The Syndalan-Orlendian war
The Syndalan-Orlendian war was a period of conflict waged in Syndal, eastern Orlend and parts of Kirine that lasted from 1506 to 1587. It was waged between two belligerents, the Syndalan Coalition, led by emperor Baul Carnago of Syndal, and the Orlendian Pact, with no formal leader, but with Jay Spinner as a figurehead of sorts, as well as taking a vital role in aggressions.
The Conflict
Prelude
The war was a result of the expansionist desires of the ruler of Syndal, Baul Carnago. Prior to the beginning of the war, both sides had been militarising, one offensively, the other defensively.
Factions
The first of the two factions was the Syndalan Coalition. It was made up of the nations of Syndal, Selerin, and several Kirinan states. It was led by Baul Carnago, head of state of Syndal. While Gaen joined initially, they later withdrew to avoid annexation by Erdantia. The second faction was the Orlendian Pact. It was made up of most of the nations of the eastern Orlendian coast, including Erdantia, Eseris, Aven Gaen, and Shadra. The only nations not part of the pact on the coast were Yannurrin and Silnear, the latter of which was only formed halfway through the war. Yannurrin remained highly sought after by both sides of the war, due to its competent military and large size. The pact in question was signed in 1505 to defend against increasing militarism by Syndal.Initial Aggression
While the two sides had been preparing for war for years, it was Syndal that made the first move, laying siege to the Erdantia-owned colony of Caernis, the Northern Colonies. Erdantia immediately launched a counterattack, but was met with heavy resistance, and was initially unable to reclaim Caernis. The Pact instantly began hostilities, with Shadra launching a brutal scorched-earth offensive on the island of Tekam, while Erdatia took control of several islands along the western coast of Syndal, placing on them several naval bases. Eseris initially stayed away from hostilities until it was able to put together a competent military, but proved to be a very effective ally. Syndal retaliated by attacking Shadra's eastern coast and launching a series of devastating raids across Orlend. Baul also planned to capture and control the totem of Staema Alera, around which he would place a Mana Capture System, exploiting the mechanics of totems to increase his power.A new leader emerges
Later that year, an important event unfolded in the war. A young mage named Jay Spinner, who claimed he had been instructed to do so by the god Kineva, travelled to Syndal and stormed Emperor Carnago's castle. Although he caused mass damage to the castle, he was unable to kill the emperor. Despite this, he instantly became a figurehead of the war effort. How could a seventeen-year-old boy travel to Syndal in a small boat and go head-to-head with the ruler of the Sydalan Coalition? Not only this, but his magical prowess was awe-inspiring, inciting confidence and wonder in all those that fought alongside him. He liberated Staema Alera from Syndalan control, destroying the unfinished Mana Capture System there. He became synonymous with the war effort, devoting his entire life to protecting Staema Alera from enemy invasion, as well as to kill Emperor Carnago.Key Leaders
In the Orlendian Pact, the three most influential leaders were King Ulric Tyler of Erdantia, King Ethenirep of Eseris, and Ornan Tesi of Shadra (succeeded by Jasef Tesi towards the end of the war. The three had fairly different approaches, and the three came into conflict often. King Tesi was reluctant to cooperate, used brutal tactics, and was especially distrusting of Eseris. King Ethenirep was equally distrusting of Shadra, was reluctant to enter combat, and lacked the developed military that Shadra had. Tyler was eager to cooperate, often acting as a mediator between the two, In the Syndalan Coalition, Baul was by far the most important leader present. He could operate both as a tactician/leader and as a combatant, using powerful magic to devastate large areas. Other figures in the coalition were simply his puppets, guided into his control under the promise of a new empire for them to share.The fight for Staema Alera
After the liberation of Staema Alera by Jay Spinner, Jay realised the strategic importance of the tree. He moved into Staema Alera, seeking to protect it from further invasion. This resulted in several conflicts between Jay and the other people who chose to do the same (including Exe Darwin, prince of Aven, and Jasef Tesi, prince of Shadra [although he left Staema Alera to become ruler of Shadra towards the end of the war). This resulted in an "arms race" of sorts, in which both Jay and Baul devoted huge amounts of time into learning new magical techniques, as well as perfecting old ones.The first Battle of Volka
The first Battle of Volka was a major offensive on the Volka, the capital of Syndal, done jointly by the Kingdom of Erdantia, Eseris and Shadra in 1545. It had the ultimate goal of storming Castle Volka and assassinating Emperor Carnago. At first, it did very well. Shadraki artillery destroyed all major defences along the coast from the ocean, while Eseris launched an amphibious assault and Erdantia attacked from the south. The gate to Volka was breached and both Eserisian and Erdantine forces poured in. Then Baul arrived. Powerful shockwaves swept across the city, eviscerating Pact forces. Jay attempted to lead a small group to flank him and bring him down, but he was quickly overpowered. The first Battle of Volka was lost. What was left of the Erdantine and Eserisian army retreated, covered by Shadraki fire. In order to protect Orlend's coastline with such a small army, mercenary groups such as Brooker's Angels had to be hired.Aftermath
With the immediate defeat of a common enemy, many of the members of the pact (and other nations that had lent support) ended alliances, allowing old tensions to return. Erdantia, which had been allied with Gaen for the duration of the war, launched a surprise annexation on the northern town of Eserae, marking the start of the War of Eserae. In this sense, the Syndalan-Orlendia war is an indirect build-up to the War of Eserae. After the death of Baul Carnago, Syndal started to be ruled by a council of Baul's former advisors, headed up by Baul's Breklendi apprentice, Ethinem Kaernat.
Syndal's defeat ultimately resulted in the nation greatly losing both political power and geographical size.
Conflict Type
War
Start Date
1506
Ending Date
1587
Conflict Result
Hard-won victory for the Orlendian Pact
Belligerents
The Orlendian Pact
Led by
Strength
Casualties
Objectives
Invasion of Orlend, establishing an empire.
Defend the nations of Orlend and their assets from harm.
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