War of Róma Sána

Prelude

During the III – Age of Discovery, the southern plains known to the Ankaniséans as Róma Sána were undergoing change. The Mosonoi tribes, long perceived by the Ankaniséan courts as loosely organized nomadic clans, began consolidating under a single banner. From these alliances emerged the Kingdom of Oakania, a newly unified realm formed from several powerful tribes and respected by the remaining Mosonoi across the region.

The balance between the southern plains and the Ankaniséan highlands shifted when the Great Maku descended upon the lands of Ekoséa, an ally of Tekeriséa. Several villages were destroyed before Tekeriséa, answering Ekoséa’s plea for aid, marched south and slew the beast. The deed was hailed across the Ankaniséan states as a triumph and proof of Tekeriséan strength.

For the Mosonoi, however, the slaying of the Great Maku was regarded as an unforgivable insult to their traditions. The tribes of Róma Sána venerated the Great Maku as a divine being, a manifestation of power worthy of reverence rather than conquest. Its death at Ankaniséan hands was seen as desecration, and Tekeriséa’s public celebrations only deepened the offense.

Mahko, the King of Oakania, though reportedly hesitant at first, had little choice but to lead the Mosonoi to war. Failure to respond risked the dissolution of the newly formed kingdom itself. What had begun as the defense of Ekoséa and the death of an Elder Beast rapidly evolved into a full-scale war.

Early Raids and Mobilization

Following the slaying of the Great Maku and the Mosonian tribes’ demand for blood, Oakania united the Mosonian forces and lead a series of coordinated village and caravan raids into Ekoséa. Trade routes linking Tekeriséa to its western partners were disrupted, severely hindering commerce. In response, Tekeriséa began rapid mobilization and dispatched 500 men to reinforce Ekoséan defenses.

Encouraged by their early successes, Mosonian warbands soon escalated their incursions, crossing into Tekeriséan territory and burning several small villages. Though the material damage was limited, the raids heightened tensions and made full-scale war inevitable.

Meanwhile, Tekeriséa continued organizing its army for a decisive campaign. The kingdom received the support of 1,000 Monoséan troops, bringing the Tekeriséan-led host to approximately 4,500 men. Despite incomplete preparations, king Gánaon chose to launch an immediate invasion into Oakania, seeking swift retaliation for the attacks on Tekeriséan settlements.

Battle of the Passage and Ekoséan Retreat

The invading army divided into two columns.

The main force of roughly 3,500 men, led personally by king Gánaon, advanced into Oakania and moved to seize the principal mountain passages leading into Róma Sána. Though met with resistance, the Tekeriséans were victorious. The narrow terrain prevented the Mosonians from using their Romaku.

The second column, composed Monoséan forces, advanced through the western passage from Monóga Káni. They too encountered opposition, though on a smaller scale, and successfully secured their objective.

A week later, Ekoséa also launched a counter-offensive of approximately 2,500 men into Oakania. Meeting the combined Mosonian host on open ground, the Ekoséans suffered a severe defeat. In open terrain, the Mosonians were able to fully utilize their Romaku, whose charge devastated the Ankaniséan ranks and inflicted heavy casualties. The Ekoséan force retreated behind the border.

However, Mosonian scouts soon reported that Tekeriséa had captured all passages leading into the Romaku plains. Realizing the strategic danger, the Mosonians withdrew to defend Róma Sána. The big plain was of central importance: vast and fertile, vital to the grazing patterns of the Romaku herds and a crossroads connecting several smaller plains. Its loss would not only deprive the Mosonoi of essential land for their herds but also risk dividing themselves.

Battle of Róma Sána

Learning that the main nomadic host had assembled in the plain, the Tekeriséan king consolidated his forces. He was joined by 500 additional troops from the second column, leaving the remainder to guard the passage of Monóga Káni. With approximately 4,000 men, he advanced into Róma Sána.

The two armies encamped within close proximity. Minor skirmishes occurred over several days, upon receiving news of the Ekoséan defeat and seeing the vast number of Romaku having gathered to face them, the Ankaniséans devised a defensive strategy. Under cover of night, they dug concealed pits and holes across the expected battlefield and reinforced their position with sharpened stakes. Spearmen formed the front line, supported by archers positioned behind them and hidden detachments concealed along the flanks.

The battle opened in the morning with Mosonian arrow fire, which proved largely ineffective against the fortified Ankaniséan lines. After skirmishers withdrew, the main Mosonian host advanced. 300 Romaku, mounted by their riders, led the charge.

The ground trembled as the beasts advanced. Ankaniséan archers released disciplined volleys into the oncoming mass. The size of the Romaku made them easy targets; few arrows missed. As the charge continued, many Romaku fell into the concealed pits, injuring themselves or becoming trapped. Those behind struggled to maneuver amid the chaos. Still, a big number of Romaku reached the Ankaniséan defenses. Many impaled themselves upon the stakes and others broke through despite grievous wounds, only to collide with the braced spear wall beyond.

With the Romaku charge effectively neutralized, the Ankaniséans abandoned their prepared defenses and moved forth. The subsequent clash with the Mosonian infantry was brief but violent. Deprived of their only advantage and shaken by the failed assault, the Mosonian host broke and retreated from the plains.

The Tekeriséan strategy in the war laid the foundations of Ankaniséan military principle.

Aftermath

The war proved catastrophic for the Mosonians. Once the dust of battle had settled on the plains of Róma Sána, the body of Mahko, the King of Oakania was discovered among the fallen Romaku riders. His mount had charged deeper than any other into the Ankaniséan spear wall, where both beast and rider were brought down. Mahko's death shattered Mosonian cohesion and marked the effective collapse of unified resistance.

Casualty estimates vary. Ankaniséan losses are believed to have numbered between 1,000 and 1,300 dead. Mosonian casualties were lower in number but severe in impact, with an estimated 500 to 900 Mosonoi killed, alongside approximately 250 Romaku were lost during the failed charge. The loss of so many Romaku, both as war beasts and as vital herd animals, further weakened Mosonian society in the years that followed.

The war decisively shifted the regional balance of power. Oakania lost its influence over the other Mosonian tribes and the Mosonoi were forced to surrender their southeastern territories, including nearly half of Róma Sána. For Tekeriséa, the victory marked the beginning of its rise as a major regional power, earning lasting renown among the Ankaniséan peoples. The conflict took place during the Decline of the Elder Beasts, a defining phase of the III – Age of Discovery.

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