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=== Gr<span id="Great_War_(1927-1935)"></span>eat War (1927-1935) ===
See [[Talk:Great War/Old]] and [[Talk:Second Great War/Old]] for various pre-existing materials. The adopted 2021-22 Plan for the war is in here now. Consult lore pronouncements on Discord for specific war information and beats that aren't elucidated here.


On the morning of March 12th, 1927, a large flotilla of [[Caphiria]]'s [[Imperial Naval Fleet]] was detected by the [[Navy of Burgundie]] and landed in the Imperial state of Loreseia, one of the sites of the unrest. The Caphirian ships landed a large army of Caphirian-armed and trained [[Derian people|Derian nationalists]]; these nationalists linked up with local cells and provided them with Caphirian arms, and then these "Legions" as they were called began to fan out. Large parts of eastern Dericania were taken by the Legions by the end of the month, establishing various free states. The Emperor held back no more; the [[Royal and Imperial Army (Urcea)|Royal and Imperial Army]] - more than 250,000 strong with many more forces mobilizing - entered the [[Kingdom of Dericania]] on March 29th, 1927. In response, the Legion-controlled states formally declared war on the [[Holy Levantine Empire]] generally and [[Urcea]] specifically. The first phase of the [[Second Great War]] had officially begun, though the scope of the coming conflict would not become clear for several years.
==Second Great War==


With the presence of large [[Derian people|Derian]] nationalist armies present in eastern [[Dericania]], the [[Royal and Imperial Army (Urcea)|Royal and Imperial Army]]'s top priority was the defense of eastern [[Burgundie]] and preventing civil bloodshed between Derians and [[Bergendii]], as had occurred in the [[First Fratricide]]. The Royal and Imperial Army garrisons aimed at intervention in the [[Kingdom of Dericania]] were ill-prepared to mount a defense in Burgundie's east, and by the end of April, 1927, the province of [[Marves]] had been overrun by the Derian nationalists. The Royal and Imperial Army arrived in force by May, but it was too little, too late. The Derian advance into [[Estia]] was halted with the advent of trench warfare by the hastily raised [[Burgundian Security Forces#Tropes%20della%20Metropol%20.28Mainland%20Troops.29|Tropes della Metropol]], whose access to machine guns and Urcean heavily artillery meant that the Derians were severely outgunned and had to dig in opposite the Burgoignesc lines. With the war bogged down in the east, the [[Royal and Imperial Army (Urcea)|Royal and Imperial Army]] was gradually able to disengage in metropolitan [[Burgundie]] and focus elsewhere. In June, the Royal and Imperial Army successfully defended [[Corcra (City)|Corcra]] and drove the nationalists back east. The victory was short-lived, however, as Drusla - a state near [[Burgundie]] - fell to the nationalists. Drusla severely compromised the existing lines of trenches and defenses in [[Burgundie]], requiring another infusion of Urcean forces into the country. In July, the [[Navy of Burgundie]] and [[Royal Navy (Urcea)|Royal Navy]] announced it would begin actively interdicting any supply ships or convoys sailing into Levantine ports not bearing a national flag. This policy was expanded in November 1927 to be a full blockade of eastern Dericania. Though the lines had solidified in the west and allied navies held firm in the east, supplies and implicit support from [[Fiannria]] kept the "Legions" on their feet through the end of 1927 and all of 1928. The war continued through 1928 without clear result, as campaigns from the Royal and Imperial Army in Dericania were successful in the north but continued to give ground in the south, further putting the still-mobilizing [[Burgundie]] at risk. By August of 1928, every principality in the [[Kingdom of Dericania]] not directly occupied by allied forces had been overthrown and established as a free state. In November, the various Legion-occupied and revolutionary states - many of them with drastically different political and ideological programs - announced the formation of a provisional [[Deric Republic]] to prosecute the war effort. In 1928, an international incident known as the "Order Affair" proved Caphirian involvement in the war in [[Kingdom of Dericania|Dericania]], nearly drawing Urcea into a war with Caphiria, but leadership of the [[Armed Forces of the Apostolic Kingdom of Urcea]] did not believe Urcea ready, so the Emperor allowed the matter to drop. Also in 1928, a series of allied states in [[Audonia]] began a war with [[Burgundie]], which they perceived as weak due to the invasion of the country by the Derian nationalists. The [[Government of Urcea]] reluctantly promised to enter the war in Audonia by 1930 if Burgundie did not have the matter settled. Small portions of the armed forces were diverted to [[Antilles]], drawing criticism from the National Pact.
===Broad outline===


Brian, Prince of Halfway assumed control of the Apostolic Kingdom in 1929 as regent; he would ascend to the throne later that year
The overall conflict would primarily be Urcea, Burgundie, Fiannria, Cartadania, and Pelaxia (with the Cape as a cobelligerent) against Caphiria, Faneria, and Crona with Corumm, the Audonian revolutionaries, the Derian revolutionaries being cobelligerents.


In May, the [[Royal and Imperial Army (Urcea)|Royal and Imperial Army]] - now supplemented by a few divisions of Derian loyalists - broke through in the north and pushed to the Levantine Ocean near [[Alba Concordia]], cutting off the [[Deric Republic]] from supplies from [[Fiannria]] to the north. The offensive stretched the Imperial lines thin, however, and in June the Deric forces broke through to the Fiannrian border, cutting off a large number of Royal and Imperial Army forces who needed to be evacuated by sea. On June 29th, the forces of the [[Deric Republic]] captured [[Corcra (City)|Corcra]], a major blow to the legitimacy of the Imperial cause. The prince-electors of the Empire - mostly all deprived of their electorates by now - took up residence in [[Urceopolis (City)|Urceopolis]]. Most of their descendants would remain in the city up through today. Despite several key victories, the Deric Republic would again be cut off by the middle of July, as [[Faneria]] invaded [[Fiannria]] to reclaim lost territory from the 1880s, necessitating an end to the covert support for the Derian cause. In the key parts of the line - especially centered on [[Corcra (City)|Corcra]] - trench warfare set in and would not abate for another two years.  The [[Royal and Imperial Army (Urcea)|Royal and Imperial Army]] had been able to win some critical victories and outmaneuver the opponent, but the new Emperor Brian VIII recognized the only way to win militarily in Dericania was to entirely overwhelm them using the entire might of [[Urcea]]. The Emperor also had notions that a political and diplomatic conclusion to the conflict could be reached, an opinion he expressed in first his address to the [[Imperial Diet]]. The solution to the present crisis, the Emperor offered, was not merely in the supremacy of arms but in the efforts of the princes themselves; that if they proposed and implemented reforms, the nationalist cause would be starved of manpower. Brian would not make the mistake of offering Dericania to the nationalists like August did, but proposed some centralized institutions for the [[Kingdom of Dericania]], institutions that resembled what would later become those of the [[Deric States|Confederation of Dericania]]. The princes were incredulous at the suggestion, and the Emperor dropped the matter for the time, but the address had a major effect on the politics of the Empire. The reform-minded and liberal members of the Diet believed they had a new champion, and the conservatives felt betrayed. The Emperor assured all parties that his top priority would be the restoration of the princes, easing tensions for a time.  
This war takes on the broad global characteristics of the current version of the Great War, with Veltorina simply eliminated from the equation. Caphiria's goals here are similar, expanding and maintaining its hegemony by means of conquest of Dorhaven (now Talionia) which it more or less views as the final impediment to its continental dominion. Abroad, the Audonians and Corummese are still interested in defeating Burgundie's influence. The Fin-Fan war will proceed as planned. Accordingly, the first two years present a "siege" situation for Burgundie and Urcea, with Kuhlfros playing his traditional role of supporting the Derians until he needs Urcea. This is all driven by Caphiria, who supports the Derians in order to divert Urcea's attentions to conquer Talionia. This can provide its own spark, or there's a "Capetian angle". A Caphirian-aligned ally in Crona invades the Cape, scaring Cartadania and Pelaxia into creating a formal alliance with Urcea; Caphiria then reacts to this latest example of "Creep" by initiating the Derian uprising with Fanerian assistance. Caphiria need not declare war on Urcea until maybe the second or third year of the war, preparing to build up as Urcea drains more resources and manpower in Dericania.


Mass production of the [[SAV-5]] allowed for major Urcean breakthroughs in [[Dericania]] beginning in 1931
The rest of the war proceeds basically as planned in the current version of the conflict. Once declared, Caphiria will overrun Dorhaven and begin western offensives, sort of trying to do a "reverse Schlieffen" by knocking Dorhaven out first. Dorhaven will be largely overrun but maybe the peninsula or just the island will hold. Urcea will end up having to do a MacArthur-in-Korea type reclamation, marching up the peninsula gradually. Urcea also opens the southern front where Valcenia used to be and pushes with Pelaxia and Cartadania in the west. Caphiria is now losing by the 7th or 8th year of the war and is on its back foot, but still fighting. A breakthrough on all fronts seems imminent and Caphirian forces collapse in Dorhaven from defending on three fronts. However, as Urcean troops now seem poised to not only liberate the Kingdom but also begin their invasion of Caphiria proper from the east (which threatens Venceia due to its positioning in a way that the western invasions just can't), Caphiria unleashes its secret weapon in year nine. An advanced force of Urcean R&IA troops - not a large contingent by any means, for diplomatic/political reasons I (Urcea) will get into - are annihilated by the first nuclear detonation ever recorded. This should probably be in a small Dorhavener city in order to build enmity between Talionians and Caphirians. The power of this weapon gives Urcea pause and they stop advancing. The Caphirians by this point could not hit Crona, Levantia, or likely even Pelaxia or Cartadania, but they can still use strategic weapons in Dorhaven. While they could have hit a larger formation or bigger city, the bombing was not tactical but strategic - Venceia wanted to make a point and draw people to the negotiating table, not enrage them or strengthen their resolve.


The [[Second Great War]] in 1930 would see the calcification of defensive lines and the failure of the Royal and Imperial Army to make a meaningful advance. With the loss of Fiannrian support, a new Caphirian smuggling operation emerged in an effort to bring heavy artillery, machine guns and other implements into Dericania to ensure the Deric Republic's forces were not out-gunned. Many of the smugglers were simply flying into Dericania on one-way supply runs, but most simply smuggled weapons in among legitimate goods. The new weapons meant that the Deric Republic could wage its own brand of trench warfare, and by the middle of 1930 a massive series of trenches and fortifications ran from the border of [[Fiannria]] to the border of [[Burgundie]], running just west of [[Corcra (City)|Corcra]]. The Royal and Imperial Army began training full tank divisions in the summer of 1930 using the new, mass-produced [[SAV-5]] tank, but these units would not be ready for another year. Prior to the SAV-5's deployment, [[Urcea]] had no armored divisions and its tank doctrine was typically concerned with using tanks as a mobile border defense unit; it had obtained a number of [[List of equipment of the Armed Forces of Urcea#Tanks|tanks]] prior to the production of the SAV-5, but these were mostly of foreign design or kept in reserve for defense of [[Urcea]]. The Emperor planned to gain the upper hand in the war and then reach a negotiated settlement. The Emperor's planned settlement was the one he proposed to the Diet in 1929, which he would present to the [[Imperial Diet]] as a fait accompli. The Emperor's planned trump card - the armored divisions - were still being prepared, but in February 1931 the Royal and Imperial Army began a line-wide artillery bombardment which would last for three weeks. Called ''Operation Onslaught'', the barrage succeeded in gaining the Royal and Imperial Army's artillery corps valuable experience, and, although it didn't substantially alter the strategic outlook in the [[Kingdom of Dericania]], it did allow advances of the [[Royal and Imperial Army (Urcea)|Royal and Imperial Army]] along some parts of the line, and the barrage additionally demoralized the Deric forces. Various offensives throughout the rest of 1931 failed until early October, when the Royal and Imperial Army launched ''Operation Princeps''. Ten armored divisions broke through the Deric trenches in a pincer move and collapsed their line, with the armor then surrounding the city and the infantry launching a full frontal assault. Though the Royal and Imperial Army incurred heavy casualties with the infantry charge, [[Corcra (City)|Corcra]] fell on October 8th. For his role in retaking Corcra, which he set as the top priority for the Army and expedited the deployment of the armored divisions, the [[Imperial Diet]] gave Emperor Brian VIII the title of "''Restitutor Orbis''", or "restorer of the world". Though the apparatuses of the Imperial government wouldn't relocate to [[Corcra (City)|Corcra]] until the crisis had passed, the recapture of the nominal capital of the Empire proved a huge morale boost. With the center of the Deric line having collapsed, the armored divisions spearheaded several more offensives before the end of the year, but most of the tanks had broken down by December of 1931. Despite the forward movement having stalled, Imperial forces made large gains. While Urcea was pushing the offensive in northern Dericania, the [[Burgundian Security Forces#Tropes%20della%20Metropol%20.28Mainland%20Troops.29|Tropes della Metropol]] finally ejected Derian nationalist forces from Burgundie in November and recaptured Drusla in early December. Elsewhere in 1931, the [[Royal Navy (Urcea)|Royal Navy]] began monitoring Caphirian shipments to [[Audonia]] in order to support the war effort against the Levantines there, but due to the state of still-neutrality Caphiria maintained, the Royal Navy was reduced to an intelligence and reconnaissance role. Additionally, Urcean forces in [[Antilles]] began to strike at Audonian forces to ensure clear access to the Gulf of Kandara. Land-based aircraft of the [[Royal Air Force (Urcea)|Royal Air Force]] began experimental naval bombings against the Audonians, but the experiments were considered mixed at best and the use of air power on the sea was ruled out for another four years. The [[Royal Navy (Urcea)|Royal Navy]] saw some of its first true combat experience in Audonia in 1931, but most of its deployments were with outdated ships such as the [[Coria-class cruiser]]. The experience gained by its sailors, however, would be invaluable in the coming years with major naval deployments between [[Halfway]] and [[Urlazio]]. Also in 1931, [[Faneria]] and [[Caphiria]] agreed to a formal alliance, leading to [[Urcea]] sending provisions and supplies to [[Fiannria]] with the promise to send more once the war in Dericania was complete. While the [[Holy Levantine Empire]] maintained considerable enmity towards [[Fiannria]] in the early 1930s due to its role in fanning the flames of revolt in the [[Kingdom of Dericania]], [[Urcea]] had no choice but to aid Fiannria and curb Caphirian influence in [[Ultmar]]. In response to the alliance, [[Urcea]] publicly condemned [[Faneria]] as a rogue state, leading to the severing of diplomatic ties between the two nations.
The partition of occupied Caphirian lands proceeds as in the current version of the war, but Caphirian independence is maintained. The League of Nations is created in order to prevent wars like this from happening again, but the whole thing has the air of unfinished business to it, leading to the Cold War. It has been suggested that the LoN form out of an existing wartime organization of the allies intended for this purpose but with Caphiria just grafted onto it as an equal partner. That's a possibility.


[[File:BG_Planes_Audonia.jpg|thumb|right|Burg naval air assets buzzing downtown Bulkh, bismillah!]]As Urcea's focus shifted further afield than [[Dericania]], and with a major victory having been achieved as the foreign-trained Legions of the [[Deric Republic]] were been mostly broken, the Emperor began secret negotiations with the reformists and liberals within the Republic. Though the city of Corcra itself fell, the Free State of Corcra took the lead within the pro-peace faction. Since late 1931, supplies from Caphiria had been cut off due to Caphirian preparations for war in [[Sarpedon]] and supplies going elsewhere, such as [[Faneria]] and, beginning recently, [[Audonia]]. The various leaders of the Deric Republic were quarreling nearly daily, and the peace faction emerged out of those who opposed both extremist nationalists and socialists. Major campaigns began in February of 1932, with Urcea again on the offensive. Several minor victories convinced the peace faction that ending the war was preferable to the defeat and ravaging of the [[Kingdom of Dericania]] by foreign powers. The dire situation within the [[Deric Republic]] worsened with [[Caphiria]]'s declaration of war on [[Veltorina]] in August of 1932, with [[Venceia]] having believed the Levantine powers were distracted enough to prevent their intervention. Deric leaders realized that no further supplies or aid could be expected; the peace faction successfully convinced many moderates that they had been deceived, and that the Deric Republic was little more than a designed speedbump for [[Levantia]] before fighting began in [[Sarpedon]]. From the Emperor's perspective, it was now absolutely imperative to end the war in Dericania; the [[National Pact (Urcea)|National Pact]] believed the war in Sarpedon to be the priority, since [[Urcea]] was treaty-bound to defend [[Veltorina]] according to the peace treaty ending the [[Veltorine War of Independence]]. Consequently, in September, the Emperor and factions within the Deric Republic agreed to a framework truce called the ''Peace of Ardaire''. In it, [[Urcea]] formally recognized any "free state" of the [[Deric Republic]] that abjured the radical nationalist proposition and would agree to a truce. The peace included the promise of recognition of Dericania-wide institutions (similar to what the Emperor proposed to the Diet in 1929), and also promised a future settlement on the status of the [[Holy Levantine Empire]] and [[Kingdom of Dericania]]. Several free states agreed to the peace and defected to the cause of [[Urcea]] and [[Burgundie]]. Outraged members of the [[Imperial Diet]] and several princes whose claims were now not recognized by [[Urcea]] began a riot in [[Urceopolis (City)|Urceopolis]], burning down a part of Oldtown until the members and princes were arrested on September 19th. With the arrest and imprisonment of dissenting members of the Diet, it functionally ceased to operate as a formal institution; its remaining members were all loyalists of the Emperor, and from 1932 onward the [[Emperor of the Levantines]], [[King Brian IV|Brian VIII]], functionally ruled the Empire alone. Not only was the peace a geopolitical win for the Emperor given that it guaranteed a victory in Dericania in the future, but it was also a political one. The leadership of the [[National Pact (Urcea)|National Pact]] felt that the King had kept his promise from the December 1930 meeting, and its leadership agreed to renew King Brian IV's authority to prosecute the war in Dericania indefinitely. A further secret meeting in late 1932 between the National Pact's leadership and the King was held; the [[Procurator]] told the King that, independent of the Emperor's war, the [[Government of Urcea]] intended to declare war on [[Caphiria]] by no later than 1935, and it was absolutely imperative that the war in Dericania come to a close by then in order to prevent a two front war. The King agreed to this and promised the war would be functionally over by 1935, and that a permanent settlement for the Empire would be agreed to by then. The [[Government of Urcea]], in turn, made a secret promise to the government of [[Veltorina]] that it would come to its aid fully in 1935. 1932 came to a close with the beginning of arms shipments to [[Veltorina]] via [[Talionia]], a policy that was neither publicized nor official but nonetheless played an important role in keeping Veltorina fighting. On the logistics and supply front, [[Urcea]] condemned [[Caphiria]] as a rogue state for its invasion of [[Veltorina]], giving Urcea the diplomatic cover to declare an end to the [[Odoneru Ocean]] supply line from Caphiria to [[Faneria]]. Patrols of the [[Royal Navy (Urcea)|Royal Navy]] - aided by the navy of Paulastra - shut down formal supplies from Caphiria traveling north.
===Timing considerations===


The Government made efforts to reinforce its existing possessions, deploying additional forces to the Far Eastern squadron of the [[Royal Navy (Urcea)|Royal Navy]]. In February, [[Antilles]] was besieged by the [[Audonia|Audonian]] League's forces. Antilles, which had been a possession of Urcea since the [[Great Confessional War]], had been fortified and increasingly militarized since 1929 in addition to the reinforcements sent earlier in the year. The initial siege of Antilles went poorly, and the Audonians abandoned the siege by the end of March, 1933. Elsewhere in the Audonian theater, the [[Royal Navy (Urcea)|Royal Navy]] and [[Navy of Burgundie]] would engage in a series of battles with the Audonian navies, especially some of the first battles of the Barbary Straits and the Aab-e-Farus. Back in [[Levantia]], the Royal and Imperial Army made steady progress but ultimately no offensives as dramatic as those in 1932. The armored divisions of the Royal and Imperial Army encountered severe supply and logistical problems as the [[SAV-5]]'s began to break down in the field, causing a halt to most offensive operations. Further, the battle lines were unclear given the concordat reached with some Deric free states in 1932, making the Royal and Imperial Army hesitant to advance in the face of multiple Derian states undergoing coups to determine their disposition for the remainder of the war. Consequently, no major offensives were launched for most of 1933, but Urcea continued to send supplies and arms to its allies, which now included some of the states of the [[Deric Republic]]. The 1934 campaign season was similar to the preceding year for Urcea as few major offensives were launched, but the liberal Derians launched several major offensives and by the beginning of 1935, the ultranationalist faction - centered around the remaining core of the Legions landed by [[Caphiria]] in 1927 - were reduced to a border roughly equating to the modern territory of Loreseia in the eastern region of [[Dericania]]. As the fighting between the Derians continued, King Brian felt confident enough in the situation in Dericania to appear before a meeting of the [[Concilium Daoni]] and ask for a formal declaration of war on [[Caphiria]] on behalf of the sitting [[Government of Urcea]]. The Daoni granted his request on February 3rd, and Urcea formally declared war on Caphiria the same day; [[Faneria]], in response, declared war on Urcea, bringing the Apostolic Kingdom into the northern war. All unofficial smuggling and supply operations were now subject to seizure on the seas and any traffic coming past [[Halfway]] from the Urlazian Sea was stopped. The loss of smuggled supplies further weakened the Deric Republic's legions. Rather than immediately move for a decisive blow, however, Urcea began sending an increasing amount of resources and personnel to [[Tromarine]] and [[Halfway]] in preparation for the war with [[Caphiria]], leaving a reduced presence in Dericania. As military planners began to switch focus to the war with [[Caphiria]], the Emperor was reliant on an increasingly reduced number of forces in Dericania and a series of uneasy allies, turning to the diplomatic front to bring a total end to the fighting. Meanwhile, the [[Royal Navy (Urcea)|Royal Navy]] scored a decisive victory at the [[Battle of the Adonáire Strait]] against [[Caphiria]], securing naval dominance for the remainder of the war and choking off remaining supply routes into [[Levantia]]. While [[Faneria]] could continue its war effort largely on its own, the [[Deric Republic]] could not. On May 1st, 1935, forces from the [[Royal and Imperial Army (Urcea)|Royal and Imperial Army]], [[Army of Burgundie]], and allied Derian forces decisively defeated the Legions, cutting them off from one another and surrounding them following heavy casualties. On the 2nd, the Legions and government of the [[Deric Republic]] surrendered, bringing the war in Dericania to its effective conclusion. Despite the victory for the Emperor and his allies, the reputation and institutions of the [[Holy Levantine Empire]] were critically damaged. Although Urcea shared co-belligerency with [[Fiannria]] due to the war with [[Faneria]], the Republic nonethelesss announced its intention to become independent of the [[Holy Levantine Empire]], and it additionally announced it would resist any effort by Urcea to reestablish Imperial governance in Dericania. Reestablishment of the [[Kingdom of Dericania]] was viewed by Urcea's Derian allies as an unacceptable conclusion to the war, stating that some kind of Derian Confederation would be necessary but the medieval institutions of the Kingdom were neither acceptable nor necessary. Viewing the [[Holy Levantine Empire]] as formally defunct outside [[Urcea]] and the ambivalent position of [[Burgundie]] on the issue, the Emperor decided to accept the inevitable. On May 20th, Emperor Brian VIII issued an Imperial proclamation "''forever relinquishing...the responsibilities and administration of Imperial Governance in the Kingdoms of Dericania and Culfra''", functionally renouncing any claim to Imperial institutions or authority beyond Urcea's border. The [[Concilium Daoni]] recognized the proclamation and end of the Empire's institutions on May 28th, followed by [[Burgundie]] on June 1st. Despite this proclamation, a formal treaty was necessary to end the conflict, and delegates met in [[Corcra (City)|Corcra]] to discuss the terms of the end of the war. By September, the [[Treaty of Corcra]] was signed by [[Urcea]], [[Burgundie]], the [[Deric Republic]], and [[Fiannria]], and it was ratified by the rump [[Imperial Diet]] on September 10th. It acknowledged the right of the [[Apostolic King of Urcea]] to retain the style, privileges, Regalia, and status of [[Emperor of the Levantines]] in perpetuity, formalized the end of Imperial authority beyond [[Urcea]], provided for the dissolution of the [[Deric Republic]], ceded territory to [[Burgundie]], and established the framework for the creation of the [[Deric States]] and final mediatization of the [[Kingdom of Dericania]], though this last clause would not be fully complete or implemented until after the end of the [[Third Fratricide]] nearly two decades later.
In Levantia, there are a handful of hard dates now that may need to be played into or revised as needed. The abdication of the Burg Emperor in 1920 leads to Urcea being elected to stabilize the situation in the HLE. I don't see any reason why the disorder and chaos in the run up to the war couldn't be elongated, so that 1920 date could remain. In the present canon, the 1927-35 phase of the war leads to the dissolution of the HLE in 1935. I don't know of any real lore that relies on that other than the timing of the 2nd and 3rd Fratricide, but we can just play around with that timeline. The Establishment of the LU/Deric States in 1953 is an important date and coincides with the League's establishment. Generally, the DS could be established a few years earlier without much incident (and should probably predate the LU. The LU is a little more important but maybe a predecessor institution established as a wartime necessity lasts with additional members joining until 1953 when it is fused with the DS and Kuhlfros. Alternatively we could just make the LU be established earlier.


=== Gr<span id="Great_War_(1935-1953)"></span>eat War (1935-1953) ===
The League of Nations establishment in 1953 is not too important to the lore but some general flavor text dates (including in off-wiki documents) will need to be revised.
The conclusion of hostilities in Dericania saw Urcea's attention shift definitively west. By July of 1935, the [[Royal and Imperial Army (Urcea)|Royal and Imperial Army]] had deployed nearly fifty divisions - nearly a half a million men - to [[Tromarine]], [[Talionia]], [[Halfway]], and its territory in [[Urlazio]] for defensive purposes, though relatively few of these were veteran units who had previously served in [[Dericania]]. Deliberations between the [[Government of Urcea]], the [[Apostolic King of Urcea]], and the high command of the [[Armed Forces of the Apostolic Kingdom of Urcea|Urcean armed forces]] in August of 1935 lead to the adoption of a definitive strategy. First, Sarpedon would be the primary theater of war for Urcea, diverging from [[Burgundie]] who began to focus its efforts on the war in [[Audonia]]. Second, the continued buildup efforts meant that a full-scale deployment in force in Sarpedon capable of defeating the enemy could not be achieved until the middle of 1937 at the earliest realistically, and most likely in the first half of 1938. Consequently, a three-pronged strategy developed which would buy the allies the necessary time until [[Urcea]] could fully enter the war in Sarpedon. First, Urcea would begin shipping additional war materiel to [[Fiannria]], not only disrupting Caphirian ally [[Faneria]]'s war effort, but also providing a "proving ground" for new Urcean weapons. Second, [[Talionia]] and [[Halfway]] would be used to disrupt the Caphirian war effort via air and naval strikes in order to slow or stop their advance into [[Veltorina]]. These strikes would include strategic bombing of Caphirian industry in addition to tactical support of Veltorine defenders on the ground. Third, and most critically, Urcea would deploy an additional forty divisions of Dericania veterans to [[Urlazio]] and wage a "phony war" there in order to pull Caphirian divisions away from [[Veltorina]]. Many of these divisions were not full strength or were otherwise suited only for defensive purposes, but it was hoped that such a buildup would preclude further offensive operations in Sarpedon for the time being.


As Urcea devised its wartime strategy, it also negotiated and agreed to the Istroya Pact with [[Burgundie]]. The Pact replicated the open borders and common market institutions of the [[Holy Levantine Empire]] between the two nations, both as a wartime expedient but also as a continuation of the beneficial conditions afforded under the Empire. Intended to be a temporary measure, the length of the war would lead to the Pact's existence for another two decades until it was replaced by the similar [[Levantine Union]] after the end of the Great War, coinciding with the end of the [[Third Fratricide]].
The broad issue is with technological advancement. The current GW essentially features industrial warfare ala WW1 with some minor alterations during its early phase, with historical/technological developments in this respect being slightly retarded compared to our timeline but by the time of the war's end the technology is ahead of time. I (Urc) have always liked this complexion. We need not have mere industrial warfare in this one since we are adding a GW, but some "catching up and surpassing" type 2nd Great War is a fundamentally good idea in my view.


The early winter months of 1935-36 saw the rapid deployment of veteran Dericania divisions to Urlazio. These forces had a nominal strength equaling about 400,000 men, but documents declassified in the 1960s indicate it was likely no more than 215,000 soldiers capable of fighting. [[Royal and Imperial Army (Urcea)|Royal and Imperial Army]] intelligence began a campaign to confuse Caphirian intelligence to shield the true size of "Army Group West". This initially included positioning non-functioning tanks with fresh coats of paint in Urlazio followed by new, inflatable vehicles for visual reconnaissance purposes. By March 1936, the pace of fighting on mainland Sarpedon had slowed to a stalemate as it became clear the Urlazio gambit had worked - Caphiria's military apparatus took the threat on Urlazio very seriously, buying Veltorina the critical time it needed to refresh its fighting forces and allowing Urcea additional time to mobilize and prepare.
There are also some nation-specific considerations. Lots of countries seem to have major changes during wartime, especially Carna and the Cape. I think the Cape's trevails can be well tied into the war, but keeping an "event" happening in the 40s seems like it is deferential to these players.


==== Temporary Placeholder Skip ====
Lastly, people have expressed interest in a shorter war. I (Urc) agree; 27 years is too long even if the original concept was decent. I like the neat concept of a 9 year war, with each bit comprising 3 year phases. The first 3 years are the Levantine "siege" period and the initial Crona war, with the Audonian War and Second Fratricide happening similtaneously. The 2nd phase is the "Sarpedon War Proper", wherein Caphiria invades Dorhaven and the two western allies jump in, with the reclamation beginning probably in the latter half of this while Urcea focuses on side theaters. I think Fin-Fan would also begin during Phase 2, with Kuhlfros being pro-Derian in Phase 1. The third phase would be the "end game" period, wherein Caphiria is steadily losing basically everywhere. Maybe Faneria capitulates or peaces out or whatever during this third phae.


===Player motivations===


==== Another placeholder skip ====
====Caphiria====
With public opinion turning and pressure from the King, the [[Government of Urcea]] opened back-channel negotiations with the [[Government of Caphiria]] on October 15th, 1952. Urcea's main allies in the conflict - [[Cartadania]] and [[Burgundie]] - had determined to end the war with a settled peace earlier in 1951, and the assassination in Urcea turned [[Burgundie]]'s attention from its commitments in [[Audonia]] to the ongoing [[Third Fratricide]]. Consequently, the initial back-channel negotiations had evolved into public negotiations in neutral [[Kiravia]] between four of the five members of the [[Levantia and Odoneru Treaty Association]] and [[Caphiria]]. [[Veltorina]] was excluded from peace negotiations, and several of [[Caphiria]]'s allies - such as [[Faneria]] - joined the negotiations by January. On 18 February 1953, the powers had agreed to a cease-fire pending a final settlement of the conflict, though low level fighting continued on several fronts, most notably between [[Burgundie]] and militant groups in [[Audonia]]. Negotiations concluded with the signing of the [[Treaty of Kartika]], which brought the war to an end on 19 May 1953. [[Caphiria]] and other powers recognized the [[Treaty of Corcra]] and the soon-to-be-formed [[Levantine Union]] as well as acknowledging any settlement with the [[Deric States]] that the [[Levantia and Odoneru Treaty Association]] allies agreed to. [[Caphiria]] acknowledged war guilt in [[Levantia]] while [[Urcea]] controversially acknowledged war guilt in [[Sarpedon]], with both powers pledging to pay reparations to other associated powers on either side. [[Urcea]] had both gained and lost much from the final outcome of the war; most divisive was the agreement by [[Urcea]] to the annexation of [[Veltorina]] by [[Caphiria]] in exchange for the independence of and unification of the lands of [[Valcenia]], which would retain Iulia's place in LOTA. [[Urcea]] agreed to host the [[Veltorine government-in-exile]], but many veterans and Veltorines felt that Urcea had betrayed Veltorina in exchange for peace in the [[Deric States]]; the betrayal would sting for a generation to come. The Treaty settled other theaters of the war with less Urcean involvement, and in [[Audonia]], [[Burgundie]] managed to dictate the terms of the peace. All powers involved agreed to form a [[League of Nations]] in order to prevent such a war - and such a delayed, controversial peace - from occurring ever again.


=== Third Fratricide ===
ICly and OOCly, Heky has a fixation on Talionia. Manipulating the internal affairs of the Derians in order to distract the Urceans to the point where taking Dorhaven is achievable is realistic ICly and OOCly.
''More Information: [[Third Fratricide]]''


[[Urcea]] did not wait for the treaty negotiations that would lead to the [[Treaty of Kartika]] to conclude. The ceasefire functionally ending the shooting phase of the [[Second Great War]] in [[Sarpedon]] was sufficient, and by 1 June 1953, 70 divisions of the [[Royal and Imperial Army (Urcea)|Royal and Imperial Army]] were mobilizing in [[Eastvale]] and [[Burgundiemarch]]. On the King's request, the [[Concilium Daoni]] formally declared war on the Derian Liberation League and its member-states on 10 June 1953, formally entering [[Urcea]] into the [[Third Fratricide]]. Intending to support the states of the Derian National Congress, the [[Royal and Imperial Army (Urcea)|Royal and Imperial Army]] crossed the border on 11 June, and many divisions were deployed to the capital cities of [[Hollona and Diorisia]] and [[Vorenia]], both of which had been threatened previously. The Royal and Imperial Army then divided its forces; the "Southern Prong" focused on the full liberation of [[Vorenia]] in order to allow forces from [[Burgundie]] to enter the [[Deric States]], while the "Northern Prong" would push to [[Corcra]], much of which was overrun by Liberation forces. The Royal and Imperial Army had begun to pull most of its forces out of [[Sarpedon]] by 5 June, and by summer 1954 it planned to have a full 200 divisions deployed to the [[Deric States]].
====Caergwynn====
Caergwynn has been eying the lands the Fanerians stole in (early 19th century war that undermined the old Republic) and is also worried by Caphirian aggression. The country begins serious war preparations after the invasion of Taliona, and joins the war outright in June of that year, negotiating entry to the alliance from May as Fiannria is desperate for reinforcements-desperate enough to not object to Dol Awraidd taking those lands in compensation for its efforts.  


The focus on the continental war for the last two decades and subsequent return to war in Levantia was a major blow for the [[National Pact (Urcea)|National Pact]], who had won each election since 1930. Though the general populace felt that the Pact deserved another term in 1950 to complete the war, by 1948 most Urceans were skeptical of how [[Sarpedon]] was of any concern to Urcea. The assassination of the King, combined with a reopening of hostilities in [[Dericania]], turned the public decidedly against the Pact. Consequently, National Pact leadership began an aggressive plan to finish deployment of the 200 divisions promised by January of 1954. As these plans unfolded, existing [[Royal and Imperial Army (Urcea)|Royal and Imperial Army]] were joined by freshly redeployed forces from [[Burgundie]] in September 1953 and defeated Liberation Army forces decisively at the Battle of Albiga, pushing them out of the country and freeing all of [[Vorenia]] from organized socialist resistance forces. The "Southern Prong" offensive was incredibly successful, allowing allied forces to enter the Deric States from the south and west, but the "Northern Prong" was less successful. The Royal and Imperial Army had been bogged down at Rendana, a city in [[Corcra]], and failed to break out by 10 November, meaning that all operations were canceled until the promised 200 divisions arrived. [[Urcea]] and its Deric allies spent much of the winter planning the next year's offensives while engaged in a major disagreement over strategic bombing in [[Dericania]]. Urcean command argued it was necessary to subdue the Liberation forces while the Deric allies believed it would be detrimental from a morale point of view and would hamper the Deric States economic development in the years after the war.
====Vithinja====


Over the winter, the [[Royal and Imperial Army (Urcea)|Royal and Imperial Army]] reorganized campaign forces in order to create a rational military command structure. With considerable hesitation, the forces of the Derian National Congress agreed to be subsumed into a single military hierarchy and command structure, an important precursor to the establishment of the later [[Levantine Union]]. The allies decided the best approach would be to push to the Levantine Ocean by capturing Loreseia and splitting the Deric States in half, marginalizing the Liberation forces. Organized Liberation operations collapsed following the successful March Offensive in Loreseia, though fractured cells and units remained in pockets throughout the Deric States. In April, the Liberation League officially disbanded and its remaining constituent members - the Socialist Republic of Vinesia and the Democratic Socialist State of Allaria - unconditionally surrendered on 17 April 1954. Both states refused to surrender to the Deric States, so [[Urcea]] accepted Vinesia's surrender and [[Burgundie]] accepted Allaria's. The six allied Deric States, [[Urcea]], and [[Burgundie]] convened at [[Electorsbourg]] from April to July 1954, eventually agreeing to and signing the [[Treaty of Electorsbourg]]. The Treaty established the [[Deric States|Deric Confederation]] of all of the states of the former [[Kingdom of Dericania]] excepting [[Burgundie]]. It established the Confederation as the legal successor of the [[Kingdom of Dericania]], and additionally finalized border changes and Mediatization called for but not implemented in the [[Treaty of Corcra]].
Need to suffer a major (probably naval) defeat to cause internal crisis causing republic to be overthrown. Current idea is for Caergwynn and Vithinja to have mutual defense pact which is violated (probably either by Faneria or Fiannria that drags Vithinja into the war. Vithinja will likely exit the war early just to reenter late taking little part.


The Treaty of Electorsbourg formally brought to an end a generation of war for [[Urcea]]. At war since 1927, a large percentage of the population could not remember a time before hostilities began nearly three decades before. Critically, it laid the groundwork for negotiations later in 1953 that would transform Urcea and [[Burgundie]]'s Istroya Pact into something including all of the former members of the [[Holy Levantine Empire]]. The bloodshed and considerable socio-economic disruption in Dericania lead to the conclusion that the former Empire's flaws could be reformed away with the creation of a free union between its member states. Following months of negotiations, the [[Levantine Union]] Treaty was signed on June 1st, 1954 and came into effect the same day, creating the [[Levantine Union]] between [[Urcea]], [[Burgundie]], [[Anglei]], and the newly established ten [[Deric States]]. [[Fiannria]] would agree to join later in 1955, reuniting the entire 1935 [[Holy Levantine Empire]] into a new union.
(Idea, altering or possibly replacing the above):
Instead of the original plan for a Caeric-Vithinjan defense pact that draws Vithinja into the war when Caergwynn is attacked, perhaps instead it could be a situation where Vithinja isn't technically obligated to enter (as Caergwynn hasn't been attacked). However, Vithinja follows its Caeric ally in anyway after a few days of indecision, as Caergwynn is still a valued ally, neutrality would not be enough to satisfy the NatCons if they win, and a Faneria that rules all the southern straits would be "a dagger pointed eternally northwards", in the words of the Vithinjan Foreign Minister.
Vithinja doesn't do all that much-maybe this caution is in the wake of the naval disaster mooted above-but it denies Kilikas-access to Caergwynn's enemies and helps them and the rest of the alliance a bit out navally otherwise.
 
===Participants by theater===
====Levantia====
See Broad outline for now
 
====Sarpedon====
See Broad outline for now
 
====Audonia====
[[File:30th and 20th Punjabis, Lovett 1910.jpg|Peshabi-Burgoignesc infantry of the Foreign Legion|150px|right]]
**[[Burgundie]] (and [[Urcea]]) supporting [[Bulkh]] against [[Puhktunkhwa]]
**[[Burgundie]] (and [[Urcea]]) vs anti-occidentalists on [[Salarive]]
**[[Burgundie]] (and [[Urcea]]) supporting [[Umardwal]] against [[Caphiria]]n-backed [[Zaclaria]] (potentially the catalyst for them becoming a crown protectorate?)
 
====Alshar====
*Alshari Western Theater: [[Burgundie]] (and [[Urcea]]) supporting [[Jalqolak]] vs [[Corumm]]ese invasion (includes the Corummese occupation of [[Ayermer]] for a time)
*Alshari Eastern Theater: [[Burgundie]] (and [[Urcea]]) supporting [[Pukhgundi]] vs anti-occidentalists
====Crona====
*Veroui Revolt- Ethnically Burgoignac-Veroui people revolt (supported by [[Alstin]] and [[Burgundie]]) against [[Ehemo]]an rule to establish [[Veraise]] which becomes an autonamous territory of [[Alstin]] at the end of the war.
===Helpful linkage===
 
Begins with [[Ten Year Plan (Caphiria)]] ends with [[Atomic bombing of Cavosia]]
 
== Summary of Events thru ca 1940 ==
 
Note: much of the geography here will have to be rebuilt as part of broader Sarp lore changes.
 
# '''Background:''' In previous war Caphiria annexed Veltorina and beat up the WAllies. It was promised Talionia, which was not handed over due to regime change. Caphiria is dominant on Sarpedon and most powers are chafing. K of Urcea elected Emperor in 1920 against backdrop of failing situation in the Holy Levantine Empire, and Caphiria hopes to use it as a means to conquer Talionia. Caphiria secretly funds 1925 socialist uprisings in Deric States as proof of concept (not employing major arms supplies really), and these uprisings tie down Urcea and its allies. In 1928 Caphirian policymakers implement the Ten Year Plan in 1928, devising incorporation of Talionia by 1938 by means of a general Derian uprising by 1935 accompanied by an invasion of Talionia which Urcea would have to accept as a fait accompli.  As part of a general strategy, they begin to mobilize and rearm.
# The rearmament is detected by Pelaxia + Cartadania, who (after GW1 beating) form a mutual defense alliance with themselves and with Burgundie. This expansion, by 1929, necessitates a Caphirian expansion of the Ten Year Plan with anti-Burgundie and potential anti-Fiannrian engagement strategies in order to ensure there were no missed contingencies in Levantia. Caphiria begins to secretly coordinate with the leadership of Corumm, who has been plotting a joint move against Burgundie since around 1922. With Caphirian arms and money guaranteed, they begin to prepare themselves and lay the groundwork with native Burg dependent princes, etc., as well as making connections with already extant rebel bands and nationalist leaders in Burg colonies and dependencies.
# With unexpected covert cooperation from Fiannria, the general Derian uprising occurs in March 1934, kicking off a general war there and the initial phase of the Second Great War, though it has not escalated there yet. Urcea and Burgundie form their initial alliance against Derian nationalists, and most of the focus throughout much of 1934 is keeping Burgundie in the war as its continental forces are notoriously small or absent. Burgundie's struggles and necessity of the R&IA to prevent Derian incursions gives the eastern countries their opening, precipitating a general uprising in Audonia/Alshar in September 1934, with Corumm and Kloistan declaring war at the same time as many of the formerly dependent princes and national groups. Burgundie forces do better here than in Levantia due to their mostly-overseas disposition. Fiannria still funnels weapons to the Derians, which the Caphirians are mostly fine with but they did make promises to Faneria as part of their ten year plan. Accordingly, Faneria cites instability within the HLE and irredentist claims and launches a surprise invasion of Fiannria in October 1934, catching the Fiannrians utterly off-guard. The Derians lose a key supporter and the Fiannrians are (reluctantly) welcomed into the Urc-Burg alliance. Weapons for the Derians from Caphiria are still regularly smuggled across the Vandarch by Fanerians. At this point, the Levantine Allies are aware of massive shipments of money and arms flowing into the Alshar/donia theater from Caphiria through Zaclaria, but due to Caphiria's neutrality they are unable to do much about it beyond stops for minor ocean territory violations (where they occur). Corummese and Kloi offensives begin against Burg allies and Burg positions in earnest during December 1934, which is fine campaign season for the equatorial parts of Alshar and Audonia. The war ends this year in Dericania with a "war of artillery" grinding things to a halt and poor early allied armored doctrine failing.
# By January 1935, things have basically gone according to plan for Caphiria. With Urcea's R&IA fully committed in Dericania and its allies entirely bogged down with existential threats elsewhere, Caphiria has two assumptions. First, it assumes that the alliance between Burgundie and the WestSarp Allies will not be honored as the latter two would not put themselves in danger over it (essentially a "scrap of paper" situation) and secondly that Urcea will not be able or willing to seriously contest the invasion of Talionia, and by the time the Kingdom is overrun (they anticipate July 1935) Urcea will have to accept it as a fait accompli to preserve the war in the HLE and Burg's continental war. Accordingly, Caphiria declares war on Talionia (but not Urcea, a somewhat clever diplomatic ruse to make the Levantines look like aggressors) on January 17, 1935 and begins the invasion the same day. Urcea and Burgundie declare war on Caphiria on January 18th, with Caphiria responding on January 20th. Critically, following tense debate in both parliaments, Pelaxia and Cartadania honor their obligations and declare war on Caphiria five days later on January 25th. Catching Venceia by surprise, many forces in Urlazio have to be diverted away from the Talionia invasion and are sent to the western border. Caphiria's ally/client, Vachena, honors its treaty obligations and declares war on all allied countries on January 27th. By February 7th the Caphirian forces have lost the initiative in Talionia and are forced to assume a defensive position, having taken half of the country but failing to deliver a knockout blow to the small Talionian military and the small supplemented R&IA forces there.
# Urcea induces Fiannria to use its colonial forces in defense of Burg possessions, a somewhat awkward situation, but they do so nonetheless as Urcean military commitments to the East are recalled and sent West. A good portion of the Royal Navy remains in the war in the east. On the sea lanes, Caphirian supplies and cash begin to dry up as the country's status of a belligerent puts its transports and convoys in danger, and by the end of February 1935 the larger Urcean Royal Navy/Burgundie Navy have established sea lane supremacy between Sarpedon and Dericania/AlsDonia. The Corummese and Kloi navies make small sorties in an attempt to establish control over the sea in their respective areas. Most Levantine Eastern squadron ships are a generation or two older, but there's a lot of them. Accordingly, the CorKloi navies have to be picky about using their smaller number of more modern ships, picking off isolated targets in "smart target choice" sorties. Ultimately, there will be no decisive eastern naval battle as the Levantines establish general control of the sea but the CorKloi naval capacity is never exactly destroyed or diminished. Ground fighting in this theater is largely small scale skirmishes fought along a front (if it could be called) of loose, mobile skirmisher units across thousands of miles, or are marine actions against centers of power (i.e. princes besieged in capital cities, etc.). Interesting developments occur here in the air war with Fiannrian Oriental Squadrons - very small but elite corps of pilots - patent some now standard techniques and really excel. Corummese and Kloi air forces really see their modern birth during this early period of the conflict.
# Urcea commits to total war and begins conscription as well as temporary nationalization of industry to begin producing arms and materiel for a two front war. Forces intended for the Burgundie East are instead deployed to Urlazio by March 1st in order to form an ad hoc western theater army
# In Dericania, the early 1935 campaign season sees some successes of modernish armored doctrine and mass use by the Urceans, creating some critical breakthroughs in some sectors. The various combatant groups and rebellious states declare the Derian Republic Diplomats in Dericania are also trying a different tack, offering implicit Urcean recognition of local Republican revolutionary regimes (and sheltering their dispossessed nobles in exchange for dropping claim) in exchange for ending their hostilities. There is some interest but all negotiations end with these local powers with the preservation of the HLE - not only its irrational administration but its inherent sovereignty model - as a non-starter. Despite allied victories along the western-southern front in Dericania, Corcra falls to the Derian Republic on March 26th, 1935.
# No major action between Caphiria and the Western Allies along the main front, but a Cartadanian invasion of Vachena begins in earnest on March 24th, 1935. Caphirian forces launch another major attack in Talionia on March 18th, 1935 and are largely successful, now occupying 2/3rds of the country before being driven back. They are also launching successful offenses into Cartadanian portions of Urlazio beginning on March 29th to relieve the pressure on Vachena but these are more focused on disrupting Cartadanian offensive capability on the island and drawing forces away from Vachena.
# Levantine allies successfully induce Metzetta, to that point neutral, to join the war on the side of the allies on March 30th, 1935 by promising islands currently held by Corummese tributary Tanhai.
# With battle lines being drawn in Western Sarpedon, @Aciria is induced by the allies to join the war on April 6th, 1935. Aciria is promised the @Burgundie controlled island of Port Arleau and the Caphirian held island of Lides, with Port Arleau being ceded by 1940 and Lides going to Aciria in hypothetical post-war peace deal.
# Fiannria informs Urcea and Burgundie on March 13th 1935 that its intended deployment of resources to the east in defense of Burgundie possessions may no longer be feasible given Fanerian progress and essentially issues an ultimatum to the southern Levantine allies to give it some relief. Faced with these tough choices, Urcea ultimately diverts some forces from Dericania as well as the intended reinforcements from Talionia for a nothern campaign designed to open overland supply routes and more readily contest the Vandarch, as well as opening the Carolina-Grand Canal for wartime business. The Northern Campaign is launched on April 14th by Urcea from the south and a limited Fiannrian force from the north. Urcea first violates Anglei's neutrality, but occupies its capitol rapidly and says it intends to respect the country's non-involvement so long as transport and trade through it is accepted. The two allies then launch a joint offensive into what is today Hollona and Diorisia on April 17th. The area, occupied by the Derian Republic's Autonomous Vandarch Area (essentially a local warlord controlled territory), is quickly dispatched by pressure from both fronts. Based on their earlier backchannel negotiation attempts, Urcea has a somewhat novel idea: rather than restoring the Elector of Diorisia or the multitude of small princes and prince-bishoprics, Urcea reaches an agrerment with the Church and Elector for later compensation and consolidates the area into the Provisional Republic of Hollona and Diorisia. The Republic, called collaborators by some, empowers some local revolutionaries sympathetic to the allied cause, and propaganda campaigns begin regarding the "inherent differences" of the Hol/Dio people who have always fit awkwardly into Derian national identity. The Republic's creation comes with an intentionally ambiguous relationship to the HLE, non-participating in its institutions but final status to be determined after the war.
# On June 2nd, 1935, Caergwynn enters the War after negotiations with first Fiannria and then the rest of the Levantine coalition, being promised Fanerian lands it has revanchist claims on in exchange for its assistance. Though not formally obliged to, Caergwynn's ally Vithinja joins its southern neighbor in anti-Faneria belligerency on the 6th of that month.
# The lack of reinforcements leads to Talionian defense forces adopting a national redoubt strategy, retreating to the southeastern tip of the country for the most part by April 10th and "turtling", essentially, behind pre-constructed defensive perimeters. WIth Urcean naval ability, it is anticipated that these forces will be able to be resupplied for some time. Some delaying efforts are made to stop the Caphirian advance, and the Caphirians had not been ready for another offensive until around May 1st, and accordingly their occupation of the lightly contested areas does not fully occur until April 23rd. Caphiria maintains a "siege" force but redeploys the bulk of its Talionian-facing forces to western Urlazio and the western front of Sarpedon in order to coincide with a general offensive on the western front to begin in June. While Caphiria had intended to take the entire Kingdom and use it as a springboard to launch raids into Crotona and potentially Urcea proper in order to induce them to leave the war, Aciria joining the war has heightened the priority of the western theater for the Caphirians and accordingly the besieged position in Talionia will suffice.
# Caphirian Legions begin their general western offensive on May 15th following weeks of light skirmishing. At this time, Caphirian borders reach to the sea and Pelaxia and Cartadania are both isolated from each other. Naval linking efforts are partly successful as Burgundie navy is involved in the Kindreds, but the Caphirian navy is still at full strength and the area is hotly contested. Caphiria basically intends to push on Alahuela rapidly to knock them out of the war and create a puppet government allowing them to isolate Aciria and Pelaxia in the Kindreds. By this point, however, Vachena is pretty much overrun and Cart has forces (and ports) to spare. Caphirian forces feint into Pelaxia but launch essentially a combined arms blitzkrieg into Cartadania with the beginning of the offensive, opening up a major hole in the Cartadanian lines that isn’t closed until they’ve advanced 75 miles in the first four days. Despite being overcommitted basically everywhere else, Cartadania requests Burgoinac marines from nearby colonies as reinforcements and they are granted. Most Allies (correctly) suspect Vallos will not be a major theater of combat
# General campaigning in Sarpedon occurs from May to October 1935, primarily involving Caphirian breakthrough efforts in southeastern Cartadania. Caphiria loses the initiative by June and a new stalemate occurs, though the intended effect of giving Vachena some room to breathe is acheieved. In Levantia, Burgundie's borders are now largely secured and allied forces, especially the R&IA with limited Fiannrian support, shift priority to continually widening the northern corridor, believe that to be the best path to success. Allied forces spent the summer subduing modern Kronenia, which is accomplished by the end of this period and allied forces are threatening Corcra. In the east, Corummese forces begin the siege of Ayermer and spent the summer fighting in Rusana, having successfully ejected Burgundie coastal forts and trade factories. Pukhgundi area's "confederation of princes", the Corummese-funded organization leading the war effort, splinters on 18 October with a contingent of local princes returning to their alliance with Burgundie, leading to a massive and bloody civil war which lays the groundwork for the later ethnic divisions which would establish Peshabiwar as independent.
# October 27, 1935. The Battle of Vonein sees a Fanerian taskforce surprise an underprepared Vithinjan fleet stationed off that island (the Caeric detachment that was supposed to be patrolling between Vonein and Sorhaithe had recently been withdrawn to aid Fiannrian forces farther south). Surprise and miscommunication between the Vithinjan ships lead to a lopsided Fanerian victory, with the Vithinjan flagship sunk and the fleet scattered. Though wintry sea conditions and mounting distractions elsewhere prevent Faneria from fully taking advantage of its victory, the debacle severely hampers Vithinjan operations for the rest of the war, and ultimately helps to undermine the Vithinjan government after the war. However, this is overshadowed by events in the Adonaire a few days later.
# November 2, 1935. At the battle of the Adonaire Strait - the Urcean term for the opening between Talionia and former Veltorina which provides access to the Urlazian Sea - most of Caphiria's best and biggest capital ships are sunk or heavily damaged in the major naval turning point of the war. Though Urcea's capital ships were outnumbered, the fleet sent to stop the Caphirians included a small number of aircraft carriers diverted from elsehwere. The carriers had mostly scout planes and a few planes with ground attack capabilities. As the Urceans began to lose the battle, quick thinking pilots used the attack planes to bomb the Caphirian ships, which only had limited anti-air complements. This only really worked as it was a crystal clear day wherein otherwise pilots untrained in naval navigation would have had significant difficulty in their task. As it was, it was clear that naval air power was the future at the end of the day, with the Caphirian ships either sent scurrying back to port where they would remain for most of the rest of the war or sitting at the bottom of the Urlazian Sea. The battle, simply known in Caphiria as the "Naval Disaster", was kept from the public for decades; the ships that were destroyed were gradually reported as losses throughout the next few months, depicting them as replacable attrition rather than a devestating loss. '''(To be totally revised)'''
# November 10, 1935. In response to its loss at the Adonaire Strait, Caphirian high command authorizes the use of unrestricted submarine warfare. Current naval construction is halted, and in the years to come submarines will be the primary construction of the Caphirian navy.
# November 14, 1935. Caphirian submarine based out of new pens in the Cape sinks an Arcerion cargo ship bound for Urcea, which explodes upon being hit. Arco government confirms it was delivering weapons to Levantia; Caphirians insist this was an unfortunate military necessity while Arcos argue that commerce is perfectly legal. After two weeks of negotiations between the two sides, Arcerion unilaterally cuts off negotiations and begins Operation Lightfoot, the invasion of the Cape. Capetian and Caphirian governments maintain that Arco government was negotiating in bad faith and was buying time to begin the invasion. Arco government claims that Caphiria was stringing it along until they could provide reinforcements to the Cape.
# 1935 ends with two major military operations. After fighting to a successfulish impasse against Cartadania and Pelaxia, Caphiria has also completed an impressive defensive line facing Aciria, which Caphirian command believes may exit the war if the other Western allies are defeated, viewing them as a potential client in the decades to come. In Urlazio, December sees a three week attempt by the Legions to break into the Talionia redoubt, which fails and is called off by December 18 following 25,000 casualties. In the east, @Metzetta launches its invasion of the largest island in the southern sea, "XXX", which is inhabited by ethnic Metzettans but occupied by Tanhai, a Corummese tributary state. The invasion establishes a beachhead but grinds to a stalemate as sea control in the area remains heavily contested.
# On January 4th, 1936, the various anti-Levantine co belligerents sign an official alliance and treaty of cooperation known as the National-Continental Co-Belligerency League. This alliance would be disbanded at the end of the war and includes a wide variety of interests and ideologies ranging from national independence in Levantia and Audonia to Marxist revolution in Crona to continental domination in Sarpedon. The alliance ends up largely being a failure globally but a relative success in some localized areas, in particular leading to better coordination between Faneria/DericRepublic in Levantia. In Alshar it is extremely successful in bringing about greater coordination, though the Alshar-Audonia branch of the alliance in time comes to be little more than a Corummese sphere organization
# The new communist government of the Cape makes successful contact with Caphiria in May 1935 and the two sides begin negotiations. An alliance of convenience, not unlike Caphiria's commitments in Alshar and Audonia, is on the table, as Caphiria is very interested in the strategic utility and pressure that the Cape and Vachena could exert on Vallos. Submarine bases in the Cape would also allow Caphiria, at least in theory, to heavily disrupt allied reinforcement efforts to their western colonies and would allow significant control over the western Odoneru. The Cape is primarily interested in weapons. Urcean intelligence learns of these developments by the end of May and forwards them on to Kurst. The Arco government issues a formal letter of protest but bides its time.
# Skipping specific campaign lore from here on out. High level events only. After slowly turning the tide and grinding down Derian nationalists, the Dericania front increasingly becomes a side concern for Urcea and Burgundie. Allies begin back channel negotiations with Derian nationalist groups. Emperor Brian renounces right to "govern in" Dericania, Fiannria, Burgundie, and Anglei while not abdicating for abjuring his throne as Holy Levantine Emperor as part of negotiated settlement in May 1937. Despite complaints of conservatives and others, individual peace agreements can now be signed with the few remaining free-standing Derian nationalist statelets, the allies, and allied-aligned powers. Instead, the Treaty of Corcra is signed 4 September 1937 formally acknowledging the earlier renunciation of HLE authority over those areas, ability of de Welutas to keep the title/artifacts, recognition of the Derian free states, various financial agreements to cover the disposessed, and all the other stuff you would imagine to "settle" the area. Third Fratricide will soon begin as anti-treaty forces and socialist revolutionaries will launch major uprisings against shaky "treaty states" of Dericania. Urcea and Fiannria can fully commit forces elsewhere. Fiannria is doing poorly by now (?) and needed the help, whereas the war in Sarpedon had been fought to a draw by 4 September. War in Alshar and Audonia was ongoing with heavy fighting  between Tanhai and Metzetta which would continue throughout the war. Deric theater ends.
# Beginning of 1938: Urlazio is retaken in force by Acirio-Urcean joint operation, stunning Caphirian military leadership. Total sea control aided in the task. Caphirians maintain a small number of forts facing Venceia across the Urlazian Sea. Loss there complicates supply picture for them and makes Urcea-to-Aciria supply fairly easy. Caphiria begins being subject to strategic air bombing. While still doing well in mainland Sarpedon, Caphirian leaders consider these factors - as well as the failure of the timeline of the ten year plan and their assumptions - in focusing a lot of development on extremely experimental weapons, increasingly believing that they will win the war as R&IA Deployments in Sarpedon theater grow significantly every month. Nuclear research breakthroughs happen in 1938 but are still a long, long way from a viable weapon.
# More fighting in Sarpedon in 1938. Capetian forces are making gains by this point (?). Faneria reaches its greatest point of advance (?) before newly available R&IA troops and Urcean military as well as improved Fiannrian army jointly push back Fanerians and surround their breakthrough. General fighting everywhere.
# 1939. Major contacts made in Volonia by Acirian forces (GC Lorenzo). Allied production and military availability means modern, larger units are finally arriving in Alshar, with older dreadnaughts and shit finally taken out of service and modern naval assets being used. The war begins to turn steadily in the allies favor in Alshar. Meanwhile, after years of offensives and counter offensives, the Caphirian Legion is finally driven out of the pre-war territorial borders of Aciria. The worst years of fighting in terms of bloodshed are about to begin as both sides will spend significant amount of time trying to achieve supremacy in the western mountain ranges of Sarpedon. While the allies are beginning to have the edge in the air war, it's not guaranteed they'll hold it every time. More stuff happens in Northern Levantia, which becomes the short-term priority of allied forces through 1939 and 1940.
 
== further backups ==
 
This may be re-added, but I wanted a super clean slate in order to begin working on this today
 
===Decline of the Holy Levantine Empire===
====First Fratricide and Fourth Kin War====
In the Wake of the Third Caroline War, the Peoples Spring of [[1848]] saw the formation of formidable groups in fifteen Imperial states which formed their own protests, revolts, and organized labor actions. These were brutally suppressed by then-Emperor Louis XI, leading to the long-winded violence of the [[First Fratricide]]. Many Derians had long feared that Urcea would attempt to consume the [[Kingdom of Dericania]] and its constituent states, and Derians now felt that the only thing keeping the Urceans away - the Imperial Court - would no longer protect them. Some speculated that Corcra would attempt to keep the “northern liberals” out of “southern politics” - fears which reached new heights in [[1887]], when [[Faneria|The Kingdom of Fhainnlannachaeran]] [[Fourth Kin War|openly invaded]] Imperial territory through [[Fiannria]]. The Imperial response to this flagrant assault on its being was the Emperor enforcing a non-engagement order, barring any of the other Holy Levantine states from coming to Fiannria’s defense. This breach of the long-standing mutual defense customs the Empire had once held flamed fears of both internal warfare and foreign conquest, shattering much of the remaining goodwill held towards the HLE in Deria. The surprise victory of Fiannria in the war proved bittersweet, as it left many feeling they were better left to their own devices than relying on the Imperial court.
====Red Interregnum====
{{Main|Red Interregnum}}
In Urcea, developments in the government lead to the regency of and consolidation of power by [[Gréagóir FitzRex]], who sought to elevate the military above the traditional nobility and spearhead a number of reforms culminating in an attempt at outright seccession from the Holy Levantine Empire. The resulting [[Red Interregnum|civil war]] involved members of the Empire, and eventually the Empire as a whole, intervening in the war on behalf of [[House de Weluta]] against the Crown Regent. It also resulted in the Depression of 1900, which destabilized the Empire and lead to mass uprisings in the Dericania, as well as reigniting the longstanding feud between [[Urcea]] and [[Caphiria]], politically charging the role of the [[Catholic Church]] in Levantia. FitzRex was replaced with the short-lived Urcean Republic, which created a left-wing, idealistic radical socialist state from which Derian revolutionaries were later inspired; the Republic was shortly overturned and the the primacy of the King of Urcea reinstated in [[1902]]. With the de Welutas restored to the Julian Throne, the Recess of the Julii came to an end, temporarily strengthening the Empire despite the severe economic depression and uprisings. During the conflict, there were isolated shooting incidents between the Levantines and Caphirian expeditionaries who supported the Crown Regency. These skirmishes would prove to be a prelude to the coming conflict.
====The Powder Keg====
In [[1909]], the Grand Duchy of Anivania was gripped by violence as republican forces took control of the ducal palace and declared a republic. By [[1911]], the conclusion of the civil war and declaration of the Serene Republic of Anivania were completed. The new state's use of “Serene” to emphasize its sovereignty was not recognized by most other Imperial states, but its success in achieving and maintaining autonomy sparked other movements across the Empire. In [[1920]], as it became clear violence and instability was gripping the Empire, the [[Collegial Electorate]] did what would have been unthinkable a century before and elected King James VI of Urcea as Holy Levantine Emperor in a last-ditch effort to stabilize the Empire's internal affairs. It was thought that Urcea's muscle behind the Empire may have given it the resources needed to hold itself together; simultaneously, it eroded the last shreds of serious support for the Empire in Dericania. The next year, in [[1921]], the Electorate of Aescarata faced a socialist revolt. [[Urcea]] intervened, with the intervention evolving into outright occupation. By [[1925]], the region was considered a "powder keg", waiting for the right spark to explode. This was aided along by agents from [[Caphiria]], who since the [[Red Interregnum]] had worked to foment unrest, eliminate charismatic officials and strongmen supporters of the Empire, and undermine Levantine wartime readiness. Caphiria capitalized on the fever-pitch of Derian nationalism, intending to have a Latin-dominated state in the orbit of [[Venceia]] burst from the corpse of the Holy Levantine Empire. This interest was not primarily in Dericania itself per se, but rather eastward, in [[Veltorina]], whose independence was guaranteed by [[Urcea]] and other Imperial states.
===Republican Revolutions===
====Capetian Revolution====
====Fhainnin Revolution and Militarization====
{{Main|Fhainnin Civil War}}The [[Kingdom of the Fhainn|Kingdom of Fhainnlannachaeran]] had suffered a number of internal issues since its first constitution in 1830, and was forced to put down local nationalist uprisings in [[Culriocha]], [[Namhe]], and [[Leucwar]] during the 1848 Peoples' Spring. In spite of this, it had won in the defensively-fought [[Third Kin War]] against [[Fiannria]], which directly caused the [[White Revolution]], and maintained its new territories on the Nordskan coast and across the Ereglasian Isthmus and stood at the height of its power. Republican and socialist groups, while strong politically, remained marginalized, and the Kingdom appeared to be ascendant enough to compete with the [[Burgundie|Burgundines]] for the title of second among the states of [[Levantia]] after [[Urcea]]. This radically changed with the [[Fourth Kin War]], which ended almost solely due to the personal ineptitude of King [[Rethys V Suthar-Màrtainn|Rethys V]], ceding massive territories along the [[Vandarch]] coast to Fiannria to free himself from imprisonment. Afterwards, the history of Faneria became bloodied with riots, territorial wars with [[Vithinja]], returning exiles from [[the Cape]], [[Fiannria]], and [[Carna]], and eventually the violent overthrow of the monarchy in the [[Fhainnin Civil War|Fhainnin Revolution]] of 1906.
Afterwards, Faneria's republic initially focused on repairing its economy and military, but after the death of the Republic's semi-dictatorial figurehead, [[Callac Cananach]], in 1922, parliamentary politics were undermined by the socially dominant revolutionary military. [[Cion Faelhaen]], a military officer pardoned by the Republicans and reinstated as a general, eventually became Director of the Republic after widespread campaign of political terror, including the assassination of one heads of government in 1932 and the imprisonment of another 1934, after which he selected a Taesteach loyal to the militarist faction of the Republican Party. Throughout the lat3 1920s and early 1930s, the civilian government was chilled into silence through threats and occasional violence, and a growing alliance between the perpetual revolutionary doctrine of Faelhaen's faction and the already powerful pan-Gaelic movement formulated a doctrine of Gaelic unification under the perception that Fiannria and the other Gaelic nations were illegitimate states whose people would welcome unity in a single nation.
 
In reality, such propaganda was simply an excuse to wage a war against Fiannria intended to prevent its surpassing Faneria, and to capitalize on perceived Imperial weakness to reclaim lost territories, as well as to distract from growing tensions with [[Caergwynn]] over the gains made in the [[Boreal War]], which had been retained even through the Revolution.
===1GW===
A massive opportunity presented itself in the 1890s with the rise of [[Gréagóir FitzRex]] in [[Urcea]] and beginning of the [[Red Interregnum]]. Caphiria offered its full support to FitzRex, providing materiel and volunteers to fight against the now-hated [[House de Weluta]]. The prospect of a FitzRex victory was promising not only due to the destabilizing nature of regime change but because his desire to destroy socialism and secede from the [[Holy Levantine Empire]] lined up with Caphiria's own goals, and FitzRex indicated that if he was victorious, he may be willing to surrender [[Talionia]] and would not interfere in [[Veltorina]]. The [[Imperial Naval Fleet]] began to actively interdict the [[Navy of Burgundie]], which impeded the Legitimist cause significantly.
 
With the Urceans and Burgoignesc absorbed in the fighting in [[Levantia]], Caphiria launched the [[First Great War]], calling on what allies it could to wage war against [[Veltorina]], [[Pelaxia]], and [[Cartadania]], aiming to overrun all its major continental adversaries without Levantine intervention.
 
In Levantia, FitzRex began to court socialism in order to gain the support lower class revolutionaries, allowing socialists to win a majority in the [[Concilium Daoni]] in 1900. Caphiria, bitterly disappointed, continued to support the regime with limited vigor, and their gradual withdrawal led to the [[Fall of Cana]]. The collapse of FitzRex's Crown Regency and the rise of the short-lived [[Urcean Republic]] led [[Venceia]] to reluctantly recognize the restoration of [[House de Weluta]], but it had learned lessons during the war. It rushed to end negotiations with the Alliance before Urcea and Burgundie were able to redirect their attentions from recovering from the war against FitzRex, leaving a number of issues unresolved with [[Aciria]], [[Pelaxia]], and [[Veltorina]]. The initial softening of the First Great War and the preparations laid by Caphiria in Levantia would go on to inform its strategy in the Second Great War.
 
===Dericanian Front===
====Lutsanan Elections and Outbreak of War====
====Matavista Campaign====
====Second Fratricide====
 
===North Levantine Front===
====Vandarch War and Invasion of Fiannria====
====Kilikas-Nordskan Campaign and Caergwyne Revolution====
====Rose Revolution====
{{Main|Rose Revolution}}

Latest revision as of 22:26, 14 March 2024

See Talk:Great War/Old and Talk:Second Great War/Old for various pre-existing materials. The adopted 2021-22 Plan for the war is in here now. Consult lore pronouncements on Discord for specific war information and beats that aren't elucidated here.

Second Great War

Broad outline

The overall conflict would primarily be Urcea, Burgundie, Fiannria, Cartadania, and Pelaxia (with the Cape as a cobelligerent) against Caphiria, Faneria, and Crona with Corumm, the Audonian revolutionaries, the Derian revolutionaries being cobelligerents.

This war takes on the broad global characteristics of the current version of the Great War, with Veltorina simply eliminated from the equation. Caphiria's goals here are similar, expanding and maintaining its hegemony by means of conquest of Dorhaven (now Talionia) which it more or less views as the final impediment to its continental dominion. Abroad, the Audonians and Corummese are still interested in defeating Burgundie's influence. The Fin-Fan war will proceed as planned. Accordingly, the first two years present a "siege" situation for Burgundie and Urcea, with Kuhlfros playing his traditional role of supporting the Derians until he needs Urcea. This is all driven by Caphiria, who supports the Derians in order to divert Urcea's attentions to conquer Talionia. This can provide its own spark, or there's a "Capetian angle". A Caphirian-aligned ally in Crona invades the Cape, scaring Cartadania and Pelaxia into creating a formal alliance with Urcea; Caphiria then reacts to this latest example of "Creep" by initiating the Derian uprising with Fanerian assistance. Caphiria need not declare war on Urcea until maybe the second or third year of the war, preparing to build up as Urcea drains more resources and manpower in Dericania.

The rest of the war proceeds basically as planned in the current version of the conflict. Once declared, Caphiria will overrun Dorhaven and begin western offensives, sort of trying to do a "reverse Schlieffen" by knocking Dorhaven out first. Dorhaven will be largely overrun but maybe the peninsula or just the island will hold. Urcea will end up having to do a MacArthur-in-Korea type reclamation, marching up the peninsula gradually. Urcea also opens the southern front where Valcenia used to be and pushes with Pelaxia and Cartadania in the west. Caphiria is now losing by the 7th or 8th year of the war and is on its back foot, but still fighting. A breakthrough on all fronts seems imminent and Caphirian forces collapse in Dorhaven from defending on three fronts. However, as Urcean troops now seem poised to not only liberate the Kingdom but also begin their invasion of Caphiria proper from the east (which threatens Venceia due to its positioning in a way that the western invasions just can't), Caphiria unleashes its secret weapon in year nine. An advanced force of Urcean R&IA troops - not a large contingent by any means, for diplomatic/political reasons I (Urcea) will get into - are annihilated by the first nuclear detonation ever recorded. This should probably be in a small Dorhavener city in order to build enmity between Talionians and Caphirians. The power of this weapon gives Urcea pause and they stop advancing. The Caphirians by this point could not hit Crona, Levantia, or likely even Pelaxia or Cartadania, but they can still use strategic weapons in Dorhaven. While they could have hit a larger formation or bigger city, the bombing was not tactical but strategic - Venceia wanted to make a point and draw people to the negotiating table, not enrage them or strengthen their resolve.

The partition of occupied Caphirian lands proceeds as in the current version of the war, but Caphirian independence is maintained. The League of Nations is created in order to prevent wars like this from happening again, but the whole thing has the air of unfinished business to it, leading to the Cold War. It has been suggested that the LoN form out of an existing wartime organization of the allies intended for this purpose but with Caphiria just grafted onto it as an equal partner. That's a possibility.

Timing considerations

In Levantia, there are a handful of hard dates now that may need to be played into or revised as needed. The abdication of the Burg Emperor in 1920 leads to Urcea being elected to stabilize the situation in the HLE. I don't see any reason why the disorder and chaos in the run up to the war couldn't be elongated, so that 1920 date could remain. In the present canon, the 1927-35 phase of the war leads to the dissolution of the HLE in 1935. I don't know of any real lore that relies on that other than the timing of the 2nd and 3rd Fratricide, but we can just play around with that timeline. The Establishment of the LU/Deric States in 1953 is an important date and coincides with the League's establishment. Generally, the DS could be established a few years earlier without much incident (and should probably predate the LU. The LU is a little more important but maybe a predecessor institution established as a wartime necessity lasts with additional members joining until 1953 when it is fused with the DS and Kuhlfros. Alternatively we could just make the LU be established earlier.

The League of Nations establishment in 1953 is not too important to the lore but some general flavor text dates (including in off-wiki documents) will need to be revised.

The broad issue is with technological advancement. The current GW essentially features industrial warfare ala WW1 with some minor alterations during its early phase, with historical/technological developments in this respect being slightly retarded compared to our timeline but by the time of the war's end the technology is ahead of time. I (Urc) have always liked this complexion. We need not have mere industrial warfare in this one since we are adding a GW, but some "catching up and surpassing" type 2nd Great War is a fundamentally good idea in my view.

There are also some nation-specific considerations. Lots of countries seem to have major changes during wartime, especially Carna and the Cape. I think the Cape's trevails can be well tied into the war, but keeping an "event" happening in the 40s seems like it is deferential to these players.

Lastly, people have expressed interest in a shorter war. I (Urc) agree; 27 years is too long even if the original concept was decent. I like the neat concept of a 9 year war, with each bit comprising 3 year phases. The first 3 years are the Levantine "siege" period and the initial Crona war, with the Audonian War and Second Fratricide happening similtaneously. The 2nd phase is the "Sarpedon War Proper", wherein Caphiria invades Dorhaven and the two western allies jump in, with the reclamation beginning probably in the latter half of this while Urcea focuses on side theaters. I think Fin-Fan would also begin during Phase 2, with Kuhlfros being pro-Derian in Phase 1. The third phase would be the "end game" period, wherein Caphiria is steadily losing basically everywhere. Maybe Faneria capitulates or peaces out or whatever during this third phae.

Player motivations

Caphiria

ICly and OOCly, Heky has a fixation on Talionia. Manipulating the internal affairs of the Derians in order to distract the Urceans to the point where taking Dorhaven is achievable is realistic ICly and OOCly.

Caergwynn

Caergwynn has been eying the lands the Fanerians stole in (early 19th century war that undermined the old Republic) and is also worried by Caphirian aggression. The country begins serious war preparations after the invasion of Taliona, and joins the war outright in June of that year, negotiating entry to the alliance from May as Fiannria is desperate for reinforcements-desperate enough to not object to Dol Awraidd taking those lands in compensation for its efforts.

Vithinja

Need to suffer a major (probably naval) defeat to cause internal crisis causing republic to be overthrown. Current idea is for Caergwynn and Vithinja to have mutual defense pact which is violated (probably either by Faneria or Fiannria that drags Vithinja into the war. Vithinja will likely exit the war early just to reenter late taking little part.

(Idea, altering or possibly replacing the above): Instead of the original plan for a Caeric-Vithinjan defense pact that draws Vithinja into the war when Caergwynn is attacked, perhaps instead it could be a situation where Vithinja isn't technically obligated to enter (as Caergwynn hasn't been attacked). However, Vithinja follows its Caeric ally in anyway after a few days of indecision, as Caergwynn is still a valued ally, neutrality would not be enough to satisfy the NatCons if they win, and a Faneria that rules all the southern straits would be "a dagger pointed eternally northwards", in the words of the Vithinjan Foreign Minister. Vithinja doesn't do all that much-maybe this caution is in the wake of the naval disaster mooted above-but it denies Kilikas-access to Caergwynn's enemies and helps them and the rest of the alliance a bit out navally otherwise.

Participants by theater

Levantia

See Broad outline for now

Sarpedon

See Broad outline for now

Audonia

Peshabi-Burgoignesc infantry of the Foreign Legion
Peshabi-Burgoignesc infantry of the Foreign Legion

Alshar

Crona

  • Veroui Revolt- Ethnically Burgoignac-Veroui people revolt (supported by Alstin and Burgundie) against Ehemoan rule to establish Veraise which becomes an autonamous territory of Alstin at the end of the war.

Helpful linkage

Begins with Ten Year Plan (Caphiria) ends with Atomic bombing of Cavosia

Summary of Events thru ca 1940

Note: much of the geography here will have to be rebuilt as part of broader Sarp lore changes.

  1. Background: In previous war Caphiria annexed Veltorina and beat up the WAllies. It was promised Talionia, which was not handed over due to regime change. Caphiria is dominant on Sarpedon and most powers are chafing. K of Urcea elected Emperor in 1920 against backdrop of failing situation in the Holy Levantine Empire, and Caphiria hopes to use it as a means to conquer Talionia. Caphiria secretly funds 1925 socialist uprisings in Deric States as proof of concept (not employing major arms supplies really), and these uprisings tie down Urcea and its allies. In 1928 Caphirian policymakers implement the Ten Year Plan in 1928, devising incorporation of Talionia by 1938 by means of a general Derian uprising by 1935 accompanied by an invasion of Talionia which Urcea would have to accept as a fait accompli. As part of a general strategy, they begin to mobilize and rearm.
  2. The rearmament is detected by Pelaxia + Cartadania, who (after GW1 beating) form a mutual defense alliance with themselves and with Burgundie. This expansion, by 1929, necessitates a Caphirian expansion of the Ten Year Plan with anti-Burgundie and potential anti-Fiannrian engagement strategies in order to ensure there were no missed contingencies in Levantia. Caphiria begins to secretly coordinate with the leadership of Corumm, who has been plotting a joint move against Burgundie since around 1922. With Caphirian arms and money guaranteed, they begin to prepare themselves and lay the groundwork with native Burg dependent princes, etc., as well as making connections with already extant rebel bands and nationalist leaders in Burg colonies and dependencies.
  3. With unexpected covert cooperation from Fiannria, the general Derian uprising occurs in March 1934, kicking off a general war there and the initial phase of the Second Great War, though it has not escalated there yet. Urcea and Burgundie form their initial alliance against Derian nationalists, and most of the focus throughout much of 1934 is keeping Burgundie in the war as its continental forces are notoriously small or absent. Burgundie's struggles and necessity of the R&IA to prevent Derian incursions gives the eastern countries their opening, precipitating a general uprising in Audonia/Alshar in September 1934, with Corumm and Kloistan declaring war at the same time as many of the formerly dependent princes and national groups. Burgundie forces do better here than in Levantia due to their mostly-overseas disposition. Fiannria still funnels weapons to the Derians, which the Caphirians are mostly fine with but they did make promises to Faneria as part of their ten year plan. Accordingly, Faneria cites instability within the HLE and irredentist claims and launches a surprise invasion of Fiannria in October 1934, catching the Fiannrians utterly off-guard. The Derians lose a key supporter and the Fiannrians are (reluctantly) welcomed into the Urc-Burg alliance. Weapons for the Derians from Caphiria are still regularly smuggled across the Vandarch by Fanerians. At this point, the Levantine Allies are aware of massive shipments of money and arms flowing into the Alshar/donia theater from Caphiria through Zaclaria, but due to Caphiria's neutrality they are unable to do much about it beyond stops for minor ocean territory violations (where they occur). Corummese and Kloi offensives begin against Burg allies and Burg positions in earnest during December 1934, which is fine campaign season for the equatorial parts of Alshar and Audonia. The war ends this year in Dericania with a "war of artillery" grinding things to a halt and poor early allied armored doctrine failing.
  4. By January 1935, things have basically gone according to plan for Caphiria. With Urcea's R&IA fully committed in Dericania and its allies entirely bogged down with existential threats elsewhere, Caphiria has two assumptions. First, it assumes that the alliance between Burgundie and the WestSarp Allies will not be honored as the latter two would not put themselves in danger over it (essentially a "scrap of paper" situation) and secondly that Urcea will not be able or willing to seriously contest the invasion of Talionia, and by the time the Kingdom is overrun (they anticipate July 1935) Urcea will have to accept it as a fait accompli to preserve the war in the HLE and Burg's continental war. Accordingly, Caphiria declares war on Talionia (but not Urcea, a somewhat clever diplomatic ruse to make the Levantines look like aggressors) on January 17, 1935 and begins the invasion the same day. Urcea and Burgundie declare war on Caphiria on January 18th, with Caphiria responding on January 20th. Critically, following tense debate in both parliaments, Pelaxia and Cartadania honor their obligations and declare war on Caphiria five days later on January 25th. Catching Venceia by surprise, many forces in Urlazio have to be diverted away from the Talionia invasion and are sent to the western border. Caphiria's ally/client, Vachena, honors its treaty obligations and declares war on all allied countries on January 27th. By February 7th the Caphirian forces have lost the initiative in Talionia and are forced to assume a defensive position, having taken half of the country but failing to deliver a knockout blow to the small Talionian military and the small supplemented R&IA forces there.
  5. Urcea induces Fiannria to use its colonial forces in defense of Burg possessions, a somewhat awkward situation, but they do so nonetheless as Urcean military commitments to the East are recalled and sent West. A good portion of the Royal Navy remains in the war in the east. On the sea lanes, Caphirian supplies and cash begin to dry up as the country's status of a belligerent puts its transports and convoys in danger, and by the end of February 1935 the larger Urcean Royal Navy/Burgundie Navy have established sea lane supremacy between Sarpedon and Dericania/AlsDonia. The Corummese and Kloi navies make small sorties in an attempt to establish control over the sea in their respective areas. Most Levantine Eastern squadron ships are a generation or two older, but there's a lot of them. Accordingly, the CorKloi navies have to be picky about using their smaller number of more modern ships, picking off isolated targets in "smart target choice" sorties. Ultimately, there will be no decisive eastern naval battle as the Levantines establish general control of the sea but the CorKloi naval capacity is never exactly destroyed or diminished. Ground fighting in this theater is largely small scale skirmishes fought along a front (if it could be called) of loose, mobile skirmisher units across thousands of miles, or are marine actions against centers of power (i.e. princes besieged in capital cities, etc.). Interesting developments occur here in the air war with Fiannrian Oriental Squadrons - very small but elite corps of pilots - patent some now standard techniques and really excel. Corummese and Kloi air forces really see their modern birth during this early period of the conflict.
  6. Urcea commits to total war and begins conscription as well as temporary nationalization of industry to begin producing arms and materiel for a two front war. Forces intended for the Burgundie East are instead deployed to Urlazio by March 1st in order to form an ad hoc western theater army
  7. In Dericania, the early 1935 campaign season sees some successes of modernish armored doctrine and mass use by the Urceans, creating some critical breakthroughs in some sectors. The various combatant groups and rebellious states declare the Derian Republic Diplomats in Dericania are also trying a different tack, offering implicit Urcean recognition of local Republican revolutionary regimes (and sheltering their dispossessed nobles in exchange for dropping claim) in exchange for ending their hostilities. There is some interest but all negotiations end with these local powers with the preservation of the HLE - not only its irrational administration but its inherent sovereignty model - as a non-starter. Despite allied victories along the western-southern front in Dericania, Corcra falls to the Derian Republic on March 26th, 1935.
  8. No major action between Caphiria and the Western Allies along the main front, but a Cartadanian invasion of Vachena begins in earnest on March 24th, 1935. Caphirian forces launch another major attack in Talionia on March 18th, 1935 and are largely successful, now occupying 2/3rds of the country before being driven back. They are also launching successful offenses into Cartadanian portions of Urlazio beginning on March 29th to relieve the pressure on Vachena but these are more focused on disrupting Cartadanian offensive capability on the island and drawing forces away from Vachena.
  9. Levantine allies successfully induce Metzetta, to that point neutral, to join the war on the side of the allies on March 30th, 1935 by promising islands currently held by Corummese tributary Tanhai.
  10. With battle lines being drawn in Western Sarpedon, @Aciria is induced by the allies to join the war on April 6th, 1935. Aciria is promised the @Burgundie controlled island of Port Arleau and the Caphirian held island of Lides, with Port Arleau being ceded by 1940 and Lides going to Aciria in hypothetical post-war peace deal.
  11. Fiannria informs Urcea and Burgundie on March 13th 1935 that its intended deployment of resources to the east in defense of Burgundie possessions may no longer be feasible given Fanerian progress and essentially issues an ultimatum to the southern Levantine allies to give it some relief. Faced with these tough choices, Urcea ultimately diverts some forces from Dericania as well as the intended reinforcements from Talionia for a nothern campaign designed to open overland supply routes and more readily contest the Vandarch, as well as opening the Carolina-Grand Canal for wartime business. The Northern Campaign is launched on April 14th by Urcea from the south and a limited Fiannrian force from the north. Urcea first violates Anglei's neutrality, but occupies its capitol rapidly and says it intends to respect the country's non-involvement so long as transport and trade through it is accepted. The two allies then launch a joint offensive into what is today Hollona and Diorisia on April 17th. The area, occupied by the Derian Republic's Autonomous Vandarch Area (essentially a local warlord controlled territory), is quickly dispatched by pressure from both fronts. Based on their earlier backchannel negotiation attempts, Urcea has a somewhat novel idea: rather than restoring the Elector of Diorisia or the multitude of small princes and prince-bishoprics, Urcea reaches an agrerment with the Church and Elector for later compensation and consolidates the area into the Provisional Republic of Hollona and Diorisia. The Republic, called collaborators by some, empowers some local revolutionaries sympathetic to the allied cause, and propaganda campaigns begin regarding the "inherent differences" of the Hol/Dio people who have always fit awkwardly into Derian national identity. The Republic's creation comes with an intentionally ambiguous relationship to the HLE, non-participating in its institutions but final status to be determined after the war.
  12. On June 2nd, 1935, Caergwynn enters the War after negotiations with first Fiannria and then the rest of the Levantine coalition, being promised Fanerian lands it has revanchist claims on in exchange for its assistance. Though not formally obliged to, Caergwynn's ally Vithinja joins its southern neighbor in anti-Faneria belligerency on the 6th of that month.
  13. The lack of reinforcements leads to Talionian defense forces adopting a national redoubt strategy, retreating to the southeastern tip of the country for the most part by April 10th and "turtling", essentially, behind pre-constructed defensive perimeters. WIth Urcean naval ability, it is anticipated that these forces will be able to be resupplied for some time. Some delaying efforts are made to stop the Caphirian advance, and the Caphirians had not been ready for another offensive until around May 1st, and accordingly their occupation of the lightly contested areas does not fully occur until April 23rd. Caphiria maintains a "siege" force but redeploys the bulk of its Talionian-facing forces to western Urlazio and the western front of Sarpedon in order to coincide with a general offensive on the western front to begin in June. While Caphiria had intended to take the entire Kingdom and use it as a springboard to launch raids into Crotona and potentially Urcea proper in order to induce them to leave the war, Aciria joining the war has heightened the priority of the western theater for the Caphirians and accordingly the besieged position in Talionia will suffice.
  14. Caphirian Legions begin their general western offensive on May 15th following weeks of light skirmishing. At this time, Caphirian borders reach to the sea and Pelaxia and Cartadania are both isolated from each other. Naval linking efforts are partly successful as Burgundie navy is involved in the Kindreds, but the Caphirian navy is still at full strength and the area is hotly contested. Caphiria basically intends to push on Alahuela rapidly to knock them out of the war and create a puppet government allowing them to isolate Aciria and Pelaxia in the Kindreds. By this point, however, Vachena is pretty much overrun and Cart has forces (and ports) to spare. Caphirian forces feint into Pelaxia but launch essentially a combined arms blitzkrieg into Cartadania with the beginning of the offensive, opening up a major hole in the Cartadanian lines that isn’t closed until they’ve advanced 75 miles in the first four days. Despite being overcommitted basically everywhere else, Cartadania requests Burgoinac marines from nearby colonies as reinforcements and they are granted. Most Allies (correctly) suspect Vallos will not be a major theater of combat
  15. General campaigning in Sarpedon occurs from May to October 1935, primarily involving Caphirian breakthrough efforts in southeastern Cartadania. Caphiria loses the initiative by June and a new stalemate occurs, though the intended effect of giving Vachena some room to breathe is acheieved. In Levantia, Burgundie's borders are now largely secured and allied forces, especially the R&IA with limited Fiannrian support, shift priority to continually widening the northern corridor, believe that to be the best path to success. Allied forces spent the summer subduing modern Kronenia, which is accomplished by the end of this period and allied forces are threatening Corcra. In the east, Corummese forces begin the siege of Ayermer and spent the summer fighting in Rusana, having successfully ejected Burgundie coastal forts and trade factories. Pukhgundi area's "confederation of princes", the Corummese-funded organization leading the war effort, splinters on 18 October with a contingent of local princes returning to their alliance with Burgundie, leading to a massive and bloody civil war which lays the groundwork for the later ethnic divisions which would establish Peshabiwar as independent.
  16. October 27, 1935. The Battle of Vonein sees a Fanerian taskforce surprise an underprepared Vithinjan fleet stationed off that island (the Caeric detachment that was supposed to be patrolling between Vonein and Sorhaithe had recently been withdrawn to aid Fiannrian forces farther south). Surprise and miscommunication between the Vithinjan ships lead to a lopsided Fanerian victory, with the Vithinjan flagship sunk and the fleet scattered. Though wintry sea conditions and mounting distractions elsewhere prevent Faneria from fully taking advantage of its victory, the debacle severely hampers Vithinjan operations for the rest of the war, and ultimately helps to undermine the Vithinjan government after the war. However, this is overshadowed by events in the Adonaire a few days later.
  17. November 2, 1935. At the battle of the Adonaire Strait - the Urcean term for the opening between Talionia and former Veltorina which provides access to the Urlazian Sea - most of Caphiria's best and biggest capital ships are sunk or heavily damaged in the major naval turning point of the war. Though Urcea's capital ships were outnumbered, the fleet sent to stop the Caphirians included a small number of aircraft carriers diverted from elsehwere. The carriers had mostly scout planes and a few planes with ground attack capabilities. As the Urceans began to lose the battle, quick thinking pilots used the attack planes to bomb the Caphirian ships, which only had limited anti-air complements. This only really worked as it was a crystal clear day wherein otherwise pilots untrained in naval navigation would have had significant difficulty in their task. As it was, it was clear that naval air power was the future at the end of the day, with the Caphirian ships either sent scurrying back to port where they would remain for most of the rest of the war or sitting at the bottom of the Urlazian Sea. The battle, simply known in Caphiria as the "Naval Disaster", was kept from the public for decades; the ships that were destroyed were gradually reported as losses throughout the next few months, depicting them as replacable attrition rather than a devestating loss. (To be totally revised)
  18. November 10, 1935. In response to its loss at the Adonaire Strait, Caphirian high command authorizes the use of unrestricted submarine warfare. Current naval construction is halted, and in the years to come submarines will be the primary construction of the Caphirian navy.
  19. November 14, 1935. Caphirian submarine based out of new pens in the Cape sinks an Arcerion cargo ship bound for Urcea, which explodes upon being hit. Arco government confirms it was delivering weapons to Levantia; Caphirians insist this was an unfortunate military necessity while Arcos argue that commerce is perfectly legal. After two weeks of negotiations between the two sides, Arcerion unilaterally cuts off negotiations and begins Operation Lightfoot, the invasion of the Cape. Capetian and Caphirian governments maintain that Arco government was negotiating in bad faith and was buying time to begin the invasion. Arco government claims that Caphiria was stringing it along until they could provide reinforcements to the Cape.
  20. 1935 ends with two major military operations. After fighting to a successfulish impasse against Cartadania and Pelaxia, Caphiria has also completed an impressive defensive line facing Aciria, which Caphirian command believes may exit the war if the other Western allies are defeated, viewing them as a potential client in the decades to come. In Urlazio, December sees a three week attempt by the Legions to break into the Talionia redoubt, which fails and is called off by December 18 following 25,000 casualties. In the east, @Metzetta launches its invasion of the largest island in the southern sea, "XXX", which is inhabited by ethnic Metzettans but occupied by Tanhai, a Corummese tributary state. The invasion establishes a beachhead but grinds to a stalemate as sea control in the area remains heavily contested.
  21. On January 4th, 1936, the various anti-Levantine co belligerents sign an official alliance and treaty of cooperation known as the National-Continental Co-Belligerency League. This alliance would be disbanded at the end of the war and includes a wide variety of interests and ideologies ranging from national independence in Levantia and Audonia to Marxist revolution in Crona to continental domination in Sarpedon. The alliance ends up largely being a failure globally but a relative success in some localized areas, in particular leading to better coordination between Faneria/DericRepublic in Levantia. In Alshar it is extremely successful in bringing about greater coordination, though the Alshar-Audonia branch of the alliance in time comes to be little more than a Corummese sphere organization
  22. The new communist government of the Cape makes successful contact with Caphiria in May 1935 and the two sides begin negotiations. An alliance of convenience, not unlike Caphiria's commitments in Alshar and Audonia, is on the table, as Caphiria is very interested in the strategic utility and pressure that the Cape and Vachena could exert on Vallos. Submarine bases in the Cape would also allow Caphiria, at least in theory, to heavily disrupt allied reinforcement efforts to their western colonies and would allow significant control over the western Odoneru. The Cape is primarily interested in weapons. Urcean intelligence learns of these developments by the end of May and forwards them on to Kurst. The Arco government issues a formal letter of protest but bides its time.
  23. Skipping specific campaign lore from here on out. High level events only. After slowly turning the tide and grinding down Derian nationalists, the Dericania front increasingly becomes a side concern for Urcea and Burgundie. Allies begin back channel negotiations with Derian nationalist groups. Emperor Brian renounces right to "govern in" Dericania, Fiannria, Burgundie, and Anglei while not abdicating for abjuring his throne as Holy Levantine Emperor as part of negotiated settlement in May 1937. Despite complaints of conservatives and others, individual peace agreements can now be signed with the few remaining free-standing Derian nationalist statelets, the allies, and allied-aligned powers. Instead, the Treaty of Corcra is signed 4 September 1937 formally acknowledging the earlier renunciation of HLE authority over those areas, ability of de Welutas to keep the title/artifacts, recognition of the Derian free states, various financial agreements to cover the disposessed, and all the other stuff you would imagine to "settle" the area. Third Fratricide will soon begin as anti-treaty forces and socialist revolutionaries will launch major uprisings against shaky "treaty states" of Dericania. Urcea and Fiannria can fully commit forces elsewhere. Fiannria is doing poorly by now (?) and needed the help, whereas the war in Sarpedon had been fought to a draw by 4 September. War in Alshar and Audonia was ongoing with heavy fighting between Tanhai and Metzetta which would continue throughout the war. Deric theater ends.
  24. Beginning of 1938: Urlazio is retaken in force by Acirio-Urcean joint operation, stunning Caphirian military leadership. Total sea control aided in the task. Caphirians maintain a small number of forts facing Venceia across the Urlazian Sea. Loss there complicates supply picture for them and makes Urcea-to-Aciria supply fairly easy. Caphiria begins being subject to strategic air bombing. While still doing well in mainland Sarpedon, Caphirian leaders consider these factors - as well as the failure of the timeline of the ten year plan and their assumptions - in focusing a lot of development on extremely experimental weapons, increasingly believing that they will win the war as R&IA Deployments in Sarpedon theater grow significantly every month. Nuclear research breakthroughs happen in 1938 but are still a long, long way from a viable weapon.
  25. More fighting in Sarpedon in 1938. Capetian forces are making gains by this point (?). Faneria reaches its greatest point of advance (?) before newly available R&IA troops and Urcean military as well as improved Fiannrian army jointly push back Fanerians and surround their breakthrough. General fighting everywhere.
  26. 1939. Major contacts made in Volonia by Acirian forces (GC Lorenzo). Allied production and military availability means modern, larger units are finally arriving in Alshar, with older dreadnaughts and shit finally taken out of service and modern naval assets being used. The war begins to turn steadily in the allies favor in Alshar. Meanwhile, after years of offensives and counter offensives, the Caphirian Legion is finally driven out of the pre-war territorial borders of Aciria. The worst years of fighting in terms of bloodshed are about to begin as both sides will spend significant amount of time trying to achieve supremacy in the western mountain ranges of Sarpedon. While the allies are beginning to have the edge in the air war, it's not guaranteed they'll hold it every time. More stuff happens in Northern Levantia, which becomes the short-term priority of allied forces through 1939 and 1940.

further backups

This may be re-added, but I wanted a super clean slate in order to begin working on this today

Decline of the Holy Levantine Empire

First Fratricide and Fourth Kin War

In the Wake of the Third Caroline War, the Peoples Spring of 1848 saw the formation of formidable groups in fifteen Imperial states which formed their own protests, revolts, and organized labor actions. These were brutally suppressed by then-Emperor Louis XI, leading to the long-winded violence of the First Fratricide. Many Derians had long feared that Urcea would attempt to consume the Kingdom of Dericania and its constituent states, and Derians now felt that the only thing keeping the Urceans away - the Imperial Court - would no longer protect them. Some speculated that Corcra would attempt to keep the “northern liberals” out of “southern politics” - fears which reached new heights in 1887, when The Kingdom of Fhainnlannachaeran openly invaded Imperial territory through Fiannria. The Imperial response to this flagrant assault on its being was the Emperor enforcing a non-engagement order, barring any of the other Holy Levantine states from coming to Fiannria’s defense. This breach of the long-standing mutual defense customs the Empire had once held flamed fears of both internal warfare and foreign conquest, shattering much of the remaining goodwill held towards the HLE in Deria. The surprise victory of Fiannria in the war proved bittersweet, as it left many feeling they were better left to their own devices than relying on the Imperial court.

Red Interregnum

Main article: Red Interregnum

In Urcea, developments in the government lead to the regency of and consolidation of power by Gréagóir FitzRex, who sought to elevate the military above the traditional nobility and spearhead a number of reforms culminating in an attempt at outright seccession from the Holy Levantine Empire. The resulting civil war involved members of the Empire, and eventually the Empire as a whole, intervening in the war on behalf of House de Weluta against the Crown Regent. It also resulted in the Depression of 1900, which destabilized the Empire and lead to mass uprisings in the Dericania, as well as reigniting the longstanding feud between Urcea and Caphiria, politically charging the role of the Catholic Church in Levantia. FitzRex was replaced with the short-lived Urcean Republic, which created a left-wing, idealistic radical socialist state from which Derian revolutionaries were later inspired; the Republic was shortly overturned and the the primacy of the King of Urcea reinstated in 1902. With the de Welutas restored to the Julian Throne, the Recess of the Julii came to an end, temporarily strengthening the Empire despite the severe economic depression and uprisings. During the conflict, there were isolated shooting incidents between the Levantines and Caphirian expeditionaries who supported the Crown Regency. These skirmishes would prove to be a prelude to the coming conflict.

The Powder Keg

In 1909, the Grand Duchy of Anivania was gripped by violence as republican forces took control of the ducal palace and declared a republic. By 1911, the conclusion of the civil war and declaration of the Serene Republic of Anivania were completed. The new state's use of “Serene” to emphasize its sovereignty was not recognized by most other Imperial states, but its success in achieving and maintaining autonomy sparked other movements across the Empire. In 1920, as it became clear violence and instability was gripping the Empire, the Collegial Electorate did what would have been unthinkable a century before and elected King James VI of Urcea as Holy Levantine Emperor in a last-ditch effort to stabilize the Empire's internal affairs. It was thought that Urcea's muscle behind the Empire may have given it the resources needed to hold itself together; simultaneously, it eroded the last shreds of serious support for the Empire in Dericania. The next year, in 1921, the Electorate of Aescarata faced a socialist revolt. Urcea intervened, with the intervention evolving into outright occupation. By 1925, the region was considered a "powder keg", waiting for the right spark to explode. This was aided along by agents from Caphiria, who since the Red Interregnum had worked to foment unrest, eliminate charismatic officials and strongmen supporters of the Empire, and undermine Levantine wartime readiness. Caphiria capitalized on the fever-pitch of Derian nationalism, intending to have a Latin-dominated state in the orbit of Venceia burst from the corpse of the Holy Levantine Empire. This interest was not primarily in Dericania itself per se, but rather eastward, in Veltorina, whose independence was guaranteed by Urcea and other Imperial states.

Republican Revolutions

Capetian Revolution

Fhainnin Revolution and Militarization

Main article: Fhainnin Civil War

The Kingdom of Fhainnlannachaeran had suffered a number of internal issues since its first constitution in 1830, and was forced to put down local nationalist uprisings in Culriocha, Namhe, and Leucwar during the 1848 Peoples' Spring. In spite of this, it had won in the defensively-fought Third Kin War against Fiannria, which directly caused the White Revolution, and maintained its new territories on the Nordskan coast and across the Ereglasian Isthmus and stood at the height of its power. Republican and socialist groups, while strong politically, remained marginalized, and the Kingdom appeared to be ascendant enough to compete with the Burgundines for the title of second among the states of Levantia after Urcea. This radically changed with the Fourth Kin War, which ended almost solely due to the personal ineptitude of King Rethys V, ceding massive territories along the Vandarch coast to Fiannria to free himself from imprisonment. Afterwards, the history of Faneria became bloodied with riots, territorial wars with Vithinja, returning exiles from the Cape, Fiannria, and Carna, and eventually the violent overthrow of the monarchy in the Fhainnin Revolution of 1906.

Afterwards, Faneria's republic initially focused on repairing its economy and military, but after the death of the Republic's semi-dictatorial figurehead, Callac Cananach, in 1922, parliamentary politics were undermined by the socially dominant revolutionary military. Cion Faelhaen, a military officer pardoned by the Republicans and reinstated as a general, eventually became Director of the Republic after widespread campaign of political terror, including the assassination of one heads of government in 1932 and the imprisonment of another 1934, after which he selected a Taesteach loyal to the militarist faction of the Republican Party. Throughout the lat3 1920s and early 1930s, the civilian government was chilled into silence through threats and occasional violence, and a growing alliance between the perpetual revolutionary doctrine of Faelhaen's faction and the already powerful pan-Gaelic movement formulated a doctrine of Gaelic unification under the perception that Fiannria and the other Gaelic nations were illegitimate states whose people would welcome unity in a single nation.

In reality, such propaganda was simply an excuse to wage a war against Fiannria intended to prevent its surpassing Faneria, and to capitalize on perceived Imperial weakness to reclaim lost territories, as well as to distract from growing tensions with Caergwynn over the gains made in the Boreal War, which had been retained even through the Revolution.

1GW

A massive opportunity presented itself in the 1890s with the rise of Gréagóir FitzRex in Urcea and beginning of the Red Interregnum. Caphiria offered its full support to FitzRex, providing materiel and volunteers to fight against the now-hated House de Weluta. The prospect of a FitzRex victory was promising not only due to the destabilizing nature of regime change but because his desire to destroy socialism and secede from the Holy Levantine Empire lined up with Caphiria's own goals, and FitzRex indicated that if he was victorious, he may be willing to surrender Talionia and would not interfere in Veltorina. The Imperial Naval Fleet began to actively interdict the Navy of Burgundie, which impeded the Legitimist cause significantly.

With the Urceans and Burgoignesc absorbed in the fighting in Levantia, Caphiria launched the First Great War, calling on what allies it could to wage war against Veltorina, Pelaxia, and Cartadania, aiming to overrun all its major continental adversaries without Levantine intervention.

In Levantia, FitzRex began to court socialism in order to gain the support lower class revolutionaries, allowing socialists to win a majority in the Concilium Daoni in 1900. Caphiria, bitterly disappointed, continued to support the regime with limited vigor, and their gradual withdrawal led to the Fall of Cana. The collapse of FitzRex's Crown Regency and the rise of the short-lived Urcean Republic led Venceia to reluctantly recognize the restoration of House de Weluta, but it had learned lessons during the war. It rushed to end negotiations with the Alliance before Urcea and Burgundie were able to redirect their attentions from recovering from the war against FitzRex, leaving a number of issues unresolved with Aciria, Pelaxia, and Veltorina. The initial softening of the First Great War and the preparations laid by Caphiria in Levantia would go on to inform its strategy in the Second Great War.

Dericanian Front

Lutsanan Elections and Outbreak of War

Matavista Campaign

Second Fratricide

North Levantine Front

Vandarch War and Invasion of Fiannria

Kilikas-Nordskan Campaign and Caergwyne Revolution

Rose Revolution

Main article: Rose Revolution
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