Gassavelia: Difference between revisions

| seat                            = Harzenon

The so-called "wilderness years" of Gassavelia represent its period as a disunited series of polities which, although functionally part of [[Urcea]], were largely separate and ruled individually by the [[Apostolic King of Urcea]]. Due to the destruction of the Kingdom faced in the later years of the [[Great Confessional War]] and subsequent economic degradation of the [[Dragonnades]], the Gassavelian counties were severely economically depressed. Unlike other parts of [[Levantia]] though, very few Protestants would leave the country for [[Pharisedoms]] as none existed for their people, instead with most accepting the [[Catholic Church|Catholic faith]] but out-migration going to other places in [[Urcea]] due to the lack of food and employment. During the wilderness years, the territories were largely governed under the mistaken belief that they could be transitioned to a largely agricultural economy common throughout the rest of [[Levantia]], leading to the destruction of many settlements where the rare viable, flat land needed existed. Efforts to grow rice in the area were unsuccessful during the 17th and 18th centuries.

The significant and lasting economic deprivation in the Gassavelian duchies lead to unrest and resentment among the population, and a popular uprising began in 1675, which was the hundredth anniversary of the destruction of the Kingdom. While revolts and minor uprisings had been common in the region since 1610, the '75 Rising was the first coordinated mass uprising requiring a significant commitment of the [[Royal Army (Urcea)|Royal Army]].  

Most of Gassavelia sits in a valley between the [[Hortus Mountains]] to the west and the highlands of western [[Burgundie]] to the east, with the Harzenon River bisecting the country at the lowest point in the valley. The Harzenon River, which is thought to have formed the valley by erosion, is the primary site of human settlement within the state, and the Harzenon River basin makes up a majority of the land area of Gassavelia. Topographically, much of Gassavelia is uneven, with steep declines from the interior country to the rivers which cross the state forming deep canyons in many places. Most of Gassavelia is far above sea level. The significant topographical differences poses a challenge for the typically car-centric lifestyle of most Urceans, and consequently Gassavelians use automobiles less hours per year on average than any other area of [[Urcea]].

[[Category: Urcea]]