Khudati government in exile

The Khudati government in exile considers itself the rightful government of the Kingdom of Khudat after Queen Chaikun IV converted to the Cult of the Inner Light and transformed Khudat into the Gate of Light in 7657. According to the government in exile, the transformation is illegal since it was designed and carried out by a foreign entity, in this case Hergom. The current head of state is Queen Matkua, daughter of Chaikun's younger sister Princess Anpatti. She appointed a war cabinet from Khudati diaspora and refugees currently residing in Kotah Ek, Sokoku. Strictly speaking it is not entirely a government-in-exile since about 5-10% of the area of the Kingdom of Khudat de facto still is controlled by forces opposing the Gate of Light, generally loyal to the government-in-exile instead.

Background

Queen Matkua in Sokoku

The transformation of the Kingdom of Khudat into the Gate of Light occurred in 7657 when Queen Chaikun IV converted to the Cult of the Inner Light. Many opposing family members died under suspicious circumstances in the 7650's, bringing most of the royal family into the fold ultimately. A part of the military, some regional governments and Chaikun's younger sister Anpatti however deemed the transformation illegal, since it was instigated by a foreign power and supposedly carried out by putting state leaders under the influence of hallucinogenics. When the opposing forces had lost about 85% of the territory, the decision was made for a part of the government to go in exile and create continuity even in the case of the Gate of Light gaining control over all of Khudat.

History

When Prince Danchar, Chaikun's younger brother, died under suspicious circumstances in 7656, Princess Anpatti chose to leave the royal palace and the capital since she feared for her life as well. A substantial part of the Khudati military also opposed the transformation and guarded Anpatti at various locations in the countryside. Anpatti acknowledged the provisional military regime as the temporary executive of the government of Khudat when more and more government institutions were reformed to fit the purpose of the Gate of Light and the cult running it.

Anpatti's supporters were driven back into the countryside and within 5 years there was no consecutive area under control of the provisional military government anymore. The decision was made in 7663 to move Princess Anpatti and the civilian part of government outside of Khudat in order to secure continuity. It was clear for Anpatti that reconquering Khudat would take a longer time, so she formed a civilian government-in-exile, at first in Kyusigai, Sokoku. In 7667 the Sokokan government provided facilities in Kotah Ek in the state of Tanah Ek, where the government could operate more closely to the training grounds where refugees were prepared for intrusions.

In 7673, Anpatti was poisoned, presumably by Cult members or Hergom intelligence. As a result, she became partially paralysed and lost speech. She handed over her tasks to her oldest daughter Matkua, who was crowned as Queen of Khudat in 7674. Where Anpatti never wanted to accept the role as queen when it couldn't be handed to her in Khudat's capital Shwenaungnoeng, Matkua immediately embraced this role.

Current status

While Sokoku has every interest in limiting the Wolgos influence south of the nation, it is a bit ambivalent towards the government-in-exile. Queen Matkua has clearly stated that she is not interested in joining Sokoku as a nation state after reinstating loyalist rule and is a bit hesitant towards the Mireist type of economy and government Sokoku has. It is also unclear if the government-in-exile ever will have the momentum to regain control over entire Khudat, or that it more or less is becoming a playhouse for disgruntled, conservative Khudati refugees. For example, while many nations across Gotha have condemned the transformation into Gate of Light and no longer accept the current King Minthari II, the government-in-exile has failed to gain the support of the majority of the international community as representative of the Kingdom of Khudat. The fact that the government-in-exile is located in Sokoku, which has a reputation of amalgamating areas it helps freeing from colonial rule or influence, is one of the factors.

International relations

• Anisora: The Anisoran Regency remains heavily suspicious of the government-in-exile. While certain senior Anisoran clerics and politicians have publicly described the Cult of the Inner Light as an agent of the Anti-Plan, and therefore anathema to the Orkanan world, Anisora has refused to recognise the government-in-exile. Commentators have broadly concluded that this is due to the regency's refusal to support any government-in-exile, in particular exiled monarchs, for fear of drawing attention to their own exiled monarch.
• Livaria: The Livarian government opposes the Cult of the Inner Light, which it has described as illegally usurping the constitutional order of the Kingdom of Khudat in 7657. Livaria has provided aid to Khudati forces currently fighting an insurgency in the country, though the extent of this support is not officially acknowledged. Despite this support, Rubizhne remains suspicious of Sokoku's influence over the government-in-exile. As such, it has never officially recognised the Kotah Ek administration, and reportedly favours dealing directly with Khudati forces on the ground rather than via intermediaries in Kotah Ek, despite the inherent difficulties this presents. Nevertheless, Livaria has sought to maintain cordial relations with the government-in-exile and Queen Matkua.
• Hergom ep swekorwos: Hergom is a staunch supporter of the Gate of Light regime and outright hostile to the government in exile of Queen Matkua. Hergom does not deny or confirm allegations that they were behind the poisoning and murders of menders and supporters of the government in exile. Hergom does staunchly refute allegations that they were behind the rise of the Inner light cult and claim that it arose completely independant of Hergom and that it is a purely local evolution of local believes and those of the Second Wolgos Trek diaspora on the Raian archipeilago, Hergom supports the right of the Gate of Light to exist as it believes its a purely independant and natrive development.

Liberation Front of Khudat

General Htoo San, Loyal subject of Queen Matkua and leader of the LFK

In the dense jungles and rugged highlands of Khudat, a determined guerrilla force known as the Khudat Mawlamyin, or the Liberation Front of Khudat (LFK), wages a relentless struggle against the Gate of Light regime, and the Inner Light cult they claim has taken over the nation. Officially supported by the government in exile and proclaiming loyalty to Queen Matkua, the LFK has become a symbol of resistance and hope for many Khudathi people.

The LFK controls roughly ten percent of the Khudathi main island, primarily in the highlands and maintaining covert operations in isolated coastal fishing villages far from the influence of the Gate of Light's royal forces. Numbering around fifteen thousand, the LFK operates in small, agile cells scattered across the dense jungles and forested highlands. These cells provide refuge and support for Khudathi who have escaped the oppressive Gate of Light communes and so-called centres of enlightenment.

The LFK's success can be attributed to its strong community support and international backing from nations such as Sokoku, Livaria and Arvor. Refugees who have fled the Gate of Light's control have formed hidden villages within the jungle, offering essential services to the LFK fighters. These communities engage in farming, resource gathering, and various other activities crucial to sustaining the guerrilla effort. The mutual support between the LFK and these villages creates a resilient network that the Gate of Light has struggled to dismantle.

For the past twenty-two years, Htoo San has been the leader of the LFK, guiding his forces through numerous pacification attempts by the Gate of Light. A committed royalist, Htoo San advocates for the return of the legitimate branch of the Khudathi Royal family and the expulsion of Wolgos forces from the islands. He dismisses the claims of the Gate of Light government that Hergom's H2egmegh2 presence on the islands is merely advisory and supportive of the peaceful government of King Minthari II. Instead, the LFK asserts that the H2egmegh2 is deeply involved in military operations and police actions aimed at quelling the resistance.

The LFK claims that the Hlrike Bherghmegh2, Wolgos special forces, are actively operating on the islands and accuses them of committing atrocities against LFK supporters and civilians. These allegations have fuelled further resentment and resistance among some in the local population, who see the LFK as their protectors against the invasive and oppressive regime.