Colonial History of Doubeia

The Twicetagrien colonisation of modern-day Doubeia period spans the first landfall in modern-day Queensland in 1654, to the Fall of Twicetagria in 1849. As a means to expand territorially and to seek potential safe havens for the monarchy in the event of a crisis, the Twicetagrien crown funded colonisation and expedition trips to Esportiva. Settlement rates in the two Esportivan colonies, Dobraya and The Newlands, gradually increased as people were attracted by the fertile soil and agricultural opportunities present.

Settlers in the Twicetagrien colonies were overwhelmingly, if not entirely, of Twicetagrien ethnicity. Foreigners were almost nonexistent as the colonies had strict rules that forbade foreigners to permanently settle in them. Nevertheless, foreign goods were regularly traded to and from the colonies. Within twenty years, Dobraya's population had grown to more than 75,000, and The Newlands to more than 50,000. The two colonies, despite both being under the Twicetagrien crown, operated independently. Dobraya's economy was heavily reliant on agriculture and sustenance farming, whereas The Newlands' economy was more diversified, with fishing and trade being other major industries during their sunrise years.

The colonial history of Doubeia ended when the Twicetagrien monarchy dissolved as a result of the Fall of Twicetagria in 1849. The colonial administrations, loyal to the crown, were seen as unofficial successors of the monarchy, but anti-monarchist sentiments amongst settlers resulted in the Doubeinese Revolution.

Background and settling of Dobraya (1654-1700s)

Twicetagria's first foray into Esportiva took place in 1654 when the crown-backed colonisation and expedition mission first made landfall in Esportiva on the piece of land where modern-day Queensland sits on. The area was scouted, and after reporting fertile, arable farmlands around the area, the Twicetagrien government officially began to prepare for its first Esportivan settlement. The first few settlers arrived a few months after the land was newly formed. The entire colony was named Dobraya (from Twicetagrien Russian до́брая “good”), but the main settlement itself was named Queensland (Korolyevi Krai, Kороле́вы Kрай) after the Twicetagrien monarch Queen Eva II. In the following months, Dobraya expanded as more settlers came, especially farmers. Farmers were granted large pieces of farmland as a ploy to attract more settlers. Feodor Churkayev was named as the first colonial governor of Dobraya.

The Twicetagrien monarchy intended Dobraya to not only be a boost to Twicetagria's economy, but a safe haven for the monarchy and nobility. Anti-monarchist sentiments were on the rise in Twicetagria, and members of high society were fearful of a popular rebellion which would implicate and turn public opinion against them. Therefore, whilst most nobles did not live in Dobraya, they owned properties in Queensland. Meanwhile, due to ongoing and persistent droughts and climate uncertainties in Twicetagria, many farmers were paid to move to Dobraya due to the abundance of arable land. Although the crown promised to aid the farmers and subsidise farm operations for the first few years, many farmers were often left unsupported, having to rely on themselves and other farmers to set up their farms.

In the meantime, other middle-class families and individuals also started to move to Dobraya to escape the tensions and instability in Twicetagria. Some sought a quieter life without having to resort to rural lifestyles, while others saw Dobraya as an opportunity to set up business. Amongst these settlers were both pro- and anti-monarchists, although most in Queensland supported the monarchy. Penal settlements were also set up in Dobraya, with convicts being tasked with colonial projects such as construction of infrastructure, manufacturing and farming. In the next few years, the settlement had grown to about 50,000, and New Tvoygrad was crowded enough that the first serious effort to establish other urban areas outside of New Tvoygrad was made. New Tvoygrad’s geography made it, while a great port, hard to expand as much of its land sat on a coastal island, with the surrounding coast being largely marshy and unsuitable for settlement. Smaller settlements started to form including Angelovsk (А́нгеловск, lit. “city of angels”) and Gavany (Гавань, lit. “haven”).

Winter of 1675

The Winter of 1675 was the first crisis Dobraya faced as a colony. The winter was a particularly harsh one, and many crops failed while at least sixty-seven deaths were reported due to starvation or hypothermia. Farms and penal settlements were hit the hardest as many were not adequately prepared to withstand the cold. The warmer climate in Queensland made it a safe haven for many farmers escaping the cold, and many Queensland residents accepted the temporary refugees. The crop failure caused a minor famine across Dobraya, but food from other less affected areas helped to supply the entire colony. December 14 is celebrated in Doubeia as Foundation Day to commemorate the Winter of 1675 and Dobraya's early display of civic-mindedness.

Formation of oblasts

In 1684, the oblasts of Dobraya were first established. Oblasts were roughly centred around a significant urban centre that served as its primate city. This was after complaints from residents of other urban areas about the colonial administration’s perceived favouritism of Queensland. Dobraya had grown to about half its current size by this point, and the crown deemed it too large to be fully governed by a single administration.

The first oblasts to form were Queensland, Angelsk, Gavany, Krasnyezhsk, Lyevly, Roga and Ruzhkov. They were named after the largest urban areas in the oblasts which were referred to as oblast hubs. After Twicetagrien colonisation, the oblasts and oblast hubs were often given separate names to disambiguate between them.

Colonisation of The Newlands (1677-1700s)

In 1677, a Twicetagrien expedition mission was sent to scout for lands west of the Dobraya settlement. The Newlands was first sighted during the mission, and after a second, more detailed expedition, the Twicetagrien crown granted charters to set up settlements in The Newlands. The first of those settlements was at Port Pomeranian (Порт-Помера́нский). The Port Pomeranian colony flourished as its settler count grew from 3,000 to more than 10,000 in a decade of settlement. Other colonies such as Byelaxolm (Белахо́лм, lit. “white hill”) and New Tvoygrad (Но́вый Твойгра́д) were also established along the coast of The Newlands (Но́вый Kрай), but neither were as successful as Port Pomeranian.

The establishment of The Newlands was largely in response to overcrowding in Queensland and the Winter of 1675. After the devastating effects of the winter, confidence in Twicetagria's colonisation efforts had fallen drastically and the number of new settlers dropped by more than half in 1676. The Newlands was marketed as having a warmer and more tolerable climate than Dobraya whilst boasting similarly vast farmlands. In the first two years, more than 5,000 settlers arrived from Twicetagria to The Newlands, and close to 800 moved from Dobraya.

The Newlands' early economy was not reliant on agriculture like Dobraya. Instead, fishing and trade held much importance in The Newlands' economy, with seafood generally being its largest export. Many Twicetagrien nobles and royal family members also bought possessions in The Newlands. Many of The Newlands' first settlers comprised members of royalty, the nobility, and Twicetagria's richest families escaping the instability in Twicetagria. The relative wealth of the settlers and imported inflation from foreign countries made The Newlands an expensive place to live. This dissuaded many middle-class Twicetagriens from settling in The Newlands. Hence, settler rates for The Newlands were lower than that of Dobraya. Nevertheless, The Newlands was seen as a more desirable place to settle in due to the more comfortable standard of living and larger provisions of housing in Port Pomeranian.

By 1693, there were five oblasts formed in The Newlands: Port Pomeranian, Chyorniy, Byelaxolm, New Tvoygrad, and Mosyland. There would not be any new oblasts established thereafter as each colony would expand in area to cover the territorial gains made by The Newlands.

There was much migration from Dobraya to The Newlands, especially as more affluent and influential persons and families chose to move to Port Pomeranian. Hostility was uncommon between the two colonies, although Dobraya traders in The Newlands were often treated poorly according to recounts.

Growth and prosperity (18th century)

Southward expansion of Dobraya

As cold winters continued to ravage crop plantations in Dobraya, the colonial administration sent an expedition south of the Lyev mountain range in search of warmer pastures in 1716. Up till then, the southern border of Dobraya had been the foothills leading to the Lyev mountains. Explorers reported flat terrain similar to that in the majority of Dobraya, but with the benefit of milder winters.

As a result, the colonial administration agreed to send a colonial charter south of Dobraya, and Rudagorod Oblast was first established. Soon after, the Dryevyesinsk Oblast would be founded further inland. Settlement rates were initially slow as people preferred the more established Dobraya and The Newlands oblasts. However, after ore and silver were discovered in Rudagorod and Dryevyesinsk Oblasts, there was a sharp uptick in settlers seeking to profit from the newly unearthed minerals. As promises of milder winters and similarly fertile land in the southern oblasts spread amongst farmers in Dobraya, there was a significant migration from the northern to the southern oblasts, especially those from Lyevly and Krasnyezhsk.

Discovery and vassalisation of The Euthymian Isles

During an expedition chartered by the colonial administration of Dobraya in 1725, they encountered unchartered territory in the sea bounded by the two colonies. The territory turned out to be the Vixettienne island of Sugaru, and this marked the first point of contact between The Euthymian Archipelago and the outside world for more than three thousand years.

Members of the expedition first encountered the Vixettiennes of Sugaru Island when the expedition members disembarked on a beach to rest and explore the island. Despite limited contact between Vixette and other parts of Esportiva, the Vixettiennes remained resilient against any potential diseases the Dobrayan expedition members may have carried. The Vixettiennes were first thought to be members of a cult, and they were noted to have inhuman features such as tails, paws and animal ears. However, the expedition members were brought to the main settlement in the island, and they were introduced to Vixettienne culture.

The Euthymian Isles, locally referred to as Vixette, was, by Vixettienne folklore, formed by The Mother of the Seas, a central figure in the local religion Tetralotoi. The Vixettienne people were reportedly brought to the islands, but after angering The Mother of the Seas, they were cursed to be cut off from the outside world for an unspecified amount of time. The Vixettienne were also cursed to be transformed into animals, wholly or partially, which explained the presence of humans with animal features and anthropomorphic animals.

After Sugaru was first discovered, subsequent expeditions were sent to the other Vixettienne islands: Vixette, Quincunx, Dubois, and Regia Centralis. Interest in Vixette increased amongst residents of both Dobraya and The Newlands, but contact with the Euthymian Isles was initially forbidden by the colonial administrations.

In 1729, the leader of The Euthymian Isles, Michael de Sanctis, requested protection from the colonial administration of Dobraya in the event of foreign intervention. After the Meetings of Vixette, the leaders came to an agreement where the Euthymian Isles would be vassalised by the colonial administration of Dobraya. The Euthymian Isles would receive military protection from the colony and free movement to and from the colony, but would be required to pay yearly tributes.

The vassalisation of the Euthymian Isles led to much movement between it and Dobraya: many Vixettiennes moved to Dobraya in search of a new environment and religious liberation, while most visitors from Dobraya to the Isles were often tourists. There were some negative sentiments towards the Vixettiennes within the colony as they were perceived as cultists and beast-lovers. However, the majority sentiment was one of curiosity and surprise. Communication between Dobraya and Vixette was hampered by the language barrier – the Vixettiennes spoke a completely different language – but as knowledge of the Vixettienne language was established, bilingual dictionaries and language guides would be written to facilitate communication.

Anti-monarchist movements

Throughout the eighteenth century, there were pockets of anti-monarchists throughout the colonies. This stemmed from the increasingly anti-monarchist sentiments present amongst newer waves of Twicetagrien settlers. These sentiments were more prevalent in Dobraya than The Newlands as the latter was home to many members of the nobility and royal family who supported the Twicetagrien crown. However, as badmouthing or protesting the monarchy was considered treason and punishable in Twicetagrien law, most of these sentiments were left unexpressed. Nevertheless, popular Dobrayan newspapers such as The Red Star and Dobraya Today were considerably more critical of the monarchy.

It was not until the late eighteenth century when anti-monarchist sentiments started to ramp up, largely due to unpopular austerity measures and culling of personal rights enacted by the monarchy. Many settlers who had fled the increasing economic woes and authoritarian measures in Twicetagria proper were deeply dissatisfied with the monarchy. However, due to the fear of breaking the law, most of their opposition to the monarchy manifested in the form of the arts. Many songs, poems, paintings and novels were written in what was considered the Golden Age of Doubeinese Art as a way to protest the monarchy's increasing grip on the colonies. Publishing houses, opera houses and galleries were often heavily scrutinised by the colonial administration for anti-monarchist sentiments, so most of these works were published and released independently.

The anti-monarchist movement in Dobraya is said to have been birthed from the prosecution and execution of a prominent critic, Igor Ryukov, who had fled to Rudagorod as a result of the monarchy allegedly ordering for his arrest. On May 17 1884, Ryukov was forcefully detained from his shared apartment. After a few days of interrogations and alleged torture, Ryukov was brought out to the public in Rudagorod's town square. He was publically flogged and humiliated, before being kept under captivity until his execution. The colonial administration's unusually harsh treatment of Ryukov sparked fierce anti-monarchist sentiments across Dobraya as people believed his treatment and execution were due to his political views. However, the ruling monarch at the time, King Liam IV, denied having ordered Ryukov's arrest, and ordered for the dismissal of both the oblast and city governor.

From Ryukov's death, settlers in Dobraya held increasingly negative opinions about the monarchy. Many settlers who had ties to or supported the monarchy fled to The Newlands which was more pro-monarchist.

Increased instability (1800-1847)

The Purge (1811-1814)

With the death of King Liam IV in 1800, his son Feodor II rose to the throne. King Feodor II was a polarising character as he had been the subject of many controversies before his ascension to the throne. There were rumours of his severe mistreatment of palace workers, usually for his own entertainment, and there were documented incidents of him ordering the destruction of the property of those he disliked. The royal family and nobility were reportedly divided with regards to their support of Feodor II's kinghood.

In 1811, Feodor II initiated The Purge, a country- and colony-wide manhunt for traitors and destabilisers of the Twicetagrien Empire. Most targets of The Purge were known critics of the monarchy and specifically Feodor II. However, the families of the targets were also implicated. As The Purge stretched on, Feodor II increasingly targetted people involved in the fine arts, publishers and anyone else who provided a medium for anti-monarchist rhetoric to be spread. Simultaneously, law enforcement was strengthened across Twicetagria and her colonies as the royal army was deployed to various parts of the empire.

Targets of The Purge would be publicised in a city's central square, and they would have a few days to surrender themselves to the local authorities. Their properties and possessions would be burnt, and they would be transported back to a random detention center in Twicetagria proper. The treatment of those who did not surrender themselves in time differed across each oblast and city. It was still standard for their properties and possessions to be burnt down, but they also received an additional punishment. The punishment ranged from public flogging, maiming or execution as the killing of Purge targets was not forbidden but actively encouraged. Some cities were more lenient on Purge targets as their governors were less supportive of Feodor II, but governors who supported Feodor II were often much harsher with their treatment of targets.

Many adherents and priests of the Tetralotoi faith in Vixette were also targetted by The Purge despite not having expressed any dissent towards Feodor II. This contributed to a secessionist movement in The Euthymia Isles, as well in many parts of Doubeia and The Newlands.

The Purge led to empire-wide mass discontent with Feodor II and the monarchy in general. What was once small pockets of anti-monarchist movements became large underground networks as many desired to be freed from The Purge and Feodor II's regime. There was also a schism within the royal family about Feodor II. Feodor II's brother, Gregory III, was imprisoned after speaking out against his brother's actions.

Scholars have speculated that The Purge was a tactic used by Feodor II to censor any dissent towards him and his rule, and it was also fueled by his distaste for writers and musicians. Informants within the monarchy reported that Feodor II was deeply unpopular amongst the royal family but loved by his father Liam IV, so Feodor II initiated The Purge as a way to protect his throne from opponents. The king was also reportedly fearful that the royal army would retaliate against him, so he had already initiated his own army purge a few months before the events of The Purge started.

The Glass-breaker Movement

The Glass-breaker Movement (Twicetagrien Russian: Разбивание Стекла, lit. "breaking glass") was an anti-monarchist movement in response to The Purge and Feodor II's rule. Other than The Purge, Feodor II's rule was marked with heavy political persecution, creative censorship, a large-scale overhaul of the empire's economy to cater to the growing precious metal trade and heavier military and royal presence in the colonies. Whilst many members of the movement were solely fueled by a desire to depose Feodor II, some held stronger anti-monarchist sentiments. Some questioned the royal family's inaction with regards to The Purge, as well as the morality of their high standard of living compared to the Twicetagrien commoner.

Not much is known about the movement's birth or the history behind its name. It is commonly thought that its name was coined as a way to signify the breaking of the glass ceiling imposed by the monarchy on the Twicetagrien people.

The movement mainly focused on providing a channel for anti-monarchist sentiments with an ultimate focus of deposing Feodor II. Many underground artists, authors and other members of the public shared and dispersed anti-monarchist media across the empire. Populist ideologies originating from outside of the empire were also disseminated across members of the movement. Apart from the aforementioned, members of the movement would also regularly harass supporters of the monarchy and any royal forces in the area. popular methods included theft, burglary and injuring the supporters. The mysterious deaths or injuries sustained by some pro-monarchists were also attributed to the movement, although no death has officially been linked to the movement.

There has been foreign involvement and support of the movement, primarily by the nation of Eristicea. Most foreign support came in the form of weapons. Despite the monarchy's attempts to regulate Twicetagrien borders to prevent the smuggling of weapons, Eristicean weapons routinely bypassed Twicetagrien security into the hands of the movement. However, there have been questions about the true motives of Eristicea behind supporting the movement. Whilst some saw the support as standing up against Feodor II's rule, others have suggested that the nation may have wanted to cause instability and potentially anarchy within the colonies.

Whilst there was popular support for the movement, criticism was present regarding the harassment of pro-monarchists as many innocent people and even other members of the movement were wrongly targetted. Furthermore, there was much internal disagreement on the movement's ultimate goal. Some wanted the complete abolishment of the monarchy, some the relegation of the monarchy to a ceremonial role, and others merely the deposal of Feodor II. Many imported ideologies were also heavily contested by members of the movement, with some arguing that they were distractions and would not succeed in Twicetagria.

Moles and monarchist insiders within the movement were common. They regularly fed information to the authorities who would impose crackdowns similar to The Purge. However, due to the sheer size of the movement, support for it was sustained until the fall of Twicetagria.

Economic instability

As Twicetagria's switched from an agriculture-based to a precious metals-based economy, both Dobraya and The Newlands would see ups and downs in its economy. Much of Dobraya suffered from economic downturns due to the fall in demand for its crops, and prices would fluctuate regularly, forming dissatisfaction amongst settlers. Mining-oriented oblasts such as Rudagorod and Chyorniy flourished during Feodor II's reign as they saw a boom in economic activity. Even though many economists warned that the "Metal Rush" would be temporary, these oblasts continued to prosper until the fall of Twicetagria.

Fall of Twicetagria and independence (1847-1849)

Assassination of King Feodor II and Prince Mikhail

On October 13, 1847, King Feodor II was reported missing. After a nationwide search, he was found dead in an unidentified canal in Twice Square, Twicetagria. As Feodor II died unmarried and childless, the throne would be handed over to his nephew Prince Mikhail, the son of the imprisoned Gregory III, as requested by Feodor II in his will. As Prince Mikhail was still underage at the time of Feodor II's death, a regency would rule in his stead until he became of age.

The royal family was split on the succession details. Whilst some supported Prince Mikhail's kinghood, many rejected it, instead regarding Queen Mother Lianne as the heir to the throne. Some despised Feodor II and did not wish for his will to be fulfilled. Furthermore, they were afraid that Prince Mikhail would be even more ruthless than Feodor II once the regency ended. As Gregory III was imprisoned for most of Mikhail's life, the latter had grown up under the care of Feodor II, and some feared Feodor II may have influenced Mikhail's thinking and opinions. Queen Mother Lianne also held much power and influence in all of Twicetagria, and she was a popular figure amongst the nobility.

On December 1, 1847, during the royal coronation of Prince Mikhail as king, he was shot dead whilst being transported to the Twice Palace. The assassination of King Mikhail caused mass hysteria across Twicetagria. In what was described as the "second coming of The Purge", many people were suspected of assassinating the new king. As many as three hundred suspects were raised, most of whom lived in Twice Square. Five suspects were independently murdered by a pro-monarchist lynch mob in Twice Square. The suspects included commoners and members of the nobility. Even though no one from the royal family was apprehended, many believe that the assassination was orchestrated by Queen Mother Lianne or one of her supporters.

The Twicetagrien Revolution

In the wake of King Mikhail's assassination, Queen Mother Lianne claimed the Twicetagrien throne, becoming the queen of Twicetagria. Her reign would not last, however, as the Twicetagrien Revolution would begin a day later.

The Twicetagrien Revolution was a loosely organised anti-monarchist revolt held across the Twicetagrien empire. Caused by a disdain of the monarchy and influence from foreign ideologies, participants in the Twicetagrien Revolution were looking to abolish the monarchy to establish a democratic state. On January 12, 1848, revolutionaries started to raise insurgencies across Twicetagria's major urban areas, including Twice Square. Many areas swiftly fell to rebel rule as the Royal Army was stretched thin and was running low in morale from The Purge. Many soldiers defaulted to the rebels or chose to resign from the Army. In some cities, mutinied troops killed their pro-monarchist leaders.

On January 25, Twice Square was attacked by revolutionaries. As the city housed the strongest of the Royal Army's troops and a large number of monarchist supporters, the uprising was met with much resistance. Nevertheless, popular support was overwhelming. The insurgency in Twice Square became a battle of attrition, and as the Royal Army in other parts of Twicetagria quickly fell to the revolutionaries, army morale was low. Furthermore, as anti-monarchist protests began to grow in frequency and size, many pro-monarchist supporters, including civilians and the nobility, fled to Dobraya and The Newlands. The revolutionaries were also supported by foreign sources both militarily and financially, allowing them to have the edge over the Royal Army in most places.

By March, most of Twicetagria proper had fallen to the revolutionaries with Twice Square remaining the monarchy's final bastion. The Royal Army troops in Twice Square was faced with ever-growing resistance from civilians and an alarming resignation rate. On March 29, the last troops surrendered to rebel forces. The next day, revolutionaries stormed the nobility's quarters, a segregated community housing Twicetagria's highest nobility. Most had already fled Twice Square, and those remaining were subject to inhumane treatment in the hands of the revolutionaries. The nobility was seen as supporters of the monarchy and implicit in the monarchy's mistreatment of civilians, so most revolutionaries did not support the nobility.

On April 1, the Royal Palace was broken into by revolutionaries. Most palace guards had surrendered themselves, and the revolutionaries began to look for Queen Lianne and other members of the royal family. The palace's interior was heavily defaced by the revolutionaries, with many artefacts, furniture and paintings being destroyed and walls vandalised. However, none of the members of the royal family were present in the palace. Some were found dead in the palace prison. The only surviving member of the royal family was Gregory III, but he was put to death by an unknown rebel. Most suspected that the rest of the royal family were in hiding in a secret compartment in the palace, but after exhausting all possible areas with the help of the palace guards, they remained missing. It was later revealed that most of the royal family, including Queen Lianne, had fled Twice Square for The Newlands prior to the rebel insurgency in Twice Square, but their whereabouts were unknown. The royal family never landed in The Newlands, and they were presumed to have perished on their journey.

The Fall of Twicetagria and independence of her colonies

With the absence of the royal family and a legal heir, the Twicetagrien throne was vacant and the monarchy was de facto dismantled. The power vacuum led to a power struggle amongst the rebels for control over Twicetagria. The rebels comprised many gangs, mercenaries, and city and oblast leaders, most of whom did not see eye to eye. Despite the democratic ambitions of the revolution, the Tsikyas gang, one of the largest and most powerful ones in Twicetagria, took control of the nation, having been the leaders of the insurgencies in Twice Square, importantly, and other urban areas. However, just after three days, on April 7, the Tsikyas leaders were killed by rival gangs. Twice Square became a battle ground for many of the rebel factions who sought to take control of the economic, political and cultural centre of Twicetagria. However, other areas in Twicetagria were not exempt from rebel infighting. Many urban areas controled by a single rebel group fundamentally operated as a dictatorship, with the group having absolute control.

The untenable and unsafe situation in Twicetagria proper led to the mass migration of 2.3 million Twicetagriens to both Dobraya and The Newlands. The large influx of civilians to the colonies led to a logistical disaster. Queensland was overwhelmed with new migrants, causing its housing and overcrowding situation to worsen. Even as migrants were redirected to other cities such as Gavany and Rudagorod, Dobraya, which bore the brunt of the migrations, did not have the adequate infrastructure to house them all at once.

Meanwhile, as The Newlands received fewer migrants, the situation was more manageable, and major urban areas such as Port Pomeranian and Chyorniy could still handle the increased load.

To deal with the overcrowding issues, the oblasts of Doubeia attempted different solutions. Some cities such as Rudagorod could afford to expand to cater to the migrants, especially since they were still in the midst of their rare metals rush. Other oblasts founded new settlements for the migrants. However, with little local support, many of these settlements failed to expand and were seen as unattractive options compared to the much more established existing cities. Cities in the north such as Queensland, Angelsk and Alexandria saw their populations nearly double as they were seen as popular destinations for settlers. Meanwhile, the south saw fewer migrants as they were hard to access from the larger population centres in the north.

With the absence of a ruling authority in Twicetagria, the colonial administrations of both Dobraya and The Newlands both decided to declare their independence from Twicetagria. Dobraya and The Newlands became independent nations on 27 August and 16 September 1849, respectively, with their respective capitals being Queensland and Port Pomeranian. However, the fate of the nations was still unknown. Talks were held between the two nations about a potential merger, whilst local authorities in Dobraya raised the possibility of a north-south split along the Lyev mountain range.

Colonial structure

The two colonies of Dobraya and The Newlands were governed by their respective colonial governors, the heads of the colonial administrations. Colonial administrations were in charge of a colony’s economy, internal security, infrastructure, judiciary system, and resident welfare, amongst other responsibilities. However, external security and foreign diplomacy came under the direct jurisdiction of the crown. Colonial governors were usually elected by the crown once every ten years, although it was common for governors to hold office for decades, even till their deaths. Despite a pledge of neutrality, the election of colonial governors was controversial as mostly members of the nobility loyal to the crown were selected. This was seen as a ploy to establish a colony’s loyalty to Twicetagria. Nevertheless, this system persisted until the end of Twicetagrien rule.

Colonies were divided into oblasts. Whilst Dobraya was originally governed directly from Queensland, as the colony expanded it became too large in area and population to be governed centrally. Oblast governors were chosen by the colonial governor, and this process was subject to similar suspicions as the election of colonial governors. Many believed only those loyal to the colonial governor were selected as oblast governors, and there were reports of bribery and blackmail to ensure one’s selection as an oblast governor. An oblast governor’s responsibilities were similar to that of the colonial governor’s, but the scope was limited to the individual oblast. Most oblasts usually had one central urban area to serve as its governing seat and oblast hub. Most of the oblast’s economic activities were conducted in these hubs. In the early days of Twicetagrien colonisation, the hubs were usually the largest urban areas in the oblast by population, but in later years, many non-hubs outpaced them in population growth.

Oblasts of Dobraya

All oblasts with the exception of Roga are named after their largest cities/settlements.

Queensland Oblast

Named after the city of Queensland/Korolyevi Krai, Queensland Oblast served as the administrative centre of Dobraya as the colonial administration and most services were located in Queensland. Queensland Oblast contained only the city of Queensland.

In the later years of Dobraya's colonial rule, Queensland started to face over-population concerns. Most of the island Queensland was situated on had been urbanised, and as settlers continued to flow into Dobraya, the city became very crowded. Furthermore, a housing shortage forced many settlers, old and new, to go homeless, with many living in informal housing and slums. A former mayor of Queensland, Yoan Hanzelkov, decreed that newer settlers were not allowed to settle in Queensland if they had not bought a lodging before their arrival, while properties that were left unoccupied for more than 60 days would be claimed by the city and resold to willing buyers. This led to disapproval amongst the nobility back in Twicetagria as many owned doomsday properties in Queensland but did not reside in them, so the latter ruling was rescinded. The nullification of the ruling caused frustration and annoyance amongst the general populace, especially those looking to purchase homes amidst the housing shortage and high housing prices.

Crime was a significant issue in Queensland, with a significant presence of gangs and criminal organisations. They were mostly limited to underdeveloped areas of Queensland, but more affluent areas were not exempt from criminal activity. Crimes ranging from petty crime to more serious ones such as murder all were not uncommon, and local law enforcement was often ineffective. Most of these gangs were imports from Twicetagria where they already had a presence. Gangs mainly preyed on young, impressionable settlers forced to live without a home due to Queensland's overcrowding issue.

Angelsk Oblast

Angelsk Oblast comprises Angelsk City, which it was named after, and several smaller settlements and farms. Angelsk was the second city to be founded in Dobraya, serving as an alternate destination along the Dobrayan coast for settlers. Queensland's overpopulation contributed to its quick growth especially during the later years. The expedition team that scouted the area reported sightings of what they described as angels, which gave the city its name.

Angelsk City is known in the modern day as Angelos.

Gavany Oblast

Named after the penal settlement of Gavany, Gavany Oblast was the first home of many Twicetagrien convicts and prisoners. Whilst it was originally a separate entity from Dobraya, it was formally incorporated into the colony in 1767.

The Gavany penal settlement was home to as many as 80,000 convicts. Many of these convicts had committed political or high-profile crimes, and it was rumoured that dissidents amongst the royal family and nobility and anti-monarchists made up a substantial portion of these convicts. As Dobraya's farming industry grew larger, more and more convicts were transported to Dobraya even if their crime was relatively insignificant (e.g: robbery, theft or pickpocketting, perjury) to support farming operations. These convicts were often transported without their families; homesickness and loneliness were contributors to the high suicide rate in Gavany.

Gavany remained a penal settlement until the Fall of Twicetagria. However, convicts were encouraged to settle in Gavany while serving their sentences. Former convicts and their families were allowed to move to other parts of Dobraya and The Newlands if they showed good attitude in Gavany. Some managed to escape Gavany even though they were not allowed to leave, but many eligible families chose to stay in Gavany due to the stigmaisation of so-called "convict families" in the rest of the colonies.

Gavany City is known in the modern day as Ebony, both as a rough transliteration of the Twicetagrien name and after the ebony trees in the area.

Krasnyezhsk Oblast

Krasnyezhsk (Красне́жск, lit. “city of red snow”) Oblast is named after the city of Krasnyezhsk. The largest oblast by land area, Krasnyezhsk oblast largely comprised Krasnyezhsk City and surrounding farms who used Krasnyezhsk City as an urban centre to sell and distribute their crops. The etymology of the name is unknown, but it was speculated that it was named after the Winter of 1675. Most human and livestock deaths were recorded in Krasnyezhsk, and the "red" may have referred to the blood of the deceased.

Krasnyezhsk City is known in the modern day as Crossnisck.

Lyevly Oblast

Named after its namesake city which in turn was named after its founder, Lyevly (Ле́вль, lit. “of Lev”) Oblast was the easternmost oblast in Dobraya. Lyevly is largely mountainous and borders Kita-Hinode to its east. Nevertheless, there was little evidence of any contact between Dobraya and Kita-Hinode. Lyevly is located close to the Lyev mountain range which stretched across the diameter of Dobraya. Lyevly's mountainous terrain and often harsh climate attracted few settlers, most of whom settled on the foot of mountains and valleys closer to other parts of Dobraya.

Lyevly City is known in the modern day as Lievlie.

Rudagorod Oblast

Rudagorod (Рудагoрoд, lit. “ore city”) Oblast was known for its numerous mines and mineral deposits. When ore and other precious metals were first discovered in the area in the 1740s, Rudagorod attracted many settlers hoping to profit from the minerals. Other than ores, Rudagorod's southern location and mild weather attracted settlers who could not acclimatise to the cooler and more populated parts of Dobraya. Due to the island's proximity to the Euthymian Isles, many followers of the Tetralotoi faith would move to Rudagorod City; this would lead to the city being granted the title of "Saint".

Rudagorod City is known in the modern day as Saint Ruderock.

Roga Oblast

Roga (Ро́га, lit. “horn”) Oblast was the only oblast in Dobraya not to be named after the largest city in the oblast, Aleksandraya. Instead, Roga was named after the Horn of Dobraya (modern-day Horn of Doubeia). Primarily a farming oblast, Roga was differentiated from the other oblasts due to its relatively low-altitude interior but high-altitude coast. This contributed to its iconic cliff coasts. However, this also made Roga rather inaccessible by sea, and this limited its settler potential.

Roga and Aleksandraya are known in the modern day as Horne and Alexandra respectively.

Ruzhkov Oblast

Ruzhkov (Ружко́в, lit. “of Ruzhkov”) was located in the Lyev mountain range, serving as a gateway between the northern and southern portions of Dobraya. Due to its location, Ruzhkov was sparsely populated.

Ruzhkov Oblast is known in the modern day as The Russeland, and Ruzhkov City as Rostov.

Viksetsk Oblast

Viksetsk (Виксэ́цк, lit. “city of Vixette”) was named after the largest Euthymian Isle, Vixette. It was home to the largest Vixettienne population in Dobraya and the most Tetralotoi temples per capita. At first, the city served mainly as a hub for Vixettiennes to travel to and from Dobraya. Tourism would become an integral part of the city's economy due to its favourable weather.

Viksetsk City is known in the modern day as Saint Pixie.

Dryevyesinsk Oblast

Dryevyesinsk (Древеси́нск, lit. “timber city”) was famed for its lumbering and carpentry industries. It was the heart of Dobraya's lumbering industry due to its proximity to conifers and other trees suited for timber. Dryevyesinsk City sits on a massive aquifer. The city was also known for its unique architecture inspired by local and Twicetagrien carpentry.

Dryevyesinsk City is known in the modern day as Timberlake.

Arbatovo Oblast

Arbatovo (Арбато́во, lit. “of Arbatov”) was the southernmost oblast in Dobraya and the colony's main gateway to their neighbouring nation of Moladea. Nevertheless, there was no attested records of contact between Dobraya and Moladea. Arbatovo Oblast was unique as it was the only oblast whose administrative center was not located on the mainland. Arbatovo was known mostly for its desirable climate and sugar plantations along the coast. Arbatovo also received the most rainfall of any

Arbatovo City is known in the modern day as Saint Alberts.

Oblasts of The Newlands

All oblasts are named after their largest cities/settlements.

Port Pomeranian Oblast

Port Pomeranian (Порт-Помера́нский) was the administrative centre of The Newlands. Located on a natural harbour, Port Pomeranian was the gateway between The Newlands and the world as most trade flowed through it. Other than fishing and trade, shipmaking was also a significant industry. Port Pomeranian sat on the Chuka river that connected the city to the interior, and ships were the main mode of transport along the river. Port Pomeranian's population expanded greatly from 5,000 in the 1680s to more than 40,000 in 1715. Its growth was not hampered by geography, as the surrounding flat terrain made expansion convenient. The city's layout was planned by central urban planners who had plans for future expansions as late as the 1800s. Most of these future expansions would be fulfilled, often with a few adjusments to suit the changing times.

Port Pomeranian attracted many businesses and wealthy entrepreneurs. Additionally, many of its early settlers were from well-to-do and renowned families, giving it the nickname "The City of Gold". Its cost of living was the highest amongst all oblasts in both The Newlands and Dobraya. Many settlers could not afford to live in Port Pomeranian, and despite it being the hub for Twicetagrien settlers in The Newlands, most would end up moving to other settlements.

Chyorniy Oblast

Chyorniy (Чёрный, lit. “black”) was named after the local population of black swans (Cygnus atratus). Chyorniy was the second settlement to be founded in The Newlands, and served as an alternative for settlers who found Port Pomeranian too expensive to live in. Because of the large number of conifers in the oblast, Chyorniy became a lumbering hub, supplying wood to the rest of the two colonies. When ore and silver deposits were found near the area, Chyorniy experienced a silver rush as numerous miners from both colonies sought to mine and make profits off of metal ores and silver. The city's population ballooned to over 63,000 in 1756, a year after the silver rush started. When it ended, most settlers chose to remain in Chyorniy.

Chyorniy Oblast is known in the modern day as Black Swan, and Chyorniy City as Chorley.

Byelaxolm Oblast

Byelaxolm (Белахо́лм, lit. “white hill”) sat on the foothills of the Byelli mountain range and was named after it. Despite its name, it did not snow at Byelaxolm. The city was unique in its topography: unlike most cities with relatively flat terrains, Byelaxolm sat on top of multiple hills, and many parts of the city were not easily accessible from one another. Byelaxolm served as a bridge between the two parts of The Newlands divided by the Byelli range. It rivaled Chyorniy in terms of lumbering, and its proximity to the snow-capped mountains in the Byelli range made it a popular holiday destination, especially in the winter. Unlike most other oblasts, Byelaxolm's terrain was relatively hilly, and its land was not suited for agriculture, so it was reliant on food imports from the rest of the colonies.

Byelaxolm City is known in the modern day as Belle Hills.

New Tvoygrad Oblast

New Tvoygrad (Но́вый Твойгра́д) was the only oblast to lie below the Byelli mountain range. Named after the Twicetagrien capital Twice Square (Твойгра́д), the city sat on a confluence. Despite its inland location, New Tvoygrad City developed faster than its coastal counterparts due to its proximity to trees for lumbering and ore deposits. New Tvoygrad began to develop a more liberal counterculture which went against the widespread conservatism in other parts of the colonies.

New Tvoygrad City is known in the modern day as Twice Square.

Mosyland Oblast

Mosyland (Мо́с-Край, lit. “Mos Land”) was the largest oblast in The Newlands, spanning the entire north of the colony. It contained much of The Newlands' farmlands and produced much of its agricultural output. Some farmers from Dobraya opted to move to Mosyland in search of better crop prospects after a series of crop failures in several oblasts in Dobraya. Population growth remained low compared to other oblasts due to the large distances between the oblast's several settlements and Port Pomeranian where most of the colony's economic activities were located in. Biodiversity in Mosyland was the richest in The Newlands, boasting more than 200 flora and fauna species, and 14 endemic ones. This was helped by Mosyland being expanded multiple times to cover most northernly and westerly territorial gains in The Newlands. In addition to enriching the oblast's biodiversity, the expansion also made it the largest oblast in terms of land area.

The etymology remains unknown.

Mosyland Oblast is known in the modern day as The Mooseland, and Mosyland City as Moses.