Viqho

Viqho
The emblem of Viqho (top) and the flag of Vyitcou (bottom).
Small Town (legally a Shabdrungate)
Country • Location • Ownership	T'vaqi Deysachin
Established • Founded • Acquired	30-8 72 TT 69 PC
Government • Shabdrung	High Priest Anwu Ptandr
Area (km2) • Total	15.3
Population • Total • Density	1,630 (~170 Deysachni) 106.5
Also known as	The Modhes Sanctuaryland of Vyitcou
Demonym	Viqhi

Viqho or The Modhes Sanctuaryland of Vyitcou is a town located on the edge of the Viqho Peninsula on the island of T'vaqi. It is the westernmost settlement in the nation. In addition, the town sits atop the westernmost extent of the nation's Bunker Network. The entirety of the town is under Deysachni control as the result of a concession made during the Tricade War. The settlement currently exists as a Shabdrungate, the second to be acquired by Modhes Temple.

History

The area now encompassing Viqho was for many years considered uninhabitable due to especially strong interference from the Perpetual Storm. Attempts to inhabit the area showed increasing success as technology improved after the Second Unification of T'vaqi; however, settlement of the island's westernmost point and the area surrounding it was deemed a waste of resources, as calmer coastal settlements such as N'isi demonstrated far more potential with regards to the abundance of fish and other natural resources. Viqho was officially founded and given a name (named for the Viqho Peninsula, simply meaning "west") in 72 TT, though the area would not sustain a continuous population until 15 PC.

Crossed Swords dispute

In the spring of 14 PC, prominent landowner Paq Olori informed a young businessman, Hito Taqar, of a largely unknown but highly profitable tract of land in the Viqho Peninsula. The land, which Olori owned, was a detriment to his income, and Olori aimed to convince an unwitting Taqar to purchase it at a high price. Taqar agreed to the purchase, and was furious when he discovered that the land was near-uninhabitable. He challenged Olori to a swordfight among the desolate, unpopulated structures of Viqho, claiming to have blackmail on Olori that he would spread should he refuse to accept. While it is not known what private information Taqar possessed, if any, Olori quickly accepted the duel, and the two met in the early morning of 30-5. Only the outcome of the duel is known; Taqar emerged unscathed save for small cuts, while Olori had suffered one stab wound through the abdomen. Taqar carried Olori to a nearby town for medical assistance, where blood loss was prevented; the sword had punctured no vital organs, allowing Olori to make a partial recovery over time. This conflict became known as the Crossed Swords dispute.

While an assault charge was levied against Taqar, the case was dismissed by his father, Grand Magister Sivro Taqar. The event brought national media attention to the Viqho area, where Taqar would become the town's first permanent inhabitant. The town would remain small due to its relatively remote location, low availability of natural resources, and turbulent weather; however, the settlement persisted and eventually attracted more inhabitants, many belonging to the To'natona subculture.

Cession

In late 69 PC, the signing of the Lambent Concordat treaty formally ended the Tricade War. As a part of this treaty, the town of Viqho, its resources, and its citizens were ceded entirely to Deysachin. Under Deysachni control, the town was given the additional name of The Modhes Sanctuaryland of Vyitcou (or simply Vyitcou). The High Priest Anwu Ptandr was coronated as Shabdrung of the new Vyitcou territory by Mir'aval Vyitui, who took his leave from T'vaqi not long after. By the treaty, Deysachin is entirely responsible for maintaining order within the Viqho area, though the town still retains a practicing Magister. While the terms "Viqho" and "Vyitcou" are often used interchangeably, Vyitcou is the town's legal name, whereas Viqho may refer to either the town or the area containing it. "Vyitcou" is often used simply to mark a distinction between the town as seen by Deysachin and the town as seen by T'vaqi. The distinction is purely textual, as the two spellings are pronounced almost the same.

The cession of Viqho coincided with a bill passed by the Grand Council which granted religious freedom for all civilians practicing the Modhes faith. Coupled with the announcement of Viqho as a haven for all Modhes in T'vaqi, the town saw a mass migration event that caused its population to swell to three times its previous size. The town's native residents generally expressed unhappiness with this.

Culture

Viqho is home to a significant population of To'natoni people. As such, Q'shasi is a popular art among the town's residents; an annual Q'shasi festival is held in the town which attracts thousands of nationwide spectators. The disproportionate ratio of spectators to the town's actual population led to the construction of several hotels, which typically only see use in the summer months when the festival is held.

Since 69 PC, most of the island's residents (~61%) practice the Modhes faith. During the year's mass migration, existing hotel infrastructure was used to temporarily house the town's new residents.

Emblem

The emblem of Viqho depicts two crossed swords on raised earth, in recognition of the dispute that led to the town's permanent establishment.