Konkotsu

Konkotsu is a state of the Lunari Empire located in the Valresh region of Eldham, formerly the Serene State of Gyeoul. Konkotsu was formed after a rebellion against the sitting government of Gyeoul by the people of Konjou in the midst of the chaos during the collapse of the Confederation of Garxijos, although the idea of an independent state named Konkotsu had existed as early as Konjou's forced entry into the confederation and consequently the Gyeoul. Konkotsu is ruled by a shogun who exercises absolute power with a board of commissioners as ministers and a council of daimyos, town leaders, who advise the shogun and may propose legislature. It is currently bordered by the Republic of Helsia.

Early History
The history of Konkotsu begins with the settlement of Konjou, meaning kelp castle, by a nomadic tribe originating in the Katsura region who spoke a regional dialect of Gunjouese, known as Konbugo, and were the last worshippers of Hokurito on Eldham. They received a vision of a certain place in the northeast of Eldham and were told to settle the location. The intrepid journey across the world slashed the nomad's numbers in half, and by the time they arrived they were demoralized and starving and even more so distressed when they only found a large rock in the sea. Nevertheless, their belief did not waiver and they erected a large castle which still stands to this day. During the construction of what would come to be known as Konjou Castle, contact was made between the nomads and GeneralDragon of the Confederation of Garxijos, who threatened a massacre of the town if they did not leave. Distressed, Ra1nfr0g, who was the de-facto mayor at the time, reached out to leaders of the confederation who put forth the ultimatum of join or fight. Konjou would accept the former demand and formally join the Serene State of Gyeoul in the Confederation of Garxijos on a rainy November evening.

Early on the people of Konjou despised rule under the monarchy in Gyeoul, who many saw as invaders. A movement to create an independent protectorate independent from Gyeoul was proposed by BoomLuke, a highly revered member of the town, though support never grew to a point where a referendum could be held legally. After a few days under the new regime, BoomLuke would leave on a journey to tour Eldham and learn philosophy and become a religious scholar, thus ending the earliest incident of Konbujin separatism. After BoomLuke's departure, there were only mild grumblings of discontent as construction on the castle proceeded, during which the town was attacked twice by two separate bandits. There was very little military aid spared by both Gyeoul and the confederation as a whole, which sowed a general distrust of foreigners into the people. Discussions of forming a state once again floated around, as it became apparent both Gyeoul and the confederation at large was a largely disarmed nation with only a reputation holding it together. This was only exacerbated by a changing of hands in the upper echelons of the state which would see the state begin to lean towards socialism.

During the collapse of the Confederation of Garxijos, Gyeoul entered into a union with Neuva Trinidad which caused Helsia to declare a state of war against both states. Ultimately most would point to this as the moment the collapse of the confederation began, with further states denouncing Helsia, culminating with the launching of a socialist coup that included Gyeoul. Konjou advocated strongly for diplomacy and avoiding war with Helsia, however these suggestions were turned aside which sparked outrage. An emergency ballot was held in the town where the citizens unanimously pledged to overturn the socialist government of Gyeoul. Just a day later, the confederation officially dissolved and many towns were abandoned in the ensuing chaos.

Konkotsu Rebellion
Before the rebellion, Konjou leaders spoke with the Helsians about putting an end to the conflict after the change of government. This demand was refused by the Helsians who would only see the land integrated into the Helsian state and would maintain a state of war no matter the outcome of the coup. Integration was highly unpopular: most Konbujin did not see themselves as Helsian and furthermore did not hold Helsia in high opinion. They then turned to the Lunari Empire, who days prior had begun conducting diplomatic relations with the state of Gyeoul. They successfully negotiated a deal to bring the state under the wing of the Lunari Empire for protection from Helsian invasion and be granted statehood, which allowed for a high degree of autonomy.

On January 24th, the rebellion was announced just as elections were starting to be set up. There were ultimately three reasons that Konjou rebelled. The war, which indeed was a war that Konjou would end up fighting as they held 90% of the state's population; Discontent with the government's handling of the situation with Helsia; Survival, as the people of Konjou believed that the only way for the state to survive was to expel the sitting government. The rebels had only one condition: surrender and you will be spared from exile. Negotiations with the government proceeded almost immediately, though nothing much was achieved besides some bickering. It was finally decided by the interim president that executive power would be handed to the original king of Gyeoul, ImCheesy, who turned around and sold control to the rebels for $20,000. Within a few hours, the rebellion was over and the flag of Konkotsu was raised high over the land.

In the aftermath of the rebellion, the capital of Yeolum was absorbed into Konjou which became the new capital for Konkotsu, that being the Konbugo word referring to Gyeoul. Order was reestablished in the coming days, however diplomacy with the Helsians continued as war continued to loom over the horizon. Although internal matters had been resolved with the rebellion, there was still hardship to come.

Geography
Konkotsu is bisected by the Kongawa river, which runs from the north to the south of Konkotsu. The border with Helsia is marked by the southernmost part of the Kongawa river and stretches northward following mountains and dense jungles. The west is primarily jungle— large trees canopy the land, and its clearing for urban development is a particularly vexing matter. To the east, however, is primarily hilly plains and craggy boulder fields. This is where the capital lies, with Konjou castle separated off from the land by a land bridge. In the southwest, the town of Reverene has just begun its fledgling life.