Ostian War of Independence

The Ostian War of Independence, also known as the Ostian Revolutionary War was a war fought between the Kingdom of Vesryn, the fledgling territory of Ostia and men from the Northern Tribes of Ostia. The war took place from 1353 to 1358, during the Common Era. The Ostian Army, led by Duke Arron Willard, defeated the armies of Vesryn. The territory became independent and instituted its own monarchy, becoming the Kingdom of Ostia. 
News of the loss against the Ostian forces was censored for months in Vesryn, for fear of driving the peasantry to revolt. After suffering multiple defeats at the hands of the Ostians, the immediate shock of unexpected humiliation at the hands of a regional Astrian power drove widespread public apathy towards the monarchy, and in some regions, sheer animosity against the military that had failed the country. 
== History ==
=== Background and causes ===
The war started after years of civil unrest, largely propagated by agents from Leoben and Saint-Astan, who sought to end the cultural dominance Vesryn had held over the lands of Western Astria. Although Vesryn had long ago coveted the lands of Ostia, as the ideas of liberty grew greater the suppression of the populace could no longer be conducted, and greater numbers of soldiers were required to soothe tensions between the Vesryne peoples of Ostia and the natives.
For many years the Vesryne monarchy decided which countries could trade with the Ostians, instead of the men of the tribes deciding it themselves. In 1350 C.E, the Crown of Vesryn found itself in dire need of money to finance its expeditions to Arcadia, and passed a law that raised taxes for those of different faiths than the Church of the Heavens. Many in the north saw this as an affront to their Druidic Gods, and after a small skirmish in the town of Hrafnholm, King Edric I de Laurelay sent the Duke Arron Willard to mediate between the local governors and the tribesmen.
However Edric did not plan on the young Arron seeing truths in the complaints of the northerners. Inspired by their passion and believing in their cause, he decided to join their cause, and began a violent military uprising only three years later in the city of High Haven, which would later become the capital of the Kingdom of Ostia. Men and women of the civilised southern regions of Ostia flocked to the banners, and took up the cause of independence. 
=== Early battles ===
The first battles of the Ostian War of Independence were at Mallorey and Whiteclyffe. The first major battle, however, took place in 1356 C.E at High Haven, which led to the withdrawal of Vesryne troops from the western regions of Ostia. Around that time, the Duke Willard recieved petitions of support carried by messengers from Leoben and Saint-Astan. Early in 1357, the two nations entered into formal alliance with the fledgling territory of Ostia and its allied Northern Tribes and declared formal war on the Kingdom of Vesryn.
A few months later the Ostians, men of the tribes and Leobische troops under Hrafn Sigmundsson fought the Westbank and Aldmill Campaign. During the battles that occurred, Vesryn started to call in Loyalist forces, and auxiliaries from the colony of Khairys. Although the Northern Tribes lost the campaign, and Vesryn was able to hold onto their western territories, Sigmundsson was able to hold onto most of his army.
=== Later battles ===
One of the most important battles was the Battle of Lilou Bay in the late months of 1357 C.E. Astanién soldiers under the chevalier Rochert de Meins forced a Vesryne surrender under Lord Aldart Beake at a decisive naval battle off the coast of Lilou. This battle was famous for the sheer amount of warships present, and was said to be one of the bloodiest days of the war, second only to the Great Forsaking of Harbrook, which would happen only a year later. This battle led to the king personally sailing to Ostia to manage the conflict with his own hand.
=== End of the war ===
The war effectively ended when in the reaches of northern Ostia, the armies of Vesryn and Ostia met for the last time. On one side, the forces of Vesryn, commanded by King Edric I de Laurelay, and on the other side, the forces of Ostia led by Hrafn Sigmundsson clashed at the town of Harbrook. Due to what was heralded as divine punishment, both armies were decimated by magic forces never seen before, annihilating both armies and the entire town within minutes. What little survivors there were from the town escaped, including King Edric, who remained in a comatose state for the rest of his life. His wife and queen Esther took up the management of the throne. She negotiated an end to the conflict at the Treaty of Hawkrun by recognising the independence of the Ostians, and withdrawing the military back into Vesryne territory, effectively ending the war. 
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