Difference between revisions of "Archive:War of the Grand Coalition"

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The Algazi League was 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 increased 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', which was an attempt to assert Norjihani control via expansion. A huge navy was constructed using funds loaned by Algazi banks, who were unaware of the scheme. Alongside this, Govegz demanded a great levy from his subjects, especially the Princes of Istan, over whom he tried to exert a much greater control than before; 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.
The Algazi League was 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 increased 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', which was an attempt to assert Norjihani control via expansion. A huge navy was constructed using funds loaned by Algazi banks, who were unaware of the scheme. Alongside this, Govegz demanded a great levy from his subjects, especially the Princes of Istan, over whom he tried to exert a much greater control than before; 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.


Norjihan’s growing military and influence 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 had also plotted to seize the [[Szezk Offshore Ishenar Territory]] (Norjihani: ''Mør Osæren'') and Niofe, believing that they were essential for his plans to cripple Szezkia and increase Norjihani authority over Ishenar waters.
Norjihan’s growing military and influence 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 invasion of [[Sroyos]] in 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 had also plotted to seize the [[Szezk Offshore Ishenar Territory]] (Norjihani: ''Mor Oseðet'') and Niofe, believing that they were essential for his plans to cripple Szezkia and increase Norjihani authority over Ishenar waters.
 


==The Course of the War==
==The Course of the War==

Revision as of 09:45, 15 October 2018

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, killing his father Malac of Tuuhajen and succeeding his uncle to the throne. It was under Govegz I that Szezkia became 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, although the two governments continued to remain 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 anger 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, as a symbolic gesture with the intent of forcing the Szezk into ceding Lailum Field, where one of the most famous massacres of the Szezk Genocide took place. Whilst Govegz II was forced to lift the blockade after Szezkia threatened all out war, he still believed it would be regarded as an expression of Norjihani force.

Norjihani Expansionism

The Algazi League was 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 increased 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', which was an attempt to assert Norjihani control via expansion. A huge navy was constructed using funds loaned by Algazi banks, who were unaware of the scheme. Alongside this, Govegz demanded a great levy from his subjects, especially the Princes of Istan, over whom he tried to exert a much greater control than before; 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.

Norjihan’s growing military and influence 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 invasion of Sroyos in 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 had also plotted to seize the Szezk Offshore Ishenar Territory (Norjihani: Mor Oseðet) and Niofe, believing that they were essential for his plans to cripple Szezkia and increase Norjihani authority over Ishenar waters.

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 SOIT, near to the harbour town of Tyremið. This coincided with the handing of the 'Osæren Ultimatum' to the Szezk King Tyvjedan, which was profusely rejected. Thus, the war had begun. Norjihani forces had success initially on Szezkia’s island territory, 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 Ardre (named after the nearby river, which supposedly 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 SOIT, Szezkia had been able to gather help from both Xhodiar, who opposed increasing Norjihani influence in Isugza, and the Algazi League, albeit initially only providing supplies and general support. Suddenly, the war was open on several fronts.

An extra front was added when Voren Lordinal, Prince of Istan, marched into X territory; he had been charged by Govegz to take the X coast to further Norjihani influence, and to try to 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. X joined the ragtag coalition that had been formed by Szezkia, in the hope of helping to reduce the Istani threat. However, the Princes made progress, reaching Heltiiq within two months. After this, Voren had himself ceromonially crowned Viceroy once more, annoying Govegz, who didn't approve of Voren’s ambition, and certainly not of the fact that he then did nothing for the next three months.

However, the Lordinal stability in the north allowed Govegz to focus on the war in Szezkia and Isugza. In Isugza, he personally commanded the main body of the Norjihani army, as well as the armies provides by the Isugzan puppet states. He was able to see off the first Xhodian attempts at attacking Isugza, including a crushing defeat for Xhodiar at Sera in 1669. This allowed Govegz to return northwards, where he began harrying the Szezk border, including lining bonfires all along the border and setting them alight, as a reminder of the Szezk Genocide. However, before Govegz could launch a full scale assault on Szezkia, he was forced to return once more to Isugza, where he had to work desperately to halt a new Xhodian advance into the Usepim, eventually cementing a stalemate. Settia remained a constant problem too, with one particular offensive almost reaching Uulo.

By the beginning of 1670, Govegz II felt able enough to launch his forces into a full scale attack on Avdjereg itself. Govegz' armies ravaged the east, and would have reached Avdjereg if not for the audacious assault on the main Norjihani camp by a group of 300 Szezk and Eyadhani troops. This assault left Govegz with no choice but to focus on consolidating his hold on eastern Szezkia and harassing what remained independent. During this time, Voren had been continuing the advance against the Xs, winning a series of battles in 1669 and taking back a large amount of territory, However, he had been twice repelled Pizaar, and an attempt to take Pozqa ended catastrophically, forcing them to pull back to Heltiiq once more. This did still allow them to base ships further up the Ishenar and gave further scope to harass trade, which did certainly happen.

The majority of the fronts had approached stalemate by 1671, when suddenly the Norjihani Colonial Army based in Sroyos captured Yazurum, which they would hold onto for nine months. They also repeatedly raided and assaulted Mirad and generally tried to disrupt Algazi trade. This has been in response to the League's support for the coalition, but rather than removing the Algazis from the equation instead dragged them into the war. On 8th November 1071, the Grand Coalition of Szezkia, Xhodiar, X and the Algazi League was officially formed, providing a united force against Norjihan. In the North, the Principality of Istan had began to attack once more, but this time tried to bribe the cities or show that Voren could offer better kingship; the choice was between Voren Lordinal and death. Many cities held out, and no substantial gains were made; although overall more territory fell under Voren's control, nothing significant had been taken.

Govegz realised he had neglected Isugza between the assault on the Algazis and helping Voren in the north, and by the time he turned his attention all but the northern reaches of Usesimud had fallen under Xhovian control. Govegz urgently called Voren, and together the helped win back some of the territory that had been lost. Govegz II was nearly killed during an assault on Tel Rasdun, a city occupied by Xhodian forces, and was saved by the intervention of Voren and the Norjihani fleet, which had arrived from the north via a number of battles along the Szezk coast.

By the middle of 1672, Govegz decided that taking Avdjereg was of the utmost importance, famously describing it as 'ripping out the rotten heart from the corpse of this coalition'. He made the fatal decision to call the colonial army back from Sroyos, which, by this point, had been forced out of Yazurum and returned to Sroyos where they stopped a number of Algazi attempts to launch an attack on Sroyos itself. The army moved under the protection of the Norjihani fleet, which was intercepted by a joint Szezk-Algazi fleet. The Szezk fleet attacked the main body of the fleet as it passed the island of Rendor, part of Istan's territories in the Ishenar. The battle remained inconclusive until the Algazis appeared at the back, having been harboured at Vernadr on the island.The naval battle which followed, called the Battle of Ishenar, saw the total destruction of the majority of the Norjihani fleet and practically the entirety of the the colonial army. Govegz II was apparently beyond consolation, and didn't leave his quarters of the Royal Palace at Tel Duvemuz for a month. He fell into a 'fit of uncontrollable rage' when he learnt that Voren Lordinal had offered harbour to the Algazis on the island of Rendor.

Voren Lordinal had decided to throw his lot in with the Grand Coalition, after having been convinced by an Algaz diplomat and his son, the future Voren II, that he could use the opportunity to seize the Norjihani crown, which Voren had a claim on. The Grand Coalition had agreed to support Voren, on the condition that he should give up a number of islands in the Ishenar to the Algazi Union, and retreat from X territory, conditions he agreed to. After watching the Battle of the Ishenar from shore, he quickly returned to Tesan and gathered all of his armies, before beginning to march south. Rather than choosing to march straight on Listosord, he chose to attack Ronyg, which was the ancestral home of the House of Rona to which Govegz belonged. On the way he picked up a number of Lhivralan mercenaries, who agreed to help him sack Ronyg as revenge for Govegz II's expulsion of Lhivralans from Norjihan. Ronyg was put to the torch before Govegz II could arrive with a relief force.

Govegz instantly surrendered when he arrived, putting his life at the mercy of Voren. He was taken to Listosord, where a meeting of the leaders of the Grand Coalition decided what to do with him. Voren Lordinal was confirmed as Voren I of Isatan, and Govegz was exiled to a small island in the Ishenar near to Rendor, where he died a year later. Voren was forced to open Norjihani ports to Szezk and Algaz merchants and to charge low or indeed zero tarrifs on imports as part of the reparations for the war.