Orion

Orion, officially the Archonate of Orion, is a nation in Iristoya.
== Geography ==
The Archonate of Orion is a regional Iristoyan power, located on the island of Akinidir, "Gexico" in Traveller's Tongue, one of three great islands within the archipelago continent. Orion makes up a majority of Gexico, and is the dominating presence on the island. The island is split between vast jungles in the north and east, and drier savannas in the south and west, with cities dotted along its coasts. 
By far the largest of these is the Orinnian capital of Kahei, one of the largest cities in Abexilas, and famed for its intricate layout and canal system. Other notable cities include Belt Bay, Seraph, Rohldan-Etir, Nova Stockhoff, and Bunkerhill.
Besides Orion, Theionikos Remnants. Caliban and Velichia established themselves on the island, the latter two becoming vassals under Orion. The territory of the Mages of Rohldan has been annexed by Theionikos and Orion following inactivity, and the territory of the Pirates of Gorgossos sold to Orion.
== Government ==
Orion is Constitutional Monarchy, wherein the Archon holds total control and final say. Beneath them are a series of ministers that are each elected to fulfill specific roles. These are the Minister of Warfare, the Minister of Diplomacy, the Minister of Industry, the Minister of Development, the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Culture.
== History ==
=== Arrival to Rathnir ===
As the Orinnian refugees found their way to Rathnir, they would eventually settle in the far north of the Nieden Continent, in a small pocket of unclaimed territory in western Rathnir, and founded the city of Belt Bay. However, the Orinnians were quickly met with hostilities by the neighboring Second High Kingdom of Daelyria, a far larger and more powerful peoples. Invoking the ancient rite of squatter war, the Daelyrians crushed their way through Belt Bay and razed it to the ground.
Once more, the Orinnian people had lost their home. During this low point in Orion's history, the nation attempted to establish itself in numerous other locations, being exiled each time. Finally, the leaders of Frosmyre (now Castamere) saw the dire circumstances of the Orinnians and offered them a home within the territories of the Imperium. It was here they would establish the city of Nebulis. This marked the beginning of a new age for Orion. One defined by independence and cooperation.
Nebulis quickly became known as the 'Factory of the Frosterium", and its size would only grow. A massive farm towered high over the town, and for months, new citizens would elect to join Orion, seeing it as a place full of cooperation and solidarity, far past the original scale. At this point, comprehensive political overhauls were taken, restructuring the government and bringing more democratic power over the country.
This would also see the rise of Spiritism, a folk religion that would become beloved by the Orinnian people, but one that would begin to die out as the old worlds faced its final days.
=== Political purges ===
In around the time of early January 2024, Orion was faced with startling news. A homegrown Nationalist Front known as the Orion Ascendancy Front (OAF) was discovered to be plotting to take control of the government during the legitimate elections and seize control of the state via a "Shadow Government". Upon hearing the news the Government banned OAF headed by Orangespaceman and JohnAce123, The Spaceman trials later that week uncovered the vast conspiracy planned and subsequently the plotters were only banned from Government and not exiled. 
=== Migration to Abexilas ===
File:Many Orinnian soldiers around its flag.png|Orinnian soldiers Patboy (not seen) Bandyy, Briskman, and Ghostowo_ around Orions flag
File:Kahei Coast.png|Exterior view of Kahei Harbor
Orinnian forces were at every major battle of the War of the Comet. At the battle of Neapovil, what is known in Orion as the Orion Foreign Legion (OFL) split off and attempted to flank the fort, but were massacred. While some Orinnians were reluctant to join the 2nd battle, many still did, even planting the flag in the north west tower. Orion was just outside the Eldham empire's territory. During the battle of Eyon, only two Orinnian soldiers were known to participate. In the last battle, Orinnians fought along the bridges riverbank before being obliterated by falling chunks of comet. However some survived to witness the death of StoneyStoner.
At around midnight Sparwood central standard time, Iristor's Comet struck the old worlds vaporizing a crater of rock around two miles wide and two miles deep off the coast of Kartek. Approximately thirty seconds later a Great wave of water crashed into North Sparwood ripping people and buildings off the land. All of Plagos was devastated by the wave as well as time began to slow and crawl even slower. The Great Walls of Nebulis were soon destroyed by the comets blastwave as the last Orinnian people fled the Old City to Abexilas.
After the complete destruction of Rathnir and Eldham, the survivors from Orion regrouped in the far Northwest of the unstable world of Abexilas. Originally settling on an area known as the Nepis Isles, they were pushed even farther north by roaming bandits from Tellia. Determined to not be pushed into fringes of the globe, the Archon Raven established the first colony along the barren Northern coast of the Continent of Caerus. However the Tellians and several other barbarian tribes again forced the Orinnians to the sea where they then disembarked Southwards again to the island of Gexico. As they landed on Akinidir, the Orrinian sailors would settle their new capital on the site of an already existing village. It is this combination of Orinnian culture and native Akinidite customs that give the island its style and aesthetics. This new capital would be given the name of Kahei in honor of the first Archon. 
Kahei would quickly expand, earning the award of the "cutest downtown" in Abexilas, and as its winding canals and streets spread further out into the countryside, Kahei would become one of the largest cities in Abexilas, with nearly a hundred citizens and making the ranks of the 17th largest city in the first Abexilas censuses. Kahei would become very popular due to its deliberate planning, collaborative build style, and unique aesthetics, attracting many builders and lore writers. However, as citizens flocked to develop the capital, much of the countryside remained untouched, prompting deliberate attempts by the Orinnian government to encourage citizens to move out and form new cities.
=== Territorial conflicts ===
Many survivors from the city of Corry escaped from Rathnir before the Comet fell. Based out of Talasi, the Corries sought to control the Southern seas and so they created the colonial state of Etris to the south of Kahei, snaking their way between the borders of Rohldan and Orion. The Corries continued to harass travelers around Kahei until the First Siege of Kahei. Corry raiders stormed into the center of the city, killing everyone they saw and holding the central square. As Orinnians flocked to the city's aid, hours of intense fighting would ensue. Eventually, the Corries would be slain after Kahei citizens, as the raiders were distracted, build a wall boxing the Corries in. In doing so they were separated from reinforcements from the sea and were eventually slain, and the city returned to control. Following this incident, and after mass thefts of hundreds of towns by Corry, an international outcry ensued. Now on the upper hand, Orion razed Etris and secured the territory to the border of Rohldan. 
An Additional major conflict in the early days of Orion came in the form of the Xuan Dynasty. Their claims bordered Kahei's and threatened to cut off Orion from the rest of Gexico. A sort of Cold War would ensue, as both sides sought to create as many settlements as possible in order to cut the other off. During this time, the Xuan would seek the assistance of the Drackar, offering their subservience for assistance in any future wars. The conflict was eventually settled as Orion agreed to purchase out the Xuan for all of their land claims and they would soon move off the island. 
A final source of conflict on the home island was that of Kihime. An Enovathan city that existed in the middle of Orion claims. Despite attempts to purchase the land or make a deal vassalizing it, the mayor and sole citizen of Kihime refused to budge.
=== Expansion ===
After the construction of Kahei, many settlements were created. In the lands between Nebulis and Kahei, a small pocket of unclaimed land remained. This was exploited by an incursion from the Iron Rose. Eventually following conflict and tensions, this settlement was made derelict, and the outpost of Rovonosk was made in its place. The 'Great Northern Road' was constructed, connecting Kahei up to Nebulis, and then across to Taurus, and Bunkerhill at the other edge of the island. To the South through the mainland, an additional road was constructed, connecting the cities of Belt Bay and Seraph, through the former territories of the Xuan, and across the river to the Order of Caliban.
=== 1Tracks' Rebellion and slave revolt ===
In June of 2024, A new citizen joined by the name of 1Tracks. Very quickly he rallied support around himself and grew a loyal following in his new settlement of Bunkerhill. While new to Stoneworks he believed he was more suited to governing the Archonate than the oftentimes inactive members of the government. Though compelled not to, Tracks began contacting neighboring nations to request support in a rebellion, notably gaining the support of DonFuer. The situation was defused when early member Chuck negotiated the creation of a new Ministry of Culture that allowed for Tracks to join the government and gain access to the inner dealings. Additionally, this spurred a further reform of the government, encouraging activity over seniority for ministerial positions. While past this point Tracks was no longer attempting to subvert the Orinnian government, he still wished to have a fight, and so organized the 'slaves' of Orion (unpaid workers) to storm Kahei.
During this battle, the soldiers of DonFuer, who had not been made aware that this battle was simply for entertainment, rallied and heeded the call over the global chat for aid. Eventually, the slave revolt won and stood victorious over Kahei. However, this also led to a diplomatic incident, as Orion did not have a change in leadership following the battle, and DonFuer proceeded to denounce the Archonate in national announcement. This was settled quickly and did not lead to further issues.
=== Rise of the Nothing-Path ===
Beginning in the Summer of 2024, a new citizen named Torrinfell constructed a temple located over a hole in the ocean that emptied out into the abyss. This temple would be called Je-Hyn's Grave. Torrin would create a religion surrounding this known as 'The Nothing-Path.' It espoused a rejection of the worship of the many gods spread across Abexilas. Instead this faith called to fight them, elevating humanity alone. Torrin would begin to take great efforts to recruit the citizens of Orion, building an additional temple in the jungles to the east of Kahei. It would be here that all new members would be initiated through a ritual of blood and combat.
On one particular initiation rite, a floating skull appeared floating above the combatants. A storm began to envelop the temple, and lightning stuck through the temple's walls, killing bystanders. As the the members of the temple fled back to the city of Kahei, an army of allays, zombies, and skeleton horsemen descended on them. A battle ensued at Kahei's outskirts, with the cultists of the Nothing-Path fighting their way back to the safety of the city, though suffering significant casualties. This would mark the beginning of a period that would last over several days, where the frequency and intensity of these attacks would only increase. 
=== Second Siege of Kahei ===
The Orinnians would be attacked as they crossed the narrow streets and canals of Kahei: struck by lightning, beset by monsters, or thrown far into the air, and down to their death. The culmination of this was the fabled Second Siege of Kahei, where as the storms began once again to coalesce around Kahei, a booming voice told that it would come to crush the people once and for all. The Archon Raven rallied the citizens in the central square, hastily constructing a barricade to fend off any attackers. What would follow would be hours of brutal conflict, as waves of monsters poured into the city towards the square. Every sort of creature would make its way through, from hordes of zombies to several monstrous ravagers. Though the fighting was intense, the Orinnians remained steadfast. Eventually, Nyxaris, the deity behind the entire conflict revealed himself. Archers on the rooftops attempted to strike him with arrows but they would simply deflect off his skin. Moving at a rapid speed, Nyxaris would kill many, smiting those along the rooftops, and piercing through the shield walls on the surface.
At last, Nyxaris called on Raven to come to him alone, raising him up into the heavens. Raven had achieved many godlike victories in his time in Rathnir, and was the subject of much envy by its deities. It was there, high above the city, that Nyxaris greeted him as an old acquaintance. Nyxaris offered Raven a deal; Godhood at the price of his country. However, Raven refused. As Nyxaris moved to kill him for good, the Archon revealed his greatest artifact; a sword, capable of piercing the gods, gained through his adventures in Rathnir. Raven dealt a mortal blow to the god, forcing him to recoil back into the ether. As the clouds cleared, the day shone on a new Orion that had proved its right to survive in the unforgiving world of Abexilas. Where the blood of Nyxaris was still spilled on the surface of Kahei's main square, a wedding occurred, marrying Lamp and Yakman.
=== Religious conflicts ===
File:Sankta Ordono Religion.png|Crest of Sankta Ordono
File:Bunkerhill.png|Bunker Manor, located in Bunkerhill
In the months that followed, Orion continued to grow. 1Tracks, mayor of Orion's second largest city Bunkerhill, formed a new faith alongside citizen Runes. This would be known as "Sankta Ordono", or the Holy Order. Its tenets promoted the creation of several orders of knights spread across Abexilas to fight against evil. Immediately conflict started between the Nothing-Path and the Order, only growing more intense as the respective members of both sides began to grow. This was emphasized by increasing political importance of both Torrinfell and Tracks, where their religious differences began to seep into Orinnian ministerial meetings.
Tracks and members of the Order would cover the streets of Kahei in propaganda posters, urging citizens to join their ranks, Tracks would further require anyone who wished to live in Bunkerhill to join the Order, going in the face of the Orinnian Constitution, which granted the freedom of religion. This all would culminate when GeneralHannaway would set fire to the Kahei temple of the Nothing-Path. Prompting a response from Orion's other leader Yak. Because of the rampant toxicity and griefing, Yak would step into the conflict, banishing Hannaway, and forcing the two sides to make amends. While tension continues, it no longer threatens to break out into a civil war across the country. 
=== Dissolution of K'arthyn ===
On November 15th of 2024, after months of meticulous planning, the Archonate of Orion and its northern neighbors the Kingdom of Valora joined into the Dyadic Crown of K'arthyn. Commonly referred to as Karth, the union saw both sides taking great steps to unite together, in claim title, finances, military, and even a new discord. This also coincided with the purchase of Monkey Island for one million, a deal that had been brokered with the Pirates of Gorgossos for months but had only come to fruition then. It was here that the new capital of K'arthyn would be created, headed by Raven's wife, the legendary goddess Segra. The union was not to last though. On December 12, 2024, K'arthyn fell apart.
After the fall of K'arthyn, Orion was left to pick up the pieces, its reputation on the international stage was ruined and any power it had was gone. Matters were only made worse by a brief Communist revolution. After Orion's catastrophic defeat against Corrian supported squatters, losing the entire province of Nebulis and most of Orion's war gear, the nation was nearly brought to civil war until Raven's decision to cede Orion to Valendor with the condition that Orion could leave at anytime with a two week notice or a 500k fine. The decision was justified by how Orion had no way to defend itself. Orion regained its independence from Thalor. 
== Culture ==
=== Heritage ===
Due to its heritage of welcoming displaced people and refugees, Orion has a vast and strange combine of Heritage, this is most visible among clothing worn by the descendants of displaced people. For example, The Audaladai, refugees from Yimmu-Audal, still celebrate coronations taking place across the sea, and many immigrants returned home during the final era of Rathnir and Eldham to fight the invaders from Charm. Another large immigrant group are the followers of the Makerist Church, welcomed by the open religious policy many Makerists pursue studies in Kahei away from the chaos of the rest of the world. A third large group of culture is the Serredin people, the Serredin are native to the jungles of Gexico, they once held dominion over the Sea of Shor to the East. However they were slowly integrated into the Greater Orinnian culture.
A large immigrant group are also Calibani and Velichians, after the fall of Kaisenuvir, their vassal state of Caliban was left intact on the Southern island of Gexico. They were swiftly integrated into Orion due to a friendship with Kaisenuvir, several Calibanians attended the Kahellian Memorial ceremony after the Second Battle against Corry. The Velichians came following being pushed out of their homelands in Tiberius by wars and toxicity. Months later, Josef Hadon-Solaatlan (also known as Torrinfell) laid claim as one of the final surviving citizens of Anglunia, and urged any others to come to K'arthyn (formerly Orion), spawning another more minor wave of immigrants to the nation. 
=== Sea peoples ===
Since its inception, Orion has been a seafaring nation. Its founding mythology, subsequent lore, building style, and symbology are all representative of this. The most enduring symbol of 
Orion is the Royal Shell. It can be found on all of Orion's flags, state and city, as well as within every government institution. The shell references Orion's founding myth and the Orinnian legacy as sea peoples, while the crown represents the strength of the Archon, holding together the shell, and the Orinnian people.
=== Lore-writers ===
File:Orion Scribes Guild-10.png|Seal of Orion's Scribe Guild
File:Old Orion Flag.png|This flag was in use from June 2023 to March 2024 before being retired for the four arm pendant
Orion has always been very active in writing and actively participating to create lore within Abexilas. Orion's Scribe Guild collected hundreds of books in anticipation of the collapse of Rathnir and Eldham, and the Library of Kahei is one of the largest in all of Abexilas.
=== Heraldry ===
The Flag of Orion was updated in the Spring of 2024, in anticipation of the new opportunities within Abexilas. As Orion entered into a union with the Kingdom of Valora, the new K'arthyn flag takes elements from both nations, including the Royal Shell.