Wasi King
The Wasi King is likely one of the most distinct and recognizable features of the Canespan culture. A figure so dominant in the history of Canespan politics in that he has changed the religious identity of Canespa as a whole. Stepping into the spotlight within the 12th century the Wasi King immediately left a mark on the nation. Being the first figure to unite multiple Canespan tribes into one unity. Even later on his influence could be felt in the Canasta regime of the country. The idea of Canespa or Wasiqana as its called was created by the mere ambition of a single figure, the first personification of a figure known only as the Wasi King. The Wasi King is Canespa, and Canespa is the Wasi King.
Etymology and Definition
Definition
The Wasi King is a complex idea to most minds new to Canespan culture. The Wasi King is considered one entity within Canespan religious lore. The Wasi King is supposed to be the embodiment of what is not the Great Oneness, instead living forever and never getting to enter the oneness. This creates and gives the Wasi King a rite to rule and a reason not to as well. Upon accepting the role as the Wasi King the selected person most in a spiritual sense, "die". They must become one with Canespa promising to put it above everything else. This is done to separate the Wasi King from what is right and allow him to put the protection of the nation before the Great Oneness. Once they become the Wasi King their old name and life are considered dead and they will never be referred to by their original name again in any historical or current text. Even in person they are considered an entirely new entity. The pronouns of the Wasi King can be he or she interchangeably even with the same personification, but he is used most often, even with female personifications. The Wasi King is not limited to one person per say. There can be many people personifying the Wasi King at a time but they collectively become the same individual and it's rare for groups considered the Wasi King to be seen apart. The children of a Wasi King will become part of House Wasi, and thus eligible to become the Wasi King once the current personification dies or if they choose to shift into the role to become one with the current personification. In the end the Wasi King mostly refers to who ever is ruling multiple houses within Canespa but the rules have evolved over time.
Etymology
The Wasi King is actually referred to as the Wasi Rey in the Papasimi language. Rey being the word for king or leader in the language. The Wasi Rey, when fully translated, becomes the Home King. With Wasi being an old word for home in the Papasimi language. The origins of the Wasi King can undoubtedly be traced back to House Wasi. While it can be traced back this far it is almost impossible to know why Wasi was transferred over to the title of the king or why the house was called House Wasi in the first place. Scholars believe that House Wasi originated from the phrase House and Home in Canespa, which eventually evolved to encompass an entire state. This can help us understand the culture of the region and the people that made up the Wasi territory better. They believed that no matter where they were it was home and they could make it home. This can further be traced to why the people of House Wasi were so willing to follow the final ultimatum of the second personification of the Wasi King. They transferred mostly into House Papa because they knew they could make it home. They were willing to make it home. As for the transferring of the name into the entity that is the Wasi King, scholars think that this was a move originally done to represent the importance and true meaning of the Wasi Rey. It was likely done in order to help the king further represent what truly mattered, making Canespa home. This has so much importance on modern day Canespa as the people of the state are unwilling to bend to foreign culture and wish to make Canespa their true home with their culture and their rules.
History
The First Personification
The first personification of the Wasi King was a complicated one. The entity that would become the Wasi King was not yet fully realized, some even believe that this incarnation of the Wasi King was not even the Wasi King but instead just a power hungry king. The first personification occurred in 1176 when the first personification declared himself King of the Wasi's, and announced his intentions to bring all of Canespa under one banner, his banner. House Wasi raised an army and started by going upstream, the first target was House Papa. The King of the Wasi's moved up the river and started striking down Canespan villages, making sure no once survived to warn the rest of the house. Eventually after a few villages had been razed a few surivors managed to reach the queen of House Papa and warn her of the impending danger. Pluma Aquila, the queen of House Papa immediately raised her forces and started on a path downstream. She considered trying to flood the river in order to defend House Papa but ultimately her religious devotion to the environment held her back in her will to defend House Papa. After a weeks journey the forces of House Papa were spotted by the forces of the Wasi King. The ensuing battle cost the lives of thousands of Canespan soles including queen of House Papa, Pluma Aquila. Upon the death of the queen the battle turned into a chase as the disorganized forces of House Papa attempted to retreat. The Wasi King sent troops behind House Papa's forces that were ordered to set the plains on fire, thus trapping House Papa. The resulting chaos lasted for over a day as the forces of House Wasi reportedly felt like there arms were gonna fall off due to the sheer amount of times they had to cut down the enemy. The forces of House Papa were crammed shoulder to shoulder, not even being able to raise their hands up to defend themselves. Some tried to flee, some even attempting to swim but they ended up being killed by the current of the river. The rest were eventually slaughtered as the the ball of of House Papa soldiers grew smaller and smaller while the river was stained red. When the chaos ended the forces of House Papa lost around 7,000 men compared to the 50,000 lost by House Papa. Following this the Was King went on to conquer what remained of House Papa, even up to the great city of Canastapa. There was almost no attempt to fight back against the occupation as the majority of House Papa's men were slaughtered during the war. These events show us a grim picture of what the Was King was capable of after detaching himself from nature, willing to do anything for his house. It also shows what trying to stay connected to nature can do for a leader, her house fell thanks to her inability to go against the laws of nature. House Papa could have been saved.
House Papa was not all the first personification had his eyes on though. Next he would go north and set fire to the lands of House Qispisqa Kay. House Qispisqa Kay is the smallest of the modern day five largest houses. At the time, it was even smaller in comparison due to the river not being able to support the same crop load as the others. The Wasi King, after making his way back from Canastapa immediately started marching to the towns across the Qisichuy Cay territory. People from House Papa who had fled had warned all the other Houses of the trouble. In the mean time House Qispisqa Kay stood no chance to the Wasi troops and fell within a month. Hearing of this the kings of House Kusucey and House Espada jumped to action. They formed a double alliance and marched on the Wasi Kings territory. In a simultaneous attack from both sides of the river valley House Kuskachay and House Espada fell like thunder as they marched closer to Wasi territory. The Wasi King had to jump back and forth, marching up to defend against the armies of each House. But he could not attack both at the same time, one was always moving forward. When the Wasi King attempted to attack the forces of either house they merely maintained distance while the other house pushed forward. This genius strategy is credited to the king of House Espada at the time known as _______. The Wasi King had to do something, he left his army to hold back House Espada leaving his son in charge. In the mean time he went to the homelands of the Wasi territory to raise another army, this army was small, inexperienced, and unequipped. The Wasi King marched this army down to defense positions around the Papa River. The forces of House Espada arrived within a few days allowing time for House Wasi to craft spears and weapons to use in the defense of the river. The Wasi King carefully manuvured his troops in such a way that made it appear like he had far more men then he actually did. Thinking that this was the main Wasi force ________ halted his troops waiting for House Kuskachay to arrive. While this was happening House Kuskachay was waiting, thinking that the troops from House Espada would be at the capital soon and the Wasi forces would move back but they stood there like stone. The next phase of the Wasi Kings plan commenced. He snuck small elite troops to set fire to the forests behind the army of House Espada, thus cutting off their supply lines. Taking this as a sign of desperation from the Wasi forces _______ thought it meant that the forces from House Kuskachay were approaching. Due to this, he remained firm and did not attempt a retreat, after a week passed the supplies of the House Espada army were running low, through a series of small transactions the Wasi King exchanged the inexperienced troops at the Papa River in exchange for the experienced and trained troops at the House Kuskachay standoff. He proceeded to launch a full out assault on the forces of House Espada who had built a small fort in the area. House Espada quickly took defensive positions around the fort praying for the arrival of House Kuskachay.
House Papa had been dormant since the complete destruction of there forces at the Battle of Canpala, but they were itching for revenge. The occupation of their territory was growing weaker as forces were being drawn west in order to lay siege to House Espada's forces. The remaining men of House Papa began to plan a revolt. Under the leadership of the second born son of Pluma Aquila, Ozywasca Aquila. This revolt, while much smaller then the previous army of House Papa, quickly snowballed. It soon reconquered the far east of Papa River and was working its way to Canastapa. Hearing of this news the Wasi King began to divert troops away from the two main armies in the east to defend against the western assault from the House Papa rebellion. The king of House Kuskachay soon realized that something was off and launched a full frontal assault on the Wasi Kings army. With the experienced troops originally stationed there being drawn to other areas the forces that previously held back House Kuskachay were in shambles. Some immedietly retreated while other attempted to fight of the house. In the end the assault was a victory for House Kuskachay.