from Christian evangelism and secular nationalism, Arzalism now faces a moment of theological turmoil.
The need to interpret the significance of the Deluge and grapple with questions about the future of Arzalism in the absence of a unified doctrinal authority have spawned an ecosystem of competing propositions and new sectarian divisions on a likely unprecedented scale. S.R. Iyekavian, a leading Arzalism scholar at the [[Institute of Cronan Studies]], claims that "We are witnessing the first known episode of open theological analysis, discourse, and speculation - ''theologia'' in its etymologically correct sense - within Arzalism. Definitely the first since the Fourth Civil War, possibly the first since the Great Edict, and potentially the first of its kind ''ever''."
 
<!-- "Orthodox Arzalism since the fall of Anzo is a rare example of something that exists in practice but not in theory. Substantial numbers of Varshanis continue to conserve the official Arzali rites as closely as possible under the occupation - and it is widely known that irregular human sacrifice continues illegally in secret, but the upending of the orthodox Arzalist worldview by the war and the abrupt abolition of its core institutions and absence of any clear clerical authority place these rituals in the service of an orthodoxy that no longer exists in any meaningful sense." -->
[De-Arzalification initiatives]<br>
[Re-Solarisation and the Red River Revival]<br>
[Arzali fundamentalist revival and insurgency]<br>
[Post-Deluge institutional reformulations]<br>
 
 
==See Also==
* [[Mount Sekot]]
* [[M'acunism]]
 
[[Category:Religion]]
[[Category:Varshan]]


[[Category:Countries]]
[[Category:Crona]]
[[Category: New Harren]]
[[Category:The Deluge]]
[[Category:Cusinaut]]
[[Category:2023 Award winning pages]]
[[Category:IXWB]]
[[Category:IXWB]]
[[Category: Religion in Crona]]

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