Polarussian Crusade
| Polarussian Crusade | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the Hesperidesian Crusades | |||||||||
 Capture of Zulheina by Marius Balus | |||||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||||
 Sultanate of Polarus |
 Empire of Exponent | ||||||||
The Polarussian Crusade was a military campaign launched by the Empire of Exponent against the Sultanate of Polarus in the mid-14th century. The campaign was aimed at conquering Polarus and spreading Christianity to the region.
Background
Prior to the Crusade, Polarus was a powerful Sultanate that controlled a vast territory in the region. The sultanate was a strategic location as it was located on the trade routes connecting the Hesperidea to the rest of the world.
The Empire of Exponent had long sought to expand its territories and had set its sights on the sultanate for nearly half a century prior to the crusade. The goals of capturing Polarus were finally brought to reality after the Empire had conquered the Highland Tribes, who occupied the mountainous highland areas separating Polarus from the Empire, during the Highlands Crusade. The conquest of the Highland Tribes allowed the Empire to gain control of the mountain passes, which were crucial for trade and military purposes. With the Highland Tribes subdued, the Empire turned its attention to the Sultanate.
The Crusade
In 1345, the Empire of Exponent launched the Polarussian Crusade against the Sultanate of Polarus. The Crusade was led by General Julius Aurelius, a seasoned military commander who had led many successful campaigns for the Empire, as well as the Empeor Publius I, who took personal command of one of the two crusader armies that crossed the Highland. The Empire had assembled a large army, consisting of knights, foot soldiers, and mercenaries from across the Empire.
The Polarussian Crusade was a long and brutal campaign, characterized by fierce battles, sieges, and raids. The Polarans were a formidable enemy, and their knowledge of the terrain gave them an advantage over the Empire's troops. However, the Empire was determined to conquer Polarus and convert its people to Christianity.
The Crusade lasted for over a decade, and during this time, the Empire captured many of the sultante's major cities, including Zulheina, the largest city in the area. The Empire also built several castles and fortifications to consolidate its hold on the conquered territories. However, the Polarans put up a fierce resistance, and the Empire suffered many casualties during the campaign.
In 1358, after years of fighting, the Empire finally captured Jandara, the capital of Polarus. With the fall of Jandara, the Sultanate was officially dissolved, and the Empire of Exponent declared the region a province of the Empire.
Impact of the Crusade
The Polarussian Crusade had a significant impact on the region. The conquest of Polarus allowed the Empire of Exponent to control the trade routes that passed through the region, which brought enormous wealth to the Empire. The Empire also used the conquered territories as a base for further expansion, using it as a springboard for further expansion into Teudallum and Lorecia in the years to come.
The Crusade also had a significant cultural impact on the region. The Empire of Exponent imposed its language, culture, and religion on the conquered people, which led to the gradual disappearance of the original Bolali language and culture.