Tesutsayi

The Tesutsayi (Traveler's Tongue: Time of Peace) refers to the first of three eras in the early political history of the Isles of Zamotz, in which a sparsely populated island of natives transformed into a land of organized countries.

Tranquil June
The majority of the Tesutsayi was, as its name implies, mostly uneventful. The month of June saw the creation of settlements and the drawing of borders across the island with no conflicts taking place.

Early Natives
As part of a broader trend across some parts of Eldham, the concept of the nation-state did not come to the isles of Zamotz until settlers from Rathnir introduced such concepts to the natives. Before then, the island was comprised mostly of tribes or nomadic groups of people varying in size.

There were two exceptions to this rule, however. The cities of Silver Cliffs (to the north-west) and Nethalaz (in the south-east) were small settlements created without the interference of Rathnir colonists. Although Nethalaz is shrouded in mysterious origins, the people of Silver Cliffs are known to have settled in a specific spot to establish a mining operation for silver. Due to the lack of inter-tribal trade during this time, however, the silver mining operations would not yield much income to the settlement.

Colonists/Outsiders
''Disclaimer: Information on this time period is limited, and this article is still being updated with more information. Expect details to be incomplete or inaccurate for the time being.''

The prehistory of Zamotz came to a close sometime around June 7th, 2021, when three groups of settlers - the Neupeykonians, Velithangkans, and Helginites - began to claim territory across the isles.

Neupeykonia
Refugees from an annexation of their mainland, Neupeykonia (presently called Neubaykonia) under King Peg I came to Eldham in search of a new home. Though their main territory was south of Zamotz, the country had claimed land south of the Wasbena River under the Colony of Sclera in an attempt to colonize it, though never making any permanent settlement on the island.

Though their claim was never enforced or solidified, it would not be until the beginning of the Tesumasima that their claim in Zamotz would be challenged.

Velithangka
A small order of monks led by Lokki de Nuuk, the Velithangkans claimed all land north of the Wasbena River, with identical claims to the Helginites. Velithangka only maintained one permanent settlement on Zamotz, however, and never attempted to enforce its claims, declaring neutrality in all conflicts and allowing other native groups to take its land throughout the course of its history.

Helgin (United Burgamerian Socialist Republic)
In order to expand their territory to Eldham, the UBSR began establishing colonies on Zamotz, and quickly became the largest of the colonizing groups, creating/naming the city, island, and province of Helgin. Organized by Gern Mattorck, the settlements of Helgin, Skingrad and Plat Stronghold formed during this time. The Burgamerian leadership sought to fully colonize the island, turning it into a major communist region in Eldham, second only to the United Socialist States of Eldham.

The dispute between the UBSR and Velithangka in claims eventually resolved naturally. As all UBSR settlements were clustered in the northwest of the island, their colony was eventually reduced to that territory.

Rise of Native Countries
As the island of Zamotz north of the Wasbena became settled with cities, some natives of the area began adapting to the new ideas brought by the colonizers, creating cities and establishing contact with the outside world. Four native countries formed during the Tesutsayi - Suunturn, the Mist Sanctuary, Cyrillia, and Bibshmibbia, though the latter two did not form until July. South of the Wasbena, however, saw little development. The Indusi peoples who dominated the lands Neubaykonia claimed never experienced the impact of colonization as directly as the other native groups, and, with the exception of the small town of Nethalaz, would not see any significant settlements until the start of the Tesumasima.

July period
Disclaimer: There'll be a better name for this period later

Helgin Stagnation
Two major developments occurred in the United Burgamerian Socialist Republic. Gern Mattorck, whilst on a trip in Rathnir, would be assassinated sometime during the spring of 70 SMP. The loss of the governor of Helgin left the region with considerably less political focus. More importantly, however, would be the external troubles that the UBSR faced during this time period. Political squabbles with Frosmyre and the newly formed Magisterium would leave the Burgamerian leadership occupied in Rathnir. Among these officials was Ambit Skinhub, the appointed successor to Mattorck's position in Helgin. With the colony's priority drastically reduced and its government virtually non-existent, Helgin was doomed to stagnation. By the end of the Tesutsayi, the settlements in the north-west of Zamotz Island became little more than ghost towns.

Birth of Indusia
On July 12th, shortly before the end of the Tesutsayi, several Indusi families came together under King Okomi I and founded the city of Indusia next to the Wasbena River within Neubaykonian territory. Already politically charged, the peoples of Indusia were strong proponents of anti-colonialism and sought to take over the colony from Neubaykonian control.

End of the Tesutsayi
As anti-colonialist ideals manifested in Bibshmibbia, the leadership of the nation devised a plan to infiltrate and eventually conquer the Empire of Avaria, another state which united with Viodoxa. The attempt ultimately failed, with the Bibshmibbian plot exposed to the Avarian and Viodoxan leadership. The subsequent invasion on July 12th and surrender on July 13th marked the end of Bibshmibbia, with the country annexed entirely into Avaria. The collapse of Bibshmibbia caused a spike in panic and anti-colonialist settlement across the island, ending the Tesutsayi and opening a new chapter in the history of Zamotz.