Arenoran Isles

Commonwealth of Arenor Ishlan Arenn
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: "Bluut Tal Sikhate Wa-Norym Vestadr" (Only Blood Can Secure The Future)
Anthem: Slow March To A New Order
Capital	Arenkau, Republic of Arenland
Official languages	Arenish, English
Recognised regional languages	Oritan, Hulgar, Nitobryn
Demonym(s)	Arenoran
Government	Federal bicameral republic
• President	Arden Adleston
• Ishlantor	Dixus Pirihimana
Legislature	Anheashstad
• Upper house	Arenoran Senate
• Lower house	Council of Hundreds
Population
• 2020 estimate	9,954,234
Currency	Nero
Date format	dd-mm-yyyy
Driving side	left
Calling code	115

The Arenoran Isles, (Arenish: Ishlan Arenn) officially the Commonwealth of Arenor (Arenish: Enheash Arenns), is an island nation situated in the far north-east of Nortua. It shares a disputed border with Saint Offeat on the island of Offeat and is separated from the Nortuan mainland by the Rensal Sea. It is a federation comprised of five nominal sovereign nations. The Arenoran Parliament, commonly referred to as the Anheashstad convenes in the capital, and second largest city of Arenkau. It is a member of the Coalition of Crown Albatross.

Human habitation on the islands have been traced back as far 50,000 BC when the islands were still believed to be connected to the Nortuan mainland. The island's relative isolation allowed both civilization and the island's native plant and wildlife species to evolve independently. During the , the individual islands were caught in constant conflict and raiding by their inhabitant clans, the most documented of which are the Arakuntu and Oritanau tribes. The Islands were also the first Nortuan landmasses sighted by Euronian explorers travelling the great circle route from Baytonia and Gladysynthia. However fierce resistance from the Arenoran tribes did not permit the explorers to further document the islands. The arrival of the "Eastmen" caused the Arenoran clans great alarm, as many believed they were bad omens, or agents of dark forces. A common tradition of fierce protectionism soon began to arise, with clans often dispatching raiding fleets to hunt down Euronian expedition and merchant vessels along the West Olympic Corridor.

By the 800's, Arenoran society had greatly expanded into various merchant kingdoms and cities, divided politically among the islands. A fierce rivalry and cold war developed between the mercantilist Kingdom of Arenland and the Kingdom of Oritanth, dividing the Arenoran Isles between the two hegemonies. By 987, many of the island's shores came under increasing attack by bands of foreign soldiers, believed to be private Euronian militias. In a desperate bid to repel the invaders, the islands rallied behind the First Ishlantor Arren the Great, whose military tactics and naval strategies repelled the foreigners. Following this tumultous period, known today as the Rebirth Trial, the Islands were subject to the turbulent period of what is known as the Great Arenoran Seesaw, a hegemonic tug of war between the Kingdom and later Republic of Arenland and its rival, the Kingdom of Oritanth. The two nations fought four wars along with several proxy conflicts before Arenland defeated Oritanth in the Fourth Arenland-Oritanth War, forcing Oritanth to reform into a constitutional monarchy. Several years of respite led to a schism in Oritanth's ruling dynasty that saw Jaryth Federene come onto the Talon Throne. Jaryth catapulted the region into the Fifth Arenland-Oritanth War and nearly came to power until the tide of war turned against him, resulting in a domestic uprising that saw his nephew Jhon Federene crowned. The change saw a peaceful end to the war and a pledge to peace that came in the form of the Arenkau Pact as a means to deter conflict within the Islands, establishing a framework of mutual co-ordination, trade, economy and communication. This system would lead to great improvements in Arenoran quality of life and on 2 August 1934, four of the five nations formally federated, establishing the Commonwealth of Arenor with Arenkau as its capital city. The Kingdom of Offeat's hesitation in proceeding catapulted the region into the Offeat Troubles when armed volunteer militias rose up both for and against the federation, leading to the rise of bombings and shootings throughout Offeat cities and townships. After a Coalition peacekeeping intervention, Offeat was divided in two with Nort-Offeat joining the Commonwealth.

Since its unification, the Arenoran Isles have experienced a long lasting period of economic growth as government issued tax incentives attracted significant foreign activity. The mining, forestry and maritime sectors continue to remain the Commonwealth's three largest industries, due in part to prudent investments during the post-Federation 20th century. The Commonwealth is also a founding member of the Alliance of Nortuan States and remains active in the Nortuan region.

Politics

The Commonwealth of Arenor is a federation of the five principle member-states who identify or are identified with the pan-Arenoran identity. The Republic of Arenland and the Kingdom of Oritanth were the two historic dominators of Arenoran history and it is their informal alliance at the end of the Fifth War that paved way to federation. The Kingdom of Offeat and later Nort-Offeat has historically held close ties to Arenland post-Kurnow Revolution while the Schaltenkuut fought on the side of Oritanth. The Galdsilten have maintained a policy of neutrality throughout most regional conflicts.

Government of Arenor

As outlined in the Federal Constitution of Arenor, the Commonwealth is a nominal federation of five sovereign nations, each bearing equal power and stature. While each nation retains their original government and legislatures prior to federation, they are beholden to a federal government that acts in the interests of the Commonwealth as a whole. All Arenoran citizens are given the right to vote from the age of 17. Election day is held every four years on 12 October when all seats are open for re-election.

The Government of Arenor is based on a bicameral legislative system. The Arenoran Senate is the lower house and where the majority of the legislative functions are conducted. The Council of Hundreds is the upper house and essentially checks and balances legislation issued by the Senate.

President of the Commonwealth

The President of the Commonwealth is the official head of state of the Commonwealth. Under the Federal Constitution, the President has far-reaching ceremonial duties, but also has the right and duty to act politically. They are formally elected after the convening of the Arenoran Federation Convention on 12 November (officially one month after Election Day.) The Convention consists of all members of the Senate and Council of Hundreds, plus thirty electors from each of the five Arenoran nations

Ishlantor of the Commonwealth

The Ishlantor is the official head of government

Culture

Though the once disparate cultures and societies of the Isles are now joined under a common government, each island is home to a bountiful and diverse range of cultures. Where Arenlanders are liberal, progressive, rational in their thinking; the Oritanthans are proud, fiercely devoted to and set in their ways. Where the Galdsalen are pompous, fashionable and condescending, the Schaltenkuut are humble, hot blooded and never give up without a fight; The Offeatans are quiet, stoic and deeply religious.

In the decades since Federation, large portions of the island's cultures have migrated among each other. Every major city in Arenor will have all major cultural groups living in tandem. Though the nation has adapted well to multiculturalism, instances of racism still do occur though in modern times this is more prevalent in rural areas where smaller townships may still harbor old negative thoughts towards other groups.

Sports

2018 Grand Final between the Inverkralle Adlers and Kurnow Caracals.

Cricket and Oritanth-rules football are the two dominant sports among the Arenoran Isles, being played professionally at state and federal levels. Rugby was first introduced to the Isles during the 1800s by foreign immigrants hailing from Zamastan, but the sport failed to take root in Arenland and Galdsilten due to the popularity of cricket and the perceived violent manner of the sport. Rugby however grew exponentially within Oritanth, due to its ease of play, aggressive style and appeal to the predominantly rural population at the time. The game's laws were adjusted to fit within a round field to make use of cricket fields found in most cities and towns, and was also tweaked to increase its speed, resolve stoppages faster and permit increased methods of passing the ball to promote faster gameplay. The laws of the game were formally codified in the 1901 Oritanth-rules Football Code and the first official league was established. The Oritanth Football Association (OFA) grew in popularity throughout the nation, and new Football Clubs were formed in many cities throughout Oritanth. The Fifth Arenland-Oritanth War saw the end of the OFA. Following the war, the OFA was rebranded into the Oritanth Football League, with financial support from King Jhon Federene, himself an avid fan of the sport and supporter of the Inverkralle Adlers. The OFL today serves as the sport's governing body and sole professional competition and since its inception has expanded throughout the Commonwealth as expansion clubs from outside Oritanth were admitted into the League.

Since its inception, the OFL has become the largest commercial sports league in the Isles, with each home-and-away game attracting an average on-field attendance upwards of 35,000 people. The Grand Final, the League's final match to determine the Premier of that year's season is held annually at the Inverkralle Cricket Ground before an audience of 100,000 people and an average national TV audience of 6 million people.