Eastern Union

Overview

The Eastern Union, officially known as The “Eastern Union of Sovereign Rahmielic States,” is a democratic union composed of multiple united and coequal member states hailing from Haven’s eastern continent of Rahmiel. At its height it collectively long held dominion over its entirety, alongside territorial holdings throughout the Known World.

Founded in 2,000 YM (Year of the Mavimyst) following the end of the Wars of Gold and Silver, the Eastern Union exists to ensure that the sovereignty of its member states remain unthreatened by both Eastern internal, and Western external aggression. While only existing for a brief period in world history compared to its contemporaries, since its founding it has served as the most dynamic region in all the Known World, as a vast majority of pivotal world events in the following millennia both directly and indirectly were credited in large part by the Union’s existence.

Formative Beginnings

Prior to the Union’s founding, Rahmiel remained a hotly contested land, as numerous disparate kingdoms held control over different regions of the continent. This had led to great stagnation as the East began to lag behind the largely united West, as the Westland Empire had at that time claimed dominion over the whole of the Bariquel continent.

As such, Western encroachment into the region was inevitable, and eventually it would come in the form of the Gold and Silver Ascendancy in 1,967 YM. This was an alliance between the Westland Empire, and the Kingdom of Andiroth, the latter of which at that time had declared itself as the Andirothic Empire and sovereign ruler of all Rahmiel. With support from the West, Andiroth made great sweeps across the continent, forcing the remaining Rahmielic powers had to form an alliance to prevent their respective empires collapsing under the tide.

Formation and Consolidation

Following the war’s end, it was believed that the Union would simply dismantle, as both most of Rahmiel, as well as its own members desired to remain separate. However, despite achieving victory, most knew that the West would simply begin to encroach upon Rahmiel once again.

To avoid the eventual hegemony of the two continents, the Eastern Union would remain. In the decades that would follow, it slowly began to become a more active force in the governance of its members, alongside more Rahmielic kingdoms joining, either by choice, or force, until all of Rahmiel found itself united under its control.

Thanks to this, the cultural prominence of individual states in the global consciousness has in large part subsided, as most who think of the East think of the Union government and not the independent kingdoms that constitute it.

Functional Design

Since its founding, the exact purpose, function, and limits of the Union have been in constant debate by the populace. For most of its history, the Rahmielic people have been divided in this debate, with the collective whole being made of divisions between those who believe it to be a Union of inherent independent nations, each of which made an island onto itself, and only obligated to ensure their fellow members own respective sovereignty.

And those holding it as a Union comprised of several coequal member states that are obligated to greater powers that govern the collective whole, with each dedicated to the not only the protection of its fellow members, but to actively assist one another through military, monetary, resource, and material means.

The answer to this question has changed several times throughout the Union's history, as the ever changing landscape of global affairs have shaped Rahmiel and the world at large to ever shifting winds, meaning the level of autonomy its members enjoy is in a state of constant flux.

Structure and Centralization

Alongside function, often a great deal of political debate has centered around whether or not the Union itself acts as an entity outside of its collective members. Frequently throughout the centuries, the wider Union's own government and jurisdiction has fluctuated between a decentralized confederation, to a federalist republic.

As of 2,770 YM, the Eastern Union operates as a staunch federalist republic, as with the forming Eastern Republic Army, the direct centralization of power within the capital was increased exceptionally. Each member state having a set of designated responsibilities to the wider Union, though each still retains a defined degree of autonomy.

It is believed the forming of the Republic army was the first spark that would eventually lead to the Alls-Rule War, as the Westland Empire began to feel threatened at this powerful force.

Post Alls-Rule War Status

As of 3,000 YM, much of the Eastern Union is rebuilding its former strength, having suffered through the horrors of the Alls-Rule War between itself, and the Westland Empire. Thirty years after the end of the Alls-Rule War in 2,970 YM, the Union has lost much of its original territory, but also gained new lands to fill the void. Much of the Union's population lies decimated, as does many regions of the continent and beyond.

However despite the diminished state of the Eastern Union, now that its contemporary Westland Empire exists in a relatively larger state of decline, the Union now enjoys its position as the world's leading superpower, however the margin is minor though ever-growing.

The Union’s rise in influence has been aided by its robust recovery efforts, including the establishment of shared economic zones and the promotion of geographical and cultural restoration. These measures have not only revitalized its war-torn regions but also strengthened the bonds between its member states, ensuring a more unified future.