Freestate of Ephaeda

Ephaeda (official name (English) *Freestate of Ephaeda/*(Galician) *Estado Libre de Ephaeda/* (Yiddish) *פריי שטאַט פון עפאַעדאַ*), formerly known as *Freestate of Transindusia*, is a territory in western Rosaria.

## History

Transindusia, in the past, was an unrecognized republic bordered by Georgia and Bengal. On the 20th of June, it declared independence, due to ethnic and ideological differences to Georgia. The unrecognized state was heavily influenced by Xonoña and received subsidies by them. Transindusia was reliant on Xonoña in terms of food, as it was unable to process agriculture due to its geography.

Following the Velvet Requiem, Transindusia became part of the Jihad State, an oppressive and reactionary Islamist entity, that reigned over much of the former lands of the Seleucid Empire (successor state of Georgia).

### The Rosarian Era

The Islamist rule over Transindusia ended in the events known as the Black Requiem (or the Iceland-Jihad War, or the Culling of the Jihad State), and the Free Union of Rosaria occupied the region, ending the hopes for post-Jihad Transindusian independence. All connections between the region and Xonoña were cut, and Transindusia, while they retained their parliamentary system for some time, was fully integrated into Rosaria. It became part of the Free Republic of Afghanistan, though they gained an autonomy higher than usual for a city.

It didn't take long, until the ruling party of Rosaria abolished the Transindusian parliament, claiming that it didn't align with the Rosarian constitution, and that it wasn't good enough yet. The region was to be converted into a fully fledged communal administration, though their autonomy, at the end, was still relatively high compared to other cities. The regional flag was changed at the behest of the central government. The former Transindusian government fled to Xonoña.

All Xonoñan subsidies to Transindusia were cut by the Rosarian government, though it barely affected the lives of the locals, as the Rosarian welfare state covered all needs. Following the construction of the Transindusia-Afghanistan Railway Line (part of the Rosarian Railway System), food supplies were entirely restored. The citizens of the region were given representation within the Free Union's parliament, and Galician and Georgian were officially recognized as regional languages, next to Paschto, Dari and Urdu.

Rosarian dominion also brought higher wages to the Transindusian people, as well as a higher standard of education. However, as the region was underdeveloped, many chose to move to other parts of Rosaria or to emigrate with their newfound wealth, whereas gold-diggers from the rest of the country moved to Transindusia with the hopes of finding rare minerals. This nearly caused a dispute between the local commune and the Rosarian State, though it was solved with the passing of a law regarding unauthorized gold-mining in foreign communes.

During the Starscourge, a plague that caused mass-death across Rosaria, Transindusia was hit the worst, causing the local population to decrease even more. Following the end of the crisis, the Freestate received great reparations, as it was suspected that the deaths were due to a lack of preparation by Rosarian government agencies as well as corruption. Those behind the inaction were sent to the gallows after being judged for high treason.

As despite the higher wages, the region was still behind the rest of the country, the Rosarian government decided to intervene. The Transindusian population was relocated into nearby cities, and their capital razed down as their buildings weren't following the Rosarian Safety Standards. A new city was erected, one under the name of 'Ephaeda', and it became the namesake for the entire freestate. The new name was decided during a congressional meeting, and pushed forward by a Transindusian official. Much of the commune accepted the change.

Due to the demographic changes, the immigration of non-Transindusians and emigration of locals, as well as various individual conversions, the main religion of the region became Judaism, though a steadfast minority of Pagans remain.