The Third Cinder War was a conflict between the Kingdom of Re'uyel and a coalition led by the Kingdom of Baharkand, between 1302 and 1311. The war caused the near complete downfall of Re'uyel, after the kingdom's meteoric rise to a position of hegemon of the western Divenhal in the decades prior.
History[]
Prelude[]
The incident that sparked the Third Cinder War happened in the late 13th century, when a massive gold vein was discovered near the Baharkandi citadel of Azka-Evran. Soon after mining operations started, Re'uyel started to demand a share of the revenues. Exasperated by this incident as well as multiple previous ridiculous demands, King Kaltan I of Baharkand started to actively oppose the growing influence of Re'uyel. Secret ties with countries wary of Re’uyel’s naval and mercantile hegemony were established, including the elven kingdoms of Irrliam and Elizna, the dwarven hold of Ovdal Tûngr, and the human kingdoms of Ourdia and Busilar.
Conflict[]
Kaltan's plan was ready to be set in motion by 1302. War on Re'uyel was declared - soon followed by the other members of the secret coalition - and the part of the Re’uyeli navy that was docked in Aqatbar for maintenance was promptly seized. Despite their superior numbers, the coalition still experienced setbacks at sea, but managed to keep the tide of the war in their favour nonetheless, thanks to numerous victories on land.
In response, Re'uyel entered into an alliance with the Kingdom of Birzartanšes, allowing them to isolate Kaltan's force in Bahar. The support of the Ekhani fleet was negotiated as well to blockade Busilar and prevent any form of reinforcements from reaching Bahar.
The tide turned yet again after the Kingdom of Eborthíl, afraid of the consequences of a Re'uyeli victory, entered the war on the coalition's side. They managed to finally overwhelm their opponent at sea and on land, forcing Re'uyel to sue for peace in 1311.
Aftermath[]
The peace talks take place on the island of Gemisle. Re’uyel loses the war and most of their navy. Irrliam receives the birzartanšesi territories south of the Sad-Kuz, as well as the title of “protectors” of Brasan, to the dismay of Elizna who only get the Drolas. Baharkand gets the territories Re’uyel took from Baharses a century before. Ovdal Tûngr gets their mountains back including the famed gold mine of Gulangor.
Outside of Bulwar, Ourdia takes back its former territories, Busilar gets Port Jaher and Eborthil gets trade concessions from Brasan and Re’uyel.
Chronology[]
- 1302:
- The coalition declares war. Kaltan marches his army to Eduz-Wez and besieges the city, Princess Imariel Irrliazuir besieges Brasan, Prince Valen Silnara besieges Port Jaher and Admiral Ivrandil of Elizna takes control of the coalition’s fleet.
- 1303:
- Re’uyel’s admiral Veharia beats the fleet led by Ivrandil near Pir-Ail, but both fleets take heavy blows. The victory allows Re’uyel to ferry an army to the Drolas peninsula that relieves the siege of Brasan. Imariel retreats to Medurubar.
- The army that was supposed to relieve the siege of Eduz-Wez is beaten by Kaltan. The siege lasts another 6 months.
- 1304:
- Elizna’s army finally links with Irrliam. The combined forces march toward Brasan again, after routing the Re’uyeli forces at the battle of Urašum. The coalition fleet manages to recover enough to be able to harass Re’uyeli reinforcements towards Brasan and the Drolas peninsula, severely weakening the defences of the city.
- The siege of Eduz-Wez ends thanks to the dwarven sappers from Ovdal Tûngr. Kaltan and the dwarven general Beldûn Copperkeel continue their march towards Re’uyel’s capital.
- 1305:
- Desperate at the recent setbacks, Re’uyel enters talks with King Arantir Birzartanzuir and Grand Mayor Moduman of Ekha. Baharkand is promised to Birzartanšes if they enter the war on the side of Re’uyel. Ekha is promised a large sum of money if they commit their fleet. Arantir starts mobilizing his troops.
- After 20 months of siege, Port Jaher surrenders to Busilar.
- The combined Baharkandi-Tûngric army defeats an army of Wexonard mercenaries near Azka-szel-Azka.
- 1306:
- Busilar’s army is sunk into the sea by the Ekhan navy while attempting to cross to Crathanor.
- Birzartanšes officially enters the war and starts marching north towards Aqatbar. Kaltan has to lift the siege of Azka-szel-Azka and marches back to defend his capital.
- 1307:
- Kaltan intercepts Arantir’s army at Nisabat, after a long forced march. This surprises Arantir, who is soundly defeated.
- The siege of Brasan ends after an assault that caused many casualties on both sides. A great fire ravages the city. Irrliam’s armies start to march north toward Birzartanšes, but have to winter first in Medurubar.
- 1308:
- Imariel quickly takes control of the poorly defended birsartanšesi territories south of the Sad-Kuz, but is unable to cross the heavily fortified mountain passes between his position and Birzartanšes core territories.
- Most of the coalition ships are sunk in the bay of Brasan by the combined Re’uyeli and Ekhan fleets. Ivrandil perishes during the battle. Re’uyel has now complete naval superiority.
- 1309:
- Eduz-Wez is retaken by Re’uyeli forces led by King Kalinael Uyelzuir himself. A combined attack with Arantir is planned on Baharkand.
- Seeing the tide turning and fearing a Re’uyeli victory, Eborthil joins the war on the side of the coalition. Supported by what’s left of Zelaria’s fleet, they engage the Re’uyeli armada in the gulf of glass. The resulting coalition victory ends the Re’uyeli naval superiority.
- 1310:
- The coalition forces are able to land on the birzartanšesi shores and besiege Birsartansbar. The city surrenders after only 17 days, knocking Arantir’s realm out of the war.
- 1311:
- Re’uyel is blockaded. Ourdian troops take control of their former territories. Eduz-Wez is besieged again. Seeing no way to victory, Kalinael sues for peace.
Controversy[]
The validity of the term "Third Cinder War" is often debated among scholars. The war involved almost as many powers outside of Bulwar as within it, a sharp contrast with the previous two Cinder Wars. The alternative terms "Great Divenhal War" or "War of Kaltan's Coalition" have been proposed, but none of them have stuck in most scholarly circles so far.