Zakarum Crusade

"Wary of Rakkis's growing popularity, Tassara dispatches the general on a crusade to spread Zakarum to the lands of the West"

- History of Sanctuary^(src)

Zakarum Crusade
Beginning	1045
End	1060
Place:	The eastern border of the Tamoe Mountains, from Aranoch to Ivgorod in the north
Outcome:	The destruction of many Veradani temples, along with the temple on Mount Zavain The birth of the Black Mists that shrouds parts of Mount Zavain
Combatants
Sons of Rakkis Protectors of the Word
Monks of Ivgorod
Various other religious factions
Commanders
Rakkis
Patriarchs
Various

The Zakarum Crusade refers to the series of military expeditions led by Rakkis in order to spread the Zakarum faith. It began by 1045 and went on to shortly before 1060, when Rakkis decided to settle down and create Westmarch kingdom. Another reason for its end can be the heavy losses suffered at Mount Zavain, when they tried to raid a Veradani Temple.

Notable Events

Below are some major events that occurred during the Zakarum Crusade.

• The ships left the Scarred Coast from Estuar. As they marched to the coast, the Sons of Rakkis attempted to clear out the undead along the coast, but ended up adding to their number.
• The merchant guild of Aranoch agreed to supply Rakkis with additional soldiers and provisions for continued autonomy, thus they were spared.
• When Rakkis marched west, Entsteig opened up to the man and embraced his teachings. In return for embracing the Zakarum faith, Entsteig was allowed to retain much of its independence.
• Rakkis's first excursions to the north were violently repelled. Barbarian warriors crashed down on his supply trains from above, scattering entire squads of conscripts.
• Ivgorod's mighty breaching towers were converted to mass pyres after their first losses to Rakkis army.
• Rakki's knights put the north to the torch. In response, desperate Veradani turned their mantras of protection to violent ends.
• The Brotherhood of Light; a regiment sect of Rakkis militants led by Lord Martanos, was sent to rid Mount Zavain and its surrounding areas of heretics.
• The zealots of the Brotherhood of Light first played at diplomacy, before betraying their truce and razed the outlying Ivgorod. This earned them the moniker of "Oathbreaker".
• Rakkis militants didn't just raid religious centers of Zavain, but also nearby villages.

Manuscripts

In the Silent Monastery, letters from the period of the Zakarum Crusade can be read from the corpses of Zakarum soldiers found throughout the dungeon.

• Captain Worth:
  
  For the last time, your request is denied. Lord Rakkis has his sight upon the north and his generals will suffer no cowardice. You would do well to remember the Light does not scurry from shadows.
  
  Bring Zakarum's Light to every corner of Sanctuary. This is our one true mission. Burn that fact into your mind. Any withdrawal or surrender is an act of betrayal and sedition. Those who run shall do so directly into the executioner's blade.
  
  —Commander Vrayn.
• We are still struggling against the northern heretics. Does Martanos truly not have enough men to conquer a single valley? If he wishes aid, tell him to petition Lut Gholein.
  
  —Respectfully,
  
  Cmdr. Terkain.
• My dear sister, Lilian,
  
  How I've missed you. The war against the northern heretics has taken everything from me. It is hard to think. to breathe, to move this quill. We are entrenched in a war of faith and yet now, I find my own shaken. It is a horrifying feeling.
  
  Death and hatred surrounds us... Do you remember Josef? The brown haired man with the cleft chin that would come to our house for drinks? Even now, I remember the laughter... and the spilled wine. I watched him die today. Right in front of me. I caught him as he fell, nearly buckled under his weight. I... How do go forward Lily? I want to believe. I want to fight... But how?
  
  Hopefully this letter finds you in better health than I am. I struggle, Lilian, do. But I have to tell myself it's all for our faith. It will be worth it when the Light shines across this land.
  
  —Your brother,
  
  Jaysin.