Zennucia

**Zennucia**, also known as Zenniskaia is a province of Cheskachenica, located in the east of the country and is regarded as the easternmost point of The Ageless Territories. The province has a population of about 9,000,000 and is considered Cheskachenica's most populated province due to the capital, Aurum, being situated in the region. It has had multiple attempts of being colonized by many other countries, especially Chartequincia, due to highly desirable natural conditions of the area such as many resources, fertile soil, and closer proximity to The Lands of the East and the east third of Elgroduhannia.

## Geography

Zennucia is in the southeast of Cheskachenica and harbors the easternmost and southernmost points in the country, it is very adjacent to western portions of The Lands of the East, Chuliana, Naliland, and north Mynnuka and has a long coastline along the northern Marima Ocean. It is situated in a temperate zone with cool, rainy weather year-round. Frequent light rains and morning fogs keep the region damp. The area has an abundance of marshes, swamps, bogs and shallow lakes dotted throughout the landscape that have a variety of waterfowl and aquatic plants/animals. Dense forests of tall evergreen trees like pine, fir and spruce cover much of the higher ground. The trees thrive in the damp soil and provide valuable lumber. The damp, fertile land and natural resources made colonization and settlement worthwhile despite the chill and wetness. Shelter and drainage systems overcame the chilly challenges.

### Wildlife

Zennucia's diverse landscapes and access to both forests and rivers make it an abundant habitat for many species. Culpeos thrive in the region's grasslands, wetlands, and agricultural areas. Known for their dog-like faces and long fur, culpeos play an important role as predators of small mammals. Around 80,000 culpeos inhabiting the open areas and edges of forests. Their numbers have remained stable.

Red foxes are also a common sight across Zennucia. Though sometimes coming into conflict with farmers, they help control rodent populations. During winter, red foxes form distinct territories and engage in characteristic yips, barks and howls. Approximately 120,000 red foxes living throughout Zennucia's habitat zones from coast to mountain. This adaptable species is still common.

Beavers have engineered the wetlands and waterways of Zennucia through their dam-building activities. Their industrious modification of streams aids flood control and creates critical habitat for other aquatic animals. Near human settlements, muskrats and mink are frequently spotted as well. The beaver population totals near 35,000 individuals, with colonies distributed along major rivers and wetlands wherever suitable dam sites exist. Around 250,000 muskrats dwell in ponds, lakes and wetlands across Zennucia, playing an important ecological role in aquatic food webs.

Wolves roam Zennucia's boreal forests and mountain ranges, preying on deer, elk, and moose. Though fearsome hunters, wolf populations stabilize herbivore numbers and distribute carrion. Their howls echoing at dusk have long fascinated local Indigenous cultures. There are currently about 7,500 wolves residing in Zennucia, mostly inhabiting conifer forests in the northern reaches. Numbers fluctuate with ungulate prey availability.

Brown bears forage along forest edges and riparian zones, feeding on plants, spawning fish, and insect swarms. While dangerous if startled, brown bears play a foundational role in dispersed seeding and nutrient cycling. An estimated population of 2,100 brown bears ranges throughout Zennucia's forested mountains and coastal lowlands, representing a recovery from historical declines.

Mountain lions stalk prey as elusive ambush predators high in Zennucia's peaks. Rare sightings still stir feelings of wilderness adventure. A population of introduced muskox also persists, adapted from more arctic realms. Only 120-150 solitary and elusive mountain lions survive in Zennucia's remote alpine areas, requiring vast tracts of relatively undisturbed habitat. The introduced herd of 500 muskoxen persists in high mountain grasslands, helping reestablish an ecologically similar species in the region.

## History

### Timeline

1000 - King Maid of Chartequincia and King Tevos of Cheskachenica establish friendly trade relations between their nations. Agricultural and mineral resources are exchanged.

1100 - Population growth in Chartequincia leads King Farris to seek new lands for settlement. Explorers return with tales of the fertile, resource-rich eastern lands of Zennucia.

1200 - King Farris proposes establishing colonial outposts in Cheskachenica to King Miron, who remains wary of foreign settlement in his territory. Limited agreements are made.

1250 - Tensions rise as Charetquincia's colonists resent Cheskachenica's rules and taxes in the new settlements. Skirmishes break out over hunting rights and tribal disputes.

1300 - King Adrian of Chartequincia abandons diplomacy and orders aggressive expansion. Conflict erupts as Chartequincia raids Zennucia's coastal villages, seeking to control trade routes.

1350 - Open war breaks out as King Olivet of Cheskachenica mobilizes his army to push back Chartequincia's colonists. The colonial outposts are destroyed, and border conflicts ensue for decades.

1400 - A truce is negotiated by the new Kings Bart and Aleksandr, but mistrust remains high. Chartequincia uses this time to develop new weapons like cannon while scouting Cheskachenica's defenses.

1450 - King Aleksandr is assassinated, and the warmongering King Adam rises to power in Chartequincia. He restarts the colonization campaign with a large mechanized army.

1500 - King Adam's forces make gains but face stiff resistance from guerilla tactics. The war settles into a brutal stalemate across the mountainous frontier zones.

1550 - Plagues introduced by Chartequincia wipe out nearly half the population in Zennucia's coastal kingdoms. King Adam seizes the opportunity to launch an invasion.

1600 - After losing its capital, King Afanasy stages a desperate resistance from the hinterlands of Cheskachenica. Neighboring powers begin aiding the outmatched Cheskachenica.

1650 - Chartequincia's overextended military collapses under continuous attacks. A truce is called, and Chartequincia is forced to cede its colonial claims to Cheskachenica.

1700 - The frontier is stabilized, but resentment lingers. Countries Chartequincia and Cheskachenica remain wary rivals for the foreseeable future.

### Growth

while Cheskachenica claims a vast geographic domain, over two-thirds of its population live compactly within Zennucia's comfortable environs. The country's identity remains centered around this lush southern region, with the frigid north serving principally as a rugged frontier. Zennucia has always been the heartland of Cheskachenica due to its temperate climate and fertile lowland plains. This province contains the country's most productive farmland and oldest cities, making it ideal for large-scale settlement and population centers starting in antiquity.

Centuries of focused agricultural development have transformed Zennucia into a densely populated breadbasket. Its river valleys and coastal areas feature a patchwork of small towns and villages supporting over 9 million inhabitants. Good transportation routes and trade hubs reinforce its economic importance to this day.

In contrast, much of the northern territories beyond Zennucia are dominated by rugged mountain chains and subarctic wilderness. High altitudes and perpetually frozen ground mean shorter growing seasons unable to reliably sustain large farms or communities.

Winter temperatures routinely plunge well below freezing for extended periods, coating the landscape in deep snow and ice for months on end. These harsh conditions made colonization difficult and limited the carrying capacity of the land.

Even during moderate summers, the north struggles with mosquito-infested wetlands, rocky soils, and polar bears/wolves posing risks to settlers. As a result, fewer than 100,000 people now eke out scattered livings across its immense northern expanse.

## Economy

Cheskachenica has strategically developed industries leveraging its natural endowments of fertile land, energy resources, and intellectual capital to become a regional economic powerhouse.

### Nuclear energy

Cheskachenica has extensively developed its nuclear capabilities since the late 20th century. Uranium deposits discovered in Zennucia spurred investment in nuclear power plants and research reactors across the province. Nuclear now accounts for over 40% of the nation's energy production and remains a strategic economic asset.

### Hydropower

The country's mountainous terrain and abundant rainfall endow it with substantial hydropower potential. Dams built on major river systems like the Dneiper generate large amounts of renewable energy for domestic use and export. Hydroelectric projects also aid flood control and water management.

### Agriculture

The fertile soils and temperate climate of Zennucia make it well-suited to large-scale commercial farming. Leading agricultural exports include grains, vegetables, dairy products, and livestock. Advanced hydroponic greenhouses further augment food production year-round. Mechanization keeps farming vastly productive.

### Oil and natural gas

Offshore oil and gas reserves in the Zennucian Sea are a critical industry. Onshore fields in the north contribute as well, though development is complicated by the remote terrain. Energy revenues have helped modernize infrastructure across Cheskachenica.

### Research institutes

The government devotes significant funding to scientific research, focused heavily on defense, aerospace, computational technologies, and renewable energy. Elite institutions attract top minds, driving major innovations in areas like avionics, materials engineering, and computing. International collaborations are also widespread. This research prowess bolsters Cheskachenica's technological competiveness.

## Demographics

### Ethnicity and Ancestry

* Cheskachenicans: 60% (5,400,000)
	+ The dominant indigenous ethnic group. Concentrated across historical territories in the region. Farming traditions stretch back millennia.
* Chartequincicians: 15% (1,350,000)
	+ Descended from colonial settlers who remained after wars of independence. Centers around coastal cities established by Chartequincia. Most cannot speak Common, though their ancestry is at least a little Chartequincian.
* Nalilandis: 10% (900,000)
	+ Immigrants from neighboring Naliland, a mountainous country to the west. Work in trades, fisheries, and urban industries.
* Mynnuks: 7% (630,000)
	+ Have a long history, both good and bad, with Cheskachenica. Many immigrants migrated into Zennucia which is directly east of Mynnuka.
* Podochoviyans: 5% (450,000)
	+ Nomadic herders originally from the steppes to the west. Integrated after migrating eastward centuries ago.
* Others: 3% (270,000)
	+ Small pockets of numerous additional groups like Kosnaticans, Kutwheans, Andruschgretans mixing in the melting pot cities and towns.