Republic of Balenj

Map of the Republic of Balenj

The Republic of Balenj was a civilization located in Dimension T-2022 before it was transported to Dimension S-2012 following the Kojiman sabotage of the Device. It is located on the northwestern peninsula of Orwald.

## History

The Republic of Balenj traces its history back to the Kingdom of Baijan which flourished during the Dark Ages. Based primarily on the textile industry, the Kingdom of Baijan initially was a minor trading partner of the Perian Empire. However, using its income from trade, Baijan was able to translate its soft power into hard power by annexing nearby villages. Around 719 SW, the King of Baijan declared a Holy War against its neighbors and expanded to include a large part of the Noctian Lowlands. Initially, contacts between Baijan and the Perian Empire were friendly and based around trade, but by 866 Baijan’s foreign policy became more and more dominated by its religion and the Kingdom became openly hostile to any other religion. As a result, religious persecution within Baijan drove many people into hiding, mostly within the Noctian Highlands. In 923 SW, the Perian Empire succeeded in funding an uprising against the King of Baijan, resulting in his overthrow. Baijan subsequently entered a decade of civil war between pro-monarchists and heavily armed peasant militias. By 934, the Kingdom of Baijan was dissolved into smaller states often ruled by warlords, resulting in a century-long grudge held against the Perians and their descendants.

During the Scramble for Orwald, the former territories of the Kingdom of Baijan were settled by the Empire of the Setting Moon. Severely depopulated as a result of the zombification plague, the area was characterized by new mining towns settled by Kojiman colonists. However, during the 18th and 19th century, the native population in the region recovered and soon outnumbered the Kojiman settlers once again. During the Great Kojiman War, the Republic of Balenj was the first Kojiman colony to declare its independence. Established as a republic, Balenj was characterized by the ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity. However, in the search for an egalitarian meritocratic society, a small group of wealthy businessmen quickly became the power elite of the republic.

For two decades, this power elite managed to monopolize political power. However, against the background of their rule, the nation began to fall apart. It was lagging behind in terms of industrialization and raiders would attack the southern border towns in increasing numbers. After a controversial election in 1854 in which the establishment candidate won despite heavy opposition from farmers and workers across the country, the seeds of rebellion further grew amongst the population. The spread of the Worker's Manifesto further polarized Balenj society against its own government. In 1856, a brutal winter began, known as the Winter of Discontent. It caused an uprising led by Comrade Mariah, a farmer from a southern border town who had previously successfully defeated raiders by leading her village into battle. Comrade Mariah managed to overthrow the government and establish the People's Republic of Balenj.

Under Comrade Mariah's government, the Republic begun to modernize and despite the transportation of Orwald to Dimension S-2012, the Republic experienced little negative effects. In 1090AA, the Republic joined the United Nations.