Fourth White~Black Succession
The Fourth White-Black Succession was the largest, bloodiest, and, in many ways, least expected of the successions. Following the death of Hecai Angara his younger brother, Faraj Angara, ascended to the throne. (Hecai Anagra had sired no children excluding his first three with Soun Mosal.) Faraj's succession had already been secured by Hecai Angara, who had declared that on his death Faraj was to become emperor. Most on the continent rejoiced at the peaceful transition, though their elation would be short lived. Four months into his reign, with little warning, Yura was invaded by an army of nearly 90,000 thousand strong (mostly foreign mercenaries) led by Asa Mosal, Hecai's oldest son, who claimed he had come to claim his inheritance. Naturally this claim was rejected by Faraj, and both sides called on the Satraps to support their claim. Public opinion was heavily in favor of the Anagras, as it was revealed the the Mosals had only amassed such a large host by promising their mercenaries the rights to loot any lands they conquered. Narapus and Valpalal, in a rare gesture of solidarity between the two former enemies, claimed neutrality, stating that an attack against one was an attack against both (this agreement lay the groundwork for the The Ako {Unity} Pact). Western Lilira, Eastern Lilira, Satita and Sonui declared their support for the house of Angara, with only Arismat declaring their support for the Mosals. The Mosals, despite their superior numbers, met with unexpected resistance from the Imperial Army, which had been reorganized and modernized by Hecai Anagra. Yet, despite the Imperial Army's skill, vicious and brutal fighting covered the continent and the Mosals, through their numerical superiority, forced the Satraps to yield, one by one. Despite this surrender the Imperial Army continued to fight, trying in vain to stem the violence inflicted on Yura by the brutality of the Mosal's foreign army. By the last year of the war the Mosals had all but lost control of their host, who acted autonomously, burning, raping, and pillaging without distinction. In the end, in order to save the continent from complete devastation, Faraj Angara offered to abdicate ceding control of the Imperial Army to Asa whom, when combined with the loyal forces of the Mosal, was able to defeat the now rebellious mercenaries (the majority of whom fled laden with huge amounts of wealth.) Faraj Angara surrendered himself to Asa Mosal. Asa, showing no regard for his courage or selflessness, had Faraj brutally and publicly tortured to death. This action horrified the Satraps, but they could do little but verbally protest. The remaining members of the house of Angara who had evaded capture dispersed throughout the continent or fled into exile, many finding safety hidden in loyal Satrapies (notably Koin Anagra, future Emperor of Yura, hid in Sonui). Asa Mosal ascended to the throne over a devastated and war-torn continent.
The Conflict
Prelude
The Mosals and their army were first spotted when the engaged a small portion of the Imperial fleet. After winning this skirmish their armada simultaneously landed in southern Artamus, Arismat (with aid from the Kosals), west Valpalal and southern Western Lilira.
Deployment
The Mosals deployed all four detachments of their mercenary army simultaneously. These troops and their commanders were given only vague targets and as such acted with little direction. Many ignored orders and became easily distracted, especially those who landed in Valpalal, and proceeded to ravage the south.
Battlefield
The largest battles raged in Artamus and Western Lilira between the main bulk of the mercenaries and the imperial army. The stalemate was only broken after the abdication of Faraj Angara.
Outcome
The short-term effects of the Fourth White-Black Succession were numerous. First, the murder and death of Faraj Angara allowed Asa Mosal to ascend to the throne. The usurpation of the imperial throne allowed the Mosals to shatter the idea of Angara invincibility that had been created during the autocratic reign of Hecai Angara. Despite their support the Kosals received no reward from the Mosals, leading to a high amount of resentment. Finally, and most tragically, within three months of ascending to the throne, as a result of the devastation of Yura by the Mosal mercenaries, the imperial treasury ran dry. With no new sources of revenue Asa Mosal and the imperial throne were bankrupt.
Aftermath
The long-term effects for Yura were three-fold. First, the wanton destruction caused by the war generated deep, vitriolic hatred of the Mosals (this hatred was later to be a key component of their downfall). The power of the imperial throne diminished significantly due to their bankruptcy, and all the Satraps, including the Kosals following their snubbing, became more autonomous. Finally, the inability of the Mosals to pursue the escaped Angaras, coupled with hatred of the Mosals, allowed the Angaras to be seen in a far more sympathetic light than the Mosals would have wanted (this sympathy was later to be a key component of the Angara Restoration).
Historical Significance
The Fourth White-Black Succession was important for a variety of reasons. The war and its effects were to directly lead to the decentralization of the continent, and further calcify most Yurans already deep love of independence (as opposed to imperial control). Notably, however, most of the centralization reforms Asa Mosal managed to pass (or complete as many were already the process of being passed by Hecai Angara and Faraj Angara) were to end up appearing in the Treaty of Redress. It is worth mentioning that, more often than not, the form in which these centralizing reforms appeared in the treaty was modified, lessened or otherwise altered. Furthermore, the war created deep poverty and famine on the continent which in turn created an ever wider division between the rich and poor.Legacy
The legacy of the Fourth White-Black was one of destruction, hatred and imperial impotence. The Mosals struggled constantly to find money, usually punitively taxing the Satraps. These actions, along with already high resentment for the Mosals and Asa Mosal's efforts to follow in the footsteps of his father, Hecai Angara (but with none of his skill) caused further division in the continent.
Included under Conflict
Conflict Type
War
Battlefield Type
Land
Start Date
1267 A.C.
Ending Date
1271 A.C.
Conflict Result
Faraj was killed and most of the Angara family and their supporters were killed or imprisoned
Location
Belligerents
Strength
~100,000 (Infantry, Cavalry, Magic Users)
~120,000 (Infantry, Cavalry, Magic Users)
Casualties
Faraj Angara
~43,000 Men
~80,000 Men
Objectives
Defeat and surrender of the Mosal rebels
Defeat and surrender of the Angara rebels
Comments