History of Argemonto
Ardian settlement at the „Argentum Montis“ (720-1000)Historians think Argemontese history started some time around 720. The oldest document mentioning a settlement at „Argentum Montis“ is a letter of an Ardian settler which he wrote to his brother back in the empire. The „Argentum Montis“ today called la Kapo was filled with precious metals at that time, especially silver could be found all around it. Naturally when these news reached the Ardian Empire a constant influx of new settlers was assured. Everyone who was able to pay for a place on a boat, or even a whole boat tried to get to Argemonto (as long as he was not scared of the dangerous voyage.)
The Silver Princes (1000-1240) Since it was costly and dangerous to get to Argemonto it were members of patrician families who soon dominated trade an transport from and to Argemonto. Some younger members of less relevant patrician families even moved to Argemonto permanently. In some families it even became a sort of tradition to get rid of unfavored sons by sending them to Argemonto along with a few slaves.
From these young, educated men of noble descend an economic and political elite emerged: The so called Silver Princes. Around the year 1000 the families started to cut the ties to their dynasties in the empire, choosing new names and sigils.
While this elite had consolidated power for their kind, Argemonto remained in a state of constant conflict and shifting alliances between the families. Kidnapping, murder, sabotage and other crimes became normal between the rivaling families.
First Centralisation of PowerIn 1240 Ignacio Kandaliaro became head of his family after his father was murdered by an assassin of the Kolumno Family. Instead of continuing the blood feud between the most powerful families which had raged for decades, he decided to make peace with them. Through generous concessions including trade privileges and silver mines he achieved a solid alliance with the Kolumnos. The pact was sealed by a marriage. In 1242 a slave revolt broke out. Many members of noble families were killed. Ignacio and his wife were able to flee the city along with some of their riches before the slaves could capture them. While Argemonto fell into a state and anarchy, Ingacio arrived in the empire. After explaining the situation a legion was send along with Ignacio. When the commander of the legion disappeared on sea, Ignacio himself assumed control over the legion probably by bribing leading officers and promising them shares of silver mines. Once they arrived the revolting slaves were massacred and the prisoners they had kept hoping to ransom them to the empire were freed. Ignacio had now gained the trust of the Empire and of the noble families in Argemonto.
Kandaliaro RulersIgnacio I. (1242-1280)
While Ignacio Kandaliaro never had an official title that gave him the authority to rule Argemonto he was so respected an influential that he could still do it. He formed an unofficial government called the small council, consisting of the heads of all important Argemontese families. From now on conflicts between families should be settled here under the moderation of Ignacio.
Under his rule Argemonto expanded its economic influence in the region dramatically. Before the small city state colony had made itself completely dependent from the Empire. It had specialized solely on the production of silver and jewellery. Exporting almost exclusively to the Empire. Now trade deals with surrounding kingdoms and city states were made and the diversification of the Argemontese economy was started. Especially the production of agricultural goods grew during this period. Argemonto cleared around 85% of its woods solely for wine production. Basic food products were still imported.
Fernando 1280-1323
After Ignacios death, his nephew Fernando took over. Under his influence the small council was officially acknowledged as the government of the City of Argemonto by the Empire. As head of the council he became governor of the now established imperial province of Argemonto (lat. Argentumontis). Trade Relations with neighbouring settlements were further intensified, which slowly lead to the creation a new language. Local dialects merged with Latin and the first proto-Argemontese language came to exist. However it was almost solely spoken by the lower class and by traders. The official language remained Latin. However this event marks an important step in the history of Argemontese culture.
In the later years of Fernando‘s rule a new diplomatic system emerged. Neighbouring villages and towns were put under protection of Argemonto and of the empire. Argemonto became the door to the imperial trade in its region. New and better oversea trade routes and more reliable ship designs allowed even more export to imperial mainland. The city‘s economy flourished.
Ignacio II. When Ignacio II. became governor of Argemonto the province was in good shape. The first years of his rule were peaceful. In 1327 an economic crisis caused by a drought struck the empire. Luxury products were on low demand and the Argemontese economy declined. When in 1329 all silver deposits in and around the city were depleted and the Empire demanded Argemontese grain to be delivered to the capital, the administration became desperate. Ignacio decided to resist the demand and keep the grain to feed the local population.
The Emperor deposed him as soon as the news reached him. On 4th of January in 1330 Ignacio declared independence from the Empire and from now on ruled as Ignacio I. King of Argemonto.
Civil War against the EmpireAfter the Declaration of Independence, Ignacio quickly assembled an army of mercenaries and dug in at the Argemontese coast, waiting for the Imperial Army to attack. However the Kingdom of East Moreland saw an opportunity to further expand into northern lands. They declared war on Argemonto and invaded. Ignacio now had to split his attention and sent his army south leaving only a small garrison on the coast. Considering the Empire was a bit weakened hoped the Morelanders could be defeated before the imperial fleet could even arrive. On (date to be added) the Argemontese mercenaries and the Morelandish army met on the fields of leading to a battle. At the same time the imperial fleet under the command of (name to be added) arrived Argemontese shores, swiftly took the capital and proceeded to loot the surrounding area. The battle against the Morelanders led to a Pyrrhic victory. The Morelanders regrouped in (place to be added) while Ignacio II heard of the news from the capital. Desperate and angry he force marched his troops back. A huge part of the force had already deserted when the army arrived at the capital. The vastly outnumbered and starving remains of Ignacios army were offered peaceful capitulation. Ignacio rejected the offer leading to his death on the battlefield. Since then Ingacio II is an Argemontese national hero.
After the capital was secured, the imperial troops proceeded to March south hoping to restore order there. On the forced met on. The battle led to a crushing defeat of the Morelanders. The following peace treaty also called the treaty of blah led to the annexation of blah blah blah, territories which were recently conquered by East Moreland, resulting in today’s Argemontese borders.
After a brief episode of independence the following centuries of Argemontese foreign policy were dominated by the empire.
The Imperial Provinces of Portu Vibrante and Summita KariniiAfter the clearly lost civil war the empire did not show mercy. The term of Argentum Montis/ Argemonto was abolished trying to eradicate nationalist tendencies. Former Argemontese territory was put under direct control of two governors appointed by the emperor. All Kandaliaros were slaughtered or exiled