Varshan
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Varshan is a country in north-central Crona. It is presently under a joint League of Nations-led occupation government.
League Occupation of Varshan | |
|---|---|
 The flag of League-occupied Varshan | |
| Capital | Anzo |
| Common languages | |
| Government | International occupation |
• Rotating Chair of ICRAV |  Baz Blart |
| History | |
• Establishment of a commission for occupied Anzo | 1 June 2024 |
• Transition from military to civilian occupation | 1 April 2027 |
| Currency | Taler (de facto) |
Etymology
Geography
History
Varshani history is complicated by issues with Varshani historiography.
The lands comprising modern Varshan were once inhabited by a variety of different Cronite peoples belonging to several different linguistic families. These peoples, most of which have been lost to history, were all tribally-organised until the early Cronite Bronze Age, when city-states began to develop in the region's fertile river valleys. The area now known as Umzàg or Central Varshan, emerged as the most heavily urbanized part of north central Crona, possibly as a result of its fertile volcanic soils and geographic circumscription by high mountain ranges.
Anzoite period
The history of Varshan proper beings with the arrival of the Varshani (Waršaŋ), a migratory tribe of uncertain geographic origin speaking a language isolate who subsisted primarily by raiding settled societies and hunting. Attracted by the wealthy city-states of Umzàg, the Varshani migrated into the foothills of the Mountains of Terror, from which they launched periodic raids against their neighbours. Initially, the Varshani raided only to capture food, women, and basic materials, and to spill blood in order to honour their gods. However, over time they also took to pillaging valuables, such as precious metals and stones and fine clothes and handicrafts, originally as trophies, but later as luxury goods for their own enjoyment. In order to provide higher standards of living for themselves, the Varshani began capturing slaves for labour rather than exclusively sexual use, and exacting tribute and ransom from communities within striking distance of the foothills rather than raiding them, obtaining wealth that allowed them to engage in trade with the prosperous central city-states. This began a process of acculturation through which the Varshani transitioned away from their traditional migratory raiding lifestyle and adopted many material, religious, and socio-political practices from the settled peoples of the region. This process reached its culmination under the Varshani chief Biji, who after sacking the city of Hoklo, chose to take up residence there instead of returning to his camp in the foothills. Biji renamed the city 'Anzo', and established it as the first Varshani state. Historians generally believe Anzo soon expanded aggressively, though the histories also speak of "sister Varshanis", other "culturally Varshani" states (such as Čak Qozal) that existed alongside of Anzo and in tandem with it. Historians are unclear as to whether or not the "sister Varshani" identity is contemporary or a later imposition once Varshan was established.
The transition of Anzo (and any other states) to a fully-formed Varshani state is a matter of significant controversy, though the basic premise is accepted by most historians. Traditional histories stated, and Occidental historians uncritically accepted, that a man named Žuqul was the first Zurg of Varshan and established Zurgite Varshan at some point during either late antiquity or the early medieval period. However, significant conflation between this man and a 15th century ruler, as well as the ever present issue of dark time in Varshani history, created the Žuqul problem. If left unresolved by further scholarship or archaeology, the Žuqul problem will make the early history of Varshan as a single cohesive entity virtually unknowable.