Asconia

Republic of the Asconians Llerdrad den Ąschener
Flag Coat of arms
Asconia within the Orddonach.
Capital and largest city	Danrad Rąn
Official languages	Asconian
Demonym(s)	Ascon (person and language), Asconian
Government	Unitary presidential republic
• President	Radarg Mandargwier
Legislature	Senate (Merad)
Area
• Total	457,8494253 km2 (176,7766514 sq mi)
Population
• Estimate	9,706,407.8164
• Density	212/km2 (549,1/sq mi)
Currency	Anedd (₳)
Driving side	right

Asconia (Ascon: Ąschen), sometimes the Asconian Republic, officially the Republic of the Asconians (Ascon: Llerdrad den Ąschener) is a democratic presidential republic situated in northern Phyrea. Most of its territory is taken up by the Munish mountains, with the bulk of the population living along the coast and the lowlands.

Since antiquity, the area now pertaining to this country has been inhabited by various Ethian tribes, most importantly the Asconii, the land’s namesake.

Name

It is unknown where the name ultimately derives from, leading linguists to believe that it could have arisen from a term in a now extinct substrate language. It probably entered Proto-Asco-Manthic as the word *(h)askenaz. The earliest evidence for this name being attributed to the territory is found in the Codex Spértínum, where it is written in Old High Phyrean as hascen.

History

Early History

Around 50 000 BNB, various Nademic tribes made their home in the Phyrean coast. The most relevant of these to Asconia is the Dumnarion or Shamrock House culture, who got their name from the peculiar shamrock-shaped houses that they made. When the Nademic tribes were displaced during the Namunic invasion, the ruins these houses left behind would, after thousands of years, be incorporated into the local mythos.

The direct ancestors of the modern people inhabiting Asconia, the Proto-Namuno-Ethian people, sailed into Stockard and Phyrea in search of a promised land (*spʰeyrdunes, the root for Phyrea) approximately in 3500 BNB. The Asco-Manthic culture would then split from the PNE macroculture in 1200 BNB at the latest.

Flourishing

Starting in 500 BNB there was a period of flourishing for early asco-manthic culture. Evidence of this includes several pieces of pottery, architecture such as the Red Castle and texts in both Old Ascon and Old Manth. This era also sees the origin of tales surrounding the Shamrock House culture era ruins, and the rise of the shamrock shape as the local symbol.

Duumvirate-controlled Asconia

The first mention of an asconian “kingdom” can be found in the Codex Spértínum, where it mentions its annexation to the Duumvirate of Phyrea and Krasnia in 43 BNB. This so-called “kingdom” was, more likely, an uncentralised congregation of asco-manthic tribes.

Queendom era

320 ANB was when the Phyro-Krasnian Asconian March was invaded and conquered by the Queendom of Secyl. Under the dominion of Bor VII, the March was promised autonomy and the status of Kingdom, as long as they remained loyal.

This period was ultimately beneficial for the newly formed Asconian Kingdom, as the concept of a distinctly "asconian" identity began forming around this time. Sponsored by the Queen, great works of architecture were erected during this time. A special body of dimsin paladins zealously loyal to her was formed around this time, the Order of the Red Wolf, founded by GUY WITH NAME.

Post-Queendom

After the death of Bor XVII at the hands of Tyll Cwallgun and her own daughter, Lyada of Secyl, the Asconian Kingdom fell into disarray. The Order of the Red Wolf briefly took hold of the land, but their reign was short-lived. The dissolution was kickstarted by the secession of the Grand Duchy of Southfield and the controversial events that took place during its existence. The kingdom finally dissolved in 1207, caused by the intense internal strife that followed the reannexation of Southfield, which led to more regional secessions and, ultimately, loss of centralised authority. For the next century there would remain small states in its wake.

Reunification

In 1427 Ągel Mangen's reunification scheme took place. An army general of the Duchy of Thalltharg, he set out to move his army across the Asconian duchies, annexing them one by one. By 1434 his scheme had largely been a success, and the new Second Kingdom of Asconia was founded.

Adoption of democracy

Dissatisfied with the performance of the monarchy, the middle class revolted in 1522, starting the Asconian Civil War. This war would end in 1589 with the monarchy deposed and a new democratic government being established. Since then, Asconia has been a republic.