Hanvissi-Aeoralian War of Containment

The **Hanvissi-Aeoralian War of Containment** which lasted from July 9th to July 15th, 2021 was an Uruldu-wide war initiated by the nations of Hanvis and Aeoralia in order to contain Aeoralia from expanding more into Haturel and Oranoh. The first siege would take place on July 13th, 2021 against the city of Cartu, the capital of Tartu which was then a direct part of Aeoralia.

## War Progression

### Rising Tensions

The formation of the Aeoralian Empire lead the former Western Shield member-state of Tartu to leave the alliance as it was no longer being a sovereign state. Following Tartu's exit, Astoribipal of Irkallan expressed outrage in the Shield's council, stating the Tartu has betrayed the shield in favor of submission to a power of Haturel. Given that the shield's founding purpose was to protect the continents of Oranoh and Utia from eastern incursion, the new Aeoralian territory on Oranoh was seen as definitively non-grata by the most pressing Shield members of the Urráda Vassyrad, Grenivik, and Eryza, with Rhezitsa persuaded to join the cause later on, and Nan Yong, Sado, Talajat V'Shajjoi, and Suaru staying neutral.

Astoribipal spoke with Mornald Corradio, now Emperator of Aeoralia, regarding the from his point of view unacceptable ownership of Oranoh lands by a power of Haturel. While Corradio defended the territorial ownership as an alleged bilateral union between father and his adopted daughter Khulan, Astoribipal and Konungr Ratatoskr questioned the legitimacy of this reasoning, viewing it instead as a clever method of acquiring new power by attempting to loophole the system through familial ties. The Vassyrad perspective on maintaining the balance of power and preventing a new Empire of Uruldu was also considered.

#### Diplomacy Chess

Following a heated diplomatic summit, Astoribipal issued an ultimatum on behalf of all Shield members in agreement with him that either Aeoralia releases Tartu as an independent nation or there shall be war. Corradia refused the ultimatum.

Subsequently, both sides began to rally third parties to join their respective causes utilizing open and covert diplomacy, promises, and agreements. Corradio was too late to contact Visroyal Avalis Michael Quillik of Hanvis for military aid as the latter had already been promised land and resources in exchange for supporting the containment of Aeoralian power. Something that Hanvis was even more willing to agree to following the Aeoralian-Entrani Unification as its immediate border territories were now at stake.

On the western front, Aerolia initially contacted Western Shield members to ensure their neutrality in the conflict. For example, according to Jolomir Serebivich, Aeoralia suggested such offerings as netherite, naval vessels, and noble titles to Rhezitsa. However, having closer diplomatic ties with the Urráda Vassyrad due to the latter's advocacy for Rhezitsa to join the Western Shield and following a promise of new territory, Rhezitsa chose to join the war against Aeoralia, which was intentionally kept secret.

Similarly to Corradio's attempt to neutralize Western Shield members, Astoribipal was fearful of Nan Yong helping Aeoralia due to the Tustarican-made port near their border which Aeoralia promised would provide Nan Yong economic benefits, as well as talks of a "Nexit" following a period of Western Shield inactivity. This prompted Astoribipal to propose the Nan Yong Neutrality Declaration which prevented the highly ranked in military power nation from joining a side.

Sure that Vestiada would help Aeoralia given former close ties, Corradio did little to persuade them to join his side. Irkallan's leader exploited this by offering Vestiada the artifacts and items lost during a former Greniviki raid as payment for the war.

The Konungr Ratatoskr also engaged in diplomacy by promising territory to Kongleon which was granted the Albertino Archipelago by Aeoralia following the Treaty of Samara.

#### Vestiadan Espionage

The Oligarch Elyras of Vestiada offered to function as a spy for Astoribipal and the alliance. Vestiada falsified a national announcement made to sound as if they would officially help Aeoralia in the battlefield. However, throughout the period which led up to the war which included planning and defense building, Vestiada would engage in several espionage operations before declaring war on Aeoralia in the joint declaration issued by the Urráda Vassyrad. This included but was not limited to:

* Providing information of a Pickaxe of Death which Entran was in possession of
* Providing descriptions of the warrior Ryden's equipment
* Sabotaging potion supplies
* Creating a secret tunnel beneath the walls of Taewe

### Declaration of War

On July 9th, shortly after the Aeoralian-Entrani Unification and a consultation with Astoripibal, Avalis Michael Quillik of Hanvis declared war for the purpose of containment. At this point, a camp was already constructed ready to attack the former Entran capital of Taewe.

#### Allied Declarations

Intentionally designed as psychological warfare the allies and secret allies of Hanvis did not declare war until the day of the siege. A surprise joint declaration of war was issued by Astoribipal on behalf of the Urráda Vassyrad alliance, Grenivik, Rhezitsa, Eryza, Kongleon, and Vestiada.

### Battles

Two battles occurred during the War of Aeoralian Containment. The Sacking of Cartu, which saw an undefended city quickly fall to Kongleon, Greniviki, and Rhezitsan forces, and the Siege of Taewe which was successfully occupied by the forces of the Cornflower Republic of Hanvis, Urráda Vassyrad, Eryza, and Vestiada.

#### Sacking of Cartu

Charged with besieging the Tartu capital city of Cartu were Tsar Jolomir Serebivich of Rhezitsa, the Ape King OjOj of Kongleon, and Konungr Ratatoskr of Grenivik. Following orders from Astoribipal, the defacto-commander of allied forces, Grenivik lead the siege of Cartu from a hidden camp. Later justified as revenge for Tartu leaving the shield and the citizen compliance with a former Tartu raid on Entran, the Greniviki killed 4 Cartu citizens, 75% of Tartu's population at the time, and plundered the city. Following the Treaty of Samara, Khulan Tustarici would accuse Grenivik of genocide.

#### Siege of Taewe

The siege of Taewe occurred on July 13th, 2021, when Hanvis, backed by the Urráda Vassyrad, Grenivik, and Vestiada began to siege down the city. The war-camp constructed by Hanvis consisted of various siege weaponry as well as a walled campsite. The siege resulted in a Hanvissi victory, with Avalis canonically slaying Mornald Corradio in battle and Astoribipal slaying Talaos despite the defenders sacrificing their organs to gain divine powers through Sanginaisim rituals.

During the siege, Avalis of Hanvis commanded the main infiltration operation which saw Astoribipal, Elyras, Avalis, and Vulaarzein Dez Shubbat use invisibility to infiltrate Taewe through a secret Vestiada-made tunnel. While the main force infiltrated, less equipped solders from Hanvis and Eryza and attempted to distract the defending Mornald Corradio and Talaos.

### Aftermath

Following the siege of Taewe, the council which become in charge of Aeoralia following Mornald Corradio's death talked with Avalis about surrendering which was greatly accepted on all sides. The peace talks would be held July 15th, 2021 near the Imperial Palace of Samarahia with the Treaty of Samara being signed unanimously. The treaty resulted in the renewed independence of Tartu and territorial concessions and monetary payments made by Aeoralia to Hanvis and members of the Western Shield.