Unification Wars

These are a group of wars embarked on by the newly founded Aurian Empire they run officially from 2 to 22 PE but these dates can be contested. Some argue that the War of Thorns, which didn't conclude until 34PE should be included, others that it shouldn’t as Torash was never united into the Empire.

**Background and Origin**

These wars all feature aggressive moves by the new Aurian Empire against one or other of the originally 34 City States of Karandia. Auria's expansion worked strangely as some joined willingly to take part in Auria's rising star and benefit from its trade. Several however had been forced in during the First Commerce Wars. These wars were the precursor to the Unification Wars.

Also the position of Tor Kalash and Tor Armakan made the Empire more aggressive

**Key Individuals**

* Grant Boldant
* Jomark

**Major Events**

2-3PE: Religious, military and economic pressure used to force the members of Aurian Monetary Union who did not originally opt into the Empire at its founding to join. A lot of these events are poorly documented most are still not fully understood and the records have been altered.

4PE: Tor Armakan provides wizards and engineers to Auria's Tor Kalash trained armies. With these, the new empire starts to conquer states in the eastern Protectorates gaining land for farming and building. Wizards are particularly useful in the taking of Leyroch as a powerful wizard, the Viperlord Enerest, lived there and resisted the occupation.

4-10PE: Attacks on the small city-states of the eastern Protectorates. Lacking great cities these villages and farming communities may have seemed of little importance, but they would in the end pump out the supplies and man power needed for Auria's continued expansionism.

6PE: The War of Thorns begins with the 'Bold Offensive'. The war is partially provoked by Tor Armakan as the archmages feared Torash growth and military power.

12-14PE: The Northern Campaign, Tor Armakan sends wizards and engineers to assist the armies in taking Wrennost in the Wyvern Tail mountains. This campaign naturally resolves into the strike out against the Oakreach Conglomerate.

14-16PE: The Empire move into an attack on the Oakreach Conglomerate. This is the Aurians' first foray into the Oakland forest as it would become known. Auria's success in taking the city-state that claimed shared ownership of that woodland and its crucial resources was central to them solving their timber shortage and it also gave them a route to the sea. At the same time, however, it brought the Aurians directly into conflict with the elves. This conflict was very bloody and along with the later War of Thorns convinced Jomark to bring the Empire's expansion to an end. Only two settlements are taken within the borders of the wood that are still held at the end of 16PE. Some are torched and others are forced to be abandoned because the elves make it impossible for them to be resupplied. These settlements are later what allows Garath to begin the Oakland Fortification.

20-22PE The Mountain Campaign to take the dwarvern state of High Grange requires intense magical support. The archmage Infernal Blade assists the military and when he refuses orders to level the town of Cullstone he helps create the Cullstone Policy.

**Legacy**

Some would argue the legacy of the Unification Wars was the War of Thorns. They were so successful and built up the military of Auria now it had Tor Kalash at its head. This led Auria into going into Torash. This war could be considered one of the biggest disasters for Auria.

Another legacy of the Unification Wars were the Second Commerce Wars, which allowed for further expansion in the Protectorates.