Uldarash Civil War

The Uldarash Civil War (November 5, 2021- January 2, 2022) was a conflict fought in Uldarash, between the states of Second Empire of Uldarash loyal to the Empress Nikephoros (Aurora, Boulderov, Chevkri, Mithusu, and Alokhrad) against Loyalist Uldarash loyal to the Empress Caterina, consisting of Alfheim, Montroig, and Nullaria. The war eventually turned into an international conflict through foreign support for both sides of the war, even including troops from as far as Eldham.

The war ended in the signing and ratification of the Treaty of Terroja by the Loyalist Uldarash High Council, and the leaders of both sub-nations, Alfheim and Montroig. The Uldarash Civil War was the longest war in Stoneworks history.

Background
"Main Article: Uldarashi Schism"In the Empire of Uldarash there lay two separate Emperors in the Dual-Monarchy. Upon the death of the First Empire of Uldarash, it was generally stated that the dynasty would live on through the Aurorans, a migratory state that originated from the Eastern side of Rathnir after fleeing Escharien. This will partially come into play later. The second Emperor was decided to be an elected one, elected by the High Council of Uldarash, comprised of representatives of the Uldarashi states. Roughly sometime in June, Empress Caterina (or Qwaser) was elected to be the Empress of Uldarash, with a fair majority. Sometime later, the Hereditary Emperor Aurelian was replaced by Empress Nikephoros.

However, Empress Caterina went on to establish several Democratic reforms that were unsavory to the Uldarashi government. After a couple of months of these reforms, an unknown amount of council members, military officers and members of various pro-monarchist organizations, such as the Talawan Academic Society (TAS), had decided enough was enough, and in an event called "The Orange Night"— Empress Caterina was deposed. This was done largely without consulting the majority of the Uldarashi Government, which spiked internal tensions. In response, Caterina's legal team shot back with an accusation of treason against former Emperor Aurelian, Rakia Knight son of former Emperor Tequlia, and Lakka Viueli, leader of the aforementioned Talawan Academic Society (TAS). Several, particularly from the Democratic state of Montroig, supported these accusations, and called for a fair trial of Caterina. This trial never came to be. Montroig held their own trial, though this is recognised by nobody besides those who were already supporters of Caterina, and changed nothing. Eventually, tensions fell, but after another sudden call for a fair trial sparked tensions once more. After a consistent lack of response from the Uldarashi government, Caterina declared herself the sole, true Empress of Uldarash. Thus began the Uldarashi Civil War.

International Reception
Upon hearing of the Civil War, many nations went to take sides, whether against Caterina, for Caterina, or neutral in all regards. Escharia, Huitca, Bardonia, The Confederacy of Ummarnu, and the Grand Sorgliste Federation all made national announcements backing Caterina, whilst Nikephoros gained support from the South Seas pact, a new alliance consisting of Tortuga - a historical ally of the Uldarashi state before the war, Aldovir and Aatyeli.

Eldham Entente Intervention
"Main article: Eldham Entente Intervention in the Uldarash Civil War"Following the Boardwalk robbery and subsequent scandal perpetrated by the Kingdom of Aurora, the Eldham Entente declared the beginning of the Auroran-Entene War, and declared neutrality in the ongoing Civi War. The Entente invaded mainland Aurora in the Battle of Fornost on November 27th, 2021. On November 29th, 2021, the Entente officially announced their support for Empress Qwaser_ of Loyalist Uldarash, and denounced the Second Empire of Uldarash calling it the "Auroran Empire". Most of the Entente's fighting has been overseas, in Eldham colonies of Uldarash nations, including Chevkri and Boulderovian colonies.

Battle of Canine
"Main article: Battle of Canine"

Battle of Terroja
"Main article: Battle of Terroja"

Battle of Northport
The battle of Northport occurred at the same time as the Battle of Terroja, and took place on a much smaller scale. Troops from Alfheim clashed with Auroran soldiers in the city, killing one armed civilian for the loss of their entire force. The armed civilian was the only Uldarashi death of the day, and they quickly became a hero of Auroran propaganda & folklore as the iron warrior, a selfless hero who bought enough time for the Aurorans to redeploy to Northport and repel the attackers. This story is largely apocryphal, though a memorial has been constructed in his honour outside the town.

Battle of Hapatmitas
"Main articles: Hapatmitas-Chevkri Campaign and Battle of Hapatmitas"Three battles ended in massive defeat for the loyalists, but confidence, at least in their command, remained. They were so condfident, in fact that their next plan was a grand offensive, with the main force of this being aimed directly at the Uldarashi capital. Large numbers of elite fighters, including the first troops from the Eldham Entente, were assembled on both sides, and up until the last minute of preparations, it seemed the battle could have gone either way. The battle, however, did not turn into one on the same scale as Terroja. One large Loyalist offensive was repelled, followed by several smaller ones, but after heavy losses for little gain, the Loyalists quickly withdrew.

Second Battle of CoolioCity
"Main articles: Hapatmitas-Chevkri Campaign and Second Battle of CoolioCity"The Second Battle of CoolioCity took place at the same time as the Siege of Hapatmitas, and ended in identical results. A notable event occurred following the end of the fighting, as Nikephoros and Caterina had a personal duel. Nikephoros won the duel, and Caterina became the last person to be defeated on that day.

Battle of Fornost
"Main article: Battle of Fornost"Although not technically part of the Uldarashi Civil War, the battle of Fornost was a pivotal moment for both sides of Uldarash. The attack on the Auroran capital by the Eldham Entente was one of the largest battles in Rathnir's history, as the strongest militaries of both continents met on a single battlefield. Exactly who won is disputed - the Entente killed more people, and certainly dealt more damage to the Uldarashis than they recieved. The Uldarashis, however, only really aimed to hold the city, which they were successful in doing, driving the enemy out by the end of the battle. In that sense, the battle was arguably a tactical Entente victory, but a strategic Uldarashi one. The after effects of the battle would be critical for the Loyalists, however, as the Entente, which had continually changed its position regarding the civil war throughout the course of the conflict, declared full support for the Empress Caterina.

End Of The War
The Battle of Fornost was officially an Uldarashi defeat, and certainly dealt damage to the previously unwavering Uldarashi morale - Two states, Savernia and Nullaria, seceded from the empire in the period following the battle, and calls for peace with the Eldham Entente (though not the Loyalists) were growing louder day by day. The appointment of a new Empress, Scotchknight followed, and peace talks were initiated. Eldham's support for Caterina was already shaky. Though they fully supported Caterina after the Battle of Fornost, their official position had already changed twice regarding the civil war, so when a treaty was signed stating that Aurora would pay double the original price of reparations, their support for Caterina's war was quickly retracted. The Eldham Entente were the last group to aid Caterina after the disaster of the Hapatmitas-Chevkri Campaign - with their departure, the Loyalists were on their own.

About a week after their secession, Savernia rejoined the Second Empire. Nullaria initially declared support for the Loyalists, but decided to withdraw their support and withdraw from the empire completely under Entente protection, seeminly noticing the writing on the wall. Uldarash was back up to full military strength (Nullaria had no soldiers in the Uldarashi army that saw combat), and though the Loyalists had been training to create a powerful force that could have stood on par with many other nations in Rathnir, there was nothing they could do to match the strength of the Uldarashi army. A truce over December delayed any decisive actions for a while longer, but when this period ended, official peace talks began. Terms were dictated to the Loyalists and, after a long period of deliberation, accepted fully. The Treaty of Terroja was signed on the 2nd of January, 2022, reabsorbing Montroig and Alfheim back into the Empire, forcing Caterina to renounce her claim to the Uldarashi throne, and placing the former loyalists states under military governorship.