Great War

The Great War or the World War, (24 Highsummer, 1871 - 21 Emberrule, 1879), was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. It was fought between two coalitions, the Alliance (primarily Caliane, Gelenia, Paravantir, and Miyadaka), and the Coalition (primarily Augustine, Nalore, Hygessivini, and Xinhao). Fighting occurred throughout Avanor, the northern Korasha, eastern Asania, the Astorian Ocean, and parts of Larania. An estimated 10.1 million soldiers were killed in combat, plus another 22 million wounded, while 11 million civilians died as a result of military action, hunger, and disease. Millions more died as a result of genocide - especially in Asania and northern Korasha, where minorities were systematically killed by several governments.

The middle decades of the 19th century saw increasing diplomatic tension between the Avanoran great powers. This reached breaking point on 24 Highummer, 1871, when Telestis Eudoxius, leader of Augustene, blamed a number of deaths on the Caliantene border patrol and sent troops to occupy Liguria. Caliane resisted and declared war on 25 Highsummer. By 1 Summersend, defensive alliances had drawn in Gelenia, Nalore, and Paravantir.

Augustene strategy in 1914 was to first encircle and capture Oea, then advance through the Emme River to get to Calise. However, the plan was held back by Caliantene forces, and it took five months for the city of Oea to fall to Augustene Forces. The fronts in Caliane were somewhat fluid, but neither side could gain a decisive advantage, despite a series of costly offensives. Attempts by both sides to bypass the stalemate caused fighting to expand into Asania and Korasha, eventually bringing Miyadaka, Hygessevini, and others into the war.