Legion-Mardur War
The Legion-Mardur war of 7 DY was the first large scale, multi-battle war in Dargarth history. At its conclusion, Mardur and Legion had both gained and lost territory as well was several ships and fortifications. During concluding negotiations, both parties agreed to a mutual non-aggression pact to last a year and a day. That pact expired without major incident in Fall of DY 8.
Lead Up
The Padre Rebellion
A mass of armed peasants led by a hooded and masked figure, apparently with the key to the citadel rose up and took control of The Abbacy within the north-eastern mountains of Mardur, killing the few defenders and mercenaries present. Claiming to be a religious group who followed "Padre" the keep was seen flying the Legion flag shortly there-after. Mardur marched on the rebellion and reclaimed the castle in Feb 7 DY
Mootian Land grab
Seeking to end the discord and internal strife which continued to plague the monster nation, Mardur appointed a bellicose new general who began mobilizing Mardurian troops along the Mardur-Legion border and at the Holy Pyramid which at the time was held by Mardur. At this time the former nation of Moot collapsed and parties from both Mardur and Legion rushed to capture the newly freed territory. Legion arrived first by sea from Corax, as the Mardurians who set out from the pyramid were slowed by the desert sands. Rather than fight off Legion, the out-numbered Mardurians fled the field to report the news of Moot's fall to their King.
Discord at Sea
Having heard of the fall of Moot and Legion's new holdings across the Inner Sea, King Thorne commissioned a seabound expedition to the new territory. They never made landfall, having been attacked and defeated by "pirates" bearing a Legion flag.
Dissolution of the Order
Facing increasing internal pressure, and lacking sufficient resources to bring order within their lands, Duke Dameaion established an inquisition to discover, detain and dispose of the traitorous heretics within the Order of the Abbot. Chaos and internal fighting quickly led to the dissolution of the order as the nation fell into civil war. Duke Dameaion retreated during this time to his personal holdings at Elkstone Keep and sent a message to Thorne and the other leaders of Mardur beseeching their aid in defending his territory from threats both internal and abroad.
Due to the close history of the two nations, Mardur accepted the monk's plea and took military control of Elkstone Keep.
Early War (May DY 7)
Declaration of Hostilities
Kit Foxwyfe, made a rousing speech in Knox alleging several entirely unsupported claims that Legion were complicit in allowing Envee the Everwanting into the world due to the events of War of the Rift and called for a crusade against Legion to claim their holy relic. This was the first formal declaration of war in Dargarth history, and was considered by most to be a baseless power grab by the kitsune.
Elkstone Keep
Mardurian forces under the joint leadership of Thorne and Dameaion raised an army to defend Elkstone Keep as Legion raised one of their own in their capital Belegarth and marched upon the keep. The Legion forces, backed by the lightning magics of Kestrel and out-numbering the defenders due to Mardur's choice to split her forces, were able to take the fortress.
On the same turn, "Big Boat Boss" Gurp Gorp lead a Mardurian caravel on an intercept course against the legion caravel Fairwinds in the eastern seas. Unwilling to split their forces, Legion gifted their caravel to Erzoth who defeated the Mardurian privateers with the help of Mowgli's Marauders. Lacking appropriate swimming training, many Mardurians drowned. As payment for his help, Mowgli was gifted the captured ship.
Ongoing Conflict (June-July DY 7)
Mardur Marches
Following their defeats by legion, Mardur marched out from the pyramid to strike and the Legion heartland. Striking against and unfortified hex, Mardur was able to defeat legion and begin claiming territory. Baron Garath was reportedly immolated by a crazed burning orc.
The Long Siege
A Mardurian Engineer then brought forth a secret weapon, a triumph of engineering: a siege engine capable of consistent arcing fire. Now with a technological edge over their enemies, Mardur began to attack Legion's holdings on the Bay of Langer. The first conflict with the siege engine was the Tower of Mending, which saw a narrow Mardurian victory (perhaps due to a localized temporal distortion).
Mardurian Defeat
The second conflict resulted in a Legion victory when in an effort to defeat a group of Legionaires who had made camp on the far side of the tower, Mardur split her forces into two flanks and routed the assembled camp but a mercenary hired by the Mardurians continued to kill the second wing and the Mardurian back-line was wiped out by the defenders who sallied out of the fortification.
End of Formal Hostilities
Suite for Peace
By summer's end the armies of both Legion and Mardur were battle weary and representatives of Legion approached the monster nation for lasting peace. A treaty was struck in which Mardur surrendered her claims within the eastern desert (including their Holy Pyramid) and Legion relinquished her remaining territory on the Bay of Langer. Roads into Mardur from Legion territory were destroyed, and several previously captured vessels were returned to their original countries. The leadership of both nations swore to a non-aggression and non-interference pact which successfully held until Fall of Dy 8.
Mardur Attacks Erzoth
For their role supporting Legion throughout the war, Mardur struck at Erzoth, sending a frigate and landing an army within 2 hexes of the Erzothian capital. Despite a valiant defense, Erzoth was defeated and the rampaging monsters pillaged the hamlet, leaving no survivors. Mardur would continue to attack Erzothian ships throughout a good portion of DY 8.