Aleksandr Nevsky

The Vlandian Lion by Leonid Jan Shotausky (1558)

### Born

Aleksanda Konstantinovich11 November 1237(C.S.) 16 Autumnus 1237Argoron, Duchy of Argoron, Calradic Empire

### Died

20 March 1276(C.S.) 4 Ver 1276 (aged 38)Saint Arburg, Kingdom of Vostrussia, Calradic Empire

### Burial

27 March 1276(C.S.) 6 Ver 1276Panthion von Nevsky, Saint Arburg, Kingdom of Vostrussia, Calradic Empire

### Issue

Leklar Echerdion Nevsky KonstantinovichJimrina KonstantinaAltrian Alexin KonstantinovichFyren Konstantinovich

### Full Name

Aleksandr Nevsky Ekerd Iranos Konstantinovich

## Emperor of the Calradois

### Coronation

12 December 1263Panthion von Sankt Arburg

## King of Vlandia

### Succeeded By

Alexander II

Aleksandr Nevsky (*Middle Calradian:* Alejssandar Neuski), born Aleksanda Konstantinovich (*Middle Calradian:* Alejssandar Kosanovik) and today known as Alexander Nevsky (11 November 1237–20 March 1276), was a Vlandian king, Calradic emperor and military leader who rose to power during the Swadian Civil War (1256-1260) and the Second Calradic War (1256-1263) who reigned as one of the greatest historical figures comparable to Dionysius Konstantianos (1068-1111), his ancestor and previously the Emperor of the Calradois. Born to a noble family, Aleksandr Nevsky experienced a good start in life leading to his death which became troubled and what he left behind as a hero of Calradia was the Alexandrine Era (1263-1453) which revolutionized the way of art and architecture and thus leaving his mark today in history as Alexander 'the Great'.

## Early Life

Aleksandr's family had originated from both Sturgia and the Empire but always found himself to be far more Sturgian than anything else. At four hours past midnight on 11 November 1237, Aleksandr's mother Ira Novoryana (1222-1254) began feeling mild pains until it later developed to become unbearable. His father, Diathmos Konstantianos (1212-1255) had to carry Ira to a nearby carriage in the village of Alatys and another 7 minutes later, she and Diathmos were transported to Argoron where the Count of Argoron (1211-1279), Echerdion's guards who were on patrol sounded the alarm and raised the gates for Echerdion's childhood friend to enter with his wife. They were escorted to a private chamber in the keep where Aleksandr was born as the blizzard settled down. He was blessed the following day and was brought back to Alatys within 3 extra days.

When Aleksandr turned 8, Echerdion who would often visit the family twice a week invited the boy to hunt who agreed and did so every week when Echerdion showed up with his bow. Aleksandr was gifted one himself forged by the local Argoron blacksmith which he deemed "The single most treasurable gift." But when he was 10, a hunting accident occurred when Aleksandr was struck in the left shoulder with a rogue arrow to which he fell of his horse from. He spent a full week recovering before he returned to the field. Whilst his 'uncle' whom he called was away, he would spend most his time studying quietly in the courtyard but then would be distracted by the local children who lured him to play with which his father plainly remained neutral about. It was said his mother was far more liberal and allowed him to venture further out in the field only to return by nightfall where his father would restrain him from doing 'peasantry things'.

In 1247, Aleksandr, under the influence of Echerdion and his father's aid, was accepted with scholarship into the military academy in Argoron where he trained with common soldiers and was disciplined but Echerdion, a truly different figure granted him early rest and allowed Aleksandr to use the court as he would like in his spare time. However, one time, he got into trouble with some older trainees and had to fight them off until Echerdion arrived to stop it. The elder ones were punished and sent back home dishonored with brands burned into their earlobes. No one knew why Echerdion was so protective of Aleksandr but historians have argued it was the cause of the loss of his own son in 1235 because of another hunting accident as one might consider. From then on, Aleksadnr continued his training until 1251 when Aleksandr was 14 where he had completed the course and returned home to Alatys. Ira recalled that "He returned home still that stench in his well built body as opposed to he the small boy when he left." It was also apparent that Aleksandr had taken a liking to the military as he convinced Echerdion to let him join his ranks in hunting down raiders, pillagers and looters.

It was the winter of 1252, when Aleksandr accompanied Echerdion in a blizzard to hunt down a massive band of 71 raiders who they came across when the storm weakened. It was an easy task in capturing and killing the sea raiders but what came after changed Aleksandr's life. Some days after the normal event, Alatys was raided by bands of bandits which amounted to around 120. Aleksandr sent for reinforcements early and fought to protect the rims of the village. However, half the population during the attack was killed and by the time Echerdion arrived, the bandits had disbanded and scattered leaving a wounded Aleksandr on the ground with a dislocated shoulder, the same one which was shot when he was 10. Echerdion and Diathmos argued for a whole day and in the end, it seemed that Diathmos won the argument which grounded Aleksandr from military participation for half a year as he thought that the bandits attacked because Echerdion attacked the 71 raiders. He wasn't wrong.

2 years later, in 1254, Aleksandr's mother, Ira, suddenly died of a fever leaving his father with grief and within 4 months of her death, Diathmos too died. Both Aleksandr's parents were buried in the Alatys cemetery which has been demolished in the 18th century for housing. This left Alatys in the hands of Aleksandr who was also in the care of Echerdion who had recently become Duke of Argoron after the previous one had died. The income of his village worsened and as much as a two-thirds of Alatys' population migrated to Argoron and elsewhere in the Empire for safety and better work. Those who remained stayed loyal and began on rebuilding stability.

## Life in the Nords

On 17 November 1256, after Aleksandr's 19th birthday, the Lord of Alatys disappeared without a trace and made his way with several sailors to the docks where a small boat awaited him with a white flag embedded into the single mast. Usually at night when one sailor recalled, "The young lord would place one foot on the bow looking into the far reaches of the end of the world." Over a month later, he disembarked at the end of a river in Seordas and joined a local caravan on their way to Kargrev where Aleksandr met a merchant from Sargoth preparing his ship to set sail back home. Aleksandr introduced himself for the first time in recorded history as Aleksandr Nevsky to the merchant, named Rurik (1217-1289) who accepted to sail him to Sargoth for free. They arrived on 23 March 1257 when the Swadian Civil War was raging. Aleksandr approached King Ragnar I (1205-1260) on 4 April and joined the Kingdom of Nords with the standing as Jarl of Ambean. During this time, Aleksandr's political life was highly unstable. Many of the older Jarls found him as a disgrace for Ragnar allowing Aleksandr to join so quickly with a social standing so great where others, such as Jarl Turya Arolant (1204-1292)) and Jarl Marayirr Arolant (1227-1301) praised Aleksandr as a Sturgian and quickly grown fond of the newcomer so too, he was invited everytime to feasts in Curin where he first met Endegrid Arolant (1238-1314). For many of Ragnar's campaigns, Aleksandr was always the first to be chosen to accompany Ragnar which eventually led to his fate on 10 June 1257.

#### Defending the Borders

As Aleksandr Nevsky trailed behind by an hour, he had no clue about what was to meet him in the vanguard. They approached Pirush river and its famous bridge at around noon when Ragnar was suddenly met with a force of 5,000 Vaegirs led by King Yaroglek I (1198-1260). He sent a runner to Aleksandr but never made it as he deserted the army. Without reinforcements for an hour, Ragnar was engaged into combat when Yaroglek charged his cavalry across Pirush Bridge thus giving the battle its name, the Battle of Pirush Bridge. His lowly recruits broke immediately and Ragnar had to retreat to a nearby slope where he set up a shield wall. However, some time later, a second charge ensued which broke the Nord's archers whilst the King wasn't paying attention which possibly cost him his victory. Aleksandr who arrived before Ragnar's break created a line of defense which flanked the Vaegirs who then retreated back across the bridge to lure Ragnar in which Yaroglek successfully did and in that decisive manoeuvre, encircled and killed Ragnar's army. Aleksandr continued to fight for a few extra minutes before he broke and was captured whilst escaping the battlefield. Some 1,500 Nords ended up as casualties out of the 1,570 where the Vaegirs only lost 133. Because of the two's fatal defeat, Yaroglek was able to continue his course to besiege Sargoth which he took by July.

Aleksandr Nevsky was unwillingly forced to pay a ransom of 4,000 denars for his freedom and returned to Curin where his arrival was met by the Arolants who discussed further plans. They agreed to lend 660 Nords to Aleksandr and was ordered to post in Jelbegi. However, in the summer of 1257, Aleksandr had received an order from Marshal Gundur (1197-1296) to set up defenses around Jelbegi and in early August, Aleksandr was the first to meet the army who was marching towards the Nords. On 7 August, first reports of a detachment from the vanguard of King Harlaus' (1206-1259) army was sighted marching into Kalesi Pass. Aleksandr, still anxious about his position sallied out to meet them the following day. Shallow trenches were dug at the end of the pass to guard the castle and at dawn, an army of 1,100 Swadians and Vaegirs led by Count Mirchaud dey Meroc (1222-1289) and Boyar Naldera (1201-1257) appeared around the pass and halted for the rest of the morning. Unknown of Aleksandr's experience in the past, the two lords made camp and eased their men though that was a mistake to be paid. Aleksandr's light mercenary and companion cavalry charged down the center and rammed themselves into the campsite wreaking havoc before they pulled back for a cycle charge. The entire incident lasted for 8 minutes before Aleksandr called the cavalry back and sent up the archers which by then, the Swadians and Vaegirs had gathered the strength they had and formed up in a tight formation. Aleksandr's footmen marched around the flanks of the valley and set up position on the archer's flanks. But Mirchaud's desperateness had set in and recklessly charged in his heavy Swadian mounted knights and men-at-arms where they were met by veteran huscarls instantly closing the gap between the lance and infantry and killing them. Then Naldera who sought to help personally led his lighter horse archers down the center but since the archers had been freed up, their rain of arrows shot past the Swadians and dealt a serious blow to Naldera's squadron killing him in the process which left him to be trampled by retreating Swadians and Vaegirs. Within 10 minutes, the Battle of Kalesi Pass was over and Aleksandr had risen victorious with under 20 casualties, in comparison to the 650 Swadian and Vaegir casualties. After the battle, Aleksandr was greatly praised over his military capability and the Kalesi Pass, was renamed the Ambean Pass by locals.

King Harlaus' army could not suffer any further and pledged to retreat back to Suno where he signed a final declaration to end any alliance between the Swadians and Vaegirs which was favored amongst the Nords.

#### Battle for Sargoth

The broken alliance allowed for the Nords to regain its strength and in August to September, the new Marshal, Turya launched a full front counter-offensive on the Vaegirs and Aleksandr was made the commander of the rearguard in the Summer Campaign of 1257. The army gathered near Curin and departed for Sargoth numbering 5,900 though Ragnar's army of 3,800 was not present, the Vaegirs had feared the commanders of the Nords who headed the army and fled back to Sargoth but its people had locked their occupants out and therefore were forced to face the Nords on the field just outside the walls whilst onlookers would scurry to yell for the victory of the Nords. The Vaegirs however still had a substantial army of 3,200 but most were tired from war and lightly armored in comparison to the heavily armored Nords. On 28 September 1257, the 2 forces met on the plains outside Sargoth. The signal for the vanguard to let loose their arrows came early and in 9 minutes, they had used up all their ammunition. Determined to win the battle, 300 huscarls led by Jarl Aedin (1197-1296) inflicted a victory in the center and broke the Vaegir ranks. Aleksandr from the rearguard proceeded to use this oppotunity to flank around and stormed the city retaking and liberating Sargoth from a month of Vaegir rule; in the meantime, he freed Endegrid from the dungeons thus beginning their affair. The Vaegirs who saw this fled the battle with a remaining 2,000 or so but most of them deserted.

This heavy loss prompted other Nords to attack the Vaegirs taking Ismirala, Wercheg and Alburq back by the end of September. Aleksandr personally took part in taking Alburq. At around the same time, Echerdion had received news of Aleksandr's appearance and play in the Swadian Civil War but did nothing to help the Nords in that regard where instead sent a sealed letter to Aleksandr who recognized the seal immediately. Nothing was written on the paper but the sign was enough to notify Aleksandr he has been found.

#### Revocation

Aleksandr grew weary of the declining Nords which he saw as a weak nation being tampered by the Vaegirs and Swadians but in October, he was convinced to stay by Endegrid for a while longer. On 13 December, the two got married in Curin witnessed by Turya, Marayirr, Ragnar, Gundur, Lezalit (1228-1299) and Firentis (1231-1300). However, it came as a shock to everyone, the next morning after the marriage night, Aleksandr asked Ragnar to revoke his oath to the King. He tried convincing but still Aleksandr was determined to leave and so Ragnar allowed for this single occasion to happen. Why he did so is still debated but one common belief during the later Alexandrine Era was that Ragnar knew about his ambitions and saw him as his successor.

## Disappearances and Reappearances

The captain disappeared after he revoked his oath and only appeared on 20 December. During the 6 days, some myths and stories stimulated ideas of his death and downfall but Echerdion, who knew only the truth was able to contact Aleksandr with spies and decided to supply and fund Aleksandr with whatever he wanted to do but the reinforcements came far too late in the first attempt.

#### Stand at Holding Ridge

Aleksandr through his inexperience chose a poor location to besiege a town. He chose the poor choice of Etrosq situated as an enclave of the Swadian kingdom and besieged the 900 garrison men. Within hours, reinforcements arrived from elsewhere and Aleksandr had to retreat to the edge of a cliff named Holding Ridge and made his stand there with 890 Nord veteran huscarls and cavalry whom he named the Legionnaire Cataphracts he picked and had been with since June. Just 2 hours into the siege, a Swadian army of 3,600 men arrived over the horizon and Aleksandr began setting up defenses along the cliff, whatever barricade they could make of their caravans and wagons. It was also the first time when War Wagons came into use. Makeshift murder holes which crossbows were fired from whilst giving the user maximum protection. Count Klargus (1211-1259), the head of the vanguard yelled across the field for the surrender of Aleksandr who dismissed it by initiating a volley of bolts into the unprepared Swadians killing a hundred in the first wave. Klargus was scraped by the edge of one bolt which killed a man-at-arm behind him. Then in ferocity, Klargus charged his mounted knights up the hill but were met by another volley of bolts which slowed their horses, some causing the knights to dismount and to charge on foot but that was worse. Some 600 huscarls charged down the hill shattered the knights' armor and bones, some so terrified began faint dying. Klargus, who was at the rear was caught fleeing by a stray bolt into the back which wounded him and had to be carried off in a stretcher.

The middle guard prepared under the leadership of Count Regas dey Haringoth (1219-1299) who later became the Vlandian Minister of War in 1299 charged his men up the steep hill whilst bumping into the retreating forces which was another mistake. Aleksandr let loose a series of fire arrows into the clump of forces which burned quickly in the high dry air that day, then once more, the huscarls rammed themselves at their foes and instantaneously broke them. Some were thrown down the cliff after they had made it to the wagons. Some were plainly executed by the Nords' heavy axes. Regas was hacked down by a throwing ax mortally wounding him.

After being repelled for twice in a row, suffering heavy causalties, the Swadians were down to the rearguard led by Count Stamar dey Eriksson (1231-1262) who was widely regarded as the third best military commander during the Alexandrine Era sitting behind Aleksandr and Lezalit. Stamar waited until the 5th hour before committing parts of his army to the ridge where Aleksandr had been taking a nap. Knowing that it would be his last stand, Aleksandr ordered his cavalry to charge without him but soon broke under the heavier Swadian knights which may have well cost Aleksandr his victory. His archers began faltering and soon when the infantry was ordered to charge into the cavalry, a small flanking force consisting of weaker soldiers broke through the lines and attacked the archers. Aleksandr rode into battle at the very last minute but was dismounted when his horse was killed. A spear impaled his back and a javelin shot straight into his chest missing his heart by a few centimeters. From behind, Stamar charged his polearm into Aleksandr and the captain fell to the ground. The huscarls remained in the fight and repelled several hundred Swadians but when the number eventually dropped to 19, the highest ranking soldier, Sergeant Hekter Lech Mariny with the support of his men laid down arms and surrendered. That day was marked as a costly victory by the Swadians but damaged Harlaus' reputation of having an invincible army. He was proven wrong and because of this, a counter-attack was launched from the south by the Rhodoks and Sarranids into Swadian lands.

Aleksandr was taken captive and was held in a camp near Haringoth where he escaped with the help of the 19 huscarls. He and a few others fled to Tihr and any traces of them gone dark by 23 December until the 29th.

## Ruler of Vlandia

Echerdion's men who had marched over half of Calradia arrived in old Swadia on 28 December, however, Aleksandr's trail was still cold and chose to remain within Battanian territory until news was heard of. And so they did until the next day when they picked up on a messenger sent by Aleksandr. The two forces met and merged near Dugan, on the Swadian-Battanian border where they exchanged gifts and so on. The villagers, who disliked their new Sarranid overlords welcomed Aleksandr until 1 January 1258 and despite his failure in Etrosq, one of the main reasons that Aleksandr succeeded in gaining the favors of the lower peasants was because of his ability to convince others that he would be a just ruler.

#### Kingdom of Vlandia

Aleksandr besieged Asugan and stormed the easy walls taking it in 6 hours. The Sarranids and Khergits unaware of this assault sat by and watched as Aleksandr strengthened his new kingdom. The Kingdom of Vlandia was recreated after it fell during the First Calradic War and established the First Court to keep his nation intact. This included all the ministries he had created the revised version of the hierarchy in the army making himself the Commander-in-Chief; the Minister of War went to Lezalit Genoicino; Firentis Countore became the Minister of Internal Affairs; Artimenner Asugonnion (1204-1302) became the Minister of Foreign Affairs. What kept the newly formed kingdom intact was the fact that Aleksandr's court were made of good friends, each were fond of one another and especially the leadership of Aleksandr and soon, when rumors got around to the surrounding and certainly far more powerful kingdoms, Sultan Hakim I (1198-1262) and Sanjar Khan (1204-1271) both declared war initiating the Kingdom of Vlandia into the Swadian Civil War.

Between January and February 1258, Aleksandr and Lezalit each defended the northern and southern front of his lands which made for excellent defenses. During that time, trenches were dug and watchtowers erected across the border in some places establishing 2 meter tall walls which stretched on as far as 6 km in the south and 4 km in the north. This became known as the Castel Tyage (Great Fort), a world heritage site today though only 2 km of the southern wall remains after it was burned down in 1340. It was estimated that in this time, together, the Sarranids and Khergits who both vied for power in Asugan gained barely any land to as little as a carriage-sized piece of desert. Aleksandr assembled a force of 1,230 men and marched south out of the walls for the first time and besieged Sharwa whilst the Sarranids were busy elsewhere and therefore was taken easily thus beginning the North Nahasa Campaign.

#### North Nahasa Campaign

In mid-February when the North Nahasa Campaign was initiated, Lezalit Genoicino played a small role in actual participation as he focused his own manpower on the northern front still being harassed by the Khergits whilst Aleksandr spearheaded the invasion with merely 1,200 men. That number soon increased after he took Bariyye and made it his capital which was closer to imperial aid if needed (that is since Echerdion and Ioannes II (1184-1263) had signed a treaty which agreed to aid the Kingdom of Vlandia when it was created since Ioannes II, Emperor of Calradia had long since wanted the revival of the Kingdom of Vlandia as a buffer state to overseas rivals). From 1,200 men, the number quickly soared to 2,300 as more lords entered the realm in service of Aleksandr and more support came from other kingdoms especially from Vostrussia and Geroia. At the same time, Aleksandr had created the rank of Marshal of the Kingdom and had promoted Lezalit Genoicino to that rank who essentially became second-in-command yet he paid no attention to the south.

Aleksandr had inflicted several defeats on his enemies in Dashbigha (17 February), Sharwa (18 February) and Sekhtem (20 February) whilst having his allies push the frontlines by approximately 72 km west from the walls of Tyage to Teramma taking up half of Sarranid territories in Calradia. The Rhodoks also used this opportunity to strike and captured Weyyah and Hawaha. Hakim had sent over 11 emissaries to his son who co-ruled the rest of the sultanate in the Nahasa but over and over, his son, later Ayzar II (1234-1263) refused as he preferred peace in Swadia over ambitions and in fact welcomed any Vlandian emissaries to his court and treated them fairly and well. Whilst Hakim and Ayzar were having a tough time cooperating, Aleksandr struck once more but closer to the capital, Shariz. In the First Battle of Rushdigh, Aleksandr solely defeated Hakim in a skirmish and forced him to return to Shariz though Aleksandr did not pursue and instead, sent for his vassals to join him.

In the same month, on 26 August, Aleksandr called upon his vassals to join him amounting a force of over 4,000 fresh troops and some seasoned fighters and marched toward Shariz where Hakim had locked himself in. Amongst the commanders of the Vlandians were Lord Tulug (1226-1296) and Tonju (1199-1301), two unequal veterans who had joined Vlandia on the same day as each other. Both held back in reserve since they were experienced horse archers whereas Aleksandr took both the middle guard and vanguard. In the late afternoon as the sun began to set, they encountered a force which had been sent out by Hakim and was led by Emir Nuwas (1204-1260), the last of Hakim's bodyguards. They clashed somewhere near the site of the First Battle of Rushdigh and commenced the Second Battle of Rushdigh with Aleksandr outnumbering Nuwas by 1,000. But what made Nuwas' defeat inevitable was the rate of desertion. Many fled to join Aleksandr in the fight which in turn resulted in Nuwas' defeat in less than 4 hours only suffering 710 casualties total. In the end, Nuwas fled to the Khergits and pledged himself to the Khan. Without a fight, Shariz fell soon after and Hakim was forced to abdicate his throne to his son Ayzar. Aleksandr and Ayzar both met in Caraf, 9 km east of Shariz and signed the Treaty of Caraf which concluded any fighting between the Vlandians and the Sarranids disabling their involvement in the Swadian Civil War. Ayzar also agreed to the terms willingly that Vlandia should be given all Sarranid territories in Calradia with no payment whatsoever. Ayzar transported his father back to the Nahasa and exiled him to the Aserai Sultanate further east. To maintain a strong detail across the Garant Strait, Aleksandr posted Tulug and Tonju to guard the southern border who later became known as the Khergit Towers after the myth that the two turned into stone statues which are seen today standing at 100 m tall. Though in reality, these statues were completed in 1357.

#### Rhodok Ceasefire

Shariz was renamed Caras after it was replaced as the new Vlandian capital and when the entire court was shifted to Aleksandr's new throne where he was officially crowned King of the Vlandians on 1 September 1258 with the recognition by Emperor Ioannes II. Many of the other rulers were disheartened by this move and many turned and faced Aleksandr's ever growing might. The Rhodoks who had previously gained a stronghold in Weyyah lost it to Lieutenant-Commander Count Rochabarth Melison (1230-1290); to shield his flanks, Aleksandr attempted to shut off the northern Jameyyed Pass but encoutered a large force of 1,600 Khergits against his weaker 550. The Battle of Jameyyed Pass in September closed off any more attempts by the king to stop Khergit attacks via that path and the king returned to Caras.

But whilst recollecting his strength, Aleksandr received news of Rochabarth being pursued by King Graveth I (1210-1274) so he assembled an army of 8,000 men with help from Commander Count Haringoth (1194-1283) and marched in the direction of Jelkala. At the same time in the east, Lezalit Genoicino led a successful attack on the Khergits and broke through their defenses in the Second Battle of Jameyyed Pass which led him to Halmar which he besieged for 3 days then taking it in a swift move on 1 October. On 14 October, Aleksandr, Rochabarth and Haringoth finally met up near Chelez and chose to pursue Graveth eventually tracking him down to Ibdeles 2 days later. The 4,600 Rhodoks had to fight nontheless as Graveth prepared his army on a slight ledge where he had placed his heavy crossbowmen. However, Aleksandr had seen through this and flanked around out of the sight of Graveth and made a surprise attack from the rear. From the front, Haringoth's war wagons shot down anyone who fled downhill and captured as many as 700 prisoners where Rochabarth pursued Graveth to the village 6 km south of the battlegrounds where he was captured after he was flung off by its villagers. The victory at Ibdeles was apparent.

Graveth propsed to sign a ceasefire after everything south of the Naqda Range was ceded to Vlandia which was accepted on accord for a 30-day treaty. Aleksandr returned to the newly conquered city of Halmar; changed its name to Lezandria after its conqueror and established the new settlement as his capital.

#### Dhirim Campaign and Asugan

Aleksandr waited for the winter to pass and in the Spring of 1259, chose to launch a campaign Calradia had not seen in over a century. The Vlandian army, then numbering 34,000 consisted of many great commanders. Aleksandr led the central legion which made up half of the entire Vlandian army with 17,000 men under him at once including Rochabarth. Lezalit controlled the eastern flank numbering 7,000 which bordered the Battanians who have their support to the Rhodoks but cancelled it following the ceasefire with the threat from an invasion by Vlandia. The western flank was led by Haringoth and his son Regas, who had been exiled by Harlaus for supporting Vlandia. They held 10,000 in their hands.

Since the beginning of the invasion, Narra had been captured (4 March; renamed to Narvon), Dhirim followed shortly (16 March; renamed to Rimsburg) and Reyvadin in the next month (14 April; renamed to Ryiv) which at that point, the Khergits withdrew from the Swadian Civil War and gave all lands to Aleksandr and Swadians were exhausted from heavy fighting which left the Vaegirs and Nords. Perhaps it may have been luck for them that the Rhodoks prolonged the one-sided victory by sacrificing themselves to fight Vlandia on their own in the west.

Ragnar took no chances and led an expedition south deep into newly conquered territories and had set his eyes on Narvon, however, he was quickly met and defeated by Lezalit at the Battle of Narvon in late April who sallied out the city surprising his forces and from then on, Ragnar's Nord army lacked most resources including food and ammunition since they had to escape the wrath of Lezalit's professional army who chased them off. Through the early summer heat, many in Ragnar's army deserted, became bandits, highwaymen, or plainly died of heat strokes. As many as 30% died of starvation and strokes. Lezalit's messenger had also reached Aleksandr earlier than Ragnar and made him march south to meet Ragnar who was desperate to take a town and so he tried with Radoghir but 32 hours in the siege, he was spotted by the vanguard of Aleksandr's 5,500 strong.

On 3 May, Aleksandr laid his army in a line formation which was unusual during the Dionid Era (1111-1263) and placed his crossbowmen up in front with barely any defenses. They cast first blood that night which caused Ragnar's cavalrymen to panic and flee. Ragnar's own horse was shot to death and his archers, now in disarray finally set up a short and packed line which made an easy target for Vlandian crossbows. The two kings eyed one another and called orders as they stared down the field. The initial 4,600 Nords had come down to 2,300 in a matter of minutes where the next thing they knew, heavy Vlandian cavalry charged downhill into the campsite and burned it down including its people, Ragnar escaped the camp but was wounded in the leg and head and found himself surrounded. Aleksandr's men prepared to kill him but they were ordered to stop. The Nord king was treated to his wounds and was given safe passage whilst unconscious to Sargoth where he signed a ceasefire with Vlandia.

Thus this ended the first half of the Swadian Civil War where the Vlandians truly struggled. The second half contained otherwise.

After the quarter-of-a-year-long campaign ended in Vlandian absolute victory, Aleksandr returned to Lezandria and was met by a emissary from Vostrussia who called for Aleksandr's appearance in Asugon (previously Asugan) and so he did. He arrived in June 1259 where the Emperor, Duke of Argoron, Duke of Epicrus, and the King of Battania were. This began the month long negotiation which concluded with the Imperial Alliance which opposed the Order of Saint Calradios which consisted of the others.

#### Ibdeles and Haringoth-Nemeja

At around the same time, the nations of Swadia, Rhodoks, Vaegirs, Khergits and Nords signed the Treaty of Uxkhal which agreed on the basis to end all conflict between them and to form a coalition against Aleksandr's Vlandia which had begun to grow excessively where they later joined the Order of Saint Calradios though on a different subject. Furthermore, the Order of Saint Calradios had declared war on the Empire which marked the true beginning of the Second Calradic War but many scholars still believe the war began the moment Swadia broke up in 1256. The Empire saw the support by many outside nations such as Geroia which gave them the upper hand as soon as they arrived the following year. Aleksandr who now faced the multi-front war began introducing the new modern command system and new technology such as trench warfare.

Lezalit was deployed on the northern front to guard against Nord and Vaegir attacks; Rochabarth faced the Swadians alone and Aleksandr, Stamar and Haringoth with their 5,500 men assaulted Rhodok territories who posed a serious threat to Vlandian borders with their crossbows. To neutralize this, Aleksandr set off in July 1259 from Lezandria to Jelkala. By August, much of the Rhodok forces had retreated deeper into their own lands but whatever resistance they put up in village, the villagers turned against Graveth and joined Aleksandr's march. As many as 17,000 took part in what was known as the Summer March between July and August. Eventually, they came across their destination of Jelkala but had also come into contact with the finals of Rhodok manpower of 9,100 men led by King Graveth. On 14 August, the Second Battle of Ibdeles began as Graveth held his position near Jelkala and Aleksandr had sent up his arrows. The cavalry clashed and for the heavy Vlandians, they successfully forced the Rhodok cavalry out of the fight and charged further into the trenches the Rhodoks had prepared. As the cavalry harassed the rear of Graveth, Aleksandr ordered for the general advancement and the infantry clashed resulting in heavy casualties on both sides but nonetheless Graveth suffered more. By the end of noon, Graveth had to retreat to the city walls with his remaining 3,000 or less. The city surrendered without Graveth's approval on the 15th and he was captured. The Rhodok king was exiled to Galand, an island south of Jelkala where he died in 1274. The same day, the Rhodoks proclaimed their surrender and was absorbed into the Kingdom of Vlandia whilst Aleksandr had moved his capital to Jelkala (renamed Jacula).

With the entire southern part of Swadia under Vlandian control and a panhandle which reached from Lezandria to Ryiv which was as long as 70 km which limited any connections between the Vaegirs and the rest of the coalition; it was vital to their victory. Knowing this, Aleksandr sought to remove completely the Swadians from their position in the Empire and ordered Stamar to spearhead an invasion from Wolokna (Veluca before the Vlandians took it on 7 August) to Uxkhal. This operation concluded a week after it started and even went further to take Suno on 17 September but was however stopped by the defenses around Praven. Aleksandr marched his men from the south and attacked Swadian lands from there but since crossing the bridge, he had come across many patrols in the area and finally encountered the greatest army the Swadians had amassed by Harlaus. Documents discovered in his old keep at Praven accounted for 23,000 though numbers may have been as low as 14,000. Nontheless, it still proved a great threat to Aleksandr and would become one of the greatest challenge yet for him to overcome.

On 21 September, Aleksandr's 7,000 iron-skinned veterans faced off against Harlaus' 23,000 Swadian soldiers at an intersection of Haringoth-Nemeja, then there was one sole house which had been renovated since and had grew to a town of 500 today. Vastly outnumbered and outflanked, Aleksandr holed up 100 archers in the house and placed Rhodok ambushers on the sides of the roads. Then he was left with 6,200. But during the time Harlaus marched to Aleksandr, the latter had placed hundreds more flags to give an impression of a larger army in the 5 digits which shook the morale of Harlaus who had expected less. The king became more cautious but what Aleksandr did was flank around on two sides whilst only 100 men were left to defend the banners. The Swadians began making camp near sunset though at that time, Aleksandr had prepared his archers from the flanks. When the wooden battlements were laid out, Aleksandr launched volleys of fire arrows into the site which burned through the defenses and quickly spread to Harlaus' caravans. Like Radoghir, many of the soldiers fled outwards only to be met by another force of imperial veterans who crushed them easily. Harlaus escaped the battle and fled to Veidar but it was there where he was killed by its people and hung him above the Praven city square for everyone to see including Aleksandr when he marched in on 25 September.

Little pockets of resistance carried on into October 1259 but since the fall of Praven (which had been renamed Saint Aleksandaburg and made the new Vlandian capital), the remaining Swadians loyal to Harlaus had signed a declaration of surrender which concluded the official fighting.

#### Proclamation

The Sturgians, now far lesser than Vlandia saw them as a huge threat and had publicly announced the stop in supporting the Nords. The Vaegirs soon split into two princedoms: Carassia (Western Vaegirs) and Eastern Vaegirs. Both ruled by Yaroglek but administered differently. In November, a few skirmishes erupted between the Nords and Carassia; in December, a full blown war broke out between the two nations which had concluded the coalition which was unstable anyways. Sometime in early 1260, the Sturgians used this opportunity to attack the Eastern Vaegirs who were led by Valdym I (1230-1260) but resulted in a bloody stalemate.

By January 1260, Vlandia's army numbered around 90,000 men and without saying, hardly any of the last months of the civil war were well documented due to the sheer volume of happenings across the realm. Such as in February, Curaw (renamed Krakow) and Khudan (renamed Khadansk) was taken; by April, Tihr (renamed Saint-Tyr), Sargot (renamed Sarjot) and Rivacheg (renamed Rywazchnej) were all captured. The last army of Yaroglek was defeated by Lezalit at Fisdnar in May and the Grand Prince was exiled to Eastern Vaegir where he was assassinated by his cousin, Valdym. Ragnar lost the final city of Wercheg (renamed Warcheg) in June after heavy fighting and was killed whilst defending the gates with his men and on 24 June 1260, the remnants of the coalition gathered in Saint Aleksandaburg's Baravenos Palace to sign the Treaty of Baravenos which ended the 3-year-long civil war in Swadia though the Second Calradic War raged on elsewhere.

When Aleksandr was proclaimed by Emperor Ioannes II as the sole ruler of Vlandia, many of the Order of Saint Calradios declared war on the Empire which once again heated things up come July.

## Consul of Calradia

As Echerdion was the First Consul, he appealed to the Emperor to make Aleksandr a consul and so he did on 15 July 1260 when the King visited Saint Arburg. The council discussed the future of the war and applied each ruler to one frontier to shield the borders. The Emperor himself protected the eastern border against the Khergits and Aserai whilst his second-in-command, General-Governor Arathmos Bludin (1190-1263) took care of Garant Strait alongside Lords Tulug and Tonju who prevented the flow of Aserai troops through Sarranid territories into the mainland though in 1261, Ayzar II had also publicly announced their dis-involvement in the war only to join in 1262 after being pressured by the Aserai. The Sturgians requested entry into the Imperial Alliance and was accepted quickly but the Emperor still distrusted the Grand Prince and had sent Echerdion to garrison the Sturgian borders in case of betrayal. Lezalit was the commander of the garrison at Saint Arburg for a short while before he was moved back to Vlandian territories. Aleksandr then took control of 30,000 men and rushed the trenches of the Vaegirs and broke through which he then passed his command to Stamar who led the Vlandians to victory against the Vaegirs.

In 1260, the Vaegirs' Grand Prince Valdym was killed by Yaroglek's family and the principality fell into disarray and the nobles of the principality all agreed to rule from within a Boyar Council which fared terribly. As of March 1261, the Vaegirs had been eradicated which secured the northern border. However the relentless raids carried on in the east caused for the frontline of the Empire to shift ever closer to its capital, Saint Arburg and the closest they have gotten was on the eve of Ioannes' death on 8 March 1263. He was replaced briefly by his 12-year-old grandson Arber III (1251-1264).

During this succession, Aleksandr took the opportunity of the replacement and without the orders of Arber, sent Lezalit with 20,000 men back to imperial grounds to 'assist' the Emperor in battle against the Khergits, Aserai and Sarranids who had begun besieging Saint Arburg. The Battle of the Nations ensued which ended in Vlandian victory and which at that point, Lezalit had received a letter from Aleksandr marked by the seal of his coat of arms, a designation which signalled the overthrow of the ruler. Arber was imprisoned by his own men in Saint Arburg and was visited once by Aleksandr who took the chains off him and sent him to the island of Downgarde where he was killed by 13 lions a year later. Echerdion had only heard of this betrayal by the time Arber had been exiled but did not fight Aleksandr and instead let him be what ever he wanted.

## Ruler of Calradia

When Aleksandr took over on 8 April 1263, he steamrolled the Order of Saint Calradios with the use of Echerdion, Lezalit and Stamar who all played a major role in defeating the remnants of the Order. By the end of October, the Aserai, Sarranids and Khergits had fallen into Aleksandr's submission and after the Battle of Hilt's Deep on 31 October, the war finally ended. For the rest of Aleksandr's reign, the Empire set its eyes on rebuilding and renovating which brought the continent into the Alexandrine Era. The King chose to be coronated on his 26th birthday and on 11 November 1263, he officially became the Emperor of the Calradois.

#### Reforms

The borders of the Empire of Calradia was revisited and the governments for each nation changed according to the Alexandrine Code. The Kingdom of Vostrussia, Duchy of Argoron, Duchy of Epicrus, Grand Principality of Sturgia, Kingdom of Battania and the Kingdom of Vlandia went mostly untouched by Aleksandr's changes as they were the ones who supported the Empire during the Second Calradic War. Where as elsewhere in the late Order of Saint Calradios were altered in mass. The Khergit Khanate were seen as a massive issue as successors to the Khuzait Khanate who ravaged the mainland Calradia from outside and were seen as inferior since they were often stereotyped as raiders and barbarians. And so, the Margraviate of Ostgard was created instead as a protectorate under the Kingdom of Vostrussia which acted as a buffer state to other hordes. The Grand Principality of Vaegir was significantly weakened and was placed under the control of Alexander I (1240-1342) who later also became the Prince of Kulossia which succeeded the Grand Principality of East Vaegir in 1275. Both of its military were the only ones who were able to be kept above 10,000 soldiers. The Aserai were allowed to keep their traditions unlike the Khergits but had faced the problem where the Sarranids and Aserai were merged to become one Sultanate under a puppet leader installed by Aleksandr. The leader was Ayzar II's son, Baybak I (1250-1298) after the initial choice, Arwa (1230-1263) had been mysteriously poisoned and killed.

Aleksandr also set about a system of merit and based the modern ranking table off the military. Instead of using social standings in the realm, the army preferred to use new written ranks based on merit which revolutionized the way that an army fought during the Alexandrine Era. Alongside social reforms were economic reforms. It was the second time in world history that a bank was nationalized other than Geroia who had done so in the 12th century. Aleksandr founded the Arbrian Bank which still functions today. Technology also became widespread as gunpowder was introduced in Aleksandr's later reign and came with it early canons and haganons (hand canons).

#### Forgotten War

The Duke of Geroia, Lezalit Genoicino betrayed Aleksandr in 1269 and attacked Ostgard via the river but was repelled and forced back to Geroia. All we know is that Aleksandr forgave Lezalit and had 'forgotten' about the war dismissing it as if it never happened. Any documents which were recorded by historians of the era about the war were burned in bonfires along the Khih River and every 4 years, tournaments of sport in Abou Khih would be held which became known as the Forjetic Games we know today involving nations across the known world. It is also best for historians to honor Aleksandr by not talking about the Forgotten War.

## Death and Legacy

When the Forgotten War ended in 1270, Aleksandr continued to focus on the social and internal aspects of his Empire until late 1275 when he contracted an unknown and undiscovered disease even we know little of. In March 1276, this disease inflamed and he was bedridden for the remainder of his days. He suffered a terrible stroke on 17 March 1276 which did not kill him but on 20 March 1276, as Sir Jeremus Halmerra (1227-1296) witnessed as he treated the Emperor, "Short breaths for minutes then, his eyes grew weary and heavy as he failed to lift his head to see his family as cold sweat droplets fell from his face. The Empress [Endegrid] looked on in grief and despair clearly shown through her face as she watered down her eyes in the blind space where their children were. It is the fifty-seventh minute of the seventeenth hour having taken five heavy sighs then on the last he passed with the drumming and salutations across the streets we were to see like the new fire of the 'ganons." The Emperor's body was kept from rotting and in a week, the proposed Panthion von Nevsky was built in Saint Arburg where he was buried on the 27th.

After having ruled under the name of Konstantianos or Konstantinovich for 12 years, Aleksandr was succeeded by his son Ekerd I (1259-1321) and daughter, Jimrina I (1260-1310) became the Queen of Vlandia; similarly, their lesser siblings, Altrian (1264-1310) became the Duke of Argoron upon Echerdion's death in 1279 and Aleksandr's youngest son, Fyren (1266-1319) became Co-Prince of Geroia and Margrave of Ostgard in 1281.

During the 1270s, Aleksandr and Lezalit funded the most ambitious project during the Alexandrine Era which still remains today. Between 1271 and 1429, half of the taxes went into funding the construction of the Doqa Canal which connected the Geroian Sea with the Great Southern Lake. Eventually, this structure was considered a world wonder since 1430 and on each end of the canal were 10 statues each of Aleksandr and Lezalit looking inward who served as a guardian for the ships and boats passing by. Ever since the Calradoi currency had been introduced in 1982, Aleksandr's portrait is featured on every 1,000 Calradoi note. Many ships and firearms also found themselves to use Aleksandr's name including the battleship VNS Nevsky and the rifle AL-01. Today, his direct family could be found across Geroia and the current head of house is Jey Konstantinovich (1976~).

## Titles and Styles

#### Titles and Styles

* 11 November 1237 – 16 April 1255: *The Right Honorable* Baron of Alatys
* 16 April 1255 – 4 April 1257: *The Most Honorable* Marquess of Argoron, Count of Alatys
* 4 April 1257 – 14 December 1257: *The Most Honorable* Jarl of Ambean, Marquess of Argoron, Count of Alatys
* 14 December 1257 – 1 January 1258: *The Most Honorable* Marquess of Argoron, Count of Alatys
* 1 January 1258 – 15 July 1260: *His Royal Majesty* King of Vlandia, Marquess of Argoron, Count of Alatys
* 15 July 1260 – 8 April 1263: *His Royal Majesty* King of Vlandia, Marquess of Argoron, Count of Alatys, Consul of the Empire of Calradia
* 8 April 1263 – 12 November 1263: *His Imperial and Royal Majesty* Emperor of the Calradois, King of Vlandia, Marquess of Argoron, Count of Alatys
* 12 November 1263 – 9 March 1272: *His Imperial and Royal Majesty* Emperor of the Calradois, King of Vlandia, Protector of the Margraviate of Ostgard, Marquess of Argoron, Count of Alatys
* 9 March 1272 – 20 March 1276: *His Imperial and Royal Majesty* Emperor of the Calradois, King of Vlandia, Protector of the Margraviate of Ostgard, Marquess of Argoron, Count of Alatys, Co-Prince of Geroia

#### Honors

* Empire of Calradia: Grand Cross of the Order of Saint Aleksandr Nevsky, *1263*
* Empire of Calradia: Knight of the Legion of Honor, *1263*
* Kingdom of Vostrussia: Grand Cross of the Order of Saint Arber, *1260*
* Kingdom of Vlandia: Knight of the Order of the Black Lion, *1258*
* Kingdom of Battania: Knight of the Order of the Falxian, *1261*
* Kingdom of Aserai: Knight of the Order of the Golden Pillars, *1264*
* Grand Principality of Sturgia: Grand Cross of the Order of the Saint Gundar, *1263*
* Grand Principality of Vaegir: Knight of the Order of the Snow Leopard, *1263*
* Principality of Kulossia: Grand Cross of the Order of Saint Alexander, *1275*
* Duchy of Argoron: Knight of the Order of the Purple Phoenix, *1255*
* Duchy of Epicrus: Knight of the Order of the Golden Shroud, *1263*
* Duchy of Geroia: Knight of the Order of the Golden Rig, *1272*
* Kingdom of Balion: Grand Cross of the Order of the Stallion, *1288*
* Empire of Lokti: Grand Cross of the Order of the Staffammer, *1376*