Foreign relations of Heronoja

Although many Heronoi do not trust foreigners, the kingdom itself prefers cooperation with other countries instead of wasting its own resources and troops on war. However, it is at war with the terroristic Wannaenid Empire and scores of extra-terrestrial civilisations that launch periodic raids to abduct its people and kill them for their blood.

In spite of their wariness towards foreign people and their fervent nationalism, the Heronoi gladly donate medicine to people in poorer nations, educate them, and (in some cases) help their countries adapt to climate change. Among the reasons for doing so include actually trying to help people, securing more allies for their kingdom, and making sure that people do not need to immigrate to Heronoja. Such programmes are considered controversial in some parts of Heronoja, who consider them to be "wasting economic effort".

## Favourite countries

### Bujan

Some Heronoi were sold as slaves during Thralondian domination to the Wannaenid Empire, who brought them to colonies all over its empire such as Bujan. These Heronoi joined the local revolts and were granted citizenship.

Nonetheless, Bujanski sometimes see Heronoi negatively due to the latter's unstable emotions and obsession with beauty and affection. Government campaigns discourage this negative treatment as vulgar, not fitting for a nation focused on being "proper".

Like the Arnadjanai, the Heronoi do struggle with trying to be proper enough to avoid being seen as "stupid", but they were more able to fit in as properness was taught to their children.

In spite of the obsession with formality in Bujanski society, the local Heronoi there are more relaxed than homeland Heronoi. They became more like the Arnadjanai, who were more likely to accept and love them as friends, lovers, spouses, and adoptive parents.

### Pinoguni

The Heronoi regard this island nation as a dreamy counterpart of their country in a distant continent, to the extent of calling it "Counter-Heronoja", "the other Heronoja", or "Solar Heronoi". The Pinogunians have similar views of Heronoja as a nation of classical art and gentlemen. However, many Heronoi can get easily offended by teasing remarks about how their syllabic language would sound "cute" to Pinogunian ears. The Heronoi are amused that the Pinogunians are somewhat like an opposite counterpart, in that they worship the Sun instead of the Moon.

They still enjoy *gökase* for its tropes about mechas, slapstick relief, people in suits, tales of *saburabi* and other knights, and amusing mockeries of classical settings. Furthermore, they like Pinoguni for its tea, rice dishes, locomotives, battleships, and intricate *Jamatöki* clocks.

### Marnos

Many young Heronoi like to go there to study art, go on dates, or to party and get drunk. However, the Marnosyns sometimes distrust the Heronoi over their abuse of Waxeroi centuries ago.

The Heronoi and the Marnosyns seem to have a love-hate relationship. Both countries look down on each other, but sometimes they admire each other over their strengths or something attractive. Heronoi dislike Marnosyns as a vulgar mob, and Marnosyns see Heronoi as stupid, lovesick dolls; but Heronoi like how Marnosyns provide a relief from the strictures of their daily lives, while Marnosyns see the Heronoi as a beautiful people with a p(r)etty culture (if not a rather amusing attitude).

### Siangwaan, Josol

Popular vacation spots for their tropical climate, rich cultures, and rapid modernisation. Many Heronoi also immigrate to these countries to enjoy their less-restrictive societies, and even to intermarry with the local Waxeroi, a mixed-Heronoi people.

Siangwaan is home to a large community of Waxeroi, many of which who fled from Heronoja's purges and violence; due to their behaviour, Siangwaanians think of the Heronoi not as "snobbish and civilised" (like in other countries), but "brutish and brawling". The country begins to distrust its northern neighbour as "violent, arrogant, and spoiled."

Because the Waxeroi are more unruly, but stronger than average humans, they often end up in sports teams. At one time, the national jousting team of Siangwaan was even mostly composed of Waxeroi men, leading to nationwide condemnation claiming that "Siangwaan is becoming more dumber".

In sports events, Heronoi from their own country often condemn their Siangwaanian counterparts as "freaks" and "abominations". They also condemn local Heronoi who left their own country to live and marry with the Waxeroi as "disgusting breeders" and "stupid people".

### Nolworra

The Nolworrans, in spite of their Norse ancestry, loved the Heronoi and treated them like little brothers or sons. The other free Norse countries also protected Heronoi, for that alien race was hated by the same fascist enemy, Baesorja. Not only because the Heronoi would end up becoming an obstacle against Baesorthar dominance, but they also pitied the Heronoi for their tragic history.

Many ethnic Waxeroi and Heronoi supporters immigrated to Nolworra during Thralondian times and the massacres. Like the eastern parts of their homeland, in Nolworra, Heronoi and Waxeroi tend to coexist and regard each other as fellow kin.

### Rukania

Ever since the Heronoi first landed on Jerde, Rukania found them to be cute and fascinating, like a race of fairies and dolls. They also supplied the Heronoi to protect them from the Terran invaders. For that, the Heronoi remembered Rukania as "the Land of the Morning", and in turn, Rukanian legends referred Heronoja as the "Land of the Falling Star".

Although Rukania was an old friend of Heronoja, it suspended diplomatic relations as its people were angry at the massacres of Waxeroi. In fact, they opened portals to ensure more Waxeroi would be safe in this easterly kingdom. Years later, some of the same Waxeroi became knights, among the members of knighthoods who returned to protect Heronoja from a Baesorthar war of extermination.

During the absent years, the knights occasionally appeared through portals to help the ruined east rebuild. It was from those benign, top-knotted knights from which many easterners learned chivalry and martial arts befitting the dwellers in the sich-castles. Eventually they applauded a recent king, Atozajoro, for ordering all Waxeroi to become full citizens. Although it was unpopular at first, international diplomatic pressure forced Heronoja to keep the royal edict, even after Atozajoro fled to Rukania.

It was the knights' popularity among the Waxeroi that led to the Rukanian language being an official language in eastern provinces.

This was when relations between the two kingdoms resumed after nearly a hundred years of silence.

### Tjaunorja

In older times, several Heronoi migrated westward near Bivos in search of a lost tribe of Heronoi. Although the Tjaunorians are welcomed in Heronoi society, they are mocked because they are a race of clones, and later for protecting Waxeroi.

## Enemies

### Baesorja

Historically, Heronoi and foreign Norse regarded each other with distrust, with the exception of Nolworra, other independent Norse nations east of Heronoja along the northern bay, and the Norse minority within Heronoja being treated with equal respect. The behaviour of the two races led to mockery and even persecution in other countries, who regarded both Norse and Heronoi as barbarians and savages.

When modern Heronoja was founded, its government looked to Baesorja as a role model. However, its failure to become a true ethnostate and constant condemnation by Baesorjan politicians forced the kingdom to turn towards other nations for help.

Years after floods and storms killed more Heronoi, a Baesorthar diplomat mocked them as "a stupid race of dolls, who are better off sacrificed to Odin's altars. kept like the pigs they are, and fed to the einherjar". Reports of the deaths of Heronoi and Waxeroi led to a nationwide celebration, praising Odin for supposedly killing off the hated aliens, and murdering prisoners on temples in televised human sacrifices.

That remark and various celebrations in Baesorja angered the Heronoi, who broke off all diplomatic relations with the mad kingdom. Although most Heronoi were resentful towards the local Waxeroi, the other Norse nations were allowed to help them and defend the country from a Baesorthar invasion. They, along with the local Norse, warned the Heronoi *never* to look to Baesorja as a role model. The televised human sacrifices in Baesorja also angered them, leading to more soldiers being stationed along all the borders to Baesorja to shoot at any soldier or *viking* who went to kill people as sacrifices.

Diplomatic relations between the two kingdoms are still soured by both nations' poor attitudes towards each other. The indoctrinated Baesorthar deride and condemn the half-alien Heronoi as "false cheap Whites", "stupid dolls", and "subhuman scum". On the other end, the Heronoi see the Baesorthar as arrogant fanatics and spoiled brats who are more concerned with picking a fight instead of preserving their own people.

## See also

* Foreign relations of Siangwaan
* Foreign relations of Marnos
* Foreign relations of Bujan
* Foreign relations of Rukania