Zelan Campaign

The Zelan Campaign was a conflict between the city-state of Zela, known as the last remaining true Bhirnians, and the Nirvan Republic who aimed to end the resistance in the area.

## Background

At the end of the successful Arenian Campaign in **482PR**, Vibius wished to prove himself as a successful commander after the death of his father, Gaius. This meant temporarily separating himself from Gallio, his brother-in-law, and moving on to fight the Thurim War with his own supporters.

When he saw the success of the war, Gallio began using his own influence to try and create a campaign where he could also showcase his individual skills. Using his position in the Calenus Faction he was able to gain the support of Consul Mettius Ordius, who was to become governor of Bhirn after his term was up. The duo were able to secure 4 legions for themselves and the support of the Senate, stating that the Zelans had no alliance with them and could become a problem in the future.

In **485PR**, when Mettius Ordius became Governor of the Bhirn Region, the two officially marched into Zelan lands, declaring war. They decided to take the main road.

On the other side, the Zelans under the leadership of Benbrek Geller, had made sure to keep up-to-date with Nirvan politics. So when they found out the Nirvan Senate gave support to this Campaign in **484PR**, they began preparing their soldiers and defences, wanting the Nirvans to fight for every inch of land.

## Zelan Resistance

The moment that the Nirvans got close to the Zelan border, still in their own at this point, the Zelans hit them with constant attacks. During the night, the Zelans under the command of Tymur Brecht would rain arrows down over the wall, disrupting the sleep of their enemy. During the day, Emdrum Behrmann attacked them from Bhirn Grove.

When the Nirvans continued to push forward, they joined their forces together and met them at the Battle of Hunan Pass. Both sides achieved their objective, the Zelans dealing heavy casualties to the Nirvans and the Nirvans continuing their advance to Zela.

After their troops were gathered, the Zelans began preparing for another stand at the second Bhirn River. When the Nirvans arrived, another battle occurred, called the Battle of Bhirn River.

Getting the decisive victory they needed, the Nirvans continued their advance and finally reached the Zelan border in Mak **485PR**. There a new command was made. Rather than focus on the city of Zela straight away, they would conquer the area around it, removing its ability to gain more supplies to survive a siege and to protect the Nirvans when they began the siege.

To deal with the area quickly, each commander was given a full legion to command, though only 3 were sent out. Mettius Ordius would instead encamp on the road with his legion and ensure they had a good base of operations.

It was only Decimus’s legion that found enemy resistance, fighting in the Battle of Rose Field.

After the battle, the legions once again came back together, Decmius’s barely considered a legion at this point. Once gathered, they marched on the city.

## Siege of Zela

By the end of July in **485PR** the Nirvans quickly advanced on Zela and besieged the city. This trapped most of the Zelan army behind their walls, meaning they lost most of their options to break the siege.

As the siege continued through the winter, the Zelans supplies continued to dwindle. Using what forces they had outside the city, they chose to hit the Nirvan supply lines. But, unfortunately for them, Mettius was prepared, and had multiple sources of food from the close province of Bhirn to support him.

The only other options the Zelans had was to escape the city and fight, which would end in a slaughter for their starved troops, or pressure Mettius politically. Little did they know that Vibius Calenus had returned to the Nirvan Senate, using the Calenus Faction's power to continue their support of his brother-in-law Gallio.

With no more options, the Zelans surrendered the city at the start of **486PR**, hoping if their troops were not enslaved that they could rebel later on. Again, Benbrek Geller was wrong. As the Nirvans entered the city they captured and enslaved many of the Zelan soldiers, leaving the rest of the inhabitants safe and even providing food from their own supplies. Benbrek himself committed suicide before his capture, blocking his usage in a triumph.

## Zelan Last Stand

The soldiers outside of the city decided to make their last stand near Bhirn Grove. They took their time to prepare what forces they had and the battlefield, eventually egging the Nirvans to come looking for them after the city was captured.

This became known as the Battle of Zela, speaking of the nation more than the city.

In the end, they were killed to the last.

## Aftermath

At the end of the Battle of Zela, the war and campaign was finished. The Nirvans managed to take the rest of the region without any difficulties and the city fell under Nirvan control, being absorbed into their area rather than remain independent like Vagh Bhirn. When the Nirvan Senate officially recognised the land they had conquered, they installed their own leader of the city and put both a Nirvan garrison and settlers to live there.

The veterans from the Zelan Campaign were later given land to farm in the region.

The campaign also increased Gallio’s own individual career both politically and militarily, though he chose to stay within the Calenus Faction, becoming close again with his brother-in-law Vibius.