Viodoxa

The Imperial Archonate of Viodoxa, commonly known as Viodoxa, is a nation ruling over the entire continent of Cymru and the Svalden Sea. The nation was created by adapting the government of the City State of Viodoxa to accommodate for the migration of Asahiri citizens following the Coup of Paloro. Together, the united peoples envisioned a powerful and relevant Viodoxa entering the world stage and bringing life back to the ruins of the Valdreach Imperial Republic.

Origins
The Archonate can trace its history to the City State of Viodoxa, a successor state from the Valdreach Imperial Republic's fall. Archon Spike Crimson I had founded the city before the rise of the VIR and his family has overseen its governance all the way up to the fall of the empire. When the city was retaken by Spike Crimson II, a convention was held where it was decided that Spike would take the position of Archon and rule as an enlightened despot. Later, when the people of Asahiri, led by Loic moved to the outskirts of Sheepyville, the two leaders agreed to become joint rulers, with a council of five advisors to break ties between them. Immediately afterwards the Archons had their first test of leadership as the mayor of Sheepyville rebelled, citing the immigrants as signs of poor treatment of his town. The archons quickly intervened, raising an army and warning that if Thefunsheepy continued, they would be forced to take the town by force. Sheepy surrendered, and the crisis was averted.

The Bandit Age
Shortly after the crisis of Sheepyville was over, the new nation faced the end of the Week of Peace. Believing that the Kingdom of Aurora would be attacking after the holiday ended, a rushed wall was built around the New City portion of Viodoxa and the City of Valentum was abandoned since it was just a construction site. During the construction of the wall it became apparent that a spy had infiltrated Viodoxan high command and a hunt began. It was eventually discovered that Yaykei, one of the Asahiran immigrants, was the spy. During the confrontation, Yaykei attacked Archon Spike, triggering a battle in the catacombs of Viodoxa where he was eventually killed. Viodoxans celebrated the victory, relieved that Aurora wouldn't be invading. This victory was short lived however, as Yaykei returned with four other players who proceeded to enter Viodoxa through the city's port and kill the disoriented defenders due to their extreme skill and by picking off stragglers. During the fight it became apparent that Yaykei didn't belong to Aurora, but was a Soleannen Spirit.

The Skirmish at Viodoxa began a period of the nation trying to stand up its government and fend off the frequent raids from the Spirits. Due to the massive difference in skill between the Spirits and the Viodoxans, stay at home orders and curfews were put in effect to minimize loss of life and valuables. During this time Jacque of Serafini and the people of Boulderov came to Viodoxa with talks of integrating like the Asahirans had. While Boulderov experienced a seamless transition, the Serafinians did not have the same outcome. Due to the requests of the Serafini government, the Archons decided that it would be best if they did not admit Serafini immigrants or involve themselves in the war that was brewing between Serafini and Akratia. After this conference, the raids from the Spirits grew in intensity, coming to a head when one spirit was overhead saying they were meant to prevent Viodoxan involvement in the Akratian war. This infuriated Archon Loic and Regent Archon Valen, who began issuing orders to prepare for war. This sudden development surprised the Spirits, who believed that Viodoxa had already been set on assisting Serafini. A rushed conference was set, where the Spirits apologized and repaid Viodoxa a portion of their lost funds.

Transition to an Empire
With their bandit issues solved at least temporarily, the Archonate turned its attention to securing the continent of Cymru. During this time a new Athaz Atlas was released, revealing the new nations of Kumuur and Shaloma. Regent Archon Valen took the time to befriend the leader of Kumuur, Breton Aerouant and began friendly relations between the nations. Alternatively, Shaloma was extremely close to the city of Valentum and was viewed as a threat to the safety of the Viodoxan nation.

The Kumuur Crisis and the Annexation of Kumuur
Shortly after the founding of the Kingdom of Kumuur, Breton Aerouant befriended Valen McSpiegel, who assisted them in getting materials for the city. Thanks to the close relations between the two nations, it was all but certain that Kumuur would be joining Viodoxa in the near future. Unfortunately, the leader of Aezenfjord, Mr. Panda, discovered that a citizen of Kumuur knew that the land it was settled on was Aezenfjord's land. This led to Aezenfjord making plans to go to war against Kumuur. A summit was quickly held between the leaders of the three nations, where it was agreed that Kumuur would be allowed to join Viodoxa and in return the region of Falkheim, Viodoxa would be transferred to Aezenfjord. Also, Viodoxa and Aezenfjord would sign an alliance that's been upheld to this day.

The Annexation of Shaloma
Shortly after Kumuur was annexed, Loic ordered a military expedition to find and contact the nation of Shaloma. The expedition was a success, with Loic and Valen talking with King Richard Meth of Shaloma. The Shalomans agreed to join Viodoxa and the northern half of Cymru was united under the Viodoxan flag. There was resistance to this movement within Shaloma, but it was largely ignored as the communities were integrated.

The Auroran War
Shortly after the unification of Northern Cymru, the nation of Boulderov considered joining the new Empire. A deal was struck with Archon Loic and the new Viodoxans quickly moved and settled into the young nation. At the same time, the Kingdom of Aurora declared war against Boulderov for the theft of valuable items from Aurora's treasury. In an effort to win the lands wars mechanic, the Aurorans traveled to Valentum and raided it, hoping to kill a Boulderov citizen. Instead, only Viodoxans were killed, and when it became clear that the raiders weren't the skilled Spirits, the Viodoxans rallied a massive counterattack, calling in the Spirits due to an earlier agreement. The result was devastating, with the attackers all but wiped out.

This led to a running battle, with Auroran forces retreating to the city of Pedregal, only to be driven out as the Viodoxans and Spirits arrived there. The chase continued over a Ghast infested mountain range to the Auroran capitol of Fornost. There the Viodoxans chased down the last of the Aurorans from the raid, who either died or logged off. After scouting the site for the continuation of the war, demands were offered to Aurora for their surrender or for pitched battle. Aurora refused this. After hearing this, Archon Loic ordered that King Auralian's hand be forced, tearing down a portion of the defensive wall for Fornost and using the materials to construct a fort outside the city, initiating a siege. Aurora quickly capitulated following this.

The Treaty of Hapatmitas officially ended the war, but the Emerald Conflict would still continue for some time.

Settling Cymru
With their first victory as a nation secure, the Archonate turned its attentions again to the nation of Sorvien. Sorvien was known as a powerful nation that had attempted to reconquer the lands of the VIR but had grown inactive and died out. Using their rapidly growing population, Viodoxa quickly settled the abandoned nation, hoping that it was truly as inactive as the rumors suggested. During this time the town of Hiraethium was founded among others. Viodoxa also met the Duchy of Isren Draca and the two nations quickly established friendly relations and eventually Isren Draca was established as the fifth Province of Viodoxa. With the two nations joined, the rest of Cymru quickly fell under the influence of the Archonate.

The Second Viper War
After the continent had been settled, it came to the attention of Loic and Valen that the Soleannen Spirits were trying to reinstate the Sewor Mafia. Believing it would be called as a Soleannen Crusade, Loic allowed for a foreign legion to be established, meant to only fight for their faith, not the Archonate. Instead, when it became apparent that Aurora possessed some form of spies in Viodoxa (a violation of the Treaty of Hapatmitas), the Legion was instead activated as a Viodoxan Regiment and war was declared on Aurora and by extention, Uldarash.

The Viodoxan Army quickly marched to the city of Sanctuary, where Spirits and Golden Ring forces were already locked in a pitched battle. Thanks to the defenses of the city the Viodoxans couldn't enter the fortress and were forced to provide ranged support. Then an Uldarashi soldier made the mistake of opening the main gate, thinking that the army was reinforcements. Any hope of the Uldarashi winning the battle evaporated as the massive Viodoxan force swept through the city, overwhelming the already hard pressed defenders.

After the city was secured, Valen and Loic ordered their troops to rally and begin the march northeast towards the city of Hapatmitas. Anticipating a large, coordinated defense, Loic ordered trees and bamboo around the city cut down for ladders and scaffolding, but the city was found to only have a token garrison and incomplete defenses. After a short skirmish that saw the Uldarashi completely routed by the Viodoxan force, the flags of the city were ordered to be changed from the Uldarashi red to the Viodoxan purple, signifying the beginning of the occupation of the city.

Shortly after the victories, the Uldarashi government announced its dissolution. The unexpected turn of events left the member states of Uldarash, as well as Viodoxa, at a loss for how to proceed. The Kingdom of Aruna quickly joined Viodoxa as a Vassal Kingdom, providing a staging area for any future operations Viodoxa may need to perform in the region.