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