Interior Campaign

Interior Campaign
Location of the Ny'Sænuri territories in red and the Duchy of Yogryg'dri in yellow
Date 7 June - 3 July 1885 Location Ny'Sænuri territories, Aikthudr'zhur Result Cryrian Victory, continued insurgency until the Sack of Highdrilian
Belligerents
Ny'Sænuri Clans Ctuidhor Azerre Iuzebhax	Kingdom of Cryria Duchy of Yogryg'dri
Commanders and leaders
Vhaondesz Ctuidhor Id'ithross Azerre Nillo Iuzebhax	King Albert of House Leidensen Governor-General Melker Öberg Duchess Tyxhun Yogryg'dri
Strength
3,200 2 artillery pieces	585 2 artillery pieces
Casualties and losses
200 KIA 5 executed 2 artillery pieces captured	4 KIA 15 WIA

The Interior Campaign was an armed conflict between the Kingdom of Cryria, its Aikkian allies, and the Ny'Sænuri clans of the Aikkian interior. The war lasted from 7 June to 3 July 1885 and ended in a Cryrian victory.

Background

Cryrian influence in Aikthudr'zhur had historically been limited to coastal areas around Highdrilian and Evralrod. Beyond these lay a mountainous region controlled by a patchwork of clans and duchies who were loosely sworn to the House of Ny'thudr'zhan. However, by the 19th-century the Albertine government in Cryria recognized Aikthudr'zhur as an important position for maintaining the Cryrian sphere of influence in northern Novaris.

Key to this was the construction of the Highdrilian - Ctarost Railway by the Norsian Concern. While the Railway helped extend the Concern's power and supported some nascent mining and lumber operations while offering a land connection to the Varentine League, it more importantly served to extend Cryrian power throughout the interior. The Railway tied the Aikkian duchies together by means of a Cryrian-controlled transportation network, and was also accompanied by a series of Cryrian fortifications at key points and mountain passes. Aikkian elites remained heavily fragmented at this time, and the presence of Cryrian protectors was often viewed as more palatable than a potential takeover by a neighbor. The construction of these trade links to the coast and the Varentine League further worked to the financial benefit of Aikkian rulers, and the Concern often relied upon the private armies of local aristocrats to act as enforcers.

Later Cryrian economic actions under Governor-General Krister Kraskne pushed those same ducal houses to the brink of ruin and deeply indebted them to the Concern. While this ended any semblance of autonomy among the aristocracy, it also drew the ire of the Aikkian elite and general population.