Kleolaikos-Ventoran wars

The Kleolaikos-Ventoran wars is a series of 4 wars that the Kleolaikos union and kingdom of Ventora fought against each other during the 13th century that started in 1214 and effectively ended in 1300. The wars were fought over the dominance of the Kanakan Steppe. These wars involved many mercenaries from neighbouring nations, including Kanakans and Tagars. The war ended with a Ventoran victory over the Kleolaikos union and gained dominance over most of the steppes. After the war, the Kleolaikos union was disestablished and raids from Kleolaion was halted.

Overview
With the creation of the Kingdom of Ventora in 959 tension flared between it and the Kyriarchía of Iasassa as raids are easily deflected by the Kingdom's army and its stronger position in the steppes compared to Iasassa. Iasassa sought to form an alliance with Magra and Aytussae but instead were convinced to create a union with three kings by Dominant Euphranor Charalampos Spiros of Magra which were named the Kleolaikos Union, each of the Kyriarchía would elevate themselves to Kingdoms to be on par with the Kingdom of Ventora.

Kleolaikos Union spent most of its time creating a unified army to attack and crush Ventora and occupy the steppes which were headed by the now King Eugenios Aristarchos Megalos of Iasassa.

Causes and prelude
All wars in the Kleolaikos-Ventoran wars were caused by Iasassa's aggressive behaviour in controlling the Kanakan steppes and crushing the Kingdom of Ventora. Encouraged by being part of Kleolaikos Union, Iasassa claimed the entirety of the steppes for itself and had constantly been attempting to press its claim with the union's support.

First war
In 1214, the union declared war against the kingdom after Iasassa's proclamation that the entire Kanakan steppes belongs to Iasassa, all three kings of the union participated with each leading an army and descended on the underprepared nobles and capturing vast territories, however, they had trouble in Aurelia. Once King Frebos heard of this he assembled his army and marched north, but it would take a while and the situation gets worse by the day.

The Union's initial forces were made up of the newly formed joint union army, the army of Iasassa, the army of Magra, and the army of Aytussae, they also employed local Kanakan mercenaries and disgruntled Tagars in their armies which helped give them overwhelming cavalry advantage over the Kingdom of Ventora forces, some estimated the number of the union's army was between 400,000 and 300,000 men strong. Meanwhile, the Kingdom's forces were estimated to have between 300,000 and 350,000 although most of the Ventoran army would join very late into the war as they were spread throughout the kingdom.

[NAME] 'Yolaño' Pozaro offered his service to King Nicanor Philadelphos Giannopoulos of Aytussae that is fighting the Aurelia front in exchange for helping him get Aurelia for himself. With Yolaño's help, the union started winning in Aurelia too. King Frebos arrived and helped stabilize the situation on all fronts, but he wasn't able to reconquer lost territories, however, he managed to convince Yolaño to betray the union and fight for the kingdom and recaptured lost territories in Aurelia. After a few months of stalemate, peace was agreed on 1217 upon which the union kept the territory it occupied and both sides released all prisoners.

Second war
In the second war in 1223, the Kingdom of Ventora declared war of reconquest. All three kings of the union participated in the war each leading an army. The second war took longer than the first because King Frebos wanted more than just reconquest. At the start, Yolaño was at the side of the Kingdom but later betrayed them and joined the union causing a massive setback to the Kingdom. However, King Frebos would destroy each army he faced, he would kill King Nicanor of Aytussae and King Euphranor of Magra in combat. King Frebos also faced Yolaño defeating him and forcing him to run and disappear. King Eugenios of Iasassa would face King Frebos alone, however, King Frebos would surround King Eugenios forcing him to surrender. A peace treaty was agreed on in 1229 where Iasassa would return Ventoran land from the first war, cede occupied territories to King Frebos and force King Eugenios to abdicate which ended the 6 years war.

Third war
In 1256 King Diodoros Eugenios Megalos of declared war on the Kingdom of Ventora without the support of Magra and Aytussae. The war would drag out for 10 years and de facto ended with the death of King Frebos in the battle against King Diodoros. Amyntas Themistocles quickly used King Frebos's death to occupy critical choke points to prevent further supplies from going to the now isolated Ventoran army, however, Ropar Falega Tume managed to find alternative routes with the help of local merchants and assisted the Ventoran army to retreat in an organized manner and avoid complete destruction. The war went on for another 2 years until 1265 under King Siquaerom before he sought peace with King Diodoros, the returning of southern Iasassa and ceding northern Cuesta.

Aftermath
The war was destructive to Iasassa's economy as its treasuries were emptied and trade routes were diverted away from it to avoid the war, moreover, its male population decreased significantly. Iasassa had trouble recovering from the war as most of its territory was in Kanakan steppes. Ventora was able to recover more quickly from the war thanks to its coastal cities. However, the long period of peace helped reestablish trade routes to Iasassa, which helped Iasassa to recuperate before the 4th war.

Fourth war
in 1296 the Iasassa initiated the fourth Kleolaikos-Ventoran war with Magra's support, however, Aytussae could not participate as it was dealing with the Sátha Ústi Independence war. Iasassa saw an opportunity to attack Ventora as defences in the north became lax thanks to the long period of peace between the two nations. Kleolaikos Union used its superior cavalry numbers to quickly occupy the Ventoran Kanakan steppes and isolate strongholds and towns and prevent Ventoran nobility from supporting each other. Theophilos Niketas and Seleucus Hyginos were two of the greatest generals and warriors in the 13th century, both managed to prevent the main Ventoran army from coming and relieving various sieges and limited their manoeuvrability with only Gaspar Quixada Antúñez being able to match them from the Kingdom of Ventora.

Imperial intervention
King Seve I, having a friendly relationship with the Emperor of Haksarad, requested imperial intervention bringing the Empire of Haksarad and various Esharat states into the war. Once the imperial army arrived the war turned favourably to Ventora's side. Kleolaikos Union began to lose territory very quickly and is only saved by Theophilos Niketas and Seleucus Hyginos, King Seve I noticed this and plotted to fabricate Seleucus Hyginos's treason which worked as he was executed by King Achaikos, this angered Theophilos Niketas making him switch sides and serve the King Seve I.

The war ended when the imperial army breached Iasassa's capital forcing King Achaikos to surrender in 1300. Haksarad forced Iasassa to become a tributary under it and gave Theophilos Niketas the Lord-Guardian of Iasassa for his service. Haksarad also forced Iasassa to return all Ventoran lands including the ones from previous wars. The peace ended Kleolaikos Union as Iasassa left it, and Magra and Aytussae crumbled shortly after the peace.

Significance

 * New military tactics and development
 * Introduction to h'Ejrad to Kleolaion region
 * Disestablishment of Kleolaikos Union
 * Permanent steppes borders

Prominent figures

 * King Frebos was both a skilled fighter and commander.
 * [NAME] 'Yolaño' Pozaro was a skilled strategist that helped both Ventora and Kleolaikos.
 * Amyntas Themistocles was an exceptional tactician during the 3rd war. Amyntas Themistocles and Ropar Falega Tume had a soft rivalry.
 * Ropar Falega Tume in the 3rd war helped manage supply lines into the Kanakan steppes, which helped him become friends with many merchants.
 * Theophilos Niketas was one of the greatest commanders and warriors that served the Kleolaikos Union, he swore a blood oath with Seleucus Hyginos.
 * Seleucus Hyginos was an exceptional fighter and a good tactician, he swore a blood oath with Theophilos Niketas.
 * Gaspar Quixada Antúñez was an exceptional Venotran warrior and strategist and can hold against Theophilos Niketas or Seleucus Hyginos.