Occupation of Katania

Summary
The Occupation of Katania is how history will remember a series of events that led to the fall of the High Kingdom of Katania and The Commonwealth of Vionir, and their subsequent annexation by the Jorvs of Norrheimr, establishing the new Kingdom of Jorvheimr. The events that led to the fall of The High Kingdom are still being debated, but the general consensus is that the occupation was a result of the actions of the Katanian government which underestimated the invaders, and the Jorvs who were able to take advantage of the situation. The occupation lasted for 7 months and ended with the surrender of Katania, and the signing of the Treaty of Joarvick that legalized the annexation of Katania and Vionir by Jorvheimr. The treaty was signed by High Lord Contantine Reach and King Halvard I of Jorvheimr.

Start of the Occupation
The Occupation of Katania started from the northeast. The Jorv fleet docked in the middle of the Kingston River and secured a camp on katanian soil. The High Lord underestimated the situation and sent a few dozen soldiers to deal with the invaders. The Jorvs were able to take advantage of the situation and quickly overran the Katanian forces. They then proceeded to march east, taking the city of Valendor and the surrounding areas after the Battle for Valendor. The invaders were short on food and supplies and used the city of Valendor and the Castle of Mugen as regrouping locations. Valendor was the first to fall in the hands of the Norrheimr Jorvikingr.

Battle for Ragnarvick
Instead of marching south to invade the capital city of Joarvick, the Jorvs marched west to the city of Ragnarvick. The city was the second largest city in Katania, and was the home of the High Lord. The Jorvs were able to take the city after a not so fierce battle due to many citizens respecting their roots and bending the knee to the invaders. The city of Ragnarvick was the main supplier of food in all of Katania and its loss was a major blow to the Katanian economy.

Second Battle of Joarvick
This time, King Halvard "One-Eyed" marched southeast to the capital city of Joarvick. The city was the largest in Katania and was of great strategic importance. The Jorvs were able to take the city after a fierce battle that lasted for 7 days. It was one of the biggest battles in all of Drakaesland's history. The High Lord and his Council reportedly tried to escape the city but were captured by Jorv rangers and were brought to the feet of King Halvard. Constantine was forced to declare the Katanian surrender and sign the Treaty of Joarvick which legalized the annexation of Katania and Vionir. This treaty was also used to formally establish the Kingdom of Jorvheimr.

The Reach Revolts
The treaty was broken 2 weeks later by the High Lord of Katania, who declared the independence of Zettlement of Katan. Contantine gathered and armed the commonfolk and united former members of the King's Guard alongside his personal military personel - The Reach Guard who were sworn to defend the honor of House Reach. The High Lord and his army were quickly defeated by the Jorvikingr, and the Reach Revolts were put down. Contantine was publicly executed in the capital, and the Reach Guard was disbanded. The Zettlement of Katan was annexed by Jorvheimr, and the High Lord's son, Almond, was castrated and exiled. Contantine's daughter, Princess Talissa, was taken as King Halvard I's personal cupbearer and was to wed him as soon as she comes of age, claiming the title of Queen of Jorvheimr. The Reach family was stripped of all titles and lands, and the Reach family line was declared extinct. The Commonwealth of Vionir was annexed by Jorvheimr 2 months later after the Battle for Treelords.

Catherine's Rebellion
Despite the High Kingdom's formal surrender, the last remaining rebel forces were gathered by Lady Catherine Lachforst and remained hidden in the ancient underground city of Kalminur, home of the Golden Miner. Catherine was able to bring back hope and her crews managed to achieve a chain of small victories such as freeing prisoners and raiding Jorv trade routes and resource convoys. Catherine and her sworn protector Sir Arris of Valendor led the Battle for Ulridge and managed to secure the outpost but couldn't hold the fortress for long and were forced to retreat. The rebels lost many of their best soldiers during the process. This led to the demotivation of the general commonfolk who stayed with Catherine because she promised them protection. Seeing as the rebels were unable to hold the fortress, Catherine decided to retreat to Kalminur and regroup. The rebels were able to hold Kalminur for a month, but the Jorvs were able to break through the defenses and capture the city. Catherine was captured and executed, and the rebels were forced to surrender. The last remaining rebel forces were executed in the capital, and the Kalminur Underground was sealed off and abandoned. Everyone who bend the knee to King Halvard I was pardoned and allowed to return to their homes. It is said that the Kalminur Underground is still inhabited by the spirits of the rebels who were executed there. People believe that Catherine was betrayed and the gates of Kalminur were opened from the inside by a traitor. The traitor was never found, and the truth will probably never be known.

The End of the Occupation
The occupation of Katania ended with the death of the last remaining rebel forces. To celebrate their victory over the Katanfolk the Jorvs held a grand feast in the capital which ended with King Halvard I's coronation. From that day on, he held the title of King of the Jorvs, Ragnars and Katanfolk. This title was then going to be passed hereditary, and only a Jorv was able to take the title of King of Jorvheimr.