Kezan
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| Feudal Status: | Imperial Dominion |
| Capital: | Fort Kezan |
| Largest Cities: | Idassa |
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| Local Leadership Title: | Count Palatine of Kezan |
| Local Government: | Dynastic Autocracy Technocratic State |
| Current leader: | Mira Octavius-Aryani |
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| Local language: | Antican English |
| Local Religion: | Holodomatic School, minor Antican sects, Christianity |
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Kezan, also known as the County Palatine of Kezan is an Imperial Dominion of Shireroth, consisting of two islands, Eleutherios and Akis, as well as a number of islets, sandbars, and artificial structures going 24 nautical miles outward from the coastline of the two main islands.
Kezan is under the perpetual rule of House Octavius, in accordance with Imperial Decrees 637 and 658.
Etymology
The name Kezan derives from Fort Kezan, the comital seat. Ft. Kezan was founded as Overseas Operating Base (OOB) Kezan by the Second Antican Republic to act as a forward military position during the Shiro-Elwynnese Conflict. OOB Kezan was itself named in honor of the code name used during Operation Light Blue Octopus, its ultimate etymology being unclear.
The main island of the County Palatine, Eleutherios, was assigned this name by Anticans when drawing up maps, naming it after their republican principle of "liberty". The minor island, Akis, was named after an old colloquialism for a child, derived from the patronymic suffix -akis.
The two islands' names before Antican occupation were Sunderney and Ardholm, respectively. These names remained in common use among the locals until the islands were settled heavily by Antican refugees.
History of the Islands
Second through Fourth Eras
The islands enter the historical record unnamed on a map that charted the coastline between the United Baronies of Treesia and the Dutchy of Kildare.
During the Third Era, the islands came under a quick succession of various states: the Empire of Shenzhou, the Republic of Kappitolya, Alteria, and the Empire of Norona. During the Fourth Age, Norona became absorbed by the Holzer Empire before it endured a period of decline and were themselves absorbed by the Bovic Empire of Natopia.
After asserting their independence from Natopia, Holzborg collapsed and the islands fell back on self-rule.
Antican Possession
During the Fifth Era, the Second Antican Republic took control of the islands and established Overseas Operations Base Kezan in the western part of Sunderney, which they renamed Eleutherios. This was during the greater Shiro-Elwynnese conflict, in which it would act as a forward position against Shireroth. Beyond OOB Kezan and some settlement in the eastern port town, Anticans left the islands to its inhabitants, a sparse network of farming and fishing villages.
In 4915 ASC, the Second Antican Republic abruptly collapsed as a result of the hijacking of Antica's autonomous weapons systems and nuclear arsenal. Much of Mainland Antica was irradiated and millions dispersed in the Antican Diaspora. Of the surviving post-Antican states, Aryasht integrated itself into Shireroth, while Albion and Kaikias-Overseas attempted to maintain order before themselves falling as well.
Founding of the County Palatine
In 5089 ASC, Kaiser Aiomide, of mixed Antican and Elwynnese parentage, refounded House Octavius as a noble house in Shireroth and organized the islands of Eleutherios and Akis into the County Palatine of Kezan to act as its seat.
During the formative period of the County Palatine, Kaikias-Overseas completed its collapse, adding to the Antican Diaspora. Many displaced Kaikian Anticans were resettled in Kezan under the promise that House Octavius would uphold traditional Antican rights.
Geography
Government
Court of the Count Palatine
The Court of the Count Palatine acts as the institutional embodiment of the Count Palatine's executive, legislative, and judicial authorities.
The Executive Council advises the Count Palatine directly on matters of policy and lawmaking, usually helping to draft and determine the details for legislation that the Count Palatine accepts by affixing their signature.
The Ministry of State is responsible for overseeing and coordinating the various central administrative agencies of the County Palatine. It regularly advises the Executive Council on county and overseas activities.
Commissions inform the Executive Council on petitions from residents and local authorities, requests for the exercise of the prerogative of mercy, and instances of corruption found within the central court or in local government. Beyond these standing commissions, additional commissions may be created for the purpose of analyzing an issue in depth and providing recommended solutions.
The Household Agency is a separate entity that is responsible for administering the properties in possession of House Octavius separate from their governing obligations.
Administrative Divisions
The primary unit of local government in the County Palatine are its 53 Wards. The wards are responsible for administering and providing local services, such as dissemination of news and entertainment, education, infrastructure, safety, telecommunications, and utilities.
These 53 wards are organized into five Honours: Aryani, Adelaidini, Leilani, Parini, and Teleni. The Honour Court grants resource-use leases and acts as a court of equity and appeals as well as provides oversight for the wards.
The remainder of the County Palatine consists of the City of Idassa and the Liberties of Ft. Kezan and Akis. The City is self-administered, provides all local services as well as its own courts of equity and appeals, and is organized into four quarters. The Liberties are each administered directly by the Court of the Count Palatine.
