The Ducal Wars: Khalestine's Involvement.

[Imam Faiz Kharadeen 3167]

As the lands of Khalestine settles in a more calm and serene nation, more books find themselves being carried away from the Palace and into the Grand Library. As per usual, these books seem to be taken from the first Caliph’s previous quarters and redistributed in copies for others to read and learn from.

 

The Dukes War: A Written Account From Khalestine.

 

Many know of the dreadful Ducal Wars that happened within the Orenian Empire. It was a Civil War of pure savagery, death, and despair. We all know of the outcomes of said war, and know of the victors. We know why it was started, and how it ended. We know what battles were won, and what battles were lost, for the most part that is. Much of the history of the Ducal Wars has already been written down in books to be processed throughout the lands, but for whatever reason each one of these books leaves out one of the most important key figures within the Ducal Wars, which is the Caliphate of Khalestine.

 

Lets start from the very beginning, to get a better understanding of Khalestine’s involvement and why it should have been the first thing mentioned in all history books about the Ducal Wars.

 

Chapter 1: The Beginning of the Ducal Wars.

 

It all began with some feud between two houses, who would be de Sola and Vladov. A de Sola was causing troubles with a Vladov, and it escalated into a mini war between the two houses at some point or another. I believe even the King approved of them fighting with one another to settle the score, which ultimately led to a full fledge civil war due to other houses being brought into the picture as well as internal privy council problems. Now, I’m not going to recite the entirety of the beginning of the war and what lead to it, because you can just read that in your average history book recounting that war. I was not within Oren during the time of the start of the war, I had only heard and read what led to it all.

 

Chapter 2: The Bloodbaths begin.

 

I suppose the civil war officially began when Adria declared itself independent from the crown, forming itself a new nation which led to immediate conflict as the Crown attempted to bring them back underneath the Empire. Quite a devastating time for Oren, but also beneficial to Khalestine. The High Council of Khalestine, as well as myself, approved of sending a few Mubarizun soldiers north into Oren to overwatch the many battles in their territory, to study how Orenian soldiers fought and acted to get a better understanding of their ways to use for further training for our own soldiers. One must be strong to continue to live within this harsh realm of ours, and to do that you must learn from others, whether they are friend or foe. Learn another’s weaknesses and strong points to use to your advantage.

 

Every Mubarizun that had overwatched a battle or skirmish has reported the same thing over and over and over again… Adria has won, Adria has won, and Adria has won. It seemed that the loyalists to the Crown of de Savoie we’re losing every single skirmish against Adria continuously, and were suffering heavy casualties when Adria went forth and raided loyalist settlements, such as Paramount and Felsen. One major skirmish battle that was recounted took place near the walls of Adria. I believe it was reported 4,000(40) troops for Savoie, and 3,500 (35)troops for Adria. Not much of a bonus in man-power, but Savoie had lost the battle due to a well placed flank by Adria, causing the forces of Savoie to route and be picked off one by one by the Adrian soldiers. A Mubarizun was even wounded at that skirmish due to a mishaps in figuring out whether he was friend or foe to Adria, but luckily returned back home alive. Subhan allah.

 

It was from then on that the realm believed that Adria would win this civil war with ease, and even I knew this to be true unless the Savoiyards found themselves new allies. The many diplomats of the Crown attempted to grab as many allies as they could. They already had the Mali support due to the Mali being direct allies to the Crown, but also attempted to sway both Urguan and Khalestine into aiding. Only one side would accept their ‘request’.

 

Chapter 3: A Diplomat's Plea.

 

It took many Orenian Diplomats to finally sway Khalestine into aiding house de Savoie in their civil war. Quite persistent they were, as well as desperate it seemed. That does not necessarily mean we did not have Adrian diplomats either. Savoie had essentially begged us to aid them on their war front, whilst the Adrians only asked for our neutrality in this conflict. Perhaps we should have taken neutrality, but our people were desperately angsty for a fight during that time. The Mubarizun were warriors and the true champions of Khalestine who wanted to show the realm why Khalestine is a nation not to disregard, and they’ve done just that.

 

It is sad and disrespectful of me to forget each emissaries names that came to the court of Al-Wakhrah to ask for aid. The only clear thing I could remember is that they came on more than one occasion, with one occurrence of an emissary begging upon his knees. It was awkward and unneeded to say the least, but the council met together to discuss the civil war and soon enough all came to the agreeance of aiding the Crown against Adria. Our forces would make the march northwards later in the year, or within a Khali week.

 

Chapter 4: The Outcomes Turned.

 

After our forces finally made it north, we made encampment near the coastline south of Felsen. The closer to warmth, the better. It was also well placed off to make it rather impossible for a raid, as well as very secretive. Our soldiers were ready for a fight, but it was not only the Mubarizun who were ready… Kharajyr and Lucienists were also fighting beside us, due to their allegiance to Khalestine as well as wanting to inflict some damage. Most notable figures being Grand Master Baudric who led the newly reformed Order of Saint Lucien along with his second in command Nafis Yar, Tla’Rameethar who led the Kharajyr, and the Caliph Faiz Kharadeen, Emir Arlen Kharadeen(soon to be Sultan), Amir Athir al-Hashim and Amir Morvan of Orvar who led the Mubarizun and Khalestine forces.

 

After we had finished setting up our encampment and began running drills, we were asked to aid in a skirmish just east of Paramount. We agreed, and brought only about 2,000(20) soldiers with about 1,000 on horse and camelback. The majority of our forces stayed back to protect the camp and supply line.

 

It took us a few days to reach the battleground, and as soon as we arrived the skirmish had already begun. Our forces were the first to charge, for we do not fear death as we knew Allah watched over us. Our horsemen clashed with other horsemen, our infantry with theirs… The battle raged on before our forces proved to be superior over the enemies. We soon stood victorious over the many corpses of the Adrians, with the Savoyyards rushing forward to pick off the remnants of any stragglers and routers. I had ordered our forces to not pursue and to immediately aid the fallen. Help up all the injured and bring them back to Felsen to retrieve medical aid, as well as carry any dead Khalestinian back with too so that they may be properly buried within Khalestine, their homeland. This was the first victory Savoie has ever seen during the entirety of the civil war, and wouldn’t be their last.

 

As time progressed, we found ourselves involved in two more minor skirmishes, which resulted in one being a stalemate, and the other a loss. The stalemate was a result of incompetent commanders within the ranks of the crown who did not know how to charge out of the fortress within Paramount. We had over an accumulation of 6,000[60] troops all crammed within that stone fortress, sitting there for days because the commanders did not think it ‘wise’ to charge out and slay the few adrian soldiers who mocked us at the gates. It was depressing. I had suggested many times we should charge, and even devised tactical plans alongside with my son, Arlen Kharadeen, that proved to be fail proof, but they just ignored us. Before we could do anything, the Adrian soldiers had gotten bored and returned back home, and so too did Khalestine’s forces back to the camp. The loss was a result of a scout returning back an inaccurate report. We had brought a combined force of maybe two to three thousand soldiers [20-30] and was waiting at the roads east of Paramount for the Adrians, for a de Sola scout reported 2,000[20] on their way for a fight. We suspected it to be an easy victory, for we had the superior fighters, but sadly we were wrong. They had double the numbers that were reported, and manage to hit us hard on the front lines, as well as on a devastating flank to our rear. Our Amir at the time, Athir al-Hashim, called for a full on retreat, managing to save a handful of lives from the relentless blades of the Adrians. That skirmish battle became the last small battle we would face, as the time came for a major battle to decide the true victors of this war.

 

Chapter 5: The Bloody Skirmish.

 

The loss at the latest skirmish had angered us Khalestinians. We were more angered over the scout who essentially caused our defeat moreover than the Adrians dealing such a deadly blow. To most, it would demotivate a man. But to us, to the Qalasheens, Southerons, and farfolks, to the Kharajyrs, and to the Lucienists, it only fueled us to fight harder. Our reinforcements from the south had come to fight alongside us with fresh supplies and weapons. We were ready for whatever came next.

 

Our forces began a full march to Paramount, disassembling the camp as we took it with us to set at Paramount. What a sight it was, a proud moment in Khalestines history for brothers and sisters marched side by side in unison to fight in the name of Khalestine and Allah.

 

Once we arrived in the lands of Paramount, we set up quick camp outside the walls and began lining up. A new Amir led the lines this time, Morvan of house Orvar as the previous Amir Athir Al-Hashim had died in battle attempting to save the lives of many Khalestinians who were falling behind. His bravery and courage saved many lives that day, his heroism will never be forgotten in Khalestine. My son, the Emir Arlen Kharadeen, also led the infantry lines with Morvan. I led Khalsetine’s cavalry of camel archers and lancers. Khalestine’s line was a sight to behold indeed. Even the loyalists were surprised at how many of us there were, but not all of them. Many of the Orenian nobles scoffed at us, considering us lesser beings or undisciplined fighters. But, their words did not matter. We effectively, quite literally, doubled the loyalists numbers with our own. There were so many of us, that our line even spilled outside the unfinished walls of Paramount.

 

Our lines held properly before we were called to march east. The Orenian Vanguard took point, before the infantry regiments followed after. Khalestine’s Cavalry force rode alongside either side of our own infantry lines, as a means to boost morale. We soon began to chant “Allah bless Khalestine” and “Fidai fidai fidai!” throughout the whole way there. Our warriors were ready for whatever it was to come.

 

The road seemed to have gotten narrower and narrower as we progressed eastwards. Everything was quiet besides the steady beat of marching soldiers. Time progressed on before we were ordered to halt and stand our ground, it seemed as if the Adrian forces had set up a large regiment within the treeline just east of us while we were right in the middle of open field. A very smart move on their part, our archers would prove ineffective as well as our cavalry was put in a tough spot. Unfortunate for the Adrians however, as our Camel Archers were able to zip around and provide decent arrow fire against those hiding within the trees.

 

The battle raged on for hours, with the forces of Adria suffering the most casualties. It got to the point where we needed to end this battle here and now, and so a charge was called. The forces of Khalestine and the Crown charged into the forests and slew all the remaining soldiers left. The Adrians were fierce warriors however, it was no easy win or slaughter. We suffered casualties just as they have, except not as much as they have. Our forces never let up as the Adrian forces were forced to put a full retreat with what little soldiers they had remaining. They were no longer able to defensively hold the road anymore, enabling the Crown to begin siege against Adrian lands.

 

Chapter 6: The Siege of Barrowyk

 

The Crown of Oren set their eyes on the fortress known as Barrowyk following our victory at the crossroads. Khalestine’s forces suffered minimal casualties and were still able to press on without issue. We marched on with the Crown’s forces as reinforcements came from the west to aid us in the construction of a siege camp just north of the fortress.

 

The construction of the wall and siege weapons was done fairly quickly with the joint efforts of all the forces. We successfully built a palacaid with a portable bridge, siege tower, and five trebuchets. When everything was all ready to go, we quickly began placement of siege engineers  to the trebuchets. Our forces(Khalestine and Lucienists) would occupy three trebuchets while Oren would take up two. When the time came, we began the siege at sunrise by welcoming the sky with rocks and shrapnel.

 

Our siege was relentless, for our trebuchet team was hitting Barrowyk’s walls and siege weapons hard, but that doesn’t mean we didn’t suffer setbacks either. They had successfully destroyed four out of the five trebuchets we had, and added up many holes against our palacaid. But, once their siege weaponry went down it was time for the siege tower to go in. The Order of Saint Lucien were the only brave ones to set out to push the portable bridge outside our palacaid and over the river, eating up the heavy arrow fire that pressed against them. They returned to the palacaid successful in their actions, and immediately after we began pushing forth the siege tower.

 

The siege tower was well engineered, that was for sure. It was quite easy to push and navigate through,  and soaked up arrow fire very well. I believe our only main obstacle was the many ditches within the ground which caused a handful of soldiers to fall and get stuck, but we easily overcame and set up the tower right against Barrowyk’s walls. As the tower was now in place, all of our forces began the climb and started spilling upon the walls of their fortress. Steel finally met with steel as the defenders began to topple over one by one. They had no other choice but to barricade themselves within their keep, prepared for the final onslaught. The doors and gates fell and before you know it our forces spilled into the keep. The Adrians fought well, they knew the ways of defensive fighting for many of our soldiers began toppling over due to their might, but they could not sustain our numbers. In the end of it all, the Barrowyk defenders met their demise that day as we stood victorious once more.

 

The war soon came to an end after that battle, as the newly appointed man in charge of Adria decided it best to sue for peace. Negotiations were conducted as an agreement was made. Adria had surrendered their war by returning back under the Empire as well as with their noble leaders required to step forth to face execution for their crimes. A rather unpleasant term to agree upon, but I’m sure those leaders had fled the nation once they had heard word of what would become of themselves.

 

Chapter 7: The Marche Home

 

As the Ducal War finally came to an end with the Crown rising victorious due to Adria’s surrender, our forces packed up our remaining resources, wounded, and dead and began the march back to camp to celebrate the victory. We had proven to the realm we are not only vicious fighters, but also honorable and loyal. Morale was at an all time high as the Khalestinians danced, sang, and smoked within our war camp located outside of Paramount. A joyous time indeed. And as Friday came about every Khali paid their due respects through prayer to their fallen comrades and enemies for the entire day. No smoking, no dancing, no singing. The day was spent in mourning and wrapping up the dead properly for easier burial once returning back to Khalestine.

 

A few weeks went by before all of our supplies were properly packed up and ready to go. Our time in Oren has come to an end, and it was time to return home. We had attempted to say our goodbyes before leaving to those within Paramount and Felsen, but Paramount remained relatively empty whilst Felsen’s citizens did not seem to care much about us. I personally had attempted to seek the Emperor of that time, Olivier de Savoi, to wish him a blessed farewell. Unfortunate to say, he was “unavailable” to speak to us. The guards of the palace of Felsen told us he was not seeing anyone at the time and refused to tell us why. It was saddening, but very well we suspected he might just send us a letter which is good enough.

 

Our soldiers began the marche southwards as our farewells fell on deaf ears. It was no problem, we didn’t think much on it for we were all far too happy to finally return home after the war. Just as we crossed the great river onto the southern continent, we were given word from a rider from the north of “great news”. We had believed it was the Crown of Oren attempting to reward us for our valiant aid, but instead were told something far more disheartening.. The man spoke to us of the “great sacking of Brelus” and how the forces of the crown burnt down the Adrian Capitol to ash, butchering everyone within the walls. The man even boasted about the slaying of CHILDREN! He spoke of this as if it were a great accomplishment, to kill innocent men and women, elderly and young. “None were sparred!” he exclaimed with delight, which caused my men to encircle the horseman in preparation to do to him what the Savoyards did to Adria, but I ordered them to stay their blades. I gave the rider a single chance to leave before we would kill him for his insolence and intolerance, and luckily for him he understood and rode off as fast as he could.

 

To butcher civilians… Innocent people, that is not what our great Allah preaches. Civilians are never the enemy, they are only living the life that was granted before them, and all of Khalestine knew of this. We had to stop our marche for about an hour or so as we stood together in prayer once more, praying for those that had been unfairly butchered within Adria for safe and easy passage to the Seven Skies. As our prayer finally came to an end, we continued our way back home to Khalestine, our morale strucken hard as we had to think of how devastating the aftermath of Adria must have been.

 

Chapter 8: The Summary of the War.

 

Khalestine would continue to prosper and grow throughout the years whilst the realm slowly began to forget who we were and what we’ve done for this realm. Our greatness did not only involve our involvement in the Dukes War, but many other contributions to the realm as a whole, which will be talked about in another book.

 

The reason I had written this book in the first place is due to the blatant disrespect and arrogance that house de Savoie had shown us. I attempted to keep this book purely historical in context, but must let all know of everything negative that had transpired during and after the war.

 

While we essentially won the Crown the war, they never recognized us in the slightest. We were not invited to their celebrations, weddings, coronations, or festivals. We were never given any compensation for the supplies and soldiers we lost. We were not given recognition within their history books. While footsoldiers loyal to the crown were given medals, land, and titles for their actions in the war, we were long forgotten and unmentioned. When The Order of Saint Amyas was going about our lands, terrorizing our vassals and people during our involvement in the war, the Crown had done quite literally nothing to stop them(And Amyas was the Crown’s main military, which added even more to insult). The only time the Crown got involved to force Amyas to end their abusive ways was during some conflict with the Iron Uzg, when the Rex demanded Amyas to disband. The crown decided to cater to the Uruks over us, an ally that was far more powerful and influential. No offense to the Uruks.

 

Perhaps the worst of it all was that the Crown, or House de Savoie, or the entirety of Oren that was loyal to the Crown never gave us any sort of thanks. Never a thank-you through word of mouth, never a thank-you through a letter, nothing. The only kind deed they had done for us was return us the banner of Khalestine, the same banner we had purposely left behind at the site of the Bloody Skirmish to symbolize our involvement that day. Even the Order of Saint Lucien were completely disregarded, a group that was once heavily involved in Oren!

 

Do not let anyone tell you any different on who truly won House de Savoie the Dukes War. It was not the Lord Marshal Augustus de Sola. It was not Count Guy de Bar. It was not the Mali. It was not the King Olivier de Savoie. It was Khalestine. While all of those I mentioned had great influence on the tide of the war, it is for certain that the Savoyards would have never won the Ducal War without Khalestine’s involvement. We know this to be true, and so do they.

 

Perhaps now the realm will understand Khalestine’s true power and influence, that whilst we may keep to ourselves for the most part we are also fierce and cunning warriors. May all those that fought within the Duke’s War who lost their lives find peace and mercy within the Seven Skies. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'oon, Subhan Allah.

 

 

 

OOC:

Spoiler

This is a book, a historical book written about the Dukes war. That's why its so long. If you want to learn history of lotc, read this book. Otherwise tl;dr is that the ducal wars was won due to the Caliphate of Khalestine's involvement (now the sultanate of khalestine).  Enjoy.

 

[mmat 7460]

"Actually, I am completely sure the Elves made much more of a difference than these southern lads. My father did enjoy fighting with their ten or so men though.."

 

[WuHanXianShi14 0]

A lonesome wood elf in his latest historical brief moves on to his people's contributions in the Dukes War, tapping his quill against his chin before scribbling down very briefly.

 

"We showed up,

We killed folk,

We went home.

Aspects guided us."

[Birdnerdy 1539]

"This is true!" wheezes an an old foot soldier. 

 

((nice read

[Heff 2460]

"This account is littered with discrepancies, fact wise, such as the calling of Olivier de Savoie an Emperor, or the reasons for the war being independence. Nonetheless, interesting and certainly eye opening!"
States James. 

[Zhulik 3559]

"Yeaheah yee doggy dun Olive Lucien Khalestine yeehee." Mutters a drunken Darius, a Lucienist who survived the war with a total kill count of twenty-six in favor of Savoy, tossed aside as he now suffers from PTSD.

[DelaneyG 1279]

Morgan Diggory, the siege master of the Siege of Barrowyk enjoys the read. He grumbles at the mention of The OSL being the only brave ones to push the bridge. He had charged out from behind the walls with no armor, only his bright red robe, to lead the men forward!