Vukhmir

Vukhmir, officially the Mountainship of Vukhmir, also referred to as Jal Myrestakjeler ajl Vuk'myre in Vukh and Dai Apoavos Vushmir in Lo'Oi, is a province within the greater Dominion of Sentara, Vukhmir is the province's capital and largest city.
Vukhmir is one of the older nations of Abexilas, with historians claiming the country was established around 600-800 years before the destruction of Eldham and Rathnir. One of the few Dwarven communities on Abexilas, Vukhmir is known for its people's protection of their cultures and religion while holding generally progressive or culturally liberal ideologies. Throughout this entire time, Vukhmir was a Monarchy ruled by the Rit'zak dynasty, which to this day holds considerable influence.
Following the Sentaran Civil War, Vukhmir is a unitary parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy. The current Mountain Lord is Dekvjon Kerexon-Rit'zak, serving along side First Advisor (Prime Minister) Pytor Rit'zak-Kerexon (PFS). As a province, Vukhmir is also known for being a stronghold for the Progressive-Unionist Party.
== History ==
=== Early history and The Reign of Virfye I ( -600 V.E.) ===
Before Vukhmir, the population was spread in small, cave communities, struggling to survive against the hostile enviroments of the Sentaran Wilderness, fighting and clinging on for their lifes and community, all a desperate fight for survival of their people. The Vukhs manufactured different tools and means of protection to make their lifes easier, but to no avail. It all went downhill with the Great Invasion, a wave of beasts with metal armour sought the conquering of the Kayemek Mountains. This brought chaos to the Dwarven communities, small in size, untill a humble mead brewer came up and called for unification.
This man, Vîrfye I, also referred to as the "Unifier", started a proto-nationalistic movement to unify the Vukh tribes into one mountain kingdom, a "mountainship". He succeeded, and created The Mountainship of Vukhmir, which carried the war against the beasts with great success. Legend says that the new Myrestak (Mountain Lord/King), Vîrfye, melted the metal armour of the beasts and forged them into The Crown of Steel, an iron crown, with gems of the sacred mineral, Rohdonite. Vukhmir was born and the dwarves sought united, a path towards unity and prosperity. The Crown of Steel is featured on the Vukh coat of arms.
=== Golden Century and Adoption of Aratrea Religion (-584 V.E.) ===
Under Vîrfye I the new Mountainship entered a Golden Era of Development and Progress, locally referred to as Dekyanvyeak, meaning "great century" in Traveler's Tongue, continued by his dynasty, the Rît'zaks. The Mountain Home was created, a complex network of underground living space, markets, squares and industrial facilities. The Rît'zak dynasty, although allowing great progress to envelop, was very isolationist and was against the idea of leaving the mountain, to ensure isolated prosperity without greedy foreigners or vile beasts to destroy the now prosperous Mountainship.
The expansion of the cave system resulted in the contact with an Aratri, which the Vukhs started to worship, beliving it will protect them from beasts and that it will grant them the will to keep moving forward. As the Aratri Faith grew, they built a great hall towards the resting place of the Aratri, resembling a church-like hall, towards where Akmyre II embraced the Aratri, and a system of priests started to form. They wrote works of faith and called the Aratri: "a friend of the dwarves, an icon of progress and prosperity, who wills our advancement only forward". Aratrea evolved to become the predominant religion, with every Vukh king being born into the religion.
As the cave system expanded, some people were interested to see what is outside. One manifestation to make this happen was made under Jeleka I, which granted permission for a very small number of Vukhs to inhabit the outside. The houses that were lifted caught the interest of foreign observers, Ivoriyan of origin. Those spread the rumors of a settlement existing in the mountains, attracting small numbers of merchants. This is the first Vukh contact with outside people in thousands of years.
Vukhmir, under Vîrfye IV, started to see more and more travelers and merchants nearing and visiting the Mountain by the day, making business, on a relatively slow pace. Merchants, most of them being Ivoriyan-Sentari, were there to search and aquire the rodhonite mineral, a very rare and valuble ore to Sentaris, a more common sight for Vukhs. Merchants came more and more, day after day, starting to deplete the stockpile, skepticism also grew within Vukhmirian administration regarding why they needed so much ore.
Vukhmir enjoyed massive wealth from this trade, on which they created the Vuk'myreare Rostykje, translating to "Vukhmirian Guard" in Commoner, which they equipped with enchanted diamond instead of plain diamond armour, elixirs and such. One very big thing to note is the fact that Vukhmir never had a military up until Virfye IV's reign, and with no military culture, they took most of their practices from the outside. 
=== Dark War and The Reign of Virfye IV (-134 V.E.) ===
After stockpiles started running low, they have closed the rodhonite trade to attempt at regaining the number that was sold off. They saw the growing merchant numbers as a problem to their supply, a temporary embargo was placed in order to refill the drained storage.
One day, they saw a group of merchants, with flags, a group, bearing a message from a far away Kingdom. They came with a message, that was roughly and badly translated into an ultimatum of war, signed by one Al Solyarjs from a kingdom called Syentraja (Sentara). The administration sent the envoy back where they came from, and mobilized for possible conflict.
3 days later, scouts reported the presence of an army, bearing yellow flags and banners. Vukhmir mobilised the Guard and the Citizen Militia to defend the mountain. One thing that was common between the side, is the lack of knowledge of the enemy, the Mountain Kingdom was very isolated and everything they know was information given by travelers and merchants. No one knew their true intents. A charge was initiated by the Sentara side, the Vukhs answered with a charge of their own, until a roar could be heard. The Armies and their leaders looked and were shocked to see two Aratris, one being the beloved Black Aratri of Vukhmir, and the other being a new sight, a similar, different colored body. Such divine intervention must of have been meaning something. The Armies stopped and came forward to agree on a truce
The Sovreigns, with their marshals and guards came forward, both seeming to understand the divine truce, provoked by the beast they each worship. The Vukh King now foresaw the Sovreign of Sentara, a well dressed and armoured woman. Both armies retreated back where they came from, stopping the battle. The Myrestak of Vukhmir and the Sentaran Queen, presented herself as "Yvatrja Al Solyarjs" (Ivatra al Solari) sent several diplomats to one another, to take tension off the shattered and once neutral-positive relations between Vukhmir and Sentara.
Both Ivatra and Virfye met on sunset in front of the gates of Vukhmir. The negotiations lasted for hours with both sides being incredibly skeptic of each other. The results of the meeting however were a non-aggression pact and a signed document by both parties to once again commit to the Rhodonite trade. In addition meetings by both kingdoms were to be organized regularly in Sjlatrya (Solatriya), the Sentaran capital.
With the Dark War came to an end, commitment by both Sentari and Vukh sides were strong to mend relations and take care that such an event would never happen again. With regular meetings between both diplomats the Vukhmirians as well as the Sentari came to better relations the kingdoms had ever had. Joint road networks, exchange in intelligence and training of the Vukhmirian armed forces by Sentari advisors made the kingdoms grow more connected to each other. In addition migration pacts facilitated the exchange between both cultural groups eventually leading to a call by both sides for a united entity. Ivatra and Virfye both former enemies thereby eventually through cooperation, trade and military ties came to the conclusion of forming the 1st Sentaran Federation together. The nation was led by the Sentari monarch, with a council of nobles from Vukhmir and Sentara assisting its decision making as the Council of Elders. This decision was made due to the Sentari being far more influential and experienced in geopolitical and military subjects. In return however the Vukhmirian Myrestak received the role of first lord of internal affairs which in the Dominion era would later be merged into the role of the chancellor. His tasks were mainly economy focused with him ensuring the flow of rhodonite, the buildup of what would later become the Sentaran Trading Company and the management of internal committees which would later be reformed into the ministries
=== Vyertak Period and The Reign of Jeleka II (0 V.E.) ===
On a harsh, winter day, in 0 VE, Vukhmirian Observers saw a group of taller people, in ripped clothing, marching organised in lines of 4 through the tall mountains of the region, bearing green banners, with a red cross with a white outline, with a star in the middle, some people even carried a bicolor flag with the same star in the middle.
A small scout batalion was sent to investigate, they stopped the marching people and tried to communicate. Their leader, seemed to point towards his people, all bruised and freezing from days of marching, food being scarce and needing for a place to refuge too. He handed the leader of this batalion a pickaxe, and a book in a strange language, with those people depicted as working in various jobs, some images suggested more knowledge in tech then the dwarves. They brought them to the city and accepted them as refugees, to prevent the mistakes that brought the Dark War. Everyone was skeptical, but the immigrants just laid down their possesions, mostly tools and whatever food they had, and started looking for mines and places to work in, in order to assure some funds for buying food. The Vukh Administration granted them housing, and showed them around. The Immigrants, also called "Serrojers" or "Eldjons" took their positions in work facilities and mines, and started to work along side the dwarven people.
From there, only friendship grew, and the 2 communities started only to embrace eachother by each passing day. The Portal Period foresaw massive development in technology, culture and industry, all beside a population boom caused by interracial marriage between immigrants and locals.
The Integration of the so called Serojers, was successful, they were now acting as taller dwarves. The Mountainship is now found under the reign of Queen Jeleka II. A new era of cultural development started, interracial families were made, even the Jeleka II married Leyon Kerexon, the man who lead the Serojers to Vukhmir, but a new problem arose, Overpopulation. 
The Mountainship's population skyrocketed at unseen rates before, and the mountain wasn't going to hold that many people for much time, a small crisis ensued. The Prince of Vukhmir, Dekvjon I of Kerexon-Rît'zak was advocating for the radical option of going outside the mountain, and spread our ways to the world, like his fatherly immigrant ancestors did. Dekvjon also further integrated the mixed, dwarven and serojer community into one big "mead cauldron, made of pears, apples and grapes".
Jeleka II fell ill, the whole mountain came and showed their wishes of well-being to their sovreign. She was deemed to be unfit to rule due to her immobility and state of health, and Leyon Kerexon was also unfit due not being of noble blood, which left a young, fresh 20 year old Dekvjon to take the throne. He first did one thing, he gathered the people of Vukhmir to a mountain wall. Took a pickaxe and mined in the wall until he reached light. Outside, he gave a small speech:
=== Reign of Dekvjon I (5 V.E. - 15 V.E.) ===
Under Dekvjon, the White Gate was built, and a plan to build up the Moylek Valley was drafted. People moved outside the mountain and the population started to stabilize. He also managed to get a seat in the Sentaran Government, as the Minister of Development. He oversaw the growth of Vukhmir and the further opening of the nation and people. What was now an isolated kingdom, is now wanting to be known by everyone. His reign is characterized by the building of neighborhoods in a foreign architectural style, the creation of the Outside City and the designing of the Dekjavuk' Statue.
During the Sentaran Chancellor Elections of 15 VE, he applied as a candidate for the position, along side his father, Leyon Kerexon and the brother of the Kareyos (Zephyr I Astorian) at the time, Caraman Astorian. He lost, but managed to obtain the 3rd biggest precentage of voters. He was accused, along side his father and S.I.B. Director, Lynx Fei, a good friend of the Myrestak, of ellection rigging and instigating rebelion, and they were arrested under charges of treason. Later, former Kareyos, Magerius I Al Solaris, was also arrested for trying to denounce the current rule and regime.
During his arrest, Caraman Astorian assigned himself, by order of his brother, to become the new Myrestak of Vukhmir, as Caraman I Astorian.
=== Zephyrist Regime in Vukhmir (15 V.E.- 18 V.E.) ===
Caraman ruled for 3 years, in which he turned Vukhmir from a multicultural, prosperous region of Sentara, into a personal gold mine for the ruling dynasty. They enslaved the local population into forced labour, banned multiculturalism for dominance of Sentari language and culture, and started to ignore Vukh divisions in the Federal Army. During this time, Elejar Attajo, a friend of Dekvjon, started forming circles of individuals and started instigating revolutionary thought. A fight for freedom. Under Caramanist Rule, the underground organisation of RPFV (Republican Progressive Front of Vukhmir) started to send letters to the people, including a letter obtained from their true imprisoned leader, to start a revolution and free themselves, with him being alive or not. 
=== Vukh Revolution and the Vukhmir Seccession (18 V.E.) ===
In the Spring of 18 VE, small scale protests started to take place in the whole Vukhmir, demanding better living standards, the return of their king and the allowance of local language and culture to be spoken again. Those were suppressed by the local Imperialist garrison. The suppression of the protesters turned into massive clashes with the garrison, in which the Vukhmirian Guard sided with the rebels. The Garrisons was driven out and a provisional republican government was made by Vukh marshalls and the RPFV, those declared independence from the Sentaran Empire.
=== Sentaran Civil War (May of 18 V.E. - February of 19 V.E.) ===
During some months of fighting, losing land after being defeated on the plains of Alp Aeschikon, and loosing the Prjadym Peninsula, Vukhmir declared that their final goal would be the removal of Zephyrist officials and the restauration of the Sentaran Dominion, under democratic rule, monarchist or not and releasing the arrested officials, that were removed at the start of Caraman's Chancellorship. Later, the provinces of Korydos and Jaumotogos, having a large population of oppressed groups, switched sides and joined the conflict of the side of the Vukhmirians. 
The 3 seccesionist provinces established The Provisional Government of the Dominion of Sentara, commonly reffered as "The Dominionists". The other provinces were reffered commonly as "The Zephyrists/Loyalists/Imperialists"
With the formation of the Dominionist front, the conflict was now fought on 2 fronts, the Mainland and Shayo Aksha. The Conflict started with the Dominionist offensive, to encircle the recently lost Prjadym Peninsula, and to further encircle Imperialist armies, the offensive was successful and one of 4 armies were captured by the Dominion. They also managed to capture the island Province of Candalae, becoming an important asset for the Dominion.
The Imperialist defeats were depleting their supplies and morale, made worse by the capture of Napredna in the summer of 18 V.E., their main supply hub to the Valedran Front, with that lost, what followed was the swift colapse of The Province of Valedra, which was followed by a naval invasion of the Solatriyan Island, threathening the city with invasion. The Dominion never invaded Solatriya. After the Valedran Colapse, massive protests ensued in the Ivoriyan cities of Solatriya and Telhemont, which escalated into the Solatriyan Revolution. The event concluded in the death of Zephyr I and Caraman, and the releasing of the political prisoners, including the Vukh Myrestak, Dekvjon I. The Empire was disbanded and the 2nd Dominion of Sentara was made.
=== Transition to the Republican Mountainship (19 V.E.) ===
After the rattifying of the "Constitution of New Beginings", all Sentaran monarchies were abolished, including the Vukhmirian one. Dekvjon and Vukh politicians drafted a republican constitution for Vukhmir. The Monarchy was to still exist, as an symbolic entity, and it will hold minimal executive power, and ceremonial power, while Vukhmir itself was to be administered by a parliment and it's First Advisor.
== Goverment ==
=== Mountain Lord ===
The Mountain Lord of Vukhmir (Vukh: Jal Myrestak' ajl Vuk'myre) is an hereditary possition that was passed down to the descendants of the first Lord of Vukhmir, Virfye I. He holds total executive power within the province and appoints the First Advisor, the head of the legislative, and with him, represents the province within the Sentaran Provincial Council. He also signs laws, declares wars, and can be removed by the Great Assembly by a 70% majority vote, in favour of another member of Rit'zak descendency.
After the Vukhmir Seccesion and the creation of Republican Vukhmir, the king is now a mere figurehead, with almost no power, but there is a chapter in Vukh law that assures a return to the old system via referendum. 80% must vote in favour in order for the Myrestak to return
After the constitution was rattified, the Myrestak' was given power, regarding law vetos and aprovals and emergency powers.
 List of Mountain Lords (Note: D.C stands for "Deepstone Calendar", the calendar used by the Vukhs starting with the reign of Virfye the First)
No.	Portrait	Name 	Tenure 	Dynasty 	Notes
1. 	 	Vîrfye I "The Unifier" 	1-17 D.C (16 Years) 	Rit'zak 	Vîrfye I was a humble mead brewer who rose to prominence by uniting the Vukh tribes into the Mountainship of Vukhmir. He led the dwarves to victory against the beasts with metal armor, melting their armor to forge the Crown of Steel. His reign marked the beginning of the Golden Century, a period of development and prosperity.
2. 	 	Akmyre I 	17-31 D.C (14 Years) 	Rit'zak 	Continued the policies of his predecessor, fostering development and progress within the Mountainship. He expanded the Mountain Home, creating more underground living spaces and facilities. Is seen as a stabilizing force who built upon the foundations laid by Vîrfye I, ensuring continued prosperity.
3. 	 	Vîrfye II 	31-51 D.C (20 Years) 	Rit'zak 	Further expanded the Mountainship and introduced new architectural innovations. His reign saw the construction of several key infrastructure projects that improved the quality of life for the Vukh people.
4. 	 	Akmyre II "The Blessed"	51-71 D.C (20 Years) 	Rit'zak 	Embraced the Aratrea Religion and built the Great Hall, dedicated to the Aratri. Established a system of priests and promoted religious texts that strengthened the cultural and spiritual identity of the Vukh people.
5. 	 	Jeleka I 	71-91 D.C (20 Years) 	Rit'zak 	Allowed limited contact with the outside world, leading to the first interactions with Ivoriyan merchants. This cautious openness paved the way for future trade and cultural exchanges.
6. 	 	Vîrfye III
"The Teacher"	91-111 D.C (20 Years) 	Rit'zak 	Managed increasing trade with outsiders, particularly in the valuable mineral rhodonite. However, his reign also saw growing skepticism towards foreign interests, leading to protective measures for Vukhmir's resources. He also founded educational facilities, like The Grand University of Vukhmir (also known as The Big Cog)
7. 	 	Vîrfye IV "The Shield" 	???-467 D.C (356 Years)	Rit'zak 	Faced the Dark War with Sentara, ultimately leading to the formation of the 1st Sentaran Federation. Strengthened ties with Sentara, reformed the military and established regular diplomatic meetings.
8. 	 	Jeleka II "The Mother" 	???-0 VE 	Rit'zak 	Integrated the Serrojers, managed a population boom, and promoted cultural development. Her marriage to Leyon Kerexon symbolized the unity between the native Vukh and immigrant communities.
9. 	 	Dekvjon I
"The Great" 	0 VE-Present 	Kerexon-Rit'zak	Has advocated for expansion outside the mountain and successfully built the White Gate. He developed the Moylek Valley and further opened Vukhmir to the outside world. As Minister of Development in the Sentaran Government, he oversaw significant economic and infrastructural growth. Democratized Vukhmir, established a Parliamentary Democracy, and became the Minister of Culture of Sentara. Ongoing rule.
===First Advisor===
The First Advisor (Vukh: Jal Ajluj Lyerkem) acts like the head of the legislative branch and represents, along with the M. Lord, the Mountainship's interest in internal politics. He can be part of a party or independent, and needs to be elected by a majority in the Great Assembly, he can be impeached by the M. Lord, if the First Advisor is found guilty of treason, or by a 70% majority vote in the Great Assembly. He has a term of 6 weeks.
After the creation of Republican Vukhmir, he is now the holder of executive power.
List of First Advisors of Vukhmir
No. 	Portrait 	Name 	Tenure 	Party 	Notes
1. 	 	Elejar Attajo 	19-28 VE (9 Years) 	PUP 	Appointed First Advisor following the Sentaran Civil War. Oversaw reconstruction, re-stabilization, and preparations for return to democracy. Did not run for re-election.
2. 	 	Dekvjon Kerexon-Rit'zak 	28-29 VE (1 Year) 	PUP(H) 	The first democratically-elected person to hold this position. Oversaw the introduction of stricter voting regulations and preparations for a new constitution. Member of the Royal House of Vukhmir. Resigned following the ratification of the Vukh Constitution, which prevents the Mountain Lord from serving as First Advisor.
Vacant between the resignation of Dekvjon and the election of a successor (29-30 VE)	Vacant between the resignation of Dekvjon and the election of a successor (29-30 VE)	Vacant between the resignation of Dekvjon and the election of a successor (29-30 VE)	Vacant between the resignation of Dekvjon and the election of a successor (29-30 VE)	Vacant between the resignation of Dekvjon and the election of a successor (29-30 VE)	Vacant between the resignation of Dekvjon and the election of a successor (29-30 VE)
3. 	 	Maximus of Sentara 	30-38 VE (8 Years) 	PUP(T) 	Author of the Vukh Constitution otherwise led a very inactive government. Did not seek re-election.
4. 	 	Pytor Rit'zak-Kerexon 	38 VE-Present 	UFS 	First non PUP First Advisor, elected even as the only UFS representative in the 4-member Grand Assembly, and the 2nd elected First Advisor thats part of the Royal House of Vukhmir. Term ongoing.
===Federal Representatives ===
The Federal Representatives (Vukh: Jal Lepybjl Zypelko) are elected officials that are send to be part of the Sentaran Shokali (Parliment) as members, representing the interests of Vukhmir in the Dominion. This role is no longer significant, since the reform of the parliamentary democratic process, headed by the PFS, passed.
===Great Assembly===
The Great Assembly (Vukh: Jal Degankjelyta) gets ellected by the people, each lasting 6 weeks, and represents the Legislative branch of Vukhmir, they suggest and pass laws and act as the entity that restrict the M. Lord of absolute power. This was made after a Lo'Oi inspired reform of the "Chamber of the Wise", which was formerly made of Vukh academics, scholars, priests and other members of the more educated elites, into a democratic institution. This institution was inspired by the foreigners that immigrated, that suggested they implement the parlamentary system they used back in Eldham.
===Ministers and Justice===
Vukhmir has no local variant of those positions, they are represented by the Central Goverment in Sentara. Vukhmir also abides by Sentaran Law, Federal Consitution and Police, although it has a separate branch of Police with some power over it. For example, Development is taken care by Sentaran Minister of Development, but it does have to colaborate with the local architects and rulers.
== Armed Forces ==
Before unification with Ivoriya, Vukhmir manned a young army, that later integrated with the broader federal army. As Vukhs do not posses any significant military culture, other than taking up arms when threats come, only founding a permanent standing army under Virfye IV's reign, they took a lot of from the outside, from uniforms, military customs, structure, and so on. The Vukhmirian Forces are not very following of dwarven military customs that nations like Khrumaz developed.
(Note, these exist in-game to more or less of an extent, but are here to give more insight on lore)
=== The White Army ===
The White Army is the standard mountaineer infantry corp of the Vukhmirian Army. In the Sentaran Army, they are specialized mountaineers and snow troops, usually sent to fight in cold and harsh areas. They present a white trenchcoat uniform, over which the armour is placed. They also fight with either hammers (the majority) or swords (a minority).
=== The Black Guard ===
The Black Guard, also known as The Guard of Generals, is the most trained, most capable and adaptable men that the Vukhmirian Forces provide. The Black Guard splits into the 1st Cavalery Regiment (The Goat Riders) and the 2nd Vukhmirian Army (The Black Horn). They adopt a more aggresive and offensive take on warfare, having the task of being shock troops. They wear black trenchcoats and use a variety of weapons, from pikes, swords, hammers, and so on.
=== The Krjzolje ===
The Krjzolje (The Crimsoneers) are the newest addition to the army. They are the only Lo'Oix ethnicly dominated group in the army. They dress in old, Lausaner Trench Coats, usually beige in color, or red uniforms, and fight with swords. Due to them coming from a nation (i.e. The U.S.S.E.) with a developed military culture, they do have customs which they shared with the Vukhmirian Army, mostly battle marches, training methods, strategy, etc. They also fly old Lausaner Banners and stand as a symbol of unity beyond racial and ethnic lines in the army and Vukhmir itself.
Category:Sentara