Rossa Alliance

Awldor    Sovereign States    Conquered      Rossa Alliance

I guess the Helians neglected to include a gardener in their ranks. Otherwise, they would have remembered that a rose bush bears many large and sharp thorns.

— Tusae

Overview

An alliance between the Radox Duchy of the northern valley, the Principality of Ashram of the southern valley, and the Mutabilis Tribe of the mountains. The alliance was formed in response to the growing threat of the Kingdom of Helia to the west. When Helia began its invasion of the Rossa Alliance in 1257AGC, after the successful conquest of the Principality of Avistar in 1255AGC, the Kingdom quickly found themselves fighting a war they were not quite prepared for. The Alliance had deployed unique and somewhat strange tactics in their efforts to resist.
The leaders of this alliance are Grand Duke Sylris of the Radox Duchy, Princess Nissa of the Principality of Ashram, and Chief Fenxalim Orbbreaker of the Mutabilis Tribe.

The Valleys of the Roses

The alliance was so named for each member party resided in the Blooming Valleys, located to he east of the The Golden Plain. The valleys lie to the north and south of the Valtava Mountains. The Blooming Valleys are known for fields that are rich with many varieties of flowers, from the common to the exotic. The north having its own variety compared to its southern counterpart. The most iconic kind of flower from this valley are the Roses for which the alliance was named.
The Alliance used the image of the fields of roses as part of their rallying cry against the invading force from Helia. The belief was that Helia's war machine would destroy the fields of flowers in their march towards imperialism. This was not an unfounded belief, for during Helia's occupation they have moved legions of troops through the valley, which had trampled many of the flowers in their marches.

Guerrilla Warfare

Unlike other countries who mount a solid defensive line against the Golden Blight, the Rossa Alliance utilized a different strategy. They allowed the Helian Army to march into their towns and villages with little resistance. Said towns and villages were deserted of people and valuable resources before occupation. The armed forces of the alliance struck when the Helian armies were both stretched and over confident. What followed was a twenty year period of guerrilla warfare that sapped the momentum of the Helian war machine. Those who could not stay and fight take refuge in the Kingdom of Vhara.

While they were never able to hold out like Lunaria could, but the unusual tactics employed by them did buy time for the Kingdom of Vhara to prepare.

— Vacan Quill, Aevi Historian.

The War in 1277

Unfortunately the strength of the Helian war machine is proving too strong despite the years of constant hit and run attacks against it. Most of the territories of the Rossa Alliance, while not officially surrendered, are firmly within King Vimak's iron grip, and he has already stripped enough raw resources from the land to make the occupation a worthwhile investment. Meanwhile, the remaining guerrilla units are either too few to continue their war to any great effect or are hunted down by Helian Inquisitors. With the captured towns fortified and resistance abating, the Helian Army trains their sights on their next conquest: The Kingdom of Vhara.
Perhaps taking advantage of the relatively few captures during the campaign, the three new district rings in Sol became garden districts and are therefore recreational spaces for the existing residents of the city.

Lunarian Aid?

It is a simple deduction that the Queendom of Lunaria supported the formation of the Rossa Alliance. What's not so clear is whether or not the Queendom had directly aided the efforts of the Alliance in their fight against Helia. Bows of Lunarian make have been found within the hands of fallen Rossa soldiers, but since these bows were of an older make that is known to circulate in markets around the continent it is plausible that they were simply purchased from merchants.
Perhaps the strongest evidence for Lunarian aid lies in the tactics the Alliance used against the Helians. First, the raids almost always happened at night. Second, these raids were almost always accompanied by someone who can use moon magic. This combination was pioneered by the Queen's military and was used to great effect by that country. Even so, this is not hard evidence that Lunaria did send representatives to train the Rossa military. It is general knowledge that Helia's armies are strongest during the day, and their failed bid to capture the Queendom is well documented. It is possible that the Alliance had simply been good students of history. King Vimak, however, seems to fully believe that Lunaria was involved and has a standing order to apprehend and interrogate anyone with even a passing connection to Lunaria along the eastern front.

Public Agenda

To free Quassus from the unjust imperialism of the Golden Blight!

Disbandment

While Helia claims the organization was disbanded as of 1277AGC, many believe the Rossa Alliance is still alive due to the unexplained absence of the Alliance's leaders. King Vimak claims they are in his country's custody and will be publicly executed once they've been thoroughly interrogated. Furthermore, Vimak claims that the Helian army has carried out successful attacks against several Rossa hideouts. These attacks have been independently verified and several public executions have been made in the Alliance's former capitals. The lack of activity on the part of the Alliance since the attacks seems to lend credence to the King's claims, and the reformation of the Helian Army against Vhara has some wondering if the resistance has really ended.
As for what the Alliance could be doing if it is indeed still at large? No one outside of the organization knows for certain.

All artwork is by starfarertheta unless stated otherwise.

DISBANDED/DISSOLVED

1244AGC - 1277AGC ?

Type

Alliance, Generic

Alternative Names

Tri-Flower of Thorns

Location

Quassus Continent

Note(s) from the Archivists:

Does anyone know if the Vhara Army is considering the same kind of guerrilla warfare in case their wall fails? - Archivist Savitri
I think they would be. With the exception of Lunaria, no one has been able to withstand the onslaught of the Golden Blight for long. - Archivist Enna
I've heard that the Centrum Town Guard has a member of the Rossa Alliance with them. They may be getting some pointers on how to conduct guerilla tactics. - Archivist Theta
Are times really that desperate? - Archivist Enna
It's always a good idea to prepare for the worst. -Archivist Savitri