The Anarchy of the South

**The Anarchy of the South** was a series of events taking place in the south of Sazius when the north was conquered by the Great Riohnic Horde.

## The Snow Wars

The Snow Wars were a conflict between the Riohnic Colony of Koustol and the Human Kingdoms United under the rule of Auxentius The Terrible. It started when Auxentius wanted to expand his influence over the snowy region and came across a Riohnic colony. Auxentius, thinking it would be an easy victory, led his United army to besiege the city. Koustol was under the lordship of Agathon The Riohnic, a skilled general and tactician. The siege lasted for five days until Auxentius launched his final assault on the walled city, but it was repelled by Agathon. After that, Auxentius withdrew, ending the first war. However, not long after, he returned with an army of 25,000, though most of them were barely trained. Agathon got word of his advance and took 10,000 soldiers and 5,000 mercenaries to meet him at the Battle of Priania, where the Riohnics gained a decisive victory, killing Auxentius in the battle. Afterwards, with no ruler, the United Three Kingdoms fell apart, becoming vassals of Agathon The Riohnic.

## Annouta Expedition

After the Great Orc Invasion, the kingdom of Annouta and its lands lay devastated by the orcs. Ritvirik The Wise attempted to rebuild in the years following the invasion, but he died before any significant progress could be made. With no heir, the nobles of the kingdom seized power. However, the nobles harbored selfish ambitions and, when two of them, Dercillus and Viranus, fell into disagreement, Dercillus exiled Viranus. With the support of mercenaries, Dercillus captured the capital city of Annouta and declared himself king. In response, Viranus gathered a military force and laid siege to the city. Facing desperation, Dercillus sent word to the Riohnic colony of Koustol for aid. Agathon The Riohnic demanded vassalship of Annouta in exchange for assistance, and Dercillus, having no other choice, swiftly accepted. Meanwhile, Herehelm, who happened to be visiting Koustol at the time, decided to aid Agathon in this conflict. Together, they led a force of 5,000 soldiers. As the siege raged on, Dercillus's troops and the city's civilians began to suffer from starvation due to Viranus's relentless siege. On the third day of the siege, the people of Annouta, led by Vemund, rebelled against Dercillus. They managed to defeat his mercenaries and open the city gates. Seeing this, Viranus ordered a full-scale charge into the city, breaking through Dercillus's defenses. Dercillus attempted to flee but was captured. After the battle, Viranus was proclaimed regent, and Dercillus was executed for treason. However, shortly after the city was retaken and rebuilt, the Riohnic army arrived, unaware of the recent events. Agathon, not aware of Dercillus's fate, approached the city gate to inquire about their deal. One of the soldiers informed him of Dercillus's death, but instead of engaging in dialogue, another soldier mortally wounded Agathon with an arrow. Herehelm swiftly responded by declaring a siege and threatened to kill everyone in the city. Viranus attempted to reason with Herehelm, but to no avail. He then placed the army under Vemund's command. They held out for a while, but eventually, the Riohnic troops breached their defenses. Vemund put up a valiant last stand, taking down many Riohnics before he and the remaining troops retreated to the keep. Vemund, in a final conversation with Viranus, advised him to lead the remaining troops and civilians northward, conceding that the battle had been lost. Reluctantly, Viranus followed his advice, evacuating as many civilians as possible. After Herehelm's forces broke through, he carried out his grim threat, resulting in the deaths of almost everyone in the city. Viranus emerged from the keep and challenged Herehelm to a duel, which lasted five intense minutes. In the end, Herehelm emerged victorious, and he subsequently turned Annouta into a Riohnic colony.