Jinju

Jinju Island, usually referred to simply as Jinju, is a colonial possession of the Empire of Metzetta in the Ocean of Cathay in Australis. Indigenous peoples arrived on the island at an uncertain point in prehistory; the first Metzettan vessels arrived in 1590. The local populace was decimated by the invaders from Alshar and became a subject of the Metzettan Emperor. Today the island is an important shipping hub between Metzetta and Stenza, and is a member of the Polynesian Pact due to ongoing international pressure to improve the living conditions of native Polynesians.

The capital is located in Builui Dosi and local transactions are carried out in Metzettan Won.

Etymology
Jinju is known in Metzi as Jinju-do (진주도) which translates literally as "Pearl Island;" the island itself was considered the ultimate pearl in the Emperor's crown, and pearls from the coast were shipped back to Metzetta in large quantities.

Prehistory
The prehistory of Jinju is poorly studied and little academic research is ongoing. Items such as arrowheads are occasionally unearthed but the lives of the natives before Metzettans arrived is ill-understood. The chances of uncovering their languages and culture are virtually nil; however two written scripts have been uncovered at various sites, indicating a rich tapestry that may never be explored. A tall wooden idol found buried on the island suggests an indigenous religion existed at one time.

Arrival of Metzettans
Emperor Ingun sent the scholar Jaenan Sungho to explore Polynesia in the late 1500's; in 1590 he arrived with a small fleet of vessels in Jinju, the first piece of land they had seen since leaving Ankae. The travellers erected a few buildings while they stopped there and studied the locals, building supplies for the journey ahead. Jaenan instructed one vessel and crew to stay on the island while he went on to Stenza and eventually Takatta Loa, where he met Fulvio Pisani. The Jinju crew mercilessly slaughtered a tribe of roughly 200 individuals to secure land for their settlement, describing them as muscular and heavily tattooed. Interestingly, tattoos are not a cultural feature of any existing Jinju tribes, so it is assumed a unique subculture was eliminated in this quick battle. Word was soon returned to the Emperor that a new territory had been located and could be secured with little manpower thanks to the primitive nature of the indigenous peoples. Ingun was keen to expand his empire and gladly sent more ships, soldiers and settlers, who expanded the initial landing point base into what would become Bului Dosi; literally, "The City of Fire," in reference to the technique of setting alight the thatch huts of locals to expand the Metzettan territory which allowed for the building of the new city. One local man was caged and sent back to Metzetta for study, however he did not survive the journey and his body was dumped overboard. By this time Metzettan men had started taking local wives, creating the Metzettan-Polynesian mixed race that now dominates the island.

Colonial Jinju
By the time of Emperor Wawae's coronation in 1610 the local tribes had been all but wiped out; the empire's stranglehold on the island was absolute. Naturally this caused a degree of tension between the Polynesians and the Alshari aggressors. Determined not to lose his grip on the territory Wawae paid a bounty to Metzettans in return for killing natives, with larger sums given for more confirmed deaths. The bounty policy was largely successful, with only a small number of tribes remaining by 1630. As the Emperor himself could not leave Metzetta as the journey was far too great and he was needed at home, a local leader was installed who sent occasional reports home; this post would eventually become the General Secretary of Jinju.

Jinju's climate was excellent for growing exotic fruits and crops which would not necessarily thrive in Metzetta, therefore the remaining tribesmen were put to work on orchards and the like to supply the imperial family and noblemen with delicacies such as coconuts and durians.

Corummese conflict
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Second Great War
During the Second Great War, Metzetta instituted a one-child policy for native Polynesians to prevent the possibility of insurrection. Jinju proved to be an invaluable base of operations for the Metzettans in naval and air battles.

Modern history
In modern times life for the people of Jinju has improved markedly since the days of early Metzettan settlement, but compared to their mainland counterparts they remain second-class citizens.

Geography
Jinju has no land borders, being surrounded on all sides by the Ocean of Cathay; it allows for Metzetta to share a maritime border with Stenza however. Jinju has an area of 9150 square miles. Jinju is not considered a province of Metzetta Proper; it is a distinct entity, albeit one with no power independent of the Metzettan Imperial Family under the banner of The Empire of Metzetta.

Politics
While Jinju is part of the Empire of Metzetta, it is not part of the country of Metzetta, and thus is administered separately.

Governance
The government of Metzetta directly install the leaders of Jinju. The highest authority on Jinju is the General Secretary of Jinju, who is subordinate to the Emperor. Unlike on mainland Metzetta there are no local elections; all government positions are hand-picked by the Emperor and his inferiors; this is to ensure Metzetta retains control of the natives and avoids the risk of losing the territory. Ethnic Metzettans universally receive government posts in favour of Polynesians; if no suitable locals can be sourced, one will be shipped from Alshar.

Polynesian Pact
Main article: Polynesian Pact

In response to growing international accusations of mistreatment of the natives, Metzetta allowed Jinju to sign the cultural section of the Polynesian Pact in 2028.

Law
Metzettans are permitted to move to Jinju, however residents of Jinju must apply to move to Metzetta. For some time Polynesians were subject to a one-child policy however this law was repealed due to a lack of success and a desire for good PR.

Military
Metzetta maintains a sizeable military presence on Jinju.

Native interests
JUICY LORE ABOUT CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Administrative divisions
THE REALLY GOOD STUFF

Ethnicities
Ethnic Metzettans outnumber Polynesians by around a factor of 10 on paper, however in reality most of the population are mixed-race Metzettan-Polynesians with only a very small number of pure Metzettans or Polynesians living on the island. The decision to identify as one or the other is mostly a political stance.

Education
One university exists on the island; Bului Dosi National University. Polynesian applications are almost never successful.

Language
All native languages were extinguished in antiquity in order to bring Metzi to the land; it remains the dominant tongue.

Religion
All native religions were extinguished in antiquity in order to bring Chulcheo to the land; it remains the dominant faith.

Economy
The Metzettan Won is the official currency of Jinju. Hyansae cars are popular on the island, and at one time so was the SCPV. Exotic fruits are grown on the island for export to mainland Metzetta.

Tourism
Since the advent of air travel Jinju has been a popular holiday destination for middle-class Metzettans, who appreciate the convenience of already speaking the language and not needing to convert currency.

Shipping
Jinju is often used as a shipping hub between Australis and Metzetta.

Air
Only two civilian airports and one military airport exist on the island.

Communications
Amateur radio enthusiasts on Jinju broadcast using the callsign prefix MZ60.

Sports
Metzetta permitted Jinju to send their own separate team to the Istroyan Games starting with the Holchester 1992 Winter Games; prior to this the small number of athletes from Jinju who participated did so as part of the Metzettan team.