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The '''Seneca Islands''' are an overseas possession of [[Urcea]]. Seized as part of [[Operation Jonah]] in the [[Final War of the Deluge]], the islands were previously part of [[Varshan]]. The islands have long been known as a center of shipbuilding in [[Crona]] and a major trade port for Varshan and the central Cronan region. | The '''Seneca Islands''' are an overseas possession of [[Urcea]]. Seized as part of [[Operation Jonah]] in the [[Final War of the Deluge]], the islands were previously part of [[Varshan]]. The islands have long been known as a center of shipbuilding in [[Crona]] and a major trade port for Varshan and the central Cronan region. Unique among the former territories of Varshan, the Senecas have an extensive history of [[Audonia]]n influence and specifically influence from the peoples of ancient and medieval [[Oyashima]]. Subject to the rule of the exiled ''Hō-Rikkyō'', the islands flourished between the 8th and 10th century before being incorporated into [[Zurgite Varshan]]. During the [[Final War of the Deluge]], the islands were the site of the second use of atomic weapons in warfare, the [[Atomic bombing of Zakan Rot|atomic bombing of Zakan Rot]], which caused massive economic and demographic damage to the islands and also had profound impacts on the identity and sense of Varshanity of residents of the island. | ||
==Etymology== | ==Etymology== | ||
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The archaeological record suggests the Seneca Islands have been continuously populated since the 6000s BC, although mostly by transient groups. Scholars believe the ancestors of the modern residents of the island arrived in approximately 1500 BC. The "''Saga''" says that these fishermen came from the "far islands", i.e. [[Oyashima]], and scholars believe this part of the story may be true. The residents established rudimentary city-states by the 700s BC. | The archaeological record suggests the Seneca Islands have been continuously populated since the 6000s BC, although mostly by transient groups. Scholars believe the ancestors of the modern residents of the island arrived in approximately 1500 BC. The "''Saga''" says that these fishermen came from the "far islands", i.e. [[Oyashima]], and scholars believe this part of the story may be true. The residents established rudimentary city-states by the 700s BC. | ||
===''Hō-Rikkyō'' period=== | ===''Hō-Rikkyō'' period=== | ||
During the year 712 | During the year 712 AD, an order of Shugendō ''yamabushi'', or "Mountain Warriors/Monks" were exiled from Oyashima, and eventually sailed to Seneca in the year 718 AD, with the story of their voyage being heavily embellished across the ages, eventually becoming known as the "''Second Saga''". The ''yamabushi''were well received by the native chieftains of the Senecas who had no known contact with {{wp|Buddhism}} prior to the arrival of the order. In particular, the chieftain of the city Hōshonen, named Shikama, took great interest in the order and personally took it upon himself to host the ''yamabushi'' in Hōshonen. Interest in Shugendō very quickly spread among the populace, and eventually Shikama declared worship of the Buddha and Fudō Myōō to be the state religion. In addition, he undertook several military ventures against the other city states of Seneca, eventually uniting the islands by the year 739 AD. However, Shikama passed away soon after, and notably named the order, which had begun to call itself ''Hō-Rikkyō'' by this point, as the custodians of the islands and its sacred mountains. Their rule was not contested, and a monastic state based in the Seneca Islands developed. | ||
The ''Hō-Rikkyō'' served as the ''de facto'' rulers of Seneca from 740 | The ''Hō-Rikkyō'' served as the ''de facto'' rulers of Seneca from 740 AD to 1061 AD, before they were conquered by Anzo. The state power was held by the ''yamabushi'', who served as the military force of the island. The mystics established a hierarchy based upon spiritual communion with the sacred mountains, with initiation into the order being determined by a council of influential ''yamabushi''. Taxes were collected from either rice, wheat, salt or barley, as the order viewed itself as the supreme custodians of the land, and all the human inhabitants as lessees. Although Hōshonen was the largest and primary trade city, the monastery of Gō-Shukakkyō served as the center of government, being the primary residence and holy site of the ''Hō-Rikkyō''. The mystics played an extensive role in the everyday life of the people, providing exorcism, calling upon spirits for fertility rites, leading monthly sacrifice to the mountains and providing weekly fire ceremonies in the homes of commoners. Although there was no attempt to record history, the notes of the ''yamabushi'' who provided these services has allowed scholars to reconstruct the life and history of the order. | ||
By 852 | By 852 AD, contact with [[Oyashima]] was reestablished, and Seneca served as the primary conduit for trade between Alshar and Crona. However, between the year 889 AD and 910 AD, there was a rash of prayers fir safety and victory in war, and an account from Oyashima noting that the city of Hōshonen was beset by pirates indicates that the islands were in a state of intermittent war with Cronan pirates. However, by 911 AD, these prayer notes cease, indicating that the ''yamabushi'' were successful in repelling these pirates. Records from mainland Crona indicate that contact between Seneca and the mainland increased following this period, with several styles written in Senecan Oyashimine language being uncovered in the mainland, as well as a large influx of Cronan jade being imported by Oyashima. However, eventually the mainland was subjugated by [[Anzo]] who eventually set its sights on the ''Hō-Rikkyō'' | ||
===Conquest by Anzo=== | ===Conquest by Anzo=== | ||
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In [[2030]], a trade agreement was signed with [[Burgundie]] and approved by the [[Nysdra Sea Treaty Association]] (NSTA) relating to trade between the Senecas and [[Iles Evangeline]]. The agreement authorizes [[Burgundie]], through the [[Iles Evangeline]], to import an unlimited number of goods into the Seneca Islands, which is normally subject to the trade restrictions established by NSTA. The agreement established the [[Burgoignesc North Levantine Trading Company]] (BNLTC) as an intermediary firm based in the Seneca Islands that would handle importing of goods for further sale into the NSTA exclusion zone. The amount of goods imported in the exclusion zone through the Senecas is subject to an annual valuation cap (AVC) determined by formula under the terms of the agreement. The AVC is equal to 1/50th of the total annual value of goods imported to the Nysdra every year by [[Urcea]], further modified every year by an index number which calculates the cumulative domestic growth of manufacturing of NSTA participants. This formula is intended to allow for [[Economy of Burgundie|Burgoignesc commerce]] to flow into the region while ensuring domestic economic capability is not damaged by the trade. Within the Nysdra, the agreement is intended to increase consumer variety, drive down the costs of goods (to a limited degree), and to further drive the development of domestic competitors. | In [[2030]], a trade agreement was signed with [[Burgundie]] and approved by the [[Nysdra Sea Treaty Association]] (NSTA) relating to trade between the Senecas and [[Iles Evangeline]]. The agreement authorizes [[Burgundie]], through the [[Iles Evangeline]], to import an unlimited number of goods into the Seneca Islands, which is normally subject to the trade restrictions established by NSTA. The agreement established the [[Burgoignesc North Levantine Trading Company]] (BNLTC) as an intermediary firm based in the Seneca Islands that would handle importing of goods for further sale into the NSTA exclusion zone. The amount of goods imported in the exclusion zone through the Senecas is subject to an annual valuation cap (AVC) determined by formula under the terms of the agreement. The AVC is equal to 1/50th of the total annual value of goods imported to the Nysdra every year by [[Urcea]], further modified every year by an index number which calculates the cumulative domestic growth of manufacturing of NSTA participants. This formula is intended to allow for [[Economy of Burgundie|Burgoignesc commerce]] to flow into the region while ensuring domestic economic capability is not damaged by the trade. Within the Nysdra, the agreement is intended to increase consumer variety, drive down the costs of goods (to a limited degree), and to further drive the development of domestic competitors. | ||
== | ==Society and demography== | ||
Senecan culture is undergoing what has been described as a massive culture shock in the wake of the [[Atomic bombing of Zakan Rot]] specifically and [[Final War of the Deluge]] generally. Historically, the Senecas were viewed to be a relatively culturally exotic portion of Varshan but fundamentally part of Varshan's overall cultural sphere, including widespread adoption of [[Arzalism]] and acceptance of the caste system. Those areas where it diverged, and where Senecans always viewed themselves as somewhat apart from Anzo, was its Audonian cultural heritage, which manifested in different art and daily social mores from the rest of Varshan, including things such as meal times and basic conversational expressions. | |||
The atomic bombing of the islands by [[Zurgite Varshan]] immediately created a sense of abandonment and disillusionment with the peoples of the islands, who have faced significant physical, economic, and psychological effects from the bombing. The most obvious example of this disillusionment came to the fore in the ready participation of many of the island's residents in the new Urcean-led government, but also in the form of some volunteers even being willing to serve in a military capacity in the very last stages of the war. Scholars have noted that there may be a survivorship bias involved, as the most ardently pro-Anzo, pro-Arzalist portions of the islands' population were likely conscripted into the Zurgite military and killed during the war or otherwise fled the advance of Occidental forces to the mainland. If this model is true, it would mean that latent anti-Anzo sentiment was always present in some significant portion of the population rather than created almost overnight, but significant debate and study continues to surround these issues. | |||
In [[2034]], the population of the Seneca Islands was 8,581,966. This represents a significant decline from the islands' pre-war population of 11,502,593 as recorded in [[2021]]. The [[Final War of the Deluge]] generally and particularly the [[Atomic bombing of Zakan Rot|atomic bombing of Zakan Rot]] inaugurated a massive wave of people leaving the islands as refugees, particularly to [[New Harren]] and elsewhere in the Nysdra. Prior to the [[Final War of the Deluge]] and abolition of the Caste system, the Seneca Islands were notable within [[Varshan|Varshani]] society for possessing the highest percentage of [[Varshani caste system|both kinds of warrior castes]] per capita due to the significant naval militarization in the early 2010s. Although it did not possess the highest percentage per capita, the islands were among the leaders during the period of enslaved persons per capita as well in order to support the shipbuilding industry. | |||
===Rikkyō calligraphy=== | ===Rikkyō calligraphy=== | ||
[[File:BlalockAztecAbstractFish.jpg|thumb|left|200px|''On the Great Quest'' (1660) describes a whaling expedition personally overseen by a Zurg and is perhaps the most famous example of Rikkyō calligraphy internationally]] | [[File:BlalockAztecAbstractFish.jpg|thumb|left|200px|''On the Great Quest'' (1660) describes a whaling expedition personally overseen by a Zurg and is perhaps the most famous example of Rikkyō calligraphy internationally]] | ||