Conditions for Famine
In 1827 Nykea declared a war of aggression on its neighbors, the Saskalan Trade League and Republic of Salz. This war raged across the north of the continent, devastating farmland in all three nations. The year of 1828 saw a dry summer followed by an especially cold and wet winter, when combined with the devastation caused by the war this created a massive shortfall in nearly all staple crops. The poor harvest caused traders in Nykea to raise the price of many staples, impacting its neighbors and Nykea's own population greatly. Several Cities in Nykea, such as Rabenbach, Dunstmurus and Volscium had large scale revolts over the perceived unfair prices. Many of the traders and even Nobles were slaughtered, leading to harsh retaliation by the Monarchy of Nykea.
The Famine
While war continued to rage across northern Carinidal the food stocks of Saskala, Nykea and Salz shrank rapidly in the year of 1829, leading to a cessation of hostilities in late 1829. Due to the Republic of Salz being somewhat less affected by the famine, the War had seen Nykea lose significant landmass to Salz, territory that had almost entirely been taken from Salz only a few generations prior. In the West land changed hands between Saskala and Nykea, with Saskala gaining land in the north and Nykea gaining land further south.
Conditions failed to improve in 1829, with food production dropping further from expected levels, livestock dying in the winter from extreme cold snaps and floods, and violent uprisings spreading throughout the region. Many regions of Nykea falling to open revolt, seeking secession from the Empire of Nykea. By the end of 1831 the famine had ended, partly due to the return to normalcy in weather and partly due to a great loss of life.
Aftermath
After the War and Famine Nykea had little in the way of political will, or financial ability, to wage war against its neighbors, leading to a brief period of peace in the region. Internal strife in Nykea ensured that the nation would not be able to destabilize the region for an extended period of time, and it gradually fell into decay. The ensuing Monarchs were far more jaded, greedy, and violent than their predecessors. Nykean national identity warped over the ensuing decades, and many Political Leaders, Artists, and Writers in Nykea looked to the old Carinian Empire for inspiration. The concept of Pan-Carinism would spread throughout Nykea and its neighbors. Pan-Carinism had a focus on not only the regional identity, but the inherent rights of all people, and a belief by some that the Famine was punishment from on high for the Hubris of the 'Great Leaders'. While tensions remained high until the end of the Great War the idea of a unified Carinidal remained a constant dream of many.
Many great works of fiction and poetry from the 1830's and 1840's focus on the ideals of Pan-Carinism.