LDUESCOLDUESCO (Liberal Democratic Union Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) is the LDU government branch concerned with the recognition and protection of valuable heritage sites. They maintain a directory of the most important sites, and any LDU nation may submit a site, whether natural or cultural, for review.
Criteria
Any site submitted for the list must fit at least one of these categories, and preferably more.
Criteria For Historical/Cultural Sites
1. The site typifies any specific period, significant to regional history, in a unique and/or outstanding way.
2. The site represents an outstanding cultural achievement, of a high degree of preservation.
3. The site represents a unique example of a period cultural construct, either the only or best preserved of its era.
Criteria For Natural/Geographical Sites
1. The site represents a unique ecosystem, preserved in its original condition.
2. The site is home to any number of a unique species, or a species that is native only to this area.
3. The site typifies any particular geographical period, not seen in many or any other locations.
Instructions For Submission
If you wish to submit a site for consideration, the site must be described and the applying criteria must be listed and adapted to the site (i.e. you must explain how the criteria applied to your submission). Send your submission to Sjevre or Sulasburg via telegram.
Site List
Madrinpoor
Makeyawaa Shogun's Palace - Category: Historical/Cultural
Built in 502 CE, the Palace was the home of the ruler of the Madri Shogunate. They amassed wealth from their position on major trade routes, and the Shogun's Palace, with its opulent interior and exquisitely crafted exterior, is the physical representation of this wealth. As Madrinpoor began to chafe with the might of the Japanese Empire, the Palace became a symbol of the independence of the Shogunate and the resilience of the Madri people. With the advent of the modern period and the increased destruction of old buildings in Madrinpoor, as well as the US occupation, the Palace was the anchor that connected the Madris to their heritage.
Criteria Met
1. It is representative of the Shogunate, a major period in the history of the Madri nation-state, and is the only remaining building in the city from that era.
2. The beautiful detail seen in the carpentry, furnishings and stonework represent the greatest architectural and artistic achievement of the period, and one of the most sophisticated in the world from before 1000 CE.
3. It is the oldest building standing in Madrinpoor and one of the oldest on the continent.
Abekoku
Monuments of The Kyrōheiji Shogunate - Category: Historical/Cultural
The islands of Kyrōheiji represent a unique environment, in which the culture of a separate region has survived amongst cultures different entirely from itself, isolated from said separate region. In this case, Japanese fishermen of the Jōmon Period (c. 14,000–300 BCE) founded a small settlement on the previously uninhabited archipelago, an archipelago surrounded almost completely by typical Lduopean nations. The settlement eventually became fully-fledged shogunate, subordinate to the Emperor of Japan until 1187. Despite being separate from Japan physically and politically, Kyrōheiji still kept up an extensive communication with the Empire, developing at the same rate until an attempted invasion by Blackacrians in 1547. After that point, cultural views expanded to include the Sula islands. This came at a time during which Japan was closing itself off (with the exception of the 1592 Invasion of Korea), and was the main point of divergence for the two entities. Kyrōheiji accepted things like gunpowder, the Renaissance, artistic/architectural advances and other things. During that period, the islands were vital to all neighbouring states as an excellently-placed trade partner, and the only place through which outside goods could enter Japan. By the time the Boshin War ended in 1869, the Kyrōheiji nation-state would have been recognisable to both Japanese and Lduopean outsiders. Listed in this site are five castles, the royal mausoleum, two palaces, one samurai district, two merchant districts, seven shrines, thirteen archaeological sites, the ‘Shogunate’ collection of the Hiruko National Museum and one agricultural sector.
Criteria Met
1. The sites are outstandingly representative of the history of Kyrōheiji, and stand as the best preserved remains of a unique historical construct.
2. With their beautiful craftsmanship and quality materials, the buildings listed, and more so the shrines and palaces, represent the height of artistic achievement amongst the Kyrōheija people and are the manifestation of their Shogunate's wealth.
3. The sites chosen are the best preserved of those available in the archipelago.
Old Quarter of Bijitātaun
The Old Quarter, located in the northern Kyrōheiji town of Bijitātaun (meaning 'visitor town' in Kyrōheija), has historically been one of the most active commercial ports in the world. It was the only legal trading port in Kyrōheiji, and was, as a result, the primary entrance point for Lduopean goods into the Japanese sphere of influence. From the founding of the Griénnais Kingdom in 964 to the Boshin War in 1868, Grién dominated the commercial action in the town. The community was home to around 1,700 Lduopean merchants and craftsmen. This population created a unique culture, formed by the collision of two massive, well-developed cultures. This culture is beautifully evident in the architecture of the houses, almost all of which are preserved. They typically consist of two buildings, with the gables perpendicular to the street, a courtyard in between and arcaded walls connecting them. The front house is often three stories, with first one made up of the shop, while the next floor protrudes outward on pillars, creating an arcade. This floor is often either storage or a workshop. The top floor is the same width as the bottom floor. This creates two levels of roofing, and makes this floor more airy than the others. This one serves the same purpose as the middle floor. The back building, across the courtyard, has two levels. The upper level is thinner than the lower one, and this building is a residence.
1. The site typifies the Exchange Period of 864-1868, in which the Lduopean cultures of the north and the Japanese cultures of the south exchanged technology and ideas.
2. The site represents the fascinating and resourceful culture of the Kyrōheija Lduopean merchant community, formed as a combination of the two.
3. The site represents a unique example of an Exchange Period town, the best preserved of its era.
Sjevre
Old City of Lelies - Category: Historical/Cultural
The City of Lelies, capital of the Savraan Dzaapdom, is the end product of several thousand years' prosperity. The city was located on major overland trade routes, and was captured and recaptured several times over, becoming the seat of many different dynasties. It contains buildings from most major periods of history, from Antiquity to the Renaissance, though most date from the high-to-late Middle Ages. Many of the medieval buildings are built in the Savraan Gothic style, which is noted for the intricacy of its stonework. Out of these, the town hall (1412-1533) and Yamesjra Cathedral (1209-1248) are the best preserved and most monumental. Also important is the Podsburg Palace, which was built in a monumental Baroque style in 1690-1700, and the Palace of the Gresjha Dynasty, from circa 300 BCE.
Criteria Met
1. The architecture and urban form of Lelies is representative of every era of Savraan history, from the Gresjha Dynasty to the present day.
2. The buildings of the city show in their architecture a level of craftsmanship and artistry seen in few other places, outstanding for the period and location.
3. The city contains many buildings from eras not represented anywhere else.
Potenzia
Mont Ares Volcanic District - Category: Natural/Geographical
The volcano of Mont Ares is one of the largest in the LDU. It has been erupting continuously for over 3,000 years, and these eruptions have created an environment like no other. The volcano was a product of the Potenzian Tectonic Acceleration, and is the world's most extensively documented volcano. The records reach back to its first emergence, playing a major part in Potenzian culture over the millennia. In addition, the extreme volcanism has necessitated some of the most rapid and drastic evolutionary changes, as the flora and fauna of the area must be able to survive in the dangerous climate. The volcano's frequent eruptions have led to evolutionary additions such as the ability to breathe increased amounts of ash, and the mental capacity to dig secure shelters. Also affected are the sea life of the area, who developed similar traits. Another effect on the native species is the fact that whole new varieties have emerged. This is a product of the fact that natural selection occurs on an incredibly frequent basis.
Criteria Met
1. The ecosystem of the islands is unlike any in the world. It has been entirely shaped by the volcano, which has also had an immense impact on the flora and fauna of the area. As the island was never settled, the preservation is outstanding.
2. The site is home to an unbelievable number of unique species, all of which have evolved into their present forms because of the volcano.
3. The site typifies the Potenzian Tectonic Acceleration, a major geological period.
Sulasburg
Temple Precinct of Ülielärlegost
The ancient temples of Ülielärlegost (water-valley), carved directly into the cliffs and incorporating the waterfalls into artificial ponds, exemplify the artistic and architectural genius of the Cistälmar dynasty of Vaëma. The first temple on the site, a simple shrine in a cave, was built in 749 BCE in honour of the Vaëma goddess of the mountains (Éraël'na). This was expanded after Iuvedil Cistälma came to power in 567 BCE. He oversaw the construction of a large central temple to Éraël'na, dug into the rock and carved in the extremely ornate Vûlien style common at the time. Other temples to Éraël'na as well as other more minor gods were dug into the mountain, while the original grotto shrine was preserved. As time progressed, the architecture grew more sombre, and focus shifted to the valley itself. A small town was built for the priests, and the valley's many waterfalls were redirected into the largest water management system built in premodern times. Several artificial ponds were created, symbolizing the All-Sea that surrounded the Five Worlds of Sula myth, and they fed into large reservoirs that withheld water for the dry season. A large wall was built across Ülielärlegost as well, separating the spiritual world from the secular one outside.
