Helemon Rebellion

Aftermath of the Battle of Ironridge

## Overview

   The **Helemon Rebellion** (Veridarian: Helemoni Revolor) was the largest civil uprising in Veridian history, occuring from 240 to 247 AC, consisting of over 600 thousand total combatants, and ending with the deaths of nearly 200 thousand military and tens of thousands of civilians. The war proved the inefficiency of the Veridian military system and prompted a post-war reorganization of the Veridian Armed Forces. It is widely considered by historians to be the end of the Reformist Era and the beginning of the Golden Era. It was succeeded by the Veridian Civil Uprising, in which many civilians supportive of the Helemon Rebels' cause faught against the government, which spanned from 247 AC to 254 AC.

## Pre-War

The seeds of the Helemon Rebellion were sown in the Reformist Era, a period of significant political transformation in Veridia that began with the signing of the Constitution of the Veridian Kingdom in 154 AC. This document heralded a shift from absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy, redistributing power and influence within the nation. The monarchy was curtailed, and the system evolved into a monarchy with defined constitutional limits. The transformation continued, and by the year 200 AC, the Helemon Territory was created. This move was emblematic of the evolving nature of Veridia, as more regions sought autonomy and control over their own affairs. Helemon was characterized by a landscape that blended the harsh arid deserts with fertile plains and verdant forests, offering a stark contrast to the other regions of Veridia.

In 218 AC, the Veridian transition to a full-fledged republic was completed. The monarchy was dissolved, and the nation was officially rebranded as the Veridian Republic. While this period was marked by democratic ideals and a commitment to a more inclusive government, it also brought with it complex challenges. In Helemon, as in many regions, the political transformation was met with mixed reactions. The power vacuum created by the transition to a republic allowed various factions within Veridia to grow in influence, but also fueled political divisions. It was during this time that a growing sentiment of regionalism took hold in Helemon. Many Helemonians felt that the Republic's policies and central government did not adequately address their unique needs and concerns, and this discontent simmered beneath the surface for years.

## The War

As the discontent in Helemon escalated and calls for regional autonomy grew stronger, tensions between the rebellious Helemon forces and the Veridian Republic began to boil. In 240 AC, the Veridian government, sensing the mounting unrest, deployed a substantial force of around 376,000 troops to the field, primarily concentrated near the region's western border. This large military presence was a clear display of the Republic's commitment to maintaining control over Helemon and its willingness to suppress any rebellion.

### First Battle of Unity's End

The situation came to a head with the outbreak of the Helemon Rebellion, and the stage was set for conflict. In the early days of the rebellion, Helemon's nascent military, hastily organized but driven by fervor, took the initiative and launched the First Battle of Unity's End. Unity's End was an important town near the border of Helemon, and it lay close to Steelhaven, Veridia's capital. The battle was a fierce and bloody confrontation, as Helemon rebels, numbering around 200,000 troops, sought to assert control over this strategic point. Veridia's government, defending Unity's End as a vital link to its capital, committed a significant portion of its forces to this engagement. Despite the tenacity of the Helemon forces, the Veridian military managed to repel the initial assault, and the battle raged on for several days. This opening battle was marked by the resilience of both sides and showcased the profound divide between the rebels and the central government.

### Battle of Ironridge

Following the First Battle of Unity's End, both sides recognized the gravity of the conflict they were embroiled in, and tensions continued to escalate. Veridian government forces, under the command of General Harrington, devised a tactical plan that aimed to disrupt the rebels' supply lines and recapture key territory. The Battle of Ironridge, a significant encounter in the early stages of the conflict, was pivotal in this endeavor. General Harrington's strategy was comprehensive, combining both conventional military units and specialized magical forces to encircle and isolate Ironridge, a town in the rebel-held western state. This battle, which lasted for several days, was marked by intense skirmishes and magical confrontations. Government forces unleashed their magical units to engage the rebel troops and secure Ironridge.

Ultimately, the government's superior strategy, disciplined forces, and coordinated use of magical assets allowed them to triumph in the Battle of Ironridge. The strategic town fell back into government control, significantly weakening the rebel factions and disrupting their supply lines. This victory was a turning point in the early stages of the Helemon Rebellion, helping to diminish the rebels' capabilities and reestablishing the government's dominance in key regions.

### Second Battle of Unity's End

The Second Battle of Unity's End, fought in 243 AC, was a pivotal confrontation during the Helemon Rebellion. Unity's End, a strategically crucial town close to Veridia's capital, Steelhaven, became the focal point of yet another intense clash between Helemon's rebel forces and Veridia's government troops. The town had already witnessed fierce fighting in the earlier conflict, and its significance made it a flashpoint in the ongoing struggle for control over Helemon. This battle was characterized by the relentless determination of both sides. The Helemon rebels, despite their initial defeat in the First Battle of Unity's End, were steadfast in their pursuit of regional autonomy and independence. On the other side, the Veridian government remained committed to retaining Unity's End as a vital link to its capital. With the conflict intensifying, the fighting in Unity's End was fierce and prolonged, with the fate of the town hanging in the balance.

### Battle of Verdant Crossing

The Battle of Verdant Crossing, occurring in 244 AC, was another critical engagement in the Helemon Rebellion. Verdant Crossing was a strategic point located near the western border of Helemon, and control of this region was fiercely contested. This battle marked the rebels' attempt to secure territory and disrupt Veridia's control over key border areas.

The year 244 saw both sides heavily committed to the fight. The Helemon rebels were resolute in their struggle for independence, and their forces numbered in the hundreds of thousands. The Veridian government, equally determined to quell the rebellion, fielded a substantial army to protect its territorial claims. Verdant Crossing became a battleground of substantial scale, with both sides vying for dominance.

### Siege of Helios Keep

The Siege of Helios Keep, a defining moment in the rebellion, unfolded in 246 AC. Helios Keep, a formidable fortress perched atop a strategic hill, had become the heart of the rebel resistance in Helemon. General Harrington, recognizing the stronghold's symbolic and strategic importance, orchestrated a meticulous siege. The government forces, numbering in the tens of thousands, encircled Helios Keep, cutting off all supply routes and communication lines. This prolonged siege was marked by both sides unleashing powerful magical spells and engaging in intense conventional warfare. The rebels inside Helios Keep, well aware of the stronghold's significance, mounted a fierce defense, employing magical wards and skilled warriors to repel the government forces. For months, the conflict raged on, with the rebel defenders showing exceptional resilience.

The turning point came when government forces, under Harrington's strategic brilliance, managed to breach the magical defenses of Helios Keep. The rebel defenders, exhausted and realizing the inevitable, finally surrendered. Helios Keep fell to government control, breaking the backbone of the rebellion. The capture of this symbolically significant fortress significantly contributed to the end of the Veridian Civil Uprising, ushering in a new era of stability in Helemon.

### Battle of Sandscale

The Battle of Sandscale occurred at the end of the Helemon Rebellion, around 247 AC. Sandscale, a town in western Helemon contested during the rebellion, remained a focal point in the power struggles. Veridia's government, now in firm control, faced pockets of rebel resistance that had not fully disbanded. In Sandscale, remnants of rebel forces, refusing to accept defeat, mounted a last stand against the government's authority.

This battle was marked by the rebels' desperation, knowing that Sandscale represented one of their final footholds. Government forces, battle-hardened from the civil uprising, confronted the rebels with strategic precision. The conflict was intense, as rebels fought with unparalleled determination, hoping to regain control over Sandscale. However, the government troops, bolstered by their recent victories and a renewed sense of unity, eventually overpowered the rebel resistance, finishing off the final remnants of the Helemon Rebels.

## Result & Legacy

The end of the Helemon Rebellion in 247 AC marked a turning point in Veridian history. After a grueling conflict that lasted for years, government forces, under the leadership of General Harrington, finally quelled the rebellion. This victory resulted in the full restoration of government authority in Helemon. General Harrington became a national hero, and one of the most recognizable people in all of Veridian history. Helemon would also be integrated into Veridia in 247, before many towns fell under national guard occupation to prevent future revolutions.

However, not long after, the Veridian Civil Uprising began, a mass rebellion by Veridian citizens against the government, in favor of a more autonomous country and against militarism. many ex-Helemonian soldiers joined in the fighting, intending to continue their battle until the end. Despite another seven years of conflict against the Veridian government, the rebels would once against be defeated, allowing the nation to return to its pre-war levels of stability, resume trading with neighbors, and enter a Golden Era of industrialization, reformation, and technological progress.