Goblin War

The Goblin War, commonly known as the UCS-Askonia War, is a conflict that is currently happening between the Second United Crowns of Syltör backed by the Syltör Continental Directive and the Union of Askonia-Norfthorn in Syltör.

Syltör Continental Directive
On June 19th, 2023, the nations of Andorn, Bardonia, United Crowns of Syltor, and the Nandor Confederation (seceded by Askaru Federation) agreed to an inter-regional full military alliance between each other in the event of a offensive or defensive war.

Norfthorn-Askonia Union
On August 11th, 2023, the Goblin Empire of Askonia and Norfthorn would unite under the "Extreme Syltor Politics" Agreement into the Union of Greater Norfthorn.

Norfthorn War Rumors and Disputes
Throughout July 2023 and August 2023, the United Crowns would obtain information stating that Norfthorn was in preparation to attack and war the United Crowns. Additionally, the United Crowns would state that the Goblins of Askonia were intentionally expanding their capitol city in order to seize Crownland Territory along their border.

Declaration
On August 31st, 2023, The United Crowns declared war on Askonia and called in the Syltör Continental Alliance, the Etcharian Empire, and its Eldham allies of A.W.E. and Sylvania into the war justifying that Norfthorn had intentions to war and attack the Crowns and Askonian encroachment onto the northern border as key values in the declaration.

Reactions
The declaration of war and the subsequent enaction of the Continental Directive by the UCS had mixed reactions in some member states (notably Andorn and Bardonia) from minority opposition or objectors who were outspoken against supporting the war or supporting UCS itself.

Andorn
Bingo von Kendal was allowed to serve for Askonia instead of Andorn as a conscientious objector in fighting with the United Crowns with no repercussions. Andorn citizens who had previous relations with Askonia were also offered the chance to choose who they will be fighting for with no repercussions.

Bardonia
A minority faction of Bardonia criticized supporting the United Crowns in the war due to historical tensions between the two nations prior to the Syltor Continental Alliance and some volunteered to fight for Askonia.

Second Battle of Savras
On September 8th, 2023, Syltor Coalition Forces, primarily comprises of Andorn troops seized and took control of the Askonian city of Savras (formerly the Capitol of Andorn. The invasion was an uncontested victory for the coalition. (150-0)

Second Battle of Goblin Town
On September 9th, 2023, the main Syltor Coalition offensive occurred with UCS, Andornian, Askarian and Aragothan troops invading through Askonia's southern border and attacking the Askonian Capital of Goblin Town. Unlike the Battle of Savras, Askonia had reinforced the defenses of the Capitol with a formidable garrison and the entire Askonian army. After fierce fighting, Coalition Forces took control of the Askonian city. (150-70)

Norvosian Separatists
Prior to the battle of Goblin_Town, Norvosian refugee towns that had settled in Askonia negotiated for a peaceful annexation of their lands into Andorn (unofficially). After the victory at Goblin_Town, the towns were officially annexed into Andorn due to their connections with another Norvosian refugee group in Andorn.

Annover Annexation
Following the battle of Savras, Annover officials negotiated the remaining Annover territories to be integrated into Imperial Andorn with the city of Savras administered by the Andorn government.

Norfthorn Rebellions
On September 17th, 2023, provinces within Norfthorn, Trans-Norfthorn and Prolings, declared independence from the Norfthornian government and to be autonomous territories under the United Crows of Syltor. Norfthorn and loyalist cities that were overclaimed by the declarations would contest these declarations.

Battle of Lux Aurea
On September 25th, 2023, Coalition forces would launch an invasion of the Kingdom of Norfthorn following the collapse of Askonia and the completion of Operation Goblin Freedom. The battle was a close fight between both sides which resulted in a Norfthornian Victory. (0-30)

Conclusion
Following the Battle of Lux Aurea, the United Crowns of Syltor would negotiate an end to the conflict with the majority of its goals being settled and the remaining territories of Norfthorn keeping their their sovereignty on September 24th, 2023. Imperial Andorn would see the largest territorial gains with the annexation of northern Askonia and Annover with the UCS gaining control of the last Remtal mountain and Goblin_Town. The Kingdom of Prolings and Trans-Norfthorn would gain independence following the war and being guaranteed by the United Crowns of Syltor.

Legacy
The Goblin War would be one of the largest conflicts of Syltor since the Second West March War. The results led to the collapse of the Union between Norfthorn and Askonia (lasting 44 days) which included the end of the Goblin Empire of Askonia. Largely seen as one of the few instances in Rathnir of the use of declaring a preemptive declaration of war. The war led to the solidification of the New Continental Directive's control over Syltor (not including the remaining Kingdom of Norfthorn) and a largely unified Syltor Alliance state which hasn't occurred since the Syltör League in 2021. Many individuals disagree if the war was justified with some regarding the war as Ryzani and Andornian Imperialism in expanding spheres of influence of both Andornian and Ryzani hegemony's while other regard view the war as the reclamation of lost territories and justice from the Askonian annexation one of the Remtal Mountains and the Third and Fourth Andorn Crisis's.

Depiction in Media
The war was a very medial conflict, with many outlets reporting on it. The general image painted by the media was of a gray zone, with no one openly picking a side (ie. calling the war justified or not), with the furthest media went was at the start of the war, in a Carthya Djennik issue the interviewer asking Tsarina Elle ni Shan questions doubting whether war was really necessary.