Khijovia

Ascended Kingdom of Khijovia Mœþra Khijovıænne Krønıa
Flag Coat of arms
Motto:  Œþ øna Đraconıæ nıəva Aþtọnŏė voera "Love of the Motherland is our only Law"
Anthem:  Vara Khijovıænne Ġanþŏra The Glorious Khijovian Anthem
Lands and surroundings of the Ascended Kingdom of Khijovia, 1613 AR
Capital and	Kleitore
Official languages	Khijovian
Ethnic groups	Humans (82.9%) Sheepfolk (8.6%) Goatfolk (6.4%) Kyleth (2.1%)
Religion	Aravianism (94.2%) Other (3.5%) Atheism (2.3%)
Demonym(s)	Khijovian
Government	Semi-feudalistic Constitutional Monarchy
• Ascended King of Khijovia	Arcadion II
• Ascended Queen of Khijovia	Carevia I
Legislature	Royal Parliament
Establishment
• Foundation of the Ascended Kingdom	June 3, 1607 AR
Area
• Land Area	1,386,546 km2 (535,348 sq mi)
• Water (%)	3.3
Population
• 1613 AR estimate	127,085,900
• Density	86.6/km2 (224.3/sq mi)
GDP (nominal)	estimate
• Total	$ 225,000,000,000.00
• Per capita	$ 1,772.00
Currency	Shonenor (SHN)
Date format	dd/mm/yy
Driving side	right

Khijovia (Khijovian: Khijovıæ [‘kɨjoːvjə]), officially the Ascended Kingdom of Khijovia, is an isolationist, semi-feudalistic constitutional monarchy situated in northwestern Pelia, with Kleitore serving as its capital. It shares its borders with Kyldigard to the north and Prestore to the south, while the Kesper Sea lies to the west. It occupies the northern portion of the High West region and possesses several overseas colonies, including the Recondian archipelago in the Wintry Ocean, Thenoria in northern Ilus, and Yvrethia in northeastern Pelia, which is the largest and most significant of these territories. Mainland Khijovia has an estimated population of approximately 110 million, making it one of the most populous countries in Pelia. The colonial territories contribute an additional 17 million inhabitants, bringing the total population of Khijovia to 127 million. Known for its deeply spiritual society, the nation has maintained a unique connection with the magical arts throughout its history, with approximately 94% of the population belonging to the Aravian faith.

During ancient times, Khijovia served as a crossroads for numerous neolithic cultures. Thriving city-states emerged during the Era of Ruin, preserving their cultural identity and language staunchly against external influences. Despite the upheavals in the rest of Sparkalia, Khijovia remained isolated, relatively unaffected by wars and famines until the catastrophic Abheric Wars and the subsequent collapse of the city-state system around 177 BR, marking the end of the Archaic Age in Khijovian history. Despite suffering continental amnesia during the Great Shuffle, Khijovian culture persisted. In 289 AR, the Kveutonian civilization conquered and divided Khijovia into governatorates, making it a crucial economic and cultural hub within the Kveutonian Empire. The empire reached its zenith around 415 but dissolved in 502, leading to the formation of independent statelets and religious-monastic military orders, including the influential Jovianic Order. Over the centuries, cities transformed into feudal lordships, giving rise to Khijovian states. The Grand Duke of Klettoria, Zenon the Great, initiated a national unification campaign in 1152, defeating the rival House of Arenia and establishing the Kingdom of Khijovia on July 11, 1161. Despite centuries of rule, the Zenonian Dynasty faced a coup on January 28, 1534, leading to the formation of the relatively short-lived Khijovian Federation. In May 1607, Prince Arcadion of the House of Zenon reclaimed power and officially founded the Ascended Kingdom of Khijovia on June 3, 1607.

Etymology

The origin of the name Khijovia has long intrigued linguists and historians, prompting diverse reconstructions. While some theories delve into etymological roots, others are steeped in historical narratives, including the intriguing notion of an ancient pre-Shuffle king named Khjvonnə in popular traditions.

One prevalent theory suggests that the name stems from Khjyvi, an exoethnonym used by the Koritians for a tribe residing in the neighboring Aldoria region. Another hypothesis, not mutually exclusive, proposes that these people venerated a pagan deity, Khœva, making the name signify "inhabitants of the land of Khœva."

History

Main article: History of Khijovia

Primordial Aeon

Prehistory

Approximately 35,000 years ago, the first known inhabitants of the Khijovian territory were the Acreans, a nomadic civilization whose existence is primarily evidenced by the archaeological site of Yllia along today's Pletorian coasts. Yvernia preserves remnants of an intricate funerary complex, featuring over 20 tombs with associated burial items. The Acreans had distinctive burial practices, arranging skeletons with heads facing East—a potential symbol of rebirth. Skulls were adorned with red ocher, signifying a return of blood and life to the deceased. The complex walls displayed propitiatory rock paintings, depicting shamanic rituals.

Burial for the Acreans was a magical rite, aimed at preventing the disturbance of the deceased's soul and facilitating its transition to new life. This culture marked the initial encounters with magical arts in the Khijovian region. The prevalence of Venus figurines in the tombs hints at a matriarchal social organization, emphasizing women's connection to fertility and reproduction.

Despite the Neolithic agricultural revolution, the Acreans maintained their reliance on hunting and shellfish gathering. Around the twelfth millennium BR, climatic shifts prompted their migration from coasts to surrounding regions. The mountainous terrain led to the development of transhumant farming, eventually giving way to settled agriculture. This marked the end of nomadism and the permanent settlement of the Acreans people across the Khijovian region.

Protohistory

The advent of agriculture and livestock, providing a surplus of food, led to a significant demographic increase and the emergence of the first housing agglomerations. During this phase, the matriarchy gradually faded as the need for male military leaders arose to defend villages, ushering in a transition to a patriarchal society. The onset of metallurgy in Khijovia marked the Copper Age, giving rise to distinct cultures: the Venatorian culture in the north, Khantan culture in the east, and Koritian culture in the central-south. The Bronze Age saw the emergence of the Xomian culture on Axiomia island, while the Iron Age gave rise to the Kleitite culture near the mouth of the Thevre river. These cultures, stemming from the Acreatic people, shared a common language but spoke different dialects, often unintelligible to one another.

Around 1400 BR, the large village centers evolved into cities, establishing an interdependent relationship with the surrounding countryside. Rural areas produced goods to sustain urban centers, while the cities provided defense for villages. Job specialization's development led to a social hierarchy, with the ruling class of specialists forming the foundation for the future aristocratic caste.

Archaic Age

During the Era of Ruin in Khijovia, urban centers developed into autonomous city-states, each adopting distinct forms of governance. Some embraced theocratic rule, where priests wielded political power as representatives of the gods. Others transitioned to monarchies, separating political authority from religious influence, while some followed a timocratic system led by aristocrats based on land ownership and military prowess. Over time, democracy began to emerge from aristocratic roots, gradually granting citizens equal rights and reshaping political dynamics through alliances to mitigate internal strife despite ongoing political tensions.

Geography

Physical Geography

Situated within the expansive geographical region known as the High West, the Khijovian landscape showcases diverse features, making it one of the most varied regions on the Pelian continent. Bordered by the Kyldigardian region to the north, Khijovia is geographically enclosed by the Clastoclite range to the east and the Stornic massif to the south.

The Khijovian terrain exhibits a broad spectrum of characteristics, with a prevalence of hilly areas compared to flat or mountainous zones, maintaining an average altitude of approximately 730 meters above sea level. The mountainous landscapes extend across the eastern expanse of the nation, encompassing a significant portion of the western Clastoclite system. The highest peaks in Khijovia are situated in the central Clastoclites, where numerous summits exceed 5000 meters, including the remarkable Mount Eletherium (5800 meters), standing as the loftiest peak in the Clastoclite range. Over time, the Khijovian mountainous region has been shaped by an ancient Cenozoic glacial mass, leaving behind extensive moraines flanking the western Clastoclite slope, forming expansive highlands in the north and numerous shallow valleys amidst the southern hills.

The plains of Khijovia encompass various areas, including the Catridian plain, formed by the alluvial expanses of the Thevre river and its tributaries, extending to Pyrisia; the Betronic plains, elevated plains along the coasts of Androvia and Charonthia; and the Platic plain, an elongated flat valley of tectonic origin encircling the Axiomia Lake, stretching from Cassiopia to Carcassonia.

Numerous Khijovian isles are grouped in small archipelagos, such as Cheronia off the Charonthic coasts, and Recondia, a polar archipelago situated within a deep lagoon connected to the Wintry Ocean, entirely surrounded by ice cap glaciers.

Geology

Main article: Geology of Khijovia

Khijovia's geological history is defined by the Late Cenozoic collision between the Kesperian and northern Pelian plates, resulting in the Clastoclitic chain and the accretion of microplates. This area is highly active geologically, with notable Neogene volcanism and seismicity. Studies have identified two main paleogeographic domains separated by the Clastoclitic line: the Pelian domain and the Kesperian domain, which includes the High West and the Kesperian marine basin. The Khijovian subregion features sedimentary rocks dating from the Precambrian to the Quaternary and Cambrian metamorphites in the southeast. Khijovia's diverse geological features contribute significantly to the understanding of north-western Pelia's geology.

Wildlife

Main article: Wildlife of Khijovia

Politics

Administrative Division

The territory of the Ascended Kingdom of Khijovia is divided into 27 administrative regions, each corresponding to a semi-feudalistic entity, and further subdivided into 155 municipalities.

Region		Map of the Khijovian Administrative Regions and Municipalities
1	Klettoria
2	Pyrisia
3	Lluria
4	Qaylasiah
5	Atredia
6	Chondia
7	Charonthia
8	Androvia
9	Ketheria
10	Garganthia
11	Yvernia
12	Kharpovia
13	Profania
14	Venatoria
15	Teutoria
16	Koritia
17	Kalkhovia
18	Bellatoria
19	Cassiopia
20	Aldoria
21	Sofolenia
22	Carcassonia
23	Corkovia
24	Karkarovia
25	Rhodontia
26	Varkadia
27	Akrocanthia
*	Axiomia

Culture

Main article: Culture of Khijovia

The culture of Khijovia is a unique blend of traditions shaped by its historical isolation and fragmented territories. This rich tapestry of knowledge, beliefs, arts, laws, and customs has evolved largely untouched by external influences. Despite its eventual unification, the region retains distinct regional identities, creating a complex cultural landscape marked by both unity and diversity. Khijovia values beauty and humanism, particularly evident since the Ascension Period, when a surge of artistic expression transformed everyday life into an art form. The society emphasizes personal integrity, where external beauty reflects inner virtue, fostering a strong sense of community and social harmony. Additionally, Khijovia has a complex relationship with magic, once misused but now revered through the teachings of Aravianism. Magic is seen as a powerful tool for societal improvement, though it is largely controlled by the elite Syhric caste, who are viewed as noble guardians of this knowledge.