First Arkadian Unification

First Arkadian Unification
The First Arkadian Unification, or else known as the 'First Holy Fulfillment', is an overcoupling term to describe the wars and events that occured between 227 AAWE up until 230 AAWE, where-after the Kingdom of Arkadia was officially established and created.

Historical Background
Read the Verianity and Kingdom of Arkadia pages for a more in-depth look on the lore and prelude to this event.

Prelude
Eversince the spread of Verianity as a religion throughout the North-Western region of New Gwyn, the pan-Arkadian movement and thought existed. Somewhere beginning in 10,000 BAWE, the North-Western region of New Gwyn became more attached to itself due to the slow formation of a joint language and general culture. [[File:Arkadia pre unif.png|thumb|294x294px| Pre-Unification Status Blue: Kingdom of Nosogov

Red: Kingdom of Bursk

Purple: Duchy of Wythower

Yellow: Duchy of Verb'n

Green: Duchy of Osmis ]] The slow formation of the joint language and culture continued on in the next centuries, culminating in a pan-Arkadian thought as early as 8500 BAWE. Over time, with the influence and impact of Verianity as religion growing, this movement and mindset grew considerably. Although this spread did not go smooth everywhere. Tribes, in the north especially, resisted the spread of Verianity, resulting in the killing of Religious Missionaries, self-proclaimed Priests and Mages.

This was in stark contrast to the more open-minded southern regions, where the people became less isolated and started exploring and trading via sea and land. As the tribal system faltered in the south, the first signs of a feudal society started appearing. Thanks to this, a much easier path was paved for the spread of Verianity as religion. Over the course of the next centuries, the first regions in the south and south-east were fully converted, and rulers officially became heavily influenced by the tales of Verianity, many believing that a formation was the only way to achieve greatness.

By 4000 BAWE, Southern and some Eastern Lords and Rulers were convinced that the time of unification was now. Backed by the Religious missionaries and Mages, a Holy war for the unification was called out for. This conflict, the First War for Arkadia Unification, became one of the strongest signs that many wanted a united Arkadia. Although the unification was not achieved in the end, the conflict left a lasting impact on the region, eventually culminating in the Second and Third Wars for Arkadian Unification.

Smaller but always doomed uprisings and conflicts were frequent through the following centuries, although, thanks to this, more areas to the north and east converted themselves to Verianity. However, it should also be said that much of the 'Arkadian' Nobles and Rulers did not take unification efforts as they felt they required Verianus himself to appear or appoint a successor to rule the Kingdom for him.

By 1000 BAWE, many 'Arkadian' Nobles near the north, felt that their influence was being threatened by the Northern Tribes. With this, they rallied for another Holy war for Unification, which the religious Mages fully backed. Yet again, the large region was at war. While some Nobles did not join in, most did. This war, unlike the previous one, seemed undecided. The Northern tribes and barbarians had lost territory and peoples, but they remained strong. The more wealthier Nobles and peoples in the south were more driven, but ultimately the conflict stranded in what seemed to be a deadlock. For almost a century, this bloody conflict was fought, making it the longest and bloodiest war that de-facto Arkadia has known.

After a falling out between the 'Arkadian' Nobles in 900 BAWE, various rivaling Nobles declared themselves King. While the religious missionaries and Mages fully opposed and denied both of the declarations, the damage had been done. The alliance against the North collapsed, and soon the war ended in a catastrophic defeat; with many of the northern territories going back to the tribes and their leaders and the genocide of Verianity-supporters in tribal territory.

With this, the movement was set back for centuries, resulting in only small-scale uprisings and conflicts up until 227 AAWE. Only by 700 BAWE the movement recovered; resuming it's course of attempting to convert the peoples in the North.

The Appointing (Information corresponding with this article's timeframe starts here, see other pages for more information)
By 220 AAWE, the states with Verianity as dominant religion had strengthened themselves. Left untouched by the Allfather war, the region profited of the chaos that ensued elsewhere. The Kingdom of Nosogov in particular had grown in strength and significance, becoming the most prosperous of all. As the Kingdom was one of the first to convert to Verianity in full, it was widely regarded as one of the pillars of the Arkadian movement. After becoming the largest and most powerful Kingdom in the south thanks to centuries of war and intrigue, the foundation for greatness was set.

Charles II Numerius, King of Nosogov, was always convinced of the fact that the Peoples of North-West New Gwyn should be united in one Kingdom; that of 'Arkadia'. To that end, he loyally followed the teachings of his forefathers, and became a devout follower of Verianity. Despite his religious devotion, he was determined that not only faith could bring together the people, and thus ensured that his popularity was high throughout the entire region.

In 227 AAWE, the unthinkable happend; Verianus appeared. As part of the Arkadian Prophecy, Verianus sought to appoint a person whose dynasty and descendants would create and rule the promised lands of North-West New Gwyn; namely the Kingdom of Arkadia.

And as a result, Verianus appointed Charles; who was seen as a devout follower and devotee to the Arkadian cause.

The Times of Intrigue
The news of his Appointment wasn't made public however; as Charles all too well realized that this could have sparked opposition from other Nobles and the like. Instead of proceeding with the attempt at unification through sheer force and traditional war, the path of intrigue and deceit was taken, as previous attempts at unification had always failed.

The Kingdom of Bursk, lead by King Balyov Teran, was considered the greatest threat to Arkadian Unification; their Kings had always strongly repressed the followers of Verianity, and left no doubt over who should rule their lands. However, opportunities had been rising. In the last decades, the Kingdom had been centralizing its power, undermining the authority and power of local Warlords, tribesmen and early Nobles alike.

With this, connections were made with dissidents of the Balyov's rule, being promised greater autonomy and power when uniting with the Kingdom of Nosogov. And thus, Charles' influence in the north strengthened, with plots and plans being formed to topple the oppressive King. Having persuaded most of the powerless nobles and heavily taxed Merchants, Charles reached unseen levels of reach within Balyov's court. Reach that would eventually signify his downfall.

The War of Unification
By 233 AAWE, Charles believed to be ready for the task that dawned before him. A well planned and very orchestrated assassination attempt was made against King Balyov, which succeeded. Having him drawn to his throne room to meet supposed guests, he and his escort were quickly ambushed by the servants and visitors alike, which proved to be fatal. On the same moment, uprisings occured against Balyov's followers, many of whom were swiftly and efficiently murdered while others were forced to flee and regroup. These events all lead to the declaration of King Charles, that he was the appointed successor of Verianus. The third war for Arkadian unification was soon declared, and the conflict was sparked.

Nosogovian armies, joined by thousands of religious volunteers from within the entire regions, marched onwards to face the armies of the now dwindling Kingdom of Bursk. These armies, many having lost their leadership, fought poorly and were of low morale. The pro-Arkadian armies quickly achieved a string of military successes, which drove the disorganized Burskian armies to quickly regroup at their capital, Neblon, before preparing further counter attacks. Despite pro-Arkadian forces their rapid gains and successes in destabilizing and nearly crippling Bursk, many of neighbouring anti-Arkadian states were in a state of rage. Among them was the Duchy of Wythower, which was led by Lekyion. Alongside the Petty Kingdom of Osmis and the Duchy of Verb'n, Lekyion joined the war in defence of Bursk.

With additional pagan armies joining the fray against Arkadian forces, achieving a quick victory instantly became much harder. While more victories occured at first, they were not without a cost. While losing more and more men, Arkadian over enthusiasm and overconfidence paid it's price. In a rapid assault on Bursk's capital, pro-Arkadian forces were defeated and pushed back thanks to the help of the Wythower elite warrior forces, who had become infamous among pro-Arkadian circles. Faced with additional and further losses, Charles ordered a regroup of all armies and called for more cohesive offensives to occur in the near future. With the effect of surprise now being lost, Bursk's crumbling forces quickly tried to recover and began setting up defensive positions, while the Wythower tribes pushed for devastating counter-attacks, which mad mixed results.

One month later, and full-blown conflict would erupt once more. The anti-Arkadian allies, having expected another attempt to seize the Burskian capital, were caught off guard when the Arkadian forces instead invaded Wythower territories and marched through much of it's countryside. Wythower and parts of the Osmisian forces hurried to fortifying Wythower positions, exposing Neblon to further attack. While the Arkadian offensives in Wythower soon came to a grinding halt, the league soon realized this was all a ruse. With Wythower forces away from Neblon, the Arkadians then launched a crushing offensive lead by Charles into Neblon, which fell after intense and fierce battling. With Bursk's capital gone, the remaining pro-Balyov prominents were deposed or decided to flee in full. Bursk's armies shattered and splintered completely, leading to Charles' declaration that the Kingdoms of Bursk and Nosogov were now one.

While Bursk had fallen, the rest of the states refused to surrender or submit. As a result, the war continued. While league forces succeeded in holding a foothold of Bursk territory at first, the sheer numbers and stronger morale of the Arkadian forces managed to break through and ensured that the league forces had little choice but to take on a defensive position in Wythower; the last blockage to achieving a united Arkadia. Arkadian forces, still lead by Charles, waged numerous devastating attacks on Wythower territory, all with limited or simply no success. With Wythower forces consisting of extremely disciplined and high morale warriors with a 'death before surrender' attitude, Charles quickly realized he was up against mighty opponents. Despite this, the Duchy itself was engulfed in a civil war, with sizeable chunks of the population and prominents siding with the Arkadians. Lekyion, realizing that the Arkadians would most likely outlast him, gave Charles an offer; a duel which would decide who wins the war. If Charles won, Lekyion would surrender and offer his vassalship to the new monarch. If Lekyion won, Charles would end the war and fully recognize Wythower as non-Arkadian territory.

Under these terms, Charles begrudgingly accepted. Despite his acceptance, Charles was of no intent to allow the Duchy of Wythower to remain out of Arkadia. In that light, the duel grounds (which took place on the Mountains of Karagal) were secretely staffed with Arkadian archers who would kill Lekyion if he won the duel. The duel thereafter took place, and Charles, despite his more than adequate dueling capabilities, lost to Lekyion. Proclaiming victory, Lekyion then demanded Charles honour his side of the deal. Charles, laughing him away, then ordered his archers to launch the surprise attack and quickly made his close guards face the warriors that surrounded Lekyion. In mere seconds, Lekyion and his compatriots were riddled with arrows while Arkadian forces marched on in to finish off any remnants that existed.

With Lekyion dead and Wythower forces destroyed, the Duchy of Wythower was dissolved and absorbed into the new Kingdom of Arkadia. While Charles still layed claim on the territories of Osmis and Verb'n, these plans were slowly dropped as the new Kingdom would be large enough for Charles to handle. Peace with the eastern neighbours was established, and the war came to a definite end.

Aftermath
[[File:Arkadian initial ambitions.png|thumb|220x220px| Arkadian initial territorial ambitions Blue: Arkadia

Yellow: Osmisian Protectorate ]] With the third attempt at Arkadian unification successful, the long aspired dream of a pan-Arkadian state was finally realized. Charles II was then crowned as the first King of Arkadia, although bearing over his numeral title aswell, out of respect for the precedented Kingdom of Nosogov.

The unification of Arkadia left unseen effects on the north western regions of New Gwyn, with a central Kingdom now being established. The newly established force would come to be a prominent player on the continent for the upcoming centuries, which would only be amplified by it's mercantile mindset.