Archive:War of the Grand Coalition
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The War of the Grand Coalition, also called the 'Szezko-Norjihani Colonial War' was a conflict in South Baredina from 1668 to 1673 over control of trade in the Gulf of Ishenar, as well as an attempt at Norjihani expansion under the colonialisation programme of Norjihan. The war began in 1668 when Norjihan attempted to launch an invasion of Niofe, territory of the Kingdom of Szezkia, and became a war in which Norjihan tried to establish their domination over the Ishenar region, strengthen their grip on their Hemeshi colonies and eventually take Szezkia itself. The war was fought between the The Kingdom of Norjihan and their Isugzan puppets against the Grand Coalition of the Kingdom of Szezkia, Xhodiar, the Algazi League and Asmal, as well as a revolt led by Voren Lordinal, Prince of Istan, who claimed the Norjihani crown.
Background
Norjihani-Szezk Relations
The House of Rona, starting from Govegz I Rona in 1306, had ruled Norjihan for 353 years when Govegz II took the throne in 1659, after the mysterious death of his father Malac IV. It was under Govegz I that Szezkia becamee an independent state, after the Szezk Genocide and the Coup of 1306, in which Govegz attempted to wipe out the Szezk royal family, and after the War of the Three Armies - which resulted in Szezkia's sovereignty being at least partially accepted by Norjihan - the two governments remained highly suspicious of each other. The House of Rona called themselves 'Kings of the Szezk, Vanquishers of the Ill-Blooded', in a deliberate attempt to incense the Szezks, and trade between the two nations was completely banned from 1306 until 1592, even thereafter being heavily restricted, with particularly heavy tarrifs imposed on the Szezk by the Norjihanis. Relations had never really got off the ground when Govegz II became King, and he swiftly reimposed the ban on Szezk trading; in 1662 he attempted a blockade of Avdjereg in an attempt to force the Szezks to give up the Lailum Field, a symbolic gesture as that is where one of the most famous massacres of the Szezk Genocide took place. Whilst Govegz II was forced to lift the blockade after the Szezks threatened all out war, he still considered it as an expression of Norjihani force.
Norjihani Expansionism
The Algazi League were the main force in trade in the Gulf of Ishenar at the time, but both Norjihan and Szezkia had designs on extending their influence over the region. The Szezks had attempted to try to increase control via diplomatic methods, negotiating deals with various countries, including giving the Algazi League several small islands in the Ishenar in 1663. Meanwhile, Govegz II launched what he called the 'Ishenar Plan': an attempt to tighten Norjihani control via expansion. This meant the construction of a giant navy, funded via loans from the Algazi Union. Alongside this, he demanded a great levy from his subjects, especially the Princes of Istan who he tried to exert a much greater control on than prior; when the Principality of Istan had been subsumed into Norjihan in 1612, the princes had been granted much greater autonomy, and had even married into the House of Rona. This attempt by Govegz to curb the autonomy of his vassals was met with much animosity, including a rebellion in the North in 1665, which was only defeated when the Princes of Istan intervened, with the promise they would have their autonomy returned to them.
This build up was seen as a threat by; Szezkia, who feared an invasion; Xhodiar, who thought Norjihan may try to increase their control in Isugza; and Asmal, who were worried Govegz may try to take back the former territory of the Viceroyalty of Istan (especially given how Voren Lordinal, Prince of Istan, had recently grown to be one of Govegz's most trusted generals and advisors). This fear was confirmed by the Norjihani invasions of Gemet and Sroyos in 1664 and 1667 respectively. Govegz hoped that by controlling territory on both sides of the Ishenar, Norjihan could act as a gatekeeper, controlling what went in and out. Govegz also had designs on Mør Osæren (Szezk Offshore Ishenar Territory) and on the entirity of Niofe, believing that they were essential to his plan, as well as seeing it as a way to cripple Szezkia.
The Course of the War
On the 6th June 1668, Norjihani troops under the control of Gaban Vyrma, General of the South, landed on the shores of the Mør Osæren, near to the harbour town of Tyremið. This coincided with the handing of the 'Osæren Ultimatum' to the Szezk King Tyvjedan, which he refused. Thus, the war had begun. Norjihani forces had success initially on Mør Osæren, capturing Tyremið and Oshari, and it at first seemed like the conquest would be straight forward. However, the Norjihani army was ambushed by native tribes at the Battle of the Andre (named after the nearby river, which reportedly ran red with blood following the battle). The defeat was a humiliation for Govegz personally, and Norjihan generally, and the entirity of the elite Uulan Guard was wiped out. During the invasion of Mør Osæren, Szezkia had been able to gather help from Xhodiar - who feared Norjihani influence in Isugza increasing - and the Algazi League (although the league simply provided supplies and general support at first). Suddenly, the war was open on several fronts.
An extra front was added when Voren Lordinal, Prince of Istan, marched into Asmali territory; he had been charged by Govegz to take the Asmali coast to further Norjihani influence, and to try and extract tribute and better trading arrangements. These would benefit the Prince, especially as he would be given control of it as it was former territory of the Grand Viceroyalty of Istan. Asmal joined the ragtag coalition that had been formed by Szezkia, in the hope of helping reduce the Istani threat. However, the Princes made progress, reaching Heltiiq within two months. After this, Voren had himself ceromonially crowned Viceroy once more; this annoyed Govegz, who didn't approve of his ambition, and certainly not of the fact that Voren then did nothing for the next three months.