until my comparative poli class i didn't know how important geography and the division of ethnic lines were to a stable government were! and in hoenn's case it's especially important as to why norman was able to claim the isles
there are three main ethnic groups throughout hoenn: the mainlanders, the desert tribe, and the mountain shepherds
mainland: 2/3 of hoenn's population. all of hoenn's nobility are ethnic mainland, and thus have always been in positions of power. clothing often is light and sometimes more revealing, and most people live by the sea and ports.
desert tribe: 1/6 of population. reside in the desert centered between the mountains and forest. they are very isolated from the affairs of the rest of the region, and mostly keep to themselves. they protect the mirage tower, where rayquaza is said to sometimes rest. they wear cloaks and heavy face protection.
shepherds: 1/6 of population. reside scattered throughout the northern mountains and forests. less friendly towards outsiders, but are dedicated to helping travelers through their passes/protecting the isles from any threats from above. they protect the god jiraichi as he sleeps.
because the three groups reside in such distinct areas/hold such distinct mentalities, they had never had much reason to consolidate; rather, the nobles were in command of their own territories, had their own territory of people they governed, and kept mostly to themselves. crime was hard to manage, pirates were wild and rogue and sometimes helpful but many times destructive. the only common ground everyone would look to was phoebe's family, as oracles of the gods, but even then they refused to lead, citing their mission to be only that as messengers.
this fragmentation wasn't unknown to other nations. the hoenn isles was a wild, but beautiful land feared for its danger but revered for its wealth of resources and artistry. an unsullied treasure, other nations whisper that it's has remained untouched for centuries because their gods' protection.
conflicts between the noble houses, the tired common people, and often times the pirates, began to escalate. with little incentive to agree with one another, factions began to spring and fighting broke apart the already fragile power structure. violence became a daily aspect of life, and the victimized populous desired peace above everything, even if it were by questionable means.
norman's clan and caroline's house seized the opportunity to take glory. after the two married, the families devised a plan to claim the crystal waters for themselves. an occupation occurred swiftly, and norman and caroline offered the people an opportunity: to create a new future with them. they promised wealth and generosity and power. they would rain blood on figures that threatened their conquest, and held knives to the throats of those who were too afraid to protest.
it wasn't a smooth road, but their success was largely attributed to the existing animosity of the people against the aristocracy that stepped on them for generations. norman trained a fearsome cavalry, fastened the most formidable navy among neighboring countries, stamped out dissenting pirates, and made space for former nobles (carefully selected) to participate in the governance.
caroline, whose cleverness was already famous and feared, forged strong trading relationships and eventually political ties with other nations--this, in all likelihood, is what kept norman and caroline in command and brought hoenn to the forefront as a legitimate power. international commerce forced other regions to recognize hoenn as a legitimate, stable entity that could taut power on the same level as old royalty.
the wealth and peace they promised was delivered, and while many still resent the outsider's selfish invasion, many came to celebrate their new rulers. norman was labeled the conqueror by outsiders and the defender by his new citizens, and caroline the maven behind it all. the birth of two heirs signified the beginning of a fully fledged royalty who would write hoenn's new history.
