On continent of Valradia, two major powers have risen.
In the South-western Valradia - Cyrangar Empire.
In the South-eastern Valradia - Great Kingdom of Nanbel
North of Valradia was settled by clans and tribes of barbarians waging constant wars.
Year 0 in modern history of Valradia is the year that brought death to Cyrangar Emperor, Andris Lidratius whos only son and heir died from unknown disease.
This event unleashed chain of disasters that threw both major powers on their knees.
Cyrangar Noble houses threw themselfs at each others throats, ripping empire apart. From chaos, two powerful houses emerged - Osaril and Ofengen.
Great Kingdom of Nanbel watched as its old rival bleeds. Hastly gathered armies of Nanbel marched west, to strike final blow aganist Cyrangarians.
House Ofengen, well informed about incoming armies strucked a deal with House Osaril, both young powers formed alliance that provided them a chance of stopping Nanbel invaders.
Armies of Nanbel faced with little resistance, took control over eastern provinces of Cyrangar. Early succeses baited High King Titus to join vanguard of conquest where he hoped to gain glory amongst his people. This howewer was a grave mistake.
Nanbel armies were divided in three parts: Duke Laugarius led forces in the north, Akazian allies of Nanbel marched in the south and finally vanguard advanced under direct command of High King Titus in the center.
When vanguard reached city of Cyst, they found Ofengen defenders forming their ranks in the fields.
Scouts informed Titus that defender ranks are made of peasantry and militia, barely fit for real batlle.
Confident in might of his heavy infantry and knights, Titus decided to lead his forces straight at Ofengeners.
Arrows and javelins thrown by defenders only angered Nanbelans, lightly armed militia was able to retreat before most of Nanbel forces arrived. At this point enraged, attackers started pursuit.
Titus judged that his heavy infantry have no chance of pursuing light milita so he gathered almost five hundred knights and decided to encircle defenders to stop them from retreating any further.
At precise moment, when knights were about to charge at retreating enemies, they suddenly heared war horns of Ofengen. Before Titus commanded retreat, a rain of arrows fell at knights, throwing many of them at the swampy ground.
Ofengen knights fell at Titus with thunderous charge, instantly breaking any consistency of his formation.
Heavy infantry of Nanbel was unable to reach Titus and his knights in time, too deep in the swamp they found themselfs in tragic situation. Before Nanbelan infantry was able to retreat, more than half died under rain of arrows or drowned in swamp, dragged by their own chainmails to murky water.
Titus body was never found.
***
North of the battle, Duke Laugarius managed to defeat Osaril forces.
Lone survior from Titus forces reached the duke and informed him about High Kings death.
Fearing for his own life, Laugarius decided to retreat back to Nanbel, pursued by joined Osaril and Ofengen forces he and his army managed to escape.
Akazian allies meet with retreating vanguard and together began marching back towards Nanbel lands.
When news of Titus death reached three sons of Titus they all decided that further war with Ofengen will bring only further shame and tragedy to Nanbel. Laugarius opposed their decison, loudly proclaming that death of Titus should Be avenged no matter the cost.
From one word full of anger to another. Oldest son of Titus called Laugarius a coward who abandoned Titus to death. Mad from rage Laugarius, punched young prince. Guards moved to apprehend the Duke howewer young prince, still spitting blood, ordered them to stop and declared Laugarius a Traitor.
Being aware that many men of Laugarius army are more loyal to him than any of Titus sons he decided to exile Laugarius and everyone who decided to follow him. Many historians agree that if Laugarius would be captured, then his loyal men would start a rebellion.
Army of almost ten thousand warriors, some with their families left Nanbel and dissapeared in the Soredon Mountains.
Those who survived bloody clashes with soredonian clans, estabilished a Kingdom of Laugaria at the northern coast of Valradia, named after their leader. Laugarius never reached new home, he died from soredonian arrow.
***
In the Great Kingdom of Nanbel, matters turned even more dire.
Oldest son of Titus was found murdered in his own bed. His two brothers Geralis and Skrovis started blaming each other.
Both gathered their supporters but before it came to blows, brothers faced each other. Both in deep grief realised that their conflict will cost them everything thier father fought and died for. Brothers decided to peacefuly divide the country between each other. Killer of their brother was never found and both brothers claimed innocence. Eastern Nanbel became Skrovia and Western Nanbel was named Geralia.
***
In former Cyrangar Empire lands, House Ofengen took advantage on their allies from House Osaril and dominated whole former territory of Empire leaving Osaril little autonomy on its own.
Barbarians from the north, Abergorii started raiding northern borders of Ofengen bringing great strain on Ofengen forces.
Reichweia - only part of old Empire that didnt fell under control of Osaril or Ofengen was forced to defend from attacks led by Ofengen lords still hungry for more land and power.
Many paid in blood for their hubris, Reichweia remained independent.
Legend says, that after one of last battles a plain yellow tabard of Reichweian king was stained with blood in such a way that blood formed shape of eagle, inspired king took that symbol as banner of Reichweia.
End of part 1.
