Struggle for the Sea

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The Struggle for the Sea, spanning from the year 203 to 489, stands as one of the most profound and catastrophic conflicts in the history of Aesor. The catalyst for the Struggle for the Sea lay in the emergence of a new race deep within Aesor’s waters - the Nepheli. Born just 16 years prior to the outbreak of the conflict, these aquatic beings were initially perceived as mere beasts by the existing nations of Aesor. However, it didn't take long for all parties to recognize the Nepheli as intelligent, zealous and territorial individuals who viewed any intrusion into their waters as a grave threat.
As tensions escalated, the newly formed Sulth Alliance of the Nepheli began ambushing ships, disrupting supply lines, and causing chaos for maritime trade. Realizing the peril posed by these newfound adversaries, the already warring nations found themselves embroiled in a struggle for control over the seas, an essential lifeline for waging wars against their existing foes.
The Struggle for the Sea swiftly evolved into a global conflict, incorporating the ongoing wars of the Volkrans against the Alarians (known as the War of the Dead Cay) and the Ephyrans against the Arkey (known as the Hex Wars). These pre-existing hostilities transformed into a new, all-encompassing war driven by the imperative need to dominate the seas and secure vital sea routes.
As alliances shifted and new enemies arose, the nations of Aesor turned on each other. Smaller alliances were formed and dissolved rapidly, with no single faction serving the cause of global peace. Battles raged on both land and sea, resulting in the loss of millions of lives and widespread destruction.
As the years passed, the nations grew weary. Resources were depleted, living standards plummeted, and war weariness permeated society. It was a precarious balance, with all sides waiting for the first misstep or the first nation to crumble under the relentless strain of conflict.
First to reach their breaking point were the Councilleria and the Magistrate, the two sides that had already expended substantial resources and manpower in the preceding Hex Wars. Following them, the Nepheli Sulth Alliance, at the center of the conflict, found itself drained after more than two centuries of continuous warfare in their homes.
With the key nations weakened, many believed that peace was on the horizon. However, the Kingdom of Alar had different plans. They assembled the mighty 1st Fleet, a formidable armada intended to secure victory for Alar. Their strategy included an audacious move to assault Ephyr, the capital of the Councilleria, knock out the Sulth Alliance in the process and eventually lay waste to Vahalzaar and the Magistrate.
Yet according to the legends, fate said otherwise in the form of a legendary sea monster known as T’halthuum. As the 1st Fleet sailed towards the Great Jungles of Mezataan, T’halthuum emerged from the abyss of Lethassa, tearing the Alarian armada apart, sinking ships, and taking the lives of thousands. Not a single vessel of the 1st Fleet returned, leading to a loss that Alar could never recover from.
Following the catastrophic defeat of the 1st Fleet, the Alarians found themselves vulnerable, their kingdom on the brink of bankruptcy, and their resources exhausted. At this juncture, peace negotiations became inevitable. Other nations, including the Clans of Vahalzaar, who had initially sought to exploit Alar's misfortune, also felt the pressure to end the wars, as the desire for peace was nearly unanimous across Aesor.
In the year 489, the Ioniesh Pact was signed, officially marking the conclusion of all conflicts on Aesor. This pact solidified a commitment to peace and cooperation among nations, ending the destructive rivalries that had defined Aesorian history for centuries.

General Information

Date - Year 203 – 489 of the First Age A.A.
Cause - Control over the Four Isles Sea
Outcome - Signing the Ioniesh Pact

Allegiances & Sides

Free For All

Factions:
Council of Ephyr
Kingdom of Alar
Magistrate of Aztheon
Clans of Vahalzaar
Sulth Alliance