Hlenderia: Difference between revisions

The '''Commonwealth of Hlenderia''', officially the '''Hlenderian Commonwealth of Mūnim, Kwarim, and Vrotrim''', is a country that occupies most of the island of Hayaneste, [[Gondwana]], except for the most northwesternmost portion occupied by [[Joralesia]]. Hlenderia is a [[wikipedia:Multinational state|multiethnic state]] divided between the Mūni, Kwari, and Vrotri peoples.<ref>{{Cite book |title=The Trinational System |last1=Andalen |first1=Serer |last2=Merrith |first2=Lendras |publisher=Norrith Encyclopedics |year=2009 |pages=6}}</ref> The majority of Hlenderia has a subarctic climate, dominated by boreal forest and wetland. The extreme southeast of the island, allocated to the Mūni people, is dominated by tundra. The western coast, mostly Vrotri ancestral land, has a milder oceanic climate. The capital, Pelachis, is located in the northwest of the country, near the border with Joralesia, along the Pela River. Hlenderia's largest city, Norrith, is located on the northern coast in ethnic Kwari land.

Archaeological evidence indicates that Hayaneste was settled at least four thousand years ago, but the first written records describing the Mūni, Kwari, and Vrotri peoples dates to the 6th century BCE.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Heleandus |first=Aldin |date=2003 |title=An Analysis of Potsherds Found at the Oramini Site |journal=Hlenderian Language and Literature |volume=15 |issue=1 |pages=1–15}}</ref> These ethnic groups would unite in the face of foreign threats, but would also often fight among themselves over farming and grazing rights, religious differences, or trade disputes. The modern state of Hlenderia was formed in the late 17th century, when tribal leaders from the three ethnic groups of the area united following settlement attempts by [[Auravas]], [[Ethalria]], and others. This first constitution of Hlenderia established political traditions that remain to this day, including its elective monarchy and legislature constructed and apportioned along ethnic lines.

Hlenderia is sparsely populated, and a large proportion of its people live in a few large cities along the coast. Hayaneste's interior is mostly taiga with cold, harsh winters and a short growing season.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Giniva |first=Fevke |date=2011 |title=A Meta-Analysis of 20th and 21st Century Meteorological Data |journal=Gondwanan Climate Studies |volume=40 |issue=3 |pages=1–50}}</ref> The Hlenderians that live away from the coast, mostly Mūni and Kwari, follow traditional ways of life and customary law. The Oramin Mountains, in the southwest interior of Hlenderia, are held as holy in the local folk religion and are designated a National Religious Preserve, one of the largest such [[Wikipedia:nature reserve|preserves]] in the world. The Oramin preserve is off-limits to foreigners except on certain occasions scheduled by the Bureau of Culture.

The island's harsh climate, traditional way of life and secretive religion of the Mūni, Kwari, and Vrotri, as well as the historic hostility of Hlenderia to foreign colonization, have led to the country having an international reputation for isolationism and xenophobia. One political scientist observed in 2009 that "the Hlenderian government does little to dispel this notion, and indeed one could infer that it is a reputation they would like to cultivate".<ref>{{Cite book |title=The Hermit Kingdom: Hlenderia in the Modern Age |last1=Anderson |first1=Philip |last2=Morevar |first2=Zharis |publisher=Gondwanan Political Perspectives |year=2015 |pages=117-118}}</ref> However, recent reform efforts by the national government and development intended to spur foreign investment has contributed to economic growth in the past decade.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Ramri |first=Galumina |date=2020 |title=A Study on GDP Growth as a Consequence of Government Investment in Hlenderia |journal=Global Political Economy |volume=11 |issue=40 |pages=1–31}}</ref>

Hlenderia is a middle-income country with a developing economy.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Ramri |first=Galumina |date=2020 |title=A Study on GDP Growth as a Consequence of Government Investment in Hlenderia |journal=Global Political Economy |volume=11 |issue=40 |pages=29}}</ref> The capital of Pelachis and large port city of Norrith are the largest contributors to the national economy, which remains focused on its fisheries, lumber industry, and manufacturing. In the extreme southeast of the country, the local Mūni people engage in small-scale subsistence whaling, but recent attempts to prepare whale products for foreign sale have resulted in controversy at home and abroad.

Other names used at various times for Hlenderia are "Chemara", meaning "Chem's Land", referring to the creator deity of the native [[Hlenderian religion]], "Nagertū", meaning "People's Island", and "Āra-sire", meaning "Great Forest".<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Irith |first=Sarven |date=1998 |title=Etymological Analysis of Historical Names for Hayaneste |journal=Hayanesti Linguistics |volume=1 |issue=3 |pages=3-48}}</ref>

The [[Vrotrim]], [[Kwarim]], and [[Mūnim]] are the three peoples indigenous to Hlenderia and are considered a distinct [[Gondwana|Gondwanan]] branch of humanity. Early migration to Hayaneste began 40,000 to 50,000 years ago and the island was widely inhabited by 35,000 years ago. A rock shelter named Balmassalū, located on the northwestern coast near the border with [[Joralesia]], is recognized as the oldest evidence of human habitation on Hayaneste and has been dated to be at least 42,000 years old.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Brown |first=Rebekah |date=1995 |title=Balmassalū: A Newly-Discovered Rock Shelter in Hlenderia |journal=Early Human Anthropology |volume=1 |issue=80 |pages=1–21}}</ref> The oldest surviving human remains are skull fragments found preserved in an ice cave in southeastern Hlenderia; these date back 25,000 years. The [[wikipedia:bog body|bog body]] named "Erva", a corpse of a Kwari woman found in peatland outside Hamrith on the eastern coast, is an important archeological artifact dated back to 8000 BCE. <ref>{{Cite journal |last=Theravel |first=Morris |date=2003 |title=Hamrith Bog Body Preserves Evidence of Ancient Kwari Diet |journal=Early Human Anthropology |volume=3 |issue=11 |pages=1}}</ref>

Hlenderian culture resembling that which is practiced today began to emerge in the mid-Bronze Age, though it is believed that the [[Hlenderian religion|native religion]] preserves more ancient oral traditions in some form.<ref>{{Cite book |title='The Great Word-Law': Oral Tradition in 'la-Dereik' |last1=Indarith |first1=Sennamea |publisher=Arrow Books |year=2005 |pages=11}}</ref> By 4,000 years ago, the Vrotrim and Kwarim had developed complex urban and agricultural societies as a result of widespread Gondwanan trade networks. The Mūnim, native to the central and southeastern portions of Hayaneste, practiced a mixture of pastoral nomadism and temporary settlements with subsistence agriculture.

Developed trade networks allowed the three Hlenderian peoples to receive foreign technological advances to some degree, though the island lagged behind the more developed nations on Aurora and elsewhere until modernity. Iron working, water mills, irrigation, and even medieval advancements made their way to Hlenderia, either through trade, intermarriage with foreign visitors, or the occasional violent conflict with interlopers.<ref>{{Cite book |title=How the Printing Press Came to Hlenderia |last1=Omelin |first1=Dav |publisher=Bear and Elk Publishers |year=1999 |pages=55}}</ref>

The first Auroran sighting of Hayaneste is attributed to [[Ethalria|Ethalrian]] explorer Waltraud Vogel, who sighted land in the northwest of the island in 1499 and eventually landed in what is now Ewising, [[Joralesia]] later that year. Early encounters between the Auroran colonists and the Vrotrim and Kwarim living in northwest Hayaneste were often violent, with both groups often putting aside their ancient differences to coordinate on raids of Ethalrian settlements.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Releth |first=Rondrel |date=2008 |title=A Model of Tolerance? Vrotri and Kwari Relationships During Colonization |journal=Early Modern History |volume=2 |issue=11 |pages=1-19}}</ref> These conflicts, driven by the scarcity of arable land in the cold environment of Hlenderia, led to resentment on both sides and acts of revenge undertaken by Ethalrian settlers.

Early Ethalrian settlements were eventually combined into a colony hugging the northwestern coast of Hayaneste called Tornaland. This colony, integral to the Ethalrian trading network in southern Gondwana, had fluid borders in its early years, but by the mid 17th century these were fixed aside from occasional cross-border raids by Vrotri and Kwari parties. The rising power of Ethalrian settlers, and their ability to intercept and destroy raiding parties, would be part of the impetus for the the Kwarim, Vrotrim, and Mūnim to unite under one leader in the late 17th century.<ref>{{Cite book |title=All Alike In Dignity: History of the Early Hlenderian Commonwealth |last1=Sennim |first1=Fovas |publisher=Drelith & Co. Publishing |year=1999 |pages=135}}</ref>

From the mid-17th century, chiefs and sages of the Kwari, Vrotri, and Mūni people, exposed to new foreign ideas of nationalism, began to articulate desires for a union or federation of the three peoples to resist further Auroran colonization and improve Hlenderian society. This movement would gain traction among the common people, especially in the north of Hayaneste where foreign interference was most obvious and most resented. A 1687 meeting involving the chiefs of each people, located in the large central city of [[Pelachis]] would eventually be dubbed the [[Unification of the Three Peoples]], though this historiography is today seen as informed by Hlenderian nationalist myth as much as reality.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Lorasea |first=Ginari |date=2011 |title=Re-examining Traditional Historiography of the Early Commonwealth Period |journal=Early Modern History |volume=2 |issue=15 |pages=22}}</ref> At this meeting, little was agreed upon beyond a general desire by the attendees to see Hlenderians combine their military forces, secure the northwestern border, and prevent the expansion of Tornaland.

Further meetings in 1689, 1690, and 1692 would eventually lead to the promulgation of Hlenderia's first [[Constitution of Hlenderia|Constitution]]. This founding document would unite the Mūnim, Kwarim, and Vrotrim in one nation named "Hlenderia" and provided for an elective monarchy, based on the models common across the island where chiefs and clan leaders were elected for lifelong terms. Furthermore, this monarch would command the combined military forces of Hlenderia. A legislative branch called the [[Grand Council of Hlenderia|Grand Council]], containing reserved and elected seats apportioned by population, was also established. Detractors accused this new legislature of imitating foreign parliamentarianism, but it survived this early criticism and remains a coequal branch of government to this day.<ref>{{Cite book |title=All Alike In Dignity: History of the Early Hlenderian Commonwealth |last1=Sennim |first1=Fovas |publisher=Drelith & Co. Publishing |year=1999 |pages=201}}</ref>

Hlenderia is a semi-constitutional monarchy, which has been called [[Wikipedia:anocracy|anocratic]] or a hybrid regime.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oahi.co.hl/liberal-democracy-index/|title=Liberal Democracy Index|publisher=Organization for the Advancement of Human Ideals|date=November 25, 2023}}</ref> External observers have been divided on the exact nature of the regime, which gives the King substantial political influence but does place some restrictions on his power. An elected legislature, the [[Grand Council of Hlenderia]], chooses the King, who rules for life. In reality, the [[Binational Agreement]] signed between Kwari and Vrotri parties in 1908 has ensured that the monarch has belonged to one of these two ethnic groups since then.

The elective aspect of Hlenderia's monarchy dates to the country's formation and first constitution. Traditionally, bands of each ethnic group of Hlenderia elected their chiefs, who would hold their position until death.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Ancient Traditions, Modern World |last1=Hlerdi |first1=Dorris |publisher=Arrow Books |year=1997 |pages=98}}</ref> The first Grand Council opted to continue this system when drafting the country's constitution. Powers reserved to the monarch include a veto power over bills, which the Grand Council can only override with a supermajority, the right to appoint chiefs of the Bureaus that serve as the government bureaucracy, the right to appoint judges and magistrates, and a number of other "emergency powers" that are rarely exercised in the modern era.

The current King, [[Yendrin Kwarrōth]], was elected in 1991. Before his accession, Yendrin was an influential member of the right-wing party [[Traditionalist Kwarim]], but since taking the throne he has moved to the center of the political spectrum and focused on modernizing efforts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.norrithobserver.co.hl/yendrin-modernization-political-shift/|publisher=Norrith Observer|title=Prioritizing modernization, Yendrin reverses political course|date=October 2001}}</ref> His only child, Yendrina Kwarrōth, is a member of the centrist Liberal[[Kwari People's Party]] and sits in the Grand Council. Yendrin's wife, Mera Kwarrōth, died in 1986 and he never remarried. Most political observers believe Yendrina is the most likely successor to the throne. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.politicalwatch.co.hl/659416299/|publisher=Hlenderian Political Watch|title=Yendrina fills in for father at press event; another sign of her future?|date=December 2023}}</ref>

The Grand Council has 187 seats. Of these, 144 are [[Wikipedia:reserved political positions|reserved seats]] divided between the Kwari, Vrotri, and Mūni people according to proportion of population. This arrangement, present since Hlenderia's founding, can cause census years to be times of heightened ethnic tensions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.norrithobserver.co.hl/muni-fight-presages-further-violence/|publisher=Norrith Observer|title=After 5 Mūnim Hospitalized, Predictions of Further Census Violence|date=March 2017}}</ref> The census, which occurs every eight years, last occured in 20182016 and is scheduled to occur again in 20262024.

The remaining 43 seats are open to all candidates, and primarily represent districts in cities along the coast and the largest interior settlements. These seats are often key swing votes in major issues, and constitute an informal "upper house" in the unicameral Council.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Mensel |first=Nilera |date=2002 |title=Analysis of Great Council Voting Records by District |journal=Hlenderian Political Science |volume=1 |issue=3 |pages=5-9}}</ref>

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The Hlenderian government's authority is strongest in the coastal cities and environs, and in the communities situated along [[Highway One (Hlenderia)|Highway One]]. In the country's undeveloped interior, and especially in the far southeast, communities live according to customary religious law with little government interference.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Nelvani |first=Deranamat |date=2015 |title=Customary Law in Rural Hlenderia in the 21st Century |journal=Hayanesti Anthropology |volume=1 |issue=2 |pages=1-49}}</ref> When the government does intervene in customary disputes, it is usually in cases of high crimes such as murder.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sens.co.hl/govt-intervention-semptani-murder/|publisher=Southeastern News Service|title=Government Sends In Gendarmerie After Semptani Murder Leads to Feud Threats|date=November 2003}}</ref>

Human rights in Hlenderia have been the subject of criticism. Of particular interest to foreign observers are the government's treatment of the minority [[Mūnim]] and its treatment of resident aliens. In government, the [[Binational Agreement]] between Vrotri and Kwari parties have resulted in the two Mūni parties being consistently excluded from government and disenfranchised.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Mensel |first=Nilera |date=2013 |title=Effects of the Binational Agreement on Political Participation |journal=Hlenderian Political Science |volume=1 |issue=9 |pages=1-13}}</ref> Infrastructure investments in Mūni territory, though having increased over the past 20 years, remain far below what is deemed necessary by foreign economists to promote development.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Nylan |first=Joseph |date=2020 |title=Economic Development in Hlenderia Since 1998 |journal=Global Economics |volume=2 |issue=50 |pages=1-33}}</ref> At the time of Hlenderia's founding, the Mūnim were considered the wealthiest and most populous of the island's three ethnic groups. Political observers note that this comparatively recent disenfranchisement has led to the growth of militancy and far-right, reactionary ideologies among the two Mūni parties.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.politicalwatch.co.hl/848133655/|publisher=Hlenderian Political Watch|title=Paramilitary Membership Surges Amidst MPF, USMB Recruitment Drive|date=January 2023}}</ref>