The Ferroati Dynasty

Founding

With petty nobles administering their own polities in Charsta after the Empire's collapse, the power vacuum remained unfilled up until Ariki Gentai would found a new dynasty with the support of the Reoatua of Uru. They would begin their campaign from Kaitia/Guardia, moving west to capture Pendepa and hire Apian mercenaries and roll past Mitronui to where modern day San Volta is only halted temporarily by Tepeu Mākan of Daumi at the Battle of Pākaha Ahi which would be at modern Porto Turra. The legacy that Gentai immortalized for themself was making the practice of marshaling Retētoa a matter of the Dynasty itself, unlike during the Arroati era where Retētoa swore loyalty exclusively to a nobles personal army. These warriors brought loyalty and ferocity into soldiers that would support levied peasants in battle. Arenian observers noting that they could be compared to Jaguar or Eagle Knights. Gentai's campaign to unite Charsta captured the attention of the Reoatua in Uru as well, seeing this as a chance to convert the conquered. Sending the Dynasty priests to help in their march towards total unity which would prove to be a great boon to both his army and civil management. Adopting Retētoa the Dynasty had spare soldiers to send to the regions of Aya bordering the Brume, increasing their prestige with Koloxal and Arenia in helping defend from the Brume.

Tepeu Mākan's defense of their realm would collapse, as nearly a year passed Gentai would make a daring naval invasion near Tamaia. Losing control of territories south of Daumi, and an outnumbered army Mākan was out of options. Gentai took the chance to offer Mākan an Arohana, a duel, to have an honorable death. The duel took place on the mouth of the Ahi, with Ariki Gentai's fleet observing in the bay. There's a lot of right wing mythologizing around this event, despite it being so well recorded. Ah Tz'ib Ch'an Teje of Koro kept meticulous record of the duel play by play, every cut and every block, and the reactions of the audience. Ch'an Teje would record that Mākan's sword play was exceptional and their defense seemingly unbreakable. Despite losing a hand against Gentai's oppressive swordwork, he would keep fighting with the other one only losing until they passed out from blood loss. The military achievement of Gentai and their Dynasty is one that made waves with Arenian city states, who took note of the accomplishment and enshrining the records of the victories and defeats, numbers, and even the meals the soldiers ate in their archives.