Creeperian Crusade
| Creeperian Crusade | |||||||||
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| Part of the Creeperian-Deltinian Wars and the Creeperian Wars of Religion | |||||||||
 Taking of Almadinat Almuqadasa by the Crusaders | |||||||||
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Creeperans: ~3,500,000 Castillianans: ~1,300,000 Papacy: 100,000 |
Deltinians: ~4,000,000 Abdaners: 300,000-500,000 Helamans: 250,000-300,000 Jakizians: 250,000-300,000 | ||||||||
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Creeperans: High Castillianans: Moderate Papacy: Low |
Deltinians: High Abdaners: Moderate Helamans: Moderate Jakizians: Very High | ||||||||
The Creeperian Crusade (Creeperian Spanish: Cruzada Creeperiano, Arabic: الحملة الصليبية الزاحفة, transliterated as alhamlat alsalibiat alzzahifa) was a series of various military campaigns and religious wars initiated by the ethnic Creeperans of the Emirate of Rabadsun against the Caliphate of Deltino. The initial objective of the crusade was to secure the independence of the Kingdom of Creeperopolis and recapture all territory claimed to he "historic Creeperian land" that was controlled by the Old Kingdom of Creeperopolis (537AD–745AD) and the Creeperian Confederation (220BC–537AD).
The crusade began on 8 February 1231 when Alfawnasu III, the then-reigning Emir of the Emirate of Rabadsun, declared independence for the ethnic Creeperans living there after the decision made during the Second Council of Rabadsun. He proclaimed himself King of the Creeperans of the Kingdom of Creeperopolis. The declaration was made in response to the One-Religion Decree established by Suleiman III, the Caliph of the Caliphate of Deltino, on 31 January 1231. The decree outlawed the practicing of any religion that was not Deltinian Islam, effectively creating a theocracy with no religious freedom. The decree, therefore, outlawed the practicing of Creeperian Catholicism, the religion of the Creeperian people. The Creeperans had until 9 February to renounce their faith. Alfawnasu III, with the approval of Pope Jiryjuriun IX, decalred independence and called for a crusade against the Deltinian Muslims to secure freedom for the Creeperans.
Instead of reverting to the Old Creeperian language, the Creeperans adopted the Spanish language and de-Arabized their kingdom. Rabadsun was renamed to Creeperopólis, meaning "City of the Creeperans." Alfawnasu III changed his name to Alfonso I and Jiryjuriun IX changed his name to Gregorio IX, with all Creeperans following suit and solidifying the Creeperian naming customs. Suleiman III did not accept the declaration and war began. Instead of one war, the crusade was a series of wars fought between Creeperopolis and Deltino. The crusade came to an end under the reign of Miguel I. His reign witnessed both the collapse of the Caliphate in 1326 and the fall of Deltino's three rump successor states: the Emirates of Abdan, Helam, and Jakiz, in 1345.
The crusade occurred across Sur for a period of 115 years between the establishment of Creeperopolis in 1231 and the fall of the Shata' Albahr in 1345. The collapse of Deltino and its successor rump states allowed Creeperopolis to become the dominant nation on the landmass. The crusade marked the end of Islamic dominance on the landmass and began the ongoing period of Catholic dominance. The crusade is often used in Creeperopolis to promote Islamophobia and anti-Deltinian sentiment.
Contents
Background
Early Creeperian-Deltinian relations
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The Old Kingdom of Creeperopolis was established in 537AD by Felipe I of the Amacha Tribe, later the House of Amara, following victory in the War of Creeperian Unification that ended the Creeperian Confederation (220BC–537AD). The Creeperans were pagans until 540AD when Vigilio I, the Pope of the Catholic Church, arrived in Creeperopolis and converted the population to Catholicism. The Church subsequently became known as the Creeperian Catholic Church due to its heavy association with Creeperopolis. As a result of the conversion of the Creeperian population, many sites associated with the old Creeperian Pagan gods were destroyed by Felipe I as a part of the Bull of Yerkink that mandated such. Thousands were killed for refusing to convert. As a result of the Bull of Yerkink, the former capital city of the Creeperian Confederation, Xichūtepa, was destroyed and abandoned.
For over 200 years, the Creeperans existed on Sur without very much contact with the outside world. However, in 734AD, the Kharzamite of Deltino was forced to flee from Ecros to Sur as a result of their defeat in the Deltinian Wars of the Nihil. The Deltinians under Selim I, the Caliph of the Deltinians, established the Caliphate of Deltino north of Creeperopolis. The Creeperans and Deltinians first came into contact in 744AD which resulted in a Deltinian invastion of Creeperopolis. Under Caliph Adbul I, the Deltinians conquered the Creeperian kingdom under King Fidel II in 745AD. The Deltinians established the Emirate of Rabadsun as a client state ruled through Rudulifu I, the younger brother of Fidel II.
Deltinian rule through Rabadsun
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The Deltinians ruled Rabadsun through the House of Amara through the lineage of Rudulifu I. In 1120, Rabadsun came under the rule of Emiress for the first time after the death of Filibi II and Khusih. Emiress Mariaan I was heavily opposed by the Deltinian Caliph, Abbas I. Abbas I sought to depose Mariaan I and so he gave her an ultimatum: marry and renounce her claim to the throne or be forcibly deposed. She relented and married Alfawnasu Rudulifu Martiniz Santus, a Rabadsuni nobleman. He ascended to the throne and became Alfawnasu I, establishing the House of Martínez.
Alfawnasu I was succeeded by his son, Alfawnasu II, and his son, Rudulifu IV. Alfawnasu III became Emir following the death of Rudulifu IV on 8 March 1230. Then, on 13 January 1231, Caliph Suleiman II died and was succeeded by his son, Suleiman III. On 31 January 1231, Suleiman III sought to unite his entire domain under Deltinian Islam and proclaimed the One-Religion Decree. The decree outlawed the practicing of any religion that was not Deltinian Islam, effectively creating a theocracy with no religious freedom. The decree, therefore, outlawed the practicing of Creeperian Catholicism, the religion of the Creeperian people. Suleiman III gave the Creeperans until 9 February to renounce their faith or face serious repercussions for defying the order of the Caliph.
Suleiman III cited the reasoning for the decree was that he had a dream where Muhammad instructed him that bringing the Creeperans to convert to Islam would please Allah and that He would reward him greatly. Islamic scholars have since contested Suleiman III's claim, with some scholars believing that the entire story was a fabrication, while others believe that the story had some creedance to it but that Muhammad wished for a peaceful conversion, instead of the violent war that would emerge as a result of the decree.
Progression of war
Catholic revolt
Alfawnasu III was deeply concerned about his position as Emir since he did not wish to convert, as did the Pope, Jiryjuriun IX, who would have his position entirely abolished. Suleiman III informed Jiryjuriun IX that he could be instated as the chief religious official of Rabadsun as compensation for his loss of position, but he did not wish to convert either.
Jiryjuriun IX convened the Second Council of Rabadsun, a meeting of the Creeperian Catholic Church's top officials, wealthy nobles, and royalty. The One Religion Decree and the Church's reaction to it was the top priority of the council. The council was spoken in Old Creeperian as to not allow the Deltinians to understand what they were saying since the Deltinians spoke only Arabic and Deltinian Spanish. The Creeperans did not risk speaking in Creeperian Spanish since there were still many similarities with Deltinian Spanish. The council convened from 4 to 7 February 1231. Church and government officials came to an agreement: the Creeperans will not convert and the Creeperans will fight to continue worshipping God how they want to. Alfawnasu III informed every one of his army officials that a rebellion was necessary, and his officials informed the soldiers. The soldiers and officers unanimously sided with the Emir and the Pope and the uprising was set for 8 February.
On 8 February 1231, Jiryjuriun IX announced to the people of Rabadsun that the Creeperans will not submit to the One Religion Decree and will revolt to worship God how the Creeperans have always worshipped God. He declared that Rabadsun would de-Arabize and he changed his name to Gregorio IX. The common people spoke Creeperian Spanish but their names followed Arabic customs. The De-Arabization was the process of renaming all Arabic names to Creeperian Spanish names which established the Creeperian naming customs. Alfawnasu III declared himself Alfonso I and proclaimed the independence of the Kingdom of Creeperopolis, meaning "city of the Creeperans," taking the name of the Old Kingdom of Creeperopolis and officially abandoning the name Rabadsun.
The Creeperian Army and Creeperian Navy were established from the Rabadsuni Army and Rabadsuni Navy. The Army, numbering 30,000 men, successfully revolted and defeated the local Deltinian Army garrison of 2,000 men. The Creeperian victory began the Creeperian War of Independence and the first phase of the Creeperian Crusade. Alfonso I decreed the changing of the name of the city, Rabadsun, to Salvador (Creeperian Spanish for "Savior"), in reference to Jesús, the Savior of the world. During the battle, captured Deltinians were given the option to convert to earn their freedom or remain Muslim but remain imprisoned, as the Creeperans initially believed in a mostly peaceful separation from Deltino.
Suleiman III was informed of the Creeperian rebellion by local commanders near Salvador. The commander of the Deltinian garrison in Rabadsun, Mukarram al-Azzi, was killed during the battle. Suleiman III raised an army and marched on Salvador. He brought along with him Fawz al-Sharif to serve as his second-in-command. On 15 March 1231, the Deltinians attacked Salvador, but the Deltinian forces were defeated in battle. Suleiman III narrowly escaped being captured by the Creeperans. On 4 April 1231, Deltinian soldiers entered the city of Alqarya and massacred 100–200 Creeperian Catholic laymen and clergy after failing to convert. They were hanged, beheaded, crucified, or burned alive. The Martyrs of Alqarya caused outrage within the Church and the royalty. In anger, Alfonso I ordered the immediate execution of all Deltinian prisoners resulting in 89 executions via crucifixion on 18 April 1231. He established the Creeperian Inquisition, officially known as the Tribunal of the Holy Office of the Inquisition, to "cleanse" his domain of Deltinian Islam.
Creeperian forces pushed west and established an encampment outside the city of Edfu. On 19 October 1232, Deltinian forces launched an attack against the Creeperans, but the Deltinians were routed and the city surrendered. The fall of Edfu marked the end of the Creeperian War of Independence and solidified the existence of the Creeperian kingdom.
Catholic expansionism
Following the Creeperian success at Edfu, Alfonso I called for the people of Salvador to join him on a campaign to expand the kingdom. The call for furthing the fight against the Deltinians was supported by the Creeperans and many volunteered to join the renewed Crusade. The Crusader forces would need time to train, prepare, and equip before going on campaign, however, while many civilians wanted to go fight immediately. Pedro Herrador Cestalles, a Creeperian Catholic priest, spoke in Salvador and rallied many to follow him on a Crusade east to capture Al Madiq, a Deltinian trading outpost west of Creeperopolis. Alfosno I stated his condemnation for the Crusade, but around 7,000 peasants ignored the King's condemnation and followed Herrador Cestalles west in late January 1233.
Along the path to Al Madiq, the peasant army looted and plundered settlements for supplies and wealth. Around 1,000 people were massacred during the peasants' march west, mainly civilian Muslims. Upon reaching the outskirts of Al Madiq, Herrador Cestalles' army set up camp for the camp and prepared for battle the following day. On day break on 3 March 1233, Deltinian horsemen, infantry, and archers caught the encamped peasants by surprise. In the ensuing battle, the peasants were cut down by the Deltinians under al-Sharif. The entire army, including Herrador Cestalles, were slain resulting in a decisive Deltinian victory, ending the People's Crusade.
Alfonso I was informed of the slaughter that occured in Al Madiq. He was concerned about a Deltinian attack against Salvador and mobilized his professional army to defend the city. After a month, no attack came and the army stood down. By mid-1235, Alfonso I believed that his army was well trained enough to begin engaging the Deltinians. The Creeperian Army was assorted into four legions, each comprising on 15,000 men: two from the already established Army and two from recruited peasants. Each legion was assigned a commander. Emmanuel Martínez Moreno, the younger brother of Alfonso I, was placed in command of the Second Legion. Miguel Fuellares Guijon, a wealthy noble from Salvador, was placed in command of the Third Legion. José Suárez Falias, another wealthy noble from Salvador, was placed in command of the Fourth Legion. Alfonso I himself commanded the First Legion and handed out orders to the four legions as a whole. He bestowed upon himself the title of Caudillo, or "leader," as the commander of the entire Army.
The army set out west in August 1235 and engaged in its first battle on 19 September 1235. The Battle of Esna ended in a swift Creeperian victory against a lightly manned garrison of the town of Esna. In November 1235, the army arrived at Al Madiq and secured the city without a battle. The city was renamed to Ciudad de Pedro in honor of the disastrous Peoples' Crusade. The inhabitants of the city were massacred as revenge for the destruction of Herrador Cestalles' army.
The Crusaders remained in Ciudad de Pedro until May 1236 when they continued moving west. The Creeperans were surprised in an attack by the Deltinians under al-Sharif near the village of Farshut on 17 July 1236. The battle ended in a Creeperian retreat back to Ciudad de Pedro and a Deltinian victory, the first waged against Alfonso I. The Deltinians later sieged Ciudad de Pedro itself from 18 September 1236 until 3 March 1237, when the Creeperans broke the siege and routed the Deltinians, but the pyrrhic victory inflicted heavy casualties among the Creeperans. The siege ended the Noble's Crusade and the Third and Fourth Legions returned to Salvador, as did Alfonso I. The First and Second Legions remained in Ciudad de Pedro under the command of Martínez Moreno and garrisoned the city until renewed forces arrived to renew the war.
In late-1238, the Third and Fourth Legions were refreshed and a Fifth Legion was formed. The three legions under Alfonso I arrived to San Santiago in February 1239 and rested to reunite with the other two legions. However, on 18 February 1239, Deltinian forces under al-Sharif attacked the Creeperans. The battle ended in a Creeperian victory, but a pyrrhic victory, and the legions had to return to Salvador to rebuild. Alfonso I knew that al-Sharif was his biggest obstacle as his Deltinian forces had been harassing the Creeperian armies effectively and halted any sort of expansion west.
In 1241, Martínez Moreno was granted the permission of Alfonso I to begin a campaign south. He commanded three legions and was accompanied by Fuellares Guijon and Suárez Falias as his subordinate commanders. On 5 March 1241, the legions were ambushed by Deltinians commanded by al-Sharif near the village of Qena. Despite being outnumbered, the Deltinians inflicted heavy casualties and forced the Creeperans to retreat. The campaign was put on hold for three years while the army recuperated from its losses.
The army was prepared and set off for the campaign again in 1244. The army arrived at Qena again, but no Deltinians attacked. The village was captured and the 348 inhabitants were massacred on 4 April 1244. Suleiman III was informed of the massacre in Qena by scouts and he assembled an army of 50,000 soldiers and personally commanded the Deltinian Army against Martínez Moreno, with al-Sharif serving as his second-in-command. The Creeperans established a camp half a mile outside of the town of Sohaq, a strategic settlement located on a peninsula in the Bay of Salvador. On 10 May 1244, the Deltinian Army launched a surprise attack against the Creeperans around noon. The Creeperans attempted to organize themselves, but the Deltinians overwhelmed the Creeperian force of 45,000 men. Martínez Moreno was killed during the battle, with tradition stating that al-Sharif personally killed Martínez Moreno. The Creeperans were decisively defeated and 30,000 were killed with the remaining 15,000 being taken prisoner. Fuellares Guijon and Suárez Falias were also killed in battle. Martínez Moreno's body was dumped into the bay, as were the bodies of all the slain Creeperans.
Few Creeperans escaped the slaughter, and those that did reported back to Alfonso I and informed him of what happened. A month of mourning ensued across the city and a memorial service was presided over by Pope Innocento IV on 10 July 1244. In 1245, Innocento IV convened the First Council of Salvador. From 12 January to 1 February, the council discussed what the Creeperian kingdom should do next after three entire legions were destroyed. The council agreed that the Creeperans had to continue the crusade. Alfonso I rallied up support for revenge against the Deltinians and raised 4 Legions. The Creeperans under Alfonso I embarked on a campaign in late-1247.
On 9 December 1247, the Creeperans captured the town of Tahta after a brief engagement with the local garrison. The Creeperans then marched south to Sohaq and prepared to capture the city Martínez Moreno was killed attempting to capture. On 22 March 1248, the Creeperans began besieging Sohaq. The defenders had access to supplies via the bay, but the Creeperian Navy blockaded the city and prevented supplies from reaching Sohaq. On 13 May 1248, a Deltinian relief army under al-Sharif arrived to lift the siege, but after a large engagement with the Creeperans, the Deltinians withdrew and let the city fall. The city surrendered on 31 May 1248 and the inhabitants of the city were massacred. Their bodies were dumped into the bay as revenge for dumping the Creeperian bodies into the bay after the battle of 1244. On 10 May 1249, the five year anniversary of the battle, Innocento IV canonized Martínez Moreno as a saint in Sohaq and the city was renamed to San Emmanuel.
The Creeperans continued the campaign in January 1250 and advanced south along the coast. By mid-1253, the Creeperans captured nearly the entire coastline that Deltino had with the Bay of Salvador. The last sea access the Deltinians had to the bay was the city of Asyut. In late-November 1253, the Creeperans established a camp near Asyut and prepared to capture the city. Meanwhile, the Deltinians under al-Sharif were preparing for their own attack against the Creeperans. On 3 December 1253, Alfonso I moved against Asyut, and as the attack began, al-Sharif charged at Alfonso I's rear and left flank. Alfonso I's second-in-command, Julián Huerta Barajas, lured half of al-Sharif's army away by retreating north which allowed Alfonso I to focus on the remainder of the Deltinian army. After two hours of fighting, Huerta Barajas prevailed and returned and attacked al-Sharif's left flank. During the chaos of the battle, al-Sharif was killed, with tradition stating that Alfonso I personally impaled al-Sharif with his spear. The Deltinians routed and the Creeperans claimed victory. All Deltinian prisoners were executed and al-Sharif's body was burned and dumped into the bay. The city surrendered and was massacred. The city was renamed to San Carlos.
Early Castillianan involvement
In late-1252, Alfonso I sent messengers southwest to the Kingdom of Castilliano to convince the King, Sancho II, to support the Creeperans and fight the Deltinians from the west. In mid-1253, the messengers returned and informed Alfonso I that Sancho II would be willing to assist. The messengers were sent back to gain any more information from the Castillianans but the messengers were captured by the Deltinians. They were tortured until they told their capturers what their mission was. Suleiman III was informed of the plan and ordered an immediate attack against the Castillianans to delay their attacks.
In February 1254, Jaabir al-Masri and around 25,000 Deltinians marched west to force Castilliano to stand down. Castillianan scouts informed Sancho II of the Deltinian movements and he had Ramiro Íñiguez Arista and around 6,000 Castillianans defend the fortress of Apastenal, the Deltinian's most likely target. The Deltinians arrived at Apastenal on 18 May 1254 and a battle began. The Castillianans stood their ground and successfully defeated the Deltinians, killing around 20,000 Deltinians during battle. The surviving Deltinians fled and al-Masri was executed on 10 July 1254 on orders of Suleiman III for the disaster that he allowed to happen.
Sancho II immediately began an invasion of Deltino following the battle. He in-charged Íñiguez Arista to lead 13,000 men west to inflict further defeats against the Deltinians. On 29 October 1254, Castillianan forces were ambushed by Deltinian forces near the village of Ilime. The Castillianan heavy infantry were surrounded and heavily attacked by Deltinians on horseback who fired arrows at the Castillianan defenders. For seven hours, the Castillianans could not retaliate without being killed in a wave of arrows. It was only when a small relief force of Castillianan cavalry arrived that the Deltinians withdrew. Despite attaining victory, the Castillianans were inflicted heavy casualties. According to the memoirs of Íñiguez Arista, no Castillianan soldier escaped without being injured in some sort of way.
The Castillianans were unable to continue the campaign and decided to return to Castilliano. On 8 January 1255, the Deltinians attacked the retreating Castillianans near the village of Minya. The Deltinian victory ended the war between Castilliano and Deltino in an effective stalemate as neither side achieved their objectives and ended in status quo ante bellum.
Alfonso I's final campaign
On 18 December 1256, Alfonso I embarked on his final campaign into Deltinian territory. He and 5 legions marched west with the intention of Idku, a strong castle upriver on the Salvador River. The first engagement of the campaign was at Faiyum. The battle ended in a Creeperian victory on 19 March 1257 and the Creeperans encamped at Faiyum for 4 months. After resupplying, the Creeperans continued to march inland, razing villages along the way. On 29 July 1257, the Deltinians engaged the Creeperans near the village of Inab. The Creeperans were forced to retreat, but since every village was destroyed, many starved on the march back as the Deltinians captured the Creeperian supplies. By the time the Creeperans returned to Faiyum in September 1257, two legions worth of men had starved or deserted. In July 1258, Alfonso I returned to Salvador and proclaimed the establishment of the State of the Church as an independent nation for the Creeperian Catholic Church to rule and govern itself on 19 July 1258. Pope Alexander IV was the first Pope to rule the newly established state.
After a year of resupplying and tending to wounds, the Creeperans marched west again in January 1259. On 15 April 1259, the Creeperans arrived at Idku and began a siege. The siege was broken on 24 January 1260 by a Deltinian relief army commanded by Suleiman III and the Creeperans retreated back to Faiyum. The Deltinians attacked the city on 2 April 1260, but the attack was repulsed. The Creeperans marched west again to attack Idku in February 1261. A second siege commenced on 30 May 1261, but it was again broken by Deltinian reinforcements under Suleiman III on 16 October 1261, and the Creeperans again retreated back to Faiyum. A mutiny occurred in Faiyum on 28 February 1262 and soldiers demanded to return home, but soldiers still loyal to Alfonso I crushed the mutiny and all those involved were put to death. Around that same time, three fresh legions commanded by Alfonso Martínez Sánchez, the son of Alfonso I, arrived to join the campaign. The Creeperans rested for 5 months, and set off for Idku for a third time in August 1262.
The march was interrupted on 14 November 1262 by the village of Basioun when Deltinians ambushed the Creeperans, causing a route back to Faiyum. The Creeperans marched out for a fourth time in May 1263. Deltinian forces under Suleiman III attacked the Creeperans on 15 September 1263 near the town of Al Marji. During the battle, tradition states that Alfonso I personally killed Suleiman III, causing a Deltinian route and a Creeperian victory. Morale was at an all-time high when news of the Caliph's death reached the army and the Creeperans in Salvador, with celebrations erupting in the streets. The Deltinian morale was shattered, but Selim IV, the son of Suleiman III, became Caliph upon his father's death. He immediately raised a large army to face off against Alfonso I at Idku. On 13 December 1263, the Creeperans began the third siege of Idku. Selim IV's army arrived on 29 February 1264, but his army was defeated by the outnumbered Creeperans and the Deltinian relief force retreated and left the city to fall. On 14 March 1264, the city of Idku fell to the Creeperans. The inhabitants of the city were raped and massacred, despite Martínez Sánchez's objections. He wrote in his memoirs during his reign as King:
It was my first time on campaign with my father, the King, and it was the first time I ever engaged in battle with the enemy. The Muslims were a far greater threat that I ever imagined. I was accustomed to witnessing death on the battle field, with bodies all across the fields. I was accustomed to executions of prisoners who refused to convert to Jesús. I was accustomed to seeing the ground soaked in blood. But I was not at all prepared to witness what I did at Idku. My father's men stormed in and did unspeakable actions. Murder, rape, torture, I could not believe my eyes. God and the Pope have authorized killing the enemy, the soldiers of Baphomet[lower-alpha 1] who intentionally sought to kill. These people did not intend to kill, they were caught up in the conflict fought against the enemy. They could have been saved, but they were slaughtered. It may have been for the best, as now they are in the presence of God, but we could have done better, we could have spared them. God told us, you shall not murder, but yet be did so against his flock.
— Alfonso Martínez Sánchez, c. 1264–65
The massacred was the largest of the Crusade up to that point. Crusaders estimated that 500,000 were massacred, while modern scholars put the number anywhere from 50,000 to 100,000. Selim IV was made aware of the massacre, and he assembled a new army to destroy the Creeperans. On 3 July 1264, Alfonso I died in Idku awaiting a Deltinian attack, likely of Creeperian Malaria, at the age of 71 or 72. Selim IV was made aware of Alfonso I's death, and he sought to make peace with his successor, Alfonso II. The two met on 1 August 1264 outside of Idku. Now that both Alfonso I and Suleiman III had died, their successors sought to bring peace to Sur. The Treaty of Idku was signed on 3 August 1264, formally ending the Crusade called upon by Alfonso I and Gregorio IX in 1231. The treaty mandated the Deltinian recognition of Creeperopolis' independence and the Creeperian recognition of Deltino's status as the dominant power on Sur. Both agreed to end persecutions of each others religions and the borders of the two nations were solidified. Selim IV returned to Almadinat Almuqadasa and Alfonso II returned to Salvador.
When Selim IV arrived to Almadinat Almuqadasa and informed the city of the peace, people were enraged and riots erupted in the streets. Not even the news of Alfonso I's death appeased the crowds. The Deltinian Army occupied the city from December 1264 to April 1265, quelling riots and public unrest. On 3 August 1265, a group of military commanders, lead by Izzat al-Toure, attempted to overthrow Selim IV. The rebelling military faction attacked the Caliph's palace and fought his personal guards. The guards were massacred, but Selim IV and his family fled the city. He rallied military forces that supported his rule and attacked Almadinat Almuqadasa on 22 August 1265, which had been captured by the rebels. A message was spread by al-Toure that Selim IV was acting against Allah as he was attacking the holy city, but he, as Caliph, decreed otherwise, claiming that he was reclaiming the city from al-Toure who had acted against Allah by attacking the palace and the Caliph. On 5 September 1265, the city was recaptured by Selim IV. Before being captured, al-Toure ordered his men to behead him and burn his body to prevent himself from being executed by Selim IV. The leaders of the rebellion who were captured were publicly beheaded on 9 September 1265.
When Alfonso II arrived to Salvador and informed the city of the peace and the King's death, riots erupted in the city. The Creeperian Army occupied the city from October 1264 to February 1265, quelling riots and public unrest. On 8 February 1265, Alfonso I's funeral was held in the Salvador Palace. Pope Clemento IV presided over the funeral and declared Alfonso I a saint. On 14 September 1266, a group of military commanders attempted to oust Alfonso II from power before he could be coronated the following day. They seized control of the Salvador Palace and attempted to capture the King. Alfonso II, however, escaped the palace and then the city. The rebels were lead by Ramón Miaja Saravia who declared himself King Ramón I. Alfonso II gathered up military support and recaptured Salvador on 4 January 1267. Ramón I escaped the city and attempted to gather support in the countryside. Alfonso II chased after Ramón I and asked for support from Selim IV. The Caliph agreed and the two armies met Ramón I's army in the city of El Chopo on 22 May 1267. In the ensuing battle, Ramón I was captured by the Creeperans. Alfonso II personally beheaded him, ending the war. The Deltinian and Creeperian armies returned to their garrisons and the thrones of both rulers were secured. Caudillo Alfonso Fernández Lugo had everyone who supported Ramón I put to death on 30 May 1267. Ramón I's son, Ramón Miaja Coreja, declared himself King Ramón II on 3 July 1267, but he was quickly captured by the Creeperian Army on 17 July 1267 and executed.
Period of peace
From 1267 to 1273, a period of peace known as the Pax Sur Minor was experienced where Deltino and Creeperopolis coexisted in peace with no major wars or uprisings occurring. The period in became one of a small golden age for Deltino where interest in literature and history peaked. The Almadinat Almuqadasa Library flourished for the first time since the Deltinian Golden Age from 1013 to 1200. In 1269, Commentaries on the Qur'an was written by several scholars of the library that gave a broader interpretation on the Qur'an which Deltinian Muslims held as the true meaning on the Qur'an. The original text was destroyed during a fire that burned the building in 1299, but several copies survived. The small golden age came to an end in 1273, when military forces aligned with the Caliph's son, Osman I al-Arshad al-Malek, seized control of Almadinat Almuqadasa and captured the Caliph. He was blinded and beheaded on 12 March 1273 for negotiating a peace with the infidels.
No golden age was experienced in Creeperopolis. Alfonso II remained an unpopular King with the people and the army. When news of the death of the Caliph and that the new Caliph, Osman I, raised an army to fight the Creeperans, the army began a mutiny and demanded the King wage war against the Deltinians. Alfonso II abdicated his throne and allowed his brother to become King on 8 April 1273. Salvador I rallied soldiers and marched south to meet the Deltinians, beginning the War of 1273.
War of 1273
Deltinian and Creeperian forces met by the Creeperian village of Jucuba on 23 June 1273. The battle ended in a military stalemate, with both forces withdrawing. They two met again on 7 July 1273, with the second battle also ending in a military stalemate. After two stalemates, both armies agreed to end hostilities, ending the war. Both monarchs faced protest from civilians at the failure to accomplish anything in both battles, but their reigns were not challenged.
Great Castillianan War
In 1275, Osman I ordered an invasion into Castilliano to force the King, Óscar I, to pay tributes to Deltinian in order to fund an army to invade Creeperopolis. He sent Abdul al-Mustasim al-Mustansir to march on Chalatenango, the capital of Castilliano, and force the kingdom to become a Deltinian vassal. On 6 December 1275, the Deltinians captured the town of Wasriomo after a brief battle and Queleapa on 13 March 1276 after another battle.
The Castillianans under the command of Ramón Ureña Parejas encamped by the town of Sahagún and awaited al-Mustasim's army. On 4 May 1276, the Deltinians and the Castillianans engaged outside of Sahagún. The Deltinians captured the town and looted it for supplies and riches while the main battle continued outside of the city. The Castillianans took heavy losses and were demoralized when they heard the town was looted. Then, according to the testimony of Ureña Parejas and his soldiers, they witnessed an apparition of Saint Santiago, one of the apostles of Jesús, dressed in armor and bearing the flag of Castilliano, beginning to kill Deltinian soldiers. Reportedly, Castillianan morale suddenly rose and the Deltinians were decisively defeated and forced to retreat, with legend stating that al-Mustasim was personally slain by Saint Santiago. The Castillianans celebrated their victory and praised the saint as "the Deltinian Slayer," or Santiago Matadeltinianos.
The Creeperans were informed of the battle in July 1276, and the Pope, Adrian V, declared the apparition as a sign of God that He was on the side of the Creeperans and Castillianans against the Deltinians. The Deltinians denied the notion of the apparition as propaganda.
Evidence of the battle is scarce, but evidence of the previous battles the Deltinians under al-Mustasim exists. Historians have trouble explaining the apparition, if it even occurred, and what happened to al-Mustasim's army since mainstream historians outside of Creeperopolis believe the battle did not happen. The disappearance of al-Mustasim's army is a source of great mystery and debate outside of Creeperopolis.
According to Johnathan Mbagindu, a Lyoan professor at William Ntihura University in Mwezi, Lyoa:
It’s likely that the battle did occur; however, the legitimacy of the apparition is likely to be folk legend passed down from generation to generation. We see similar things here in Lyoan history, with the Final War of Kindua, when the Lakku soldiers were alleged to be granted powers from the old Lyoan gods of that era that assisted in their conquest of Kindua. The battle is the only logical way to explain al-Mustasim’s army disappearing; however, any sort of divine intervention is likely legend.
War of al-Saffah
In June 1280, Osman I sent an army under Muhammad al-Saffah to recapture Idku and march on Salvador to force Creeperopolis to the status of a vassal or to annex it entirely. The army under al-Saffah contained around 50,000 soldiers. On 24 September 1280, the Deltinians began the Fourth Siege of Idku. The Creeperans sent a relief force under Manuel Martínez Sánchez and the two sides clashed on 12 November 1280. The Creeperans were defeated and retreated. The city surrendered on 1 January 1281, ending the siege.
The Deltinians march east along the Salvador River, destroying villages and killing Catholics along the way. The march became known as the March of Terror, as many were slaughtered and massacred. The Deltinians arrived at Salvador on 30 April 1281 and began sieging the city. The siege was broken on 15 June 1281, and the Deltinians retreated back to Idku. The city was sieged by the Creeperans from 26 October 1281 until 23 February 1282 when the Deltinians abandoned the city and allowed it fall to the Creeperans.
The defeated Deltinians returned to Almadinat Almuqadasa and al-Saffah raised 20,000 more men and marched back on Idku. A sixth siege began on 3 December 1283. On 29 February 1284, the Creeperans launched a surprise attack on the Deltinians by storming out of the city gates. During the attack, al-Saffah was killed and the Deltinians were routed. Creeperian and Deltinian diplomats met in Jucuba and signed the Treaty of Jucuba which established a peace between the two nations and gave the Creeperans the city of Dahanomah and a passage to the city as compensation for their losses. The city was renamed to La'Libertad.
Manuel I's War
Salvador I died on 2 June 1285. He was succeeded by his brother who became King Manuel I. Manuel I blamed Salvador I's death on the Deltinians, claiming that they poisoned him. He rallied support from the people and raised 6 legions and marched to Idku in August 1285. Osman I was made aware of Manuel I's movements and moved to intercept the Creeperans and launch another siege of Idku. Manuel I sent 2 legions south to pillage and scour for supplied. On 4 November 1285, the 2 Creeperian legions and Deltinians engaged in battle near the Deltinian town of Alsakhra. The battle became famous since the outnumbered 2 Creeperian legions defeated a Deltinian army twice as large and caused them to retreat.
On 6 January 1286, the Deltinians laid siege to La'Libertad in an attempt to reclaim it. The siege was lifted on 17 April 1286 when the Creeperian Navy arrived and reinforced the defenders. The Deltinians withdrew and the Creeperans claimed victory. The war ended with the Creeperans claiming the annexation of the lands around Alsakhra, but the Deltinians did not recognize the Creeperian claim.
Honduran Revolt
The Hondurans were an ethnic group living in northwestern Deltino for centuries. In 1288, due to heavy taxation because of the several defeats inflicted upon the Deltinians by the Creeperans, the Hondurans revolted against the Deltinians and proclaimed independence. The Hondurans were lead by Ieltxu Gojeneche, the Deltinian governor of the Hunduras department.
Gojeneche sought support from the Creeperans. Manuel I promised to send aid on the condition that they convert to Catholicism. The Hondurans accepted and by late 1288, most of the population had converted to Catholicism in the hope the Creeperans could help free them. In January 1289, Manuel I dispatched 5 legions to support Gojeneche and the Hondurans.
The Hondurans captured the city of Hudawit on 13 February 1289 and renamed it to Etxeberria, present day San Miguel. Etxeberria became the capital of the newly proclaimed Kingdom of Honduras with Ieltxu I as its King. The Creeperans and Hondurans faced a Deltinian army near the village of Qumadi on 2 March 1289, and in the ensuing battle, the Deltinians retreated and Honduran independence was secured. Honduran independence was made official on 13 April 1289 with the Treaty of Etxeberria. However, one month later, Osman I rejected the peace and raised an army of 50,000 men to reconquer Honduras.
The Hondurans were made aware of the approaching Deltinian army and invaded into Deltinian territory, taking many settlements to prevent the Deltinians from massacring the villages as they were inhabited by Deltinians. On 17 June 1289, Deltinian forces under Jubair al-Nazir fought the Hondurans in the village of Buqbuq, slaying the entire army and killing many civilians. The Hondurans quickly withdrew back into Honduras to begin a defensive war, as the Deltinians were willing to kill their own to subjugate the Hondurans. The Deltinians attacked the Honduran village of Loiola, massacring the population, on 30 June 1289. Ieltxu I requested Creeperian aid, and Manuel I rallied 6 legions and marched west to assist the Hondurans.
Ieltxu I and 10,000 Hondurans fortified the city of Ibarra in preparation for a Deltinian attack. On 14 August 1289, al-Nazir's forces began a siege of the city. On 10 October 1289, the city fell to the Deltinians and Ieltxu I was killed. The entire city was massacred, with only a few fleeing and surviving. Ieltxu I's son ascended to the throne as Vitruvio I. The Creeperans under Manuel I met with Vitruvio I's forces and began a defense of Etxeberria. The Hondurans planned to defend from inside the city while the Creeperans defended from the exterior. On 17 December 1289, the Deltinians began a siege of the city. The Creeperans surprised the Deltinians on 19 December 1289 with a nighttime attack, but the attack was repulsed and the siege continued, but now the Deltinians knew that the Creeperans were nearby. On 14 January 1290, the Hondurans stormed out of the gates of Etxeberria and attacked the Deltinians. The Creeperans assisted and attacked the Deltinian rear. The attack caused a Deltinian retreat and al-Nazir's forces fled back to Deltino.
The Deltinians did not give up, as they attempted to march on Idku once more to deprive the Creeperans of the city for defeating them at Etxeberria. However, the Creeperans intercepted the Deltinians near the castle of Safaga, and in the following battle on 20 March 1290, al-Nazir was killed. The Treaty of Safaga, signed on 27 March 1290 by Deltinian prisoners, reaffirmed the Treaty of Etxeberria of 1289.
Osman I rejected the legitimacy of the Treaty of Safaga, and again declared he would raise an army to reconquer Honduras. On 18 May 1290, a group of military commanders attempted to assassinate the Caliph and instate his son Osman al-Arshad, as the new Caliph and accept peace with Creeperopolis. The commanders struck Osman I in the head and believed he was dead. They proclaimed the Caliph's death and that his son was now Caliph Osman II. Loyalists, however, found that Osman I was still alive, but seriously injured. Osman II and the military commanders responsible were blinded and publicly beheaded on 1 June 1290. Osman I remained paralyzed for the rest of his life and his second son, Selim al-Arshad, reigned the Caliphate for him while he remained Caliph. Osman I died on 24 July 1295, and Selim V officially became the Caliph of Deltino. He met with Manuel I and Vitruvio I in La'Libertad on 30 August 1295. The three signed the Treaty of La'Libertad, where Deltino officially recognized the independence of Honduras and officially ended the Honduran-Deltinian War.
First War of Miguel I
On 13 January 1301, Manuel I died unexpectedly at the age 56 in a hunting accident. His son, who was only 12 years old, ascended to the throne as King Miguel I. He immediately ordered an invasion of Deltino and the destruction of Almadinat Almuqadasa. His regent, Caudillo Pedro Candia Bolero, however, stopped the King as the kingdom was already flourishing in peacetime and the King was only 12 years old and could not functionally command an army. On 10 April 1304, when Miguel was 16 years old, he officially gained all his powers as King. He immediately removed Candia Bolero from his post as Caudillo and replaced him with Hernán Monroy Pizarro. Monroy Pizarro accepted the King's orders and began preparing an invasion of Deltino.
On 18 December 1304, Miguel I and Monroy Pizarro commanded 10 legions and marched south from La'Libertad. Selim V was caught off guard that a 16 year old King would be commanding an army and he was skeptical. He dispatched an army of 5,000 men under Haazim al-Latif intercept the army and see if the reports were true. On 19 March 1305, al-Latif's army was encamped by the village of Sahalayn when he was ambushed by the Creeperans in the middle of the night. The entire army was captured or slain, with around 2,000 being killed with the remaining 3,000 being captured. Miguel I ordered the immediate execution of all the Deltinians, but Monroy Pizarro intervened and suggested torturing al-Latif. Monroy Pizarro ordered Creeperian soldiers to imprison al-Latif in a chamber full of gold and riches to torment him of what he could have had had he been a Catholic. Miguel I still had the remaining Deltinian army put to death. Miguel I continued the torture of al-Latif by forcing him to view depictions of Muhammad and Allah. On 13 April 1305, al-Latif was beheaded.
Selim V was informed of the destruction of the Deltinian army and the death of al-Latif in May 1305. He ordered the assembly of an army of 60,000 men to stop the Creeperian advance south. He gave Yusuf al-Dhahir command of the army and they marched east in July 1305. The Creeperans met al-Dhahir's army at Derna on 17 October 1305. In the first battle, the Deltinians held off a Creeperian attack, but in the second battle on 1 November 1305, Miguel I's forces overran the Deltinians and forced a retreat. Despite being routed, al-Dhahir refused to concede defeat and continued to fight Miguel I.
Second War of Miguel I
Aftermath
Extent of atrocities
Legacy
See also
- Creeperian Catholic Church
- De-Catholization
- Decree of La'Libertad
- Deltinian Islam
- First Great Persecution of Deltinian Islam
- One-Religion Decree
- Second Great Persecution of Deltinian Islam
Notes
- ↑ Catholics believe that Baphomet is a demon that works alongside Satan in Hell. Catholics believed that Muhammad, the founder of Islam, was the incarnation of Baphomet. As such, the Creeperian government refers to Muhammad as Baphomet, as does Creeperian academia and the Creeperian education system.
