Aurice made great territorial gains during the late 2600's, during the years 2638 to 2682. The Aurician Empire had leading edge titancraft technology and a highly organized and disciplined grand army, honed by decades of war against the Gorcorumbese Empire and conflicts against the Brasen Horde. This period of expansion was unique. Historically, the rulers of Throvy and Erserce generally defended themselves from the hordes of the steppes and and were hesitant to invade its vast expanse even if part of a strategy of defense. The Aurician Empire was different from previous powers and made use of its superior military, strategy, and weaponry intentionally to subdue the tribes of the steppes over the forty four years of 2638 to 2682, incorporating Rhovundy, Rhovania, Axophotia, Turgosia, Igdiria, and half of Ebernia or the historical north territory of Erserce. The Great Khan of the Brasen Horde was obliged to make treaties with Aurice after several defeats. Streionia was defeated in the Second Streionian War (2668 to 2671) and became a dependency under joint rule of Aurice and Pytharnia as dictated in the terms of the Peace of Amyrn (2671). Pastravia, amid internal turmoil and failure to produce a ducal ruler, was annexed in 2711, becoming a subordinate province in the Aurician Overprovince of Erserce.

Aurice largely avoided involvement in the conflict of the Great Pytharnian War and focused its military resources on maintaining its colonial empire abroad and expanding into its hinterland to the east. Aurice also avoided engaging the warriors of the steppes in the Vadsinkoinen Forest. Despite these precautions, Aurice was engaged in as many as five different regional conflicts at a single time (2655) on the Steppes during this period for a total of about fifteen wars and conflicts. The idea that Aurice was compelled to subdue the steppes to ensure its future peace became prevalent in the minds of the Senate and the people of Throvy. In contrast, the Brasen Horde and the other tribes of the steppes wanted to conquer Throvy, Erserce, and Aurice and establish the universal rule of the Great Khan throughout Asdauria. This conflict of ideology reached a peak and conclusion in the Second War of the Brasen Horde (2675 to 2682) at the Battle of Tarobunjat (2681).

The promised revenues of the Grand Shadew Canal paid for much of the Aurician war debt. Additionally, Aurice employed the customs of the steppes whereby the defeated become the military vassals of the victor. Rhovundian, Rhovanian, Turgosian Centaurs, Axophotian, and Ersercese soldiers gradually became auxiliaries in the Aurician Grand Army. Tribes were given great autonomy within their respective dominions. Individuals did not have to pay taxes to Aurice, but to the tribal ruler who in turn was required to make a nominal tribute to Aurice. They also were required to give military service to Aurice.

Aurician military used a combination of dwarvenfire, titancraft, and mage-shielded dwarvenfire weaponry against the bisontaurs, centaurs, and Ersercese rebels. These nomadic and semi-nomadic peoples employed weapons of their own, but their lack of sustained agriculture meant they could not develop sufficient resources and troops to defend themselves from Aurician expansion.

The Aurician Empire developed dragonrail transportation through its inland empire enabling it to move troops and materiel quickly.

Expansion of Inland Aurician Empire in Late 2600's

Chronology

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