[NS]Kreynoria
17-11-2005, 18:34
Kreynoria’s history can be traced back to the ancient Byzantine Greeks. During the reign of Basil II at the height of medieval Byzantine power, a Byzantine general named Romanos Cerularius proposed a colonial expedition to a large island rumored to be beyond Britain. The island was probably Ireland or Iceland, or perhaps Greenland. The emperor approved the voyage, and gave Cerularius 12 great ships and a crew and colonists, with everything they’d need to create and defend a colony on unknown soil. General Cerularius and his followers were never heard from again, and eventually became forgotten by history. What everyone didn’t know is that the expedition actually missed the intended target and ended up in what is now southern Panama. By that time, a quarter of the colonists were dead from starvation or disease. 4 of the ships sank in a terrible storm. Despite these hardships, the remaining 8 ships reached Panama. After about 20 years, with the colonists suffering from tropical diseases, raids by hostile natives, and the unusual climate, Cerularius decided to leave to a fabled land of wealth and pleasure in the west. 9 great galleys were built, and Cerularius’ colonists set out again. Traveling across the ocean for thousands of miles, they eventually happened upon Hawaii. Here there were few diseases, a pleasant climate, rich soil, and beautiful beaches. The native Hawaiians were also far less hostile than the tribes encountered in Central America. Cerularius decided to stay, and was appointed Emperor of Kreynoria, as the new nation was called. Under his leadership, the new nation grew and prospered. He also encouraged contact and trade with the native Polynesians. Eventually, the two cultures became one. Kreynoriac, the language of modern Kreynoria, is a blend of Greek and Polynesian. The Kreynorians remained Christian, but adopted many of the customs and traditions of the Polynesians. Greek men were encouraged to wed Polynesian women. Over time, racial distinction disappeared. The new state suffered from rebellion and civil war soon after the death of Cerularius. Eventually, his grandson Tiberius came to the throne, and centuries of peace and prosperity followed. During that time, the Kreynorians built a huge trading empire. Kreynorian trading posts stretched up the West Coast of the Americas from Peru to California. They Kreynorians also traded extensively with the peoples of Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Southeast Asia, and the other Pacific Islands. Eventually, these times of prosperity ended with the coming of advanced civilizations from the West. The Hawaiian Islands were invaded by Hogsweatian soldiers. While the Hogsweatians fought with guns and cannons, the Kreynorians fought back with crossbows and swords of copper and obsidian. Resistance did not last long, and the Kreynorian Empire came under the dominion of Hogsweat. Eventually, the Layartebians, another foreign culture, came to control the islands. Eventually, through both passive and active resistance, the Kreynorians were able to win their independence. A treaty signed with Layarteb allowed Kreynoria independence and control of all of Hawaii save the islands of Kauai and Nihau, which were retained by the Empire of Layarteb as naval bases. After independence, Constantinius Comnenus, a major leader of the resistance effort, was appointed Emperor and rightful successor to the line of Romanos Cerularius, who was praised as a national hero. Since then, the Kreynorians have expanded their empire. The uninhabited Reunion Island and later East Timor were colonized by the Empire. Samoa, Micronesia, the Solomon Islands, the Cook Islands, American Samoa, Jarvis Island, and the Midway Islands were purchased from the Roman Empire. Djibouti was conquered when the government of Yelm was temporarily toppled, and Niue was claimed when Hans Bek was killed by the ZRM and Zeeeland disintegrated. The empire has since grown to over a billion in population and is still ruled by Emperor Constantinius, who is now in his 50’s.