Luthori

The Holy Luthori Empire is a constitutional monarchy on the eastern coast of Artania. To the north is the Bay of Luthor and Ikradon, to the west is Beluzia, and to the south are the United Republic and Hobrazia.

History of Luthori
A full history of Luthori from its creation to the XXIst century.

Government
The Holy Luthori Empire is governed by the Head of State (Emperor), the Heads of Government (Imperial Seal-Bearer and Prime Minister), His Majesty's cabinet, His Majesty's Privy Council and the Imperial Diet. Each Duchy is governed by an elected governor, with a Duke that may not be of the Imperial line over seeing everything to ensure things run smoothly.

The Monarch
The Monarch is the Head of State in Luthori. During much of the nation's history, monarchs have gained and lost control of the duties that come with the job depending on the whether more democratic Diet is formed and rules the nation. At present, the Emperor enjoys many very real powers, including but not limited to: supreme command of the military, absolute authority to appoint members of the Privy Council and leadership of the Church of Luthori. The current Imperial line is that of the House of Orange-Villayn (Aldurian-Luthorian). The line decends from the union of Philippe II of Alduria and Mary I of Luthori. However on the 15 January 2655 the two claimaint Houses to the throne of Luthori, the Louthori based House of Orange-Villayn and the Hulstrian based House of Rothingren-Traugott, merged with the crowning of Emperor Henry I of Alduria, Hulstria, Luthori & Trigunia. It was decided with the birth of his twin sons that the family would split into to branches with one taking the Luthori-Alduria thrones, and the other taking the Hulstrian-Trigunia thrones. It was from so that the crown of the Imperial Thrones of Luthori and Alduria were passed to Gustavus I who the current Emperors are decended from, with the name of the Imperial Dynasty being "The Imperial Dynasty of Rothingren-Traugott, Orange-Villayn Branch."

Residences of the Emperor

The Imperial Palace in Fort William, better known as Orange Palace, has been the primary residence of the Imperial Family since the crowning of William III. Before the crowning of the Emperor, the Palace was the home of the Princes of Orange, and was built by the great-grandfather of William I. However since then many renovations have been done, and especially when the city became the capital, the palace was brought up to date with all the latest technologies. The palace is open to the public for tours and such, even while the Imperial family is staying there.



The Imperial Summer Palace, better known as Oalapiva, was the original main palace complex of the Luthori Emperor's. It was started by Emperor Richard to not just be his palace, but a Government city, where all parts of the government would meet and govern the Empire. However during his long absence while he was on his Crusade, the palace was expanded on by the many Viceroys, who made it their own. It almost became a tradition to expand the palace and make it better than the one before. By the time Edward II took the throne, after Richard was finally deemed to not ever be returning, the palace was transformed into his private house, with many government offices being crammed into the smaller buildings. It would be for that reason, that the palace following the crowning of William III was abandon as the center of the Empire. The Palace was full of corruption and moral decay, that the Emperor deemed the need to build separate buildings for the the government in the capital. However, it would not be until after the War of Luthori Succession that this would happen, with Fort William being named the new capital. Under the rule of Empress Mary, Queen of Luthori, the Palace would be repaired and remade into a historic monument and palace for the Imperial family to stay in when they wished. The palace remains open to the public and is one of the most popular tourist attractions due to is one of kind gardens that were commissioned by William III in honor of his wife Mary.

The Privy Council
UNDER CONSTRUCTTION His Majesty's Privy Council was originally an obscure group of advisors who held no significant power. However, during the Era of Imperial Supremacy, the Privy Council grew to become an immensely powerful organ of government with authority that is said to surpass that of the cabinet. The Privy Council is made up of 16 Great Officers of the Crown, including 5 viceroys, and any additional Privy Councillors the Sovereign may wish to appoint. Here is a list of the current Great Officers of the Crown:


 * Prime Minister, Lord President of the Council

The titles of Prime Minister and President of the Council are merged. The Prime Minister, President of the Council is the official representative of the Emperor and is thus entitled to exercise executive power. In addition, he is the leader of the Privy Council and thus has the last say on what official advice the Privy Council gives the Emperor, which will in turn greatly influence the governing of Luthori and its colonies.


 * Imperial Seal Bearer, Lord Privy Seal

The Imperial Seal-Bearer is the official head of government and head of the cabinet, while also holding the distinction of Lord Privy Seal. He runs the Imperial administration and thus exercises administrative power. He is the highest ranking bureaucrat in the Empire and thus must be someone with excellent administrative skills.


 * Lord High Steward

The Lord High Steward is a largely honorary position with little real power. Nevertheless, he is the head of the Emperor's household and thus has influence over the happenings at the Imperial Palace. He also has duties relevant to the protection of the Emperor.

The Imperial Parliament
Known to most as the Holy Imperial Diet, it is made up of 200 members of Luthori, who are elected from the duchies of homeland Luthori in the Empire. The Emperor is also given a vote in the diet, whose strength is determined by how many votes he gets, and in essence, how many seats he wins. By this option, it allows the people to give him power if they think he should have more, or take it away, if they think he should have less. The Emperor was traditionaly represented in the Diet by the Imperial Court of Luthori, but is currently represented by the Constitutionalist Imperial League. The Representatives in the Diet are elected every 4 years, and serve for a term of 4 years before they again stand for election or reelection. The Imperial Diet is the law making body of the Holy Luthori Empire, and it is through it that the laws of the Empire are passed and debated amongst the lawmakers.

The Diet is headed by the Speaker of the Diet known as the Imperial Seal-Bearer. He is the Chief Representative of the Diet, and is responsible for overseeing the affairs of the Parliament, along with supervizing the local assemblies in the Empire's colonies. The Seal-Bearer is also the official representative and envoy of the Emperor. He is appointed by the sovereign and confirmed by the Diet. The head of government is the Prime Minister, who is elected by the Diet along with the other ministers. he must rule with the consent of his cabinet, along with being head of the bureaucracy. Together these two individuals, help run the Empire's homeland, and at the same time, the Empire's many and ever growing domains, colonies, and protectorates across Terra.

With the Empire every growing, and the Emperor gaining more and more lands as colonies under Luthori administration, the Diet has decreed, that the colonies shall have their own elected Assemblies and pass their own local laws, while the Empire's laws, those that pertain to the entire Empire, shall be made by the Parliament of Luthori, a.k.a. the Holy Imperial Diet. By doing so that have basically declared virtual representation, however the colonies still mostly rule themselves, thus helping to prevent any repeats of past colonies that have broken away from the Empire.

The Imperial Judical System
"The judicial authority shall be vested in a system of courts, both lower and constitutional. These courts shall have absolute power to ensure enforcement of the laws and constitution of the Holy Luthori Empire."
 * By the Constitution:

The Holy Luthori Empire Judicial system is split into two categories on top of the lower and constitutional ones described by the Constitution of the Empire. Along with that, the system of the Judicial System is one of an adversarial system, with lawyers arguing the case in the courtroom. However, above these is the Imperial Supreme Court, which is the highest authority in the Empire when it comes to the law. However, the Courts are broken down into local courts, regional courts, national courts, and then the Imperial Supreme Court at the top.
 * Civil Courts
 * Criminal Courts

The Colonies of the Empire follow the same system, with one more before the Central Court, the High Colonial Court, which acts as the local Supreme Court, however cases can be brought to the Imperial Supreme court, if it accepts the case.

The Imperial Supreme Court is headed by the Minister of Justice, who leads a panel of 8 others judges (a total of 9) in the Court. The Minister of Justice is declared by the cabinet of the Empire, with the other Judges being appointed by the parties of the Diet proportionaly to the number of seats they have.

The Colonial Government Structure
Imperial Colonies:
 * New Alduria
 * Kingdom of Yishelem
 * Luthori Raj
 * Grand Duchy of Talmorschland
 * Principality of Philipi
 * South Carinian Territories (joint ownership with Hulstria)
 * New Mordusia

Nobility
As an aristocratic Empire, Luthori maintains a powerful noble class, where titles are appointed in recognition of skill and extraordinary services to the Crown. Certain nobles, known as Crown-nobles have additional duties pertaining to the governance of particular fiefs and thus carry additional power, although these form a small minority of all nobles. There are both hereditary and non-hereditary (life) titles.

The Imperial Constitution
All legislation and political actions undertaken in the Holy Luthori Empire must respect the Imperial Constitution, the Constitution may only be modified or abolished with 2/3 of the legislation:

Imperial Common Bill of Rights
Certain God-given fundamental rigths are guaranted to His Majesty's subjects. these rights are recorded in the Common Bill of Rights. It is an integral part of the Constitution and requires 2/3 of the legislation to be changed or abolished:

Legal Archives
Throughout the Empire's history, certain acts of law were particularly noteworthy and are recorded in the Imperial Archives.

The Holy Imperial Military of the Holy Luthori Empire
The Luthori Empire has one of Terra's largest defense budget, with defense in Luthori taking up some 14% of GDP.

Imperial Order of the Witch Hunters
The Order of the Witch Hunters is a security organization determined to root out heresy and withcraft in the Empire. It has ties to the Church and the monarchy and it can operate with virtual legal immunity.

Imperial Office of Foreign Intelligence
The Imperial Office of Foreign Intelligence is the organization that deals with all external threats to the Empire. Although it is technicaly a military organization funded by the ministry of defense, it does not answer to the Luthori government, but directly to the sovereign of Luthori. As for the ODS, the OFI is divided into seperate branches:

- The Special Operations Section - The arm of the IOFI in charge of covert operations.

- The Surveillance Section - The arm of the IOFI in charge of surveillance and espionage.

Lord Spymaster: Sir Alexander Monroe

Imperial Office of Domestic Security
The Imperial Office of Domestic Seucirty is the organization that deals with all domestic threats to the Empire on a national level. Although it is technicaly a military organization funded by the ministry of defense, it does not answer to the Luthori government, but directly to the sovereign of Luthori. The ODS is divided into many branches:

- The Imperial Enforcement Squad - Known as simply, Imperial Enforcement to most, the uniformed presence of the ODS is a paramilitary organization responsible for security and police activities and is by far the most visible view of the ODS.

- The Internal Operations Section - The Internal Section is the ODS' national security organ. It actively engages in intelligence gathering, counterintelligence, counterterrorism and covert operations. Its field of action and expertise typicaly deals with Enemies of the Crown and other risks to national security. The Internal Section is in active collaboration with the military.

- The Imperial Recon Section - The Recon Section is the more "civilian" branch of the ODS, dealing with nation-wide criminals. It also maintains very substansive intelligence and counterintelligence operations in all fields. Recon also deals with cyber-crime.

- The Household Guard - The Household Guard is responsible for the protection of the sovereign and of his family. Although technicaly part of the IODS, the Household Guard answers only to the Emperor and accompanies him to foreign trips, thus operating also outside Luthori.

- Luthori Guard of Honour - The Luthori Guard of Honour is the Duke of Adlerberg's personal guard and is linked with the Employer's Association Party. Twice a year the Guard in it's known and typical spiked helmet is changing the guard at the Imperial Palace. All day's on the year the Guard is keeping the Adlerberg Castle and the Duke safe.

Lord Master-at-Arms: Sir Maxwell Jeel

Imperial Directorate of National Security
The Imperial Directorate of National Security is the assembly of the directors of the ODS and OFI, namely, the Lord Spymaster and the Lord Master-at-Arms, as well as their staff. Both members of the Directorate are selected and appointed by the sovereign of Luthori, making them answer only to Him/Her. Although technicaly employees of the Ministry of Defense, they are not de facto part of the regular government. Upon consensus of the two directors, the Directorate has the power to designate enemies of the Crown, a special status under Luthori law.

Language
The predominant language of the Holy Luthori Empire is Luthori, an Artanian language closely related to Ikradonian, Kundrati and Anantonese. It is an Ergative-Absolutive language, and is notable for its merger of the Superseleyan /u/, /e/ and /a/ sounds into /u/. Hulstrian is an offshoot of Luthori.

Ethnicity
A staggering majority of inhabitants of Luthori, 92%, are of Luthori ethnicity, a white Artanian ethnicity. Another 3% are of Hulstrian ethnicity, which is very close to Luthori, with a small 5% being of immigrant origins.

The last ethnicity and religion census can be founde here: http://classic.particracy.net/viewbill.php?billid=256253

Religion
Luthor is a highly religious society. The Holy Empire is named after the 16th Century Protestant Reformer Dr Martyn Luthor (often translated "Martin Luther" in other languages).

Several religions were founded in Luthor:
 * The Luthori Catholic Church: Catholicism was imported from Al'Badara in the 800s, and quickly spread across the coastal parts of the country. Luthori Catholicism broke from Deltarian Catholicism in the Minor Schism of 2144, under Innocent I. The LCC had relatively good relations with the Islamic community worldwide as compared to other Catholic churches. In 2440, the Third Randamarian Council voted for full communion with Auroria, becoming part of the Selucian Catholic Church. The 4 million who schismed over this proceeded rapidly splinter into smaller and smaller groups; the largest of these at present is thought to be the "One Truth Church", with a flock of ten.
 * The Traditionalist Lutheran Church: Founded by Elberhard der Stolze in Northminster, the TLC broke away from the Lutheran Church of Malivia. Although the leadership of the church moved to Hutori after the creation of the Luthori Church, it still maintains a large presence in the Holy Empire, as well as the former colonies of Gishoto and Kazulia.
 * The Luthori Church: In 2132, the government under the Democratic Unionist Party created the Luthori Church as the official state religion. It is organised into two parts, from top to bottom: the High Luthori Church is Episcopal in nature, while the Low Luthori Church is theologically more Reformed and Evangelical, while being organised along Presbyterian lines. (NB Luthori is a direct translation of Lutheran, in the Luthori language.)

There are also other minority religions, including Hobrazian Orthodoxy.

Significant Religious Buildings and Sites
CATHEDRAL OF ST. RICHARD

Commissioned by Emperor Philip I, the Cathedral became the main center of all religious authority in the Empire. The Cathedral was designed by Alduria born, but Luthori raised, architect Samuel Francis. With many scenes from the Emperor Richard's great Crusade, and the golden age of Empress Mary I and Emperor Philippe II. It was finished just 3 years before the death of Emperor Philip I, and has the location of the crowning of the Emperors every since then, and the place of all Imperial Religious ceremonies.

TEMPLE OF THE DIVINE LORD

(Holy Temple of St. Richard, Yishelem, Kingdom of Yishelem)

The Temple has been in existence for well over two millennia, but has only recently, during the reign of Emperor Henry I, has it been under the protection and divinity of the Holy Luthori Empire. The Temple, along with its mosaic art work are a one of a kind specimen of ancient religious art and filled with the icons of Christ and the Kings and Emperor's of old. The Temple has become the center or Religious authority in the Kingdom of Yishelem, and has also become one of the top destinations for those that are the most holy in the Empire. Recently reopened after 5 years of rebuilding and restoring the Temple has added a new patron, who some day may earn saint hood, Emperor Henry himself.

Economy
The Luthori Empire practices a complete free market economy, with no government intervention whatsoever. Inflation is low due to the absence of a central bank and the economy is growing at a high rate. Unemployment is rather high at about 8%, taking an average of the unemployment rate of each Dominion.

The GDP at the time of writing (May 2556) was ₤870,317,553,015, of which ₤593,021,376,914 (68.14%) was consumption, ₤161,506,370,943 (18.56%) was government expenditure and ₤115,789,805,158 (13.30%) was investment. The GDP per capita in 2363 was about ₤4894.

Sports
For centuries the official sport of Luthori was fencing. During the War of Luthori Succession, the official sport was changed to football (soccer), however it soon returned back to the traditional fencing tournaments.

Media
Luthori has a large amount of media outlets, many of which are owned by the country's largest corporations, which has led some to question the independence of the media.

Radio

 * Radio Free Luthori, a branch of Radio Free Terra, was founded in 2348.
 * In December of December 2673 the Holy Luthori Empire became the main Headquarters of Radio Free Terra.
 * Luthori is also the HQ of T.R.P. (Terran Public Radio)

Newspapers

 * The Williamsborough Herald is the country's most read newspaper. At its beginnings, it remained mostly neutral in terms of Luthorian politics, whilst being supportive of the Empire in international affairs. However, as time progressed and politics changed, the paper began to assume a center-right editorial opinion. Today, its supporters claim it offers unbiased coverage and a free market perspective. Its few opponents claim it is an ultra-nationalist porpaganda outlet for the Geharon Conservative Party, although statistics show that in the few occasions it has endorsed a candidate, it has endorsed as many Utagian Loyalists as Geharon Conservatives.

Politics
The Luthori parliament is known as the Imperial Diet and consists of 200 seats. The current Political Parties of Luthori are: Employer's Association Party, Constitutionalist Imperial League and the Liberal Democratic Party of Luthori.

Table accurate as of December 2759, Terran Mean Time.