Piracy in Reykanes

Piracy in Reykanes
20 BC – 1600s
A viking pirate ship
Location	Reykanes Ecros

The era of piracy in the Reykanes began in 20 BC and phased out in the 1600s after the navies of the nations of Eastern Ecros and Ostlandet with colonies in Terraconserva combating pirates. They were known as Vikings by the world. Their Prime years were the last 200 years from 1400s till the 1600s when Piracy took over Reykanes. Influence from Pirates grew to the point where Pirate Republics made independence. Reykanes Became a Pirate heaven for a long time. However the battle between the Pirates and the Commonwealth didn't end.

Opening

"Vikings" were often former sailors from the early battles in the history of Reykanes. In the early history, Reykanes pillaged and raided nearby settlements and trade ships. The Kingdom Reykanes were famous for that. Lots of soldiers were brought in to these raids, like notably the War of the Aegir, however most of the resources that were stolen were mostly taken by the Kingdom and it wouldn't be used the help the people. This led up to many adopting raiding live style to thrive. However it wasn't common yet. Only a handful picked it up. It stagnated in the 4th Century when Reykanes started to opting to trading than raiding. The Kingdom even started to try to limit activity of piracy.

History

Golden Age

Most historians agree that when the Hekla Volcano erupted in 1322 restarted the age of pirates. Many lost their homes and such, so they resorted to join the pirate life. With no king and the war of succesion the numbers of pirates grew before a new leadership is assumed. In 1328 the new Commonwealth was established with Paleocacherian help. The Commonwealth immediately strived for control of the region from pirates. Reykanes never had a huge army due to its low manpower. Due its hunger to claim the entire land, it never could effectively control all of their waters. From the late 1400s it would reach a critical point. Many trade ships were scared away, isolating Reykanes in the end. The pirates were expanding their influence else where. In the end the Commonwealth had to negiotate with the pirates. This would allow the pirates grow their influence in the politics in Reykanes.Their influence reached to a critical level and corruption was frequent and a "mini collapse" commenced. Multiple pirate republics decleared their independence on the coasts of Reykanes. The Commonwealth had gotten isolated. It had no money and army to take care of the pirates. Nurderlia became a pirate heaven.

The decline

The decline of the pirates would be slow. The pirates had numbers and had a firm grip over the region but eventually trade ships were equipped with better defense and navies were bolstered to hunt pirates. It would push back the pirates and give Reykanes a chance to strike back ,which they did. By 1600s effectively the pirates were in the backwater.

Terranihil

In the 15th and 16th centuries, the Terranilian Empire came into conflict with Reykani pirates. They harassed Terranilian ships in the Caelean Sea and Vernier Ocean. The Terranilian navy began heavily patrolling the Caelean Sea and escorting trade ships to deter pirates. Terranilian ships ended up attacking Reykani trade ships as well, which led to deterioration of relations with Reykanes.

In March of 1526, Terranilian slavers abducted several hundred Reykanies from Cape Nátfari in an incident that became known as the Terranilian Abductions. The Commonwealth of Reykanes demanded that Terranihil compell the slavers to return the Reykanies, but Terranihil refused to intervene. Instances of piracy increased following the incident, with pirate republics coordinating attacks on the Terranilian navy.

In September of 1534, Terranihil invaded a southern port on Reykanes. Terranihil wanted to establish a naval base that could assist with combatting pirates. Terranihil was also interested in the potential resources present on the island. The port was used by pirates who defended it from the Terranilian navy for two weeks until it was taken and settled by Terranihil. It was named Šeltđaner. From 1534 to 1549, Terranihil used the port to launch attacks against Reykani pirates. Terranilian fishermen also fished in the protected coast, and hunters poached for furs. Terranihil also began constructing a fort on the cliffs east of the port. Slavers also captured Reykanies from local villages to sell in Terranihil. In 1539, the Commonwealth of Reykanes attacked Šeltđaner and captured it in a few days.