On Homestria · 1:46am May 25th, 2021
Homestria, as the Equestria of the human world Homis is called, is a kingdom composed of several states. We will examine each state in more detail later, but for now let us look at the big picture, at the kingdom as a whole.
I. Boundaries
To the north, Homestria is bounded by the Yaket Range and Mount Everstep. To the northwest, the River Frost, on the edge of the Luna Bay, marks the kingdom's border with Scandras, while to the northeast the Gap of Griffonstone bars the way.
To the east, the Celestial Sea forms an oceanic boundary, with Trottingham across its narrow Channel the only Homestrian possession beyond the waterline. The boundary between Oddo, the kingdom of the Unbound (otherwise known as the Changelings due to their adaptability), and Homestria is rather murky with regards to the Hayseed Swamps and the Forbidden Jungle; ancestors of the kingdoms that united to form Homestria once exercised sovereignty over the areas in question, and there are currently some settlers who harbor an antipathy for the Unbound, but it is generally acknowledged that the Macintosh Line, the official border between the kingdoms, extends to the Celestial Sea, thus putting the majority of the swamps and the whole of the Jungle under Unbound jurisdiction.
To the south, the previously-mentioned Macintosh Line is also generally acknowledged to extend west to the South Luna Ocean, following the River Canter before joining with the Arimaspi Mesas, save for the small strip of land where the Homestrian city of Seaward Shoals lies.
To the west, Storm's Deep in Cloudsdale is generally regarded as holding the line, the keystone in Homestria's western bulwark. However, this border is ill-defined, partially due to the lack of contact with other states, or any people at all, to the west. The San Palomino and the rest of the lands between the northern branch of the River Canter and the Arimaspi Mesas are also Homestrian territory, though little populated due to the harsh conditions.
II. Government
Homestria is a constitutional monarchy, with the ruling member of the royal House Majesty as the official head of state. However, due to the constitution, this office is performative, with little ruling power actually concentrated within it. The current ruling princess, Princess Serena Majesty, instead uses the crown's considerable cultural and social power to support causes she deems worthwhile, using her title not for its military or political power but for its social prestige. She, the rest of the royal family, and their attendants reside in the Stellar Palace in Castellot, the capitol of the kingdom, anchored on Lake Canter.
The actual governing body of the kingdom is the bicameral Senate, though the difference in powers between the House of Lairds and the House of Tenants has decreased over the years to the point where their composition (the House of Tenants is directly elected, the House of Lairds is appointed by the governors of the various states) is the only notable difference. The Chancellor of the Senate, nominated by the House of Lairds and confirmed by the House of Tenants, is the head of government, ruling the country alongside their likewise nominated-and-confirmed Council. While certain workings of government, such as social security programs, are performed by agencies, the majority of governmental decisions are made by these two bodies, with the Chancellor and their Council attempting to shepherd or block legislation as they see fit.
The government of the states is relatively free from federal interference, though certain actions, such as funding of some programs, are enforced from above in the absence of cooperation from below. By and large, though, the social cohesion of Homestria as well as the representation of the various states in government cause actions which necessitate such drastic measures to be few and far between.
III. Economy
Homestria uses the sovereign currency of the Homestrian Bit, symbolized by an upside-down horseshoe with three strikes through it, two on its prongs and one through the center (like a cross between C and U). One bit is approximately equal to $0.12, and the currency is primarily divided into 1- and 5-bit coins and 10-, 20-, 50-, and 100-bit notes.
While Homestria is primarily a capitalistic economy, it also has a strong social security network, funded primarily by taxes on wealth and income and a value added tax. There are also highly agrarian parts of the kingdom, especially in Cloudsdale and the South, that largely operate outside of the cash economy, trading directly in goods or services. The main agricultural center of the kingdom is Grandwood in the South, while the main financial centers are Manehattan and Crystal City, the sister-city to the capitol. The kingdom shares strong trade links with Groveria across the Celestial Sea, trade with Griffonstone playing a major role in the prosperity of Fillydelphia through their harbor. Homestria does not trade much with the Dragon Lands or other states of Harnasia, however.
Heh. I see that DS9 reference.
A very nice rundown of the local setting. Thank you for putting it together.