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Condean Union

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The Condean Union, also known as the Condean Empire, was a polity spanning much of the Condean Mountains from 303 B.S.C. to 974 S.C. Preceding the arrival of Eurysians in the Esmarian continent, it was the second-largest indigenous polity after the Itzmilcan Empire.

For much of its over one thousand years of existence, it functioned as a divine absolute monarchy, with power concentrated in the office of the Sapa Inka (lit. “the only emperor”); himself believed to be of a sacred solar lineage. Nonetheless, a diverse host of minor and local deities were venerated across the empire, ranging from mountains (urqu) to local wak'a, though the religious authority of the state maintained all was subordinate to Inti.

Modernizing reforms in 904 S.C. enshrined the autonomy of the four suyu (realms) of the empire and democratized their lower, provincial offices, though it would trigger a wave of political and cultural aggravations that, paired with the global economic downturn caused by the Twilight War, led to the Union's fragmentation following a political crisis and a failed attempt to install a usurper to the throne.

Its legacy, ranging from administration and architecture to culture and governance, still strongly persists in its former territories. The ayllu, and mutual reciprocity and obligation systems such as the mit'a and minka, are debated by scholars to be a form of proto-labourism.

History

Originating in the Yucay highlands, the Union would expand rapidly thereafter, reaching its greatest geographical extent in 400 S.C. The Condeans initially did not operate on a moneyed system, instead a system of reciprocity and obligations (mit'a, minka) between individuals, families/clans (ayllu), local rulers (kuraka) and suyu rulers (apu) defined social dynamics. Trade contact with the Itzmilcans by 200 S.C. led to the emergence of currency. The ensuing 'Esmarian Renaissance', as it has been dubbed by academics, led to the exchange of goods, ideas and technologies between the two civilizations, as well as a number of conflicts in central Esmaria.

The arrival of Eurysian colonists would lead to territorial losses, in particular in Karuland and Ancoria. Nonetheless, the Condeans largely managed to resist foreign conquest, save for the imposition of unequal treaties and trade ports. Despite the technological disparity at play, the natural wealth of the Condean mountains made it one of the richest states in the world. The introduction of ideas such as Soterianity challenged the supremacy of both the Sapa Inka and Willaq Umu, leaking to a number of rebellions and martyrdoms. The formation of Guasuguay in 718 S.C. and its subsequent entry into the Ancorian sphere would lead to the Guasuguayan War, a three-way conflict between the Condean Union, Costa Ferrea and Ancoria, from which the Ancorians and Guasuguayans would eventually prevail.

Border conflicts with the Ancorian Empire, Costa Ferrea and Karuland would define the 8th century S.C., as the Sapa Inka sought to reassert Condean dominance following the receding of colonial rule in the continent. This would culminate in the disastrous Condean War (789-804 S.C.), which saw the Condean Union beset by all three of its bordering rivals. The ensuing Treaty of Willkamarka effectively delineated the modern borders of the region, as well as recognized the religious freedom of Soterians within the empire.

This defeat considerably checked Condean power and led to a number of reforms, although these would largely be rendered impotent by resistance from the Willaq Umu and Sapa Inka. The 891-895 famine led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands and agitated proletarian sentiment, and, paired with discontent among the educated class, culminated in the 901 Condean Revolt. While successfully suppressed, major reforms were finally pushed in 904 S.C., in its aftermath. A constitution was drafted, the suyu system was drastically reformed and partly democratized, modern agricultural practices were implemented, and the military was reorganized to a Eurysian standard. However, this also granted the suyu significant (and, more importantly, formalized) autonomy from the dictates of the capital. Finally, in a major blow to the authority held by the Willaq Umu, the Condean Union formally became a secular state, partly to placate its Soterian neighbors.

Democratization of the lower provincial offices of the suyu led to the formation of organized political organizations among the educated class, which itself expanded as quality education became more accessible for the lower strata. This further eroded the once unquestioned hierarchy that defined Condean society, and political organizations emerged seeking further reform—as well as reactionaries opposed to the perceived erosion of the empire's traditions.

Still, the suyu themselves remained hereditary offices. As they governed in a manner increasingly contrary to the Sapa Inka's interests, the last Sapa Inka sought to disband the suyu system, leaving only their democratic provinces under a unitary state. This gradual democratization was brought into crisis as the Twilight War erupted, the Condean economy crippled in the ensuing global economic downturn. In 973 S.C., hardline reactionary elements in the state bureaucracy and security apparatus, central to which was the Apu of Yucay, launched a coup d'etat against the Sapa Inka with the intent of installing his brother to the throne, culminating in his arrest. Forces loyal to the coup made maneuvers in the other three suyu as well, though without success. However, at the last moment, the brother of the Sapa Inka refused this coronation, unwilling to be a puppet. In the ensuing power struggle, forces loyal to the Apu of Chinchapacha rescued the Sapa Inka, relocating him to the capital of Pirqa Inkill. Though the coup was now at the brink of complete failure, forces loyal to the government in Yucay refused to back down. Indebted to his benefactors, the Sapa Inka would be powerless in the national standoff that followed.

The Apu of Chinchapacha, seeking to simultaneously preserve his realm's autonomy and present himself as a hero of democracy, abolished the hereditary nature of his office. Chinchapacha was reorganized into a republic, and the governments of Kuntisuyu (today Los Condes) and Colla followed suit, believing him to be acting with the Sapa Inka's sanction. Outmaneuvered and under pressure, the Sapa Inka was forced to accept this outcome. Yucay, in turn, deemed this outcome illegitimate, believing the Sapa Inka to be compromised. In the absence of a willing candidate, the government in Yucay declared a parallel 'regency'. Still, neither side was willing to fire the first shot, and thus the standoff persisted.

With the capital of the Condean Union and much of its central bureaucreacy now outside of the Sapa Inka's control, he ultimately conceded the de jure dissolution of the Union on 26 July, 974 S.C., averting a bloody and brutal civil war at the cost of one of the largest empires in the world. The sudden, chaotic and undemocratic nature of the Union's dissolution led to a number of hasty stopgap solutions to be pursued by the newly-sovereign nations. Chief among these concerns were freedom of movement between the former Condean republics, the status of the Inti currency, and the dividing of the former Condean military. As the Union had been a member of the South Esmarian Common Market, its successor states were all quickly recognized as members in turn.

Geopolitical tension would pervade the region as the Rational Era began, with Yucay making repeat attempts to reassert and reimpose the Condean Union on its neighbors, both through subterfuge and shows of force.

A normalization of relations would finally be brokered by 0020 R.C., aided by Ancoria and Itzmilco. The establishment of a regional currency, the Pan-Condean Inti, was agreed upon in 0024, and all post-Condean states would become founding members of the Pan-Esmarian Commonwealth in 0029 R.C.