Soliana

Soliana, called the Eldhamite City of Soliana in Solianen historiography, was a city located on the subcontinent of Phoenix, on Eldham. It was the capital of the Region of Soliana within Anglunia, as well as a historically significant city within the former Republic of New Phoenia, and the capital of the precursory Holy Republic of Soliana. It formerly held the seat of administration for the Solonist church, as well as the surrounding townships of Solonsburgh, Soloxia and the estate of Mylnesolon, as well as Solonium & Cakenburg. Their successor state in Abexilas merged with Halge's successor state, and Soliana is now known as Solge. Solge is the biggest nation in Abexilas. 
== History ==
=== Early history ===
The first iteration of Soliana was located in Central Anglunia, near notable towns such as Austonia, Austonia's colony of Shadowpeak and the Lutumite town of crossin. The town had its first founding bricks laid by the players Rai Solonéc (Raiempire) and Marsh Goldstin (Marshmallowsan), former residents of the town of Austonia, discovering the land whilst fleeing a bandit raid from their home town. According to the Soloniad, Rai was also encouraged to move there after a religious revelation, thereafter preaching to travellers & Austonians alike to join him in establishing a settlement for Solon. 
Rai, Mayor of Soliana, would soon erect the first temple in dedication to Solonism, a large spire overlooking the golden fields of sunflowers they had settled amongst. Soon, Rai would go to Isaz, the capital of Anglunia, with JohnnyDJackson (Chancellor of Anglunia at the time) to swear fealty to the for Great Lords. Soon, the town would slowly grow into small quaint little village. Around this time, the leader of Austonia, MightyBeans, sent out player WillIsShort to create a colony of Austonia, Port_Azure, which would soon be renamed to Shadowpeak. Soon, these two Austonian cities would cause a lot of problems for Soliana. 
This began when JohnnyDJackson and the Great Lords instituted new rules for vassal cities, which angered Lord MightyBeans. The Lord would soon tell Rai to "passively disobey" the new rules, and that they were encroaching on his city's special rights. Rai, not wanting to be a part of any treasonous behavior, reported MightyBeans to JohnnyDJackson. Tensions soon developed between the Anglunian crown, and the cities of Shadowpeak and Austonia. The city of Shadowpeak soon set up a tower on the other side of Soliana, almost completely surrounding it. 
Then, the leader of Shadowpeak, Will, met with Rai on the outskirts of Soliana and asked him if they were willing to move their town for a total of 5,000 denars. The people of Soliana were insulted-- the town they had worked for a long time on would be bought up for such a meager sum. The town refused, demanding 40k or more. The following day, Will returned with a new offer: 30k, or eviction. Will claimed that he could get the Anglunian monarchy to forcibly evict the people of Soliana from their city, with nothing paid to them. Rai convened with a few members of the town, along with a few outside perspectives, who all agreed: 30k was an acceptable offer, and eviction was a much worse possibility. He also, according to the Soloniad, communicated with Solon who told him to "go to the cave of Murandel", which he interpreted as Solon wanting him to migrate elsewhere. Soon, the Chancellor offered to pay for the movement of the town. This, though a play by the chancellor to increase the Austonian's opinion of him, would be seen as a betrayal by some in Soliana, who began making plans to move outside the nation. 
=== Migration to Anglunia ===
The people of Soliana began packing up all of their important items, and Rai and Marshmallowsan began scouting for new locations for the city. Although the first locations found were within Anglunia, and the chancellor offered some other spots within the nation to move to, the two leaders began looking outside the nation. The two scouted areas in the Kingdom of the Stone, the Holy Empire of Lutum, the Andlirian Empire, before finally deciding on an area of land in the Republic of New Phoenia. The area settled in was a small area of land between Phoenia and Anglunia, connected to both nations by two small isthmuses. According to the Soloniad, it is said that the area attracted them both due to the large cave that sat there. 
The people of Soliana would soon create a caravan, and head to the new, selected spot. The 30k given by the Chancellor would go to fund the new city for long enough to get a claim over 200 chunks, and sustain a city with no taxes. 
The first of those in the city, player Lossidian, Marshmmallowsan, and Rai, would go to set up a small marketplace, port, and a temple. Soon, the new city would grow to be over four-to-five times the size of the prior one, and, at its height, over 20 times its population. 
=== Solianic Schism ===
After the move, player Lossidian began fiercely recruiting new people to the town, all of whom followed the Chocolate Castle, and were often referred to as Chocolatists. The Chocolatists grew to make up around one third of the town at the time, and arguably were the most active citizens of the settlement. Rai granted one of the leaders of the group, Menhera, a castle on the northern side of town, which would become their sheep farm. Soon, a fair portion of the northern half of the city was full of Chocolatist buildings, which generally were in an East-Asian style, with the most notable of which being the pagoda, built by player Korulein. Eventually, the Chocolatists created a major Phoenian Party, The Phoenian Prosperity Party (PPP), which rivaled Rai's Golden Phoenix Party (GPP). 
Around this time, the chancellor of Phoenia, Tunder_, had been removed over a scandal surrounding the vote for Phoenia to join the Zamotz Union. This would lead to elections, where both Rai and Lossidian took part. It soon became apparent that the population of Soliana would have the largest impact on the results of the election, as it was the most active and by far the most populous Phoenian city. With the two different groups in Soliana at odds, tensions began to arise.
The elections, to summarize them, were full of toxicity and spite, despite the efforts the candidates took to maintain good relations--forming a private commmunication line between all the candidates and the King. Much of this toxicity was blamed on the player Abbejohn, so a meeting was called as to lessen the spite the groups had towards each other. The meeting took place in Korulein's Pagoda, on one of the top floors. Rai was unable to attend. The meeting itself would collapse, with all parties leaving unhappy. Eventually, Lossidian won the election, but gave up the position to Rai, and left the nation for Varn Torum. Eventually, the Chocolatists would grow to be wealthy merchants, powerful politicians, and hold many other important jobs, mainly in the nations of Varn Torum and Nova Azcoria. Soliana would recover from this population loss, although it would take several years for Soliana to become as active as it was at the time again.
=== Joining Anglunia ===
Following the Phoenix Crisis, Soliana had a decision to make: to join Zamotz, or to remain independent. Soon, the popular decision was made to remain independent, with the city gaining the whole eastern seaboard of the adjoining sea. The city, which had reformed its government to be half-theocracy, half-democracy, experienced a great growth in population. But, this would not last. Soon, the city's activity would fall, weakening the city.
The city would later on join Visio after being purchased by it, as well Anglunia thereafters, with local democracy largely collapsing in this timeframe. Yinower Yinower-Blizun (Abbejohn), who became effective leader after the death (in reality, disappearance) of Rai, would later become a leader of the anti-Mad King Rebellion . The city housed a major party, in which multiple brawls took place. But the party did allow Abbejohn to gain new allies.
Thereafter, the city grew massively. With the population doubling in just 1 week. This was due to new recruits for the rebellion. The city became one of the fastest growing in all of Eldham. With new sewers. walls. and homes being built. The future of Soliana looked bright. And it was one of the most free cities in all of Eldham. with full religious, political, and artistic freedom. its garrison was one of the most organized in all of Anglunia, with all soldiers having a role, and being led by a 5 star general. The city also had a military engineer. Novobrisk, who was given oversight to build new infrastructure.
== Demographics ==
A city census was never completed for the city, however the founding and reigning predominant cultural group of the city was the Solianen. Of these, Yirsi Elves, Soleri Elves, Humans and Maddrakki Gnomes make up the ethnic demography, with the lattermost often being the source of interracial tension. The principal faith that was followed in the city is Solonism, with the formerly grandest and formerly holiest site of Solonism making up the centerpiece of the town, the founding temple of Solon in Eldham, which is allegedly built atop Murandel's cave (See: Solonist myths). Alternatively to Solonism was a small community of those who followed the Anglunian national faith, Arternaia, as well as a more ostracized group of heretics and pagans who have largely been removed from the city (i.e the Chocolatists). 
== Geography ==
Soliana was largely surrounded by marshlands. It was most unique for its swathes of sunflower fields, which is said to be one of the reasons why Soliana was established there. Sunflowers are related to many Solonist myths and featured on the city's flag, as well as in several religious rites and practices, and the settlement motto "The City of Sunflowers". Soliana also bordered a large river, which acted as a natural town border and served many citizens as a vessel of water to fish in. The main trading market was also located here, on the docks overlooking the water body.
== Architecture ==
Originally, the first erected structures in the city were the port, the marketplace which sat atop the port area, and the temple of Solon. This temple was generally considered the most impressive of these buildings, towering over the city and sitting atop a large hill. It is often said that within this geological formation was a large cave system, in which the Phoenix Murandel resided. During the time of its existence, many buildings were built to accompany the city's growing population and needs, with a large housing district surrounding the base of the temple, being sub-divided into suburbs based on ethnicity or economic class. "The Slums" (A notable feature of many Anglunian towns), was allegedly erected in order to oppress and quell Gnomish dissent which had begun to pull the Region of Soliana into turmoil, finally crescendoing into the Solonsburgh trial bombings by the infamous Gnome Mafia. Commercial buildings of the town were often scattered through the bustling streets and took form of the base floor of the shopkeepers home, which was a popular system for many new players. Of these, some went defunct or was forgotten about, including seemingly the KFC restaurant and the Jam store. 
== Culture ==
The Culture of Soliana was noticeably unique, with the locals often practising their own unique rites and events, Solonism having had a profound impact on the people and their traditions. There was, however, a noticeably profound influence of Anglunian culture, with most citizens adopting the Anglunian naming system, system of nobility and some even converting to the national polytheistic faith, Arternaia. These practices were, however, later banned after the migration to Abexilas. The presence of non-believers had a controversial effect on the towns people, with many Solonists having revered Eldhamite Soliana as the most holy place of worship. A noticeable aspect of the then-Solianen customs, still in practice in Abexilan Soliana, is the adoption of the sunflower as an almost icon, the most evident of which can be seen in the gardens of the Temple at the entrance.
Category:Towns
Category:Vesperi
Category:Anglunia
Category:Traveler's Era