Lemqin

菻金 (Nisūl)

Chang Tiwai

Pichangxi

Virygo

Lemqīn Bay (or colloquially, Lemqīn) was the successor state of Fengdao on the northern coast of Juhnvechteya, just north of the Free Lord territories.

Lemqīn is derived from the Gusul terms for Imperial (lem) and Gold (qīn), which was itself also the name of the ruling dynastic house of Fengdao, the Qīn-Sāng dynasty.

The colony was founded by Pitāng Qin after both tumultuous conditions in Fengdao proper and a desire to emulate the exploratory heroics of his mother, the great Tiwai. The exploration ship the Ùguefēng eventually fell foul of the great northern seas and took considerable damage during storms. After setting foot within the bay of Lemqīn in search of supplies, the decision was quickly made by most of the inhabitants to colonise the new territory in the name of the Changdi.

Originally a colonial outpost owned directly by the Changdi of Fengdao, the territories of Lemqīn enjoyed considerable independence from Fengdao due to both the distance and difficulty in communication with the Harmony Island home. Since the foundation of Lemqīn, it had taken advantage of this liberty to be more opportunistic and active in both territorial expansion and international relations and has also underwent significant language changes, with most of the population speaking the local Lemsul language as opposed to the Gusul & Nisul of the home country.

After the Great Plague that decimated eastern Sabrim however, Lemqin was left as the rump state, where the Fengdaoan remnants would later also migrate and help create a new nation from the colonial territories.

### History

#### Foundation

After a great plague swept throughout much of Fengdao, Pitāng Qin led an expedition eastwards to find trading ports and mimic the exploits of his mother. Shortly after entering a great Pingfēng (storm) in what the native Juhnvechteyans would later come to call the "Sea of Storms", the exploration ship called the Ùguefēng encountered difficulty and was eventually moored just off the coast of what would quickly grow into the colonial territories of Lemqīn Bay.

After encountering a great bear in the forests of their new land, much of the crew (who were compromised primarily of Fengdao Moles) quickly took this as a symbol of the pride and majesty of their new lands.

Thanks to the enthusiastic private lives of the moles of Lemqīn, the population quickly swelled meaning a wholesale return to Fengdao quickly grew more and more unfeasible. The decision was made to send messengers to the homeland of these developments and were quickly granted an imperial charter for the conquest and exploration of the new world.

With the great difficulties of trans-ocean travel however, new waves of immigrants would be irregular and much of the mole population would resort to inbreeding to continue to grow the colony, something that would be inevitable regardless.

#### Annexation of Cinelli

The County of Cinelli was an old realm. Formed shortly after the fall of Grander Joraje, the county was divided between the urban centers along the coast, ruled by merchant princes and banking lords, and the rural countryside, which were divided into feudal fiefdoms. The county was also famed for its cavalry, within the Free Lords.

Shortly after the arrival of the Lemqīn to the continent however, the Cinelli patricians began feuding between themselves which eventually broke out into civil war. Amidst the chaos of the civil war, groups of soldiers began setting up bandit camps within the county to use a base and raid nearby lands, including that of Cinelli. Several Lemqīn prospectors soon also returned to the colony, speaking of mountains rich with Iron and unexploited, something the colony needed in large quantities. The next steps would be clear.

Exhausted from internal strife, the military of Lemqīn easily overwhelmed the remaining militia and wiped out most of the camps found within the county. Despite many protests from the Free Lords rulers, Lemqīn quickly entrenched itself soon (under the justification of the Shubuk doctrine) and many Molemen settlers flooded across the borders, founding the towns of Baozeng and Chang Tiwai shortly thereafter.

For the remaining natives of Cinelli a simple choice was given - convert from Werranism to Fengdaoism, be expelled from Cinelli or pay an extra tithe known as the "Tòngyi" tax. This in itself acted as both a way of enlarging the tax base of the new territory and encouraging the most fanatical of Werranists to flee southwards across the borders into Kostravald and beyond. Simultaneously it made Lemqīn an enemy of the entire Werran church.

#### The Trinity Alliance

For a short period, Lemqin had taken part in The Trinity Alliance of Juhnvechteya (which was founded by Predestad, Duchy of Zarny (which together would later form Zarnstad) and Lemqīn). This alliance had allowed the conquest of Cinelli to proceed inhindered by the native Juhnvechteyans. However, due to fulfilling an assassination request on the leader of New Shorealis, the town of Fingerland (Later renamed to Virygo) would be gifted in payment to Lemqin, this would sour relations and leave the alliance in tatters.

#### The Flight of the Fengdao and Reformation

After the wholesale destruction of the great underground city of Changxi, the few survivors that remained decided to also follow to Lemqin and reuinite with their brethren in Lemqin. The "Flight of the Fengdao" would again see another wave of citizens in Lemqin, but also see the power of the Changdi strengthen significantly.

Exposed to new ideas and power structures from the Juhnvechteyans, and the loss of the traditional icons of religious power, the Beiqeòi was unable to keep their hold on civil affairs. In turn, the Changdi, assembled a new council from the Piqin governors of Lemqin to instead advise in their stead. The loss of Qeòi influence in state affairs, left the state very different from the Theocratic Imperial Fengdao of eons past.

#### Failings of the Bloodline and Collapse

Despite the initial prosperity and success of the Lemqin state, it soon became apparent that the future was not so certain. The mole imperial family, often ridiculed by outsiders for their frequent inbreeding, continued to do so against the views of the outside world.

After several generations of mole in breeding, genetic abnormalities and behavioural defects quickly became commonplace. Blindness, skin conditions, mobility and behavioural aggression all quickly became apparent and frequent in the offspring of mole unions. Despite having previously relied on Cinelli mercenaries and their ilk in the armed forces, led my officers from among the mole ranks, the Lemqin military failed. Public disorder swept of the Lemqin territories like a plague.

Perhaps obeying their basal instincts, or perhaps as a result of the frequent blindness amongst Mole pups, the Molemen began to live more and more underground. Blood was commonplace on the surface, ravaged by strife and discord. Eventually, it is said that Moles disappeared from the surface altogether, and soon could not even be found underground.

The fate of the Moledom is not entirely clear. Some have hypothesised that the small genepool and common genetic abnormalities seen before their disappearance means that the Moledom would inevitably have been doomed. Others however, claim that without a doubt that the Moles still live on, scattered amongst the winds. Travellers from Zarnstad however, claimed that at night, the scratching and crying of the Moles can still be heard deep within Lemqin.. lamenting the downfall of their civilisation.

### Economy

#### The Central Bank

The economy of Lemqin was heavily regulated and monitored by the Central Bank located in Lemqin. Here, the bank allowed for the purchase of the "Lemqin Peso", the local variant of the Quartz Peso. The bank also allowed anyone access to safety deposit boxes, kept safe within the vault.

#### The Lemqin Peso

Lemqin was in a monetary union with the nation of New Shorealis, allowing for closer cultural and economic ties and officially adopted the Quartz Peso as a result. Nevertheless, Lemqin had since adopted their own variant, the "Lemqin Peso" but both are valid currency in the nation, with the central bank allowing the exchange of the two at a 1:1 ratio.

#### Trade

Lemqin maintained a strong maritime tradition, and kept several ships within Lemqin bay at all times for trade, exploration and security purposes.

*For boats see also*: Evolution of Fengdao Ships

*For exploration trips see also*: Fengdao Expeditions

### Religion

Founded originally as a priestly order, Fengdao enjoyed strong links to the religion which is named after, Fengdaoism. Ruled in accordance with the principles of the religion and guided by the Beiqeòi, it was expected that all members of the state adopt the official religion.

*See also:* Fengdaoism

### Language

Like their ancestors in the Harmony Isles of Fengdao, the Lemqinese initially spoke Nisul or Gusul. After many generations of interaction and collaboration however, these two groups also formed a new creole, known as Lemsul: https://bit.ly/3e7GgXn

### Gallery

The Flag of the Trinity AllianceThe Uguefeng, shortly after arriving in Lemqin BayLemqin in its primeA small band of the Lemqin militaryThe Spaverse District