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. One can not survive without the other.
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
War in House Papa
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.
War among the Houses
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 maneuvered 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.
The Wasi Defeat
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 immediately retreated while other attempted to fight of the house. In the end, the assault was a victory for House Kuskachay after some intense fighting. With this the armies of Kuskachay began their march on the Papa River and the capital of the Wasi Kings empire. The stage was set, House Kuskachay and the Papa rebellion were both marching inward on Wasi controlled areas. The Wasi King had to defeat _________ and House Espada as quickly as possible before the armies of the other houses reached the area. The Wasi King conscripted as many men as he could find within the capital and he quickly began to think of a plan of attack. In the end, he decided to use pure brute force to shove the Wasi army straight into the fort of House Kuskachay. This was risky but if successful it would by the Wasi King enough time in order to rally a force to defend and defeat House Kuskachay. As the war horns of House Wasi began to blare a thunderstorm struck the area. Thunder reigned the sky as the battle below became bloodier and bloodier. It was so dark and rainy that besides the occasional lighting bolt you could only see so many feet in front of you. The battle lasted for hours and took many lives. Eventually the fields grew quiet and the war horns ended their trumpeting. No one could tell who won at first due to the storm and the sheer amount of dead. As the sun rose and the clouds parted it became obvious. House Espada had won the battle. House Wasi had fallen. The first personification was still alive though, captured by the enemy he feared for his life. As the sun rose on Canastapa the following month a spear fell through the neck of the first personification. The Wasi King was no longer embodied. Everyone present at the execution knew one thing. This wasn't the last time Canespa would be united under a banner, a banner that would end of being House Wasi. Overall the first personifications reign was marked by war and death. Ultimately failing. But we can consider it a victory for the future of Canespa. For the first time in history Canespa was an idea. an idea that the people that made up the land were not separate, but instead that they deserved to be one. While peace became integral in the new strategy of any great king. War would still be what ended it all.
The Second Personification
The Second Rise
Canespa was at peace. But it remained separated and divided amongst itself. With the idea of Canespa still being a new one, it was considered radical, extremely radical. It would take 300 years before the idea of Canespa even became possible to an extent that the Wasi King could return. But it happened... and this is how. After the rebuilding of the damages done in what is now called The First War of the Wasi, the Wasi King was removed from power and executed in Canastapa. With this the idea and hope for a unifier such as the Wasi King went dormant. A leader so great was only whispered about in hush tones. The only thing that could bring it back was the sheer will of a powerful and ambitious man. The great great great-grandson of the first Wasi King was this person. Born in 1424 the person who would later come to be known as the second personification lived with the rest of the royal family of the House Wasi. He was the seventh child born of his mother. Queen of the Wasi's __________. This left him with a relatively low chance of assuming the position of King of the Wasi's. But there wasn't no hope. Upon the death of the Queen of the Wasi's in 1447 an election was called within the House. Among the nine children blessed to the earth by _______ only four ran for the position. ______ (first born, ______ (second born), ______ (fifth born), and the second personification (seventh born). Compared to previous elections this was vary slim pickings. Normally in the old Canespan politics there could be from 20 to over a 100 people opting into the election due to the sheer number of offspring a king could produce. This cycle was different due to two factors. Number one the previous ruler was a Queen. This meant that instead of multiple babies being born to many mothers like when a king ruled, when a Queen ruled only the children born to her were eligible. This means much less competition. The second factor was that there wasn't much interest in running for the position during this cycle. Normally around 80-90% of the offspring of the ruler attempt to become the next. But in this election this was not the case. Less then half of the offspring of the Queen decided to rule and this was for a much newer reason. No one wanted their legacy tarnished. The writing was on the walls and had been for awhile. Occidentals were arriving on the shores of Canespa and they were already treating the people of the country with much disrespect. House Espada was especially hit hard by this even needing to fight a war against Fanerian colonizers in the area. The next one to assume leadership in House Wasi would need to dedicate their entire rule to stopping this threat. Thus causing 5 of the 9 eligible runners dropping out due to either not wanting to work that hard or not wanting their names put in vein as the failures of Canespa. Out of the remaining four the fifth child ________ suffered a fatal accident while hunting in the forests of the outer territories. This left only three remaining canditdates for the next ruler of Canespa. The first child ________ thought he deserved to rule the nation as he was the oldest and wisest but the second child _________ was not far behind. Thus when in the election process these two siblings focused on each other not believing the second personification could win in any regard. By the end of the cycle the results were looking grim for the second personification. With the final speeches rolling around the two older siblings spent their times battering each other on who would be the worse leader. When the second personification stepped up he gave one of the shortest and most well respected speeches in all of Canespan history. In this speech he spoke to the pity of the audience, accepting his role as an underdog and exclaiming that is the role that House Wasi must play in this game. House Wasi can not win. So it must make meaning out of its defeat. As the votes were cast and the results were tallied a clear winner emerged. In a resounding landslide the second personification had won. Now he had to lead.
Uniting Wasiqana
The situation was grim. House Kanchi was barely part of Canespa anymore, being the only house who hadn't participated in the First War of the Wasi. House Qispisqa Kay was still quite bitter over the quick defeat of their house in the First War of the Wasi but they were holding strong against colonizers. House Kuskachay was taking a vary open stance toward the colonizers as the king of the House was vary pro-occidental and believed that they could do no harm to Canespa. House Papa was going through manpower shortages due to a continuing population wave that was the result of the Battle of Canpala. House Espada was doing the worst of all though. With Fanerian colonizers already setteling their shores and the king of the area being lazy and selfish. The house was on the verge of collapse. The second personification quickly leapt into action. He created the first peacetime army in Canespa with soldiers in garrison at all times, not just in war. While the force was small it was revolutionary in how the Canespan military would function going forward. The newfound king convinced the other houses to a yearly summit where they would discuss the goings on of Canespa. The only notable house who did not attend these meetings was House Kanchi. While House Kuskachay was still vary open to foreigners, mainly from Burgundian ships they were starting to notice the growing presence of cannons on these trade ships. Times were scary. In only five years the amount of colonial ships practically doubled in number. With these stunning events the kings of the five houses met at the next summit to discuss a strategy moving forward. The second personification made a stunning proposition. He concluded that the only way to save Canespa was to unite it. House Espada was immediately willing to form a union with House Wasi due to it feeling the greatest effects. But the Queen of House Kuskachay, the King of House Qispisqa Kay, and the King of House Papa were hostile toward the idea. Believing that such a union was just an attempt at personal gain and an attempt to further achieve House Wasi's original goals of uniting Canespa under its banner. But this time was different. The second personification offered an undeniably down right insane contract. House Wasi would be almost completely abolished with only the kings family being eligible to the house. This set in force the rules of House Wasi's succession that are still in place today. With this the second personification offered to become the Wasi King, being nameless and grouped into all the leaders that would come. Thus ensuring that no personal glory was the attempt of the union. House Papa quickly changed its mind on the matter due to the majority of House Wasi being promised to it, thus solving the manpower crisis. House Kuskachay soon followed, it needed the resources of a united empire as it wanted to be able to offer something of material to colonizers. House Qispisqa Kay was the last to give in due to the influence of the other four houses. A formal invitation was sent to the ruler of House Kanchi, Chief Kancina Palpay. House Kanchi, while not even being considered a house by some Canespans was unique in its geographical positioning, religious identity, and government style. But what they lacked in similarity they made up more in abundance of resources and wealth. The only problem to this was the looming threat that was the The Ashkenouk federation. The federation was breathing down the neck of House Kanchi. Eager to power itself up in order to defend from colonizers. House Kanchi was distant from both the Canespans and the Ashkenouks. But both wanted House Kanchi. A war was on the horizon. A war that would drastically change the balance in power within the Cusinaut. The second personification officially adorned his title on the 7th of May, 1453. The Wasi era had begun once more.
Tensions rising
House Kanchi denied the request to join the Canespan Kingdom. This news was taken with great sorrow in the governments of the houses but was not unexpected. House Kanchi had grown distant. As such the unification was announced to the public. The second personification was shamed. The people of House Wasi believed that he had abandoned the people of the house in order to prop up the other houses. The people of House Wasi felt betrayed by the king. In Canespan culture kings are expected to put the state they rule above all else. If they could save one life in their kingdom by killing a thousand in another then so be it. Your people were first if you were the king. But the second personification put Canespa above his people. In Canastapa, the largest city in Canespa the second personification stood. Getting a mix of boos and cheers from the people he stood. A potato in one hand. And a knife in the other. As he stepped up to the ledge where he was giving his speech he started a demonstration. He pulled out the knife and started cutting the potato into many different small thin slices. He proceeded by taking out a fresh uncut potato. In one hand stood the potato. In the other stood the cut up slices that had once been the first potato. The crowd went silent as the Wasi King shoved the entire cut of potato into his mouth at once. After he had finished chewing he, still silent, took out the second potato and attempted to eat it in one large bit. He failed at this task. After a few more seconds of silence he bellowed out from his chest. "Just as a potato is made strong through being connected. We must stand strong as a nation. A cut potato cant do anything against a hungry sole. It falls quickly and painfully. The whole potato, or whole Canespa can stand strong against the hungry for longer. I am an honest man. I do not promise the people of Canespa eternal peace. But I promise to extend our good fortune and help Canespa determine its own path!" With this the crowd, some cheering some crying. Quickly grew to accept the Wasi King and the new mission of Canespa. The people were still sickened by the betrayal that there king had put them through. But they would have to bury their grief if they wanted to survive.The night following the Wasi Kings inaugaration the Ashkenouks waged war on House Kanchi. Wasiqana did the same two nights later. The Cusinaut was at war.
War in House Kanchi
House Kanchi was in shambles. It had two of the biggest entities within the Cusinaut barreling at it. Chief Kancina Palpay eventually gave the order to rally all the people of House Kanchi around the capital city so that the army could defend them at a centralized point. The Ashkenouks got to the city first, laying out camp a few miles from the city. This was followed by Wasiqana which laid its forces 180 degrees around the city from the Ashkenouk forces. A stare down ensued where the people of House Kanchi slowly starved behind the walls of the city as the two giants beneath waited for the other to make the first move. Eventually, after just a month the AShkenouks struck. But it wasn't the city that they struck
Evolution 15th-20th century
The Wasi Kings power and culture evolved greatly as time went on. Through actions like expanding the Qumir Canals in the 15th and 16th centuries the Wasi King expanded and legitimized his power within the country. Throughout this period much of Canespa had great autonomy as the Wasi King was a new figure and ruling a state of Canespa's size on the Cusinaut subcontinent.
The Wasiexu
The Wasiexu is a concept that is completely different from the Wasi King but is an undeniable position that has shaped how the modern day people view the king. The Wasiexu was the first official leader of Canespa that was not the Wasi King. Unlike the Wasi King the Wasiexu does not give up any personal beliefs and does not bound themselves to the earth the same way the Wasi King does. The Wasiexu is effectively a power figure put in place by the Canasta Company to further control the government as it gained power. The Wasiexu only had control of the government from 1981 to 2034 and his power was ceased after the Urceo-Canespan Stand Off in 2034.
The Third Personification
The third personification or third rebirth as it is known today occured on August 16th 2034. The rebirth was quite involuntary and was the result of the Urcean blockade and the end of international relations with Canespa. In order to fix this Canespa was forced to bow down to the demands of Urcea and the rest of the world by reforming its government by removing the Canasta Company. In order to do this Canespa replaced the Board of Executives with the Wasi King, while adding a few work arounds to keep the Canasta Company within reach of the government. The third personification is as such due to the lack of gaps between the second personifications, personifications. The third personification is a direct transformation from the Wasiexu and is unique in that it is the only personification which has inherited a fully united Canespa. The story of the third personification is yet to be told and the future is uncertain in how this will effect Canespa with the return of Wasiqana.
Government
Executive Power
Beginning after the Urceo-Canespan Stand Off Canespa was under the Third Wasiqanate government. Under this government the Wasi King possesses executive power and is the key decision maker in government. The Wasi King has a variety of powers within the government and is in general of the Canespan military. Along with being general the Wasi King has most power when it comes to foreign policy of Canespa with only major alliances and wars being checked by the House of Union. While the Wasi King has this power alone he is informed by a group of influential and intelligent people within the Canespan state appointed to their rules by the former personification of the Wasi King. When it comes to economic matters the Wasi King has little say and can only veto or approve said affairs that come out of the House of Union. This is the same policy that exists under most other affairs.
Power over Canasta
The Wasi King has real power besides being a decision maker within the government as well. The Wasi King is set to receive 10% of the Canasta Company following the launch of its Global IPO. As such the Wasi King will be informed of all decisions made in the company and will also have a say in the policies of the company. Most wealth accumulated from said shares of the Canasta Company will be donated to the Wasiqanate government but the Wasi King has the ultimate say in where said funds will go. The ownership of this portion of the company makes the Wasi King theoretically one of the richest people in the world.
Current Heirs
The Wasi King currently has 14 heirs with 6 currently expected to join the fray as well. This is a relatively low number compared to past Wasi Kings but is not unexpected due to the recency of the Wasi Kings return.