Editing Astran League (section)

==== 402 - 429 PCA ====
On the 26th of Pelir, 402PCA a coup was successfully lead against the Council by the Ptarian General Hrak. Acting under what he called the blessing of Bahamut Hrak marched into the Council Palace, arrested the Council on grounds of treason against the gods by allowing enemies of Suhder to claim its sovereign territory. Hrak then replaced the Council with new members, handpicked by him while adhering to the criteria of the Council's traditions. This council appointed him with a single directive; to protect Sudherian sovereignty by whatever measures he thought necessary. 

While the existing standing army of Suhder was small, Hrak was in many ways the perfect one to lead the charge. Besides being a skilled fighter and master tactician, his charismatic demeanor and decades long call to end the oppression of the classless had made him very popular amongst many people. With a promise to put and end not only to the enemies of Suhder, but also the Castes Hrak gathered himself an unusual army consisting not only of the traditional Ptarian caste, but also commoners, serfs, and classless. This breaking of tradition was seen by many of the upper castes - including a number of high ranking Ptarians - as treason to the gods themselves, but by many of the lower castes as fulfilling the promise of ending the castes once and for all. <br />
''To understand why this decision was so controversial, it is important to know that under the Castes only those of the Ptarian caste were allowed to serve the military as fully recognized soldiers with all the benefits that came with it: a large salary, formal training in fighting, magic, tactics, history, and more, and a piece of land after twenty years of service. Being of lower caste while serving the military often meant being uneducated, unpaid, and not allowed take any form of command, let alone being granted land ownership. The lower caste did fight, and would be instructed in the use of their weapon and maintenance of their gear, but was never instructed in use of tactics beyond following of instructions and would serve as the first wave sent into battle or padding of the ranks. These lower caste fighters would be called Loadbearers, rather than Ptarian or Soldier, as they would carry the equipment of the army while it was on the move.''

The Furiael Clash in 409 PCA was Hrak's first major victory in the war, and for many this marked the actual start of the war. Suffering minor casualties he secured the strategic position of the Furiael peninsula from the armies of Bazit. This victory was followed by a number of skirmishes and larger scale battles and by 429 PCA Hraks armies had secured the land stretching from Sun Throne Peak to the Barrier Ridge plateau. By now, however, many of those who followed him on the promise of losing the shackles of the castes had become restless. Yes, they had been paid during their service but they had not been given what they were promised, and Hrak agreed.