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Both Watches
Conventional short name:
 Local: Both Watches
 Ingallish: Both Watches
Data codes: bw, BWT
Flag of Both Watches
Languages:  
 Official: Ingallish
 Others: Kencari
Cities:  
 Capital: South Watch
 Other: Sarimiow, North Watch, Birch Cove
Government type: republic
Mayor: Everett Sawxon-Thwyte (since 318)
Population: 15,378,264 of Both Watches
Established: Gained independence 318 AP
Currency: Star of Both Watches
Organizations: UNV

Both Watches, informally also the "Territory of Both Watches" is a country in southwestern Smalik. The name refers to the two cities of South Watch and North Watch although the nation's territory isn't limited to those cities alone. The nation was created on 18 October 318 after two years of armed conflict with the Lectern of United Kencari Peoples of which it used to be a part. The population is predominantly Ingallish and there is a strong nostalgia for the time when the country was part of the Republic of Bowdani, which existed from 235 to 316 AP, and of all successor states to the Republic of Bowdani, Both Watches has a flag that resembles the now obsolete Bowdani flag the most.

Geography and climate[]

Both Watches border The Lectern in the north, Sarigis in the east, the main part of Three Cities and the Cove in the southeast and an exclave of Three Cities and the Cove in the west. The rest of the west borders the Cislendian Ocean. The territory is moderately hilly to the east and mostly flat towards the coast. The climate of Both Watches is a temperate oceanic climate with mean temperatures between 0°C / 32°F in winter and 22°C / 72°F in summer.

History[]

Both the cities of North Watch and South Watch were founded by Ingallish settlers in the first century after the Plague and their influence all but drove the indigenous Kencari from the area. South Watch grew rapidly and was at one point the second largest city of the Republic of Bowdani, after Sky City.

The dissolution of Bowdani and the creation of the Lectern of United Kencari Peoples (LUKP) of which South Watch was to become a part on 16 October 316 was met with resistance and tensions increased already towards the end of October with mayor Francis Appleby being locked in his office by protesters. In early November a new leadership of the city, headed by acting mayor Alistair Hedges Lord de Beaverbrouc, declared the city's allegiance to the LUKP 'null and void' and said to consider itself 'part of the Republic of Bowdani'. The move sollicited a response from the LUKP army, which had South Watch surrounded and under siege by early December; an attempt by the rebels to break out at the end of that month seemed to lead to the start of the Battle of South Watch, but with neither side managing to break enemy lines, no progress was made at all. This situation continued for several months until South Watch was taken by LUKP forces in September 317.

Despite being brought back under LUKP rule, the rapidly destabilising structure of the LUKP enables South Watch to choose its own path. In August 318 the city establishes a stable rule without interference from Sky City. Benefiting from the chaos throughout the country, South Watch takes control of North Watch and (eventually) the city of Sarimiow, close to Sky City. On 18 October the territory of Both Watches is created. The Second Accord of Disky of January 319 defines the borders between Both Watches and the Three Cities and the Cove.

Demographics[]

Both Watches had an estimated number of inhabitants of 15,378,899 on 1 January 322. The far majority of Both Watches speak Ingallish, with indigenous minority languages being spoken as native languages by only 4% of the population. The leading religion of Both Watches is the Orthodox Church of Bowdani. The capital and largest city of Both Watches is South Watch. Other larger settlements are North Watch and Birch Cove, with the city of Sarimiow de facto being the country's second largest city for as long as it is ruled by Both Watches; the nation's sovereignty over Sarimiow is however not recognised by all successor states of the LUKP.

Politics[]

Currently the country is essentially ruled by the city council of South Watch, with the South Watch mayor ex officio being Plenipotentiary for the whole territory. The other areas of the nation do have local autonomy, but it is not expected that the undemocratic situation on the national level will soon be changed. Mayor of Southwatch since independence has been Mr Everett Sawxon-Thwyte.

Economy[]

In early 320, the economy of Both Watches is more or less in shambles, following the years of (civil) war. At the moment there is no national currency and various neighbouring currencies are randomly accepted as well as RealmZasters. The government has scheduled the introduction of the Both Watches' Star as the country's new currency although a date for the introduction has not been fixed yet.