Zefrania

Zefrania (IPA:zɛfɹˈe͡ɪni͡ə) officially the United Emirates of Acodon, Eydurin and Tegridy, formerly the United Emirates of Zefrania, commonly abbreviated to UEZ, is an autonomous region within the Delorian State of Shania, within the United Kingdom of Valdara and in extension the Askaru Federation. It is located in southern and central Ummarnu, along with a few islands in the Gulf of Lukka. It is the successor to all other official Zefranian nation states, and considered a continuation of the ancient Kuzat Empire.

Zefrania has experienced several cycles of decline and recovery throughout its history, this has led to the nation having had many forms, notably the first Federal Kingdom of Zefrania, which was arguably the peak of Zefranian nationhood and existence. This was succeeded by the short-lived Zefranian duchy, which was part of the Kingdom of Alda, before the establishment of the Luxite Kingdom of Zefrania (locally referred to as the Khedivate of Zefrania), before the refugee state established in Sparwood, which would later reform into the Crowned Union of Hafinia.

Nomenclature
The name Zefrania is derived from the Traveller's Language's word for Kuzat, an ancient tribe which Zefrania sees itself as the spiritual successor to. Initially Zefrania or Kuzat, was used to describe the general inhabitants of the Adenorian Peninsula down to the Zahirite River, which runs through Acodon, Fransterdam and Eydurin.

Background
Main article: Sinatran Civil War

Before the Sinatran Civil War, Zefrania was only a cultural group within the Kingdom of Sinatra-Mafia and Ardat-Æzel. Cultural, political and religious disagreements with the central Sinatran government led to the outbreak of the Zefranian War of Independence, and the broader Sinatran Civil War. This saw the town of Acodon declare itself as an independent nation, it would bear the temporary name of the Independent State of Zefrania. After the brief Battle for Acodon, and the pillaging of Sinatran cities, the Zefranians declared themselves victorious upon the signing of the Treaty of Luxios.

The Independent State of Zefrania would shortly after reform itself into the Federal Kingdom of Zefrania before the aqquistion of the Adenorian Peninsula, and the seizure of more Sinatran lands.

The Federal Kingdom of Zefrania
After the Sinatran Civil War, was dragged out into a prolonged cold war, the Zefranians reorganized themselves, allowing for the continuos settlement of more cities and the growth of their population, militarizing the tackle of increasing threat from the south, with rumors of Auroran intervention on behalf of the Sinatrans in the war, causing further paranoia within Zefrania. However, on the 12th of February, the Sinatran remnants surrendered to Zefrania, ceding more land causing an official and decisive ending to the Sinatran Civil War.

This ushered in a period of peace, which saw the growth the Zefrania, the settlement of more city's, and the drafting of an official constitution, which officially made the nation a constitutional monarchy, with democratic and liberal base-ideals.

However, externally, Zefrania was finding itself in a weaker and weaker position diplomatically, the previously strong ties between the Shahdom of Solisios, which had given the Zefranians military and diplomatic support during the Sinatran Civil War, and Zefrania, had broken down. This led to paranoia within the Zefranian government, as the Union of Vanyr seemed more and more threatening, even with their weak military and population charts. Eventually, the afforementioned Vanyrian Union, which had initially declared itself independent from the Sinatra-Mafia, after the Battle for Acodon, had joined the newly established Kingdom of Alda, which had proven itself a regional power after defeating Kieseria and Dreondor in two seperate wars.

Solisios had previously approached Zefrania with an offer to join the Shahdom of Solisios. However, they could not reach terms that would be satisfy both parties, the idea was dropped, as ties started souring between Solisios and Zefrania. Eventually, the Tenoch of Zefrania Satüs Hejetür, and Grand Chancellor of Zefrania Iou Zahir, approached the King of Alda, TheUneasyAlly, with an offer of Zefrania entering a protectorate-like status under the Kingdom of Alda, on very favorable terms for the Zefranians.

This enraged the Solisian government, whom almost cut all ties with Zefrania, they would be in a status of mutual hatred until the end of May 2022. It would not only be external issues that entering this vassalage would bring, Iou Zahir and Satüs Hejetür had not properly introduced the government to the idea, which they were constitutionally bound to do, this led the a democratic faction, plotting the overthrow of the Zefranian government, and them voiding the deal with Alda. This plot would be discovered however, and the protestors were cracked down on, hard, with Zefranian loyalists sacking the town of Takmandan, before the Tegridian guard would move in and sack Blyth Yanren, the mayors of Takmandan and Blyth Yanren being behind the coup itself.

Aldan reinforcments would arrive, to broker a peace deal between the Zefranian loyalists and rebels before it would escalate into a complete civil war. The rebels would leave Zefrania, however, not be exiled being allowed to revisit their old homes whenever they wished. This would permanently handicap the Zefranian state, as the refugees would go onto settle the Federal Republic of Kutaiyara.

Luxite Kingdom of Zefrania
The Luxite Kingdom of Zefrania was a short lived nation, which existed as a vassal state of the High Kingdom of Vanyr, after the collapse of Alda and the Imperial Federation of Uldarash, Vanyr arose as an independent state, the resurrection of Satüs Hejetür, had led to a joint push by himself, the Zefranian exiles and DUTY, for the reestablishment of a Zefranian nation state. This would lead to a significantly decreased Zefranian nation state, with a lot less land.

This time it would establish itself with a more authoritarian and theocratic approach. The Zefranian population would quickly rise, becoming one of the largest nations population and activity wise, however, after a long period of rising tensions, Zefrania would be invaded and partitioned by Vanyr, Dara-Lumonde, Lusaria, Nandór Federation, Adaen along with more nations.

Zefranian Culture
Zefrania has an ancient culture, being decendants from the ancient Kuzat people in Southern Ummarnu they have thrived and developed this culture into one of the strongest in the west. Zefrania even developed its own language of Zefranian-Kuzat taking inspiration and modernizing the ancient Kuzat language. However, the main language of Zefrania remains Travellers Tounge, as a result of the Acodonians whom established Zefrania originating from Nieden.

The Zefranians believes in creatures, such as the Behemoth, which is a huge part of Zefranian culture, it is seen as the protector of Zefrania being a divine being ready to defend the Zefranian people whenever they're threatned.

Zefrania has become a heart of ancient culture within western Rathnir, and has triumphed through the occupiers of the old Zefranian homelands attempts at destroying it and replacing it with Talawan culture.

Religion
Zefranians, for a long time believed in Lux, for about a year, this however changed after the Luxite church essentially excommunicated the Zefranians for their alternate beliefs. Calling the Zefranians heathens. Today the Zefranians believes in Tejwez, the patreon god of the Tengalii religion, however they privately worship their Luxite offshoot of Achon. With the main church of Lux being lost in Zefrania, and barely worshipped.

Flag
The Zefranian flag is also a major part of Zefranian culture, as it has many culturally important symbols cramped into the 6x19 space.


 * Black: The black colour on the flag represents the Zefranians hardship, and how they have triumphed over them.
 * Orange: The orange colour represents prosperity and patriotism
 * Sun: The sun represents the Zefranians religious beliefs. And how they're integrated into the government.
 * White: The white represents the Zefranians peaceful intentions
 * Crown: The crown represents the Zefranian monarchy the Eydur Dynasty which has ruled the nation since its founding.
 * Behemoth: The Behemoth is the elephant below the crown, it is placed within the sun to represent that it is the heart and protector of Zefranian culture.

The first Zefranian flag was just continued usage of the Acodonian one, it primarily represents Zefranian determination to keep exisiting and how their endless uphill climb will be over one day, when the Zefranians shall prosper eternally and undisturbed.

Territories
The Federal Kingdom borders The High Kingdom of Vanyr, The Lusarii Imperium & The Maratime Kingdom of Caeli. It is situated within the arid deserts of Southern Ummarnu with a mix of mesa along with some savannah.

Demographics
Zefrania has a majority Kuzat-Zefranian population, as most of them are part of the migrants from Ummarnu.