Prorescia

Prorescia is a small island nation in the Stalana Sea in between the Brunae and Ilevia Peninsulas. The nation is one of the Stalanan Islands and is most well known for its small rivalry with neighboring Consanto.

## History

### Early History

The island of Prorescia was inhabited by a native tribe known as the Puroresuks. This tribe likely descended from early Brunan peoples, however their language and cultural actions have no relation to Brunan rituals and language of the time, in fact having their own script and original language. Other historians argue French or Thorstian tribes were the true originators of the Puroresuks, citing similarities in spoken language. The Puroresuks appear to have been highly primitive due to a lack of natural resources on the island. Crude structures including carved rock are some of the only remains of them.

### Brunan Occupation

The island and its sister islands do not appear on Brunan maps until 6:38. At this time, they are labeled as "the Proresk Islands" and considered territory of Bruna. According to documents authored by an unknown Brunan paper dated to 6:45, a voyage went to these islands finding them exceeding in beauty but lacking in soil to grow considerable plant life. An estimate of 300 natives is noted in the document, which they claim is a significant drop from the 500 noted in 6:38 in a cited document now lost to time. Prorescia and its sisters were occupied during this time by Bruna, but occupation was completely formal and when royals attempted to tax the natives, the natives had no currency with which to pay and chased Brunans out with crude spears. During this time, it seems that native population dropped due to a combination of illness from Brunans and a consistent failure of crops.

### Narsisian Occupation

In 8:88, Arnolfo Eusebio and his Narsisian Legions raided the Brunae Peninsula, which at that time was divided among multiple nations. They conquered the entire peninsula as well as Relavia. During this time, Eusebio found the "Proresk Isles" on a map and set sail. Upon finding the islands, they declared the territory property of Narsisi. At this time, the Puroresuks had dropped to a population around 100. The area also had around 10 Brunans living on the island. Remembering the last occupation, the Puroresuks chose not to resist occupation.

During Narsisian occupation, the island received some marketing in mainland Narsisi that resulted in the island having a tourist economy. Natives were introduced to a global economy, using the Iira that had been used by Narsisians as a currency. This greatly boosted technology and quality of life on the island and raised population tenfold over time. Natives had mixed opinions on this with some decrying the destruction of Puroresuk culture but others applauding the raise in quality of life associated with the ability to import food and natural resources. During this time, the Proresk Isles were at some point renamed as the Prorescian Isles, having a latinized ending.

### Collapse of Narsisian Control

In 9:83, the Ilevia War of 9:83 erupted. Although Narsisi had previously been in wars resulting in it losing much of its territory, it had never been in serious worry of destabilization in the homeland. The war completely cut off communication, trade, and touristry to far-flung territories such as the Prorescian Isles. This collapsed the Prorescian economy and resulted in a declaration of independence. The Conglomerate of the Prorescian Isles existed very briefly as a nation, lasting just two months in 9:83. The main action taken during these two months by an interim government was an attempt to join Bruna in order to get imports of food and resources from Bruna without any interstate taxes. This failed as Bruna was in a rebuilding state and had no interest in annexing islands they had dubious claims to. After this, the various islands agreed to separate into 3 different nations, these being Prorescia, Consanto, and Bratani. Prorescia and Consanto took the two largest islands and Bratani claimed all the other islands.

### Independence

The population of Prorescia as documented in the first census was 1,786 men, women, and children. 1,325 of these were in the city limits of Pasivil, the declared capital of Prorescia that had a fishing and trade-based economy. Of these 1,786, about half claimed to be ethnically Prorescian. Another quarter was composed of Brunans and Narsisians living permanently. The final quarter were mostly mixed-race, with a few claiming Edmondish heritage. Prorescia held elections with low turnout starting in 9:90 and continuing every 4 years. Prorescia was able to initiate trading partnerships with Thorsten, Edmondé, and later Bruna and Narsisi that greatly bolstered the burgeoning economy.

### Clous Era and its Consequences

From 10:48-49, Melu Clous served as the first female president of Prorescia. At the time, Prorescia had a vice presidential position but no designated third in command. Clous' vice, Nikolaj Dacath, was widely reported to be Clous' romantic partner though they never officially tied the knot. Clous was assassinated in 10:49, dying in the hospital 2 months after being shot at a speech. During this time, she was widely assumed to be recovering and Dacath refused to appoint his own vice president. Upon her death, he committed suicide while watching her flatline. As no succeeder had been appointed by either, there was brief chaos with most high ups in the government claiming they should be the next president. Eventually, there was an agreement between the ministers of the cabinet to form an elective oligarchy with the Minister of State at the head.

### Modern Day

Prorescia has a stable oligarchic government and relies economically on tourism and fishing. Demographics reports suggest well over 10,000 in population with demographics of about 30% Edmondish, 20% Brunan, 20% Narsisian, 15% Native, and 15% Other (Mostly Thorstian). Religion is mostly Diperignostic with less than 10% claiming otherwise.

## Culture

Prorescian culture has been influenced by many divergent cultures such as the Puroresuks, Brunans, Narsisians, Edmondish, and Thorstians.

### Puroresuk Traditional Culture

The Puroresuks believed in a multi-god system with many minor animal spirits who inhabited specific animals and would judge your actions in the afterlife, determining if you deserved to live on the Great Plains, which were a kind of heaven, or the Forbidden Valley, which was a kind of hell. In order to appease these spirits, ceremonies were held daily to ensure animal spirits found their way to the Great Plains and would reward their killers instead of punishing them. This also meant that the Puroresuks preferred to farm than to hunt and gather as they had a lower chance of angering gods when farming. These beliefs have persisted into the modern day where large populations of native species still exist and strict hunting laws through the whole island ensure these populations continue to thrive. Roku-Mesa, the official language of Prorescia, was the spoken language of the Puroresuks and its written form was certainly designed exclusively by Puroresuks with no outside influence.

### Other Cultures' Influences

Tourism that has been regular from both Bruna and Narsisi for decades has developed a tourist culture that favors Brunan and Narsisian speakers. To this day, schools and government documents are translated into Brunan and Narsisian before being released to the public. Many Narsisian cuisine restaurants exist and Brunan national holidays are regularly celebrated in Prorescia. Edmondish and Thorstian speakers also have major populations in the nation due to long standing alliances and culture swaps, but their languages and cultures have not made such inroads.

### Rivalry with Consanto

Prorescians and Consantoans have been in friendly opposition with one another for centuries. They most widely participate in yearly sports competitions, including the Stalana Bowl, a yearly football match. Most of these rivalries are taken in jest by locals, although some genuine actions of hatred between countrymen of the two nations have occurred. On average, about 5 altercations stemming from arguments between Prorescians and Consantoans about which is the better nation result in serious injury each year, though these kinds of altercations tend to happen between drunk individuals following the Stalana Bowl.

## Government

The government of Prorescia operates democratically with an oligarchic executive and unicameral legislature. The Executive branch is run by a variety of ministers who run different parts of the country's day-to-day issues in different categories. They are headed by a Minister of State who holds emergency powers and can call any motion to executive vote at any time. The legislative branch is operated by a congress of 30 who vote on motions. Any motions passed by simple majority are sent to the executive where they must receive 4/9 support including the Minister of State. or 6/9 support without the Minister of State. Law enforcement and the court system are under two different ministers and are thus considered executive functions rather than a separate Judicial Branch.