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Arron_Nations_Ekku

Page history last edited by Araes 16 years, 4 months ago

Ekku

Ekku Statistics

 

Government:

Plutocratic Republic

 

Area:

378886 sq. miles

Settled:

182985 sq. miles

Wild:

195901 sq. miles

 

Population Centers:

67480

Cities:

549

Villages:

66931

 

Population:

32205320

Urban:

1932319

Rural:

29306841

Isolated:

966160

Description:

Historically, until just recent times (particularly in the view of such aged races as the elves), the area which has come to be known as Ekku has been a nasty lowland area where it was almost impossible to eke out a living. Dense with marshes and deep wetlands, no traditional crops were found to take hold, and the trappings of agriculture societies could not be translated. In addition, the wetlands proved a fertile breeding ground for all manner of dangerous predators and pests, which further hampered efforts. The population of the region was at best light and largely composed of human cast-offs from nearby societies.

However, roughly 1000 years ago, all of this was to suddenly change. Around this period, a plant was introduced to the mashes which thrived in the wet conditions, and could be cultivated as a staple crop for the inhabitants. Whether it was introduced by accident or through the forces of trade has been lost to history, but the impact was immediate and profound.

Called Mish, the introduced crop served the same need as grains like wheat or rice in other parts of the world, and soon after its introduction there were massive fields of the plants sprouting up everywhere. Dissidents and the unwanted of nearby nations, who had already been a significant portion of the population, began pouring into the region.

At first, this movement was largely unopposed by the surrounding groups, as traditionally several nations had claimed the area for their own, but no one wanted to expend the effort to actually settle and control it. However, within a century, these same groups began to see the error of their ways, as several small kingdoms had taken root within the marsh and were declaring their independent status. The largest of these was the kingdom of Ekku, which had its capital at the port city of Albis near the Marenna River delta.

Soon after, incursions by the nearby nations became quite common, as they attempted to reassert their claims on the region. The border nations in particular were hit quite hard by these assaults, and due to a lack of unity, often quickly succumbed. In addition, infighting amongst the smaller nations was also frequent, as each of the groups tried to consolidate their power and unify the region by force. However, roughly 500 years prior to the present day, the Ekku government, already isolated from the border issues by their remote position, and fueled in wealth by their booming sea trade, offered a solution to the problem.

Their solution was to propose a pact, where if any other nations would swear an oath of fealty to the crown of Ekku, then they would be provided with both financial and military backing to support their claims to the land. At first, only a few accepted the offer, fearing the eventual repercussions of consolidating rule, but with within the span of a decade, opinions began to shift. Primarily this was due to Ekku being as good as their word, and on several occasions they supplied the money and men which meant the difference between a subject nation repelling invasion and being overrun.

Soon the ranks of those loyal to the Ekkuvian throne were swelling, and with every additional pledge, the pool of power they could wield against imminent threats became that much greater. Facing a united foe, and suffering several major defeats at their hands, most of the outsider nations laying claim began to restrict their assaults. Within 100 years of the decree, nearly every major, independent nation had either sworn loyalty or been overrun.

Capitalizing on this momentum, the current ruler of Ekku at the time, King Zakarum, along with the backing several important member nations, declared a unification in name of the entire region under the banner of Ekku. This unification carried with it the promise of irrevocable nobility for all those who accepted it, and non-intervention in personal rule from the crown. Due to these factors, as well as the security, prosperity, and unified front it promised, it was accepted by most with only a minimum of fuss, and the current nation now known as Ekku came into being.

From this point forward, Ekku has continued to grow by leaps and bounds. A black hole of potential before the introduction of Mish, the Ekkuvians have come to find themselves in possession of a wide range of natural and situational resources.

Possessing a plethora of harbors, and a convenient location astride one of the major N-S trade routes in the continent, ships and caravans are continually passing through the region and depositing their wealth. In addition, the Ekkuvians also possess a number of native trade products including plentiful lumber, wetland grown animals and plants, a wide selection of crafts from all the immigrated cultures, and ironically, food. In the northern section of Ekku, where the forests become much more dense, native silk worms have also been cultivated extensively, and the metropoli of Ethibea and Romia both boast vibrant, silk-based, textile industries.

This growth and explosive mercantilism has also promoted quick social change amongst the ruling class. Although monumentus at the time, the crown and nobility of Ekku were not to last for more than a few centuries before they were subsumed under the pressures of rapidly accumulating wealth among commoners. Clamoring for change and wielding the weaponry of banks and loans to the nobility, ever increasing numbers of the wealthy have been granted the priviledge of nobility until the title itself is almost meaningless except for the power of votes it provides. The process of purchasing a title has actually become so common by the present day that a formalized process was created which allows for any existing citizen of Ekku to purchase a lifetime of "noble" status that expires upon their death. For a relatively moderate sum, any well to do merchant can purchase their way into the middle to upper class echelons of society and the influence it brings. In an attempt to respect the promise made by Zakarum to the original noble families, however, these titles expire with the death of the head of the household, and only those who are members of the original families may pass their votes to progeny.

In terms of expansion, although Ekku was not one of the first nations to jump on the colonialism movement, it has nevertheless emerged as one of the most aggressive naval powers. Primarily supported as a military endeavor of the crown, Ekku has capitalized on its reserves of lumber and transformed them into vast fleets of ships. To support this effort, Ekku operates an entire division of the military devoted to foreign service, exploration, and claiming new lands known as the Chakka.

Funded through grants of ships and charters, any person of who wishes to seek their fortune abroad, and can organize a sufficient crew, may apply for admission to the Chakka. If accepted, the petitioner and their cohort are trained by the crown and then provisioned for their voyages. The crown may also provide grants or liens towards the purchase of ships and other equipment based on their prestige, charm, and a variety of other factors. In return for this generosity, 50% of all material wealth claimed as a result of these expeditions becomes the property of Ekku, and all land claimed during their travels is done so in its name. Naturally, as a reward for excellent service, those particularly successful in these endeavors are often then gifted titles of control over many of the areas they have found and are often quite wealthy enough to purchase their way into the noble ranks.

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