Liaghwa

Capital		Ngujang
Official languages		Anulanic, Standard Kreng
Ethnic groups		Duqanic
Demonym		Liaghwese
Government		constitutional monarcho-kuulist state
-	Ngisu, King/Queen
Legislature		Holy Congress
Independence from the Kyenese Empire on February 3, 1952
Population
-	2020 estimate	10,247,000

Liaghwa (Anulanic: Country [IPA]), officially the United Kingdom of Liaghwa, is a country located in Western Soltenna bordering Karduv and shares a maritime border with Awarahl and Ngelthe-

History

Ancient History

During the First Warring States period in 770-580 BCE, several thousands of Kyenese fled the coastal provinces of the Mor Dynasty around the Andu Sea. This group, later named the Daidaini, traveled west until they reached the Silai peninsula and the Agaraz mountains, where they founded the settlement of Leka some time in the 700s BCE. The Daidaini splintered and sporadically settled the Balamiu region. War raged in the old dynasty and a steady flow of Kyenese refuges sought relief in the west. The settlements of Leka, Anaya, and Kuye grew with the influx of refuges and by 600 BCE each had formed their own nations. Both Leka and Anaya formed loose tribal confederacies, while Kuye had a more city-state approach to its own confederacy.

Central to Liaghwese ancient history was the city of Anaya. It was located directly across from the Aluzi Island and the Anshusakimal, a pre-Ngerupic people native to the island. Some time in the 700s BCE the Anshusakimal had founded their own settlement across from Anaya, it was called Alzamil. Sporadic conflict between the two settlements has been noted by both archaeological evidence and early writings by the Daidaini people. Whatever hostilities the two did have were soon put aside as trade flourished between them. Surviving oral Anshusakimal legends describe the Daidaini as “a people blessed by the gods to be makers of beauty;” the Anshusakimal were fascinated by Daidaini fine craftsmanship and art. The Daidaini were known for their skill in arts, crafts, and weaving. In return the Anshusakimal provided many raw goods like timber, stone, fur, fish, and livestock. Very quickly a pidgin language was formed between the Anayan and Alzamil settlements.

In 500 BCE much has changed politically in the Balamiu region. The Alliance of Kuyen City-States grow in power thanks to their trade along the coast and upriver, the Lekan are now known as the Huro Dynasty and have formed their own centralized monarchy with their capital as Leka, and the Anayan tribes have unified into one chiefdom. Relations with the tribe of Alzamil and the chiefdom of Anaya have warmed significantly to the point that a creole has developed to communicate. This language was one of the first identifying clues of a new culture being created.

By 400 BCE the tribes of Alzamil and Anaya had merged into one tribe, now called the Irchanaza, which means “dancing fish” in the pre-Ngerupic language. During this period the Aluzi island was divided by dozens of Anshusakimal tribes, with the Irchanaza tribe being the wealthiest and strongest. The unified tribe expanded both on Aluzi and the mainland. The Huro Dynasty has since all but fallen apart due to unrest and riots within the country and conquest from both the Irchanaza and the Kuyens. The Kuyen Confederacy of City-States has flourished and begun centralizing its power under the founding city of Kuye.

346 BCE was a notable year in the Balamiu region because the Huro Dynasty fell to the Irchanaza tribe and its scattered lands eaten by its neighbors. With the destruction of Leka hostilities between Irchanaza and Kuye, now the Yikasi Dynasty (thousand thunders), has sparked to life with many skirmishes along the border. In 345 BCE the Irchanazans launched a brutal raid on the town of Gomiti, where they razed many buildings and shockingly sacrificed a number of prisoners to their gods. In response the Yikasi Dynasty officially declared war on the Irchanaza Tribe. The next few years Irchanzan forces are beaten back and suffered loss after loss due to overwhelming Yikasi numbers and superior weaponry. With a new strong Anshusakimal tribe emerging on Aluzi, the Irchanaza tribe was fighting wars on two sides and quickly became weakened. In 341 BCE Yikasi pushed back Irchanazan forces to within 40 miles of the city of Anaya, and in 340 BCE Anaya was captured and subdued. The War of Gomiti then hung in limbo as neither side was able to gain hold in each other’s land as both sides guarded their coasts ferociously. In 339 BCE Yikasi forces managed to land just north of Irchanazan territory and traveled south until they engaged and attacked at the village of Ulamagimudz “snowy owl village.” The Battle of Ulamigmudz lasted an entire week until Yikasi forces were destroyed. Both sides were severely weakened by this battle, with Irchanazan forces estimated to have lost up to two thirds of their army in that single engagement. A month later Irchanaza sued for peace and officially gave up its conquered territory on the mainland. The War of Gomiti lasted 6 years in total.

Politics

wip The United Kingdom of Liaghwa is a cross between a multiparty Kuulist state and a constitutional monarchy. The Holy Congress of Sukihap (pending name), is a council of hundreds of members, consisting of Hanulan religious figures and politicians that act as both the legislatory body and the executive body. The congress elects a Ngisu (basically king/queen), that acts as both the highest judicial figure, and a ceremonial leader of the clans. The Ngisu has some executive powers as well, but over all is subject to the people (congress) as their civil servant. The Judicial Congress (pending name) operates similar to the Sukihap in the sense it is run by a massive council of members.

Government

kuulist AND constitutional monarchy

Foreign relations

wip Diplomatically the Kingdom is a minor power worldwide, and even in Soltenna it isn’t extremely well known, usually taking a backseat in regionwide politics, choosing to follow in Kyenese or Kuulist footsteps unless it goes against their traditional cultural values.

Economy

wip Liaghwa is a Kuulist economy with a black market capitalist underbelly that relies heavily on manufacturing as its main source of economic output. Extraction of minerals also contributes substantially to the economy. The Clans step in and distribute resources wherever needed within the community. Unlike traditional Kuulist ideology (though Liaghwa already isn't traditionally Kuulist because of the monarchy...), citizens of Liaghwa do have a stipend of money that the government pays out every month (or maybe year?). Liaghwese can own their own personal belongings, but the clans provide shelter, food and water (in the form of redeemable grocery stamps), land/property, livestock, and automobiles. Private owned businesses are illegal though the government has more or less turned a blind eye toward this as of late due to the steady economic growth of the country because of the black market. Maybe in the future a hybrid Kuulist-capitalist economy will emerge. (idk still gotta hash out the details to all this)

Transport

primarily car, there is a few notable train lines that span the main island

Energy

coal and...

Tourism

not really

Demographics

wip The Duqanic clans consist of proud, honorable, traditional, egalitarian, and at times, backwards, people. The country is about 82% Duqanic, a Kreng people who migrated over from Qonk territories back in the First Warring States Period, roughly 800-500 BCE. Modern Kwai (Kreng?) people were settled by the Kyenese Empire in order to establish more control over the territory; they consist about 10% of all Liaghwese. About 8% of citizens are of a different ethnic group.

Ethnic groups

wip Duqan, Kreng, random

Religion

wip Traditional Duqanic religion is Hanula (pending name); consisting of 4 major deities, each coinciding with the major elements (earth,fire,water,air), and many spirits. Some beliefs include: balance/harmony with nature and the universe, honor above all, all other religions are false, the Duqanic are the chosen holy people, and prosylitizing is discouraged. Still am working on this religion. To this day, the people are usually pretty religious. About 79% of the country still practices Hanulan, and the next most popular belief is Atheism, followed by Iovism.

Hanulan also encourages cannibalism, but after Kyenese occupation in the 1900s the practice is not as popular as it once was. There is an ancient ritual battle practice called Lekwam; during battle warriors carve out the hearts of enemies and eat their hearts, both as a “sacrifice” to the gods and an intimidation tactic. Other body parts may also be consumed, but is not as common. Nowadays, the only legal way to practice cannibalism is by traditional Duqanic duel for honor/disputes. Scholars are not entirely certain where cannibalistic practices originated, but there is strong evidence that the pre-Ngerupic people that inhabited the main island of Liaghwa practiced cannibalism before the Duqanic absorbed the people into their society.

Sects: Tarala Often simply just called Nimowadi due to having the majority of adherents, Tarala is considered to be the original interpretation of the religion. The name Tarala means “holy faith” in Old Anulanic. WIP

Buzhiji Traditionally known as Buzhiji, meaning “the Divine New Society” in Old Anulanic was created by Saint Zhoto Zachu Jegoa in the year 1340 in the Syakemonoa Province in eastern Liaghwa after years of brutal Maithic pillaging. Buzhiji advocates for total separation from the physical world through devotion to the Four Lords and spiritual enlightenment. Buzhites believe that the feminine spirits are superior to the masculine; both the priesthood and society function under a matriarchy where hierachy is determined by an individual’s prestige and honor. Historically, Buzhiji has been considered a heretical sect by mainstream Nimowadi. After centuries of persecution and oppression, in the 1920’s Buzhiji has been ultimately accepted as part of Nimowadi, albeit reluctantly due to the staggering amount of converts in the 20th century. Tensions continue to simmer under a façade of coexistence.

Tukuro Tukuro is a widely condemned sect of Nimowadi, yet still popular among the laymen with estimates ranging from NUMBER to NUMBER. Tukuro has murky origins, in that Saint NAME privately wrote his ideas in his journals and then crossed out the pages. After the death of Saint NAME his household servants discovered his writings and published his work posthumously, where it then gained traction as a legitamite practice or way of life. Scholars speculate whether or not Saint NAME actually believed in Tukuro, or he simply thought it was too heretical. Tukuro is a widely condemned sect of Nimowadi, yet still popular among the laymen with estimates ranging from NUMBER to NUMBER. Tukuro had a slow and difficult start when it emerged from the writings of Saint NAME, and then popularized by some of his followers after his death in 1503; from its very birth people criticized and denounced this sect. Following the basic tenets and beliefs of Nimowadi, the overarching goal of this sect is to accomplish enlightenment not through dutiful obedience and reverence to the Four Lords, but by using the gods to attain fame or legendary status: or in other words, Tukuran enlightenment. Tukuro roughly means “the Great Game.” This sect is often described as nihilisitc, though not really true as the ultimate goal in life for followers is to become famous no matter the costs, whether through grand acts of kindness or incredible evil. Several Liaghwese throughout history have achieved Tukuran enlightenment: such as Master (or Mother) Zelhe Gakai Roichi, a woman famed for her business acumen, philanthropy, and investment and funding of orphanages across Soltenna; or Zhum Datashu Zoiha, the infamous warlord and leader of the Zoiha clan in the 1780s who committed genocide against the Buzapa clan and personally raped thousands of women throughout his eight year reign. Both of these historical persons are revered in Tukuro as examples of achieving enlightenment.

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Culture

Architecture

Liaghwese architecture is a style of architecture native to Duqanic society in western Soltenna. Influenced considerably over the millenias by nearby cultures, especially Krengic culture, Liaghwese architecture has evolved significantly, but the core design and values have stayed the same: harmony and balance between nature and humans in a communal setting. Different styles have developed wherever Duqanic people have lived depending on the local environment and climate.

The Liaghwese islands to this day are heavily forested, and as such wood is an incredibly important material seen all over Duqanic architecture. Stone and other minerals native to the islands also make up a significant portion of Duqanic architecture. Unique styles and artwork decorate buildings.

The two main building types that are quintessentially Liaghwese are the large residential Vadong compounds and the tall Shozhema tower temples.