Choconya
| Choconya | |||
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| Motto: Thou shall not trample thee | |||
| Anthem: | |||
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| Map versions | |||
| Capital | Cocoanut Grove | ||
| Largest city | Cocoanut Grove, Chocolate Springs, Mocha | ||
| Official language(s) | Shirerithian | ||
| Official religion(s) | Chocolatist | ||
| Demonym | Choconyan | ||
| - Adjective | Choconyan | ||
| Government | City-State | ||
| - Kaiser(ess) of Shireroth | Kaiseress Salome | ||
| - Chancellor | Eloise Terabitha | ||
| - Legislature | The Mess | ||
| Establishment | 60AN | ||
| Area | |||
| Population | c. 1,225,000 | ||
| Currency | Erb (€) | ||
| Calendar | |||
| Time zone(s) | CMT-9 | ||
| Mains electricity | |||
| Driving side | right | ||
| Track gauge | |||
| National website | |||
| National forum | |||
| National animal | Chocolate Cow | ||
| National food | Chocolate | ||
| National drink | Hot Chocolate | ||
| National tree | Cacao Tree | ||
| Abbreviation | CHC | ||
Choconya is a small city-state located along the southern coast of Apollonia in the Raynor Isles and currently a part of the Imperial Republic of Shireroth. It is one of the oldest settled areas of Micras and can trace its origins back to the earliest days of the Apollo Sector. However, it is not considered an Apollo State nor a splinter from any of those entities; instead it is one of the many states that sprung up around the Virtual Commonwealth of Cyberia and is thus considered Cyberian in origin. Today the nation is a mix of Cyberians, Shirerithians, Natopians and others who have held intermittent sway over the region for the past several centuries.
History
Early Micronational History
"Eating chocolate every single day, who does not want to live there?" That's what Lisa Elliott and Tammie Lee thought too, a pair of Australian and New Zealander teens. During a boring lesson geography in 1997 they founded Choconya, a religious movement about chocolate. Lisa dubbed herself the "Chocolate Goddess" and the official holiday Easter. But because of the religious character the movement, it didn't attract new members and quickly began to stagnate. Lisa got rid of her goddess-status, and let herself be crowned, transitioning to a monarchy on September 25th, 1997. Great Choconia and Soveraat, led by Rick Harwood, merged during this time to form the Kingdom of Choconya. This marked the formal start of Choconya as a micro nation.
Choconya began to interact with other early micro nations and eventually took sides following the First War of Cyberian Liberation in September of 1998. Siding with Falkenburg, Choconya tried to impose an embargo on Cyberian goods that would force their position on the separatist provinces of Mala and Windsor. Both Choconya and Cyberia were members of the Grand Alliance, a United Nations-esque entity, and the dispute was settled therein. It merged with Reunion but then seceeded and united with Pingüínia (Penguinea). After another unsuccessful union, Choconya decided to live separately under Queen Lisa I.
After a while, the nation became the "New Commonwealth of Choconia" with Mr. Harwood as Chancellor, transitioning to a more democratic government in the hopes of attracting more citizens. But by July 1999, it finally, and unfortunately died. Elliot and Harwood then became citizens of Penguinea. Cody Williams attempted to revive the nation later, with little success. For a time Cocoanut Grove was considered as the capital city. It was annexed by Emperor Jacobus to the United Imperium as a condominium (with Audentior), and later as a protectorate. Plans to make a Free City and intermicronational meeting site did not come to pass, and Choconya slipped forgotten into history for many years.
Micran History
Upon its absorption into Audentior, Choconya was included in Kildare are part of their claims on Apollonia. As such, it continued to remain part of the Dutchy when it became part of Shireroth around 150AN. The Raynor Isles included two other states that were included with the cessions granted by Emperor Jacobus and the United Imperium; these were Biotopia and Libertopia, collectively known as Pantopia (formerly a commune). The three small entities would remain virtually untouched and otherwise isolated for the next fourteen-hundred years until the Revolution of 1617 found them siding with the Apollonian Republic during Kildare's revolt against Shirekeep. This had little effect on the area until the rise of the Jing and the succession of the Heavenly Light to the throne. It was only then, with the rapid spread of Jing culture and people, did changes start to occur in Choconya.
In 1641, Jingdao began instituting their Cultural Revolution which saw many facets of the Shirerithian era erased. The Raynor Isles as a political entity ceased to exist and new centers of Jing culture were established. But the far-flung remoteness of the region, combined with a small population and constantly being landlocked against neighboring nations, proved to be a successful combination for self-preservation. Most locals minded their business and acceded to the demands of Daocheng without a fight, as doing so would be futile. In return, since their area held little value, it was often overlooked by the Heavenly Light. A blessing in disguise, this lack of oversight allowed the Choconyan culture to survive in the shadows unmolested for the next century.
Government
The legislature of Choconya is called the Mess and meetings are held in the Mess Hall.
Economy
As might be surmised by its name, Choconya's primary economic base is in producing chocolate. The equatorial climate makes it an ideal location for growing cacao (Themobroma cacao), and indeed this was the first basis for development around Cacao Grove. Refined chocolate became a more recent development, originating around the city of Chocolate Springs. The city has become an important exporter of fine chocolates worldwide. Tourism has also become an important source of revenue, and many cafes serving various forms of chocolate have sprung up in the major cities, especially Chocolate Springs.
Military
The Chocolate Guard is the local militia of Choconya and the last remnant of its independent military force from the now bygone kingdom. The Chocolate Guard is essentially responsible for the routine day-to-day defense of Choconya, unless greater military demands warrant bringing in outside troops from nearby Pantopia. While a relatively small force, being the remnant of the old Choconyan Army, the Chocolate Guard is an elite unit that the locals are very proud of.
Chocolate Guards are a unique combination of warrior and chef. As the very early Choconyans were connoisseurs of chocolate, and therefore artists in its cooking and preparation, being a chef was considered a great honor. Even today Choconya is renowned for its culinary institutions. So dedicated to cooking were the first Choconyans that they had no trained army. Thus in its first conflicts Choconya recruited many chefs to the military. As such it became tradition for elite soldiers to be dual trained as master chefs and commandos. These soldiers could wield a knife equally on a battlefield or in the kitchen. While this special training was reserved mostly for elite soldiers, the Chocolate Guard was retained as the most representative (and capable) force for defending the territory.
This tradition remains firmly in place today, and all members of the Chocolate Guard are trained both at the Culinary Institute of Cacao Grove and at the Norfolk Military Academy. Wearing their traditional chefs outfit into battle can often confuse an enemy, who assumes them to be the auxiliary support for the troops, only to be surprised by their combat skills - albeit often too late.
Geography
Choconya is located in southern Apollonia, east of Audentior and along the coast. It is considered a part of the Raynor Isles, even though it is on the mainland of the continent. Being situated close to the equator gives the area a tropical climate, which has proven quite suitable for the many chocolate plantations that now bisect the region.
