Fontum

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City of Fontum
Tumy ub Fontum (Fontasian)
Former Capital City of the Kingdom of Fontasia
Flag of City of Fontum
Nicknames: 
The Capital, Fonty
Motto: 
"Habere castra"
MicronationKingdom of Fontasia
GovernorateGovernorate of Fontasia (Fontasia)
TypeFontum Metropolis
EstablishedOctober 2012
Dissolved2 June 2023
Founded byConor I
Government
 • KingConor I
 • MayorN.P.
Elevation
160 m (520 ft)
Highest elevation
220 m (710 ft)
Population
 (2022)
 • Former Capital City of the Kingdom of Fontasia6 (Fontum Proper)
 • Metro
10
Time zoneEST

Fontum was the capital city of the Kingdom of Fontasia. Originally founded as Rennograd in the late 2000s, Fontum became a principal city in Assemblian and Fontasian history, facing countless sieges and attacks. It was the seat of government and the home of the King and many other Fontasian bureaucrats and politicians. Its extended metropolitan area, the Fontasian Metropolis, consisted of 75% of southwestern Assemblia's area, and could also have been considered a part of Fontum.

Etymology

The name "Fontum" has the same roots as the name of the Kingdom of Fontasia itself. The name derives from Font and Tase, two rivers who were thought to be separate in the tribal period of Fontasia. Font is a direct cognate of the name of the Font River, which started at the confluence of the Kalkaya and Tarcellian Rivers in Tarcellia. Tase is the name of the small river that flowed through modern Fontum. After the 2015 expedition into the Corrigith Forest and further expeditions conducted by the Corrigith Expedition, it was discovered that the Font and Tase were tributaries of the same water source, hence creating the hydronym Fontase. Fontase evolved into Fontas which was the original name of Fontum. Fontas as expected turned into Fontasia, and the name of "Fontasia" became the main term describing the region of Fontum and the surrounding areas by 2017. The original name of the region was Tasia, and the people living within the Avalon Valley were known as "Tasians."

History

Pre-Fontasian History (????-2004)

The region of Fontum was originally inhabited by the native Nipmuc peoples who lived across most of Central Massachusetts. The region surrounding Fontum was a major crossroads of many Native American trails that bissected New England. The Olde Connecticut Trail was a major road that crossed over the region. European explorers passed along the trail in the early 1600s. An Englishman by the name of John Oldham stopped in southern Fontum on his journey to the Connecticut River, and his gravestone still lies just south of Fontum. In the late 1600s and early 1700s, the land was used for farms and orchards. Stone walls made by colonial farmers are still seen crisscrossing the vast Corrigith Forest.

Mills were believed to be built along the modern Font River, as it provided an ample source of flowing water in order to operate waterwheels and other machinery.

Fontasia at that point was owned by a powerful colonial family known as the Fays, which descendants would include the famous inventor and de jure Fontasian, Eli Whitney Jr.

The Fontasian region saw limited action in the American Revolutionary War. In 1792, Eli Whitney Jr. was born less than a half of a mile north of modern Fontum. He would later be the inventor of interchangeable parts and the Cotton Gin which would revolutionize cotton production in the South.

Into the 19th century, most of Fontasia was still farmland. It wouldn't be until the mid-20th century until neighborhoods and streets were built in the area. In the 1990s, the neighborhood where modern Fontum now lies was constructed, and theories of a possible "Proto-Fontasian" people are said to have existed at this point. [1]

Rennograd and Owenopolis (~2004-2012)

The region where Fontum is has been an extremely important area in Assemblian history. Bordered to the east by the extensive Corrigith Forest, to the north by Mt. Corrigith and Orkar, the west lies yet another forest and to the the north is Zippid and Nourmillisia. In the early 2000s, the Fontasian tribes made the limits of modern Fontum their homeland. The Rennite capital was Rennograd and the Jaxite capital was Owenopolis. Woodland warfare was commonplace and the two settlements were invaded and raided multiple times during the Corrigithian War. Owenopolis had an extensive fortress built around it during the conflict, and Rennograd had various forts along the Appleseed Line, the major hillside that was just south of Jaxite lands. In the early 2010s however the woodland wars began to die down, as the Rennites slowly migrated out of the area and the Jaxites became tired of their constant raids. In October 2012, the people who would be the modern Fontasians, lead by the modern Emperor lead an attack on their overlords and sieged Rennograd Fortress, ending the tribal era and beginning the Fontasian era, establishing Fontum as a city.

Early Fontum (2012-2016)

In 2013, 2014 and 2015 the new Fontasian government began to send expeditions into the vast unknown Corrigith Forest. Legends of a great field with a single pine tree captivated the minds of the young explorers, wanting to find the legendary land they would know as the Fields Of Corrigithia. In 2014 an expedition crossed along the northern outskirts of the Corrigith Forest, finding the ruins of Owenopolis in the now dormant Jaxite lands. In 2015, against the Sandranian king's orders, an expedition by a Proto-Tarcellian tribe crossed the wilderness for the first time in search of the Fontasians. Contact was made with the Fontasians and explorers from Fontasia discovered a great swamp and river. This illegal act under Sandranian rule was a major starting point for the future Corrigith Expedition. Fears of wild animal attacks discouraged further expeditions however. Maps began to be drawn, calling the swampland and river "Yavin River." A tribal people known as the Ritunds raided Fontum in the summer of 2015, this raid being the first major attack on the city in its modern period. Not much was recorded about Fontum in late 2015 and 2016, other than it was the seat of the newly formed Assemblic Empire. A failed project created on building a so-called "laser" was initiated to be constructed on a hillside along Revolutionary Square happened in 2016. Over the summer of 2016, the northwestern settlement of Soroba was incorporated into Fontum, expanding the city west. The settlement became a major military operations center for the newly established Assemblian armed forces. Into fall of 2016, the Corrigith Expedition was established, beginning a new era of colonial exploration and conquest of the Corrigith Forest using military forts. The Jaxites at that time happened to have exited their dormancy, and at first were in good relations with the Corrigith Expedition.

Corrigith Expedition Era (2016-2017)

In late fall 2016, Fort Basepoint, a long forgotten Amstrian War-era fort established by infrequent explorers became an important waypoint for inter-forest travel and a key military base. Fort Basepoint was planned to become the "Citadel of Fontum" as so much resources used for construction were within reach. In January 2017 however, the Jaxite tribes began to become more violent against their new overlords. The Jaxites, now known as the Hexans began crossing the Appleseed Line on a regular basis, entering the core parts of Fontum. In the later parts of the month, Fort Basepoint's planned defenses were being constructed when two Jaxite militants confronted the Corrigith Expedition surveyors. The surveyors were attacked and forced to retreat to the Assemblian defenses along the Appleseed Line due to the much better Jaxite firepower the soldiers possessed. A few days later Assemblian soldiers reclaimed Fort Basepoint from the occupiers. This de facto was the only true armed confrontation in the First Hexan War. Into spring 2017, Fontum began to flourish as a city. The Fontasian identity as a nation within Assemblia also began to reappear. The Assemblic Civil War caused many major battles to take place within Fontum. Fort Soroba was mostly the epicenter of these attacks, and was also the place where the Civil War came to an end, where the Republican forces of Assemblia surrendered to the much larger Monarchist forces.

Hexan Troubles (2017-2018)

In late summer 2017, a new fort closer to the Conorian Palace behind the Appleseed Line was constructed. It was known as Fort Avalon and would act as the Conorian Palace's major defensive base. With the establishment of the fort saw a significant revival in Hexan activity within the region. A new group migrated to the region from Hastonia, integrating with the Hexans extremely fast. This cooperation lead to the creation of the Loggers, a small group of Hexan lumberjacks who began a small business chopping trees in the Avalon Valley. The Assemblian military began to crackdown on the lucrative timber industry, as Hexans regularly passed within 15 feet of the Conorian Palace. In early September 2017, a group of the Hexan loggers armed with old Jaxite weapons ambushed an Assemblian army contingent stationed at Revolutionary Square. This began the Second Hexan War. Fontum came under lockdown as frequent Hexan raids became commonplace. One Hexan militia seriously injured the Assemblic Emperor, intensifying attacks by the Assemblian army. However, by late October a large decrease in morale on the Hexan side occurred, as the original leader had abdicated from his position as Chief of the Hexans. On 31 October 2017, a ceasefire was agreed upon for five months after a large raid on the Conorian Palace by militants.

Over the winter of early 2018, a fort village around Fort Avalon was constructed to fortify the Avalon Valley from Hexan raids. In February the armistice ended, and attacks began again in March. That March saw signifcant snowfall, which to the Hexans was an advantage. On 18 March 2018, Hexan forces from the Appleseed Line and just west of the Conorian Palace attacked Assemblian imperial forces just outside of the Conorian Palace, beginning the largest and most well known siege of Fontum yet. It was a severe blizzard, and all of Fontum lost electric power.

Hexan forces marched east, attacking the Conorian Palace and Revolutionary Square in near white-out conditions. The Assemblian positions were entrenched around the snowbanks and the high points around Revolutionary Square. The Emperor of the Assemblians, present during the conflict lead his legendary charge on Revolutionary Square, pushing the Hexans back west down the street. Intense fighting broke out a few yards west of the Palace. After a few hours, the Hexan forces surrendered to the Assemblian army, marking an end to all conflicts regarding the native Fontasian tribes and ending the Hexan War itself. The Hexans were driven out of the region completely.

Assemblian Fontum (2018-2019)

In spring 2018, Fontum was safe from the battles of the Second Assemblic Civil War, which was raging in the Millisian countryside. At this point, no major significant progress was occuring in the capital city. In summer 2018, Fort Soroba began to thrive again, far past the damages the Civil War a year prior caused. In the fall, the Corrigith Expedition began to expand into the neutralized Hexan lands and back into the Corrigith Valley. Forts began to be established near new trail routes as the Assemblians slowly moved deeper into the Corrigith Forest. The subsequent collapse of the Third Empire saw a decline in Fontum, but it never stopped exploration. In early November, for the first time in nearly three years the Fontasians revisited the Tarcellian Valley of the far eastern parts of the forest, causing rapid growth in efforts to explore and colonize the forest. During the time of the Assemblic Revolution, Fontum was occupied by Flanovian forces. The city was liberated by monarchist forces a few weeks later. When the Fourth Assemblic Empire was declared, the Corrigith Expedition was officially chartered by the Imperial government. Into winter, massive expansion campaigns began, such as the discovery of the Monoliths, two large boulders near both the Corrigithian Valley and Fort Basepoint. The forest was circumnavigated in early 2019 as well, where Corrigith Expedition surveyors followed the trails into Tarcellia and crossed the treacherous frozen Kalkayan Swamp, returning to Fort Basepoint thereafter. This progress came to a hold when the Fall of '19 occurred, leading to the termination of the program.

Federal Fontum (2019-2020)

Over the middle of 2019, Fontum was in general decline. The lack of stability in Assemblia gave the city little to no importance. The Ritunds, a long-forgotten group who raided Fontum in its early history came under intense fighting with the present Fontasian majority, in what was known as the Fontum Troubles. Colonial administration attempted to stop the infighting by declaring a demilitarized neutrality zone dividing the Avalon Valley, which caused a armistice between both sides. The city was under Fletovian colonial administration for most of the summer, and the attempted Blue Revolution against Fletovia lead to the city being sieged. However, this all changed when the Assemblic Federation was established in the early fall. The revival of stability in the region made Fontum a metropole of the regrowing Assemblic state. Culture and tradition flourished, almost to late 2018 levels. More expansion occurred in the Corrigith Forest, and in early 2020, indications of a civilization inhabiting the Font Valley of Tarcellia came to be noticed, first with an old fort being discovered. Many major forts began to be revived or established in this period. During the spring of 2020, discoveries of a non-Fontasian fort in the Soroban forests lead to exploration in that part of Fontum. A large network of trails were discovered, used for mountain biking. Fontasians quickly built a fort in the area to assert their control in the region.

During the Third Assemblic Civil War in summer 2020, a few minor engagements occurred in the city, none of them to the extent of sieges compared to the earlier civil wars. In fall 2020, it was confirmed a new people were active in the Font Valley of Tarcellia, and were given the respective name, the Tarcellians. In November 2020, huge developments occurred in the Corrigith Forest. The first of which was the exploration of the isolated Kartla Isthmus, a narrow land bridge across the Corrigith Swamp. There surveyors encountered a large fort settlement (known as Fort Kartla now) made by people they called the Wobanians. A few weeks later, contact was achieved with the lost tribe, and the Emperor and their Chief held a summit at the fort to share their cultures. The Wobanian Confederacy was given special autonomous permissions by the Assemblic Imperium. The second major improvement of November 2020 was that surveyors for the first time since the Rennite tribes successfully explored south of the slope of Mount Corrigith, reaching the Fields of Corrigithia at the summit of the mountain, and moving south even further into the extremely unknown Atvan region. The Corrigith River of the southeastern parts of the Corrigith Valley was also discovered. A firepit, inspired by Wobanian design was constructed at Fort Basepoint.

Decline and Revival of the Corrigith Expedition (2021-2022)

In early 2021, Fort Basepoint was presumed by Assemblian authorities as being "attacked" and evidence of Tarcellian movement across the forest was found. This lead to increase surveillance of Tarcellian technology, and if they are capable of expansion. An expedition was sent across the Tarcellian River to analyze the structures the Tarcellians built. Surveyors noted that the usage of nail guns and the presence of a machete knife were at their primary fort. Surveyors founded two small outposts in the region to mark their presence. While on the expedition, they found Wobanian tribesmen testing advanced pneumatic weaponry, using heated gas to fire projectiles. More expeditions into the forest happened, one going into Wobanian lands to check on their progress. Fort Kartla was being reconstructed in a more densely wooded area on the isthmus. March 2021 saw a major advance in the Corrigith Expedition, as Fort Axe, equipped with Wobanian-inspired technology such as firepits and rope-tied stick walls was built. At the time, Fort Axe was the second most advanced in the entire forest.

These new advances ended at an abrupt point, as American conservationists wanted to rid the forest of any non-natural structures. Fort Axe was consequently destroyed by the Americans, infuriating the Imperial government. This major event was a turning point in Fontum's history, as it was seen as an end of an era. In May, a conflict broke out between the Assemblians and the Tarcellians known as the Depresian Conflict. "Depresi" was the native name the Tarcellians called themselves. The conflict only lasted a few weeks until Assemblian control was restored, as Fort Machete was taken. In summer 2021, an expedition discovered a destroyed Fort Basepoint, probably the result of the Americans. This event effectively ended the Assemblian Corrigith Expedition and greatly discouraged expansion into the forest thereafter.

Later into 2021 exploration began to restart, as various expeditions to the summit of Mount Corrigith and across Tarcellia happened. The movement of old materials from the Fort Basepoint ruins were transported to a secret construction are along the Corrigith Swamp to construct a new capital fort in the region. In the midst of this occurring, a fort was discovered in an isolated area near the Tarcellian River decently far from trails. Fort Whitepine, the Assemblians dubbed it was destroyed after no valuable resources were discovered, only a firepit. Assemblian forces were concerned Tarcellians crossed into the area, a security risk if any conflicts occurred. Lewisport, the colonial capital city and strategic port in the Colony of Massadoria was admitted as the second city of the Assemblian Capitol District, the territorial unit specifically made for government cities. The admission of Lewisport allowed Fontum to have access to a port and it allowed Lewisport to be connected to major mainland Assemblian cities.

In early 2022, during the month-long period of the Fall of '22, Fontasian mercenaries ventured into the Corrigithian Fields and back down the valleys to capture Fort Kartla from the Wobanians. Wobanian activity in the region was near dormant, as no improvements had occurred on the fort. In March, the expedition into the Atvan Forest was launched from Fontum, leading to the discovery of an unexplored expanse of woodland to the west of the Corrigithian Fields.

The results of the Atvan Forest, and the new Fontasian government in the region lead to the revival of the Corrigith Expedition.

Modern Fontum (2022-2023)

Fontum in Spring 2022 was mostly a metropolitan area that extended many Fontasian districts in the Kingdom of Fontasia. Downtown Fontum, where the Conorian Palace and Revolutionary Square were located was referred to as Fontum Proper. Areas previously within the Fontum city limits, such as Kalkaya and Soroba were later considered suburbs of Fontum and its extended metropolitan area. Projects such as the Metropolitan Corridor extended Fontum's power as a major Fontasian city by allowing transportation connections with the equally important cities of Isovo-Frasem and Centropolis. By 2022, a bike ride from Fontum to Centropolis took less than 15 minutes, and a hike from Revolutionary Square to Atvan Pond took the same amount of time. More projects to improve life in the city, such as programs to establish national monuments and the Fontum Defense Directive were also planned. The first Fontasia Day celebration in modern Fontasian history occurred on 27 August 2022 at Revolutionary Square. In October 2022, Fontum celebrated its decennial anniversary of its initial foundation. It was dissolved on 2 June 2023 following the collapse of Fontasia.

Geography and Climate

Fontum and its metropolitan area were located in among the most mountainous regions of Assemblia. Fontum Proper was located in Central Fontasia in a valley of the Fontasian Highlands which spanned the majority of the region. The metropolitan area sprawled to the north, southeast and northwest of the city, climbing the slopes of the many hills of Fontasia. To the east was the extensive Corrigith Forest, a vast region of dense woodland that extend for nearly a half of a mile east. Many creeks and streams flowed through Fontum and the Fontum Metro. Such included Tase Creek, which flowed right next to the Conorian Palace, along with the Tarcellian River, the Font River, Kalkaya Brook and the Corrigithian River. Many of these river systems were the result of snow runoff from the slopes of the mountains which pool in the many valleys of the Corrigith Forest. The largest of these snow water pools was the Corrigithian Swamp just outside the Fontum Proper city limits.

The highest peak in Fontum, its Metropolitan Area and Fontasia itself was Mount Corrigith, a large hill probably created from glacial retreat that towered 710 feet above sea level. The first Fontasians reached its summit in late 2020.

Fontum was known for its hot summers and frigid winters. In July, the temperature averaged around 78 degrees Fahrenheit, and in January, the temperature averaged around 34 degrees Fahrenheit. The Fall and Spring were considered the nicest seasons in Fontasia, and were the primary months Fontasians hiked and colonized the Corrigith Forest.

In the summer months, usually late May through late October, the Corrigith Forest was dense with vegetation and mosquitoes, making travel difficult. This was known as the "Corrigithian Off-Season." In the fall and winter, the most activity occurred in the forest, as all vegetation was dead and navigation was easy. The early spring, the snow runoff from the hills caused mud to occur in the many valleys. This phenomenon was known as the Mud of March, similar to the Russian Rasputitsa. The Mud of March did not really hinder travel, but it made it relatively difficult in the muddy swamplands, which in winter months could be crossed due to the frozen mud and ice.

Recreation and Culture

Fontum, unlike many Fontasian cities had limited amounts of recreation. Being in the mountains and far away from many other Assemblian cities, the only major recreational activity was hiking the Corrigith Forest in winter and biking around the city in summer months. A community pool at Fort Soroba acted as a major cultural hub for Fontasians, although it was only open in summer months. Fontum was widely regarded as extremely boring to some, that is why many Fontasians took a small bike ride to Centropolis and Isovo.

Landmarks

Fontum and the area surrounding it had many significant landmarks that played key roles in Fontasian history.

Locations within Fontum Proper:

  • Conorian Palace- The residence of King Conor I and his family. Sieged and attacked multiple times in the many invasions of Fontum.
  • Revolutionary Square- Not actually a square, but rather a cul-de-sac. An extremely important area used for recreation and displaying military might since even the Rennite period. Up the street from the Conorian Palace, which the street loops around a central island in the square with three large rocks, a bench and a firepit. Revolutionary Square is the location of many cookouts and barbeques, most notably the ones in late August previously celebrating Assemblian nationalism but now expected to be for Fontasian nationalism. Famously defended by King Conor himself during the Battle of the Blizzard in 2018.
  • Fort Avalon, Rennograd and Appleseed Line Archaeological Area- Historic area in the Avalon Valley with archaeological sites of the remains of Fort Avalon, Rennograd Fortress and the Appleseed Line.

Locations in the extended Fontum Metropolitan Area:

  • Fort Basepoint Ruins- Remains of the famous Assemblian fort sieged during the Hexan Wars. Just east of the Appleseed Line.
  • Owenopolis Ruins- Important fort remains with restricted access by the Fontasian government. Many artifacts discovered here were used during the colonization of the Corrigith Forest. North of Fort Basepoint.
  • The Monoliths- Two large rock formations in the middle regions of the Corrigith Forest. Tourist attraction among trailgoers. Discovered in 2019. South of Fort Basepoint.
  • Corrigith Trail- The major trail route used by Fontasian explorers to reach the Tarcellian River Valley in far eastern Fontasia. Many scenic landmarks to discover. Trailhead connects to Revolutionary Square.
  • King Jacob's Bridge- A wooden bridge crossing the Tase Creek connecting the Corrigith Trail to the trails that cross the Atvan. A Fontasian legend claims King Jacob of Sandrania declared himself Fontasian after jumping into the Tase Creek in early 2015.
  • Fort Soroba- A strategically and historically important area just northwest of Fontum Proper. The major naval training center for the Assemblian Navy up until 2020. Site of military recruiting by Assemblian commanders and the place where the First Assemblic Civil War officially ended.
  • Fort Kartla- Originally a Wobanian fort on the Kartla Isthmus, it is now controlled by Fontasia after the Fall of '22. Many non-stolen artifacts remain there. Southeast of Fort Basepoint.
  • Fort Lechy- A newly constructed outpost established by Corrigith Expedition to reassert control in the Corrigith Forest. Many artifacts from Fort Basepoint located here. Along Corrigith Trail.
  • Hexan Wall- A rock wall along the entry street to Fontum Proper. Supposedly located where the Hexans lived.
  • Corrigithian Square- Another cul-de-sac just southeast of Revolutionary Square. Rarely used for celebrations. Phenomenal views of Mount Wachusett
  • Mount Corrigith Summit/Fields of Corrigithia- Summit of Mount Corrigith. Atop a vast expanse of meadow, known as the Fields of Corrigithia in homage to the Fontasian legend. Spectacular views of northwestern Central Massachusetts. Mount Wachusett could be clearly seen any day and occasionally the White Mountains of New Hampshire on an extremely clear day.

Sister Cities

Sources

  1. “Westborough, Massachusetts.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 30 May 2022, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westborough,_Massachusetts.

Gallery


Fort Basepoint in November 2020 before its destruction in 2021.
Revolutionary Square in late 2021.
Summit of Mount Corrigith in summer 2021.
Tarcellian River in early 2021.
Fort Kartla before renovations, early 2021.