Arona: Difference between revisions

{{Main|Odurian War}}

In [[1858]], the Kingdom of Oustec was suddenly invaded by [[Caphiria]] in reaction to a number of events relating to the unification of [[Burgundie]], with Caphirian forces entering the country on the morning of 18 March. Caphirian forces scored a number of early victories, putting in doubt the longterm viability of Oustec as an independent Kingdom. Burgundie launched a counterinvasion of the Kingdom later in the spring in order to prevent the remaining territory from falling entirely to Caphiria. Both Occidental countries made significant progress into the remaining territory of the Kingdom. Despite extant tensions with the royal government, Harounan forces fought alongside other Oustec regional troops throughout the early phase of the conflict, proving to be competent but unable to resist the overwhelming force presented by Caphiria and Burgundie. It became apparent by July that Oustec would not be able to maintain its independence for long, leading Akule Cornelio to seek alternative options. He met with local political and economic leaders who implored him to pursue independence and neutrality in the ongoing conflict. Cornelio recalled all Harounan-affiliated forces to the province on 28 July, obstensibly to protect against a claimed Burgoignesc attack. On 8 August, he issued a unilateral declaration of independence from Oustec, proclaiming himself King of the new Kingdom of Arona. When it became evident that neither Oustec nor the Occidentals would recognize Arona's independence, he sent a request to the government of [[Urcea]], who had forces relatively nearby in [[New Archduchy]]. [[Riordan VIII]] seized the opportunity to gain a foothold in [[Vallos]] and induced the [[Concilium Daoni]] to formally recognize the Kingdom of Arona on 11 August; forces in New Archduchy were subsequently deployed to Toucari to defend Arona's capital city. On 22 August, Urcea and Arona concluded a treaty recognizing the latter as a loose protectorate of the former. Despite the diplomatic efforts of Urcea, neither Caphiria nor Burgundie would recognize the new state and made no guarantee to steer clear of its territory. Fortunately for Arona, in September the Oustec forces abandoned most of its positions and instead fortified itself in the capital city of Oduria, requiring most Occidental forces to be positioned into a siege. Despite this, skirmishing between Harounan forces with Caphirian and Burgoignesc forces at the periphery continued throughout the war, skirmishing which started to include Urcean forces in mid-1859. The situation approached the possibility of a general war between the three powers before [[Kiravia]] mediated a peace agreement. Arona was eventually recognized as an independent protectorate of Urcea and Oustec was partitioned. King Akule I was recognized as sovereign lord of Arona.

Throughout the 1860s and 1870s, Akule spent significant time and effort trying to build the political and social institutions of a newly independent realm while trying to leverage Urcean economic development. In [[1860]], the [[Royal Navy (Urcea)|Royal Navy]] built its first permanent naval base in Toucari and organized the new Brenedine Squadron to garrison the base. In the 1870s, Arona built a rudimentary railway system linking Toucari and the eastern border, a system that would gradually be improved with some Urcean input through about [[1920]], when it reached Occidental standards.