Tsarist Empire of Gishabrun

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Tsarist Empire of Gishabrun
Flag of Tsarist Empire of Gishabrun
Flag
Coat of arms of Tsarist Empire of Gishabrun
Coat of arms
Motto: וְאָכַלְתָּ וְשָׂבָעְתָּ
"You shall eat, and you shall be satisfied"
Anthem: "Hail the Tsar!"
Gishabruni land claims before May 2012
Gishabruni land claims before May 2012
CapitalKravat Oblast
Largest citySomewhere Oblast
Official languagesEnglish
Demonym(s)Gishabruni
GovernmentFederal Constitutional Monarchy
• Tsar
HIM Kuri I
LegislatureCouncil of Gishabrun
Establishment5 April 2010 as Tsardom of Moya Kravat
Area
• Total
0.01 km2 (0.0039 sq mi)
Population
• 2012 census
21
CurrencyGishabruni brun
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Wild Isle Nation
Principality of Annina Kravat
Unnamed Empire
Slinky Republyc
Gishabrun SAR

Gishabrun (Russian: Гишабрун, Azerbaijani: Qişabrun), officially the Tsarist Empire of Gishabrun, was a small constitutional monarchy bordering Canada, the United States and Slovakia, claiming approximately fifteen thousand square metres. It was founded for the purposes of protecting the natural environment, preserving cultural traditions, and to form a government superior to that of Canada. It also put a strong emphasis on scientific advancement and research.

The Empire was led by a Tsar, HIM Kuri I, who ruled over a federation consisting of oblasts, krais, and autonomous regions. Beginning in 2011, Gishabrun became one of the first micronations to institute a meritocratic government, with merit ratings being given to all citizens based on their contributions to the Empire. Several governmental positions, including that of the Tsar, were filled based on the ratings of eligible citizens. This model became the precursor to the Constitutional Meritarchy system developed in the Free State of Renasia.

In 2012, Gishabrun joined Renasia as a Special Autonomous Region known as Gishabrun SAR.

Etymology

Gishabrun in Vulu-Vulu

The name "Gishabrun" is derived from the Vulu-vulu (a defunct constructed language invented by Kuri Kabanov) word "Gishabra", meaning achievement, with the suffix "-un", denoting a place (like "-stan" in Farsi). This was chosen to symbolise the effort required to bring about the establishment of the nation and its intended superiority to other contemporary macrogovernments.

History

Wild Isle Nation

The founding document of the Wild Isle Nation, Gishabrun's predecessor

The earliest incarnation of Gishabrun began on 23 June 2009, when the Wild Isle Nation was founded, with its leader being Kuri Kabanov. This nation claimed the Wild Isle, a small island in a nearby river, to protect it from environmental destruction. This nation became inactive shortly afterwards, but was always seen as the predecessor of Gishabrun, with its foundation day being celebrated every year as "First Landing Day".

Moya Kravat

On 5 April 2010, the Tsardom of Moya Kravat (meaning "My Bed" in Russian) was founded, with its leader being Tsar Kuri I. The Tsardom originally consisted of the Tsar's bed, completely surrounded by Canada, but the borders later expanded to include the whole room. This expansion came as a result of pressure from the nearby Principality of Annina Kravat ("Anna's Bed"), which was founded a few months later in response to the foundation of Moya Kravat.

The following month, Moya Kravat claimed a furnace vent in Annina Kravat, which was then dubbed "the Furnace Strip". Anna I, then the princess of Annina Kravat, declared war on Moya Kravat because of this, starting what came to be called the Furnace War. After defeat by Moya Kravat, Annina Kravat chose to join the Tsardom. Gishabrun was renamed an Empire to acknowledge its dominion over several nations, but "Tsarist" was added to the name to prevent confusion about its ruler not being an Emperor. The Tsarist Empire of Moya Kravat then proceeded to claim the Wild Isle, which had been under Canadian control since 2009.

Gishabrun

Early Expansion (2010)

Within days of placing claims on the Wild Isle, the ruling Council of Moya Kravat decided to change the country's name to Gishabrun, reflecting the territorial expansion to significantly more than a bed. Gishabrun expanded further, claiming Ural Grasslands Krai and Ural Gardens Krai in Russia and the entire property upon which the Tsar lived as Kravat Oblast. A constitution was finally adopted on 1 July 2010, making Gishabrun a constitutional monarchy, with the Council of Gishabrun being the ruling legislature.

The entire month of July 2010 was an especially active period for the young empire, as it continued to expand, claiming Somewhere Oblast (which would remain Gishabrun's biggest subdivision) and The Stig Oblast. Gishabrun also opened up its foreign affairs with an official friendship with the Slinky Parliamentary Monarchy on 7 July, and joined the Organisation of Active Micronations on 16 July 2010.

The site of the Bench War, with a stick lying where the boundary was during the war (the smaller part on the left was Gishabruni territory).

On 20 July 2010, the Bench War began after Gishabrun and the Unnamed Empire placed rival claims on a bench located in Ancient Willow Krai, claimed that day by Tsar Kuri I. This resulted in the cession of five-sixths of the bench to the Unnamed Empire, but Gishabrun captured the entire bench eight days after the previous battle ended. Meanwhile, Gishabrun's expansion continued, and a navy was established to support the expanding empire. During this time, Kvartirskaya and Stay Out Oblasts and Thorn, Cormorant, Fjord, and Loyalist Krais bordering Canada, and Eternal Summer Oblast bordering the US, were claimed.

On 17 September 2010, a peace treaty was finally signed between the Unnamed Empire and Gishabrun, and the title of Emperor of the Unnamed Empire was given to Cyril I. The Unnamed Empire then joined Gishabrun as the Autonomous Empire of Maccrage.

On 29 September 2010, the Council of Gishabrun was reformed. Where before the members were the ambassadors of each Oblast, the new Council was made tricameral, with the Oblastian Assembly consisting of the ambassadors of all the oblasts, the Chamber of Comrades consisting of the leaders of all the autonomous regions, and the Elite Duma, which had an elected Consul of the Oblasts from the Assembly, a Consul of the Autonomous Regions from the Chamber, and a Consul of the Krais (who was the Tsar).

Gishabrun's territorial expansion continued rapidly throughout the fall of 2010, with the claiming of Llama, Sméagol-Gollum-Gollum, and Potatoman's Room Oblasts and Carolinian Krai bordering Canada. This territorial expansion was set back on 6 December 2010, when the Elite Duma decided to cease Gishabrun's claims to krais that were overly distant from existing oblasts. These included Ural Grasslands and Ural Gardens Krais bordering Russia, and Thorn, Cormorant, Fjord, and Loyalist Krais bordering Canada. The Autonomous Empire of Maccrage also grew, incorporating the lesser districts of Tallasar and Nurthis, both bordering Canada. The end of 2010 saw Gishabrun's citizen population sitting at 15 people.

At this point, Gishabrun entered a period of inactivity. Tsar Kuri I briefly abdicated his active leadership role as Tsar of Gishabrun on 26 December 2010, leaving the empire under the dominion of Provisional Governor Sovetus I. This state of affairs ended with the resumption of power by Tsar Kuri I on 8 January 2011.

Golden Age (2011)

Early 2011 was perhaps Gishabrun's golden age, with territorial expansion and internal political and economic developments increasing during this time. This included the claiming of Outpost Krai and Soba, Canis Majoris, and Encaladus Oblasts, as well as a new lesser district known as Area 51 for Maccrage. All of these claims bordered Canada. Gishabrun's citizen population during this period peaked at 22 people, the highest it would ever reach.

On 5 March 2011, the currency of the Empire was created by the Bank of Gishabrun and put into circulation. The main unit was called the Brun (sign = Δ), each divided into 10 Gil (sign = Թ). They were made of circular pieces of paper, laminated and printed with colourful designs.

Gishabrun's conquest of Sumac Department

On 8 March 2011, as a result of the Dissolution of the Slinky Empyre and the subsequent dissolution of the Slinky Republyc, Gishabrun conquered the area of Sumac Department, ceded to the Slinky Empyre in 2010, and renamed the area "Sumac Krai".

On 30 March 2011, the Council of Gishabrun reformed from a tricameral legislature to a pentacameral legislature, consisting of the following houses: the Oblastian Assembly, the Clan Council, the House of Heads, the Leagues Chamber, and the Elite Duma. This constitutional reform included the creation of the Clans, whose chiefs represented the different ethnicities of Gishabrun, as well as a public university known as the Kravatian Institute of Wisdom and Knowledge and a state-owned corporation called Compass Industries. In May, due to new standards for Gishabruni land claims, the claims over Carolinian Krai, Kvartirskaya Oblast, and Sméagol-Gollum-Gollum Oblast were revoked.

On 16 May 2011, Gishabrun reformed the Peerage System, originally a European-style system to grant hereditary titles to individuals deemed worthy by the Tsar, into a system of organising all of Gishabrun's citizens into ranks based on their meritocratic ratings, based on their contributions to the nation. The merito-rating system, previously primitive and in its infancy, was strengthened and codified. This system later became the basis for the meritocratic rating system of Renasia.

Decline and Izornian Troubles (2011-2012)

The rest of 2011 was a period of relative inactivity for Gishabrun. The constitution was amended on 9 November, and inactive citizens were expelled from the nation, with their land claims being revoked. This brought Gishabrun's population back down to 17.

In October 2011, two residents of Slovakia joined Gishabrun, and claimed an area of land known as Izbiak Oblast. This land claim was not recognised by the Gishabruni Government because it did not meet the standards required for Gishabruni oblastian land claims. Despite this, the locals, including individuals that were never given official Gishabruni citizenship, conducted themselves as citizens of a Gishabruni oblast until May 2012.

Claims of Slovakian Overseas Subjects of Gishabrun in Council of Prizren Oblast v. Tsar. Izornia and Artavia Oblasts were later claimed as the Autonomous Republic of Prievidzia

On 3 January 2012, some residents of the so-called Izbiak Oblast declared independence as Izba-Ursanistan, lead by Pribislav Medveđ and Jaroslav Ursanski. By 14 January, Izba-Ursanistan had been conquered by Iztaria, a local micronation. The Gishabruni Izbiaks instead claimed two different areas known as Prizren and Izornia Oblasts. These land claims were also not recognised by the Gishabruni Government, and the locals refused to modify their claims to comply with Gishabruni law. This situation was brought to the Elite Duma in Gishabrun's first and only court case, Council of Prizren Oblast v. Tsar, which on 30 March 2012, decided in favour of the Gishabruni Government and suggested that Prizren and Izornia Oblasts apply to become Autonomous Regions.

Meanwhile, most of Gishabrun had entered a period of steep decline. Activity was largely limited to foreign affairs, including the acceptance of Gishabrun as a Provisional Member of the GUM, and the grant of approval for people holding other micronational citizenships to become citizens of Gishabrun. Both of these events occurred in February 2012.

On 5 April 2012, the residents of Izornia Oblast claimed some nearby Slovakian land as Artavia Oblast to comply with the Elite Duma ruling on March 30. However, the Izornians subsequently rebelled on April 9, again under the leadership of Jaroslav Ursanski, and enlisted the support of the Itoriak Republic, a local micronation. This conflict sparked the Izornian War, which by April 12 resulted in the independence of Prizren Oblast as the Prizrenija Republic, and the consolidation of Artavia and Izornia Oblasts under local Gishabruni control. This conflict and land claims were not authorised or recognised by the Gishabruni Government, which continued to push for compliance with the Elite Duma ruling despite a major breakdown in communications between the government and the Izornians.

On 4 May 2012, the area previously claimed as Artavia and Izornia Oblasts was finally accepted by the Gishabruni Government as the Autonomous Republic of Prievidzia, which bordered Slovakia. On May 19, Prievidzian delegates formally represented the Tsarist Empire at the Iryllian Security Council to attempt a peaceful resolution to the rebellion of the Slobodarsko-Jablonječka Republic against Slevania, a local micronation. This council instead resulted in the North Izkan War, in which Gishabruni citizens participated on the side of Slevania. The war resulted in a Slevanian victory on June 8.

On 16 June 2012, Gishabrun claimed Neo Babylon Oblast, bringing the total citizen population up to 21. This was Gishabrun's final territorial expansion as an independent nation. By this point, Gishabrun was in terminal decline and the Tsar sought to join it with another, more active nation that shared Gishabrun's values and goals. This plan was realised when the Tsarist Empire joined the Free State of Renasia on 22 July 2012, as Gishabrun SAR. However, due to difficulties in establishing communication with the Autonomous Republic of Prievidzia, it is known that the Prievidzians swore fealty to the Tsar as late as 1 November 2012.

Government

Tsar

The Tsarist Empire of Gishabrun was a constitutional monarchy, meaning that it was ruled by a monarch (the Tsar) whose powers were restricted by the Gishabruni Constitution. The Tsar of Gishabrun represented the Empire in foreign affairs and had the power to change the dates of Elite Duma elections. He also held one seat ex officio in the council (see below).

While the Tsar was originally a hereditary monarch with an absolute cognatic succession rule, the position began to be determined based on meritocratic ratings (see below) due to an amendment to the Gishabruni Constitution on 30 March 2011. The Tsar was thus the Gishabruni citizen with the highest rating at any given moment, determined dynamically whenever new ratings were assigned. Despite this provision, the Tsar remained Kuri I until the dissolution of the Tsarist Empire.

When Gishabrun joined Renasia on 22 July 2012, the Gishabrun SAR Treaty officially renamed the position of Tsar (with Imperial connotations) to Knyaz (meaning Prince).

Meritocratic Ratings

Sometime before late January 2011, Tsar Kuri I established the Gishabruni Rating Committee, which was under the authority of the LOB, to assign every Gishabruni citizen a numerical rating based on their contributions to the Empire. Positive contributions resulted in additional points, while negative contributions resulted in points being taken away. The exact ratings of each citizen were considered a closely guarded state secret.

Beginning on 30 March 2011, a constitutional amendment that reformed the Council into its pentacameral form also enshrined the meritocratic rating system as an essential component of its function. Most importantly, the position of the Tsar and the chiefs of the ethnic Clans were determined as the highest-rated citizen eligible for each position.

On 16 May 2011, the Peerage Act (2010) was reformed, which granted all citizens peerages based on their ratings as a percent of the Tsar's (highest) rating. This reform included a provision to divide all citizens' meritocratic ratings in half every year on First Landing Day (June 23), with the other half being distributed to each citizen in the form of Brun. This was done at a rate of 50 merit points to one Brun. This division was enacted to prevent older ratings from artificially boosting the status of someone who subsequently became inactive, and to give new citizens a chance to catch up and prove their worth.

When Gishabrun joined Renasia on 22 July 2012, the meritocratic ratings established by the Gishabruni Rating Committee were used as the basis of the Renasia-wide meritocratic rating system, as determined by the Chancellery.

Council

See: Council of Gishabrun

In addition to HIM the Tsar, the Gishabruni government also had a legislature called The Council of Gishabrun, which made and revised the laws of the nation, decided upon actions within the Empire and abroad, and also acted as the national court. The council was created shortly after the Furnace War in May 2010 as a unicameral assembly of representatives of all the constituent oblasts of the Empire, later called 'Ambassadors'. This arrangement was enshrined in the Gishabruni Constitution of 1 July 2010.

Logo of the tricameral Council of Gishabrun (2010 - 2011)

On 29 September 2010, the Council of Gishabrun was reformed by an amendment to the Gishabruni Constitution. Where before the members were the ambassadors of each Oblast, the new Council was made tricameral, with the Oblastian Assembly consisting of the ambassadors of all the oblasts, the Chamber of Comrades consisting of the leaders of all the autonomous regions, and the Elite Duma, which had an elected Consul of the Oblasts from the Assembly, a Consul of the Autonomous Regions from the Chamber, and a Consul of the Krais (who was the Tsar). This way, all Gishabruni federal subjects would be represented in the Gishabruni government. The members of the lower houses began to be referred to with the style "The Right Honourable" (TRH for short), and members of the Elite Duma with "His/Her Elite Excellence" (HEE) - a custom that would remain even after Gishabrun joined Renasia. This change also introduced regular elections to Gishabrun, with elections for the Consul of the Oblasts being held every six months.

On 30 March 2011, the Council of Gishabrun reformed from a tricameral legislature to a pentacameral legislature, consisting of the following houses: the Oblastian Assembly, the Clan Council, the House of Heads, the Leagues Chamber, and the Elite Duma. This reform represented a shift in the Gishabruni understanding of equitable representation, with a shift from purely territorial representation to recognition of the interests of a variety of overlapping "estates" - oblasts, ethnic Clans, university departments, and the state-owned corporation (respectively). The Elite Duma, as before, contained one representative from each of the lower houses and also the Tsar. This legislative model resulted in an especially complicated electoral process that contributed to Gishabrun's bureaucratic "bloat" at the end of its independent existence.

Federal Subjects

The Tsarist Empire of Gishabrun was divided into federal subjects for easier governance. Populated subjects were generally called oblasts, and all uninhabited federal subjects were called krais. Gishabrun also contained autonomous regions, which were inhabited territories with local governments that were empowered to create their own laws independently of the Gishabruni Government. Autonomous regions were intended for previously independent micronations that joined Gishabrun but wished to maintain their autonomy.

Every oblast was semi-autonomous and was headed by an Ambassador, who had a seat in the Oblastian Assembly, while the krais were represented by HIM the Tsar in the Elite Duma (since they had no population). Autonomous regions were represented for some time in the Chamber of Comrades, and had a resident population and were governed by a separate head of state. Before Gishabrun joined Renasia, the Empire consisted of 7 oblasts, 4 krais, and 2 autonomous regions.

Table of oblasts, krais, and autonomous regions
Flag Name Date created Picture Governor Population Description
Oblasts
Kravat Oblast May 2010 Ambassador
HIM Tsar Kuri I
4 The capital and original oblast of Gishabrun, comprising the residence of HIM Tsar Kuri I and his family. Besides containing the site of the Furnace War, it also contained the National Aquarium, the Imperial Garden, and the headquarters of most Gishabruni agencies. It bordered Ontario, Canada.
Somewhere Oblast 8 July 2010 Ambassador
HEE Prince Sovetus
4 Gishabrun's second-oldest oblast, Somewhere Oblast contained the residence of HEE Prince Sovetus and his family. It bordered Ontario, Canada.
Eternal Summer Oblast 25 August 2010 Ambassador
TRH Jason
1 This oblast contained the residence of TRH Jason and his family. It bordered Florida, USA.
Stay Out Oblast 24 September 2010 Ambassador
TRH Randomguy
1 This oblast contained the residence of TRH Randomguy and his family. It bordered Ontario, Canada.
Potatoman's Room Oblast 6 December 2010 Ambassador
TRH Potatoman
1 This oblast contained the residence of TRH Potatoman and his family. It bordered Ontario, Canada.
Canis Majoris Oblast October 2011 Ambassador
HEE George
1 This oblast contained the residence of HEE George and his family. It bordered Ontario, Canada.
Neo Babylon Oblast 16 June 2012 Ambassador
TRH Cicero
2 This oblast contained the residence of TRH Cicero and his family. It bordered Ontario, Canada.
Krais
No flag Wild Isle Krai May 2010 HIM Tsar Kuri I 0 Among Gishabrun's very first claims, this krai consisted of an island in a river. It bordered Ontario, Canada.
Ancient Willow Krai 20 July 2010 HIM Tsar Kuri I 0 This krai consisted of an area in a park containing the Ancient Willow National Monument, which is a large willow tree. It was the site of the Bench War. It bordered Ontario, Canada.
Outpost Krai 8 January 2011 HIM Tsar Kuri I 0 This krai consisted of a peninsula on a lake, and contained Gishabrun's only port. It bordered Ontario, Canada.
Sumac Krai 8 March 2011 HIM Tsar Kuri I 0 This krai consisted of a small area of grassland. It was previously known as Sumac Department, a part of the Slinky Empyre and the Slinky Republyc. It bordered Ontario, Canada.
Autonomous Regions
Autonomous Empire of Maccrage 17 September 2010 Emperor
HEE Marquis Cyril I
2 This autonomous region was the successor to the Unnamed Empire, Gishabrun's rival during the Bench War, which joined Gishabrun as 'Maccrage' upon the signing of the Bench War Treaty. It contained two states: New Ultramaar, which was the residence of HEE Emperor-Marquis Cyril I and his family; and Area 51, which was the residence of TH Azriel and his family. It bordered Ontario, Canada.
Autonomous Republic of Prievidzia 4 May 2012 President
TRH Jaroslav Ursanski
2 This autonomous region was a result of the lawful integration of the illegal Gishabruni claims of Artavia Oblast and Izornia Oblast, previously made by Gishabruni overseas subjects in Slovakia. It contained a field which was the site of the Izornian War, and the residences of TRH President Jaroslav Ursanski and Jaromir Izbiacki. It bordered Slovakia.

Former Claims

The following are claims previously made by Gishabrun that were abandoned by the time it joined Renasia.

Table of former claims
Name Date created Date disestablished Governor Peak population Description
Oblasts
Annina Kravat Oblast May 2010 26 July 2010 Ambassador
TRH Princess Anna I of Annina Kravat
1 This oblast contained the residence of TRH Princess Anna I of Annina Kravat, which was previously the independent Principality of Annina Kravat before it was conquered by Gishabrun in the Furnace War. It bordered Ontario, Canada, and was merged with Kravat Oblast.
The Stig Oblast 16 July 2010 9 November 2011 Ambassador
TRH Jeremy Clarksoon
1 This oblast contained the residence of TRH Jeremy Clarksoon and his family. Between 9 December 2010 and April 2011, it was merged with Kravat Oblast and existed as the Commune of The Stig. It bordered Ontario, Canada, and was disestablished due to the inactivity of its citizen.
Kvartirskaya Oblast 3 August 2010 May 2011 Ambassador
TRH Baron Roger I of Travin
1 This oblast contained the residence of TRH Baron Roger I of Travin and his family. It bordered Ontario, Canada, and was disestablished due to not meeting the new standards for Gishabruni land claims set by the House of Heads.
Llama Oblast 10 November 2010 9 November 2011 Ambassador
TRH Mr. Llama
3 This oblast contained two communes: Llama, the residence of TRH Mr. Llama and his family; and Yellow, another residence. It bordered Ontario, Canada, and was disestablished due to the inactivity of its citizens.
Sméagol-Gollum-Gollum Oblast 17 November 2010 May 2011 Ambassador
TRH Orc of Moria
1 This oblast contained the residence of TRH Orc of Moria and his family. It bordered Ontario, Canada, and was disestablished due to not meeting the new standards for Gishabruni land claims set by the House of Heads.
Soba Oblast 14 January 2011 9 November 2011 Ambassador
TRH Billy Bob
1 This oblast contained the residence of TRH Billy Bob and his family. It bordered Ontario, Canada, and was disestablished due to the inactivity of its citizen.
Canis Majoris Oblast (old claim) 27 January 2011 October 2011 Ambassador
HEE George
1 This oblast contained the old residence of HEE George and his family. It bordered Ontario, Canada, and was recreated in a different location when HEE George moved to a new residence.
Encaladus Oblast 6 February 2011 9 November 2011 Ambassador
TRH Nathan Wener
1 This oblast contained the residence of TRH Nathan Wener and his family. It bordered Ontario, Canada, and was disestablished due to the inactivity of its citizen.
Krais
Ural Grasslands Krai July 2010 6 December 2010 HIM Tsar Kuri I 0 This krai contained a grassy area within a city. It bordered Sverdlovsk Oblast, Russia, and was disestablished due to its distance from any Gishabruni oblasts.
Ural Gardens Krai July 2010 6 December 2010 HIM Tsar Kuri I 0 This krai contained a grassy area within a city. It bordered Sverdlovsk Oblast, Russia, and was disestablished due to its distance from any Gishabruni oblasts.
Cormorant Krai 2 August 2010 6 December 2010 HIM Tsar Kuri I 0 This krai contained two islands in a lake. It bordered Ontario, Canada, and was disestablished due to its distance from any Gishabruni oblasts.
Thorn Krai 2 August 2010 14 August 2010 HIM Tsar Kuri I 0 This krai contained an island in a lake. It bordered Ontario, Canada, and was merged with Cormorant Krai.
Fjord Krai 14 August 2010 6 December 2010 HIM Tsar Kuri I 0 This krai contained several islands in a lake. It bordered Ontario, Canada, and was disestablished due to its distance from any Gishabruni oblasts.
Loyalist Krai 20 August 2010 6 December 2010 HIM Tsar Kuri I 0 This krai contained an area of woods. It bordered Ontario, Canada, and was disestablished due to its distance from any Gishabruni oblasts.
Carolinian Krai 26 October 2010 May 2011 HIM Tsar Kuri I 0 This krai contained a large area of woods. It bordered Ontario, Canada, and was disestablished due to not meeting the new standards for Gishabruni land claims set by the House of Heads.
Autonomous-Regional Lesser Districts
State of Ultramaar (Maccrage) 17 September 2010 22 February 2012 HEE Emperor-Marquis Cyril I 1 This state contained the old residence of HEE Emperor-Marquis Cyril I and his family. It bordered Ontario, Canada, and was disestablished due to its distance from New Ultramaar.
Territory of Tallasar (Maccrage) 4 November 2010 22 February 2012 HEE Emperor-Marquis Cyril I 0 This territory contained a large grassy area in a park. It bordered Ontario, Canada, and was disestablished due to its distance from New Ultramaar.
State of Nurthis (Maccrage) 5 November 2010 19 February 2012 TH Sam 1 This state contained the residence of TH Sam and his family. It bordered Ontario, Canada, and was disestablished due to the inactivity of its citizen.

Geography and climate

In the parts of Gishabrun that bordered Canada, the climate is humid continental (according to the Köppen climate classification system), mildly modified by the Lake Effect due to the presence of a river. The oblasts and Ancient Willow Krai were on the edge of a small valley, while Wild Isle Krai was at the bottom of that valley and surrounded by a river, and all other krais were surrounded by or close to their respective rivers. All these administrative divisions were within the Carolinian Ecozone (which is temperate, mostly deciduous forests), but there is a small amount of marshland in what was Wild Isle Krai. Below is the full climate data for Gishabrun's capital, Kravat Oblast:

Climate data for Kravat Oblast, Gishabrun (1981−2010)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 16.1
(61)
14.4
(57.9)
26.7
(80.1)
32.2
(90)
34.4
(93.9)
36.7
(98.1)
40.6
(105.1)
38.9
(102)
37.8
(100)
30.0
(86)
23.9
(75)
19.9
(67.8)
40.6
(105.1)
Average high °C (°F) −0.7
(30.7)
0.4
(32.7)
4.7
(40.5)
11.5
(52.7)
18.4
(65.1)
23.8
(74.8)
26.6
(79.9)
25.5
(77.9)
21.0
(69.8)
14.0
(57.2)
7.5
(45.5)
2.1
(35.8)
12.9
(55.2)
Daily mean °C (°F) −3.7
(25.3)
−2.6
(27.3)
1.4
(34.5)
7.9
(46.2)
14.1
(57.4)
19.4
(66.9)
22.3
(72.1)
21.5
(70.7)
17.2
(63)
10.7
(51.3)
4.9
(40.8)
-0.5
(31.1)
9.4
(48.9)
Average low °C (°F) −6.7
(19.9)
−5.6
(21.9)
−1.9
(28.6)
4.1
(39.4)
9.9
(49.8)
14.9
(58.8)
18.0
(64.4)
17.4
(63.3)
13.4
(56.1)
7.4
(45.3)
2.3
(36.1)
−3.1
(26.4)
5.9
(42.6)
Record low °C (°F) −32.8
(-27)
−31.7
(-25.1)
−26.7
(-16.1)
−15.0
(5)
−3.9
(25)
−2.2
(28)
3.9
(39)
4.4
(39.9)
−2.2
(28)
−8.9
(16)
−20.6
(-5.1)
−30.0
(-22)
−32.8
(−27)
Average Precipitation mm (inches) 61.5
(2.421)
55.4
(2.181)
53.7
(2.114)
68.0
(2.677)
82.0
(3.228)
70.9
(2.791)
63.9
(2.516)
81.1
(3.193)
84.7
(3.335)
64.4
(2.535)
84.1
(3.311)
61.5
(2.421)
831.1
(32.72)
Average Rainfall mm (inches) 29.1
(1.146)
29.7
(1.169)
33.6
(1.323)
61.1
(2.406)
82.0
(3.228)
70.9
(2.791)
63.9
(2.516)
81.1
(3.193)
84.7
(3.335)
64.3
(2.531)
75.4
(2.969)
38.2
(1.504)
714.0
(28.11)
Average Snowfall cm (inches) 37.2
(14.65)
27.0
(10.63)
19.8
(7.8)
5.0
(1.97)
0.0
(0)
0.0
(0)
0.0
(0)
0.0
(0)
0.0
(0)
0.1
(0.04)
8.3
(3.27)
24.1
(9.49)
121.5
(47.83)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) 15.4 11.6 12.6 12.6 12.7 11.0 10.4 10.2 11.1 11.7 13.0 13.2 145.5
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) 5.4 4.8 7.9 11.2 12.7 11.0 10.4 10.2 11.1 11.7 10.9 7.0 114.1
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) 12.0 8.7 6.5 2.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.08 3.1 8.4 40.9
Sunshine hours 85.9 111.3 161.0 180.0 227.7 259.6 279.6 245.6 194.4 154.3 88.9 78.1 2,066.3
Source: Environment Canada [1]

In what was Eternal Summer Oblast, the climate is subtropical (but modified by the nearby Gulf of Mexico with the Lake Effect), meaning it has an average of 21 degrees Celsius in winter, and an average of 28 degrees Celsius in summer, with 1170 mm of precipitation year-round. Eternal Summer Oblast was on a plain flat area, and had many subtropical plants not found anywhere else in Gishabrun.

In what was the Autonomous Republic of Prievidzia, the climate is warm-summer humid continental (according to the Köppen climate classification system), with an average temperature of 21 degrees Celsius in summer, and an average of -1 degrees Celsius in winter. The Autonomous Republic of Prievidzia was on a plain, with a river valley located nearby.

Economy

The economy of the Empire was primarily based around the creation and distribution of the national currency, the Brun. Additionally, some areas of the Empire had limited agricultural production, including grape leaves, peaches, and pears in Kravat Oblast. This yield was too small to be sold commercially, and so was consumed directly by the locals.

Brun

2011 Brun coins produced by the Bank of Gishabrun, a subsidiary of Compass Industries

When Gishabrun was established, the Canadian Dollar was de facto legal tender in the Empire, being used to denominate fines and stored in the Imperial Treasury. On 5 March 2011, the Bank of Gishabrun (see below) created the Brun, which became the official currency of Gishabrun. Each Brun (Δ) was divided into 10 Gil (Թ), and existed in the form of laminated paper coins. The Brun was pegged to the Canadian Dollar at a rate of 1 Brun = P/10 CAD, where P was the total population of Gishabrun. In July 2012, the Brun was worth $2.10 CAD.

The Brun was primarily used to distribute rewards for participation in the Gishabrun Armed Forces and the LOB. It was also distributed to citizens once a year on First Landing Day as a monetary reward for earning meritocratic points (see above). Samples of the Brun were also sold by the Bank of Gishabrun to foreign collectors.

Compass Industries

See: KleinZav § History

As the Tsarist Empire of Gishabrun's state company, Compass Industries (created 30 March 2011) was responsible for a variety of economic topics in theory, but in practice it only ever used its powers to print currency and make the budget. Compass Industries, via its subsidiary the Bank of Gishabrun, printed the Tsarist Empire's currency, the Brun, as well as the currency of the Technological Federation of Erephisia, the Erephisian Graaff. It also sold samples of both of these currencies to collectors worldwide.

Demographics

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
201015—    
201119+26.67%
201221+10.53%

On the eve of Gishabrun joining Renasia as a SAR, the Tsarist Empire had a population of 21 citizens. Of these people, 14 lived in oblasts, 4 lived in autonomous regions, and 3 were classified as 'overseas subjects' who did not live on Gishabruni land.

Languages

Gishabrun was always a multicultural and multilingual society, which considered preservation of ancestral cultures a national priority. As a result, since its foundation until 30 March 2011, Gishabrun considered all languages spoken within its borders as official languages. At the time, this included English, Russian, Azerbaijani, French, Serbian, and Mandarin Chinese. Between 30 March 2011, and 20 February 2012, the official languages were reduced to the three most common languages spoken in the Empire: English, Russian, and Azerbaijani. It was in these languages that official broadcasts and government meetings were practically conducted. After 20 February 2012, only English was considered official.

The languages spoken fluently by Gishabrunis in July 2012 are shown in the table below. The speaker numbers add up to more than the total Gishabruni population at the time (21) due to polyglottism.

Language Speakers Note
English 21 Canadian English spelling
Russian 8
Azerbaijani 4 Both the modern and the 1991 orthographies were used
Slovak 2
French 2 Metropolitan French
Mandarin 1 Traditional Chinese characters

Serbian, a language formerly spoken in Gishabrun and official between January and March 2011, was written exclusively using the Latin orthography.

Ethnic groups

Since its foundation, Gishabrun's population consisted of a great variety of ethnic groups. With the introduction of the pentacameral Council on 30 March 2011, representation for these ethnic groups was enshrined in Gishabruni law in the form of clans. A clan was an organisation of members of a self-identified ethnicity, which was headed by a clan chief, who was the clan member with the highest meritocratic rating. These chiefs sat on the Clan Council and were eligible to run for election to become the High Chief of the Clans, a member of the Elite Duma. Every Gishabruni citizen was required to belong to a clan, and could only belong to one clan.

The final list of Gishabruni clans before their dissolution is as follows:

Emblem Clan name Ethnicity Chief Members
Aryol Clan Russian Jewish HIM Tsar Kuri I 4
Od Clan Azerbaijani HEE Prince Sovetus 4
N/A Anglo-Jewish Clan English-speaking Jewish TRH Randomguy 4
N/A Albion Clan English/Anglo-Saxon TRH Potatoman 3
Opolchenie Clan Russian HEE Emperor-Marquis Cyril I 2
N/A Izlovak Clan Slovak TRH Jaroslav Ursanski 2
Taiyang Clan Mandarin-speaking Han Chinese HEE George 1
N/A Haveker Clan Norse-Saxon HEE Samuel Krimmer 1

Culture

One of Gishabrun's national ideals was the preservation of its citizens' cultural traditions, which meant that imposing a uniform Gishabruni culture was anathema to the founders' vision. Instead, these cultures were preserved and maintained by each clan (see above) independently. Despite this, there were some cultural elements that were shared by a large proportion of Gishabrun's population.

Names and titles

While Gishabruni citizens were free to choose their own pseudonyms and the names of any oblast or autonomous region they founded, in practice there was a strong influence from Russian Imperial culture. This influence could be seen in the monarchical title 'Tsar', as well as the names of the two main federal subjects ('oblasts' and 'krais'), and certain peerages (such as 'Boyar').

Another source of influence was works of fiction, including the Edge Chronicles for terms such as 'Leagues Chamber' and 'Most High Academe', and Warhammer 40k for names in Maccrage, including 'Maccrage' and 'Ultramaar'.

Sport

The National Sport of the Tsarist Empire of Gishabrun was chess, which was very popular among its citizen body. The Tsarist Empire of Gishabrun was a member of the Intermicronational Chess Federation, and was the host nation for the 2010 Intermicronational Chess Championship. Other sports played in the Empire were badminton, catch, and European football.

Aquariums

HEE Prince Sovetus reporting for Gishabruni News in front of the National Aquarium, in Kravat Oblast

Many Gishabrunis were expert aquarium-keepers, some of whom established the Imperial Aquarium-Enthusiasts' League (IAEL) to help with the maintenance of the National Aquarium and advance the aquarium knowledge of all Gishabrunis. A breeding program established by the IAEL created a new breed of guppy, known as the Labyrinth Guppy. This breed was distinguished by its dark patterned body and a tail with light-green labyrinthine patterns, as well as a slightly hunched back. The Labyrinth Guppy is currently extinct.

Parks and nature

Gishabrun's official principle of environmental preservation ensured that the natural environment played a major role in the Gishabruni national conscience. This manifested as laws and attitudes towards areas of natural beauty, legally protected as parks. There were three kinds of parks in the Empire, as defined by the Parks Act (2010):

  • Parks: Areas of public greenery in which citizens were allowed to do whatever they wanted.
  • National Parks: Areas of natural beauty which citizens were allowed to enter, as long as they remained on the set paths.
  • Nature Reserves: Sensitive environmental areas that required permission from the Elite Duma to enter.

Gishabrun's parks, in which citizens were able to freely enter and quietly relax, enjoy the flora or play some sports, included the Imperial Garden and the Front Garden in Kravat Oblast, Somewhere Park and Somewhere Else Park in Somewhere Oblast, Sunshine Park in Eternal Summer Oblast, and Ancient Willow Park in Ancient Willow Krai. These parks contained the Imperial Tulip collection (with over 30 varieties of tulips), the Imperial Square, the two Imperial fruit trees (the Peach and the Pear, which provided the Empire's only reliable source of edible fruit), and the Ancient Willow National Monument.

Gishabrun's only national park was Outpost National Park in Outpost Krai. Wild Isle National Park, despite its name, was considered a strict nature reserve located in Wild Isle Krai.

Holidays

The national holidays of Gishabrun included:

  • 23 June. First Landing Day. Commemorating the first landing on the Wild Isle and subsequent secession from Canada, celebrated by doing patriotic activities and distributing Brun rewards for meritocratic ratings.
  • 1 July. Constitution Day. Commemorating the writing of the national constitution. Celebrated by visiting a fireworks display in a nearby park and doing patriotic activities.

References

  1. "1981 to 2010 Canadian Climate Normals". Environment Canada. 2014-02-13. Climate ID: 6158350. Retrieved 24 February 2014.