Herciana: Difference between revisions

Herciana became a relative backwater under the [[Caphiria|First Imperium]], with most of its population turning to subsistence fishing for survival. Many of the buildings of Messisoria and the island's other great cities and structures were pillaged for their building material. Most historians believe the island's population was reduced to around 15,000 from a high of over 200,000 during its peak. Christianity was introduced to the island in around 110 AD with most of the residents of the island being adherents by 280 AD. The island remained an insignificant fishing outpost when it was conquered by the [[Oduniyyad Caliphate]] in 676 AD. The island was used as a base from which Oduniyyad raiders would harass [[Halfway]] and [[Greater Canaery]], eventually taking the former in 890 and establishing an independent Emirate. Herciana was recaptured as part of the [[Crusades]] and was part of the shortlived Principality of Thessia before being conquered by the resurgent Second Imperium of [[Caphiria]] in the 15th century. From there, it began to grow following a millennia of decline, becoming an important port location on the way from [[Venceia]] to [[Audonia]] while also being the primary means by which [[Burgundie|southeast Dericania]] traded with eastern [[Sarpedon]]. As trade prospered, many mainlanders began to move to the island, and the island's population grew to about 75,000 in 1600. The [[Great Schism of 1615]] disrupted public administration in the area as well as trade. The island, as part of the broader east Caphiric Istroyan culture, began to organize against the area's continued subjugation, and joined with others in launching the [[Veltorine War of Independence]]. The island became part of the new Veltorine state in 1782 and remained an important trade hub. During the Tyrian Revolution, the island was a holdout of Royal forces from 1863 to 1865 as the old regime was supported by mercantile interests on the island in opposition to the socialist regime; the island was eventually taken by socialist forces in 1865. Trade was disrupted again during the first socialist period as imports into the country dried up, but the island rebounded after 1892. The island was conquered by [[Caphiria]] during the [[First Great War]], though mercantile activity once again entered decline as eastern Sarpedon and the [[Sea of Canete]] became a warzone.  

The island rebuilt in time for the [[Second Great War]], when it was invaded and occupied by the [[Urcea|Urcean]] [[Royal Marine Corps (Urcea)|Royal Marine Corps]] in [[1938]]. The island was subsequently ceded to [[Urcea]] as part of the [[Treaty of Kartika]]. Due to the symbolic significance of the Messisorian Kingdom and [[Veltorine people|Veltorine]] majority on the island, the [[Veltorine government-in-exile]] relocated to the island in 1943. Negotiations between the [[Government of Urcea]] and government-in-exile began with the possibility of the government-in-exile assuming autonomous control of Herciana as some kind of free state, but the issue was a red line for [[Caphiria]] which threatened resuming war in [[1948]]. An early victory for the Caphirians in the [[Occidental Cold War]], negotiations were cut off and the government-in-exile was relocated to [[Lariana]]. After being governed by a provisional military rectory from 1938 to 1948, a civilian [[Government_of_Urcea#Overseas_Possessions|Rectory]] government was established in 1948.