The War of the Four Dukes
The Conflict
Prelude
After Furio was crowned Duke of St Vance, he changed the laws of conscription to remove the First Born Law, severing a large amount of soldiers from Guldor and the Common Army. The Marshal Sversky, who was in fact a duke, would then rise tensions by naming himself Marshal, and imposing military law in Vostroya. The three other dukes, Furio, Karl Franz, and Vadim, reunited in Zamokret and collectively declared war on the Marshal. The conflict was brewing since the at the time General Sversky imposed the First Born Law to protect Vostroya from an eastern threat. But 10 years into this defensive campaign, only small skirmishes happened on the other side of Guldor, diminishing Sversky's popularity.
Deployment
The armies of St Vance remained on a ground war in eastern Vostroya with the Common Army, blocking them in choking points along the Vodka. The Helm was a particularly intense siege that was aided by an Iron Golem. The siege was a failure, and guaranteed a protected St Vance from the East. The battle was so brutal that many witnessed demons and fire flying through the air. The Golem fell to Melqior, who would become General of Colombay.
Karl Franz sent his fleet on a blockade of Guldor, starving the already starved Common Army, and diminishing their supplies. The fleet stayed on the coast for about two years, shifting back and forth, always keeping a wall of cannons pointed at the fortress. Many Franz soldiers reported seeing corpses all over the bay, the few deserters alive begging to join the fleet, only to be sent on the Styx.
Vadim back stabbed his allies and attacked St Vance from the West, but his armies rebelled, and triggered the Weeds Rebellion. Furio knew that Vadim had disloyal generals, and sent his cavalry into the Darkwood to hide. When the armies showed up, Furio assassinated the rear guard general, making it look like the assassin was part of Vadim's close circles. The famliy of the victim general were furious and withdrew their troops, leaving an opening in the rear of the army. The Cavalry rushed, and left a field of broken, trampled bodies, covered in their own blood and shit. Only the reflection in red of those fiends on horseback visible under the moonlit skies would send a survivor of this massacre into a traumatic state. The few survivors tell the story of transparent horsemen, gliding the field and reaping heads on their way. But is there any truth in fear?
Outcome
The Common Army was disbanded by St Vance, and distributed former conscripts in various forts, many of them joining the working force because of no being fit for the role of soldier. St Vance would then become the largest province in Vostroya, occupying territory from Guldor to the Quirell, all the way north to the coast.
During the war, the Assembly of Portemort slowly made Baphomann more powerful, on top of a failed assassination attempt that revealed the intentions of Karl Franz, culminating in the venture capitalist becoming Master of the Assembly.
Aftermath
Baphomann calls for the election of a new king, and Vadim is elected, and crowned. The Legion is formed, as a new national army to replace the Common Army. A new tension rises between the side of Vadim and Baphomann, and the side of Karl Franz and Furio, the two latter rebelling against the crown.
Two years after the end of the war, Guldor falls to the armies of Strygos, supported by an Ancient Balaur named Morne the Eclipse.
Historical Significance
Technological Advancement
This is the first war in this Age that has seen the use of firearms, albeit in small amounts, mostly used by officers and high ranking personnel, the provider of these firearms was Baphomann.
Conflict Type
War
Start Date
1508
Ending Date
1510
Conflict Result
The Marshal was found and arrested, capitulating Guldor, and ending the Common Army, and the war.
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Belligerents
Strength
100,000 strong, largely specializing in trench warfare, and wars of attrition. most of the force is light infantry, and the army counts more on numbers than skill.
Casualties
10,000 men were lost on the front lines, 20,000 died because of the blockade and the famine that ensued.
Objectives
Conquer Vostroya, and imposing Marshal Law
Strength
The Army of St Vance: 30,000 regular soldiers, trained in a variety of disciplines, the army of St Vance is known for its "no prisoners" approach, and night attacks.
The Army of Averland: 200 ships, a dozen Man-o-Wars, and a rearguard of 5,000 sent in Portemort. Soldiers of Averland are known for their playful approach to war, gaming the strategy, and studying fencing to produce a better rounded soldier.
Casualties
St Vance: 4,000 were lost in battle, most of them being in a warcamp east of St Vance, where Vadim passed with his army.
Averland: negligible losses, their only action being the blockade and their strategical support of St Vance
Objectives
Eliminate the Marshal, the term of their pact
Strength
50,000 strong, conscripted soldiers, aided by the Sowers, a Chapter of the Knights of Sigmar, led by Sir Hektor.
Casualties
12,000 lost in the siege of St Vance
20,000 lost because of the rebellion
Objectives
Expanding the influence of Zamokret
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