Shoreline (New Virginia)

Autonomous Region of Shoreline Bohemian Commune of Shoreline
Autonomous Region of New Virginia
Flag
Seal
Motto:  Sometimes We Live No Particular Way But Our Own
Elizabeth Lewis, then New Virginian Prime Minister overlooking City Hall, October 2020
Sovereign state	New Virginia
Canton	New Franklin
Established	16 November 2013 (As Austenasian Crown Dependency) 11 February 2020 (As New Virginian Town)
Government
• High Commissioner Chief Shorelinian	Dame Elizabeth Lewis
Area
• Total	0.014 km2 (0.0054 sq mi)
Elevation	85 m (279 ft)
Population
• Total	11
Time zone	UTC-5

'Shoreline, officially the Autonomous Region of Shoreline, also known as the Bohemian Commune of Shoreline, ' was an Autonomous Region and former city of the Commonwealth of New Virginia situated in North America. Shoreline was founded as the Crown Dependency of Terentia on 16 November 2013 by an Austenasian Imperial Decree, transitioning into a Town on 3 December 2014. In early 2020, Shoreline became one of several Austenasian towns to secede from the Empire and form the Commonwealth of New Virginia. Shoreline was home to several New Virginian cultural institutions, notably the Church of the Golden Road to Unlimited Devotion and the Shorelinian Agricultural Collective. Shoreline was for a period of time the de-facto home of the Office of the Prime Minister in New Virginia.

Etymology

Shoreline was named after the Shoreline Amphitheatre, an amphitheater created by Bill Grahm, the original promoter of the Grateful Dead. Shoreline was originally known as Terentia, and was named after the first Emperor of Austenasia, Terry I, Emperor of Austenasia.

History

Early Austenasian History

Shoreline was founded as the Crown Dependency of Terentia on 16 November 2013 by an Austenasian Imperial Decree, transitioning into a Town on 3 December 2014. From its annexation until just under a year later on 31 October 2014, Terentia consisted of an uninhabited piece of land situated in the garden of Lord Admiral Lewis' place of residence. On 31 October, Terentia was expanded, annexing the whole of the property by the request of its six residents. For much of it's early existence, Shoreline's culture was very faintly influenced by the surrounding culture of the New England region of the United States, without any significant cultural herritage. It was also influenced by the greater Austenasian culture. No significant events occurred in Shoreline for much of it's early existence, Shorelinian life from the annexation to the late 2010's was quiet.

Cultural Shift of 2018

Throughout 2017 and 2018 many Shorelinians began to become influenced by the spirituality and culture surrounding the rock group,The Grateful Dead. "Deadhead culture" began to grow among the Shorelinian people. The lack of any real cultural institutions in Shoreline was rectified in 2018 when the Church of the Golden Road to Unlimited Devotion was founded by Elizabeth Lewis. The Church was founded as a religious institution exploring the music and culture of numerous jam bands, notably the Grateful Dead and Phish. In mid 2018, the then Terentian town council voted to recognize the shift in cultural attitudes, recognizing the developing hippy culture as something uniquely Terentian. Throughout the course of a few months, several changes were made due to this officialization, including the changing of Terentia's flag, the legalization of several different psychoactive chemicals, and a recognition of the Church of the Golden Road as a Terentian Cultural Institution. On 17 October 2018, Terentia expanded with the annexation of an uninhabited exclave to the south-west of the property. This new area of land was named Kush.

In New Virginia

In early 2020, Terentia followed several other Austenasian territories, notably New Richmond in declaring independence from Austenasia, forming a new state, the Commonwealth of New Virginia. It was during this early period of secession that the name of the now city was changed from Terentia to Shoreline. Shoreline was the second largest and second most populous city in New Virginia. As New Virginia developed and grew, Shorelinian culture heavily influenced New Virginian culture. Many Shorelinian institutions were recognized by the New Virginian state, particularly the Church of the Golden Road, which was recognized in the Constitution. Shoreline served as the de-facto Office of the Prime Minister for both of Elizabeth Lewis' terms as New Virginian Prime Minister, and remains an important place in the Commonwealth. In 2021, Shoreline transitioned from a city to an autonomous region, adopting a new charter.

Culture

Poster announcing the Human Be-In in San Fransisco

Shorelinian culture was a blend of the culture of New England and of much of the culture of the hippy movement. Much of the dress, musical interest and philosophical outlook was based in that of the 60's countercultural movement, as well as specifically the Deadhead phenomenon. The worldview of Timothy Leary was seen as a model for Shorelinian society, particularly the Human Be-In, an event Leary praised as a model. In addition and related to the hippy culture, psychedelia was heavily prevalent in Shorelinian arts and music.

Religion

The religious orientation of many Shorelinians would be considered Agnostic, though many Shorelinians culturally described themselves as Shorelinian Deadheads. In addition to this, Episcopal Christianity was seen as a culturally followed religious orientation among some Shorelinians, as well as Buddhism and Taoism.

Social Attitudes

Shorelinian social attitudes leaned heavily in a left wing, libertarian direction. As such, Shorelinian views regarding LGBT issues, drug use, and societal organization are generally progressive. Shorelines value the dignity of the individual, individual rights, and direct democracy, views heavily influenced by their culture.

Government and Politics

Shorelinian Council

Shoreline was governed by a direct democratic body known as the 'Shorelinian Council', open to all adult able bodied, willing citizens. Shorelinian Council meetings occured on a monthly basis unless the citizenry decide that more or less meetings are required during a given month. The Shorelinian Council was based on the idea of 'Household Governance', a concept developed by Elizabeth Lewis with basis in micronational realism. According to this idea, given that Shoreline was comprised of several households which govern themselves uniquely and independently of one another. In Paddoc this idea was explored most thoroughly, with house meetings serving as a democratic function during which decisions are made.

Chief Shorelinian

Shoreline was led by an individual known as the Chief Shorelinian, who was elected by the people of Shoreline to serve as High Commissioner and 'ambassador', according to the Charter.

Political Leanings

Most Shorelinians were members of the Free Democratic Party of New Virginia, though some citizens were either unaffiliated or voted for third parties like The Greens.

List of Leaders

Number	Picture	Name	Political party	Took office	Left office	Notes
1		Dame Elizabeth Lewis, Chief Shorelinian and High Commissioner	Independent	20 August, 2020	Incumbent	Incumbent.

Administrative Divisions

Shoreline is comprised of three non-contiguous pieces of land known as Villages which make up it's Administrative Divisions. Shorelinian Villages are very loosely autonomous. Though governed by the Charter and Shorelinian Council, they are typically allowed to make decisions for themselves so long as they follow city and national law.

Map of Shoreline's Villages

Name	Established	Population	Notes
Terentia Village	16 December 2013	4	Original land of Terentia and Shoreline, considered a cultural homeland for most Shorelinians.
Paddoc	11 February 2020	5	Home of the former de-facto office of the Prime Minister, largest Village in Shoreline.
Vernville	July 2020	2	Youngest and smallest of the Shorelinian villages.