| Type | Nation |
|---|---|
| Government | Socialist Parliamentary Republic |
| Location | Osugbo |
| Inhabiting Race | Human |
The Hillian People's Republic, formerly known as East Hills, is a socialist parliamentary republic on the continent of Osugbo bordering the Noman Federation. Since the revolution, Hillia has emerged from decades of isolation to become a nation defined by scientific progress, international cooperation, and hope for the future.
About
The Hillian People's Republic, formerly known as East Hills, occupies the eastern reaches of Osugbo and stands as one of the Known World's youngest and most optimistic nations. Following the Hillian Revolution, the republic emerged from decades of authoritarian rule determined to build a society founded upon cooperation, public investment, scientific discovery, and the belief that the prosperity of a nation should be shared by all who contribute to it.
In the years since the revolution, Hillia has transformed itself through an ambitious program of reconstruction. Railways once neglected by the Regime have been modernized, roads and bridges restored, hospitals and schools expanded, and public utilities extended to communities long overlooked. Rather than directing the nation's wealth toward military expansion or the accumulation of state power, successive governments have prioritized infrastructure, education, healthcare, scientific research, and cultural institutions, viewing these investments as the foundation of a stronger society.
This renewal has been accompanied by a profound change in the country's relationship with the wider world. After generations of isolation, Hillia has opened its borders to international trade, scholarship, tourism, and cultural exchange. Foreign artists, engineers, scientists, educators, and students are now common sights in the republic's major cities, while Hillian universities and research institutes actively collaborate with partners across the Known World. Humanitarian assistance from organizations such as the Ascendancy has also been welcomed, though the republic maintains a clear constitutional separation between religion and the affairs of state.
The arrival of new ideas has reshaped Hillian culture. Foreign cinema, literature, music, theater, cuisine, and sport have flourished alongside longstanding Hillian traditions, creating an atmosphere of curiosity and optimism unlike anywhere else in Osugbo. Young Hillians, many of whom grew up after the fall of the Regime, have embraced this exchange with remarkable enthusiasm, viewing international cooperation not as a threat to national identity but as one of its greatest strengths.
Few projects embody this spirit more clearly than the Unity Games, founded in Vostroya as an international celebration of peaceful competition, and the revitalized Hillian Space Agency, whose civilian mission has become a powerful symbol of humanity's shared future. Together, they represent the ideals that have come to define modern Hillia. Nations need not compete through war, scientific discovery belongs to everyone, and the future is best built through cooperation rather than conflict.
Yet the republic's remarkable progress has not erased its past. Across Hillia, abandoned military installations, forgotten laboratories, and sealed government archives remain as reminders of the Regime that once ruled the nation. Beneath its cities lie even older secrets. Vast Vaelonic ruins have begun to challenge long-held assumptions about history itself. As Hillia looks confidently toward the future, the ancient past beneath its feet has begun to stir once more.
History
Like every nation on Quelmar, much of Hillia's earliest history has been lost to time. Records predating the Fracturing of the Weave are fragmentary, contradictory, and often indistinguishable from folklore. The civilizations that once occupied the region, the causes of their decline, and much of humanity's earliest history have disappeared from collective memory. Scholars generally agree that these gaps in the historical record coincide with an ancient turning point, likely an extinction-level event that humanity only narrowly survived. Even this event endures today as little more than scattered myth, incomplete archaeological evidence, and obscure academic theory.
What is known is that the lands now comprising Hillia have long been home to farming communities, mining settlements, industrial cities, and centers of learning. Beneath many of these settlements lie the buried ruins of the ancient Vaelonic civilization, whose monumental architecture and seemingly impossible engineering continue to puzzle archaeologists. For centuries these ruins were regarded as little more than the remains of a forgotten people, their true significance obscured by the same historical amnesia that erased so much of Quelmar's distant past.
During the early decades of the Current Reckoning, political instability, economic hardship, and a catastrophic flood that devastated much of East Hills created widespread social unrest. As the nation struggled to recover, growing international tensions and domestic uncertainty paved the way for the rise of an authoritarian government that would become known simply as the Regime. Promising security, stability, and national unity, the new government steadily centralized power, restricted civil liberties, censored public discourse, and isolated East Hills from the rest of the Known World. Scientific advancement continued under the Regime, but increasingly served military and state interests rather than the public good. Massive resources were devoted to classified research, strategic stockpiles, surveillance, and the expansion of internal security while public infrastructure and civic institutions gradually fell into neglect.
The Regime's rise to power culminated in the invasion of Noma and the outbreak of the Great No Man's War in 27 CR. For three years, war engulfed the continent of Osugbo as East Hills brought recovered Vaelonic technology and magick to bear against the industrial innovation and technological ingenuity of the Noman Federation. The conflict became one of the bloodiest wars in modern history, leaving devastation across both nations and profoundly reshaping the political landscape of the continent.
East Hills ultimately emerged defeated. The nation never fully recovered from the economic hardship, political instability, and international isolation that followed the war. Despite the loss, the Regime maintained its grip on power for more than a decade, relying on propaganda, surveillance, and increasingly repressive measures to preserve its authority. By 38 CR, years of hardship had eroded what little legitimacy remained. Workers, students, academics, artists, engineers, soldiers, and ordinary citizens united in a nationwide uprising that became known as the Hillian People's Revolution, bringing an end to the Regime and marking the birth of the Hillian People's Republic.
Government
The government of the Hillian People's Republic is organized into six constitutional branches of power:
- The President of the Republic, Elena Setsov (she/her), elected directly by the people. Serves as head of state, constitutional guardian, and ceremonial commander-in-chief of the Hillian Defense Forces.
- The People's Assembly, presided over by Speaker Mikhail Voronin (he/him). Serves as Hillia's central legislative authority and is composed entirely of representatives elected directly by the people.
- The Executive Council, led by First Secretary Aleksa Morozov (they/them). Serves as the executive branch of government and oversees the implementation of legislation, national ministries, and public administration.
- The Judiciary, led by Chief Justice Dr. Irina Petrescu (she/her). Oversees constitutional interpretation, national law, civil rights, and the administration of the national court system.
- The Hillian National Constabulary, commanded by Commissioner Natalya Orlova (she/her). Serves as the republic's civilian law enforcement agency and is responsible for public safety, criminal investigations, border security, and emergency response.
- The Hillian Defense Forces, commanded by Marshal Andrei Kozlov (he/him). Responsible for national defense, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and the administration of the Army, Navy, and Air Service.
The Constitution of the Hillian People's Republic establishes that all political authority originates with its citizens. Every elected office, from municipal councils to the Presidency, is filled through direct popular election under universal adult suffrage. Every citizen receives one vote in each election, and every vote carries equal weight. No political body, legislature, or government institution possesses the authority to appoint or elect the nation's executive leadership in place of the people.
Adopted following the Hillian Revolution of 38 CR, the Constitution was intentionally written to prevent the concentration of authority that characterized the Regime. Executive, legislative, judicial, military, and law enforcement powers are constitutionally separated and subject to independent oversight. Transparency, public accountability, and civilian participation remain foundational principles of Hillian governance.
The President of the Republic
The President of the Hillian People's Republic serves as the nation's head of state and constitutional guardian. Elected directly by the people to a single six-year term, the President represents the unity of the republic, safeguards the Constitution, and serves as Hillia's principal representative in foreign affairs and matters of national ceremony.
Although the office carries limited executive authority, the President signs legislation into law, accredits foreign diplomats, appoints ambassadors upon the advice of the Executive Council, confers national honors, and serves as the ceremonial commander-in-chief of the Hillian Defense Forces. The President may also return legislation to the People's Assembly for constitutional review before requesting an advisory opinion from the Supreme Court.
The office was deliberately designed to prevent the accumulation of executive power in a single individual. While the President embodies the republic and its democratic ideals, responsibility for the day-to-day administration of government rests with the First Secretary and the Executive Council.
President of the Hillian People's Republic: Elena Setsov (she/her)
Formerly a professor of constitutional law at the University of Vostroya, Setsov emerged as one of the principal architects of Hillia's post-revolution Constitution. Known for her measured temperament, commitment to civil liberties, and unwavering defense of democratic institutions, she enjoys broad public confidence and is frequently described as the moral voice of the republic.
The People's Assembly
The People's Assembly serves as the supreme legislative authority of the Hillian People's Republic. Representatives are elected directly by the citizens of Hillia and are responsible for drafting legislation, approving the national budget, overseeing the Executive Council, ratifying international treaties, and representing the interests of their constituencies.
Assembly proceedings are open to the public except in narrowly defined matters of national security. Debates, committee hearings, budgets, and legislative records are published as part of the public record, reflecting the republic's commitment to transparent government following decades of secrecy under the Regime.
Unlike many neighboring governments, the Assembly operates independently of religious institutions and military authority. No branch of government possesses the authority to dissolve the Assembly outside of constitutional procedures.
Speaker of the People's Assembly: Mikhail Voronin (he/him)
A former steelworkers' union organizer from western Hillia, Voronin became widely respected during the revolution for negotiating ceasefires between striking workers and military units. Calm, deliberate, and deeply procedural, he has earned a reputation as one of the republic's most effective consensus builders, often guiding fiercely divided debates toward compromise without sacrificing transparency.
The Executive Council
The Executive Council serves as the executive branch of the Hillian government and is responsible for implementing legislation through the republic's ministries and public agencies. The Council oversees foreign affairs, transportation, education, healthcare, housing, public infrastructure, scientific research, finance, labor, agriculture, environmental stewardship, and economic development.
The Council is headed by the First Secretary, who serves as Hillia's head of government and chief executive authority. Elected directly by the people, the First Secretary coordinates national policy, appoints ministers subject to Assembly confirmation, and ensures the faithful execution of laws enacted by the People's Assembly.
Rather than emphasizing centralized authority, the Executive Council is designed to coordinate the work of government while remaining accountable to both the Assembly and the electorate.
First Secretary: Aleksa Morozov (they/them)
A civil engineer whose leadership during the reconstruction of Hillia's railway network earned national recognition, Morozov entered public office after directing some of the republic's earliest infrastructure projects. Their administration has prioritized public transportation, affordable housing, healthcare, scientific investment, labor rights, and international cooperation. Morozov is widely associated with the philosophy that "government exists to improve the everyday lives of ordinary people," a phrase that has become closely associated with the republic's post-revolution identity.
The Hillian National Constabulary
The Hillian National Constabulary serves as the republic's civilian law enforcement agency. Established following the Hillian Revolution, it replaced the internal security apparatus of the Regime with a professional police service founded upon constitutional policing, civilian oversight, transparency, and service to the public.
The Constabulary is responsible for criminal investigations, emergency response, public safety, border security, forensic services, disaster coordination, and the protection of national infrastructure. Although organized as a national institution, policing is primarily conducted through regional and municipal commands that work closely with local governments and community organizations.
The Constitution subjects all Constabulary operations to judicial oversight. Independent civilian review commissions investigate allegations of misconduct, while prosecutors and judges retain broad authority to review arrests, warrants, and the use of force. This system was intentionally created to ensure that no law enforcement organization could again become an instrument of political oppression.
Former members of the Regime's political security organizations are prohibited from serving within the Constabulary unless cleared through an extensive constitutional review process examining their conduct before and during the revolution.
Commissioner of the Hillian National Constabulary: Natalya Orlova (she/her)
A former detective who secretly documented abuses committed by the Regime during the revolution, Orlova became one of the leading architects of modern Hillian policing. She advocates community engagement, professional accountability, and evidence-based investigations, and is widely credited with rebuilding public trust in law enforcement throughout the republic.
The Judiciary
The Judiciary serves as the independent judicial authority of the Hillian People's Republic. Entrusted with interpreting the Constitution, administering the national court system, and safeguarding the civil rights of all citizens, it functions independently of both the People's Assembly and the Executive Council. Judicial authority is exercised solely under the Constitution and the laws of the republic.
The Hillian court system is organized into Municipal Courts, Regional Courts, Courts of Appeal, and the Supreme Court of Hillia, which serves as the nation's highest judicial authority. Municipal Courts hear local civil and criminal matters, while Regional Courts oversee major criminal proceedings, constitutional questions arising within their jurisdictions, and appeals from lower courts. The Courts of Appeal review decisions from the Regional Courts before cases may proceed to the Supreme Court, whose rulings are final and binding throughout the republic.
Judges are elected directly by the citizens of the jurisdictions they serve. Once elected, they are expected to remain politically independent throughout their terms, and may not simultaneously hold elected political office. The Constitution guarantees judicial independence by prohibiting interference from the executive or legislative branches in ongoing judicial proceedings.
The Judiciary also exercises constitutional review over acts of government. Laws, executive actions, and administrative regulations found to conflict with the Constitution may be declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.
Chief Justice of the Republic: Dr. Irina Petrescu (she/her)
A constitutional scholar and former human rights attorney, Petrescu played a central role in drafting the judicial provisions of the Hillian Constitution following the revolution. Her legal philosophy emphasizes equal protection under the law, judicial independence, and constitutional restraint. Widely regarded as one of Hillia's foremost legal authorities, she remains an influential voice in the continued development of the republic's legal system.
The Hillian Defense Forces
The Hillian Defense Forces are responsible for protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the republic while providing disaster relief, engineering support, humanitarian assistance, and logistical aid during national emergencies. They consist of the Hillian Army, Hillian Navy, and Hillian Air Service.
Following the revolution, Hillia fundamentally restructured its military doctrine. Rather than maintaining large offensive forces or pursuing military expansion, the republic adopted a defensive strategy centered upon territorial protection, civil preparedness, humanitarian operations, and international stability. Significant portions of the defense budget have been redirected toward maintaining and modernizing existing military equipment inherited from the Regime, rather than continually procuring new weapons systems.
The Defense Forces also play an important role in civilian life. Military engineers frequently assist with major infrastructure projects, emergency responders deploy during floods and natural disasters, and logistics units provide support to humanitarian relief efforts throughout Hillia.
Marshal of the Republic: Gen. Andrei Kozlov (he/him)
A decorated veteran of the Great No Man's War who later joined the revolutionary movement, Kozlov oversaw the peaceful integration of many former military units into the new republic. Respected both domestically and abroad, he has become a leading advocate for a military that exists to defend peace rather than pursue conquest.
Local Government
Hillia is divided into municipalities and administrative regions governed by councils elected directly by local residents. These councils oversee education, housing, transportation, public health, utilities, local infrastructure, environmental stewardship, emergency services, and municipal economic development.
Mayors, council members, and regional representatives are all elected through direct popular vote. Local governments possess substantial autonomy in addressing community needs while remaining subject to the Constitution and national law. This decentralized structure reflects the republic's belief that many decisions affecting everyday life are best made by the communities they directly serve.
Public participation remains a defining feature of local governance. Council meetings are generally open to residents, municipal budgets are published for public review, and citizens regularly participate in advisory committees concerning neighborhood development, education, transportation, and public works.
Religion and the State
The Constitution of the Hillian People's Republic establishes a strict separation between religion and the state. No religion is recognized as the official faith of the republic, and no religious institution exercises constitutional authority within the government.
Every individual is guaranteed the freedom to practice, change, or decline any religion without interference from the state. Religious organizations are free to establish houses of worship, operate charitable institutions, own property, and gather for religious observance, provided they comply with the Constitution and the laws of the republic.
Unlike many neighboring nations, religious organizations receive no public funding or constitutional privileges. Churches, temples, charitable ministries, and other religious institutions are subject to the same taxation, financial reporting requirements, labor regulations, zoning laws, and civil statutes that govern other nonprofit and private organizations. No religious institution may claim exemption from public law solely on the basis of faith.
Since the reopening of Hillia's borders, the Ascendancy has established a limited presence through churches, humanitarian organizations, hospitals, and charitable missions. Although many Hillians have welcomed these organizations for the assistance they provide, they operate entirely independently of the government and possess no formal role in legislation, education, policing, or the administration of the republic.
This constitutional separation reflects one of the central principles of the Hillian Revolution: that freedom of religion is best protected when neither the government nor any religious institution exercises authority over the other. The republic therefore guarantees both freedom of conscience and equality before the law, regardless of an individual's religious beliefs or lack thereof.
The Hillian Space Agency
The Hillian Space Agency (HSA) is the civilian space agency of the Hillian People's Republic and serves as the nation's principal organization for aerospace engineering, astronomy, and space exploration. Established in 39 CR following the Hillian Revolution, the HSA reflects Hillia's commitment to scientific discovery, peaceful exploration, and international cooperation. Headquartered at Zenith, the agency oversees astronaut training, launch operations, aerospace research, and public education while working closely with universities and research institutions throughout the Known World. Although many nations view spaceflight as an impractical ambition, the HSA has become one of Hillia's most celebrated public institutions and a powerful symbol of the republic's belief that humanity's future is built through curiosity, knowledge, and shared achievement.
Director of the Hillian Space Agency: Dr. Sofia Arkov (she/her)
An aerospace engineer and former university professor, Dr. Arkov was among the leading advocates for reviving Hillia's civilian space program following the revolution. Appointed as the HSA's inaugural Director in 39 CR, she has guided the agency's rapid growth while championing international scientific collaboration and public education. Widely admired for her quiet optimism and unwavering belief in the promise of exploration, Arkov has become one of the republic's most recognizable scientific leaders.
Notable Places
Vostroya
The capital and largest city of Hillia, Vostroya is the political, cultural, scientific, and economic heart of the republic. Home to approximately 1.5 million residents, it serves as the seat of the People's Assembly, the Hillian government, the Hillian Space Agency, and many of the nation's leading universities, museums, research institutes, and cultural organizations.
Since the Hillian Revolution, Vostroya has undergone one of the most ambitious reconstruction efforts in the Known World. Former government districts have been restored rather than demolished, public transportation has expanded dramatically, new housing and parks have been constructed, and investment in education, healthcare, science, and the arts has transformed the former capital of East Hills into a thriving international city. Cafés, bookstores, theaters, museums, and public squares bustle with students, artists, engineers, and visitors from across the globe, reflecting Hillia's commitment to openness and cooperation.
Among its most recognizable districts are the Government Quarter, home to the People's Assembly and national ministries; the Archive Ward, which houses the National Archives and many of Hillia's archaeological institutions; the University District, one of the foremost academic centers in the Known World; and Unity Park, site of the Unity Games and one of the republic's most significant civic developments.
Beneath the city lies an immense network of abandoned transit tunnels, Regime facilities, and ancient Vaelonic ruins. Excavations associated with the restoration of the Central City Line continue to uncover remarkable archaeological discoveries, reinforcing Vostroya's reputation as both the heart of modern Hillia and one of the world's most important windows into its forgotten past.
Krasnytska
Situated along Hillia's western frontier with the Noman Federation, Krasnytska is the republic's principal rail gateway and busiest international border crossing. Built around an expansive railway junction, the town serves as the primary point of arrival for travelers entering Hillia by land.
Since the revolution, Krasnytska has become a symbol of Hillia's renewed relationship with the outside world. Passenger trains, freight traffic, tourists, scholars, and merchants pass through the city daily, while modern customs and immigration facilities facilitate travel between Hillia and its neighbors. The railway remains the foundation of the local economy, supporting mechanics, engineers, freight operators, customs officials, warehouse workers, and railway maintenance crews.
Much of Krasnytska's architecture reflects its industrial heritage, with concrete stations, brick warehouses, rail depots, and modest apartment blocks defining the skyline. Although remnants of the former border security infrastructure remain visible throughout the town, many have been preserved as historical sites or repurposed for civilian administration. Today, Krasnytska serves not as a symbol of isolation, but as one of Hillia's most welcoming gateways to the world.
Kameny Vyr
Nestled within Hillia's eastern mountain range, Kameny Vyr is a small rural village situated approximately one day's journey from Site K-12. Although modest in size, it serves as the principal gateway for archaeological expeditions and geological surveys operating throughout the surrounding highlands.
The village is home to miners, surveyors, railway workers, forestry crews, and families who have lived among the mountains for generations. Since the revolution, archaeologists, engineers, university researchers, and students have become increasingly common visitors, making Kameny Vyr an important staging point for scientific expeditions into the region.
Despite its growing role in archaeological research, Kameny Vyr remains quiet and somewhat isolated. Local folklore speaks of strange lights, distant echoes, and forgotten ruins hidden among the surrounding peaks. While most residents dismiss such stories as mountain legends, many quietly acknowledge that unusual discoveries have become more common as excavation efforts continue deeper into the mountains.
Site K-12
One of Hillia's most historically significant archaeological excavations, located within a secluded mountain basin east of Kameny Vyr. Originally established as a classified Regime research facility, the site was officially designated a geological survey reserve while military personnel secretly investigated the extensive Vaelonic complex buried beneath the surrounding mountains.
Following the Hillian Revolution, Site K-12 was declassified and transferred to the Ministry of Education, Science, and Culture, which now administers the excavation through public funding and academic partnerships with universities from across the Known World. Although portions of the complex remain restricted due to structural instability and ongoing conservation work, much of the site's research is openly published.
Archaeological investigations have confirmed that the complex was constructed around an immense Vaelonic suppression forge. Among its most significant discoveries are harmonic glyph inscriptions, monumental forging molds, incomplete Aegis frames, and extensive evidence of sophisticated suppression technology. Site K-12 is also recognized as the discovery site of the Aegises, making it one of the most influential archaeological sites in modern history.
Site K-19
Site K-19 is one of the largest active archaeological excavations in the Known World. Situated within Hillia's eastern interior, the site was originally established as a classified Regime research facility before being transferred to civilian administration following the revolution.
Today, Site K-19 is funded through government endowments and operated by a consortium of universities, museums, and archaeological institutes from across the Known World. Researchers representing numerous disciplines work together to study an immense Vaelonic complex containing monumental architecture, extensive inscriptions, advanced engineering systems, and artifacts unlike any discovered elsewhere.
The republic's decision to open Site K-19 to international scholarship has become one of the defining examples of Hillia's commitment to scientific collaboration and the open exchange of knowledge.
Zenith
Located several kilometers outside Vostroya, Zenith serves as the primary operational campus of the Hillian Space Agency (HSA) and the center of the republic's civilian space program. Purpose-built following the Hillian Revolution, the city was designed as a community where scientists, engineers, technicians, astronauts, educators, and their families could live and work together in support of Hillia's long-term ambitions in space exploration.
Unlike traditional industrial or military installations, Zenith was planned as a walkable research community. Laboratories, engineering facilities, astronaut training centers, classrooms, public parks, apartments, cafés, museums, and recreation spaces are integrated throughout the campus, reflecting the HSA's belief that scientific innovation flourishes when research and everyday life exist side by side. Visitors frequently describe the city as one of the most optimistic places in Hillia, where schoolchildren watch rocket tests from public observation areas and researchers openly discuss projects with students and international guests.
Zenith houses the Mission Operations Center, the National Astronaut Training Complex, advanced propulsion and materials laboratories, environmental testing facilities, and the Hillian Aerospace Academy, which trains the next generation of engineers, scientists, pilots, and mission specialists. International researchers regularly collaborate with Hillian teams, making the campus one of the republic's most important centers of scientific exchange.
Although many foreign governments regard Hillia's space program as an ambitious luxury for a nation still rebuilding from revolution, Zenith has become a powerful symbol of the republic's national identity. To many Hillians, the city represents a simple conviction: that humanity's future is best pursued through curiosity, cooperation, and peaceful exploration rather than conflict.
Rocket launches take place from the separate Vostroya Launch Complex, located farther east on an isolated stretch of open plain selected for safety and recovery operations. Together, Zenith and the launch complex form the operational heart of the Hillian Space Agency and one of the most ambitious scientific enterprises in the Known World.
Notable Events
The Great Flood (20 CR)
The Great Flood of 20 CR remains one of the most devastating natural disasters in Hillian history. Torrential rainfall and catastrophic flooding destroyed entire communities throughout what was then East Hills, crippling transportation networks, displacing hundreds of thousands of citizens, and leaving much of the nation's infrastructure in ruins. The scale of the disaster overwhelmed existing institutions and triggered years of economic hardship, food shortages, and political instability.
The government's inability to respond effectively to the crisis severely eroded public confidence and created conditions that allowed authoritarian movements promising order, security, and national unity to gain widespread support. Historians generally regard the Great Flood as the single most significant domestic event leading to the rise of the Regime and the transformation of East Hills into an increasingly isolated authoritarian state.
The Great No Man's War (27 CR – 30 CR)
The Great No Man's War was fought between East Hills and the Noman Federation across much of Osugbo. Lasting three years, the conflict became one of the bloodiest wars in modern history, pitting recovered Vaelonic technology and magick against Noman industrial innovation and modern engineering. East Hills ultimately suffered defeat, leaving the nation economically weakened, diplomatically isolated, and increasingly dependent upon authoritarian rule.
The consequences of the war reshaped both nations for decades to come. Much of East Hills' industrial capacity was redirected toward military recovery, while public infrastructure, housing, and civic institutions continued to deteriorate under the growing demands of the Regime.
The Hillian Revolution (38 CR)
The Hillian Revolution brought an end to decades of Regime rule and marked the founding of the Hillian People's Republic. Led by a broad coalition of workers, students, engineers, academics, artists, veterans, labor organizers, and ordinary citizens, the revolution sought not only political reform but the complete reconstruction of Hillian society around democratic governance, public investment, scientific advancement, and international cooperation.
Following the revolution, the republic redirected resources once reserved for military expansion and state security toward rebuilding schools, hospitals, railways, housing, and public infrastructure. The anniversary of the revolution is celebrated each year as Renewal Day, one of Hillia's most important national holidays.
The Reopening of the Borders (39 CR)
Following the establishment of the People's Republic, Hillia formally reopened its borders after generations of isolation. International trade resumed, diplomatic relations were restored, universities welcomed foreign scholars, and humanitarian organizations were permitted to operate within the republic under civilian law.
The reopening marked the beginning of a new era in Hillian history. New ideas, artistic movements, scientific collaborations, and cultural exchanges flowed into the country, fundamentally reshaping public life and establishing Hillia as one of the Known World's strongest advocates for international cooperation.
The Revival of the Hillian Space Program (39 CR)
Although the Regime conducted limited aerospace research for military purposes, the modern Hillian Space Agency was established following the revolution as a civilian scientific institution dedicated to exploration, astronomy, engineering, and the long-term pursuit of human spaceflight.
Centered at Zenith, the program has become one of Hillia's most recognizable symbols of hope for the future. While many nations regard space exploration as an ambitious luxury, Hillians widely view the program as an investment in humanity itself. Schools organize astronomy clubs, universities expand aerospace research, and rocket launches routinely draw thousands of spectators. To many citizens, the space program embodies the republic's conviction that humanity's greatest achievements are realized not through conquest, but through curiosity, cooperation, and the shared pursuit of knowledge.
The Founding of the Unity Games (40 CR)
Founded by the Hillian People's Republic, the Unity Games brought together athletes from across the Known World for the first international multi-sport exhibition in recorded history. Combining both summer and winter competitions, the Games were established to celebrate peaceful competition, cultural exchange, and the belief that nations could pursue excellence without conflict.
Hosted in Vostroya's Unity Park, the Games quickly became one of the republic's defining achievements and remain among the largest recurring international events on Quelmar. Beyond athletic competition, the Games feature scientific exhibitions, artistic performances, educational exchanges, and cultural celebrations representing participating nations from across the globe.