The series of conflicts spanning over a period of 24 years that saw the rise of
Turelion from being a powerful state in the south of
Euristan continent to the overlords of the entire world of Kelbonnar, are known collectively as the War of Imperial Formation. There are few places in Kelbonnar that were not profoundly affected by the war and its legacy is divisive even after the passing of over 500 years. People’s perception of the conflict splits the Empire’s population into those that would celebrate the martial achievements of
Machestaro I and Turelion; those that would rather forget the suffering that took place; and those that still seek vengeance for violence and injustice afflicted on their ancestors.
The Conflict
Prelude
Whilst Turelion's territorial ambitions and the aggressiveness of its royal family were long known about well before the War began, there was little overt warning that Machestaro I would embark on such an aggressive, far reaching campaign that would eventually bring war to nearly every corner of Kelbonnar.
However, more subtle signs had been present for several decades before the conflict began, namely the increasing advancement of Turelion’s military strength, through new technology such as Elemental Cores, which allowed for different and more reliable forms of transportation, and Blackpowder Weaponry, which proved to be devastating as both artillery and small arms.
In addition, diplomatic relations between Turelion and its neighbours became increasingly terrible during the early years of Machestaro’s rule, was another indication of Turelion’s ambitions to seize territory. However, this was masked by the fact that a formal declaration of war from Turelion only arrived in the courts of the nations now encompassed by the area of Ferio Province several days after Machestaro’s armies had begun their march north, having already conquered hundreds of square miles of land.
Chronology:
20BIF: Machestaro I begins the War of Imperial Formation by invading the area to the north of
Turelion that will eventually become
Ferio Province.
17BIF: After negotiations fail to bring the nations of western
Euristan under the influence of Turelion without bloodshed, Machestaro I’s forces invade the regions to the west of the
Heavenspire Mountains, launching offensives in both the north and the south.
13BIF: Turelion’s forces invade the island of Oam and over the course of the year bring the area into the Imperial fold.
12BIF: The
Quessite Treaty of Assimilation is signed, creating
Quess Province without any bloodshed.
8BIF: The invasion of the continent of
Dricaro sparks a prolonged period of attritional fighting as Machestaro’s forces attempt to subdue he numerous tribes that wander the landscape, and who deploy their hit and run tactics to devastating effect against Turelion’s forces.
3BIF: Victory is finally declared for Turelion as the last of the hostile tribes are driven into
Rivla-lwëp tundra and Minid Province is created to administer the northern regions of Dricaro.
2BIF: Turelion’s forces invade the area of the
Relialo Plains and begin to systematically drive out the tribal peoples from the area that will later be designated as
Norgantho Province.
0AIF: Though he had been going by the title for some time,
Machestaro I formally declares himself as the
The Emperor of Turelion and Kelbonnar in a ceremony held in the former capital of Turelion and newly dubbed Imperial Capital,
Meltaro.
2AIF:
The Old Kingdom of Sparos declares war on the
Empire of Turelion and invades
Turelion Province in an effort to force
Machestaro I into negotiating with them.
4AIF: Following a long and bitter period of fighting, the forces of the
Empire of Turelion finally manage to push their way all the way into the heart of the
Heavenspire Mountains and sack the Sparite capital
Penelionar, finally bringing the war with
Sparos and the War of Imperial Formation to a close.
Because the conflict was so long and far reaching, the conditions under which the individual engagements were fought varied greatly with battles taking place deep in the scorching heart of the
Jem’Hal Desert, to the dense, dark forest of the
Usæ Gawoa, to the frozen peaks of the
Heavenspire Mountains.
Few of the
Turelite soldiers that marched away with
Machestaro I at the beginning of the conflict served in all phases of the campaign, but almost all of them were subjected to severe environmental hardship that they were just not used to, alongside the horrors of war, until death or injury put them out of action.
Fortunately, Machestaro’s policy of absorbing the armed forces of conquered nations into his own and forcing them to fight for him meant that Turelion was soon able to draw on troops used to fighting in all manner of climates, which further added to Turelion’s substantial military advantage.
The aftermath of the War of Imperial Formation was and still is understandably wide reaching and controversial. Some would argue that the gathering of almost all of Kelbonnar under the rule of the
Empire of Turelion has ushered in an unprecedented era of peace and prosperity. Others however, would argue that any perceived benefits have really only been seen by
Turelites and those others who collude with the Imperial order, and that the war has lead to deep social divisions, whilst sowing the seeds that have allowed near constant fighting with the
Exiled Tribes, the
Kelrik Pirates and more recently
Nova Norgantho, amongst others, to rage across the world.
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