The Treason of Isvrik

A tragedy for the many which in turn became the downfall of countries and the rise of a new superpower.

— Everam, Teller of Nimenra

Devistating and one-sided, The Treason of Isvrik refears to a conflict between Isvrik and Karakand. Isvrik attacked their longtime neutral sibling unprovoked and with their ally Rovvik ran freely across the country, raiding and pillaging. This event would in turn be the starting point of the Dark Is Age in the region.

Prelude and history

The three countries of Hestandi, Karakand and Isvrik were all countries around Lake Merluni and shared a treaty of non-agression. All three were culturally close, having intermingled for many generations and shared a strong religious unity centred around Nilari, the Goddess of Peace. For as long as the people could remember, there was no hostility between the people. Many would see the three united in an unofficial pact of defence against larger threats around them, namely Rovvik and the Kingdom of Kyrkas.

Unbenknowns to all Isvrik made a secret alliance with Rovvik. The why of this has been lost to speculation and history, some believe that King Antiross was set upon by his youth of ignoring traditions and greed. Others tell of something much more sinister, the king had already planned and failed assassination after assassination on the royal family of Karakand but failed and saw the young king-to-be in Karakand as the last obstacle to taking the region for himself. Having lost his patience he turned into a different man, pursuing an alliance to ends meet to fulfil his agenda.

In Karakand, the king had died two years earlier of old age leaving his youngest son and sole surviving heir in the hands of a regency council. With a young eleven-year-old on the throne, the country was vulnerable to all influence and dangers. Karakand had a small royal army and was dependent on the nobility and people for military support. The regency council was also in the preparations for a betrothal between the young king and one of the princesses of Hestandi. This was in the hope of a powerful ally in the trying times the country was currently in.

A sudden strike

In 931 V.D. Isvrik under the leadership of King Antiross, marched their army aided by a larger Rovvikan army. Crossing the river Vieavon the combined forces marched nearly unmatched towards the capital. The few forces that were able to be mustered in time were about 2500 men and women strong. These mostly consisted of levies that nobles in haste formed. On the other side were 10.000 Isvrikans and Rovvians of varying quality but compared to the 2500 strong opponents, they were veterans of war.

Engagements

King Antiross did not see the 2500-strong Karakans as a true threat. He and the Rovvian warlords choose quick engagement with their enemy. The leaders of the Karakand army drew back into the hill farms to make a stand. It was starting with small skirmishes until the Rovvian Raider Guards ran straight into the flanks of 2000. This routed even the best of warriors among the Karakans as the Raider Guards tore with their axes and maces anyone standing in their way.

After the initial engagement the Karakans made continued attempts to delay and stop the advancing forces with the 1300 remaining. Slowly the Karakans lost most of their forces and the leaders were killed in battle or executed. The capital prepared for a long siege with the Karakan Royal Guards. However, as the Rovvians began to terrorise the rest of the countryside and force people into the capital, the government surrendered a week after the siege had begun.

A surrender without safety

The month-long war ended with the council and elected officials surrendering. The surrender was accepted and agreed upon by King Antiross. Despite this, he allowed the Rovvikans and his army free reign in the country. The masses, from high- to lowborn were chocked all over the region as troops were allowed to raid and pillage, something only the Jorvikans were known to do. Noreets, Rovvikan religious warriors, is said to have burnt down every sacred place that could be found and kill without mercy. The capital was mostly spared but the government had to pay up most of its treasury as "reparations" and give up the north-western province bordering Isvrik.

Outcome

Karakand was left in a ruined state. As the Rovvikans and Isvrik's forces moved around the country people began to fight for themselves. Nobles tried to protect themselves, villages tried to resist and were burned down as a consequence and many, many lives were lost and devastated in more ways than leaving with Orio or Umberem. When the forces left three months later, the government had little to no control anymore. As the threat and public outcry intensified Hestandi made a move to pacify the capital's increasing unrest. This, as a final consequence, leads to the Dark Is Age and ends the two countries of Karakand and Hestandi as they were.

Conflict Type

War

Start Date

931 V.D

Ending Date

932 V.D

Conflict Result

Devistation of Karakand

Timeline entry
The Treason of Isvrik

Belligerents

Isvrik and Rovvik

• Isvrik {English}

Karakand

• Karakand {English}

Strength

10 000 soldiers, over 7 000 from Rovvik
About 400 known Raider Guards of Rovvik
Noreets, Rovvikan unrestricted raiders and religious zealots

2500 noble levies and militia
100 Royal Guards

Casualties

No more than 1 000, according to some texts 1004

All 2500 participating levies and militias

Objectives

Take and occupy Karakand(?)

Defend Karakand from the invaders

Why did not Hestandians join?

The pact of non-aggression between the three countries had been held for many centuries when Isvrik broke it. What more is the question why did Hestandi do nothing when their neighbour and friend were attacked? Scholars argue that the shock from Isvrik's sudden change might have incapacitated the Hestian government. In records and letters found later the King of Hestandi tried to muster his forces and even asked for aid from the Nilarian Clergy that held large portions of lands. According to some letters between the nobility, the Hestians were also afraid of what would happen if they acted too fast. Leaving Hestandi without any troops of their own invited raiders from the north or worse, Rovvik.

The last and most sinister of the old tales is the one where the crown prince of Hestandi hindered the king and his council from acting. The reason why was that he loved his sister, the bride-to-be to the young king of Karakand. Other tales say that all he wanted was a chance to gain personal influence over the court for a takeover.

Whatever the reason was for Hestandi's passive and delayed reaction, it had a strong contributing factor for what was to come for the region.

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