Uldarashi Schism

"Not to be confused with the Uldarash Civil War"The Uldarashi Schism, also known as the Uldarashi Crisis, was an event in which the Empresses of Uldarash, Nikephoros of Aurora and Caterina of Montroig, both deposed each other. The schism was the main factor in the outbreak of the Uldarashi Civil War.

Disclaimer: This article attempts to fairly represent both points of view while staying neutral. Please mind your edits.

The Orange Night
On the 18th of October, 2021, Lakka Viueli, TequilaKnight, Aurelian of Aurora and RakiaKnight sent a string of messages in the imperial-announcements channel, announcing Caterina's deposition. She was then stripped of her Empress role in the discord. There were protestations from a few citizens, especially montroigians who would end up using the sentence "18/10 never forget" as a reference to this event.

The Uldarashi states of Chevkri, Sanctuary, Dearman, Savernia, Mithusu, Alokhrad, Boulderov and Nullaria backed the declaration later that day.

The following day, CoColaxxative, lawyer of Caterina, published a declaration in her name in the rathnir-national-announcements channel, publicly asking for the trial of WhiskeyKnight, Aurelian of Aurora and RakiaKnight for treason, and joining a long evidence document. The declaration was made publicly after the High Court refused to take the case, and Caterina said she was not opposed to a trial against her afterwards, as she could prove she was innocent of all the crimes she allegedly committed.

The Uldarashi states of Ethesidus, Montroig, Dearman and Alfheim then expressed their wish to have a trial take place.

Deposition of Nikephoros
On the 2nd of November, Caterina of Uldarash published an Ultimatum, giving 24 hours to Uldarash to hold the trial she was asking for weeks, and her reinstatement as Empress, and reaffirming she was not opposed to a trial against her afterwards. The declaration also contained an updated evidence document, now spanning 20 pages.

After her ultimatum remained unanswered, Caterina published a declaration proclaiming the forced abdication of Nikephoros, and asked nations to recognise her as the legitimate ruler of Uldarash or be branded traitors.

The Uldarashi states of Montroig and Alfheim pleged support to Caterina, Sanctuary, Alokhrad and Chevkri denounced the declaration, and Savernia chose to stay neutral and asked for both sides to come to a peaceful agreement.

Trial of Caterina
After the accusations levied against Caterina, and due to a screenshot provided by Aurelian, Argon Retter and LegalMC of Montroig filed charges against her on the 3rd of November for election fraud, the only alleged wrongdoing of the list punishable by law in Montroig, hoping to get an explanation for the screenshot and further proof of her wrongdoings. They asked Aurorans for further proof but none was given to them.

A recording of the trial can be found here.

Caterina was found not guilty on the count of election fraud in Montroig. She can be tried again in an Uldarashi court and isn't against it, as it would prove her innocence on all other counts according to her.

Civil War
The Schism broke down into all out civil war on the 5th of November, following Caterina's "Deposal" of Empress Nikephoros, the declaration of Loyalist Uldarash, and an attempted assassination against Nikephoros. Delays eventually pushed the first battle of the conflict back to the 14th, when the Battle of Canine occurred between small groups of both sides. This was a clear victory for Nikephoros, though not a major one. The first large scale battle of the war would occur on the 18th at the Montroigan Capital of Terroja.

The Battle of Terroja, and the simultaneous battle of Northport were the first full-scale battles of the war, in which the entirety of both forces and their allies were able to participate. An estimated 45 soldiers fought for Nikephoros, versus a currently unkown number of Loyalists. The defeat was even worse than the one at Canine - 135 loyalists fell in the twin battles, while they killed a single Uldarashi in Northport. Terroja itself fell without loss to the attackers.

International Response
While Nikephoros's claim to the throne would retain support within Uldarash the international community at large would primarily recognize Caterina's government as legitimate. Nations that recognize Nikephoros and her regime include Tortuga, Aldovir and Kush, whereas Caterina's claim was recognised by Huitca, Bardonia, Escharia, Sørgliste and the Confederacy of Ummarnu.