User:Devink/Sandbox1

The Totonac Wars are a serie of conflicts that opposed the Azcapotzalco Tlatholoyan and the Grand Empire of Thae Kaew during the late 15th century. Totonacapan was an economically advanced region, serving as a trading hub between Irathava and Nepantia. It was divided into three states, Papantlan, Tuxpan, and Cempoala, with Papantlan enjoying the greater prestige out of them for its size, population, and position as the successor of the old Tajin. It's the conquest of Papantlan by Azcapotzalco that would trigger the following conflicts, as the Tlatholoyan was now threatening the coastal states, some of which were vassals or allies of the Thae Kaew.

Prelude

Since its rulers have claimed the title of Huetlatoani ("Great Speaker" or "Emperor") 60 years prior, the city of Azcapotzalco expanded greatly outside of its home valley. It's latest successful campaign, triggered by a plea for help from its allied city of Teotlan, was led by the Huetlatoani Chimalopoca against the kingdom of Xelaju, ended with a crushing victory and the installation of a permanent Nahua settlement to keep the defeated kingdom in check.

Chimalopoca's son, Tezozomoc II, continued his father and great-grandfather's expansionists policies. Using the murder of Azcapotli merchants and the staunch refusal of Papantlan to allow Azcapotli troops in its territories to secure trades, Tezozomoc launched a successful invasion of Papantlan in 1490. Papantlan's king found refuge in the neighboring state of Tuxpan, another Totonac state.

All three Totonac states then formed a defensive alliance against Azcapotzalco, as they feared Tezozomoc II would seek any excuse to invade all of their lands and gain an access to the ocean. The same year, this League of the Three Hearts sent emissaries to the Thae Kaew, their main economic partner and until-then nominal hegemon. The Thae Kaew answered positively to the Totonacs' demands and reinforced their trade ports in Nepantia. Undeterred by this sudden display of force, Tezozomoc II nonetheless started a new campaign against Tuxpan for harboring the exiled king of Papantlan.