Aeterna

The Senate & People of Aeterna, more commonly referred to both by its neighbors and citizens as Aeternia, is a Republic which was officially founded on 7/14/2021 but which was settled previously to this date. It is situated near the world border located around -1600, 7200 in the Arsine Region of Eldham. It was founded by three families who's heads were _Cicero__, Pure_Frosty, and Dj_Stalin141 (The Praetor), each became the first Patrician families.

Geography
The founding huts of the various founders were situated on top of a large sheer cliff (Now built over by the Senate Building) in a Taiga Forest by the Ocean. This cliff was a peninsula which was surrounded on water by three sides followed by sheer cliff on all sides. This spot had been chosen as the most defensible terrain in the area and was settled, where it and the later surrounding areas became known as "Aeterna".

History
Before the official founding of the Republic and the start of its government, the area had been settled by the same founders and their tribesmen. A consensus was quickly formed that the Republic would stay to itself and begin constructing its town in the Taiga and scouting reports showed that the small Republic was too far away from any settlements to cause an issue as the area had been entirely open.

The first early and true building created was the Senate Temple, located on the Capitol Hill (The original defensive Hill of the city). The building was extended above the cloud layer in the sky, with the base on all four sizes being sheer drops, allowing for further defense on top of the already sheer cliff. Residents and their Huts on the hill were forced to move down below the Capital Hill to begin construction of the city on flat grounds.

Extension of Aeterna & the Eternal Flame
As new residents joined the city, it began expanding outwards and around the Capitol Hill which still served as the cities only defensive line. Around the time the first homes were created on the flatlands below the Hill, the Eternal Flame had been lit in front of the Senate House and above the city, symbolizing the Eternal City and the Gods protection of the City. Early on however, an unknown hooligan had extinguished the flame but it was however saved by rekindling the same embers of the previous flame, keeping it Eternal. The Senate quickly passed a motion, signaling the punishment of death to those who extinguish or attempt to extinguish the flame.

Plebeian Troubles
During the first expansion of the city, Plebeians (4 Members) began to demand further rights and compensation by the Patrician classes, for forcing them to move their homes without compensation form the defensible Capitol Hill to the undefended flatlands below it. Consul _Cicero__ hosted a meeting at the Public Forum located in the center of the city in which he spoke to an armed mob of Plebeians and promised compensation for the losses to the Plebeians and agreed to the construction of a wall around the lower city.

Encounter with Bjancia, First War, and Independence
Bjancia had discovered the newly constructed city of Aeterna, undefended by any fortifications besides the Capitol Hill, and had left a message to contact them. Consul _Cicero__ had discovered the message and informed the Senate about the situation and it was decided that negotiations would be the best way to be granted Independence. A multitude of offers were send which included all of the combined: Granting the leader of Bjancia Honorary Citizenship, Granting Bjancia two Senate seats in Aeterna, Trade Agreements, Defensive Pact, and joining their Coalition in exchange for Independence. All of which was agreed upon by Bjancias second in command, but their leader threatened Aeterna with death should it not leave. The Senate had decided the best course of action would be to stall in order to arm the citizens and find allies. Through scouting, Aeterna had discovered the village of Condull which happened to be in the exact situation - wanting Independence from Bjancia, and was supported by the Bai Federation. The Aeternian Senate had begun making agreements with Condull and Bai, while stalling Bjancia. At the same time, the First Levy of Aeterna was formed in which all citizens were required to sign up for the conscriptions. At the same time, a large wall was built around the city combined with a ring of defensive berry bushes. Due to the constructions and law, all cities were required to put all their effort into preparation for conflict, including making potions, upgrading armor and practicing for combat while all non-war construction projects were halted.

The coalition gathered for war and it was a quick victory, Consul _Cicero__ had led the allied forces to the enemy capital as the Aeternians had extensive knowledge of the area. The hastily built defenses were breached quickly and the capital of Bjancia was ransacked for what remained, however almost everything had been evacuated and the Bjancians avoided combat due to the massive size of the coalition. Meanwhile the Aeternian Consul present lead his forces to the bridge near Bayeta, holding the flank for the coalition forces. Aeternian forces proceeded to occupy the outskirts of the town while the coalition launched a naval invasion, the war was soon over with little resistance, and Aeterna had gained its Independence, land, and allies.

Former Government - The First Republic
Aeterna is a Citizen Republic (Partial Patrician Oligarchy) in which in order to become a full citizen, one must do military service or public service as required by law. Citizens are allowed to run for Magistrate offices while non-citizens (Proletarii) are unable to run or vote in elections nor can they vote in the assembly. Furthermore, voting weight is decided by the military value of each Citizen, with the various classes of armor, enchantments and weapons gaining people more weight in votes the better they are. During this era of Aeternian history, citizen JMO___ would climb the ranks and become a member of government, who would go on to found the city of Nemea as a loyal Aeternian city.

Citizens - Proletarii - and the Class System
Citizens - These are divided into two classes. There are the Patricians and the Plebeians. The Patricians are the founding families of the Republic and generally carry the most weight in voting and debates as well as other special privileges as administered by law. There are also the Plebeians, which make up the vast majority of all citizens. One must note that Patrician vs Plebeian is not based on wealth, it is based on family.

Proletarii - The Proletarii are non-citizens who live under the Republic. Proletarii are still granted the freedoms and rights of citizens, however Proletarii cannot vote or run in elections, nor hold government positions. They are however, eligible to do military service to the state in times of need in order to earn their citizenship. Proletarii generally make up the majority of members of Aeterna as it expands.

The Senate & Citizens Assembly
The Senate is the most influential governing body of Aeterna but it is technically an advisory body in which gives 'advice' in the form of motions to the various elected magistrates. Motions are not law, however, the Senate is filled with the most wealthy and influential citizens of the Republic and thus the Senate motions are usually taken as law or else consequences may occur. Once someone becomes a magistrate, they are automatically enrolled as members of the Senate and appointments to the Senate are for life unless impeached by a Censor. The Senate however has direct power over the appointment of a temporary Dictator, manages all Finances, has the power to manage all foreign affairs and negotiations, and can try and punish its own members.

The Citizen Assembly is the body which is made up of all Aeternian Citizens. Once a motion of passed in the Senate, if the Senate seeks for it to become law, then it is brought before the Assembly which is formed up of all citizens who then directly vote on the motion. It is often referred to as a rubber stamp assembly, as if a motion passes the Senate, it almost always passes the Assembly easily.

Magistrates
Magistrates make up the central part of the government and have large amounts of power in their assigned fields through the form of edicts. Magistrates are elected by the Assembly - once again based on voting weight. All magistrates have legal immunity during their term of office but can be prosecuted after their term for their crimes. All magistrates are automatically apart of the Senate.

Consuls: Two Consuls are the chief magistrates of the Republic. They can veto all magistrate edicts, the Senate, and each other, and cannot be overturned. They have the right to arrest and or summon any member and can convene and preside over the Senate & Assembly. They also serve as joint commanders-and-chiefs of the military and conduct the levy.

Praetor: The Praetor of the chief magistrate and law enforcement officer of Aeterna and presides as judge during civil and military cases between citizens. They oversee administration of justice and law, and importantly are given command authority under that of the Consuls. Praetors can also convene and preside over the Senate.

Censors: Possibly the most prestigious Magistrate rank, only former Consuls are generally allowed to run for this role. Censors administer the Senate and can add or remove people from the Senate (If they arnt a current serving magistrate) and they also enforce the ethical standards of the Republic. Technically only a Tribune can veto a censor as nobody outranks them. In short, they run the day to day organization of the group.

Tribune: Only Plebeians are allowed to run for this position, and tribunes are able to convene the assembly and propose legislation directly to it without the Senates input (Technically). They have the power of intercession of behalf of any citizen and are sacrosanct, harming or killing a tribune is in itself punishable by death as all Plebeians are required to defend the tribune. Tribunes can also veto any magistrate and the Senate (Except a Dictatorial Magistrate). Tribunes are not technically members of the Senate but can see the Senate chats and voice their opinions, but cannot vote.

Aedile: They are responsible for the maintenance of public buildings, construction of roads, and conducting public festivals. Examples of this are aiding in the construction of public temples, and overall city-planning and government construction projects.

Quaestor: These elected officials supervise the public treasury building, help collect taxes and tribute, and manage the financial accounts of the state. They are also generally assigned to a Consul or other high ranking magistrate as a secretary to learn the workings of government as Quaestor is a first-step in getting into government.

Extraordinary Government Positions
Dictator: A Dictator is a magistrate position which may be used during a time of crisis, this is a lawful magistrate appointed by the Senate in agreement with the two Consuls. Once a Dictator is chosen from among the Senate, the two Consuls step down for the short period of time in which the Dictator serves. They have a considerable amount of power, however it is not unlimited and is only limited to the direct fields in which the Senate gives it power with the motion such as to negotiate with an enemy or conduct a war. They cannot be veto'd by anyone including a tribune and can veto any other magistrate and the Senate. In short, it allows the Republic to have quick and decisive government action unified under one person if there is a crisis.

Proconsul: These are people who have been appointed governor of a Province and or region. They basically have autocratic powers in their appointed region and have legal immunity during their term but can be impeached by the assembly and tried for crimes. They serve as the chief justice of their province but people can appeal to the currently serving Aeterna chief magistrate being the Praetor. Governors decide diplomacy in their province, taxes, construction and more, but they cannot declare offensive wars. Military forces under the command of the Proconsul are not allowed to enter into other provinces without the Senates approval.

Military
Aeterna does not have a standing army, instead however, all citizens are expected and required to serve militarily if conscription should be called for by the Senate. The raising of the Aeternian army is a regular affair, and the army is raised for specific campaigns. Once the campaign is finished, the army is disbanded and all citizens return to their civil life and affairs. It is important to note that often, only a few people are called upon to serve in a campaign instead of everyone, and thus easily filled with volunteers. If enough volunteers cannot be found, then conscription will go into effect. Citizens who cannot participate in the campaign for various reasons are expected to give their valuable armor and weapons to the State which will redistribute the weapons and armor to a soldier who can fight, however only for the duration of the campaign. Citizens who purposely avoid conscription or repeatedly fail to show up for various campaigns are punished, ranging from large fines to court trials or worse.

The general Aeternian culture is to have the best possible armor one can have because the better the armor, the more shares of votes people get and the more influence in government they get. Due to the overall culture, Aeternia is a heavily militarized society - Service Guarantees Citizenship.

Proletarii are allowed to volunteer but are generally not conscripted unless there is a major emergency and the Senate deems there is not enough people to fill the ranks.

Military Organization/Hierarchy
Dictator: Should a Dictatorial Magistrate be in power during the time of the campaign, they are the single Commander-in-Chief.

Consul: The Consuls are the Commanders-in-Chiefs of the levy in normal circumstances and hold overall command of the forces splitting them up evenly between themselves for command. During campaigns, each switches who is in singular command once a day. This split overall allows for flanking the enemy while still allowing for an overall commander to be in charge that day.

Praetor: Praetors are second in command to the Consuls and are able to command their own small force if necessary. Praetors are usually sent to deal with small issues such as a single town revolting or squatters - stuff that doesn't require a full Senate levy. They can enter into any province.

Proconsul: Proconsuls are senate appointed and Assembly approved governors of specific provinces and are capable of recruiting their own local forces and calling their own campaigns limited to the defense of their province. Should it be called for, they serve under the elected Consuls and Praetors during large battles.

Triarii: Triarii are citizens who are able to supply themselves with either half or full enchanted netherite armor -  in magistrate voting their vote is worth 3 votes. (Level-3 enchantments or better)

Principes: Principes are citizens who are able to supply themselves with fully enchanted diamond armor - in magistrate voting their vote is worth 2 votes. (Level-3 enchantments or better)

Hastati: Hastati are citizens who are unable to supply themselves with the above armors, basically they have diamond armor or iron armor or less - in magistrate voting their vote is worth 1 vote.

-Note: Proletarii are enrolled into those same categories during conflicts, however they cannot vote.

Summary of Events:
After continued elections of Consul Cicero to his third term consecutively, he can consolidating power onto himself and the other Patrician families as well as people who would support him. Different people were elevated into the Senatorial position which allowed him to pass legislation more easily. The breaking point came during the Kyoten Marauder Crisis in which a new group of off world settlers appeared on the doorstep of Aeterna in which sought to annex the entire nation. Cicero used this crisis as an opportunity to amass power by getting the Dictatorial magistrate position in which he pushed further reforms which transformed the government from a Republic to a Feudal Monarchy. Though there was oposition and conterversy tied to this decision, primarily political resistance from Dj_Stalin141 (aka The Praetor). Despite these roadblocks, a legal transition of government status would take full effect shortly after the Kyoten Marauder Crisis. As the changes began, the name of the nation was changed to "Aeternium."

Government system:
The Imperial House: The current House which the Emperor resides in and in which controls Aeternium. They are responsible for the maintenance of the Imperial Bureaucracy, the running of the nation as a whole, as well as conducting external diplomatic relations.

Great & Minor Houses: Each House controls their territory directly as a fief given to them in the name of the Emperor. Houses control their own internal affairs as is governed by the charter of the Great Convention which is a set of laws and regulations that all Houses must abide by or face severe punishment by all the other Houses. Houses and the leader of that House has full autocratic control over their territory making them highly autonomous and Houses can even make separate deals and alliances with one another as often happens. Houses decide their own local laws, customs, have their own banners and armies.

The Landsraad: This is the collective body of all the Great & Minor Houses as well as nobility which vote on various issues based on their Houses influence which constantly shifts each month. The main purpose of this body is to however offset the power of the Imperial House as well as work together and represent the entire nation. It is important to note that the Landsraad acts more as a sort of United Nations organization instead of one that directly votes and makes laws for the entire nation.

The Guild: This is the single corporation within Aeternium which controls nearly all economics and trade in the nation. All Houses have shares within the Guild based on their own Houses influence and at the end of each month, nearly all profits of the guild are distributed to all the Houses based on their share amount.

Known Houses:

 * The Imperial House: The House of the Emperor and his subordinates. The Imperial House ruled over the Capital City known as Aeterna, and was the primary house which all other Great And Minor houses answered to. As the primary asset to all government functions, all laws, levies, tithes, and major actions were carried out by The Imperial House. Members included _Cicero__, JMO___, Dr. Brights (aka Fenring), and later Ghandispecs. Despite the Imperial House seemingly lack of proper oversight towards the other Houses, their leadership led the nation and other Houses to a great deal of prosperity.
 * House Praetor: House Praetor was the first Great House to be implemented at the dawn of Aeternium, and was spearheaded by Dj_Stalin141. This House focused greatly on the ideals of the previous Aeternian government and the freedoms of the people. Despite House Praetor being main political oppotision to The Imperial House, it represented intense loyalty to the government and Aeternian land. They ruled and continue to rule over Nemea after _Cicero__ granted the transition of governance from JMO___ to Dj_Stalin141 following jmo's long term and continued absence from Eldham.
 * House Mimus: Led by GrimmGuard, House Mimus represented the diplomatic friendship and cooperation between The Iron Freeholds and Aeternium, with many of House Mimus' citizens being from The Iron Freeholds itself. Being the ones responsible for managing The Guild, House Mimus was considered the most wealthy amongst the other houses. This house was created in the midst of a Dual Citizenship treaty between Aeternium and Freeholds citizens.
 * House Rachari: A Great House made into existance after the city-state of Lafros was breifly made into a vassal as a move to ensure they would not be invaded by Zamatoz. They operated mostly from their city, and saw little physical activity in Aeternian lands. Despite this, they were warmly welcomed into the Landsraad. They were represented in the Landsraad by Retrigot, the leader of the city.
 * House Octavian: Representing a short-lived group of potential builders, House Ocravian was made into existance under the leadership of Octavius. They were a minor house that saw limited activity in Aeternium before they were declared defunct by The Imperial House after a long period of inactivity.
 * House Viriduleum: House Viriduleum, led by master builders "Hentai_Godess" and Meghan, was a Minor House greatly respected by the original settlers of Aeternia for their mastery of building effecient and stylistic structures, most notability the walls which surround the Capital City. Despite their inactivity, they remaind due to their willingness to aid in building efforts whenever asked.

Dissolvement and Reformation into The Imperium.
Though the Aeternium lived in a relative calm for the majority of it's lifespan, it was deemed by the ruling powers that the Aeternium, as it is, Was not a viable future for the land, and that a final reform would be made to the government which would dissolve the Feudal Monarchy into that of an Imperial-based Transnational Government, which no longer tied itself to the titles relating to "Aeternia" and would begin a process of expanding its influence via diplomatic actions with various towns and nations, as well as focusing on the individual peoples of a nation or city rather than the the nation itself. In this transition, Nemea became an independent city-state.

This new successor government would be simply known as The Imperium.

Reformation of the Republic - Shaky, Unstable, and Under Siege.
After an extended period of time, the leadership of Nemea would be approached by Cicero with an offer: Reform the Republic of Aeternia, and rebuild the nation from the dismantled remains of The Imperium. After an extended discussion and voting, the people of Nemea agreed to reunite with the old territories as Cicero dismantled and dissolved The Imperium, officially announcing the reformation of The Senate and People of Aeterna. The Praetor (DJ_Stalin141) and Faustus Aelius Cato (KiWePing) were to become the first Consuls of the reformed nation.

All was not well, however. Despite initial success in establishing the Senate and passing reforms, there was little active population in the new Aeternia, and the diplomatic forging of diplomatic ties was constantly at steady halts or met pressing matters. Despite the prideful return, the government was constantly dealing with issue after issue. One such incident having Cicero flee the nations after an attempt by Senator Fenring, which then resulted in Cicero's heir, Marcus Furius Camillus, seizing his assets and becoming is replacement in the newly established senate.

After providing what support they could to the New Domatia conflict prior to New Domatia's integration into The Vulperium, a final nail in the coffin presented itself in a group of Bandit-Squatters which planned to supposedly turn the region into a Rathnirian Colony. Unable to properly mount any form of effective resistance, only gaining little foreign support, and the situation dissolving into a confusing mess and a potential conflict composed of multiple major nations in Eldham and Rathnir, the Senate finally conceded to merge with a friend and ally known as Einberg. This created the "Senate and People of Einberg," as well as appearing to dissolve the situation for the time being. Cato and The Praetor were to remain Consuls, but a new position would be created, Princeps Civitatis, which gave the Einberg leader, Berg, absolute power.