Ovancian Empire

The Ovancian Empire was an empire situated in Western Artemia spanning most of the southern Balearic Sea until its collapse during the Grand Campaigns. At the time of its collapse in 1925, Ovancia's continental population numbered 159.8 million. For most of its history following the real union with Insennia in 1532, the Ovancian Empire was a unitary semi-constitutional monarchy with brief periods where it could have been described as an absolute monarchy.

Ovancia is generally considered to have been one of the greater colonial empires from the 16th to 18th century, including several large holdings in Avalonia. It began establishing colonies in Avalonia in 1440 with the establishment of Chezzetcook, to be followed by parts of Tilenno and Laurentia. However, its power diminished greatly during the Queens' War in the 18th century, making it one of Western Artemia's smaller colonial empires in terms of overseas territories (compared to Tiperyn, Agrana y Griegro and the Goetic Empire) by the turn of the 19th century. Losses overseas resulted in instability closer to home, leading to the loss of Mespalia in 1824 after having been an integral part of continental Ovancia for almost 700 years. But, its continental population and economic and political power still placed it as one of Western Artemia's great powers until its collapse.

As a result of socialist revolution during the Grand Campaigns, the Ovancian Empire ultimately broke up in 1925. Most of its continental territory formed the five constituent socialist republics of the Union of Artemian Socialist Republics (URSA). Insennia, which was ethnically and linguistically distinct from the rest of continental Ovancia, gained independence as a semi-constitutional monarchy with the Crown Alliance's political and military support. Litania also gained its independence separate from URSA and established itself as a parliamentary republic.

Antiquity
In the 1st century, Gotaz tribes settled in the region of Ovancian. Although initially small in numbers and often integrating with existing populace, the number of Goten settlements increased in the following centuries. This caused tension between the groups over resources such as fertile ground and access to ancient trade networks. The frequent skirmishes resulted in the construction of fortifications.

As the settlements sought more protections, the raiding parties got larger and stronger. This in turn brought the construction of the first stone forts in the region. These forts would over time also start to hold small retinues, which provided the ground for a kingdom. By the late 6th century, the kingdom of Ovaïçe collapsed after the failed succession war for NAME, which resulted in the death of king NAME. This in turn brought a period of instability and fractured the realm.

Rise of the Ovancian Empire
By the 13th century, the realms were slowly consolidated by pacts and marriages. This gave rise to a regional power that soon would diplomatically influence its neighborhood. Convoys are send to modern day Mespalia to convince nobles to join the rising kingdom. This would wound up into the 1308-1342 Ovancian annexation of Mespalia, which is often marked as the start of the First Ovancian Empire.

As the country grows territoriality during the 14th century, cultural tensions within the empire grinds the expansionism to a temporary halt. With the birth of the nationstate in the early 15th century, power blocks in western Artemia form. Seeing themselves enclosed, expeditions to overseas territories are funded. Various tradeposts in north Artemia and west Kesh are established, and religious missions are send out. However, the settlements are heavily contested, and tight budget forces the empire to surrender these holdings.

Start of the Age of Discovery
In 1440s, sailors looking for new fishing grounds discovered Chezzetcook, which over time is secretly relayed to the emperor. Various expeditions were sent and, after a short war with Tiperyn, the islands are settled by 1482. From the harbors established in the fjords, expeditions were sent to the newly discovered continent of Avalonia. Trading posts were established along the Ingonian Sea, Brigantican coast, towards the north of the continent.

Age of Colonisation
On Brigantica, the second official colony is established in Laurentia in 155x.

The initial tradeposts are soon contested as various Artemian powers try to establish a foothold on Avolonia. In 1546, Ovancia gets into conflict with Tilenno over holdings in Zesha, which results in a colonial war. In 1579, it establishes Ocancian Tilenno. By the late 16th century, the Ovancian Empire claims all of Brigantica, much east coast Avolonia, and large territories in modern day Tilleno. Although the strength of these claims is discutable, as the territories are often still contested, the empire did prove strong influences over Brigantica and Tilleno.

In 1676, Ovancia captures Làgora (Tilenno).

In 1706, Upper Mespalian rebels, which is smashed down hard again.

Collapse of the Colonial Empire
Between 1721-1743, Ovancia fights the Second Ovancia-Tilenno colonial war. This was a very bloody war. The finances were running dry and general unrest on colonial management caused uprisings across the Ovancian colonies. The protests were countered hard-handedly, the crown was ultimately forced to make concessions to prevent general uprisings in Artemia. This would result in the 1739 (?) Chezzetcook independence and the 1767 de-jure Independence of Brigantica (?).

By the end of the 18th century, the colony empire of Ovancia had collapsed. This ofcourse caused a peak of oppression in Mespalia, which would be met with resistance from 1816 on, until the 1823 independence war breaks out. By summer 1824 the Ovancian forces have retreated from the island, ending over 7 centuries of Ovancian presence.

The rise of the Continental Empire
Now follows the long build up on the continent where large powerblocks get created. I personally see Ovancia as like an Austria-Hungary with Litania as the Hungary (including the irl annoyingness they did, imagine the name... Ovancia-Litania). The ginourmous tensions would ofcourse break if there were a big unpopular war coming up. Geez, I hope that doesnt happ-

Grand campaigns
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In the wake of the revolution, the Ovancian Socialist Republic rose up. This state, that encompassed part of the former territory, subsequently united other parts of the former empire into the URSA.