Alcanzari Slave Rebellion

The Alcanzari Slave Rebellion was a large scale revolt in most of Alcanzar, Kythira, during the Fourth Era. It was ultimately defeated, though its influence would be continued to be felt until the present day.

Beginnings

During the early Fourth Era, a slave rebellion erupted in the Kythiran colony of Aqumis, then a part of the Province of Alcanzar, whose primary industry was and still is slavery. This Aqumian War of Independence was ultimately won by the rebels, who gained their freedom and independence.

This more than likely was the inspiration for a man only known as Edinbryt, a slave in the Malatesta-plantation, to kill his owner, Count Cesare Malatesta. Malatesta's wife, children and small guard fled the estate when several slaves joined Edinbryt in a standoff at the stables. The group then stormed a Alcanzari military outpost for weapons and supplies, which they used over the next few weeks to violently free several other plantations. Alcanzar's military was and still is predominantly made up of slaves, and most of the forces High-Lord Vinkhuys send to squish the rebels either joined them or simply refused to fight.

Within months around 200,000 slaves had been freed across Alcanzar. High-Lord Fernando Vinkhuys, having lost control over most of his province except the major cities, requested aid from the White-Gold Tower. Recently crowned Emperor Charles II saw it as a great opportunity for military glory like his ancestors, and marched into the province with several battalions of the Imperial Legion. The rebels were no match for this professional force, and were quickly pushed away from besieging several important cities including Solleria, though they still controlled much of the countryside and their guerrilla attacks were a constant danger.

To celebrate his recent victories, and to prepare before the great campaign to fully end the rebellion, Emperor Charles II decided to hold a great feast at the Palace of Summerhal, together with his Grand Chancellor and the Alcanzari High-Lord. This feast ended in tragedy however, as a group of rebels managed to overwhelm the palace's defences, kill the Emperor and the Grand Chancellor and almost getting High-Lord Vinkhuys, who managed to swim back to Solleria. The palace was burned down, and the rebels besieged Solleria.

The Time of Sieges

Whilst the other High-Lords convened in Helmira to discuss who should inherit the throne, Charles II's baby son prince Henry Viromaro, or his 14 year old brother, also named Charles, the Senate of Aqumis saw a chance to help the rebels. Seeing a bond between them, the small but wealthy Aqumis Free State send much of their navy into Alcanzar, laying siege to Solleria and sending any freed women and children that so desired to the safety of the Aqumis islands. The ruins of Summerhal Palace they used as target practice, and they, together with the rebel forces, succesfully managed to isolate Solleria and starve the city.