The Ranzaki Crisis

### Outcome:

The defeat of the Regency Council. Various noble clans losing resources and the power of the Raikage becoming constricted. The Hojo clan rise as they manage to create Keitaro into a puppeteer-daimyo for their own ambitions and goals.

### Battles

The Battle of Lorstedt, The Battle of Hitashi, The Battle of Prowling Forest, The Ambush at Kitara Pass, The Battle of Yosuke, The Ambush at Hornfield, The Siege of Ranzaki, The Battle of Tiraki, The Siege of Kumogakure and The Relieve of Kumogakure

> *"The greatest curse that can befall a free people, is civil war."*
>
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The civil war that befell the Lightning country, upon the death of the late lord Yasihude Ranzaki. Upon the suspicious death of the late daimyo, the oldest son vanished. This triggered a Regency council that proclaimed that the youngest son of the late lord would become the true heir - together with starting to solidify their own control and the youngest son's legitimacy.

## Start of the Conflict

The conflict started to become imminent upon the death of the late daimyo, Yasihude Ranzaki. The sudden assassination of the late daimyo was almost immediately pinned on Keitaro Ranzaki, the oldest of the two sons. Keitaro Ranzaki, however, had fled before he could be held responsible. This seemingly 'forced' the creation of a Regency Council, which vowed that the youngest son, Shigeko Ranzaki, was the true heir now.

This already caused for some tension as not everyone was on board to just hunt down Keitaro and bring him back to the capital, in chains. One of the most vocal resistance to this witchhunt was the Fifth Raikage. During a heated exchange between the Regency and the Fifth Raikage, it became clear that a split was about to form. Yet, most clans were content to remain neutral - not interested to risk their resources or possessions in a civil strife.

This neutral preference started to shift, however, when the Regency started to enact several strict reforms. Required service was issued and harsher taxation on wealth and resources were put, all under the guise of benefiting the nation altogether. Many clans decided to peacefully lobby that this wasn't going to work and some of the newly decrees did transgress on their clan's privileges. While their lobbying was peaceful, the Regency reacted harsh and made it clear that its desires to centralise the nation wouldn't be halted.

As the clans would be further antagonised, it is most likely that the Fifth Raikage had some influence to spark some resistance. Though no clash had occured, no blood had been spilled, factions were growing on all sides. Troops were already being rallied and cautious planning started to place as the conflict seemed inventiable.

## The Embers of Strife

The clans, Regency Council and the Fifth Raikage all started to mobilise their forces as well their resources. The first to make a move would be the Regency council. With a large amassed army, they would send various detachments to the priority targets. The Great Clans and the Fifth Raikage.

As the Regency's forces marched forwards, they served the purpose to remind clans on the way on who they should be loyal to. A good number of smaller clans would vow to join the Regency's side, starting to assemble their forces but not yet join the fray. But the Regency forces wouldn't be awaited with open arms. The opposing parties started to amass their forces and ready for the first battles that would decide the opening phase of the conflict.

The first battle would occur in the north, between the Fourth Army and the Sanosuke warriors of Grotnar. This key battle would result in a decisive victory of the Sanosuke and their Sato ally while alerting the Regency that the Sanosuke was unifying with various others in order to bolster their own forces further.

The second battle would be waged between the forces of the Hojo clan and the Sixth army. Though appearing first as a looming victory of the Sixth army, the Hojo clan would soon educate their foes what happens to any unprepared invaders. Leading to a victory for the Hojo clan, allowing them to further ready for more offensives from the Regency council.

Another battle was waged, with the Alaricus defending their borders from a large Regency force - the Fifth Army. Though valiant in their attempt, the Alaricus seemed to suffer a defeat - only later revealing it was part of their plot to lure the Regency invaders further into a trap.

The fourth battle was between the Raikage's forces and the Third army. While bravely attempting to shift the tide into their favour, the Raikage's forces would suffer a terrible defeat. Forced to flee back into their territory, the Regency forces would manage to assert dominance and convert various clans to swap allegiances to the Regency Council.

## The Shifting Tide

With various setbacks, the Regency did manage to expand their influence and dominion over the land. Most of the centre of the Lightning country as some of the south were under firm Regency control. Various clans started to shift from the Fifth Raikage to the Regency's forces, only further causing their expansion to grow.

To make matters worse, the Fifth Raikage would become prey to an assassination plot. Despite the tight security detail, the Fifth Raikage fell victim to poison. Even as his guard managed to find the culprit, it was too late to do something to save their leader. The death of the Fifth Raikage was a heavy blow, that only saw more clans starting to rally underneath the banner of the Regency council.

Yet not all succumbed to the allure of joining the Regency council. An attempt was made by the Hojo clan to forge a formal alliance with the Raikage's forces. For not soon after the Fifth Raikage's death, there would be a Sixth Raikage. The negotiation, however, didn't go well. The Hojo was in a position of power but the Sixth Raikage's diplomats decided that the Hojo overplayed their cards - stating that a loss of 6.000 troops could be recovered from relatively easy. The parties parted without a proper alliance formed.

The following weeks were relatively hard for the Raikage's forces. Forced to flee back, the Regency could attempt to focus their attention on the Great Clans. An attempt was made to peacefully negotiate a truce or even a formal alliance but these attempts were quite fruitless. The Alaricus wouldn't consider any diplomatic exchange as legitimate with a large invading force of the Regency in its heartlands. The Sanosuke wasn't even approached. The Hojo clan seemed most considerate to accept but without any trust, there wouldn't be any treaties signed between the Regency and the Hojo clan.

Soon after, the news would reach the Regency council about the decisive defeat within the Alaricus heartlands. The Lions of the South cunningly enveloped their Regency opponents and only let a few flee northwards - to report their destructive defeat.

This setback would result into a renewed attempt to bring the Great Clans to heel. At the same time, the Raikage's diplomats reached the Akinian capital of Konohagakure. In a bid to shift the tide of the conflict into their favour, the Raikage's diplomat engaged the Empress of Akino. A treaty was made and some Imperial forces were promised, for a hefty price - for the promise that the Akinians wouldn't turn on the Raikage and aid the Regency council.

As if this wasn't enough, forces from the west would start to arrive over the crashing waves. The Hojo clan had reached out to an unlikely ally, found within the Iron country. A deal was made. For if the Hojo would become victors in this conflict, they would return the favour when the Akinians would ever attempt to invade the Iron country. Accepting this deal, the Hojo clan bolstered their forces with some deadly elite troops from the Iron country - a fact that is not widely acknowledged by the Hojo or their allies.

Another large force would make it way over the Gaikotsu Bay. Flaying their Kraken banners, the Saemund clan would rally to the aid of their nearly ancient allies - the Sanosuke clan. Lending their strength to the Sanosuke, the Saemund warriors were more than ready to descend upon the Regency curs.

But so too would the Regency Council start to gain more allies. With the Alaricus clan being openly in rebellion, the Regency council was able to convince many nomadic clans to join the conflict on their side. Utilizing the hatred that many nomadic clans share towards the Alaricus clan, the Regency council was able to direct the largest and most dangerous of the nomadic clans to the south. The Uvas clan started to lay waste upon many supply routes, delaying the recovery of the Raikage's forces immensely. Without being ever contested, the Uvas clan started to gain so much wealth and prestige - that it is argued by many scholars that the Uvas clan might very well be able to challenge the Alaricus clan, if it weren't for the natural defences of the Alaricus clan.

Upon the coronation of the Sixth Raikage, the forces of the Raikage moved out again. Managing to land a decisive victory, the Regency council would lose some of its hardwon territory and support - the victory allowing the Sixth Raikage to gain the support of a few clans.

At the same time, in the north, the Sanosuke send forth a large fleet. Combined with the Saemund, this powerful fleet was setting sail to the south - in hope to reach Okino. Their goal was to prevent that the Regency council would be able to gain access to the powerful fleet that was stationed there, thus able to contest the northern waters. Unknown to the Sanosuke and Saemund, the city of Okino was already occupied by another force.

Brought from the south, an Imperial army marched into the Lightning country. On the invitation of the Raikage's diplomats, the Imperials were without any guides. And without any attempt of communication by the Sixth Raikage, the Imperial forces started to steer to the east. On their voyage, the Imperials would take in resources - to make sure that the Lightning's debt would be paid in advance. But the Imperials would catch rumours that Okino was barely defended. A part of the Imperial forces would rush towards Okino to survey the situation. They were met with the opposite. The Jun clan jealously guarded their city, barring entry to all that they couldn't trust or recognise. After an exchange, the Imperials did manage to get themselves inside - coercing the Jun clan that no one would dare to touch Okino as long it was protected by Imperial troops.

This protection wasn't without a fee, for the Imperials discovered the large fleet that was stationed at the city. Using a part of their forces, the Imperials would sail back to their homeland - only bringing sailors to start bringing the stationed fleet back at their home. Eventually, the Sixth Raikage once more brokered with the Imperials. A treaty was signed, which allowed the Imperials to go home with a new and powerful fleet - all without shedding blood.

The same couldn't be said for the Saemund and Sanosuke. During what would become known as the Battle of Yosuke, the Regency forces managed to land a victory upon the combined Sanosuke and Saemund forces. The outcome of the battle would be a tactical victory for the Regency but allowing the Sanosuke jarls to use it to sow more anger among their kinsmen. When the news fully reached the north in full, rumours started to spread about a terrible omen - dark clouds with a low growling descending from the northern seas.

In the south, the situation didn't progress much further. The Sixth Raikage attempted to form some alliances. With sending a more skilled diplomat, an alliance would be formed between the Hojo, Sanosuke and Raikage. The absence of the Alaricus did worry some of the newly formed alliance against the Regency but not enough to shatter it immediately. A plan was formed by the Sixth Raikage, that hoped to intercept the huge Regency force that was marching upon Kumogakure. Despite the council of the present Hojo and Sanosuke, the plan was being pressed on. The Hojo reinforcements that had arrived were sent south, marching into the Alaricus heartlands - despite unsure if the Alaricus were neutral or hostile. While the Sixth Raikage had said he would send a force to the north, he would come back on his decision and keep his forces where they were. This series of decisions would lead to the Ambush at Hornfield - where the Alaricus allegedly massacred the Hojo reinforcements.

## The Final Clashes

Despite the advances on several fronts against the Regency council, a large force was amassed. With mercenaries and supposedly volunteer forces from the vassal states, the Regency council would be able to muster a huge force. Sending this force southwards, the respective generals of this force would split a large detachment off. This detachment was instructed to travel parallel to the Alaricus border - to cut off any possible Alaricus reinforcement to the Raikage's positions. The present of Regency forces wouldn't, however, lead to a violent clash. In fact, the Alaricus would engage in a diplomatic exchange, where both the Regency and Alaricus clan swore to combine forces against the others. The aid of the Alaricus clan saw to the destruction of the Hojo reinforcements, that moved south on the request of the Sixth Raikage.

The main force of the Regency started to split parts off, to lay siege to various fortifications on their way to Kumogakure. Their pace slow, the approaching danger seemed to stop at nothing but to dig its claws into the throat of the Sixth Raikage. But as the Regency focused on the south, developments started to take place in the western and northern part of the country.

The Hojo would amass their forces into one combined fist, aiming to deliver a blow to the Regency - one from which they wouldn't recover from, hopefully. Setsu Hojo, the heir of the clan, was given command and without hesitation, he marched with the majority of the Hojo forces. The plan was to distract the Regency with a part of the Hojo military, that was to lay siege to various neighbouring fortifications. This allowed the army of Setsu Hojo to move unhindered and undetected. Interactions were further made with the Sanosuke clan. And even despite their mutual hatred and aversion, the Sanosuke and Hojo chose to keep cooperating. As Setsu's forces started to descend upon Ranzaki, attempting to capture the capital, the Sanosuke would make work of the northern Regency forces.

To the south, the Regency host had reached the outskirts of Kumogakure. Soon enough the city which the Raikage resided with his most loyal subordinates were surrounded, forced to watch from their formidable defences as their captors prepared for a difficult siege.

The news of the full Alaricus army marching to arrive to reinforce the siege was a demoralising blow to the defenders. Even with the prospect of the Hojo and Sanosuke marching from the north, it seemed that there was no hope for those within Kumogakure's walls. But upon the fateful day that the reinforcements arrived, the Alaricus true allegiance was revealed. Together with the other Great Clans, the last appendage of the Regency was annihilated. Thus ending the civil war.

## Outcome

The civil war saw various important developments and changes occurring in the nation. The shift of power would move to the Hojo clan, who ruled from an informal position - ruling through the supposed story that they saved the captured Keitaro Ranzaki from Regency operatives. With safeguarding the remaining Ranzaki heir, the young man fell in love with a Hojo noblewoman. Thus leading to the union of the Ranzaki and Hojo.

The war saw the reduction of the Raikage's power and influence. The following reforms would curb the freedom of the Raikage under some stricter restrictions, making it clear that the daimyo was the true ruler of the nation.

But the most debated developments are the growing interactions between the Great clans in the north. Though their bloody and violent histories won't be washed away that easily, the civil war has brought former rivals together. Their interactions are still stiff and radiate a certain wariness, it led to various positive changes. Such as the acceptance of Sanosuke culture within the nation and the halt of slandering the Alaricus name.