Falholt

Falholt, officially the Commonwealth of Falholt, is a transcontinental archipelagic and island country spanning the Velstmorad and overseas cities in Arsine and Leifmyrr. It consists of 28 islands including Ostartia, Baivos and Matawoksett. Falholt is Eldham's largest island country by area at 1,474 total claimed chunks along with its vassal of Aquaris' 559 claims: for a total of 2,033 total chunks.

Falholt is a direct democracy with the Citizens Assembly deciding on policy initiatives for the nation itself. It has 13 towns, the largest being Matawoksett, the capital. Falholt shares maritime borders with Anglunia, Redoriv, Varn Torum, New Midjor, Soolia, Einberg, Scylding, the Ashtrokan-Wandenreich Empire, Vulperium, Sylvania, Rodinnbrok, Lag Skegga, Ravenguard, Bai, Lunaris, Merconis, Nexus, Shakumagu, Sotrania, Oceanum and Krivoniya.

The Velstmorad has been inhabited since several thousands of years before the mass discovery of Eldham by Leyfindorian peoples, presumably arriving on dugout canoes from present-day Anglunia. Local rulers gradually consolidated power to create the first country on the island before the eruption of Mt. Artia. The concept of a modern Velstmoradian nation-state emerged in 80 TE, culminating in the proclamation of the Kingdom of Ostartia later that year. The monarchy continued through the Plagatean vassalization and re-independence before ending in 111 TE with the dissolution of Ostartia and establishment of Falholt. Since 111 TE, the nation has officially been governed as a direct democracy from its capital at first Ostartia, then Matawoksett since 153 TE.

Etymology
While a variety of theories have been presented for the etymological origins of Falholt, the name is now generally accepted as coming from the Leyfindorian words of Fál and Holt roughly meaning "woods of the prince". The name refers to an early principality that ruled over a small portion of the island, overtime becoming more of a general term to refer to the island itself. By 80 TE, Ostartian books and maps had begun referring to this small island in the north Velstmorad as Falholt.

From 80 TE to 111 TE, "Falholt" referred to the small coastal village that lay off the coasts of mainland Astillia. In 111 TE, the Kingdom of Ostartia was overthrown by former exiles sent to Falholt. Upon the formation of the Commonwealth, Falholt was adopted as the legal name for the new country while still referring to the island from which the name originated.

Prehistory
The prehistory of Falholt stretches back millennia, the earliest artifacts being remnants of stone tools now dated to circa 5,000 years ago. It is generally accepted that the first inhabitants of the Velstmorad isles migrated from the mainland regions of Onthukhan and Astios by means of early dugout canoes; however, due to a lack of physical evidence other theories have been proposed such as the presence of land bridges now covered by the sea. The Leyfindor culture, which appeared around 5,000 years ago, is believed to be the first wave of settlement of the isles, propagating into the present-day Ostartians, Falholtians and Mer.

Over time, each of the cultures grew increasingly complex and some, such as the Mer and Leyfindor developed advanced agriculture, architecture and complex societies becoming regional powers in their own right. The city-state of Mainukks is the largest and most complex remanent of this period, being one of the only cities to survive what is commonly now referred to as the Great Flooding. Further up north, Leyfindor culture thrived from rich natural resources as well as fertile lands from Mt. Artia. The Falholtians, located in the northern Velstmorad region, arrived much later in the last major wave of migration before the Great Flooding.

Estimating the exact size and scale of each of these cultures is difficult. Many archeological records and evidence are presumed to have been destroyed during the Great Flooding. Modern historians estimate a population of a few thousand, though estimates range between 5,000 to 23,000 at its peak, though most academics regard most figures as incorrect due to a lack of consensus.

Great Flooding of the Velstmorad
Main article: Great Flooding of the Velstmorad Around a millennium ago, a major flooding event occurred, resulting in great population displacements among other disasters such as storm and famine. This resulted in the submerging of the Mer and the destruction of much of the Leyfindor. The event is considered major enough that when discussing Velstmorad history, historians tend to use it as the beginning point of modern history in the Velstmorad.

Although much of the knowledge known about this event is through mythological sources, archaeological evidence of a great flooding can be seen in the islands and cities that make it up today. In the city of Mainukks, the city itself has seem to have sunk beneath the waves with great walls of water on the edge of the city. In Ostartia, remnants of the ancient city can be found underground.

The event of the Great Flooding is a narrative often found in Falholtian mythology, with many mythical beasts and stories found surrounding this central theme.

Kingdom of Ostartia
Main article: Kingdom of Ostartia

Collin Ulfrick started in the small town of Navarna, now part of the Grand Republic of Xeka, eventually moving on to own a town of his own, Vitgrin. Eventually due to several reasons, such as a refusal to be allowed autonomy, along with his own hopes and dreams of becoming a leader of his own nation, Collin left with several members. One of these members, Sorli Aestram, sailed the seas before being engulfed in a mysterious mist, only to find the long-forgotten island of Leyfindor. Finding it on no map, nor anyone living there, they decided to claim the island for their own. From there on, they redeveloped the island, removing the long stone covered buildings and landscape, establishing their own town, Vulcan, which eventually became the capital of Ostartia.

Commonwealth of Falholt
On December 16th, 2021, Collin Ulfrick of Ostartia expressed his concerns about the state of Ostartia, soon after dissolving the nation and leaving Falholt on its own, therefore establishing the Commonwealth of Falholt, led by Sorli Aestram. The mainland was handed and put in the control of Azad. Strange lights were soon afterwards found on the Falholtian coastline and became a point of research and focus. The mainland of Vulcan was returned by Aristios after the dissolution of Azad and was renamed Ostartia, in honor of the fallen state.

Azadi rebellion
Upon the establishment of the state, the government was changed to become a republic, with a representative democracy. However, upon taking control of the House of Commons, a few members attempted to dissolve the Federal Council, before leaving the state and claiming a part of their island as their own. The rebellion was quickly put down and the members removed from power and exiled from the island.

Vidanmor crisis
After being approached to join Vidanmor as a vassal and refusing, Vidanmor declared war on Falholt.