Calderian War of Independence

The **Calderian War of Independence** was a revolt of the Sandorians in eastern Calderre caused by tax increase. It began in Spring 177 AD and ended with the independence of the Sandorian city states.

## Background

In 173 AD, Hilderbrand IV was crowned King of Calderre and instantly looked to strengthen the Royal treasury, which under the rule of Rothmund II had been depleted and mismanaged. Hilderbrand saw that the Sandorian cities were the only Calderian cities flourishing with the region boasting large numbers of rich merchant families. Hilderbrand introduced heavy taxation on the merchants and Elven communities, with the highly unpopular taxes rising each year, which saw tensions begin to grow.

By 176 AD the ruling council, nobles and merchants of the Sandorian cities met in Nysa where plans of rebellion were discussed. Representatives from Korgun, Vassuryn and Kalmunia discussed the alternative options and it was finally agreed that the four cities would withhold all taxes. Whilst they began raising an army, they hoped the King would choose to negotiate the taxes rather than send his army. However the King's response was a summons for all members of the ruling council to attend the capital. When the nobles failed to respond to the summons, the King had little option other than to raise an army which arrived in the Sandorian in the Spring of 177 AD.

Hilderbrand led the army laying waste to the farms surrounding Nysa before laying siege to the city. The Sandorian allies had planned for this and instead of leading the rebel army against the Kings forces, marched west into Calderre sacking a number of towns and villages under the command of Edus of Kalmunia. In response the King split his army, with half remaining to besiege Nysa and the other half led by the King to hunt down Edus' rebel army that was ransacking northern Calderre. This too had been planned for and seeing a much smaller army besieging Nysa, a second Sandorian army led by Cassander of Nysa, along with a sizeable Hathian mercenary army, ambushed the Calderian army in a night attack, setting fire to their camps and killing hundreds.

King Hilderbrand eventually managed to corner the rebels under Edus of Kalmunia and won a substantial victory and managing to capture a number of Sandorian nobles. Hilderbrand returned to his capital with his prisoners and entrusted the war to his uncle, Jon the Ironhammer, who gained several victories against the rebels but then himself rebelled. He was replaced with the King's brother-in-law, Edwin Kalcortain, a good strategist but unfamiliar with the guerrilla tactics used by the rebels. His army was ambushed, suffering heavy losses, after unwisely pursuing the enemy into the Sandorian forests.

The third general in charge of fighting the rebels was Angus Balbarris, who, in turn, rebelled and turned on the King. Hilderbrand defeated him with the help of a second brother-in-law, Dystan of Montberrian, but this civil strife had diverted attention from the rebels and Hilderbrand was able to send out a new army only in late 180 AD. The King obtained a few minor victories before winter, but the rebels, helped by the Hathian mercenaries and employing their guerrilla tactics, still held the advantage.

In the spring of 182, Hilderbrand attacked the fortress of Lovisella, but failed to capture it after a three-month siege and with threats mounting back in the capital, the King was forced to the signing of a truce, thus de facto recognising the independence of the Sandorian city states.