Nelyasyat and Ayatawantin

Nelyasyat and Ayatawantin

Country	Sokoku
Capital	Julikannat
Area	476,854 km2
Population	57M
Density	119/km2
Demonym
Time zone	UTC-9
GDP	₲
GDP per capita	₲

Nelyasyat and Ayatawantin is a member state of Sokoku, located on the northern half of Radhria Island off the south coast of Altaia. It was formed in 76XX when the remaining part of the Anisoran colony Aspasia and the XX dependency Principality of Ayatawantin merged in order to become a part of Sokoku. It is the most populous state within the federation and as such a dominant factor in the political, social and economic structure of Sokoku.

Etymology

The compound name uses two toponyms. Nelyasyat is the name of the entire island in the native Lazeh language, which in colonial times got renamed Radhria. The southern part of the island however isn't a part of Sokoku. The suffix 'syat' is related to 'syrat' which refers to a state or condition. The prefix 'nelya' is more difficult to explain but is likely to have its roots in the word 'neria' meaning to trembling or shaking. So the name could mean "in a trembling state" and as such refers to the volcanic nature of the island. But this etymology is debatable.

The second half of the name, Ayatawantin, refers to the entire west coast of Nelyasyat, including what today is called Ayatawantin Island. Even here, not the entire region is part of Sokoku, only the former Principality encompassing the northern half of the coast was amalgamated. Even though the region is predominantly ethnic Azix, the name Ayatawantin was given by the Hueiwei population in a Lazeh language. It is however based on the Azix 'ya te huan tiin' roughly meaning "backbone for food". In Lazeh the Azix phonemes were transformed into 'aya ta wantin' which literally means "I want to have it". This became a coincidental meaning,since the Hueiwei population indeed wanted to gain control over the coast, historically speaking. But in colonial times, the meaning shifted towards the Principality demanding high taxes from the local population in order to guarantee its semi-autonomous status.

The double name is an unusual construct, since Ayatawantin as a region and historical state is already a part of Nelyasyat. On top if that, both geographical names refer to regions larger than the state itself. It is generally considered as an attempt to claim entire Nelyasyat and Ayatawantin as a part of Sokoku, even though the nation has not made any attempt to expand its territory since the principality became Sokokan in 76XX. State government officials have presented the name as a representation of the multicultural nature of the state: "Nelyasyat and Ayawantin, we're both".

History

Pre-colonisation

Nelyasyat was first settled by humans around 15,000 years ago by peoples migrating south from Southern Altaia. Favourable agricultural conditions as a result of the rich volcanic soil on the island, as well as mastering wet-field rice cultivation around the early third millenium RH, allowed towns and small kingdoms to flourish and develop on the island by the fourth millenium.

Due to its strategic location between the continents of Altaia to the north and D'Runia to the west as well as being the gateway to the southern Shangti Ocean to the south, Nelyasyat was and continues to be an important centre of trade and cultural exchange. Extensive evidence remains of international trade between the Hueiwei and the expansive Altaian empires and D'Runian kingdoms to the west.

From the 68th century the powerful naval kingdom of Tepaananan flourished in the northern part as a result of the extensive trade networks which existed in the region. The kingdom incorporated Lizehanist religious practises of the empires of the South Altaian Plains, a religion focused on the veneration of spirit ancestors in elaborate stone temples. The early 7th millennium saw an expansive religious building project across the island, the ruins and remains of which can still be seen today, most famously the Temple of Huanuco.

The eastern coast came under the influence of the Tsuki Integrality at about the same time. Their trade relations reached further east and north, all the way to present day Kamura. The Julian Event in the early 72nd century ended this trading and military confederation.

In the 71st century the D'Runian kingdom of Quanchua expanded its influence and control over the White Kaartu Sea including much of western Nelyasyat. The Quanchuan domination lasted over a century and eventually declined after numerous invasions by the Azix peoples.

By the early 8th millenium Anarian explorers were discovering lands across Altaia. They entered a region devastated by natural disasters (including increased volcanic activity as a consequence of the Julian Event) and torn apart by waning empires trying to keep control over the lands. Under those circumstances, the Anarians had it relatively easy to start and settle on Nelyasyat.

Establishment of Colonial Rule

Livaryan traders became embroiled in fighting between the remnants of the Quanchuan kingdom and the local kingdoms on Nelyasyat. Casellan and Hellish traders followed, resulting in the three Anarian power blocks fighting over influence and land in the region. By the mid 72nd century Casella had established regular trade relations with the local populations of Nelyasyat. Exotic products from the area such as cocoa, coffee and spices became extremely sought after by the Casellan elite. Due to the extremely competitive Casellan aristocracy, more and more private ventures were sent to the area to secure lucrative trade with the local population.

After a number of decades of relatively successful trade, the local king Pazet refused to continue trading with Casella due to a dispute with a Casellan merchant. The Casellan senators voted overwhelmingly to send an expedition to pacify Pazet and establish a Casellan military presence. A large naval force with accompanying land forces landed in December 7203 and quickly pacified the coastal regions and established bases on the north-west coast. The Casellan armies marched further in land, with the navy supporting from the coast. Over the next few years an intricate network of alliances, protectorate client-states and outright pacification of the local communities enabled the Casellans to establish considerable control over the entire northern portion of the island. In 7204 the first official Casellan colony on the island was established, operating primarily out of the colonial capital, Giulicannia (Lanzeh: Julikannat). The newly established northern borders at the far north of the island along the Chalim Strait became the greatest security risk, with Hellish colonists and soldiers establishing settlements in close proximity to the Casellans.

In 7256 the colonial government was overhauled, with the six semi-autonomous colonies that made up Casellan Radhria unifying under the single Aspasian Colonial Government (Anisoran: Aspasiane Governo Coloniale), headquartered at Giulicannia in Kaarinpakanu. Aspasia proper was divided into nine mainland states and one special administrative island (Salakan), ruled by the Admiralty.

Aspasia

While colonial rule was extended over a larger territory and intensified, it was inevitable that wars with local kingdoms and rebellions among semi autonomous states within the colony occurred. Some of the most well documented events include the Matillanu War (7439-7444), Nytalayan Rebellion (7545-7546) and Pakatayan Secession (76XX).

In 7439 Rallan (Prince) Marinatao of the Principality of Tikitallan in Matillanu State rebelled against the Anisoran colonial government and stormed the state capital at Matillan, starting the Matillanu War. His rebellion spread and other local rulers joined his cause. Much of the East coast was under the Prince's control until Anisora sent reinforcements from the Anisoran mainland in 7441. The fresh troops pushed Marinatao back and after a further three years of fighting Prince Marinatao surrendered on 31st October 7444. Although Prince Marinatao was defeated a number of similar uprisings occurred over the next thirty years. Outbreaks of violence and full blown rebellions were normally restricted to the southern states as well as the mountainous region of Pakalanu, where prolonged guerilla insurgences raged for decades.

The Nytalayan Rebellion, also known as the 'Southern Aspasian Mutiny ran from early 7545 to late 7546. It was an armed conflict between the Anisoran Colonial Government of Aspasia and a coalition of local native leaders led by Prince Rulakanea, Rallan of Pakatayu. The conflict was primarily fought in the southern states of Aspasia, where the largest associated principalities are located. The rebellion was named after the first settlement attacked by the rebels. Main reasons were the increasing number of Anisoran settlements in the south, replacing the local population, the lack of local representation within the Colonial Government of Aspasia, as well as the use of excessive force by the Anisorans to exact taxes from rural populations in the southern states and towards industrial workers not reaching quotas set by the Viceroy's Office. Three months after the start of the rebellion, where the majority of the Anisoran military had been forced out, the rebels ambushed Anisoran reinforcements during the Battle of Killay Valley. The battle saw a catastrophic Anisoran defeat, with over 6,000 casualties. Many other important towns in the eastern states of Matillanu and Miamoru were stormed and sacked during this period of Anisoran retreat. The Anisoran changed tactics, avoiding large concentration of troops and almost surgically reclaiming territory. This culminated in the retaking of Matillanu, where the rebel's main force was defeated with huge naval support. Prince Rulakanea retreated south into the Massinuza Mountains where he was finally killed on 19th September 7546. The Southern Principalities which took part in the rebellion were preserved with the vitally important Principality of Pakatayu given to Prince Rulakanea's niece Sakayana. She was to rule with an Anisoran and local Pakatayan advisor, but the territory, along with many other principalities in south and east, was given considerable autonomy as well as seats in the newly created Senate.

Wolgos Scourge

In the late 7590's Aspasia became the stage of the southernmost war activities during the Wolgos Scourge. The Bind tried to establish footholds in Neusüdentor north of Aspasia, as well as further east near Bowersland and recently independent Shuuen. In a joint effort to drive out Wolgos landing parties, Aspasian and Anisoran troops entered the southern part of Neusüdentor in 7497 after the Häverist forces were cornered and ready to withdraw. However, after the Wolgos were defeated, Aspasia did not leave the area while at the same time the Häverist forces regrouped north of the Chalim Strait. The region of Selitung, as the Aspasian colonial government referred to the area, was claimed by both sides but the Häverists had no military capacity left to regain control over the area. While officially never declared a part of the Aspasian colony, in practical terms the region was administered by Anisoran and Aspasian colonial government until decolonisation in 76XX.

Pakatayan secession

With the death of Sakayana in 76XX, local leaders saw an opportunity to spark Pakatayan secession sentiments again. The princess' successor didn't have as much popular support among the local population, which created a breeding ground for another rebellion. Secession was declared in Siraya in 76XX but was met by a quick military response from Anisoran military. But in the urban landscape of Siraya, the guerilla tactics of the secessionist led to a high rate of casualties among the colonisers. So when the secessionists formulated an ultimatum towards the Anisoran civilian population to leave the city quickly with a guarantee they would not be harmed, a lot of the military put on civilian clothing and left. When waiting for an Anisoran counterattack, attempts were made to built a national government. But soon a conflict erupted between a loyalist group gathering around Prince Ajimat, a distant cousin of Sakayana, and a group striving after a republic. Due to internal problems in Anisora and the Nytalayan Rebellion still in memory, those countermeasures took time. Instead violence erupted between the loyalists and republicans. Where the first had more support on the conservative countryside, the latter had a larger support within the cities and towns. With Anisoran production facilities up for grabs, the republican movement quickly gained momentum, being able to carry out social modernisation which the loyalists could not offer.

The Stolvic Orderist Commonwealth however saw an opportunity to expand its zone of influence and started supplying the republican side. This led to a response from some republicans opposing orderism, reaching out to Sokoku instead for military support. So by the time an Anisoran counter offensive was started in 76XX they also had to face orderist and Sokokan factions. Instead, Anisora took a marginal presence in the periphery of Pakatayu, keeping a nominal claim to the autonomous region but avoiding full scale conflicts. Instead, the three main factions of loyalists, orderists and mireists entered a full scale civil war, battling for control over the seceded state. The conflict between Sokokan backed forces and orderists spread to Neusüdentor, which had tried to remain a Häverist (instead of orderist) stronghold in a reforming Commonwealth. After the Sokokan military defeated both the marginal Anisoran presence and the Orderists, a cease fire was signed with the loyalist faction. It was negotiated into a permanent peace treaty as overseen by International Council of Nations (ICoN) in 76XX. It is estimated that the Pakatayan secession resulted in 18,000 to 36,000 casualties.

As part of the ICoN sanctioned treaty, free elections were held in 76XX. Where the loyalist and moderate groups voted along ethnic and political lines, republican supporters massively supported the Keadaan Matang movement. The following majority Keadaan Matang government first signed a military cooperation treaty with Sokoku and later applied for membership status within that country. This is why Pakatayu entered Sokoku as Keadaan Matang, which also stated a break with its past as a small kingdom and autonomous region within Aspasia.

Government

The State of Nelyasyat and Ayatawantin still is characterized by its three constituent states: the former colony of Aspasia (not including Pakataya), the Principality of Ayatawantin and the Protectorate of Selitung, formerly part of the Häverist colony of Neusüdentor but since the late 7590's administered by Aspasia. Former Aspasia is divided into regions, roughly following the borders of the pre-colonial monarchies, which consist of local municipalities. Ayatawantin is divided into raion's, smaller than regions but generally larger than municipalities. Selitung is divided directly into local municipalities, since it's roughly the size of a region. It has more autonomy than the other regions. For example, it's autonomous when it comes to the organisation of education, migration and housing, and is officially bilingual. Even Ayatawantin is bilingual and has the right to decide on its own state level tax. This makes the member state rather asymmetric when it comes to government.