Toren (SEI)/Toren Rebellion

Toren Rebellion
Loyalist forces attacking the rebels
Date
April 2007
Location
Toren Stronghold
Duration
6 days
Result
Loyalist Victory
Implications
Lead to redeployment and loss of regions, weakened standing on the island
Combatants
Toren Loyalists	Toren Rebels
Leaders
Fisc Arylon	Hiddukel Kiri-Jolith
Strength
36 Troop Leaders	5 Troop Leaders
Allies
None	None
Casualties
Not reported	Not reported

The Toren Rebellion or Toren Civil War was a conflict that took place on the South-East Island, in the realm of Toren in April of 2007. The seeds of rebellion had been brewing since the death of Toren's previous Pontifex, Phear, and culminated with the outbreak of hostilities in Toren Stronghold. Despite the Seperatists coordination with Taselak prior to initiating the rebellion, the Loyalist forces (led by Fisc Arylon) were able to organize themselves quickly and managed to successfully defeat the Seperatists in a single day. Nevertheless, the rebellion ended at great cost to the entire realm.

Background

On March 16th, 2007, the ruler of Toren, the heroic Pontifex Phear Fantom, was killed in the battle of Lesthem. The battle was a victory for Toren, but his death left a void of leadership that the people of Toren will likely never see replaced. The Toren forces were led by Averyll Arete, Marshal of the Army of Tor, Fiduciary of Toren, Countess of Jerelin, and in one of the more historically divided elections the South East Island has ever seen, Averyll was narrowly elected as the new Pontifex. The questionable nature of her election (she only won by 3 votes, and her opposition, Cyperus, was wounded during the same battle) combined with a very vocal opposition to her ascension (including slander from her own Advisory Council and a failed referendum calling for a re-election) began the underpinnings of the rebel movement.

Sowing Dissent

Shortly after being elected as Pontifex, Averyll began to resign from her other positions in the realm, given command of Jerelin to Jonathan, and not running for re-election as the Fiduciary. Meanwhile, Hiddukel lost his title as the Count of Dakan, and Averyll gave the region to Fisc Arylon. Fisc was also elected as the new Fiduciary by a tremendous margin.

In response to a TO attempt with heavy looting in Neralle by Taselak, Fisc called for an early tax with the stated purpose of allowing the nobles in Toren to refit quickly and return to the front lines. This caused a noble within Toren, Nobdy, to aggressively question the leadership, and demand repayment of the tax on his excess cash on hand. Nobdy's public outcry spread, with the subject of public debate quickly turning from the tax to the general dissatisfaction with the leadership of Toren, especially of Pontifex Averyll.

The debate degenerated into emotional and powerful cries for change. The discussion became even more heated when Gheros, Haruspex Maximus of Toren issued rather draconian fines against Nobdy (for calling Averyll a "wretched whore") and Hireshmont (for referring to himself as a king). Due to the size of the fines, and the general disagreement that Hireshmont deserved being fined at all, a massive public outcry immediately ensued. An underground movement, led by Hiddukel (the former count of Daken) began to swell in Toren, and quickly made plans to rebel.

Open Rebellion

On April 14th, the underground movement that had been systematically planning their revolt finally acted. Hiddukel had been coordinating the rebellion with the Taselak leadership, timing it in accordance with their Neralle TO. He had originally planned on calling the rebellion himself, but in the necessary moment of execution, he was unable to do so. Zellion stepped up and while standing near the seat of government in Toren Stronghold, gave an impassioned speech, attempting to rally as many nobles as possible to the cause of the rebellion. The full text of his call to rebellion is as follows

I wish there was another way. But the time has come.

This Land is meant to have a Pontifex. A high priest. To speak the will of Tor to us. To be the mouth of Tor to us common people.

We do not.

This land, while called a theocracy, has become a dictatorship.

Averyll has said, time and again, that she is Pontifex for Life, And we should become used to it. She has said that hers is the only word that matters. She has told us that while we may speak to her, we can only do so in private letters, and the only opinion that matters is hers. She always withholds important information from the realm. Arrogant and contemptuous in her power, she has allowed the Judge to oppress us.

And she has forgotten the goal of a leader:: to Lead. The Leader serves the people, not the other way around. And Averyll has made it very clear that she does not serve us.

This Land was also meant to have a Haruspex Maximus, to dispend justice. One to decide the rights and wrongs of the realm. One above petty squabbles, and morally sound.

We do not.

Gheros, though clear-headed until recently, has become Mad. She has punished nobles for a single word, declaring that only the pontifex may disagree. She also stated that, with a lifetime position, we should get used to walking on Eggshells around her. I will not.

And what has such bad leadership brought us to? We have been led into countless military Blunders. We have lost nobles through simple mistakes. We are always offered the excuse of inactive nobles. But why have these grown tired of our losses? What is this apathy, if not the failure of leadership?

This is Not TOREN. This is not the realm I have faithfully served my entire career as a noble. This is a sham. A Mockery... It is honestly painful for me to see Toren reduced to this.

I look around and see our Realm suffering. And failing.

Armed Unrest is always a last resort, but there is no other option. We asked for open channels, We asked for representation, we asked for clear orders, better orders, we asked for Leadership. Time and again we asked. Time and again:: we've been ignored, and treated with contempt.

Now is the time to Demand.

I make my Stand today. And I am proud of those who will stand with me.

This is the Call. We've had enough of the arrogant Pontifex. We've had enough of the petty Judge. Any who want a Republic of Tor, with everyone having a chance to serve to their fullest potential

Stand with me. Stand beside me. Bear True Faith to Tor, and remove this oppressor from office.

For a new Toren.

Zellion

Loyalist Response

Fisc Arylon, Fiduciary of Toren had inserted himself into the underground movement, using the pseudonym The Emerald Knight for nearly a month before the rebellion began. As such, he had been kept abreast of the activities of the rebels for some time, and was well aware of their intentions to call a rebellion when they did. He had warned the Advisory Council, and was standing by with several nobles just outside of Toren Stronghold, ready to respond when the rebellion was called.

After Zellion's speach, a few nobles openly declared themselves rebels while others declared loyal to the realm. Averyll was unavailable to rally the Loyalists at the time, and so Fisc, deeply familiar with the rebellions plans, took up the mantle of leading the Loyalists against the rebels. Gaius Julius was the first and most vocally supportive Marshall of the Loyalists, and Fisc instructed him to make preparations for the upcoming military campaign in Toren Stronghold to put down the rebellion.

Orders soon went out to all loyal nobles of Toren instructing them to return to Toren Stronghold to destroy the rebellion. Flocks of nobles, even those who were not pleased with the government, declared themselves loyalists and responded to the orders, moving to Toren Stronghold.

The rebels found themselves vastly outnumbered, and in only one day, their military effectiveness was cut off, effectively ending the threat they posed to the government.

Rebellion Ends

Though Zellion called the rebellion, Hiddukel was the driving force behind the rebellion. After it became clear that the rebellion had failed, Hiddukel offered himself to the Loyalist forces, calling for his own sacrifice as penance for the rebellion.

Fisc rejected Hiddukel's original offer, instead demanding that Hiddukel be executed for his crimes, that all rebels be exiled from South East Island, and that a direct contact be established between the Toren nobles and their government be appointed. Though Hiddukel agreed to these terms, Averyll gave a public call for healing, and asked that Hiddukel be exiled, not executed. Fisc agreed to these terms, as did Hiddukel.

Fisc and Hiddukel then jointly ordered the rebels to disband their units, ending the rebellion.

Aftermath

The instability of Toren as of late, coupled with the referendums regarding the treaty with Ikalak, and the rebellion itself have severely damaged Toren's standing on South East Island. After the rebellion was put down, doubt was placed in the minds of many nobles of Ikalak, causing many of them to call for the amendment of the treaty with Toren, or its outright abandonment.

At the same time, while the Loyalist forces were forced to move to Toren Stronghold to deal with the rebellion, Taselak was able to move in and conquer two of Toren's regions, causing a significant setback in the war effort in Toren.

It is unclear at this point if the rebellion will have a long term negative legacy, or if it will serve to strengthen the realm.

Noble Loyalty

Loyalist Forces Leader:: Pontifex Averyll Arete Ancelin Averyll Bailyhn Bram Calliope Cyperus Dang Duncan Edward the Restless Elizabetha Erasmus Exile Fearna Finn Fisc Gaius Julius Gheros Green Hawkwood Henk Jean II Jonathon Karibash Larkin Lopke Lucian Luna Magua Malgrodius Nami Necroid Oreus Phettish Piotr Saladin Sianon Tobe Zel

Rebel Forces Leader:: Zellion Fenrir, former General of Toren Hiddukel Lucius Mordred Zellion

Neutral to the Rebellion Alaric Alfrigg Ali'i Amrick Andreus Ascensia Asgard Blood Castamir Constantine Danny Devastation Eramus Etienne Festus Franz Gryphon Hackem Harryn Haze Hengist Hireshmont Jerrin Jurgluk Leonid Necrosis Nobdy Phibrizo Pricilia Ronald Rose Shandra Szarlej Tanis Thorus III Zarreth Zeno Zinc