Opirium (Oh-peer-ih-um)
Etymology
Opirium was originally wordplay, taking the word "Opium" and mixing it with another word or two to create the name. While it was originally pronounced 'Oh-peer-ee-um', due to working on the linguistics of Kreainese it was discovered due to the rules it should be pronounced 'Oh-peer-ih-oom' which was disliked. Thus a linguistic rule was adjusted so Opirium is now 'Oh-peer-ih-um'.
History
Geography
The capital city of Opirium is located on the northern central part of Opirium. The flat land around made it easy to build the city. To the west is a large lake with a deep center. There's oftentimes ice on part of it people use for ice skating or hole fishing.
The City is fairly large and is separated into only two sections, those of lower class and those of higher class. Those of the lower class make up the majority of the city, encompassing the part of the northwest, west, mid, southwest, south, southeast, and part of the east parts of city. Most shopping districts are in the middle and west northwest of the city, and some even in the northeastern part. Housing is on the outer parts of the city, though some people live in the upper floors of their shops as well. To the east and part of the northeast is the upper class district, and is mainly housing. The northern part of the city is where the castle resides.
The castle is surrounded by a wall, in which there are hallways within for guards to quickly travel. There is also walkways on top of the wall. In the front is an archway with a gate that is usually open, where a guard is stationed to get identification for those passing through. Branching out from the wall on all four sides are towers. The barracks for the guards are to the right of the castle, and are attached to the wall to allow easy access for the guards to travel inside to patrol. Inside the walls is a large courtyard with a fountain in the center. The fountain is made of crystal to give it an icey appearance, and is constantly maintained so the water doesn't freeze. The courtyard is made of gravel, and surrounding it is bushes and flowers that thrive in the cold environment. They also need constant upkeep. The courtyard is fairly large, and the public is often welcome to visit the gardens. Just beyond them is stairs that lead up to the castle, which towers over everything. Inside is a small room for guests to warm up as they state their business, which leads to an open entryway that is fairy large, and clearly made for guests or balls. The throne is mostly for show, as it is not used regularly. There are many pillars, and lots of glass and crystal to make the room look grandeur. Beyond that is the rest of the castle, which is a lot more practical and made for living in; dining, bedrooms, kitchen, many hallways, etc.
Houses are mostly made of wood and/or metal, though are also found to be made with other materials. Metal houses are generally covered in some kind of insulator. Many villages are equipped and ready for possible blizzards or avalanches at any time.
However, the islands to the south are nigh inhospitable. Nothing but bitter freezing temperatures, ice, and darkness, this night filled area is home to very few people. Those who brave living in this area tend to spend most of their time inside, and using tunnels both above and below ground will travel around their small village much like an above ground anthill. These tunnels are heavily insulated and people will often grow cold-resistant plants and eat lots of meat that is either raised in the insulated villages or imported from farther north.
Government and Politics
Opirium has the second highest tax rate after Dessiara in total, but the highest tax rate on average between the three countries. They only have city taxes, unlike Terramis, but those taxes are fairly high and based on people's jobs, assets, and income. Those taxes go to protecting and supporting the city and possibly neighboring ones as well. Besides the city tax, they also have their fining system. A fine is a special direct tax placed on an individual for their actions. These fines are preset values not impacted by income but can be increased or decreased by the royal family or even the general in some cases. There are many, many things one can be fined for. Fines make up half of the tax income for the country. (Imagine a country wide HOA issuing tickets like cops do) There are also taxes on businesses: A tax to set up the shop, and a monthly tax to keep it running. The tax changes depending on the type of business. Most shops calculate this tax into the price of their goods if they can. The other main tax Opirium has is property tax. Homeowners also get taxed for their property they own. The larger the property, the larger the tax. This is a reoccurring tax. Lastly, Opirium also has taxes on marriage and divorces. This tax for marriage depends on the ceremony and how expensive it is. For divorces, the tax is adjusted based on how long it takes to settle things (meaning the more you fight for your share and can't settle, the more expensive it is). The only other tax Opirium has is a tax for immigrants. It is smaller than the others by far, but is a required flat rate tax for if you are moving to the country. Some province leaders might wave it for certain people or certain circumstances, but not very often. Opirium has a vault in each province containing finances to support their country. Though the vault in the capital is mostly used and the province ones are considered backup, the province leaders can use the money in the vaults if it's an emergency or under a time limit. If the capital vault is looted, the money is taken from province vaults to support the country in the meantime while they recover. The ruler of Opirium is chosen by being the firstborn child, gender does not matter. If the ruling leader has no children, the new ruler will be their sibling or their children. Illegitimate children or family related to the spouse of the king/queen do not have claim to the throne.Economy
Demographics
Culture and Society
In Opirium, if someone has an issue with another business or property owner, people will go to the province leader to have a verdict. Should they not feel the verdict was fair they will send a letter requesting retrial with reasons why they feel the verdict was unjust, along with any information, data and documents they may have on the situation. The province leader will look over it again, if they change their decision the decision is final. If they do not change their decision and/or the person still feels their province leader is unjust, it would be sent to the royal family, and the royal family will give their decision. That decision is final. If too many issues find their way to the royal family that have to be changed, the province leader will be looked into. If a single or small group of individuals continues to send issues to the royal family and they aren't changed, the person will likely get a tax for wasting the time of nobility. Slavery is not allowed in Opirium, however slave dealers still do exist in the country and people will often buy these slaves as servants or retainers. Because slavery is illegal, if a household servant or retainer is treated unfairly they can report their master. Servants, retainers, and maids/butlers are different than slaves as they are a working class and have rights. Being LGBT is legal in Opirium, however there are restrictions put in place for certain people in the demographic. Though trans people have no issues in Opirium, even nobility unlike with Terramis, same sex couples have difficulty getting married and for nobility and the royal family they are not allowed to. Though being gay or bi isn't necessarily frowned upon, especially for nobles and royalty the heirs are supposed to pass on their bloodline. If an heir doesn't have a child that can be devastating on their line. This brings in many issues with Opirium not having polygamy be legal, and in many cases causes the heir to never get married and have a child with a friend, only to raise it with their preferred partner.Notes
See Also
Structure
King/Queen - The king and queen have the same authority and roles, however whoever married into the family is technically a lower rank.
Prince/Princess - Only children of the king or queen who has royal blood are considered princes or princesses. Other children of the parent who married into the royal family have no claim on the throne, nor does any other members of their family. The firstborn is the heir to the throne, while any younger siblings have no claim unless the firstborn dies without an heir.
Earl - A title given to the blood related family to the king or queen with royal blood. Does not include half siblings if said half siblings don't have royal blood.
Margrave - A title given to the close blood related family of the king or queen who married into the family. Includes their parents, their siblings and half siblings, and their kids not of royal blood.
Viscount - Children of Margraves or Viscounts, generally province leaders.
Baron - Commoners granted nobility for an achievement, which often are also province leaders.
Royal Guards - The country's military and police force. Some are nobles, most are commoners.
Commoner - The common people.
Coffee - Also fine quality so oftentimes exported.
Mabela - Not as popular north of Terramis but mostly manufactured in Opirium due to low temperatures.
Steel - Opirium has a couple of the only people in the world who know how to make steel, thus they oft get orders from other countries for it and sometimes export it.
Cobalt - Not often exported, but when it is it's from Opirium.
Wool - Pretty commonly manufactured in Opirium, thus exported.
