Second Radiant War
| The Second Radiant War | |
|---|---|
| "A war born of pride, paid for in ruin." | |
| Date | 37 - 30 years prior to current events |
| Location | Iberian Peninsula, Malazgirt, Western Euvros |
| Result | Decisive Undying Empire Victory • Signing of the Treaty of Avagnon • Collapse of the Kingdom of Astur • Excommunication of the Albion Empire • Ardenian Independence |
| Belligerents | |
The Holy League
|
Undying Empire
|
| Notable Commanders | |
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The Second Radiant War was a massive, continent-spanning conflict waged roughly 30 to 37 years prior to the events of Smoke of Revolution. Instigated by the Holy League (Radiant Alliance) to curb the expanding influence of the Undying Empire and reclaim the Holy Lands, the war ended in a catastrophic defeat for the Holy League.
The political and economic fallout from the war drastically reshaped the geopolitical landscape of Euvros, leading directly to the excommunication of the Albion Empire, the eradication of the Kingdom of Astur, and the successful War of Independence for the Kingdom of Ardenia.
Prelude to War
For roughly three centuries following the First Radiant War, a tense but functional peace had settled between the Holy Empire of Rodinia and the Undying Empire. The Undying Empire had honored the ancient accords, keeping the Holy Lands open and safe for Radiant pilgrims who came in peace.
However, paranoia began to fester among the nobles, kings, and the Curia of Gallia. The Undying Empire's cultural and economic influence was slowly creeping across the continent: In the east, the Magyar Khanate and numerous Steppe Elf clans had begun mass conversions, forging strong military and trade alliances with the Undying Empire. In the west, the deeply pious Kingdom of Astur found itself geographically and economically pinched between the Pyrenean mountains and the prospering Emirate of Qurtuba.
Fearing eventual subjugation, the kings of the Radiantdom pressured the Pope in Avagnon to declare a Second Radiant War to "liberate" the Holy Lands and crush the perceived threats.
The Pope explicitly warned the assembly that provoking the Undying Empire would be catastrophic. This sentiment was strongly backed by King Gawain II of the Albion Empire. Gawain II argued that the war was redundant and economically foolish, pointing out that pilgrims had enjoyed safe passage for 300 years and there was no immediate threat to the faith.
Despite Gawain II's objections and the Pope's dire warnings, the Curia of Gallia and the allied kings forced the issue. With a heavy heart, the Pope officially declared the Second Radiant War.
The Conflict
The Holy League launched a massive, two-pronged offensive, catching the Undying Empire temporarily off-balance.
The Eastern Campaign (Malazgirt)
In the East, the Holy Empire's forces marched to break the Magyar Khanate and the allied Steppe Elves. The fighting in the Malazgirt region was brutal. The crusaders faced heavy resistance from the highly mobile Steppe Elf cavalry. The campaign bogged down into a grueling choke-point, but the sheer numbers of the crusader armies kept the situation manageable, slowly pushing the eastern front forward.
The Western Campaign (The Reconquista)
The primary focus of the war occurred in the West. Backed heavily by the Curia's funds and the formidable air superiority of the Albion Empire's Wyvern Knights, the Asturians launched the Reconquista to drive the Emirate of Qurtuba out of Iberia.
Initially, the operation was a resounding success. The Holy League captured several key Qurtuban cities and towns. High on morale, the crusader kings grew wildly confident that they could sweep the Undying Empire out of Western Euvros entirely.
The Turning Point: Albion's Desertion
The turning point of the war occurred during a major aerial engagement over the Iberian peninsula. King Gawain II, leading Albion's Wyvern squadrons, was ambushed by the elite anti-air division of the Undying Empire, known as the "Windcatchers".
During the chaotic skirmish, Gawain II's personal wyvern steed was shot down. The King survived but was critically wounded, forcing him to retreat from the frontlines and pass the military reins to his heir, Gawain III.
Gawain III possessed none of the patience for the Papacy's holy war. Appalled by the mounting casualties and the financial drain on Albion's treasury, he famously declared the war a lost cause "Fuck this war, and fuck the Pope!". In a shocking betrayal of the Holy League, Gawain III ordered a total withdrawal of all Albion forces from the theater of war.
The Undying Counter-Offensive
The effect of Albion's sudden departure was immediate and devastating. Bereft of air support and Albion's heavy infantry, the Holy League's lines collapsed.
The Undying Empire unleashed a massive coordinated counterattack on both fronts. And the crusaders were overwhelmed.
To deal with the West, the Caliph dispatched one of his most prominent and ruthless High Generals to assist the Qurtubans. The Undying armies shattered the Reconquista, driving the terrified Asturian forces out of Qurtuba and pressing directly into Asturian territory. The general did not stop at the borders. In a rapid and brutal blitz, the Undying Empire conquered the entirety of the Kingdom of Astur, bringing the whole of Iberia under their absolute control.
Aftermath and Consequences
Just as the Pope had predicted, the Second Radiant War ended in a catastrophic loss for the Holy Empire. The geopolitical ramifications echoed for decades, setting the stage for the modern era:
- The Treaty of Avagnon: A humiliating peace treaty forced upon the Holy Empire, cementing the Undying Empire's territorial gains and securing absolute economic leverage for the Daulat-e-Baaqiya.
- The Fall of Astur: The Kingdom of Astur was completely eradicated. The surviving Asturian nobles and royals were exiled, fleeing across the western sea to establish new lives in the colonies of Columbia.
- The Threat to Gallia: With the fall of Astur and the expansion of the Emirate of Qurtuba, the Undying Empire now shared a direct land border with Gallia—the very seat of the Pope.
- Excommunication of Albion: Furious at Gawain III's desertion, which directly caused the collapse of the western front, the Pope formally excommunicated the Albion Empire from the Radiant Faith. This severed diplomatic ties and fostered a bitter rivalry between Albion and the Holy Empire that persists to this day.
- Ardenian Independence: The war severely drained the Holy Empire's economy and military reserves. Recognizing the Empire's weakened state, King Sigismer of Ardenia seized the opportunity to launch a rebellion, successfully winning Ardenia's independence from the Holy Empire and establishing it as a sovereign kingdom.
