Arenian Campaign

The Arenian Campaign was the mastermind idea of Gaius Calenus who was the leader of the Calenus Faction at the time. While he died during the campaign, its success was made through his son Vibius Calenus and son-in-law Gallio Aebutus. It ended in a peace treaty, forcing Aren to become an ally of the Nirvan Republic.

## Background

In **478PR**, Gaius and the Calenus Faction, who were currently in control of the Senate, began preparations for expanding the Nirvan border. Using the power they had allowed them to construct beneficial legislation to help their cause, giving them the right to declare war and raising the defences of their borders, as they had yet chosen a target.

While the opposition from the conservative faction was quite hostile to the Calenus side, they met little barriers of these new laws, with the conservatives actually supporting some.

Eventually, Gaius and his sons settled on Aren, believing that if they secured their Southern border they would have little to worry about when marching North.

After the target was set, 6 legions were raised with the Senate's approval. After Gaius and his sons got accustomed with the Legionaries and other officers, they began their march in **479PR**.

## Course

### Initial

The Nirvans marched across outside of their border at the start of the campaigning season in **479PR**. In order to secure a steady supply route, they were forced to pacify many of the tribes in between them and Aren. With their overwhelming number, the tribes did little but surrender, claiming themselves as Nirvan allies.

After their lines were defended, they crossed the Arenian border, dealing with minor skirmishes. Gaius Calenus already began letting both the other commanders lead the way, only taking over when necessary. Instead he played a different role, more like he did in the Bhirnian Campaign where he kept the morale of the troops up.

Seeing how quickly this could turn into a major problem, King Eros Scillo sent his son, Prince Aleardo to lead the Arenian defence. The Prince’s tactic was to halt the Nirvan advance whenever he could, employing hit-and-run tactics. Though the Nirvan supply line was too fortified, so instead he began night attacks while looking for a suitable battleground.

#### Battle of Palebasso

After finding a hill near a swamp, he began his deployment for battle. While the battle was a loss for the Arenians, it showed that the leadership ability of their commander Prince Aleardo was dangerous.

Once the Nirvans had sent their lost soldiers back for military honours, Gaius and his soldiers pushed ahead. Quickly, they conquered more of the surrounding area, only finding resistance during the night as Prince Aleardo continued his harassment.

Feeling confident again, Prince Aleardo found another position for the battle to take place, with a small stream on one side to avoid encirclement.

#### Battle of Liorni

The Battle of Liorni was a quick victory for the Nirvans, attacking the Arenians from all angles, rather than approaching with a more defensive nature. On the wings stood the young commanders, both gaining honor for themselves. Gallio was even able to injure and capture Amone Pisani, one of the Princes trusted officers.

In the end the Arenians withdrew across the stream, sending their archers first who could cover their retreat. When the Nirvans tried to follow, they were hit with the intended volleys, forcing Gaius to call for a halt.

#### Siege of Durolipons

The Siege of Durolipons was another success for the Nirvans, being able to capture the city and gain the surrounding area. Once again, Prince Aleardo was able to avoid complete annihilation, in fact killing more of his enemy's army than his own losses.

The city was spared from ransacking, instead being converted into a Nirvan city. Further losses to civilians happened when they had most of their food stolen from the retreating Arenians.

### Arenian Scorched Earth

After a series of losses, the Prince employed a different tactic. While he would still hit the enemy where he could, their focus now would be on burning whatever land they had to stop the Nirvans living off of it.

The move met immediate results with the Nirvan progress slowing down in order to keep up with their defended supply line. With his army, the Arenians made an attempt to block the Nirvan supply line, meeting the Nirvans along the way.

#### Battle of Acela

The Battle of Acela was a major defeat for the Nirvans, even worse than the Battle of Fort Urmnir. The battle showcased the individual strength of the Arenian soldiers and the skill of Prince Aleardo’s officers.

The battle changed the tides of the war, with the Arenians being on the attack and the Nirvans defending the land they had conquered.

#### Nirvan Difficulties

The rest of the year was met with troubling times for the Nirvans, while they were able to stick to their fortifications, they were unable to break out of their runt, constantly losing land. It did not help that they were slowly being pushed to the city of Durolipons, which could trap them if the winter arrived.

While no significant battles happened, the Nirvans were still losing troops to the hit-and-run tactics along with the night raids.

At one point, Gaius himself was almost captured and killed, being surrounded by a small Arenian force built to kill him. It was only the quick thinking of Vibius that saved his fathers life, wedging a line down the middle and scaring off the enemy soldiers.

### Arenian Decline

In **481PR** to deal with all the attacks, Gaius split up his troops, now placing his son Vibius in command of the full army while he only commanded a small regiment.

The regiment he had did only one thing, mimic and follow the Arenians. Whenever an Arenian force attacked a Nirvan fort or carriage, Gaius’s regiment was there to hit them and sway the favour towards them.

The new tactics gave a lot of room for Vibius and Gallio to explore their options, which led them to realise that the scorched earth tactic was no longer in use, as it was too harmful to the Arenian economy. Preparations were quickly made to gather their soldiers and push towards the Arenian border once again. Though it was suddenly halted.

#### Death of Gaius

The death of Gaius was a surprise to everyone. It was him and his regiment that had saved the campaign and war for the Nirvans and now he was on his deathbed.

The reason for his death is still speculated to today though the likelihood is that the illness story is correct, simply hitting him fast and rapidly spreading through his body. He was quickly transported to the city of Durolipons where the Nirvan command now rested and given access to the best doctors. Though on Asunak 1, he was found dead, surrounded by letters aimed for his followers and family.

Enraged by the death, Vibius, Gallio and the Nirvans had a new sense of vigour. They quickly gathered their troops together and marched out to meet the Arenians in battle.

#### Battle of Brindicci

The Battle of Brindicci was the final major battle of the campaign, effectively ending the Arenian defence of the region and causing the death or capture of Prince Aleardo’s remaining officers.

Still determined to defeat the Nirvans, the Prince gathered what remained of his forces and continued the hit-and-run tactics, taking a much safer approach as they had been countered before.

### Surrender

In the year of **482PR**, after many failed attempts to stop the Nirvan advance, Prince Aleardo returned to the capital city of Aren in defeat. Seeing his son return, beaten, King Eros began negotiations for a surrender.

Vibius and Gallio were eventually welcomed into the city to accept the Arenian surrender. The negotiations allowed the Arenians to keep some of their independence, though they were to formally be known as a Nirvan ally and provide men to be added to their army every 5 years.

## Aftermath

When Vibius and Gallio returned to Nirva they were hailed as heroes, both given the right to triumph. The triumphs and boost to their reputation allowed them to become incredibly popular individuals, further enhancing the influence and power of the Calenus faction, much to the dismay of the conservatives.

The city of Durolipons and all the conquered lands became Nirvas, bringing the Senate a good amount of income.

Now that the Southern border was safe to anything but a sea raid, the Nirvan people and Senate could feel safe.

When Gaius’s body returned to Nirva, he was buried in the Calenus tomb, with a large funeral being held once Vibius and Gallio returned from battle.