Changes

Meanwhile, Mardis was preparing for a campaign, knowing full well that his request is going to be denied. In 1668, when [[royal messengers of gled|royal messengers]] delivered the news, Mardis imprisoned them and promised that he would have them deliver the head of Rufu to the citizens of Gled. He then led his army with the goal of attacking Gled. However, Rufu intercepted his forces and several drawn out battles took place, leading to a 6 months standoff.

Meanwhile, Mardis was preparing for a campaign, knowing full well that his request is going to be denied. In 1668, when [[royal messengers of gled|royal messengers]] delivered the news, Mardis imprisoned them and promised that he would have them deliver the head of Rufu to the citizens of Gled. He then led his army with the goal of attacking Gled. However, Rufu intercepted his forces and several drawn out battles took place, leading to a 6 months standoff.

Eventually, none of the armies could gain a lead, and Mardis proclaimed himself to be the king of Ari. By this time Rufu's rule had effectively collapsed, as several more cities proclaimed themselves to be independent states. He, however, continued to be supported in many of the southern provinces and continued to be in power in Gled.

Eventually, none of the armies could gain a lead, and Mardis proclaimed himself to be the king of Ari. By this time Rufu's rule over Afanyu had effectively collapsed, as several more cities proclaimed themselves to be independent states. He, however, continued to be supported in many of the southern provinces and continued to be in power in Gled.

Realizing that he is no longer the single problem for Rufu, Mardis had his forces retreat back to Ari, and just in time, as Ari was attacked by a united army from several of the western cities, including the city of Garon. Mardis was able to defend his realm, but suffered heavy losses. This, however, made him extremely popular as the defender of his people.

Realizing that he is no longer the single problem for Rufu, Mardis had his forces retreat back to Ari, and just in time, as Ari was attacked by a united army from several of the western cities, including the city of Garon. Mardis was able to defend his realm, but suffered heavy losses. This, however, made him extremely popular as the defender of his people.

Only a year later, Mardis led a campaign to Garon and conquered it, expanding his kingdom further southwest. He also claimed [[Tarif]] and levied tax on the metropolis, but was later unable to effectively collect it.

A year later Mardis led a campaign to Garon and conquered it, expanding his kingdom further southwest. He also claimed [[Tarif]] and levied tax on the metropolis, but was unable to effectively collect it.

== Death ==

== Death ==

Mardis was poisoned by his own sons in 1672 SR, who supported [[Drufos Lador]], a poet from Garon. Having ruled for under three years, Mardis nevertheless left a lasting impression on the land, and later the Lower Kingdom army was called mardissa in his honor, and became the colloquial name for Kefan forces in the Loodon Empire.

Mardis was poisoned by his own sons in 1672 SR, who supported [[Drufos Lador]], a poet from Garon. Having ruled for under three years, Mardis nevertheless left a lasting impression on the land, and later the Lower Kingdom army was called mardissa in his honor, and became the colloquial name for Kefan forces in the Loodon Empire.