Domain and Realms of the Shadows and the Darkness
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Domain and Realms of the Shadows and the Darkness | |
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 Flag
 Seal
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| Motto: "There's magick in believing..." | |
| Anthem: "My Sacrifice" by Creed | |
| Capital | Caer RivenMyst, Fantasia I.D. |
| Largest city | Caer Palisades |
| Other languages |
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| Demonym(s) | Domani |
| Government | Constitutional monarchy |
• ur-Lord | ShadowDarkFyre Erebus Olorin Arthur Pendragon Daeron the LordVengeance |
• High Queen | Xanthi Senara Guenivere Pendragon LachlanMor DarkFyre the Silent ni VoceDeConscienza |
| Legislature | Imperial Council and Parliament of Dreams |
| Establishment | 2001 |
| Population | |
• Estimate | 50 |
| Currency | None currently |
| Time zone | CST |
| Calling code | +1 |
The Domain and Realms of the Shadows and the Darkness, known also as either the Domain and Realms, the Twenty-Seven Realms, or simply The Domain, is a micronational constitutional monarchy founded in 2001. A micronation of, by and for magickfolk of nearly all paths and beliefs, with the purpose of serving as a common ground for all magickfolk: being a benefit to the magickal community and the world as a whole, as well as to stand in defense of this world.
Etymology
The full name is itself the description of the nation and its core purpose: a domain of (Twenty-Seven) realms brought together to face the shadows of mystery and the darkness of the unknown.
Current activity
Currently, the Domain is very active: having come out of a reclusive period of seven years between 2011 and 2018, in which the nation was compartmentalized. Now, it is in full speed, as it were: its doors always open to nigh all members of the magickal community.
History
The foundations of the Domain and Realms were conceived throughout 2000 and 2001 by ShadowDarkFyre Erebus Olorin Arthur Pendragon Daeron (known as Micah Foster at the time, and later as Lord Shadow for short), who was searching for an inspiration for a interfaith group in which people of varying faiths in the magickal community could come together on common ground and worth together, despite their differences in belief. Having learned about the micronational community from friends who were citizens of the then Triselene Imperium, Shadow found his inspiration and began his study of micronationalism, building the framework for the nation, gathering friends and family to him with his idea. On December 21, 2001: the High Holy Day (or in this case, Night) of 'Yule/the Winter Solstice', Lord Shadow and his then-wife and first High Queen, Snowaidene, founded the Domain and Realms with their friends and family, and with their set of High Laws of the land - the Arad Doman - to help them govern their new nation. That date was chosen in recognition of night and darkness and their significance in life: we are conceived in the darkness of our mothers' wombs, the darkness of space that reveals the stars of the universe, the dark and secret places of our hearts where we keep our hopes, fears, and dreams. It was also chosen because, as the longest night of the year, there is proverbially only one direction to go from there: up into the light.
By no means the first magickal micronation, the Domain was actually the last on the scene, as it were: preceded by such nations as the Coytl-Tec Federation, the Kemetic Empire, and the Principality of Farran Eayst. Farran Eayst was actually still in existence when the Domain was founded, and Lord Shadow attempted to help stave its decline, but the principality faded a few years later.
The Domain endured growth and change in its existence: the founding of its own Library, School of Magick and Belief (now StarStone University), and Healers Hall, as well as the Imperial Council and the Parliament of Dreams as its governing and legislative bodies. The nation began as twenty-five autonomous Realms, before becoming twenty-seven: adding Canada at the behest of the citizenry. (The reasoning by the people being that, taking into account the nature of the Domain, twenty-seven was a more auspicious and powerful number: 3x3x3. The Domain went through two periods of upheaval known as the Troubles: the first caused by the split and eventual divorce of Lord Shadow and High Queen Snowaidene. In the last five years, after the departure of Snowaidene from the Domain, Lord Shadow's current wife - Xanthi Senara Guenivere Pendragon LachlanMor DarkFyre - became the Domain's second High Queen.
In its ensuing history, the Domain's purposes have involved it in various magickal, supernatural, paranormal, spiritual, ecological, occult, and philosophical concerns in the world: garnering a few enemies and a few allies along the way. The chief ally the Domain has garnered in recent years is the Missionary Order of the Celtic Cross in 2018.
Government and Politics
The Domain is a constitutional monarchy [1], governed by the Imperium and the Domani Nobility, and divided into twenty-seven autonomous Realms. The Domain declares itself a secular, purpose-driven, apolitical nation: using modern politics as an example of why they do not espouse the practice. In the Domain, all purposes are valid and essential to the workings and existence of the Domain as a whole. The Imperium and Nobles constantly work together in their different capacities in a team mentality towards the various goals of the nation.
The ur-Lord and High Queen are the highest ranking Nobles in the Domain. Either one or both guards and rules the Domain, and presides over the Nobility. They are essentially heads-of-state, heads-of-government, and commanders-in-chief for the Domain.
Nobles are organized into familial Houses, that are formed each around an essential and beneficial purpose. Commoner citizens also have Houses and participate on a similar level to the Nobility.
The Knights of the Domain: the defensive body of the nation, are divided into seven Orders, headed each by an Order-General and led by the Knight-Commander.
The Imperial Council is formed by the membership of the ur-Lord, the High Queen, the Imperial Truthspeaker, the Imperial Seer, and the Knight-Commander.
All of the above members convene in seasonal sessions in the Parliament of Dreams.
Law and Order
Arad Doman
The Arad Doman - "The Law of the Domain" or "The Law of the Domani" - is the High Law of the Domain and Realms. Written and implemented December 21, 2001, the High Laws of the Domain guard the basic rights of all Domani, and lay provisions for the governmental and essential functions of the Domain: such as the Realms, the Knighthoods, conservation, processes of Knighthood and Nobility, etc.
Imperium and the Imperial Council
The Imperium is the administrative body that governs and protects the Domain: made up of the ur-Lord and/or the High Queen. The administration is determined by the Noble House or Houses that the ur-Lord and/or the High Queen are in. While the Noble House colors the Imperium, the Imperium stands for and represents all Domani.
The ur-Lord and High Queen are the highest ranking Nobles in the Domain. The Domain can be ruled by either an ur-Lord, a High Queen, or both. The Domain currently has both, and they preside over the Nobility. They are essentially heads-of-state, heads-of-government, and commanders-in-chief for the Domain. The ur-Lord and High Queen are the face of the Domain, often serving as ambassadors for the nation to other nations.
ShadowDarkFyre Erebus Olorin Arthur Pendragon Daeron the LordVengeance and his wife, Xanthi Senara Guenivere Pendragon LachlanMor DarkFyre the Silent ni VoceDeConscienza are the current ur-Lord and High Queen of the Domain and Realms. Lord Shadow is Founder and Patriarch of House DarkFyre, and High Queen Xanthi is Founder and Matriarch of Noble House VoceDeConscienza, making the Imperium a joint DarkFyre-VoceDeConscienza Imperium.
The ur-Lord and High Queen both head the Imperial Council: which was implemented after the Troubles of 2010-11 before the founding and implementation of the Parliament of Dreams, as the main governing body of the Domain in times when it is needed. Comprised of five members - the ur-Lord, the High Queen, the Knight-Commander, the Imperial Truthspeaker, and the Imperial Seer - the Council reviews matters concerning the High Laws, citizenship applications, Knight and Noble candidates, and preside over all four Houses in sessions of Parliament.
Nobility
The Nobility, unlike with other nations both past and present, is held as a job: the most important, in that it is one entrusted to them by the Citizenry to guard and protect the Realms. Anyone can be Raised to Nobility if they choose to undertake the responsibility of guardianship over the myriad divisions of the Domain. It is treated as at-will employment, in that one can step down for whatever reason, or be relieved of duty within reason. Often, it has been the former for the the various personal reasons of the individuals who have held positions of Nobility. Noble positions can be passed on to an heir as is traditional, or a replacement is found, as with jobs in general. Either way, the candidate has to go through verification by the Imperial Council, and then training.
Twenty-Seven Realms
The Domain is divided into twenty-seven Realms: each governed by a Realm Ruler. Each Realm, in turn, is divided into Provinces: governed by Lords and/or Ladies. Provinces are divided into Duchies: governed by Dukes and/or Duchesses. Duchies are divided into Counties: governed by Counts and/or Countesses. Counties are divided into Principalities: governed by Principals. The Realms are largely autonomous, with the Imperium stepping in only in times of need.
Realms have two statuses: Unfounded and Founded. Unfounded Realms are Realms that have not gained their first-ever Realm Rulers, essentially holding the status of territories. Founded Realms are Realms that have gained their first-ever Realm Rulers, establishing and setting their functions in place. To date, there are only two of the Twenty-Seven Realms that remain Unfounded: EternalBeauty, and GreyHaven.
The Realm Rulers serve in the Council of Realms and the Constellation of the Parliament of Dreams.
Houses of the Domain
Provisions are set in the Arad Doman for the creation of up to nine Noble Houses and twelve Commoner Houses: created with the stipulation that the purpose of each House is of a benefit to the Domain, the magickal community, and the world as a whole. Each House is led by a Patriarch and/or Matriarch. The Noble Houses help organize the Nobility of the Domain based on essential function and ability. The Commoner Houses function in much the same way as the Noble Houses, but are founded by those who do not see themselves carrying the responsibilities of Nobility, but still want to be of service to the Domain: in much the same way as community organizations, but with far more import in their function. The work of the Houses goes largely towards the development of Domani culture.
The Patriarchs and Matriarchs of the Houses serve in the Convocation of Houses and the Constellation of the Parliament of Dreams.
Domani Knightly Orders
The Knightly Orders of the Domain serve as the multipurpose defense of the Domain. Starting with only one Order of Knights in the early years, the need grew to seven: in accordance with the duties, views, and interests of the Domain. Each Order is headed by an Order-General, and all seven Order-Generals are presided over by the Knight-Commander. They serve in function similar to the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs.
The Seven Orders are:
- The Argent Order - The first Order of Domani Knights, the Argent Order has become the combined home guard/coast guard/policing/first responder Order of the Domain: its last line of defense.
- The Order of the Dreaming - Considered the Order of Morale or the Order of Hope, the Order of the Dreaming is populated by Knights who are often counselors, healers, lightworkers, and bards in nature. They are often the Knights who keep hope alive among the citizens.
- The Order of the Raven - This Order guards the restingplaces of the Dead: graveyards, burial sites, cemeteries, etc. In additlion, if there are violent spiritual situation concerning the dead - i.e., haunted buildings, poltergeists, etc. - The Raven Order involves itself in resolving the situation. Article VII of the Arad Doman: 'the Dictum Mortum', serves as the Order's prime directive.
- The Order of Twilight's Hammer - The purview of this Order is the protection of sacred places and spaces: from prehistoric ritual and sacred sites, to churches and temples, to burial sites and ley line nodal points. Article XII of the Arad Doman: The National Mystickal Refuge Act, serves as this Order's prime directive.
- The Order of the Shining Path - This Order was combined from two former Orders: the Order of the Silver Path (which dealt with discovery and exploration of magickal and supernatural paths, trods, and portals, and locations) and the Order of the Untraveled Road (which dealt with rediscovering lost roads and locations, as well as lending aid to travelers if needed). Fused from the two Orders as they had similar outlooks, the Shining Path encompasses the purviews of both former Orders, standing as the Domain's exploratory Order of Knights.
- The Order of the White Wolf - This Order serves to protect and administer to the natural areas and wildlife within the Domain: from forests and swamps, to plains and savanas, to deserts and coastal areas, from subarctic regions to waterways.
- The Order of Brisingr - Formed after the creation of the Shining Path, this is the more military Order of the Domani Knights: emulating the American Armed Forces. Old Norse for "fire", and the name of one of the ur-Lord's two Knighting Swords for which the Order is named, Brisingr emulates its name.
Any Domani Citizen can be Knighted into service if they choose. When it comes to being Raised to Nobility, becoming a Knight is made essential to this when the nation is either under Yellow (times of caution) or Red Alert (wartime).
The Knight-Commander and the Order-Generals serve in the Round of Orders and the Constellation of the Parliament of Dreams.
Parliament of Dreams
The Parliament of Dreams of the Domain and Realms is the quadcameral legislative body of the Domain. In the Parliament, the Realm Rulers, House Leaders, Order-Generals, and the Imperial Council convene for one month out of every season - Winter Session, Spring (Vernal) Session, Summer Session, and Fall (Autumnal) session - to discuss and administer to the different functions and matters of business of the nation. The Parliament is presided over by the Imperial Council.
The Parliament is the embodiment of the Domain's apolitical, purpose-driven government: where all purposes brought forth are valid and necessary to the function of the nation as a whole. None compete for importance. Rather, each area and function is essential, and stand on equal levels of importance.
The four Houses of the Parliament of Dreams are:
- The Council of Realms - Here, the Rulers of the Twenty-Seven Realms meet to discuss issues concerning their respective Realms and coordinate working together to tackle the problems the Realms may face.
- The Convocation of Houses - The Patriarchs and Matriarchs of the Noble and Commoner Houses meet here to discuss how their and their combination of unique purposes can worth together in the governance of growth of the nation as a whole.
- The Round of Orders - The Domani version of a meeting of the American Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Round of Orders is where the Knight-Commander and the Order-Generals speak together on matters pertaining to the defense of the nation and its many facets.
- The Constellation - A transparent combination of the previous three Houses, in that the members of the previous three Houses come together in the Constellation to discuss the business each House dealt with, and how - as a united Parliament - they can work together to see to the needs of the Nation.
Geography and climate
Considering the vastness of the Domain in land area: approximately a fifth of the globe, the Domain experiences nearly every type of climate: from arctic and temperate to arid and tropical, and all points between. Seasons run relatively the same, with the exception of the Dreamtime: the only Realm of the Domain that is at least partly South of the Equator, and therefore has its seasons opposite of the rest of the nation.
Economy
The Domain is currenly laying the groundwork for an economy and system of currency. It is working to establish diplomatic relations with other micronations, with a goal to establish trade relations with some of them. Industry and business is also being developed for both internal and external Domani trade purposes. The system of currency being developed for eventual implementation is known as the Binary. Artwork for both banknotes and coins are currently in the process of creation.
Culture
The Domain's culture is secular at its core: showing a melding of medieval/Middle Age and modern day sensibilities. The flavor of Domani culture leans heavily towards a mix of Celtic, Scandinavian, Native American, Aboriginal, and even Tolkien legendarium influences: as is evidenced by the naming conventions used for placenames and organizations, being further colored by what cultures, religions, and spiritual paths each citizen brings to the nation.
Citizens who come to the Domain are able to choose their Domani Mien to be known by in the Domain, apart from their Seeming: a concept borrowed from White Wolf Publishing's Changeling: the Dreaming - Second Edition. A citizen's Mien is the name by which they wish to be known in the Domain, while their Seeming is the name they are known by in everyday life. Often, a Domani's Mien is their craft name, magickal name, or some form of their spiritual name. This acknowledgement of one of the most important parts of an individual adds to the strength and color of Domani culture in the variety of individual names and inspirations: from the Nobility on down.
The placename naming convention the Domain follows the impetus of recognizing the history of the land and its inherent magickal aspects and spiritual legacy. This often leans on geological, meteorlogical, flora, and fauna influences; ancient peoples, cultures, and civilizations that inhabited the areas in question in the past; and myths and legends of the area, as well as those that give inspiration from around the world. More times than not, naming is handled by the Imperium, though they work often with members of the citizenry in determining the names. The reasoning behind the naming convention is to remind and keep in the minds of the citizenry the living, magickal nature of the world in which we live.
Domani caste system
The citizenry of the Domain is divided into three basic groups: Commoners, Knights, and the Nobility.
- The Commoner citizenry are self-explanatory, as they are common, everyday people of the Domain. An individual is instantly of the Commoner citizenry when they join the Domain. Members of the Commoner citizenry are able to form or join Commoner Houses, the Patriarchs and/or Matriarchs of which serve in the Parliament of Dreams.
- The Knights are technically a caste of the populace, though not commonly thought of as such. As stated above, they are the defence of the nation.
- The Nobility are the caste that serve as the overall guardians and protectors of the Twenty-Seven Realms and their divisions: from the highest of the Nobility to the lowest.
Contrary to popular opinion and belief, the Domani caste system is similar to that of medieval monarchies in name only. The caste system identifies the three main sections of the citizenry. Any Commoner citizen can be raised to Knighthood and/or Nobility. Also, since 2012, those raised to Nobility have been required to be raised to Knighthood, making the two castes somewhat inseperable for a decade.
Media
In the early years of the Domain, the newsletter Dreams and Faith was developed to be the Domain's news source: reporting on world events as well as happenings in the magickal community. The newsletter developed an editorial vlog along the way. Going defunct in 2008, plans are in the works to revive the news service in the near future.
Foreign relations
The Domain recognizes all nations - macro and micro - as sovereign and autonomous, unless otherwise stated. The business of foreign relations is handled by the Imperium, unless they choose to assign someone else as an Ambassador. The Imperium and Imperial Council handles recognitions and alliances with other nations, unless otherwise involving the Parliament.
| Flag | State/Nation-State | Current Diplomatic Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
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Missionary Order of the Celtic Cross | Hand of Friendship, 2014 | Very good relations |
| Freehold of Rathgillen | Alliance, 25 August 2020 | N/A |