War of Changing

Belligerents| **Union of O'Lear (Silver Throne)*** Clan Sorrel
	+ Clan Wayland
	+ Clan Vandreis
	+ Clan Burne
* Clan Skulder
	+ Clan Czego
	+ Clan Geilar
* Clan Karlsen
* Clan Lanter under Lauritz
* Clan Czegorock
* Sovereign Military Order of the Red Roach (parts)
* Owl Strike Force
	+ Patay's Kill Team

**Supported by:**Dynastic Pact* Kingdom of Dhern Kaldür
* Vestrax Machine Imperium
* Treaty of Tradition (*de jure*)

Republic of GresiaValeronian FederationJabeyrack (to Clan Skulder, initially)Republic of Volaysia (initially) | **Union of O'Lear (Augustine Throne)*** Clan Baxter
	+ Clan Taverly
	+ Clan Sussang
	+ Clan Farsvarr
	+ Clan Olney
* Clan Frederiksen
	+ Clan Koett
* Clan Larsen
	+ Clan Birger
	+ Clan Ofgrod
* Four Avengers
	+ Clan Dunne
	+ Clan Hagen
	+ Clan Ullor
	+ Clan Lanter under Landry
* Clan Tyrus
* Clan Lyyke
* Clan Selby
* Shriners
* Clansteel Brigade

**Supported by:**Holy Empire of Polmaria* Di'Aamascene Accords
* Jabeyrack (later)
	+ New Jazberk
	+ Kurvack
* Republic of Volaysia (later)

Leaders| **Balthasar I**Mathilda SorrelErik SorrelGeoffrey SorrelRheynald SorrelGerald SorrelCarlyle Sorrel* Niall Wayland
* Orne Wayland
* Amanda Wayland
* Olivar Vandreis
* Anton Vandreis
* Varyan Vandreis
* Gartimus Burne
* Gartimer Burne

Vagar the Black* Sander Czego
* Gaia Geilar
* Adam Geilar

Bardo KarlsenLauritz LanterRaun LanterLudwig BrohmRoger PatayDarian CzegorockGarrick WulfHousecarl-Among-The-FlowersAbraham Tarrys | **Augustus I**Helaín BaxterLaurents BaxterBastien BaxterMaurice BaxterMarkus BaxterGavin Baxter* Brauchner Magnus Taverly
* Jaeson Taverly
* Ragman Sussang
* Inver Sussang
* Håkon Farsvarr
* Asger Farvsarr
* Agron Farsvarr
* Awl Olney

Isak FrederiksenHolt Frederiksen* Ellias Koett

Ulrich LarsenViggo Larsen* Gage Birger
* Stefan Ofgrod

The **Chronicle of the Black Iron Heart** was a historical document largely authored by Cyran Virwenys that described the events which consumed the Union of O'Lear in the immediate post-Steam Wars years, beginning in 1930. The primary event covered in the Chronicle is the **War of Changing**, also called the *War of the O'Leary Succession*, a widespread and complex conflict that pitted the Silver Throne of Clan Sorrel against the Augustine Throne of Clan Baxter.

## Timeline

### The Vanbarrion Council and handover of Courolojord (6/30—8/30)

*See more: SRJ Reunification War, Battle of the Neck, Vanbarrion Council, County of Thurman, Courolojord*

The Battle of the Neck had served as the largest combined action in the history of the Union of O'Lear and its principal contribution to the SRJ Reunification War. It was a massive military and logistical undertaking that troublingly affected the politics of the College of Clans. One of the most significant results of the campaign at the Neck was an emergent tone of bitterness between Clan Wayland, Clan Vandreis and the royal family, Clan Aastersen. The Waylands and Vandreises were both vassals of Balthasar Sorrel, the "Trade Baron" of Clan Sorrel and richest man in O'Lear. Balthasar initially sought to ease tensions with the royal family, before realizing that the rivalry could be used to tighten Sorrel control over their vassals. Without a reliable friend on the throne, Niall Wayland and Olivar Vandreis would turn to Balthasar for trade, favors, and all manner of private dealings.

Thus, Balthasar made a conscious effort to exacerbate the strained relationship between the Waylands, Vandreises, and Aastersens. This strategy came to a head in 1930, when Balthasar proposed Olivar Vandreis head up a committee called the Vanbarrion Council. This group would investigate the conduct of the O'Leary Armed Forces during the SRJ Reunification War, and analyze the extent to which family loyalties, nepotism, and corruption led to the operational failure and withdrawal of units from the mainland Neck.

The investigation was fated to be a political farce from the very beginning; through confirmation bias and incomplete reporting, Vandreis found that nepotism was highly prevalent, especially amongst his rivals in Clan Selby. He also lay the blame for O'Leary losses with Laurents Baxter, saying his "Baxter Holy Raids" damaged the unity of O'Leary troops in the 5th Naval Legion and contributed to the environment of factionalism. This, along with cherry-picked statistics about logistical deliveries from the 8th Naval Legion, seriously attacked the character of Clan Baxter, its vassals, and Clan Selby. Vandreis had multiple conclusions: that Inspector-General of the O'Leary Armed Forces Oskar Aastersen was incompetent and should be replaced, that the blame for ground defeats at the Neck lay with Clan Baxter, and that a more centralized army was needed to prevent further defeats. Of these findings, King Alvar II only acknowledged the third and final one. He offered formations of 10,000 clan-allegiant Aastersen troops to be attached to the 5th Naval Legion HQ at Heliogatenberg, 8th Naval Legion HQ at Courienta, and 13th Naval Legion HQ at Onnfrey. These forces would preserve royal and military authority in wartime. They would be the king's eyes, ears, and fists if the Throne or Union were threatened. Olivar Vandreis begrudgingly accepted this offer, having originally hoped for greater concessions but lacking Balthasar Sorrel's support.

King Alvar II immediately drained the Aastersen bladehouses of Grafa, Restaville, and Cashford on Lear-Festning Island and Florina and Abworth in the County of Thurman. Their troops were organized under new Aastersen CAFs, supplementing existing ones garrisoned at Lear, Jern, and the intercoast. Now able to move 30,000 Aastersen soldiers freely, Alvar ordered 10,000 each into the Naval Legions, fulfilling his promise to Olivar Vandreis. But this did little to resolve tensions with the Vandreises or Sorrels; in fact, it only signalled to the Aastersens' peers that they were overextended.

Clan Baxter requested full control of the County of Thurman since the Aastersens barely had any clan-allegiant troops remaining in continental Helinska. Alvar, seeking a political counterweight to the Sorrels and practicality in his troop dispositions, accepted the offer. The remaining Aastersen bladehouses in Courolojord were emptied and their troops (~2,000) moved to Lear.

### Baxter consolidation; the Shrine Ring under new management (8/30)

*See more: Ensomi Shrine Ring, Clan Baxter, Clan Farsvarr*

Markus "the Marred" Baxter, who was the youngest brother of Clan Head Augustus Baxter, proposed an interesting idea in 1930: the revocation of Clan Farsvarr's status as a Great Clan and its vassalization under Clan Baxter. Augustus preferred to keep Clan Farsvarr as a Great Clan but have it form a Collegiate alliance with the Baxters, thus granting his family two votes in the College of Clans, but realized that Håkon Farsvarr could not be tamed. He finally consented to the plan of vassalizing the Farsvarrs in late 1931. The overriding justification for making Clan Farsvarr a vassal of Clan Baxter was their patronage of the Ensomi Shrine Ring, a massively important network of sacred sites in the Graolist religion. However, there was a more political angle that appealed to Alvar II.

In Augustus' words, "the Farsvarrs [were] too unpredictable to retain influence of any kind in times as contentious as these. We must take stewardship of their Shrines and lineage, while providing for their defense and comfort. The Baxters know their interests as well as our own, and can vote accordingly."  Augustus quickly convinced Alvar II, who then proposed the idea to Håkon.

The Farsvarrs mulled over their options very carefully. Augustus and Alvar had taken great pains to avoid offending them with the proposal. Alvar even offered them the same "special economic conditions" possessed by Clan Sorrel. These "conditions" would allow the Farsvarrs to trade with the Republic of Ospalar as freely as the Sorrels could trade with the Republic of Volaysia. Though approached by Balthasar Sorrel, Håkon refused his probing questions and did not reveal the terms of Alvar's proposal, probably already considering him a trade competitor. Soon after, Håkon accepted the offer and made his family a vassal of Clan Baxter.

Balthasar Sorrel was furious at the decision, saying that the Baxters were being disproportionately empowered by King Alvar and that he was beyond his prerogative to assign them "special economic conditions" without first calling a meeting of the College of Clans. In reprisal, Clan Sorrel transferred Clan Farsvarr's clan-allegiant forces from the 5th Naval Legion (the one largely under their control) to the far-flung 13th Naval Legion in Onnfrey. This cemented the 5th Naval Legion as a private army of Clan Sorrel. Only Clan Aastersen's units kept up the illusion of royal control, but Alvar knew that Balthasar could sidestep them if needed. This deepened tensions between the two men and truly kicked off the Aastersen–Sorrel feud.

### A rivalry emerges (8/30—11/30)

*See more: Aastersen–Sorrel feud, Inspector-General of the O'Leary Armed Forces, 5th Naval Legion, Special economic conditions*

Niall Wayland and Olivar Vandreis continued to lobby Balthasar Sorrel for more aggressive action against King Alvar. Faced with the affront of Clan Farsvarr's "special economic conditions," Balthasar was more than happy to oblige, selecting a powerful tool to hurt the King's political standing.

At a routine tax-related meeting of the College of Clans, Balthasar shockingly nominated Olivar Vandreis to be the new Inspector-General of the O'Leary Armed Forces. If appointed, he would replace King Alvar II Aastersen's nephew, Oskar, and thoroughly humiliate the royal family. Balthasar knew well that Clan Aastersen, Clan Baxter, and perhaps Clan Skulder would vote against the proposal, so he courted the Frederiksens and Larsens in an effort to create a gridlock. If a vote in the College of Clans resulted in a stalemate, neither of the pitched options could be used. That meant that even if his proposal tied, Oskar would have to resign while the College searched for a replacement. Using a middleman, he was able to convince Isak Frederiksen and Ulrich Larsen to support Vandreis's bid for the position. However, he was shocked to discover that Vagar the Black of Clan Skulder was also willing to support Vandreis - largely because the prospective Inspector-General promised to clamp down on favoritism and factionalism in the O'Leary military. Vagar's break from the Aastersen-Baxter-Skulder political alliance meant that Vandreis could ascend to his position; only King Alvar and Augustus Baxter voted against his accession.

Oskar was given a comfortable job at the Old Dark Lodge in Lear as a military adjutant.

The decision to elevate a Sorrel vassal - in the form of Olivar Vandreis - to Inspector-General of the O'Leary Armed Forces effectively allowed Balthasar Sorrel to dictate military policy for the entire country. Alvar II was enraged by the decision, and insisted that "O'Lear must not have two kings, two thrones, or two armies." Though initially hesitant, he now found himself to take the nuclear option against the Sorrels in an effort to rein in their influence.

A full meeting of the College of Clans, including over a dozen Heads of minor families, was scheduled for late 1930. It would have all the pomp and grandeur as could be afforded by the royal family. Numerous minor issues were on the agenda, including an emerging feud between Clan Karlsen and Clan Tyrus over fishing rights off the coast of Ironhorn Island. Another topic was scheduled as a mere footnote of the meeting: the formal renewal of Clan Sorrel's "special economic conditions," which had been granted to them by the First College of Clans in 1913. These "conditions" essentially ensured the total deregulation of Sorrel business activities, allowing them to rapidly amass wealth. They were the foundation upon which the "Trade Baron," Balthasar Sorrel, built his influence. To remove them would be a hugely inflammatory step that no one expected King Alvar to take.

But he did.

At the meeting, King Alvar II announced that Clan Sorrel would no longer enjoy their "special economic conditions," and that the usual taxes and levies would be imposed upon them, with immediate effect. Alvar argued that since the economic conditions had been imposed unilaterally by the throne in 1913, the reigning monarch of O'Lear retained the ability to retract them. His arguments held weight, and the Sorrels realized the bind they were in. Balthasar Sorrel was at first enraged, but his mind quickly turned to pragmatic ideas. It would take years, if not decades, to reform the powers of the College of Clans enough to reinstate his family's "special economic conditions." By that time, his coffers would be emptied, the Sorrels would have lost their influence, and might even be made a vassal family. Such was the importance of the Sorrel "special economic conditions." Their retraction meant the closure of most trade lanes with the Republic of Volaysia and the appointment of royal regulatory commissions in Heliogatenberg. Balthasar attempted to use his influence at the College of Clans to bully Alvar back into submission. However, he was surprised to find the collegiate environment unusually hostile. It seemed that someone had prepared his fellow Clan Heads in advance, as not a single one was sympathetic to his plight. Historian Cyran Virwenys later wrote that "...Markus the Marred sulked in the Halls and Back Parlors of the Great Keep, offering... rewards, contract[s] and inducements to those Clan Heads who would frustrate Lord Balthasar for the day." Isak Frederiksen, Ulrich Larsen, and Vagar the Black all staunchly refused to support the reinstatement of "special economic conditions" without more discussion - much to the Sorrels' chagrin. Fuming, Balthasar stormed out of Lear and returned to the Gilded Keep in Heliogatenberg. The meeting of the College of Clans ended early.

Balthasar knew that King Alvar expected the Sorrels would retaliate upon losing their economic lifeblood. The monarch of O'Lear probably expected the Trade Baron to slip up, make a clumsy but aggressive swipe at the Aastersen bureaucracy. This would give Alvar the excuse to heavy-handedly massacre the Sorrels and supplant them with another Clan, like the Aastersens had done with Clan Caupus many decades ago.

Balthasar resolved not to play into the hands of the King. He would retaliate for this unforgivable offense, yes, but it would be surgical, expensive, and crush the Aastersens' ability to strike back... permanently.

### Assault on the Great Keep of Lear and immediate aftermath (12/30)

*See more: Owl Strike Force, Assault on the Great Keep of Lear*

Immediately upon returning to his ancestral home, Balthasar Sorrel called a meeting of his closest trusted family members; wife Mathilda, younger brother Erik, and cousin Geoffrey. They quietly discussed many possible options for crippling the Aastersen family. All knew of the treasonous nature of their discussions. The conversation untimately fell on Ludwig Brohm, commander of the BISDA Owl Strike Force (OSF) who was being harbored by the Sorrels. Brohm would be a useful proxy, but his value lay in the potential for a decapitation strike - he would balk at the idea of sustained warfare.

A plan slowly formed. The Sorrels would clothe and equip a "kill team" of 20 OSF operatives in the traditional livery of Clan Baxter. This team would infiltrate the Great Keep of Lear claiming to be a protection unit for Augustus Baxter. Once inside, their targets would be the royal family: King Alvar II, Queen Amalia Aastersen, and their heirs Aaster III, Nora, and an unnamed boy whose name they had not yet decided for political reasons. Any killed OSF operatives would be revealed as Baxter agents, causing a massive feud between the remaining Aastersens and Clan Baxter. Both sides would exhaust each other, allowing the Sorrels to take the throne and reinstate their own "special economic conditions" into perpetuity.

Commander Brohm was initially hesitant to commit to the plan, but was reminded by Lord Balthasar of the favor that Mr. Bryne owed him, and ultimately agreed to participate. He gathered a crack team of 20 OSF soldiers led by Roger Patay and boarded a boat in the Port of Archano. They sailed into Lear in the early hours of December 15, 1930, providing phony identification cards that labeled them Baxter CAFs from Courienta. Passing multiple layers of security while conveniently avoiding the real Baxters, they entered the Great Keep unscathed. Dawson Hogg, a butler serving the Aastersens, had been paid off by Sorrel officials in the city the night before, and provided the OSF strike team access to the Royal Chambers - a sprawling complex of apartments and parlors that were generally restricted to King Alvar II and his family.

It was here that they were stopped by the royal *tronesheldt* (Throne Shields), an elite unit of day-and-night guards of the Aastersen family. A brief argument ensued, but the Shields quickly realized the deception and, suspecting a coup attempt, surprised the OSF agents by opening fire. A gun battle broke out in the Royal Chambers. Though the Shields amounted to only ten men, they inflicted grievous injuries on multiple OSF agents with what limited numbers and firepower they possessed. At least three members of the Owl Strike Force "kill team" were slain in the battle. The gunshots woke up the King and Queen, who quickly retrieved their three children. Fighting between the *thronesheldt* and OSF infiltrators spread across the Royal Chambers as Patay sought to find the royals.

One member of the Shields, a middling lieutenant by the name of Adrian Hemming, found the Aastersens attempting to flee and escorted them safely to a secret passage. However, they were quickly pursued by Patay and his men. Only a few *tronesheldt* were left alive, most of them including their commander bleeding out on the floors of the Royal Chamber. One of them had managed to raise the Great Keep's Aastersen bladehouse - meaning dozens of reinforcements would soon close in around the OSF. They were running out of time to achieve their objective.

Hearing the heavy footfalls of the kill team get closer, King Alvar experienced, for the first time in his life, a brief but spasmodic Seeing episode. He was flooded with memories, sights, sounds, and sensations, including of his distant ancestor Felix Aastersen, his father Alvar I Aastersen, and a blurred figure he believed to be one of the Spirits Graol. When the vision subsided, he hurriedly explained its contents to his family before drawing a pistol. "...A king must never die sick, rasping, and alone..." he told his family, "...a king must fall with purpose in his heart." Though Hemming tried to convince him otherwise, Alvar stopped running and aimed his pistol down the hallway in the direction of the kill team. He told his wife, Queen Amalia, that their youngest son should be named "Felix," after his great-great grandfather. Upon hearing this, his eldest son Aaster drew his own pistol and declared his willingness to die for his younger brother. The newly-named Felix, along with his sister Nora, mother Amalia, and Adrian Hemming, fled down the secret passageway.

Patay and his men reached the royals. A gun battle broke out in the close quarters, in which Alvar and Aaster killed six OSF officers and critically wounded several more. In the end, though, both men were dead.

The vengeful Patay ripped the tokens of office from their corpses and coldly ordered his unhurt men to chase after the remaining royals. He realized that the his wounded operatives could not be carried to safety, and that they could be interrogated or tortured into revealing the OSF's involvement in the assassinations. So he killed them himself, before following the remnants of his kill team and leaving the royals behind.

By this time, the Aastersen troops from the Keep bladehouse had discovered the bodies of OSF troops and *tronesheldt* in the Royal Chambers, and subsequently called in all guardstaff and bladehouse personnel in the Keep. Alarms were raised and scores of vengeful O'Leary guards converged on the Royal Chambers.

Word reached Lord Balthasar that the royal family had disappeared, and he radioed his brother Erik Sorrel: "Move on Lear."

The high officers of the 5th Naval Legion were told that the king was dead, the capital city was being torn apart by riots and dissidence, and that peacekeeping operations were needed to restore order. The ships of the Legion shoved off from Heliogatenberg at the crack of dawn, steaming towards Lear-Festning Island in full force.

By this time, Roger Patay and his few remaining OSF operatives in the Great Keep had lost track of the remaining royals. Hemming had led the queen and her two children to a small boat launch and taken his personal fishing dory out to sea. Their intent was to sail along the coast to Cashford, where they could hopefully contact their family and vassals. Patay knew none of this, but had enough sense to understand when the pursuit was hopeless. He and his men slipped out into streets of Lear and disappeared.

The grand bells of the Keep were rung, waking up many peasants. Confusion turned to panic as the citizens of Lear saw Erik Sorrel's ships approach on the horizon. "Are we under attack?" many asked. The answer was unclear.

The dead king's uncle Vidar took the opportunity to seize a little power for himself, taking command of the Great Keep's bladehouse troops and sweeping the city for Patay. This only contributed to the terror felt by most of the commonfolk in the city, though, who believed an invasion or riot were imminent. Many barricaded their homes out of fear; when Aastersen troops looking for Patay pounded on their doors, they flatly refused them entrance. In many places this led to violence as citizens resisted home searches by force. Still others left their homes to join the Aastersen guards on the street out of patriotic loyalty.

As Aastersen guards swarmed through the streets of Lear, the Sorrels were making their play. Battleships of the 5th Naval Legion docked in the city's ports, ignoring warning shots from a nearby patrol boat. Soon hundreds of Sorrel troops were disgorged from the ships, and the hundreds quickly became thousands. They bloodlessly overran several Aastersen gateways into the city and began systematically tacking control of its various districts. Any citizens or guards they encountered were told that "enemy elements have infiltrated the Great Keep; we are here to restore order and take the city of Lear into royal trust." Tanks, machine guns, and heavy artillery were unloaded from the ships and brought into the city to secure their hold. The Docks fell to the Sorrels almost immediately, but the Iron Quarter proved more difficult. This was the location of the Old Dark Lodge - which served as high command of the O'Leary Armed Forces - as well as Aastersen and Dunne bladehouses. There, Erik Sorrel was confronted by Oskar Aastersen and Orville Dunne, who had been supporting Lord Vidar's emergency sweep of the city. The two men refused to surrender the Lodge to Sorrel forces, and a gun battle broke out.

The Sorrels were armed with long guns and heavy equipment suited for a sustained campaign of warfare, while the Aastersen and Dunne troops in the city were variably armed with rifles, shotguns, pistols, or bladed weapons. They fought hard, but their lack of heavy weaponry and men — they numbered only around 75 compared to the hundreds of Sorrel troops in Erik's vanguard — proved fatal. Orville Dunne was one of the first to fall, shot through the heart by an unknown Vandreis rifleman. Oskar Aastersen continued fighting, retreating deep into the Old Dark Lodge and exacting casualties on the Sorrels the entire way.

He was pursued by Gavian Wayland, one of Erik Sorrel's top lieutenants. Wayland pursued Aastersen into the command center of the Old Dark Lodge and the two men engaged in a brutal melee combat. Aastersen fought with an axe and Wayland with a machete. Both men carved gashes into each other, bleeding profusely over the command center, but neither showed signs of stopping. The sound of their shouts could be heard by the advancing Sorrel troops outside. When the Sorrels entered the command center, they found both Gavian Wayland and Oskar Aastersen dead — Aastersen from blood loss and Wayland almost hacked to pieces. It was not long until the 5th Naval Legion consolidated its control over the Old Dark Lodge and the rest of the Iron Quarter.

Soon after, the Sorrels stormed the Government Quarter of Lear. They were confronted by Vidar Aastersen's large militia outside the Great Keep. Erik and Vidar negotiated; during these tense discussions, it became obvious that Vidar intended to crown himself the next King of O'Lear. He unilaterally rejected the Sorrels' attempts to "take the city into royal trust," stating that he had the situation well in hand. Erik replied that since it was impossible to guess who ordered the assassination of King Alvar, it would be prudent for an outside stabilizing force to temporarily take control of Lear. Vidar took this as an accusation of his involvement in Alvar's death, and negotiations quickly broke down.

A gun battle broke out on the streets, with Vidar's men fighting the 5th Naval Legion. They were gradually forced to retreat into the Great Keep, where they were eventually overwhelmed and gunned down. Vidar fled the city, surrendering Lear to Erik Sorrel. Forces of the 5th Naval Legion stormed the keep, where they captured the rest of the Aastersen royals: Rosa, Mira, and Luca. They were immediately offered the throne if they would act as a Sorrel puppet. However, all three royals refused, and they were promptly put on a prison ship back to Heliogatenberg. They were publicly accused of assassinating the king and his family, as had allegedly been done during the Aastersen Succession Crisis of the 19th century.

Erik Sorrel declared himself Lord of Lear, and named his elder brother Balthasar Sorrel the new King - giving him the regnal name Balthasar I.

### Sorrel conquest of Lear-Festning, Fengsel, and Ironhorn Islands (12/30)

*See more: Sorrel conquest of Lear-Festning Island, Battle of Blodport, Sorrel conquest of Ironhorn Island*

Almost immediately, the Sorrels forced Clan Dunne to swear fealty at Dunfort. Sorrel officials quickly seized control of Auldwyth and Cashford because of the surrender. Clan Hagen and Clan Ullor were existentially disturbed by the happenings at Lear; they remained in constant contact with Bertel Aastersen, the Lord of Jern, younger brother of Alvar, and last high-ranking member of Clan Aastersen in public office.

Lauritz Lanter of Clan Lanter also attempted to pledge his family's loyalty to Balthasar, but this triggered a tragic Battle of Lanport between troops loyal to him and those of his younger brother Landry. The fighting plunged the city into ruin, only stabilizing after a detachment of the 5th Naval Legion moved in to occupy it. Landry fled to Skogberg with a small army, where the Hagen and Ullor lords had rallied their Clan-Allegiant Forces to attack in the direction of Lear. Led by Kasper Hagen, Ulices Ullor, and Landry Lanter, the army set out with at least 10,000 troops.

They struck at the Battle of the Csegberg Valley, ambushing a column of Sorrels traveling from Lear and Lanport. The battle spread across the valley, eventually involving airship elements of the 5th Naval Legion that had been plundered from the Treaty of Tradition. Unable to stand up to the heavy firepower, the leaders of the anti-Sorrel army surrendered en masse. They were made vassal families of Clan Sorrel, under harsh conditions. This confirmed Sorrel control of Lear-Festning Island.

Combat ships of the 5th Naval Legion's 2nd Flotilla then sailed for the Isle of Fengsel, a prison rock manned by Clan Aastersen. After a short battle at the island's administrative center of Blodport, the Aastersen garrison had no choice but to surrender. They feared what would happen if Fengsel's prison settlements fell into disarray or even worse, became battlefields. A Sorrel garrison was thusly stationed on Fengsel, three ships of the 2nd Flotilla were left to guard it, and the island was declared "captured."

During this time, Bertel Aastersen, the younger brother of the dead King Alvar and Lord of Jern, declared himself the new King of O'Lear. He was backed by his uncle Vidar, who had recently fled Lear. Bertel called the forces of the 8th and 13th Naval Legions to him, but both stalled. As a secondary measure, he called the Clan-Allegiant Forces of Clan Algotsen, Clan Tyrus, Clan Lykke, and Clan Karlsen on Ironhorn Island to defend Jern. They arranged themselves near the city as Bertel continued his political maneuvers. He sought to call a meeting of the College of Clans in order to bring the rest of the Great Clans into an alliance against the Sorrels. Chief among his prospective allies were Clan Frederiksen and Clan Larsen. He hesitated to reach out to Clan Baxter after hearing conflicting reports about Alvar's assassination. The Owl Strike Force members who had killed the king were clad in Baxter livery, and this required some time to investigate.

Meanwhile, Erik Sorrel was instructed to storm Jern and topple the remaining Aastersen forces. However, he opted to give "King" Bertel an ultimatum - surrender to the Sorrels and be allowed to retain political control of the city. Of course, the Aastersen CAFs would be disbanded and the family would be utterly defenseless. Bertel rejected the offer, and Erik Sorrel directed the 5th Naval Legion to heavily assault Jern. While they approached, Clan Karlsen broke off from Bertel's army and prepared to help the Sorrels. This was largely due to the fishing dispute between them and Clan Tyrus, who remained loyal to the Aastersens. Though the Karlsen forces represented a sizeable chunk of his defending army, the betrayal did not shake Bertel's resolve. He understood that stopping the Sorrels at Jern would be the only way to win the respect of the other Great Clans.

The Battle of Jern commenced. An attack force led by Erik Sorrel, Olivar Vandreis, and Niall Wayland made their landing at the Port of Payn. After nine days of fighting, the 5th Naval Legion largely secured the city. The results were catastrophic: King Bertel was killed, Vidar disappeared again along with the remaining Aastersen family members and troops, and Clan Algotsen was completely extirpated. Erik Sorrel heard provisional oaths of fealty from the lords of Clan Tyrus and Clan Lykke, and in a matter of days the Sorrels had subjugated Ironhorn Island. Erik elevated his son, Rheynald Sorrel, as Lord of Jern, assigning Gartimer Burne and Bardo Karlsen to be his chief advisors. Erik returned to Lear with Vandreis and Wayland.

### The Rival Councils (1/31)

*See more: Silver Council, Augustine Council*

One of Balthasar's first official acts as King was to reinstate the "special economic conditions" for Clan Sorrel. After this, he called for a full meeting of the College of Clans to consolidate his new government. The brazen attack on the Great Keep was already being attributed to the Baxters, but few outside his vassals believed his story. Balthasar's meeting of the College of Clans came to be called the Silver Council. In contrast, Augustus Baxter called his own meeting of the College of Clans at Courienta, which became known as the Augustine Council. At the Augustine Council, Augustus was declared the rightful King of O'Lear, separating the various lords and nobles into two main factions that would dominate the War of Changing.

#### Silver Council

The Silver Council met first. In his writings, Cyran Virwenys dedicated half a chapter specifically to list its attendees.

* King **Balthasar I Sorrel** of O'Lear, Lord of Heliogatenberg and Trade Baron of the East
* Queen **Mathilda Sorrel**
* **Geoffrey Sorrel**, Land Counsellor and cousin to King Balthasar I
* **Carling Sorrel**, Wife of Geoffrey
* **Carlyle Sorrel**, Son of Geoffrey
* **Shandy Sorrel**, Daughter of Geoffrey
* Admiral **Erik Sorrel** of the 5th Naval Legion, Supreme Allegiant Commander of the Sorrel Clan-Allegiant Forces, and younger brother of King Balthasar I
* **Lucilla Sorrel**, Wife of Erik
* **Rheynald Sorrel**, Son of Erik and nephew of King Balthasar I
* **Gerald Sorrel**, Son of Erik and nephew of King Balthasar I
* **Thorne Sorrel**, Uncle of King Balthasar I; Suffering from sickness
* **Abraham Tarrys**, Commander of King Balthasar's *tronesheldt*
	+ General **Olivar Vandreis**, Inspector-General of the O'Leary Armed Forces under Sorrel control and Head of Clan Vandreis
		- **Eleana Vandreis**, Wife of Olivar
		- **Anton Vandreis**, Son of Olivar
		- **Varyan Vandreis**, Lord of Vanbarrion and younger brother of Olivar
	+ General **Niall Wayland**, Head of Clan Wayland and Lord of Oldhill
		- **Leonora Wayland**, Wife of Niall
		- **Orne Wayland**, Regent of Clan Wayland, caretaker and younger brother of Niall
		- **Amanda Wayland**, Head of the Investment Bank of Heliogatenberg and younger sister of Niall
	+ **Gartimus Burne**, Head of Clan Burne and Lord of Archano
		- **Gartimer Burne**, Son of Gartimus
* **Vagar the Black**, Head of Clan Skulder and Lord of Dullen
* **Johanne Skulder**, Wife of Vagar
	+ **Sander Czego**, Head of Clan Czego
		- **Andrea Rosa Czego**, Wife of Sander
	+ **Gaia Geilar**, Head of Clan Geilar
		- **Adam Geilar**, Husband of Gaia
* **Bardo Karlsen**, Head of Clan Karlsen
* **Lauritz Lanter**, Head of Clan Lanter and Lord of Lanport
* **Darian Czegorock**, Master of the Sovereign Military Order of the Red Roach

In total, Balthasar Sorrel received delegations from his vassals of Clan Vandreis, Clan Wayland, and Clan Burne. The people of Clan Selby did not send a representative, instead having secretly dispatched Sel Selby to the Augustine meeting.

The Silver Council was also attended by Clan Skulder, who slightly preferred the Sorrels over the Baxters and were curious about Balthasar's plan. The Skulders were attended by their own vassals: Clan Czego and Clan Geilar. The minor family Clan Lanter of Lanport was split on whether to send a delegation to the meeting: Clan Head Lauritz Lanter supported the idea, while his younger brother and heir Landry Lanter did not. Ultimately, Lauritz attended the meeting to gather information and scope out the scene. The meeting was protected by Balthasar's Throne Shields, led by Abraham Tarrys, as well as by a contingent of Red Roaches under Master Darian Czegorock (a relative of Clan Czego).

#### Augustine Council

* King **Augustus Baxter** of O'Lear, Lord of Courienta and High Huntsman of the Spirits Graol
* Queen **Helaín Baxter**
* Prince **Laurents Baxter**, Grand Huntsman
* Admiral **Bastien Baxter** of the 8th Naval Legion, Supreme Allegiant Commander of the Baxter Clan-Allegiant Forces, and cousin of King Augustus
* **Markus Baxter,** Land Counsellor of King Augustus
* **Gavin Baxter**, Son of Markus
* **Maurice Baxter,** Lord of Aiternach and younger brother of King Augustus
* **Tobas Baxter,** Heir to Aiternach and son of Maurice
* **Claira Baxter,** Lady of Alvarino and daughter of Maurice
* **Thiago Valentina**, Commander of King Augustus's *tronesheldt*
	+ **Brauchner Taverly**, Head of Clan Taverly and Lord of Two Folds
		- **Emma Taverly**, Wife of Brauchner
		- **Jaeson Taverly**, Inspector-General of the O'Leary Armed Forces under Baxter control, son of Brauchner
	+ **Håkon Farsvarr**, Head of Clan Farsvarr and Lord of Ensomi
		- **Agnetha Farsvarr,** Wife of Håkon
		- **Agron Farsvarr**, Son of Håkon
		- **Asger Farsvarr**, Son of Håkon
	+ **Ragman Sussang**, Head of Clan Sussang and Lord of Ragnalloc
		- **Daeria Sussang**, Wife of Ragman
		- **Inver Sussang**, Son of Ragman
	+ **Awl Olney**, Head of Clan Olney and Lord of Olshaw
* **Sel Selby**, Head of Clan Selby and Lord of Greengarden

### Past the point of no return (3/31)

#### Diplomatic machinations

* To punish the Baxters for calling the Augustine Council, and prevent a local uprising, Balthasar executes or deports most organized Graolist communities from Lear-Festning Island. He also reinstates the Law of Commerce to fund his war effort and de-fang Graolists in Heliogatenberg, but this provokes the Shriners.
* To enforce his will, Balthasar deploys three combat mechs to the streets of Heliogatenberg, and a fourth, *Silversong*, to Lear.
* A delegation of officials from the Holy Empire of Polmaria, including Camarian, Jabeyracki, and Di'Aamascene diplomats, shoves off to establish friendly relations with the Silver Throne. However, Laurents Baxter Sees this and intercepts their ship. A *de facto* summit between Polmaria and the Augustine Throne is held, in which Laurents convinces the Polmarians not to support Clan Sorrel. However, the diplomats stipulate that Volaysia (a Polmarian state) will almost certainly favor the Sorrels due to their pre-existing trade. Laurents returns to Courienta, and the Polmarians return home - claiming to have met with difficult weather at sea.
* The Yangxi Empire sends a ship to declare their support for the Sorrels. The Baxters allow it to reach Lear, and leverage the Yangxi support for Balthasar to secretly acquire the support of the Clansteel Brigade.
* Robert O'Malley successfully lobbies Clan Larsen into backing the Augustine Throne. Clan Frederiksen retains its neutrality.
* The Vestrax Machine Imperium declares its support for Clan Sorrel and the Silver Throne. The Di'Aamascene Accords formally declare their support for the Augustine Throne.

#### Laurents in Heliogatenberg; the Second Faithful Rising

*See more: Laurents Baxter, Sel Selby, Shriners, Arielle Rackburg, Second Faithful Rising of Esket, Torching of Greengarden, Assassination of Geoffrey Sorrel, Republic of Volaysia § Involvement in the War of Changing*

* Laurents Baxter travels to Heliogatenberg in secret, meets Arielle Rackburg, and starts the Second Faithful Rising of Esket to topple Sorrel rule.
	+ Clan Selby breaks from Sorrel vassalship and declares itself in favor of the Rising. In retaliation, Greengarden is torched by the Sorrels.
	+ The Shriners begin a campaign of intense guerrilla warfare against Clan Sorrel.
	+ Border skirmishes near the Republic of Volaysia compel the already pro-Sorrel Volaysians to intervene. A large detachment of Volaysian infantry moves in to support the Sorrels in Heliogatenberg.
	+ King Balthasar's Land Counsellor, Geoffrey Sorrel, is brutally assassinated in Heliogatenberg by the Shriners. He is replaced by Gartimus Burne.

#### The Great Mind-Death

*See more: Sight, Great Mind-Death*

* A group of nine experienced Baxter Seers attempts to use each other as "amplifiers" to their Sight. Their ultimate goal is to discern secret Sorrel troop movements. However, it goes horribly wrong and all nine Seers are rendered permanently comatose.

#### Foreign Intervention begins; Volaysia and the Concordance

* Troops of the Republic of Volaysia are shelled by an unclear force originating from Heliogatenberg. A limited expedition into the County of Esket is mounted by the Volaysian army. They clash with Shriners near Sutteridge and link up with forces of the Silver Throne.
* The heads of the Aquilon-Askalis-Jabeyrack Concordance hold a vote on how to address the War of Changing after learning of Volaysia's involvement. The vote results are 4-3-1: Di'Aam, Jabeyrack, Ospalar, and Kherfiyyah vote to help the Baxters; Volaysia, Gresia, and Valeron vote to help the Sorrels; Camaria abstains. The horribly-divided Concordance members each draw up their own plans to separately help their respective sides.
* The Dynastic Pact meets and declares its full support for Clan Sorrel. The Yangxi Empire and Vestrax Machine Imperium begin drawing up a robust support package for the Silver Throne, while the Treaty of Tradition merely expresses diplomatic support.

### War of the Four Avengers (6/31)

*See more: War of the Four Avengers, Ironhorn Raids (June 1931), Fall of Shalmont, Siege of the White Motte*

#### Kasper's plan

*See more: Kasper Hagen*

* Kasper Hagen secretly meets with Saul Dunne, Ulices Ullor, and Landry Lanter - some of Clan Aastersen's most loyal vassals. They pledge to rise up against the Sorrels on Lear-Festning Island, dubbing themselves the "Four Avengers" and winning the support of the Augustine Throne.

#### The Rebellion breaks out

##### First phase - Dunfort, Auldwyth, Skogberg, Rannen

*See more: Battle of Dunfort, Battle of Auldwyth, Battle of Skogberg, First Battle of Rannen*

* The date of the rising begins. Clan Dunne conducts an attack that wipes out the Sorrel bladehouse in Dunfort before tactically withdrawing to Auldwyth. They join Dunne guards in the city to recapture it from the Silver Throne.
* Clan Hagen, working with the Ullors and Lanters, manages to liberate Skogberg from the Silver Throne.
* A Hagen assault on Rannen falters, bringing an end to the first phase of the rebellion.
* Copycat rebellions break out on Ironhorn Island; Clan Tyrus and Clan Lykke mount disorganized raids against the Sorrels and Karlsens reigning from Jern. In retaliation, Rheynald Sorrel organizes a massive attack against the Lykkes; their home of Shalmont is forcibly occupied and Leonel Lykke flees to the White Motte.
* The White Motte, manned by Clan Tyrus and Clan Lykke, is besieged by an army under Bardo Karlsen.

##### Partisan activity; "Arms" and "Populars"

*See more: Arms, Populars, Restaville Popular Army*

* For the first time, militias of the commonfolk are formed. The Arms are Clan loyalists who work alongside the Four Avengers. The Populars are reformists advocating for greater control of the Monarchy. Both the Arms and Populars work against the Silver Throne. Activity is recorded in Lear, Cashford, and especially in Restaville, where a fighting force called the RPA regularly assassinates Sorrel troops. These movements are funded by money from Clan Baxter and the Di'Aamascene Accords.

##### Second phase - Vetport, Restaville, the Murkwater

*See more: First Battle of Vetport, Battle of Restaville, Action at the Murkwater*

* The second phase of the Four Avengers' independent campaign is launched. Firstly, they make a major push on Vetport, but are repulsed by an airship attack.
* With the support of the RPA, the Four Avengers liberate Restaville.
* Hagen and Dunne troops block a large Sorrel formation from counterattacking Restaville during the Action at the Murkwater. They proceed to encircle Murkwater Town, beginning a long and bloody siege.
* The Sorrels break the siege of Murkwater Town through a heavy assault by the mech *Silversong*. The Four Avengers are put in full retreat and petition King Augustus to intervene on Lear-Festning Island.

### The Chosen Host (9/31)

*See more: Chosen Host, Baxter conquest of Ironhorn Island, College of Jern*

* Clan Frederiksen joins the side of the Augustine Throne, having been persuaded by a delegation of Gavin Baxter, Ulrich Larsen, and Robert O'Malley on the promise of extirpating Clan Skulder.
* Augustus Baxter calls all the families sworn to his cause, gradually forming a huge army of conquest at Courienta. Most of the 8th and 13th Naval Legions report in, along with CAFs from over a dozen Clans, a strong contingent of the Clansteel Brigade, and even several battalions of troops from the Di'Aamascene Federal Government. This grouping becomes known as the Chosen Host.
* Sensing that the war is about to become much bigger, King Balthasar orders Roger Patay to assassinate King Augustus at Courienta. He disguises himself as a member of the Clansteel Brigade before attempting to poison Augustus. However, the Baxter King realizes the deception and has a war of words with Patay. After his Patay expresses no remorse for killing Alvar II, Augustus uses magic to make his would-be assassin drink his own poison.
* Learning of the failed assassination attempt, Balthasar Sorrel orders Vagar the Black to raid the Chosen Host's naval assets around the Isle of Corazza. He does so, but in his own way - Vagar has no particular love for the Sorrels. Numerous ships are damaged or even sunk in Vagar's campaign.
* These raids prompt King Augustus to formally declare war upon the Sorrels, though in practice the two sides had been fighting a proxy war for the better part of a year.
* The Chosen Host shoves off and lands at Ironhorn Island to minimal resistance. They swarm first to Shalmont, liberating the home of Clan Lykke, before lifting the Siege of the White Motte and rescuing Clan Tyrus. Bardo Karlsen is taken captive in this relief effort.

#### Second Battle and College of Jern

*See more: Second Battle of Jern, College of Jern*

* The 5th Naval Legion surges a company of 12,000 men under Gerald Sorrel to Jern, with a second, larger company under Niall Wayland mustering in Cashford. In total, roughly 25,000 troops aligned with the Silver Throne are now in Jern.
* The Chosen Host pushes from the White Motte to Jern, brushing aside piecemeal resistance and reaching the outskirts in a day.
* Thoroughly outnumbered, Rheynald Sorrel orders that the city be fortified for a prolonged siege, with winter resupply from Clan Skulder's fleet.
* Augustus Baxter is faced with a difficult choice: while his forces outnumber the Sorrels in Jern by around 6 to 1, he must keep his army intact for a campaign on Lear-Festning Island and cannot afford to take many losses. His younger brother Markus suggests a bombardment of the city using guns and materiel donated by the Holy Empire of Polmaria. However, the significance of Jern (as birthplace of Clan Aastersen and the Black Iron Throne) means that such a barrage would project an attitude of disrespect for the monarchy.
* Ultimately, Augustus cannot afford to wait, since Niall Wayland's army is gearing up to reinforce Jern, so he goes through with the bombardment. To his pleasant surprise, it hardly affects morale or his level of support - which he views as retroactively indicative of the Aastersens' popularity. The barrage breaks several weak points into the walls and fortifications around Jern, allowing the Chosen Host to pour in.
* A battle commences, but it quickly turns into a rout. The Chosen Host's sheer weight of numbers allows them to easily seize the most important areas of the city. Rheynald Sorrel is wounded and taken prisoner on the streets of Jern, while Gerald Sorrel and Gartimer Burne are captured at the Iron Keep. The small contingent of Clan Olney is set upon by Sorrel tanks and are largely wiped out - with the exception of Clan Head Awl Olney.
* Augustus calls a great meeting of Clan Heads, later known as the College of Jern, in which he outlines a series of reforms he plans to enact once the Sorrels have dealt with. It solidifies him as a popular contender for the throne and he is commonly called "King Augustus" for the first time. The College of Jern also secures the continued support of Clan Larsen, since Augustus appoints Ulrich Larsen as his new Land Counsellor.
* Bardo Karlsen, held captive at Jern, orders the troops of Clan Karlsen to let the Chosen Host into Stenwell. The Baxters consolidate their control of Ironhorn Island.

### Winter Stalemate (10/31-5/32)

#### Avengers under pressure; Second Restaville, the Tall Grass Massacre, and the Housecarl

* At the same time, the situation of the Four Avengers on Lear-Festning Island was growing increasingly grim. The Sorrels' 5th Naval Legion, led by the mech *Silversong*, forced the Four Avengers back to Restaville.
* Led by Erik Sorrel, two companies of the 5th Naval Legion and a sizeable contingent of the Red Roaches under Darian Czegorock launched an assault on Restaville. The defenders managed to beat back the first push into the town and weaken the second one before their resolve started to falter. In the end, the Four Avengers were forced to withdraw from the town. Most members of the Restaville Popular Army stayed behind, where they were imprisoned *en masse*.
* With Sorrel control reasserted over Restaville, Erik Sorrel returned to Lear to quell rising activity from Arms and Populars there. He left Olivar Vandreis and the captain of the *Silversong*, an officer by the name of Garrick Wulf, in charge of pursuing the Four Avengers to Skogberg.
* Meanwhile, Balthasar Sorrel had raised one of his servants to the rank of an infantry commander. The man had no name, and was instead referred to as the Housecarl-Among-The-Flowers. He commanded troops from Clan Sorrel and Clan Lanter in a guerrilla campaign around the Auldwyth front, developing a terrifying reputation as a cannibal and monster. To deal with this threat, a detachment of troops under Averill Dunne attempted to ambush the Housecarl's encampments near Auldwyth but were themselves surprised. The resultant Tall Grass Massacre exacted a heavy toll on morale and resources of the Four Avengers, who placed enormous pressure on Augustus Baxter to help them.
* Augustus was very hesitant to make landfall at Lear-Festning Island during the winter, saying that he had not Seen it and the defenders would have the advantage. Red Roaches were especially trained for winter combat and Clan Skulder could disgorge more wintertime troops on the mainland at any time.

#### The Black Raids and Skulder menace

*See more: Black Raids, Campaign between the Coasts*

* Unable to move on Lear-Festning Island during the winter, Augustus Baxter ordered a string of naval operations led by his cousin Bastien to weaken the Sorrels' coastal defenses and disrupt their supply lines. The Augustine fleet interdicted all routes to the Port of Restaville, preventing the Sorrels from resupplying their forward base in the war against the Four Avengers. He also made some efforts to threaten resupply lanes between Heliogatenberg and Lear, but was unable to fully blockade them. The Republic of Volaysia attempted to expand its role in the War of Changing by sending navy ships against the Heliogatenberg-Lear line, but this motion was broadly unpopular and never implemented.
* Restaville was now under a full blockade. In response, Vagar the Black began sending Skulder marauders deep into Augustine waters on a campaign of unrestricted warfare. Military, cargo, and transport vessels were either boarded and massacred or bombarded into soggy wrecks. This forced Bastien Baxter to pull ships back from his Heliogatenberg-Lear line and protect important coastal cities like Courienta, Two Folds, and Oerth. Vagar's persistence was maddening; he refused handshake negotiations on multiple occasions, arguing that a central authority must be recognized by both sides. The Silver Throne, said Vagar, had the Right of Age (an older establishment hearkening back to the Lordship of Heliogatenberg) and the Right of Arms (greater capacity to defend the subjects of O'Lear).

#### Siege of the Heliogatenberg Investment Bank

*See more: Siege of of the Heliogatenberg Investment Bank*

* As winter dragged on, so too did the Second Faithful Rising of Esket. It had not lost steam despite the Volaysian intervention, and in fact had been strengthened because of it. Hundreds of military volunteers from New Jazberk and a few from Kurvack had made the arduous trip to join the Faithful Rising, to hurt Volaysia's influence instead of elevate Graolism. Newly empowered, the rebels began a new campaign against the Sorrels in their home territory. One of the boldest actions undertaken by Laurents and Arielle's partisans was an assault on the Heliogatenberg Investment Bank, chaired by Amanda Wayland. They seized assets and took dozens of prisoners, but the most significant impact of the siege was that it touched a nerve among the Sorrel leadership. They now realized the unwavering strength of the Second Faithful Rising, which had already demonstrated much more stamina than the first one launched by Kayas Melnaus decades ago.

### Moving on Lear-Festning Island (5/32)

*See more: Landings at the Intercoast, Battle of the Cash-Graf Line, Campaign between the Coasts*

* At the outset of spring in O'Lear, the Chosen Host of the Augustine Throne made its landings at Lear-Festning Island. These landings were accompanied by the Augustine Throne's upper nobility, including King Augustus himself. A beachhead was established at Restaville, with the Augustine side taking thousands of Sorrel prisoners. This landing cut off the ongoing Sorrel offensive against the Four Avengers, forcing them to pull back their troops and *Silversong* mech to deal with the new invasion. Olivar Vandreis and Garrick Wulf, later joined by Niall Wayland, marshaled their forces around Grafa - in total, roughly 48,000 soldiers were arrayed there, including the majority of the 5th Naval Legion, the clan-allegiant forces of Clan Czego, and a number of Red Roaches. But their greatest asset was the *Silversong*, which towered above the battlefield and "struck fear into the hearts of even the most devoted Baxter scions," according to Cyran Virwenys.

#### Battle of the Cash-Graf Line

* The Sorrel troops on Lear-Festning Island advanced towards Restaville along the wide Cashford-Grafa axis. Receiving military intelligence of this development, King Augustus ordered his Chosen Host to meet them along the entirety of the front. Roughly 100,000 soldiers of the Augustine Throne - the regular companies of the 8th and 13th Naval Legions, joined by some clan-allegiant forces - surged forward on foot or in vehicles. What followed was a pitched battle of storied proportions. Though the forward companies of the Silver Throne crumpled quickly, their reserve and rearguard forces fought viciously under the watchful aegis of the *Silversong*.
* The last clan-allegiant forces of Clan Olney are wiped out following an unsuccessful attempt to break through the Cash-Graf Line. On the verge of death, Awl Olney entrusts the Graol of the Darkheart to King Augustus, fulfilling the Third Vision of Baric. This is seen as the first harbinger of the Time of Saved Shrines, an event of paramount religious significance for the Spirits Graol.
* An overwhelming assault, supported by skirmisher elements of the Clansteel Brigade and Di'Aamascene forward units to soften up the enemy, breaks the Cash-Graf Line.
* The *Silversong* pulls back to the city of Lear, while the rest of the Sorrel armies are hurriedly garrisoned at Murkwater Town, Rannen, and Vetport. The Augustine Throne consolidates its hold over Restaville, Cashford, and Grafa.
* The Four Avengers formally swear their allegiance to King Augustus and the Augustine Throne. The rebel-held settlements of Auldwyth and Skogberg raise the flag of Clan Baxter.

#### Closing the Net

* The Four Avengers, along with Arms and Populars from Lear, make a renewed assault on Murkwater Town. They quickly capture the town from the demoralized troops of the Silver Throne.
* An airship battle between Di'Aamascene-built vessels of the Augustine Throne and captured Johninian-built vessels of the Silver Throne occurs over Rannen. This paves the way for the city's capture by the Chosen Host. King Augustus orders troops into Rannen soon after.

#### Battle of the Red Tower

* Only Vetport and the Red Tower protect Lear from the Augustine Throne now. The Red Tower in particular is seen as the biggest bulwark against the Baxters, as it houses the entirety of Clan Czegorock's clan-allegiant forces and the Sovereign Military Order of the Red Roach.
* At the same time, the divisions between Clan Sorrel and Clan Skulder are coming to a head. Vagar the Black, the direct overlord of Clan Czegorock, continually advocates for the Sorrels to defend the Red Tower. However, General Erik Sorrel instead pulls back most of the Sorrel troops on Lear-Festning Island to Lear. This includes the *Silversong* mech under Garrick Wulf. He leaves only Niall Wayland's troops to interdict the Augustine Throne as they approach the Red Tower.
* Wayland's forces are ineffective at slowing the advance of the Chosen Host and regroup behind the Red Tower.
* The Baxters storm the Red Tower, extirpating Clan Czegorock - including Darian - and installing a new Master of the Red Roaches,
* Vetport falls soon after to an overwhelming airship assault. Negotiations between the Silver and Augustine Throne are opened, as Lear is the only substantial settlement under Sorrel control on Lear-Festning Island. The concept of "two unions" was introduced, to allow both thrones to retain sovereignty over their current territory. However, this was flatly rejected by Augustus Baxter, who desired full control of the seas off eastern Helinska.

### Battle of Lear, *Death of the Silversong*, and Declaration of a Unified Faith (6/32)

*See more: Battle of Lear, Silversong, Baxter conquest of Lear-Festning Island, Unified Faith*

* The forces of the Chosen Host approached Lear. The mega-city was guarded by the 5th Naval Legion and the *Silversong*.

### Fall of Dullen (8/32)

*See more: Baxter conquest of Einar Island*

## Aftermath

### Immediate consequences

The War of Changing was a seminal event that devastated much of O'Lear. When all was said and done, numerous family lines were rendered extinct.

#### Clans extirpated

* Clan Aastersen and Clan Algotsen were presumed extinct after the Battle of Jern.
* Clan Olney was extirpated during the Battle of the Cash-Graf Line.
* Clan Czegorock was extirpated during the Battle of the Red Tower.
* Clan Vandreis and Clan Wayland were confirmed extinct at the Clade during the Battle of Heliogatenberg.
* Clan Skulder was extirpated during the Siege of Dullen.

#### Clans crippled/vassalized

* Clan Sorrel was allowed to continue existing as a legal entity, but it was largely crippled at the Battle of Heliogatenberg.
* Clan Burne, the only surviving vassal clan of the Sorrels, was reduced in standing even further and became largely irrelevant.
* Clan Lanter was split during the Lanport Crisis and suffered severely during the war. Landry Lanter rejected control of the family and it eventually went extinct.

### Augustine Reform

*See more: Augustine Reform*

* The royal government of O'Lear was reorganized:
	+ Augustus I Baxter was named King of O'Lear, Helaín I became Queen, and Laurents became prince and heir.
	+ The position of "Land Counsellor" was renamed to "First Counsellor". Ulrich Larsen of Oerth, Head of Clan Larsen, was renamed First Counsellor of King Augustus I Baxter in a political move.
	+ The lands and holdings of the Union of O'Lear are divided into seven Circles, which roughly fulfill the role of U.S. states:
		- **Lear-Festning Circle**
			* Lear-Festning Island, including Lear, Dunfort, Auldwyth, Skogberg, Cashford, Restaville, Grafa, Rannen, Murkwater Town, and Vetport.
			* Isle of Fengsel, including Blodport.
		- **Ironhorn Circle**
			* Ironhorn Island, including Jern, Payn, Eggert's Hill, White Motte, Tygellos, Stenwell, and Lanport.
			* Einar Island, including Dullen.
		- **Corazza Circle**
			* Isle of Corazza, including Courienta, Two Folds, Ragnalloc and Olshaw.
			* County of Couryx, including Courolojord, Abworth, and Florina.
		- **Gran-Caulberg Circle**
			* Gran-Caulberg Island, including Oerth and Clifftown.
			* Isle of Bergen, including Baumo.
			* Isle of Tanberg, including Ensomi.
		- **Southern Circle**
			* Warmwater Chain (*County of Onnfrey, Isle of Salbath, Isle of Seiberg)*, including Onnfrey, Crandall, Salbath, and Seiberg.
			* Isle of Aiternach, including Aiternach.
			* Lyscommun Islet, including Lendefoi.
		- **Blackrock Circle**
			* Blackrock Chain (Isle of Sondretta, Black Isle, Sandstone Isle, Isle of Carys), including Sondretta, Carys, Noirran and Sandmantle.
		- **Esket Circle**
			* County of Esket, including Heliograol, Sutteridge, Vanbarrion, Greengarden, Tungray, Esqueta, and Melnaus.
	+ The College of Clans was restricted to a largely-ceremonial role with appointment procedures akin to the House of Lords in the real-world United Kingdom. It became the upper house of the O'Leary legislature, while a lower house known as the Popular College was established in 1932. Members of the Popular College are named *Representatives*, and are attached to a specific Circle. Apportionment of representatives is based on population. Every representative must be sworn in by the College of Clans, and the accession of a representative *can* be vetoed.
	+ Almost all privileges associated with the rank of a Great Clan are abolished, such as direct control over their ancestral cities. Authority is transferred to a Lord Mayor, who ascends to the position every four years through a voluntary electorate-council of non-noble citizens. In larger cities, these electorate-councils can generate massive turnout; the 1934 meeting in Lear consisted of 17,000 citizens. A Lord Mayor must be confirmed by the Popular College and the College of Clans, but this is just a routine rubber stamp that officializes their accession. The removal of hereditary Clan control over cities is a dramatic change that is implemented over time.
	+ Great Clans are allowed to retain governance over ancestral fortresses within or around their previous cities, for example Clan Frederiksen's Tall Keep in Onnfrey. The Head of a Great Clan can also choose the Master of a Clan School his or her family established. For example, Ulrich Larsen retained the ability to unilaterally promote the Master of the Clan School of Infantry Warfare.
	+ A unified standing army known as the Chosen Armed Forces of O'Lear (CAFO) was established from the Chosen War Host. Clan-allegiant forces are permanently disbanded. Royal Funds are established on the existing industrial infrastructure of Clan Frederiksen and Clan Larsen in order to supply the new army, but the families are not in direct control of production or supply.
* A “United Faith” that reconciles Graolist bodies, radical Shriners, Liamist communities, and other minority religions, is established. The Council of Esqueta settles on a combined shrine system that incorporates imagery from 6 different religions, dominated by Graolism. A shrine to the United Faith of the Spirits Graol is mandated around every hearth in the nation, per the prophecies of the ancestral Seers.
* The Clan School of Seeing is established to promote the magical art of the Sight. Its first Master is Hadley Baxter.
* The city of Heliogatenberg was renamed Heliograol to reflect penance for the ways of Clan Sorrel and a greater devotion to the Spirits Graol.
* The White Motte is renamed White Motte, to reflect the city is more than just its titular fortress (which remains under the control of Clan Tyrus).
* Greengarden, Vanbarrion, Archano, and Oldhill were de-incorporated from the city of Heliograol and granted their own Lord Mayors and Clan holdings.
* A town known as Esqueta was commissioned around the main shrines to the Spirits Graol on the Isle of Esket. The town of Melnaus (named for Kayas Melnaus) is built nearby.