Empire of Jessa

Empire of Jessa

Regibíjeà de Jessa

The Empire of Jessa is a nation found in the Buntai Sector of the Alatheia Quadrant of the Potunga Galaxy. They are member state of both the Galactic Government and the Buntai Union. 

Current Leader: Empress Trîaori “Trîa”

Capital:
AB031: Jesetře
 AB031-1: Jessa
 Faéäe City

Official Language: Jesæ

[ʤesita]

Jesita pronunciation.mp3

Ethnic Groups

Five species- Humans, Elves, Psitakin, Ceryn, and Gekkon- have an ethnic group indigenous to Jessa, and all use the Jessita demonym.

Ifïaita (Human): Originating from the Ifïa Grasslands of central Jessa, this Human ethnic group has a pale to tan skin complexion with red undertones and a high instance of freckling. Their irises are generally in shades of blue, green, brown, or gold, and roughly thirty-percent of the population have epicanthic folds (a small fold of skin around the eyes that gives the eyes a slight squinted or slanted appearance, generally in the top eyelid). Their hair colours generally range in shades of blonde, brown, or white, with a low instance of balding with age and they have a straight or wavy texture. The average adult Ifïaita woman stands at 1.75 metres (5 feet 9 inches) tall and weighs sixty kilograms (132 pounds), and the average adult Ifïaita man stands at 1.8 metres (5 feet 11 inches) tall and weighs seventy kilograms (154 pounds). Like most Human ethnic groups, a pregnancy will typically result in a single infant, but twins are not uncommon. Sixty percent of the population are deaf or hard of hearing.

Noblaita (Ceryn): Originating from the Nobla Mountains of northern Jessa, this Ceryn ethnic group has thick fur in shades of red to brown, with white or grey on the chest and abdomen and underside of their tail. Young Noblaita (fawn) will have white or grey spots on their lower back. Their irises are generally in shades of brown, green, or gold. The skin on their hands, nose, and inner ears has a light brown complexion. Unlike most Ceryn ethnic groups, neither male (buck) or female (doe) Noblaita grow antlers, although some bucks may grow thicker and longer fur on the neck, head, shoulders. The average Noblaita doe stands at 1.8 metres (5 feet 11 inches) tall and weighs seventy kilograms (154 pounds), and the average Noblaita buck stands at 2 metres (6 feet 7 inches) tall and weighs ninety kilograms (198 pounds). Like most Ceryn ethnic groups, Noblaita pregnancies will result in one fawn, but twins are not uncommon. Sixty percent of the population are deaf or hard of hearing.

Çambelita (Psitakin): Originating from the Çambela Forests of southern Jessa, this Psitakin ethnic group has plumage in shades of green, with a red breast and abdomen, and males (bucks) have red plumage on their heads. Their irises are generally in shades of brown, black, yellow, or blue. Their parrot-like beaks are black or grey. The skin on their hands, feet, and legs is scaly and in shades of black or grey. Other than the colourations, there is very little difference between the sexes, and the average adult Çambelita stands at 1.5 metres (4 feet 11 inches) tall and weighs forty kilograms (88 pounds). Like most Psitakin ethnic groups, a Çambelita clutch size will be two or three chicks. Sixty percent of the population are deaf or hard of hearing.

Izaraita (Gekkon): Originating from Izara Island of southern Jessa, this Gekkon ethnic group has soft scales in a tan to light purple colouration with black or white spots on the body and stripes on the tail. Males (bucks) are typically more brightly coloured than females (hens). Their iris colours are typically in shades of yellow or brown, although green is not uncommon. The average adult Izaraita stands at 1.5 metres (4 feet 11 inches) and weighs fifty kilograms (110 pounds), with hens typically being larger and heavier. Unlike most Gekkon ethnic groups, their clutch sizes will typically only consist of two hatchlings. Sixty percent of the population are deaf or hard of hearing.

Hondoita (Elf): Originating from the Hondo Forests of northern Jessa, this Elven ethnic group has a pale to light brown complexion with a high instance of freckling and yellow undertones. Their irises are typically in colourations of blue, green, purple, or yellow, and ninety percent of the population have epicanthic folds. Their hair colours generally range in shades of blonde, brown, blue, or purple, with a wavy or curly texture. Like all Elves, the pinnae (external cartilage and skin) of their ears are elongated and pointed, and Hondoita ears are typically at a forty-five-degree angle from the head. The average adult Hondoita woman stands at 1.7 metres (5 feet 7 inches) tall and weighs sixty-five kilograms (143 pounds), and the average adult Hondoita man stands at 1.8 metres (5 feet 11 inches) tall and weighs seventy kilograms (154 pounds). Like most Elven ethnic groups, a pregnancy will result in one infant, although twins are not uncommon. Sixty percent of the population are deaf or hard of hearing.

A portion of the population are Human-Elf hybrids, with most being first- or second-generation hybrids. These individuals will normally just refer to themselves as Jessita, or Honfïaita. These individuals are highly diverse, but many will resemble Hondoita with smaller ears, or Ifïaita with Hondoita iris and hair colourations.

A typical Ifïaita woman

Demographics and Geography

Nation Size

The Empire of Jessa encompasses thirty systems, and includes 115 planets, all within the Buntai Sector of the Alatheia Quadrant. The capital planet is Jessa of the Jesetře system and has a total population of seven billion (7.1 billion; 298 AGW Galactic Census).

Demographic Breakdown

All five ethnic groups make up roughly the same portion of the population of the Empire of Jessa, at nineteen percent each, and the remaining five percent consist of migrant Jessita (298 AGW Galactic Census).

The vast majority of migrant Jessita originate from the Republic of Alexia, most notably Wei and Matsu. Other migrant Jessita originate from the Republic of Wïker, the Republic of Owenós, the Diarchy of Martingale, the Republic of Zodiakos, the United Clans of Kāro, the Republic of Yatea, and the Republic of Velhelm.

Empire of Jessa capital planet, Jessa

Government and Politics

Government Structure and Organisation

The Empire of Jessa, natively known as Regibíjeà de Jessa, is a democratic monarchy, with an Empress (Feminine: Regidori), Emperor (Masculine: Regidoro), or Emprex (Neutral: Regidora) as the head of state and government, and a publicly elected Imperial Senate. Elections are held every five years (a term length is five years), and all citizens (excluding royals) over the age of eighteen are legally required to vote. Officially, there are no political parties.

The Empire of Jessa is led by a single royal family, the Yaímregidora. Upon the death or abdication (generally between sixty-five and seventy years old) of the current reigning monarch, all descendants between the ages of sixteen and thirty-five are eligible to inherit the throne, and the public will elect who they would like. Eligible descendants include children, grandchildren, siblings, niblings, and grand niblings of the current ruler, and the average age of succession is between twenty-five to thirty years old. All eligible descendants will receive the title of Princess (Feminine: Regikidori), Prince (Masculine: Regikidoro), or Princet (Neutral: Regikidora) upon their sixteenth birthday and will relinquish the title on their thirty-sixth. All members of the Yaímregidora family are legally ineligible to vote in any elections.

The Imperial Senate consists of thirty democratically elected senators, each representing one of the thirty systems, and the heads of the fourteen governmental ministries.  Senators must be between the ages of eighteen and sixty-five and must have served at least one term as a councillor, governor, or mayor. A Senator can serve up-to three terms in the Imperial Senate.

The fourteen ministers are nominated and elected by the senate from within the fourteen ministries, and normally held a higher managerial position within their ministry. Ministers can serve up-to four terms. The fourteen ministers are their required qualifications are:

Each system is governed by their senator as the head of government, a democratically elected council of planet representatives (councillors), and a local representative of the fourteen ministries. Councillors must be between the ages of eighteen to sixty-five, and have served at least one term as governor or mayor, and can serve an unlimited number of terms. Each planet is governed by the councillor as the head of government, a democratically elected council of province representatives (governors), and a local representative of the fourteen ministries. A governor must be between eighteen to sixty-five years old and have served at least one term as Mayor, and can serve an unlimited number of terms. Each province is governed by their governor as the head of government, and their council of city/district representatives (Mayor). Each city and their surrounding towns will elect an individual between the ages of eighteen and sixty-five to serve as Mayor. A mayor can serve for an unlimited number of terms.

As of 290 AGW the current reigning monarch is Regidori (Empress) Trîaori Òèa “Trîa” Vòdeniña Yaímregidora.

Laws and Justice

The Jessita Ministry of Law and Justice (MLJ) is responsible for the Empire of Jessa Judicial system. All lawyers working within Jessa must be registered with the MLJ. The MLJ, along with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Social Services (MIASS), are responsible for holding the Empirical Senate and the royal family to the constitution of Jessita. The MLJ also represent the Empire of Jessa in all legal matters.

All Jessita citizens are entitled to a fair and free trial for any and all instances of perceived and supposed law-breaking. The Empire of Jessa Judicial system views all individuals as innocent until proven guilty, and all citizens have the right to choose their own legal representation, and to be tried in front of a jury of their peers. This jury will consist of twelve randomly selected citizens over the age of eighteen from the province in which the trial is being held, and their identities will remain anonymous.

The Jessita Judicial system and constitution does not believe in incarceration of individuals found guilty of crimes, and rehabilitation or community service are the preferred forms of punishment. The Empire of Jessa reasons that most people turn to crime out of desperation from mental health or economic reasons and are simply in need of assistance. For serious offenders, such as mass murderers and terrorists, these individuals are handed in to the Galactic Department of Law and Justice (DLJ) as per Galactic Law. The Empire of Jessa is, however, opposed to the death penalty applied in the DLJ for some crimes. Those found guilty of rape, paedophilia, and abuse are made to attend therapy sessions, complete community service, and be housed in a heavily controlled environment for a duration up to the discretion of the court. Once the state and the state assigned psychologist believe they have ‘paid their dues’, these individuals are allowed back out into the greater community, however they will forever be on a watchlist with weekly check-ins, and their crimes and address will be public information. Any and all treatments that the victims of their crimes must go through, regardless of if it is associated with the crime committed, must be paid for by the individual found guilty in perpetuity i.e., the abuser must pay for all medical expenses of the abused for the rest of their life. 

The Empire of Jessa is one of the original signers of the Ikria Accords in 258 BGW. As such, they have outlawed slavery within the Empire of Jessa, and will arrest any slave traders found within their territories, and depending on extradition treaties, will either hold onto them indefinitely or return them to their home nation. Any and all slaves found within the territories of the Empire of Jessa will be offered asylum, and be fast-tracked through citizenship if they choose. The enslavement of any Jessita citizen or citizens of other Ikria Accord signatories is met with harsh retaliation. 

The Empire of Jessa law enforcement is jointly governed by the MLJ, the MIASS, and the Ministry of Defence (MD). Law Enforcement Officers are required to have a degree in law or social services, and must have training in mental health management, crises management, and de-escalation. Along with general citizens, Jessita Law Enforcement are not allowed to carry any weapons, excluding deterrent sprays or low-voltage tasers and stunners.  All citizens who wish to use these must have training in the safe handling and usage of them. If using a stunner, the device must be registered with the local government.

Jessita Laws are fairly similar to Galactic Laws, albeit with the inclusions from the Ikria Accords and Buntai Union Membership. Within the Empire of Jessa, due to their almost sacred status, the wilful and purposeful harming of a dog is treated the same as the wilful and purposeful harming of a child. Many people who have been found guilty of purposefully and wilfully harming or abusing a dog are often ostracised by the community, and many may end up attempting to seek asylum elsewhere in the galaxy.

Diplomacy and Trade

The Empire of Jessa is a member of the Buntai Union, and has close ties with the Republic of Alexia and the Republic of Wïker. The Empire is also a member nation of the Galactic Government, and many Jessita nationals work within the Department of Education, Department of Health and Medicine, Department of Culture and Arts, and the Department of Magic and Supernatural Affairs. The Empire of Jessa has a negative relationship with the Triarchy of Jeonchae, due to the latter’s refusal to sign the Ikria Accords. Citizens from Jeonchae are unwelcome in Jessa, excluding those escaping slavery. The Empire of Jessa has individual Scientific Advancement Agreements and Commercial Pacts with the Republic of Zodiakos, the United Clans of Kāro, the Republic of Yatea, and the Republic of Velhelm.

Major exports of the Empire of Jessa include education (language, music, art, psychology, social work), personnel (educators, entertainment people, musicians, artists, psychologists, social workers), beauty products (make-up, jewellery), fashion (human, avian, reptilian, ungulate), canine products, art, music, art supplies, vehicles (land), and musical instruments. Major imports include fabrics, beauty products, precious stones and metals, canine products, and vehicles (land).

War and Combat

The Ministry of Defence is the bureaucratic and executive branch of the Jessita Defence Forces (Èu-æhäu de Jessa). The Jessita Defence Forces also includes four more branches; the Jessita Land Forces (Kyoá de Jessa OR Êæè-æhäu de Jessa), the Jessita Naval Forces (Žölái de Jessa OR Núoki-æhäu de Jessa), the Jessita Air Forces (Çielo-æhäu de Jessa), and the Jessita Space Forces (Göjäo-æhäu de Jessa OR Setře-æhäu de Jessa). The main purposes of the Jessita Defence Forces are to defend and patrol the borders of the Empire of Jessa, to capture and contain pirates, to aid local law enforcement in the apprehending of hostile or large crime syndicates, to apprehend terrorist organisations working within the Empire of Jessa, to respond to and aid in natural disasters, and to assist the allies of the Empire of Jessa. Enlistment within the defence force is voluntary, and applicants can select which branch they would like to join. Applicants must be over the age of eighteen and be physically and mentally fit for the roles applied for.

The Jessita Defence force has two standard uniforms:

Weaponry used by the Jessita defence forces consists of: Aikèà, a short sword made from a bronze-steel alloy (Gristyea) or imported Karatsira from Alexia; Aikwèràa, a hand-axe also made from Gristyea or imported Karatsira; Goñáíkêu, a projectile-weapon using gunpowder to fire small Gristyea or Karatsira bullets; and Mûùíkêu, an energy-based weapon that fires blasts of energy that stun opponents. Soldiers are trained to safely and effectively use these weapons, as well as a variety of hand-to-hand combat styles. They are trained to disarm and stun opponents instead of severely injuring or killing, and all for the purpose of defence.

Society and Culture

Core Values and Ethics

Stereotype

Social Hierarchy and Equality

Living Arrangements and Family Structure

Language

The main, and native, language of the Empire of Jessa is Jesæ. Jesæ consists of twenty-nine consonants, fifteen vowels, and ten diphthongs. The sentence structure is SVO (subject-verb-object), with adjectives after the noun they are modifying; the sentence “the quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog” would read as “the fox that is quick and brown jumped over the dog that is lazy” (La zořo řapìd nèw saltared qa la çò luöb). Most Jessita take pride in being multilingual, and Basic and Alexugo are the two most common second or third languages. Other languages spoken within the Empire of Jessa include Wïkersei, Oweglós, Martingale Estilo, Zodiaklōm, Behina, Velhelman, and Karōlang.

Jesæ Sign Language (Jesæ Aepêo) is the official sign language of the Empire of Jessa, and one-hundred percent of the population use it. Due to the high percentage of Jessita who are deaf or hard of hearing, all Jessita learn how to communicate in it. Other sign languages used in the Empire of Jessa include Basic Sign, Alexugo Tethei, Wïkersei Fjevwulpen, and Oweglós Èuadzua.

Naming

Jessita traditional names often include a first name, a patronymic, and a family name. Traditional female names often have connotations or meanings like soft (grîd: Grîda, Grida, Gride, Grîde, Gridi, Grîdi), kind (amabel: Amabe, Ama, Amae, Mabe), strong (třêùb: Třêuba, Tre, Třea, Reuba, Řêùba), smart (sæk: Sæ, Sæka, Sæna, Sæli, Sæki), or are often based on names for flowers like rose (nöo: Nöa, Noa, Nöe, Nöna, Nona), daisy (marga: Marga, Margi), or lavender (lavanda: Lavanda, Lavana, Lava, Vanda, Vandi). Traditional male names often have connotations or meanings like strong (třêùb: Třeubo, Treu, Třeu, Treubo), brave (kořún: Koru, Koro, Kořú, Koruno), fast (řájòz: Rajo, Řájò, Rajozu), gentle (grîd: Grido, Gridu, Rido, Rîdo, Ridu), or are often based on names of animals like mouse (ií: Iio, Io, Iono, Iíonu), eagle (ziöi: Ziö), or owl (vòá: Vò, Vono, Vonu, Volvo, Voanu). Jessita first names are often in two parts, and individuals will go by either name or combination e.g., Grida Vandi, Koro Vò. Modern Jessita names are often transliterated versions of foreign names.

Jessita family names are passed from mother (or eldest parent) to child, and are generally based on an ancestral locale or occupation. Upon marriage, the pair or grouping will take the name of the eldest female, or if there are now women, the eldest individual. Occupation-based family names will use the neutral form of the occupation name. Example family names include G̋êúdora (Farmer), Pezodora (Fisher), Oúmùudora (Baker), Guaçiratù (from the town of Guaçira), and Malletù (from the town of Malle).

Between their first name(s) and their family name, Jessita have a patronymic. This is a name based on their father (or youngest parent). Most families will use the suffix -deniña (child of), but some will use the gendered suffixes of -dehijo or -devéò for sons and -degï for daughters. Example names are Grida Vandi Ridudeniña Pezodora, Koro Vò Ziodehijo Malletù.

Jessita location naming is fairly simple outside of Jessa. City and town names on Jessa are often transliterations of or based on names in ancient Jessita languages that are no longer spoken, and so the meanings behind most Jessa town names are unknown. Outside of Jessa, city and town names will often include geographic features or be based on the name of an earlier settler to the area e.g., Volvog̋êú (Volvo’s Farm), Taoúswïìu (Quiet River), Nágaúgá (Bear Hill). 

Education

Agriculture

Art and Music

Cuisine

Clothing and Beauty Standards

Architecture and Urban Planning

Transportation

Healthcare and Medicine

Sports

Cultural Icons and Symbols

The Empire of Jessa has a variety of officially recognised cultural icons. The official colour is lavender purple, the official instrument is the Kèer-jimäi Myoí, the official dish is Líú-áé, and the official sport is volleyball. The official flowers are the Jessita Royal white roses, and the Ifïa blue daisies. The official crops are the Jessita golden potato, the Jessita purple corn, and the Jessita strawberry. Domestic dogs are the official animal, with the Jessita curly-coat retriever (G̋iyaun-Çìudora Çò) being the official breed. 

The national flag of the Empire of Jessa, called La Yaím Nìí, features a vertical triband of red, double width yellow, and red, with a centred white circle and a blue flower, and fifteen golden four-point stars in each red band (a total of thirty). The gold band signifies the wealth of the Empire, and the thirty stars represent each system and how their wealth is thanks to the thirty systems. The red bands signify the strength of the Jessita will, and to pay respect to the lives lost in the process of the Empire of Jessa gaining their wealth and freedom. The white circle represents the unity between the five species, and the blue flower is meant to represent the Ifïa blue daisies with each petal representing the five species. The blue flower is also the symbol of the Yaímregidora family.

Each province, planet, and system will also have their own flags, flown below the Empire flag. Some regions will use a modified form of the Empire flag, with a different colour flower or different symbol. Most regions will have the Empire flag in the top right quadrant (the canton) of their flag. The capital (system, planet, and province) uses La Yaím Nìí. Noblaita dominant regions, such as the Nobla Province on Jessa, tend to have symbology of mountains, antlers, or precious gemstones. Çambelita dominant regions, such as the Çambel Province on Jessa, tend to have symbology of feathers, clouds, or squirrels. Izaraita dominant regions, such as the Izara Island Province on Jessa, tend to have symbology of owls, cats, the sun, or palm trees. Hondoita dominant regions, such as the Hondo province on Jessa, tend to have symbology of pine cones, trees, or ravens. Ifïaita dominant regions, such as the Ifïa Province on Jessa, tend to have symbology of flowers, dogs, or butterflies.

Nobla Province Flag

Çambel Province Flag

Izara Island Province Flag

Hondo Province Flag

Cultural Holidays and Festivals

Religion and Beliefs

The native religion of the Empire of Jessa is a polytheistic folklore-based religion called the Jessa Religion, Jessanism, or Jessabyai.  Other minor religions practiced within the Empire of Jessa include Wïkerxelts, Owenósitik, Alexia-tsām, and the Zodiakos Religion.

Jessabyai has a variety of deities and is spread and taught through folktales and myths that explains various aspects of the world. There are thousands of deities, one for almost every aspect of the world, but there are ten that are viewed as the major deities:

Other minor deities include:

Every town and city will have at least one shrine (Vua) where anyone may go and pray or give an offering to the gods. Priests (Jilêadora) will maintain and care for the shrine, as well as guide people through prayer. Most people will light a small candle and say a prayer to the relevant god e.g., the partner of a fisher out at sea may light a candle for Amfina to bring their partner home safely. Offerings are burnt and include a small piece of bread or a piece of paper with a prayer or wish written on it. Some larger cities, such as the capital Faéäe City, will have several shrines with each dedicated to a specific deity. Many shrines will also operate as an orphanage and animal shelter, and the Jilêadora will care for the lost and unwanted.

The Jessita believe that upon death, Ürko’s ravens Basu and Suki guide your soul to the Underworld (often referred to as Ürko’s Kingdom or Bíjeà de Ürko). Here, Ürko will care for your soul for eternity. If you had done great things or been a good person, your soul will be released back into the world and be reborn. Jessita funerals are a solemn but joyful affair. They discuss the highs and lows of the loved one’s life, and many will play music the deceased liked. The deceased is often placed on a pedestal, dressed in some of their nicest clothing and surrounded by flowers. Loved ones will have the opportunity to place letters, flowers, or sweets for the loved one’s journey to the Underworld and beyond. Funerals are often held in the local shrine, or in the garden of the deceased, with a Jilêadora overseeing the procession. Black clothing is worn by attendees and the Jilêadora, whilst the deceased will be in bright clothing. This is done to help Basu and Suki identify the deceased and their soul easier. After the funeral, the deceased will be wrapped in a cloth sheet, along with the gifts, and buried in the community graveyard. A single tree sapling will be planted on top of the body, most commonly a pine tree. Jessita graveyards are treated as a sacred garden, with groves of trees, fountains, and flowerbeds. The attendees will all then return to the home of the deceased and share food in what is called a wake (Áüšìwiir). 

There are a variety of festivals and holidays celebrated by practitioners of Jessabyai. These include:

Magic