Unification of Bastiynia

The Unification of Bastiynia was a period in the 750's-760's A.Hu. during which several allied city-states of the Bastiynian region joined together to form a federal republic. It initially initially began as a trade coalition between Hudale and Ilashire, and over the course of a decade, several other states joined in, eventually leading to the need for a unified political system. Officially, the unification occurred on 7 Flamerule 760, although it took several years for the process to complete.

Background

By the 740's, there was a great interest in the rare resources found within the northwestern region of Uzera, and trade routes were desired from the rest of the continent. Due to the cumbersome terrain of the Inferno Peaks and the Maidrial Heights, the only viable passages were the western bypass through Hudale, the Vanora Bay shipping lane into Hudale, the Eijard Tunnel into Ilashire, and the distant highway through Ifran'dorei. Naturally, continental tradesmen preferred the two shorter routes through the then-city-states. For years, Hudale and Ilashire competed with each other as independent trading hubs between the Bastiynian region and the south. This was not without conflict, however. Espionage, sabotage, and eventually violence became common within the two city-states as their wealthy families wished to gain more control of the trade routes. This all came to a head when a caravan of merchants were murdered while traveling through the Eijard Tunnel, leading to a threat of war. Blame was firmly placed upon a Hudalean family, although no significant evidence could be found. Eventually, an adventuring party known regionally as the Grizzlies stepped in to investigate, and they soon discovered the culprits to be Bannershield, an international mercenary guild. The guild planned to spark war between Hudale and Ilashire and thus endanger the trade routes. When it would be too risky for tradesmen to pass through the city-states, Bannershield would be ready to provide protection and escort them through. Plus, they had a near monopoly on national mercenary work in Ifran'dorei where cautious tradesmen would prefer. In due time, the Grizzlies exposed Bannershield for their actions and quelled the interstate tensions.

Hudale-Ilashire Coalition

After the Bannershield events subsided, the leaderships of Hudale and Ilashire wished to prevent a reoccurrence of conflict. Through much discussion over the late 740's, the two city states eventually settled upon a trade coalition. By 749, they agreed to share the wealth of their respective trading hubs and to support each other in times of conflict.

Impacts on Bastiynian states

Throughout the 750's, the local economies of Hudale and Ilashire thrived under the successful coalition. Meanwhile, three other states in the region were impacted by the evolving trade routes. The then-city-state of Dragolis was the leading trade center of the Diamond Sea and of the passage to the westward continent of Uakan. Further, it lied on the trade route from Hudale into the rest of the region. In 754, it was the first to request participation in the coalition. The former State of Daeder (now Klerdana, Zhuhgao and Anestead) held the primary source of wealth in the Bastiynian region. Its fertile lands were flush with exotic spices, and its control over the whale habitats of the Diamond Sea attracted an appeal for commerce. While it received extensive trade through all directions, over 80% of the state's exports traveled through either Hudale or Ilashire. As part of the coalition, tariffs were placed on any Daederan goods traveling through those cities. By 757, Daeder announced its intent to join the coalition if the tariffs are lifted. The gnomes of the Witlan Nation (now contested territory in the Witlan Forest) had been present for over two-thousand years by the time humans showed up in the region. They were fairly isolated at first, but they did eventually participate the formation of Bastiynia's trade network. The cold and humid climate of Witlan combined with the gnome's hint of fey magic led to some beautiful flowers and colorful furs, which received great demand from some groups of humans. The majority of Witlan's exports were regional, so the coalition did not impact it directly. Even when later asked to join, the gnomes of Witlan preferred to remain independent in all manners.

Unification

Over the course of the coalition, international trade became a key topic within the four states' political systems. Given the complexity of the commercial regulations and interstate tariffs, there was a growing desire for a central structure to manage it all. Debates were held, referendums were carried out, and propaganda was pushed. Eventually, the ruling plutocrats at the time agreed on terms for uniting the states under a single economy, with a shared military to protect it, and a senate to govern it. Each state would be responsible for electing a number of representatives based on their share of wealth: 2 senators for Hudale, 2 for Ilashire, 2 for Dragolis, and 4 for Daeder. On 7 Flamerule 760, the first senate of the Republic of Bastiynia was established by election, and the former states of Hudale, Ilashire, Dragolis, and Daeder were redesignated as the four Bastiynian prefectures. Over the following decade, the senate wrote the laws of the country and established the core departments to manage the government.

Established Territory

Early on, the territory of Bastiynia reflected the loosely-defined domains of the former states. So amongst its first priorities the republic spent twenty years establishing and strengthening their borders. With the enforcement of the Bastiynian Army, dozens of small towns and villages in the region were annexed through either diplomacy or force. By Nightal 778, the senate defined the territory of Bastiynia as all land and water that is:

North of the Dolenel River between the Inferno Peaks and Vanora Bay
North of 24 miles into the Inferno Peaks between Dolenel River and Ilashire
North of 10 miles beyond the south of Eijard Tunnel
East of the Seblenga territories as enforced by Fort Windamere
West of 24 miles into the Madrial Heights between Ilashire and Ashemar River
South of 24 miles into the Diamond Sea between Dragolis and the Ashemar River

Isolation of the Witlan Gnomes

Officially, Bastiynia's claim to territory included all of the Witlan Gnomes' homeland, thereby rejecting the sovereignty of the Witlan nation state. The gnomes attempted to be diplomatic in ensuring their recognition, but the republic responded with force. The Bastiynian Army charged through the Witlan Forest in Mirtul 779 to annex the lands, which resulted in the deaths of 7 gnomes. However, the army was unable to locate even a single gnomish village due to their magical concealments. Further, the resources so sought after by the republic were held within the hidden villages. With no chance of success the army was pulled out, but the senate still declared the forest as illegally occupied land. The gnomes after decades of foreign interaction returned to their state of isolation. They no longer accepted state contracts, they began discouraging their populace from ever leaving the forest, and they placed stringent limits on outsiders entering their villages. This situation was the primary reason for the inclusion of gnomes on the Protective Registration Service.

Rearrangements

The Republic of Bastiynia underwent several changes since the unification. The prefecture of Illashire split and formed a new prefecture around the growing city of Xaicestra, which was designated the national capital with a single senatorial delegate. Later, the prefecture of Daeder dissolved into the new prefectures of Klerdana, Zhuhgao, and Anestead, each designated with two senatorial delegates. Lastly, Illashire split again to form a new prefecture around the mining hub of Odonset, also with two senatorial delegates.

Date

749-778 A.Hu.

Location

Bastiynia

Result

Foundation of the Republic of Bastiynia