Caerlanni War for Independence

Caerlanni War for Independence
Clockwise from top: A soldier of the Caerlanni Liberation Group on the street of Dúnradh during the outbreak of the war Troops of the Caerlanni Liberation Group patrolling near Cluainbheag A Luathach's militia posing with their weapons
Date 12 December 1972 – 19 February 1976 (3 years, 2 months and 1 week) Location Caerlannach, parts of Gotneska Result Caerlanni victory Treaty of Fjallaverji signed Gotneska withdraws from Caerlannach Non-aggression pact signed Territorial changes Creation of the Caerlanni Free State
Belligerents
Caerlanni Free State	Great Goutian Empire
Commanders and leaders
Military commanders: Aodhán Ghearóid Muiris Mhaolain Political leaders: Ronan Luathach Fionnán Ógalla Diarmaid Uí Caerlann	Military commanders: TBA Political leaders: Patrick XIII
Units involved
Caerlanni Liberation Group Caerlanni Separatist Group Ghearóid Free Fighters Luathach Independence League Various tribal militias Various religious groups	Gotneskan Armed Forces Goutian Army Goutian Navy Goutian Air Force
Strength
c. 80,000 GSC members c. 55,000 other insurgents	Total: TBA
Casualties and losses
TBA	TBA
TBA

The Caerlanni War for Independence (Caerlanni Mealliagian: Cogadh Neamhspleáchais na gCaerlannaí) was a conflict fought between the Caerlanni Liberation Group (Grúpa Saoirse na gCaerlannaí; GSC) and the Royal Gotneskan Army from December 12th, 1972, to February 19th, 1976. The war commenced when Ronan Luathach and the GSC launched a coordinated assault on government structures within Dúnradh, the administrative center of Caerlannach under Gotneskan rule. This marked the beginning of an extended confrontation centered in urban areas, where Caerlanni insurgents engaged in prolonged battles against Gotneskan military forces. The conflict concluded with the signing of the Treaty of Fjallaverji, which formally recognized Caerlannach’s independence and established terms for the Gotneskan withdrawal. The Caerlanni War for Independence is widely studied for its unique combination of guerrilla tactics, political mobilization, and its pivotal role in reshaping Caerlannach’s sociopolitical landscape.

Scholars characterize the conflict as an asymmetric and low-intensity war, often framed as a struggle for national liberation. This confrontation encompassed both a tactical insurgency and a profound sociopolitical movement aimed at dismantling Gotneskan hegemony and establishing tribal autonomy across Caerlannach. The GSC drew broad support from various Caerlanni tribes, uniting them around shared objectives of political self-determination and cultural preservation. The war’s ideological foundation was underscored by the GSC’s commitment to indigenous governance, which contrasted sharply with Gotneskan centralized rule.

The origins of the war can be traced to May 1972, when Ronan Luathach returned to Caerlannach from political exile in Fulgistan. Drawing inspiration from contemporary anti-colonial movements, Luathach collaborated with a coalition of local separatist and nationalist factions to form the Caerlanni Liberation Group, including his former Caerlanni Separatist Group. That same year, he authored the "Manifesto of a Free Caerlannach", a document outlining his vision for an autonomous, decentralized society based on tribal governance and cooperation. The manifesto resonated across a broad spectrum of Caerlannach society, galvanizing support for independence and uniting disparate resistance groups under the GSC.

The formal outbreak of hostilities occurred with the Dúnradh Takeover on December 12, 1972, when GSC forces captured key government facilities in the city and announced the formation of the Caerlanni Free State. This decisive action triggered widespread uprisings, with similar revolts erupting in towns and villages across Caerlannach. While early uprisings experienced varying degrees of success, the GSC’s efforts were bolstered by extensive tribal support networks that facilitated intelligence-sharing, logistics, and supplies, complicating Gotneskan attempts to restore control.

The course of the war saw sustained, intense urban conflict, particularly in Caerlanni cities, where maneuver warfare tactics were employed by the tribes. The GSC’s reliance on guerrilla tactics, along with their deep familiarity with Caerlannach’s varied terrain, often enabled them to evade or outmaneuver the Gotneskan military. As the war progressed, the Caerlanni tribes demonstrated resilience through coordinated strategies, establishing supply chains and utilizing the surrounding geography to support their insurgency.

The conflict formally ended in February 1976 after the Gotneskan government, facing domestic fatigue, agreed to negotiate with the GSC leadership. The resulting Treaty of Fjallaverji outlined the terms of Gotneskan withdrawal and included a non-aggression pact between the two parties. The treaty marked the beginning of Caerlannach’s transition from colonial rule to a free state.

Background

A march calling for independence in Dúnradh

The history of Caerlannach’s struggle for autonomy can be traced back to its integration into Gotneska from the 10th century, during which periodic uprisings and expressions of discontent were common. Tensions were exacerbated when the Gotneskan government granted sovereignty to the Kingdom of Crainnruadh, while Caerlannach remained firmly under Gotneskan administration. This decision, made without any parallel concessions to Caerlannach, intensified local resentment. Many Caerlannach saw this as a fundamental disregard for their own aspirations toward self-determination. This perceived disparity galvanized a collective nationalist sentiment, setting the stage for escalated demands for independence.

The Caerlanni Separatist Group (Grúpa Scarúnaí Caerlannaí) emerged as a prominent underground movement advocating for an independent Caerlannach and garnered significant local support. On September 12, 1965, Luathach attempted to assassinate Gotneskan Emperor Patrick XIII, an event that elevated his profile within the separatist circles but resulted in his exile. Although wanted by Gotneskan authorities, Luathach was shielded by the Caerlanni Separatist Group before escaping to Fulgistan, where he continued his activism and writings in exile, all the while maintaining close contact with the movement in Caerlannach.

Despite his absence, Luathach’s influence persisted. His writings, circulated clandestinely within Caerlannach, continued to inspire nationalist and tribal factions advocating for autonomy. These writings underscored themes of self-determination and tribal sovereignty, resonating with movements such as the Ghearóid Free Fighters (Trodairí Saoirse Ghearóid) and the Luathach Independence League (Conradh Neamhspleáchais Luathach), which emerged alongside the Caerlanni Separatist Group to push for liberation. Luathach’s work in exile solidified his role as a symbolic figure for Caerlannach’s independence cause, providing ideological cohesion to a movement that was both diverse and increasingly unified.

On May 29, 1972, Luathach returned to Caerlannach, marking a pivotal moment in the independence struggle. Upon his arrival, he convened the Beinn Rìgh Congress with the Caerlanni Separatist Group, rallying various independence factions to form a coordinated front against Gotneskan rule. This congress culminated in the formation of the GSC, unifying disparate factions under an united front. Soon after, Luathach published the "Manifesto of a Free Caerlannach", a foundational text that articulated the strategic and ideological basis for Caerlannach’s self-determination, laying the groundwork for the forthcoming armed struggle.