Illyntheria

Republic of Illyntheria Gweriniaeth Illyntheria
Flag
Motto: Balch a Rhydd Proud and Free
Location of Illyntheria (green) in Lira (dark grey)
Capital	Ethribel
Official languages	Illyntherian
Ethnic groups	Illyntheri
Demonym(s)	Illyntherian
Government	Constitutional Parliamentary Republic
• President	Arthur Eifion
• Chancellor	Mair Siorus
Area
• Total	274,018.64 km2 (105,799.19 sq mi)
Population
• Estimate	33,914,000
GDP (nominal)	2020 estimate
• Total	₳352 Billion
• Per capita	₳10,386.84
Currency	Argin ((₳))
Date format	ddmmyyyy
Driving side	right
Internet TLD	.il

Illyntheria (/ɪl.lən.'θi.ɹi.ʌ/, Illyntherian: /ɪ.ɬən.'θɛr.ja/), also known as the Republic of Illyntheria (Illyntherian: Gweriniaeth Illyntheria), is a nation in Western Lira bordered by the Radea and Winst to the west, Grenzaria to the north, Sylvakia in the north-east, Gostia and Karodova to the east, and the Relias Sea in the south. The capital city and largest city is Ethribel, located along the southern shore. Illyntheria is a Constitutional Parliamentary Republic. The legislature of Illyntheria is its Parliament, or Senedd, and is elected by direct vote of the people. The President, Arlywydd, is head of state and also voted for directly. The head of government is the Chancellor, Canghellor, who is nominated by the President and confirmed by Parliament; they in turn appoint other government ministers.

Illyntheria has a mild oceanic climate, with temperate broad-leaf forests and arable land that yields some of Illyntheria's most world renowned agricultural exports, such as their grapes, apples, pears, figs, olives, and various berries. The full range of seasons is experienced, and temperatures range from −3 °C in winter to 22 °C in the summer. Illyntheria's beaches are a popular tourist destination during the summers.

History

Neolithic to Copper Age (7000 - 3200 BCE)

Entrance to the Carn Maeth passage tomb, built c. 3500 BCE.

The Neolithic Revolution reached Illyntheria in roughly 7000 BCE, coinciding with the advent of the Belwyn Culture. These agriculturalists lived in simple huts arranged into small villages, and used primarily stone and wooden tools. By c. 4000 BCE megalithic structures began to appear, most notably the ancient passage tombs. These ancient structures are believed to have held astrological significance, as they were constructed such that their central burial chambers remained in total darkness except on the winter and summer solstices of each year when the tombs would be perfectly aligned with the sun such that light was able to illuminate their interior.

In the south eastern coastal regions near Karadova, the Nurwich Culture was dominant, relying primarily on fishing and fruits such as grapes and olives for sustinence. They have been identified with the later Direngi who lived in the same area until the 4th century BCE. Pottery featuring intricate swirling patterns and jadeite jewelry and idols have been found at many Nurwich sites. Inscriptions in the undeciphered Nurwich Script have been discovered in tombs and caverns throughout the area, but as both the language of the Nurwich culture and the presumably related Direngi Language remain unknown, their contents remain a mystery. Use of the Nurwich script seems to have ended around 3000 BCE, although scholars are still unsure as to why.

Bronze Age (3200 - 900 BCE)

Relian tribes began to dominate the area of modern Illyntheria rather quickly during the early bronze-age, displacing the Pre-Lirans peoples already living there. Some pockets of Pre-Liran tribes would continue to exist until at least the 5th or 6th centuries BCE, primarily the Direngi in the south-east and the Matenni in the north-east. These Relians were ruled by an equestrian warrior class elite who established hill-forts from which to watch over the agrarian lower-class. Some of these hill-forts would later evolve to become the foundations of city-states that would dominate later centuries.

Between 1700 - 1400 BCE, Kharmatian traders established colonies along the Illyntherian coast, bringing with them advances in metallurgy, architecture, and writing. This saw the introduction of the Kharmatian Alphabet to Illyntheria, although its use would not become widespread until centuries later, as most of the earliest inscriptions found are in Kharmatian.

Antiquity (900 BCE 500 CE)

With the onset of the iron age, some tribes such as the Iltinetteri and Birnacae began adopting a more urban merchantile lifestyle while those further inland such as the Icei, Cirnannes, or Anedi remained largely Agrarian. By the early 9th century BCE some of the earliest city-states began to emerge, most notably Ethribel, Ammynon, Caethil, Tyrrolen, Ebbare, and Rhin. These states came to rival and eventually surpass the existing Kharmatian colonies as centers of trade and commerce. Early writings in the newly emerged Ancient Illyntherian Alphabet, derived from the Kharmatian alphabet, speak of military conflicts between the rising Illyntherian cities and Kharmatian colonies as they competed for prominence. One such conflict between King Caradog of Tyrrolen and King Ahriom of Doqara is described in the epic Y Brenin Dall. By 800 BCE, Illyntherias had begun to copy the Kharmatian model of trade colonies along distant shores, and so Illyntherian colonies could be found dotting the coasts of modern day Parthonopia, Winst, Radea, Karadova, Merrain, and the western portion of Ackesia. During this time the ancient Illyntherians were renowned for their skills as shipwrights, architects, and poets.

Taber Conflicts and the rise of King Eliudd of Caethil (600 - 430 BCE)

Beginning around 600 BCE, ancient Illyntheria experienced a number of incursions by groups of Tabers from the west. Some of these tribes simply settled in Illyntheria, spreading as far as the Llwdyn River, while others raided villages and sacked the wealthy city-states. A few of the city-states began pushing back against these incursions with mixed success. It was during these campaigns, in the year 443 BCE at the Battle of Bryn Beddog, that Illyntherian legend claims a young hoplite named Eliudd took command after King Gworthyghern of Caethil was slain by an enemy arrow. Winning what had seemed like a hopeless battle, Eliudd was hailed as a hero and himself became the king of Caethil.

With increased morale and the momentum of a number of victories against the Tabers, Eliudd made significant headway. He began incorporating both Illyntherian tribes and Taber holdings into his domain, creating a kingdom that reached all the way into modern day western Winst and Radea in only a few short years. With the Taber tribes contained, he began to set his sites on the other city states of Illyntheria. By around 430 BCE the cities of Ammynon and Tyrrolen had been taken by force, and others such as Ethribel, Ebbare, Rhin, and Pennach joined willingly, being afforded better autonomy for their cooperation.

Unified Illyntherian Kingdom (430 - 390 BCE)

For the first time in its history, the core of Illyntherian territory was unified under a single ruler, with Caethil as its capital. Eliudd quickly began cementing his power, reorganizing the armies of the various cities into a single fighting force under his control. New rulers were appointed in conquered cities to replace disloyal rulers, while those who pledged complete obedience were allowed to remain. Eliudd also appointed judges, called barnwyr, to oversee the proper following of the rule of law as decided by Caethil in each subordinate city and region. These judges reported directly to Caethil rather than the local rulers.

With this new centralized power, Illyntheria was able to become a more formidable economic power.