Viinkeland

Viinkeland (Myrish: Viinkeland) (Énqutsa: Víinqaló) (Vinqe: Vi’imqalol), known formerly as the Dominion of Viinkeland, was a Myrish colony and dominion consisting of what is today northern territories of the Republic of Énqusqó. It was formed after the purchase of numerous Zyerín city-states by the Myrish Huenarno Company (MHC), who continued own the territory until the Myrish Kidal Company (MKC) took its place in 1697. Viinkeland was indirectly owned by the Myrish crown, but still allowed the MHC to operate huge monopolies and powers within the city-states. The dominion included areas administered directly by the MHC, and later MKC, which were collectively known as Myrish Énqusqó. Areas ruled by indigenous rulers, but under Myrish paramountcy, were called the city-states. The city-states made up the bulk of the Viinkeland territory.

Myrish influence in the Kidal dates back as far as the early 1500s, but it wasn't until after the Second War for the Kidal that the Myrish Huenarno Company began actively stepping its foot into the Énqusqan peninsula and Énqusqan politics. This was in direct defiance of an Imperial Zyerín decree, which caused pandemonium within the city-states. Fearing losing control over the Zyerín, Empress Póo Mara Nyáru V permitted Myrish traders to dock inside ports on the Zyerín Sea after two years of trading in violation of the decree. As the relationship between Gladomyr and the Zyerín city-states warmed, politicians and courtiers in the capital became more concerned. This would eventually culminate in 1629 with talks between Gladomyr and the city-states, resulting in the territories being sold to the MHC in 1630.

Over the course of its existence, local and foreign investors alike profited immensely from the MHC and its earnings. production heralded wealth to investors, and only skyrocketed further after the discovery of gold and its respective gold rush in the mid-1800s, which was after the transfer of power to the Myrish Kidal Company. In the 1880s, Gladomyr and the MKC funded the construction of the Vinca Canal to help combat the Ordrish trade monopoly in the region, which greatly bolstered the strategic value in the colony.

During the First World War, Viinkeland contributed several battalions to the Myrish war effort after a request from the Myrish throne. In the Second World War, Viinkeland was an immensely strategic area thanks to its canal, which saw frequent use by the Concert Powers. After trade routes to Ta'aroha were blocked by Riyatic forces in the Northwest Passage, Salia and the other Alliance powers turned towards Viinkeland for an alternative route to the Vatupic Theatre. In 1945, numerous naval landings and air raids were performed over Viinkeland, obliterating crucial infrastructure and stalling Concert troops. After 15 days of battle, Viinkeland was conquered by joint Salian and Higher Tar-Dinuuen forces. After the conclusion and Concert defeat of the Second World War, Salia demanded ownership of Viinkeland in an attempt to conquer key strategic points in the Kidal—of which, Viinkeland was arguably among the most crucial. Salia successfully got control of Viinkeland shortly afterwards, and expelled the Myrish Kidal Company and all personnel related to it in favor of its own trade companies. This spelled the formal disillusion of Viinkeland, but the territory would not be completely freed of its colonial administration and name until 1950 with the drafting of the Treaty of Cities and the expulsion of the Dinuuens and Salians.