Kittenist crusades

The Kittenist crusades were a series of short religious wars in Kuthara, initiated by Kittentopia in the interest of the Kittenist faith. Though they lacked any proper action, the crusades had a substantial impact on the Kutharan political landscape, influencing relations between many of its major nations and even acting as a catalyst for the Wivamovian rebellion.

Background

Kittenism as a religious system requires unwavering loyalty from its followers, whose duty is to spread the teachings of the Great Kitten to all peoples of Alathra. Its declared mission is to create a world of peaceful co-existence under a single faith, which in turn requires kittenists to work against other religions, whose followers they refer to as "barbarian heathens".

This has earned kittenists considerable backlash from other religious groups, earning them a reputation of violent religious extremists. In spite of all this, kittenists believe that only faith in the Great Kitten can lead a person to salvation, so perceive their cause as just and any action as a necessity to spread Kittenism.

Pre-war events

On several occasions throughout 12 AC, kittenist missionaries were reported appearing in towns across Alathra. Their method of preaching was considered aggressive by many, often resulting in fights breaking out. Kittentopia used this as basis for escalation, sending troops to raid cities that had shown hostility towards their attempts at conversion. The raid of Stennheimr in particular received widespread attention in Kuthara.

On February 16, 12 AC, reportedly during a sermon for Johnactualists in Divinus Actualia, a kittenist interrupted the service to preach for their own faith. The sermon was interrupted and an attempt was made to make the kittenist leave, but a fight ensued, during which the kittenist was killed.

In an almost immediate response, Kittentopia sent out forces to seize the cathedral. Having done so, they proceeded to kill from both hosts and attendants those who they perceived as being an enemy to their greater cause. This was followed by a kittenist counter-sermon held within the same cathedral, after which the troops returned home.