The Montans, having endured beyond their limits, finally rose up against their oppressors—a rebellion, as it was called by the Empire.
The uprising began in Steel Fortress, with old soldiers, farmers, and commoners forming the backbone of the rebel army. They took over the city hall, breached the garrison fortress and jail, released prisoners, publicly executed Imperial tax collectors and officials, and swept across the mountains within the next month, defeating Imperial forces aimed at quelling the rebellion twice.
However, lacking a clear set of demands and with widespread belief among the rebels that "if only His Majesty knew of our suffering, he would surely eliminate corruption; all disasters are due to his advisors, who are corrupt and authoritative," the rebels ultimately surrendered on the condition of being pardoned.
The disarmed rebels were immediately slaughtered en masse, with the lucky survivors either adopting new identities or going into exile in the south.
