Inokia (The Kalmar Union)

The Inokian Confederation, Inokia, is a large constitutional quasi-monarchy in central northern Leifia. It is bordered by Isanyathimark, Ochangaramark, Erie, Aniyunwiya, Chikashsha Republic, Ugakhpaland, Osageland, Niuachiland and Baxojeyuh. The capital is Cahokia and the population is around 5.8 million.

The head of state is President Maroa Tapoara.

The official language is Inokian.

The currency is the Inokian Daloe (IKD).

History
The twenty-eight kingdoms forming modern Inokia trace their formation back to the 12th century when Norse farming methods, and diseases, first arrived in the upper Mississippi. Though written records are scarce it appears the petty kings fought amongst themselves for land, trade and prestige, though it appears the wars were more ritualistic than violent. The lack of death in their wars helped keep reasonable relations between the kingdoms. Contemporaries blamed the bloodless wars for the heavy defeats at the hands of the Aniyunwiyans in the 13th century but subsequent historians have found plenty of evidence that the various Inokian tribes were waging war effectively against their neighbours for centuries.

In 1200 Cahokia was probably the most populous city in Leifia with its wares widely distributed over the entire Mississippi region. It certainly impressed the Vinlandic merchants who visited it in its heyday, but it had long grown too large to support itself and ownership of the city was beginning to fuel more violent clashes between the chiefs.

Thanks to the fractured nature of the land Inokia proved to be a pushover when the Aniyunwiyan Empire expanded under Edoha. But life under Aniyunwiyan rule would prove beneficial to the kingdoms. To ensure their famed cavalry armies could function throughout their empire roads were constructed and scrub cleared for farming. Well-ordered government, often simply keeping the Inokian chiefs in place, followed, with careful taxation and fortresses not far behind. As the Aniyunwiyans had a practice of moving troublesome tribes from their homelands to curb revolt and Inokia, with its plentiful farmlands, was flooded with incomers. This in turn pushed many other 'foreign' tribes out of Inokia and contributed to the chain reaction of peoples fleeing the Aniyunwiyan yoke. The Inokian lords themselves expanded their territories to the west and had secured their rules enough to survive the collapse of Aniyunwiyan power after the death of Edoha.

By the time the 2nd Aniyunwiyan Empire had conquered the Inokia the number of kings had fallen to six and when once again they could assert their independence in 1475 they agreed to a broad, and as it turned out, permanent alliance. Vowing never again to fall under the yoke of a neighbour they battled hard to maintain cohesion in the face of often superior forces.

Frequent wars against Erie over the Myaami lands, and the Lakota over the western plains limited the borders of the state but proved a powerful tool in forging an identity for the country. Christianity was adopted not long after independence thanks to the tireless efforts of Erieac priests who succeeded where countless Vinlanders had previously failed. The whole country reacted with horror at the progress of Lutheranism through the northern Leifian states and would remain firm allies to the Catholic side during the Leifian War of Religion, though provided little in the way of concrete support. However witch-hunts became somewhat of a national obsession during the late 16th century and remaining pockets of paganism were ruthless stamped out. The papacy was certainly pleased with the steadfast hold catholicism appeared to have and raised Cahokia to an Archbishopric (partially to replace schismatic Fjallasay) in 1587.

The Congress of Cahokia in 1622, supposedly to end the Erie expansion at their expense, signalled the beginning of the First Mexic-Leifian War and Inokia would provide a vital role in its conduct. Controlling the upper Mississippi its river fleet was much in action to prevent the Mexic from crossing further downstream. Its fireships were much admired and much feared as they continually destroyed the bridges the Mexic raised across the river. Many of the later battles would be fought on its lands as the weight of Northeastern Leifia struggled to hold back the huge Mexic armies. And it would be testament to the well maintained roads of Inokia and Aniyunwiya that ensured the western armies could be readily supplied and would confidently outmanoeuvre the Mexic.

Post-war, Inokia's leaders were no longer able to totally agree, especially after it absorbed the smaller Illini Confederation, and they adopted a council system whereby laws would be passed by an elected body made up of nobles and landowners. The kings in effect had legislated themselves out of a job and instead simply grew rich on the profits of their lands, occasionally leading armies in battle but mostly took their hands off direct government. Primogeniture lapsed in and out of fashion and by 1800 the number of kingdoms had reached twenty-eight after which the central government banned the further division of titled land.

The 'Leifian Crisis', foreshadowed by the huge Eskippakithiki earthquakes of December 1811 and January 1812 which did untold damage to the southern kingdoms, saw a massive redistrubution of wealth. For three years from 1820-23 a well-armed and politically radical army criss-crossed the country ready and able to evict landowners, dividing up estates and dismantling city walls. This proto-Syndicalist movement was eventually crushed with Isanyathi and Aniyunwiyan help. The movement was disavowed but weight of public opinion prevented the restored rulers from simply turning back the clock. As many landowners no longer reached the threshold to qualify for the vote a massive expansion to enfranchise almost all of the male population was instituted.

In 1835 Inokia joined the Vinlandic-Eriac War occupying several border areas and proving victorious in several close fought battles. It would further support Vinland in its campaigns to restore regimes across northern Leifia. But other than an ill-advised war alongside Álengiamark in the 1870s and a brief and ham-fisted intervention in the Cotton Wars Inokian history has been largely uneventful since the Leifian crisis.

Government
Although comprised of 28 kingdoms Inokia functions as a republic as the individual royal families have little or no influence over politics. All public figures and both chambers of the apart from a small advising 'royal' chamber are directly elected by the population.

The curent Head of State is President and the Prime Minister is Moing Keshaw.