Gyeoul

**Gyeoul**, officially the **Serene State of Gyeoul**, was a country in Eldham and associated state in the Confederation of Garxijos. It was also a member state of the Confederate States of Valesca. It was a unitary presidential republic with features of a direct democracy. The nation was located in the northeastern region of Valresh, and shared land borders with Helsia and Nueva Trinidad.

## History

### Pre-Independence

The people of the nation of Gyeoul started out as squatters in Ravenguard-occupied Helsia, in a faint stone fort. They were discovered by the country of Heliosos who, in turn for following their religion and making the name sun-based, would recognize Gyeoul as a country.

Despite this, however, the Gyeouleans were promptly kicked out of their land regardless due to their settlement being only 10 chunks away from the COG's capitol. After this, they moved as refugees into the Heliosan city of Solador, where they stayed until Helsia gained its independence. Seeing an opportunity to return to their former land, the Gyeoulean people established relations with the new Helsian king, Upmost, and negotiated to buy some land near their old fort.

Again though, they were too close to the COG`s capitol, so they were once again forced out. In a controversial move, Upmost gave the Gyeouleans land in Ravenguard that he had no legal right to give away. The Gyeoulean people promptly settled into the new Helsian lands they were given and claimed the island they are still living on today as their own. Eventually, the COG found them and gave them an ultimatum; "either join the COG or we will be forced to declare war."

Not wanting to be driven from their lands once more, especially after just finding a place to call their own, the Gyeoulean people saw no other choice and accepted the ultimatum, becoming a constituent part of Helsia. After two days of tense negotiation, however, they were eventually allowed to form their own independent state within the COG.

### Republican-Era

The republican era was relatively short lived, lasting only a month before the collapse of the Confederation of Garxijos would brings its eventual end. Under Gaia Gribbeneach, the newly appointed interim governor of the state, Gyeoul transitioned from monarchy to a democratic republic. Gaia established a citizen’s assembly where the people could speak their mind and raise ideas for new legislature. A flag referendum was held which resulted in the slight modification of Gyeoul’s flag. The lotus charge no longer sat over the entire flag, but was instead charged upon a black circle. A few days later a new constitution was drafted and a convention held where citizens could raise concerns about the constitution. The main section removed was a section on economy, where Gyeoul would become a socialist guild economy, with sectors split into various worker’s guilds. This section was removed after FallenGaucamole, mayor of Arukoru, and Ra1nfr0g, mayor of Konjou, raised concerns over the state being locked into socialism. After changes, the constitution was later ratified on January 15 by unanimous vote.

On January 9th, Uraka announced that they would unite the northeast. Coggers were fearful that the confederation would be destroyed by this conflict, and many began preparing for the worst. There was no official domestic response in Gyeoul. No mobilization order was given, although individual towns were preparing to fight to the death if need be. Luckily the conflict came to pass, however hurdles for Gyeoul would not. Just nine days later, the Helsians would make one fateful announcement that would change the fate of Gyeoul forever.

### Collapse of the Confederation of Garxijos

In the days leading up to the complete dissolution of the Confederation of Garxijos (COG), Gyeoul played a large role along with the other states in the geopolitical firestorm that would thrust the nation into civil strife and ultimately cause its dissolution.

On January 18, 2022 the Republic of Helsia, a member state of the confederation, announced the completion of a large fort to defend the south. The recent Urakan scare following Imperator Neo’s desire to unite the northeast under the Urakan banner had remained in the minds of Coggers everywhere, even after the war was called off. In the same announcement, citing poor general internal conditions of the neighboring state of Nueva Trinidad, as well as security, Helsia announces that it no longer recognizes the government of Neuva Trinidad and subsequently declares an annexation of the region. Several states, including Gyeoul, denounce this move severely.

In the same day, after deliberation between the governor of Neuva Trinidad, 8888k, and the president of Gyeoul, Gaia Gribbeniach, the two states announce an official merger, forming the state known as Valesca.

The following day, Helsia announces that the claims are invalid because the land is Helsian, and citing the Helsian constitution’s clause that Helsian land cannot be given away or sold to a foreign state or entity. Hours later, Helsia declares an official state of war between itself and Valesca. Gyeoul announces a state of emergency and orders citizens to begin preparing for the coming conflict. The mayor of the largest town in Gyeoul, Konjou, Ra1nfr0g, held an anti-war and anti-interventionist stance and would argue vehemently against the conflict with the president, Gaia Gribhinneach, with townspeople of Konjou also stepping in to chime their anti-war sentiments. This marks the first case of a major divide between Konjou and the government of Gyeoul, and resentment would begin to build.

On January 20th, 2022 the state of Grander Stultum declares a state of active rebellion against the government on the basis that it has been ineffective in preventing interstate conflict. They declare that the rebellion is supported by the states of Nueva Trinidad, Gyeoul, Pancioni, Farathador, Cognia, and Garxijos. The state of Aionos declares it support later that day. The rebel faction officially announces themselves as the Socialist Provisional Government (SPG) and subsequently a large group of players from the Socialist Provisional Government occupy the capitol at Garxeto. Before the end of the third day, the state of Garxijos announces its intent to invade Helsia if they do not revoke claims and pay reputations within twenty-four hours.

January 21st sees the government denounce the coup and the socialists backing Garxijos’ demands. Many back and forth communiques were made by the opposing sides. Civil strife spread to Aionos in the form of violence with a coup taking place, but by the time night had fallen over the crumbling confederation all had gone silent. To the surprise of many, late that night, an announcement came from the Socialist Provisional Government that the confederation would be vassalized under the Uraki Imperium. This sparked chaos in the confederation as many resented Uraka for its earlier plans for aggressive expansion.

January 22nd, 2022. States began to declare their secession from the Confederation of Garxijos following the announcement made by the Socialist Provisional Government. A vote is started later that day calling for the dissolution of the confederation. It passes unanimously.

After the dissolution of the Confederation of Garxijos, Gyeoul would maintain close ties with the other friendly states, although a state of war between itself and Helsia had maintained due to the Valesca union. Inside, tensions were boiling as Gyeoulean mayors feared the destruction of their towns due to the war. For many states, independence was a breath of fresh. With resentment of the government reaching a boiling point in the population of Konjou and Neuva Trinidad capitulating to Helsian demands, independence would be a fight for the very survival of the state.

### Konkotsu Rebellion

Following the dissolution of the Confederation of Garxijos, there was a relative period of quiet in Gyeoul. While the war with Helsia continued to loom over the horizon, and the grim reality was starting to set in, the gears of diplomacy were beginning to turn. Gaia pursued multiple relations with the newly independent states of the confederation, with theoretical ideas of reforming the confederation with what was left. Meanwhile, anti-government sentiment was reaching a boiling point in the town of Konjou. Many were resentful of the war, seeing the intervention into the matters of Nueva Trinidad and Helsia as the main unnecessary spark. This sentiment was quietly echoed by the smaller town of Arukoru, though in general the leadership of Gyeoul and others believed that after Nueva Trinidad, Gyeoul would have been next on the chopping block. In addition, residents of Konjou were the only Gyeouleans actively preparing for a war with the capital of Yeoleum being a ghost town ever since the end of the monarchist era. The city made up 90% of the population in the state as well. In the eyes of the Konbujin, this was a war they had to fight which they did not want to fight.

During this time, a ballot was held amongst the town of Konjou regarding a coup of the state government in a last ditch attempt to save the state from war. The ballot ran for three hours, ending with a unanimous decision from the townspeople to revolt. Materials began to be gathered by the townspeople while Ra1nfr0g attempted to broker a peace deal between Helsia and the new Gyeoul which would be formed should the coup succeed. Negotiations were largely a failure, with all offers presented leading to annexation under Helsia— a fate which many residents of Konjou greatly disliked. It was at this time that Ra1nfr0g then reached out to the Lunari Empire for aid. Their previous diplomatic ties made negotiation comfortable, and a deal was reached for the new Gyeoul to become a state of Lunaris. At least that way, Gyeoul had a chance of surviving the war.

With a future secured, the Konkotsu Rebellion was launched on the 24th of January while the elections were in their early stages. Terms were offered to government forces, threatening harsh punishment for resisting the change. The rebellion was unopposed militarily, mostly due to the fact that Konjou made up the vast majority of the state’s population and the state had no standing armed force to defend. Immediately negotiations began, with Gaia demanding that the rebels stand down and go through the legal election process. This was refused by the Konkotsu rebels, who demanded that they step down as governor. Further argument broke out between Ra1nfr0g and Gaia, ultimately leading to emergency executive powers being handed to the old king of Gyeoul, ImCheese, by Gaia who wished the founders of Gyeoul to decide their own fate and Gaia leaving the state. ImCheese proceeded to hold a public opinion session that resulted in dead silence. He then entered negotiations with the rebels, finally selling control of Gyeoul to Konjou for $20,000 and announcing the surrender of the government to the Konkotsu rebels.

In only a few hours, the rebellion was over and ended with the peaceful transition of power to the newly proclaimed State of Konkotsu, the name for Gyeoul in the Konjin language, which would be under the Lunari Empire, with Ra1nfr0g taking the title of Shogun. This marked the end of the republican era, and indeed, The Serene State of Gyeoul as it transitioned into a new age.

## Culture

### Flag

The national flag of Gyeoul consists of a horizontal triband of teal, slate grey (double height), and teal. In the center of the flag is a slate grey disc charged with a white lotus flower and white laurel leaves.

The teal color of the national flag is used to represent peace, strength, and honor.

The slate grey color of the national flag is used to represent the material wealth of Gyeoul, especially the stone fields prominent within the nation.

The laurels represent triumph, and the lotus flower is used to represent self-regeneration and purity. Its characteristics are a perfect analogy for the Gyeoulean nation; even when its roots are in the dirtiest waters, the Lotus produces the most beautiful flower.