Second Psyrene War

Although tensions had existed for years, open conflict with Psyrene rebel forces broke out in on the 18th of Sixth-month, 2277. Fighting was concentrated in the duchy of Psyra proper, with other actions spanning the region, including in Korytsa and Tyros and the surrounding counties. The surrender was signed on the First of Second-month, 2280.

Causes

Cultural tensions between local Psyrenes and the greater Aveyrone Empire had been ongoing since the area was brought under Aveyrone control in 1836. Since the attempted coup in 2249 resulted in Emperor Marl placing Livianne Kizer at the head of the duchy, those tensions bubbled more fervently just under the surface. The improvements to technology and infrastructure throughout the empire under Marl's reign were seen as direct threats to traditional Psyrene industries, especially sheep farming and the related textiles industry. The construction of train lines and the promotion of new, large scale, agricultural practices disrupted traditional grazing lands, and pressures to further industrialize tended to favour Aveyrone businesses moving into the area at the expense of the established local industry.

By the mid 2270's, bandit attacks on trains and Aveyrone holdings in the area were increasing, under the leadership of a "Bandit King" known as Serkan. In 2275, Serkan's troops were stockpiling weapons and magic items and were enjoying the support of the locals, who saw them as stealing from the empire for the benefit of Psyra. Serkan was able to leverage discontent about an announcement of further tax breaks for Averyone businesses to import new dyeing technology from Ariege into a full scale rebellion.

Development

The extent of the military infrastructure of Serkan's rebellion was initially grossly underestimated by Aveyrone Imperial forces. The rebellion started with an increase on bandit-style guerrilla tactics, with small forces hitting trains, Averyone homesteads, and seizure of Aveyrone-run businesses in Nys, Isene and Kyrone. Averyrone troops send to stabilize the area did not expect to meet armed military resistance, and Serkan's support from key Psyran military officials was revealed in the opening battle of the conflict.

The rapid changes in technology over the past 30 years, especially the industrial production of firearms and artillery (this particularly in conjunction with large scale alchemical gas attacks) revolutionized the nature of modern warfare. Neither the Aveyrone Army nor the Psyrene rebels were fully able to anticipate the full implications, especially the impact on the use of magic in warfare, resulting in high casualty counts in the opening conflicts. Both sides were able to adapt, but the war lasted longer than either side had initially predicted or planned for. The deployment of the newly-created Warforged at the Battle of Oxia gave the Imperial forces a new magical advantage, forcing the surrender of the rebels shortly afterward.

Tactics

The conflict saw the use of several kinds of engagements including trench warfare, guerrilla tactics, specialized raiding teams, and in some cases, magically assisted hit-and-run tactics such as those first used in the Blackhope Rebellion and successfully deployed in Psyra in 2249 to put down the coup attempting to put Trevan Rademacher on the throne of an independent kingdom.

Engagements

• Battle of Oxia - first deployment of Warforged
• Seda Grove - Byran Dyess tried to burn a grove where some Psyran troops were held up, but the fires turned against them and he lost 24 people.
• Battle of Saarzevar - Serkan allegedly killed