Great Theddite Succession Crisis

The Thedda region after the events of the succession crisis.

The **Great Theddite Succession Crisis**, also known as the **Lobancas Split**, is the name given to the division of the First Theddite Empire between Nisemicas V of Theddias, Lastilas of Lobanc, and Atsicras of Osthedia, following the premature death of their father, Emperor Nisemicas IV Lobancas, at the hands of Osthedian separatists. This crisis led to the independence of Osthedia from the rule of West Theddites, Nordish conquest of many Theddite cities, and the creation of the Second Theddite Empire.

## History

### Background

The Theddite Empire controlled the lands of Osthedia for nearly two thousand years with only brief interruption until the events of 16022. Aderitas I, the first self-proclaimed Emperor to rule land on the Thedda river, conquered an enormous amount of land

Following their decisive defeat in the 15985 Second Subdelian-Theddite War, the Empire was forced to cede much of the Transtheda province, all lands to the east of the river Thedda and west of the river Delion. This came after multiple centuries of increasingly frequent revolts and bouts of unrest across the empire, and for many--especially those in the far eastern reaches of the realm--the shortcomings of imperial rulers became too much to tolerate. Disdain for the emperor grew sharply, not only in the east but all over his domain. Many groups, such as workers' guilds, political groups, local governments, and militias either began to seek regional autonomy or advocate for complete independence. The target of their ire was, most often, Nisemicas IV himself, who was unfortunate enough to have been coronated only a few months before the war with Subdelia. For his entire reign, he was viewed without fail as the worst emperor in recent memory, and perhaps the worst in the entire long history of Theddia. He was referred to by many members of all classes of the Imperial population as Nisemicas the Weak (Nisemicas I Lobancas, his ancestor, was given the title "the Strong"). Nisemicas IV did his best to calm his many opponents, attempting to reform the imperial bureaucracy and partially decentralize the government, although these attempts were never enough to sway public opinion. As part of his decentralization, he gradually divided his administrative responsibilities between his three sons: Nisemicas V, the oldest and informal heir to the throne, presided over the provinces of Theddias, Antilovoltias, and Nordesthil, the central third of the empire. To Atsicras, his second son, he delegated the matters of the eastern provinces; Arapovoltias, Arapostheda, and Antilostheda. Finally, his youngest son, Lastilas, was allowed to oversee the western third, made up of Nord-Bas, Suthebas, Prienithedas, Terpiosi, and Flittias provinces. This decision was the main factor in the partition of the ancient empire, which acted as an anchor of stability for the entire human population on the continent. Nisemicas IV's reign was marked by many decisions that, however well-intentioned, contributed to major economic and political catastrophes which plagued the Theddite Empire for years.

### Death of Nisemicas IV

In October of 16022, Nisemicas IV decided to visit Bolfurt, the provincial capital of Upper Volty (West Osthedia) in response to protests against the rising costs of food. Some protestors publicly called for the removal of Atsicras as governor. Against the wishes of his advisors, he went into the streets of Bolfurt in midday, sparking a riot that overwhelmed his royal guards and resulted in his death. The exact details of the event were not clear to anyone outside of Bolfurt for weeks, but news of the Emperor's death traveled quickly. The reason for Nisemicas' public appearance is unknown. Some speculate he was trying to give a speech, which would not have been received well by the Osthedian commoners. Others claim it was a planned, coordinated assassination attempt, orchestrated by dissenters within the provincial government to expose the Emperor and easily dispatch him without suspicion. The certainty of the matter is that the death of Nisemicas IV sent ripples of chaos throughout the Theddite world.

Atsicras Lobancas, governor of both Osthedia Major and Osthedia Minor, quickly claimed the title of Theddite Emperor despite being younger than the named heir Nisemicas V. He had been on his way to Bolfurt from his personal residence in Miscomias, the capital of Osthedia Major.