Ktunaxa (The Kalmar Union)

The Kingdom of Ktunaxa, Ktunaxa, is a constitutional monarchy in Northwest Leifia. It is bordered by Lingit Aani, Klallam Federation, Kalispu Republic, Ichshkiinmark and Chinookriga. The capital is Yaqannuki and the population around 3.8 million.

The Head of State is King Kanuxunik.

The official language is Ktunaxan.

The currency is the Ktunaxan Kittit (KTK).

History
A largely hunter-gatherer society until the arrival of Vinlandic and Abernaki traders in the 13th century (see Hjortur Elvasson) the contact with new technologies and new farming methods caused a revolution in society just as it affected their neighbours. New farmers settled on land solidifying familial ties and adapting quickly to the feudal ideas that spread with the advance of wheat, livestock and iron. Indeed it did not take long for the entire region to be divided up into small principalities. By the time European diseases had swept through the region, brought by eastern traders the old ways had effectively become obsolete. Any tribes still clinging to them were soon conquered and wars between the states for trade routes and land were not far behind.

Via war, marriage and alliance the Ktunaxan princes, transformed fourteen or so separate entities into a unitary state and by doing so defined themselves and their subjects as separate from those of their rapidly expanding neighbours. However the process of consolidation, both territorially and culturally, would take much of the 15th and 16th centuries and would be much delayed by outbreaks of the Black Death and smallpox. The struggles did not go unnoticed in Eastern Leifia. The Ktunaxan royal family was soon married with both the Vinlandic Eiriksdottírs and the Abernakrigan Odanaks whilst ever increasing amounts of trade were carried over the mountain passes and down to the Ktanaxan capital, Yaqannuki, which had the advantage of having a deep water harbour. Once the territories had been divided up between the six or seven main kingdoms they descended into a long-drawn out war marked by constantly shifting alliances. While the rest of Leifia fought the First Mexic-Leifian War the kingdoms of the northwest tore into each other with regularity in an endless series of conflicts usually collected under the names The Nintey-Year War or Great Northwestern War. This was partly fed by mercenary groups looking for work after the end of the Mexic-Leifian Wars from all different Eastern Leifian nations. Paid for with land or gold the incomers, though integrating, soon controlled the mills, ports and banks that were allowing the country to and this would survive through successive attempts by the kings to wrest power and wealth back. This built up considerable issues for the future.

By 1700 however Ktunaxa appeared to have the advantage over its competitors. It had started the smallest of the combatants; with only a small portion of Yaqannuki Bay belonging to them, but thanks to links, wealth, a booming population and a healthy dose of luck (especially in 1684 when the flood of the Issaquah river prevented the Ichshkiin army from capturing undefended Yaqannuki) finished the war triumphant. In its last successful land-grab the Gucala People north of Klallam were occupied and annexed in 1763. Further attempts to claim lands to the north (now Lingit Aani and Military Japan) were blocked by the intense 3rd Ichshkiinmark War. At this point Ktunaxa overreached itself and was faced by an alliance of all its neighbours. The death of King Aqánqmi III at the Battle of Memaloose effectively ended its ability to conduct operations. At the Peace of Yakima it ceded large areas to its neighbours but the heavy presence of the Vinlandic army nearby persuaded the victors not to press their win too far.

Between 1780 and 1820 the population once again boomed, effectively doubling. It was little affected by the Leifian Crisis thanks to ever-expanding mining operations and increased cross-Roasjoinn trade with Japan. However by the late 19th century the mass of people, crowded into disease-ridden slums and effectively locked out of politics and industry by the nobility and the descendants of the foreign settlers (both of whom ) had had enough. In 1887 several cities rose in revolt. At first the government reacted violently, seeking to quash the rebellions and redistrubute the wealth of the upper classes. Importantly however King Akisq I addressed the rebels early, sympathisising with their demands, showing willingness to adapt and thereby effectively ensuring the royal family's survival. This royalist faction soon won over the reactionary government and slowly the Diet was democratised. Many key industries were taken over by the state and the profits ploughed into schools, medicine and sanitation.

A century of well-planned, egalitarian investment has left Ktunaxa with one of the highest standards of living in Leifia. Yaqannuki is the largest city in Northwest Leifia, fed largely by a massive fishing fleet as well as wheat from the nations of the interior and there is considerable rivalry between Ktunaxans and the Ohlonesk of Romonan over which city is greatest.

Government
Ktunaxa is a constitutional monarchy and is governed by a bicameral diet. Elections are held every 6 years. The monarchy retains various powers and can, in theory, dismiss ministers and rule directly for a short time, though this has never been put into practice.

The current Head of State is King Kanuxunik and his Prime Minister is Skaay Koyah.