Goomlandia
Overview
Goomlandia is the core Eastern state and at present one of the most powerful and populous states. For a significant period of Elgeis history, it was also one of the strongest states during its union with Voidnest under Goomnest. Goomlandia was recreated after the Voidnestian Secession and experienced a time of troubles called the Goomlandian Decline. During the Decline, the nation's land was annexed by Bagelonia twice, the leadership went on vacation, and the faction almost disbanded. Goomtown (then Bageltown) was occupied by the Sylvian Union where many valuables were stolen, and the splinter states of VOC and Richard were formed. When Goomlandia's leadership and members returned from vacation, the Goomlandian Renaissance began, initiating the rapid growth in activity and wealth, and the aesthetic improvement in the country's architecture. Goomlandia was a close ally of the now defunct Vanskovich and maintains ties to many Eastern nations, despite being overshadowed by the lone superpower of the Sylvian Union, who for much of its history had been rivals. Once power transfered to Grooge64, the country continued to increase in wealth and influence and eventually grew into the global power it is today. Goomlandia is now a flourishing and extremely developed country; its capital, Goomtown, is a center for world trade and tourism.
Early History
Goomlandia is the oldest extant nation formed on the Eastern continent. It was one of two nations that merged to create Goomnest before it reformed after the Voidnestian Secession. Goomlandia originally comprised of awesome_ketchup and goomyman77 who shared power and possessions as diarchs. As Goomlandia expanded with the additions of Grooge64 and Carpo_Diem, and later Killerpop90 and Multimob, the system was revised so each member would have their own items while only awesome_ketchup and goomyman77 would share.
Shortly before the unification of Goomlandia and Voidnest, awesome_ketchup was removed from the position of diarch by goomyman77 due to his inactivity, granting goomyman77 complete power. The wealth of Goomlandia continued to grow in this time, but no formal treasury or government structure was established until the creation of Goomnest.
Post-Goomnest History
After being reformed in the aftermath of the Voidnestian Secession, and having appointed Brokate to Coleader, Goomlandia was diplomatically pressured by (and later occupied by) Bagelonia and the Sylvian Union during the Bagelonian Question. This event forced their cession of Jaune and the Eastern Wolf Woods as well as the town of Chêne. VOC and Richard were created from Goomlandian citizens seceding and claiming Goomlandian territory as their own. Goomlandia recanted all land claims except for the small province of Goomy City (the area of Goomtown and Champignon). This was the final stage of the Goomlandian Decline.
After several refuted attempts at a land grab by the then-sovereign VOC (dissolved by FlyingGMM and Vailan in goomyman77's absence), Goomyman77 was able to return from his hiatus along with many other members, thus starting a giant reformation of Goomlandia.
Bageltown was renamed to Goomtown and burned down in the planned Goomtown BBQ, during which all players were invited to come and burn Goomtown in order to make way for new, more aesthetic buildings. A close alliance was formed with Vanskovich, and a wall was built around the province of Goomy City. Goomtown was completed at the outbreak of the Great Western War, during which Goomlandia remained neutral despite strong arguments from both sides to join their cause. Afterwards, the province of Clappia was rebought from Richard. The economy industrialized, mimicking the model of the Sylvian Union and Vailan. The population continued to grow, as did Goomlandian territory. The Botanian isle of Loinami was bought from Vanskovich as a private enterprise. Goomlandia later obtained the remainder of Botania as a gift from Vanskovich. During the first meeting of the Mesa Convention, Goomlandia doubled its landmass, acquiring their ancient province of Vieux-Banastair (now called New Toeland) and the mesa east of it (now called the Gold Coast).
Goomlandia strengthened its foreign ties, building an embassy and heavily investing in Vanskovich. Multiple alliances were formed with the eastern mesa states through the Mesa Convention. Goomlandia also fought in the brief Turtle Time War against an encroaching new player, which gave the Goomlandian military its first practical war experience. Leadership shifted to Brokate, then Grooge64 a month before the national anniversary due to Goomyman77's resignation because of fatigue.
Later History
Goomlandia under Grooge64 slowly transformed into a powerhouse under his much more cautious leadership. Vanskovich merged into Goomlandia following an inactivity plague, then later left Goomlandia and their home region entirely, migrating to the Northeast. (In Vanskovich's absence, many foreign powers including Goomlandia gobbled up their former homelands, setting the stage for future conflicts.) VOC, similarly plagued by inactivity, left the server and gave their former land to Goomlandia, expanding the size of Goomtown and restoring its harbor. With one land-hungry neighbor gone, Voidnest inactive, and Bagelonia merged into Mesadonia where the former Goomlandian Carpo_Diem could keep 06mg03's aggressive intentions in check, Goomlandia got a welcome break from border worries, and construction on the wall stalled. Goomtown continued to expand as goomyman77 became its mayor, and the main export of Goomlandia, steroids, were developed in this time. An alliance with Vailan, much debated internally, secured protection for the growing nation from its old enemy the Sylvian Union. As the horizon grew more peaceful and secure, foreign investment began to take interest in Goomlandia, and the economy took off under Grooge64's watch. This growth continued as Goomlandia remained at peace while the rest of the world warred with itself. During this time, Goomlandia also made an unlikely friendship and later alliance with Fianna, a move which at first upset the Vansk population but later was accepted.
Goomtown experienced several more "occupations" but these were more lighthearted parties than actual occupations; though some did cause damage to the city, the occupiers made sure to make repairs later. (The occupations promptly stopped once the Goomlandian Capitol was completed. Coincidence?) During the Balkan Troubles, Goomlandia initially supported CSA, but after realizing the mess the region was turning into Grooge made the wise decision to evacuate the area immediately and not intevene in any way. A month later, several nations merged into Goomlandia, and the return of many Vansk members increased Goomlandia's immigrant ratio and total population. Goomtown grew to be the largest city in the world and is holding an increasingly important role in world trade and culture. External settlements of Goomlandia, such as Iskallia, Glavnaya, Rapture, Vilnius, and the province of Richard also are seeing much development as those seeking escape from the tight space constraints of the capital city move elsewhere or immigrants return to their native lands.
Government
Goomlandia is run as a direct democracy, where everyone contributes one vote to decisions. Grooge64 is the sole leader with no current co-leader in place, though goomyman77 effectively serves as the unofficial coleader in most situations. Many members hold positions in the Cabinet, though everyone pitches in on issues. All decisions are made through a direct vote in the Goomlandian Server, which is a lively, active place with lots of discussion (though the topic often sways to non-Goomlandia-related subjects). Possessions belong to individuals, though Goomlandians are very generous and give each other items freely.
Population
The population of Goomlandia is around 20, with a varying amount being active, voting members. The capital, Goomtown, and its outlying towns contain the majority of the population where over three quarters of members live, with a few in overseas territories.