Dust Belt

Not to be confused with the Great Western Desert Belt, of which the Dust Belt is a subregion of.
The Dust Belt is a geographical area that comprises the entirety of Eastern Haven. The region takes it's name from the powerful dust storms in the savannahs and deserts of, primarily, Aldane. The Dust Belt is bordered by the Sea of Jcon and the Pirate Sea to the east, the Kushite Sea to the north, the Baldic Sea, the Heart of Haven and the Sanctuary Mountains to the west and the Savernian Jungle in the south. The western border of the region is variously defined, however there is a general area of separation. The highest point in the region is Mount Zhaskgrod, standing at 4307 meters tall, in Ironhold.
== Name ==
=== Etymology ===
The name 'Dust Belt' was coined during the end of the Second Republic of Chevkri by it's Apex Chidius, referring to the powerful sandstorms that occur in the region.
=== Historical Names and meaning ===
==== Pre-Athinische Arrival ====
The original name of region was 'Maqri'. It's etymology and meaning is fully unknown however there exists some theories that cite Chevkri mythology and folklore, hypothetizing that 'Maqri' is or something related to 'Maqrish', the forgotten Ninekh god of War. They reason that the region may be named after him due to the Ardatian invasions or the native raids.
==== Post-Athinische ====
Following the arrival of the Aetherians, they briefly gave it their own name, 'Umbria'. This name was in fact the name of the region the Aetherians settled in, however the migrants were unaware. This name would be quite brief as when the Qeshbago and the Umbrians chose to unite, their union was named the 'Holy Chevkri Empire'. It would be through this name that this region would be named 'Chevkri'.
==== Late Kingdom of Chevkri ====
During the Late Kingdom of Chevkri, the name 'East Haven' became much more popular among the mainly Auroran emigrant or Auroran-tied government who, thanks to their ties, used their influence to impose this name on the region.
==== Modern Times ====
The name 'Dust Belt' was coined near the end of Chevkri, being used ever since not simply because it is easy to remember, but to distance nations like Aetheria or Nullaria from Chevkri.
== Definitions and Boundaries ==
The different boundaries for the Dust Belt, going from most accepted to least accepted
Black: Lünefeller Line
Red: Ursus Line
Green: GWDB Line
The boundaries of the region have always been disputed however the general area it comprises is pretty accepted, with it the fact that it includes Kutaiyara, Nebula, Nullaria, Aetheria, Montroig, Alokhrad and Dande being widely agreed on. Various seperations from the rest of Haven have been proposed, with the Ursus Line being the oldest of them that is still used on some maps and definitions.
=== Original Boundary ===
The original boundary of the Dust Belt infact only stretched from the Meramhold Plateau down to the Nul'lari desert as the north was considered part of the Cat's Claw Peninsula and the south part of Lietmarg. This definition of the region was due to the area being under the First Kingdom of Jcon and generally underpopulated. It was also not helped that the entire need for a definition of the region only came with the Qeshbago Dynasty, who set the boundaries as such to fit their needs as they wished.
=== Cat's Claw Peninsula ===
The Cat's Claw Peninsula, as stated, used to not be part of the region. However, as time passed, it became the most known and recognizable area of the Dust Belt. It was with little controversy that the peninsula was considered a territory within the Dust Belt, however many Aetherian nationalists pushed for it's seperation from the Dust Belt in recent times due to their wish to distance themselves from Chevkri and Dara Lumonde.
=== Tamji ===
Tamji is the single most disputed area in terms of setting a boundary for the Dust Belt. In many maps at first, it was not even included. However, slowly, with the partition of Andros, Tamji appeared more and more. However, some still said that it was not part of the Dust Belt, and those who did agree it was within it's borders, could not agree where it's borders ended. The Ursus line argues it ends on the Chevkri border, while the Lünefeller line argues it ends with the Greater Nul'lari desert. 
== History ==
=== Geologic History ===
==== Promesolithic ====
===== Loanian =====
During the Loanian, the Cat's Claw Peninsula sat in the supercontinent of Celeia Minor where it hosted the first terrestrial plants due to it's proximity to the ancient sea of Meram that had no connection to the Pan-Celeian ocean, thus making it the single biggest body of freshwater ever, harboring extensive amounts of plant species. Meanwhile, the south of the Dust Belt comprised around a third of the ancient continent of Dragonfruit, bordering the Pan-Celeian ocean. It is in the continent of Dragonfruit where the biggest algae colony of the Loanian was found.
===== Tyrfinic =====
It was during the Tyrfinic that the continent of Yuldara began to move away from the Meram sea, slowly expanding it. The Cat's Claw Peninsula saw no stem-tetrapods during this time, to the contrary of the rest of the Dust Belt, which saw a large growth in biodiversity thanks to them. Around 425 million years ago, the continent of Yuldara split off from Dragonfruit and Celeia Minor, causing the greatest floods in history to ensue. Biblical destruction was the consequence of the floods, triggering the Tyrfinic Extinction, killing 10% of all life in Rathnir and particularly in the Meram sea, almost 98% of sealife perished.
===== Ardatian =====
During the Ardatian, Dragonfruit seperated from Celeia Minor, now Vastallotica. The Cat's Claw Peninsula seperated from Vastallotica and crashed into Dragonfruit, meanwhile the southern Dust Belt seperated from Dragonfruit and formed the continent of Nebula. In both areas, the fauna and flora recovered and began to diversify even more. In the Cat's Claw Peninsula, it began to foster large rainforests until the Ardatian mass extinction.
==== Neomesolithic ====
===== Quintassic =====
The north of the Dust Belt, including the Cat's Claw Peninsula, forms the continent of Luminosa by seperating from the continent of Aurora and begins taking it's modern spot in the world. Meanwhile, in the south, Yuldara splits off from the rest of Rosa. Both areas have a boom of biodiversity as some of their species come into contact with eachother.
===== Lothranic =====
The continent of Luminosa begins to fracture as the Cat's Claw Peninsula drifts towards Sparwood and the rest of the northern Dust Belt drifts towards Yuldara. It's around then where the first birds are said to have evolved.
===== Dracian =====
The fracturing of Luminosa continues, with both pieces getting so far from eachother that the continent of Luminosa was no more. Species on the Cat's Claw Peninsula began interacting with those from Sparwood. It is also around this time that global cooling lowered sea levels, creating a land bridge between Alokhrad and Yuldara.
===== Qalmanian =====
The sea levels go back up, destroying the land bridge between Alokhrad and Yuldara before Alokhrad crashed into Yuldara. As Haven began to take it's recognizable shape, it was near this time that the first flowering plants came to the area.
===== Iridaceous =====
During the Iridaceous, dinosaurs saw a boom in biodiversity and population in Yuldara up until the Iridaceous mass extinction, crippling both the Cat's Claw Peninsula and the rest of the Dust Belt.
==== Epilithic ====
===== Cuicoloan =====
Talawa began to approach Yuldara, forming islands along the coasts of both regions.
===== Melwendian =====
Talawa crashed into Yuldara, creating the Alfheimi and Montroigan mountain ranges. It was during the mid Melwendian that the Cat's Claw Peninsula split off from Alteniqua.
===== Regolithic =====
The Cat's Claw Peninsula finally came into contact with the rest of Yuldara.
=== Pre-History ===
=== Chevkri Rider migration ===
=== Ardatian Invasion ===
=== Sindimlemi Dynasty ===
Main article: Sindimlemi Dynasty
=== Qeshbago Dynasty ===
Main article: Qeshbago Dynasty
==== Umbria ====
Main article: Umbrian Empire
On February 14th, the city of Russantia was founded in what would come to be known as 'Umbria'. Måne sailed south from Zhaitker-Klend, intending to go north, and landed in Russantia's land and came to found it. He then declared the nation of Umbria. Very quickly, the Athinische migration occured and the nation of Umbria found itself in a dominating position over Qeshbago. However, the Qesh would not give up the lands immediately. During a short battle in the city's palace, Qeshbago mercenaries consisting of elite soldiers from Alteniquia and Nieden besieged the palace with many defenders outside. They attempted to enter but failed due to rigorous Umbrian defenses, however an attempt at counter-attack caused an opening in their defenses to be breached. Many defenders were slaughtered, despite this, the Umbrians eventually kicked the mercenaries out and retained control of Russantia. This would mark a turning point, causing Qadrog Meram I of Qeshbago to concede and grant Umbria 1/4th of the nation's land. 
Countless coups and rebellions would occur in Umbria, and following a KATO intervention and coup that immediately triggered democratic elections, electing Ursus Xanbiri, Umbria made the decision to merge with Qeshbago following short negotiations and they formed the Holy Chevkri Empire. 
=== Holy Chevkri Empire ===
Main article: Holy Chevkri Empire
==== Nether infection ====
Upon the formation of the Holy Chevkri Empire, a terrible plague began to ravage the Cat's Claw Peninsula. The Russantia Fungus, also known as the Nether Infection, began in Russantia and infected large parts of the population. It then somehow mutated and formed a seperate species, that species physically infecting the plants and beginning to warp them, replacing their flesh with it's own. The physical infection seized large chunks of southern Russantia before being eliminated with fire. A cure for the infection in humans was found, effectively ending the outbreak. Many more mutations of the infection in humans would cause outbreaks in the future, but never to this extent.
==== Ministerial re-shuffling ====
With the Holy Chevkri Empire, it came with a total government re-do. The Qadrog/Emperor, Meram I, decided on placing Cocount as Minister of the Coin, essentially economy, Polystralian as High Priest and Capitan Julietti as the Grand General of the Army. However, Polystralian would be switched for Head Diplomat while Tom Tukker replaced him as High Priest.
==== State re-shuffling ====
Shortly after the ministerial re-shuffling, many new towns began to form, thus the new government made the decision to redraw the HCE's borders. Boitown fell under the jurisidiction of Zhaitker-Nuraq, xTendot's town was placed under Khledameshqa and the Bishopry of Neyadandehar along with the Apexry of Umbria were created. Meramhold was also seperated from Khledameshqa, being ceded swathes of land. Each of these states had new leaders placed in charge.
==== Formation of the Kingdom of Aetheria ====
The Kingdom of Aetheria was created with the founding of Gigney. Tom Tukker, resident of Noviferhevar at the time, voyaged north along the eastern coast of the Cat's Claw Peninsula with around 50 colonists up until the mouth of a great river, which would come to be called the Gigney river, and landed there. Then, he walked far inland up until the river met a large range of hills where, in the low areas next to the river, he created Gigney.
He and Capitan Julietti came to an agreement to form the Kingdom of Aetheria to advance their interests and allow for the formation of a new Knights order: the Knights of Aetheria. The Kingdom of Aetheria was a state within the Holy Chevkri Empire. Within days the new mayor of Russantia, Astralium Zratki, turned Umbria into a vassal of the Kingdom of Aetheria.
=== Formation and history of the Knights of Aetheria ===
As Tom Tukker watched from afar his colonists build homes in Gigney on the hills towering over the settlement, a mysterious divinity appeared in the sky. At first, he failed to recognized the divinity but then... it became clear. Infront of him was Luna, the arch-goddess of Lunaism. She told him to create the Knights of Aetheria for a great enemy would come. As She spoke to Tom, his brother John W. Tukker climbed up the hill and saw the two. Luna turned towards him and proceeded to talk to him next, prophecizing glory if he joined the Knights. And with that, She disappeared.
Capitan Julietti, Astralium Zratki, Tom Tukker and John W. Tukker all then met in the Russantian palace. Turns out, they had all seen visions of Her, asking them to form a Knights order together. With this, the Knights of Aetheria were born. Aetheria, Umbria and Zhaitker-Klend all quickly placed themselves under the protection of the Knights. And Her prophecy of a great enemy came: Entropy's worship began to spread all over Eastern and Central Haven. Along with the Knights of Aetheria, the Order of the Eye was briefly created by the HCE government, afterwards being integrated into the KoA. The Kingdom of Sanctuary, fearful of Entropy, seeked someone to defend them. And instead of turning to the Order of Aurora, they turned to the Aetherians. Sanctuary fell under their protection, and so did the rest of the Holy Chevkri Empire. With a base already established in the Empire, Astralium Zratki suggested creating a base in Sanctuary, to the agreement of the leaders of the Knights and Sanctuary. Thus, knights and colonists set out to the western coast of Sanctuary where they settled the fort, soon to be town, of Misahr. 
The Knights, after having accomplished their goals of eradicating Entropy worship in the areas under their protection, began to corrupt and annoy the leaders of Haven. Thus, by the order of Polystralian the Puritist, the Knights of Aetheria were officially dissolved by the Holy Chevkri Empire government per the request of Emperor Aurelian of the Second Uldarashi Empire. 
==== Holy Chevkri Empire elections ====
In order to further the interests of his city, Meramhold, Qadrog Meram I stepped down from the Holy Chevkri Empire throne. This was to everyone's shock, but succession was the first thing on the entire Dust Belt's minds. Though, he already had a plan. The Holy Chevkri Empire was built upon monarchy, yet Meram decided to host elections to define the new Qadrog of the Holy Chevkri Empire. In early April of 2021, KDN and Ursus Xanbiri ran against eachother to become Qadrog. In KDN's home city of Coolio City, they debated fiercly over various subjects. Though none of them captured major attention from the public, it became clear that Ursus was destined to win. And on election day, only the state leaders were allowed to vote. The results came in, resulting in an overwhelming Ursus victory.
=== Federal Republic of Montroig ===
On March 14th of 2021, ics_de of Montroig held a vote in the city of Terroja, asking if the people wished to leave the Holy Chevkri Empire. Overwhelmingly, they voted in favor.
=== Sultanate of Alokhrad ===
=== Chevkri Republic ===
Main article: Chevkri Republic
And so, shortly after Ursus became Qadrog, he dissolved the Holy Chevkri Empire in favor of the First Chevkri Republic, also destroying the position of Qadrog and replacing it with Apex. Soon after, major changes were to come. In a speech in the capital city, Meramhold, he announced that he would clean up state borders, develop the south, improve roads, expand the central government's authority and establish a legal system. In the audience below his stage next to the fountain in Meramhold city center sat many of Chevkri's most influential figures. Among them, Astralium Zratki. He watched in horror as the Apex turned to him and said that his very first act as Apex of the Chevkri Republic would be to assure the security of the state. With these words, Ursus announced that Astralium would be exiled from Chevkri and ordered his guards to escort him out.
=== Border change ===
On the same day, Ursus and his government attended a meeting with Uldarashi delegates and Emperor Aurelian himself who, upon the beginning of the meeting, informed Ursus that large swathes of land would be taken from Chevkri. The Apex was, understandably, angry at the audacity of the Imperial government having the audacity to take almost half of his nation's land. They talked and debated and argued over this but finally came to an agreement, drafting Chevkri's new borders. After this, Ursus came back home frustrated, however he himself drafted a second map of Chevkri, completely redoing the state borders of Chevkri, and the next day, signing it into law. 
In this same map, the independence of Montroig, Alfheim and Alokhrad was recognized by the Chevkri government.
=== Republican Hearing ===
The Judges of Chevkri, though few, were to review a case arguing that Astralium Zratki's exile was an 'abuse of power' coming from the Apex and the government overall. The Judges held a hearing in the former Imperial Palace within Meramhold, where Ursus was asked to explain himself.
He said that during the formation of Umbria, the two were very close. They went on mining expeditions together, they organized many things within Russantia together, they had bonded very much since the Aetherians arrived. However, during the Revolution for Freedom, he had 'turned bad', 'siding with Tom Tukker'. But, as close as they were, he decided to grant him a second chance. In his eyes, he had continued to go around and wreak havoc and chaos, killing people, selling drugs and hinting towards slavery. In the Umbrian local constitution, as Umbria had joined forces with Qeshbago at that time, there was no obligation for him to have a trial to exile a citizen over such actions. Yet, Ursus still held one for him. Afterwards, the Apex said that the result of the case was court-mandated therapy and that after two sessions, he was declared cured. He argued that the result of the case was unfair and perhaps biased, and that the therapy was ineffective and at most, dubious. Ursus finished his statement by saying that after an act of alleged destruction of property, which had not been proven and was later disproved, he came to the decision to exile Astralium.
Not long after the hearing, the judges came to the decision that Ursus would have to hold a referendum on if he should be exiled or not, failing with 54% of voters voting against it.
==== Efforts at independence from Uldarash ====
On the 21st of May, a poll was held by the Chevkri government on whether they should secede from Uldarash or not. This was the culmination of years and years of seperatist sentiment, dating back to the Holy Chevkri Empire joining the Second Empire of Uldarash. Despite the internal ethnic strifes and wishes for independence, many people in Chevkri preferred Chevkri as a whole break off from Uldarash, at least at first. When Meram I agreed for the HCE to enter Uldarashi statehood, he advertized it as a "temporary" stage of the region's history. Many citizens expressed their sentiment that it very much should be temporary, arguing that Haven should be united solely to combat the Viodoxan invasions. But when Ursus came to power, many began to realize that it would not be temporary. 
It would all come to a head with this vote, succeeding in favor of independence with 87.3% of voters voting so. This would fuel many of Ursus' actions in the future. Though the vote was just a poll to gauge interest, it would come to influence much of the future.
==== Eldhamite Colonization ====
Rumors of a new world in the north east eventually became confirmed when Athaz the Traveller sailed all the way into what would come to be called 'Eldham' and proved it's existence. When the news arrived, Ursus immediately formulated a plan with Polystralian the Putirist and William Rothbreed. They both would sail on a ship with 50 other colonists and behind them around 4 other ships, all heading into Eldham with the goal of finding a mesa and colonizing it. A week after the creation of this plan, it was executed. From the port of Zhaitker-Klend, they departed towards a mesa. Over the timespan of 4 months, they sailed up till north Eldham where they found a mesa.
A local tribe leader, mesmered by their advanced technology, accepted colonization and officially joined the Chevkri Republic. 
==== Restoration of the Qesh lands and Annexation of Tamji ====
In early August, Boulderov and Chevkri were both, although seperately, invited to discuss land purchases from the leadership of Andros. Both eventually were informed that the other was also interested in buying, and they agreed to partition the state. For a small sum of 100,000$ each, they defined their border along the western frontier of the Savernian jungle. This additionally came with the affirmation of Chevkri's borders in the south, establishing the modern Nul'lari borders.
==== Volkstadt ====
===== Volksberg =====
===== Schwanstein =====
===== Neu Jkon =====
==== Uldarashi Civil War ====
Main article: Uldarashi Civil War
Upon the Uldarashi Schism, Chevkri was immediately on the side of the Imperialists. Chevkri did not recognize the trial held by Montroig for Empress Caterina, and was one of the states agreeing that the secession was a 'power grab' from her along with Savernia. Nullaria saw itself in a precarious position, not knowing who to side with, however it eventually came to agree with the Imperialists, and so did Canine. Montroig and Alfheim pledged their allegiance to Caterina and formed the Crowned Republic of Loyalist Uldarash, also known simply as Loyalist Uldarash.
===== Battle of Canine =====
Main article: Battle of Canine
Both sides sent in an around equal number of troops into the island. The battle was more of a skirmish, but still ended in a disastrous loss for the Loyalists. Though they fought hard, they faced the loss of 42 of their own against 4 Imperialists, an omen for the future. This did not affect Loyalist morale and vigor, as they still enjoyed major foreign backing and the main battle was still to come. 
===== Battle of Terroja =====
Main article: Battle of Terroja
When the main battle came, it hit hard. At first, the entire Uldarashi army began to close in on the city to the horror of the Loyalist defense. Once a Loyalist regiment was spotted moving towards Northport, some Aurorans withdrew to reinforce their city. The Loyalists held strong, stunting any Imperial advance. However, the Imperials did not suffer any casualties during their attempts whilst the defenders bled soldiers in order to maintain control over Terroja. Despite these losses, the Montroigan defense continued to fight. Their strategy was to refuse direct engagement and instead lead the attackers into ambushes. This strategy won them some time, but no Imperials were killed. Eventually, they began to give in. Nikephoros' troops slaughtered the defenders and began slowly entering the city, bleeding Loyalist Uldarash's defenses dry all throughout their offensive. The boiling point of the battle was when the Church of the Holy Anvil was stormed, where the Loyalists and Imperialists battled one on one. There, the Empire's men and her allies held the upper hand in the fighting. To no loss, they killed much of the defense's forces, ending large-scale resistance in Terroja.
In the fighting, Empress Caterina was wounded. The city took large amounts of damage as the Second Empire of Uldarash retook sections of Terroja one by one. Outside of a couple of solo actions that did not inflict any losses to the attackers, resistance was over. Terroja fell.
===== Battle of Coolio City =====
Main article: Hapatmitas-Chevkri Campaign
Following the terrible loss at Terroja, the Loyalists created a last resort plan to achieve a Loyalist victory in the war. They would launch a grand offensive into the Cat's Claw Peninsula and Hapatmitas, aiming to take both regions to heavily weaken the Empire. In the Dust Belt, their plan was to first seize Coolio City before moving into Russantia and Eraqat, which would've certainly collapsed Chevkri. The Loyalists prepared their offensive at a makeshift warcamp in Tiatua and the Loyalist Supply Corps began arming their soldiers. In terms of supply, Loyalist Uldarash's supplies were heavily limited while the Second Empire of Uldarash had large reserves and could afford to lose multiple times what the Loyalists had in reserve. Yet, the attackers still undertook their offensives. The Loyalist main force headed towards Hapatmitas meanwhile a smaller force attacked Coolio city. They estimated that Coolio City would fall quite easily as it was a small settlement on the Chevkri-Montroig border.
Before the battle, multiple Loyalist commanders were rendered incapable to head to Coolio City or Hapatmitas due to being embroiled in an Uldarashi ambush on their transport vehicles, hindering their offensive capabilities greatly. In addition, their men were quite disorganized as the list of platoons was only released ten minutes before the battle and they were unprepared to launch an attack. Supply issues further deteriorated the fighting capability of the attackers due to raids by bandits and disorganization was simply the final nail in the coffin. During the battle, even a small Aetherian garison in the city managed to hold off the attackers before the arrival of the Imperial forces.
===== End of the Civil War =====
Following the Battle of Fornost, Savernia and Nullaria left the Second Empire of Uldarash and a fragile peace ensued, though not official. Savernia eventually rejoined the Empire and Nullaria briefly joined the Loyalists before withdrawing and putting itself under Entente protection. Montroig and Alfheim surrendered unconditionally and signed the Treaty of Terroja, providing a clear cut resolution to the war. 
=== Kingdom of Chevkri ===
==== Northern Uprising ====
=== Union of Haven ===
Main article: Union of Haven
It was following the collapse of the Second Empire of Uldarash that almost the entirety of the Dust Belt fell under the control of the Union of Haven. The Republic of Chevkri, the Republic of Montroig, the Republic of Alfheim and the Kingdom of Canine all joined willingly within the first hours of it's formation, leading to an almost instant reunification of the Dust Belt. It was ruled by a provisional government under RakiaKnight Ganeff with no constitution. It's formation was quite brief and undeveloped, however in the weeks to come, it would become far the opposite. Many of the states that joined the UoH seeked the same protection that Uldarash provided, along with amical ties to the rest of East Haven. It's consitution was soon ratified by former members of the Uldarashi High Council and the leadership of the individual states, putting the Constitution of the Union of Haven into law.
Over a 6 day period, the leadership argued and debated over what the constitution would include, how it would be written, the specifics and so on and so forth. This led eventually led to it's ratification and the beginning of the Ganeff Administration. The administration would be the sole government until the dissolution of the Union of Haven. Ganeff was voted in by the High Council to serve as the first (and only) Sentinel of the UoH due to his reputation as an experienced and distinguished politician and well-estimed leadership, having been a former Emperor of the Second Empire of Uldarash and a paladin of the Order of Aurora.
Alongside him was Argon Retter, elected as his princeps for many of the same reasons as Ganeff and having been former Guardian of the Republic of Montroig and a war council during the Uldarashi Civil War on the side of Loyalist Uldarash. They came to an agreement to hold the capital in the city of Axel, already capital of Alfheim, in the time until a new capital city designed to be that of the Union of Haven was built.
=== Second Republic of Chevkri ===
==== Collapse ====
Main article: Collapse of Chevkri
==== Schwanstein Ploy ====
==== Aetherian Revolution ====
Main article: Aetherian Revolution
The Aetherian Revolution commenced on the 9th of April 2022, triggered by the collapse of Chevkri. The Social Republic of Chevkri had claimed ownership of all of Umbria, which much of the population disliked, and they declared their independence, commencing a civil war in the region. Within hours, Triton joined them peacefully and they marched on Russantia, taking it without resistance. The Union of Haven issued an ultimatum demanding the rebels step down within 24 hours or face war. Talks between the two ensued, with the Aetherians demanding Umbria fall back under their control whilst the Union of Haven attempted to compromise between them and the SRC, offering re-integration and possible transformation into a state. The Lunaist States of Aetheria, the official name of the Aetherian state, was formed and it quickly began training it's army and industrializing, along with hiring mercenaries.
Skirmishes on the Montroig border occured before the main Union of Haven army attacked Coolio City. First, they surrounded it, trapping the Aetherians inside. The Unionists blew a hole in the walls and entered, unaware of the extensive traps within the city. Many of them fell and died, including their commander, stunting any Union advance. Aetherian reinforcements broke the encirclement and began funneling supplies towards the defense, however the Union of Haven forces were too strong. They restarted their advance and before long, the city fell. Although, heavy casualties had been inflicted, leading to a peaceful resolution to the conflict where none of the rebels were put on trial and they were allowed to keep their lands.
==== Collapse ====
=== Second Qeshbago Dynasty ===
Following the collapse of the Union of Haven, Canine, Zhaitker-Klend and Nebula formed the Second Qeshbago Dynasty.
=== Era of Seperation ===
=== Dara-Lumonde ===
Main article: Dara-Lumonde
==== Horde Collapse ====
==== Ashai War ====
=== Ashai Rule ===
=== End of Ratham ===
== Geopolitical Significance ==
== Politics ==
There exists only three democracies in the Dust Belt, being Kutaiyara, Alfheim and Montroig, as the rest are monarchies. Monarchism in the region has been a very disputed ideology as previously to the formation of the Kingdom of Chevkri, the only real Monarchist state (that did not host elections, such as Qeshbago) was the Umbrian Empire. Throughout the region's early history, it was was ruled solely by the Republic of Chevkri, an authoritative republic. When Alfheim formed and Montroig seceded, there now existed two more democracies in the region. Alokhrad's independence created the first monarchy in the Dust Belt in a long time. Though, calls for monarchism had not faded away with the Holy Chevkri Empire as Umbrian loyalists still wished for the return of the Czardom. Their calls for monarchism, however, would be realized in a fashion they did not hope for. The Aurorans that migrated into Chevkri quickly took control of the government and it went from an authoritative republic to a military junta during and following the Uldarashi Civil War. With Smartaholic retiring from power, Neon took power and declared the Kingdom of Chevkri.
This Kingdom would be shortlived, and so would his reign, as the Northern Uprising put an end to both and put the final Apex, Chid, in power. The Second Republic was formed and democracy lived on until it's collapse. Then, five new Kingdoms formed along with two new democracies. The region, by this time, was ruled by the Union of Haven. The Union of Haven was a parliamentary republic and a democracy, however the states were reserved the right to choose their own government systems. Thus, monarchies prevailed once again. This new order would remain for the rest of the Dust Belt's history as monarchies dominated over democracies.
== Economy ==
=== Pre-Industrialization ===
=== Industrialization ===
== Demographics ==
=== Ethnicities ===
==== History ====
==== Minorities ====
==== Pan-Dust Belt identity ====
===== Chevkrian identity =====
===== Dara-Lumonde identity =====
=== Ethnic cleansing in the Cat's Claw Peninsula ===
Ethnic cleansing in the Cat's Claw Peninsula has taken place very uncommonly throughout it's history, used only as a last resort tool. The only cases of ethnic cleansing in the Dust Belt are in the Ironhold Genocide, the Russantia Genocide, the Areus Genocide, the Zhaitker Genocide and the Suedlande Genocide. These genocides were most often caused by sky-high tensions following territorial or cultural disputes.
==== Historical Background ====
===== Ironhold Genocide =====
The Ironhold Genocide was caused by the Paragonite invasion of Umbria and the formation of Paragonite Chevkri, and the following instability within the territory. With the territory occupied, the Aetherians living within the lands caused great trouble for the occupying forces. For many years, the Aetherians remained as the vastly dominant ethnic group, refusing to assimilate. Much of the occupying government's actions were blocked by unrest, and this continued following the formation of Ironhold. The government of Ironhold had to come to a decision on how to deal with this, and they saw no other solution but resorting to barbarian acts of massacre.
===== Russantia Genocide =====
The Russantian Genocide had much of the same causes as the Ironhold Genocide, however the circumstances were different to incredible proportions. The Aetherians in the territory controlled by Elys following the Second Umbrian Civil War constituted 98% of the population of the city and held most of the local government positions. The Elysene government had, in the past, tried to identify their state as Umbrian. Their efforts were in vain, and the same unrest present in Ironhold persisted here.
===== Areus Genocide =====
The Areus Genocide was, to say the least, a long time coming. Tensions between the central Chevkri government and the Aetherians/Umbrians had reached untenable heights long before the genocide. It was undertaken as a very last resort to restore stability to the north, however wrong the central government deemed it. The dissolution of Umbria and replacement by Areus, additionally removing all Umbrians from the Areus government, was the stepping stone to undertaking the Genocide and would be the origin for the Northern Uprising.
===== Zhaitker Genocide =====
The Zhaitker Genocide, to say the least, was one of the easiest and fastest. The locals had been a nuisance to the Aetherian government and their elimination and replacement by ethnic Aetherians would have greatly stabilized the peninsula. Although they were friendly to the Aetherian government, many of the actions to come would have largely changed that.
===== Suedlande Genocide =====
==== Campaigns and Methods ====
===== Ironhold Genocide =====
===== Russantia Genocide =====
===== Areus Genocide =====
===== Zhaitker Genocide =====
===== Suedlande Genocide =====
==== Demographic Changes ====
===== Ironhold Genocide =====
===== Russantia Genocide =====
===== Areus Genocide =====
===== Zhaitker Genocide =====
===== Suedlande Genocide =====
=== Genocide in the Cat's Claw Peninsula ===
==== Historical Background ====
==== Campaigns and Methods ====
==== Demographic Changes ====
=== Languages ===
=== Cultures ===
=== Religions ===
==== Religious History ====
Category:Work in progress
Category:Geography
Category:Rathnir
__INDEX__