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| Regalian-Sendrassian War | |
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| Historical Event | |
| Event Name | Regalian-Sendrassian War |
| Dates and Times | August 12th, 308 AC - March 30th, 309 AC |
| Location | Hadar |
| People Involved | Regalian Empire, Hadarian Allar nations, Sendrassian Empire |
The Regalian-Sendrassian War was the largest conflict Regalia ever fought in. A total of nearly 250,000 troops, dozens of naval vessels, and even Airships, supported by local Allar forces, waged a brutal conflict in the south of Hadar over a series of islands, in a desperate attempt to stop, and then push back, an invasion by the Sendrassian Empire. The conflict ultimately ended in a stalemate, though might be considered a tactical win for Regalia, as the rebirth of the Allorn Empire drastically changed the dynamics of power in Aloria and the Sendrassians retreated. Despite this, it is still seen as a loss and triggered a civil war among the Allar of Hadar as opinions on Regalia’s success led to doubts about their future security and power.
Background Information
The Allar had been divided many years prior to the Cataclysm by a terrible civil war, with the losing side fleeing their homeland of Sendrass for the wider world. On Hadar, they found stability and allies in the Slizzar, rapidly growing across the many volcanic islands. The Cataclysm briefly damaged their new existence, but they quickly recovered, and came to dominate the region. However, the Chrysant War proved yet another devastation, dividing them from their Slizzar allies, and leaving the region subsumed into the Regalian sphere of control. However, in the nearly two decades that followed the conflict, the Sendrassian Allar lay in wait, watching the wider world. Their infiltrators and corruption had long lingered among the Allar of Hadar, and as the world entered more chaos, Sendrassian ships moved north. The small conflict that began held local Allar attention on and off for many months, but then, in August of 308 AC, the floodgate burst. Allar traders having rushed from their homeland carried word to the ports of Corontium: The Sendrassian Empire had begun a full-scale invasion of Hadar. While local Allar loyal to Regalia were doing their best to hold the line, the Empire now needed to aid their recent allies.
History
A Slow Start
For the moment, the Regalian Empire remained uninvolved in the conflict directly. The political situation that had followed the Dread War, in addition to the terrifying Clicker Crisis that befell the capital city, left the nation drained, unable to quickly respond to the growing war in the south. Slizzar citizens were ironically among the first to go to Hadar, to learn the state of affairs in the great and ancient city, Sassrakkand. Others soon followed, on less self-focused missions. A Wirtem-led party of nobles went to meet with the main Allar command in the war effort at the city of Ndayu, only for the city to be attacked mid-meeting by the Sendrassians. The Regalians got a front-row seat to see new, innovative Allar Airships battling the Sendrassian Satraps which flew through the skies. Fleeing the region, soon covered in shrouds of alchemical explosions, darker news eventually reached Regalia, with rumors of Kathar vessels sneaking around the Hadar islands. A union of Kathar and Sendrassian Void power was completely unacceptable to the Regalian Empire, and noble families united to send twenty-four private warships into the area, combing for these Kathar. Instead, they found a colossal Sendrassian fleet, with brutal close-quarters fighting and flying serpents eliminating the Regalian’s technological superiority. Additionally, a monstrous, necrotic Void-powered creation rose up from the water, in aid of the Sendrassian forces, causing an immediate, disorganized retreat by the Regalian ships. On September 9th, news reached the capital that the city of Ndayu was now a ruin, its citizens likely sacrificed to the Void by the Sendrassians, who were continuing their push. While a number of noble families donated large Crown sums to the Allar war effort, a crystal clear message was sent in communication to House Typhonus, one of the great military families of Corontium: The Allar needed military aid immediately.
First Deployments
They say when a Wirtem is told a war calls for him, he makes sure he arrives in strength. Whether it was House Typhonus now firmly lobbying for the Allar, or the Regalian Empire finally completing long-prepared plans for actions is unknown. But, 90,000 soldiers and an accompanying fleet were finally sent south on September 27th. The forces divided themselves, and fanned out across the frontline, landing on a series of Allar islands to reinforce existing settlements, or to prepare for oncoming Sendrassian forces. The Regalian fleet helped protect these landings, but despite the lack of conflict, there were still problems. Disorganization, and rather direct actions, had meant the Regalians wasted time establishing themselves while also telegraphing their presence to the Sendrassian invaders. While on the larger side of politics, this was met with displeasure, the local Allar were mostly happy to just finally get support.
Within a week, they received even more. On October 3rd, 60,000 more Regalian troops and yet more ships moved to Hadar, totaling 150,000 - a number equal to that deployed during the Dread War. With these troops also came firm Regalian plans for military action against the Sendrassians, though the successes here were also mixed. While one Regalian force was able to land and prepare to attack a Sendrassian army successfully cut off from their supplies since a Regalian blockade, a naval conflict saw yet another Regalian squadron cut to pieces by the flying serpents of the Sendrassians. Meanwhile, on Skoro, a massive assault was undertaken to confront a Sendrassian assault, with multiple Regalian columns advancing into a brutal melee. Despite this, only 500 Regalians died, with the Sendrassians mauled and engaging in a tactical retreat. Unfortunately, another island saw almost the exact opposite, with a large Regalian force savaged, losing around 3,500 troops to the Sendrassian’s 500. It was then that a scourge for the rest of the war was first encountered. Regalian forces setting up further defenses, and preparing for retaliation strikes from the Allar, found an illness sweeping the civilian population. While harmless to Ailor and other Heritages, the Yellow Palement as the Hadarian Allar knew it quickly spread throughout the region. With Regalian aid, a number of Allar were saved, but it would not be the last time the disease was seen.
An unfortunate event occurred soon after, with a Reglian naval detachment sailing right into the ruins of the Regalian ships destroyed earlier on, welcomed by blood-soaked waters and other terrible sights. Still, the fleet sailed on and supported a large Regalian landing on another island. Marching inland, they prepared the defenses of the island’s capital city, and as night fell, battled with an attacking army of Sendrassians a little over one-fourth their size. In an unconventional tactic, a retinue Mage was able to shield the frontline of Regalian infantry with their powers, allowing the established Regalian artillery to pound into the center of the Sendrassian force, blowing many of them into pieces. Then, from the rear, a wing of Regalian ambushers emerged to cut into their foe, causing a total rout. For once, the casualties were more substantial for the enemy and showed promise in things to come. A final landing accompanied by Regalian naval vessels brought the week’s motions to an end. By the end of the skirmishes, one thing was decidedly clear: Catastrophic defeats but valiant victories on different islands meant that while Regalia had made fundamental successful pushes, the Empire had also suffered the first of likely many casualties. However, that was soon to be the realized price of fighting back against such the Sendrassian menace.
The Slog Begins
The conflict entered a brutal period of naval assaults, amphibious landings the likes of which hadn’t been seen since the Chryant War, and considerable versatility in tactics and strategy. The Regalian Navy was briefly able to counter the flying serpents that had proved so detrimental in the past, but the creatures were soon to counter them. Additionally, Sendrassian pirates operating independently of the Sendrassian Empire joined forces to prey on the Regalians, likely at the behest of Sendrassian wealth and politics unseen. Some victories were had, but the Sendrassians grouped together more and more at sea unbeknownst to the Regalian forces. On land, Regalian tactics saw them carry out a range of offensive and defensive moves. Fortifications established previously shielded several islands from Sendrassian probes, while other grand assaults got underway to clear islands of Sendrassian forces. There were setbacks, some significant losses in particular due to Sendrassian alchemical weapons deployed against the Regalians, but the front was stabilizing for the moment. Behind the lines, the Yellow Palement ran rampant against the Allar citizenry, and at last Regalian medicine learned how it was being spread: infected insects. Small and common in the brush but now polluted by the Sendrassians as their carriers of death. Efforts were made to remove these insects from the regional camps and Allar settlements. Such a task would prove difficult, but it did reduce the death toll.
On October 20th, the Empire increased its troop presence yet again. Now numbering 200,000 with even more ships, the Regalian effort soon encountered Sendrassian attacks, principally by sea. The Regalians also soon realized the gathering force of Sendrassian ships slowly approaching Regalian positions were in several larger flotillas. The Sendrassians had learned from their prior conflicts with the Regalians and lured some ships into traps, while also keeping back from long-ranged Regalian naval vessels. On land, the battles carried on, with great victories, and large losses on multiple isles across the region. However, it was rare for the Regalians to be fully pushed back from a particular island, and most defeats saw the Ailor and their allies rally to charge again and push the Sendrassians to flight. Even as they fled, more ships bearing Sendrassian forces arrived. The lust for conquest, blood, and war had taken the Sendrassian nobility entirely, and many notable leaders began to arrive to avenge fallen commanders. Even as the Regalian presence was bolstered yet again on November 24th, to 225,000 troops and many more ships, they were facing a Sendrassian force numbering equal if not more than that, as well as many more naval vessels.
The effect of these reinforcements was immediate. Regalian progress, slow but steady, screeched to a halt. One particularly infamous island, Dewitya, saw a large Regalian force fight a presumed smaller Sendrassian force, only for reinforcements to triple the enemy Allar’s numbers from 40,000 to 120,000. Regalian forces met a slaughter and were able to just barely force a stalemate with many thousands dead on both sides. The remaining Sendrassians began to spread out, looking to hop to other islands where they would battle with Regalian garrisons. Other Regalian landings elsewhere were met with similar high resistance by the enemy Allar, but the Regalians were again able to hold their lines, even as they bent. At sea, the Regalians had some unexpected successes, though at a great cost to their ships both in losing many to the waves and suffering damage. A new form of ammunition was also tested, and, while successful, it was still incredibly hard to produce while also being dangerous to its operators. As the year came to an end, Regalians bunkered in on the front, and celebrated winter holidays, and the changing of the Regalian calendar to 309 AC. On January 9th, an ominous announcement came from the government: All available manpower, all available ships, and even all available military-grade Airships were to proceed to the Hadarian front. The Regalians had made their choice and met the Sendrassians with all the force they could muster.
There are Dragons
With their forces topped up, the Regalian Empire began a successful push on several islands, the brief rest and hunkering down for the holidays, on top of the grim determination of the war, seeing them filled with resolve to turn the tide. But on Dewitya, the Regalian force was in a predicament. 120,000 Regalians now faced around 130,000 Sendrassians, all in a relatively small space. Barely had the Regalian reinforcements arrived with new commanders and retinue members then a massive Sendrassian attack began on January 18th, aided by that most heinous construct of the Void. Seen earlier on into the flighting, and rumored elsewhere with the destruction of whole Allar towns, scouting ships, and common fishing vessels, this Void Acidbeast was immense - roughly the size of a small island. Roiling with poisonous gasses, decaying bones, and Void essence, it rose up from the earth and began to attack the Regalians, while also killing many normal Sendrassian soldiers. But it was then that Dragons, of all colors and types, attacked the great blasphemous construct, saving average Regalian soldiers and to keep certain figures in the fight alive by direct action. The Dragons at last defeated the monstrosity after an intense fight that leveled the jungle for miles, with 80,000 Sendrassians killed, and Regalian losses comparatively minimal as unique Magic revived many Regalians on the brink of death thanks to certain Dragons who picked their way through the battlefield. In a stunning intervention, Aloria’s Dragons had saved the day, but why, and where many of them had come from, remains a mystery to this day.
The War’s End
At the time, the proclamations of the rebirth of the Allorn Empire on January 22nd soon after the Dewitya Victory were treated as a distant issue. Unknown to most Regalians at the time, it would come to dominate the end of the Sendrassian War. The Battle of the Bloody Shore soon after, which was a Regalian victory, marked one of the last high marks in the Regalian war effort. February passed with only grueling, grinding conflict, as well as retreats from several minor islands as the Sendrassians now fought with new desperation. On March 5th, rumors reached the Regalian Empire of the reborn Allorn Empire’s aspirations for conquest in Westwynd, specifically the Daendroque nations so close to the new border. Fervent discussion back in Corontium did not impede the actions of the Regalian Military, as they carried on fighting, and as March drew to a close, they won numerous victories against surprisingly weakened Sendrassian forces. But on March 30th, they learned the reason why their opponent had weakened. The Sendrassian Empire was in retreat, not because of the Regalians or the Hadarian Allar, but because of the reborn Allorn Empire. Fear of Elven raids and the apparent rebirth of an ancient, deeply powerful Empress tied to Exist powers, pushed the Sendrassian political establishment into chaos, prompting further efforts to reinforce their own borders. It seemed that, similar to Regalia, the Sendrassians had put all they had into Hadar, and decided the Allorn were a greater threat.
A more bitter response than the Regalians would have liked followed this news. The Hadarian Allar promptly asked the Regalian Military to leave the region, and despite victory celebrations, there was a hollowness for many and a divide in the parties. The Allar, through their great suffering and strife, had found themselves more self-reliant, and the more outspoken among them blamed the Regalians for the scale the war eventually reached. Their initially slow response saw the Allar front line crumble when it could have been supported from the outset, and some even whispered of a political conspiracy against the Allar, that the Regalians had purposefully let the Hadar nations weaken, so they could then be “saved” and rendered in debt to Regalia. No such plot was ever found to have existed, but the end result was a more independent Hadar who felt they no longer needed the Regalian Army protecting them, especially after the Sendrassians left behind so much war materiel, and the Regalians had worked to train the locals and build fortifications across many southern islands. There was also the concern that if the Regalians stayed any longer, memories of the Chrysant War would start to stir, and Hadar’s political leaders couldn’t have that. In the end, the Regalians unceremoniously packed up and left the land they had been defending for months, largely unrecognized except back at home for their victories, while every failure weighed heavy on the Hadarian Allar.
Effects
The war’s effects have been many since it took place, but some were more immediate than others. The devastation in the south of Hadar was most immediately apparent to any serving in the theater. As many as hundreds of thousands of Allar civilians were dead, sacrificed by their Sendrassian enemies or simply destroyed or killed by diseases, sieges, or fights. One last parting gift from the Sendrassians was an infection of Ailor-friendly grain, an alchemically engineered blight that went on to ravage a variety of agricultural plants across Corontium before the threat eventually faded. The other immediate effect was the Allar civil war. Regional politics, originally united under a powerful singular Digmaan, shattered in the wake of the Regalian withdrawal, as a myriad of opinions emerged about the conflict that had just been fought. Views against Regalia were not uncommon, and some Allar leaders even advocated for adopting Sendrassian ways so that they could be as strong as their old foe. This civil war, initially fought in the halls of government, became a violent conflict later in 309 AC and has been raging ever since, with signs showing interference from both the Slizzar and the Sendrassian Allar. Regalia has officially stayed out of the conflict and refutes the more conspiratorial, anti-Regalian positions the civil war has propagated.
As for Regalia itself, the Sendrassian War is seen as a calamitous event. Tens of thousands of Regalians died for what ultimately became an “ungrateful” Allar population, while the Regalian Navy’s decay since the days of the Chrysant War was openly apparent to all. It is often cited as a failure today, despite the many great victories seen at the time, because of the long-term malaise that followed. Regalia has yet to engage in a proper, state-backed war since this period and likely will not engage with one, as the Allorn Empire has only grown in power, and Regalian forces are needed to quickly respond should that nation ever act on its desire to control all of the territory their previous incarnation held. But, if one good thing came out of the conflict, it was the expansion and solidification of the Tenpenny system. Professional soldiers made up a majority of the Regalian forces, but not all, with regional levies contributing to different armies. Those levies, returning home, often entered the Tenpenny system, and it is certain that the next time the Regalians go to war, the Tenpenny will march on the front, back, and supply lines.
Trivia
- An unusual episode of the war was when a group of Urlan pirates attempted to get involved in the conflict in mid-October 308 AC, only to evacuate as both Allar sides and the Regalians constantly harassed them.
- Why the Dragons suddenly came to the Regalians' aid remains a mystery. However, some believe the Void Acidbeast was created using Dragon bones or was otherwise a Void hijacking of some Draconic power not meant to be turned against mortals in this way. Others suggest Cedromar, the Imperial Dragon, directly ordered the intervention to save the struggling military.
- A secret weapon tested by the Qadir Ailor early into the war against Sendrassian targets was apparently sanctioned and aided by Cedromar himself. What the weapon exactly was and why it was not deployed after the successful destruction of several Sendrassian ships remains a mystery, but some believe the Qadir refused to let Regalia use the weapon after it proved so effective.
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