Governate of Tholon

The Governate of Tholon was a Purvali successor state that briefly controlled the city of Tholonious and surrounding area, alongside the Tolic region of Zenur. The state was ruled by the Purvali Governor Kohnia from the later days of the empire up until his death, after which the territory was reorganized as the Kingdom of Tholon. The Governate is unique in that it was not a victim of the mass rebellion that destroyed the later Purvali Empire, nor invasion from local powers such as the Republic of Ida, and faced very minimal local dissent. While effectively independent the Governate also never formally declared itself separate from the Purvali Empire, unlike the Syetan Khanate. Kohnia's effective rule saw Tholon become a significant force in the region, and expand it's territory southward.

## History

### Fall of Empire

Governor Kohnia was appointed by the Purvali Emperor shortly before the mass revolts of the North, and was notable in stabilizing the province of Tholon significantly under his administration through grain distribution and 'generally and carefully pleasant governance.' Kohnia was a populist governor who often tailored decisions around public support, highly unlike other Purvali governors that often exploited their respective regions to further war efforts- Tholon was far from any significant front, though was a major supplier during the Zenurian Campaign. The continued failure of the Zenurian campaign eventually saw imperial decrees reducing reinforcements to the plateau as leaders began to realize the futility of the war and the renewed strength of the Zenurian army. Many Purvali would flee to Tholon during this time after attempting to settle the plateau, treating the province as a waystation. Kohnia personally led a mixed army of Tholoni and Purvali in the Battle of The Third Sun, where the Idans were routed. This solidified Tholoni independence and won the governor great support among the local population, discouraging revolt. Kohnia shortly after took over administration of the occupied Tolic lands, ending the repression of the Leaven and Tolic peoples in the land and furthering construction of Fort Yohingya to secure the territory and Tholon.

### Defacto Independence

The province gradually became more autonomous as Purvali control loosened across the empire, with the Governor gradually receiving less orders and decrees. The last imperial edict in regards to Tholon directed Kohnia to hold control of the region until reinforcements arrived from Fenar, however the reinforcements were minimal in number and supply. Once the Ra Khanate had declared itself independent, and Monumenta was reinstated under the Valk Dynasty, the Governate was defacto independent. Under Kohnia's rule Tholon grew in wealth as trade was facilitated with the Idan Republic, in addition to a treaty of peace and friendship. Peaceful ties were also established with the Monus, however they were distrustful of a Purvali neighbor. North Tholoni settlement of the Toli river began during this time, though in small number. Point Zlan was founded during this time, in addition to villages that would later become major cities. The Zenurian Federation at this time conquered the Tolic province, though they did not seize Point Zlan or other minor Tholoni colonies in Zenur after signing a treaty with Kohnia. The already tiny Purvali population continued to drop as many migrated to Fenar or merged with the local populace, and the Governate slowly looked less like a temporarily independent province and more like an independent Kingdom of Tholoni. While Kohnia initially hoped the Empire would be able to return to administering the land, he eventually began to focus more on the vitality of a independent Tholoni Kingdom. He likely had regular communication with the Purvali Emperor in Rivalia until his death through messengers, and was said to have still referred to himself as a subject of the Emperor.

### Transition

Upon the death of Kohnia, much of the Governate was already administered by Tholoni, and the foundations for a powerful Tholoni Kingdom were thoroughly built. After a brief time where a small council of Purvali and Tholoni attempted to choose a new Governor, it was eventually decided mutually that the Governate would be dissolved and a King would be selected, ruling over the new Kingdom of Tholon. After King Yinol I was chosen among the council, the Governate was officially transitioned into the Kingdom of Tholon. The remaining Purvali population gradually dissipated into the local populace, with many Tholoni nobles having a Purvali bloodline because of this.

### Legacy

The Governate ruled for a short time, but was a prosperous moment in Tholoni history. The kingdom was able to preserve its independence amid foreign invasion and grow its influence over the centuries through Toli colonization. Kohnia was regarded as a fantastic ruler, having built Tholon from over a century of foreign rule and occupation into a unique and powerful civilization. Statues of Kohnia can still be seen in Tholonious and other Tholoni cities founded after his rule, such as Kzon and Toblanah.

## Administration

While initially administered similar to other Purvali provinces, the administration gradually gave more power to the Tholoni population to the point where by the time of Kohnia's death, the majority of administrative positions were held by Tholoni, and Purvali were only represented significantly in the local Centurion branch, which dissolved afterwards. Part of this was that early in the Governate, many Purvali from surrounding regions immigrated to avoid the surrounding conflicts and expulsions of Purvali, particularly from Zenur, however many of these Purvali would later migrate to the Shinzakani basin and other Purvali centers.