Campaign:NHNE/Governments/New Heaven

New Heaven is one of the largest states on the planet of New Earth.

Description

The Capital of New Heaven is at Prayerhouse

It should be noted that the Government of New Heaven claims jurisdiction over all adherents to the faith regardless of territorial location. The other states in the New Earth System have unanimously opposed this claim and have sought to limit that jurisdiction to a territory on New Earth.

It should be noted that the Government of New Heaven does not recognise any other government as sovereign but admits that there are areas of the system that are apostate and not subject to its control. All other states are temporary - "Fleeting empires of clay or Sand". It has, however, managed to reach a working arrangement with these powers - but the exact borders are subject to discussion and conflict along those borders common.

Flag

The flag of New Heaven epicts the two stars of the New Earth System and the protection afforded to all believers by the State of New Heaven. Many other states find the implicit assumptions of that statement to be worrying.

Government

Founded as a religious community, the theocracy of New Heaven is constituted as a series of congregations governed by elected Elders; and the Elders then appoint Stewards who meet in Conclave and elect their Council of the Pure. The culture is somewhat prescriptive compared with many - and the state of Shelter was formed from apostates/victims who sought escape from the oppression/guidance of the congregation's rules.

New Heaven and Shelter have clashed many times and are probably the most militarised nations in the system. They formed the greatest headache for the New Earth Council.

Agencies

New Heaven funds the New Heaven Broadcasting as part of their ongoing proselytization efforts.

The New Heaven System Defence Force is the military arm of the New Heaven Government

The New Heaven Department of Public Morals is the internal security and political/religious police force of the New Heaven Government

Law

Visitors to New Heaven should be aware that the legal system is inquisitorial and that suspects can be held (at their own expense) while their cases are investigated.

History

Founded in 25, this was the second official settlement on New Earth. It was set up under the Governorship of Maskell Tarrier who deliberately constituted the colony to favour his religious friends.

Much of the history of New Heaven is marred by a rivalry with the Heretics of Shelter.

With the reorganisation of Touchdown in 43, a group of heretic citizens claimed independence from New Heaven and called themselves Shelter. Unwilling to agree, New Heaven fought them until 49 in the Recognition War This was a series of Guerrilla Campaigns that eventually saw the remainder of the worlds supporting the insurgents and the state having to be recognised to regain access to foreign resources.

The period 66 to 67 is the Heretic's Railroad War with Shelter. This included a clash of regular forces. It was ended by New Earth Council.

86 saw New Heaven accused of releasing the New Heaven Plague. While this was relatively quickly brought under control with a few thousand deaths in Shelter, the state has always denied involvement - despite later evidence.

The Conformity Drive of 100 leads to the Counter-Conformity War (103 to 110). The war is the bloodiest in the history of New Heaven and leads to a quiet period known as the Peace of the Dead. Almost 40% of the male population of New Heaven is missing or killed by the end of this conflict, and the overall population is down by over 25% compared to that at the start.

The Plantation Raids of 151 had the unexpected effect of neutering Shelter for half a century. The Kippe Incident of 204 was a political disaster as it allowed them to recover their previous position of professional under-dog.

The border with Llamas has also been contentious and subject to various disputes including the most recent Third Crater War. This has generally moved the border between New Heaven and Llamas in favour of the former.