Great Uprising

The Great Uprising was a massive coup / civil war in Imbria that had long-lasting repercussions. Witches rose up against the ruling mage class and toppled an empire.
Prior to the Great Uprising, Imbria was a united kingdom under the reign of Emperor Imbrianus, the last mage emperor. At that time, mages held all positions of power.

Factors Leading to War

• The Paltetia Revolution and the treaty resulting in the Great Divide, wherein the Imbrianus Emperor allowed for the division of the continent, were seen as massive failures and embarrassments
• Severe drought and other problems plagued the empire, leading to reduced trade and worsening problems for the lower classes
• Mage population boomed, and with a mage emperor, mages were granted all of the most favorable positions, including ones previously held by witches of long-standing and proud heritage
• Military positions were granted based on mage status and not actual training or combat experience
• Resentment toward the emperor and all mages grew

The Conflict

Prelude

After founding Arcanis Academy, Reginald Augustus Emerson invited all of the most prominent and powerful witch families to attend the school, reestablishing those connections from his youth. He invited the most affluent and disgruntled of these witches into his Witches' Might Group, in which they discussed their growing discontentment with the mage rule. Ultimately, they united many witch families throughout Imbria, spreading a network of communication in many cities and towns.
He trained young witches in the arcane arts alongside tactics he learned while in the local army.
Eventually, they planned their first strike: a coordinated magical attack at a number of high-society events taking place throughout Imbria on a single night. Many mages died that night, but the primary target, Emperor Imbrianus, escaped the attack at his palace.17 mages died. 53 witches were executed following this concerted attack, while an unknown number of witches were interrogated by the emperor's arch-mages.
Soon after, Reginald his cabal of witches declared war against Emperor Imbrianus and all mages.

Battlefield

Several battles occurred during the uprising, both on the field and in towns and homes. Massive displays of magic scarred the landscape and toppled buildings.

The Engagement

In some instances, estates were attacked. Armies of both magical and non-magical people fought and died in this war. In other instances, brawls broke out in taverns, magical showdowns in the middle of the street, and assassinations in people's homes.
In the beginning, the mages won the majority of the battles, and suffered less casualties. They had more resources, more political power, and more magical might on an individual level.

Turning Point

The turning point in the war happened when Reginald Augustus Emerson's secret society, the Witches' Might Group, discovered how to suppress mage power. This affected certain bloodlines, presumably the most powerful of the mage lines. It is unknown how the group accomplished this.  After suppressing the mages' magic, the mages were much more easily defeated.
Upon the death of Mage Emperor Imbrianus, the war concluded.

Outcome

Witches assumed control of governing. The witch families with the oldest and most powerful bloodlines divided the empire into several countries, each to be ruled independently.
New countries:

• Eldahi
• Salaris
• Torverath
• Necros
• Rhovan

Aftermath

Following the war, anti-mage sentiments continued to rise with several prominent witches denouncing the "evil" of mage power. Displaced mages struggled to find a new place in society and often fled into hiding.

Mage magic is unnatural, attained only through a demonic pact. Most mages lack the ability to control this magic, and thereby have a tendency to wreak unconscionable havoc. This evil must be stopped at all costs.

— Reginald Augustus Emerson

In the following years, the Witches' Might Group hunted down mages and their families until all mage bloodlines were eradicated. While the Salarian government never offially acknowledged the group nor condoned its actions, neither did it, nor any other government, prosecute the group or its members.

Historical Significance

Legacy

The war restored the power and wealth of many prominent witch families and restructured the socioeconomic hierarchy. As such, the majority of witches view the Great Uprising positively. It is a great source of pride to many, particularly to prominent witch families that they were able to come together and defeat the mages.

Other Names:
Witches' Liberation, The Great Rebellion

Conflict Type

War

Battlefield Type

Land

Start Date

380 DE

Ending Date

394 DE

Conflict Result

Mages defeated

Location

Imbria

Belligerents

Witches

• Witches' Might Group

Led by

• Reginald Emerson

Mages

Strength

Greater numbers
First strike - coup
Preparations

Extremely powerful magic
Resources
Control of mundane armies

Casualties

High

High

Objectives

Overthrow mage rule
Seize control of government

Maintain control

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