The Great Argus Wars
The Great Argus Wars were a series of five directly related conflicts that spanned the time period of the late 19th Century and the early 20th Century, precisely from 1859 until 1918.
The Great Argus Wars were also related to other conflicts occurring in The Western Isles around the same time, leading historians to call this period of history as the Dark Century
The Five Great Argus Wars, the conflicts that composes of this time in history are as follows:
- The First Central Argus War of 1859-1871
- The Keveari Expedition of 1879 and 1880
- The Second Central Argus War of 1894-1901
- The Canal War of 1905
- The Third Central Argus War of 1914-1918
In this thread, discussions will be held on these five main conflicts, alongside other conflicts related to the Dark Century, and determine the course of these wars, regardless of if these conflicts are ever Roleplayed in the future.
If you want to be involved in any or all of these wars, just mention which ones and why your nation decided to fight in it. You may also discuss noteworthy engagements you've had with enemy armies if it suits your fancies.
Even though the Wars are agreed to have started with the First Central Argus War in 1859, the events that lead towards the war had their beginnings long before that. These events created the conditions that would force the Hangates of the Khas-Kirat Empire and the United Republics of Dormill and Stiura into half a century of war and strife.
Collapse of the Kingdom of Samudera (1802-1854)
The peaceful and prosperous era in Samudera established by Banser I was ending quickly, motivated by the assassination of Lendara I in 1802 almost plunged the country to the brink of another Civil War. The disaster was briefly averted, but the nation was already fractured and destabilised beyond repair. Many setbacks followed during the next few decades, culminating in a diplomatic disaster involving Dormill-Stiuraians sailors on leave that turned into a full-blown war with Dormill and Stiura. Following a brutal but brief war, the Treaty of Rathane in 1854 ended the war and the nationhood of Samudera, as the nation was deemed too volatile to be left independent. Thus, the Kingdom was partitioned between the two powers of the United Republics and Ainslie.
Creation of Sanggar-Kepaine (1823)
In 1823 Doraltic sailors arrived at Gantra Harbour in modern day Negarakita and attempted to rush the Sultan's palace. They were briefly driven back by the Sultan's Janisariyah, a personal force based on the Ottoman Janissaries, but the Doraltic forces returned in mass and shelled the Sultan's palace, having easily overpowered the Kepanese navy. The Dormill-Stiuran General, Guillame Richard Alglave, led a troop of Marines to overpower the remaining garrison using their superior rifles and higher morale. In the months that followed, as more Doraltic forces were shifted onto the Island, the former nation was now declared a territory of the United Republics.
The Michigonian War (1841-1844)
In the years following the ascent of the United Republics in the regional stage, several of its westernmost Republics, collectively comprising modern day Michigonia begins to put pressure on the internal politics of the United Republics as a whole, culminating in their collective declaration of independence. With the most experienced elements of the Dormill-Stiuraian Army away in foreign deployments and the Michigonians needing only to wear down the morale of the attackers until they would give up. After a few years of low-intensity conflict, the remainder of the United Republics ends the war, granting Michigonia its independence. This would be the first sign of the straining Dormill and Stiura would experience in its quest for empire.
The Argean Seas Treaty (1857)
In 1857, Serangchongbang Hang invited representatives from Dormill-Stiuraian Empire, Nyssic Colonial Empire and various Argean nations to sign the "Argean Seas Treaty" that established spheres of influence in the continent and sea boundaries over all the waters surrounding Argus. As piracy flared up in the Southern Sea, the Dormill-Stiuraian Navy sailed multiple expeditions to protect its trade; often brushing up on the boundary between its sphere and the Khas-Kirati maritime zones.
On March 11th of 1859, the navy of Hangate of Jaring, intercepted a Dormill-Stiuraian squadron on another anti-piracy expedition in the Gatadpatigan Sea. The Santhal sailors claimed that the Dormill-Stiuran Navy had violated the Argean Seas Treaty and demanded their surrender. When none of the 11 Dormill-Stiuraian ships did so, they were fired upon by the 60-gun Santhal frigate Marang Buru. The Battle of Gatadpatigan Sea near Toroman waters is considered the first battle of the First Central Argus War, and the subsequent Great Argus Wars that would change the political landscape of the Argus continent and the Isles forever.
On March 11th of 1859, the navy of Hangate of Jaring, intercepted a Dormill-Stiuraian squadron on another anti-piracy expedition in the Gatadpatigan Sea. The Santhal sailors claimed that the Dormill-Stiuran Navy had violated the Argean Seas Treaty and demanded their surrender. When none of the 11 Dormill-Stiuraian ships did so, they were fired upon by the 60-gun Santhal frigate Marang Buru. The Battle of Gatadpatigan Sea near Toroman waters is considered the first battle of the First Central Argus War, and the subsequent Great Argus Wars that would change the political landscape of the Argus continent and the Isles forever.
Battle of Gatadpatigan Sea (11 March 1859)
On 11th March 1859, the Santhali fleet (consisting of 7 frigates, 3 corvettes and 2 steamers) under command of Admiral Narayan Murmu, spotted four Dormill-Stiuraian second-class ships of the line (Constitution, Golden Shield, and Union) and the 84-gun Dormill-Stiuraian ship of the line Kapitein Aric Vroomen while on routine patrol of the Strait of Argive. The Dormill-Stiuraian vice-admiral, Arnaud Hendry, insisted that they were on trail of a pirate fleet but were told to leave "Santhali waters under Khas-Kirat Empire" by Murmu and assured that the pirates would be dealt with by the Santhali navy.
Khas-Kirati sources state that Mumrmu had just recently been made admiral and this is often considered to be the reason why Captain Sabin Manjhi of the Marang Buru considered his superior "an inexperienced coward who refused to fight despite having numerical superiority". The Marang Buru, being the fastest ship under the command of the rash Manjhi, advanced quickly within close range of the enemy and opened fire on the Constitution, which was near the starboard end of the formation. When the remaining three Dormill-Stuiraian ships returned fire on the Marang Buru, the rest of the Santhali vessels came to their comrade's aid.
Nearly half an hour later, the Santhalis were in for a surprise when three more Dormill-Stiuraian ships of the line, 2 frigates and 3 steamers entered the battle from the northeast in a triangular formation. Dormill-Stiuraian gunners began to score hits on all Santhali targets. The shells fired by Dormill-Stiuraian guns were now setting Santhali ships on fire. Panic-stricken Santhali sailors found firefighting efforts difficult amidst continued fire and almost constant shrapnel. After about 30 minutes of combat, the Santhali frigate Bonga was shot full of holes. The Dormill-Stiuraian ship, the Rene Perrot then attacked the 44-gun frigate Jaher, which caught fire. Meanwhile, the other Dormill-Stiuraian ships engaged the Santhali frigates Sohrai and Baha, both of which were soon boarded by Dormill-Stiuraian forces. Murmu's flagship Karma exploded and sank along with the corvette Tamak.
By the time the battle came to an end, only the 12-gun steamer Chandra Bahadur, which managed to escape while the entire Santhali navy was non-existent due to being either sank or captured by the Dormill-Stiuraians. Her crew informed the entire Khas-Kirat Empire of the defeat at Gatadpatigan Sea. During the fighting, 370 Dormill-Stiurains were killed and 200 were wounded while three ships the Union, the Golden Shield, and the Kapolder were destroyed. The Santhali navy lost about 2,000 men killed and 150 were taken prisoner.
Khas-Kirati sources state that Mumrmu had just recently been made admiral and this is often considered to be the reason why Captain Sabin Manjhi of the Marang Buru considered his superior "an inexperienced coward who refused to fight despite having numerical superiority". The Marang Buru, being the fastest ship under the command of the rash Manjhi, advanced quickly within close range of the enemy and opened fire on the Constitution, which was near the starboard end of the formation. When the remaining three Dormill-Stuiraian ships returned fire on the Marang Buru, the rest of the Santhali vessels came to their comrade's aid.
Nearly half an hour later, the Santhalis were in for a surprise when three more Dormill-Stiuraian ships of the line, 2 frigates and 3 steamers entered the battle from the northeast in a triangular formation. Dormill-Stiuraian gunners began to score hits on all Santhali targets. The shells fired by Dormill-Stiuraian guns were now setting Santhali ships on fire. Panic-stricken Santhali sailors found firefighting efforts difficult amidst continued fire and almost constant shrapnel. After about 30 minutes of combat, the Santhali frigate Bonga was shot full of holes. The Dormill-Stiuraian ship, the Rene Perrot then attacked the 44-gun frigate Jaher, which caught fire. Meanwhile, the other Dormill-Stiuraian ships engaged the Santhali frigates Sohrai and Baha, both of which were soon boarded by Dormill-Stiuraian forces. Murmu's flagship Karma exploded and sank along with the corvette Tamak.
By the time the battle came to an end, only the 12-gun steamer Chandra Bahadur, which managed to escape while the entire Santhali navy was non-existent due to being either sank or captured by the Dormill-Stiuraians. Her crew informed the entire Khas-Kirat Empire of the defeat at Gatadpatigan Sea. During the fighting, 370 Dormill-Stiurains were killed and 200 were wounded while three ships the Union, the Golden Shield, and the Kapolder were destroyed. The Santhali navy lost about 2,000 men killed and 150 were taken prisoner.
The First Central Argus War (1859-1871)
Battle of Meva
Following their defeat at the naval Battle of Gatadpatigan Sea, the entire Khas-Kirat Empire was up at arms. Serangchongbang Hang could no longer use diplomatic options as most of the hangates voted to declare war against the Dormill-Stiuraian Empire. He declared the formation of the First Central Argus Coalition against Dormill-Stiuraian Empire. Hangate of Chatha in northwestern San Montagna called their allies in the Ilsan monarchy while the Mahang fulfilled his promises by recruiting the services of the Vaen Guard from modern-day Vancouvia in preparation of war. As both the Mahang of the Khas-Kirat Empire and the chief of the Yakthung tribe that had royal marriage with the Noronican crown, Serangchongbang Hang also sent letters to the Noronicans for assistance but the hangates grew impatient of the delay and the war plans were already set into motion. Serangchongbang Hang's own Yakthung Thibon and the Satar Gun under Soren Hangma of Jaring, both comprised of 10,000 personals each. They were to pass into neutral Torom, which had provided military access to both sides of the war and housed a 15,000 strong Dormill-Stiuraian division that had been involved in the Toroman Revolution and awaiting to go home. Alongside these two guns were some 1,500 Vaen Guard and roughly 500 Ilsan knights from Belle Ilse en Terre.
Serangchongbang Hang was of the opinion that the Dormill-Stiuraian division probably knew of their advance and that the latter would have to march into Gusatter, the largest city in Torom, to meet the Coalition army. Instead, the Dormill-Stiuraian commanders outplayed their enemies by going around them and taking over Meva. Soren Hangma, seeking to preserve Jaring's glory by taking revenge for the defeat at the naval battle in the Battle of Gatadpatigan Sea, managed to convince the Mahang to have the Coalition troops force-march to Meva; where the ensuing battle took place.
Around 4:30 am the next morning; the Satar Gun and the Vaen Guard came into contact with the Dormill-Stiuraian forces in southeastern Meva. The disciplined Dormill-Stiuraians were able to hold these positions all day against repeated Santhali-Vaenlander attacks.
Near 3 pm, the Yakthung Thibon and the Ilsan knights launched an attack from the southwest. Finally, at 6 pm, the Coalition troops managed to breakthrough the Dormill-Stiuraian lines and occupy southern Meva.
On the northern side of the battlefield; by 7 pm, the Yakthung Thibon was pushing the Dormill-Stiuraians further and further north. Although numerically inferior, the Dormill-Stiuraian forces in northern Meva managed to ward off all Yakthung attacks for the entire day until orders to retreat came.
The battle was a particularly gruelling one, lasting over nine hours and resulting in over 1,000 Dormill-Stiuraian troops killed with 5,000 wounded and nearly 4,000 missing or captured. The Coalition also suffered a total of over 1,000 killed and similar numbers captured or missing while more than 4,000 were listed as wounded. There is no reliable information on how many residents of Meva were killed in the crossfire or forced to evacuate. Reports of wounded and dying soldiers being shot or bayoneted on both sides added to the horror. In the end, the Dormill-Stiuraian forces were forced to yield their positions, and the Coalition army won a tactical, but costly, victory.
The Dormill-Stiuraians retreated back to their territory after this defeat to strike again while Toroman people started to grow weary of hosting the Coalition army; with more Khas-Kirati, Ilsan and Vaenlander troops expected to land in Torom against their wishes. The rest of the Isles, in particular the Argean states, started aligning themselves with either the Dormill-Stiuraians or the Coalition. The Dormill-Stiuraians had won the naval engagement and the Coalition had been victorious on land. The outcome of the First Central Argus War was yet to be decided.
Serangchongbang Hang was of the opinion that the Dormill-Stiuraian division probably knew of their advance and that the latter would have to march into Gusatter, the largest city in Torom, to meet the Coalition army. Instead, the Dormill-Stiuraian commanders outplayed their enemies by going around them and taking over Meva. Soren Hangma, seeking to preserve Jaring's glory by taking revenge for the defeat at the naval battle in the Battle of Gatadpatigan Sea, managed to convince the Mahang to have the Coalition troops force-march to Meva; where the ensuing battle took place.
Around 4:30 am the next morning; the Satar Gun and the Vaen Guard came into contact with the Dormill-Stiuraian forces in southeastern Meva. The disciplined Dormill-Stiuraians were able to hold these positions all day against repeated Santhali-Vaenlander attacks.
Near 3 pm, the Yakthung Thibon and the Ilsan knights launched an attack from the southwest. Finally, at 6 pm, the Coalition troops managed to breakthrough the Dormill-Stiuraian lines and occupy southern Meva.
On the northern side of the battlefield; by 7 pm, the Yakthung Thibon was pushing the Dormill-Stiuraians further and further north. Although numerically inferior, the Dormill-Stiuraian forces in northern Meva managed to ward off all Yakthung attacks for the entire day until orders to retreat came.
The battle was a particularly gruelling one, lasting over nine hours and resulting in over 1,000 Dormill-Stiuraian troops killed with 5,000 wounded and nearly 4,000 missing or captured. The Coalition also suffered a total of over 1,000 killed and similar numbers captured or missing while more than 4,000 were listed as wounded. There is no reliable information on how many residents of Meva were killed in the crossfire or forced to evacuate. Reports of wounded and dying soldiers being shot or bayoneted on both sides added to the horror. In the end, the Dormill-Stiuraian forces were forced to yield their positions, and the Coalition army won a tactical, but costly, victory.
The Dormill-Stiuraians retreated back to their territory after this defeat to strike again while Toroman people started to grow weary of hosting the Coalition army; with more Khas-Kirati, Ilsan and Vaenlander troops expected to land in Torom against their wishes. The rest of the Isles, in particular the Argean states, started aligning themselves with either the Dormill-Stiuraians or the Coalition. The Dormill-Stiuraians had won the naval engagement and the Coalition had been victorious on land. The outcome of the First Central Argus War was yet to be decided.
Battle of Sabazio
Discontent among Toroman citizens grew as troops from the hangates of the Khas-Kirat Empire and the Ilsan knights, alongside Vaen Guard mercenaries, remained in neutral Torom even after the Battle of Meva was over. While much of the heavy fighting was taking place between the Coalition and Dormill-Stiuraians at what is now the International District, the Coalition leadership were worried that the Dormill-Stiuraians could land on Torom to flank the Khas-Kirat Empire from a new front. A year had passed but there still was no sign of the Coalition army leaving the neutral country. This made not just the Toromans but many other nations around the Isles furious at the Coalition. Domanania, Dragao do Mar and San Montagna and ??? considered the presence of Coalition troops in Torom as unlawful and went on to proclaim their support for Dormill and Stiura.
After the San Montagnan army launched invasion of Hangate of Chatha to create a new front in the war, the Nine Gyarong Gun under Senior Kaji Hang of Second Tamuwan Hangate and his son Last Kaji Ghale were sent to push the San Montagnan invaders out. However, the Tamuwani forces passed through lightly populated western Chathaese territory and marched into Nuovo Venezia state of San Montagna.
It did not take long for San Montagnan forces to discover the presence of Nine Gyarong Gun and skirmishes occurred. Realizing that they were in enemy territory, the Senior Kaji Hang then changed the nature of their operation and instead occupied the cities of San Luca. San Montagnan forces from these cities retreated to the heavily-fortified and coastal Sabazio.
Senior Kaji Hang ordered his son Last Kaji to take charge of 5,000 Tamuwani troops and 1,000 Vaen Guard mercenaries in storming Sabazio. For reasons unknown, Last Kaji believed that the people in Sabazio were Chathaese and that the "San Montagnan garrison" which kept these people in line would be overrun by the population once he made a show of force. This would prove to be a serious miscalculation on Last Kaji Ghale's part.
On 5th May of the year 1862, against all advice from his subordinates, Last Kaji decided to attack Sabazio. He made another mistake of starting his attack a little too late in the day; using his artillery just before noon and advancing his infantry after that. By the third attack, the Coalition forces required the full engagement of all their reserves. The Coalition artillery had run out of ammunition, so the third infantry attack went unsupported. The San Montagnans put up a stout defense and even took to the field to defend the positions between the forts.
As it became evident that further assaults would be futile, Last Kaji Ghale ordered his forces to retreat back to San Luca. It was during this time that the San Montagnan cavalry charged from the flanks while troops concealed along the road pivoted out to attack the retreating Tamuwani and Vancouvian mercenaries. By 3pm, it started raining and the retreat of the Coalition forces was further shattered. Last Kaji's diary states that 150 troops under his command died against only 80 of the San Montagnans killed that day.
After the San Montagnan army launched invasion of Hangate of Chatha to create a new front in the war, the Nine Gyarong Gun under Senior Kaji Hang of Second Tamuwan Hangate and his son Last Kaji Ghale were sent to push the San Montagnan invaders out. However, the Tamuwani forces passed through lightly populated western Chathaese territory and marched into Nuovo Venezia state of San Montagna.
It did not take long for San Montagnan forces to discover the presence of Nine Gyarong Gun and skirmishes occurred. Realizing that they were in enemy territory, the Senior Kaji Hang then changed the nature of their operation and instead occupied the cities of San Luca. San Montagnan forces from these cities retreated to the heavily-fortified and coastal Sabazio.
Senior Kaji Hang ordered his son Last Kaji to take charge of 5,000 Tamuwani troops and 1,000 Vaen Guard mercenaries in storming Sabazio. For reasons unknown, Last Kaji believed that the people in Sabazio were Chathaese and that the "San Montagnan garrison" which kept these people in line would be overrun by the population once he made a show of force. This would prove to be a serious miscalculation on Last Kaji Ghale's part.
On 5th May of the year 1862, against all advice from his subordinates, Last Kaji decided to attack Sabazio. He made another mistake of starting his attack a little too late in the day; using his artillery just before noon and advancing his infantry after that. By the third attack, the Coalition forces required the full engagement of all their reserves. The Coalition artillery had run out of ammunition, so the third infantry attack went unsupported. The San Montagnans put up a stout defense and even took to the field to defend the positions between the forts.
As it became evident that further assaults would be futile, Last Kaji Ghale ordered his forces to retreat back to San Luca. It was during this time that the San Montagnan cavalry charged from the flanks while troops concealed along the road pivoted out to attack the retreating Tamuwani and Vancouvian mercenaries. By 3pm, it started raining and the retreat of the Coalition forces was further shattered. Last Kaji's diary states that 150 troops under his command died against only 80 of the San Montagnans killed that day.
Battle of Messejanan Bay
Since 1862, relations between the Khas-Kirat Empire and Dragao do Mar had drastically eroded after the latter declared the presence of Coalition troops in Torom as unlawful. The Khas-Kiratis and their Ilsan allies were highly suspicious that the Marians were planning to join the war on Dormill-Stiuraian Empire's side; just as the San Montagnans had done.
On 3rd March 1862, a Chathaese squadron consisting of the steam frigate Nwagi and the steam corvettes Maghe Sakranti and Saune Sakranti, left Chathaese waters to become part of a combined Coalition fleet in the Karnali Sea. Two days later; the Pachyu Hang, a frigate from Second Tamuwan Hangate, joined this fleet. These four ships and many other Coalition vessels in the combined fleet were tasked with capturing San Montagnan merchant vessels in the Karnali Sea. Additionally, the blockades of San Montagnan port cities of Visat-sul-mare and San Daniele took place as more hangates deployed their navies for this mission and even Ilsan ships started arriving in Karnali Sea from South Mesder.
The Marians had by then made it no longer a secret that they were allied to the Dormill-Stiuraians and San Montagnans and ready to join the war. To reinforce their San Montagnan allies and break the Coalition blockade, they assembled a powerful squadron. The San Montagnan and Marian squadrons rendezvoused in the Marian capital of Fortaleza. The Marian commander took his flotilla to attack the Coalition squadron.
On the morning of 7th May, Marian ships spotted the Alteran Republics frigate RDAS Bulwark. After the Marian commander closed the distance to determine that the Bulwark was a neutral warship, he took his squadron to anchor on Pirambu to replenish the combined squadron's fuel stores. The Bulwark, commanded by Captain Horatio Fu-Long, encountered a Coalition squadron of four ships the very next day off the coast of the Black Isles. These four Coalition ships were Nwagi, Maghe Sakranti, Saune Sakranti and Pachyu Hang under overall command of Captain Sabin Chepang. Fu-Long informed Chepang of the last known location of the Marian-San Montagnan squadron.
Early on 9th May, the Marian commander received word that a Coalition squadron was cruising in the Messejanan Bay. He immediately sortied, and approached the Coalition warships by 10:00. Shortly after 10:00, lookouts aboard the Pachyu Hang spotted smoke from Marian and San Montagnan ships approaching from the south. Three hours later, the two squadrons were in visual range of all Coalition vessels. A little after 13:30, the Marian, San Montagnan, and Khas-Kirati commanders all ordered their crews to clear for action. The Marian-San Montagnan squadron opened fire first, at 13:57, with the Marian frigate Afundai-vos's bow guns at a range of about 3,000 meters. The two enemy squadrons, both in line formation, then closed to about 1,800 m and passed in opposite directions, firing broadsides at each other. A shell from Nwagi struck Afundai-vos and killed or wounded most of the men on one of her starboard guns.
The Marian commander turned his ship, the Caçadora, back south to chase Chepang's Nwagi, who in turn altered course to try to cut off the San Montagnan corvettes. As the Caçadora turned, the distance closed to just over 350 meters, and she came under fire from all four Coalition vessels. Maghe Sakranti and Saune Sakranti then shifted fire to the Esmagador. The relatively smaller San Montagnan corvettes Sabazio, Vittoria and Indipendenza remained on the disengaged side of the Marian frigates, firing at the four Coalition vessels with little effect. The Sabazio, however, scored a hit on the Maghe Sakranti that killed or wounded all the men in one of her gun crews. The crews of the guns on either side fled their positions at the sight of the carnage until one of the men returned, calling his comrades to join him. During this period of the battle, the Caçadora suffered multiple shell hits and was set afire three times. Her crew extinguished the first two, but the third, in her foretopsail, proved to be too difficult to fight.
By 16:00, the Caçadora began to withdraw from the action; her forward rigging and forecastle burning badly. The Marian commander decided to break off the engagement and fled to the neutral waters around New Totzka. As Marian and San Montagnan ships began to withdraw, one of them scored direct hits on Nwagi and damaged the Pachyu Hang's rudder, which prevented the Coalition squadron from being able to effectively pursue the retreating Marians and San Montagnans. Sources are still yet unclear on which Marian or San Montagnan vessel fired these final shots.
On 3rd March 1862, a Chathaese squadron consisting of the steam frigate Nwagi and the steam corvettes Maghe Sakranti and Saune Sakranti, left Chathaese waters to become part of a combined Coalition fleet in the Karnali Sea. Two days later; the Pachyu Hang, a frigate from Second Tamuwan Hangate, joined this fleet. These four ships and many other Coalition vessels in the combined fleet were tasked with capturing San Montagnan merchant vessels in the Karnali Sea. Additionally, the blockades of San Montagnan port cities of Visat-sul-mare and San Daniele took place as more hangates deployed their navies for this mission and even Ilsan ships started arriving in Karnali Sea from South Mesder.
The Marians had by then made it no longer a secret that they were allied to the Dormill-Stiuraians and San Montagnans and ready to join the war. To reinforce their San Montagnan allies and break the Coalition blockade, they assembled a powerful squadron. The San Montagnan and Marian squadrons rendezvoused in the Marian capital of Fortaleza. The Marian commander took his flotilla to attack the Coalition squadron.
On the morning of 7th May, Marian ships spotted the Alteran Republics frigate RDAS Bulwark. After the Marian commander closed the distance to determine that the Bulwark was a neutral warship, he took his squadron to anchor on Pirambu to replenish the combined squadron's fuel stores. The Bulwark, commanded by Captain Horatio Fu-Long, encountered a Coalition squadron of four ships the very next day off the coast of the Black Isles. These four Coalition ships were Nwagi, Maghe Sakranti, Saune Sakranti and Pachyu Hang under overall command of Captain Sabin Chepang. Fu-Long informed Chepang of the last known location of the Marian-San Montagnan squadron.
Early on 9th May, the Marian commander received word that a Coalition squadron was cruising in the Messejanan Bay. He immediately sortied, and approached the Coalition warships by 10:00. Shortly after 10:00, lookouts aboard the Pachyu Hang spotted smoke from Marian and San Montagnan ships approaching from the south. Three hours later, the two squadrons were in visual range of all Coalition vessels. A little after 13:30, the Marian, San Montagnan, and Khas-Kirati commanders all ordered their crews to clear for action. The Marian-San Montagnan squadron opened fire first, at 13:57, with the Marian frigate Afundai-vos's bow guns at a range of about 3,000 meters. The two enemy squadrons, both in line formation, then closed to about 1,800 m and passed in opposite directions, firing broadsides at each other. A shell from Nwagi struck Afundai-vos and killed or wounded most of the men on one of her starboard guns.
The Marian commander turned his ship, the Caçadora, back south to chase Chepang's Nwagi, who in turn altered course to try to cut off the San Montagnan corvettes. As the Caçadora turned, the distance closed to just over 350 meters, and she came under fire from all four Coalition vessels. Maghe Sakranti and Saune Sakranti then shifted fire to the Esmagador. The relatively smaller San Montagnan corvettes Sabazio, Vittoria and Indipendenza remained on the disengaged side of the Marian frigates, firing at the four Coalition vessels with little effect. The Sabazio, however, scored a hit on the Maghe Sakranti that killed or wounded all the men in one of her gun crews. The crews of the guns on either side fled their positions at the sight of the carnage until one of the men returned, calling his comrades to join him. During this period of the battle, the Caçadora suffered multiple shell hits and was set afire three times. Her crew extinguished the first two, but the third, in her foretopsail, proved to be too difficult to fight.
By 16:00, the Caçadora began to withdraw from the action; her forward rigging and forecastle burning badly. The Marian commander decided to break off the engagement and fled to the neutral waters around New Totzka. As Marian and San Montagnan ships began to withdraw, one of them scored direct hits on Nwagi and damaged the Pachyu Hang's rudder, which prevented the Coalition squadron from being able to effectively pursue the retreating Marians and San Montagnans. Sources are still yet unclear on which Marian or San Montagnan vessel fired these final shots.
Battle of Torres
Emboldened by the retreat of the San Montagnan-Marian squadron from Messejanan Bay and using their violation of Totzkan waters as a casus belli, the Viceroyalty of the Rio do Ouro decided to enter the war on the side of the Coalition. Prior to the war, tensions had been building between Dragao do Mar and Rio do Ouro (in modern-day South Totzka) over the territories of Terras das Picos and Yhaiva. The viceroyalty's leadership sent word to Serangchongbang Hang, who was still leading the Coalition troops in Torom, that they planned to launch an invasion of the provinces of Messejana and Parangaba; allowing Khas-Kirati hangates to invade from the east. This delighted the Mahang, who tasked western hangates of the Khas-Kirat Empire to start invading Dragao do Mar.
However, things were not to go as planned by the Mahang. Two significant armies, Hangate of Sinja's Nine Khas Gun and Liba Hangate's Four Kham Gun, were heavily involved in securing the eastern front at the International District against constant Dormill-Stiuraian offensive. The Chathaese army was heavily outnumbered and outgunned by the San Montagnans. Second Tamuwan Hangate's Nine Gyarong Gun, who had occupied the San Montagnan city of San Luca as their base of operations, were supporting the Chathaese defense while also launching attacks on enemy cities. Serangchongbang Hang even considered sending the Coalition troops stationed in Torom to eastern Dragao do Mar but there was still the army of Marubhumi Hangate as an option. However, this particular hangate did not have a navy of its own and their hang, not wanting to send his troops into an unfamiliar place, instead wrote back to the Mahang that his forces would take charge of the Coalition operation in Chatha and San Montagna while the Second Tamuwan Hangate, which still had a decent navy, could land its army in eastern Dragao do Mar. Serangchongbang Hang wanted the invasion of Dragao do Mar to take place as soon as possible and readily agreed to this plan without consulting the Nine Gyarong Gun.
Senior Kaji Hang and his son Last Kaji Ghale set sail for Torres with their Tamuwani forces. The Marian provinces of Messejana and Parangaba had already been invaded by Rio do Ouro and the Marian army busy defending these attacks. This made it relatively easier for the Nine Gyarong Gun to take over Torres and Santiago in rapid succession. However, they were unable to take the well-defended city of Fortaleza. Since the viceroyalty did not have its own navy, the Tamuwani squadron was sent south in Messejana and Parangaba, where much of the fighting was taking place, to support them. Only the ironclad vessel Sayara remained docked in Torres.
On the morning of January 7th, 1864; the Triumvirate army of 10,000 Dormill-Stiuraians and 5,000 Domananians landed in Meireles and rallied roughly 5,000 local Marians. This Triumvirate force swiftly marched down to Torres where roughly 5,000 Tamuwanis under Last Kaji Ghale were present while another 5,000 soldiers under his father stood guard outside the city. In the early morning of the 10th, Domananian artillery bombarded Torres and this was followed by a Triumvirate charge. The Sayara fired her guns but that did not prove enough to halt the enemy forces. Thirteen minutes after the charge, the infantry had already seized control of the first line of defense of the redoubts.
A total massacre of the retreating troops was avoided and the Triumvirate advance was halted by the counterattack from the Nine Gyarong Gun's 8th Battalion; until a Dormill-Stiuraian attack threw them back. In that counterattack, the 8th Battalion lost about half its men including Senior Kaji Hang. This allowed the remnants of the Nine Gyarong Gun to march all the way from Torres to South Totzka (where the bulk of the Tamuwani navy that could transport them home were present).
A contemporary Nine Gyarong Gun officer listed the a much larger casualty at 3,100 Tamuwani (with 1,200 captured), 980 Marians, 670 Dormill-Stiuraians and 470 Domans at the battle. Also, the crew of the ironclad Sayara suffered one dead, 10 wounded. In the march from Torres to South Totzka, almost 4,000 went missing, killed on the way or captured by Marians. Less than 3,000 Tamuwani made it out alive from Dragao do Mar.
However, things were not to go as planned by the Mahang. Two significant armies, Hangate of Sinja's Nine Khas Gun and Liba Hangate's Four Kham Gun, were heavily involved in securing the eastern front at the International District against constant Dormill-Stiuraian offensive. The Chathaese army was heavily outnumbered and outgunned by the San Montagnans. Second Tamuwan Hangate's Nine Gyarong Gun, who had occupied the San Montagnan city of San Luca as their base of operations, were supporting the Chathaese defense while also launching attacks on enemy cities. Serangchongbang Hang even considered sending the Coalition troops stationed in Torom to eastern Dragao do Mar but there was still the army of Marubhumi Hangate as an option. However, this particular hangate did not have a navy of its own and their hang, not wanting to send his troops into an unfamiliar place, instead wrote back to the Mahang that his forces would take charge of the Coalition operation in Chatha and San Montagna while the Second Tamuwan Hangate, which still had a decent navy, could land its army in eastern Dragao do Mar. Serangchongbang Hang wanted the invasion of Dragao do Mar to take place as soon as possible and readily agreed to this plan without consulting the Nine Gyarong Gun.
Senior Kaji Hang and his son Last Kaji Ghale set sail for Torres with their Tamuwani forces. The Marian provinces of Messejana and Parangaba had already been invaded by Rio do Ouro and the Marian army busy defending these attacks. This made it relatively easier for the Nine Gyarong Gun to take over Torres and Santiago in rapid succession. However, they were unable to take the well-defended city of Fortaleza. Since the viceroyalty did not have its own navy, the Tamuwani squadron was sent south in Messejana and Parangaba, where much of the fighting was taking place, to support them. Only the ironclad vessel Sayara remained docked in Torres.
On the morning of January 7th, 1864; the Triumvirate army of 10,000 Dormill-Stiuraians and 5,000 Domananians landed in Meireles and rallied roughly 5,000 local Marians. This Triumvirate force swiftly marched down to Torres where roughly 5,000 Tamuwanis under Last Kaji Ghale were present while another 5,000 soldiers under his father stood guard outside the city. In the early morning of the 10th, Domananian artillery bombarded Torres and this was followed by a Triumvirate charge. The Sayara fired her guns but that did not prove enough to halt the enemy forces. Thirteen minutes after the charge, the infantry had already seized control of the first line of defense of the redoubts.
A total massacre of the retreating troops was avoided and the Triumvirate advance was halted by the counterattack from the Nine Gyarong Gun's 8th Battalion; until a Dormill-Stiuraian attack threw them back. In that counterattack, the 8th Battalion lost about half its men including Senior Kaji Hang. This allowed the remnants of the Nine Gyarong Gun to march all the way from Torres to South Totzka (where the bulk of the Tamuwani navy that could transport them home were present).
A contemporary Nine Gyarong Gun officer listed the a much larger casualty at 3,100 Tamuwani (with 1,200 captured), 980 Marians, 670 Dormill-Stiuraians and 470 Domans at the battle. Also, the crew of the ironclad Sayara suffered one dead, 10 wounded. In the march from Torres to South Totzka, almost 4,000 went missing, killed on the way or captured by Marians. Less than 3,000 Tamuwani made it out alive from Dragao do Mar.
The Keverai Expedition (1879-1880)
Following the death of Hitap Shukushuku Ashêtak, the stable system she had held up through the force of her personality had its foundations shaken. Over the next several years, Menna Shuli would go through six different vê'uhitap as political rivals between warring bodies of the Sâtêp organized coups, counter-coups, assassinations and general political unrest in a bid to control the government of the nation. Immediately after Shukushuku was 'uhitap Kinikiw I (1871), an extreme tribalist, who sought to imitate the concept of provincialism or statehood seen in many other nations by creating permanent tribal territories with their own legislative capacities. Kinikiw was poisoned by his political rivals at a banquet six months into his rule, and was swiftly replaced by 'uhitap Ikash (1871-1876), a more moderate tribalist himself. Ikash was shot during a military parade on May 15 1876.
The impacts of the First Central Argus War in the wider region hit Menna Shuli harder than expected, setting the stage for a future large-scale famine and further political strife. All the while, the Dormill-Stiuraians utilized their earlier victory to further solidify their power in the Southern Sea, extending its reach with the use of the Argean Seas Treaty.
Ikash was succeeded by 'uhitap Kinikiw II (1876-1880). Kinikiw II was a distant cousin of Kinikiw I, although their policies were extraordinarily different. Kinikiw II saw himself as a masterful military commander, and immediately set out to reorganize the military and leverage it in pursuit of his expansionist goals. Kinikiw II turned his eyes upon Keverai, that land's borders having long divided the east and west coasts of the Mênna's territories. Kinikiw II styled the nation against other imperial nations of the time, and believed in the capacity of the Mênnan state to take Keverai and perhaps expand from there. In August of 1879, he launched a punitave expedition, looking to conquer the land swiftly before either the newly formed Ainslie or the preoccupied Dormill and Stiura could respond.
Unfortunately, Kinikiw II was not the military genius he believed himself to be. He had failed to take into account the political climate of Argus at the time of his invasion. As the Mênnan Army swept into Keverai, Dormill and Stiura turned their eyes towards Mênna Shuli, seeing the invasion as threat to their interests in the region. While the Mênnan Army made swift initial gains against the ill-prepared enemy, utilizing a strategy of overwhelming numbers and rapid cavalry strikes, Dormill and Stiura reached out to Ainslie, and the pair of nations swiftly sorted out a deal to deal with the Mênnan bluster.
The impacts of the First Central Argus War in the wider region hit Menna Shuli harder than expected, setting the stage for a future large-scale famine and further political strife. All the while, the Dormill-Stiuraians utilized their earlier victory to further solidify their power in the Southern Sea, extending its reach with the use of the Argean Seas Treaty.
Ikash was succeeded by 'uhitap Kinikiw II (1876-1880). Kinikiw II was a distant cousin of Kinikiw I, although their policies were extraordinarily different. Kinikiw II saw himself as a masterful military commander, and immediately set out to reorganize the military and leverage it in pursuit of his expansionist goals. Kinikiw II turned his eyes upon Keverai, that land's borders having long divided the east and west coasts of the Mênna's territories. Kinikiw II styled the nation against other imperial nations of the time, and believed in the capacity of the Mênnan state to take Keverai and perhaps expand from there. In August of 1879, he launched a punitave expedition, looking to conquer the land swiftly before either the newly formed Ainslie or the preoccupied Dormill and Stiura could respond.
Unfortunately, Kinikiw II was not the military genius he believed himself to be. He had failed to take into account the political climate of Argus at the time of his invasion. As the Mênnan Army swept into Keverai, Dormill and Stiura turned their eyes towards Mênna Shuli, seeing the invasion as threat to their interests in the region. While the Mênnan Army made swift initial gains against the ill-prepared enemy, utilizing a strategy of overwhelming numbers and rapid cavalry strikes, Dormill and Stiura reached out to Ainslie, and the pair of nations swiftly sorted out a deal to deal with the Mênnan bluster.
Sack of Hivere
After spending most of the summer building up his army, which numbered 50,000 at the time of the invasion, Kinikiw II began his invasion of Keverai on the 21st of August. Quickly sweeping aside the Keveraite border garrison in a cavalry charge, the Mennan Army marched into the town of Hivere unopposed, and spent the next two weeks ransacking the city. This time spent in Hivere without sending forces to secure more of the area gave the remaining garrison in Keverai time to rally, and met the Mennans at the river Gillare.
Battle of Gillare
The Keveraite Army, numbering some 10,000 at that point, arrayed themselves on the opposite bank of the Gillare to the approaching Mennans, finally leaving from sacking Hivere. When the Mennan Vanguard cavalry saw the arrayed Keveraite army on the hill on the opposite bank, they believed it was little more than the garrison they swept aside at the border. Believing this army to be weak, the cavalry charged at the river without waiting for their messenger to get to the main infantry body to report on the situation. What was unknown to the Mennans until they were halfway across the river was that the Keveraite army was armed with ten Gatling guns, imported from Ainslie, which they had placed along positions in their line to create several intersecting lines of fire into the river. It was only when the guns opened fire while the Mennan horses were deep into the water that the Mennans thought to fall back, unfortunately the chaos and confusion shattered the cavalry line, making them easy targets for the guns. The slaughter lasted about an hour, nearly every member of the vanguard was dead in the water, floating down the river. The Mennan army arrived an hour and fifteen minutes after the vanguard did, only to see the Keveraties had left and the corpses of nearly a quarter of their cavalry force. Regardless, the remainder of the army crossed the river over the following week and continued to march southwards.
Siege of Stratlan
The Mennan Army, still outnumbering the Keveraite by 4.5:1, continued their march towards Kevera, the last object in their way being the small town of Stratlan. In the town, the Keveratie army, with some armed civilians, had created an amount of fortified positions and chokepoints, leaving the Gatling guns to cover the flanks of the town from a Mennan encirclement. After several probes and more dead cavalrymen, the Mennans began to settle in for a siege, building trenches and sending what few engineers they had to find a way of breaking through into the town or making the siege even worse on the defenders. The siege would last the remainder of 1879 and the early months of 1880 with little progress on the surface. In the meantime, Mennan sappers dug a network of tunnels under the town, hoping to send a force behind enemy lines and breaking the siege. As things progressed, both sides began to bring in artillery to try and dislodge the other, but to little avail against now well fortified positions. As the siege dragged on into April, 1880, the Mennans would receive foreboding news, the Ahnslen Army was deploying 20,000 troops in Kevere's Landing, and would likely begin marching out to break the siege in a matter of weeks, there were also reports from the diplomatic corps that the Ahnslen legation in Dormill and Stiura has met with the President, suggesting a possible partnership between the two nations. Kinikiw II, nervous of what this meant, ordered his army to end the siege at once and rush Stratlan before the Ahsnlen could come in and break the Keveraites out. However, what Kinikiw II didn't know was that a second Ahnslen force, numbering 8,000, had been secretly deployed from Southport, and had marched under cover of night to reinforce the town with another 10 Gatling guns, and 5 cannons. This added force would be enough to withstand the assault, with the Mennans losing nearly double their opponent. When they finally retreated as scouts reported the main Ahnslen force was moving out, 10,000 Mennan laid dead on the field, the bloodiest battle of the expedition.
Battle of Têhaêvu Bay
At the start of the summer, the United Republics and Ainslie officially declared an alliance between them, and that the United Republics would join the war against Menna Shuli. A third nation (Open to one more participant) soon thereafter also allied with Ainslie and the United Republics, creating the Second Triumvirate. By mid-summer, the Dormill-Stiuraian Navy had begun operations out of Southport, probing Mennan defenses and shelling Mennan positions on the mainland whenever the Ahnslen-Keveraite army met them. Needing to respond to the naval threat before losing in Keverai, Kinikiw II began to assemble the Mennan Navy, which consisted in part foreign built ships, in Têhaêvu. Noticing the build up of naval forces, the Dormill-Stiuraian Navy assembled a strike group of 8 broadside ironclads, 3 swivel-gun ironclads, and another 5 wooden frigates, to bring down the Mennan fleet before it could sail out and cause trouble.
The DSN strike group arrived in Têhaêvu Bay a day later from assembling, sailing into the harbor from the east, catching the Mennan navy off guard and in port. However, a force of 10 Mennan ships, 6 wooden frigates and 4 broadside ironclads were out in the water, defending the remainder of the fleet which numbered 30 in total. The battle began a few hours after sunrise, with the Mennans sailing towards the sun to face the Dormill-Stiuraians. The fighting lasted about 40 minutes as the broadside ironclads clashed between each other. The initiative was taken by the Dormill-Stiuraian swivel-gun ironclads, which managed to get past the Mennan line and start attacking the docked fleet, forcing the other Mennan ships to chase after them. This freed up the remaining Dormill-Stiuraian ships to fire on the remaining Mennan ships, and the task force that was defending them. By the end of the morning, the entire Mennan fleet was sunk in the harbor, either destroyed or scuttled by their crews. The DSN spent the rest of the afternoon shelling Têhaêvu proper before departing back to port around 1:30 PM.
The DSN strike group arrived in Têhaêvu Bay a day later from assembling, sailing into the harbor from the east, catching the Mennan navy off guard and in port. However, a force of 10 Mennan ships, 6 wooden frigates and 4 broadside ironclads were out in the water, defending the remainder of the fleet which numbered 30 in total. The battle began a few hours after sunrise, with the Mennans sailing towards the sun to face the Dormill-Stiuraians. The fighting lasted about 40 minutes as the broadside ironclads clashed between each other. The initiative was taken by the Dormill-Stiuraian swivel-gun ironclads, which managed to get past the Mennan line and start attacking the docked fleet, forcing the other Mennan ships to chase after them. This freed up the remaining Dormill-Stiuraian ships to fire on the remaining Mennan ships, and the task force that was defending them. By the end of the morning, the entire Mennan fleet was sunk in the harbor, either destroyed or scuttled by their crews. The DSN spent the rest of the afternoon shelling Têhaêvu proper before departing back to port around 1:30 PM.
Battle of Kikâwak
By September, the Mennan army had been reduced to 25,000, and was forced back behind the border. The Ahnslens, seeing their job as done, did not prosecute the war further. Dormill and Stiura, on the other hand, wanting to teach the upstart 'uhitap his place, continued with the invasion into Menna Shuli. Though the two armies were equally matched in size, the Dormill-Stiuraians had technology and training on their side, making the battle more like another slaughter for the Mennans. By the end of it, the Mennan army had either entirely broken or surrendered to the Dormill-Stiuraians, effectively ending the war then and there. By the turn of October, Kinikiw II was overthrown and killed. His replacement, 'uhitap Hêsukat Kêvât, quickly surrendered, forced to sign the punitive Treaty of Mastukê with Ainslie and the United Republics, forcing Menna Shuli to recognize Keverai's sovereignty and levied extreme reparations against them for the war.
The Second Central Argus War (1894-1901)
In the fourteen years since the Keverai Expedition, the Mênnan government had been widely incapable of quelling piracy in its waters or banditry in its wilds. Rogue warrior caste individuals, especially those incapable of finding work in either the military or as mercenaries in other countries, had taken to pillaging trade, poaching and attacking explorers in the Mênnan savanna. Those who had committed to naval piracy were the largest problem, and had taken to many underhanded methods with which to commit their crimes. One of the most notorious was the False Surrender tactic: pirates would sight targets and immediately raise a white flag, allowing the enemy to get in close before attacking. This tactic had grown so widespread among Mênnan pirates that Dormill-Stiuraian captains were given the following order:
All Dormill-Stiuraian naval vessels in or near Mênnan waters, upon sighting a ship flying a white flag unaccompanied by the ensign of the nation from which the vessel hails, especially when such a ship is deemed to be acting suspiciously in regards to the actions of it's crew and it's movement upon the waters, should be considered a pirate vessel and immediately approached as such.
The vagueness of this order was such that some captains took it as an open invitation to fire upon ships flying a white flag in Mênnan waters. While the order was debated in the Republics, it directly led to the events that would trigger war. In the early morning of May 3, 1894, a Dormill-Stiuraian naval vessel, under the command of a fresh-faced young captain, opened fire upon a merchant vessel from Mênna Shuli. A number of factors played into this decision. Members of the crew note that the day was particularly and unnaturally calm, with almost no wind. According to them, the flags were hanging limp upon the masts. Furthermore, this calm led the vessel from Mênna Shuli to be sitting "suspiciously still" upon waters, practically on the line of established shipping lanes. The Dormill-Stiuraian captain had only just gained command of his vessel, and was looking to make a name for himself as a pirate hunter, as many captains of the past decade had. Ironically, this set him into an almost piratical mode. He saw the vessel flying what appeared to be a white flag and no national ensign, and used the open and vague orders to fire upon what he thought was a defenseless pirate vessel with no means of escape. Instead, he wound up sinking an innocent merchant vessel, the Tihês, an act which would have him stripped of his first command.
The Sâtêp were incensed, and sent expansive demands to the Républicain government for compensation. Some of the more notorious demands included an immediate end to the Keverai reparations, which, of course, angered the government of Dormill and Stiura. Diplomatic barbs were exchanged and, on May 26, 1894, the Dormill-Stiuraian ambassador to the 'uhitap fled Mênna Shuli, claiming to have escaped Mênnan assassins. Mênna Shuli denied (and continues to deny) the existence of these assassins, claiming this to have been a fabrication to act as a further push towards a war that the Républicains clearly wanted. According to 'uhitap Lâsu', "The Dormill-Stiuraian looks upon the Mênnan and sees only that which is to be conquered. He looks upon us and sees us weak and ill and starving at the behest of their luxury and thinks only how they will take more, steal more, enslave us more to them. There are no assassins, only shadows upon the imperialist wall and excuses upon their tongues."
In response to Dormill-Stiuraian outrage, the Sâtêp doubled-down and, within days, ceased reparation payments. After very little debate, the government of the Republics decided that things had gone far enough and initiated their invasion of Mênna Shuli, citing the breaking of the Treaty of Mastukê as their casus belli. On June 14, 1894, the war officially began.
All Dormill-Stiuraian naval vessels in or near Mênnan waters, upon sighting a ship flying a white flag unaccompanied by the ensign of the nation from which the vessel hails, especially when such a ship is deemed to be acting suspiciously in regards to the actions of it's crew and it's movement upon the waters, should be considered a pirate vessel and immediately approached as such.
The vagueness of this order was such that some captains took it as an open invitation to fire upon ships flying a white flag in Mênnan waters. While the order was debated in the Republics, it directly led to the events that would trigger war. In the early morning of May 3, 1894, a Dormill-Stiuraian naval vessel, under the command of a fresh-faced young captain, opened fire upon a merchant vessel from Mênna Shuli. A number of factors played into this decision. Members of the crew note that the day was particularly and unnaturally calm, with almost no wind. According to them, the flags were hanging limp upon the masts. Furthermore, this calm led the vessel from Mênna Shuli to be sitting "suspiciously still" upon waters, practically on the line of established shipping lanes. The Dormill-Stiuraian captain had only just gained command of his vessel, and was looking to make a name for himself as a pirate hunter, as many captains of the past decade had. Ironically, this set him into an almost piratical mode. He saw the vessel flying what appeared to be a white flag and no national ensign, and used the open and vague orders to fire upon what he thought was a defenseless pirate vessel with no means of escape. Instead, he wound up sinking an innocent merchant vessel, the Tihês, an act which would have him stripped of his first command.
The Sâtêp were incensed, and sent expansive demands to the Républicain government for compensation. Some of the more notorious demands included an immediate end to the Keverai reparations, which, of course, angered the government of Dormill and Stiura. Diplomatic barbs were exchanged and, on May 26, 1894, the Dormill-Stiuraian ambassador to the 'uhitap fled Mênna Shuli, claiming to have escaped Mênnan assassins. Mênna Shuli denied (and continues to deny) the existence of these assassins, claiming this to have been a fabrication to act as a further push towards a war that the Républicains clearly wanted. According to 'uhitap Lâsu', "The Dormill-Stiuraian looks upon the Mênnan and sees only that which is to be conquered. He looks upon us and sees us weak and ill and starving at the behest of their luxury and thinks only how they will take more, steal more, enslave us more to them. There are no assassins, only shadows upon the imperialist wall and excuses upon their tongues."
In response to Dormill-Stiuraian outrage, the Sâtêp doubled-down and, within days, ceased reparation payments. After very little debate, the government of the Republics decided that things had gone far enough and initiated their invasion of Mênna Shuli, citing the breaking of the Treaty of Mastukê as their casus belli. On June 14, 1894, the war officially began.
Second Battle of Kikâwak
When the situation in Menna Shuli began to deteriorate, the United Republics knew it had to keep troops nearby to face them off. Although it was a tense diplomatic situation with Ainslie, which desired to remain outside of the conflict, acquiesced and permitted the basing of a Dormill-Stiuraian Navy strike group and an army of 30,000 men in Keverai, on the promises that they would dedicate 15,000 men to defend Keverai again if the Mennans came back. The Ahnslens, again after another diplomatic struggle, then also allowed the Dormil-Stiuraians to move their forces through Keverai once another war with Menna Shuli was inevitable.
As soon as the war began, 15,000 Dormill-Stiuraians began to march from Keverai, the other 15,000 remained close to the border as promised. Seeking to repeat their victory in the last war, they met the Mennan Army at Kikâwak, where the battle ended in typical fashion, the Mennan's retreating after being severely beaten. This time, however, there was something else about the battle. The Mennan soldiers were both better drilled and better equipped, and in some areas matched their Republican counterparts man for man. This shook up the Dormill-Stiuraian military leadership in Argus, who thought the Mennans would be as easy to defeat as they were 14 years ago. To respond to this, the army in Menna Shuli was ordered to hold their position and await reinforcements, the war was going to be longer than they expected.
As soon as the war began, 15,000 Dormill-Stiuraians began to march from Keverai, the other 15,000 remained close to the border as promised. Seeking to repeat their victory in the last war, they met the Mennan Army at Kikâwak, where the battle ended in typical fashion, the Mennan's retreating after being severely beaten. This time, however, there was something else about the battle. The Mennan soldiers were both better drilled and better equipped, and in some areas matched their Republican counterparts man for man. This shook up the Dormill-Stiuraian military leadership in Argus, who thought the Mennans would be as easy to defeat as they were 14 years ago. To respond to this, the army in Menna Shuli was ordered to hold their position and await reinforcements, the war was going to be longer than they expected.
The Western Mennan Campaign
On the same day as the First Battle of Kikâwak, the Dormill-Stiuraians began an extended campaign in western Menna Shuli. The military leadership thought that they should draw out the Mennan armies with a campaign in the west of their country, opening up the Twin Cities for an invasion. After the Twin Cities fell, the army in the west would have gone past Nimitêt Pass, cutting off Menna Shuli's north and south from each other and forcing them surrender. The Western Mennan Campaign began with the two-month siege of Shakiu'â, a rail hub that connected the Twin Cities to the West. With it fallen, the Dormill-Stiuraians could utilize their extensive rail transportation system in Menna Shuli, greatly increasing their ability to fight a prolonged war in unknown territory. However, not long after the capture of Shakiu'â, reports of Mennan raids against Dormill-Stiuraian trains laden with supplies, or worse, payroll for the men fighting in Menna Shuli came in, forcing the Dormill-Stiuraians to leave armed guards on every train since. This didn't dissuade the Army in the West, and they pushed on after cutting off Kuhêtulka from the mainland, leaving a few ships to maintain a blockade and starve the city out. As winter approached, the Mennan armies began to be bolstered, no longer shackled by the reparations and gifted with a favorable harvest, the men fought harder than before, slowing down the Dormill-Stiuraians with each battle they fought. The Army in the West would winter in Likamiu'â, their most recent conquest, at the same time, the Army in the East moved their positions further up after a close victory against a large Mennan army, coming within a few hundred kilometers of the Twin Cities where they would also hunker down.
However, the winter would not bring the armies of the United Republics respite, as on January 12, 1895, Athara Magarat entered the conflict, joined soon thereafter by Noronica. The two nations deployed their navies in the direction of Menna Shuli, forcing the Dormill-Stiuraians away without combat. At home, the sudden entrance of Noronica in the war caused military leadership to focus on preventing a Noronnican invasion, and would not be able to send more troops to Argus to finish off Menna Shuli. This caused tension in the men on the frontlines but they eventually steeled themselves and continued to wait for the winter to end. On the naval front, the Noronnican-Magarati-Mennan fleet would be drawn out to fight the Southern Sea Fleet of Dormill and Stiura.
However, the winter would not bring the armies of the United Republics respite, as on January 12, 1895, Athara Magarat entered the conflict, joined soon thereafter by Noronica. The two nations deployed their navies in the direction of Menna Shuli, forcing the Dormill-Stiuraians away without combat. At home, the sudden entrance of Noronica in the war caused military leadership to focus on preventing a Noronnican invasion, and would not be able to send more troops to Argus to finish off Menna Shuli. This caused tension in the men on the frontlines but they eventually steeled themselves and continued to wait for the winter to end. On the naval front, the Noronnican-Magarati-Mennan fleet would be drawn out to fight the Southern Sea Fleet of Dormill and Stiura.
The Battle of Hundred Sharks
The Second Central Argus Coalition's navies were drawn out to the Southern Sea in the early spring of 1895 to head off the Dormill-Stiuraian Southern Sea Fleet, both of which fielded several large pre-dreadnought battleships and all of them sailed armored warships. In total, over 120 ships were involved in the action, with the Southern Sea fleet, of 68 ships total, sailing in its entirety up against a Coalition fleet of 65. The two fleets' vanguards met and fought in the open sea several hundred nautical miles from Isla San Martin, San Javier. The Dormill-Stiuraian vanguard managed to drive back the Coalition ships, with no losses or major damage on either side. Contacting the rest of the Southern Sea fleet, the Dormill-Stiuraians arrayed themselves on the eastern coast of Isla San Martin, and waited for the Coalition navy to meet them. However, townsfolk on Isla San Javier saw the ships arraying themselves, and sent a warning to the Coalition fleet of the impending ambush.
Now aware of the location of the Dormill-Stiuraians, the Coalition fleet moved to surround Isla San Martin and encircle the Dormill-Stiuraian Navy in a decisive engagement. At 3:00 PM, a spotter atop the DSN Veldzicht saw the smoke of the Coalition fleet encircling the island, and warned the ship of the incoming attack. With no way out, the admiral of the Southern Sea fleet, Travis Agthoven, decided to set up the fleet in a position where every ship could fire on the incoming enemy force. At 3:19, the first Coalition ships, Mennan ships flying a white pennant under their flag to taunt the DSN for beginning the war, came around the Island and was met with fire from the Dormill-Stiuraian ships. The battle underway, the remaining Coalition ships quickly sailed to box the Dormill-Stiuraians in, successfully doing so by 3:34 PM, every ship was engaged with a target at close range at this point. The combat was fierce with the ships of both navies caught in both allied and enemy fire, the Coalition trying to tighten the circle around the Dormill-Stiuraians every ten minutes. By 5:00 PM, nearly 20 ships had been outright sunk, every other ship suffering some kind of damage with neither side having a distinct advantage. By 5:30, however, a hole was opened up in the Coalition circle, allowing for the Dormill-Stiuraian ships to escape the battle under cover of smoke. Although a victory for the Coalition, every ship had to return to their ports for repairs, which would open up Menna Shuli for another round of Dormill-Stiuraian troops to invade. The Southern Sea Fleet lost half its number in the engagement, while the Coalition lost only 15.
Now aware of the location of the Dormill-Stiuraians, the Coalition fleet moved to surround Isla San Martin and encircle the Dormill-Stiuraian Navy in a decisive engagement. At 3:00 PM, a spotter atop the DSN Veldzicht saw the smoke of the Coalition fleet encircling the island, and warned the ship of the incoming attack. With no way out, the admiral of the Southern Sea fleet, Travis Agthoven, decided to set up the fleet in a position where every ship could fire on the incoming enemy force. At 3:19, the first Coalition ships, Mennan ships flying a white pennant under their flag to taunt the DSN for beginning the war, came around the Island and was met with fire from the Dormill-Stiuraian ships. The battle underway, the remaining Coalition ships quickly sailed to box the Dormill-Stiuraians in, successfully doing so by 3:34 PM, every ship was engaged with a target at close range at this point. The combat was fierce with the ships of both navies caught in both allied and enemy fire, the Coalition trying to tighten the circle around the Dormill-Stiuraians every ten minutes. By 5:00 PM, nearly 20 ships had been outright sunk, every other ship suffering some kind of damage with neither side having a distinct advantage. By 5:30, however, a hole was opened up in the Coalition circle, allowing for the Dormill-Stiuraian ships to escape the battle under cover of smoke. Although a victory for the Coalition, every ship had to return to their ports for repairs, which would open up Menna Shuli for another round of Dormill-Stiuraian troops to invade. The Southern Sea Fleet lost half its number in the engagement, while the Coalition lost only 15.
The Battle of Nimitêt Pass
Leading into the Battle of Hundred Sharks, the Magarati and Noronnicans took the time to reinforce the Mennans, adding in total 40,000 to their number. Just prior to the Coalition blockade, the Dormill-Stiuraian Army also managed to reinforce with the winter, granting both the Army of the West and the Army of the East 35,000 men each. In total, the Coalition managed to field 120,000 men against the United Republic's 70,000, plus the 15,000 left in Keverai. Both sides being attentive to Napoleonic tactics, moved to try and get the other army to split to be defeated in detail. The Magarati rightly guessed that the Dormill-Stiuraian army in Eastern Menna Shuli would no move without securing the remainder of the West, meaning their next target would be Nimitêt Pass and Kilâmkallu on its Eastern side, and responded to that possibility by deploying their force, alongside another 12,000 Mennans, to the Pass, fortifying it and waiting for the arriving army. In the East, the Noronnicans and the remaining Mennan forces began to probe the Dormill-Stiuraian positions, keeping them tied down and unable to respond if the Army in the West were caught in an engagement they could not win. Almost in concurrence with the Battle of Hundred Sharks, the Army in the West reached the western entrance to Nimitêt Pass, now a fortified wall of Magarati and Mennans. Their commander unwilling to give up the campaign in the West began an attack against the fortifications, utilizing long-range artillery to blow open a hole in the fortifications that would allow the Dormill-Stiuraian forces to go through.
As the fortifications were blown open, however, Magarati and Mennan cavalry came charging out and towards the Dormill-Stiuraian line. Expecting this to be a typical cavalry charge, the Dormill-Stiuraians arrayed themselves into their square formation and waited for the cavalry to hit them. Instead, the cavalry broke their charge a few hundred meters from the line, kicking up plenty of dust in the process that was used to mask the approach of some 6,000 infantry. Once the dust settled, the Coalition infantry opened fire on the squares, forcing the Dormill-Stiuraians to suddenly change their formation to meet them. In the chaos of adjusting their lines, the cavalry came in from the flanks on the Republican lines, smashing against exposed infantry trying to get in position. In a matter of moments, the Dormill-Stiuraian force of nearly 9,000 was forced to retreat from the entrance of the pass, prompting the Mennans, inspired by their first victory, to go chasing. The Magarati, having learned the price of overconfidence from Meva, reset their positions at the entrance, leaving the Mennans alone to chase their quarry.
After half an hour chasing the Dormill-Stiuraians down the mountains, the Mennans were suddenly met with artillery fire, followed by Gatling gun fire. The retreating Dormill-Stiuraians had called in reinforcements, and led the Mennans into a trap much like they had just done to the Republicans. Utterly devastated by the counter-attack the Mennans fell back past the Pass, followed by a larger Dormill-Stiuraian force that dislodged the Magarati force. In the end, over 20,000 men on both sides were dead or wounded, a Pyrrhic victory for the Dormill-Stiuraians that would begin the general loss of morale in Menna Shuli.
As the fortifications were blown open, however, Magarati and Mennan cavalry came charging out and towards the Dormill-Stiuraian line. Expecting this to be a typical cavalry charge, the Dormill-Stiuraians arrayed themselves into their square formation and waited for the cavalry to hit them. Instead, the cavalry broke their charge a few hundred meters from the line, kicking up plenty of dust in the process that was used to mask the approach of some 6,000 infantry. Once the dust settled, the Coalition infantry opened fire on the squares, forcing the Dormill-Stiuraians to suddenly change their formation to meet them. In the chaos of adjusting their lines, the cavalry came in from the flanks on the Republican lines, smashing against exposed infantry trying to get in position. In a matter of moments, the Dormill-Stiuraian force of nearly 9,000 was forced to retreat from the entrance of the pass, prompting the Mennans, inspired by their first victory, to go chasing. The Magarati, having learned the price of overconfidence from Meva, reset their positions at the entrance, leaving the Mennans alone to chase their quarry.
After half an hour chasing the Dormill-Stiuraians down the mountains, the Mennans were suddenly met with artillery fire, followed by Gatling gun fire. The retreating Dormill-Stiuraians had called in reinforcements, and led the Mennans into a trap much like they had just done to the Republicans. Utterly devastated by the counter-attack the Mennans fell back past the Pass, followed by a larger Dormill-Stiuraian force that dislodged the Magarati force. In the end, over 20,000 men on both sides were dead or wounded, a Pyrrhic victory for the Dormill-Stiuraians that would begin the general loss of morale in Menna Shuli.
The Long Day
News of the losses in Nimitêt Pass quickly spread along Dormill-Stiuraian telegraphs and the Mennan Messenger Corps. Both armies were shaken by the blood shed, but the Dormill-Stiuraians continued their advance, now almost entirely in control of the west. However, the Mennans who knew their country too well were not prepared to lay down and give up after that. On the hottest day of the Summer of 1895, Mennan forces throughout the country struck multiple positions of Dormill and Stiura. In Kuhêtulka, the garrison attempted to break out, building a makeshift bridge across the bay to the mainland. The breakout was briefly successful, lasting for two and a half hours in total before the Dormill-Stiuraian ships returned and took control of the situation. Around the same time in the west, five trains, all carrying troops, supplies, payroll, and other things critical to the war effort were attacked by Mennan bands of raiders. All but one of the trains, carrying the survivors of the Battle of Nimitêt Pass, were destroyed in the actions. The final one with the Dormill-Stiuraian troops was stopped, and the troops unloaded and forced to march back to Coalition-controlled territory, capturing 3,000 wounded soldiers and killing those that could not march. By the end of their march eastwards, only 700 had survived, the rest had either died of their wounds, of exhaustion, or were executed by their Mennan captors. When news of this loss returned to Dormill and Stiura, the public began to doubt the ability of the United Republics to win this war, compounded by the constant fear of a Noronnican invasion, wavered their confidence in the Army and the Government.
On the same day, the Noronnicans and Mennans made another attack against the lines of the Army of the East, shoving them further back from the Twin Cities. The brutality of the fighting on both sides would scar the land for decades to come.
On the same day, the Noronnicans and Mennans made another attack against the lines of the Army of the East, shoving them further back from the Twin Cities. The brutality of the fighting on both sides would scar the land for decades to come.
The Siege of the Twin Cities
The majority of both Coalition and Dormill-Stiuraian naval forces nearly repaired from the Battle of Hundred Sharks, a second battle at sea was bound to happen. Fortunately for the Dormill-Stiuraians, the Southern Sea Fleet was reinforced with ships of the Second Fleet, which had slipped by the Noronnican blockade in the north several days prior. These reinforcements, plus 25,000 Orsandian troops that were being assembled to head to Menna Shuli, quickly set sail, hoping that they wouldn't be caught by the Coalition's navies before they could unload the troops. However, as they got close to Argus, news began to come in that the Noronnican navy had also deployed a force from home to head to the Southern Sea. Knowing that is must've been a matter of time before the Noronnicans came down on them, the ships carrying the troops bound for Menna Shuli were ordered to break away from the convoy and sail at full power to reach Southport, where they could disembark. The cruisers Eppendorf and Courlaroux sailed with the troops, masking them in smoke as they approached the shore of Keverai. The Noronnican Navy shadowed the Southern Sea fleet while it remained close to Argus. The next day, word returned to the Southern Sea fleet that the troops had successfully disembarked, prompting the remainder of the fleet to turn around and sail for home, again the Noronnicans shadowed them until they began to run out of fuel.
Now reinforced with fresh troops, the Army of the East finally began moving out to take on the Twin Cities, and had put them to siege at the start of September. Over the following twelve days, the Mennans held while the government fled north along the river. On the 13th day of the siege, the Mennan garrison broke, giving the Dormill-Stiuraians both cities, but no government or 'uhitap. The occupation of both cities was not easy for the United Republics, which had left most of the Army of the East in the city to keep it under control. However, with the Dormill-Stiuraian Navy still stuck in the eastern seas, the Coalition fleets returned to Menna Shuli to finish their job, easily sweeping aside the Eppendorf and Courlaroux and starting a blockade of the Twin Cities. By March 1896, the Army in the East was finally forced from the Twin Cities by a Coalition Army, sending them back to the positions they established over the previous winters.
Now reinforced with fresh troops, the Army of the East finally began moving out to take on the Twin Cities, and had put them to siege at the start of September. Over the following twelve days, the Mennans held while the government fled north along the river. On the 13th day of the siege, the Mennan garrison broke, giving the Dormill-Stiuraians both cities, but no government or 'uhitap. The occupation of both cities was not easy for the United Republics, which had left most of the Army of the East in the city to keep it under control. However, with the Dormill-Stiuraian Navy still stuck in the eastern seas, the Coalition fleets returned to Menna Shuli to finish their job, easily sweeping aside the Eppendorf and Courlaroux and starting a blockade of the Twin Cities. By March 1896, the Army in the East was finally forced from the Twin Cities by a Coalition Army, sending them back to the positions they established over the previous winters.
The Lus-Hushê Conflagaration
The Lus-Hushê - Black Valley in Mênnan - was once a major mountain valley in the Mennan west that up until this point the Dormill-Stiuraians maintained a safe amount of control over. In the face of the capture and recapture of the Twin Cities, the Mennan citizens which has chaffed under Dormill-Stiuraian occupation broke out in an open revolt, killing several soldiers and facing brutal reprisal by the Army in the West. Following the brutality of the reprisal by the Dormill-Stiuraians, the diplomatic situation turned completely against the United Republics, with even old allies threatening to cut off their relationship with Dormill and Stiura unless it ended the war soon. As the situation in the Black Valley worsened, the Mennan Army came out to face off against the Dormill-Stiuraians several times, throwing them further and further back, closer to the border with Keverai. In a last ditch effort to get the Mennans off their backs, the commander of the Army of the West ordered his howitzers to arm incendiary shells, and fired them in the general direction of the Mennans, setting the valley on fire. The valley burnt for three days as a dry spell made the grasses even more prone to catching fire, the blackness that the ashes left on the grassland gives it the now famous name. Using the cover of the fire and smoke, the Dormill-Stiuraian army retreated to Likamiu'â, where they would remain for the rest of the war.
The Battle of New Leeuwarden
Due to the now inconclusive nature of the war in Menna Shuli, the Noronnicans decided to bring the war to Dormill and Stiura, and devised a plan to draw the Dormill-Stiuraian Navy from defending its ports and attacking one of them to show that they are willing to win the war. The plan involved creating a deliberate hole in the quasi blockade Noronica had over Dormill and Stiura, choosing the New Frisian city of New Leeuwarden as their target. On New Year's 1901, the Noronnican naval squad in the area returned to port for celebrations, and was not replaced for the following three days. The DSN, taking the bait, sent the squadron defending the city of New Leeuwarden with troops bound for Menna Shuli, hoping to finally end the war with this lapse in Noronnican naval command. Two days later, reports from South Alban that suggested the same Noronnican squadron was returning to its position, only for lookouts in Veldzicht saw the same ships dangerously close to the coast, but far enough away that they could not be quickly engaged by the forces there. Suddenly fearing what might happen, President Favre ordered a general evacuation of the coast of New Friesland, fearing that without their garrison the Noronnican Navy would choose that as their target. Unfortunately, evacuations only just began when the Noronnicans arrived, and spent the following three days shelling the city from the coast, killing thousands of civilians as part payback for the Army of the West, and part warning to the Dormill-Stiuraians about their resolve for victory.
Around the same time the Noronnican fleet arrived at New Leeuwarden, a Magarati fleet intercepted the flotilla sent by the United Republics earlier, driving them away from the Free Haven. Now unable to reinforce their positions, the United Republics began to seek peace with the Coalition, ending with the Peace of Rio Pena, officially uprooting the Argean Seas Treaty and ending Dormill and Stiura's influence. A clause is added permitting the Kingdom of Xrevaro to remain under Dormill-Stiuraian protection, but is granted sovereign powers.
Around the same time the Noronnican fleet arrived at New Leeuwarden, a Magarati fleet intercepted the flotilla sent by the United Republics earlier, driving them away from the Free Haven. Now unable to reinforce their positions, the United Republics began to seek peace with the Coalition, ending with the Peace of Rio Pena, officially uprooting the Argean Seas Treaty and ending Dormill and Stiura's influence. A clause is added permitting the Kingdom of Xrevaro to remain under Dormill-Stiuraian protection, but is granted sovereign powers.
The Canal War (1905)
After the Coalition victory against Dormill and Stiura's Triumvirate in the Second Central Argus War; Liba Hangate and the Hangate of Arun Valley jointly proposed the construction of canal connecting the Karnali Sea and the Mechi Sea. The other hangates of the Khas-Kirat Empire, drunk on overconfidence from their recent victories, readily agreed to pass the project in the Kurultai of 1903. Official construction work of the canal began in 1905. Months following the first blastings, the United Republics began attempting to instigate a conflict with the Khas-Kirats before eventually overtly declaring war on the Liba Hangate, citing an imminent threat to Dormill-Stiuraian interests and the peace maintained by the Argean Seas Treaty.
, we can have wars wereby we are both allies. I have only discussed the two Central Argus Wars, perhaps the others may have flipped the tables on our relations.
