Grand Strategy 1

The campaign took place in Imperial Space starting in and concerned great power politics and interplanetary grand strategy. It continued the events of the parallel Spires of Aeldrum and Legacy War Campaigns (395-399 A.U.), was most directly preceded by the Inquisition Campaign and was followed roughly 70 years later by the second Grand Strategy campaign.
== Background ==
The great powers of the cosmos are defined by their military and economic capacity and by the reach of their influence: all have extensive spheres of influence that encompass other nations or great institutions and compete over these spheres. In the 440s, these powers are the Serene Duchy of Aeldrum, the Fialta Imperium, the Shantine Empire and the Empire of Alusia.
In brief, Aeldrum seeks to preserve its status as dominant power across the cosmos while weathering internal troubles, Bishant seeks to expand its diplomatic influence while remaining the second great power, Alusia is rapidly making itself into the “next generation” of empire with high ambitions, and the Fialta Imperium wants to reassert total authority over all Fialta.
The current international landscape of Imperial and indeed Celestial Space continues to be defined by the legacy of the Coalition War ( - )For the treaty ending the war, see Third Treaty of Korinth, which pitted the Coalition, led by the Serene Duchy of Aeldrum and consisting also of the Shantine Empire, the Despotate (now Empire) of Alusia, the Orcish Directorate, the Thalranese Marches, the Margravate of Tarim, the self-declared Domain of Shantara, the Kingdom of Sigvald and the Brass Cities (until the latter changed sides) against the Fialta Imperium and the Nippon States. The war claimed tens of millions of lives, severely affecting the Thalranese, Directorate and Margravate populations in particular. The Coalition ultimately emerged victorious, in significant part due to the development of the “null bomb” by Aeldrum.The simple principle of the null bomb is to produce a stable and transportable etheric “null space” which when destabilized produces an etheric “thunderclap” effect, distorting the ether like a rubber band, with catastrophic effects. Null bombs easily level cities and could potentially be planet killers at sufficient scale.
The war set Alusia on the path to becoming a great power and significantly degraded the power of the Fialta Imperium and the Nippon States. The Nipponese were dealt the loss of almost all of their holdings in Imperial space, a virtual blockade of one of their routes into Imperial space by the Shantine, mass uprisings in Celestial space by their client states and an opportunistic invasion of their colonies by secondary Celestial powers such as the Middle Kingdom. The result was the diminishment of the Nippon States to a secondary power. The Fialta Imperium was handed a more structured humiliation, in the form of the Fialta Confederacy, spearheaded by the ambitious Thalranese Marches (fellow Fialta). The Confederacy provided an umbrella for any Imperial world to effectively declare its independence (if it could win it before the Imperial garrison detained or massacred the local leadership) and join a confederation guaranteed by the victorious Coalition (naturally the Alusians, Aeldmen and Shantine were especially willing to find various claimant princes and freedom fighters to back). Effectively, the Fialta Imperium lost a third of its territory as well as important trade autonomy.
Nevertheless, the Imperium remains roughly on par with the ascendant Alusians and the promise (or threat) of total Fialta unification continues to weigh heavily on grand strategists (the Imperium, after all, was able to put up a valiant fight against half the cosmos for three years and found itself truly outmatched only with the exit of the Nipponese from the war and the deployment of an Aeldman superweapon).
Several bilateral relationships are essential to understanding cosmic international politics: these are the relationships among Aeldrum, Bishant, Alusia, the Fialta Imperium and the Fialta Confederacy. Beyond these relationships, the outward stances of secondary and minor powers are more unilateral and tend to form the backdrop of great power competition. The key bilateral relationship are described below.
To the Fialta Confederacy, Aeldrum is alternately an economic predator and oppressor or a guarantor of independence against the Fialta Imperium: to Aeldrum, the Confederacy is the best means of containing the Fialta imperium, a lucrative market and a compelling demonstration that no international system can survive without a powerful backer (naturally, Aeldrum). To the Fialta Imperium, Aeldrum is the architect of unfair containment and the shackler of the Fialta people: to Aeldrum, the Imperium is an upstart and revisionist power, whose devotion to the Pentacle and to a competing cultural supremacism makes it at best a wary partner and at worst an existential enemy. 
To the Shantine Empire, Aeldrum is a familiar if not particularly well-loved partner on the cosmic stage: as the two great trade powers of the 2nd and 3rd centuries, Aeldman and Shantine interests historically clashed (especially as then upstart Aeldrum outmaneuvered Bishant’s historic trade monopolies), but rarely to the point of outright military conflict (and never to the level of total war), and the devastation of the Shantine Empire in the 4th century sufficiently separated Aeldrum’s scope and level of power from Bishant’s to turn the Shantine into respected but usually junior partners in a distinctly pro-Aeldman cosmic order. Since then, Bishant has recovered much of its power, and while still weaker in many respects than Aeldrum, has forged a parallel rather than directly competing base of power, focusing heavily on diplomatic influence and the soft power of its religious ideology, which Aeldrum cannot match. To Aeldrum, Bishant’s diplomatic and religious strategy is difficult to reconcile with the Aeldman model, making it an object of increasing suspicion, especially as it becomes increasingly clear that the Shantine cannot always control the “mad dogs” of Kirvan religious radicalism on which much of their soft power rests: the Shantine are consistent partners, but both sides have had frequent cause to complain bitterly that the other has not carried their share of the burden (Bishant has not forgotten Aeldrum’s lukewarm assistance in the Fialta-Shantine wars a century ago, and Aeldman policy in the Coalition War rested heavily on the expectation that their Shantine allies would drop out if the tide ever turned against them).
To Alusia, Aeldrum has so far been a useful engine for its own imperial expansion and economic development: however, the benefits of this follower model are rapidly depleting, bringing Alusian and Aeldman relations to a possible head as Alusia defines itself as a truly autonomous great power. Alusia was pleased to serve as the extra leverage that Aeldrum needed to overcome Shantine resistance to certain aspects of the post-war order: having achieved relevance, Alusia is now likely to increasingly exercise its leverage independently, perhaps weighing the scales against Aeldrum rather than in its favor. These same shifts are equally apparent to Aeldrum, which has been content since the Coalition War to use Alusia as a subordinate partner, often preferring straightforward Alusian imperialism to the complex diplomacy of Bishant. With the evolving status of Alusia as a great power in its own right, Aeldrum is likely to shift its view of Alusia from subordinate to rival, though in the Aeldman view the resulting tensions promise to be far less bitter than the rivalry with the Fialta and less fraught than the ever-present religious zealotry of the Shantine.
=== Cosmography ===
An interactive contemporary map of the cosmos can be found here.For the map corresponding to the Grand Strategy era, use the drop-down selector in the top right of the website and choose "443 A.U."
== Characters ==
=== Player Characters ===
==== Primary Characters ====
Character 	Player 	Description 	Affiliation
Doge Bareth Aefendt 	Wes 	Serene Doge of Aeldrum 	Serene Duchy of Aeldrum
Monsieur Manuel Emiir 	Seth 	Secretary of Finance 	Serene Duchy of Aeldrum
Guillarme du Montreal 	Vince 	Count of Montreal, Aeldman Secretary of Defense 	Serene Duchy of Aeldrum
Sinvas Luvelath 	Karl 	Doge of Neveth, center of Luvelath Faction 	Serene Duchy of Aeldrum
Chella Nebai 	Bruce 	Cabinet offical, chair of ISC Board 	Serene Duchy of Aeldrum
Empress Illyana cer Alusia	Tom 	Empress of Alusia 	Empire of Alusia
Emperor Alekai Chevik 	Dustin 	Emperor of Alusia 	Empire of Alusia
Lavrency Beriak 	Dustin 	Alusian Head of Internal Affairs 	Empire of Alusia
Giannis Politis 	Bruce 	Official State Diplomat 	Empire of Alusia
Marina Nueva cer Puertos 	Bruce 	Economic Minister 	Empire of Alusia
Empress Theoboda Kataph 	Sarah 	Empress of Bishant 	Shantine Empire
Yennek Masue 	Samuel 	Dowager Emperor-Consort, Shantine Elder Statesman 	Shantine Empire
Mississaugua Ontario 	Dan 	Shantine Cabinet Chancellor and Minister of War 	Shantine Empire
Jan the Baptist 	Dan 	Patriarch of Bishant 	Church of Kirva
Halifax Novascotia 	Craig 	Grand-Mistress of the Knights of Adarnum 	Knights of Adarnum
Arren Kane 	Wes 	Grand-Master of the Knights of Adarnum 	Knights of Adarnum
Emperor Asterion 	Nathaniel	Emperor of the Fialta Imperium 	Fialta Imperium
Emperor Phillip Neptos 	Matt 	Emperor of the Fialta Imperium 	Fialta Imperium
Octavia 	Nathaniel	Court member and head of the Fialta Security Bureau	Fialta Imperium
Grand Admiral Tenebrius 	Matt 	Head of the Fialta Imperial Navy 	Fialta Imperium
Filiki 	Kristen 	Chairwoman of the Bank of Valdos 	Bank of Valdos
Bakken Alia 	Daniel 	Head of the Chamber of Dalthad 	Chamber of Dalthad
Prince Gunnot 	Karl 	Marcher Prince of Tar'Thalran 	Thalranese Marches
Prince Cattrel 	Karl 	Leading Marcher Lord of the Thalranese Marches 	Thalranese Marches
Diella Neverin 	Wes 	Shantaran High Priestess and leader of Istomir 	Istomir
Inez Ingolstadt 	Elisabeth	Quartermaster of the Knights Mercantile 	Knights Mercantile
Saldanese Executive Board 	Lux 	Executive board of the Academy of Saldan 	Academy of Saldan
==== Secondary Characters ====
Character 	Player 	Description 	Affiliation
Sethsdad Luvelath	Seth's Dad	Minister of Transportation	Serene Duchy of Aeldrum
=== Important Non-Player Characters ===
Character 	Description 	Affiliation
Major Grall 	Commander of military forces in the Aeldrum Colonies 	Serene Duchy of Aeldrum
Gunnar du Monde 	Ex-ATC colonel, lover of Guillarme du Montreal 	Serene Duchy of Aeldrum
Trent Callis 	Aeldman military recruitment 	Serene Duchy of Aeldrum
Kyra Lazarus 	Aeldman naval officer 	Serene Duchy of Aeldrum
Dr. Iz 	Aeldman science officer 	Serene Duchy of Aeldrum
Abdul Al'Hazred 	Minister of the Occult, Church of Spires theologian 	Serene Duchy of Aeldrum
Baron Jacques Vanel 	Minister for Secular Affairs and Aeldman Values, Aeldrum Secularists leader 	Serene Duchy of Aeldrum
Jill Fermal 	Progressive Party leader 	Serene Duchy of Aeldrum
Count Sevrar Orvhim 	Neoconservative Party leader 	Serene Duchy of Aeldrum
Laena Aefendt 	Wife of Doge Bareth Aefendt 	Serene Duchy of Aeldrum
Crispin Aefendt 	Son of Doge Bareth Aefendt 	Serene Duchy of Aeldrum
Count Eugene Solaire 	Head of National Intelligence 	Serene Duchy of Aeldrum
Tissa Bachelier 	Minister of Finance 	Serene Duchy of Aeldrum
Peter Korinthos kast Entolia	Husband and heir of Empress Illyana 	Empire of Alusia
Nikki Yevozh 	Beriak's successor and Emperor Chevik's adopted heir 	Empire of Alusia
Crown-Princess Irboda Kataph	Daughter of Empress Theoboda, Patriarch of Tar'Thalran 	Shantine Empire
Princess Leandra Kataph 	Daughter of Crown-Princess Irboda 	Shantine Empire
Lord Jaspen Kane 	Brother of Arren Kane 	Shantine Empire
Patriarch Ibektos 	Patriarch of Highveldt 	Church of Kirva
Patriarch Latakon 	Patriarch of Highveldt, Protegee of Jan the Baptist 	Church of Kirva
Patriarch Balmor Wenceslas 	Patriarch of Korinth, Uncle of Halifax Novascotia 	Church of Kirva
Patriarch Mataxes 	Patriarch of Korinth, Former partisan leader on Zanevuela 	Church of Kirva
Bishop Teresa the Blind 	Bishop of Korinth, Former partisan leader on Zanevuela 	Church of Kirva
Patriarch Antim 	Patriarch of Ahlam 	Church of Kirva
Patriarch Semar Salath 	Patriarch of Aeldrum 	Church of Kirva
Patriarch Tarlo 	Patriarch of Marivan 	Church of Kirva
Ascalabus 	Skinchanger agent of Halifax Novascotia 	Knights of Adarnum
Echo 	Technologist for Halifax Novascotia 	Knights of Adarnum
Pygmalion 	Occultist for Halifax Novascotia 	Knights of Adarnum
Grand Marshall Cato 	Military officer and Asterion supporter 	Second Fialta Imperium
Prince Paloctus 	Fialta Prince in the Fialta Confederacy 	Fialta Confederacy
Prince Ymres 	Fialta Prince in the Fialta Confederacy 	Fialta Confederacy
Tacitus 	Fialta leader on Zanevuela 	Fialta Confederacy
Grand-Captain Mirbus 	Fialta Militia leader 	Fialta Confederacy
Lord Karenus 	Warhawk Prince of the Marches 	Thalranese Marches
Lord Armalos 	Conservative, Aeldman-skeptic Prince of the Marches 	Thalranese Marches
Priestess Marinia 	Priestess of Thalran in Gunnot's retinue, led rebellion in Fialta Union 	Thalranese Marches
Short Jim Copper 	Freebooter in Gunnot's retinue, led Fialta privateers in Great Celestial War	Thalranese Marches
King Rubloff 	King of Druz 	Dwarf Kingdom of Druz
King Gunnar Kamrand 	King of Druz 	Dwarf Kingdom of Druz
Braddon Armog 	Orcish Director General 	Orcish Directorate
Olaf Mielnar 	President 	Presidential Republic of Delarma
Samaral 	"Voice of the Triad" 	Elvish Enclaves
Joanna Fallev 	Councilor-President 	Republic of Sermaye
Hansel Brandt 	Prime Minister 	Deutschreich
Veiled Masters of Nippon 	Secretive leaders of the Nippon States 	Nippon States
Veran 	Twin Monarch of Veran 	Kingdom of Veran
Narev 	Twin Monarch of Veran 	Kingdom of Veran
Rex Regis Roy Rez IV 	International film producer 	
Leandra 	Angel of Kirva 	Kirva
Lapheraz 	Angel of Kirva 	Kirva
Donarus 	Angel of Idolmar 	Idolmar
Stelvar the Scribe 	Angel of Valdos 	Valdos
The King in Yellow 	Angel of Othal 	Othal
The Fugitive 	Minor God 	Lidenia Faction
Senil 	Angel of Falamar 	Falamar
Falamar the Resurrected 	God resurrected by the Academy of Saldan 	Falamar
== Summary ==
=== Year 443.5 - 444 ===
=== Year 444 - 444.5 ===
=== Year 444.5 - 445 ===
=== Year 445 - 445.5 ===
=== Year 445.5 - 446.5 ===
=== Year 446.5 - 447 ===
=== Year 447 - 447.5 ===
=== Year 447.5 - 448 ===
=== Year 448 - 448.5 ===
=== Year 448.5 - 449 ===
=== Year 449 - 450 ===
=== Year 450 - 451 ===
=== Year 451 - 452 ===
=== Year 452 - 453 ===
=== Year 453 - 453.5 ===
=== Year 453.5 - 454 ===
=== Year 454 - 455 ===
== Notes ==
Category:Campaign Summaries