Monasale

Monasale against the Serephanian Sea.

**Monasale** is a Gallonese city on the Serephanian coast. With a population of 2,851,500, it is the second-largest city in the country and one of the largest in the Western Serephanian. Monasale lies within the historical region of Vigueria, which spans the northwest Serephanian coast. It is also the northernmost city on the Montagnese Coast.

Monasale was founded by the Ancient Delliks as *Mansilla* and later conquered by the Tonans. The city changed hands between the Vastabergs, Gallans, and Asturicans before being incorporated into the County of Monasale, an Amorian Overseas Territory. After a period of independence as both a principality and later an internationally-controlled city-state, Monasale rejoined the Republic of Gallone.

Monasale has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate with warm summers and very mild winters.

## History

Monasale was founded by the Ancient Delliks as the colony of *Mansallia*. It was subsequently captured by the Tonans and became an early centre of Chalceanity during the Tonan Empire. Following the fall of the Western Tonan Empire Mansallia was under Vastabergic control, although it maintained its status as a premier port city. It remained under Bergaric control for several centuries.

The Gallans absorbed the city into their vast Empire of Gallania, composed of numerous smaller kingdoms, counties, and duchies. It was nominally independent, forming the County of Monasale. The Asturicans conquered most of the county, out of Gallanish control. West Gallania regained control of the region next, which evolved into the Kingdom of Gallone. The Amorians and Gallonese fought a long war, resulting in the Amorian acquisition of the county, which they held for several hundred years. Eventually the city returned to Gallonese control.

### **Ancient Dellik period**

Monasale was founded by the Ancient Delliks as the colony of *Mansallia*.

### **Tonan period**

It was subsequently captured by the Tonans and became an early centre of Chalceanity during the Tonan Empire.

### **Vastabergic period**

Following the fall of the Western Tonan Empire Mansallia was under Vastabergic control, although it maintained its status as a premier port city. It remained under Bergaric control for several centuries.

### **Gallan period**

The Gallans absorbed the city into their vast Empire of Gallania, composed of numerous smaller kingdoms, counties, and duchies. It was nominally independent, forming the County of Monasale.

### **Asturican period**

The Asturicans conquered most of the county, out of Gallanish control. West Gallania regained control of the region next, which evolved into the Kingdom of Gallone.

### **Amorian period**

*See also: County of Monasale*, *Amorian Vigueria*

The Amorians and the Gallonese were locked in a feud over total control of continental Gallone. Both Amoria and Gallone were ruled by Gallonese monarchies and had claim to the country due to a crisis of succession. Amoria held territory in western Gallone (Calimar and Borbonne) and Belhan, which at that time constituted part of Gallone. Eventually a war broke out lasting over 100 years. Although the Gallonese were successful in defeating the Amorians in the majority of Gallone, they did lose the counties of Monasale and Bisceno, along with the Kastoric Islands; limiting their access to the Serephanian.

Monasale was a colonial territory under Amorian rule and was underdeveloped for the first few decades. It had a functioning port, but it was generally less important to the Gallonese than Brassel, their primary Serephanian port at the entrance to the Neri Delta. The Amorians preferred the city of Caralona, on the southern side of the Ebbo River in Hiberia. They chose to develop a military base in the Monasale; including a fort with fortified walls, a moat, and a functioning port area. The Amorians grew dissatisfied with Caralona as it was a violent city that was constantly under raids from the Malumic Hiberian kingdoms. For this reason, they began to develop Monasale into a trading post and economic hub.

As Amoria transformed from a kingdom into an empire they desired to expand their holdings in the Western Serephanian. Monasale was reorganized into the Overseas Territory of Monasale and became known as the "Jewel of Amoria". Amorian traders would travel throughout the Serephanian, Aspean, and Azal seas and bring their goods to the city, which would then be distributed throughout the Western ports or shipped back to Amoria. Many of the empires elite class would travel to Monasale during the winter months or spend their summer months in the city. Some desired to stay there full-time, opening grand plantations. This spurred a lower-class migration to the city as many poor workers sought employment opportunities in the city, with their voyage being funded by the government.

Under Amorian control the elites served as a minority ruling class, while the poor Amorian workers, Gallonese, Viguerians, and Asturicans made up the majority. The lower-class referred to themselves as *Monasallais*.

### **International control**

Following the Great War and the subsequent treaties, Monasale was placed under the Gallonese International Zone; an internationally controlled territory consisting of several cities on the Gallonese and Hiberian coasts with the goal of full independence. The zone included the cities of Monasale and Bisceno. Monasale became a centre of liberalism, freedom, expressionism, tolerance, and diversity of cultures and religion. People from across the globe came to participate in extravagant parties, engage in international espionage, and indulge in the film, art, literary, and music scenes.

### **Independence**

After being under international control, the united forces deemed Monasale capable of independent rule.

### **Modern period**

Eventually the city voted to return to Gallonese control, although it retains the status of a *Free City*, giving it nominal independence.

## Culture

Monasale has a unique identity that blends elements of Gallonese, Amorian, Hiberian, and North Atrian cultures. Monasale's architecture is famed for its Amorian Colonial style found in the Colonial District, relatively unique in the Serephanian.