The Anayatol peninsula has always been of great interest to the imperials of Valeron. Whether as a nasty thorn in the side, or as the very crown jewel of the Bel-Heirion.
It was conquered multiple times during the ancient imperial wars, with the earliest proper occupation coming with the conquests of Rinvar Bel-Heirion: the conqueror.
Later, in the fourth age the jungles were almost entirely conquered by, Ilandir Bel-Heirion, and his infamous son, Iliòn Al-Sharatûr Bel-Heirion, or Iliòn the Dragon. Whereas Rinvar Bel-Heirion had used his legions to colonize the coast, capturing many ancient cities, including the thirteen islands of Vonòsh, Ilandir Bel-Heirion and Iliòn used the -REDUCTED- to raze their way inland, even through the thickest jungles.
After the conquest, it was Mazahvi, a tribal warrior turned general and eventually Bel-Heirion, came to power. He had been found from Leebrem by Iliòn Bel-Heirion, who had instantly recognized the talents of the young man. Known more commonly by the Valeronian name he adopted: Kaine Juppo, Mazahvi Bel-Heirion consolidated power in the peninsula with stark and masterful diplomacy. It was in fact also Mazahvi Bel-Heirion who established the Serenkai, an autonomous order of warrior monks who would guard peace and prosperity in Anayatol, while holding to the Palatorian chivalric tenets, which were seen as a symbol of Valeronian culture.
During his and his children’s reigns, the Anayatollian states came closer to full imperial provinceship than ever before. Ancient practices such as cannibalism and slavery were more or less abolished in a movement starting from the more Valeronized coast and continuing deeper inland. Unfortunately for the later generations, Anayatol and the empire would never again reach a relationship as close as during that golden era.
This national friendship would not last forever, and by the time of the Seledorian wars and the War of Reconquest, over a hundread years later, Anayatol had gradually gained almost total independence once more. The imperial forces were either driven away or crushed deep in the depths of defensive citadels by the hostile Seledorothrim mariners, who destroyed all but two of the old imperial forts during the war.
Due to the extreme growth and prosperity the empire saw during the Long Peace, following the War of Reconquest, Anayatol was left largely alone, and the previous military control was not reinforced. After all, the mere thought of a province seceding from the empire at that time was seen unanimously as preposterous.
Worrying tales about extremism and tribalistic cultural movements in the Anayatollian states were ignored in court, and Anayatol slipped slowly further and further away from the imperial gauntlet. It was a catastrophe waiting to happen, and the events following the Great Eastern War at the close of the Long Peace would see the last years of true imperial control, before the Wars of Mudhallam.
In fact, the ignorance to the Anayatol situation is seen, aside from the gradual erosion of the imperial defense forces, as the greatest oversight of the otherwise distinguished reigns of the six great Bel-Heirions of the Long Peace.
THE RISING STORM
After the War in the East, the empire was both economically drained and spiritually exhausted. The 'War to end the peace' had taken a massive toll on the imperial treasuries, and the Imperial Seat had realized just how incompetent its military had become. The High-Command had been filled with career bureaucrats employed in their positions through outrageous practices of nepotism and cronyism. Lord-Protector Jephenos, “The Hero of the East” was on his deathbed dying of a cancer he had been fighting even during the war, while the scheming high-command was vying for his prestigious position.
In hindsight, it would not be wrong to say that the legion completely lacked any concrete command structure in the Lord-Protectors leave of absence. They were called the years of turmoil, a name which has stuck even to this day. However, as the revered imperial Councilor Estuardelli remarked, it was also a time of great nationalistic awakening. The will to strengthen imperial unity and culture was present in all walks of life, from beggars to senators. This made it easy to train multiple new legions, even with lowered pay.
In the midst of those tumultuous times, crown prince Elnofir visited Anayatol on his realm tour, the customary route for all heirs to the Imperial Seat. The prince was horrified by the state of things in Anayatol, to the point of demanding military intervention from his father, Elydon Bel-Heirion and his legions. What Prince Elnofir saw was brazen defamation of the empire and its values. Cults which worshipped demons did not hide their practices, and terrible rituals were performed in the light of day with no intentions of subtlety or secrecy. Cannibalism, occultism, pedophilia and other forms of what Valeronians considered degeneration made Elnofir truly despise the south. But beyond all else, especially the audacious popularity and utilization of slavery in all its disgusting forms were what turned Elnofir to actively encourage a war. His attempts however were met with reluctance, since many in the empire outright feared another war. The High-Command lobbied against the war, because they feared a military conflict would have their competence measured, and eventually questioned.
The wished of the High-Command would eventually turn out to be all for naught. What would force the empire into war with Anayatol was the conflicts of the Anayatan Sahlags with the Selmen order. The trader explorers had had numerous disagreements with the Al-Shurrur. Indigenous religious organizations that had resurfaced to rival the Serenkai. When the Sahlag clans, at the behest of the Al-Shurrur attacked and burned an entire Selmen expeditionary fleet, all hope for reconciliation was lost. This forced the hand of Elydon Bel-Heirion, and started the “New Southern War”, which later came to be known as the “First War of Mudhallam”.
v It would turn to be a chaotic war, where the legions, held roughly together by a few skilled commanders and Elydon Bel-Heirion himself, secured a miraculous victory. The war would see the imperial legions, with heavy losses, driving the Al-Shurrur back into the deepest jungles, and the Sahlags and their hosts imprisoned. It was quite universally agreed that the victory came at the behest of Irwin Mortemirs appointment to Commander of the Empire, the title of the Lord-Protector.
Mortemirs brilliant tactics saw the effective use of dismounted heavy infantry, and supply lines. Mortemir was of course a decorated veteran of the Great Eastern War, and a sentinel-general of the Legion. He was promoted by Elydon after the beginning of the war over many much more senior commanders, causing much animosity among the High-Command. Yet few would now say there would have been any man better for the job.
The decisive final strike came at the battle of Mudhallam, on a rocky island known as the “Iron rock”, or Blyiderak. There the last Sahlags surrendered or took their own lives. A bitter peace, for Elydon Bel-Heirion too had lost his life deep in the jungles, in the heat of the battle. A hollow victory, but a victory non the less. And none could claim that it was not the empire that had triumphed.
After the war, a citadel was built there, that came to be known as the Iron-rock of Mudhallam. It was to be a prison to some of the worst war criminals among the Sahlags waiting for their trials and possible executions. After this, it was transformed into a bastion of imperial authority, and the headquarters of the Serenkai, who had done their own great part in the defeat of the Sahlags and Al-Shurrur. The tower of Elydon was the tallest in the world, south of Selednoth, and built as a memorial to the warrior-lord of Valeron.
The end of the war saw a period of relative peace in the empire. A peace which saw large investments into a monstrous military complex, held together by the new Lord-Protectors brilliance. Mortemir, who had through his excellent performance consolidated his power as the head of the Legion, was finally able to cut with a heavy hand any and all members of the High-Command who he deemed did not deserve their position.
Many also said that the First War of Mudhallam saw the end of the Chivalric wars, and the death of the classical “Valeronian knight”. After all, one of Mortemirs constant objectives was the regulation, and total integration of the knights into the legion ranks.
This caused much animosity in many knightly orders, who saw that the legion high command was restricting their cultures. Most of the knightly organizations had existed for hundreds of years and had cultivated cultures and customs which were of paramount importance to many knights. Although the seat and High-Command did not know it, even the noble Serenkai began fearing for their traditions.
In their uncertainty and ever-growing exigency, some Serenkai started looking for alternative ways of organizing themselves. In secret, many of them joined a cult known as the Sal-Sahhar. An organization with dogma deeply linked with the Al-Shurrur and ancient Anayatan esotericism. It had sprung out of nothing, spreading through the Anayatan upper castes like a secret fire.
Wise Mortemir however became aware of this situation and sought to bring an end to the rising storm. He sent his disciple, non other than Arthorion Di Laxelian, to work as a governor and his spymaster in Anayatol. Arthorion worked tirelessly, and was able to keep the peninsula in order, enacting anti-radicalization procedures and smart censorship.
THE CONVENTION IN FERIOS
Despite the improving situation, the lords of Valeron wary of the Anayatans. Therefore, the insecure Imperial Seat and the legion High-Command, against Mortemirs wishes, invited the masters of the Serenkai and the local Anayatan rulers to Ferios.
This act, which was seen by the seat as a show of dominance, was received differently by the people of Anayatol, who saw it as a show of respect and honor. This misunderstanding would prove to be a painful error on both sides.
Of the Serenkai, there were thirteen well respected warriors who came.
There was the Grand-master Sei Salannin, who was seen as one of the greatest heroes of the First War of Mudhallam; Kappara; Al-Ula; Semesai, who was the master of ceremonies for the Serenkai; Ar-Salas, also known as the eleven blades; Mahat Al Samon; Im-Kadri, the Chameleon; Aban Talì, the eldest of the Serenkai, and their keeper of history; Sar Kubhra, the infamous Rhino-knight of Assala; Mahjara; Tahim Jaad; Osoia and Al-Halan, the master of arms for the Serenkai.
From the southern states, came the governors of the five legislative regions, established at the end of the first war. During that time, the position of the traditional Sahlags was abolished, and these Valeronian politicians were placed in command of the regions. Only the Sahlags of southern Shaaba, Suul, kept his lordship, due to his neutrality in the war. With them also came representation from the fourteen tribal councils. Among these were Suriim and Aarm, children of Sahlags executed twelve years prior. Unbeknownst to the imperials, many if not most of these tribal representatives were already very deeply invested it the Sal-Sahhar cult. There were a few more notable figures from Anayatol who were invited to the gathering. These included figures of particular cultural and societal importance to Anayatol. Among these were Kenseira of the Rainbow, who was one of the greatest knights of the late era Chivalric wars; Samabara the First spear of Galagos and Sërimra, who headed a powerful religious delegation of different Anayatan faiths.
The meeting, later remarked by Arthorion as “The epitome of a total failure of diplomacy”, ended catastrophically. It saw the festivities interrupted, and all parties leaving the event deeply offended. Aban Talì had expected a far more prestigious reception and was infuriated by the supposedly harsh and disrespectful behavior shown by the imperials. Semesai riled up the tribal leaders, accelerating the conflict to it’s extreme. Though violence was avoided, the relations between the empire and Anayatol were deeply hurt. The delegation left after only a few days in Ferios, leaving behind only an uneasy atmosphere.
Some general animosity was also seen in the peasants of Anayatol in the years following the Delegation incident. The reservations which Elydon had formed in northern Anayatol and the Valerana strip. The Sal-Sahhar used this, as well as general taxation and enforcement of imperial laws to try to turn the population against the Empire. It was however always clear that this rebellion, which had secretly already begun, was before anything else an undertaking of the higher castes.
Arthorion was called back from Anayatol to Ferios to handle the growing unrest in the capitol (See “The Ferios Riots”). In retrospect, this move created a power vacuum, in which the Sal-Sahhar, which was now a massive shadow organization that controlled almost all politics within the peninsula, took final, and total control. The cult was led by the “War-Counsil”. This counsel included notably Suriim and Aarm, who were being titular as future leaders of all of Anayatol. The two would of course be only figureheads, with the other members controlling them as much as possible. In the war council were also amongst others Kenseira, Samabara, Im-Kidri, Al-Halan, Sar-Kubhra and Semesai, who could have been seen as the soul of the whole movement.
THE FISRST INVASION AND AN EMPTY HOPE
Two years after the fateful Convention in Ferios, the Sal-Sahhar made a proclamation to the empire. In this proclamation they made clear their will to separate from the empire, and that they did not recognize the authority of the Bel-Heirion over Anayatol and its peoples. This raised an uproar in the empire not seen in years. Mortemir gathered a massive military host, surrounding Anayatol completely. Especially the capital city of the Sal-Sahhar, Galagos the 'Golden city' was besieged. The legion could have, though with heavy losses, destroyed the War-Council right then and there, yet Elnofir Bel-Heirion had other plans. The Master of Valeron did not want to see any more bloodshed and chose a path of diplomacy instead. He contacted the War-counsil, with a plan of a peaceful solution. The negotiations, though intense, seemed to be what was then considered a success. The negotiated solution was that Anayatol would gain nigh-autonomy, but respect certain imperial traditions. Slavery, raiding, pedophilia and cannibalism amongst other practices would be prohibited, as well as cults not sanctioned by the empire. Other than these commandments, Anayatol had almost full control of its laws and could have its own military force and foreign policy. The imperial governors would also be abolished, and the traditional Sahlags would be restored.
The agreement was seen in Valeron as extremely agreeable to the Anayatolians, raising much animosity among imperial ranks, especially since the memory of the passed Elydon Bel-Heirion was still fresh on their minds. There was animosity, as much at least as imperials could ever have for the decisions of Bel-Heirion. The treaty did not agree to the vehement demand of the Sal-Sahhar to full freedom of religion, nor to the reinstatement of the ancient Al-Shurrur orders which had disappeared into the jungles. However, despite their ire, the Sal-Sahhar agreed to the terms, due to the presence of the imperial legions at their doorstep. Thousands of lives were saved on both sides that day, sparking great joy and hope all over the world. The treaty was called the “Declaration of eternal friendship”, and all over Valeron people praised Elnofir for his wisdom and fairness. The imperials legions returned home, and the transition to the new order began in Anayatol. Eight Sahlags were chosen, and the peninsula was divided between them. The imperial fortresses on the coast were given over to the tribal armies, and for a moment all seemed good.
For months the world had relative peace, but the bitter Sal-Sahhar did not truly accept the treaty and its terms but saw it simply as a further insult from the empire. In secret they continued plotting, and as the imperial eye turned from Anayatol once more, the Sal-Sahhar did in fact break the treaty and called back dozens of Al-Shurrur from the deep jungles. These dark sorcerers felt even deeper hatred for the empire than the Sal-Sahhar ever did, and the conflict was escalated beyond what anyone had expected. But what the Sal-Sahhar, who saw themselves as the true epitome of Anayatan culture did not realize, was what exactly the Al-Shurrur had been, and still were.
The ancient Al-Shurrur’s ideologies and philosophies differed greatly from those of the Sal-Sahhar. True Al-Shurrur were agents of anarchy and chaos and had no interest in the politics of the Serenkai. No one now knows for sure what exactly happened in the following months in Anayatol, yet somehow the Al-Shurrur captured control of the movement and took a sharp turn to extreme radicalization. We do not even know the names of the Al-Shurrur, yet their effect on the following weeks of Valeron was monumental.
WAR
On the fourth of October, 14 years after the end of the First War of Mudhallam, the Anayatan authorities called the Bel-Heirion to attend a “Feast of friendship”. Elnofir Bel-Heirion gladly accepted, taking a small retinue of Lifeguard with him south. As history would tell, this “Feast of friendship” would prove to be anything but. It was a trap, meant to capture the leader of Valeron, and throw the continent into chaos, in which the likes of the Al-Shurrur would thrive. On the first night of festivities, the Bel-Heirion was attacked, and many of his guards slain. The Sal-Sahhar however underestimated the ferocity of the Lifeguard. Elnofir Bel-Heirion and most of his entourage were able to flee Galagos, fighting their way through the city.
And although the war would be declared by the imperial committee only three days later, it was this fateful night, which truly started the second war of Mudhallam.
CONTINUES IN CHAPTER 2 ...
Created with love, by P.K.Kimpimäki