Fall of the Raun'jar

This article is part of a wider series on the Rise and Fall of the Second Tarquinnian Hegemony. For more information on the eventual fate of the Atheryan Empire see: War against the World

For two centuries you have drained the realm of its wealth, treated the people as slaves to your every whim, killed all those even daring to oppose you. And you dare to claim to serve us? To protect us? No amount of lies is gonna save you. The reign of the Raun'jar is over!

— Bhuri Chögal

Masters of the chariot, the bow, lance and mace. Warriors and Strategists without equal. The Raun'jar had carved the Atheryan Empire out of nothing and made it one of the greatest powers of the west.
But what had once been a noble class of protectors turned into a blight upon the nation. As their reign began to threaten to destroy what their ancestors had created, a young ruler stepped forth and with a single strike wiped out one of the most powerful groups the west had ever seen.

Removing the Disease

by Miłek Jakubiec

Bhuri Chögal, from 1710 on ruler of the empire, knew very well to tread carefully around the Raun'jar. They ruled large swaths of the realm, had private armies and through their seats in the ruling council possessed more influence on the nation's politics then he did.
In 1692, they had killed Bhuri's grandfather when he had attempted to curb their power.
A cunning man, Bhuri used their arrogance and traditions against them. He purposely escalated an argument with Dhion Gan, greatest of the Raun'jar and finally challenged him to an honorary duel.
The winner would gain the throne. And so the warlords gathered in the capital and for two days enjoyed the finest festivities the realm could offer. Always in the assumption that the generally weak and unassertive ruler was of no threat to them.
Bhuri, however, had prepared. He had hired a Hijin Warhost and bit by bit brought them into the capital via the sewage system. On the third day, when the duel was set to take place he unleashed the savages. Hundreds of people, Raun'jar and their guards alike, drunk and tired from days of decadence were slaughtered. At the same time, troops loyal to the Emperor occupied their estates.

by Murat Gül

Within a single day, Bhuri had wiped out century-old families and asserted himself as the sole power within the realm. Purges of the army followed, the Emperor intent on removing any trace of Raun'jar influence.
A decision that would prove fatal, as it severely weakened the army. And Atherya was about to witness the greatest war the world had ever seen...

Conflict Type

Battle

Start Date

14.12.1715

Ending Date

15.12.1715

Conflict Result

Destruction of the Raun'jar. Large scale purges of the Atheyran Army.

by Sune Reinhardt

Duels of Honor
Duelling had for the longest time been an important part of Atheryan culture. From one-on-one fights to contests of words and wit, duels have been used to settle all manner of disputes.
In older times, it was custom for rulers to defend their throne via duel. Due to the instability, this custom usually brought for Atheyran states, it was largely fazed out over the centuries but not forbidden.
The fateful challenge Bhuri made against Dhion was the first in over 200 years.

Their lands and riches are to be confiscated, their families banished. Any loyalist will either be executed or sentenced to harsh labour, depending on their position.

— Bhuri's Edict