The Axa-Saurian Wars, Part I
The Axa-Saurian Wars were a series of conflicts between the Axum Empire and the Saurian planet-states on the edge of the Terran Imperium.
From Book Nine of KANNES — Azine
The collision between Axum and Sauria began near the end of the reign of Ramsin, when key Saurian planets expelled Axumite emissaries whom they had previously tolerated, but now viewed as a threat to Saurian homogeny. In response, the Axumite emperor Sinnu invaded Sauria by orchestrating the expansion of his kingdom beyond Terran space in the first year of his reign. The Saurian planet states were not easy to rule and were prone to rebellion, despite Axum’s efforts to assimilate its people.
In the age that followed the collapse of the Sippur Empire, a great number of Saurians migrated to the region called “Tyssahlish” in the Saurian tongue, which was renamed “Sauria” after being annexed as a territory of Terran. “Sauri” is the Terran name for the native “Tsyslis,” which means “Offspring of Syys.” The migrants were primarily from five tribal groups: the Carion, Testunas, Seratunas, Cason, and the Saurons, forming the one hundred eighty-two planet states that made up Sauria. The principle planets were Asena, Angona, Myrarnya, Damardas, Rydarar, Aquul, Granerur, Arcartas, Galda and Casuarand. Saurians often viewed non-Saurians with disdain, unless they are of partial Saurian ancestry (such as the Sarri) or have been initiated into their union.
“Although the Saurian planets were independent of one another, they had shared ancestral traditions that bonded them.”
Although the Saurian planets were independent of one another, they had shared ancestral traditions that bonded them, one of which was the ceremony of appointing new leaders called “The Dakaalaw” or “The Letting,” which was held once every 10 years. Axum was accused of corrupting The Letting by maneuvering their choice of leaders into power through bribery and threats. The Axumite King Sinnu appointed an emissary to oversee each of them, hoping that their power and influence would be enough to subdue the populace. In time, this move led to conflicts with Terran officials of the Imperium, as the appointed selestiels turned against Axum who they now viewed as an adversary.
The Beginning of Conflicts
At the time of the wars, Sauria was governed by Terran’s king and former Axumite general Sustan. When certain selestiels extended their influence over Sustan’s home planet of Anya, the Saurians viewed it as an opportunity to sow confusion while Sustan was embroiled in an Axumite war. This resulted in aggressions that were incited by the Saurians, who were seeking independence from Axum. Sustan turned his attention homeward and attacked Sauria, but after several victories he petitioned the Saurians for peace. The two sides agreed to an alliance which granted Sauria a measure of autonomy, with the stipulation that they would ally with Sustan in ensuing conflicts.
The Terran Imperium was next brought into a war with the Overlords of Namasas. In a show of force, the Saurians sent a sizable army to Sustan’s aid, forcing the Overlords into a peace accord with the Terran Imperium. However Sinnu, who longed to invade Namasas and depose their rulers, viewed the conflict as an affront to the greater Axumite Empire. He waged war against Natad, the last Overlord of Namasas, in the 23rd year of his reign. After hearing of the impending invasion, many of the Namasans surrendered or fled from their own territory, leaving Sinnu to herald his campaign as a victory of the Axumite people. A great ceremony was held in the Namasan capital, declaring the official expansion of the Axum Empire into Namasas territory.
Sustan viewed Namasas defeat as an opportunity to expand his influence. He secretly made an alliance with Sauria, who was not only interested in independence from Axum, but also in keeping the growing power of Sdu at bay. In a show of political strength, Sustan moved to grant the Saurians complete autonomy, permitting them to establish their own imperium. Enraged, Sinnu condemned the move as an affront to his authority, but he was too engaged with other internal conflicts and was reluctant to take on the increasingly powerful Sustan. Sinnu later promised to ratify the proclamation in an effort to appease the large native Saurian faction in his own army.
The Rise of Sedu and Saurian Revolt
Emboldened by their new status, the Saurians pledged their fealty to Sedu, an outspoken and charismatic leader that had long expressed his desire to secede from Axum as a move towards Saurian unity. A super-asteroid storm caused the small star of Rellin to go supernova, destroying the Axumite outpost of Harrellin, which Sedu promoted as a sign of his destined right to rule.
He assembled an army with plans to invade Elysia and enslave the planet Gaya (Earth), which had been a part of the Sdu Empire in the distant past. However, due to an ancient treaty, Axum ordered the stoppage of allied warships and cut off financial support for the campaign, which left Sedu humiliated and unable to complete his conquest. In response, Sedu rallied the Saurians into rebellion against Axum.
Sedu next met Sustan and convinced him to send Sauria aid by reminding him of Saurian support against Namasas. Once Sustan’ troops arrived, Sedu appointed his ally Shunkaru as general in charge of the battle, and the whole contingent set out for Nubet, the Axumite capital of Sauria. Using Angona as its base, the army went to Nubet, where they captured the planet without any opposition and forced the selestiel Braxus and his allies into retreat.
The Saurians set several cities on fire, and Shunkaru personally burned down the famous memorial of the Akanu goddess Tannun. Infuriated by the aggression and burning of the memorial, Sinnu personally led an elite troop into Sauria to fight against the rebellion. Both the Sedu and Shunkaru contingents met and fought off Sinnu after wounding him in the Battle of Nubet.
