The Northern War

**The** **Northern War** (called **The War of Reclamation** by modern Ursidae, **The Final Conquest** by Clan Grimsey, and the **Great Revolution** by Canisians) was a major conflict between the Verona Pact, led by the Montiac Empire, and Clan Grimsey. The war began in ME 329, when flag-bearers from Clan Grimsey discovered and razed the village of Apua, on the southern shore of Frigida Maris. Though Grimsey made deep advances into the Montiac heartland, the Empire held out and ultimately pushed Grimsey back, sacking their capital and ending the war in ME 332.

The Northern War is the deadliest known conflict to date. Upward estimates state that around 300k soldiers were killed between both sides, and civilian casualties likely numbered above that. Hatred between the two sides was high, and both committed large-scale atrocities during their respective occupations, the effects of which can still be felt. Grimsey's defeat resulted in the end of their domination over the Ursidae species, the freeing of the Canisians, and furthered the Empire's control over Calast, effectively eliminating any other threats on the continent.

## Background

Like the Lepus, the ancient Ursidae clans fought in a brutal war of expansion across the Ursa Islands. Grimsey, originating from the north of the islands, became the dominant clan around ME 97 and halted its conquest over the other clans around a decade later, leaving only a handful of weak clans alongside itself. For centuries following this Grimsey effectively held the remaining clans as vassals, threatening invasion and slaughter if these states did not adhere to its demands. This led to these clans losing their people and resources to Grimsey, unable to rebel against their might. Grimsey began further expansion onto mainland Calast in ME 112, soon encountering and subjugating the Canisians. Grimsey massacred the Wolf-folk upon first contact, forcing a mass migration to Sinus Album. Many still chose to stay, however, and Grimsey would raze entire villages and killed thousands in response to those fighting occupation. A final attempt saw Grimsey burn the Canisians sacred hunting ground, before it was decided to enslave any who still remained.

By the start of the 4th century, Grimsey had de facto control over the entirety of the Ursa Islands, and had substantial presence on the coasts of north eastern Calast. Seeking further expansion and unaware of the Empire's presence on mainland Calast, Grimsey flag-bearers landed just south of the village of Apua. Frontier militiafolk initially tried to make a peaceful contact with the Ursidae, but were slaughtered by the Bear-folk. The village was razed to the ground and its people massacred, with only a single farmer escaping to warn soldiers in the nearby city of Syene. Word soon reached Emperor Gallicles Farus who initiated the mobilization of the army on the 5th of Arruns, ME 329, thus starting the Northern War.

## Course of the war

### Opening Landings

The flag-bearers were killed over the next 3 days, the 25 Bear-folk taking around 200 unprepared Montiac soldiers with them. A small force of Ursidae landed on the shores of the Zarius, just north of Drobeta, and attempted to lay siege to the city. Though they were stopped, much of Drobeta's outskirts were left in ruins. Realizing that more Ursidae were bound to make landfall, the Empire moved quick to set up coastal fortifications and defences. These were makeshift and unpolished, but proved invaluable when Grimsey's main force began their assault on the 19th. The first wave lasted from the 19th to the 21st and was entirely destroyed, while the second lasted from the 23rd to the 25th and saw greater success with thousands reaching land. Although they were isolated, the Ursidae who landed were difficult to stop, and soon breaches appeared in the Montiac defences. Stopping these breaches resulted in less soldiers defending the coasts, and by the 30th Grimsey had turned these beachheads into a unified frontline. All remaining's soldiers on the coast were redirected to stop Grimsey's advance, but to no avail. The Bear-folk were practically unstoppable, and took much of the Empire's northern territory in just 2 months. Citizens in these captured territories were forced to assist in the occupiers conquest or face slaughter.

Although taking heavy losses, the Empire was able to defend Constantia due to the large number of burrows in the province. Ursidae, often unable to locate the burrows, would be ambushed. After months of no progress, Grimsey called off their attack on Constantia. Tar shared a similar fate. Though the Nibayr are far weaker than even the Lepus, the Rat-folk fought tooth and nail to defend their cultural home. That and the confusing layout of the city forced the Ursidae to leave the city alone, but still occupied its surrounding areas.

### Start of summer and Montiac counter-offensives

By Tirifumox of 329, the situation was dire. Grimsey had pushed the Empire as far back as Cosium and Amida. The Empire had lost many of its areas of production, requiring soldiers to use basic armor and weapons, many of which didn't meet the usual standard of military equipment, and many of its farms laid abandoned as its owners fled Grimsey's advance. Cities across the Domunian Perninsula had their populace armed to the teeth, and streets were barricaded in an attempt to force the invaders into kill zones. It was well understood by politicians, commanders, and the upper class that the Empire would soon fall.

However, on the 12th of Tirifumox the temperature of Cosium nearly made record, and with it came the largest heatwave the Empire had seen. The Ursidae, who had little to no experience outside of the frigid temperatures of their home, proved to be incapable of fighting in the intense heat due to their thick fur. Many died from the heat outside of battle, and those who made the battlefield would only last minutes before they would be too exhausted to fight. Montiac soldiers would then use their speed to take down the effectively immobile Ursidae. The Empire began a full-scale counter offensive on the 21st, forcing the Ursidae into a mass retreat. This retreat saw the largest Grimsey losses of the war, including their Jarlak Baug Grimsey. Entire groups of Ursidae would be surrounded and slowly picked off by the faster Montiac forces. As the Empire retook their territory, they were greeted with numerous desecrated villages and mass graves. The majority of these were of those who resisted occupation. Many remains were also found in large forests, indicating that Grimsey would release and 'hunt' those who opposed them. Many of these villages and towns remain destroyed or partially rebuilt to this day.

Until again reaching the coasts of the Frigida Maris, Grimsey's forces put up minimal resistance. Even at the coast, most elected to use what was left of their ships to escape the coming Montiac forces rather than face them. By the 15th of Aquila, the Empire had completely pushed the invaders out of their territory, and began invading their territory in north eastern Calast.

### Formation of the Verona Pact

While the atrocities committed by Grimsey enraged the Montiac populace, its leadership was still hesitant to launch an invasion of the Ursa Islands. Many thought that, because the Empire barely beat Grimsey back in a heatwave, it was unlikely that they could fight them in their own climate. This was also evident by the Empire's lack of advancement into Grimsey's north eastern territory. However, contact with the other Ursidae clans on the islands changed this.

Seeing the mass retreat of Grimsey's sword-bearers, representatives of Clan Frayvin, Lokjos, Brokkrton, and Thorvin sailed to the mainland. They offered to assist the Empire in invading the islands in exchange for Grimsey's land, which was soon accepted. Montiac forces docked in Gata on the 2nd of Decimus, and began their invasion alongside the allied clans on the 7th. Sword-bearers of Thorvin also assisted in the north eastern campaign, which led to the Empire making first contact with the Canisian rebels. Although they had little central leadership, the rebels generally agreed to work with the Empire and its allies. Thus, representatives of all parties met in Verona on the 27th of Decimus, creating the Verona Pact.

### Stalemate and Miklagil offensive

Despite these new allies, progress remained slow across the board. Pact forces did not have the numbers to further their offensive without Montiac support, and the Empire had trouble producing cold weather equipment for their soldiers due to the effects of Grimsey's occupation. This continued for the majority of ME 330. The one exception was in the north east. While the Canisian's guerilla tactics made it difficult for them to work with the Empire, the equipment and technological support was enough for the Canisians to inflict major losses on Grimsey, as the Wolf-folk nearly match the Ursidae in physical prowess. By the end of ME 330, the majority of the north east had been captured, and a landing by Thorvin in Arrunus of ME 331 saw Pact forces completely control the territory.
In the same month, the Empire had finally resumed large scale production of military equipment, including winter uniforms. A plan for a full-scale offensive was drafted, and the Miklagil offensive was launched on the 3rd of Thallanium. The offensive saw the Empire, Frayvin, Lokjos, and Brokkrton invade through the center of the island, while Thorvin would invade through the east. Canisian support mainly involved hunting Ursidae stragglers on mainland Calast, although a few hundred did join the Montiac army.

Initial progress of the offensive was slow and costly. The mountainous terrain of the islands centre made it difficult for many Montiac soldiers to fight due to the cold as well as digitigrade legs, so greater reliance was put on Nibayr and Petran soldiers. After heavy losses, the Empire ceased participating in mountain battles completely, leaving it for the allied Ursidae. While they were able to fight, the distrust among the allied clans made it difficult to coordinate a successful attack, and so units had to be separated by what clan they belonged to. Meanwhile, advances in the east were large, as the flatter terrain made it easy for Thorvin to navigate. Large numbers of Grimsey's forces were diverted to combat Thorvin, thus making it easier for forces in the central region to make advances. Due to Montiac inexperience in cold mountainous terrain, as well as many soldiers confusing allied Ursidae for the enemy and vice versa, it was agreed that the Empire focus on support duties rather than frontline ones, with only Montiac generals sent into battle with the clans. Some 300 artillery cannons were shipped to the island, wrecking havoc on Grimsey's troop movement behind the lines.

The city of Miklagil, Brokkrton's former capital, was sieged on the 16th of Zavagius and captured 4 days later. While Grimsey put up an admirable defence of the city, Montiac siege weaponry made it practically impossible to hold. Allied Ursidae were noted to be awestruck by the Montiac technology, and many made attempt to operate it themselves. Miklagil was the last major stronghold for Grimsey in the central region, and once it was captured its supply lines had to travel nearly a week to reach the front. The next 6 months of fighting were by far the most brutal of the conflict. Ursidae culture dictates that, should defeat be inevitable, fighting to ones last breath is the only honorable death. Thus, warriors of Grimsey would fight on even through missing limbs and normally fatal injuries. One Ursidae reportedly held a river crossing for 3 hours, fighting with one arm and a missing jaw, before finally dying. Fighting in the east was noted as being especially brutal, with hatred between Grimsey and Thorvin fueling unseen barbarity. The frigid winter also saw entire legions freeze to death while marching. Nonetheless, pact forces continued their slow advance, and arrived at Grimsey's capital on the 27th of Callanius, ME 332.

### Sacking of Finlayson and end of war

Despite having superior equipment, a lack of ammunition for their siege weapons meant that Pact forces struggled to breach the city. Even when the gates were open, Grimsey's warriors would form a wall with their bodies, making entrance nigh impossible. On the 3rd of Thallanium, Montiac Commander Paullus Naso elected to use the bodies of Grimsey's fallen warriors as siege ammo, setting them on fire and launching them into the city. Although this still failed to force a surrender, the fires caused by the bodies did. Jarlak Gudrod Grimsey left the city gates in the early hours of the 9th, and agreed to a surrender some hours later, ending the Northern War.

## Aftermath

The signed treaty saw Grimsey vastly reduced in land, left controlling only a handful of settlements in the far north of the islands. A buffer zone was set up by the Empire between Grimsey and the other clans to stop continued hostilities. Manned by 10k soldiers, this number was reduced over the next 5 years. The Empire initially wished to act as a sort of peacekeeper between the clans on the island, but it was decided in ME 339 that the warring nature of the Ursidae couldn't be controlled, and the buffer zone was abandoned. After the abandonment of the buffer zone, Thorvin and Brokkrton began launching raids into Grimsey's territory. The exact effect this has had on Grimsey is unknown, but it's assumed that they are unable to put up much of a defence against the other clans. Present day, the Empire has a handful of Pugiones in Thorvin and Brokkrton, and maintains close relations with Frayvin. The Pugiones work to keep the distrust between the clans high, in fear that they may unite and challenge the Empire's rule over Calast.

Following their liberation from Grimsey's rule, many Canisians migrated to either the Empire's Monua province or Canisia, a Canisian state formed in the east, on the shores of Sinus Album. There were attempts made by the Empire to create a Canisian vassal state in Grimsey's former territory in northeastern Calast, but this failed for a number of reasons. Mainly, the Canisian's sacred hunting grounds had been destroyed by Grimsey, and much of the area had become uninhabitable due to centuries of Grimsey rule and conflict. Ultimately, Thorvin was aloud to colonize the area.

The Empire at first assisted in the rebuilding of the Ursa Islands, but this was lessened as the full scope of destruction in the Montiac heartlands was uncovered. Despite this, the Empire still assisted in rebuilding until it pulled out of the islands in ME 339. The Ursidae have since made great progress in rebuilding themselves, though some villages in the mountainous center of the island remain destroyed and abandoned. Occasionally, frozen remains of Montiac legions will be discovered. When this occurs, the Empire is notified and ships the bodies back home, giving them a proper funeral. It's estimated that around 3k soldiers still remain missing.

Ursidae migration to the Empire was miniscule. The warring lifestyle of males makes it difficult for them to adjust to Montiac society, even in the army, and females will rarely leave on their own. A 340 census found 172 Ursidae serving in the Montiac army, mostly stationed in Monua.

Many Montiac veterans of the war were left homeless upon returning to their razed villages, finding their home burned and families killed. Many amputees became beggars on the streets of the Empire's major cities, while others who had lesser injuries turned to crime. In the decade immediately following the war, banditry saw a sharp increase across the Empire.

The brutality of the war also had a severe mental impact on soldiers of the Verona Pact, and many long-serving soldiers would turn to narcotics to cope. Lazite was most commonly used, rolled in paper and smoked, but some soldiers would also turn to Smut.

### Atrocities

#### Clan Grimsey

The brutality of both sides has not been soon forgotten. As the conflict occurred less than two decades ago, many veterans are still alive to tell their stories. Though capture by Grimsey was rare, those that did and survived tell how they would be forced into "living mass graves". Hundreds of soldiers would be forced into a small area. As some died over time, those that lived would be forced to sleep and live among piles of bodies. Groups of captives sometime numbered in the hundreds, with Ursidae sword-bearers patrolling the perimeter and slaughtering those who attempted to flee. As well, captives would occasionally be released into large forests or other uninhabited areas and be hunted over days and sometimes weeks.

During Grimsey's main push into the Empire, captured settlements would be forced to aid Grimsey's conquest, usually by providing the majority of their crop yield to the occupiers, which led to many villages starving. Those that refused to comply would simply be killed and dumped into a pile somewhere in the town. During the liberation of the Montiac heartlands many soldiers found their villages and families gone, and would refuse to go on further.

Grimsey committed severe atrocities against its own species as well, mainly against Thorvin. Warriors left injured on the battlefield would be brutalized, and their heads would often be carried on spikes to the next battle as a show of battle experience. While many in the Empire were disgusted by these tales, Ursidae warriors were largely unfazed as brutality is central to their culture, and explained worse had been done by both sides.

#### Verona Pact

The Northern War's atrocities weren't limited to Grimsey. Forces of the Verona Pact would often commit similar horrors, though not to the extent of Grimsey. While the code of the Montiac Army forbids targeting a civilian populace under occupation, many field generals would look the other way during the razing of villages. One general, Leonida Gallio, wrote the following in his journal:

"*While I don't enjoy the sight of Ursidae women and children watching their homes burn to the ground, I can't deny that it does give me joy knowing that they have to experience the same horrors my people did. I won't order my men to carry out these barbarities, but I won't stop them either. Many of them have been through hell and back fighting the bears, who am I to deny them revenge?*"

Furthermore, during Grimsey's retreat out of Calast many soldiers would brutalize wounded Ursidae warriors, both in the form of large cuts and removing fingers and other small body parts to keep as trophies. Allied Ursidae would often do the same, which reportedly disgusted many fresh conscripts.

As it's against their beliefs to interfere with death, Canisians were never reported to kill injured Ursidae. However, those serving in the Montiac Army would often form a crowd around Ursidae and Lepus who did, sometimes even cheering. Near the end of the war, those cheers became nothing more than nods and the occasional groan of agreement.