Some questions regarding Revaudo

[Raphael]

1. When was the revolution in the Xengi delta during the first war?

2. After thinking about the matter, I have the theory that while it took a while for the first war to begin after the initial disobedience, it was less time then it would be in other countries of that size and technological level- because the Xurnese military bureaucracy already had detailed plans for the quick mobilisation of large armies lying readily in their drawers, wich only had to be dug out and executed; because most potential soldiers were already trained; and because Xurno probably had an unusually good messenger service. Is that true?

3. Why did the rebels move the Capital to Inex? Did they already have some sort of provisional government there between the delta revolution and the fall of Culau? (But doesn't the atlas imply that there was no unified leadership on the Revaudo side during the first war?) Or was it to restore the ancient Axunashin traditions? Or did they simply claim that the city looked better? (But wouldn't someone's opinion on that depend more or less on his birthplace?)

[zompist]

1. When was the revolution in the Xengi delta during the first war?

I don't have a detailed chronology, but the delta was one of the first areas to rebel. See #3.

2. After thinking about the matter, I have the theory that while it took a while for the first war to begin after the initial disobedience, it was less time then it would be in other countries of that size and technological level- because the Xurnese military bureaucracy already had detailed plans for the quick mobilisation of large armies lying readily in their drawers, wich only had to be dug out and executed; because most potential soldiers were already trained; and because Xurno probably had an unusually good messenger service. Is that true?

Hmm, I don't think states, however militarized, are generally prepared for civil war. If anything the Xurnese military was organized for defense against the barbarians, and foreign expeditions; the long-term strategy was to protect the cities, in part by extensive fortifications that enclosed agricultural areas and sources of water. All of this would become less than useless when it was the cities themselves that were in revolt.

The point about training is good, however: again, to defend against the barbarians, Xurno had a tradition of mobilizing the entire population, including women (used as archers on the walls). This certainly facilitated the rise of competent anti-royalist forces.

Communications were indeed important, too. The early inter-city contacts on the Revaudo side were among the lower clergy, who formed a sort of alternative information network.

3. Why did the rebels move the Capital to Inex? Did they already have some sort of provisional government there between the delta revolution and the fall of Culau? (But doesn't the atlas imply that there was no unified leadership on the Revaudo side during the first war?) Or was it to restore the ancient Axunashin traditions? Or did they simply claim that the city looked better? (But wouldn't someone's opinion on that depend more or less on his birthplace?)

Being the capital, Culau was a strong point for the royalists-- and a focus of resentment for most other areas of the country. Anti-Curali sentiment was easy to exploit in the delta, and central control was easier to shake off. (As an urban area, though, Curau was ultimately impossible for the nyei to control.)

[Drydic]

Is it Culau, or Curau? Or is the earlier form Culal, with l => u /_#, and dissimilation in the adjective?

[zompist]

Is it Culau, or Curau? Or is the earlier form Culal, with l => u /_#, and dissimilation in the adjective?

(quick check of notes...) It looks like I've alternated between the two forms; but the correct form is Curau, going back to Axunashin Tural and Wede:i Tu:ral 'crossroads oracle'.

[Raphael]

I don't have a detailed chronology, but the delta was one of the first areas to rebel.

But IIRC it didn't rebel right at the beginning of the war, right?

If anything the Xurnese military was organized for defense against the barbarians, and foreign expeditions;

But these do require the mobilisations of armies, like a civil war.

the long-term strategy was to protect the cities, in part by extensive fortifications that enclosed agricultural areas and sources of water. All of this would become less than useless when it was the cities themselves that were in revolt.

IIRC in the first revolting areas, tghe revolts were led by the local governors, who had acces to the administration. So in these places the city defense plans could at least be useful for the rebels.

[zompist]

I don't have a detailed chronology, but the delta was one of the first areas to rebel.

But IIRC it didn't rebel right at the beginning of the war, right?

Right-- the first areas to rebel were Rajjay and Gotanel.

If anything the Xurnese military was organized for defense against the barbarians, and foreign expeditions;

But these do require the mobilisations of armies, like a civil war.

the long-term strategy was to protect the cities, in part by extensive fortifications that enclosed agricultural areas and sources of water. All of this would become less than useless when it was the cities themselves that were in revolt.

IIRC in the first revolting areas, tghe revolts were led by the local governors, who had acces to the administration. So in these places the city defense plans could at least be useful for the rebels.

Right; the Xurnese city-defense strategy also backfired when cities were held by rebels. (Xurno had not previously had to face this problem.)