Valreach Civil War

The Valrean Civil War ( - ) was a conflict fought in Valreach between the High Kingdom of Valreach (Notably, including the parent nation, Simulami Empire) against a bunch of rebels and seceding states, mainly the 2nd Kingdom of Nidaros, and the Smegan Shogunate.

Due to several states just having no real claims or options and the land sale of the south, only one battle was fought, in Nidaros, where the Loyalist victory led to the dissolution of the last rebel state and end to the war.

The Dissolution of the Drakaen Köntrybund
Main Article: Drakaen Kontrybund

The Confederation known as the Drakaen Köntrybund was a its peak when it held a vote over its future. The options were either merging into one drakaen state with a unitary government, becoming a federation/feudalist nation or dissolving the Commonwealth for each member to become an independent nation-state.

The vote ended up in a tie and Autarch Delta, leader of the Köntrybund decided not to apply the tiebreaker due to the opposition of one of the national leaders. The Saculdum (Constitution of the Köntrybund) made necessary the acceptance of the Monarchs of the different states for any change to take place. King Vix, afraid that the merge could mean the end to the Valrean culture and his position as monarch, gave a veto, leading then to the dissolution of the Commonwealth, during Summer of the year. "'Valreach is known for being the main contributor to a united Drakesland, but today, it's the main cause of the dissolution. (...) The pride of the people around the drakesland to their Kingdoms is too great, and a legacy of it all would be washed away, the continuation of the Kingdom and her people was in my hands, as the oldest reigning monarch of the Kontrybund.' -Vix Aulian-Moreau, High King of Valreach."

Foreign claims to the Drakesland
Following the announcement of the End of Drakaes, two international actors illegally claimed land of the former Commonwealth. To the north, the Legion of Good claimed the lands of Amarillo, Torham and Northern Valreach. To the south, the Kingdom of Irulan, ally of Drakaes through the E.M.A. (Eldham Maritime Alliance) declared the annexation of the lands of the Arthholds and the Valrean counties of West-Drakaar and Ilfovia.

Even if legally they had no right to the lands, given that the Dissolution of the Commonwealth would mean that the state members would simply regain the totality of the sovereignty, these claimants would play a role in the war to come. They announced they saw the Valrean lands as "Rightfully ours". Irulan, as justification, used false allegations of previous agressions by Drakaes and Valreach.

The international reaction to the foreign intervention was strongly in favour of the people of the Drakesland. Pasifa, Gardenia and Arkanaem, previous allies of the Commonwealth declared support for the nations in case of an armed conflict would sprout due to invasions.

A Divided Nation
After the dissolution of the Drakaen Köntrybund, tension arose in the Valrean High Command. Some were in favour of the merged Drakaen project while some others were against. However, Vix shared as well his plans for making Valreach a vassal of Simulami, to ensure the victory against possible foreign claimants. The members who were already against the dissolution of the Köntrybund showed strong criticism against that idea. Some founding members of the nation began questioning the King's abilities for external politics.

As a reaction to all the previous, the Monarch kicked them of the High Command without previous notice, making the critics lose all the remaining faith. The kicked members were Maria Canalopin, Duchess of Greater Nidaros; and Alfric Aulian, the King's brother who held the position of Royal Advisor to the King. Delta Aulian, Crown Princess and Hand of the Kingdom was disposed from her position and replaced by Yorg as heir to the Kingdom, as well as being kicked from the High Command.

Afterwards, without remaining internal opposition in the High Command, the arrangements for the vassalisation were finished and Valreach became a vassal state of the Simulami Empire. Soon after, when Irulan had begun claiming Valrean land, Simulami publicly announced the vassalisation deal, threatening Irulan with war if they were to hold their illegitimate claims.

Declarations of Independence
During the political turmoil in the High Council and Government of Valreach and uncertainty in the Valrean Parliament, talks between regional leaders began to assemble an opposition. The main group who was at that time opposing the King's doings was located in Nidaros. From there, former and current Dukes and Counts were brought and rebellion began being considered as an option. After the declaration of the Simulami Empire and the King of Valreach, the conspirators decided to act.

The Kingdom of Nidaros
Nidaros, that had been one of the founding Kingdoms of Valreach, was strongly pro-Drakaen. The Autarch and most of her close family had been living there for many years. Maria Canalopin, daughter of the founder of the city of Nidaros and former Queen of Valreach was one of the main conspirators who disagreed with King Vix's actions following the dissolution of the Commonwealth.

In the late Fall of 159TE, after having been kicked from the Court and having heard of the vassalisation deal, The young Duchess Maria declared the independence of the duchy of Greater Nidaros, the county of Miklagard and the southern strip of Edenheim. Of all those territories she proclaimed the Second Kingdom of Nidaros with herself as Queen. With her, there was Alfric Aulian, brother of the King and adoptive father of Maria, who had been kicked from Court alongside her."Today is the day that we were back stabbed, by non other than the King of Valreach, Vix Aulian-Moreau. We have pride in our people, we have pride in our nation and we will not be subjects to Simulami through an illegal deal made behind the back of the populace. - Maria Canalopin, self-proclaimed Queen of Nidaros"The declaration was supported by the cities of Nidaros, leading the movement, Frostport and Bjørnsvin, both in the Duchy of Greater Nidaros. Nibury, owned by Princess Delta, didn't announce any support, however, she was added into the Round Table, the Government chamber of Nidaros.

Assault on Lapis
Nidaros had no proper army nor war material, since the armed forces of the previous Kingdoms were merged into the Valrean Army. It was decied then by Queen Maria, together with Edenheim separatists, to assault Fort Lapis, a stronghold of the Valrean Army located south of the Segrespent, in east Miklagard.

During the night, a group of the newly assembled NRDF (Nidarosean Royal Defense Force) and Bjørn Moreau, leader of the rebels of Edenheim, assaulted the fortress without much resistance and took control of the Armory, having access to the gear necessary in case of a violent response from the Valrean Government.

The Smegan Shogunate
The South was in a complicated situation following the events of Summer of 159TE. Being a low density region, much of the population resided in medium and small towns, with the exception of Motu, the capital city of the Kingdom of Valreach. This demographics allowed for the remnants of the Drakaen culture since the times of the Regnum to stay strong. At the same time, it was now being claimed by a foreign power, Irulan, who openly stated being anti-Drakaen.

In this context and following the declaration from Nidaros, others followed. The only other major declaration of independence that followed was the one from West Drakaar. Max Zheteus, former Count of the province who had rebelled years before, had returned to the region. He declared independence of the county under the name of The Smegan Shogunate, given that most of the supporters were of this cultural group present in Smegsville.

Reaction of the Duke
Heaven, appointed Duke of West Drakaar after the deposition of Max, time before, wrote a public announcement supporting the Valrean Government and King Vix. He denounced Irulan and proceed to pledge support for the effort against the rebels. However, not even a year later, Duke Heaven would end up joining the rebel side.

Minor Claimants
From Eradios, in Edenheim, Bjørn Moreau, Royal Prince of Valreach, proclaimed the II Holy Drakaen Empire, with the lands that his father, before him, Vin Helianthus, had claimed for himself. The new emperor had no much support among the people of Edenheim, since the idea of a new H.D.E. was not welcomed by almost anyone in the Drakesland. In addition, the city of Ludenstadt, the only other city other than Eradios in the Duchy, pledged its support for the King.

In the county of Ilfovia, the city of Rannia declared independence, as well, and become the nation of Drackhaart, previous name of the southern Drakaen county. This county was the least populated in Valreach and the declaration wasn't received as a surprise by anyone, since in the past they had showed anti-Valrean tendencies.

A year later, in a confusing act that wasn't taken seriously by neither the loyalists to Valreach nor the rebels was the declaration of Independence of the vassal state of Otello, by Mr. Ananas. Vassal since the times of the begining of the Valrean-Catanian Commonwealth, Otello suddenly declared independence. However, they would never back their claims so they soon reintegrated into Valreach.

Negotiations
Back and fourth diplomatic attempts to soften or solve the situation were proven to be ineffective, both the rebels and Irulan continued their claims on Valreach. With only the Legion of Good retracted their claims and improved relations with Simulami.

Factions of the War
By the beginning of Spring of the year 160 TE, the following factions held some claim in the lands of Valreach.

Rebels:


 * Kingdom of Nidaros
 * Smegan Shogunate
 * Holy Drakaen Empire
 * Drackhaart
 * Rebel Valreans

Loyalists:


 * High Kingdom of Valreach
 * Simulami

Foreign Claimants:


 * Legion of Good.
 * Kingdom of Irulan