Sting War

The Sting War, also known as the Beepeck-Brukel War, Beepeck Conquest of Instour, or the War of the Hymenopterans was a conflict in the continent of Talasi. The main theater of the war is led by the Empire of Beepeck aiming to conquer the capital city of Instour in the Empire of Brukel. The name derives from the war's roots in a rivalry between Beepeck and the WASP Alliance, an anti-Beepeck coalition lead by Brukel.
== Background ==
The roots of the conflict date back to some of the earliest Voyager's-Era settlements in Talasi; that of Beepeck, and that of Camp Montpelier. The former was the capital and namesake of Beepeck, while the latter was the first settlement of Brukel, a seafaring people. The people of Brukel decided shortly after founding Camp Montpelier (as well as another settlement, Ironwood Village) that they should continue their search for a suitable permanent site for a capital of their new nation. 
They sailed around the coast of Talasi, until eventually they landed on its eastern shores-where they founded a new capital, Instour. While their two settlements in central Talasi were still settled, they were mostly abandoned and retained only as minor colonies. Instour and Beepeck grew rapidly to become two of the largest cities in both size and population on the continent. 
As Beepeck rapidly expanded to consolidate much of central Talasi, they found that Brukel's two settlements lay within what they considered to be their home territory. They approached Brukel with a simple offer; $75,000 for both Camp Montpelier and Ironwood Village to be removed. This was refused. Some threats of war on failure to accept were presented, but for the time being tensions continued to simmer without boiling over. 
=== Beepeck's Expansion ===
As relations continued to sour between Brukel and Beepeck, the rest of Talasi looked on as Beepeck continued to rapidly expand. For some time, it felt as though every week brought news of the latest push by Beepeck's diplomats to expand their influence over the numerous smaller nations of central Talasi. Some joined willingly, as vassals glad to be protected by so strong a nation, while others were presented with a choice between vassalage and invasion. 
Many within the Talasi Accords, the main platform for diplomacy within Talasi, condemned Beepeck's expansion and vowed to combat it one day; while not all nations found themselves at odds with Beepeck, most nations saw them as aggressive expansionist fascists who would likely stop at nothing until their territorial ambitions were realized. 
Regardless, by the time of the first Continental Summit on June 16th, Beepeck were by far the largest and most powerful nation in the central region. One of the declarations from the Summit was that Beepeck were forming a new nation with their vassals and neighbors; the High Honey Imperium.
=== High Honey Imperium and the WASP Alliance ===
The High Honey Imperium, or HHI, was founded as a political and military union between Beepeck, Enderia, Vulkrum, Bovinica, and Xineria. There are two narratives surrounding the founding and reign of the HHI; that of Beepeck, and that of some of the member states. In the eyes of Beepeck, this was a positive alternative to military expansion; the smaller neighbouring nations-who had little hope of continued independence regardless due to their lack of strength-would become equal partners in a union with Beepeck, allowing them to become part of a large and powerful Empire. However, in the eyes of several of the member states (and other Talasi nations), the HHI was a thinly veiled attempt by Beepeck to expand their nation by other means. 
Whatever the case, the HHI failed to survive the tensions that had already grown between Beepeck and several other nations. Brukel, hoping to capitalize on the untested Empire's internal vulnerabilities, approached the more disgruntled member states and other nations in central Talasi, such as the Fjarldom of Skùlfur, to propose building a military coalition against Beepeck. The coalition was to be called the WASP Alliance, and would include both Brukel, the UKCT, and other nations who had grievances with Beepeck. This alliance was to be carefully planned by Had_Name and V_L who would attempt to unite the nations together as all had different opinions on it, this would take days and once a document was made to solidify the alliance, many awaited on Skùlfur to sign the document so they could announce the alliance, Skùlfur however had suspicion about the other nations so while Skùlfur wouldn't sign into the WASP Alliance itself, it would sign a separate alliance with Brukel. Allowing Brukel to finally announce it, but before the alliance could be declared, however, Vulkrum betrayed the UKCT and leaked the WASP alliance to not only the Talasi Accords but directly to the Beepeck High Government with O_Beep joining the group chat soon later. With the cat out of the bag, it appeared that the HHI was already on it's last legs-and many within Beepeck blamed Brukel for its demise, along with the disloyal UKCT that had plotted with them. 
Both the UKCT and HHI dissolved shortly afterwards, and the WASP Alliance against Beepeck was announced by Brukel-along with several other alliances which together formed an enormous coalition. Between the WASP Alliance, Brukel, and Beepeck's allies, the two spheres of power now encompassed much of Talasi. On July 10th, Beepeck declared war on Brukel-citing their existing land disputes and their role in the HHI's demise. With their sights set on the Brukel capital of Instour, Beepeck marched to war.
=== Preparing for War ===
On the same day that the war was declared, the preparations for war had begun. One of the first allies to assist Brukel would be the Fjarldom of Skùlfur, with one of its leaders, Brandon, helping Brukel create and organize the war discord, and make his claim of Vanaheimr as the main repot station for the war. Soon, major nations such as Vinovia, Drackar, Bardonia, Corry, Michava and Caranthea, along with other nations from the Idaris Accords and the WASP Alliance all joined and V_L along with other Brukel members and High Command began preparing Instour for the first major war of Abexilas, tearing parts of the city down and making defensives made of cobbled deepslate, also planning possible strategies to use against Beepeck during what would be a fierce battle, the main concern High Command had with Beepeck is what would be what mercenaries they would hire, with both sides entering a constant bidding wars between certain mercenaries, losing some along with having to deal with possible spies within their ranks.
Despite this, planning continued, as another one of High Command's biggest issue's for the war was gear, it seemed like there wasn't enough for the possible hundred people that would show up to fight for Brukel. People like Emperor_Kyborg, SyndicateNA and V_L himself donate as much gear as they could, along with potions to Vanaheimr with hopes that perhaps more can be made or even stolen from Beepeck during the battle just in case. Eventually the date of the battle was set and it was just a waiting game.
== Sting War ==
=== Corry Incident ===
On July 14th, citizens of Corry-in the far northeast of Talasi-were suddenly alerted that a Beepeck war party was approaching the city limits. Panic spread, as Corry's soldiers rushed to defend the city; whilst the soldiers of Corry were confident of their defence, a question had been raised-why Corry, and not Brukel? The answer lies in the Worldspine. Spanning the entire continent of Talasi, the Worldspine refers to a steep mountain range which is extremely difficult to pass. A Beepeck attack in Corry didn't require a journey over the snowy peaks-which they'd have to do to get to Brukel.
Corry was beset with fighting, as Beepeck troops put any they could find to the blade. After a tense bout, Beepeck eventually withdrew from the city, failing to accomplish their aim of demonstrating their military prowess, since they were repelled by the citizens of Corry successfully. 
In response, Corry, as well as allied soldiers from Kuzina and Tholouj Algharb sent troops to counter attack the Beepeck Capital, voyaging southwards . So sooner had the Beepeck raiders arrived home did they find themselves attacked by the coalition Soldiers, hoping to avenge the attack on their home. The streets of Beepeck were ablaze with fighting, the raiders from the Idaris Accords being the dominant side in the raid, until eventually the Corry soldiers-weary from their travel and far from home-were dispatched by the defenders of Beepeck, after they called for reinforcements from Crusadon.
The Corry incident generated a great deal of sabre-rattling from both Beepeck and the WASP Alliance, as the two opposing coalitions sized one another up for battle. 
=== Battle of Instour ===
Beepeck targeted the capital of Brukel, Instour, with the hope of bringing about a swift victory following the capture of the city.
However, to reach Instour it was necessary for Beepeck to travel all the way north before heading east-allowing them to avoid the Worldspine, the dangerous mountain range which stretches across central Talasi. However, Beepeck decided to do something which no army had ever attempted; to march across the Worldspine. The voyage was treacherous, with the difficult terrain stretching the army thin and leaving them incredibly vulnerable to attack. Despite this, they marched on; they scaled the Worldspine at its thinnest point, and successfully reached the other side-becoming the first army in history to do so.
They spilled into eastern Talasi and quickly marched to Instour-with Brukel and their allies waiting inside. The mood within Instour was tense; the strength of Beepeck was infamous, and they were joined by several powerful mercenaries and allies. Despite the political leadership the WASP Alliance had provided in the declaration of war, their material or military contribution to the defence of Brukel was minimal; the bulk of the soldiers were provided by Brukel, Vinovia, and Drackar. Local militia stood guard in houses, on rooftops, or wherever else offered a defensive view of the city. For what felt like an eternity, they waited; their scouts had told them that Beepeck's armies had crossed the Worldspine, but there was little sign of them. Many were beginning to wonder if they attack was called off, when goat horns suddenly sounded throughout Instour. Beepeck had arrived.
The fighting was intense; swarms of Beepeck troops flooded the city, cutting down anyone they saw. Instour's defences knocked them back at first, but before long the inner streets were ablaze with battle. Beepeck's ferocity was immense-but it found an even match in Brukel's defence. In every street, every building, every room, Brukel and their allies fought to defend every inch. Were it not for the high moral of Beepeck's troops, the battle may have ended early after just a few waves broke over the defences, knocked back and scattered by defending troops.
After lengthy fighting, Brukel's commanders gave the order to knock back the attackers; the defending soldiers rushed forward and pushed Beepeck's troops out of the city. With the battle now moved to the coast, From this moment, the battle was all but over. Despite a few more scattered breakthroughs by raiding Beepeck parties, the invasion of Brukel had failed. Beepeck's armies had been repelled.
=== Initial peace negotiations ===
In an effort to bring an end to the war, Brukel and Beepeck met to discuss a potential peace agreement. It was agreed that the two settlements owned by Brukel-Camp Montpelier and Ironwood Village-would be purchased by Beepeck for the sum of $1,000,000, with $500,000 being paid for each individual settlement. The peace deal was overseen by the Celestial City-State of Kaliné, who handled the transfer of funds and ensured that both Brukel and Beepeck adhered to the agreement they set out.
Camp Montpelier was handed over without issue; Kaliné confirmed the transfer of the town to Beepeck and the payment of funds to Brukel. Issues arose, however, over the transfer of Ironwood Village; the owner appeared unwilling to give up his ownership of the deed of the village, even if he ceded the territory. This meant that even though Beepeck had tangible control over the entire area, the old owner-and thus Brukel-would retain ownership of the title of Ironwood Village, which could lead to issues down the line.
The government of Brukel appeared at odds with the leader of Ironwood Village, instructing him to hand it over-but he continually refused. Gael Altor, the representative from Kaliné overseeing the deal, threatened to declare the agreement void and return the $500,000 to Beepeck if Ironwood Village was not handed over, at which stage the owner finally relented-albeit by destroying the claim, as opposed to transferring it. This irritated many in Beepeck who would now have to invest more money in redeveloping the area, but the deal was done-and many believed peace was imminent.
However, to the surprise of both Beepeck and other onlookers, Brukel reneged on their assurances of an end to the war and continued to mobilize. Despite having handed over the claims over which the war was started, it was apparent that they intended to strike back at their attackers; Brukel had seen Beepeck cross the Worldspine, and planned to follow them back across it. Scrambling to prepare for imminent invasion, Beepeck alerted nearby nations to Brukel's actions and set about readying themselves for the arrival of Brukel's retaliation.
=== End of the War ===
Brukel's armies mustered in preparation to invade Beepeck, using the funds secured in the purchase of Camp Montpelier and Ironwood Village to support the campaign. Fears mounted in Beepeck, where many knew that much of the strength and wealth of Beepeck had been used to strike at Instour-the likelihood of victory in a battle on the home front was being called into question. Regardless, preparations were made to defend Beepeck's holdings in central Talasi, in anticipation of Brukel and their allies pouring forth over the Worldspine-but this never came to be.
In Central Talasi, many eyes turned to the Worldspine each day expecting to see war banners rising over the peaks were instead greeted with silence; the Worldspine loomed over both central and eastern Talasi, undisturbed by marching soldiers or the clash of steel. Beepeck scouts were sent to investigate for any signs of Brukel's armies trying to circumvent the Worldspine rather than cross, but when they returned they had news that was even more surprising; it appeared that the city of Instour's defences were being dismantled, and Brukel in general were demobilising.
Suspicious, inquiries were sent as to the nature of hostilities-but no Treaty was offered, nor any formal offer of peace submitted to Beepeck. Cautiously, both sides withdrew their forces from their posts. A general peace was declared by Beepeck and Brukel individual, to the surprise and confusion of many who anticipated another great battle between them. Beepeck had secured their goals-the settlements of Camp Montpelier and Ironwood Village-but Brukel had received a vast sum for both and was not heavily reinvesting into its heartlands in the east.
The first war had come to close, slowly, and then all at once.
== Result ==
The Sting War's conclusion is hotly debated by historians due to the somewhat muddy or anticlimatic manner in which it came to a close, however most agree that the outcome was a victory for Brukel.
Many say ended most satisfactorily for Brukel; the settlements of Camp Montpelier and Ironwood Village were both scarely populated and undeveloped, and mostly retained as a strategic measure against Beepeck. Brukel originally offered $1,000,000 for both claims prior to the war and were refused, with Beepeck calling the offer outrageous. Beepeck then accepted it following their loss in the Battle of Instour. 
However, Beepeck did secure the land they sought to conquer; their aims in the war were to acquire Camp Montpelier and Ironwood Village, and both of these claims were either transferred or removed outright in favour of Beepeck settlements. Some would claim that this therefore constitutes a favourable settlement of a kind-however the fact that Beepeck was forced to pay for the claims regardless, and their military defeat at the hands of Brukel in the Battle of Instour, prevent the outcome as being regarded as a victory for Beepeck.
Category:Wars
Category:Beepeck
Category:Talasi