Aetolia

Aetolia, or Aetol City, is a city and county in Demiarbéz, which is in turn part of the Autokratoria of Sirradra. It is located east of Nova Ohrid and Zarilyia and west and south of Hithlum. Aetolia is the second largest city in the region by area and has seen a recent increase in population.

Demographics
The following statistics are taken from the Ninth Autokratorial Census, conducted in early December of 2023.

Aetolia was the most populous and second most active city in Sirradra in early December of 2023, and the home of close to 90% of Demiarbéz's population. Two thirds (2/3) of Aetolians were religiously unaffiliated, a higher proportion than Sirradra overall, and Aetolians were almost twice as likely as Sirradrans overall to support a shift towards laïcité from Sirradra's secularism. Religious minorities in Aetolia included Fitarii, Guhenists, and Zentivarics. Aetolians disproportionately supported the adoption of Eleutherian Humanism as Sirradra's national philosophy.

Aetolia is home to the Aetolian ethnic group, a unique ethnic group initially formed by Serafinian Tovarishans displaced to Demiarbéz by the Paradise War (see History below).

Geography
Aetolia is located in the southeast of Demiarbéz and is predominantly situated in the plains. It has a taiga in the north, a dark oak forest to the east, and an oak forest to the west. Aetolia spans the river Ahelos.

Founding and Re-Founding
Aetolia was originally founded on the site of Amaranth by 07928YR at the command of Exarian, ruler of Serafaint and of the state of Seragon. Amaranth, once called Ultargila, was an abandoned anarchist commune; the land was bought from Tovarisha by Nullaria, which collapsed and left the town uninhabited once again. Nicodemus of Aetolia and Arlus Mancario were two other active members of the original Aetolia. However, maybe 6 weeks after Aetolia was established, the land was ceded to the Diarchy of Paradise as a consequence of the IAU-Paradise War. Upon learning this, Exarian (or others acting at his command) griefed the town and took anything of value, though the grief was rolled back at Paradise's behest. Paradise gave the land to Valoore, which founded its capital of Freadore (now called Concordia) on what was previously Aetolia, demolishing all structures except for the church. According to Azepus, said church was created by Poldi Paloro and was originally dedicated to the Aṅlethepi religion, though no Aetolians today profess this faith. The citizens of Aetolia were resettled in Demiarbéz, then still part of the IAU, with the help of Maximal (then-Minister of Recruitment of the IAU), Feniks (then-Minister of Towns of the IAU), and Throsaere Kotudaar near what was once called Qara, which was originally settled by the squatter nation of Cushvacia. Nicodemus and 07 mainly lived on the western hill for a time, creating a farm and a small brewery there which were subsequently relocated. Aetolia's borders expanded north and east to include the old town of Qara and its historic sites.

Visible State of Confusion and Aeternum Order
When the Visible State of Confusion sliced into the IAU in late July of 2022, their desired borders cut Demiarbéz in half. Nova Ohrid and Zariliya would have remained with the Union, while Aetolia and Idrilius (modern Hithlum) would have been incorporated into the new state. The Etriarchate of Demiarbéz thus held a referendum on whether to be divided, or remain united under the State of Confusion. The Demiarbézians, despite their desire to remain with the Union, wished to remain whole, and the Aetolians desired not to be displaced again. Aetolia thus survived beneath the State of Confusion and later the Aeternum Order, its lands never touched by war. The Inner Circle made almost no effort to govern Demiarbéz, hoping it would stagnate and die. However, Aetolia and Demiarbéz as a whole managed to outlast the State of Confusion, and even gained influence when the State of Confusion was reformed into the Aeternum Order.

Shane's Insurrection
In early August of 2022, William "Elias" Shane and four co-conspirators made an utterly foolish attempt to overthrow the government of Aetolia and failed miserably; they were banished and moved to Credia, on the opposite side of Rathnir. It was during this time that Shadoxus Nero was made the third triumvir of Aetolia, replacing Arlus Mancario (who left Rathnir shortly after the re-founding of Aetolia in Demiarbéz in late July 2022).

Transition of Power
On 25 February 2023, 07 stated his intent to resign from the post of Mayor. Nicodemus and Shadow appointed Scream to fill said post.

Joining Sirradra
On 5 June 2023 the Aeternum Order unified with Autokratoria of Sirradra. Aetolia is currently located within the province of Demiarbéz.

Government
Aetolia was traditionally governed as a triumvirate of three mayors (Idomiséz, in Demiarbézian). This form of government was adopted at the time of the Aetolian exodus from Tovarisha, and remained until late summer or early autumn of 2023, at which time the assistant mayors began to be called "Maridiséz." Starting roughly with the re-establishment in Demiarbéz, Aetolia had an "elite" caste which was privy to more political intrigue and from which the mayors were selected, but this caste currently only consists of the three mayors.

Economy
Aetolia's main exports historically included spruce logs and alcoholic beverages. In early May of 2023, a new player established a leather industry which took off almost instantly, but just as quickly had difficulty finding buyers. Aetolia maintains a significant apiary, brewery, and cheese cave.

Houses
Aetolian houses are built primarily of dark oak and spruce wood, stone bricks, and deepslate bricks. The granite which was characteristic of Amaranth's houses, is making a gradual comeback as the town is renovated. The oldest houses in Aetolia are found in the east of town, adjacent to the library, and date to the time of Qara. The house which once belonged to Xeno Maxwell Bakura nearby the town hall is a landmark.

Noteworthy Builds

 * The Watchtower of Qara
 * The Nest of Thy Futo
 * The Library of Aetolia, constructed by Shadoxus Nero
 * The Monopteros of Holy Peace, constructed by Nicodemus
 * Town Hall, constructed by Scream
 * Aetolian Vineyard, constructed by Therobotsconcern
 * The Clocktower, constructed by Alkethar