Arcadian Altanate

Arcadia (Arcadian: Arqadia [arˈkaːdja]), officially the Sublime Arcadian Altanate (Arcadian: Altanaša Arqadiava Cedaxa), is a nation located on the northeastern portion of the continent of Koganon. It is a theocratic semi-constitutional monarchy, led by a religious and political leader called an Altan. Under the Altan is the Zeta, a second in command, as well as a group of advisors known as the Council of Electors, which elects the Altan. The official capital and seat of government is the holy city of Wahat Almarjan, although the towny capital is located in the city of Kais Kogong. The largest city is Kais Termina, in the southern portion of the Altanate's core territory on Koganon. The Altanate is the center of the holy Mufijo Faith, with all of its current followers living within the Altanate's territory. The divine mission of the Altanate is to befriend and peacefully convert Alathrans to the faith of Mufijo, although it rarely undertakes many efforts to fulfill this sacred goal.

Etymology
The name 'Arcadia' comes from the Kogongi word 'Arkhat' meaning 'land that has sun on both sides' due to how the sun could be seen rising and setting on the ocean from the peninsula. From there the word was picked up by Kogongi fisher men who used it to describe the peninsula, a hot spot for fishermen from all over the surrounding area to rest, causing the word to interchange with other cultures to a point where it eventually came to be pronounced as 'Arkada' and it came to mean 'view of the rising and setting sun'. Once settlement came to 'Arkada', the people of nearby Kais Kogong began to refer to the area as 'Arcadia' or 'land of the rising and setting sun'.

Pre-Arcadian History
The territory of Arcadia was mainly inhabited by the Kogongi before the arrival of the Altan. The Arcadian Peninsula and Atolia Island were mainly used by fishermen as a resting ground, it has also been said that the area was popular amongst Kogongi younglings looking for a place to swim. The land around Kais Kogong, Gint, and Yoko was and is still known as the Cotona Forests, a sacred place for the Kogongi people. The mountains of Bal Duran were also an important religious site to the Kogongi. To the south, the harsh snowy lands of southern Kogongu Province and Icesteel Province were inhabited by the Terminai Kogongi, a offshoot of the Kogongi cut off from their cousins by a torrential blizzard, separating the two groups for hundreds of years. The Altanate's former and current territories on Gaushan had seperate histories, with the ancient town of Hightower (formerly Winterhallow or Herrm) being established long before the Altanate's ascension, while areas around Chorgassia (The Highlands) and Peachfield were inhabited by several Elyrian and Chorgassian tribes. The Altanate's territories on Prospit, near Odestra Deova and Thespin Plain, were home to several Yuvantiyan (Arcadian) tribes who followed the Mufijo faith, most of whom would later move to Wahat Almarjan, and later, around the Altanate's territory.

In the legends of the Mufijo Faith, long before Alathra's recorded history, much of the Altanate's territory on Koganon and Prospit was supposedly part of the Empire of Arop, led by a fallen god of the faith also responsible for creating humanity. When the three great gods noticed Arop's designs of conquest in Alathra, they removed him, leading to the freedom of the Kogongi, yet also the aforementioned great blizzard that was responsible for the development of the Terminai.

Establishing Wahat Almarjan


Arcadia itself began originally with it's capital city: Wahat Almarjan. The town formed in early April of 2021 as apart of Kogongu and was largely stagnant in terms of development, never going far beyond the humble home and farm of its founder, Pitru Punstraia (IAmTheSenate13), there was also another resident known as Pmak who was homeless. Pitru had traveled Alathra in search of a permanent home, after being forced to leave his former home realm of Yuvantiya for his own safety and survival. He eventually met the Kogongi of the burgeoning nation of Kogongu, who offered him a home on the Arcadian Peninsula, a tract of land north of Kogongu's capital Kais Kogong. During this first meeting, Pitru made the acquaintance of the druid Vasya and the builder Glider Fraemani, with the latter helping Pitru etablish and begin the preliminary constructions of the Great Mosque of Jiba the Wise. These plans stalled however, and Pitru soon went into the previously mentioned life of recluse, living alone on his small farm at the tip of the peninsula.

Establishment of the Altanate
After roughly 2 months of inactivity as well as some internal down falls within Kogongu, Glider Fraemani opted to join Wahat Almarjan in order to help develop it and form a new nation alongside Pitru and Pmak. According to legend, the three residents would all be visited in their dreams by one of the three gods of the Mufijo Faith, Pitru by Afi - God of the Sun, Pmak by Jorb - God of the Moon, and Glider by Xamu - God of the Land. The gods bestowed the noble title of Mumba upon them, and tasked them to found a great nation from which to preach and spread the Mufijo faith. Taking its name from the peninsula it sat upon, the Arcadian Altanate was born. As the oldest follower out of the three mumbas, Pitru, would be chosen to lead Arcadia as its first Altan.

Growth of the Nation
From there, the three began to build up their nation and develop their capital city. They also began to build up better gear so that they could more easily build structures and defend themselves. On August 11, 2021, Lopov (Ausgint), a native Kogongi from the Cotona Forests south of Wahat, joined the Altanate after founding his own settlement known as Gint. From then on, he would become a wealthy, well-equipped, and influential resident of Arcadia, who donated much of his wealth to the nation to help it grow.

Around the time of August 15th, after roughly a week of improving relations, Atolia Island opted to join the Altanate and became the growing nation's third city. Atolia would go on to become the industrial heartland of the nation, producing stacks upon stacks of various goods that it would sell in its widely used general store, allowing the residents there to become considerably rich. The islanders would also go on to build a number of different notable structures including the Tower of Atolia, the Atolian Underwater Market, as well as the Trans-Atolian-Wahati tunnel which was a joint effort between the two towns. The addition of new people and towns allowed for a further consolidation of resources for construction and the military. Unfortunately, the military would need these resources, as tensions began to reach a breaking point just after the annexation of Atolia on the 15th of August.

Great Alathran War
As the burgeoning and powerful Kingdom of Elyria acted on its intentions to decolonize Gaushan, several nations, including the Altanate, took interest. Elyria was allied with Acquendavia, a powerful empire on Prospit which in the past had oppressed the Kogongi people, and the Altanate, along with its neighbor Lydoneia, became increasingly concerned for their own safety. A meeting was thus held in the Lydoneian capital of Haven to discuss these threats, yet this was complicated by the Elyrians discovering the meeting and what was discussed. Mercifully, the powerful kingdom let the incident slide, yet this did nothing to deter the worries of the Altanate. As such, representatives of the Altanate went on to sign a Non-Agression Pact/Alliance with the then revered Fossores Republic in order to boost their diplomatic presence on the world stage; and to plan for war.

Shortly after the negotiation of this pact, intel was received that Elyria planned to declare war on the Federation of Arith, prompting the creation of the anti-Elyrian organization known as the Alathran Entente. After a brief meeting discussing general strategy and goals between the alliance members, the Altanate declared war on Elyria on August 19, 2021, along with the rest of the Entente. The Great War would involve most of the population of the Altanate, some of whom were trained well in the art of swords or axes. This skill amongst a select few Arcadians did little to stave off the disastrous first day of the war, in which most, if not all, of the Altanate's fighters were defeated in the Battles of Nevermore Castle and Peachfield. With the Entente's armies and morale in tatters, as well as no supply of armor or weaponry to replenish the Arcadian Royal Defense Force (ARDF), Altan Pitru sued for peace with Elyria, negotiating a remarkably merciful peace deal with the Eiric, King of Elyria.

Post War Period
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Annexation of Kogongu
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Population Boom
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As a Great Power
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Secession of Eldia
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Reorganization and Revival
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Geography
In the very early days of Arcadia, the nation encompassed only the aptly titled Arcadian Peninsula (affectively where Wahat Almarjan rests today), with a small area in the southern forests of Cotona also under its possesion. The peninsula itself could be described as a barren and flat coastal grassland with small caves found in the south along with a handful of small ponds. The peninsula is also surrounded by several coral reefs, from which Wahat Almarjan takes its name. The land possessed by the Altanate at the time in the Kogongi forests are hilly with tough rock found only a few feet below the surface as well as a few small ponds. East of the Arcadian Peninsula is the island of Atolia, another territory of the Altanate. It is a flat, grassy, and sandy island surrounded by many reefs, similar to the Arcadian Peninsula.

Following the annexation of Kogongu, the separate purchases of Winterhallow and Peachfield, and the acquisition of disconnected territories on Koganon, Arcadia's geography became highly diversified, with the nation now spanning across up to 6-7 different biomes.

Ecology
Little plant life besides small shrubs, tall grass, Cacti, and a very small amount of oak trees are truly native to the Arcadian peninsula. Many species were brought in from other lands nearby such as Gaushan, where Acacia saplings were found and then brought back where they would go on to be a very popular plant amongst the people of Wahat Almarjan. Bamboo was also imported, however; it is not known from where it came but scholars believe it may have come from the jungles of nearby Prospit. A number of different flowers can also be found, it is believed the vast majority of them are not native besides the rose bushes and oxeye Daisies. In the South, the land is dotted by mainly dark oak trees, mushroom trees, and a few Birch trees, all of which are connected to a larger forest within the borders of Kogongu. The fauna of modern day Arcadia is quite diverse but this is mostly thanks to creatures being imported from other lands. It is believed that the only animals that originally inhabited the peninsula were sheep, chickens, and horses. Cows and pigs can now be found roaming around Arcadian lands and have managed to fit in well with the various species native to the area.

Administrative Divisions
The Arcadian Altanate is divided into 7 provinces, 1 autonomous province, and 1 territory. Each province and territory retains a governor appointed by the Altan, with the main distinction between the two supposedly being population. While provinces have several active, contributing players, territories are designated as areas that have lower active populations, no matter whether they were just brought into Arcadia or simply struggle to sustain an active populace. After the Eldian Secession and abolition of the Senate, provinces and territories ceased most of their official functions, though they often serve as unifying institutions for the diverse peoples living across their land.

Government
"(NOTE: This section is heavily outdated and will be updated upon the completion of the new Arcadian constitution)"The Altanate is theocratic state, organized as an semi-constitutional monarchy. The Altan, a position akin to a prince-bishop or caliph, is the supreme religious and executive authority in the nation, acting as head of state. The Altan's powers are heavily limited, and is bounded by the Arcadian Constitution to act as a near figurehead monarch. Despite this, the Altan still retains heavy influence in state affairs, as well as some vestiges of real power in governance. The Altan also must approve elected Prime Ministers and bills passed by the Senate. If either is vetoed, the Senate may convene and override the Altan with a 5/6 majority vote. In addition, the Altan may act on state matters with royal edicts, which do not require senatorial approval, but may be dismissed by the Holy Senate with a 5/6 majority vote. The Altan also must be from a Mufijo Clan. The position of Altan is currently occupied by Glider Fraemani (Game_Glider_SKG), who has held the title since the abdication of the first Altan of Arcadia, Pitru Punstraia (IAmTheSenate13), on January 1, 2022.

Directly subordinate to the Altan are the Electors, who sit on the Council of Electors. Those on the council are trusted higher-ups in the Arcadian government, and are members of the Punstraia Clan, the family from which the Altan heads and descends from. The Electors, upon the death, incapacitation, or abdication of the Altan, are tasked with convening to elect a new Altan from amongst themselves. According to the Holy Book of the Mufijo Faith, the Mufijoreon, anyone who wishes to rule with the approval of the Gods must be a member of a Mufijo clan (such as the Punstraia). Because anyone who is an Elector is a member of the Punstraia Clan, they are eligible to be the next Altan, and are also divinely approved in the eyes of the religion that they now head. Electors may be added or removed from the Council at the Altan's pleasure.

The Prime Minister of Arcadia is a directly elected office, voted on by the people in every General Election. The Prime Minister is the head of government in Arcadia, acting as the executive branch. The Prime Minister deals with all matters of state, both foreign and domestic. They administrate the national government of Arcadia, with counsel form the Altan, introduce legislation toe Holy Senate, conduct diplomacy with foreign nations, and serve the people of Arcadia. The Prime Minister may also appoint a cabinet of advisors and officials to fulfill certain tasks and goals. Notable cabinet positions include a High Ambassador, General of the ARDF, and Admiral of the Arcadian Navy. Prime Ministerial terms last for three weeks, and terms cannot be served concurrently. The position of Prime Minister is currently occupied by Aurvengr, who was elected to the position on January 12, 2022.

The Holy Senate is consisted of several senators, with one elected from each province, who act as the legislative body for Arcadia. Senators propose bills, and may pass them after obtaining a 3/5 simple majority. Upon approval by the Altan, the bill is enacted into law. As previously mentioned, if the Altan is to veto a law, the Senate may override him with a 4/5 majority vote. Senatorial terms last for three weeks, and all senate seats are up for grabs during each general election.

Political History
The Arcadian Altanate has a complex political history. It has had many customs of governance throughout its tenure of sovereignty, which scholars have divided into several eras.

Arcadia was originally an oligarchic and absolute monarchy under the Altan and his first two subjects: the Mumbas. This period, known as the Mumbocratic Era, was characterized by several features, chief among them being the lack of democratic institutions due to the small population in the Altanate. Other features of this era included the warlike nature of the Altanate; most clearly shown in its short participation in the Great Alathran War, an infrastructure and land area deficiency, and a heavy focus on transcribing religious texts.

In September of 2021, demands for democratization from Mumba/High Ambassador Glider and the growing population of the Altanate led to the first political reforms since the founding of the Arcadia. In this Senatorial Era, over the course of the month, a group of prominent citizens from towns all over the Altanate were appointed by the Altan as the first democratic institution in Arcadia's history: the Holy Senate. The Holy Senate was tasked with creating bills, debating and discussing, and ultimately voting on whether to approve the motion/bill. The Altan had his powers drastically diminished, although he still remained as the executive and had the power to make alliances, represent the nation abroad, and veto laws sent to him by the Senate. The senate could then override this veto if they saw fit with a 3/4 majority. This first Senate, however, proved to be quite bloated and inefficient, prompting an administrative and governmental reform in late September - early October. This next period became known as the Provincial Era, with Arcadia being divided into several provinces, each of which would elect one senator to represent them in the Holy Senate and have a governor appointed by the Altan. The Senate would retain many of its previous powers, but would also have the ability to elect a prime minister. This prime minister would serve as a secondary executive, indirectly elected by the people. The prime minister originally served for a term of only two weeks, but upon the announcement of the election of the Second Session of the Holy Senate on October 11, 2021, the Altan declared that the next session of the Senate would have a duration of 1 month. The first elections to this new, more efficient Senate took place in early October. In a high-stakes senate vote of 2-1, leader of the Arcadian Reform Party, ClanofwadaC30, became the first Prime Minister of Arcadia.

Then, in mid November of 2021, further reforms were made to the election rules. The Prime Minister became a position elected by a nationwide vote, not just the Senate. In addition, for the first time, the Altan defined the basic duties of the Prime Minister and Senators. Governor, High Ambassador, and Mumba Game_Glider_SKG was voted in as the first directly elected Prime Minister of the Altanate on November 20, 2021. This era of governance, known as the Reformation Era, takes its name from Prime Minister Glider's political party, the Arcadian Reform Party. While it was completed by Altan Pitru in late November, the constitution of the Altanate was not officially ratified until mid-December of 2021. This ratification formally put in place a political situation characterized by a heavy emphasis on democracy, official definitions for roles in the government, and an increasing amount of disagreement within the national government. Scholars have aptly titled this time as the Constitutional Era.

The Constitutional Era would come to an abrupt end in early March of 2022 with the secession of Eldia. As democracy seemed to have failed the Altanate, and political instability was worse than ever, the Senate was dissolved, the constitution was discarded, and Altan Glider was allowed to reinstate rule by decree. For the next few months, Arcadia pushed on without a constitution or any citizen involvement. However, new additions to the government were still made. As a new constitution focusing more on the powers of the faith and Altan was being written, several individuals became leaders of new Ministries within the national government, all reporting directly to the Altan and his new second in command, the Zeta. This period, marked by the Altan's absolute rule, is rather unsurprisingly known as the Absolute Era.

By late July of 2022, the new constitution, the Altan's Law, was officially completed, beginning the current period in Arcadian politics, the Theocratic Era. This constitution reinstated limited democracy in the form of the Chamber of Deputies, defined the ministries' powers and enshrined them in law, officialized the end of governors, and established the faith as a powerful part of the government. From mid-June 2022 until the new constitution's completion, Arcadia had actually followed many of the protocols and rules in the document, even though it had yet to be written down officially. For this reason, some suggest that the Theocratic Era actually began in June, rather than July.

History
The Altanate was originally quite isolationist, holding a policy of no diplomatic relations upon its founding. In the coming months after her founding, however, Arcadia would come to abandon this foolish policy and establish strong ties with several nations. The Altan appointed trusted Mumba and old friend Game Glider to the position of High Ambassador, a crucial diplomatic position that Glider has held to this day. The first diplomatic agreement was reached with Atolia Island in late-July, and the international relations of the Altanate would only multiply from there.

As tensions began to increase across Alathra in mid-August, Arcadia met with their southern neighbor Lydoneia to address the perceived threats of Acquendavia and Elyria. Soon after, on August 18, 2021, the Altanate entered into a defensive and economic agreement with Pyrrhia and the Fossores Republic respectively. The next day, August 19th, saw Arcadia join the Altathran Entente, a coalition of six nations committed to containing Elyria. The Altanate also issued its first declaration of war on this day, together with all the members of the Alathran Entente, against Elyria, beginning the Great Alathran War. The conflict went poorly for Arcadia, its forces along with the rest of the Entente were decimated on the first day of battle, August 20th. Negotiations were swiftly opened with Elyria, with the kings of Peachfield providing generous terms in form of moderate reparations and the return of none of the armor lost in the war. While her allies in the Fossores Republic, Pyrrhia, the Kingdoms of Arith, and the Federation of Arith all collapsed or became dormant, Arcadia pulled through.

On August 31, 2021, Arcadia annexed its inactive ally Kogongu. This would be a major factor in the diplomatic rise of Arcadia, as the nation has become better known amongst the people of Alathra, and attracted allies old and new. Lydoneia stayed a firm ally of Arcadia, while relations with Elyria were repaired. The Lethonians have agreed to protect Arcadia if any nation were to attack the nation's holdings on Koganon, providing a powerful defensive ally on Arcadia's home contienent. In mid-September, an alliance was agreed upon between Arcadia and the recently reestablished U.S.A, specifically in response to the Aemsa Crisis. In early October, during his term as the first Prime Minister of Arcadia, ClanofwadaC30, appointed the first official diplomats other than Game Glider, including Lopov of Gint, who secured the Altanate a mutual defense pact with the powerful Kingdom of Encavia, and Haij Tumal of Odestra Deova, who helped mediate and reason with King Theodmer of Estea during the Styx Crisis.

Economy
Will be written soon.

Languages
The cradle of the nation, the Arcadian Peninsula, was devoid of permanent settlement for most of its recent history, but was frequently visited by Kogongi fishermen who spoke Kogongi. In the areas of modern day Kais Kogong, Gint, Bal Duran, and Kais Jerriko, however, there were significant populations of indigenous Kogongi, who, like their brethren that occasionally visited the Arcadian peninsula, spoke Kogongi. When Pitru Punstraia originally arrived on the Arcadian Peninsula, founding the future capital of Arcadia at Wahat Almarjan, he brought with him the Ddazan dialect of the Prospitian language Yuvantiyan. The standardized variety of this dialect became Arcadian, taking its name from the peninsula on which the original Altan first settled and where the Altanate began.

Arcadian acts as the religious and political lingua franca of the Altanate, crossing different cultures and languages of the Mufijo faithful to quicken communication. All signage, books, and assorted religious materials must be printed in Arcadian. Kogongi is still used heavily by the Kogongi people residing in Arcadia, but was not a recognized language at the beginning of the Altanate. However, after requests by the Kogongi for more linguistic rights, particularly the Mumba Glider Fraemani of Kais Kogong, the Altan Pitru relented and let the Kogongi language become nationally recognized.

When the Dwarves of Kharn Burim emerged from the Mountain of Bal Duran, they brought with them yet another language to spoken by the Altanate's people, Dwarvish. Unlike Kogongi, Dwarvish had a much simpler route to national recognition, and was declared to be a national language by the Altan mere days after Bal Duran joined Arcadia. In the province of Icesteel, there is a language family that has flourished in isolation. The language family diverged from Proto-Kogongi around 2,000 years ago. The people moved south into the fields and meadows of what is now the Icesteel Province and Northwestern Lydoneia. The people in these regions were hit by a climate disaster that turned the area into a snowy tundra dotted with sparse trees and shrubs providing berries and fruit only once a year. By the time the Icesteelian people adapted to the new climate, they had divided into two areas and two languages, Western and Eastern Icesteelian. By the time that the Icesteelian people were taken from their homes, the languages were divided into 4, Terminan, Qemandar, Kumatarian, Kumeterian. Centuries passed and the Icesteelian tribes returned to their homeland and were lead by Kīgamotūgwo Gusisena. They went to a town called Sūrare’askē and were offered refuge, but were kicked out once day broke. They called the Icesteelians crazy and primative when the Icesteelian Councilmen told them that another blizzard was coming. After leaving Sūrare’askē, the Kumateri tribe left and went to the fields above Kais Termina. The Eastern Icesteelians made the trek to Kais Termina and were welcomed with open arms and a place of refuge. 50 years after, the Kumateri tribe joined into the town of Kais Termina. The peoples language merged with each others along with the influence of the lingua franca, Arcadian and the related language of Kogongi. Many words were imported and the grammar changed. Old Terminan is a language of harshness, while Classical Terminan is one of pristine and peacefulness.

As for the westernmost territories of the Altanate, in an area known previously as the Highlands, an long ignored ethnic group speak a tongue dissimilar from their Elyrian neighbors. Chorgassians, as they are known, speak the aptly named Chorgassian language. This tongue has only gained limited recognition in recent years, with it being considered a mere dialect of Elyrian in the past.

Towns

 * Wahat Almarjan
 * Gint
 * Atolia
 * Kais Kogong
 * Bal Duran
 * Spadecrown
 * Anchridge
 * Kais Termina
 * Kais Jerriko
 * Odestra Deova
 * Toscurnama
 * Peachfield
 * New Pacitta
 * Lordan
 * Draknewt
 * Kais Uthdur
 * Sentinel
 * Sumesra
 * Cresvlits

Trivia

 * The national animal of Arcadia is the elephant, an ancient symbol of both the Mufijo Faith and the Arcadian people