Iridian Isles

The Iridian Isles are a Governorate of the Unified Governorates of Benacia within the Benacian Union. From 1718 AN the Governorate has been a designated resettlement zone for persons of the Benacian Labour Reserve who had been retired to the islands as being incapable of completing their sentences but who were deemed ineligible for rehabilitation into the Harmonious Society on the Benacian mainland. The islands have also come to serve as the home of certain key industries, such as the All-Union Enterprise for Pesticide Production.

Government

Governor Heinz Holk assumed office on 24.XIII.1720 AN, following an extended period where the administration had been vested in the hands of the Benacian Maritime Forces.

Garrison and security

In 1718 AN the formerly closed Governorate of the Iridian Isles was designated as a resettlement zone for those members of the Benacian Labour Reserve for whom reintegration into society was impracticable but who were equally no longer capable of useful labour. These invalids, somewhat counterintuitively, were used to form the basis of a local militia available to the governor.

In 1724 AN, the Askari Regiment was introduced into the isles. These Askerr would serve a dual purpose in hunting fugitives from the resettlement areas as well as conducting punitive expeditions against the native communities of the island when required.

During the first months of 1732 AN the Umraid Auxiliary Service Regiment deployed to the island in order to retrain and re-equip for the special duties to which it had been assigned.

Geography

The island group is located in the Istvanistani-Benacian island chain, and consists of four large islands and two minor ones.

All the Iridian Isles have white sandy beaches and an interior of rolling hills or mountains covered in jungle. The only exception is the southeastern island, which consists of a rocky plateau with grasslands and tropical forests, surrounded on all sides by sheer cliffs. On a few places there are stairs carved into the side of the cliffs, on other places there are climbing holds.

History

The Iridian Isles are a former county of Shireroth and were expected to form a governorate within the Unified Governorates of Benacia from 1679 and on, but the Treaty of Hareffa Lunti ceded the islands to the United Isles. After the collapse of the United Isles, the isles were used as a testing ground for various chemical and biological weapons. The islands, and their surviving native population, were declared a protectorate of the UGB in 1711 AN and closed to outsiders until 1718 AN.

As noted, the Iridian Isles were, for the greater part of their history, subject to Shirerithian overlordship. During this time the Kaiser's rights of dominion over the isles were exercised by the Counts of Benacia (hailing from the nearby Isle of Benacia, rather than the continental mainland of Benacia, confusingly).

The Iridian Isles did not have a single common government, instead each island governed itself according to custom and tradition. Each island was inhabited by one tribe, and each tribe was led by a Chief and a council of elders. The Chief was selected by the heads of the families of the tribe every time the position falls vacant, which was quite often. A traditional way of replacing a tribal chief was either a failure to prevent a violent accident, not seldom falling off the cliff outside The Village, or to accidentally release poisonous insects in his domicile. While a Chief was in office, he ruled his tribe and his island as he saw fit. He was usually required by custom to consult with the council of elders, but the advice it renders is only as binding as the Chief's desire to not have an accident. The island that the capital The Village is located on is held in communal ownership by all tribes, and is the only place where the tribes have contact with the outside world, including people from the other United Isles nations.

The Village was used as a meeting place for tribal leaders when common issues needed to be discussed, or there was a conflict between the tribes or members thereof. Since there was no common leadership, conflicts and issues were either resolved through discussion, or through fighting.

The indigenous people of the Iridian Isles were distinctly tribal, with strong and fierce loyalty to their families and their tribe. All property and all resources on the island were held in communal ownership within the tribe, and no one can claim any additional right to it other than their share. All the tribes are also violently opposed to outside influence, to such a degree that foreigners and even members of other tribes are strongly discouraged from landing on the islands. Disregarding these warnings was seen by some foreigners as a fun adventure, while others felt a pressing urge to spread the latest good word about deities and other such nonsense to the islanders. Such a visit typically ended in a long swim to Florencia or Naudia'Diva if one was lucky, and an invitation to dinner if one was unlucky.

After a long period where the primitives of the isles had come to fancy that they were to be left in savage isolation by the outside world, they were finally intruded upon by landing parties of the Maritime Forces of the Benacian Union Defence Force. For the first time in the lives of many, their villages and encampments concurrently came under bombardment from grey warships anchored offshore. The first blows fell during the twelfth month of 1707 AN, and as the tribesmen fled into the undergrowth there too they were assailed by the metal beasts overhead, as helicopters flew continuous sorties spraying a noxious yellow liquid which killed all forms of plant life and caused horrible blisters upon exposed skin. If swallowed or inhaled, the substance would cause convulsions, frothing of the mouth, and death within forty-eight hours. The natives were not to know that they had been selected by Benacia Command to serve as test subjects for a new chemical formulation acquired by the Raspur Pact from former Unit 666 scientists in the aftermath of the Treaty of Gaelen's Landing earlier in the year.

After a fortnight of this treatment, a forty-man exploratory troop, clad in onerous rubberised suits and respirator masks, was put ashore to conduct an analysis of one of the attack sites. They found a blasted wasteland where all forms of plant and animal life had miserably perished. Even the soil had begun to succumb to the malevolent effect of the chemical treatment, crumbling into a yellowing grey dust which was borne away in great clouds by even the lightest wind. The fine dust had worked its way under the protective clothing of at least some of the party, specifically those tasked with collecting soil samples as part of the toxicology analysis. By the time the eighth member of the team had been lost to the blistering and convulsion sickness it had been decided to withdraw the BUDF personnel from the island and to continue observations via remote monitoring systems. As the Iridian Isles were opened up to settlement by protected persons from the Benacian Union after 1718 AN, a profound cultural clash emerged between the indigenous Iridian Islanders and the newcomers. The Iridian Islanders, still reeling from the traumatic experiments inflicted upon them, were deeply wary and resentful of the outsiders entering their lands. They held deep-seated grievances against the Benacian colonial authorities, who seemed intent on clearing the dense jungle and establishing new industrial enterprises without regard for the native population's concerns.

The reign of Governor Holk

Governor Heinz Holk assumed the role of Governor of the Iridian Isles on the 24th of the 13th month in the year 1720 AN. Prior to his appointment, the administration of the islands had been under the control of the Benacian Union Defence Force for an extended period. The decision to appoint a permanent governor came about as a result of the High Presidium's decision to establish a major chemical works on the Iridian Isles.

In his capacity as Governor, Heinz Holk reported directly to the Commissioner of the Circuit of the Jadid Khaz Modan for the Unified Governorates of Benacia, Lors Bakker-Kalirion. Lors Bakker-Kalirion had been serving as Commissioner since 1704, but it was the establishment of the chemical works that prompted the need for a dedicated governor to oversee the affairs of the Isles.

The appointment of Governor Holk signified the growing importance of the Iridian Isles within the Benacian Union. The decision to establish a major chemical works demonstrated the Union's commitment to developing and utilizing the resources of the islands. With the appointment of a permanent governor, the Union aimed to ensure effective governance and administration of the Isles to support its economic and strategic interests.

Governor Holk's role as the representative of the Union on the Iridian Isles carried significant responsibilities. He was tasked with overseeing the establishment and operation of the chemical works, as well as maintaining control and order on the islands. His reporting to the Commissioner for the entire circuit indicated the importance and high-level oversight placed on the affairs of the Isles by the Union's central government.

The appointment of Governor Holk and the establishment of the chemical works marked a significant turning point in the history of the Iridian Isles. The decision reflected the Union's determination to exploit the resources of the islands and exert its influence over the native population. The actions and decisions made during Governor Holk's tenure would shape the future of the Isles and have lasting implications for the relationship between the Union and the Iridian Islanders.

The cultural divide between the Iridian Islanders and the Benacian settlers proved to be insurmountable, with both sides struggling to comprehend each other's perspectives. The Iridian Islanders, fiercely protective of their land and traditions, saw the arrival of the settlers as a direct threat to their way of life. Their traumatic past experiences made them resistant to any attempts at integration or cooperation with the newcomers.

On the other hand, the Benacian settlers, driven by their mission to develop the islands and establish a thriving industrial presence, viewed the Iridian Islanders as an obstacle to progress. They were impatient with the native population's resistance to the clearance of the jungle and the construction of new industries. The settlers saw themselves as bringing progress and modernity to the islands, with little regard for the unique cultural heritage of the Iridian Islanders.

This clash of cultures and competing interests created a tense and volatile atmosphere on the islands. The Iridian Islanders, feeling marginalized and disrespected, became increasingly resistant to the encroachment of the settlers. Their efforts to protect their land and resist the destruction of their traditional way of life often led to confrontations and conflicts with the colonial authorities.

The colonial authorities, in turn, responded with force and repression, further fueling the resentment and anger of the Iridian Islanders. The Benacian settlers, backed by the full weight of the colonial apparatus, used their superior resources and military power to assert control and suppress any dissent.

The Iridian Islanders, who had already endured immense suffering and trauma, now found themselves once again subjected to oppression and exploitation. The scars of their past experiences, coupled with the ongoing clashes with the settlers, deepened their distrust and animosity towards the Benacian Union and its representatives.

In this fraught and volatile environment, attempts at reconciliation or understanding seemed impossible. The Iridian Islanders, who had experienced immense pain and loss at the hands of the Benacian Union, had no interest in embracing or accommodating the newcomers. The Benacian settlers, driven by their agenda of progress and development, showed little respect or understanding for the cultural heritage and rights of the indigenous population.

Frequent and violent skirmishes became a defining feature of the conflict between the Iridian Islanders and the Benacian settlers in the Iridian Isles. These clashes were marked by a cycle of reciprocal violence, with both sides engaging in a series of ambushes, attacks, and reprisal raids.

The Iridian Islanders, driven by their deep-seated resentment and desire to protect their land and way of life, launched ambushes on working parties that were involved in clearing roads through the jungle. These attacks aimed to disrupt and impede the progress of the settlers' infrastructure development, making it clear that the Iridian Islanders were not willing to allow the destruction of their environment without a fight.

In response to these attacks, the Benacian settlers established barracks and fortified positions to protect themselves. However, even these locations were not safe from the determined Iridian Islanders. The settlers' barracks became targets of attacks, as the native population sought to undermine the settlers' sense of security and make their presence on the islands as uncomfortable as possible.

Reprisal raids upon native villages were a particularly brutal aspect of the conflict. In an attempt to suppress the resistance of the Iridian Islanders, the colonial authorities authorized raids on native villages, seeking to punish and instill fear in the indigenous population. These raids often resulted in loss of life, destruction of property, and further escalation of tensions.

The cycle of reciprocal violence perpetuated a state of constant fear, anger, and revenge. Each attack and reprisal only served to deepen the animosity between the two groups, pushing them further apart and making any possibility of reconciliation or understanding increasingly remote.

The violence on both sides had devastating consequences for the communities involved. Lives were lost, families were torn apart, and the social fabric of the islands was irreparably damaged. The Iridian Islanders, who had already endured immense suffering at the hands of the colonial authorities, now faced further violence and aggression. The settlers, too, were caught in a cycle of violence that perpetuated a hostile environment and prevented any meaningful dialogue or resolution.

In a drastic attempt to control the violence in the Iridian Isles, Governor Heinz Holk made a controversial decision. He directed the corporate security forces of the ESB Group, a powerful conglomerate operating in the region, to take a quota of native women and children hostage from each village. The idea behind this action was to use the hostages as leverage to ensure the good behavior of the Iridian Islanders.

To maintain secrecy and prevent any information about the hostage taking from reaching the outside world, the governor implemented strict measures. All correspondence leaving the islands, including letters and telegrams, underwent thorough vetting by the Commission for the Panopticon. This ensured that no mention of the hostages or any related details could be communicated to the international community.

Additionally, access to the Benacian Data Network, a crucial communication infrastructure, was temporarily throttled. This measure further restricted the flow of information, making it extremely difficult for news of the hostage situation to be leaked or discovered by external sources.

The combination of these measures created an environment of information control and censorship, effectively silencing any potential outcry or intervention from the international community. The governor, driven by his belief that these extreme measures were necessary to restore peace and order, maintained a tight grip on the flow of information to maintain control over the situation.

However, the hostage-taking strategy only further escalated tensions and increased resentment among the Iridian Islanders. This drastic action fueled their resistance and reinforced their perception of the Benacian settlers as oppressive and exploitative.

Governor Holk, in his attempt to dismantle the resistance and prevent the cooperation among the clans of the Iridian Islanders, devised a controversial plan. He directed the protected persons resettled on the islands to form a militia, supported by ESB security officers. The purpose of this militia was to carry out round-ups of native women, children, and the elderly.

The captives were then transported to reserved districts, which were located in the interior of the islands and consisted of marginal land. In these reserved districts, new resettlement villages were to be constructed. The coastal districts, on the other hand, were to be granted to the protected persons paroled to the islands by the Benacian Labour Reserve.

The underlying intention of this plan was to strategically isolate the native population, preventing them from maintaining contact and mutual aid with one another. By breaking up the clans and scattering the native population into smaller, disconnected pockets, Governor Holk hoped to weaken their ability to resist and organise against the Benacian settlers.

The implementation of this plan resulted in further displacement and disruption for the Iridian Islanders. The forced relocation of native individuals to remote and marginal lands caused considerable hardship and disorientation. The construction of new resettlement villages in these reserved districts added to the overall sense of separation and isolation.

Moreover, the establishment of protected person communities in the coastal districts created a stark contrast between the privileges granted to the Benacian settlers and the marginalized conditions imposed upon the native population. This stark divide further exacerbated tensions and fostered a deep sense of injustice among the Iridian Islanders.

Governor Holk's strategy of breaking up the clans and isolating the native population was a deliberate attempt to suppress resistance and maintain control over the islands. However, this approach had significant ethical implications, as it involved forced displacement, the disruption of traditional social structures, and the systematic division of the native population. These actions further fueled animosity and resistance, perpetuating the cycle of violence and deepening the divide between the Iridian Islanders and the Benacian settlers.

Governor Holk's decision to introduce Zurvanite missionaries into the Iridian Isles reflected his efforts to influence and reshape the religious beliefs of the native population. The Zurvanites, followers of the Zurvanite faith, aimed to spread their religious teachings and convert individuals to their own spiritual practices.

Zurvanism is a monotheistic religion that emerged in Babkha and spread to Shireroth during the mid 15th century AN. Its adherents worship Zurvan, the supreme deity believed to be the source of all creation and the embodiment of time. The Zurvanite missionaries, guided by their religious convictions, sought to persuade the Iridian Islanders to abandon their worship of Buer and embrace the teachings and rituals of the Zurvanite faith.

The introduction of these missionaries was part of Governor Holk's broader efforts to exert control and influence over the native population. By attempting to dissuade the Iridian Islanders from their worship of Buer, the governor aimed to reshape their religious practices and align them more closely with the beliefs and values of the Benacian Union.

Concerned that the native children would continue to be raised in an inferior and hostile culture, Governor Holk also encouraged the Zurvanite mobads to establish a residential school on each of the four main islands where the young could be indoctrinated and moulded into model Benacian Subjects.

The schools, for children between the ages of eight and fifteen were obliged to teach a simplified curriculum modelled on that offered by the Humanist Institutes of the mainland.

Despite the efforts to suppress native resistance and enforce assimilation measures, the men of fighting age among the Iridian Islanders remained steadfast in their determination to defend their communities. These individuals, driven by a deep sense of loyalty to their culture, traditions, and the well-being of their people, refused to be deterred by the oppressive conditions imposed upon them.

The native fighters recognized the significance of their struggle against the encroachment of the Benacian Union and its attempts to eradicate their way of life. They understood that their fight extended beyond mere physical resistance, but also encompassed the preservation of their cultural identity, autonomy, and the protection of their lands.

The continued presence of armed resistance among the islanders highlighted their resilience, resourcefulness, and unwavering commitment to their cause. The oppressive measures implemented by Governor Holk and the Benacian authorities only served to further solidify their resolve to resist.

The resistance efforts were not limited to open confrontations but also involved acts of sabotage, guerrilla warfare tactics, and strategic ambushes against Benacian forces and settlements. These acts of defiance demonstrated the islanders' knowledge of the local terrain, their ability to adapt to challenging circumstances, and their determination to defend their way of life.

The native fighters sought to unite their communities, fostering a sense of solidarity and collective resistance against the oppressive regime. They organized clandestine networks, sharing information, resources, and strategies to counteract the attempts of the Benacian Union to divide and isolate them.

Throughout this period of resistance, the islanders faced immense challenges, including reprisals, violence, and loss of life.

As a result of the persistent resistance and ongoing skirmishes, the settlers on the Iridian Isles were compelled to take defensive measures to ensure their safety. One such measure was the construction of defensive stockades around their barracks.

These stockades served as fortified barriers, providing protection and security for the settlers against potential attacks. They were typically made of sturdy timber or stone, reinforced with additional defensive structures such as watchtowers and barricades. The construction of these defensive fortifications aimed to create a physical barrier that would deter or impede native fighters from infiltrating and launching surprise attacks on the settlers' living quarters.

Inside the stockades, the settlers could find a measure of safety and peace of mind, as they were shielded from immediate threats and could organise themselves more effectively. The stockades allowed the settlers to establish a sense of community and solidarity, providing a space where they could gather, plan defensive strategies, and support one another in the face of adversity.

The defensive stockades also served as a symbol of the settlers' determination to secure their presence on the islands. By fortifying their positions, the settlers sought to assert their claim to the land and protect their livelihoods against the resistance of the native population.

However, despite the defensive measures, the settlers remained constantly aware of the potential for attacks and lived with a sense of unease and vulnerability. The stockades could only offer limited protection, and the settlers had to remain vigilant and prepared for any potential breach.