Bule

Bule Republic Folkeveldet Bule
Flag	Coat of arms
Motto: "Å bevare den gyldne horisonten av velstand" - "Preserving the golden horizon of prosperity"
Anthem: Kor av nybyggere - Chorus of the settlers
Locator map
Capital city	Solbergstad
Largest city	Norlingstad
Official language	Aedelish
Other languages	Aedelish Patois and Native languages
Ethnic group	Aldsay - Awawatu
Religion	Orkanan - Naskel
Demonym(s)	Bubale, Adalu
Government
Government Type	Unitary Republic
President	Lars Bergstrøm
Prime Minister	Henrik Nordahl
Legislature	Senate of Bule
Establishment
Declaration of Independence	tbc
Area
Total	5,004,823.07 km2 km2
Water %
Population
Total	74,159,966.77
Density	14.82/km2
Economy
Economy type	Capitalist
GDP (total)	Ꞡ 381,330,549,154
GDP per capita	Ꞡ 5,142
Currency	Bule Skilling (skilling-bule.png)
Inequality index	25.5
Development index	0.875
Other information
Time zone	tbc
Driving side	right
Calling code	tbc
Internet code	.bl
Nation number	{{{nation number}}}

Bule, officially the Bule Republic (Aedelish: Folkeveldet Bule), is a country.

History

Simal Island Traders Influence (Antiquity - 7230)

In antiquity, the coastal and delta regions of Bule were intimately entwined with the Simal Island Traders, a seafaring civilization renowned for their mastery of the waves. These coastal areas became vital crossroads of commerce and culture, primarily due to their extensive interactions with the Simal traders. The rest of the Bule region, however, was quite different, dominated by small pastoral chiefdoms and petty kingdoms.

The Simal traders established thriving coastal settlements along the Bule coast, fostering vibrant exchanges of goods and knowledge with the indigenous peoples of Tzeraka. This coastal interaction allowed for the introduction of exotic goods and beasts, transported from the heart of Bule, to the bustling trade hubs where Simal and Bule cultures converged.

The impact of the Simal Island Traders on Bule's coastal architecture, art, and societal norms was profound, leaving an indelible imprint on the local way of life. The coastal regions flourished as bustling hubs of trade, while the interior retained its distinct character, marked by a patchwork of small pastoral chiefdoms and petty kingdoms, largely untouched by the Simal influence.

The Simal Interregnum Civil War, however, disrupted this once-thriving coastal trade and severed the cultural ties between the coastal and interior regions, ultimately leading to the decline of the Simal influence in Bule.

Aldsegian Arrival at the Lephoo Delta (7400s)

In the year 7405, colonial ventures from North Anaria set sail in earnest, each seeking new lands and opportunities. Among these expeditions, the bold and audacious expeditionary force of the Surtarnland Company emerged as a significant player, setting its sights on the sprawling Lephoo Delta. This delta, a formidable and intricate coastal landscape characterized by tidal flats, mangroves, and verdant islands, held the allure of uncharted territories and untapped potential. Little did they know that it would mark the beginning of a transformative era in the region.

Aedeland, situated to the north of Stoldavia, had missed out on the colonization of distant lands such as Altaia and D'runia, which were more accessible to its southern neighbors. Faced with limited options for expanding its influence and seeking to bolster its own standing, Aedeland recognized the opportunity presented by the collapse of the Simal Islands' hegemony.

The Simal Islands, once a dominant maritime power, had seen their influence wane, and their ability to control the strategic Simal Straits diminished. Aedeland, capitalizing on this shifting balance of power, employed a strategy of gunboat diplomacy to secure passage through the Simal Straits, effectively opening the way for their expeditionary force.

With the invaluable assistance of Simal traders, who had maintained their presence along the coast despite the decline of their maritime empire, the Aldsegians successfully navigated the labyrinthine waterways of the Lephoo Delta. The coastal settlements, once thriving centers of Simal influence, had by this time seen a reduction in their economic and political clout, making them less resistant to Aldsegian encroachment.

The coastal region surrounding the inner Ovestan Gulf, which the Aldsegians came to know as Surtarnland, became the focal point of their colonial ambitions. The Aldsegians established a protectorate over this territory, driven by the goals of resource extraction, acquisition of exotic goods, and the advancement of Stoldavia's interests in the region. To oversee these endeavors, a dedicated company was founded, tasked with the administration of the newly acquired lands, the encouragement of merchants, and the facilitation of resource extraction, setting the stage for a significant chapter in the history of Bule.

The Exploration of Bule: The Regions of Inner Tzeraka

With the establishment of the protectorate in the Lephoo Delta, Aedeland turned its attention to the uncharted regions of inner Tzeraka, driven by the ambitions of explorers seeking notoriety, prestige, and new horizons for their homeland. Among these intrepid adventurers was Erik Norling, would who become synonymous with the daring exploration of inner Tzeraka.

Norling embarked on a remarkable journey, navigating upstream along the winding course of the Umojio River. His mission was twofold: to document the diverse tribes inhabiting the river's banks and to uncover the elusive source of these mighty waters. His expedition, marked by resilience and curiosity, proved to be a source of inspiration for Aedelandic exploration and prestige.

As he ventured deeper into the heart of Tzeraka, he chronicled the exotic variety of native cultures, each with its unique traditions and ways of life. Alongside these human societies, the explorer encountered an array of exotic fauna that captured the imaginations of Aedelanders back home. His detailed accounts painted vivid portraits of the creatures that inhabited these uncharted lands, fueling the fervor for further exploration.

The culmination of his journey lay at the Omunaka Merge, a vast and enigmatic swampland where the Umojio River met its counterpart, the Umnulo. This convergence gave rise to a unique ecosystem teeming with life. Notably, the Omunaka Merge was renowned for being the habitat of the notorious White Elephants of Bule, majestic and elusive creatures that had long fascinated naturalists and adventurers alike.

In addition to the white elephants, the swamplands of the Omunaka Merge were home to the MegaloCrocodylus, colossal crocodiles that patrolled the murky waters with ancient and fearsome prowess. The merge also provided refuge to the Naguja gazelles, graceful creatures that navigated the watery expanses with unparalleled agility.

However, the legacy of this intrepid explorer extended beyond his discoveries in the natural world. Along his journey, he left behind a trail of bastard descendants, a glimpse to his obscure yet famously rakish personal life. His encounters with local communities and personal escapades resulted in the birth of many sons along the river's course, a phenomenon that eventually gave rise to numerous family lineages, each proudly claiming direct ancestry to the great Aldgesian explorer.

The Surtarnland Company's Ambitions (7440s)

The Surtarnland Company, driven by imperial ambitions and the lure of wealth, embarked on an ambitious mission to bring Tzeraka under Aldsegian control. After the Norling expeditions, the company sought to establish an overland route to the distant Phasian, an alluring realm of untold riches and wonders. The Surtarnland Company envisioned the Umojio as a principal water route to create a shortcut for Phasian traders, bypassing the lengthy and perilous journey around the southern coast of Tzeraka.

Despite numerous attempts and significant investment, the overland route proved to be fraught with dangers and exceedingly costly, making it economically unviable. The highly variable Boral climate of the Bishaan Bay posed considerable risks for Phasian traders, discouraging them from seeking it out as a viable trade port. The treacherous terrain, unpredictable weather, and the presence of hostile local tribes made it clear that the overland route was a formidable challenge.

Abandonment of Overland Route and Aldasy Settlement (7470s)

The formidable challenges of taming the rugged interior and the sheer magnitude of the undertaking eventually compelled the Surtarnland Company to abandon their ambitions of an overland route to Phasian in 7472. Instead, they redirected their efforts towards a more profitable endeavor: the burgeoning slave trade that thrived along the coastal regions of Bule.

With this shift in focus, the destiny of Bule took a significant turn as it evolved into a notorious center for the transcontinental slave trade, reshaping the region's culture, economy, and social fabric. Beneath the surface, the echoes of the ancient Simal Island Traders' influence remained.

The change in the company's focus and the opening of lands as far as the Musi River Plains, previously intended for the abandoned overland route, caused an influx of Aldsay settlers from Aedeland. The company sold land tracts to settlers seeking to transform the steep terrain into a fertile grain breadbasket.

These settlers faced native resistance but had the advantage of more advanced rifles and superior organization. They also utilized local natives as indentured workers in their grain plantations and vast cattle ranches. This influx of settlers and the shift towards plantation agriculture further altered the socio-cultural landscape of Bule, as Aldsay traditions and customs began to blend with the indigenous cultures of the region.

Bule Republics Era

The Bule Republics of Antikken and Nambatu were established as two distinct republics following the integration of the Surtarnland Company holdings into the Aldsegian Empire. These republics, while officially part of the empire, had unique characteristics and roles within the broader colonial landscape.

Antikken, located in the region focused along segments of the Umojio and Lephoo delta, primarily represented the interests of the Aldsay settlers and the Byrizi populations. Over the years, the Byrizi communities in Antikken gradually integrated and became absorbed into the Aldsay majority. This integration was a testament to the low Aldsay settler demographics of Antikken, where the Aldsay sought to bolster their demographics by absorbing peoples they saw as close to the Anarians.

In contrast, Nambatu was conceived as a nominal republic, ostensibly created to represent the native elite and their interests. However, the reality of Nambatu's governance was quite different. The administration of Nambatu was entirely overseen by Aedelish civil servants, and the president of Nambatu effectively served as the governor of Bule. While Nambatu existed on paper, it had little tangible impact on the lives of its citizens, particularly the native Awawatu population.

Aedeland coup 7581

The end of the Pan-Anarian War in 7562 brought about a profound shift in the destiny of Bule. The horrors uncovered in Dhonowlgos ignited a wave of emancipation movements and legislative actions across the Anarian sphere of influence. This global awakening spelled the demise of the transcontinental slave trade, dealing a heavy blow to the Bule economy.

Initially, the abolition of slavery had adverse effects on the Bule Republics, as their economic prosperity had been closely tied to the institution of slavery. However, an unexpected turn of events came in the form of increased grain prices resulting from the widespread reconstruction efforts that followed the Pan-Anarian War. This windfall bolstered the coffers of the Bule Republics of Antikken and Nambatu.

The Bule Republics continued as Aldsegian colonies until the Aedeland Coup of 7581, which resulted in a dramatic change of government and led to a war with Vittmark and other regional powers in northern Anaria. This conflict severed Aedeland from its overseas possessions, effectively marking the end of the Aldsegian Empire.

In the aftermath of these events, the Bule Republics found themselves at a crossroads. They resisted efforts to be absorbed as colonies by Auresia or Vittmark and instead forged an independent future. The settler republic of Antikken assumed the administration of the Aldsegian Tzerakan territories and incorporated the weak and paper-thin republic of Nambatu into the new Bule Republic.

For the next eight decades, the Bule Republic enjoyed widespread acceptance in Anarian circles and emerged as a prominent exporter of grain and raw resources to the Anarian world. Despite its golden post-colonial era, the nation faced a significant challenge in its demographics. A small settler population of less than a million ruled over millions of disfranchised native Awawatu peoples. The nation's settler minority prospered at the expense of the native population, exacerbating the social divide.

The low settler population, coupled with Aldasy-first attitudes, discouraged large-scale migration into Bule. This situation hindered the nation's economic development and the realization of the vast potential resources within its borders. As the world continued to change, Bule faced the dual challenges of economic underperformance and the refusal to address the disparities between its settler and native populations that caused neverending native insurrection.