Antora: Difference between revisions
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The differences between their military preferences - Casilló with heavy wedges of armored horse supported by pike, and Réal with squares of swordsmen and halberdiers flanking crossbows - meant neither side could maintain an advantage when the time came to push into enemy territory. Arranzic charges were difficult in narrow valleys and on rocky slopes in Réal, and the heavy Reóran crossbows could pick off disoriented horses. In open spaces, the Reórans would be outranged by Arranzic bows, and the cavalry of Casilló had the maneuver room to sweep up and envelop the enemy foot.
Notable conflicts of the Horrible Two-Hundred include the Invasion of Valle de Maria; an occupation and massacre of an economically important Reóran valley, the War of the Red River; a twelve-year conflict over much of the territory of Grejona which was the furthest Reóran territory ever expanded east, the Sieges of Eleçeron; a successive series of assaults and counter-assaults against the
Though the period of warfare lasted two and a half centuries, it was not a stalemate. The Arranzic territories had direct access to the Concordian Ocean, while the Réorans were limited to overland trade routes, of which there were few. Casilló was thus able to slowly grind down the resources and manpower of Réal and offset their own losses via imports. By the mid-sixteenth century, Réal was regrouping their professional soldiers and levied militia. The Réoran nobility was restricted to raiding and small-scale skirmishes.
=== Conquista===
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When King Alejandro III and Crown Prince Teodore died in a shipwreck in 1550, Félipe ascended to the throne. He quickly gathered like-minded supporters from the nobility and upper-classes, including prominent generals from the Royal Corric Armed Legions. These individuals and their power bases would form the backbone of Félipe I’s fight against Réal. The king spent seven years training troops, funding military research, and acquiring a number of blackpowder weapons that were new to Andora at the time.
On 12 March 1557, Félipe I invaded the Réoran province of Marsabale, part of the Duchy of Palda, with an army of almost 14,000 troops. This set off the '''Thirty Years’ Bloodshed''', also known as the '''Conquista'''. The use of firearms and cannons allowed the Arranzic forces to further conquer Camplata and L'vontre provinces.
A large portion of the Thirty Years Bloodshed was raiding and counter-raiding. Akin to the earlier skirmishes of Andoran conflict, frontier territories between the belligerents would often be assaulted by mobile bands of soldiers and mercenaries. These raids were part of a larger strategic goal of depriving the opposition of food, manpower, fortifications, and supply lines. Certain enterprising raid captains would take their forces deep into hostile territory to strike at less-defended towns and outposts, catching their garrisons unaware. As a consequence, more and more towns on both sides of the war began to build up their militia and defenses. The need for capable soldiers to manage and command these defenses became serious; most knights and high-quality mercenaries were already committed to important garrisons or expeditions. This situation led to the creation of three Orders of Chivalry. These Orders differ from the two already-established Andoran Orders, the Order of the Eagle and the Order of the Sepulchre, in that they can be joined rather than membership being a bestowed honor.
In Réal, King Marius Sancho created the Chivalric Order of Eleçeron in 1563. This Order was open to all who displayed good bearing, love of the Kingdom, and skill at arms. The smaller population of Réal and their history of warrior queens meant that membership was not restricted by gender. Many notable knights of this Order throughout the Conquista, including Jaquelin of Santo Juan and the Blue Knight, were women. In Casilló, King Félipe created the Chivalric Order of Málama and the Chivalric Order of Santa Claudia. The Order of Málama was founded as a way to enoble commoners who displayed the means to equip and maintain the lifestyle of a knight, in order to have competent commanders for frontier and conquered garrisons. The knights who joined this order are referred to as 'Knight-Mayors,' or more derogatorily as 'Muddy Knights.' This Order did prove effective despite its detractors, with several successful defenses of Arranzic territory credited to Knight-Mayors. The Order of Santa Claudia was established as an all-women order of knights with the authority to marshal small militias in their home territories. Primarily founded as a means of rear-line defense against raids, the women of the Order gained a reputation as fierce fighters and authority figures. The Militia of Conzelaña, for example, was officially made the Twenty-Ninth Royal Irregulars Company for their skill and bravery under the command of Marta Lilía of Conzelaña.
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