Maskinaw

Maskinaw (: ᒪᐢᑭᓇᐤ), officially the Grand Federation of Maskinaw (Awenakwin: ᑭᐦᒋ ᐑᑕᐢᑮᐏᐣ ᒪᐢᑭᓇᐤ, pronounced 'Kihci Wîtaskîwin Maskinaw'), is federal republic in northern Veharia and is bordered by Shinlim to the west (with which it shares the world's longest land border), Onaway to the east, and Valithoria to the south. It has a coastline on the western end of the Allonian Gulf and along St. Brendan's Bay to the north. The federation is made up of 25 states with a special federal territory which encompasses the totality of the capital city, Lyrados.

With evidence of humans in Northern Veharia tracing back to 14,000 BP it is estimated that the first settlers of the region were part of the later migrations across the Bersius landbridge. By the 10th century the humans in the area had become the Igluinuk, the Sionne, the Hirenaw, and the Ziibwingon. The Sionne and the Hirenaw were not in fact singular tribes but coalitions of many smaller tribes with similar cultural attributes and beliefs. The fighting between the Hirenaw and Sionne would last for over a century before the two came together in 1122 AC to form the Manitokan Alliance. This alliance was forged out of a fear that the colonial powers would destroy them.

With the settlement of the first Achysian colony on the western shores of the Allonian Gulf the native Maskinawans were exposed to their technology. Information about their weaponry and tools reached the ears of the alliances leader and the decision to concede their territory for survival was made. The native groups became subjects to the Achysian monarchy but would generally remain an autonomous community. The rights offered to the natives in exchange for their subjugation were infringed upon more and more over the next two hundred years but with the beginning of the Republican Wars in Azora hope had been found.

With Achysian forces busy defending the motherland; native, Achysian, and mixed revolutionaries overthrew the colonial government and established the Maskinaw Republic in 1395. The Republic would be created as the first attempt at a society that was more fair to those of native and mixed descent. The wide amount of available resources allowed for quick industrialization and an increased presence in the northern fringes of the nation. The creation of the National Railway System allowed for easy migration northward and even more abundant resources. The stagnant state of the government, however, meant that the northern states had limited power in the government. This would lead to the Northern War (1482-1485) which would end with the addition of a second house of congress as well as the relocation of the capital to a more central position.

[Information on the Great Wars, Post-War Period, and Space Race pending]

The history of Maskinaw as an attempt of blending the native and colonial civilizations has led to its cultural being similar to its neighbors yet unique. The Maskinawan state has seen many gradual changes, as well as sudden, to reach a the goal of creating an egalitarian and democratic government. This has included major changes to the power dynamics within the three branches of the government and even the addition of the Maskinaw's lower house, the Federal Assembly. Since the founding of the Grand Federation Maskinaw has become heavily involved in international affairs and is a member of several international organizations including the World Concordat, the International Humanitarian Corps, the ?Local Alliance? Pact, and the United Space Organization.

Etymology
The name Maskinaw is a generic term for the region and has been used to refer to the Hirenaw, Sionne, and western Ziibwingon tribes. The name is a mispelling of the term 'Cheepahi Meskanaw' which was a nickname for the nearby mountain range which today are called the Maskinaw Mountains. 'Cheepahi Meskanaw' means 'The Spirit Road' in Awenakwin and also referred to the Milky Way. The mountains themselves gained their nickname due to them mirroring the position of the Milky Way for half of the year and due to the legend of a chief who walked across its ridge to reach meet the spirits.

Since 1485 the full name of Maskinaw has been the "Grand Federation of Maskinaw" (Awenakwin: ᑭᐦᒋ ᐑᑕᐢᑮᐏᐣ ᒪᐢᑭᓇᐤ, pronounced 'Kihci Wîtaskîwin Maskinaw'). The term 'Grand Federation' is mostly used in politics and the military usually to distinguish the state from the people or even from the geography that it encompasses.

The correct demonym for people from Maskinaw is 'Maskinawan'. The plural form is either 'Maskinawans' or 'Maskinaw' (e.g. The economy of the Maskinaw [people]).

Prehistoric
The earliest traces of humans in Northern Veharia have been dated as early as 14,000 BP with several unconfirmed claims pushing it to 20,000 BP. According to some historians the humans that would settle Maskinaw were part of the second and third migrations across the Bersius landbridge from Tarsis to Veharia. These early Veharians consisted primarily of hunter-gatherer nomads who likely hunted local megafauna such as mammoths, steppe bison, and ancient caribou. These nomadic groups would either create permanent settlements or continue their nomadic lifestyle on the plains. Several civilizations would rise and fall over the following millenia. Due to the tradition of oral history among the northern Veharians much of the pre-colonial history has been lost although evidence can be found that affirms many of the stories.

Century of the Owl
By the 10th century many smaller groups had joined into the larger nations of the Hirenaw and the Sionne creating a bipolar struggle that would last for a century. The Century of the Owl as it would become called would end with a peace treaty on the winter solstice of 1122 and an alliance that would become known as the Manitokan Alliance as stories of a new threat arrived from the east and south.

Colonial Era
In 1178, Achysians made the first colonial settlement of what would eventually become Maskinaw. The location of the original colony is argued to be either around or within the borders of New Vathora, Maskinaw’s largest city. It was there that the Achysians made contact with several eastern tribes of the Sionne. These would become the first vassals of the new colonial government. The rest of the Sionne and the nearby Ziibwingon upon hearing of the colonists and the subjugation of these tribes traveled north to inform the Hirenaw, the most influential group in the region. The Hirenaw upon hearing of the weaponry and the new technology that the Achysians had brought decided that the safest route forward would be to join them. The Sionne and the western Ziibwingon tribes followed suit. Everything between the western Allonian Gulf and the Bay of St. Brendan would be claimed for the Achysian Monarchy. Over the next two centuries the native Veharians became uncomfortable with their position in the nation as their autonomy was constantly infringed more and more. Achysians as well as other Azorans would immigrate to the colony pushing more and more natives from their homeland. With the Republican Wars sweeping across Azoria it would only be a matter of time before Achysia was next. Fearing for their lives, many nobles would flee across the Allonian Ocean to the relative safety of the Veharian colony. At the same time, troops were called homeward to help defend the nation against the looming threat of Kathia. With the relaxation of military power came the increase of authority in an increasingly more noble-led government. The republican ideology that had become popular in so many other nations would spark independent groups of revolutionaries to conspire against their colonial government. With the war in Azora being supported by nearly the entirety of the Achysian military, these revolutionaries saw their chance and with heavy assistance from the native Veharians the colonial government was overthrown and in 1395 the Republic of Maskinaw was founded.

The Republic
This new government aimed to create a more egalitarian society and promoted industrialization to improve its economy. While the native Veharians had higher standing in this new nation and could even become members of its government they were frequently pushed out of their land and replaced by farmers of either Azoran or mixed descent. The creation of the national railway system would lead to further tensions between the government and the native peoples. The Trans-Mountain railway, completed in 1467, passed straight through the Maskinaw Mountains making what used to be a week-long trip into a single day. With the resources of the north suddenly more accessible people moved northward to find new work and a place to call home including many Hirenaw. Despite the large population influx the power of the new states would be severely limited. The National Council, which at the time was the only house of the legislative branch, would not increase the northern states councilors despite their new population. Protests broke out throughout the northern states and many southern politicians were attacked by angry northerners. The growing volatility led to the president ordering a federal occupation of the northern states in 1482 to prevent further protests. This attempt to stifle whatever rebellion that might have occurred only exacerbated the issue and created an uproar not only in the north but in southern states as well.

The Northern War & the Federation
With news of the approaching army, local militias composed primarily of recently settled civilians prepared to hijack any attempts at an occupation. The first federal troops were approaching the capital of Makada when they were ambushed by farmers. The few that escaped fled southward to warn other companies of the trap. However their warning had come too late. Northern militiamen disguised in army uniforms would meet up with and attack several other companies before the news of what was happening reached the capital. The president declared the northern militias as terrorists and sent warrants out for their arrest. The Secret Service was formed to assassinate every known member or associate of the northern militia. Over the next week hundreds of northerners had either disappeared or were found dead including the governor of Sutaho. With the lack of any formal opposition the military once more attempted an occupation of the north. The success of the second attempt was quickly overshadowed by civilians ambushing troops throughout the north. The chaos that ensued prevented any appropriate response from the occupation force thus the federal government sent a third force north. This third force would be slowed down significantly with the demolition of northern train tunnel exits meaning that they would need to climb across the mountains. Fighting between the federal military and a new informal northern military would continue for the next eight months. The Republic of New Maskinaw would be founded in the north to more easily direct resources. The rising cost of the fighting in the north was making it unpopular amongst the southerners and its effects were taking a heavy toll. Unbeknownst to the south, the north was running out of resources and with winter approaching soon another attempt at diplomacy seemed the only option. This attempt proved fruitful and the constitution would be rewritten to make the nation more adaptable. In 1485, the Republic of Maskinaw was replaced by the Grand Federation of Maskinaw and the second house of the legislature, the Federal Assembly, was created. The power of the president was heavily diminished to give increased powers to this new house. The increased representation made settlement up north more attractive and new industries such as forestry, fishing, and mining grew rapidly. Access to these resources allowed for a quick reconstruction and a nearly full recovery by 1500. Nationalism spread throughout the states and Maskinawans began to look outward. The western Skandarin islands were offered an Invitation of Admission to the Federation. Acceptance of this invitation would make the islands a territory of Maskinaw, giving the federal government rights to the land but also giving all people living there the rights of a Maskinawan citizen. The Skandarins accepted and the government immediately set to oil drilling. With the nation so heavily reliant on foreign oil and the threat of war looming ever nearer it seemed that the only option would be for the nation to produce its own oil. This would indeed prove to be a boon as the First Great War began.

First Great War
[WIP]

Second Revolution & Second Great War
[WIP]

Post War & Space Race
[WIP]

Contemporary History
[WIP]

Geography
The large area that Maskinaw takes up provides for a wide range of biomes within its borders. It's territory extends from latitudes 32.9° to 67.7° N and longitudes 88.2° to 128.1° W. To it's west the Taegeun Mountains provide a natural border between Maskinaw and it's western neighbor, Shinlim. To the south, the fringes of the Aszivan Desert make up the Valithorian border. The Maskinaw Mountains provide a natural barrier between (as well as contribute to) the radically different climate zones of the north and the south. The southern part of the nation has high biodiversity and is fairly temperate due to it being situated along the regulating currents of the Allonian Gulf. It's low variation in altitude also provides for an excellent year-round growing season that feeds the majority of the nation. This has led to it becoming the much more populated half of the nation despite it being geographically less than half the size of the north. The north is much more lacking in biodiversity due to it being both cut off from the warm currents of the gulf by the mountains and due to its exposure to the cooling polar vortex of the Arctic Ocean. The dryness created from the Taegeun Mountains cutting off the North Hanmaric Current also allowed for the desertification of the Sutaho Plateau. The Skandarin Isles in the St. Brendan's Bay to the north are the only non-contiguous territories of Maskinaw and the high latitude of the far northern islands creates a tundra-like climate making it the coldest place in the country.

Climate


While the size of Maskinaw alone provides for a wide variety of climate types, the Maskinaw Mountains create a complex weather system in it's northern half allowing for drier and colder climates than what is considered typical of these latitudes. The Gulf States receive high levels of rainfall, especially to the east where the gulf brings a warm current up to coast. The gulf coastal plains extend across the coast before reaching inland in the south to create the Mapiya Plains, the breadbasket of the nation. Further inland are the deciduous forests and rolling hills of the Maskinaw foothills which creep further to the coast further north creating the dense forests around the Great Lakes. To the south these foothills become drier and turn into an arid steppe. Past the foothills lie the Maskinaw Mountain Range which is often divided into the range east and west of the Hakoda River. The northern face of the mountains in tandem with the rain shadow of the Taegeun Mountains creates the prairies and cold deserts of the Sutaho Steppe, home to some of the most notable geographic formations in the world including Li'chii Valley, the Northern Badlands, and Eshe Dunes. Further north the St. Brendan Current brings precipitation from the bay creating dense coniferous forests in the west and mixed forests in the east all the way up to the coast. The Skandarin Isles as the northernmost territory of Maskinaw consist primarily of subarctic forests in the southern islands and tundra in the northern islands.

The New Achysia region in the southeast receives the most rainfall in the country due to taking the brunt of the Allonian Gulf Current. Cities such as New Vathora and Pelos have been reported in recent years to receive around 1,200 cm. The wettest month in this region is driest month in this region is March with an average monthly rainfall of 130 cm and July as the driest with an average monthly rainfall of 80 cm. This region does not have a dry season and it is perfect for blueberries, apples, potatoes, corn, wheat, grapes, pumpkins and other gourds, soybeans, and strawberries.

Hotoke [WIP]

Minahikoskaw [WIP]

Mapiya [WIP]

Skandarin [WIP]