Ursidae occupation of Canisia

The **Ursidae occupation of Canisia** refers to Clan Grimsey's centuries long occupation of the former Canisian homelands in Eastern Calast, lasting from ME 112 to the end of the Northern War in ME 332. The Ursidae of Clan Grimsey arrived in the region in ME 112, and first contact was hostile. Warriors of Clan Grimsey were ruthless, and saw the native Wolf-folk as inferior. These invaders would sweep across Canisian territory, forcing communities to concede crops and hunts in exchange for survival. Those that refused would be slaughtered, their villages razed, and by the second decade of occupation only a handful of major communities would remain free to govern themselves. Others kept around were effectively turned into labor camps, kept only to provide for the occupying forces.

The Canisian rebellion did see success. Operating out of the remains of former villages, rebels could strike fast against the Ursidae, before retreating to their camps in the wild. As the rebellion grew in momentum, Grimsey issued an ultimatum to either cease the fighting or lose their sacred hunting ground. Though many rebels stopped, enough continued to see Grimsey follow through on their threat. The burning is thought to have occurred sometime in ME 135, based off Nibayr tales of a great smoke blocking the sky for days. This loss was seen as a major tragedy to Canisians, and many ceased their support for the rebels. Grimsey would soon choose to enslave Canisians who continued to reside in the region, but still, the rebel's fight continued.

The Ursidae occupation saw unprecedented damage to the Canisian home, with their sacred hunting ground effectively lost. Mass starvation was common throughout the occupation due to the concessions given to Ursidae warriors, and those that did survive were typically sickly looking compared to the Wolf-folk's usual build. Many Canisians would flee the occupiers to head eastwards, eventually forming Canisia on the shores of Sinus Album. During this time, the act of the hunt became more important than ever. Hunters were some of the only Canisians allowed to remain well fed (relative to their kinfolk), and many would find ways to give remaining rebels some of their hunt so they may remain strong and continue their fight.

The occupation would only see its end with the Northern War when, aided by other Ursidae clans as well as the Montiac Empire, the Canisians rose up against their oppressors to finally free themselves. However, modern-day scholars agree that the efforts of Canisian rebels prior to the Northen War was a major factor in Clan Grimsey being so slow to venture into the heart of Calast.

## Governance

Like other areas under control of Clan Grimsey, occupied Canisia had little central governance compared to most other modern states. Individual warbands were free to oversee their respective territory so long as they keep allegiance to the Jarlak of the clan, and all warbands had similar methods of governance. This was usually centered around Canisian labor keeping warriors healthy and fed, whilst also keeping morale of the Wolf-folk down. Canisians as a whole were considered to be property of Clan Grimsey's warriors, and those living in occupied villages had little to no freedom. Traders from outside Canisia and Grimsey were technically allowed, but would be harassed by Ursidae warriors and thus were a rare site. A group of merchants returning from the region around ME 119 began spreading tales of the Ursidae occupation, but through word of mouth this became only a tall tale and was disregarded by most.

A handful of Canisian communities did manage to steer clear of Ursidae occupation. At least seven different villages were known by the few merchants travelling through the area, and were spread out across the southeastern parts of Canisian territory. They mainly survived off of their distance compared to other Canisian communities and goods from outsiders, as hunting was seen as dangerous and done sparingly by these communities. It's unclear if Grimsey was aware of their existence or not.

Grimsey's ultimate goal was to continue their expansion into Calast, using occupied Canisia as a starting point. Because of the Canisian rebellion and the lack of cohesion of the various warbands, this never came to fruition. Grimsey's choice to expand into mainland Calast centuries later was done in haste and against the advice of the other Ursidae clans.

## Life under occupation

### Religion

Canisians were allowed to practice their religion, so long as it did not interfere with the Ursidae occupation. For example while pre and post-hunt praying was allowed, large gatherings at sacred sites were not. These sites were destroyed by the Ursidae early on in the occupation to dissuade rebellion. Sacrifices to Kamen were performed by Canisians during prior to the destruction of these sites, but these prayers failed to ward off the Bear-folk. Many hunters would request help from Kamen in their pre and post-hunt prayers, also to no avail. The failure of Kamen to assist the Canisians during the occupation led to a large loss of belief in the god, and modern Canisians living outside Canisia generally do not follow Kamenism.

### Forced labor

Although at first only requiring a tribute from the Wolf-folk, following the burning of their sacred hunting ground the Ursidae began a full enslavement of the species. Canisians were required to give up a majority of their hunt and crops, and were required to work during all waking hours. Canisian labor made a large portion of the Ursidae equipment during this period, including armor and weaponry. Failure to comply with the strict rules set by each warband would usually result in death, and it wasn't uncommon for Ursidae warriors to push Canisians in an attempt to start a fight. Under some warbands, Canisians were purposely kept malnourished, save for their hunters, and were frail and weak relative to their usually strong stature. Others were less strict on food, and allowed free eating so long as a substantial tribute was still given. Labor camps would usually be built from razed or standing villages, with Ursidae living around the outskirts.

In the decades leading up to the Northern War, many Canisians would flee their communities. Detection, and subsequently execution, was common but did not stop their attempts. Those successful would either flee to the new Canisia in the east or join the rebellion. Hunting parties would often flee in full, and Ursidae warriors eventually accompanied hunters on their outings to prevent desertion which in turn led to a lower hunting yield, and then punishment from the warclan.

## Resistance

The Canisian rebellion was quite successful during the occupation, consistently striking Grimsey. Even during the rebellion's low point following the loss of the sacred hunting ground, attacks continued.

The number of Canisian rebels is unknown, but likely numbered in the thousands during its peak, prior to the burning. Most attacks focused on supply chains as well as rugged roads being constructed by the Ursidae. Attacks would rarely come against large groups, like those overseeing camps, and the few that did occur were unsuccessful. Occupied communities still had contact with the rebels though, using late night howling to communicate information like supply movements, Ursidae numbers, and more. Howling was never outlawed by the Ursidae, and its assumed they weren't aware of it being used to communicate.