The Dorsulgard Skirmishes

The mountain ranges of Ornity aren't natural structures, but draconic battlegrounds, built from the struggles between rivals as old as Agrophon. These mountains formed the site of a slow war between metallic and chromatic dragons, tangled in a complicated stalemate. For a few decades, both parties seemed to be almost at peace, waiting patiently for something to break the draw.
When the little mammals of Ornity and Ossifrey took root in these mountains, the dragons didn't seem to pay attention. But they proved to be small, fast, and numerous, and they got word of the hoards of treasure stashed in hidden caverns and high peaks. The mountain ranges, starting with Dorsulgard, brimmed with pillagers. They filched treasure and territory, ignoring even their own safety, and a series of battles involving both draconic factions was ignited.
Most of the dragons weren't in personal danger, but the bandits got everywhere, and the dragons could no longer keep their hoards, their homes, their allies, or even their children safe. Many of them fled the mountains, some took out their fear on each other, and draconic civilization almost seemed to disappear from Agrophon.

The Conflict

The Engagement

The dragons were far greater in strength, and their opponents were far greater in numbers. This led to bizarre clashes which broke the usual patterns of land warfare. Their plans usually took years of care and precision, but the dragons found themselves playing fast and loose with maneuvers, logistics, and casualties. They were used to strategy rather than tactics; they could no longer think twenty moves ahead, because there were so many little moving parts.
The pillagers weren't centralized, nor were they loyal to each other. While this impaired them in the long run, it allowed a few lucky miscreants to sneak up the mountains and steal treasures, over which their rivals were still fighting and dying. There was no attack and retreat; if someone discovered a new path in the mountains, they had to use it before anyone else could. The pillagers' relentless tempo caused pain and exhaustion on all sides.

Outcome

A mournful silence hung in the mountains for years after the pillagers' gold fever burned out at last. The locals worried that they had ignited a new battle between the two draconic factions. But after a few tense conversations, the metallic and chromatic dragons decided to stay away from each other, trembling at the thought of another dirty fight, of potshots and foul play. And all this was in the 7th century, when Agrophon was supposed to be starting its golden age. For the first time in this era, a scar seemed to form in the world, infamous and irreparable.

Aftermath

Their humbling at the hands of independent vandals, and their desire to see structure and control again, encouraged many dragons to join Ornity in the Duumvirate War. They've acquired a greater taste for conquest, and the aftershock of the Skirmishes still threatens the continent through their actions.

Start Date

644

Ending Date

681

Conflict Result

No part of the Dorsulgard Skirmishes can be called a victory. A handful of people were able to profit, but every faction left with grievous losses.

Belligerents

Chromatic Dragons

Led by

Strength

1,000-2,000 wyrmlings and 500-2,000 grown dragons, at least 4 of them ancient. 1,500 soldiers from affiliated towns were sent to their aid.

Casualties

150 dragons are known to be dead, including 3 adults and no ancients. 100 soldiers were also killed.

Objectives

There were a certain few mountains which the chromatic dragons really needed to keep, though they won't explain their reasoning. They mostly took the defensive, drawing their allies close and waiting for the pillagers to burn themselves out. But when they discovered that Dorsulgard was being repopulated by metallic dragons, they accelerated some of their attack plans.

Metallic Dragons

Led by

Strength

1,500-2,000 wyrmlings and 2,000-3,000 grown dragons, at least 4 of them ancient. They were allied with 4,000 soldiers and 500 cavalry.

Casualties

230 dragons are known to be dead, including 6 adults and no ancients. 750 soldiers were killed.

Objectives

They actively tried to defuse the conflict and protect (or recruit) endangered bystanders. They abandoned and exchanged territories to avoid the worst of the scouring and find safe homes for themselves and their families. They tried to make quick and decisive moves against the worst aggressors, but they made even more enemies through their hasty ventures.

Pillagers

Led by

Strength

Soldiers, hoplites, and adventurers with various resources were constantly arriving and replenishing their numbers, so that there were usually 6,000 at any one time.

Casualties

Upwards of 11,000 pillagers died on their campaigns.

Objectives

They were mostly interested in the many treasures hidden in the mountains. Others considered their conflict with the dragons to be an impromptu war. In the years since the skirmishes, new motives began to surface, related to both the Duumvirate War and the Signeadown.