First Reunification War

The Conflict

Prelude

Valerian faced not only the usual assassins from the other Familias Maior hoping to clear the way for their own candidates, but also assassins from the other established powers hoping to keep such an outwardly focused Imperator from being crowned. Though all failed, the desire was proven warranted, as the newl Imperator declared war on all pretenders and usurpers only moments after the crown was placed on his head.

Outcome

Significant casualties cause short term economic and social issues, both blunted by the prestige and joy at a reunited empire.

Aftermath

Recombining the great power centers of the empire led to an explosive increase in economic and military power.

Historical Significance

The First Reunification War was a short and bloody war between four splinter-states of the Imperium for supremacy of its core territories. The first splinter state to fall was the Loyalists under "Imperator" Barbatus, whose forces were defeated-in-detail by the eventually victorious Imperials under Imperator Valerian II, including three separate instances of convincing the traditional legions to defect. The next were "Imperator" Flaccus' Stygians which had been based in Portaire Inferni. Flaccus himself was assassinated, and nearly his entire force was absorbed by the Imperials after another rousing speech by Imperator Valerian II, who is also assumed to have sent the assassin. The war was mostly smaller and smaller skirmishes from that point on, as the Imperator defeated the Capitalists under "Imperator" Pantera primarily through economics and trade deals rather than soldiers. In the end, his economy collapsed so far that he was torn apart by rioters in the streets.

Legacy

The resurgence of the Imperium is the defining event of the current age, and represents the breaking of a pattern as old as mortal reckoning. Every great empire rises, spreads to cover Khthon, then collapses until nothing remains. None before have reversed this process.

Conflict Type

War

Battlefield Type

Land

Start Date

166 Knight

Ending Date

170 Knight

Conflict Result

End of the Interregnum, Reunification of the Imperium

Location

Callix

Belligerents

Capitalists

• Imperium Solis

Led by

Strength

Three traditional legions and half of all others leaning heavily towards chain legions, over 200,000 combatants all told

Casualties

All traditional legions lost to defection, roughly a quarter of other legionnaires killed

Objectives

Preserve the reign of "Imperator" Caeso Bantius Pantera, Consul of Capital

Loyalists

• Imperium Solis

Led by

Strength

Four traditional legions and roughly 10% of chain, sword, and shield legions, over 60,000 combatants all told

Casualties

All traditional legions lost to defection, all others killed

Objectives

Preserve the reign of "Imperator" Faustus Tullius Barbatus, Consul of Solaire

Stygians

• Imperium Solis

Led by

Strength

No traditional legions but roughly 40% of chain, sword, and shield legions, around 160,000 combatants all told

Casualties

No combatants lost to battle before absorption by the Imperials due to the assassination of Marshall Flaccus

Objectives

Preserve the reign of "Imperator" Tiberius Vergilius Flaccus, Second Marshall

Imperials

• Imperium Solis

Led by

Strength

Three traditional legions, 15,000 combatants all told

Casualties

Roughly one third of initial combatants killed, drastically outpaced by absorption of new forces

Objectives

Death to pretenders and usurpers, all hail Imperator Valerian II