Hearthrune

Hearthrune, officially the Imperial Dominion of Hearthrune ( Caliantene: Domaine Impérialis d'Hearthrune) is a parliamentary republic in Korasha with a population of 15 million. It is bordered to the north by Khudar, to the northeast by The Spice Coast, and to the southeast by Ossam. The national capital is Algogille, and the most populous city and financial center is Luminaire.

Hearthrune became a colony within the Caliantene Empire in 1457, under the name Alluehearthe Frontière. During this time, Hearthrune served as a major trading port that the Caliantene Empire used to expand into Korasha. Hearthrune became a Caliantene dominion in 1865, 7 years after the signing of the Edict of Calise. The name Hearthrune was chosen upon dominion status. Today, approximately 23 percent of Hearthrune's 15 million population are of native descent. Caliantene immigrants compose 51 percent of the population. Despite this, Hearthrunean paganism remains prominent among the population and Caliantene customs have largely merged with native Hearthrunean customs.

Hearthrune ranks highly compared to other nations in quality of life and labor rights. The nation is most known for widespread and efficient public transit. Nationally, legislative authority is vested in an elected, unicameral legislative body known as the High Chapter. Executive authority is exercised by the President of the Chapter, who is elected by the High Chapter.

Hearthrune is divided into 18 provinces, listed from largest to smallest: Duvolle, Maelta, Charmeroute, Villergne, Bretonnais, Rivierdie, Altnacht, Abovorne, Valmen, Valleia, Evevonce, Condest-Est, Condes Ouest, Marin, Belleros, Horifall, Calladon, and Servatone. Provinces are further divided into departments.

Hearthrune is a dominion within the Caliantene Empire and is a member of the Union of Nations.

History
In 1455, the area which is modern-day Hearthrune was discovered by Caliantene explorers. In 1457, after several conflicts between the Caliantene, Augustine, and Gelenians broke out, the colony of Alluehearthe Frontière was founded on the Hearthrune coast by the Treaty of Mortier. The colony was intended to become a major trading hub, so the Caliantene Empire could bring its influence to Korasha. Alluehearthe Frontière was composed of 2 major port towns, Veilleane Feurenfall, and Flammen Coeur Prospenrité. The majority of activity in Alluehearthe Frontière was concentrated in these two prosperous port towns, but other smaller towns and settlements were still present further away from the coast. In the late 1400s, Alluehearthe Frontière became a major economic hub in Korasha, fulfilling the original goal of bringing Caliantene influence to Korasha. During this time, Hearthrune became a major exporter of citrus fruits, palm oil, globes, maps, pens and ink, and entertainment (books, games, etc.). These industries remain a prominent part of Hearthrune's economy today.

In 1507, a series of wildfires and bushfires collectively referred to as the Emberfall ravaged Hearthrune. Historians estimate anywhere between 50 and 300 people died as a result of the fires.

In the 1830s, Hearthrune largely rejected the automobile. It wasn't until 1850 that the government and military began widely adopting the use of the automobile. However, the automobile would never become popular among the regular population.

In 1865, following calls to do so, Hearthrune gained dominion status within the Caliantene Empire.

In 1883, the First Soulene Crisis hit Hearthrune. Major protests break out across the nation, with protestors calling for an end to the police violence prevalent in the Korashan interior. Between 1883 and 1887, over 200 people died in protests due to police brutality in Hearthrune.

In 1885, a terrorist bombing caused the Luminaire-Algogille HST to derail while entering the Algogille East Station. The attack resulted in 200 deaths and over 450 injuries, making it the worst terrorist attack in Hearthrunean history. At the time, the Luminaire-Algogille HST was the passenger train with the largest capacity in the nation, with a capacity of 900. At the time, the train was near full capacity. The motive for the attack and its perpetrators were never discovered.

Between the 1890s and the very early 1900s, Hearthrune experienced a period of massive economic growth. This growth can be largely contributed both to becoming an exporter as well as Hearthrune's economic exploitation of the Korashan interior. In 1901, a left-wing coalition composed of the Democratic Socialist Party of Hearthrune, the Labour Party of Hearthrune, and The Communist Front won a majority in the High Chapter. The result was a period of mass monopoly busting, with the most notable incident being the dissolving of the Pisse Corporation, which was focused on the exploitation of the Korashan interior. This left-wing coalition has since remained in power.

Geography
Hearthrune, despite being a mostly hilly nation, lacks a mountain range. Western Hearthrune is covered by woodland and bushland. Hearthrune's cities are concentrated in its coastal region, resulting in many large cities bordering the Paravantene Sea. Plants in western Hearthrune are mostly desert wildflowers, shrubs and trees with waxy, fuzzy, or very small leaves, and bushes that do well with little water.

Central Hearthrune is mostly composed of bushland, but also has cedar forests.

The coastal eastern Hearthrune is more densely populated with rocky coastlines and less hilly terrain. The Roro River runs through this region, thus the majority of Hearthrune's agriculture and farming occurs here.

Climate
Hearthrune has a tropical climate with year-round warm and humid conditions. Temperatures range from 25-25˚C in the winter to 25-27˚C in the autumn. Rainfall is heaviest from Veilsend to Embersend.

Hearthrune's rural west is less humid, and more hot and dry. This has resulted in wildfires and bushfires becoming common. These fires can easily spread and become dangerous. The 1886 Northstar Valley Fire was the deadliest wildfire in modern Hearthrunean history as well as the largest firefighter fatality incident in modern Hearthrunean history, with 31 civilian deaths and 20 firefighter deaths.

Agriculture
Hearthrune is a major exporter of citrus fruits, sugarcane, olives, chickpeas, almonds, sunflower seeds, hummus, and nuts. The majority of Hearthrunean agriculture occurs in the east, where the Roro River runs through Hearthrune. Because of Hearthrune's hot climate, agriculture makes up a significant amount of Hearthrune's water consumption.

Basil, tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers are common crops grown in the hot and arid western Hearthrune.

Natural Resources
Hearthrunean natural resources include but are not limited to iron ore, nickel, bauxite, phosphates, uranium, lead, silicon, and feldspar.

Demographics
51 percent of Hearthrune's population is descended from Caliantene immigrants, while 23 percent are descended from Hearthrune natives. Hearthrune's status as a prosperous Korashan nation has resulted in immigration from the Korashan interior.

Religion
The largest religion in Hearthrune is The Divine Sanctum, which 50.4 percent of Hearthrune's population follows according to the 1920 census. Hearthrunean Paganism is the collective name for over 200 different cataloged pagan religions prevalent across western Hearthrune. 10.4 percent of Hearthrune's population follow faiths categorized as pagan, according to the 1920 census.

3.5 percent of Hearthrune's population follow faiths classified as other. These faiths range from non-Hearthrunean paganism, mostly from the Korashan interior, to larger organized religions such as Kainism and Haoism.

While Hearthrunean paganism is not as prevalent as it once was, its influence can still be seen in Hearthrunean culture. The Lantern Festival, which occurs from Wintertide to Wintersend, draws its roots from Hearthrunean Paganism.

A common theme within Hearthrunean Paganism is the beginning of reality and how it will end.

Culture
While Caliantene culture has largely merged with Hearthrunean culture in Hearthrune, Hearthrunean culture remains mostly independent.

Games, specifically card games, play an important role in the culture of Hearthrune. Cardmakers, cartomancers, cardists, and professional card players are well-known and sometimes revered in Hearthrune. Cards take on both a role of games as well as a role of divination. Small hands are seen as an undesirable trait as it makes it harder to shuffle cards.

The Roro River is significant in Hearthrunean culture. It is a common practice to throw coins and offerings into the Roro River and then make a wish. Some Hearthrunean Pagans sail their dead down the Roro River; they believe it gives them a better chance of reaching the afterlife. During the Lightseering on 1 Embertide, many people will light small paper boats on fire and set them downstream on the Roro River. This practice has, in the past, been deemed dangerous; in 1914 a horde of burning paper boats set a narrowboat on the Roro River on fire, injuring 2 people.

Houseplants and succulents are very common in Hearthrune, specifically cacti and other resilient plants that survive in Hearthrune's hot climate. Crassula Tetragona, or Star Plants, are a common religious symbol in Hearthrunean Paganism. Hanging houseplants are very common in Hearthrunean homes and buildings.

Festivals
Festivals are a very important part of Hearthrune's culture. While the majority of Hearthrunean Festivals draw their roots from Hearthrunean Paganism, the 1920 census found that 73 percent of Hearthrune's population considered themselves to actively participate in festivals, while a further 9 percent said they participated in festivals to a lesser degree.

Hearthrunean festivals usually last anywhere from a week to a few months, however, there is usually a day where the celebrations are most widespread. While the majority of festivals can last anywhere from a week to a few months, most festivals have a day that is designated as a national holiday. The Hearthrunean Lantern Festival (different from the Haoist Lantern Festival), despite lasting from 6 Wintertide to 20 Wintersend, has a national holiday known as the Lantern Festival Day which occurs on 6 Highwinter. 6 Highwinter is usually when the celebrations are most prevalent.

Other important festivals include the Fyrebyrd Festival, which occurs from 2 Summertide to 9 Summertide, and the Bitterbloom Festival, which occurs from 24 Veilsend to 1 Summertide.

On 1 Embertide, a celebration known as the Lightseering occurs, in which people make boats made out of paper, cardboard, and other flammable materials. These boats are then placed on a body of water, usually a calm pond or lake, and then burned. The Lightseering first occurred on 1 Embertide 1875, when Caliantene and Hearthrunean naval forces routed the Augustinian Navy, the burning boats symbolized the defeated ships of Augustine. Many people will draw runes under the paper boats before they are lit on fire and released. The Lightseering is an annual event, and over time moved away from its original meaning. Today, the Lightseering is often celebrated by schoolchildren to mark the beginning of the Embertime Break, which occurs from 1 Embertide to 3 Highwinter.

Hearthruneans that follow The Divine Sanctum celebrate the Feast of the Gods on 15 Veilrule. The Winter Festival is celebrated alongside the Lantern Festival, and the Spring Festival, Summer Festival, Festival of Lights, and Autumn Festival are all celebrated, although in a more minor capacity.

Education
Hearthrune is known for its prestigious art schools, notably the Algogille School of Design. The majority of colleges in Hearthrune are liberal arts colleges, and pursuing tertiary education after secondary education is seen as very important.

Railways
Rail transport in Hearthrune uses a dense railway network that connects nearly all major towns and cities. The majority of lines have been electrified. The busiest of these lines is the Roro Major Line, which runs from the northernmost Hearthrunean city on the Roro River, Acheron, to the southernmost city on the river, Caldaia. Other smaller lines operate along the Roro River including lines that connect 2 cities and lines such as the Roro Minor Line.

The majority of trams in Hearthrune are low-floor, articulated trams. In the largest Hearthrunean cities, some trams are used as cargo transport and mobile recycling depots. The Luminaire Caedia Metroplex operates tram-trains, as well as some double-decker trams.

The Hearthrunean rail network primarily supports passenger transport. Rail travel comprises the majority of the distance traveled on Hearthrunean public transport. The national rail infrastructure is managed and maintained by the government agency Flare Rail.

Roads
The busiest Hearthrunean motorway is the A11 between Luminaire and Algogille, which passes through the Luminaire Caedia Metroplex, Argenti, and various other smaller population centers. The Duvolle Province, in the center of the nation, has the busiest motorways on average, with major motorways A1, A6, A7, A11, A12, and A21 passing through it.

The majority of streets in Hearthrunean population centers have designated bicycle paths. Hearthrunean law mandates that bicycle paths be built with physical barriers; bollards, medians, raised curbs, etc. The majority of Hearthrunean streets have been built to be level with the sidewalk.

Airports
Hearthrune has 6 international airports, listed from largest to smallest: Argenti International Airport (ARGK), Acheron International Airport (AHNK), Arcadis International Airport (ARCK), Cardis International Airport (CRDK), Venturis International Airport (VNTK), and Luminaire Caedia International Airport (LUCK).

Hearthrune has 3 domestic airports, Chord Regional Airport. Pyre Regional Airport, and La Coren Regional Airport. Planes that operate with Hearthrune's domestic airports are majority cargo; as while passenger air travel was more prominent in Hearthrune in the 1890s, they were phased out in the early 1900s in favor of high-speed rail travel.

Waterways
Hearthrune has a dense network of inland waterways centered around the land near the Roro River. Many major population centers, notably Luminaire and Algogille, were built around canals. Hearthrune's one river, the Roro River, has allowed for the growing of sugarcane. The Roro River has an abundance of riverboats. Various passenger riverboats connect major population centers like Luminaire and Algogille, which were built along the Roro River. Commercial riverboats include cargoboats which provide slow but cheap transport for cargo between cities along the Roro River. Riverboat casinos are floating casinos which sometimes move between cities.

Riverboats that operate locally are referred to as river trams/river taxis. Some waterboats operate as sightseeing boats. Sightseeing boats are most prominent in Algogille and Argenti.

Cities along the Roro River usually have a large amount of canals; these canals are known to carry canalboats, both passenger and commercial.

The Hearthrune River Guard controls over 50 patrol boats which patrol the Roro River, while the police forces of various cities along the Roro River control their own patrol boats.

Military
As a Caliantene territory, Hearthrune is directly protected by the Caliantene military, with designated detachments of ground, air, and sea forces residing in Hearthrune. This results in Hearthrune having no official standing military force. There is a Caliantene military base in Hearthrune.

While the majority of Hearthrune's defense is organized and managed by the Caliantene Empire, Hearthrune maintains a special operations force, which is divided into Hearthrune Mobile Task Forces (MTFs) managed by a Hearthrune Mobile Task Force Command. The Mobile Task Force Command operates as an independent entity and is not managed by the Caliantene Empire. The Mobile Task Force Command can be considered Hearthrune's military force de facto.

Most Mobile Task Forces are combat forces fulfilling a special forces role. However, some Mobile Task Forces serve other unconventional roles. Each Mobile Task Force is structured to best achieve their goal and usually includes anywhere from 10 to 50 personnel.