Asilica: Difference between revisions

The Kingdom of [[Valeria]] would move in to the area very quickly after the Ethalrians left. Some South Ethalrian princedoms would voluntarily join the Kingdom or become vassal states, while others were conquered in a Valerian military campaign in 1200. Meanwhile, contary to their promise, in response to increasing Valerian influence, Ethalria would also conquer or make vassals of various princedoms. Over the centuries, there would even be several minor outbreaks of violence between Valeria and Ethalria over South Ethalrian states, and many states changed hands several times. In fact, between 1400 and 1600 at least one of the several South Ethalrian states was at war in some fashion or another. At their highest number in 1515, there were 27 South Ethalrian states. Many of them existed for hardly longer than a generation, and the borders among them shifted constantly.

By the turn of the 17th century, as [[Great Morstaybishlia]] (the successor to the Kingdom of Valeria) began to turn its attention beyond Aurora and Ethalria's influence began to decline, things began to settle in the South Ethalrian region. In 1600, there were 14 South Ethalrian states that were nominally or functionally independent, as well as various other areas that were under the direct control of either Morstaybishlia or Ethalria. One hundred years later, this number had only changed by two, as two states broke away again from Ethalria and increased the number to 16. Also during the 17th century, the number of South Ethalrian states that were vassals or subjects of outside powers decreased from 5 to none, as the style of diplomacy among nations had shifted away from demanding formal tribute to more trade-based economic relationships. At the dawn of the 18th century, all 16 South Ethalrian states were recognized independent states, although approximately seven of them were closely allied with Ethalria, five with Morstaybishlia, and six of them declared neutral. There were also four distinct areas that South Ethalrians generally considered to be South Ethalrian states that formed part of Morstaybishlia.

In the 18th century, desire among South Ethalrians for unity among themselves and independence from others began to crystallize. In 1714, residents of the four South Ethalrian states under the control of Morstaybishlia delivered a petition to the King asking for independence. At that same time, militias were raised among independence-oriented groups both inside those territories as well as in various South Ethalrian states that were more allied with Ethalria. Rather than risk further armed conflict with Ethalria, Morstaybishlia allowed for the independence of the four remaining South Ethalrian areas. As of 1714, there were 20 South Ethalrian states. However, within another 20 years, the four formerly Morst states merged with with three other states to form a Principality of South Ethalria, with a capital in the port city Zalica. Zalica was the largest city in the region by population and the wealthiest of the South Ethalrian states.

The League of South Ethalrians gradually became the leading political forum in the region, and given the wealth of the Zalican-led Principality of South Ethalria - which only increased as time went on - other South Ethalrian states began to join the Principality. There were several holdouts, and the political system of the Principality became a controversial issue. After centuries of independence, many of the states had formed their own distinct methods of government, and many of them refused to return to monarchy under the Prince of South Ethalria. However, at the end of the 18th century, the [[Posolic Wars]] broke out between Morstaybishlia and Ethalria. The threat of violence from all sides around South Ethalria increased nationalist sentiment as well as the idea that the city-states needed to band together for their own safety. In 1800, an agreement was negotiated between every South Ethalrian city state and Morstaybishlia - the first time all South Ethalrian states had united in a single diplomatic effort - allowed Morstaybishlian troops to move through South Ethalrian lands and waters in exchange for Morstaybishlia agreeing to support South Ethalrian independence from both Ethalria as well as Morstaybishlia. Additionally, Asilican troops joined the Morstaybishlians in their effort to beat back the Ethalrians.

Over the course of several more rounds of negotiations between the various states called the Councils of Zalica, held between 1800 and 1803, a treaty was negotiated that would admit the remaining South Ethalrian states to the Principality of South Ethalria, and then change the Principality to a Republic under the name Asilica. The treaty was signed by all parties in 1803, but would not become effective unless ratified by the population in a referendum. Notably for the era, sufferage in the vote was extended to all adult men, regardless of landowning status. The referendum occurred in December of 1803, and the votes were counted and declared official on January 22nd, 1804. Today, this is celebrated as the date the Republic was founded.