Beletharian Wars

Beletharian Wars
Height of the Grand Republic of Lothyran, c. 2339   Lothyran   Lothyran vassals
Date 2292–2388 (2292–2335) First Coalition (2332–2344) Second Coalition (2374–2388) Third Coalition Location Alaxia, Ionaea, Ceironia
Belligerents
Lothyran: Grand Republic (2291–2372) Lothyran Empire (2372–2388) RPA mercenaries Tempest (2292-2335) Atlantian republicans (2332–2344) Sinkajji republicans (2335-2388) Supported by: Erdelicht (2292–2334)	First coalition: Azyeri Quadi Feclar Theon Urbaxia Second coalition: Ceironia Ionaea Karkuss Kusfeld Ahitereira Third Coalition: Azyeri Quadi Lazar Tempest Thraxian rebels
Units involved
~600,000 – ~1,000,000 File:RPA.png 100,000 300,000	275,000 – 425,000 350,000 – 750,000 File:Ionaea.png 300,000 – 500,000 200,000 Unknown File:Urbaxia.png 200,000 25,000 – 50,000 50,000 – 100,000 100,000 – 300,000

The Beletharian Wars, also known as the Hundred Years War (2292–2388) were a series of conflicts fought between the Grand Republic of Lothyran under Chancellor Beleth and his son Asmodeus, against an array of Alaxian coalitions.

Grand Justiciar Beleth had consolidated power throughout 2290–2291, and the Emperor of Lothyran was executed on 3 March 2291. The first troops crossed the borders, beginning the Bordo Campaign, in 2292. A western Alaxia coalition began to stop any Lothyran expansion, but the first coalition dissolved in failure in 2335. A second coalition had begun simultaneously with Acorian, Qateshi, and East Alaxian countries attempting to prevent any further damages. This coalition dissolved in 2344 following the death of the Queen of Ionaea and the subsequent death of Chancellor Beleth. Nearly three decades later, Lothyran's government was headed by the newly elected Asmodeus, son of Beleth, and soon saw itself in conflict with the Third Coalition - primarily Azyeri and Fazar - which saw the Lothyran republican regime collapse.

Background

Main article: Lothyran Revolution

The Empire of Lothyran had recently been defeated by Azyeri, and this political vacuum saw Grand Justiciar Beleth von Kaladriel seize power in a coup d'etat against the emperor. His political agenda was to free all surrounding countries of their monarchies and free the people of Alaxia.

Overview

First coalition

Main articles: War of the First Coalition and Bordo Campaign

Re-annexation of Bordo

Following the declaration of the Grand Republic, Justiciar Beleth raised an army of 650,000 men and marched into the previous Lothyran territory of Bordo to the south. Bordo was conquered within two weeks and was annexed back into the Grand Republic of Lothyran. Beleth's grand army was welcomed with roses and flower petals as they occupied major cities and various ports. The native peoples of Bordo believed that them and Lothyran were the same and only the oppressive upper class had separated them.

Invasion of Urbaxia

After securing this land, the Grand Army began marching up north into surrounding states in order to seize large gold deposits to fund rebellions across Alaxia - haste was emphasised with artillery and charges used more than usual. Special regiments of shock troopers were utilised with cavalry used to secure less protected strategic points. The government of Lothyran refused to acknowledge international treaties - as they were signed by authoritarians. The campaign into 'foreign' nations would begin in 2293.

King of Azyeri Shalleum I led negotiations with other countries to try and curb the republican and revolutionary ideals of the new Lothyran republic, as well as stop any foreign invasions they might attempt. Eventually, Azyeri and the countries of Theon, Feclar, Urbaxia (also known as Burgundia), Quadi, and Ahitereira, formed the First Coalition in 2303. These countries began mobilising a united response but this was slow to coordinate, while Lothyran marched on Burgundia.

The Adeptus Militarum in Lothyran rapidly began increasing war propaganda to both Lothyran citizens and the peoples of conquered lands. Recruiters went to Lothyran villages and encouraged many men to join the army. As a result, manpower increased from inland and the conquered lands of Bordo and Sapran. The ministry's slogan was 'Free the people! protect our liberty! do not let the despots of enemies destroy our liberty! we are the righteous ambassador of liberty! for the republic!'. Throughout 2308, this recruited 80,000 soldiers from the Bordo, and 20,000 soldiers from the Sapran. Bordo troops were trained at Lothyran training centres, and were stationed to protect the capital of Lothyran. Women were encouraged to work as they were equal citizens of the republic.

The Grand Kana of Azar

With Ionaean and Sutonese neo-colonialism spreading further, mass mutinies in the Feclarian Army, and the threat of the Lothyran Grand Republic, the Grand Kana of Azar was established. Politicians in Azyeri would relentlessly protest for the young spinelass King Shalleum to abdicate his throne in favour of his fifth cousin, the King of Quadi. The Kingdom of Lazar would later join in hopes of turning the tides in the war against Lothyran. In 2311, the empire formed, allowing for the amassing of a huge army with men from across the 3 empires.

By 2330, Beleth's army of 690,000 men would defeat a coalition force of 650,000 men in the Second Battle of Bashekh Desert - the largest battle in history. The Lothyrans went on to trash a further 300,000 Quad-Lazarian men to secure victory. In June 2335, Lothyran would declare victory against the first coalition - ending the first phase of the Belegarian Wars - and the coalition dissolved.

Aftermath of the First Coalition War

The grand republic of Lothyran had acquired tremendous profits and riches as war reparations from the victory against the first coalition. However, while the peoples of Lothyran walked the glorious and blood-full paths of liberty and victory, the Lothyran Congress discovered corruption amongst bureaucrats and administrators. To stabilise the country, Congress declared the mass recruitment of new administrators.

Feclar would be reorganized into Eulea and Thraxia would be detached from it, with Eulea functionally existing as a rump state in Ginsukyo. The northern regions would fall under the Lothyran alligned and supported Sinkajji Republic, which would go on to wage its own incursion and allienate Tempest, who until then was allied to Lothyran.

New technology obtained from the war allowed for new developments to restore civilian infrastructure and bring enormous productive revolutions to the industries of the republic. An industrial complex began being built where the heavily concentrated iron deposits and rivers laid. New and advanced machinery increased production efficiency tremendously such as steam engines, advanced forge, and streamrolling mechanisms. An extreme amount of steel and iron was produced for both civilian and military needs. Obtained capitals from their victory were used to expand industrial complexes that specialised in productions of steel and iron such as at the capital city Lothyran in the military state of Eatain, and Hoeth, within Osterion, the economic and administrative hub. Meanwhile, in order to mass produce clothes for the citizens, textile complexes at Sapran and Bordo were established. Investment was made from government budgets towards the ports and textile workshops of Thraxia.

In the client states of Arstotzka (Savaja), Sinkajja, and the region of Zarinmero, the government of Lothyran invested to expand the gold and silver mines under their ownership, with the profits being divided equally in half. The grand republic also invested in education in the protectorated regions through establishment of free public academiae and universities in Sinkajja and Arstotzka. Furthermore, a special military production complex called Arsenal at the Eatain, Bordo, Sapran, and Osterion states, was built to increase military armament productions. The government established official research teams to focus on development of military and advancement of inventions. Rifles obtained from the West Suton Republic and other steam tech obtained through trade with Erdelicht were used as blueprints to reverse engineer and improve Lothyran tech. The Central Bank started to provide low interest loans towards citizens. Thraxia, Sinkajja, Zarinmero, and Azyeri would use the currency systems of Lothyran and establish branches of the Lothyran Central Bank.

The Grand Republic called many heads of states of other countries to suggest the declaration of an official alliance between countries sharing the same ideologies in order to resist against oppressors - emphasising co-operation among Alaxia. This alliance specifically would be about sharing advanced technology, providing financial aid, and using the same currency.

By 2337, Lothyran was seen as the most powerful country in the world at the loss of nearly 900,000 men. The Lothyran language of the Grand Republic had stuck as the lingua franca between these countries.

Second coalition

Main article: War of the Second Coalition

With the dissolution of the first coalition, the rest of the world was very worried that the Lothyran power would continue to invade neighbouring countries to depose monarchies or expand their empire. Starting in 2332, the Grand Republic had already began a campaign in Atlantia, in West Alaxia, to liberate them from their colonial oppressors. Thus, the second coalition spearheaded by the Acorian country of Ceironia, the Qateshi country of Ionaea, and the East Alaxian countries of Kusfeld, Ahitereira, and Karkuss formed.

By late 2339, southeast Alaxia had fallen with mixed Azyeri-Lothyran commander Ralda forcing Ahitereira, Kusfeld, and Karkuss to accept humiliating treaties as they fell under the weight of the Grand Peoples Army of 400,000 men under the Grand Legion. The RPA, a mercenary group, joined the ranks of Lothyran, and helped them wage a western front against the island country of Ceironia, and the Ionaean empire to the northwest.

The Battle of Salans taking place in the Atlantian peninsula in 2344, was one of the bloodiest battles of the entire war. Although the Lothyran grand republic was far stronger and better equipped, the Ionaeans had trapped them in the peninsula without any way of reinforcement or escape. Therefore, the entire Lothyran army clashed against the Ionaean army in a large charge. Hundreds of thousands died. Because of the horrific loss of life, the Inoaean Kanen Illin (Queen) Arya agreed to a duel with Lothyran Chancellor Beleth himself. They fought for only 6 minutes, by the sword, and Beleth arose from the battle with a slash on his chest and a bloody sword in the air - Arya had been killed. The Ionaeans soon pulled out of Lothyran. With the withdrawal of Ionaea, Alaxia was truly free. No more Kings could dare defy the might of the people. Despite the victory, Beleth soon after died from his own wounds - leaving the political landscape totally different.

Calm After the Storm

Throughout 2357, Lothyran heavily expanded its armed forces. Lothyran rasied 100,000 men from the mainland to stabilise public orders and put them as reserve forces. Another 150,000 men were to be trained as professional standing force army for emergency situations and were stationed in the Eulea Frontier along with newly constructed star forts. 10,000 men from each puppet were pulled aswell.

Despite control falling in certain areas, particularly those across the sea, the Lothyran Republic continued to exert significant control over nearby vessels well into the late 2300s and past Beleth's death. The Lothyran style of administration had stuck, with many revolutions following in his footsteps, and constitutions, parties, and limited democracy becoming popular. Many look back on Beleth as a hero and of the republic as better under his control.

Third coalition

Main article: War of the Third Coalition

In 2360, with the stability of the empire crumbling without a figurehead and large administrative costs and a rise in resentment, the Lothyran government issued the Hegemony Document. This set out to expand Lothyran's influential and hegemony sphere, while decreasing unnecessary administrative costs. The idea was to reform the relationships between central government and vassal states. For all vassals, whether reform was major or minor, would the use of the Lothyran currency and central be mandated, but the document elsewhere set out these new policies:

• Tier One, for minor reforms. The Dominion of Zarinmero, the Protectorate of Tusinmero, and the Republic of Atlantia was to be maintained the status quo with further Lothyran language education and citizen conversion. It was regarded as a close by important vassal.
• Tier Two, for minor reforms with caution. The Dominion of Thraxia and Arstotzka Protectorate were to receive Lothyran langauge education and citizen conversion, with specific instructions to avoid physical forces there.
• Tier Three, for some reforms. The Republic of Eulea was given relative autonomy, with close ties politically, and large scale financial commitments from Lothyran's central government to provide materials and money for rebuilding alongside low interest loans.
• Tier Four, for major reforms. The Republic of Sinkajja, despite being close, was given major autonomy. There would be support politically with the Lothyran administrative framework and an alliance - but no military or financial aid would be given.
• Tier Five, for near-independence reforms. The Republic of Azyeri were to see increased freedoms, presumed to be eventual independence, but the wording was vague.
• Tier Six, for independent reforms. The Hveden Federation and Second Republic of Durbinia was to be given total independence with the retreat of all Lothyran administrative and military positions after a short time. However, they did maintain the Lothyran currency and central bank.
• Tier Seven, for total immediate independence. The Federation of Lazar was given independence immediately with all Lothyran administration branches withdrawing within weeks due to the occupations of Quadi. However, some high officials in Lazar would remain Lothyran. For this tier alone, use of the Lothyran currency and central bank was not expressly mandated.

States closer to Lothyran, bar Sinkajja, saw little reforms, while states further away were given near total independence.

Sinkajji protests

During the Fall

Parliamentary coup d'etat

By 2372, After decades of the new parliamentary system, the systems of anti-corruption first forged began to break down. Pathetic and corrupt moves from the parliament saw the citizens of Lothyran and the senates begin to mistrust the government, and the Chancellor was overthrown. After a proper trial, due to manipulation of votes in order to further the regime of the Chancellor - a violation of the constitution - the Chancellor is beheaded for treason. Citizens demanded a constitutional monarchy be established, led by the son of Beleth, Asmodeus Von Minerba, to become Emperor of the Lothyran Empire. Asmodeus at first refused the title but eventually accepted - declaring he, as a citizen, will follow the constitution like any other.

The new government formed by Asmodeus committed to further funding to develop and rebuild Sinkajja, Atlantia, and Eulea.

The Empress returns to Lazar

It's 2375, Kassaf, the former ruler of Lazar, who had fled to Quadi, approached the Republican Lazarian army - alone - in recognisable clothings and approached the Republican general. The general ordered Kassaf's immediate execution but his soldiers refused and deserted to Kassaf's side. He soon then made a speech declaring his support for the Empress Selene, the Azarians of Lazar, and for the end of the Lothyran regime. His inherited army numbered 210,000 troops and he attempted to march to Kessel, the capital of Lazar. Before his arrival, newspapers had reported on the despot marching, and the return of the empress. Azarians in thousands joined Kassaf on his journey to the capital, known as The March. He arrived and was joined by a local garrison in stripping and burning down Lothyran flags. Lothyran and republican officials and loyalists were arrested and beaten. The Empress announced herself to the capital’s people during a public gathering, and promised to bring glory to the people, and remove Lothyran influence from their lands.

With stability in Lazar restored, and the declaration of the Empire of Lazar, Kassaf headed the new Imperial Army and moved to the newly liberated Kingdom of Azyeri to form the Third Coalition against Lothyran. The combined coalition army had an estimated 400,000 men initially. Lothyran had a professional army of 150,000 and 100,000 reserves, with most of those forces residing in Eulea because of it's rebellious tendencies. However, hearing news of Lazar and Azyeri's fall, the government began to train 400,000 conscript. They also asked for help from the Hveden Federation and Second Durbinian Republic to the far east - vassals states it had released decades ago. They began conscripting 330,000 - mainly from it's puppet states from the west: 100,000 from Thraxia, 50,000 from Arstotzka, 50,000 from Tusinmero, 50,000 from Zarinmero. They also requested 80,000 soldiers from the RPA mercenary group - which was given. Lothyran moved it's army of 250,000 men to the capital of Azyeri, reinforced by railway network supplies, to try and gather the support of the Azyeri peoples and to capture a major city before the coalition forces could properly prepare, however this was not successful and they met the coalition forces outside of Azyeri, commencing the Bazir Campaign in 2377.

Bazir Campaign

120,000 Azyeri coalition forces at the capital met 150,000 Lothyran forces. Several cavalry charge led by General Hudein Abyanti of Azyeri would obliterate the Lothyran lines. By the end of the battle, Lothyran had lost 27,000 troops to Azyeri's 14,400. The coalition forces advanced to cross rivers and the battered Lothyrans was forced to retreat. Beleth's great advancements in the wars were being undone without anyone with a similar tactical genius behind the war moves.

Soon, each side amassed reinforcements as coalition forces amassed against Lothyran conscripts. Coalition forces numbered 1,060,000 troops against a combined RPA-Lothyran army of 1,053,000 troops. After various attempts at crossing the major river in smaller forces as distraction, mainly a 30,000 force in the north, a central army of 300,000 coalition forces began a massive advance to cross the river - joined by a naval and land bombardment of the Lothyran army. A further 50,000 core harrassed Lothyran supply lines to the south. The RPA, under command of von Plettenborch, moved an army core of 130,000 to the northwest moving to cut off and engage the far left flank. Defensive river bank positions reached 400,000 to counter-attack the coalition attack in the centre, with 200,000 to reinforce them. 75,000 troops moved to the southeast flank while 35,000 stayed put.

The coalition forces defeated the RPA in the northwest flank, and managed to get a foothold on the Lothyran bank of the river, however both sides had inflicted extremely heavy damages, with 300,000 dead between the two. The coalition forces remained with 881,000 troops against Lothyran's 778,000 but after several more battles on the river, the coalition forces suffered major casualties. After a month, Lothyran had 747,000 troops to the coalition's 693,000 - more than double the losses. However, the coalition forces successfully flanked to the south and surrounded the Lothyran army between two rivers to the east and south. Then, the coalition forces successfully crossed the rivers from all sides, and surrounded the Lothyran force.

Coalition commander Halderarbal was sent to duel the Lothyran commander - and Halderarbal was successful. The Lothyran forces were surrounded, their commander was dead, and their morale was depleted. The coalition forces defeated the Lothyran army with casualties in the millions and moved to march on the Lothyran capital. 200,000 Lothyran soldiers escaped, the rest were killed or surrendered. The successive battles, trench warfare, supply routes, etc meant the campaign ended in 2380.

Thraxian nationalism

After decades of foreign rule, the Thraxians saw that Lothyran was distracted with a bloody war against the Third Coalition to the east and were eager to take advantage of this. A mass movement for Thraxian independence ripped across the entire country, so big that many believe anti-Lothyran governments funded these movements. The cause became so popular across the late 2370s and early 2380s that newspapers and pamphlets were promoted heavily and censorship did not work. Several protests took place across the years.

Treaty of Bazir

A peace treaty was drafted in 2387 and signed in 2388 between Quadi, Lazar, Azyeri, and Lothyran. The treaty stipulated:

• War reparations would be paid from Lothyran to all coalition forces worth 500,000 Deryis.
• Concerning land, the areas of Urbaxia and Eastern Thrax would become protectorates of Quadi; Bordo and Thrax would become protectorates of Azyeri; Tusinmero would become a temporary protectorate of Azyeri for the next 15 years.
• The Lothyran Empire would be dissolved, and a member of the previous dynasty (pre-Republican) would be chosen as its new monarch.
• Atlantia would gain full independence but would not be allowed to become a republic.
• Sinkajja would gain full independence and be recognised by all signers of the treaty.
• Quadi would regain the lands of Boob-Sobo and it's former Valarian lands.

Aftermath

Main articles: Century of Lothyran Decline and Death of Beleth von Kaladriel

Following the signing of the Treaty of Bazir, many Thraxians learned that their land had been ceded to Fazar and Azyeri and they were infuriated. Such so, that in mass, militias and soldiers in the area declared independence and declared a unified Thrax state. The rise of unionism began in the early 2390s.