Fanon:Papal State

If you are looking for the actual doctrines and the operational standards of the adherents of the faith, go to the Ecclesiarchy page.

Papal State is one of the many political factions of the fanon Time Paradox, and the first of the states to be independent of the main SimNation. The Papal State is a nascent nation, claiming currently 3 neighborhoods, Sunset Valley, Twinbrook, and the capital Hekatonschoinos. Although the Papal State officially runs according to the principles set by the codex written by its founding members, in practice life outside the walls of houses of believers aren't too strict. The Papal State, alongside the short-lived City-State of Twinbrook, is one of the two independent states to be introduced so far.

Religious Ordinances
Main Article: Ecclesiarchy

As a fundamentalist state, the Papal State technically runs on religious laws. The most significant part of the law is that romance and WooHoo is strictly forbidden by the followers of the faith, which comprises a significant part of the population of Hekatonschoinos, and a less significant presence in Sunset Valley and Twinbrook. Due to the fact that the said law applies only to registered followers, sights of couples can be still seen even in the streets of Hekatonschoinos, although in Hekatonschoinos the religious pressue is so high that such heretical relationships are nearly nonexistent.

Given the Ecclesiarchy's pro-technology attitudes, Papal State is also highly advanced in terms of science. For one, Simbots are far more common in Papal territory than in any region of the SimNation, especially so given that Stratonike has been the pioneer in the field, and the makings of a simbot is an arcane art held currently only by the members of the Big 6, although some, such as Parthenope, has the aptitude and experience to be ready to make one. The Papal State is also a leader in the fields of cybernetics and biotechnology, claiming many artificial humans and prosthetics (such as one proudly borne by Hypatia) given the attitudes that look unfavorably to the "natural" way of reproduction.

Hekatonschoinos
With regards to Hekatonschoinos, the economy of Hekatonschoinos is highly export-oriented given Kallistrata's mercantilist policies. On top, Hekatonschoinos is rich in Tiberium, which is a main (yet diminishing in percentage) source of income of the Papal State. Hekatonschoinos is well-endowed with metallic resources, and mines are an common sight in the said capital. On top, Hekatonschoinos boasts high quality fruits cultivated by Kallistrata, and despite average soil fertility, Hekatonschoinos is known for agricultural products, and more so the Nectar produced by the Hekatonschoinos chapter of the Ecclesiarchy. Despite this, Hekatonschoinos does have some problems: As Hekatonschoinos lacks affordable housing, even previously rich sims ended up in debt due to crushing tax rates as prescribed by the Ecclesiarchal law ("There is no glory in money or luxury, latter only has heresy."), although given the massive coffers of the Ecclesiarchal government Hekatonschoinos boasts a solid welfare system. Military industry is also a growing part of Hekatonschoinos' economy, owned largely by the state.

Sunset Valley
Sunset Valley also depends highly on the informal market outside the influences of huge corporations. Like Hekatonschoinos, Sunset Valley boasts a trade surplus, although unlike Hekatonschoinos, the share of the market is far more evenly distributed, and the main component of the market is the commoners, not the elites of the Ecclesiarchy. Given that Sunset Valley does have affordable housing, Sunset Valley does not have the problem that exists in Hekatonschoinos, and thus the welfare system is far lighter in comparison to the capital. However, given the lack of Tiberium and other valuable mineral wealth, the average income of its residents are far lower than their counterparts back in the capital.

Twinbrook
Twinbrook is a different story, and given its lack of infrastructure, Twinbrook is the only territory that has a regional trade deficit. However, David Pollair, the head member of the Twinbrook Chapter, hopes to reverse this, and while the Ecclesiarchy establishes the Cleruchy there, Pollair also wishes to create an agricultural base, particularly stressing organic farming (which is already a case with Hekatonschoinos, given the fruits available in the Royal Public Garden). It is also the poorest of the Papal neighborhoods, although the locals don't really have trouble with the taxes.

Political Standings
Although census regarding political standings are classified, most of the adherents generally lean to the left, looking favorably to homosexuality and abortion, although they frown upon other issues such as drugs, no laws prohibit usage of controlled substances as Kallisto cites examples of failed prohibition attempts. There are no parties in the Papal State, as there are no elected representatives yet. Kallisto does seek to introduce a democratically elected local council, and despite its fundamentalist roots, the Papal State is far less autocratic than most perceives. Papal State, despite its huge issue with romance and WooHoo, tends to keep out of private lives of citizens, although it does not stay away from collecting private data.

Given a largely female ruling body, the Papal State is also a center of feminist sentiments, although Kallisto et al does not approve of radical feminism hooting down males. As such, gender equality is a common sight in the Papal State, and skill is almost always the key factor in determining wage. Despite this, or because of this, there are no major private feminist groups in the Papal State.

Education
The Papal State boasts a great educational system that focuses on careers. However, due to the rigorous education that the Papal State endorses, many a student fall behind in grades, and few actually attain good marks, although this isn't to say that good grades are difficult to obtain if the mind is set right. Although there is no formal tertiary education, an informal tertiary educational sector exist, largely manned by the members of the Ecclesiarchy. On top, the Ecclesiarchy also runs a tutoring system to help students out, and more likely provide tutoring for skills helpful in careers. In general, a citizen of the Papal State is far more skilled than an average sim of SimNation, and given the Ecclesiarchy's pro-technology attitudes, skills related to engineering are highly encouraged, even (or more fittingly, especially) on females.