The Coup of Aetern

Commonly seen as the first conflict of the Unification War, the Coup of Aetern brought down the rule of a long but corrupt Elvish tyrant, and brought about the birth of the Divine Balance, which would result in the birth of the Sacred Reich of Vishy.

The Conflict

Prelude

Refugees from the sacking of Veshae had dispersed throughout the region, with a large centering on Aetern, than dedicated to the praise of Mastro, The Eternal Flame. Their presence was tolerated, but never fully accepted. Even as children of Refugees, referred to as the Vishy, were still not treated or respected as citizens ofo the city, and as such much exploitation and abuse was openly permitted, inclulding slavery. Laws, where they existed, were poorly applied and inconsistently, favoring only the rich. The blatant corruption was justified under the prospect that the city was created for and protected by Mastro, the God of Justice. If he did not approve, the city would not have survived.

When Brechane, an itinerant cleric to Hjanda, began claiming to have prophetic visions of a new understanding of the Gods, this "Divine Balance", it took strongly among the lower classes. The Vishy particularly grew to the movement, as it allowed a means by which the authority of Lord Gilhran, the Elf ruler of the city state, may be challenged. A political voice came alongside the religious upheaval. Just as demands for the religous order to be redrawn, so too were demands for the systems of power. As Gilhran's forces tried to suppress both dissident voices, they only grew in response, and coaelesced together into one. Popular support rose and grew into a fever pitch, to a point that the status quo could no longer be sustained.

When Brechane herself was captured and held prisoner, it quickly developed to the straw that broke the camel's back.

Outcome

Warriors believing in Brechane's message and outraged that she was captured sided with the rising outrage movement. As her message had already spread to nearby city-states, it was determined that it would only be a matter of time before outrage set in, and the possibility of foreign intervention. Knowing she would never be allowed to be released alive, the Lord's mansion was stormed, and Gihlran forcibly removed from power. The Prophet Brechane was released from prison, to much acclaim of the city.
With little thought put into who would take over in Lord Gihlran's place, there was a short period of chaos and anarchy. Brechane was chosen as a leader, as no other had the broad appeal. It was intended that a more politically or civically savvy mind would eventually replace her, but that replacement never materialized.

Aftermath

Brechane would never step down as the leader of Aetern, although the sway she would hold over her followers, and the city state, would ebb and flow.

With the Divine Balance having a permanent home in Aetern, incorporated within the city-state, it wasn't long before the cause grew too large for Brechane to control. The thought of people going to war on her sake was her greatest fear, and yet it became unavoidable. As dissident movements formed in the other city states, it was reasoned that they would need martial and political support to be respected and for their faith to receive the proper recognition. So began the Unification War, which brought about the Sacred Reich of Vishy; unified now under the political movement, the ethnic claim of Vishy having dissipated into obscurity by this point.

Historical Significance

In the history of the Sacred Reich, the Coup of Aetern is rarely discussed, even deliberately glossed over. In the official telling of events, the popular sentiment and desire for The Divine Balance and greater reforms and freedom were so great, that Lord Grisham merely stepped down from power, allowing his seat to be abdicated to Brechane. Such a narrative both conveneniently glosses over the threat of violence, and the period of uncertainty and chaos that followed, when the mob had no real plan for what would follow after the tyranny being toppled.

Included under Conflict

The Unification War

Battlefield Type

Urban

Conflict Result

Lord Gihlran deposed