Ctoria

Ctoria, originally known as Etarnia, was a short-lived American nation little of which is known about. The founder of Ctoria was a mysterious figure who went by some variation on the name of Julius, Francis, or Julianne. It first came to relative prominence in July 2010, after contacting the then King Declan I of Moylurg and bestowing upon him the Etarnian throne. A revolution two months later resulted in contact between the King and his nation being lost, which was re-established in May the following year, when Declan I was appointed joint Kaiser of Etarnia's successor state, Ctoria. The nation's government was very unstable, with Julianne frequently couping against his co-monarch by unilaterally changing the system of government or even the name of the state, and collapsed in early October 2011.

History

Little is known of the origins of Ctoria. Its first documented appearance in history was on 19 July 2010, when its mysterious leader - at this point calling himself Julius - created an account on MicroWikia. Three days later, he contacted the then King of Moylurg, Declan I, and asked him to take the throne of his nation, Etarnia. Declan I became King of Etarnia, with Julius as his Prime Minister and Vizier. Etarnia was an absolute monarchy with a population of 10.

Two months later, on 26 September, Julius (now calling himself Julus) unilaterally declared himself Duke of the "Grand Duchy of Itania" without the King's consent. Although initially offering Declan I the premiership of the new government, Julus did not reply to the King's request for information on the situation in Etarnia, and broke off all contact.

Some time between September 2010 and April 2011, Itania changed its name to the Union of Ctorian Royal Kingdoms. Contact was re-established with the King in early May 2011, with Declan I being made joint Kaiser of Ctoria (ruling alongside Kaiser Julianne IV, the newest pseudonym of Julus) and officially transitioning Etarnia to Ctoria on 2 May. As of 10 May, the nation had 25 citizens.

The name of the state was changed on 23 June to the Federal Monarchies of the Confederation/Union of Ctoria. By this time, its population had risen to 50.

On 12 August, Julianne changed his name to Franz IV and declared the name of the state to be the United Victorian Confederation. He then unilaterally attempted three times to change the style of the heads of state, first to Sovereign Grand Prince, then to Emperor (changing his name to Francis V in the process), and then to President-Minister (again changing his name, to Francis Julius). A Prime Minister, Peter Grüningen, was appointed on 15 September, the name of his office being changed to Federal Minister of State ten days later. Amongst all this chaos, it was revealed that the population living in Ctoria had dropped to a mere three - Julius, Peter, and another unknown citizen, presumably the heir apparent to Julius and Head of Cabinet under the Federal Monarchies, a Sir Jonathen of Christianhoff (not to be confused with Crown Prince Jonathan, an unrelated figure). Julius announced the dissolution of the country on 2 October. However, Declan I still claims the title Kaiser of Ctoria in pretence.

Government and politics

The Kingdom of Etarnia was an absolute monarchy. The Grand Duchy of Itania claimed to be a federal constitutional monarchy, but information about this incarnation of Ctoria is extremely sparse.

The Federal Monarchies of the Confederation of Ctoria was also a federal constitutional monarchy, with a functioning Parliament led by the Nationalist Party. Provision was made for an elected Prime Minister, but none was elected under the Confederation. The monarchy of the nation was also intended to be elected, with elections planned to take place every ten years - needless to say, none ever happened. The government was divided into various Councils, the heads of which were appointed by the monarchs. There was also a Federal Supreme Court, the judges of which were appointed by Parliament, and the function of which was to hear appeals against rulings of local courts. The United Victorian Confederacy is presumed to have retained a system of government similar to this until its dissolution.

Geography

Ctoria was situated near to New York, and is thought to have comprised roughly 7,500 square feet. This physical claim was known as Christiana, the location of its population. It also maintained a ceremonial claim on Micras.

Foreign relations

Ctoria joined the Organisation of Active Micronations in late May 2011. It was also a member of the Micronational Literary Union, European Community of Micronations, Intermicronational Blue Cross and Blue Crescent Movement, MCS, and the League of Micronationalists. It is known to have had friendly relations with the Slinky Empyre, and was also on informal good terms with the Kingdom of Wilcsland and Empire of Austenasia.

Culture

Despite the chaotic history of Ctoria, it had a well-developed culture. Its national motto was "D'un Océan à Unie Dans la Paix, la Force De la Puissance de Dieu se Développe Pour le Bien Parmi Nous", and its national anthem was "God Save the Chancellors" (lyrics unknown).

Ctoria had its own currency, the Federal Franc. Its national sport was chess and its national animal was the white lion. The official religion was Roman Catholicism until 25 September 2011, when it was changed to Lutheranism. Likewise, St. Mary (the Mother of God) was held to be Ctoria's patron saint until 25 September, when she was replaced with St. Veronica and St. Paul.

Saint Luke and Amager adopted some of the emblems used by the later incarnations of Ctoria, and claimed to be somewhat of a successor state in that it was inspired by some aspects of Ctorian culture, even naming an area "Victoria".

National symbols

National flag of Etarnia
War banner of Etarnia
National flag under Itania
Coat of arms under Itania
National flag of Ctoria
Royal Coat of Arms under the Federal Monarchies
Coat of Arms under the United Victorian Confederation