New Republic Ministry of
State
Briefing
Document:
Kingdom of Iyudah, Saalhom System
Geography:
- Iyudah is the fourth planet orbiting
the twin stars Saalhom I and II.
- The world is mostly barren, composed
of deserts and rocky highlands.
- A small region of arable land sits
atop the Meggidan alluvial plain, the area drained by the Meggido River, which
flows from Lake Kabor to the Iyudean Ocean.
- The capital, largest city, and
administrative and economic hub is Avivash, located in the eastern region of
the Meggidan plain near the river.
- Other cities of note include Amorri,
Sihon, and Hadash-borei.
History:
- Iyudah joined the Republic roughly
5,000 years ago.
- The world was invaded sometime
around the Sith wars, and the people were subjugated. A large number were
dispersed throughout the galaxy. The Republic did little to assist Iyudah, as
it had more pressing concerns at the time.
- Seven generations ago, under their
legendary ruler Daefed, many Kuzrim returned to Iyudah and tried to rebuild
their society.
- With the rise of Palpatine, the
Iyudeans were again subjugated, and the Empire instituted a program of mass
execution, fearing the Kuzri religious beliefs centered around the
Force.
- Six months after the Battle of Endor,
some ten years ago, King Joshesh drove out the remnant of Imperial rule and
reestablished the Kingdom of Iyudah. The world has been rebuilding since
then.
Culture:
- Iyudean culture centers largely
around Kuzriyya, the Kuzri faith, which promotes the worship of the Force as an
anthropomorphic deity. The faith claims this is the "one true God" and rejects
completely those who pervert the Force or are held sway by its Dark
Side.
- Iyudah, while quite industrialized,
still gives great respect to agricultural development and simpler, more tribal
forms of life. Religious holidays tend to focus on the seasonal cycles, and
the government gives a good deal of support to farming communities.
- The Kuzrim are fiercely
independent, a result of their frequent long subjugations throughout the
course of their history.
- Iyudean religion and government are
very closely intertwined.
- Kuzriyya tends to preach
harmony between all life, and when Iyudah does not feel threatened, it tries
to reach out to support both the oppressed and the victims of misfortune
throughout the galaxy.
Government:
- Iyudah maintains a liberal
constitutional theocratic monarchy. While it generally claims to be
"representative," it means this word more as a government of Kuzrim for
Kuzrim, distinct from a directly elected government. However, several
different factions within the government may call for a general referendum
that allows the people to be heard.
- The ruling body of the kingdom is
the monarch, current King Joshesh the Lion. This ruler is supplemented by a
personal advisory council that may include anybody (but currently draws
largely from the leading religious body). Bureau Chiefs are all included in
this council.
- The Iyudean bureaucracy includes
eight distinct Bureaus: State, Defense, Religion, Education, Commerce,
Finance, Agriculture, and Services. They are further subdivided as follows.
(GM Note: I haven't finished work on all of these bureaus. I've thus far
chosen to focus on those that will have the greatest impact on the game
outside Iyudah, and I plan to go back and fill in information as I find the
necessary time.)
- Bureau of State
- Department of Domestic
Affairs
- Department of Foreign
Relations
- Department of
Investigations
- Department of Justice
- Bureau of Defense
- Deparment of the Army
- Department of the Navy
- Department of Military
Intelligence
- Bureau of Religion
- Council of Shulim
- Department of Traditions and Observance
- Department of Outreach Operations
- Bureau of Education
- Department of Educational Institutions
- Department of the Library of Iyudah
- Bureau of Commerce
- Bureau of Finance
- Department of the
Treasury
- Department of Records
- Department of the Budget
- Bureau of Agriculture
- Bureau of Services