Housatonic

Housatonic is an international charter city in Cusinaut. It is an official client of Urcea under the terms of the trade charter it signed in 2017, and was the second such charter city established in western Crona. The city and its surrounding area was part of the Northern Confederation before being subjugated by Algoquona, and subsequently established its semi-independence under the charter agreement with Urcea as part of The Deluge.

Etymology
The country's name is derived from the Algosh phrase "usi-a-di-en-uk", translated as "beyond the mountain place" or "river of the mountain place". This Latinization has its roots in the earliest Occidental explorers of the region, though in earlier renditions "Ousetonack".

History
Housatonic is among the oldest cities in northwestern Crona, with historical evidence tracing its existence back to 200 BC. The city most likely formed as a stopping off point to the Unnuaq Chain, as the inconsistent freezing patterns of the Unnuaq Bay made the city the easiest location to cross over to the Unnuaq Chain by either boat or over ice. Consequently, the city has a long-attested history as the "gateway to the Unnuaqs", as fishermen from the island would often cross to the mainland to sell their excess fish to mainland tribes in or around Housatonic, which became a preferred trading destination between the mainland and island tribes. Despite its long history and relatively permanent economic activity, the city has never grown larger than 75,000 at its peak in the 1300s, and many scholars attribute this to the poor climate for agriculture to support the residents of the city. Like Pachaug, Housatonic enjoyed a minor power position in Crona as Occidental goods began to flow into its ports, but an increasingly menacing posture from Occidental traders lead to the city joining the Northern Confederation in 1728.

During the next two centuries, Housatonic underwent considerable changes and also, notably, caused political turmoil within the Northern Confederation. The city adopted a system of government influenced by Urcean traders in the region, dividing the city into ten wards which would elect a Chief for their ward; the body of ten Ward-Chiefs would then select a Paramount Chief to serve as ruler of the city for ten years, although the power and prestige of the Paramount Chief declined such that, by 1900, it was viewed less as a "ruler" and more of an executive office. During this period, known as the Reform Epoch, Housatonic began to assert its power inside the Northern Confederation. With a population of around 50,000 in 1908, the city took advantage of the 1908 war between the Confederation and Urcea and attempted to conquer the Unnuaq Chain in order to establish itself as a preeminent member of the Confederation. By June of 1909, Housatonic successfully overran Whenui - the largest of the Unnuaq islands - but was unable to project its power to the remaining two islands of the Chain. The war with Urcea ended in 1910 and the powers of the confederation, especially the neighboring Algoquona, threatened intervention, ending the war and Housatonic's aspirations of expansion. This defeat ended the Reform Epoch and sent the city into decline, as the loss of trade with the Unnuaq severely undermined the city's raison d'etre. This was combined with the general economic decline the Northern Confederation experienced during the 1930s-1950s with the end of Occidental investment as a consequence of the Great War. Increasingly, the city - though still independent - came under the political and economic influence of Algoquona, and between the 1950s and 2020s the defining political issue in Housatonic was its relationship with Algoquona, with wealthy minorities supporting union or integration into Algoquona and the majority supporting independence.

After the War of the Northern Confederation and destruction of the Confederation, Housatonic was besieged by forces of Algoquona. Unlike nearby Pachaug, the city did not submit, and was seized by force on 8 September of 2031. Thousands were killed and the city was looted; in an ironic twist, the area hardest impacted were the wealthier quarters, whom supported union with Algoquona for generations. The city was integrated into Algoquona, but the siege had the dual effect of hardening the city's resolve and destroying what pro-Algoquonan elements existed. 2032 and early 2033 saw a cycle of violence between radicals and the Algoquonan government, though Algoquona eventually afforded the city peace at the expense of autonomy, which some welcomed. Regardless, the city's leaders joined with others - especially the leaders of Pachaug - to agitate for autonomy within Algoquona and, eventually, the right of appeal to Urcea. The enmity between Housatonic and its Algoquonan overlords not only lay in resentment of domination but in relatively obscure religious issues; though both Algoquona and Housatonic adhered to the M'acunist faith tradition, Housatonicers mostly adhered to the Man School and constructed physical temples, structures largely viewed as abominations by the Nature School-adhering Algoquona. The city was targeted for reprisals in November and December 2036, but Operation Mission Shield and Operation Western Blizzard thoroughly destroyed the ability of Algoquona to project power or police its territories. Housatonic joined with Pachaug to form the Tokorua nga taone nui, eventually besieging Khurnwah and forcing Algoquona to enter into peace talks arbitrated by Urcea. Housatonic readily agreed to the Treaty of Electorsbourg and entered into negotiations with Urcea to establish the charter agreement under which it would be governed. Housatonic retained more autonomy under its agreement with Urcea than Pachaug, though Housatonic's agreement included greater authority for Catholic missions given the larger Catholic minority and influence within the city.

Government
Housatonic is an international charter city under Urcean administration. There are two levels of government within Housatonic, the territorial government - which is heavily influenced by Urcea - and the local, city government, which is run by natives. The governing apparatus of the territory is through the President-Supervisor, who is a native Cronan under the terms of the charter, though often this can mean that a Nysdrine person from New Yustona is selected for the role. The Government of Urcea selects fifteen different eligible candidates to serve as President-Supervisor, and the people of Housatonic vote to elect the President-Supervisor from the pool of candidates. The Territorial Government, organized by the President-Supervisor, features a ministry and trade board, both of which are under the direct oversight of the Government of Urcea, especially the Ministry of Commerce and Office for Territorial Management. The Territorial Government primarily exercises trade and foreign policy, though it also is empowered by the charter agreement to provide for Catholic missions within the territory. 89% of the territory of Housatonic is within city limits, and the remaining 11% unincorporated territory is subject to more direct supervision from the Territorial Government.

The city of Housatonic itself retains its traditional governing structure, with a City Council made up of ten Ward-Chiefs who elect a Paramount Chief, who serves as the equivalent of Mayor for a ten year period. The Council retains authority over most of the domestic affairs of the city and retains considerable influence within the Territorial Government, though their powers are unwritten and deferential rather than codified within the trade charter agreement.

Religious demographics
The majority of Housatoners adhere to the traditional native M'acunist believe system, and within Housatonic the majority of M'acunists are members of the Man School. Housatoners are unique among M'acunists for their use of temples rather than committing sacrifices in open spaces, and have the second most M'acunist temples of any city in Crona second only to Shenendehowa Bay.

A large minority of Housatoners are adherents of the Catholic faith due to its proximity to the Unnuaq Mission Area and additionally due a small population of Occidentals living in the city for business reasons.

Military
Housatonic is a member of the Nysdra Sea Guard (NSG), which serves as its primary naval and coast guard force. Like Pachaug, Housatoners make up a disproportionate presence within the NSG relative to their overall population share of NSTA.