Luang

𤾩

Flag of the country.

**Luang**, officially the **Luangese Republic** (Luangese: 𤾩民主国*, luǎng líndǔkué*) is a democratic state located in the western rainforest region, along the southeastern coast of Arenica. A peasant's republic built on the ruins of the former kingdom of Yua Luang, it is a staunch supporter of radical republicanism in the world of Ef'thar, and its culture reflects the nation's revolutionary nature.

## Etymology

The name "Luǎng" allegedly comes from the similar words 川 *luàng* (“river, stream") and 田 *luāng* (rice field), which apart from tone are pronounced roughly the same. The legend of Ba Nia entails the founding myth of the nation coming from the first instance of rice domestication. The full epithet of 民主国 (*líndǔkué*) literally translates to "people-led country", and is the Luangese-language equivalent of the word "republic".

## History

### Prehistory

#### Pre-Dynastic Period

The prehistory of Luang is shrouded in myth and mystery. Most common accounts rely only on the Ba Nia founding myth, which entails that the proto-Luangese Tuangbou peoples were hunter-gatherers that lived in the region prior to the local domestication of rice- allegedly by Ba Nia himself. These early Tuangbou peoples became differentiated from the Zhanunese and the Dai-Xiu of Tanuleng upon either migrating to modern-day Luang, or in some prior event.

From this founding myth, the records suppose the existence of small agricultural tribes, which eventually banded together by some means or another. Most stories from this era are wrapped in magic and fantasy, and revolve around legendary folk heroes or animals. No buildings are known from this era, but artifacts indicate that both stone and bronze tools were used some time in the prehistoric era.

#### Duai Dynasty

The earliest known kingdom in Luangese history is Duai, founded about 670 years before server start (BSS). While no written records exist from the Duai period, oral tradition appears to have kept the memory of this early state alive. The *Annals of the Three Prior*, a Yua-era historical text, state that Duai ruled for seven generations of unspecified length before its fall. No Duai rulers are mentioned by name.

It is said that Duai was ruled in a rather authoritarian manner, and the seven Duai kings stood between the people and heaven directly. They served as mediators between the gods and the common folk. However, after a falling out with the gods, the last Duai king was punished and fell ill as the kingdom was wracked by famine and plague. In its place, a different family rose up from among the commoners to replace him, beginning the Tsiang Dynasty.

#### Tsiang Dynasty

The first Tsiang king (and first historically-attested named Luangese king), Tsiang Tensin, was a usurper who used the failures of Duai to establish a new kingdom with himself in charge. His kingdom deferred local control to other smaller rebel groups, appointing them as dukes and lords. This system still required these vassals to pay tribute to the central ruler, and follow the every whim of the capital.

Those loyalists and rebels who refused to fall under Tensin's rule were defeated by military force and subsequently enslaved, being given to the Tsiang-loyal lords as property. The ownership of these enslaved people was often used by the central Tsiang government as leverage over its vassals. Despite the rather brutal system, The *Annals* describe the early Tsiang years as stable and moderately prosperous, and after Tensin there were a few unnamed rulers who continued the dynasty for about a century and a half. This period, beginning around 480 BSS, is known as the "Age of the Forgotten Kings".

However, the brutality of the Tsiang system eventually collapsed under its own weight, and the last king, Tsiang Sishin, was overthrown. Sishin was young and inexperienced, and requested a new tax. When the lords and vassals refused, he pulled the right to exploit slave labor away, and the reaction started a revolt against Sishin. The rebels marched to war, beginning a chaotic period of civil war.

### Early Historical Period

#### Tsiang Civil War

The invention of written writing itself in Luang appears to have come from the chaos of the civil war, as those who lived in its time were said to have desired a better way than mere oral history to remember the events of the war. Thus, the civil war of Tsiang is the first true historical event in Luangese history. However, even it is marked with bias and contradicting sources.

What is known, however, is that the mobilization of the rebels against Tsiang Sishin caused stress on the nation's food reserves, and after about a year of fighting a famine erupted. This famine sparked several peasant revolts against both sides, and some rebel lords sided with the peasants. The many factions fought for nearly thirty years, and by the end of the 32nd year most factions were consolidated under the leadership of Kiao Suang.

#### Kiao Dynasty

From the army of Kiao Suang, the only female ruler in the records, the Kiao dynasty was formed. Kiao Suang was regarded well by the populace and allegedly heaven for her fair rule, and she utilized an idealized version of the old Tsiang system without the use of slaves. With the abolition of slavery, the common folk were said to have become more secure over her 57 year reign. The first instance of iron tools in Luangese history is also known from Kiao Suang's later years, though they did not become common. It is under the Kiao Dynasty that the Failin began to migrate to Luang from the north, moving along the coast as fishermen.

Her son, Kiao Dorei, wanted to live up to his mother's expectations, and did much to gain the favor of the gods. As a even a small child, he showed bravery and heroism, and encouraged his mother to end the use of slave labor. His efforts to enrich Luang and practice new magical techniques earned him an abnormally-long lifespan, and he ruled after Kiao Suang's passing for 236 years. He was noted as being a lover of fine foods, alcohol, women, men, fancy clothing, and extravagant detail. It was said that he had wedded over 400 wives and exactly 139 husbands over his time as king- and had innumerable affairs. His armies were sent off on expeditions to secure wealth from abroad, particularly into the lands of the Mazwephukile, and over the years his goodwill turned sour to an oppressive rulership.

Dorei's rule was eventually undone by a magical talking snail known in the records as Siu Pohin (simply meaning "beautiful snail"). Dorei desired the snail's beautiful shell, and the snail, offended that a rich king desired his only possession, in turn wagered that if he could avoid the snail for three days he would get the shell. However, if the snail caught Dorei before the three days ended, the snail would be entitled to his whole kingdom. Shockingly, the snail succeeded in breaking past Dorei's defenses, and as the gods honored the wager Dorei was killed, and the everlasting life of his was given to the snail, who left the castle to disappear into the jungle once more. This event, odd as it was, was the spark that inspired the philosophical movement known as Pohinduwi or Snailism.

### Iron Age

#### Yua Dynasty

*Full Article: Yua Luang*

After Kiao Dorei's passing, the kingdom was thrown into chaos, and Yua Wiyen, a close associate of the late king, ascended to the throne, as despite the many affairs of Dorei he had no heirs, and his many partners could not decide who would succeed him. Thus, Wiyen's early rule was marked with chaos and scandal, and he slowly had Dorei's partners exiled, executed, or otherwise removed from power.

The Yua kingdom's rule lasted 208 years, and under Wiyen the Snailist movement picked up in the intellectual circles. As the Yua negotiated with the former enemies of Kiao, they skillfully retained much of the nation's wealth and oversaw the writing of several important books, including the *Annals of the Three Prior* and many of the Snailist classics. Yua also saw the adoption of many new technologies such as the extensive use of iron tools, and worked alongside the Mazwephukile tribes to repatriate the people the Kiao dynasty had kidnapped and enslaved.

While many objective goods did occur in the early Yua years, the Yua soon fell into tyranny and despotism themselves. Though slavery was abolished, an increasing dependency on native serf labor meant that the peasants became overworked, and harvests were collected greedily by the feudal lords that rules over them for sale abroad. The royal family, particularly Empress Biatser, was also known to play various sadistic pranks on the peasantry, including hiding venomous pufferfish around key locations in town and watching people get poisoned. Graffiti from this era details the suffering of the peasantry in these years.

In the year 169 PSS, Empress Yua Biatser met with the lord of the capital Ko Giang, after which she ordered the execution through of said lord. A day later the son and heir of the lord was executed by being buried alive on a field in front of the city. The exact reasoning for this action is unclear, although the empress claimed the lord to be a criminal who broke divine law.

#### Saffron Revolution

In the year 189, a series of flash floods and food shortages broke out into open rebellion. The rebellion began as scattered revolts spread in the countryside by word-of-mouth, but eventually began to build a large organized system. The rebels began the execution of local feudal lords, and forming lord-owned land into communal farms. In the absence of a hereditary leader, many of these villages formed democratic councils to vote on policy instead.

The revolution inspired one low-born student and officer Ho Kianpuai to leave the capital and his schooling to go visit the rebels, in hopes of giving them guidance and leadership. He had a specific aura to him that captured hearts and minds, and he had great skill on the battlefield. He was quickly promoted by the elected leadership of the free peasantry to become the leader of the revolutionary war effort. His writings became the unofficial official doctrine of the revolution, and many revolutionary slogans were coined by him. Due to its characteristic structure and focus on guilds and farming communes, the revolution found itself allied with peasant movements elsewhere.

### Founding of the Republic

After securing victory over the Yua generals, the beginnings of a peacetime republic formed, with Ho Kianpuai seeming as if he would become some kind of new king- many expected him to. However, a Yua loyalist assassin jumped and killed Ho Kianpuai before he could make any further moves, forever martyring the general and causing the revolutionaries to reconsider their government structure in the chaos.

While initially messy and incomplete, the revolutionaries created the *Mandate of Order*, a document that served as the framework by which the republic would act. While short, it outlines the basic functions of each leader. After this, elections were held in the beginning of the year 200 PSS, wherein three consuls were elected. The election process, overseen by one Sher Kojui, was rushed, and Sher herself called to stop the count once the number of eligible voters who had not yet voted was statistically insignificant. However, the rest of the provisional government protested, and kept the elections open. Nonetheless, Sher Kojui was elected Consul Sergeant (Con. Srg.), Fuai Jingou as Consul Secretary (Con. Sec.), and Len Rin as Consul Chamberlain (Con. Chm.).

New plans were made by the consuls; Consul Sher headed a vast territorial expansion and cartography initiative, and she and Consul Len incorporated the monastic state of Cejulifa and its partner Geisan as autonomous regions under Luangese government protection. Consul Fuai oversaw the construction of several buildings such as the Hall of the People, the official meeting house of the government, and created the Luangese Committee for Natural Science. Prefects were picked by the consuls; however only members of the Suai family ended up being picked, sparking allegations of possible nepotism. Sher remained the most proactive diplomat of the nation, however, securing relationships across the Arenican continent.

### Wheat Rebellion

The first major crisis of the republican era came in the year 201 after the passing of Len Rin's first major economic plan, the Government Contribution Bill. The bill required government members to pay extra in taxes to allow for government-funded programs to function; however, consul Sher Kojui objected to the bill, writing a dissenting opinion longer than the bill itself. The taxes required for a consul according to the Bill amounted to 22 bushels of grain; Sher objected, and grew distant from the government as she began working on studying Failin and Revatan histories instead.

By the end of that year, the western territories of Luang broke away under Consul Sher's leadership in an anti-tax revolt known as the Wheat Rebellion. The government was unsure of what to do at the moment, as a solid third of the leadership (and the head of the military, at that) had broken off. Worse still, the rebellion had turned against democratic practice in favor of monarchy, and proclaimed itself the "Kesnov Kingdom"- claiming the title of an old Revatan state that existed in times past. Her previous talks with Col Insanla ensured that the latter state would have support in the case of a military repression of the rebellion, and many in the international community feared that war was inevitable.

However, due to the rebellion's low support from both Kesnov subjects and non-Coli foreign powers, the now-isolated former consul Sher Kojui surrendered. She fled north towards the shores of the Kestrian Sea, abandoning her rebellion's capital of Pomue, and when the Luangese army finally reached it, both monarchist rebels and republican insurgents had burned Pomue to the ground. An impromptu election the next year allowed one Suai Hoyuang, already a prefect heavily involved in military affairs, to replace Sher as Consul Sergeant until the next election cycle.

### Postwar Growth

In the years after the rebellion, the economy of Luang grew as the capital swelled in population. In order to kickstart trade, Con. Chm. Len Rin established policies to stimulate economic growth with the creation of the Government Licensing Act, passed in 203. This was followed up by the creation of the Rue Uang, or Culture Party, the first concrete political faction in the country's history. The National Infrastructure Act of 203, passed later on, was drafted by Con. Sec. Fuai Jingou, and stimulated the creation and standardization of road construction. By late 204, a large highway was constructed running from Ziujou in the nation's north to Fuatsiu on the southern border, alongside a number of other roads and irrigation facilities.

The election of 205 was rather tenuous, as few people even ran for national office. Only the position of Consul Secretary was challenged by Laliletu of Cenasanu. However, he was unable to beat the incumbent Fuai Jingou in the national elections. The Consul Sergeant, Suai Hoyuang, elected in an impromptu runoff election in early 203 following Sher Kojui's rebellion, decided to abstain from running yet still was approved by a supermajority of voters. Instead, another election days afterwards saw one Fui Gianyu become elected as the third Consul Sergeant in Luangese history.

## Geography

### Physical Geography

Luang is situated in a region of southwestern Arenica known as the Lime Hills, or *Kuewou*, known for its sloping hills and small mountains made of limestone and marl. Despite their geologically younger age, they are highly eroded due to the hot, rainy climate of the region. The limestone of the Lime Hills is used extensively in construction, as it is of high quality; in a few locations, where hot water and tectonic pressure has caused the rock to metamorphose, there is high-grade marble found in the country. Fossil corals and mollusks are commonly found in these stones, and are incorporated as details in buildings.

The western region of the country is drier than the coast, as the Lime Hills form a rain shadow. The eastern regions of the country feature mesa-like mountains of banded layers of sandstone and mudstone. These hills are rich in low-grade coal and amber, which is traded by local peoples and fashioned into jewelry.

### Biodiversity

*full article:* Luangese Biota

Having large tropical rainforests with extensive offshore coral reefs, Luang has one of the highest levels of biodiversity per area of any country. Luang is located almost entirely in the western rainforest belt, bordering the arid montane forest region of Arenica. While this region covers only a small number of environments, the environments it does contain are still very rich in plant and animal diversity.

In the jungles, many fruit and nut-bearing trees are found. Cacao, coconuts, mangabas, Luangnuts, flood palms, beautyberries, bamboo shoots, and Hiasu nuts are all common edible native plants of the forests. There is also the Hsuorian tree, one of the tallest trees in the world; it (as well as the mangaba tree) is a vital source of lumber for Luang, and it produces an edible oil from its nuts that can be used in cooking, and the latex-producing rubber tree is also endemic to the Luangese rainforest.

### Climate

The climate of Luang is generally very warm and humid, and along the coast ranges anywhere between 25 to 32 °C (77 to 90 °F) year-round. However, the humidity of the country often makes the heat index much higher. The western regions of the country are often on the hotter end of this spectrum, but less humid; conversely the mountains of the east have a frequent fog that moderates temperatures.

The climate experiences both wet and dry seasons. The rainy season lasts from June to November, and the winter and spring of the country experience a dry season around this time. It is during the rainy season that cyclones are common, and the wind and rain these storms bring can extensively damage buildings and flood farmland for weeks. Coastal Luang in total experiences about 169 cm (66.5 inches) of rain in a year. The western reaches of the country experience 57.5 cm (22 inches) of rain a year, however.

## Government and Politics

### Structure

#### Executive

The government of Luang at the highest level is led by a triumvirate of three *Hsǒu*, or consuls. Each consul is given a specific duty according to Article 1 of the Mandate of Order, the official state constitution and highest law in the land. The consuls are voted for by popular vote each year from each eligible citizen, and serve for four years per term, with a maximum of three terms per individual.

**Consuls of Luang**
**𤾩的高首**
kué iù pí hsǒu
tchiá fí hī hsǒu
 Duties
 Current holder
 Previous holders
Sher Kojui (200-202)

#### Legislative

The Grand Assembly (伟共会, *suē uánguì,* also translated as Grand Commonwealth) is the legislative body of the Luangese Republic. It is comprised of various guilds who send delegates to hold votes, and approves of consul candidates. The legislature also holds the ability to oust members from government with a unanimous vote, or to suspend membership with a 2/3 vote. A 2/3 vote is also required to impeach a consul. The assembly may also call votes to veto laws, or to hold votes on new laws to a plebiscite.

As of the 205 PSS election, the Grand Assembly has split between two political factions: the GCRR (工农儒党, *giong-chan-rai rue,* or Worker-Peasant-Scholar Union) comprising a union of populist and scientific interests, and the RU (党文, *ruè uǎng*, or Party of Culture) supporting nationalist policy and leading economic growth. GCRR maintains a majority with 60% of the Assembly being members of the association, and RU controlling 40%.

#### Judicial

The Bench of Prefects is the final interpreter of the law in all cases not related to the government. Prefects are chosen by Consuls and cannot be un-appointed from the position until a day has passed. A Consul can only appoint three Prefects at a time however all three seats at the bench can be occupied by one person including the consul themselves. When not at the bench of prefects, prefects must be appointed to a job or section of government to manage within their consuls jurisdiction, they can be unappointed from this job by their consul at any time.

### Citizenship and Suffrage

All ethnic Luangese (defined as those born by Luangese-fluent parents and raised speaking Luangese in whole or in part), unless otherwise discharged due to crime, are given residency, as are any naturalized immigrants and legally-recognized minority groups.

### Political Subdivisions

Luang is subdivided into nine subdivisions: five provinces, three autonomous regions, and a single territory. The regions of Gogu (Geisan), Keiju (Cejulifa), and Nuaji (Vlosavina) are autonomous regions within the country's de jure claimed borders. However, Vlosavina acts very much autonomously without cooperating with the central government as the others do, and is considered by most outside of Luang to be its own independent city-state.

The five provinces of Deru, Hsaziu, Giyua, Aofuai, and Sufu are administered from their respective capitals and largest settlements. Deru, housing the national capital, maintains Ko Giang as the regional capital as well.

The single territory of Fuangchao features no large permanent settlements, and is populated largely by nomads. It therefore is administered by the Luangese government directly, but only loosely. Local law mostly falls upon the local Qalaitabi tribespeople, who follow a modified version of traditional law and customs.

## Economy

### Currency

The internal currency of Luang is the Luangese Komer. The Komer was introduced in the Yua Dynasty as a paper replacement for gold, and is one of the oldest paper currencies in the world. While under the Yua the Komer was gold-backed, in today's republic the Komer is a fiat currency.

### Major Industries

Most Luangese are farmers, engaged in subsistence agriculture. The communes that each farmer is a member of sends their surplus to the cities. These farmers often supplement their crops with wild bushmeat, fish, and gathered fruits and nuts from the jungle.

The rest of the country is employed in various industries such as construction, textiles, mining, lumber, fishing, smithing, and other crafts; a small subsection works in the government as delegates or bureaucrats. Another small subsection of the economy consists of the intelligentsia and clergy, who form their own guilds with which to organize education and religion.

## Demographics

### Language

Luangese is the sole official language of government and business in Luang, and is the most common language spoken in the country. Linguistically, Luangese is classified as a Tuangbou language, being related to Zhanunese and the Dai-Xiu languages of the Tanûleng. Luangese is written in *Luangtuang* characters, a logographic script native to the country.

The Mazwephukile language of Swe'etumbe is also spoken in the west of the country, as are a few other minority languages. Vlosavina Creole is spoken around the Nuaji region, and the Hsai language in the north.

### Race and Ethnicity

The most common people group in the nation are *Luangkei* or Luangese humans, which comprise over 80% of the nation's population. Small minority groups of Zhanunese and Kistelleti humans also call the nation home. These are largely immigrant communities. The Hsai people, also known as the Cong in Tanûlengic records, are native to the jungles in the north of the country, and the Ypili and Chesyeo are locals to small enclaves in the west.

Luangese foxpeople, also known as the *Failin*, are a significant minority group who also speak Luangese but are regarded as a separate group from the humans. They were once thought to be closely related to the Yaoupo of the Tanûleng, and many considered both groups to be one and the same. However, new discoveries have proven them to in fact be largely related to the Lisow of western Orica, having migrated to the region in ancient times.

A significant minority of half-elves known as the Mazwephukile also call the land home. The Nkalatho tribe in particular is native to Luang's western frontiers, and make up a significant minority group in and around the city of Pomue. While many other tribes' people were brought to Luang by force, many were repatriated back west after the Kiao dynasty's downfall, and the majority of Mazwephukile in modern Luang have voluntarily immigrated to the country's western frontiers as well as the capital city in recent years. Due to settlement in the Brokenlands by other peoples, many Mazwephukile nomads found themselves at odds with the settlers and came to Luang to settle down in the cities.

### Religion

*Full article: Luangese folk religion*

Religion in Luang is very abstract; the term Tsiandue or "heavenly belief" is used to describe faith both in general and in the case of Luangese folk religion. The religion is tied to the physical elements of air, water, and earth, and each element has an associated god and nine associated animals. Each animal also has a specific connotation; animal spirits are invoked during divination and prayer.

The religion of Tumecipocu is also generally accepted by the Luangese, though it is not every common outside of the autonomous regions of Cejulifa and Geisan where it is traditionally practiced. Tumecipocu grew out of Ypili traditional religion, and has since began spreading across the country and abroad.