The Vaila Glas
"On this day, before my brothers and sisters, I take up the mantle of ink and ivory. "I shall place my brothers and sisters before all. Before love, before wealth, before even my own life. "I shall be the very best of us - a congress of our greatest strengths, forever battling our weaknesses. "If the day should ever come, pray as we might, I will not hesitate to give my life in our world's defence. "My family are billions strong, and today, I become their mother."
Structure
The Government of Ponadea is made up of different councils which oversee the running of different parts of the system. Every city will have a small council that oversees the running of the settlement and any towns in its jurisdiction. These small, local councils answer to a planetary council.
A Planetary council will have a councillor for health, education, military, trade, religion, treasury, culture and diplomatic relations. Members of the Planetary council will also sit at the Ponadean council of their field. The Ponadean councils makes the decisions that affect all of the Vi'dam owned space. Each Department of the Ponadean council elects their representative for the Grand council once every fifteen years.
The Grand Council will have a Grand councillor for every department, and the head of the Grand Council. This title simply means that this individual, atop their other duties, is the head of state for the sake of foreign relations.
Public Agenda
The Masked council concerns itself first and foremost with the wellbeing of its people. Everything else comes second. Other authorities often call this into question; some claim it is too altruistic of a stance to be true, others claim there is something more to this rather simplistic priority. The Council would argue that there is nothing simple in protecting and caring for a people as diverse as the Vi’dam, nor is it altruistic. Quite the opposite, in fact. After all, a government with no subjects is no government at all.
Demography and Population
Vi'dam Sigil by Rusalka
Military
The Vi'dam are, comparatively, one of the more physically average species in Ciraculum, and their military is a reflection of this fact. Their reliance upon non-piloted drones and mechs, as well as their prolific use of spellcaster on the battlefield, is all the evidence needed to draw the conclusion that the Vi'dam wage war in a manner that could be described as "playing it safe". A strong emphasis has instead been placed on spies and intelligence gathering operations, resulting in the Vi'dam possessing one of the most impressive special intelligence agencies in the galaxy.
In peacetime, it is rare to see the Vi'dam military in action, or even to see them at all. Law enforcement is managed by a separately-staffed, separately-funded police force, and private conflicts are most often resolved through the hiring of mercenary companies - with several cropping up in Vi'dam space in recent years, lending assistance in the swiftly-escalating Coryza conflict.
Agriculture & Industry
Ponadea and its government is an agricultural powerhouse. Ihiri as a planet produces 47% of the systems grown food produce, with several colonised world given over to the Zuravi agricultural experts to follow suit. Animal husbandry and mineral mining are tied for the systems second biggest industries, providing thousands of jobs across the system, and several profitable exports to other systems in the forms of precious gems and expensive pelts, meats and trophies founds nowhere else in the galaxy.
Education
In Vaila Glas owned territory, education begins at the age of four, and is mandatory until the age of twenty five. The educational system is divided into different age groups, with focus on different parts of development. Education is ran by the state and is free to all citizens. Schools provide uniforms and feed the students to ensure a healthy diet regardless of family status. Availability of courses and subject does vary between different schools however, and richer families may be able to send their children to schools further away if they wish their child to study a particular subject, whereas poorer families may have to apply for grants or simply have their children study what is available.
- Ages 4 - 12: The youngest children in the system are taught basic literacy and numeracy skills, as well as regional knowledge, dependent on where it is they live. For example, children on Soraktus are taught about navigating the dense woodland and the kinds of plant matter that is safe to consume, whilst children on Yaklav are taught to distinguish different kinds of trembles in the desert, and what they mean. During these years, there is also plenty of time where children play on school grounds to make sure they are using up the amount of energy young children normally have. At the closing years of this tier, children are also taught about basic reproductive health, in a manner appropriate for their age, in vain hope that it may perhaps spare parents the awkward questions children tend to have.
- Ages 13 - 18: At this stage, education splits into two parts. The basic education (containing topics such as Vi'dam Studies, Mathematics, Basic Science, Life skills and Basic Magic Studies) which all students have to take, and advanced personal studies (including topics such as world history, chemistry, advanced magic studies, several languages, fitness and basic combat training, psychology, sociology etc) which students can choose to pursue. Every student can choose up to four of these subjects which they will study for the duration. A student may change their mind at any time during these, although it is pointed out that they will need to catch up through the material they have missed in their own time, which can be quite intimidating depending on when one wishes to make a change.
- Ages 19 - 25: At this point, students can choose from a wide range of topics to study. Anything from advanced combat, to politics, to ancient history. Students will choose six subjects and study those exclusively. For those who at this point have a career or particular interest in mind, there are several 'profiles' they can choose from. For example, if one is looking to enter the armed forces, they may choose the Military Service profile, which would consist of Advanced Combat Training, Tactics and Strategic Thinking, Ciraculum History, Weapons Tech, Public Relations and Advanced Wilderness Survival.
- Ages 26 - 33: At this point, education is no longer compulsory. Those who wish to pursue more academic professions or aim for a job that would require more advanced learning (such as doctors, military generals, specialised scholars etc) may apply for government grants to help them through the process. Many students who pursue this path will also take on part time jobs for extra money or connections.
Infrastructure
All settlements under the Vaila Glas are required to provide its citizens with with appropriate ways to dispose of waste, source of clean water and electricity. In Ponadea, these are basic rights of every citizen. Roads are inspected once every five years for repairs and maintenance, and local governments will have a simple, on-line process to report anything that requires immediate attention. Walls are applied to settlements wherever necessary for the sake of safety, mainly on Ihiri and Soraktus.
Always Vigilant
Type
Government, Leadership
Alternative Names
The Ponadean Council, The Mystics Covenant, The Masked Council
Government System
Democracy, Parliamentary
Power Structure
Autonomous area
Economic System
Mixed economy
Currency
The Serenity Credit
Major Exports
Food is the largest export of the Vaila Glas. It exports produce to Serenity and neighbouring systems in a near monopoly on grown foods. The second largest import is gemstones and minerals dug from mines.
Judicial Body
In the Ponadean judicial branch there is the Supreme Court, eight high courts, fifty family courts, and 438 summary courts. Assistant judges are appointed from those who have completed their training. Once appointed, assistant judges still may not qualify to sit alone until they have served for twenty years, and have been appointed by the Supreme Court of Ponadea. Judges require thirty years of experience in practical affairs, as a public prosecutor or practising attorney.
Location
Official Languages
Neighboring Nations
Related Species
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