Essotori

The Flag of Essotori

### Establishment

1670 (As the Pincer Kingdom of Conland Sagadahoc)1695 (As the United Kingdom of Essotori)

### ISO code

ET

Essotori is among the most nefarious societies in world history, based in the global Elparian South, the theocratic Monarchy sits on the outskirts of Calradia, atop a throne of the ancient dead. The island nation is composed of one hundred and thirteen million subjects, divided into twelve distinct Duchies, and ruled over by the illusive Nozerod, who reigns from the Palace of Origin in the capital city of Radonstinatle. The government of Essotori is complex with the Nozerod being served by a byzantine bureaucracy, their Prime Minister, Robert Cartford, directs the Cabinet, while the Grandmaster keeps watch over the National Mistery, a collection of aristocrats, and loyal subjects, desiring a say in the government, for power or genuine care. Below this, exists twelve Duchies, though almost all economic and social production is constrained to Cunberia, Tarford, and Radon, controlled by three Dukes. Essotori is the founding member, and main conductor, of the Ascendancy, a collection of states and societies dedicated to the singing a hymn, a small note in the grand song of worship. Disturbingly, Essotori is also a member of the United Nations Security Council, as well as a prominent trading partner of several world powers.

Essotori is the Nightmare State. This term was coined by Simon Laire, an Essotori expat, to distinguish Essotori from contemporary and historical authoritarian regimes. To the outsider, Essotori is the icon of totalitarian rule, enigmatic nobility, oppression, tyranny and the bogeyman of Democrats. However, the truth is far more sinister, inside, the very concept of words and language have been successfully twisted, corrupted and contorted to enshrine obedience into the very core of society. Love is loyalty, community is submission. Inside the Nightmare State, control of the Nozerod is so absolute, so ingrained, that the instruments of enforcement no longer need to play. The very people themselves, with the instruments of intimidation, ritual, joy and collective worship, provide a far more soothing, yet somber orchestra.

## **Etymology**

The term Essotori most likely comes from the combination of the terms "Esso" and "Tori."

Esso was an artificially created identity, formed of the loose coalition of Trekans and other Calderians that joined the nation in conquering the territory they currently inhabit. Tori is slightly more complicated, with some scholars suggesting the name comes from the word "Taliros", which losely meant "One who conspires with the enemy out of greed or stupidity". This theory posits that Tori was a corruption of this term, and was applied to all conquered peoples. This theory is dismissed by the Essotori government.

## History

### Pre History

The Pre-history of Essotori is very difficult to analyse, due to the nature of the Essotori regime. The majority of historical sources are unreliable, such as travelling merchants selling their goods to Treka, or traders visiting the Tori Kingdoms before or during the fall. The largest Tori government to ever exist, was the ancient realm of Pankumen, and the last Kingdom to fall, and the strongest by far, was the Despotate of Radon. This state gives it's name today as a Duchy, in the east of Essotori. Most of our information on the Tori Kingdoms comes from the national Nylean archives, Kemet had high degrees of trade with Radon, during the an era after the Bronze age collapse. These records indicate that Radon took power after a former regime fell during the bronze age collapse, with Radon being established through a peasants revolt.

### Conland - Sagadahoc

Since the formation of Treka as a unified state, the Lords of Sagadahoc and Conland chaffed under feudal government. Gradually, the two kingdoms united to form Conland - Sagadahoc, coming under the administration of various Dynasties throughout the Kingdom's existance. The primitive varient of the Nozerod Cult was fostered and encouraged during this period, though it was contained to the Inner City of Connish, as well as in Angel Land. In the majority of Conland and Sagadahoc, the commoners lived similarly to other Trekans, developing into the Connish culture of today, parallel to the Cult, known contemporarily as 'High Connish'. Historians and Essologists generally ascribe the lack of mass conversion to the Cult in this period to the inability of Conland - Sagadahoc to defend itself from all its neighbours, while fighting their own people to impose a new religion. To navigate around this problem, and to escape the grip of Treka, the Lords of Conland - Sagadahoc launched a series of military campaigns aimed at toppling and replacing the government of Sereine. The Three Hundred Years War was ultimately unsuccessful, though control over Angel Land, or Angellica, was established in 1128, proving a critical centre for Cultist recruitment, philosophy, and most critically, a haven, free from persecution. Throughout the Medieval Period, the Ashwood family summoned resources, and influence throughout Calderia, using politics, marriage and war to exert power over the Trekan system. This was a partial success, though complete control was not accomplished, and the family became far more isolated from the other lords of Treka.

### Mercury Age

The Trekan Revolution of 1380-90 broke the old order of Kings and Queens in Treka, though the last King, Harold II fought till the end, Angel Land became the seat of Cultist power. With the dramatic moving of the Nozerod's residence to Garlin Palace, Angel Land, the Mercury Age began. During this prosperous era the Cult pioneered philosophical advancement within Angel Land, and contributed far more to the people of their regime. With the Nozerod now taking a more consistently interested role in temporal politics, generally through sitting in on critical philosophical debates, during which each side would attempt to examine the will of the divine. With the end of the Three Hundred Years War in 1437, the Cult was free to continue this path of self development, while remaining tied to Treka through trade. This was not optimal for the Cult, and the dream of true independence remained within many Lords, especially those stripped of their holdings by the Trekans. Ironically, this desire for self sovereignity was distinctly Trekan in origin. By the Mercury Age, many Trekan traditions had eroded, such as the practice of enabling witches and mysticism, while some solidified into a core Cultist identity, such as common law, self determination. Both of which, the Cult fostered upon the people of Angel Land, in contrast to the civil law of other dominant powers at the time, such as Minachia.

### The Invasion

The first war against the Tori Kingdoms was against the allegedly tyrannical Dylias Despotate, led by Galgius "the Rowdy", the future Nozerod Everlasting Conquest commanded the naval war, where the defenders employed Tori Fire, though it was ineffective against Connish ships. After this victory, Everlasting Conquest burnt down the capital of the Dylias, while his men held Galgius, forcing him to watch. Collections of small Tori collaborators were welcomed into the new Kingdom, and were given privileges. Everlasting Conquest began a form of biological warfare against Tori tribes, by poisoning the water supply of life-bringing rivers with the corpses of local soldiers, usually with diseases due to poor hygiene, as well as Calderian diseases. This policy continued as the Pincer Kingdom, as the nation was soon named, due to it's territory composing the entirety of the western island, advanced and the number dead climbed. In cases where the local governments surrendered, or the local Esso commander did not carry out punitive massacres, rapid interbreeding began with the local women, with cases of consent for money, and outright rape being reported to Trekan authorities by fleeing merchants. This class of people would lay the foundations of Essotori, earning prominent positions as administrators and local lords. The final Tori Kingdom to be destroyed was the Despotate of Radon, which is more well known, and resisted the longest. Radon was responsible for several victories over the Pincer Kingdom, such as at the battle of Tahlus, where Esso forces were counterattacked and destroyed. The final Lord of Radon was Despot Archaeos, who took power when he was merely twelve, due to his father's death in battle, and as such, was unable to coordinate the Tori resistance. Radon's fate was sealed in the battle of Yalin, just outside of the capital. Here, the Tori commander was assassinated, and the Radon resistance was broken in battle. The city of Radon was declared an open city, and the Massacre of Radon commenced. It was said, by merchants, that the bodies were piled so much they rivaled the monuments to Radon's culture, which were promptly burnt to the ground by the invaders. All 'alien culture' was destroyed, and replaced by 'righteous culture', supporting the Esso.

### Essotori is Born

"Throughout the greatness of Essotori, the blood of the vindictive and the weak runs deep, it stains the farmlands, the rivers, and the hills. In this pivital moment of reconstruction, if the masters degreed, each Esso soldier, serving over the last thirty years, may be allocated personal noble estates, healthy lands, and an array of subjects, drawn from the surviving natives. This would, comically, still leave the administration with a surplus of arable land, and too few men to effectively garrison the full extent of Essotori territory." - John of Dene, Advisor to Nozerod Eternal Freedom.

After the victory of the Pincer Kingdom, the Nozerod Everlasting Conquest formed Early Essotori, attempting to build a Kingdom of genuinely equality between Esso, and Tori, with mutual respect and prosperity coming to both nations. He died before achieving recognition from Treka, though he no longer paid any heed to their commands, regardless. After Everlasting Conquest died in 1700, he was succeeded by Nozerod Eternal Freedom, who began the rigorous program of centralisation, administration, and consolidation. He was deeply ambitious, and took three wives. Two of which, were daughters of Tori collaborators. He also enshrined racial equality into law, formally banned (chattel) slavery, and instituted reconstruction. Additionally, he began importing food to supply the people with the means to increase the population. This was due to the catastrophic death toll of the invasion, and the disease outbreaks, that Toris had no immunity to. Starvation was another factor, as well as two famines. The Essotori government began subsidising births, and appointed loyal generals as nobles, with the most competent as Dukes. Essotori was divided into 12 distinct Duchies.

### Revolt of the Three Estates/Essotori Civil War

Nozerod Eternal Freedom earned some early successes in his reforms, meeting the Trekans in 1705 to declare independence formally from the Republic. Despite being defacto independent already, the monarch wished to earn prestige and legitimacy by achieving freedom, and a victory against Trekans in battle would be a fine consolatory prize. He wrote a deeply philosophical, political and religious justification for independence in the Declaration of Ancient Rights, denying the legitimacy of the Republic of Treka over the original Kingdoms of Conland and Sagadahoc, but Treka simply accepted the declaration with a token of friendship. He further angered the nobility with an order to multiple the fleet strength by three, so that an invasion of Kemet could be undertaken, and the glory of Essotori would eclipse Treka completely. This was advised against by the nobility, and such an invasion lacked much popular legitimacy in Kemet. The Grand Destiny had already been achieved, it was argued, and thus any further rapid expansion would strain the resources of Essotori beyond the breaking point. After stalled invasions of Kemet, The Duke of Tarland led a revolt, siding with the merchants, rebellious nobility, and Tori populists, which almost removed the Nozerod from his throne. However, Nozerod Eternal Freedom emerged victorious, and while he was unable to conquer Sereine, he successfully centralised the state. Nobility would now draw their legitimacy purely from the ruler, with their bloodlines acting "as glorified resumes".

### First World War

Essotori acted in a predatory manner in the First World War.

### Conquest of Suntterland

With the First World War's end, Essotori moved to firmly entrench itself in the Pam Empire, a vestigial Empire in Selaria, that had long depended on Essotori for trade. Essotori launched a coup to establish the Republic of Suntterland in 1917, led by General Suntter, who ruled the Republic as an independent state until 1922, when it was reorganised as a Duchy. This project would keep Essotori's focus until the Second World War, industrialisation of Suntterland took several decades to accomplish, and took a huge amount of blood. The Grand Induction Ritual took place in 1925, and Governor General Suntter retained his post until his retirement. The royal line of the Pam Empire was restored, and it is currently led by Duke Rum, though he is completely subservient to Governor General Jeffrey Leonard. Suntterland carries several negative societal traits in the eyes of Essotori, the disunited peoples in the realm make full conversion much slower.

### Lorraine War

Essotori joined the allied forces during the Lorraine War, in December 1941. During the post war era, Essotori was engaged in limited trade with both Corusconia and Treka, though tensions with both nations flared up on the occasion, with Corusconia over territory in Selaria, with Essotori frequently attempting to expand the influence of Suntterland, at the expense of Corusconia, and with Treka, due to diplomatic incidents. When the war began, Essotori initially attempted to join Corusconia, in exchange for territory in Kemet, the 'Left Group' of Misteries argued that the time to strike at Entaria and Treka was nigh, and victory would bring about the restoration of several Origin States. Conversely, the 'Right Group' attempted to argue for neutrality, and later, joining on the side of Treka, on ethnic, and realpolitik lines. The Prime Minister, Lord Charles Huntfield, was firmly in the Left Group, arguing that the interests of Suntterland must be satisfied through diplomacy, and that outright war would doom Essotori's colonial efforts to support a war they did not need to fight. Both major powers attempted to sway Essotori to commit to one side throughout 1940/41, with moderate success on the part of the Corusconians, who took much greater care in respecting the customs of Essotori, and made a good impression on the politicians with their speeches. While the transfer of territory was resisted, the Corusconians made good progress, especially after several diplomatic incidents took place between Trekan representatives and Essotori, such as the Trekans insulting the hosts by asking if diplomat Count Geofrey John-Hughes drank tea with the Nozerod. This caused the expulsion of Trekan diplomats, and the primacy of Corusconia, culminating in the Act of Moral Mobilisation in January of 1941, which, while generally acting as a call to arms, indicated support for Corusconia, and contained a clause allowing for Corusconian officers to command Essotori divisions when neccersary. The Act was passed, and mobilisation began, with the elite, small Essotori army begining to train, as factories blared into life. The final declaration of war against Treka was due to pass the National Mistery in December of 1941, though this was stopped by the personal intervention of Nozerod Unquenched Wrath, who stormed into the National Mistery. The Nozerod stated that war against Treka was wrong, and commanded the National Mistery to vote for war against Corusconia. This was due to the Nozerod being in personal communication with the Trekans, and his private appreciation of Trekan culture, and the ethnic ties between Essotori and Treka. The Huntfield resigned, and the Nozerod appointed Jones Knockes-Mogg as his successor as Prime Minister, a fervent member of the Right Group. Corusconia was not genuinely popular in Essotori, though Treka was not either. Essotori went to war with Corusconia, and generally concentrated on the Selarian front, expanding Essotori's influence in Kemet, and leading to tense collaboration with Entarian forces. Essotori did not gain much from the war, some reparations, and a tiny stretch of useless land in Suntterland, though the decision to join Treka's side is considered to be correct, due to the military infeasibility of a Corusconian victory, the Lorraine War is known as the Entropy War in Essotori, as it primarily benefitted the Entarian powers.

### Post War

After the Lorraine War, Essotori began looking inwards once more, focusing on developing the Ascendancy, and protecting the Cult. The post war Radonstinatle Conference of 1949 came to the conclusion that the Ascendancy must allow autonomous development within each constituent nation, so that each nation could mature and function independently should any part of the system fall. This push towards self sufficiency is ongoing. Essotori began it's more radical seperation from the Anglosphere, investing in Selaria and Berinsky. Reconstruction of coastal towns, and Suntterland, began promptly after the war was completed, begining with the reconstruction of civilian housing, infrastructure, and damage of various palaces from bombing. Essotori was not victim to substantial bombing, due to distances, and the colonial nature of the Lorraine War, and, combined with standard cultist behaviour, meant that Essotori lagged behind in many cultural facets of post war society, including fashion trends, and evolving morality. The Ascendancy Nuclear Initiative, and government pressure, led to the Calbury Disaster in Suntterland, and a series of political scandals eventually culminated in the dominance of figures like Alexander Willingberry, who began attempting to open up Essotori to the outside culture.

### Welsbury Years

In 1989, William Welsbury, a deeply conservative politician, became Prime Minister, riding a populist wave against the 'Liberal' governments of the preceeding years. He proceeded to smash the reformists, repeal virtually all their legislation, and imposing a conservative orthodoxy in politics, not seen since the 1960s. The Welsbury era ended in 2003, after the National Uniform proposal failed, causing the National Mistery to withdraw support for Welsbury.

## Geography

Essotori has a wide range of geography, and is dominated by fertile farmland in the West, Conland and Tarland hold heavy plains, fed by life-bringing rivers. In the centre of Essotori, the Joyous Forest, despite their name, are among the most dangerous forests in Elparia, filled with poisonous plants, violent fauna, and an unstable environment. Covering them, is the extremely large and dangerous series of mountains, known as "the Spine". These mountains contain several holy sites, though they are extremely cold, large, and dangerous. The highest point of Essotori is Ouranos Mountain, at 9000m high. Ouranos Mountain was recently visited by the central government, investigating rumors of terrorists hiding in the mountains.

## Demographics

### Population

The population of Essotori is 120.23 million, according to the 2020 census. Essotori does not conform to a traditional Urban - Rural dichotomy, though the largest city is Radonstinatle, which has around 12 million citizens.

### Language

Essotori employs, and promotes the use of Essospeak, an artificial language 'family', which works by removing all traces of first person address. It is divided between 'High Essospeak', which is the form used by the media, government and official documents, as well as 'Low Essospeak' which is a native language engineered with Essospeaking patterns.

### Religion

The Nozerod Cult maintains a monopoly over the hearts of the people of Essotori. However, there exists many separate interpretations of the Cult exist, with varying degrees of support.

## Top Ten Largest Cities

Top Ten Largest Cities in Essotori
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## Government and Politics

Essotori is a theocratic monarchy, based around worship of the Nozerod, the divine figure who resides in the Palace of Origin. However, the Nozerod does not take an active role in the day to day administration of politics. This task is left to a bureaucratic government, headed by the Prime Minister, who is appointed by the Nozerod, from the National Mistery. The National Mistery could be described as an Essotori Parliament, the lower chamber is composed of Misteries, public associations and guilds, composed of common Crownslaves, companies, and merchants. Registering to join the National Mistery entitles the local Mistery to participate in the Essotori political system, all that is needed is a firm purpose, a representative candidate willing to serve as a potential Prime Minister, and the willingness to pay fees. Continued membership in the National Mistery is regulated by the Grandmaster of the National Mistery, and several pieces of legislation. The Grandmaster of the Mistery is the formal head of the organisation, and has the task of bringing the Misteries into line, convincing them, and by proxy, their membership, of the Prime Minister's policies. The upper chamber, known as the House of Righteous Authority, is composed of hereditary aristocrats, former Prime Ministers, and high members of the Nozerod Cult. The National Mistery balances the influence of both houses to ensure that Essotori is not dominated politically by any voice. The Prime Minister, and Grandmaster are appointed on an adhoc basis, and the National Mistery meets weekly. These two positions serve at the pleasure of the Nozerod, though the Grandmaster and Prime Minister were both replaced after Glorious Jade Restoration. Currently, Robert Cartford holds the role of Prime Minister.

## Foreign Relations

Essotori maintains a pragmatic, flexible and cautious approach to foreign policy, caring primarily for the defense of the Ascendancy in a realist fashion. It is the founder of the Ascendancy, an organisation dedicated to promoting and supporting the Nozerod Cult oversees, as well as coordinating economic and military efforts. All members of the Ascendancy maintain a strong level of economic and political connectivity with Essotori, as well as all worshipping the Nozerod. Essotori is also a founding member of the Laurel Pact, a pact that serves to defend the cause of Monarchy and Aristocracy worldwide, and advance the goals of reaction. These two organisations have strong overlap, though the Laurel Pact includes non cultist nations, as well as monarchist movements. Essotori is independently allied with Treka, after the dissolution of the Hampshire Pact in 2020.

### Ascendancy

#### Suntterland

Suntterland was the first example of Essotori overseas expansion, following in the same roots as their Trekan fathers, Essotori's naval presence allowed it to subvert and destroy the ancient Pam Empire, supplanting it with their own nation state. Suntterland was conquered by General Harold Suntter, of Suntter Industries. Since his death, the state has generally been the icon of Cultist rule in Selaria, functioning as a heavy industry repository, and a mining economy. Since the Lorraine War, Suntterland's economic prospects have generally been grim, with corruption being far above tolerable levels. This corruption, by Selarian standards, is not at all unusual, in fact, it is among the least corrupt areas in the dark continent, however, it reflects badly in the homeland. Essotori has since been attempting to test social and economic projects within Selaria before applying them in Essotori. This produces mixed results, with disasters like the Calbury Nuclear Disaster defining an entire generation of nuclear thought.

#### Zerde

Zerde is not an independent state, it is a Cultist polity that exists within the Republican Mandate and Nurasovask. Essotori is the primary benefactor of Zerde, sponsoring it's rise to power in Berinsky. Zerde is extremely reliant on Essotori for financial, military and political support, with the King of Zerde, Alexander Poltorotsky, being educated in Radonstinatle University. Essotori's spending on assisting Zerde is criticised heavily domestically. Both are members of the Ascendancy and the Laurel Pact.

#### Gorovolla

Gorovolla is the third member of the Ascendancy, though one of the most inconspicuous. Gorovolla is frequently derided as being a failed experiment in the mainland, due to their lackluster economy, backwards politics, and being the cause of tension between Essotori and Enj, who Essotori do not wish to anger. Regardless, Gorovolla has seen significant reform and investment since the last Conference of Radonstinatle in 2010, and may cast off the reputation of failure with this new success.

### Laurel Pact

#### United Nyle Kingdom

The United Nyle Kingdom is generally viewed with suspicion by most of the world

## Culture

Essotori is among the most culturally insidious nations in Elparia, the Ascendancy offers prosperity, a clear path to citizenship, and a strong community. The central and local governments work in tandem to ensure that each subject gains the very pinnacle of happiness, luxury and comfort, high wages, and happiness. Loneliness itself has been effectively destroyed, with the state essentially operating yearly matchmaking ceremonies, based on one's interests, culture, and academic attainment. There are a wide variety of festivals and celebrations, generally revolving around collective worship, and folklore. Beyond the national festivals, every Duchy has two unique cultural celebrations and traditions, for instance, Acropo maintains the Acropo Nature Ceremony. During this ceremony, Acropolitian subjects pray for their ancestor's souls, as they face the Spine. This symbolises the vast climb from one's earthly body to the spiritual plane. Throughout the day, members of both sexes dress in naturalistic robes, reminiscent of Paganistic shamans, as they go about their day. The Nature Ceremony is seen as backwards by most urbanite Essotori.

Essotori speech, Essospeak, relies heavily on double meanings, seen as aristocratic in nature.

## Date Format

Essotori uses a unique formal for dates, DD/MM/YY, however, the year uses the era system, with each year corresponding to the rule of a Nozerod. Eg, 12/11/07, (November 12th 2021) would be pronounced "The Twelfth of November, in the Seventh Regnal Year of Glorious Jade. An interesting fact about this, is that the first year of each Nozerod's reign allows for the calendar to repeat itself, such as on January 1st, 2015, the first year of Nozerod Glorious Jade's rule. Written as "1/1/1" or "01/01/01". Triple 1 is generally used as an auspicious sign, for this reason.