Alba

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File:Alba.png
Nation Alba
Planet Earth
Government Parliamentary Monarchy
Motto “Honor, Virtus, Integritas” (“Honour, strength, purity.”)
National color(s) Red, Black, and Gold
Population Approx. 5,000,000
Demographics 88% Human (including Centurions and Cyborgs), 12% Other
Location Northwestern Banivia
Primary Languages Universal (Regent Standard), Old Alban (scattered areas)
Founded 1323 AE
Capital Lettonshire
Owner Robert


Overview

Alba is a nation in the northern hemisphere of the planet Earth. It occupies a small peninsula along the western coast of the Banivian continent, and is one of the more advanced countries of Earth in Enchanting. Alba has a temperate climate, with mild summers and gentle winters. July and August are generally the warmest months, with temperatures in the low 70s (°F), while December and January are the coldest months, with temperatures around freezing.


Government

Alba as a whole is governed by a King, who is always of the House of Argall, a family of powerful enchanters that first rose to power in 1323 AE when the country first seceded from the Banivian Empire. The King and Queen are advised by the Archducal Parliament, who are elected from the ranks of Dukes & Duchesses, though there have only been three Archduchesses since the Act of Parity was passed in 1934, allowing women to sit on the Archducal Parliament. The same act would, in theory, allow a woman to rule as Queen, but none have been appointed successor to date. The current king is Owain ap Argall, crowned in 2309.

Alba is divided into areas of differing sizes. From largest to smallest, these are: Duchies (managed by Dukes/Duchesses), Counties (managed by Counts/Countesses), Viscounties (managed by Viscounts/Viscountesses), and Baronies (managed by Barons/Baronesses). Dukes rank higher than Counts, Counts higher than Viscounts, and so on. Below Barons/Baronesses is the title of Knight/Dame, which generally carries an estate with it.


Society/Culture

Alban culture puts a lot of stock by "racial purity", insisting that humans are the purest of the races. Ironically, this obsession with purity also means they are the most advanced in the field of Biologic Transmutation (think genetic engineering, but with magic instead of science), meaning there are a fair number of Centurions in Alba, mostly in the military and the upper crust. There is a Season, much like in Victorian England, and while women's rights are more advanced than in Victorian times, they aren't as advanced as in the real world. They can be married at 17 years of age, but if a woman wishes to marry before she comes of age, her guardian must give his/her blessing on the marriage. Women are allowed to own property in their own name after they come of age at 21, or co-own with their guardians between the ages of 17 and 21. Most married women do not own property except as joint owners with their husbands, even though they are allowed to do so.


Military

All men are required to serve three years in the military. The Act of Parity allowed women to serve in combat roles, but they still make up less than 20% of fielded personnel. Most nobles are automatically granted officer rank, while commoners rarely achieve commission.

The military itself functions much like any other, except that its weapons are mostly biological (as in warbeasts) and magical rather than technological.


Places of Note

  • Thornegate Asylum: An insane asylum located in Lettonshire; similar to Bedlam.
  • Royal University: One of the most prestigious universities in Alba, the Royal University is located near Thornegate Asylum.