West Vandarch War

The West Vandarch War, or the Culriochan War, was a conflict that took place from 1771-1773 between Faneria and an alliance of Culriocha, Lorea, and Ryeva. In what began as an issue over succession to the throne of Culriocha by a Martainn-dynasty cadet branch, Faneria invaded and occupied Culriocha, outright annexing it in 1773 and forcing Lorea and Ryeva to accept clienthood. The war was a major shock to the geopolitics of Northern Levantia and in particular in Fiannria, which had been in talks to formally create an alliance with Culriocha to counter Fhainnin expansionism. The occupation of Culriocha and its allied states was a direct cause of the Second Kin War.

West Vandarch
Fanerian troops storm Talsen, 1773
Date October 10, 1771- December 23, 1773 Location Culriocha, Levantia Result Fanerian victory Annexation of Kingdom of Culriocha into Faneria Submission of several smaller neighboring states as Fhainnin protectorates
Belligerents
Faneria	Culriocha, etc(?)
Commanders and leaders
General of the Army Joseph MacCarrin (supreme operational commander) Regimental-General Rory Llewyth Regimental-General Markhus Dunnbar and others	Lord-Commander John Whitby General Reginald Matthews
Units involved
Royal Army, 1st Army of the West 1st Army Command Group (10 regiments, 28600 men) 2nd Army Command Group (4 regiments, 10400 men) 3rd Army Command Group (6 regiments, 15600 men) 4th Army Command Group (8 regiments, 7800 men) Royal Army, 3rd Army of the West 2nd Army Command Group (6 regiments, 15600 men) 5th Army Command Group (4 regiments, 10400 men) Royal Army Naval Service Total ~88,400 men ~10,400 cavalry (4 regiments) ~300 cannon (5 regiments)	Army of Culriocha (41,000 men) Army of Lorea (11,000 men) Army of Ryeva (19,000 men) Total ~71,000 men ~12,000 cavalry ~130 cannon

Background and Causes

Rapproachment with Fiannria

The arrangement between the Fhainnin Throne and the Culriochan monarchy was nearly identical to the marriage arrangements that precipitated the Saelish Partition decades earlier, and the urgency of such a succession coming to fruition was not lost on outside observers, nor Culriocha's political establishments themselves.

Fanerian Invasion

Battle of Rysel

Battle of Rysel, 1771

- main Fanerian army beats Culriochans to Rysel, overrun fort there and stave main Culriochan army off in a field battle (undecided outcome, heavy Cul losses b/c of cannons)

Battle of Meawood

Lord-Commander Whitby leads Culriochan forces at the Battle of Meawood, 1771

- main Cul army retreats and links up with Lorean army to attack main Fanerian army at Meawood, bloodying it badly and forcing another army to come up to relieve it. Allied victory.

Late Campaign

Siege of Talsen

- Loreans and Culs use skirmishes to delay, but Fanerians fight several smaller battles with them and start threatening Talsen - Cul army fights at Talsen and loses, city holds out for 15 more months with remnants

Battle of Aucey

Allied cavalry assault a Royal Army column at Aucey, 1773

- Talsen falls, Ryevan army joins with Cul remnants and fights at Aucey. Phyrric Fanerian victory.

Annexation and Continued Resistance

- Cul annexed, Loreans remain independent for about a year longer but eventually cede without a battle, Ryevan army cut off after Aucey and captured, leaving it open and forcing it to become a protectorate

Aftermath

- caused Second Kin War