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Colonization of Gapolania was a period in history of Gapolania between 1523 and 1531, started by the arrival of Domenico Sarutina in the bay of Astia and finished by the establishment of the Governorate of Nassea by Alberto Gappolani. Following the discovery of the north-eastern parts of Asteria Inferior by Povelian explorers, the region was subjected to extensive marine and inland expeditions, Vespasian settlement, wars with the indigenous people and slavery.

Background

La Orchidea, Domenico Sarutina's ship, is described as the first vessel to reach the coast of Gapolania.

Discovery of modern-day Gapolania is commonly attributed to Domenico Sarutina, a Povelian trader, however, Sarutina initally was a part of a bigger fleet of Raffaelle di Mariran. Di Mariran's expedition was ordered by the Doge of the Exalted Republic of Poveglia, whose goal was to map the coast of the Asterias and establish outposts that would expand the republic's trade opportunities. The expedition departed from Povelia in 1522 and reached the New World a year later. While di Mariran arrived on the coast of West Arucian Sea, several ships, including La Orchidea, commanded by Sarutina, were blown off the course during storm and ventured further east. It is unclear why the ships did not attempt to rejoin di Mariran and instead kept on sailing east, ultimately discovering Gapolania. Several studies claim that it was Sarutina's ambition and desperation for an achievement of his own that led the rest of the fleet there, making it simply a personal and emotional reason, while others do explain that by taking into consideration logistical factors - dwindling supplies, reaching fully unknown waters and having no information of the main fleet's whereabouts caused Sarutina to sail to the first safe spot encountered along the way, trying to establish contact with di Mariran and Povelia upon disembarking.

In April of 1523, Sarutina's crew arrived at the Bay of Astia on the northwestern tip of Asteria Inferior. According to the reports, 339 people landed, most of them exhausted or with scurvy symptoms. Upon discovering that di Mariran had reached Asteria Superior and had engaged in a war with Oaexicun Empire, Sarutina claimed the area for Povelia and established an outpost of Astia. This marked the beginning of an intense colonization period. In the upcoming year, over 10 thousand people migrated into the region.

Colonization

Expeditions

Map of sea and land expeditions in Gapolania.

Following the discovery of Gapolania by Domenico Sarutina, the land quickly attracted several other traders, military figures and explorers. Often, in the name of Povelia, these people would claim power, accomplishments and rewards for themselves, as settling in Gapolania promised a land to own, resources to trade and people to command. Starting in 1523, there were several major marine and land expeditions to Gapolania.

Expedition of Giovanni Senafori

Giovanni Senafori was a Povelian trader that had been previously trading spices from Bahia. When di Mariran reached the coasts of Asteria Superior, Senafori had already gathered a small fleet, ready to assist di Mariran in his conquests. Many of the crew members were experienced traders and soldiers. Senafori departed from Povelia in late 1522 but and reached Marirana in the summer of 1523 but, upon learning oabout the discovery of Gapolania by Domenico Sarutina, sailed further east, thinking that his fleet would be needed more there. The flotilla reached the coast of Gapolania in late 1523, passed the Cape of Basaìa and disembarked in the Basaìa Bay, founding a small outpost of Baria.

Surrounding area was inhabited by the indigenous tribes of Dajù and Kanimoka. Initially friendly, the natives were expelled by force from the coast as Senafori claimed it for Povelia. The terrain around the town of Baria proved to be decent for sugarcane harvesting, soon making it one of a major sugar producers for Povelia. Senafori himself engaged in a dispute with Sarutina, with Sarutina worried about increasing Senafori's influence over the region. While many groups started to settle around Baria and ventured deeper into the continent, Sarutina forbid them from passing the Semara river, claiming the territory had already been assigned to the settlers arriving in Astia. Personal conflict ended in 1526, when Sarutina was killed in the clash with the indigenous people. Senafori played a significant role in developing Gapolenese industry, supporting Gappolani's governorship.

Expeditions of Alberto Gappolani

Portrait of Alberto Gappolani, the most prominent figure in early Gapolanese history

Alberto Gappolani was a major persona in colonizing Gapolania and creating its history. Born to a noble family, he quickly became a military professional. Motivated by his master, he embarked on a journey to Gapolania, then known just as a part of Nuova Poveglia and reached the continent in 1524. Aware of Sarutina and Senafori's developments in the northwestern parts of the region, he sailed further east, establishing a port of Santo Aurelio, in the delta of the river Gezzanari. Gappolani's crew consisted mostly of soldiers, whom he used to fight with local tribes. He did not stop there, however, but sailed further, eventually founding another outpost in Darmatum. This was the first settlement east of the Cape Sette Rocce, bringing attention of the several Povelian noble families, which, interested in possessing a share of the New World's resources, funded an inland expedition of Gappolani.

Starting from Darmatum, Gappolani managed to reach the valley of Paraìa and consistently moved southwards, claiming most of the area of modern-day Gapolania for Povelia. Encounters with indigenous people resulted mostly in them escaping their native territories and hiding in the more mountainous areas, where they later became a threat for Povelian settlers. Reaching the mountains, Gappolani traveled west, arriving in relatively densely populated areas around Jindò river. With an exception of Chomidari, most tribes actively fought Gappolani's army and ultimately he was forced to return. Passing the Setorran hills, he found the river Gezzanari and successfully reached Santo Aurelio.

Acknowledging Domenico Sarutina's death, Gappolani decided to pursue an active role in the colony's politics. Supported by Senafori, he assembled a fleet and sailed back east to the delta of the Paraìa river, which he found suitable for founding another outpost. The settlement, called Nassea, became Gappolani's seat and quickly developed into a major hub in the region, being conveniently approachable from both the Arucian Sea and the Lumine Ocean.