Anrat of Adavia

The Anrat of Adavia is a nation in southern Alteniquia. It features several divergent cultures and build styles, united under the common goal of rejuvenating a region of Rathnir that was historically neglected by the larger powers that occupied it. It is the successor of Kingdom of Adavia and Adashira Nikuko.

Adavia's Predecessors
The majority of the land claimed by Adavia was part of the former nation of Shirakaba, which itself was a reformed version of the once-great Hinokuko, a nation birthed from the Japanese-inspired Najo culture of Plagatea. After being sold to Sironia by its leader, Hinokuko entered a long period of decline during which it came dangerously close to complete abandonment. At its lowest point, Hinokuko’s active population was less than 10.

The situation improved only slightly after Hinokuko changed hands once again, this time becoming an autonomous region of Yimmu-Audal, as well as reforming into the nation of Shirakaba. It was also around this time that the cities of Kuclela, Aglax, and Revaria were founded. Initially, these cities were disapproved of by the people of Shirakaba, who considered them hostile squatters invading Shirakaban territory, despite the fact that these towns were in the Sironian panhandle.

Formation of Adavia
On July 29th, 2021, Intant, the leader of Numachi, Arch, the leader of Revaria, and Tonglutong, the consul of Revaria at that time, first proposed the idea of a union between the five cities of Numachi, Hiyokudo, Kuclela, Aglax, and Revaria. Hiyokudo was part of Shirakaba. Of the other four, Numachi belonged to Sironia. Aglax, Kuclela, and Revaria had been settled within Sironia without permission.

Initially, the other leaders of Shirakaba were cautious about joining the union, but soon they realized that combining forces would be the best way to restore life to the region, and the leaders of all five cities began to cooperate with one another. Initially, the proposed federation formed between them was dubbed the Adavian Union.

On August 2nd, Shirakaba was unexpectedly granted full independence by Yimmu-Audal for the purpose of joining the Aldovir League, a military alliance led by Cobbleworks. Unfortunately, Shirakaba’s independence was short lived as the League almost immediately morphed into the Aldovir Empire, a nation containing all territories within the Alteniquian peninsula which annexed Shirakaba with the permission of Yimmu-Audal. Fortunately, Adavia was able to strike a deal with the Aldoviri Emperor, gaining them recognition as a constituent Kingdom.

The only remaining issue was the leader of Shirakaba, Countess Subica, who was still reluctant to give up control of Shirakaba. The solution to this was a (mostly) political marriage between Subica and Target, the Anrem of Adavir, which would effectively unite Shirakaba and Adavia into a single political entity. Today, the County of Shirakaba is allowed to exist as a lesser political entity within the Anrat of Adavia.

Under Archon Ythar II's leadership of Sironia, Adavia would need to purchase the Sironian panhandle, the region containing Kuclela and Aglax, if they wanted to retain that land should the Empire ever disband. Ythar II demanded 600,000 coins as payment, but when he was removed from office by corrupt Aldoviri leadership, the territories were granted to Adavia during the Partition of Sironia.

Early history
Following the creation of Adavia, the founding towns of Revaria, Kuclela, Aglax, Numachi and Hiyokudo all began focusing on building up and gaining population. While the towns of Hiyokudo and Numachi were far ahead population wise, this era would see the some of the cities catch up, with Revaria surpassing them. The first tour occurred when player tonglutong recruited several players into Hiyokudo, which would become the starting point for majority of the tours afterwards. It was on these tours where Adavia gained a running inside joke, claiming that a bandit raid trailed after each tour. The early attacks on the still undeveloped and under prepared cities were devastating, with players losing gear and food in the process.

It was also during this era where the first meetings were held, and in turn when the first government positions were decided. The first meeting of Adavia, held on July 29th, 2021, saw the first Anrem of Adavia, Target1405, decided as well as the formation of several Ministries and the appointment of Ministers of their respective Ministries. The Ministries and Ministers were later renamed Orders and Grandmasters, respectively.

Adavia's introduction into the empire marked the beginning of a new era, now filled with capable players and having secured their lands, Adavia began plans to struct the government and expand the cities, with the notable additions of Sakura, Hichi, and eventually the restoration of Mimir's Pride.

Aldovir
On September 18th 2021, the newly reformed Pirate Dominion of Tortuga began selling some of its former territories to its ally nations, include the Aldovir Empire. Because of its status as the fastest growing state in Aldovir, Adavia was permitted to hold a colony on the Empire's behalf. It was decided that Intant would lead Adavia's first colony of Kronesia (formerly known as Osteria), which contains several historically significant sites. With this deal, Adavia would begin to spread its influence into other parts of the world for the first time.

It was also around this time that Adavia officially changed its name from the Adavian Union to the Kingdom of Adavia, as Target wanted the nation's name to reflect a cohesive whole, rather than a collection of different parts that could fall apart on a whim.

On November 7th, Anrem Target and Countess Subica finally had their wedding, after being engaged for over three months.

Astyllean
In January 2022, the Empires of Aldovir and Yimmu-Audal combined to form the Empire of Astyllea. As a former state of Aldovir, Adavia became one of Astyllea's ten constituent states.

Throughout this era, Adavia experienced several ups and downs. With the return of Kronesia to the Tortugans, Adavia lost some of its overseas influence, although Kronesia remained populated with culturally Adavian citizens for months afterward. Adavia's activity reached an all-time low during this era, with many citizens leaving the nation. Adavia blamed the Empire for much of its problems, coming close to seceding multiple times.

In March of 2022, the Republic of Cobbleworks sold the territories of Bogdanic and Omsk back to Adavia. This was an event of major cultural significance, as it signified the union of all historic Adavian territories.

A founding member and important city leader, ArchIsHot was exiled for a long time and became an enemy of the state. He went on to live in Sparwood for a long time and he became an influential mercenary. He swore to one day return to Adavia. He would do this when Adavia needed him most.

Independence and the end of Adavia
With Astyllea's unprecedented collapse in April of 2022, most of its former states elected to become independent nations. Adavia was the very first to do so, declaring independence even before the collapse was announced. Multiple states followed suit afterwards.

This was the first time Adavia had been an independent nation since the fall of Hinokuko in early June of 2021. With this long-awaited liberation came a new age of possibilities, and an opportunity to address the flaws of the nation that had persisted for sometime. Anrem Talos, though he had been a very respected leader and one of the longest-reigning monarchs in Rathnir's history, was judged unfit to rule due to his chronic inactivity. Talos was removed constitutionally and replaced by Intant Kaeru after an election was held.

Adavia's government structure was also reformed to be a democratic republic, and its focus on Najo culture increased so as to "return to its roots". With a new leader, reformed system of government, and name changes for almost every government position as well as for the nation itself, it was clear that this land was no longer the kingdom its people had known, nor simply a minor rebrand. Thus, the era of the Kingdom of Adavia had finally ended.

Kingdom of Adashira Nikuko
With the end of Adavia, Najo culture and political leaders completely took over nearly all Adavian cities. During this time period Adavia would grow rapidly, however it would eventually regress after the departure of Intant. The Najo ruled Adavia for a long time. Adashira Nikuko eventually merged with the second coming of Aldovir and its Najo population died off. The people of Adavia returned to the awful days of Hinokuko activity levels which they had fought so hard to fix for a year. This was not the end of Adavia and the plague that ravaged the Adashiran population would end with the end of Adashira Nikuko.

Anrat of Adavia
Arch one day returned to Adavia, at the request of the previous Anrem Phasmosis, with a passion to bring back Adavia. Adavian culture began to spring forth once again, starting in the population boom of Revaria. He would quickly become the new Anrem of Adavia. Both old leaders and new leaders became active and worked together to bring Adavia back to its former glory. The Anrat of Adavia would officially form after the 3rd constitutional meeting on February 6th, 2023. However, it was a functional state a month before official reform. Najo culture was restricted to the city of Hichi and the formerly dominant Adavian culture spread rapidly. During this time the city of Lantstein joined Adavia.

The new constitution built off of Adashira's constituion in principles, such as being more of a republic. However it put a much greater emphasis on working together as a council. It established 2 new ministries "orders" and established a constant flow of wealth within the nation.

During this time, the Anrat of Adavia left the 2nd Empire of Aldovir (now known as the Holy States of Viesten) and joined the Kingdom of Galadonn for extra help reviving this nation. This would bring turmoil and war to the land which was in the making for months.

With this war breaking out, the city of Lantstein would leave Adavia to form the Regency Council of Carn; along with a few other cities. With the conclusion of this war, Lantstein was not returned to Adavia, and stayed with Carn.

During all this time however, Adavia's active population began to decline. Hichi would be unclaimed due to inactivity. Numerous archivates became inactive, and activity heavily declined. Today, the current Anrem is trying to revive Adavia, along with appointing new archivates in place of inactive ones.

Coup Attempts
Adavia experienced two major coup attempts, both of which were unsuccessful.

In October of 2021, a Numachi Archivate known as Jesus Christ attempted to gain legislative control over the Adavian council by packing it with members of his political party. This resulted in the banishment of Jesus from Adavia, as well as the banning of political parties from existing in the nation.

In December of 2021, a Hiyokudo Archivate known as TBTH was found to be plotting an armed revolt to seize control of Adavia, using a bunker under Hiyokudo as his base of operations. TBTH's allies were banned from living in Hiyokudo, and TBTH himself was banished from Adavia.

Government
The Kingdom of Adavia is a constitutional monarchy with a system of checks and balances in place throughout three major branches. It has a large constiution that is currently 17 pages long, thoroughly explaining how everything within the nation should function.

Anrem
The Anrem is Adavia's monarch and is in charge of creating and enforcing legislation. Among other duties, the Anrem is head of the armed forces and can appoint and remove court officials. The first Anrem was elected by the Council, and subsequent monarchs will either be elected by the Council or inherit the title through the royal bloodline.

Council
The Council votes on laws proposed to them by the monarch. They also have the power to remove the monarch with a 2/3 majority vote. The Council is composed of the Archivates and Kaenkos.

Archivates
The Archivates are city leaders who are in charge of creating and enforcing the laws for their respective cities. Each city has at least one Archivate, although that number varies depending on the city. Typically, a city will have one Archivate and will petition the Anrem to have a second Archivate once their city has become too large to manage alone. These Archivates are voted in by the citizens of the city.

Kaenkos
The Kaenkos are the heads of Adavia's Orders, departments representing specific administrative sectors, and are periodically elected by all citizens of Adavia. The current Orders are the Order of the Rose (formerly the Ministry of Defense), Order of the Honeybee (formerly the Ministry of Infrastructure), Order of the Raven (formerly the Ministry of Economics), Order of the Opal (Recruitment), and the Order of the Sun (Culture). The positions of Kaenko and Archivate are not mutually exclusive, as a person can hold both positions at once.

Courts
The Courts process all civil and criminal disputes within Adavia. There are three Justices in Adavia, one of which being the Grand Justice, who leads the Courts. The three Justices can remove council members with a unanimous vote. One Justice must be present for civil disputes, however all 3 must be present for government disputes.

Cities
The cities of Numachi and Hiyokudo were the oldest continuously active cities in Adashira, and are Japanese themed. The cities of Revaria, Kuclela, and Aglax are descended from Sironian and Atenian building styles, with Revaria having an extensive subterranean portion and Aglax being composed partially of reclaimed ruins. They remain active today. Sakura, a massive tree, is Japanese themed, while Hichi, another Japanese themed city and the former capital of Hinokuko, is currently being revamped. Mimir's Pride is undergoing extensive restoration works for its old buildings. Bogdanic is a medieval mess of defense, but is currently being repaired. Lantstein is a medieval style city similar to Revaria and Aglax, but with a vastly different architectural style.

The city of Bogdanic, as well as the region known as Omsk, which contains the city of Krioplis, are historical possessions of Adavia that were returned after belonging to Cobbleworks. Bogdanic was briefly apart of Adavia after its return, but they reintegrated with Adavia after the return of Arch. The island of Yurki was stolen illegally by angry Viodoxan-Sironians, however political control has been given to Tortuga for the Galadonn-Viesten war and the city of Lantstein.

Culture and Religion
Adavia is a multicultural society, with the majority of citizens identifying as some form of Najo, particularly in the cities of Numachi, Hiyokudo, Sakura, and Hichi. Aglax has a notable Sagaviri influence from historic Sironian governance, making it the most similar to a typical Aldoviri city. Mimir's Pride and Revaria have cultures fairly unique to Adavia.

Several religions were practiced within Adavia. Sakrelism, the religion practiced by Adavia's royal family, is also the most prevalent religion in Aldovir as a whole, but is a minority religion in Adavia. In the modern era, Sakrelism has been rooted out of Adavian society, no longer being followed by the royal family. Birch Cubism (Not to be confused with Cubism, which is actually younger but more well-known) was centered around a mysterious birch cube in Revaria that appeared one day without any explanation. It was considered a "meme religion". However, the cube itself stands as an icon of Adavian history and of its rich culture.

Deus Helios, a sun-based religion, was popular in Revaria prior to the departure of Arch_Xngel, and was for a time functionally extinct. Mizunosei and San-Hei were two Najo religions practiced in Adavia, with the former primarily in Numachi and Sakura and the latter primarily in Hichi and Hiyokudo. Mizunosei focuses on water spirits, while San-Hei has a pantheon of several distinct deities. Faith in Deus Helios has become popular once again after the return of Arch in the December of 2022.

Lately the Adavian culture has been pulling ahead of the Najo culture in population numbers and amount of cities it is practiced in. Practice in Najo culture has been restricted mostly to Hichi, however it is still clearly present in every aspect of modern Adavian life and architecture.

Other cultural ideals that were universal in Adavia include brotherhood, strength through unity, and overcoming adversity through cooperation. Unsurprisingly, these are the ideals that brought the Kingdom together in the first place and helped it to thrive.