Baudin Line

The Baudin Line was a system of star forts along the border of the Empire of Exponent and the the Beriquois colony of Cote d'Cuivre. The fortifications, designed by the Beriquois military engineer Pierre Baudin, served as an effective detterent to Exponential revanchism until the Great Astyrian War, when advances in artillery and aviation technology surpassed the defensive abilities that the fortifications were able to provide.

Background

Throughout the 1730's, largely to pay for their troops abroad in the Aquitaynian War of Independence, the Empire of Exponent borrowed substantial sums of money from the nation of Berique, which had recently begun explorations of Sythith and as such had a renewed interest in eastern Astyria. By 1740, however, it was becoming clear both that Exponent would be unable to pay its debts, and that Berique needed ports closer to Sythith to continue their pursuits in the area. As such, Beriquois forces landed in the area of present-day Cote d'Cuivre in early 1741 and quickly established their presence, defeating Imperial forces at the Battle of Pontelorium and forcing a peace.

Unable to properly mount an offensive due to manpower losses in Aquitayne and Aswick as well as the damaged economic position the Empire was in, Cote d'Cuivre became a source of national humiliation for the Empire of Exponent, and threats to reclaim the area were near constant.

Construction

In 1763, in order to solidify their position against a potential Exponential invasion, Berique deployed military engineer Pierre Baudin to Cote d'Cuivre under orders to contruct a series of star forts in the area along the border. In total, 87 major fortifications and 148 smaller fortifications were erected along the border, with the Beriquois often impressing local native men into the construction projects, offering them relatively little in terms of compensation. Hundreds of native men are believed to have died during the contruction from overhear and disease, but within 12 years, remarkably, the entire line was complete in 1775.