The Red-Rush

The Red-Rush was a forty-two year conflict between The Central Empire and The Iron Coast Protectorate (and other allied states) for possession of the mineral Percussium, a highly volatile non-metallic mineral that was used to power immense artillery and siege weapons used throughout the conflict. The war lasted from 2684 IC to 2726 IC. 
==Causes==
In the east midland plain, close the the borders of the Iron Coast, a vein of the red mineral Percussium was discovered in 2683. Initially the mineral was thought to be a precious stone, as when the light caught its edges, the mineral produced a chromatic aberration visible to the naked eye. Quite quickly the material was found to have incredibly volatile properties and was a potent explosive. Pieces roughly the size of a grain of sand was equivalent to that of a large explosive charge, meaning the mineral had an unrivalled energy potential. The private mine that found this vein began sale of the product at materials markets in both Midland and The Iron Coast. The Emperor saw this as a sign of his devine reign and claimed the mineral as Imperial and planned to seize the mine, and stockpile the mineral for its beauty and power. He believed that surely something this powerful could only be a gift from the Architects. Some Percussium was sold in The Iron Coast and they, more pragmatically, saw it as a powerful weapon to be harnessed. Around sixty tonnes of Percussium was mined before the Central Empire sent soldiers to the mine to take control. Upon arrival, they discovered that Privateers from the Iron Coast had already marched overland to defend the vein of Percussium from being taken by opposing forces. The sixty tonnes already mined had made its way into the private market in both Midland and The Iron Coast, and the ensuing skirmish between Imperial forces and the Iron Coast Privateers lead to the collapse of the Percussium mine meaning that the only known vein of the mineral was no longer accessible. This single action was the opening flashpoint of the Red-Rush and would lead to decades of bloodshed. 
==The Imperial Forces==
From the end of 2684, the central Empire activated "Imperial Defense Priority Order 2684", which enabled the Empire to conscript all males between eighteen and twenty-five and make them combat ready.
==The Iron Coast Forces==
The Iron Coast protectorate was a pro democratic nation derived from many small coastal settlements that joined under singular leadership. A protectorate rather than a sovereign nation, the Iron Coast's military was far more irregular than that of the Empire. The term Privateer became universal for combatants under the Iron Coast banner. Derived from the name of sailing ships operating privately under the Iron Coast banner, the Iron Coast's land forces were much the same, private citizens would pledge alliegence to the Protectorate and would take salary to fight, without uniform or issued equipment. This method of military organisation meant that the Iron Coast's forces were far more like an irregular militia than a regular army. 
== Outcome ==
Towards the end of the war, The Central Empire focused their manufacture on Black Powder, another explosive substance derived from sulphur. Percussium was scarce, and the Empire wanted to safeguard as much as possible, so finding a new material with similar properties, albeit far less volatile, was an excellent discovery. With this, the Empire's weapons became more refined. But still the stalemate with the Iron Coast that had left large portions of the Midland and the Iron Coast desolate and without life continued. The Empire enacted a daring plan. They captured an Iron Coast galleon and packed it full with Black Powder with a one tonne Percussium heart. The Powder was loaded into armoured kegs, with a Percussium primers on each. The plan was to sail the vessel right into the port city of Deconos, the Iron Coast capital, and detonate the vessel launching the barrels of explosive across the city, creating an unstoppable firestorm. 
On the night of the 19th of Rain 2726, The Imperial Navy enacted their plan. A crew of three, a Captain, a Lieutenant and a Midshipman volunteered to sail the vessel. Within moments, the ship and a large portion of the city of Deconos was vaporised in deep red fire. The war was over. 
In the months thereafter, the Iron Coast surrendered to the Central Empire and their territory was soon absorbed. This lead to the Bureau of Stewards enacting the Prevention of Internal Conflicts Act 2726, which laid out guidelines for the prevention of the formation of organised militia's under a unified banner.