3rd Ryushan War of Imperial Succession (Thu-Erd-Ree-You-Shan-Waur-off-Impeer-Eall-Suck-Cess-Eon)

The 3rd Ryushan War of Imperial Succession (CR 10050-Ongoing) is an ongoing civil conflict between various regional warlords and ideological factions over the matter of who should succeed The Zhangwei Emperor (after his accidental assassination at the hands of an angry peasant, Wan Quolung) and the title of Emperor of All Ryusha. Due to the lack of non-child heirs to the throne from the Lao Dynasty (who currently de jure rule the Ryushan continent), the question as to who will replace or take the reigns of the Lao Clan is also up in the air. The major, wide-reaching lack of political stabilty has caused these warlords, formerly administrators, powerful clan members, generals and political strongmen, to sprout up and claim territory around Ryusha, as well as some measure of influence over the next Imperial Government, for themselves. The fighting has been protracted and more focused on diplomatic posturing at this point instead of any real military campaigns- but make no mistake, this war is profoundly and spiritually "on" and will be for some time.
There are a number of different ideological camps in relation to the succession. The individual warlords following said camps don't necessarily collaborate with each other though. One of these groups are colloquially referred to as "The Ministry". Warlords who follow this camp wish to put a direct dynastic successor to The Zhangwei Emperor on the throne, maintaining the Lao Clan's de jure rule over Ryusha. However, Warlords in this camp all have different candidates for this successor, and the idea is more that the warlord's Clan would act as a sort of military-regent government appointed by the Emperor (who the warlord's clan coincidentally brought to the throne). Ironically, despite the Hei Dynasties hating the Jikata people of the Ho-Qi peninsula for so long, the Ministry's plan looks very similar to the structure of the Jikata Shogunates. A prime example of a Ministry adherent is Qinxi Teng, who is a fanatical supporter of the Lao like his father, "Old" Qinxi, before him. Those who follow the ideals of the Ministry include:

• Qinxi Teng, "Old Qinxi's Favourite".
• Xia-Min Wan, "Sleeping Tiger of the South".
• Kang-Ba Chao, "Protector in the West". (However, his loyalty to the idea of a Lao restoration is questionable- time will tell whether he joins his sister Lei's bid for the Throne or commit to keeping the Lao in power.)

Another group, "The Kingship Movement" are made of warlords who wish to replace the Lao Dynasty and instate themselves as Emperor of All Ryusha, and their clan as the new imperial dynasty. Of course, since all parties in the Kingship movement want power for themselves, they will almost never cooperate with one another. Currently, the most powerful warlord in the Kingship movement is Kang-Ba Lei, who has amassed so much support, influence and wealth that some of her followers call her the Emperor already. Those who follow the ideals of Kingship include:

• Kang-Ba Lei, "Furious Whirlwind of Shukoro".
• Dhou Lin, "Tyrant Genasi". (Though he persues this goal in a stealthy way, utilising his current high position of power in the remnants of the Imperial government to slowly set the stage and fabricate the proper claims for his acension to power.)
• Kralvoc the Grim, "Disciple of Dabai".(Hobgoblin)

A third group, that could be loosely described as "Independents", exists to cover everyone else. This camp includes warlords who just want to defend their own holdings and people, and that don't want to get involved with the Succession debate. However, they are dragged into the war anyway as most of these independents desire for any greater Ryushan Empire to be wiped out so that they can keep their own territory to themselves. An example of this is the nation of the Sinokata Shogunate in Ho-Qi, who have broken away from the Empire after the Zhangwei Emperor died before negotiating an updated agreement between the two powers. Those who consider themslves as independents are:

• Rilairazx, "The Jindachi Maestro of Xiadai". (Dragonborn)
• Zhikong Ma, "N'goy's Vengeful Spirit".
• Shinokata Shogunate (nation located on Jimōn Island and the Ho-Qi Peninsula)
• Chai Nodai, "Butcher Brigand of Pi-Rao".

The remaining other warlords who either want their own, unique thing outside of these ideological camps or who are undecided in which camp to throw their lot in with, are as follows:

• Qinxi Ai, "The Forever-Enshadowed". It is unclear how Ai will involve herself in the war. She will certainly persue vengeance against her brother, but after that her options become varied. She could simply stay as an independent after deposing her brother, or assume his place as head of the Qinxi Clan after his deposition and continue his cause of protecting the Lao. Or, she could harness the powerful economy and influence of the Qinxi and take the Jade Phoenix Throne for herself. Perhaps she may do little more than offer her Bansen to whoever pays the most coin for them.
• Ugoma Bei, "Last Scion of Ugoma". Ugoma Bei looks for various things in his quest to revitalise his dying Clan. He seeks vengeance against Rilairazx (who killed his father Ugoma Yan), and will carve a bloody path across the continent in order to get it if given the chance. He also wants to ensure the security of his clan's ancestral land in the Northern Coast of Ryusha, so may just focus on that. The Ugoma clan were once staunch allies of the Lao, so perhaps Ugoma Bei may revitalise that relationship and join up with the Ministry.
• Qinxi Dong, "The Peaceful Qinxi". The eldest son of his clan, Qinxi Dong wants nothing more than total, fair and long-lasting peace in Ryusha, and harnesses his skill as a negotiator and cool head from years of meditation at Mt Linbao to do it. The territory he currently administers will be gladly ceded to whoever seems likely to unify the continent, though it should be noted that he will be no pushover to negotiate with. It is very clear that Dong will never take an overarching leadership role in any regime, instead serving best as a wise voice to get matters along the right path. The forces he does command are all fanatically devoted to his ideals of peace, so it will be a challenge for any warlord to just take over his territory.

To sum up: The Ministry want the Lao Clan to continue ruling the Ryushan Empire. The Kingship Movement want to replace the Lao Clan with another clan (preferably their own). The Independents don't care about the Empire, and want to just protect their own.

Conflict Type

Civil War

Start Date

CR 10050

Ending Date

Ongoing

Location

Ryusha