Cubic Republic of High Hermitage

Basic Information
Claim: High_Hermitage

Nation: Borhammer

Coordinates: 1200, 3200

Religion: Cubism

Government System: Direct Democracy

Introduction
The Cubic Republic of High Hermitage, known colloquially as High Hermitage or The Hermitage, was founded on 1 September 2021 by player Yoyo266. It was initially established as a modest cenobium where the Monastic Order of the Cube lived independently and practised Cubist Worship. The first Monks of the Cube were few in number, but their devotion to their faith soon attracted others to the mountaintop. Brother Yoyo, the Voice of the Cube and Founder of High Hermitage, would sell his Cubist books on the Auction House, and preach of the Cube in Global Chat. Cubic Expeditions to cities such as Fornost and also served to spread the word of the Cube and the way of life on High Hermitage. Today, High Hermitage has grown to a Province, with around 30 citizens. The lands have expanded from the mountaintop, now including the neighbouring Dwarven city of Hirfarum and the valley to the West. Although it originally fell within the Pirate Dominion of Tortuga, the Hermitage was recently sold to the nation of Borhammer. The transaction attracted mixed reactions among the citizenry, as it occured while the Hermitage's High Council pooled funds to gain independence. Now, however, the relationship between High Hermitage and Borhammer is friendly, and citizens live freely and happily under the Light of the Almighty Cube.

Early History
Brother Yoyo had spent many years traveling Rathnir before climbing the mountain which would become High Hermitage. In this time, he grew an appreciation for the natural world, and discovered the teachings of the Cube. And so, he established High Hermitage as a peaceful cenobium, closed off from the politics and wars of the outside world. Some of the first buildings he constructed were the foundations of the Great Library and the bench outside. Soon, players oscarc1 and the_iron_chef joined. Brother Chef built the Community Chest room and Smeltery, and Brother Oscar built farms and more stone structures. Players Animonkee and Mountainduke joined soon after. Brother Animonkee started building house, but it was demolished to make way for the City Hall. Instead, he closed off the hollow underneath the mountain and named it Deep Hermitage, building his home there.

Life at the Hermitage
Although High Hermitage sits upon a mountaintop, live is fulfilling and wholesome, not cold and bleak as may be expected. Citizens may spend their days reading at the Great Library, where many great texts, inclusing The Cube, The Bardonian Book of Defenses, Chad's Journey, and many others may be found. Alternitavely, Snowpoint Brewery offers drinks, food, and a merry time for all, citizen's and visitors alike. However, perhaps the most important aspect of High Hermitage is its routes in Cubist tradition. As the birthplace of Monastic Cubist worship, many find meaning in the study of the Almighty Cube.

The Monastic Order of the Cube
Upon the founding of High Hermitage, Brother Yoyo established the Monastic Order of the Cube. Its mission would be simple: to live in peaceful devotion to the Almighty Cube, and offer its teachings to any willing to learn. The original Monks were Brother Yoyo (yoyo266), Brother Oscar (oscarc1), Brother Animonkee Cubeus Deanis (Animonkee), Sister Mountainduke (mountainduke), and Brother Chef (the_iron_chef). The solitary life which these original monks led meant they developed their Cubist faith independently of outside input. Thus, they knew not of the Birch Cubists or the Eldham Cubists. This led to key differences between the Monastic Cubism developed at the Hermitage and others found in the lands of Rathnir and Eldham.

Rather than worshiping a single Cube, a god or group of gods, the Monks see the Cube as the all encompassing truth of our world. Cube is all, and all is Cube, so therefore all must be worshipped and protected. This leads to the Cube's followers being inherently peaceful and kind, for if all are Cube, to attack another is akin to attacking oneself.

The Lux Situaiton
When Skotos came to unleash his tyranny upon Rathnir during Halloween 2021, the Cubist Monks aided cult Harvest Havon in a ritual to trap the demon, Entropy. However, midway through it was discovered that Entropy had died, despite speculation of her return, and the direction of the ritual changed. The ritual resulted in the acquisition of the Heart of Lux, the seed root of the world, in the form of an azure bluet. When the monks looked in the skies they noticed that bright light began to seep out of cracks in the sun. They learned that if it was not returned in 30 days, the sun would supernova, spreading darkness across Rathnir and ending the eternal war between Lux and Tenebris. Terrified by the power they held, the Cubist monks stored it in a vault and debated what they should do with it.

Key Figures
Brother Tea

Role: President, Minister for Defense, Minister for Technology, Ambassador to Tortuga, Monk of the Cube

IGN: ILikeTea_

Brother Yoyo266

Role: Voice of the Cube, Founder of High Hermitage, Former President, Secretary for the High Council, Minister for Housing, Minister for Tea and Biscuits and Ambassador to Tovarisha

IGN: yoyo266

Brother Oscar

Role: High Monk of the Cube, High Councillor and Minister for Urban Planning, Minister for Regional Development

IGN: oscarc1

Sister Mountainduke

Role: High Monk of the Cube, High Councillor and Foreign Minister

IGN: mountainduke

Brother Animonkee Cubeus Deanis

Role: High Monk of the Cube, High Councillor, Minister for Education, Minister for Urban Planning

IGN: Animonkee

Discord: Animonkee#1164

Mahogany Grey

Role: High Councillor

IGN: mohogany_grey

Oraginanisko

Role: High Councillor and Minister for Culture

IGN: Orangitanisko

Brother Larowsky

Role: High Councillor, Monk of the Cube and Attorney General

IGN: Larowsky