Hawaii Crisis

The Hawaii Crisis, also called the Varnamian-K.S. Crisis was a confrontation between the Varnamian Union and the post-Rapture state of Kuhland-Sakai over, originally, the unclaimed cities of El Paso and Tuscon, and later Hawaii. 
It began as a result of the aftermath of the Great Belegaer War and the subsequent Rapture. Parnahyba was eager to withdraw from the occupied areas around El Paso and Tuscon, and did so in 1524 BCS after a year of occupation. The Varnamian Union immediately attempted to seize it, however Kuhland-Sakai had already claimed it and sold it to Alanta. The crisis almost ignited war between the two states, and almost caused Ticonderoga to secede from Varnamia. 
== Background ==
=== The Hawaii Sale ===
By 1534 BCS, the past two years had been turbulent for the United States of Elysia. During the crises, the Elysian government was hastily trying to sell off land. On November 3rd, 1534 BCS, the territory of Hawaii was sold off to Varnamia, specifically Ticonderoga for 70,000 Orbucks. It was a minor exchange at the time, considering the ongoing political turmoil in Elysia. The territory would remain Varnamian, but largely undeveloped. Elysia was later annexed by the GSF and the sale was more or less forgotten by most.
=== The Rapture and Kuhland-Sakai ===
In the aftermath of the devastating Great Belegaer War and subsequent Rapture, southern Occidentalis was split into several new states, including Pesh and Kuhland-Sakai. The latter would inherit the economic power of the Sakai metropolis and strong militaristic history of Kuhland, creating a solid regional power. Some K.S. politicians began seeking to reclaim Hawaii from Varnamia. This began during additional island disputes between Varnamia and Londrina, which had historic claims to an island (known as Mann Co.) west of Plymouth, as well as a dispute with the Philippines. Londrina formed an alliance with Kuhland-Sakai incase of potential conflict. While these were resolved peacefully, many were concerned over the possibility of war in the South Eosan Sea.
== Clash in the Mesa ==
=== The Parnahyban Withdrawal ===
On October 10th 1524 BCS, Parnahyba left the occupation zones after a year, ceding Aceburgh and Damascus to Kuhland-Sakai. The rest was abandoned to the Wilderness, but not for long. Theothanosia was preparing to join the Varnamian Union, and as to not join as a colony, Varnamia began expanding southward to try and connect seazones. 3 days after Parnahyba left, Varnamia laid claim to the city of El Paso, however they were just hours too late, as Kuhland-Sakai had already claimed it along with Tuscon.
=== The Race for the El Pasan Mesa ===
K.S. sold the claimed cities to Alanta on October 14th, leaving Varnamia with no time to negotiate, and no land. The goal was to claim land all the way to the coast of the South Eosan Sea and connect Theothanosia to mainland Varnamia, however the Ticonderogan leadership planned an unnecessary route that could spark tensions. Seeing opportunity, Kuhland-Sakai authorized a mission to cut off Varnamian access to the South Eosan Sea. Kuhland-Sakai began claiming the coast with crude pathways of blocks as Varnamia came south. Both sides began accusing each other of griefing their pathways, resulting in clashes and 2 Varnamian casualties. Due to how Varnamia tried to claim land, it was deemed invalid, and K.S. eventually cut off their South Eosan Sea access. Varnamia still retained claims along the eastern bank of Pinoy River.
== Crisis in South Eos ==
=== Shift to Hawaii ===
After cutting off Varnamian access to the sea, Kuhland-Sakai began using it as leverage to regain Hawaii. During this, the Varnamians in the region retaliated for the Varnamians killed earlier, and killed 2 K-S soldiers. Kuhland-Sakai demanded that Varnamia cede Hawaii and the Southern Penis back to them. They also demanded reparations. On October 24th, the Varnamian leader in Lillalys agreed to a deal with Kuhland-Sakai, in which:
* Hawaii and the Southern Penis were ceded to Kuhland-Sakai
* Varnamia pays Kuhland-Sakai 200k Orbucks in exchange for Hawaii's west seazones
* Kuhland-Sakai also cedes the claimed coastal land to Varnamia to give them access to the sea
== Instability in Varnamia ==
=== The Question of Autonomy ===
While many in Varnamia agreed to these terms, the leader of Ticonderoga, a nation within Varnamia, Nixxy, outright refused to accept the deal struck. This sparked an internal crisis within Varnamia, as the other leaders such as Buckeria and TNK argued with Nixxy. This reached such a point that he threatened to declare independence, and some members wanted him exiled, exposing the fraction within the confederation and calling into question how much autonomy member states should have. To satisfy him, Buckeria and H1p0 agreed to return the 200k Orbucks on October 27th, finally settling the crisis.
== Aftermath ==
The crisis rocked the nations of Varnamia. In order to prevent another internal crisis, the leaders of Varnamia drafted a constitution. On September 3rd, 1523 BCS the constitution was put into effect as the Treaty of Merkania, and stands as one of the only written constitutions to date. In Kuhland-Sakai, the re-incorporation of Hawaii was celebrated as a minor victory, and established the new nation as a regional power. During the crisis, a resolution was proposed to the Orb called the Orb Mediation Act, where a peacekeeping team would be sent to disputed territory and the Orb would actively mediate negotiations to prevent war. The resolution is still being drafted. Outsiders learned how quickly land - even undeveloped small areas - can lead to conflict.