Shirudo-Nordvestian War

Nordvestian Soldier overlooking a barricade in the Senchen Heights

### Territorial Changes

Konchinentaru annexation of South Námořní Srdce, Borders set along Senchen Heights

### Belligerents

Holy Nordvestian Empire | Shirudan Empire

### Commanders and Leaders

Mohac Černá IV | Ueda Shirudo, Hyrho Shirudo

During the 18th century, the Shirudan’s and Nordvestians fought several small border skirmishes. Generally these were fought along the ill defined borders between the Konchinentaru Shogunate and the Holy Nordvestian Empire. In 1769, the recently crowned Emperor Ueda, decided to escalate these border Skirmishes into a full blown war in attempt to regain the royal families honour after his fathers loss in the Enshaw-Shirudan War (1753-1757).

The war was a rousing success, with Shirudan troops marching into Nortina in less than six months after the outbreak of hostilities. Nordvest was forced to not only recognise the existence of the Konchinentaru, but they were also required to cede a great deal of land to the small Shirudan puppet, and to accept the indefinite stationing of the Shirudan troops within Konchinentaru territory.  With the Grand Army returning home having beaten what had been viewed as a continental power, and with a peace treaty that went above and beyond their war goals, Ueda had shored up a great deal of support for the royal family at home. He ultimately used the victory as a means to paint himself as the classic General King.

## Background

Often dismissed by scholars as shirudan propaganda, the prosecution of the ethnic shirudan minorty in the region Námořní Srdce was one of the major reasons that provoked the shirudan Shogunate to war. By the 1760s RT, the ill defined border between Konchinentaru Shogunate and the Holy Nordvestian Empire was home to many communities and villages of mixed ethnicities. Ostracised from either side these communities were usually caught in the crossfire during the constant skirmishes. While the konchinentaru soldiers relatively leave these villages be, the nordvestian side proved to be more hostile to these groups. These communities are often targeted by Nordvestian Osauls, enforcers of the Law, for suspected treason and espionage. These Osauls were said to burn entire villages of the so called "sirudanski."

The constant skirmishes between Konchinentaru forces and nordvestian regulars forced these communities out of their homes. After groups of refugees reported of how the Osaul's cruelty, the Konchinentaru Shogun Koshitsu, pulled back his forces from the contested lands. However, Osauls continued to persecute the villages at the border. Koshitsu warned King Černá IV of grave consequences if this was allowed to continue. To his credit the nordvestian king did disband the rabid Osauls but the shirudans had already amassed a large force for an invasion regardless of the situation.

Koshitsu had no choice but to support his lord Dai-Shogun Ueda, in his latest and largest military campaign so far.

## Progress of the War

On the 5th day of the month of Renewal's Ending, 1770 RT, shirudan, and konchinentaru battlegroups crossed into the border of the Holy Nordvestian Empire. The invasion generally headed northward towards Norinta and westward to Ostroleka and River's End. Shirudan Mounted Cavalry units moved quickly across the eastern nordvestian landscape outflanking enemy infantry formations and destroying their artillery elements.

Meanwhile across the coast, shirudan Royal Marine airships and ekranoplane transports performed several landing operations that successfully bypassed nordvestian front lines and captured several towns towards Norinta. These landings met little opposition as the Shogunate Sky Fleet provided covering fire.

The skies above the battlefield also saw numerous engagements between shirudan airreduits and the heavier and more gun laden airredoubts of the nordvestian navy. The smaller shirudan airships outnumbered their foes but had a tough time forcing them back or sinking them from the sky. However with the introduced of the new Ebisu class and Dyura class airships the Sky Fleet managed to gain control of over the Námořní Srdce airspace.

By the third month of the war, Life's Ending 1770 RT, shirudan forces had reached Ostroleka. There was heavy fighting at the city which depleted the supplies of the advancing shirudans. This lack of supplies was occurring throughout the frontline. Mismanagement of the supply lines also contributed to this and there was a real possibility that the offensive would stop. The nordvestians took advantage of the situation in a desperate counter attack aimed at the tip of the shirudan salient. It was one of the greatest defeat suffered by the shirudans in the short war. Not only because the elite vanguard was routed but also the leader of the vanguard, Crown-Prince Hyrho Shirudo himself was maimed and captured by nordvestian forces. This major setback emboldened the shirudans and under the direct command of the Dai-Shogun they launched an all out attack towards Norinta.

The Shogunate Sky Fleet began bombarding the Norinta and blockaded it from above. This forced the remaining Nordvestian fleets to engage a pitched battle that heavily favored the shirudans. The Nordvestian fleet was routed after suffereing heavy losses.

By Frost's Beginning, 1771 RT, konchinentaru banners and shirudan symbols fly over the windows and roofs of Ostroleka and elements of the Skyfleet are supporting a landing operation conducted by the Royal Marines in the outskirts of River's End. Meanwhile on the main drive towards Norinta, Ueda's troops continue to face desperate opposition for every step they take towards the capitol. Both sides fought fiercely.

On the 3rd day of Frost's Ending 1771 RT, the shirudan 41st Cavalry Division led by General Aha, broke through the defense line and overran the nordvestion command units in the sector. The remaining nordvestian resistance kept fighting in small pockets that were bypassed as the main shirudan advance rolled towards Norinta and force a surrender. When shirudan troops reached the capitol city, King Mohac Černá IV decided to yield to Dai-Shogun Ueda's terms. The war has ended.

### Aftermath

The Holy Nordvest Empire conceded to the terms laid out in the treaty and a new border was set along the Senchen Heights. Ueda personally went to recover Hyrho Shirudo, who had lost an eye, a leg and his manhood when he was kept in nordvestian captivity. King Černá IV swore that he had no part in the cruel torture of the crown prince and voluntarily handed over the perpetrators. What happened next is unclear.However overall the war was a successful endeavour for the Shogunate Grand Army and the Sky Fleet. The lessons and tactics they learned would be applied in the next war.

The Holy Nordvest Empire's reputation and standing in the world stage of Unos Solum has severely diminished . Bitter feelings and resentment felt by its people will surely lead to even further problems for King Černá IV and his successor. The opposite is true for his oppenent, Ueda Shirudo, who is showered with praises and glory upon his return to Hokuriko. He went on a tour across his realm in a series of festivals that every shirudan would remember fondly.

The last major effect of the war is the creation of the Spojeni Administrative Territory. It is a section of land that encompasses the cities of River's End and Ostroleka. It would be a realm under the control of the nordvestian family known as House Mellinik.