Ahalian Civil War

The banner flown by Wambold's Ahalia.

The Ahalian Civil War was a succession crisis occuring after the abdication of Theo Zevedeos from the Ahalian Throne between his two sons, Fousas Zevedeos and Wambold Zevedeos. The war would begin with an official announcement of Wambold's claim to the throne shortly after Fousas's coronation. Upon the Battle of Dinas, Fousas would win the civil war, leading to Wambold's death, and secure the throne, shortly before Theo reclaimed it.

## Prelude

The Kingdom of Ahalia would transform into the Empire of Ahalia upon the desires of Autokrátor Theo Zevedeos, after previous stagnation of the kingdom and a demoralised population. The Empire entered rapid growth by integrating various lands throughout Eldham as provinces and ended up at a moderate size for a nation. Theo's reign had been long and tiresome, with crisis after crisis happening, and when he became sick with the Illness of the Desert, he saw that his reign was drawing to an end. Rather than die on the throne, he peacefully abdicated, allowing Fousas Zevedeos, the Porphyrogennetos to the throne and the current heir, to become Autokrátor.

Wambold Zevedeos was enraged with the decision. Many years past, his father, Theo, had only just told him that they were of the same bloodline, keeping Wambold's heritage secret for decades while he helped govern Ahalia. Wambold had worked tirelessly to grow the state and from his perspective sacrificed too much to not be the fit ruler for Ahalia. He saw his brother as an incompetent ruler, only interested in blood and glory instead of maintaining the Ahalian prosperity that had recently started.

## Outbreak

The day after Fousas's coronation, Wambold would speak to all that would listen. He announced that he saw the throne as rightfully his and would attempt a march on the capital, Jepola, later that month. He ordered any and all Ahalians to flock to his cause, and would write letters to as many nations as possible to support, but none would respond. Immediately, many of his personal friends would flock to his banners, but he was distraught to see that not all Ahalians supported his cause. Fousas would attempt to bargain with those that were on the fence, which would win many Ahalians over to his side.

After Wambold's initial declaration, many towns and provinces would declare their support. As Wambold was the mayor of Dinas, the entire town would be controlled by him, except for the Great Ahalian Pyramid, which would be occupied by Fousas's supporters, and they continued to resist the Dinasian militias for the time being. As the capital, Jepola would be controlled by Fousas. A revolt in Rochdale would occur, led by Batchatap, who pledged support to Wambold. The rest of Rochdale began supporting Fousas as a result of this. As a friend of Wambold's, Alpha Samuel announced that all of Kekrifalia would support his cause, but pleaded for no battles to take place there, which both Autokrátor's agreed to. The Province of Vladigrad would announce full support to Fousas, and would begin sending forces to Jepola to reinforce the current garrison. The Provinces of Varos and Sinterland would maintain neutrality, and support whomever won.

Wambold would order immediate skirmishes to take place on Fousas's territories, raiding what they could, but sparing all lives, so as not to slay his Ahalian brothers. These raids would prove successful and destabilising the supply lines for Fousas's forces, but otherwise were very limited in success. It was announced that a great battle would take place later that month, where the Dinasian militias would storm the Great Ahalian Pyramid, which houses the Ahalian Government, and declare victory.

## Battle of Dinas

Upon the dawn of the day of the battle, Wambold would amass a grouping of 9 of his followers, with 7 ready for combat. Once they had amassed their equipment, Wambold would rally his forces with a heartening speech, and the militia began their march towards the Ahalian Pyramid, where they expected to meet Fousas's forces. To their surprise, there was no one to be found, and Wambold's Ahalia would occupy the government office with ease, and Wambold would sit upon the throne of Ahalia. Despite their occupation, Wambold still needed to remove Fousas's soldiers from the rest of Ahalia, notably Jepola, the capital.

His army began a second march towards Jepola, where they sighted Fousas's army, just three soldiers, upon the South Jepola Bridge. Immediately, Wambold would charge, and the Ahalians would begin fighting one another. Wambold would engage personally with his brother and his father, almost slaying them several times, while his other soldiers supported him. However, during the fight, one of Wambold's soldiers would switch sides, attacking his former comrades and slaying two. This surprise would cause Wambold's defences to collapse, and his soldiers scattered, while he remained fighting. He would retreat to the gates of Dinas, chased by Fousas, who proceeded to duel with Wambold. As Wambold's equipment was exhuasted, he could not stand for long, and would eventually lose his armour to exhaustion, and would be cut down by his brother.

Wambold would lie dying in the sands of Dinas, while Fousas stood above him. He was heard to have uttered the final words, "My dream has died, and now so have I." before Fousas would deal a final blow. Seeing their leader dead, the remainder of his forces would retreat, leaving Theo as the sole claimant to the throne with a decisive victory. Wambold's death would then bring an end to the Ahalian Civil War. His troops would be pardoned by Theo, so as not to create further animosity between the Ahalians.

For a time, Ahalia would remain at peace, however the the result of the civil war would set it down upon the path of the later Ahalian Revolution and eventually the Ahalian-Vulperium War, including the independence of Ahalia from Novastonia, unification with the Vulperium, and the reserrurection of Wambold.