From Orson Lasalle, The Second War of Succession: A History
Editor's note: Within the ranks of the Ashtan intelligentsia, Orson Lasalle has become the most respected current chronicler of the Second War of Succession and the Catarine Dominion. Therefore, his two most general and popular works are used as primary sources for this section of history. If pressed, this librarian must admit nepotism as a secondary and justified motivation.
While Catarin trained with the Sentaari, Castomira made clear her plans for her son's empire. Seemingly in defiance of all wisdom, she proposed herself as Parni's regent, a suggestion that was met with surprisingly little resistance. Although custom rebelled against a female monarch, there were numerous precedents for a female regent. And Castomira's propositions were very influential: her paper, "Seven Intentions for a More Transparent Monarchy," detailed a revised imperial system in which local lords would gain more power and independence, imperial taxes would be reduced, Piraeus's ancient but troublesome Act for the Preservation of Integral Human Dignities would be abridged, and various restrictions on resource exploitation would be eliminated. In exchange for these limitations on day-to-day imperial authority, the Emperor would gain certain "emergency powers" allowing him to "unite" the Empire in case of "national turmoil." Cool heads pointed out that Castomira could quite easily use those "emergency powers" along with her rapidly-growing Royal Elites to take direct and personal control of most of the Seleucarian Empire. But despite being on the losing side of the First War of Succession, or perhaps because of her previous defeat, Castomira was viewed by many as a sort of pro-nobility folk hero. After all, she had never committed any public crime. She had managed to side-step responsibility for the assassinations of Catarin's supporters, using several of her underlings as scapegoats. And so her proposals gained wide support in the capital, especially as lords loyal to Catarin slowly began to leave the province, heading across the Vashnar Range to the more sympathetic city of Shallam.
Although the Church had sent mediators to all three great cities, their efforts to preserve unity in the face of Castomira's divisive political actions had been futile. The Ashtanians had, for the most part, supported Castomira's political platform of oligarchic indulgence and martial empowerment, even as they angled to ensure a new era of Ashtanian autonomy. Castomira had attained a level of influence with Ashtan's King Tephicles that only an act of incredible daring and determination could override. With her reckless open challenge at the Tournament of Blades, and her one-in-a-million victory, Catarin provided that act, and won the loyalty and adoration of the city-state of Ashtan.
Winning the approval of iconoclastic Ashtan was Catarin's greatest obstacle. Shallam's King Dalles VI had been watching developments in Imperial Seleucar with growing concern, and had already mobilized his military in hopes of discouraging an opportunistic invasion by either of the major cities. Although technically loyal to the imperial throne, King Dalles had said, in an acclaimed public address, "We are part of the Seleucar that Nicator and Piraeus created. We are part of the Seleucar of King Valerias. But in the name of the Logos, we are not part of the Seleucar of Castomira Brangwin! The essential doctrines of human dignity and just rulership shall not be overturned within our shining walls." When Catarin and a delegation of Ashtanian nobles arrived at gates of Shallam to plead for Shallam's assistance, King Dalles was overjoyed to unite with them.
But Catarin had information of the direst import, information that had won her the whole-hearted support of even the most intransigent of the Ashtanian lords. While in boarding school with Castomira, as children, Catarin had heard Castomira hint vaguely at a portentous ancestry. In the Great Library of Nicator, Catarin studied the records of noble births and deaths, and followed a paper trail from there to the sealed archives of the Guild of Occultists, to find out a horrible and revealing truth: Castomira Brangwin was a direct descendant of Adchachel, called "the Rose of Pain." Adchachel, a former Demiurge of the Guild of Occultists. Adchachel, who had gone mad after eating the heart and absorbing the spiritual essence of the Tsol'teth Master Agith'maal. Adchachel had been killed, but only after four years in which his insanity slowly grew apparent . . . and during which time he sired a son, whose descendants had eventually risen into the nobility. Castomira Brangwin was tainted by the black power of the Tsol'teth, passed down by bloodline for hundreds of years. Castomira's magical duel with Catarin at the manor of Count Xenius was all the confirmation Catarin needed: Castomira, willing or not, was carrying out the long-delayed revenge of the Tsol'teth, who had been repelled by the Seleucarian Empire so long ago.
Catarin's plan was simple: ride at the head of the full Shallamese army toward the capital, claiming right of proper succession. Law and tradition agreed: unless directly denounced by the ruling monarch, any direct heir to the throne was permitted safe passage through all the lands ruled by Seleucar, as long as their honor guard was not "exceeding the amount required by their station, or the requirements of the imperial heir's personal safety." Catarin judged that to ensure her personal safety, she'd have to bring at least ten thousand heavily armed soldiers. If the presence of the Shallamese army was met with resistance, that would mean that Imperial Seleucar, not Shallam, had assumed a hostile stance. The fact that Catarin's army was approaching at a quick march, in attack formation, was technically irrelevant. In fact, to follow the very letter of the law, Catarin was in the right even if her men struck the first blow. A poorly-worded paragraph, originally intended to expedite the destruction of bandits, allowed soldiers under command of the royal blood to "terminate armed elements at their full discretion" within any Seleucarian territory, regardless of jurisdiction. Since none of Castomira's own troops were directly commanded by a member of the royal family, she had no legal standing to halt Catarin's advancing army.
In practice, of course, issues of law and tradition were strictly rhetorical. Catarin's march was a power play, pure and simple, and since Castomira's Royal Elites were at the core of every Seleucarian division, there was no chance that the defending armies would defer to Catarin's royal banner. The march on the capital was certain to be a full-scale war from the very beginning, and all Catarin's troops were ordered to engage at the first sign of hostility. For that reason, Catarin ordered the full army of Ashtan to begin an advance on Imperial Seleucar two days later, in hopes of securing the city while the main Seleucarian forces were occupied with the Shallamese. Using the Staff of Nicator, Catarin could transport herself into the presence of either of the two kings, or their children, and so she should take command of either army at will.
The powers of the Staff of Nicator have manifested differently for every person who has taken control of it, from the first Emperor of Seleucar to the last. For Nicator himself, its powers were designed for conquest: it inspired tremendous loyalty in his followers, it increased the fighting power of entire divisions of troops at once, it could heal large numbers of people instantly, and it had once been used to capture the King of Shallam out from the center of his army. For Catarin, its powers were different, though no less impressive: she could move herself instantly to any person of royal blood, she could open giant wormholes large enough to transport armies, she could heal herself of any wound, and in the presence of Tsol'teth power, the Staff became a mighty magical weapon.
Catarin feared that aspect of the power of the Staff. The last time she faced Castomira, she had destroyed an entire building with a single motion. In an extended battle, what havoc might her uncontrolled power wreak? For that reason, Catarin dared not use Parni's royal blood to teleport herself to the Imperial Palace and confront Castomira directly. A war might cost twenty thousand lives, lives of soldiers who had chosen to live on borrowed time. But Imperial Seleucar held more than two hundred thousand souls, who Catarin could not sacrifice.
Throughout history, this decision has been disputed: who was to say that Castomira would not attempt to destroy the city on her own if her bid for power was thwarted? Who was to say that it might not become necessary for Catarin to fight Castomira in the end? In the end, Catarin was forced into single combat against her nemesis, and during that battle, the Staff's power did prove uncontrollable. The arguments for and against Catarin's military approach have been discussed in depth; for more information, refer to the later works of Ashtar von Muir and Talena Leiden, and to Catarin's own secret journal, recently declassified. Whether correct or not, Catarin weighed her options, and chose to invade.
During the Seleucarian Empire, the Vashnar Range had two major passes, which had been enlarged and deepened and paved until they allowed easy trade between Seleucar and its subject nations of Ashtan and Shallam. These passes were large enough for an army to pass in a single column, but that army would be entirely vulnerable to attack from above during its passage, and would be at a huge disadvantage against the guarding forces Castomira had deployed at the Seleucarian mouth of each pass. Catarin's solution was to use the Staff of Nicator to create mighty portals across the mountains, letting her troops leapfrog directly into Imperial Seleucar. Just as Sarapis had required Nicator to win his empire by great effort, the Staff's power was limited in range. Catarin was forced to bridge the mountain range at its narrowest points: the two passes. Although the advantage of surprise was hers, there would still be a violent battle. However, Catarin's plans were well-formed; through a minor deception, and a major innovation, she intended to take the initiative in the most decisive fashion possible.
From General Norij Gaston, Personal Journal
And so the plan has been revealed. I always knew the woman was mad. And brilliant.
Still, the plan may work. I'm Ashtanian born and bred, so I've a life's experience with remorseless cunning. Catarin's plan is as twisted, deceitful, underhanded, and unexpected as anything I've yet seen in my life, and even more impressive because of the scale of it all. And that witch in Seleucar has no idea it's coming.
I've spoken with Lord Kephry, and, while I am impressed with his skill, I must say he worries me somewhat, especially since his story of Castomira's display of power. He was her lapdog for far too long for my own comfort, and I wonder if Catarin, or any of us, can truly trust his motives.
But none of that will matter tomorrow. Tomorrow Catarin opens the Portal, and the First Ashtanian Cavalry will begin its assault. I must admit, I am excited to be spilling Seleucarian blood, though I would never admit that to Catarin or her followers. Their sparkling Myrmidons will prove no match for Ashtanian swords.
The Pass of Shadow's Mourning . . . I would never have thought to see it as a military commander in my lifetime. A trap devised by the gods themselves. Narrow, rocky, twisting. An army could be decimated by anyone coming through there. And yet it is the only navigable pass of requisite size to reach Imperial Seleucar. And Castomira's troops must know that. We've already received reports of their scouts near our lines, running like cowards when someone approaches.
But with the Staff of Nicator . . . It may be possible. I only hope the Shallamese play their part without a fumble.
From Josiah Lasalle, elements of seleucarian history, in verse (unfinished)
Vashnar Crossing (fragment)
The holy staff, a bar of lightning-tortured reality
Fantastically, Imperial rapture shatters the galaxy
The air smashes like shimmering windowpanes
It's as though winter came
And turned the air to breakable ice
And the mountains creak and groan
Like iron under a vise
We run through the portal: colors swirling in rage
We prepare to engage; this is the staging point of an age:
We've got blood to spill,
We've got a murderous will,
And you couldn't find a soul among us frightened to kill.
We trust this justice, time to fight, right hand
Clenched around our weapons, we're secure in our might.
Our leader yells the orders, we break into a run,
And then we dash into the portal as it glows like the sun.
As we emerge and surge forward, there's blood on the ground,
Distant trumpets sound, men are down and dying.
The cry and tumult of battle, our brave banneret flying
Is the rally point. We were appointed by fate
And now it's time to start a sprint toward the heavenly gate.
We know we're going to die, but we've no need for tears,
We're an engine of redemption, we're not men, we're gears,
We lower our spears, grinning, we quiet our fears,
And then we sprint from mortal life into the pages of years.
Blood flows like tears as steel strikes our foes,
And blood energy fills me from my head to my toes.
Most of us have never killed, but weak-willed we're not:
Without a second thought we leave our foemen to rot.
We draw sparks from armor with swords like deadly flints,
We turns shields to splinters, we turn spears to scraps
We turn men to corpses, there's no going back after that,
Lo, you kill one man, then you can put it in the past,
But if you kill one more, then you're a killer to the last.
For the banner of deSangre we will give up our soul.
To save the queen, we'll gladly be consumed like coal.
From Orson Lasalle, Blood and Roses: New Theories Regarding the Wars of Succession
Editor's note: This volume, a companion to Lasalle's The Second War of Succession: A History, comprises source material and analysis that has emerged within the past fifteen years. Unlike the History, many sections are hypothetical, and cannot be taken as undisputed historical truth.
The Ashtanian forces poured from the portal Catarin deSangre had opened, taking the waiting Royal Elites completely by surprise. Accounts say that the unit was killed to the last man, but later journals speak of information gathered from a captured soldier from that first battle. It is unclear as to which version is truth, or if there are simply errors in the interpretation of the archaic texts.
This battle would later be called the Battle of Mourning, and not only because it was fought at the mouth of the Pass of Shadow's Mourning. This was the first of many battles during which Catarin wielded the broken sword, Three Moons, as her scepter of command. The symbolism was explicit: Catarin blamed Castomira for the murder of Lucaine Pyramides, and she intended to deliver the harshest possible justice.
Recent research into the family lines of Lord Damen Kephry has revealed this fragment, part of a first draft of one of the last letters he would write to his wife. The absolute authenticity of this document has not yet been established (see endnotes).
". . . kneeling in the blood-soaked grass. I'm not sure if what I saw was real or not, but my eyes have rarely deceived me.
"The Staff lay next to her, seemingly forgotten, and she held Three Moons in both hands before her as if was an anchor in the midst of some terrible storm. She was whispering, and her shoulders shook, so I approached cautiously, afraid that the strain had taken its toll.
"'It's begun, Lucaine,' I heard her say. 'I've started what I promised. And we'll win. Please, tell me you see. Let me know you're still there…'
"My darling, I have ever been a man of pragmatism in most things. Where gods and the like are concerned, I give my tithe, and leave the rest up the Priests and Templars. But what I saw next makes me wonder if I might not be better off living a more pious life.
"The Staff, with its clouded gems, seemed to glow from where it lay at her side, surrounding her in a pearlescent aura. I had seen such before, but was still surprised to see it now, especially without her hand on the Staff.
"But then Three Moons began to glow, and I swear that the blade suddenly seemed whole again. It was translucent, ghostly, but whole nonetheless. Catarin gasped in surprise and lifted the blade up to look at it. I stepped around to the side slightly, and I saw a look of such wonder in her eyes that I felt my own breath freeze.
"Her hair flowed back from her face as if in a brisk wind, though the air was still around me. And then, almost on the edge of hearing, I heard a scratching noise, like that of quill on coarse paper. Her eyes widened, and then the glow, the wind, all of it ceased as if it had never been.
"I left her there, not wanting her to know that I saw the tears that followed."
This account lends credence to the idea that Catarin's right to rule was favored by the gods, as only a deity would have allowed her such a moment. Whatever the case, the Battle of Mourning marks not only the first battle of the Second War of Succession, but also the first indication that Catarin's struggle was to resound in every dimension: political, social, physical, emotional, and spiritual.
From General Norij Gaston, Personal Journal
These first few battles have gone well, I would say. The Elites are not as dangerous as I had thought they would be, but that may be because we consistently attack them from unexpected directions. And, as far as I can tell, they still believe that Catarin's forces are small and spread thin.
Every three days, we advance the main force by Portal, leaving token units behind to help convince the majority of the Seleucarian army that we don't have the capability of winning this campaign. And after that token unit has been "routed," Catarin brings them in via another, smaller Portal.
We could perhaps move faster, using larger Portals to cover more distance, but Catarin insists that Castomira would then know what we are doing. I sense that she fears to attract Castomira's direct intervention. Does she fear that the Staff of Nicator lacks the power to quash the witch? If so, then either the fairy tales give the Staff too much credit, or the witch Castomira is as strong as hellfire. She walks a fine line, the princess does. We must move quickly if we are to win, yet too quickly and all our plans become useless. And she must also take the time to speak with the Shallamese, though I have little word from her on their progress.
It is their portion of the plan that I wonder about. They have the boats, and the necessary sailors, but no one has ever attempted a full-scale attack by sea since Ashtan's abortive invasion of Shallam. If this gambit works, the city will fall almost overnight. But if it doesn't, we will lose half our army almost instantly, and the rest of us will be left to fight a retreat back to Ashtan.
Who knows how it will happen?
From Jorin Hornblade, Tactics and Diplomacy: Seleucarian Art
Editor's note: The following is a fictionalized account based strongly on journals, letters, and other historical documents. There is a minimum of authorial speculation. Although considered "historical fiction," Hornblade's work is correct and substantiated in a way that Leona Fontaine's novel, for example, is not.
General Argan deSoral pounded his fist into the table. "There is no way this will work!"
Catarin stood at the end of the map table, her eyes cool as she stared at the general, her mouth in a slight frown. Argan glanced at Kephry, who stood by her side, but saw no support there, just as he saw none from the others around the table.
"Are you all mad?" he asked incredulously. "You want me to take my Lancers onto a boat, sail around most of the continent, come into Ralshev's Bay under cover of night, never mind the reefs and shoals, and attack the city from the harbor?"
"Yes," was Catarin's only reply.
"It won't work!" Argan said again. "Our horses will be in holds for days, and we'd need time to prepare them to fight after that kind of confinement. Supplies will have to be rationed, which means my men won't be at full fighting strength when we finally get there. Not to mention what happens if anyone in the city figures out what's going on! We'll be slaughtered!"
"Are you afraid?" Kephry said, silencing the General. "What about Shallamese courage? You will be supported, by Catarin and by Ashtan."
"You haven't convinced me of Ashtan's reliability," Argan said. "And I am in command of this army. We—"
"Listen," Catarin said, and the whispered word seemed to echo for miles. Argan's mouth moved, but no sound emerged, and he froze in shock.
"You are wrong on several accounts," she said. "This will work. They will never see this coming. I will provide full rations for your men, and fresh mounts just before the attack. And I am in command of this army, General deSoral, not you. If this is a problem, I will replace you. Your own king has given me full authority."
Argan stared at her for a long moment, and then slowly nodded. He spoke softly, surprised his words were audible again. "I understand, your highness."
"I have others to speak with. Good day, General. And make sure your men are on those ships by nightfall. There shall be no further delay."
With those words, she turned and left the tent.
From Orson Lasalle, The Second War of Succession: A History
It wasn't until after the war that Catarin's use of the Staff was made public. She had indeed been using it to move the Ashtanian forces forward much faster than Castomira could predict, and, combined with her use of feints and false battles, she had convinced the Seleucarian generals that her own forces were weak, scattered, and ineffective.
But, unknown to many even on Catarin's side, two separate Shallamese forces were also on the march. One was a ground force comprised of main-line units, such as foot soldiers and cavalry, along with two platoons of the elite Shallamese Lancers. It was discovered that not only had Catarin been moving the Ashtanian army via Portal, she had been doing the same for the much smaller Shallamese forces.
But it is the second force that deserves close attention. Shallam had commandeered a dozen private merchant ships in the name of the imperial crown. These ships were then loaded with the remaining bulk of the Lancers, totaling nearly six hundred soldiers. This left Shallam itself woefully open to attack, but, as Catarin said, "If Castomira is not stopped now, then no city is safe, no matter how well-defended. Given the regency, she would conquer by law, not by arms."
As the two-pronged attack from land came closer to the Imperial City, these dozen ships, masquerading as members of various merchant houses, came to dock in the Imperial Harbor. As Castomira had placed an moratorium on unsanctioned trade during the conflict, these ships were told to stay in port, and not to offload their goods until they had passed a formal inspection. It is interesting to note, however, that not one Seleucarian inspector ever set foot on the boats to verify their contents. Catarin still had a thin network of supporters within the city, despite Castomira's purges, and the Imperial Harbormaster was one of them.
From Jorin Hornblade, Tactics and Diplomacy: Seleucarian Art
Jerold slid his blade into its sheath as he stood up, stretching his stiff muscles. He, along with his fellow Lancers, had been in the hold of the Magenta Spray for nearly two weeks now, and he worried that he was beginning to lose his fighting edge to boredom. He no longer noticed the sway of the ship, and the occasional bump against the dock no longer sent him to his feet in alarm.
But the waiting was nearly over. When Catarin's Portal had last opened (and what a stir that had caused the first time it happened), a message had come through with the supplies. Catarin's forces were near Imperial Seleucar, and the true size of her attack force had not been discovered.
General Argan, who was on the Iridescent Moon, had issued the order to prepare for battle. Short bows, swords, and armor had been broken out, and, under threat of "keel-hauling," whatever that was, they had made sure to clean and repair their equipment with extreme quiet.
"Tonight," Jerold said softly. "Tonight we take back our Empire."
From General Norij Gaston, Personal Journal
I've never heard of such an audacious, outrageous, doomed-to-failure plan working so well before. None of the Seleucarian military seem to have any idea of where we are, or even how numerous we are. Tomorrow, Catarin will close the vise on the Imperial City, and let the hammer pound its Royal Elites flat.
A day worth living for, I suppose. Although some of us, especially Damen Kephry, would disagree. I was there when he heard about his wife and family. I must admit, as much as I dislike the man, now I have every reason to trust him. It was Caprian Zyle who brought the message, and that's one Serpentlord I have reason to trust a great deal.
To think, Castomira would sink so low. And to commit such atrocity in the very shadow of the Chrysalis Basilica! I wonder how many of her supporters know of this. It would have been better had she killed them outright, but to do what she did . . . I am amazed that Kephry's response was so calm. I don't know what mine would have been under similar circumstances.
The Church had declared that all refugees in Delos would be under divine protection. The destruction of Lord Kephry's family has enraged them. The last I heard, every Templar on Sapience was moving to reinforce us. They're not privy to our true plans, and they don't know that we've been leapfrogging Castomira's armies . . . they're in for a nasty shock when they try to follow in our path. I can't feel too bad for the Churchies, but I hope they deal a few good blows to those Seleucarian scum. One batch of prigs smiting another, as far as I'm concerned, but for once I'd rather the Templars win out in the end. And as long as the Templars are fighting the Royal Elites in the east, the enemy won't be able to fall on us from behind when we hit the capital.
Catarin is calling. Time for the battle to begin. I pray I live through this day, at least long enough to spit Castomira and her goons with my sword.
From Lord Damen Kephry, Collected Correspondence
Catarin,
I thank you for your heart-felt condolences, but yet again I feel I must refuse your offer to become First General in your army. The reunification of Guild of Knights is my one dream, though I know it to be a foolish one. After this war is done, and your rule established, I shall endeavor to make that dream a reality.
I do wish you would spend less time with the Ashtanian forces, or allow me to accompany you more often, instead of relying on these letters. Still, I understand your reasons, though I am not overly fond of them. Do keep yourself safe, and watch your back.
I have received word from Judgment Mountain, and you will be pleased to know that the Sentaari are free. Even though they were stripped of their weapons by Castomira's occupying forces, they launched an incredible attack against their oppressors, defeating seasoned swordsmen with their bare hands. For my part, I do not know how this can be, but if they can indeed stand unarmed and unarmored against Royal Elites, then clearly they will make potent allies. And allies they are, for they have sworn to aid you in your crusade against Castomira. I've learned that Prince Remeer of Ashtan, fifth son of King Tephicles, is present in the monastery; you may wish to use the Staff to visit Judgment Mountain and speak with the monks there.
As to your other request . . . while I am honored beyond words, I would rather my family be buried in our family plot. There can be no true solution for my grief at this time, but nonetheless
I've just received word that a contingent of infantry, led by Royal Elites, is advancing upon our position. I will send this off and hope you receive it soon. We may need the help.
Vitem et sanguinem,
Lord Damen Kephry
From Jorin Hornblade, Tactics and Diplomacy: Seleucarian Art
"CHARGE!"
With those words, the magick that had cloaked them from sight fell, and the Ashtanian army boiled up from the ground like liquid magma, it's heat searing away the Seleucarian forces before them. At the forefront rode Catarin, her hair held under a small leather cap, wearing only the monk's travelling clothes she'd worn during the Tournament of Blades. With each foot of ground gained, she left another dead soldier behind her, her staff rising and falling with mechanical, deadly efficiency.
Castomira's army included wielders of magic, as well, but as soon as they began to direct their spells against Catarin, she burned them to ash with reactive lightning from the Staff, and reflected their magic into their own troops.
And, at the same time, Lord Damen Kephry led his own charge against the city's smaller eastern gate. His forces, having barely defeated the surprise attack less than an hour before, were weakened, but not even the infamous Royal Elites would stop him. His great sword, which would one day be known as Bringer of Tears, slew countless of the enemy, leading his forces to push them back against their own walls.
And there the city stood, caught between two halves of the mill, slowly being ground down. But this did not bother the great Castomira, who had foreseen such an attack, and had prepared for it.
She stood at the balcony of her private rooms, and looked out at the walls, smiling. She turned to the man standing behind her, and whispered softly.
"They chose to attack at night, the fools. Are you ready?"
The man, whose name to this day is still unknown, nodded and stepped forward. Castomira drew forth a black dagger from its sheath and held it over the man's heart.
"Life's blood freely given is a powerful thing," she whispered to the man, who shivered in excitement. "I shall show Catarin the true power that one can wield if she is willing."
She plunged the dagger home.
From Orson Lasalle, Blood and Roses: New Theories Regarding the Wars of Succession
While clearly Castomira Brangwin was a force for evil, her efforts during the Second War of Succession led to considerable progress for the Seleucarian Empire. In order to form a powerful coalition army, she set new standards for strategic unification of infantry, cavalry, and bowmen. Her Royal Elites were rightly feared; in only a few months, she took the top ten percent of the standing armies, and formed them into combined-arms units of exceptional training and coherence, under her seven High Commanders. After the war, scattered former Royal Elites contributed to an overall improvement in the quality of the imperial armed forces, guaranteeing a long period of peace and security.
Furthermore, Castomira's rapid military expansion within the province of Seleucar required extensive logistical support. By emptying the coffers of her supporters, Castomira turned Seleucar's somewhat haphazard infrastructure into a streamlined transport and staging system. Although the lords who financed her went bankrupt, merchants of the next few decades received an economic boost from the rapid improvements Castomira had pushed through.
Catarin's reign came to be known as a golden age, most especially for its military security and its economic prosperity . . . boons which were the direct result of Castomira's ruthless bid for power. Had Castomira's threat never arisen, Catarin's reign might have been entirely unexceptional. In particular, the renaissance of culture initiated by Catarin's extravagant Imperial Bardic Endowment might never have occurred, nor the expansion of Tasur'ke, nor the construction of the lost and legendary Floating Temples of Shar'ilian.
However, was the price of such peace and prosperity worth the loss of life? This author does not know.
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