Vulpinia

Vulpinia, officially the Valardom of Vulpinia, was a nation established in May of 2021 known for having been a safe haven for the Vulpur people and their culture. Vulpur had been driven away from this homeland of theirs in eons past and were hunted down for their furs. Vulpinia's success thus led to it being symbolically seen as a beacon of hope for any displaced and oppressed minority.

The nation was originally established in Rathnir, on the continent of Nieden, by Nuncio Yolcotl and his followers. The nation’s capital and mainland resided in the lands of Eldham; however, the Vulpinian Province of Westreach resided in the lands of Rathnir. Vulpinia was established in both lands in order to reach the millions of people in the world. The national religion was the Vulpur Nabu, worshipped by the ancient vulpur civilization’s of Serrona. Though this was the national religion, citizens come from many places of the world; therefore, many other religions including Cubism and Shamanism were practiced.

On 13th January 2022 Vulpinia was unified with Notos to become an empire known as the Vulperium. The Vulperium lasted for 1 year and fell on the 11th January 2023 leading to the resurgence of the original Valardom under the name Vulpina.

Formation of the First Vulpur
As part of the prehistory of Serrona, it is not well documented how the nomadic groups were organized due to the lack of writing, however, it is theorized that they were simple groups of guided hunter-gatherers by patriarchs or matriarchs. The social structure was strictly formed by the family. These groups knew the lithic industry and were well capable of making stone-tipped tools and weapons. They took refuge mainly in caves; however, this was not universal; having made constructions, these were made of different woods and leaves. It is possible that the contact of different groups has occurred in different ways, there are traces of battles in different parts of the southeast of Serrona, as well as crafts from the Tildivul- Vetervul area found near present-day Kharduum. At first glance, the groups had tribal relationships, both of trade and economic support and of conquest and eradication. Today it is practically impossible to know the individual relationship of these groups due to the spread of the Vulpur. This period is known as the First Wander and is characterized mainly by the realization of stone technology and pictorial figures in caves and rock formations. Approximately three centuries later, some of the different tribal groups began to group into clans, which discovered agriculture and began to settle, leaving nomadism behind.

First Continental Crisis and the First Valardom
After the formation of the clans, the River Kings emerged, a series of independent kingdoms settled in different river sources throughout Serrona. The River Kings were a total of seven individuals who led their people together as one. They operated under one rule and served to bring a flood of knowledge and wealth into their numerous cities. This saw the first formal writings of Vulpur history. A boom, likely started by the Kings, led to a boost in enlightenment throughout Vulpur culture. This is the age where many Kingdoms of Vulpur Origins rose to dominance all throughout the lands of Serrona and up into the Central and Western parts of the world of Eldham. The cultural explosion had massive impacts on Vulpur society, however, the first continental crisis would hit Serrona. The crisis consisted of a radical increase in the temperatures of the continent due to the warm currents from the north. This change in temperature wreaked massive havoc on crops, causing a continental famine. The famine was so great and so spontaneous that several of the River Kingdoms collapsed. However, the downfall of the River Kings did not mean the end of the Vulpur people. In the northern lands the Kingdom of Gondawynne, led by King Aroforn, was consolidated. The famine failed to hit the north with such magnitude, so Aroforn was able to move south and form the first empire of the vulpur species.

Near Extinction of the Vulpur
After centuries of progress and cultural consolidation, the First Valardom collapsed due to the lack of organization and leadership of Aroforn's successors. This was a hard period for the Vulpur. The reason for this was the constant pressure from the north and central areas of Eldham. After a long, long period and all the promises the men of the north made, they turned their back on them and invaded the lands of Serrona. With all the Vulpur nations and powers scattered throughout Serrona, they were not ready for the cultural and war invasion that was being made. Sadly, overtime, the Vulpur race vanished almost completely. Many fled to other parts of Eldham and Rathnir, the period of disunity caused a decline in the Vulpur population, and it is at this point in history that the very existence of our people was put in jeopardy. There are no exact numbers, however an estimate exists that there were at least less than a thousand Vulpur scattered around the world.

Modern Resurgence
This era is predominantly known as the Vulpinian Age. The nation, described in great length below, climbed great heights and aided in the resurgence of the Vulpur species. This era is the current era that we live in and its history is still being written.

Foundation
The community that would later establish Vulpinia originally settled in the mountains south of Floramia, near Aesperium Niedea, Rathnir. The citizens were primarily vulpur with other races such as frog folk among them. The founders of the settlement were Nuncio Yolcotl, Westeros Durradayne, Xen Thero and Pigeon. The four founders quickly recruited other Vulpur to their close knit community, growing from four to eleven citizens in the matter of a couple days. Nuncio had been an avid historian all his life on the vulpur culture. He taught everything he knew to his citizens which in turn gave them a sense of nationalism and pride for their species and culture. The new town flourished and lived in peace for quite some time. However, peace came to a halt when the Floramians discovered their town. King Cadexii of Floramia, on May 6th, ordered the town to disband all former nationalities in order to serve Floramia. Since this wasn’t Nuncio’s vision, this was something the town and its citizens were not willing to do. Therefore, they abandoned the town and wandered north, searching for a place to call home.

First System of Government
Once outside the domain of Floramia, Nuncio and his citizens found an abandoned stronghold. Here they established Neavulpur and officially named themselves the Autonomous Region of Vulpinia. The founders quickly established the first system of government. This system appointed five members onto a High Council: Nuncio Yolcotl, Westeros Durradayne, Xen Thero, Pigeon Regulus and Specter Red. The Head Speaker of the High Council was unanimously voted, Nuncio Yolcotl.

Emirate of Najer
Not long after, on May 11th, Nuncio, Xen and a citizen known as Frogy Vyckos, were met at the gates of Neavulpur by a tall man. dressed in royal attire. This was Dmitrio von Sturgeon of the Emirate of Najer. He invited the three vulpinians to their capital, Wobambi on Sea, to discuss the future of Neavulpur and the Autonomous Region of Vulpinia. There, they received fair treatment as they were granted their sovereignty with the exception that they would aid Najer as a vassal. The Vulpinian’s were finally granted a place to call home.

Captainia
Neavulpur would not be the only town that the Vulpinians would establish. On May 14th, Captainia was established by Westeros Durradayne. Captainia was known as the southern district of the autonomous region and went by names such as Sutherland, Towers and Captown.

Back to Eldham
In the beginning of June, the council made the largest decision in Vulpinia’s history up to that point. They decided to leave their autonomous region in the Emirate of Najer for a chance to take back the homeland. Nuncio and the High Council felt they had enough power to establish a nation in the unclaimed lands of Eldham. Serrona, the southern most region was the ancestral seat of power for the ancient vulpur. These lands were home to hundreds of ancient Kings and Kingdoms - Valars and Valardoms. The citizen’s of Vulpinia embarked on their longest, most treacherous journey yet. They followed their High Council to Western Serrona with the help of Westeros Durradayne, an experienced cartographer and explorer. Nuncio believed that the lands they settled, were the former lands of the River King’s and the Ancient Empire of Gondawyn. It was his belief that the citizens of Vulpinia would mirror these civilization’s greatness and become even greater than their fore bearers.

Jabal Accords
As the Vulpinian’s arrived in their destined lands, they began the construction of Tildivul, which sat on the bank of the Tailwater River. This would later be known as the capital of the great nation. Vulpinia made their presence known right away by strengthening bonds with other civilizations near them. The Batuans to the north shared a common goal; that goal being the control over Western Serrona. Therefore, it was decided that Batu would have the north and Vulpinia the south. It wasn’t long, however, that these plans were challenged. The Jabal Kingdom settled directly in the center of the nation’s shared border. Batu, Vulpinia, a couple Bai Folk from the south and another small nation, known as Stallis, formed a coalition against the Jabalians. Together they gathered forces and sieged the Jabali Capital. It didn’t take long for the enemy to realize they were outmatched and on the wrong side of history. They signed the Jabal Accords and immediately left the area, surrendering their lands to the nations.

Tundra Pact
It was from the Jabal Accords that Batu, Vulpinia and the new Bai Federation, in the far south, strengthened their ties tremendously. The Tundra Pact was the direct outcome of these positive relations. The Pact tied the three nations together and served as a mutual defense treaty for the growing countries.

Federation of the Southern Stars
Just like the Tundra Pact was the direct outcome of the Jabal Accords; the Tundra Pact would also lead to future alliances. In mid-June, the Federation of the Southern Stars, later called the Celestial Federation, was formed. This was an attempt to build upon the relationships between the many nations in Serrona. Notable members of the Federation were Vulpinia, Batu and Bai. Many others would join after the initial founding, which ultimately led to the later downfall of the Federation. The lack of communication and structure ended the FSS very early in its time. It will always be remembered as a ‘what if’ scenario. Many of the nations departed peacefully from it and returned to their original nations around mid-July.

Ethnocratic State of Vulpinia
Towards the end of the Federation, Vulpinia’s High Council took on a different form; the second governmental system had emerged. The High Council, after much debate, decided to reform into a diarchy and change its name in order to bring more prevalence to the Vulpur species. The name Vulpinia added the prefix, ‘Ethnocratic State’. The diarchy included Nuncio Yolcotl who became the leader of politics and diplomacy, while Xen Thero became the leader of the Vulpinian military. The other council members took on separate positions like Head of Religion and Development. The nature of the ethnocratic state was the search for the preservation and protection of the Vulpur race, thus avoiding a demographic decline like that of bygone times. This system ran until the end of August.

Valardom of Vulpinia
In the beginning of August, Xen Thero stepped down as the second monarch leaving Nuncio Yolcotl alone on the throne. With the help of his trusted advisors, he implemented the first monarchy of Vulpinia and the third governmental reform that came to be knon as The Vulpur Restoration. The diarchy was no longer in force and the first vulpur king in over a thousand years was crowned. The Ethnocratic name changed to the Valardom of Vulpinia to symbolize the kingdom that Nuncio now lead. In the vulpin language, Valardom means Kingdom and the word Valar means King. Therefore when addressing the king’s of vulpur nations, you always address them as Valar. Nuncio Yolcotl had the support of all the citizens and was a beloved Valar.

Reign of Nuncio the Great
During their stay in Serrona, Vulpinia, the Batu Khaganate and the Bai Federation, established positive relations from the beginning and maintained unity throughout the history of the growing nations. They would become commercial and military allies. However, Nuncio was concerned about the internal stability of Vulpinia, until then they had lived under a decaying oligarchy, which dissolved and unwittingly initiating a period of anarchy within Vulpinia. It would not take long for Nuncio to centralize power under a Valar (an ancient word in the Vulpin language that means Leader or King); He then established the first Vulpur Kingdom since the Valardom of King Aroforn. It was at this time that Westeros, standing out with his role as High Father, was chosen as Vierl (Prince) of Vulpinia and successor to Nuncio's throne. Westeros was the one who appointed Nuncio as "Nuncio the Great", erecting a statue in his honor within Tildivul. After years of running and being the shadow of the great powers, the Valardom of Vulpinia managed to position itself as a power within Serrona thanks to the efforts of Nuncio, Westeros and the rest of the princes of Vulpinia. Nuncio would send Nanfer, his royal architect to erect the Vetervul palace, serving as a private residence for the Valar, a communal library for the Vulpur people, a research center on the Vulpur heritage, among other things. Shortly after, Nuncio abdicated in favor of Westeros, leading a coronation ceremony in the palace; thus naming Westeros as the next Valar of Vulpinia. Nuncio would live since then in his palace, dedicating himself to research and publication of texts about the Vulpur people.

Reign of Westeros the Wise
After years of Nuncio’s great reign as Valar, the Valardom (Kingdom) of Vulpinia prospered in safety and security. The years were just for Nuncio and his people, for Vuldeus shined down on him for the charitable Valar he was. Nuncio announced Westeros as the heir to the throne and proclaimed him Vierl (Prince) of Vulpinia. It wasn’t but a couple months after the announcement that Westeros held the highest and most honorable position in Vulpinia, Valar. Westeros faced his trials throughout the years as Valar but he showed to be a wise and intelligent leader. Some of his accomplishments were the expansion of Vulpinia’s borders in order to help strengthen Batu’s core, a booming population that has reached numbers Vulpinia had never seen before, and he had also made important tactical alliances with major international powers. Westeros also formed the Valardom into a constitutional monarchy instead of an absolute, incorporating democracy within the great nation.

Vulpinian Poetry
From the literary and bardic traditions of Vulpinia are many works of poetry and stories. One such notable story was written by the Orange Poet and is called Donho, The Vulpinian Traveler.

Liber Vulpur
The Liber Vulpur was a book containing an in depth study of the Vulpur people. It was influential and was one of the key factors leading to the foundation of Vulpinia. The following is an extract from the the Liber Vulpur by Nuncio Yolcotl': "The scarcity of unified Vulpur groups during antiquity caused a demographic collapse when these groups failed to cope with the crisis, leading all Vulpur people into a period of darkness and imminent extinction. The modern state of Vulpinia was created with the intention of safeguarding the Vulpur race from a calamity such as that which struck our predecessors, as well as the constant harassment and intolerance of groups, such as humans. The importance of recognizing each other as part of a group places us in an environment where everyone can develop freely, independent of each other, but close enough to care for each other. We must show ourselves as the true caretakers of everything related to our people: our culture, our religious views, our state, and our race. Once we have obtained this, we can rest assured that everything we have built will pass to posterity, achieving justice for the past mistakes of our ancestors by committing ourselves to our people. This is my personal vision of what it was like to found Vulpinia, my mission for the Vulpur people, and the short- and long-term goals of my research."

Vulpin Tribune
The local newspaper documenting important events and trends in Vulpinian history. Publishers of the Vulpin Tribune include BeastlyBrock, BurinVoyager, and Frogo.