End of slavery and emancipation era in Hergom

Slavery has been a constant feature of Wolgos society for over five thousand years, with the Eokoesr being synonymous with slaves for most of this history. However, this era ended nine years ago with the signing of the Accord for Restrained Arms and International Harmony in 7681. The treaty, initially aimed at curbing nuclear armament escalation, expanded in scope during negotiations to include the obligation for Hergom to end slavery.

During the period of Old Dhonowlgos, slavery reached its most extreme form, with eleven million Eokoesrs enslaved at its apex. The Bind era continued this institution, though under somewhat improved conditions. A few million Eokoesrs remained enslaved, experiencing conditions almost matching those of the enslaved and indentured native populations of Altaia. Following the collapse of the Bind and the Second Wolgos Trek, the institution persisted with changes, reducing the Eokoesr to a tiny and mostly ceremonial enslaved population.

With the foundation of Hergom, slavery took a more haphazard approach. In the early years of the Wolgos Second Trek, forced labor was opportunistic, and many Chalam natives, particularly those from the Wodranis river plains, were decimated, hunted more for food than for labour. Between 7610 and 7634, as the Wolgos expanded beyond their original settlement zones, they began to indenture mostly autonomous human villages and tribes, making them settle and work for Wolgos settlers while retaining a large degree of autonomy. This autonomy eroded as Wolgos populations increased and settled, though these populations never experienced the abject dehumanization of the Eokoesr during the days of Old Dhonowlgos.

After the First Coalition War, a long but tepid conflict where the foreign coalition was largely disengaged due to external issues, serfdom expanded over the more developed Gahnam settlements. Using elite proxies to maintain order and influence, Wolgos companies slowly expanded into new territories, taking work quotas from the local population. Despite this, the Gahnam remained largely autonomous, existing as a nation within a nation.

Until 7681, the policy was to expand the Wolgos population into new territories and progressively erode the autonomy of natives, with a projection to completely eliminate Gahnam autonomy and fully resettle the Tzeraka territories by 7730. A recreation of a system similar to that of Old Dhonowlgos was envisioned post-7730. However, all plans changed after the signing of the Accord for Restrained Arms and International Harmony. This treaty, initially focused on limiting nuclear armament, expanded to address human rights issues, leading to the abolition of slavery in Hergom and a significant shift in Wolgos societal structures.

Situation in 7681 pre-accord

Wodranis River Plains (Wolgos Core) and Brudhan Peninsula

These regions form the core new homelands of the Wolgos, where they make up almost ninety percent of the population, and in some areas, as much as ninety-five percent. By 7681, these regions saw the Chalam and various other imported populations living in abject poverty, relegated to the outskirts of Wolgos settlements and surviving on society’s scraps or within settlements as indentured workers exchanging labor for food. A portion of the Chalam and all imported peoples lived as truly owned slaves under companies and individuals, enduring varying standards of living, usually ranging from poor conditions to abject hardship.

The Eokoesr remnant that migrated to Kupeya numbered almost three million. They continued their ceremonial slavery purpose, enduring conditions of complete dehumanization, extreme hardship, and humiliation. Although their work was often more performative than economically useful, as their numbers grew, they increasingly participated in the true economy of the region.

Lukonos and Hastos

Lukonos, when absorbed into Hergom, was home to numerous tribal societies living off the land through subsistence agriculture. By 7681, these communities had evolved into towns and villages established by the Wolgos to host the Chalam and exploit their labor in agriculture, mining, and industry. These communities enjoyed a high degree of autonomy, relying on personal subsistence agriculture to survive, but were administered wholly by Wolgos overseers and governors. By 7682, Wolgos cities and villages had sprung up in Lukonos, but the Wolgos constituted only about fifty percent of the population.

Hastos had a more developed population with villages and a semblance of centralization into petty kingdoms that retained more autonomy. The Gahnam of the region maintained an elite class appointed by the Wolgos to rule over them. These local elites provided labor and tribute, either as labor or produce, to the Wolgos. By 7681, the local elites were subordinate to the Bureau of Eokoesr Affairs and had to navigate the demands of Wolgos tribal conglomerates, which developed the region and gradually stifled economic autonomy. The Wolgos made up around ten percent of the population in Hastos, living in few notable-sized cities, often within mixed cities in upscale Wolgos districts.

Alutea

Alutea enjoyed the highest degree of autonomy within Hergom. The region was organized into local principalities, each maintaining its own administrative systems and governance structures. These principalities held a recognized legal standing within the broader framework of Hergom and relied on it for protection and essential infrastructure services. The princes of Alutea were integrated into Hergom’s economic system, participating in the political and economic affairs of the region.

The local rulers were encouraged to modernize their economies to blend seamlessly with that of Hergom. This integration often meant allowing Wolgos tribal conglomerates to establish operations within their territories, employing local labor at low wages or demanding labor tribute. This arrangement benefited the Wolgos economically while maintaining a semblance of autonomy for the local principalities. Hergom occasionally requisitioned lands for national purposes, but such requisitions typically required compensation for the local elites, ensuring that their cooperation was secured and that resistance was minimized.

Despite the relative autonomy, the influence of Hergom was pervasive, shaping the economic and political landscape of Alutea. The local principalities became increasingly dependent on Hergom for economic opportunities and infrastructure development, subtly eroding their independence over time.

Sterpleudha

Sterpleudha, before the Wolgos expansion, was a sparsely populated region inhabited by hunter-gatherer tribes who survived in the harsh tundra environment. These tribes led a precarious existence, relying on their intimate knowledge of the land to eke out a living from the limited resources available. However, by 7681, these indigenous tribes had long been obliterated, and the region had been entirely transformed.

The Wolgos established settlements and military bases throughout Sterpleudha, exploiting its natural resources to support their growing industrial and economic needs. The region was characterized by its harsh climate and rugged terrain, which presented significant challenges but also offered abundant resources that were highly valued by the Wolgos.

The settlements in Sterpleudha were strategically located to maximize resource extraction, and the military presence ensured the security of these operations. The region became a hub for mining, logging, and other resource-intensive activities, with the Wolgos settlers forming the entirety of the population. The indigenous cultures and social structures were systematically dismantled, leaving no trace of the original inhabitants and transforming Sterpleudha into a vital part of Hergom’s economic infrastructure.

Tzeraka

Tzeraka presented a stark contrast to regions like Alutea and Hastos due to the Wolgos' unwillingness to make concessions. The Wolgos systematically transported the local population away, dispersing them as serfs across Hergom to weaken their social cohesion and minimize resistance. By 7681, only about forty percent of Tzeraka's population were natives, with the majority being Wolgos settlers who had moved in to claim the land and resources.

Following the Second Coalition War, the Wolgos implemented a deliberate policy of cultural and social erasure. They destroyed all signs of the old regimes and social structures to eliminate any legitimate ownership claims over the lands by the native populations. This included the destruction of historical sites, cultural artifacts, and any symbols of the previous societal organization.

The new Wolgos settlers established their own communities, farms, and industrial sites, effectively replacing the old ways of life with their own. The local economy was restructured to serve the needs of the Wolgos, with extensive agricultural, mining, and industrial activities taking place. The region was also heavily militarized to ensure control and prevent any resurgence of native resistance.

The Wolgos aimed to fully resettle Tzeraka and integrate it into Hergom by eliminating native autonomy and establishing a new societal order that aligned with their own cultural and economic objectives. This transformation was marked by a significant influx of Wolgos settlers, who imposed their ways of life and systematically eradicated the remnants of the native cultures.