United Kingdom of Thegye

The United Kingdom of Thegye, also known as Thegye and the United Kingdom, is a large, southern nation, situated on the extreme south of Iperos. Bordered in the north by the Varelian Confederation, East Varelia, Thorien, and Yatar, Thegye shares a maritime border with the Federation, the Norald Republic, Lutara, and Thegyan Karar. A vast, enviornmentally diverse country, Thegye is ruled by two Diarchs, one from the House of Caesse and one from the House of Triarus. With a population of just over 10 million, Thegye represents one of the largest nations in the world, despite the failing economy and widespread violence, disease, and rioting. Thegye maintains some level of control or influence over the Federation, the Norald Republic, and Lutara as protectorates. Thegyan Karar is a personal colonial holding of the House of Caesse, nominally considered a part of the United Kingdom.

Foundation of the United Kingdom
Initially settled thousands of years ago, Thegye came into being as a union between the Kingdom of Romanzia and the Kingdom of Thessilia in defense against the ancient northmen threat. Continuing the union over hundreds of years, the United Kingdom of Thegye was declared on January 4, 1682 TY. Ruled in peace throughout the next hundred years, Thegye was known as a place of wealth, the arts, science, and literary advancement. Additionally, the military might of the nation, combined with the personal charisma of the Diarchs, eventually resulted in the establishments of several protectorates under the influence of the Diarchs. The colonial power of the United Kingdom rose throughout the early 18th century, peaking with the conquest of Al-Karar in 1743, founding Thegyan Karar under the management of the Diarchs.

The Dark Years
In 1764, Diarch Vesnius Triarius Silo died, leaving a young, inexperienced heir to take the Triarius throne. Heavily influenced by her Caesse counterpart, she withdrew her house from public politics and surrendered much of the political power to Norvanus Caesse Olivar. Establishing himself as a near-aboslute ruler, Norvanus began to consolidate the functions of the state solely to the Diarchs, siezed church land, and brought the colonies under his direct control. Widely seen as a reactionary, Norvanus began to repeal many of the ancient rights guarenteed by the Diarchs, including the relatively liberal rights of women.

Throughout the mid and late-18th century, Norvanus and his heir, Xantus Caesse Vitum, ruled over the United Kingdom in this way. The House of Caesse became wealthy, powerful, and influential globally. Jealous of this power, a number of powerful nobles began an uprising in the north-west regions of the country, attempting to subvert the rule of the Diarchs. Violently crushing the rebellion, Xantus struck not only fear into the hearts of his subjects, but anger. Smoldering rebellious sentiment in diverse areas of the country spread out Thegyan resources.

In 1794, the Varelian Empire, immeidate northern neighbor of Thegye, declared an unprovoked war on the United Kingdom, citing ancient grivances. Beliving this attack to have been caused by rebels escaping from the Noble's War rather than by the Varelians, the military was slow to respond. When the truth of the invasion was realized, a mass concription of soldiers occured, and Xantes rushed to fight the invaders. The conflict, lasting five years, took the lives of tens of thousands of Thegyans, destroyed much of the north and east of the nation, and economically bankrupted the Thegyan economy. Ending with a white peace in 1799, the war eventually led to the dissolution of the Varelian Empire and the formation of the Varelian Confederation and East Varelia.

Recent History
Struggling through heavy debts and economic problems, Thegyan began to lose international influence and internal stability.