Northern Senya/Upper Samarne expansion project

[DES Senya]

As has been a long standed goal of Senya, to obtain access to the open seas with a direct land connection under complete Senyan rule to Svorgas, we have previously had great difficulty. Although we have been lucky that in the past Natopia have allowed us to ship exports and imports through their ports, it would be much better for Senya to obtain access to the open seas through our own ports, allowing us to bypass using neighbouring countries. Currently, our trade goes from Lake Lamantia through the River Camoleo (also known as Samarne and Samanska), of which the southern bank is controlled by Jingdao. Enabling Senyan control of the Northern bank would ensure the safe passage of our vessels up and down this river with the same level of protection that Jingdaoese vessels currently enjoy along the river.

The first phase of the expansion was completed in November, when the Northern part of Lamantia and the first section of the project was completed to Torlkar after its acceptance by the MCS. Currently, work has been ongoing to improve the infrastructure of these areas so as to enable the use of the city of Torlkar as a hub for further expansion and expeditions along the Northern bank of the Samarne.


Fig. 1: The November expansion


Fig. 2: The overall goal of the Northern Senya project

We would also like to re-iterate that this project is only expansionist in areas currently occupied by the green and not by any sovereign state, in accordance with previous negotiations with foreign nations.

[DES Senya]

Phase 1: Re-establishment of the settlement in Torlkar.

Torlar, known by the Gerenians as Tawlkar, was one of the major cities of Gerenia, on the Southern slopes of the Adarman highlands, and was the industrial heartland of that country. The area around Torlkar has been inhabited by several ethnic groups and nations until the arrival of the Gerenian People. Tawlkar was founded in 2012, and gained city status soon after. The city flourished due to large mineral (especially lead) deposits in the nearby mountains. Population growth depended on coal and lead mining and heavy industry. In mid-October, 2012, Tawlkar was declared capital city of New Adarma Region.

Following Gerenia's withdrawal from Micras in mid-2018, in which the local population vanished, the city fell into disrepair. The only people that seemed to have survived are ethnic minorities, who have largely scavenged the land and have abandoned a lot of the local industry.

Chief amongst these minority groups are Senyans, who were keen to welcome the Senyan state to Torlkar. Several initial expedition groups discovered that many factories were still usable, and that the failing infrastructure could still be used, and only needed minimal investment, particuarly the rail network.

One such example was a rail tunnel just a few miles from the city centre. The tunnel was structually sound, and the electrics of the line were still working. Whilst moss was starting to overgrow and grass had grown wild on the entrance to an upper tunnel that was formerly used as a service road, the lines were still usable.



The first port of call was to extend the mainline rail service from Laknord to Torlkar. A lot of this was based on either existing rail lines in the former Natopian and Gerenian territories, or on lines which had started to be built under the old Trans-Arborian routes, but had never been completed. This took around two months to bring the lines up and running again. With trains now running, many people began moving into these cities, with many people who had formerly lived in Natopia/Gerenia and some stateless ethnic Senyans moving into the new areas. New houses were built in new areas whilst old buildings were repaired as the Senyan government poured money into the region.

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With the prospects of moving into more long-term underdeveloped areas, Senya will face challenges in developing new areas if they go ahead with the Northern Senya project.

[DES Senya]

With the town of Torlkar taking shape, the Senyan state's next ambition was to establish settlement and rule of law in the lands immediately downstream of Torlkar.



The location would be centred around the former Gerenian town of Gerze, which the Senyans call "Gertsa". In the expansion, the Senyan government would also claim a small section of land immediately north of Lamantia, to try and bulster the amount of land to increase the amount of agricultural yields the nations could produce.

To serve as a hub of this area, the Senyan government plans to include a new settlement called "Somerleyton". This would be based on an already existing settlement of ethnic Senyans that existed already in the green, which would be expanded to provide new homes for the increased Senyan population.

[DES Senya]

With the MCS ratifying their approval of Senyan sovereignty over the new area, the government's project is growing closer to completion. New transport links will soon be established in the new regions, with Gertsa now taking over from Torlkar in being the area of focus for development. As a result, it is going to be more vital than ever for Senya to establish its control over the new regions and bring them into line with the rest of the Senyan state.

[DES Senya]

With the newly claimed areas coming along nicely, the expedition team visited Somerleyton, and some of its surrounding villages and farms, to assess the new area.

One thing that stuck out in particular was the agricultural productivity of the area. Farmers in the region had already been growing crops, and a variety were on display. One farm that was visited grew corn, for example, with the farmer owning 16 acres of land, which he used exclusively for growing. He grew a variety of crops, with beets, maze and rape all being produced in addition corn.


Corn growing at one farm

The land around Somerleyton was relatively flat, given the mountainous areas surrounding, and this naturally allows for crops to be grown. This would mean that Senya would be able to produce way more food than was necessary, and thus would be able to sell abroad, increasing Senyan business oppurtunities. The farmers themselves were glad to be in receipt of Senyan state subsidies and higher salaries, as well as finally being able to sell their goods in Senya.


Fields on the hills near Somerleyton

And the lands further out right out close to the green in the mountains were also well equipped. These were largely used for rearing cattle, though there were also large forested areas too.


Cattle in the mountains north of Somerleyton

[DES Senya]

With the expansion set to expand further, Senyan Rail have been upgrading and establishing rail links to the new areas, which will be announced very shortly, to connect the new regions to the rest of Senya.

[DES Senya]

Senyan Rail has released its new map demonstrating the routes under construction to the new areas.


Note: Mainline routes depicted only

The new routes are under construction and progress of which shall be reported on in due time.

[DES Senya]

The construction of railway infrastructure out towards the new regions was taking shape. Tracks were being laid to Somerleyton and Gertsa, with the station in Torlkar coming to a completion.

At Torlkar station, a new layout had been laid. Overall, 12 platforms had been laid out. They were connected by an underground tunnel which lead to a departures hall, filled with bakeries, restaurants, barbers, a pharmacy, a cinema and various other retail outlets. The station also had a tram stop, which would allow passengers to connect to different locations across the city seamlessly on public transport.


The new departures hall at Torlkar


The underground tram station at Torlkar train station

The opening of the station was presided over by newly appointed mayor Yedvek Naĵemska, who remarked "it is wonderful to see this new wave of development coming to this region. Since the Gerenians left, the locals that have remained have wanted an upgrade of the infrastructure and a restoration of a community hub. This new station, with its shops, restaurants, and above ground public spaces, is just what this community has needed, and we'd like to again thank the Senyan government for their investment and support in this project".

The locals were also particularly excited for the opening of the new city gardens, located above the station. The gardens include everything from allotments to open space, to a public swimming pool and other sports facilities. On the eastern edge is a mountain bike course, and the area is also littered with artificial lakes cycle paths.

[DES Senya]

With progress improving on the newly added regions, the push up the Samarne will now go right to the coast, establishing Senya's first ever contiguous coastline. The settlements of Port Nelson and Covehithe will hopefully serve as ports for which Senyan goods can flow through.

The following application was today put forwards to the MCS;

[DES Senya]

We are delighted that the MCS has seen fit to accept our expansion. We are no longer a landlocked nation! Aside from the domestic implications, it is now a priority for our nation to negotiate with Jingdao about shipping along the river and in Lake Lamantia, and what the rules are for the movement of each nation's naval forces in the area.

[DES Senya]

Senyan Rail will now ensure that the lines will extend to the new cities by the coast. Here is the latest projection for the mainline map:

[DES Senya]

The Senyan Government has increased its land claims in the Northern Senya region. An expansion to the lands west of Covehithe was deemed necessary to ensure that we can control our coast and allow uninterupted trading with foreign nations.

A map of the new claims can be found below:


It is now imperative that we sort out our river border with Jingdao, as well as continue our construction and transportation projects in the Northern Senya region, and establish effective government in this area.

[DES Senya]

We are delighted to have received confirmation from the MCS that our expansion has been successful. Work to bring in all the new territories under integration with the rest of Senya is still ongoing. These areas are largely rural, and have small populations. It may be in our interest, once we have completed our expansions, to undertake a census to establish what we have in our nation and exactly how many people we now govern.

We are delighted to welcome many new ethnic Senyans into our land, and wish for a constructive future with them in Northern Senya.

[DES Senya]

It is imperative that we keep up with the expansion and consolodation of our state's lands in Northern Senya and increase our coastal territory. As such, I have proposed a new section of land with which we should try and incorporate into our state. The lands that I propose are so;



I will take this to our government as soon as possible.

[DES Senya]

Currently, our expansions have been quite successful, and the foundations for the transport and construction projects have not just been laid, but have in many cases been completed. We already have a fully functioning mainline network up to Covehithe thanks to our crack team of engineers, and we are working on accomodation for the people living in these areas, in order to improve their lives.

Our seaside areas are stunning, and perhaps could benefit from coastal erosion management, this beach is located close to the new city of Covehithe;


I very much look forward to being able to expand our lands further and continue on this wondrous and prosperous project!

[DES Senya]

The MCS has approved our latest territorial expansion. I look forward to our surveying teams adventuring to our new lands as we bring them under our control!

[DES Senya]

Having ratified the Treaty of Lükanburg, and awaiting our friends in Natopia to ratify the treaty on their end, it should be noted that the transfer of the cities of Lükanburg and St. Christopher's to Senyan territory shall be an imminent issue. As such, we have introduced plans to integrate the people of these cities into Senyan life.

Furthermore, it will be within Senya's strategic interest to claim a narrow strip of land connecting the two cities to ensure that St. Christopher's can be supplied directly without the need for air travel or voyage through the green.

Furthermore, we should institute plans to connect these cities by rail to the Senyan network.

[DES Senya]

The MCS has ratified the transfer of land from Natopia to Senya. As such, immediate work will begin connecting these cities to the Senyan mainline. The citizens of these cities have additionally been made citizens of Senya.

Facilities at St. Christopher's Airport will be upgraded to meet capacity demands.

[DES Senya]

Saint Christopher's schools have been looked at and the following rules have been imposed by the Senyan authorities:

- The closing down of all Martino-language schools. Buildings, where suitable, will be replaced by English language schools.
- Religion will be banned from schools and teachers will be asked to follow the strictly secular curriculum
- Adult schools will be opened to adapt locals to Senyan customs and ways of life.

[DES Senya]

With St. Christopher's being currently surrounded by the green, it is important for Senya to establish control of the land between it and Lukanberg. The suggestion is that this land be utilised for the construction of both a railway and road to connect the two cities, with onwards travel to the rest of Senya possible from Lukanberg. The suggested land strip would be roughly triangular in shape, with two points in the two cities, and third being the point at which the line from St. Christopher's to Eprat intersects the current border. This entire new area would all come under the authority of Northern Senya and Senyan Arboria.