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AKA The election that caused a 48 year long civil war in my fantasy world Ellaris - REDUX

The Empire of Bode was the first and only polity to control the land of Ondonis. Initially rising to prominence by conquering several successor states of the imploding Empire of Grech, Bode had, over the course of two centuries, subjugated the powerful Kingdom of Vosvykja and the troublesome states of Sateria in the north. Initially Bode relied heavily on the pre-eminence of the Church of Agregon for stability, as it was one of the few powers that held sway over a region otherwise split by language, culture, and geography. However, after a number of schisms the power of the church began to wane, and instability rose. In order to subdue this, the King enacted great reforms, including the creation of the Baronies, Duchies and Principalities to replace the previous mess of bureaucracy.
Raghen the Great was the king who turned Bode into a true empire by conquering the last remnants of Grech and Sateria. On his deathbed with no biological heirs, he called a great council of all the Barons, Dukes, and Princes in the realm, and provided them a list of contenders for the throne. Overseen by the council of Viziers, a new heir was selected democratically before Raghen’s passing, providing stability to an otherwise calamitous situation. Over the next centuries 7 more elections were called, each time ending peacefully (here meaning the elected option was typically powerful enough to quash opposition before it became an issue).
This came to an end with the death of Borthath the Blind, a terrible and corrupt ruler who had beggared the realm and left it rife with corruption and instability. There were more than a few suggestions of rebellion, especially among the Orrespan Church of Maghana, the Grechese and Vosvykians and the Saterins. The latter of these groups became so unruly that the Council of Vivziers declared the Saterin’s to be semi-independent of Bode as tributary states, though in truth they were no longer controlled by the Bodish crown. Shortly after this, Bornath died, heirless, but more importantly, with no list of possible successors. This left many nobles to offer themselves up for the position.
Although dozens of nobles volunteered their names, there were two of especial significance. Grand Vizier Juster the Westerman and Arch-Marq Harlen the Black of Jelovek. Juster had been the true power behind the throne for near two decades, but he was widely disliked among the non-Bodish ethnicities of the Empire for reducing the rights and powers of their local rulers and princes. Instead, these groups supported Harlen, who also had the lesser Marqs on his side, as well as control of the largest army in Bode.
Harlen and Juster were the final remaining candidates in the election, and even before the outcome was announced it was clear this vote would have a poor outcome. Juster was announced as the winner, and Harlen immediately named him a fraudulent cheater and manipulator who had had his Vizier friends manipulate the ballots. As each man rushed to gather their forces, neither knew that the war that had just begun would last nigh on half a century, and result in the permanent collapse of the Empire of Bode, and the utter destruction of most of Ondonis.
Original: www.reddit.com/r/imaginaryelec…

HD version here: www.reddit.com/r/worldbuilding…

Description
AKA The election that caused a 48 year long civil war in my fantasy world Ellaris - REDUX

The Empire of Bode was the first and only polity to control the land of Ondonis. Initially rising to prominence by conquering several successor states of the imploding Empire of Grech, Bode had, over the course of two centuries, subjugated the powerful Kingdom of Vosvykja and the troublesome states of Sateria in the north. Initially Bode relied heavily on the pre-eminence of the Church of Agregon for stability, as it was one of the few powers that held sway over a region otherwise split by language, culture, and geography. However, after a number of schisms the power of the church began to wane, and instability rose. In order to subdue this, the King enacted great reforms, including the creation of the Baronies, Duchies and Principalities to replace the previous mess of bureaucracy.
Raghen the Great was the king who turned Bode into a true empire by conquering the last remnants of Grech and Sateria. On his deathbed with no biological heirs, he called a great council of all the Barons, Dukes, and Princes in the realm, and provided them a list of contenders for the throne. Overseen by the council of Viziers, a new heir was selected democratically before Raghen’s passing, providing stability to an otherwise calamitous situation. Over the next centuries 7 more elections were called, each time ending peacefully (here meaning the elected option was typically powerful enough to quash opposition before it became an issue).
This came to an end with the death of Borthath the Blind, a terrible and corrupt ruler who had beggared the realm and left it rife with corruption and instability. There were more than a few suggestions of rebellion, especially among the Orrespan Church of Maghana, the Grechese and Vosvykians and the Saterins. The latter of these groups became so unruly that the Council of Vivziers declared the Saterin’s to be semi-independent of Bode as tributary states, though in truth they were no longer controlled by the Bodish crown. Shortly after this, Bornath died, heirless, but more importantly, with no list of possible successors. This left many nobles to offer themselves up for the position.
Although dozens of nobles volunteered their names, there were two of especial significance. Grand Vizier Juster the Westerman and Arch-Marq Harlen the Black of Jelovek. Juster had been the true power behind the throne for near two decades, but he was widely disliked among the non-Bodish ethnicities of the Empire for reducing the rights and powers of their local rulers and princes. Instead, these groups supported Harlen, who also had the lesser Marqs on his side, as well as control of the largest army in Bode.
Harlen and Juster were the final remaining candidates in the election, and even before the outcome was announced it was clear this vote would have a poor outcome. Juster was announced as the winner, and Harlen immediately named him a fraudulent cheater and manipulator who had had his Vizier friends manipulate the ballots. As each man rushed to gather their forces, neither knew that the war that had just begun would last nigh on half a century, and result in the permanent collapse of the Empire of Bode, and the utter destruction of most of Ondonis.
Original: www.reddit.com/r/imaginaryelec…

HD version here: www.reddit.com/r/worldbuilding…