Subdelios

**The Kingdom of Subdelios** is the southernmost and less populated of the two Delian Kingdoms. Its capital Paracatus is one of the oldest cities on the east coast of the Continent, founded in 12981. Most of the population of Subdelios is concentrated in the coastal east of the country, with the western parts of the realm being heavily forested and sparsely populated. Subdelian territory stretches from the Xentflok oceans in the east to the Transelius and Thedda rivers, the latter of which forms the western border with Osthedia. The Delion River constitutes most of the Subdelios-Exidelos border, except the mouth and lower part of the river, which is entirely controlled by Subdelios. The Subdelian economy mostly consists of logging and fishing, the latter of which provides the realm’s primary export. The coastal population lives mainly in large villages with walls and houses made of wood. The foremost cities of Paracatus and Conaflunsa, in contrast, sit within great stone fortresses.

## History

### Origins

The Delian civilization began around the mouth of the Delion river, with some of the first cities being Tritopha and Torvelo, the latter of which was founded around 12533. For hundreds of years, the Delian peoples lived primarily in walled city-states to protect themselves from nomads who came pouring in from the south in times of famine. Eventually, in 13225, all the city-states south of the Delian river combined their forces under one banner to defeat an especially large wave of Ronnakosid horsemen seeking fertile land to conquer. By pooling their resources and coordinating an effective strategy for defeated mounted soldiers, the Subdelian cities were able to repel a nomadic horde many times larger than their combined armies. From then on, the cities of the region would be highly economically and culturally integrated, except for a few short civil wars, mainly over political disagreements. Initially, Subdelios' borders were contained to the land between the Delion and Falmona rivers, with the city of Conaflunsa being the westernmost stronghold of the kingdom.

### Conflict with the Theddite Empire

In 14082, the armies of the Theddite Empire crossed into the lands of Dyiticos, a Delian kingdom that would later become part of Exidelos. The Imperial Army crushed a small Dyitican army in the Battle of Eastriver then besieged the city of Tiphopolis, on Dyiticos' far western frontier. The Dyiticans plead with Exidelos, Subdelios, and other Delian states for assistance. Exidelos was the only one to send its army to fight the Theddites. The Theddite Empire was victorious in the war that ensued. During the war with the Empire, Subdelios exploited the situation by occupying a large swath of Exidelian land north of the Delion river, including the ancient city of Torvelo. The Theddite armies invaded again in 14103, prompted by many Delian militias' attempts to raid and retake the Imperial province of Transtheda. This time, all the Delian states, including Subdelios, were part of a united front against the Empire. Even still, they were outnumbered and unable to drive the Theddites back across the Thedda, and thus forced to recognize the Dytic River as the Imperial border.

### Intradelic Wars

*Main article: Intradelic Wars*

The fragile truce between the Delian states was broken in 14217 with the beginning of the Intradelic Wars. The first Intradelic War was started by the King of Exidelos, an ambitious politician whose goals as monarch were always to expand and retake the lands lost to Subdelios hundreds of years earlier. However, despite their smaller population, the Subdelian people maintained their military traditions much more efficiently than the Exidelians over the years, due to the constant threat of nomadic raids from the south. This allowed them to defeat the numerically superior northern armies and keep control over all their territories. The Intradelic wars continued for several centuries, resulting in the absorption of most of the minor Delian states into Exidelos and (to a lesser extent) Subdelios.

### Subdelian-Theddite Wars

The Second Subdelian-Theddite War ended in 15985 with a decisive Subdelian victory, forcing the Theddites to relinquish Transtheda and sending shockwaves of unrest across the empire, leading to the assassination of its Emperor and the total dissolution of the First Empire. Subdelios gained a great deal of prestige from this series of events, being seen as responsible for the destruction of the most powerful and ancient empire in the northern reaches of the Continent.

### Delo-Osthedian Wars

The young kingdom of Osthedia invaded Transtheda in 16025, prompting Subdelios to come to Exidelos’ aid. The Subdelian army advanced north, catching the Osthedians shortly after they began to besiege the city of Potamia. Osthedia’s King Priepoas Casno and his troops were forced to retreat after being caught completely unaware, and went to regroup and reinforce their troops in Tifopolas. In November that year, the united Delian armies descended on the city, beginning a siege that would last until the next summer. In June 16026, the Osthedians broke through the Delian siege lines with the help of a second, fresh army that had just arrived from Derricas. Priepoas gathered his best men from within the walls and coordinated a two-pronged attack, pushing out through the gate straight into the Delian fortifications while the Derrican force launched a surprise attack from the forests. The Delians retreated deep into Transtheda, entrenching themselves in the wooded highlands. The Osthedians met them in the Battle of the Red Hills, so named because of the immense bloodshed on both sides of the encounter. It was a pyrrhic victory for the Osthedians, as both armies lost similar amounts of men, although the Delians were forced to retreat from Transtheda.