United Communes of Kūpapa
The biggest and most powerful kingdom in Whenua, Kūpapa, was built on the ruins of the old kingdom of Kaha, the older of the Ancients. Devastated by a war that lasted more than 300 years, the kingdom was restored after the battle of the 6 kings and the first Kaunihera. The kingdom acts as a mediator between all the other kingdoms and extends its borders on almost the whole continent, making it impossible to move from one kingdom to another without stepping into its land.
United Communes Government System
In the United Communes of Kūpapa, the governance structure combines a strong federal system with extensive local autonomy. The central government handles national matters and ensures unity, while each commune operates with significant self-governance. This system allows for diverse local practices and policies, fosters cooperation between communes, and balances local independence with national cohesion.Federal Structure
- Central Government: The kingdom has a central government that oversees national defence, foreign policy, and other overarching matters. This central government is responsible for maintaining the unity of the realm and ensuring that core laws and regulations are upheld across all communes.
- Executive Branch: Led by the Monarch who has ceremonial duties and oversees the central government’s administration. On special occasions, the Monarch can take absolute control over the central government.
- Legislative Branch: A bicameral legislature, consisting of a Senate and a House of Delegates. The Senate represents the various communes, while the House of Delegates represents the population at large.
- Judicial Branch: A national court system that handles disputes between communes and ensures that national laws are interpreted consistently.
Communal Governance
- Local Autonomy: The kingdom is divided into multiple communes, each functioning like a city-state with significant self-governance. Communes are highly autonomous and manage their own internal affairs, including local laws, education, and public services.
- Comitatus: Each commune has a council or assembly, known as comitatus, composed of elected representatives or appointed officials, that makes decisions on local matters. This council is responsible for day-to-day governance, including budgeting and local ordinances.
- Consul: Each commune elects or appoints a leader, the Consul, who represents the commune in the central government and manages local administration.
Inter-Communal Cooperation
- Federation of Communes: Communes form a federation to coordinate on issues that affect multiple communes or the kingdom as a whole. This federation allows for cooperation on matters such as trade, infrastructure, and mutual defence.
- Federation Parliament: An inter-communal body that facilitates communication and collaboration between communes. It consist of representatives from each commune and handle joint initiatives or disputes.
Law and Order
- Local Laws: Communes have the power to create and enforce their own laws, as long as they do not conflict with national laws. This allows for a diverse range of local practices and policies reflecting the unique character of each commune.
- National Laws: The central government enacts laws that apply uniformly across all communes, ensuring basic rights and standards are upheld.
- Conflict Resolution: Disputes between communes or between a commune and the central government are resolved through a system of courts that can adjudicate these issues.
Defense and Security
- Local Militias: Each commune maintains its own local defence force or militia to handle local security concerns. These forces can be mobilised for communal defence and emergencies.
- Central Military: The central government oversees a national military that handles external threats and provides defence coordination among communes.
Economic and Social Policy
- Local Economic Policy: Communes are responsible for local economic development, including taxation, business regulation, and public services.
- Central Economic Policy: The central government manages economic policies that impact the kingdom as a whole, such as trade agreements and national infrastructure projects.
Representation and Elections
- Communal Elections: Citizens elect representatives to their local councils or assemblies and to the position of commune leader.
- National Elections: Citizens elect representatives to the national legislature and also the king or queen, which are also known as Presidents.
Military
The army of the United Communes is the known as The Legion. It is the biggest and probably most trained army in all of Whenua, with very strict rules and ranks.
Other military force of the country are the local police force known as Vigiles and The President personal guard, the Praetorian Guard.
Religion
Until a few decades ago the main religion of the United Communes of Kūpapa was, like in most of the continents, the Word of the Ancients, the religion of the old Gods, known on Whenua as Tapus, but recently, The Church of the 4, has taken more and more power, converting most of the communes of the kingdom and reaching some of the highest ranks of the government. Even though the current king is not a believer of the church of the 4th, he often collaborates with the Praetor, Mana Kaitiaki, leaving him and his followers free to profess and spread their beliefs, as long as they are respectful of the law and of other religions.
Foreign Relations
The United Communes are in a neutral position toward the other kingdoms. They keep strong trading agreements with the whole Whenua and they act as mediators between all the other kingdoms.
Despite their neutrality and no sign of official alliances, some rumours suggest that president Nui and Ra, the king of Rawhi, are actually good friends.
Dressing
While in the kingdom everyone is free to dress in their own way, there are some symbolic piece of clothing typical from the people of the United Communes.Tunica
Men: The tunic is a simple, knee-length garment made of wool or linen, typically worn by men as an undergarment or casual wear. Wealthier men might wear tunics with stripes (called clavi) to indicate status
Women: Women also wear tunics, but theirs are typically longer, reaching down to the ankles. Married women might wear a tunic under a stola, a more elaborate dress.
Toga
Men: The toga is the quintessential garment, originally worn exclusively by male citizens. It is a large, semi-circular piece of woollen cloth, draped over the body in a specific manner that requires skill to arrange properly. The toga is worn over the tunic and is mainly used for formal occasions. Different colours and types of togas indicated the wearer's social status:- Toga Virilis: Plain white toga, worn by adult citizens.
- Toga Praetexta: Toga with a purple border, worn by consuls.
- Toga Picta: A richly embroidered toga, often in purple and gold, worn by the president.
- Toga Pulla: A dark-colored toga, worn during periods of mourning.
Stola
Women: The stola is a long, flowing dress worn by women over their tunic. It is typically fastened at the shoulders with clasps (fibulae) and is often accompanied by a wide belt (zona) under the bust or at the waist. The stola symbolises modesty and respectability and is typically worn by married women. Over the stola, women might wear a palla, a cloak or shawl that could be draped over the head or around the body.Palla
Women: The palla is a large rectangular shawl or cloak that women would drape over their shoulders and head when they go out in public. It is an essential part of a respectable woman's attire and provides an extra layer of modesty.Cloaks
Men and Women: Both genders wore cloaks for additional warmth or protection. Some common types included:- Paludamentum: A military cloak worn by generals.
- Lacerna: A short, often hooded cloak, more casual than the toga.
- Paenula: A heavy, woollen cloak, often with a hood, worn during colder weather.
Footwear
- Caligae: Heavy-duty, hobnailed military boots worn by soldiers.
- Soleae: Simple leather sandals worn indoors by both men and women.
- Calceus: A more formal, closed shoe, typically worn with the toga.
Accessories
- Jewelry: women often wear jewellery, including necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings. Wealthy men might also wear rings as a sign of status.
- Hair: Hairstyles varied greatly, with elaborate styles often indicating wealth or status. Women, particularly, invest time and resources into intricate braids, curls, and updos. Men generally keep their hair short and well-groomed.
- Headgear: men and women wear different types of headgear, such as the pileus, a simple felt cap often associated with freed slaves, and the galerus, a cap worn by priests.
Colors
White is the most common color, symbolizing purity and citizenship, especially for the toga. However, other colors like purple (especially for the toga praetexta and toga picta) are reserved for the elite due to the rarity and cost of purple dye.Fabrics
The most common fabrics are wool and linen, though wealthier people could afford finer materials like silk (imported from Tūpato) and cotton.Economy
Most of the economy of the United Communes is based on trading with the other kingdoms. The guild of the merchants is the most powerful guild of the country, their import and export not only bring riches in the kingdom but also provides necessary supplies to all the other kingdoms.
Type
Geopolitical, Kingdom
Capital
Formation Type
Demonym
Kūp
Leader
Leader Title
Founders
Head of State
Official State Religion
Related Ranks & Titles
Neighboring Nations
Notable Members
Comments