Saqalona

The Lanro often found themselves worshipping the cosmos, Lajenon (oftentimes referred to as the Lanro capital of Saqalona) has structures designed with the express purpose of stargazing, Lajenon is the home of the first recorded star maps. All this goes to say that the Lanro’s interest in the cosmos have been a lasting part of Saqalonan history, Salönias has multiple words for space, the Saqe Rjillon originating “Nöuve” and the Lanro originating “Qalin” (although arguably the Lanro word is more akin to “cosmos”).

Molnt

Molnt is the third and final of the three major Saqalonan tribes, smaller than The Lanro and Saqe Rjillon and located in the East and somewhat spread among the islands, Molnt was a more nomadic tribe and would frequently move between the islands of the eastern Saqalonan archipelago. It is from Molnt that the myth of Schilliona island comes from. In Molnt culture, due to their nomadic nature, oftentimes scouts would be sent to search for new locations for the tribes to move to (usually islands). These scouts were called “Verjeo” (from the Molnt words “Verka” meaning home and “Jeom” meaning discover, locate or find) and it was a very honourable position to hold. Still to this day Saqalonan explorers use the title of Verjeo when trekking into parts unknown.

The Exodus of Frost - Huijare dej gekejur

In the Winter of 246 CE, temperatures plummeted across Saqalona to below -30°C, icing the landscape and making the mountains unlivable. Some members of the Saqe Rjillion were now unable to survive here, and began to travel to the base of the mountains in order to seek further warmth. They came across the Marjomtatt Potakaqu, the largest lake in Saqalona, and settled here for a few weeks, constructing huge campfires on its Northern perimeter in order to maintain warmth for the already reduced numbers of the exodus. This is where the lake’s name stems from - “The lake of campfires” in Old Salonias. The people continued on to Lusara, telling their story to the locals of the relatively small settlement, eventually working its way into Saqalonan mythology. More recently, historians found various ancient works and diary entries that helped reveal the true events of the exodus.

Industrialisation

When industrialisation came the previously majority agricultural Saqalona found itself in both an excess of food and an abundance of new jobs (both due to the industry but also due simply to the high supply of food, not everyone needed to work a job that strictly “provided for the country”). The schools which previously only taught agriculture and trade skills now had to pivot towards new skills. These newer jobs were more desirable but also harder to get (due in part both to an excess of people who wanted the jobs and also the harder courses). It's believed that this is what caused the Saqalonan cultural importance on academics.

Southern Union

In 1921 Saqalona Joined the Southern Union in an attempt to gain better trade and protection (due to Saqalona’s relatively weak military). However when war broke out in 1936 a majority of the Saqalonan people heavily disagreed with the neutral stance of the Southern Union leading to protests and riots such as July 28th 1938’s infamous “March on Eddir” in which students and workers abandoned their responsibilities and marched the city in protest of Saqalona’s uninvolvement in the great war. While the government wished to leave the Southern Union, threats of invasion from other members of the Union resulted in a difficult choice, either leave the union and risk invasion or stay and risk civil unrest.

Independence

When the Southern Union decided to form into one collection of states (Catura) in 1939, Saqalona refused to join, despite some threats from Catura no war ever broke out (due in part to Saqalona's backing by the FSJN) and the exit was successful. Finally free of the southern union, they added red to the previous Saqalona flag to represent their independence.

Great War

Saqalona officially joined the Great War in 1939 (less than a month after gaining independence), mostly supplying military vehicles over personnel (due to Saqalona's weak military) however later in the war some of Saqalona's military was sent as supplementary forces.

Pelcan riots

After the formation of Catura in 1939, the Saqalonan government, seeing the widespread political instability during the Great War, decided it wanted to move any critical infrastructure away from Catura border given the tensions between the two countries. In its place, garrisons were constructed alongside an increased military and police presence - the major sacrifice, however, was the mining town of Pelca. In the event of a Caturan invasion, Saqalona decided it would be absurd to rely on Pelca for mining since it was strategically easy to invade, especially given its proximity to the border. The already resentful Pelcan population - they had long been deprived of significant government interest and spending, plus industrialisation had cut many jobs - were infuriated by the decision to relocate Saqalona’s primary mining infrastructure to [island]. The more rowdy subsections of the population began to fight the soldiers that were there to deter a Caturan invasion, and this violence quickly spread to more and more people, initiating 1 week long riot that incurred 270,000 Jirr in damages, killing 24 that suffocated in a mine collapsed by the rioters. In response, the Saqalonan central government provided unconditional grants to the local councils in order to recover from the damage, and has pledged to increase its spending towards the region in order to help satisfy the Pelcan citizens. Furlow packages were provided to those who lost their jobs, and public upset was significantly reduced.

Solair

In 1941, Saqalona joined Solair among others as a founding nation. Concerns arose about something similar to Catura happening with Solair, however Saqalona’s stance as a founding member allowed it substantially more control than it had in the southern union.