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DispatchFactbookHistory

by The United Island States of AHSCA. . 99 reads.

Nanao Family Dynasty (WIP)

The Nanao Dynasty has been the most notable and influential monarch families in the history of the AHSCA Islands, specifically Aurora Island. Their long lasting rule has been felt for three centuries only to break tradition with the reign of Duchess Shino Nanao-Villa, the only Duchess to take her husband's surname opposed to retaining her maiden name.

I. Duchesses

Background on Duchesses

Women rulers pre-20th century were uncommon in many parts of the world. The island of Aurora however based mostly on family lineage of birthright, namely the first born or whomever would be selected. The first recorded Duchess was Taka Fuura but little is known about her life mostly due to many records lost or proven fabricated. After her other men and women ascended or abdicated the thrones at different points leading to the Hiragi family whom bared twin girls. According to history, the decision of whom to crown as the next Duchess. Taree Miki, whom was born 1838 died in 1872 after contracting Jungle Fever.

Tamura Nanao

Duchess Tamura has the best recording of history to her name. It is thought some details could be embelleshed from legend or for early propaganda but many historians agree most of the facts presented in her history are accurate. Tamura Nanao born 1843, died 1960. Betrothed to Subaru Nanao and ascended to the throne at 13 in 1856. Considered the first "Empress of Aurora" though she never claimed that title. In her reign she was known to rule with more of an iron fist compared to Dukes or Duchess before her. The year prior to her reign Aurora had been gripped in a Jungle Fever epidemic, the same that claimed the life of much of her family. Being the only survivor whom didn't contract (debated whether immunity or simple luck). Upon her ascension the plague continued to spread until it finally subsided by the middle of 1873. In an effort to slow or stop the plague Nanao required more frequent washing and bathing during the day, bathing had long been in place but Nanao deemed it important to make it a near ritualistic habit throughout the day.

Bodies of the dead were required to be burned and sick were quarantined with the threat of violence or live sacrifice should they disobey. As the plague subsided Duchess Tamura began to spread her influence. With Aurora's population heavily depleted due to sick or deceased, she sat her eyes on neighboring Niko which is presently Hoshino. 1874 she launched the first attempted invasion but heavy seas largely prevented anything and a fairly aggressive wet season set in putting plans on hold.

1877 Duchess Tamura attempted again to conquest neighboring Niko and this proved to be successful. The island was renamed Hoshino for her governor she appointed to run the island while she returned to Aurora to continue her rule there. Tamura was known to be weary of outsiders though she did allow first contact with other nations by 1880 she proved to be difficult to negotiate with her stubborn demeanor. This is what is credited with AHSCA's lacking development at the height of the industrial revolution in the rest of the world. In the decades end, Aurora had been having a string of fortune with no major hurricanes to strike the island and no major illness outbreaks and a moderate rainy season. The citizens took this as a sign the Goddesses had given them favor and Duchess Tamura capitalized on this and declared herself blessed with Divinity and could rule with Divine right over the islands.

In 1889 Duchess Tamura began to set plans for further conquest of the neighboring islands but in the years since taking Hoshino, Stillestando had since fortified itself and built up it's own defenses to ward off any invasion. Duchess Tamura then brokered a deal with King Hendri of the island to leave Stillestando alone but allowing them to take smaller Corona Island. The King agreed allowing the Duchess to use the island as a launch point. Once again storms largely prevented a proper invasion of Corona and the few successful landings were fought off.

Duchess Tamura fought Chief Vento of Corona but ultimately lost the duel. Her life was sparred under condition Corona be left alone from Aurora's imperial ambitions. Agreeing to this it allowed the Duchess to recover and also set sights on Animalpolis. Animalpolis was the remaining island not taken but was already heavily occupied by various animalmimi sapiens. Animalpolis was taken but unlike Hoshino and Corona, it was taken without fight and willful adoption of Aurora's customs and even the offer of a marriage alliance which it is believed Duchess Tamura agreed to with a woman of the island. Animalpolis was formally annexed by the Aurora Empire in 1891.

In 1892 Duchess Tamura returned to Aurora to continue her reign. In 1893 the first Christian missionaries arrived on the island and were heavily persecuted by her Decree. She ordered any proselytizing missionary be captured and killed. This kept Christianity away for another century.

Akira Nanao

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