Hapatmitas Crisis

The **Hapatmitas Crisis** was a moment of high tensions between the Imperial Archonate of Viodoxa and the Second Empire of Uldarash following the events of Loic's War. The event was notable for the fears of a second world war breaking out due to the various alliances both sides possessed.

## Origins

In the wake of Loic's War, the Empire of Uldarash had dissolved, leaving Haven a fractured continent with nearly a dozen successor states. At first it was thought that this would bring at least a temporary respite to the Emerald Crisis as the Haven states were expected to either exist weakened and divided or to enter total war in an attempt to fill the power vacuum. The Imperial Archonate of Viodoxa, Republic of Soumere, Sewer Mafia, and Kingdom of Aurora all had interests in watching the developments of the region due to either having recently acquired former Uldarashi land, or being the last regional power in Aurora's case. These interests and beliefs led the Southern Hemisphere to be shocked when on March 6, 2021, the various states of Haven including the Kingdom of Aurora recombined into the True Empire of Uldarash.

## Beginning of the Crisis

The True Empire of Uldarash immediately began a campaign of cultural reclamation, attempting to pressure Soumere and Viodoxa into ceding their claims in Haven without true compensation. The Eastern nations rejected this, citing that the lands were suspended by the previous Empire during its dissolution and that the new one was separate and therefore had no historical claims. Viodoxa in particular rejected this first round of talks vehemently, stating that Aurora was using its newfound power and influence in the True Empire to recommence the Emerald Conflict and steal land from Viodoxa with false promises. Relations between Uldarash and Soumere broke down quickly afterwards, with reports of an Uldarashi diplomat screaming to his Soumerian peer that "Uldarash has a 14 nation coalition including the Sterling Crownlands and they *will* take back the land that is theirs."

## A Deepening Divide

While Soumere and Viodoxa didn't believe that Uldarash truly had 14 allies and was counting its member states, it was decided that a larger, more unified opposition was needed to keep the True Empire from attempting war. Soumere contacted the United Empire of Akratia and the Empire of Bardonia, and together the four nations began planning for war with Uldarash, hoping that a peaceful solution was found. Meanwhile the True Empire of Uldarash cemented their stance and continued to claim their massive coalition. Both sides began extending a web of tentative and confirmed alliances across Rathnir, setting the stage for a Second Great War to break out the second either side decided to stop waiting.

With each passing day the crisis deepened, with war seeming more likely despite the efforts of Theos-Essukdal, Viodoxan, Soumerian, and Uldarashi diplomats. A potential treaty was offered by the Uldarash-Essukdal party and was tentatively accepted by Viodoxa, but was later rejected for not promising anything in payment for the province of Aruna and its capitol city of Hapatmitas. A similar deal was offered to Soumere but was also rejected. Uldarashi, Sewer Mafian, and Essukdalian diplomats and leadership attempted to persuade Viodoxa and Soumere into accepting the treaty, but were rebuffed by Viodoxan Archons Loic and Spike, as well as Soumeri Stuga Sikar Salib. Unsatisfied with the lack of progress with diplomatic talks, the Allies of Soumere decided to organize themselves into the Atlas Coalition, with their first proclamation being the minimum demands of the partner nations regarding Uldarash. These Atlas Accords were expected to be rejected by Uldarash entirely since they demanded that Uldarash view them as equals and prevented certain leaders from ruling the nation, but in a twist the Uldarashi diplomat Deal accepted, modifying the Atlas Accords to include the purchase of Aruna by Kush to keep both sides from stabbing each other in the back during the transfer of land. This offer was refused by Archon Loic, who had grown paranoid that the conflict with Haven would never end and that Uldarash needed to be utterly destroyed if he wished to see true peace. While this announcement caused shockwaves in both sides of the conflict, it led to an unexpected solution.

## The Kushian Ultimatum

Soon after the failure to establish the Atlas Treaty, Deal, Doge of Kush announced his intentions to retire from Rathnir if either Uldarash or the Atlas Coalition continued to harass each other and escalate tensions. Deal also promised that before he did so he would pay his entire personal fortune to the opposite party, guaranteeing that they would have a material edge in the following conflict. The announcement was a splash of cold water to both sides, making them aware of just how poorly their actions had effected the culture of Rathnir as a whole. Soon after, Archon Spike announced that anyone within his nation caught antagonizing Uldarash would be expelled from the nation no matter their rank. Later Uldarash announced its intentions to properly buy Aruna from Viodoxa as well as the Eastern Duchy from Soumere. The crisis had finally ended.