Kalifornyans

The Kalifornyan people were the inhabitants of the land of Kalifornya, which was along the coast of the Great Western Sea. They lived in a series of different powerful kingdoms and empires, and later to become an imperial province. The Kalifornyans were a very social and wealthy people, and their nobility sought to emulate the Celebrity Gods of their religions Hollywood Pantheon by wearing flashy costumes and make-up. Although other cultures often saw the Kalifornyans as flamboyant and showy, they held a monopoly on the culture of the Far West, whose other nations such as Ar'Zonia and Kascadiya adopted their religion and fashion. They were masters of entertainment and were known for their great actors and performance artists.

## History

The Kalifornyans were among the first people in Merika to adopt agriculture, shortly after the end of the Thousand Year Summer. They were the first peoples to establish a unified state under the rule of one King, whom they worshiped as a god and descendant of the stars themselves. Their kingdom soon rose to be the foremost power of the far west, and they established the post-summer worlds first Empire, conquering much of Ar'Zonia, Kolyrado, and the city-state of Vaygus. Their God-Kings created the first advanced systems of governance, establishing a organized bureaucracy, a system of Tax collection, centralized irrigation systems, and a professional army. They built the first monuments constructed since the days of Bygone, such as the Great Star Pyramid in Ellay.

But over time the Kalifornyan kingdom declined and lost control of its conquered lands to the rising power of the Aztlani Empire of Mexico, which conquered Kalifornya itself, reducing it to vassal status. Kalifornya would not be independent again until after the death of Texun conqueror Gunnar the Great, who conquered much of the west from the control of Aztlan. His empire was divided between his most powerful generals, one of whom, Huntarr, took control of Kalifornya after declaring himself its God-King.

However, this independent Kalifornya was not ruled by a native dynasty, but rather by the Texun descendants and supporters of Huntarr, who made up the small Texun elite who ruled over the natives. Koachella, a city established by Gunnar the Great as a colony for his veterans, quickly replaced Ellay as the Capitol; and developed into one of the largest and most wealthy cities in Merica.

But this Texun dynasty was defeated by the first Chikagoan Emperor, Don Wabash, after he ended the republics civil wars which led to the establishment of his Empire. He invaded Kalifornya to capture his arch-rival, the senator Everett, who sought refuge with Texmex Kalifornyas last queen and his lover, Aschley.

For the next centuries Kalifornya was an extremely vital province of Chikago, due to its great wealth and position as a breadbasket for the Empire. The Chikagoans were heavily influenced by Kalifornyas lavish and vibrant culture, which was much less restraint than their own. It became a popular getaway for the cities elites, and the site of the grand summer estates of many Emperors.

## Culture

### **Society**

The base of Kalifornyan society was the masses of poor peasantry who worked its many fields, they were very isolated from the great palaces of the pompous and overindulgent aristocracy. The nobles of Kalifornya lived notoriously hedonistic lifestyles full of Sex, Alcohol, exotic foreign drugs, and strange rituals. They wore extravagant clothing and bizarre styles of make-up. Some even had rudimentary facial surgeries done that often ended disastrously.

Kalifornyans were infamous for being extremely open to all things of sexual nature. Many Kalifornyan rulers and kings were openly homosexual or transgender, and it was not viewed by the local population as out of the ordinary. Many Kalifornyans practice cross-dressing, and it is very common for men to be clad in make up, nail polish, and jewelry.

Kalifornyans were not afraid to show of their cultures wealth or grandeur, and they often covered themselves in expensive jewelry. Their kings built great monuments that rivaled even those of the Old Ones, and their great cities were illuminated mountainsides with golden spires and marble palaces.

After the fall of the fall of the Kalifornyan Kingdom, Kalifornyan culture lived side to side with the culture of the Aztlani, Texun, and later Chikagoan Elites. The vast majority of the population continued to speak the native language under Chikagoan rule, while the upper classes consisted of the local TexMex nobility and their Chikagoan overlords.

### **Economy**

Kalifornya was famous for its large Gold Mines where much of Maruka's Gold was extracted from the regions various mountain ranges. This made the Kalifornyans the main producers of Jewelry in the known world. Their upper classes were famous for their elaborate golden necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings, which were very sought after by the Chikagoan elites of the Empire.

Kalifornya was also one of the most important agricultural regions of Meruka as well, due to its uniquely warm climate which allowed for frequent harvests. The large estates grew crops which were suitable for growing in Kalifornya's warm yet dry climate, such as Avocados, Artichokes, and various citrus fruits.

Kalifornya was also the center of trade in the West and beyond, due to its many ports which were on routes that led to the southern regions of the world, with sailors riding the seasonal El Nino winds to the mysterious regions of the little known southern continent, Sut-Merica. Large amounts of exotic products, spices, drugs, foods, and animals flowed into ports like Palm Springs, Ellay, Sandiyago, and Sac Town. Later in its history, Kalifornya was one of the Empires more important provinces due to its position at the crossroads of these lucrative trade routes.