Grand Duchy of the Storm Islands
| Grand Duchy of the Storm Islands | ||||
| ||||
| Motto Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you | ||||
| Anthem Who Would True Valour See? | ||||
 Location of the Storm Islands in the Atlantic Ocean | ||||
| Capital city | Zoar | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Largest city | Zoar | |||
| Official language(s) | English, Dutch | |||
| Official religion(s) | Calvinism | |||
| Government | Constitutional Monarchy | |||
| - Grand Duke | James Thomas Draxe | |||
| - State Pensionary | N/A | |||
| Legislature | State Chamber | |||
| - Type | - Unicameral | |||
| - Number of seats | - 4 | |||
| Established | July 26th, 2016 | |||
| Population | 6 | |||
| Currency | Pound Sterling | |||
| Time zone | GMT | |||
| National animal | Lion | |||
The Grand Duchy of the Storm Islands is an island nation located on a collection of small and barren rocks in the Atlantic Ocean. The Storm Islands are a heavily religious nation, its culture being steeped in traditional Reformed Protestantism.
Outline
The Storm Islands are not known for their hospitality to human settlement. As for the entirety of their history, the Storm Islands have not been inhabited, with the Grand Duke, as well as the few citizens of the islands instead electing to reside in more comfortable places. Regardless, the rough beauty of the Grand Duchy does inspire awe in observers, and is a constant reminder of the might of the Creator, the God of our salvation; who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off upon the sea: Which by his strength setteth fast the mountains; being girded with power: Which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people.
Government
The Storm Islands are a constitutional monarchy, with a hereditary Grand Duke as head of state, and an elected parliament as legislative body. The current Grand Duke is James Thomas Draxe. The parliament of the Storm Isles is known as the State Chamber, which is presided over by the State Pensionary.
The role of the government of the Storm Islands is defined according to the constitutional principles, which in turn are based upon article 36 of the Belgic Confession. Stating that "Our gracious God, because of the depravity of mankind, has appointed kings, princes and magistrates, willing that the world should be governed by certain laws and policies; to the end that the dissoluteness of men might be restrained and all things carried on among them with good order and decency". Based on this, the constitutional principles define several areas in which the government should be active, namely:
- The magistracy carries the sword for the punishment of evildoers, and for the protection of them that do well.
- Watch for the welfare of the civil state
- Protect the sacred ministry; and thus may remove and prevent all idolatry and false worship; that the kingdom of antichrist may be thus destroyed and the kingdom of Christ promoted. Countenance the preaching of the Word of the gospel everywhere, that God may be honoured and worshipped by every one, as he commands in his Word.
- Uphold justice, private property rights, decency and the good order, which God has established among men.
Politics
Politically, the Storm Islands is remarkably united. The constitution provides full democratic rights to the citizens. The Storm Islands are an optional direct democracy which means that each citizen of the Grand Duchy has the right to take a seat in the State Chamber, provided they are over 18 years old, and do not have a citizenship from a hostile nation. Although political rights are high, there is only one party in the nation, with which every member of the State Chamber is aligned. The Christian Democratic Party is a centre-right political party, which combines social conservatism with some economic liberalism and a social welfare system.
Foreign Relations
The Grand Duchy of the Storm Islands is a highly esteemed member of the League of Christian Micronations. It fully recognises all fellow members of the League, and maintains formal contact with them. In addition, the Grand Duchy recognises all members of the United Nations, as well as the State of Palestine and Kosovo. The Storm Islands do not recognise the Vatican, holding the view that religious authority should not automatically be the basis of civil authority, following the remark of Christ the Kingdom of God is not of this world.
The Grand Duchy has diplomatic relations with the following nations:
United Holy Kingdom of Beaulosagñe and the Knights Templar of the Holy Grail (Spain/Portugal)
Mercia
Religion
Officially, the Storm Islands have freedom of religion. In practice, however, the entire population of the country belongs to the Christian Church on the Storm Islands, an orthodox-protestant and Calvinist church. The Church was founded in 2016 as an off-shoot of the Mercian Christian Church. The Church has a presbyterian polity.