Terranilian Empire

Empire of Terranihil İmpirıa Teranǐlal Ⳅⲙⲡⳅⲣⲓⲁ Ⲧⲉⲣⲁⲛⳅⲗ
972–1868
Left: Flag from 972 - 1379 Right: Flag from 1379 - 1868
Empire of Terranihil in 1868 (same borders as modern Terranihil)
Common languages	Vaktrian
Religion	Astrian (official) Islam Christianity Druz Judaism
Demonym(s)	Terranilian
History
• Navaktan I unites the nations of Terranihil	972
• Transition to republic	1868
Preceded by Succeeded by Terranilian Confederation Haltemid Caliphate Emirate of Araz Nasrid Emirate Mikailan Kingdom Emirate of Mestaga Kingdom of Aramea Republic of Terranihil

The Empire of Terranihil was an empire originating in the historical region of Terranihil that expanded across southern Ecros from the Andaluzian Sea to the Caelean Sea. It was founded by Astrian Vaktrians, but at its largest extent was populated by many ethnicities and religions. Tolerance varied from ruler to ruler and dynasty to dynasty, but the Empire of Terranihil was often repressive to the minorities under its rule. It transitioned into a constitutional monarchy in 1843. Then following the Terranilian Civil War of 1863, it became the Republic of Terranihil.

Etymology

Terranihil is a combination of the Romanyan Iberic words terra, meaning "land", and nihil, meaning nothing. Together they mean "land of nothing" to the convey the meaning of a barren, uninhabited land. The Romanyans used this name for the region to its north which consist of the Sadical Mountains and the Terranilian Desert. These lands were largely uninhabited, except for a few nomadic peoples, mostly of Acillian origin.

The Terranilian nations preceding the Empire were located in the western part of the region of Terranihil, known as the Terranilian High Desert or Terranilian Great Steppe. Though warm and dry, the area has been inhabited for millenia as it is not nearly as dry as the more inland regions. The nations of the High Desert took on the name Terranihil.

History

Background and beginnings

The Terranilian High Desert was populated by Astrian Vaktrians. They had not been ruled by any foreign nations such as the Romanyan Empire or Zuhraid Caliphate as the coastal Vaktrians had been. These people began to transition from nomadic tribes and small villages into nations around the 6th century. The High Desert consisted of dozens of small nations that came into conflict with their western neighbors. There were also Acilian nomads further east who had mixed relations with the early Terranilians.

Statue of Navaktan I in Dastivus

In 934, Hetarvis (Vaktrian: Ctarvis) founded a dynasty that would become a dominant nation in the High Desert. The Hetarvian dynasty conquered much of the northern High Desert. In 958, a the Terranilian Confederation, an alliance of several Terranilian nations formed to defend against the Hetarvians. Ultvar Navaktan I of the Hetarvian dynasty conquered the Confederation in 972, which marks the beginning of the Empire of Terranihil.

Invasions of Vaktria

The Terranilians had always wanted to recapture Vaktria, as it is the ancestral homeland of the Vaktrians and Astrians. Documented Terranilian folklore tells about a future return to Vaktria and restoration of the two great Vaktrian nations: the Kingdom of Terranihil and the Septarban Kingdom. These records often include stories foretelling the supremacy of Astrianism over Christianity and Islam, which were seen as foreign colonizer religions. Astrians had been persecuted by the Muslim Zuhraid Caliphate and Haltemid Caliphate and Christian Ragasan Kingdom and Mikailan Kingdom. Thus relevant Terranilian stories and documents often wished for a revival of Astrianism, its return to prominence its homeland, and vengeance upon Christians and Muslims.

In 985, the Empire of Terranihil began its campaign to conquer Vaktria with its invasion of the northern parts of the Haltemid Caliphate. This region was still dominated by Astrians, and they joined in battle against the Haltemids. The Empire captured much of the northern territory of the Caliphate by 991, but was unable to capture any lands further south. The invasion was seen as an immense success by Terranilians, as it was a first step in retaking Vaktria and allowed Terranihil access to the Andaluzian Sea, urban centers, and farmland. The capital moved from Iftramen in the Terranilian High Desert to Pinaria on the coast in 1045.

During the 11th and 12th centuries, their was conflict about the western migration of Terranilians. Many Terranilians were eager to settle in Vaktria were the land was more fertile. Many of those already settled in Vaktria were wary of these immigrants. The Terranilian Peasant Wars occured between these two sides. The issue was excasterbated by invading Acilian tribes from the east. The Empire subdued these raiders in the mid 12th century, and many of them were enslaved. The development of serfdom in Terranihil is thought to have occured in part because of the land crisis.

In 1180, power in the Terranilian Empire was transfered from the Hetarvian dynasty to the Queen Ilsamia (Vaktrian: İlsamıa) of the Pinariast dynasty. Ilsamia was from the coastal city of Pinaria rather than the historical region of Terranihil. There was some discontent among Terranilians in the beginning of her rule due to the shift in power to the west, including the earlier movement of the capital.

In 1197, the Haltemid Caliphate attempted to capitalize on the land crisis and political changes by invading the Empire of Terranihil in an attempt to retake its northern lands. The Empire of Terranihil was able to defend its borders. The invasion led to instability in the Haltemid Caliphate and the secession of the Emirate of Araz and Nasrid Emirate.

Terranilian siege of Minaltar

In 1243, the Empire of Terranihil invaded the Emirate of Araz and conquered it in under two years. Then the Empire invaded the Haltemid Caliphate and defeated it in 1253. It then invaded the Nasrid Emirate and Mikailan Kingdom but was unsuccesful in making major territorial gains. The Empire of Terranihil then included most Vaktria.

Under the Empire, Muslims and Christians faced persecution. The Terranilian military perpetrated several massacres and destroyed religious sites. Muslim and Christian revolts were common in 13th and 14th century, which delayed Terranilian southern expansion. Astrians began to repopulate major cities that had been converted to Islam. The Order of Assassins, an organization of Imrani assassins established in 1030, operated within the Empire of Terranihil until the 15th century. The Order assassinated three Terranilian Kings and many other royals and officials. The Druz, an ethnoreligious group of Imrani Arab origin, were also initially persecuted. However, King Astamer II who ruled from 1262 to 1279, tolerated the Druz and had several in his court, as he thought their beliefs were in many ways similar to Astrianism. Terranilian tolerance of Druz lasted until the 16th century, until the Empire began persecuting them again.

In 1318, the capital was moved to Minaltar, the previous capital of the Haltemid Caliphate. Minaltar had been repopulated by Astrians, but still contained a large Muslim population. In 1344, the Empire of Terranihil conquered the Nasrid Emirate, and then conquered the Mikailan Kingdom in 1356. The Empire of Terranihil had thus conquered the entirity of Vaktria.