Ochangaramark (The Kalmar Union)

The Kingdom of Ochangaramark, Ochangaramark, Ho-Chakmark, is a medium sized constitutional monarchy in central Leifia. It is bordered by Mamaceqtawia, Isanyathimark and the Inokian Confederation. The capital is Waukesha and the population is around 1.2 million.

The Head of State is King Waukon III.

The official language is Ochangaran.

The currency is the Ochangaran Tce (OGT).

History
The Ochangarans are believed to have originally lived in what is now Powhatanland but migrated at some point before the arrival of the Norse. Their own legends tell of conflict with northerners (possibly the Ojibwe). However by the time Vinlandic traders had reached their settlements they had largely settled on the western shore and hinterland of Mishigamí Vatn. Although already farming corn and squash they embraced with relish the wheat and livestock spread by the Norse traders. They were especially enthuasiastic about raising cows and today Ochangaramark is well known for its cream and cheese industry and many varieties are well-established delicacies in Álengiamark and Kanienmark. Despite heavy losses due to Norse-spread disease the nation was soon undergoing a deep and sustained population boom giving them a significant advantage over their more scattered neighbours. However the relative large population would be disastrously hit by outbreaks of the Black Death in the 1350s and 1380s.

A long history of rivalry with the Illini tribe dominated much of the 10th to 15th centuries and would eventually lead to the Illini's downfall and absorption into Inokia. It avoided conquest by the Aniyunwiya however it paid homage to Edoha and his successors until King Tcaxcep III Uankcik broke with tradition in 1472 defeating Kullaakka in several battles and burning several western cities. Thereafter Ochangaramark was largely left to expand its influence westwards without interference. Similarly it avoided conquest by Neshabek in the mid-15th century and the Mishigamí War between the two rolled off and on from 1547 to 1594. Eventually Ochangaramark built the Fraeburt Votnum's largest fleet and thereby could protect itself from eastern threats. It provided a small force for the First Mexic-Leifian War but was not an enthusiastic participant, mainly due to longstanding disputes with Vinland, Inokia and Aniyunwiya.

A brief and despised union with its northern neighbour Mamaceqtawia (1678-1683) was quickly disavowed and bloodily ended by the Ochangaran Uprising. This however ushered in a quick succession of weak or indifferent monarchs and led to the loss of much momentum. As the two states continued to sort out their differences on the battlefield throughout the 18th century, the Lakota, already dominant on the plains, took over much of its western lands and it would be Vinland which would curtail their ambitions rather than the Ochangarans. The Vinlandic peace treaties tended to favour the local peoples and so Ochangaramark's actual territory was slowly limited into its current boundaries. This has fostered a certain degree of mistrust towards Vinland, and although relations are much better now for much of the 18th and early 19th centuries it refused to recognise the Vinlandic-supported states.

During the Leifian Crisis it attempted a land grab to gain direct access to the Missouri once more. The short but bloody First Ochangaran-Isanyathi War (1829-31) was a failure but helped tip the Isanyathi government into chaos. Vinland would be forced to invade both states in 1838 to restore order and defeat republican forces. Relations between it and its neighbours did not improve however and the relative weakness of King Waukon II led into a virtual dictatorship and the 2nd Ochangaran-Isanyathi War (1900-1903). Both sides would be forced to back down in the face of much hostility and Waukon II was forced to agree to his kingdom's boundaries. The government would spend several decades in turmoil trying to shake the tags of 'appeasers' and 'back-stabbers' from the considerable minority of irredentilists and the allies of north-east Leifia have kept a watchful eye on the state in case it drift back into its old routines.

Ochangaramark is in some ways most famous as the birthplace of Háflaeykir which was learnt by Vinlandic traders from the Ochangarans in the early 1200s. The traditional 'long' version is still played on special occasions but the modern version is widely popular.

Government
Ochangaramark is a constitutional monarchy. There are elections for its single chambered council every three years. Votes for women was granted in 2011 but the franchise for both sexes is still restricted to those over the age of 28. The monarch retains some executive power and officially still chairs cabinet meetings though in practice usually delegates this authority to the Chief Minister.

The Head of State is King Waukon III. His Chief Minister is Kaun Zeekau.