Bathole

Bathole is a region of the northeastern continent. Its capital, Khauchi, is one of the commerce hotspots of Colanexa.

## Environment

Bathole's general environment gradients as it goes further inland. While near the ocean, it is mostly beaches and valleys, it becomes more forest-like the further inland it goes. The levels of urbanization follow a similar pattern, being more developed closer to the coast but becoming more rural the further inland.

## History

### Ancient History

Bathole was formerly comprised of several Kalu-blood tribes living in the northeast of Colanexa. They often traded inter-regionally through present-day Kalubio.

### Contact with Gacawys Explorers

The expedition of Steibov Luvvar and Klaus I was the first time that powers from the western mainland contacted a northeastern civilization. Though there had been trading with the Schrema tribes of Sovietese Kajin and Kalu to the north, who in turn had dealings with some of the tribes in Unifijž and Dinotopia, none of them had dealt with the peoples directly. The Luvvar expedition stayed with the northwest tribes, eventually co-founding the Gacawys colonial state of Equalwi. Klaus, however, continued further south, settling closer to what is modern-day Bathole. This split in influence helped play an essential role in establishing the modern region's borders.

After establishing territory in the north via Steibov Luvvar and learning of more native inhabitants (and thus, sustainable territory) to the south, the Gacawy Empire opened a naval trade route to the northeast. The entire northeast would remain relatively unionized and shared between the Kalu-bloods and Gacawys until Geniva Luvvar led a coup against the Gacawys monarchy and established the Golden Republic of Kalubio.

### Modern History and Condition

Relations between Bathole and the Luvvar monarchy in Kalubio were strained. A less racialized region than Kalubio, Bathole was often critical of the Luvvar rulers' treatment of its citizens, especially its Kalu population. These became even worse following the attempted Dinotopian Coup, where Pox Luvvar attempted to stamp out the Kalu way of life within his borders. Similarly, Bathole was also on unpleasant (albeit still better) terms with its southern neighbour Putoola.

This breakdown in relations is what would eventually lead to the Royal War, where Bathole was critical of Maxille Luvvar's trade agreement with Parusiya regarding Vfeldnese imports. Kalubio and Putoola sided against Bathole, resulting in an armed conflict. Reinder Stuhy's paternal grandfather, Reinder Klaus III, was a Kalubian veteran who fought in the war.

Since the election of the Reformist Alliance, Bathole has much improved its relations with Kalubio. Vycanc Aiza'ak Katzjung was in Khauchi preparing for trade deal discussions before he was assassinated by BBA mercenaries. When the Kalubian Civil War broke out in 1988 GHC, Bathole pledged not to get involved. However, it did allow the Reformists (the elected party) to investigate BBA presence in the region due to Katzjung's death. Several trade agreements have been renegotiated by the Reformist Alliance to strengthen their economic ties, a move that has been widely hailed by both regions. However, there is still animosity between Bathole and Putoola as a result of the Royal War, as well as each others' general approaches to post-Gacawys policy.

## People and Culture

While Bathole still retains much of its Gacawys influence, it has allowed much more Kalu culture to flourish, resulting in a blending of the two. Bathole is the richest region of the entire northeast (next to the Schremoqueil Unional, who also has territory in the northwest). This is especially visible in the vibrance of its capital, Khauchi, with advanced technologies similar to those of Kikikoa or Famaselle.

Much of Bathole's west coast is comprised of naval ports and docks, giving it a strong Maritime resemblance with more advanced Colanexian technology. Varying dialects of "Coastal" Ba'it are spoken along its shore, which sound similar to rural English or traditional pirate accents of Earth. As the region moves eastward, the sound of Batholian Ba'it becomes more posh and "sophisticated," closer resembling a balance of Dutch, German, London and Irish.

The Tryepko language, popularly spoken in both southeast Bathole and Putoola, it similar to Kohl in grammatical structure but closer to Ba'it in sound. The Kohl of the area combined with the Ba'it brought by Gacawys colonists have combined and distanced themselves enough from their parents to be considered a separate language. It is written using a modified abugida-like form of the Kohl script.