Chen-Thornian relations

Contemporary relations between the Chen dynasty and Great Thornia are close, with both being monarchies and both being neutral. Great Thornia has contributed much to Chen Xandu's development through an aid program throughout much early 2020. This program slowly evolved into a full-blown occupation as Chen authority waned, but this occupation ultimately ended in September 2020 as the outbreak of the Second Pillager War forced remaining Thornian forces to abandon Xandu. Since then Xandu has largely fallen into anarchy.

## History

### Background

The modern state of Great Thornia and the realms of the Chen dynasty both emerged from two previous civilisations. The Thornians emerged from Ume, whilst the Chen emerged from Huang Xandu. The Umic Republic was often wary of the Xandunese (though the Xandunese never directly challenged Ume).

Relations changed after the founding of the Dark Realm of Han (whereby the Chen dynasty emerged from the shadow of the Huang dynasty), with the Dark Realm's neutrality and geographic isolation, it was never identified as a threat. Thornia only emerged after colonisation efforts in Thornica (modern day Palus Urbem) intensifying in late 2016. Thornian nationalist revolutions saw it frequently attempt to breakaway from the larger Umic state before attempting to re-unify.

### Change in global environment and political union (2016 - mid 2019)

The Umic state's evolution into a federal republic (as the Holy States), Ume City's economic decay, and Thornia's second coming were interdependent processes that saw Thornia emerge as the new centre of post-Umic civilisation. These events also coincided with the collapse of Jason's stable but tyrannical regime in Tyavyli, which saw a democratic (but unstable) republic emerge on the Holy States' borders.

Huang Xandu also faced gradual decline as its economy's growth collapsed. A failed military expedition by the Dark Realm saw its leadership unable to find its way back to the realm's capital of Fort Han. The Holy States offered assistance to the Dark Realm but it initially refused it. Further failed attempts to search for Fort Han led to Dark Realm authorities accepting an alliance with the Holy States. It eventually became a new member after it was decided that it would establish a new capital near Ume City's borders. Umic authorities eventually assisted in finding Fort Han, and even helped to expand the Dark Realm into new territory west of Huang Xandu's former imperial possessions.

### End of the Huang dynasty and the League of Palus (mid 2019 - late 2019)

The Huang dynasty came to an end in mid 2019 after it accepted that it was no longer in control of Xandu (of which the Chen dynasty had gradually taken control of, but never formally claimed). The slowness of Chen authorities to claim Xandu led to the Holy States under Provisional President Clarence to claim Xandu "on the Dark Realm's behalf". The Holy States attempted to create a new state to unify the Dark Realm and Xandu as the Free State of Xandu, but it did not receive recognition from Dark Lord Weihan.

In late 2019, Weihan announced that the Dark Realm would leave the Holy States to pursue a neutral path whilst Xandu would remain within the federation, under his leadership.

President Clarence's provisional government in the League instituted reforms that led to the creation of the League of Palus, a secular and reconsistituted version of the Holy States. In early November, Thornia was renamed to Paludumia. On 28 November 2019, the Despotate of Thornia was formed from Paludumia and some of the largely ignored colonies of the former Holy States.

### First Thornian occupation (5 December 2019 - May 2020)

On 5 December 2019, Elysia (then the new capital of Thornia) experienced its first attacks by pillager raiding parties. The Thornian government subsequently declared war on pillagers (marking the beginning of the Pillager War).

Other states in the League did not offer any support in the war effort, leading to intensified Thornian nationalism. This culminated in the creation of Great Thornia in January 2020. Rapid economic growth from newfound resources across the Goruid peninsula saw Thornia accumulate enough wealth to develop multiple urban centres and regions simultaneously.

This led to the creation of an aid program in March 2020, whereby the Crown of Great Thornia offered to develop other states of the League. Chen authorities accepted the aid, leading to Thornia deploying labour and its Royal Iron Guard to Shanjing to help build public housing and to greenify the city. On 27 March 2020, Shanjing was attacked by multiple large waves of pillager forces. Thornian forces successfully repelled the attack, but received little recognition of its efforts.

On 5 April 2020, Great Thornia declared independence from the League but clarified that it would continue aiding Xandu's development. Despite this, Thornian forces continued to occupy Xandu until May 2020 when they were withdrawn due to financial issues.

### First abandonment and The Great Plague (May 2020 - August 2020)

Xandu's brief independence was marred by The Great Plague rapidly spreading south of its borders. This led to widespread societal collapse in Tyavyli and Umia, leading to Thornian authorities deciding to re-occupy Xandu to prevent such a wealthy nation collapsing into anarchy near its borders.

Thornian forces were repelled almost immediately from Nanshan by widespread civil disobedience in Shanjing. Unbeknowest to its citizens, Thornian soldiers were infected with the plague during their attempt to help quell the violence in Tyavyli and had brought it to Shanjing. Despite being repelled, the city thus succumbed to the plague. Thornian forces returned a few days after recuperating in Beishan and successfully initiated the second occupation.

### Second Thornian occupation (August 2020 - September 2020)

A new Thornian military administration was established to overlook the governance of the country. It reorganised the provincial boundaries and worked on extending the plans for the country made by the first administration. However, the outbreak of the Second Pillager War in Goruid forced the new administration to quickly leave to reinforce the Thornian Army on the peninsula.

### Second abandonment (September 2020 - Present)

Since Thornia's second abandonment of Xandu, the country has largely fallen into disarray with pillager forces roaming the country and attacking villages.