|
Size: 6092
Comment:
|
Size: 8903
Comment:
|
| Deletions are marked like this. | Additions are marked like this. |
| Line 5: | Line 5: |
| The Simhalan Republic's "continental" territory is on the Obsidian Peninsula, but it also includes a number of small islands and the much larger Erimalai Island, which is separated from the mainland by the Uyarntatu Straits. Formerly, the territory of the Republic included Rat Island, but it was sold to the Coiné Union for use as a coaling station and military base. This functions have been abandoned and it is now officially an uninhabited nature preserve and naval gunnery reservation. In real world terms, the territory of the nation outside of Erimalai County is similar in areal size to the state of Rhode Island in the US, or somewhat larger than Luxembourg. | The Simhalan Republic's "continental" territory is on the Obsidian Peninsula, but it also includes a number of small islands and the much larger Erimalai Island, which is separated from the mainland by the Uyarntatu Straits. Formerly, the territory of the Republic included Rat Island, but it was sold to the Coiné Union for use as a coaling station and military base. These functions have been abandoned and it is now officially an uninhabited nature preserve and naval gunnery reservation. In real world terms, the territory of the nation outside of Erimalai County is similar in areal size to the state of Rhode Island in the US, or somewhat larger than Luxembourg. |
| Line 7: | Line 7: |
| == Divisions == | = Divisions = |
| Line 12: | Line 12: |
| Simha City's districts consist of the highly-urbanized core districts (of which there are ten) and the incorporated suburbs of Lena Park, Cirrotai Village, Anil Malai, Mara Malai, Pleasant Hills, Simha Heights, and Yew River. What parts of the territory remain parts of the counties and which become, or are annexed into, urban districts is a political matter, so some of the outlying "urban" districts are partially rural with ongoing agricultural activity, whereas parts of the "rural" counties contain unincorporated towns and transit suburbs of the cities. | Simha City's districts consist of the highly-urbanized core districts (of which there are ten) and the incorporated suburbs of Lena Park, Cirrotai Village, Anil Malai, Mara Malai, Pleasant Hills, Simha Heights, Old Katar, and Yew River. What parts of the territory remain parts of the counties and which become, or are annexed into, urban districts is a political matter, so some of the outlying "urban" districts are partially rural with ongoing agricultural activity, whereas parts of the "rural" counties contain unincorporated towns and transit suburbs of the cities. |
| Line 16: | Line 16: |
| == Simha City (Outer incorporated districts) == is located in Lena Park. | |
| Line 17: | Line 18: |
| == Government == The Simhalan Republic is a democracy with a two-round runoff voting system used in National, City, and District elections with single winners, such as for mayors and the president. Since more than one member is elected to most parliamentary constituencies, plurality voting determines the first winner, and any additional winners being drawn from party lists in proportion to the party preferences of the voters. Elections are generally free and reasonably fair. The current major parties are the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), a center-right classical liberal party which governs in coalition with the right-wing Civic Nationalist party (CNP). The largest opposition party is the Simhalan Workers' Party (WP), a social democratic party, with minor opposition parties including the Communist Party of Simha City (CP) and the Royalist Party (RP). The Workers' Party was in government before the war, and a Civic Unity Front (with the cabinet ministers coming from the LDP and WP) governed the city during the war. |
=== Lena Park === Lena Park is a mostly-upscale mid-to-high density incorporated district of Simha City. It was lightly bombed during the war. The National Botanic Gardens are located there, as is the "Temple" of the Infernal Order of Heating Men. Lena Park is served by the M line of the subway (not necessarily an exhaustive list.) The subway station Kalar Gardens is in Lena Park. The party visited this district in "The Infernal Order of Heating Men." === Cirrotai Village === This district is named for a village that was incorporated into Simha City and overtaken by its expansion. It is a low-to-medium density suburban area, with transit-oriented suburbs and some remaining rural areas. The Starry Falls Commune is located there. The M line of the subway serves the district and it runs above-ground there. Known stations are Cirrotai Village (proper), "Starry Creek" (where the commune is), and "Forest Hills" (a suburb). The party visited this district in "With Awe and Trembling." === Anil Malai === A district which is the location of a good Haldari steam bath, according to the jewelry trader Samia on the Star of Haldar. The party has never visited the district during a session, though perhaps some player characters went to the steam bath in-between sessions. === Mara Malai === This district appears on the map but has not been mentioned or visited in character. === Pleasant Hills === This district appears on the map but has not been mentioned or visited in character. === Simha Heights === A large outlying district. The party spent at least part of "The Case of the Missing Metro" in this district, as Palatakoo Station and the offices for the Q subway line are located there. Ms. K's uncle Hahmsterzun technically lives in Simha Heights, but seemed to not identify with the district. A player character visited him in "The Infernal Order of Heating Men." At least the G and J subway lines also serve the district, since they were noted to stop at Palatakoo Station on a subway map seen in-character, but the J might have been a typo for M as Simha Heights is an outlying district and the J is an interior circumferential line. === Yew River === === Old Katar === == Simha City (Urban core) == === Industrial District === === Docks District === === South Marina === === Downtown === === Fruitmarket === === North Marina === === New City === === Dhivaraya === === North Shore === === Vical === == Banda Town === === Downtown === === Banda Heights === === Banda Marina === == Kottai City == == Rural Districts == === West County === === South Shore County === === East County === === East Shore County === === Erimalai County === == Unincorporated Islands == = Government = The Simhalan Republic is a democracy with a two-round runoff voting system used in National, City, and District elections with single winners, such as for mayors and the president. Since more than one member is elected to most parliamentary constituencies, plurality voting determines the first winner, with any additional winners being drawn from party lists in proportion to the party preferences of the voters. Elections are generally free and reasonably fair. The current major parties are the Liberal Democratic Party, a center-right classical liberal party which governs in coalition with the right-wing Civic Nationalist party. The largest opposition party is the Simhalan Workers' Party (WP), a social democratic party, with minor opposition parties including the Communist Party of Simha City and the Royalist Party. The Workers' Party was in government before the war, and a Civic Unity Front (with the cabinet ministers coming from the LDP and WP) governed the city during the war. |
| Line 22: | Line 83: |
| ||LDP||Gold||29||Kottai||PM, Deputy PM, Finance, Foreign, Interior, Welfare, Transit, Industry|| ||WP||Orange||26||Simha City|| || ||CNP||Blue||5||Banda Town||Defense, Agriculture, Civil Works|| ||CP||Red||3||-|| || ||RP||Purple||2||-|| || |
||Liberal Democratic (LD)||Gold||29||Kottai||PM, Deputy PM, Finance, Foreign, Interior, Welfare, Transit, Industry|| ||Workers (W)||Orange||26||Simha City|| || ||Civic Nationalist (CN)||Blue||5||Banda Town||Defense, Agriculture, Civil Works|| ||Communist (C)||Red||3||-|| || ||Royalist (R)||Purple||2||-|| || |
| Line 28: | Line 89: |
| The LDP+CNP coalition holds 34 seats, controlling parliament but with no margin for defections. A WP+CNP+CP coallition is considered impossible as the CNP has ruled out working with communists; the possibility of a CNP+WP coallition has been discussed a little more seriously but would likely face a great deal of difficulty developing a mutually acceptable platform. A more realistic possibility would be a WP+CP coalition if the zeitgeist shifts in favor of the Left, which would likely result in both of these parties gaining seats. As it stands, most pundits predict the LDP+CNP governing coalition will continue past the next elections. | The LDP+CNP coalition holds 34 seats, controlling parliament but with no margin for defections. A W+CN+C coallition is considered impossible as the CN has ruled out working with communists; the possibility of a CN+W coallition has been discussed a little more seriously but would likely face a great deal of difficulty in developing a mutually acceptable platform. A more realistic possibility would be a W+C coalition if the zeitgeist shifts in favor of the Left, which would likely result in both of these parties gaining seats. As it stands, most pundits predict the LD+CN governing coalition will continue past the next elections. |
| Line 32: | Line 93: |
| ||Lena Park||2||LDP,LDP|| ||Old Katar||2||LDP,WP|| ||Cirrotai Village||2||LDP,LDP|| ||Anil Malai||2||LDP, LDP|| ||Mara Malai||2||LDP, CNP|| ||Industrial District||3||WP, WP, CP|| ||Docks||3||WP, WP, WP|| ||South Marina||3||CP, WP, WP|| ||Pleasant Hills||2||LDP, LDP|| ||Downtown||4||WP, LDP, WP, WP|| ||Fruitmarket||3||LDP, WP, WP|| ||Dhivaraya||2||LDP, LDP|| ||New City||2||LDP, WP|| ||Simha Heights||3||WP, WP, LDP|| ||Yew River||2||LDP, WP|| ||Vical||2||RP,RP|| ||North Shore||2||LDP, WP|| ||East Shore County||2||LDP, WP|| ||East County||2||CNP, LDP|| ||West County||2||LDP, LDP|| ||South Shore County||2||LDP, LDP|| ||Erimalai County||2||LDP, WP|| ||Kottai City||4||LDP, LDP, WP, WP|| ||Banda Heights||2||CNP, CNP|| ||Banda Marina||2||LDP, WP|| ||Banda Downtown||2||CNP, LDP|| ||Simha City at Large||4||WP, WP, LDP, CP|| ||Banda Town at Large||1||CNP|| ||Unincorporated Islands||1||WP|| |
||Lena Park||2||LD,LD|| ||Old Katar||2||LD,W|| ||Cirrotai Village||2||LD,LD|| ||Anil Malai||2||LD, LD|| ||Mara Malai||2||LD, CN|| ||Industrial District||3||W, W, C|| ||Docks||3||W, W, W|| ||South Marina||3||C, W, W|| ||Pleasant Hills||2||LD, LD|| ||Downtown||4||W, LD, W, W|| ||Fruitmarket||3||LD, W, W|| ||Dhivaraya||2||LD, LD|| ||New City||2||LD, W|| ||Simha Heights||3||W, W, LD|| ||Yew River||2||LD, W|| ||Vical||2||R,R|| ||North Shore||2||LD, W|| ||East Shore County||2||LD, W|| ||East County||2||CN, LD|| ||West County||2||LD, LD|| ||South Shore County||2||LD, LD|| ||Erimalai County||2||LD, W|| ||Kottai City||4||LD, LD, W, W|| ||Banda Heights||2||CN, CN|| ||Banda Marina||2||LD, W|| ||Banda Downtown||2||CN, LD|| ||Simha City at Large||4||W, W, LD, C|| ||Banda Town at Large||1||CN|| ||Unincorporated Islands||1||W|| |
Simha City is a city within a small sovereign nation on the Obsidian Peninsula. It is also the informal name for the Simhalan Republic, the liberal-democratic republic of which Simha City is the capital and largest city. This article will discuss both but refer to the nation exclusively as the Simhalan Republic for clarity.
The population of the Simhalan Republic is about 4 million, with about 3.2 million in Simha City, 400 thousand in Banda Town, and 250 thousand in Kottai City. The rest live in rural areas and small towns. This gives the Simhalan Republic an Urban Primacy Index of 8.
The Simhalan Republic's "continental" territory is on the Obsidian Peninsula, but it also includes a number of small islands and the much larger Erimalai Island, which is separated from the mainland by the Uyarntatu Straits. Formerly, the territory of the Republic included Rat Island, but it was sold to the Coiné Union for use as a coaling station and military base. These functions have been abandoned and it is now officially an uninhabited nature preserve and naval gunnery reservation. In real world terms, the territory of the nation outside of Erimalai County is similar in areal size to the state of Rhode Island in the US, or somewhat larger than Luxembourg.
Divisions
The territory of the Simhalan Republic is divided into three Cities, two of which are divided administratively into urban districts, and five rural Counties.
The cities are Simha City, comprising 18 urban districts, Banda town, comprising 3 urban districts, and Kottai City, which is a unified urban district-city. Simha City's districts consist of the highly-urbanized core districts (of which there are ten) and the incorporated suburbs of Lena Park, Cirrotai Village, Anil Malai, Mara Malai, Pleasant Hills, Simha Heights, Old Katar, and Yew River. What parts of the territory remain parts of the counties and which become, or are annexed into, urban districts is a political matter, so some of the outlying "urban" districts are partially rural with ongoing agricultural activity, whereas parts of the "rural" counties contain unincorporated towns and transit suburbs of the cities.
The districts and counties are subdivided into wards, which are arranged for the administrative convenience of the government, and informally into neighborhoods with various names. Although wards are used in arranging elections, local government officers are appointed for them at the district or county level and not by ward-specific elections.
== Simha City (Outer incorporated districts) == is located in Lena Park.
Lena Park
Lena Park is a mostly-upscale mid-to-high density incorporated district of Simha City. It was lightly bombed during the war. The National Botanic Gardens are located there, as is the "Temple" of the Infernal Order of Heating Men. Lena Park is served by the M line of the subway (not necessarily an exhaustive list.) The subway station Kalar Gardens is in Lena Park.
The party visited this district in "The Infernal Order of Heating Men."
Cirrotai Village
This district is named for a village that was incorporated into Simha City and overtaken by its expansion. It is a low-to-medium density suburban area, with transit-oriented suburbs and some remaining rural areas. The Starry Falls Commune is located there. The M line of the subway serves the district and it runs above-ground there. Known stations are Cirrotai Village (proper), "Starry Creek" (where the commune is), and "Forest Hills" (a suburb).
The party visited this district in "With Awe and Trembling."
Anil Malai
A district which is the location of a good Haldari steam bath, according to the jewelry trader Samia on the Star of Haldar.
The party has never visited the district during a session, though perhaps some player characters went to the steam bath in-between sessions.
Mara Malai
This district appears on the map but has not been mentioned or visited in character.
Pleasant Hills
This district appears on the map but has not been mentioned or visited in character.
Simha Heights
A large outlying district.
The party spent at least part of "The Case of the Missing Metro" in this district, as Palatakoo Station and the offices for the Q subway line are located there. Ms. K's uncle Hahmsterzun technically lives in Simha Heights, but seemed to not identify with the district. A player character visited him in "The Infernal Order of Heating Men."
At least the G and J subway lines also serve the district, since they were noted to stop at Palatakoo Station on a subway map seen in-character, but the J might have been a typo for M as Simha Heights is an outlying district and the J is an interior circumferential line.
Yew River
Old Katar
Simha City (Urban core)
Industrial District
Docks District
South Marina
Downtown
Fruitmarket
North Marina
New City
Dhivaraya
North Shore
Vical
== Banda Town ===
Downtown
Banda Heights
Banda Marina
Kottai City
Rural Districts
West County
South Shore County
East County
East Shore County
Erimalai County
Unincorporated Islands
Government
The Simhalan Republic is a democracy with a two-round runoff voting system used in National, City, and District elections with single winners, such as for mayors and the president. Since more than one member is elected to most parliamentary constituencies, plurality voting determines the first winner, with any additional winners being drawn from party lists in proportion to the party preferences of the voters. Elections are generally free and reasonably fair. The current major parties are the Liberal Democratic Party, a center-right classical liberal party which governs in coalition with the right-wing Civic Nationalist party. The largest opposition party is the Simhalan Workers' Party (WP), a social democratic party, with minor opposition parties including the Communist Party of Simha City and the Royalist Party. The Workers' Party was in government before the war, and a Civic Unity Front (with the cabinet ministers coming from the LDP and WP) governed the city during the war.
The Simhalan Republic has a unicameral parliament lead by a prime minister, and an elected President. Parliament has 65 members including a Speaker who is not popularly elected, and hence cannot vote, but is rather selected by the members of the house and is typically a respected former member or respected retired jurist.
Party |
Color |
National Parliament Seats |
Major mayors |
Cabinet Ministers |
Liberal Democratic (LD) |
Gold |
29 |
Kottai |
PM, Deputy PM, Finance, Foreign, Interior, Welfare, Transit, Industry |
Workers (W) |
Orange |
26 |
Simha City |
|
Civic Nationalist (CN) |
Blue |
5 |
Banda Town |
Defense, Agriculture, Civil Works |
Communist (C) |
Red |
3 |
- |
|
Royalist (R) |
Purple |
2 |
- |
|
The LDP+CNP coalition holds 34 seats, controlling parliament but with no margin for defections. A W+CN+C coallition is considered impossible as the CN has ruled out working with communists; the possibility of a CN+W coallition has been discussed a little more seriously but would likely face a great deal of difficulty in developing a mutually acceptable platform. A more realistic possibility would be a W+C coalition if the zeitgeist shifts in favor of the Left, which would likely result in both of these parties gaining seats. As it stands, most pundits predict the LD+CN governing coalition will continue past the next elections.
Constituencies, number, and parties of MPs:
Lena Park |
2 |
LD,LD |
Old Katar |
2 |
LD,W |
Cirrotai Village |
2 |
LD,LD |
Anil Malai |
2 |
LD, LD |
Mara Malai |
2 |
LD, CN |
Industrial District |
3 |
W, W, C |
Docks |
3 |
W, W, W |
South Marina |
3 |
C, W, W |
Pleasant Hills |
2 |
LD, LD |
Downtown |
4 |
W, LD, W, W |
Fruitmarket |
3 |
LD, W, W |
Dhivaraya |
2 |
LD, LD |
New City |
2 |
LD, W |
Simha Heights |
3 |
W, W, LD |
Yew River |
2 |
LD, W |
Vical |
2 |
R,R |
North Shore |
2 |
LD, W |
East Shore County |
2 |
LD, W |
East County |
2 |
CN, LD |
West County |
2 |
LD, LD |
South Shore County |
2 |
LD, LD |
Erimalai County |
2 |
LD, W |
Kottai City |
4 |
LD, LD, W, W |
Banda Heights |
2 |
CN, CN |
Banda Marina |
2 |
LD, W |
Banda Downtown |
2 |
CN, LD |
Simha City at Large |
4 |
W, W, LD, C |
Banda Town at Large |
1 |
CN |
Unincorporated Islands |
1 |
W |
The at-large constituencies are only drawn from party lists, and are used to fine-tune party proportionality based on the votes cast within several related districts (Simha City or Banda Town.)
Judges in the Simhalan Republic face mandatory retirement at age 60.