Goosestan
28-03-2008, 20:36
Goosestan is a vast desert imperium, carved out by the megalomaniac Christian Khedives of Odurba. Most of the country is featureless desert, with the population centred in the far north along the fertile banks of the Lower River Tabaqah. One, perhaps the only, notable feature of the desert is the massive oil fields. No one really knows how much oil is underneath the expanse of desert; the Khedives have never ordered a survey and don’t care as long as the revenue pays for whatever possessions they want. Oil is the only natural resource and the only export of Goosestan. The government is forced to import 95 % of food supplies and transport them 1,500 miles across the desert, at great cost, as well as all other resources, even wood. South of the oilfields lie nearly 3 million km² of desert claimed by Goosestan with a total population of about 10,000. This was ‘conquered’ by Khedive Justin IV in the 1920s and 30s with forces provided by oil funds to satisfy his megalomania and has been held by the Khedives ever since for the same reason. Beyond the claimed territory is largely unexplored. The River Tabaqah stretches south into the desert wastes but no explorer has ever found the source and returned, even using aircraft.
Despite having Christian rulers, most of the population follow the Islamic faith. The government and population in general are therefore very tolerant of religious beliefs, although events elsewhere are beginning to poison some minds.
Although there is a parliament, it plays almost no function in the running of the state. Absolute power is in the hands of the Khedive Roger II, a man prone to eccentricities and murderous outbursts, even in public. Furthermore, with the economy dominated by oil, corporations are major vested interests in the governing of the country and many oil executives have found themselves in senior posts at the Khedival court at Odurba.
Despite having Christian rulers, most of the population follow the Islamic faith. The government and population in general are therefore very tolerant of religious beliefs, although events elsewhere are beginning to poison some minds.
Although there is a parliament, it plays almost no function in the running of the state. Absolute power is in the hands of the Khedive Roger II, a man prone to eccentricities and murderous outbursts, even in public. Furthermore, with the economy dominated by oil, corporations are major vested interests in the governing of the country and many oil executives have found themselves in senior posts at the Khedival court at Odurba.