October War

The October War (十月戦役), also referred to as the Erebonian Civil War of S.1204, was a civil war that took place in Erebonia following the shooting of Giliath Osborne by Crow Armbrust. The conflict took place from October 30th S. 1204 to January of S. 1205, and was between the Noble Alliance (acting with the aid of both Ouroboros and the Imperial Liberation Front), and the Imperial Resistance (assisted by the Ironbloods and for much of the war, the Crimson Wings faction led by Olivert Reise Arnor). It is the primary cause of conflict during the events of .
Although the Noble Alliance initially had the upper hand, Duke Albarea's wartime actions led to the emergence of the Crimson Wings and, despite their ostensible neutrality, twice forced them to act in tandem with the Imperial Resistance, causing the Alliance to lose ground. Furthermore, Osborne, who had secretly survived Crow's assassination attempt, planted his top Ironblood into the Noble Alliance as its Chief of Staff, granting him a favorable vantage point in the war and allowing the Imperial Resistance to gain victory. The aftermath of the war resulted in the weakening of Erebonian nobility, strengthening Osborne's foothold in the country, and led to the Imperial occupation of Crossbell as well as Osborne stealing the Phantasmal Blaze Plan from Ouroboros (who assisted the Noble Alliance in pursuit of that plan).
== Pre-War Events ==
=== Rising Tensions ===
There were two factions vying for power in Erebonia. The first, the Noble Alliance, was led by Duke Cayenne, who sought to maintain the current status quo. The second, the Reformist Faction, was led by Chancellor Osborne, who sought to remove the social and political influence of the nobility. 
Knowing that the might of the Imperial Army greatly outweighed that of the provincial armies, Duke Cayenne plotted behind the scenes; he sponsored the development of Panzer Soldats and the Pantagruel as his secret weapons of war. He also met Crow, who shared a similar hatred for Osborne. With the duke's help, Crow formed the Imperial Liberation Front, a terrorist organization who wished to topple Osborne's rule.
The first action of the ILF was on 28 June S.1204 and was to attack the Imperial Watchtower located in the Nord Highlands in an attempt to trick the Imperial Army into viewing the attack as originating from a nearby Calvard Republic airbase, thus igniting a war between the two nations. This plot was foiled by Class VII finding and defeating the mastermind of the operation, Michael Gideon.
Almost one month later, on 26 July S.1204, the ILF kidnapped Elise Schwarzer and Princess Alfin Reise Arnor during the Summer Festival in Heimdallr. They escaped into the catacombs below the city, until they were once again cornered by Class VII, and released their hostages shortly after.
On 31 August S.1204, the ILF attacked Garrelia Fortress during the West Zemuria Trade Conference in an attempt to launch the railway guns stationed there and attack Crossbell City. Once again their plans were stopped by Class VII, who happened to be there at the time.
The Intelligence Division of Erebonia looked into the true identity of C, who was actually Crow. Crow attended Thors Military Academy as a student; seeing that C had ties to the school, the division sent Millium Orion into Class VII in 18 August S.1204 in an attempt to flush him out. Crow was aware of Millium's purpose and was able to keep his identity as the terrorist ringleader hidden from her.
== Course of the War ==
=== Occupation of Heimdallr ===
On 30 October S.1204, Crow headed to Heimdallr to supposedly witness Osborne's speech first hand. In reality he had gone there to assassinate him, having been provided with a special sniper rifle. As soon as Crow sniped Osborne down, the Noble Alliance immediately sent the Pantagruel above Heimdallr's airspace, deploying Panzer Soldats into the city.
The 1st Armored Division, the city's local garrison, mobilized to repel the invaders, but the Panzer Soldats' high maneuverability and hardened steel plating meant that the Achtzehn tanks and armored cars used by the defenders were quickly overwhelmed and destroyed. The Imperial family as well as Governor Carl Regnitz are taken into custody and held within Karel Imperial Villa. Over the next month most of Erebonia is taken over by the Noble Alliance, and Crow is given the title "Azure Chevalier", derived from the color of his Divine Knight, Ordine.
Patrick T. Hyarms and the other noble students enrolled in Thors Military Academy formed the Order of the Lion to maintain control, though Patrick's experiences with Rean caused him to realize that the nobles' war was unjust and secretly helped as many faculty and students escape if they desired.
=== Imperial Counterattack ===
On 10 December S.1204, Class VII is entrusted with the Courageous by Prince Olivert Reise Arnor, and declares themselves a third faction in the war, independent from both the noble and imperial sides. One week later, they assist the 4th Armored Division in retaking the Twin Dragons Bridge from noble control, marking the turning point in the war.
The group was later contacted by Angelica Rogner, who wished to force her father and uncle out of the war. The two had supported the Noble Alliance, but only the latter had been actively supporting them, having overthrown Irina Reinford of the Reinford Group. Class VII was able to install Irina back as chairman, while Angelica had a one-on-one Soldat battle with Gerhart and prevailed against him. Heidel was put under house arrest while Gerhart ordered the Nortia Provincial Army to stand down.
In an attempt to demonstrate his power to the people of Erebonia, Duke Albarea had his provincial army burn down the town of Celdic on 23 December S.1204. This caused him to be condemned by both sides of the war, including his own son, Rufus. Rufus allowed the 4th Armored Division, RMP, and Class VII to attack the Kreuzen Province, having shifted most of his units out of the area, which meant that the only defenders were those who were loyal to Helmut. The attack was successful and Helmut was arrested by his other son, Jusis. As Rufus was still working with the Noble Alliance, this meant that Jusis became its acting lord, but he still had enough influence to order the Kreuzen Provincial Army to stand down.
On 30 December S.1204, Class VII launched an attack on Trista to reclaim the academy from the Noble Alliance. Most of its garrison had been recalled back to Heimdallr, which left the town lightly defended, including one Goliath and Kestrel unit. Rean, along with Valimar, disabled these two units with an experimental Zemurian tachi; intimidated by its sheer power, the provincial defenders quickly abandoned Trista. After "liberating" the academy from the Order of the Lion, Trista was finally secured, which gave the resistance a staging ground to mobilize onto Heimdallr.
=== Liberation of Karel Imperial Villa ===
The next day, the RMP and the Imperial Army begin their invasion of Heimdallr, while Class VII is asked to liberate Karel Imperial Villa, where the imperial family is being held. Immediately following the liberation, Vita Clotilde summons the Infernal Castle and Duke Cayenne holds Crown Prince Cedric Reise Arnor captive at the top. After Class VII confronts and defeats Crow and the Vermillion Apocalypse, Osborne reveals he is still alive, and Duke Cayenne, the leader of the Noble Alliance, is arrested.
With their leader in custody, the Noble Alliance quickly fell apart and decided to work with Osborne, ending the civil war.
== Aftermath ==
=== Occupation of Crossbell ===
With a restored and technologically advanced army, the Imperial Army invaded Crossbell State, and captured Crossbell City in a single day without bloodshed from the Crossbellans, while Calvardian attempts to push the advance back fail miserably. On 14 January S.1205, Crossbell signed a treaty with Erebonia, losing its autonomy and becoming a province of Erebonia. Two months later, in March S.1205, Rufus Albarea is appointed Governor of Crossbell, and it is announced that Crossbell will formally merge with Erebonia.
Category:Events