Ashae

Ashae (Tilennan: ; : achais ) is a in Central Tilenno, located in the region of Gantes. With a population of almost 2 million in 2018, it is the 7th most populous city-state within the federation. it is home to the 6th largest metropolitan area, which is called Ashae as well. The city-state is split between the northern and southwestern shore of the lake of Gantes with most of the population being located on the island of ashae in between. The state also encompasses multiple smaller islands. The region is sometimes referred to as the Swimming state, because of the Ashaeic Festival or the State on two shores. It borders Umia and Lougera in the east, Ytrivae in the west, Kaesami in the north and across the lake Kertae in the south.

The name of the city-state comes from the city of Ashae, the largest metropolitan area in the city-state and 6th largest overall, which itself derived its name from the Tilennan word for to cut off (ashaerí), referring to the fact that Ashae is cut off from the rest of the Gantes by being and island. Other notable municipalities in Ashae are Pezjo, Zjàmona and Eto, with Pezjo lying on the south western shore and the two others in the northern part.

Ashae is known for being the host of the annual Ashaeic Festival, an ancient sports competition that still continues on in the present day. It mainly features aquatic sports, but not exclusively. Some notable sites within the city-state are the Ashaeic Festival Stadium Complex, the Spring of Ilua, Temple of Lena, Museum of nautical knowledge, Palàso Hills peak and Avires Palace Complex. The region also offers many great cultural events like concerts, art installations and festivals. The region is especially well known among aspiring swimmers who come to the region to train in the famous Laeno School for Aquatic Arts.

Ancient History
According to state accounts the city of Ashae was founded around 1100 BCE by Garaene Leisima after the collapse of the Terukian Kingdom. Archaeological evidence however proves that the island was settled even before that time. Due to its isolated location, Ashae was never threatened much. It was also a fairly neutral state, mostly siding with the greater Gantian opinion. However as population on the island began to increase, Ashae could produce enough food for themselves anymore and had to rely on tarde more and more as time went on. This was however a precarious situation Ashae always had the shortest end of the stick during droughts and poor harvests. This forced the Ashean people to expand beyond their island towards the shores of the Gantian lake. This region was however already settled by Ytrivean, Umesan and Kertean populations. What followed was the Ashaeic wars of expansion, also sometimes called the the farm wars. Ashae managed to come out victorious and establish a presence on the mainland, supplying the island of food. Ashae was also the first city-state to adopt an astrological council and set an example for the others, who would soon copy this concept.

Modern History
During the Civil War of Tilenno, Ashae sided with the Royalists, who would eventually win the war. With the rest of Northwest Gantes, it was one of the earlier states to industrialise in the early 19th century, which would lead to the largest protests in Tilenno down the line. Ashae was one of the few states to come out of the Osorra-Tilenno War relatively unharmed. While soldiers coming from Ashae were still killed, the civilian population experienced minimal casualties as the large city was never directly attacked. Modern day Ashae still is quite conservative compared to the rest of Gantes, but change is being made.

Geography
Ashae's geography is interesting because it is split between the two shores on the lake of Gantes with the largest city, Ashae, being located on an island in between. Pretty much all of Ashae Island is urbanised and it is one of the densest areas in Tilenno. The Northern area of Ashae is the largest and also the most agriculturally productive, although the importance of agriculture has lessened in Ashae over the years. The highest point of Ashae is also located here in the East Palàso Hills at 542 m. On its border with Ytrivae the Zjauses river flows on which the city of Zjàmona is located. The southern part of Ashae is smaller and mostly encompasses the city of Pezjo. It is completely surrounded by Kertae. The eares is relatively flat and also great for farming. To the present day Kertae is trying to get this area back.

Population
Ashae has significantly increased in population over the past century. There were 2 major drops in population from around the time of the Civil War and the Osorra-Tilenno War.

State
The current lord following the 2018 General Elections is Xaelo Qumine from the liberal party Glaechedé. Her terms end in 2024. The leader of the City-State Council is Ódres Sifaurae from GLL. The City-State council consists of 28 representatives of which 15 come from the municipality of Ashae alone. Pezjo and Zjàmona are the only other municipalities to send more than one representative with their 2 seats. The 9 other municipalities all send one representative.

Federal
In the Federal Elections of 2018 the liberal and Tilennan centric party Glaechedé won the city-state of Ashae with 34% of the votes, securing 3 seats in the chamber of representatives. The runner-up was the confederalist party of GLL with 2 seats, together with the federalist party FDL, They were followed by LTS and TLK, both with one seat. Most of the city-state is dominated by GXD, only the little municipalitiy of Osona was an outlier, where GLL won.

The two senators from Umia belong to GXD and are Runo Vàsises and Puraero Càludo.

Life
Life in the city of Ashae is quite hectic and busy. Land value is extremely high which drives up rent and forces people to go live off the island in municipalities like Pezjo, Nanto and Eto.

Cuisine
The regional dish of Ashae is Mizae Soufuro, meaning as much as rice with mango. Traditionally it is made and served with coconut milk. It got imported from East Kesh in the 16th century and has been popular ever since.

Sports
The most popular sport in Ashae by far is swimming. While swimming is a big thing in the entirety of Tilenno, Ashae takes it to the next level. It is home to the most prestigious Swimming Academy in the federation, the Laeno School for Aquatic Arts. Many talents from all over the nation get scouted and brought here to pursue a professional athletic career in swimming. Ashae therefore also delivers most op Tilenno's top swimming talents that dominate the world stage.

Other sports like volleyball and taekwondo are also still popular, even though they take more of a backseat. Field hockey is mainly popular in the northern region. The regional volleyball team is called the Ashaeic Falcons and the regional soccer team the Ashaeic Sparks.

Ashae is also home to the famous international sports competition named the Ashaeic Festival. The Ashaeic Festival stem from a ancient sports competition that was held every 3 years on the island of Ashae. The events included swimming, volleyball, javelin, archery, running, martial arts, dancing and sailing. Recently the event has been revived and is held every 3 years in April, the last one was in 2018. The vents have however changed, with a bigger focus on aquatic sports like diving, surfing and canoe. It is one of the beiggest water sports events in Anterra and has great international importance. As the event got bigger, the events now take place all over Tilenno, although all indoor swimming sports are still centralised in Ashae.

Landmarks and Sites
Popular landmarks and sites of the Umia city-state include:


 * Ashaeic Festival Stadium Complex
 * Spring of Ilua
 * Temple of Lena
 * First Astrological Palace
 * Museum of nautical knowledge
 * Palàso Hills peak
 * Avires Palace Complex
 * Laeso School for Aquatic Arts

Municipalities
Ashae consists of 12 municipalities of which Ashae City is the largest at more than 1.1 million inhabitants, about 60% of the total population. It is followed by Pezjo at 269 thousand and Zjàmona at 123 thousand. Eto, Efeisa and Kàbena are the only other municipalities with over 50 thousand inhabitants. All other municipalities are smaller.

Ashae City
Ashae city is one of the densest places in Tilenno. With more than 1 million people living on a tiny island, stuff gets crowded real quickly. Nevertheless it is a beautiful and culturally rich city, although sometimes somewhat more backwards thinking than other places in Gantes.

Pezjo
Pezjo is in direct connection with Ashae, but is still surrounded by Kertae. Pezjo therefore has an unique blend between the two city-states. The city is also home to the Àvires Palace complex, one of the largest palaces in Tilenno and an incredible site to visit.

Zjàmona
Zjàmona lies on the border with Ytrivae, not far from Reicha Beruso. Culturally it is closer to the region of Ytrivae, but still has a distinctive Ashaeic touch. Many people view Zjàmona as a farmers village that became too big for its own good. It is quite rural and has a large urban sprawl with a decentralised structure.