Great Khan Khamûl II and Khan Aytac image - Last Alliance: Total War mod for Total War: Shogun 2

Despite the crushing defeat at Eadford, the next Great Khans never gave up the rich lands of Rhovanion. In 3254 of the Second Age, the Great Khan Batu gathered an army of Luuriags to reclaim these lands. Instead of attempting to break through Eadford, where a fortress had stood guarding the river crossing for over 200 years, he set off from Khamûl Khuaran northwards entering Rhovanion through the difficult to defend areas east of Carnen. He expected to quickly take Austrigers and then march on Rēodburne.

However, an army of Northmen was already waiting across the steppes around Austrigers, probably alerted by the Ravens of the Iron Hills. What was supposed to be a rapid offensive turned into a long bloodbath around the city, which took a tragic turn for the Luuriags when the Northmen's Dwarven allies arrived. Then the Great Khan led his Nokor against troops from Atódfald, hoping that defeating the alliance leader would allow him to turn the tide of the battle. The decision turned out to be disastrous, he was killed by Ceadda himself, but who also died in this battle from the wounds received. As the elite of the Luuriag army collapsed in the onslaught this, along with the news of the Great Khan's death, caused the entire army to fall into chaos.

In the aftermath of the Luuriag withdrew from Rhovanion, the remnants of the army were reorganised by two commanders. One who was from the clan of Khamûl himself, Itisza, and another who belonged to one of the major northern clans, Aytac. Being friends together for years they served the Great Khan faithfully becoming one of the most important military leaders in the Empire.

When they reached Ereg Khuaran Itisza announced that he will march on Khamûl Khuaran. He knew that the others of his clan probably already were engaged in a fight with each other for the title of Grand Khan. He intended to temper their ambitions by crushing their forces in the capital and establishing himself as Great Khan. Being one of the Great Khan's most relied on commanders, he saw how much the Great Khan's authority had fallen and that the Khamûlids themselves were only a shadow of their former strength. With his popularity among the soldiers and his own influence in the capital, he had already started to draw up plans for reform with which he wanted to restore the Empire's greatness.

However, Aytac had been doubting more and more the validity of the Khamûlid state for a long time. Dependent on the Lord of the Gifts of Mordor, being used to fight against the Peoples of the West, the Luuriags were nothing more than a weapon in the hand of a deity who had little concern for of them.

So when Itisza announced his intentions, Aytac unexpectedly came out against him. With the support of the northern clans on his side, which had suffered exceptionally badly in the last war, Aytac declared he no longer intended to serve the Lord of Gifts.

One might have expected that a fight would ensue between their sides, but both Itisza and Aytac, aware that further bloodshed would make matters worse, withheld their forces and went their separate ways without a word.

Aytac went to Tsûsorögch Üür, the home of his clan, and proclaimed the Aytacid Khanate. The Khanate broke ties with Annatar, which quickly led to fighting with Itgel orders in these lands. However, Aytac with the support of the other northern clans managed to control the situation and stabilise his Khanate.

Meanwhile, Itisza reached Khamûl Khuaran, where some of the Noyons intended to fight him, but word of Itisza's intentions had reached the commander of the Tamma stationed in the capital in advance. The gates were opened in front of him, and the Tamma turned their weapons towards the other pretenders. On the same day, Itisza proclaimed himself the next Great Khan, taking the name Khamûl II as a sign of his intention to restore the power of the Empire at all costs.

Models of armor and weapon by Sara Temer
Concepts also by Sara Temer
Lore writing by Luiza Aris and Sara Temer

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