Lemetiate of Gradizand

Gradizand compared to other future CSL states.

*This page refers to the independent state. You may be looking for the Lemetiate of Gradizand (CSL State).*

The **Lemetiate of Gradizand** was a theocratic state in Merelaux that was eventually invaded and annexed by the Coalition of the Steel Lance. It was historically isolationist and situated easterly to the Republic of Olastvod. In the modern day, the region that comprises ex-Gradizandi territory is highly unstable and now faces intense issues with insurgency from religious extremists.

## 1912-1954

### Post-Cataclysm

In the wake of the great Yulean cataclysm, the land now known as Gradizand was plunged into utter chaos alongside the rest of the region. Following the complete collapse of the Dominion of Aladora, several earthquakes rocked the land splitting the eastern most province of the old empire in five. The three northern splinter states banded together under what was dubbed at the time the aptly named "Confederacy of Gradizand", which derived its name from the Old Aladoran word for the region itself. In the south the Tomenate of Edovalk was founded, centered around the large metropolis of Avelandra. The tomenate gained its name from from the royal family that ruled over it, with the nation being an absolute monarchy throughout its short existence.

The Confederacy of Gradizand, only having holdings in the ravaged lands of the north were nearly subject to famine due to the extreme lack of arable land. The Tomenate of Edovalk however flourished due to it having access to the sea, and the great mineral reserves of the south. As a result tensions were extremely high between the two states, until it all came to a head in 1918 when the Confederacy launched a full scale land invasion of the tomenate. In just a short 5 months the ill prepared forces of Edovalk were quickly encircled, with it being said that 50-75% of Edovalkan military forces surrendered within the first half of the war.

### 1920-1932

Following the complete military occupation of the Tomenate of Edovalk by Confederate forces, over the course of 4 years the 2 united southern splinter states were admitted into the Confederacy of Gradizand as member states. It would end up being all for not, as a coup launched in late 1926 resulted in the Confederacy being seized by ex-Edovalkan military forces serving in the parliamentary guard. The capital was moved to Avelandra, and the country had its monarchy reinstated turning the united Gradizand into a Lemetiate. The Gradizandi economy slowly recovered over the course of the next few years up until 1931 when the Coalition of the Steel Lance formed and quickly began to mobilize military forces along its border with Gradizand.

In early 1932 an invasion spearheaded by Olastvodian forces swept through Gradizand, the official reason for war provided was "protecting CSL interests against hostile Gradizandi posturing". In reality the reasoning behind it was most likely to secure full coastal access among the former Aladoran states. Nevertheless the Gradizandi military was poorly equipped, having last generation weaponry and next to no standardization alongside a complete lack of man portable automatic weapons. The complete absence of an airforce by the Lemetiate resulted in many strategic locations such as Fort Selden being mostly flattened before land forces even arrived to capture them. Avelandra was spared from bombardment, instead undergoing a 2 month long siege that resulted the the city's defenders surrendering. It would be split in two along the Avelic River becoming East and West Edovalk, the former becoming the new state capital.

### First CSL Civil War

In early 1942 following several wars of conquest to unify the region under the banner of the CSL, several of the western states rebelled against the new central government put into place. Namely Western Vadarast, with Esdavar joining the war on the side of the rebels. Gradizand, still bitter about its defeat in 1932 declared independence and quickly moved forces into position to attack Eastern Vadarast and link up with the other rebel states in the far west. Gradizandi forces ended up being stuck in a trench war for the duration of their invasion however, and once CSL forces were freed up from the western front Gradizandi reservists ended up being spread too thin to resist the armies encroaching on Edovalk while the regulars were still bogged down in Vadarast.

At the war's end in 1952, Gradizand was left wartorn and in a horrid state of disrepair. Extremist elements in the north began to form and managed to retain a foothold for decades onwards. Edovalk was left with some of the worst war damage seen in the entirety of Western Merelaux in 50 years. Most port towns in the south were completely annihilated by artillery bombardment, and millions were left displaced; a problem that would persist until mid 1954.