Chapter 17 - The Baja Reclamation
Emperor Nicholas I continues to work on new Cetic teachings; he frequently engages with his vassals in spirited philosophical and religious debates, the results of which greatly inspire his writing. The Imperial Court once again starts to resemble the gathering of great minds it was under his grandfather.
In October, the Prefecture of North Jefferson rebels against King Stanford III, as the once great defender of Ceticism continues to dwindle. Worried that the weakened kingdom is unable to protect itself, Emperor Nicholas I asks for the kingdom to give the Prefecture of Redwoods to the Imperial Throne, so that the people of the coast can be effectively protected from the northern raiders. King Stanford III declines and so the emperor declares war for the Redwoods.
In March, Fort Bragg, one of Jefferson’s greatest military structures, falls to the Imperial Army; a weakened and malnourished Jeffersonian garrison welcomes the emperor and his army with open arms. Emperor Nicholas I listens to their stories of frequent Haida raids from the north and little to no support from the king. The emperor is appalled that any Californian lord would allow this to happen under his watch.
The Norse of the Mid-East declare a Great Holy War for the kingdom of Superior, hoping to cement their control over the region; interestingly, the target is not a Christian dominated area, but one controlled by Norse that refuse to follow the reformed religion.
More and more, it becomes apparent to the emperor that the Redwoods War is one of protection; every garrison the Imperial Army encounters is hailed with cheers and open arms. The Haida menace has not been kind to the prefecture and the sight of the Imperial standard brings hope to the people.
Distressing new from the south: the Kingdom of Baja has fallen to a coalition of Atomicists and its child-king killed by the heathens. With its royal line extinguished, the crown of Baja falls to the emperor; Emperor Nicholas I is crowned King Nicholas I of Baja in a rather morose and somber ceremony in Sacramento. During the same ceremony, Emperor Nicholas I declares an end to Salinas’ bureaucratic hell; the prefecture is given to Guru Hudson, who the emperor hopes will turn the prefecture into a model of the Cetic lifestyle.
The first Jeffersonian army is encountered by the Imperials at Eureka; a great many of the Jeffersonian force simply deserts rather than fight the Imperials; the resulting Battle of Eureka is a battle in name only.
The Ursuline Christians decide to take advantage of the Norse infighting and a Crusade for the kingdom of Aurora is declared against the same target as the Norse Great Holy War.
On January 1st, 2720 King Stanford III presents himself to the emperor at Sacramento; he profusely apologizes for his arrogance in thinking he knew better than the emperor what was best for the people of the Redwoods. Emperor Nicholas I accepts his peace offering, and the Redwoods becomes part of the Empire of California once again.
Emperor Nicholas I also begins heavily investing in new guard towers along important Imperial trade roads to help stop Haida raiders and other nefarious characters; he patterns the project off Emperor Thao the Glorious’ work on Tahoe’s road network.
Unfortunately, the plan will take years to go into full effect and does nothing to stop the Haida raids currently happening along the coast.
In August, word reaches the Imperial Court that Prince Blake, the son of King Stanford III, is gathering supporters with the goal of claiming the Imperial Throne for himself. Emperor Nicholas I takes a wait and see approach, despite his advisors’ best efforts; to him, if the prince can take the throne, then it is a clear signal that House Armour has lost the Prime Mandate.
The Haida, long used to lucrative raids on the Redwoods and Gran Francisco, suddenly start encountering the Imperial Army. As it turns out, they do not like it.
Despite every indication that the people of the coast are much better protected from the Haida than ever before, the emperor still endlessly frets and worries for his people. Hoping to find some inner peace, he enters seclusion to mediate on the truths of Ceticism.
While the emperor is in seclusion, the Consumerists of Nevada rise up, with the hope that they shall reclaim the land for the High Chairman.
The emperor, meanwhile, struggles with his lust and tries his best to defeat that particular demon; eventually he breaks and tries to find someone to lay with. Unfortunately, his normal lovers are either too busy or uninterested, and he is forced to return to his chamber and return to seclusion; he has wasted a significant portion of his time and has nothing to show for it.
At Davis Creek, the Consumerist rebels are swiftly crushed by the Imperial Army; their leaders are captured and the revolt ends before it even had a chance to begin.
The emperor spends part of his seclusion working on his first great teaching, which he throws himself into. The intense work provides insights that help him achieve new insights during his daily meditations.
The emperor finally leaves his seclusion in April of 2722, with greater understanding of the Imperial teachings and a deeper appreciation for the power of fasting and meditation. His brothers in the Disciples are deeply impressed by his dedication and allow him to advance within the society.
That same month, the emperor makes it known that the state of Baja can no longer be tolerated; the Cetic faithful suffer under the harsh rule of the followers of the Atom, while the empire has the ability to protect them. The Baja Reclamation begins with war to take back Loreto from the Kingdom of Sorona.
News from Brasilia claims that the unrest caused by the Gaúcho emperor’s ascension to the throne has come to an end and that things have returned to normal.
The Baja Reclamation goes off with out a hitch, as the Imperial Army beats the Atomicists at the Battle of Loreto, before swiftly taking the city.
So, of course, Prince Blake decides that this is the perfect chance to attack.
Through strategic use of bribes and favors, the prince’s army was able to make it to the outskirts of Sacramento before being stopped by the Imperial Guard. He quickly drives them off and begins to lay siege to the surrounding countryside.
The Imperial Army hurries back from Baja to Sacramento and, in February 2723, manages to break the siege of Sacramento and drive off the prince’s army at Folosom. They pursue the rebels to Nevada City, where they hope escape to Reno and take advantage of the fact Prince Blake is the son of King Stanford III; the Imperials give them no quarter and a humiliated Prince Blake is forced to surrender.
While the Imperial Army was away protecting the capital, the Atomicists have overrun Imperial Baja, slaughtering countless Cetic peasants in the process.
It isn’t until February of 2724 that the Imperial Army finally arrives in Baja; they immediately engage the biggest Atomicist army at Puertecitos. During the battle, the enemy general, Sam de Rio Bravos, is cornered by a young noble named Rufus and slain. For his bravery and skill, Rufus is given a place in the Imperial Court.
Peace is made not long after and the King of Sorona gives up his claims on Loreto. Emperor Nicholas I hosts a massive festival in Sacramento, partly to celebrate his victory of the the Atomicist and partly to celebrate the fact that the Prime Mandate is still with House Armour.
During the festival, Emperor Nicholas I announces that the Baja Reclamation is not yet over; despite the protests of his generals and the general war weariness of the populace, the emperor refuses to stop until all of Baja is free from the Atomicists. The feeling in the streets of Sacramento is that the war in the south will never truly end and for the first time many openly wonder if Emperor Nicholas I’s brilliant rulership was simply a fluke.