The First Primordial War

The first war of Arda

The First Primordial War was a large-scale war fought between the alliance of elves and dwarves against the newly-transformed orcs and duergar.

Table of Contents

A dragon of yore breathes fire against the foes of the Primordials.

Background

According to myth, the first elves were placed in the lands of Romanorum millennia ago by the deities of the Heavens Worship. Here, the early elves lived their lives as peaceful nomads for centuries, slowly gaining and building the arts of civilization as they learned and grew. It was not long until some elves began to abandon their nomadic lifestyles to dedicate their lives to the early crafts of pottery, farming, stonework, sewing, and early magic. With the advent of towns, so too did the art of government and leadership take hold in the minds of the early elves. As the elves began their towns, the Heavens gave their second gift to Arda. The dwarves awoke from the land, and wandered to the early towns of the elves. While they lived in harmony, the dwarves longed for a home to call their own, and left for the Vala Mountains, making the first dwarven hold at Khazad-Vala. There the dwarves dug, and were the first to uncover metal. After much dedication and work, they were able to learn the early arts of heating and hammering metal. The elves, amazed at their neighbor's ingenuity, eagerly learned the craft for themselves. The early elves and dwarves continued in this way, both contributing much to early society of that land. So legend goes, the Primordial looked upon Arda and saw the elves and dwarves hard at work, digging out the mountains the Primordial Earth built and the trees the Primordial Fire nurtured with it's light and heat. The Primordials saw their unchecked growth as a threat to the world and delicate balance they built. The Primordials sought to make their own creations to outstrip those of the Heavens. They made the first dragons, fearsome and intelligent even in their infancy. They also made the first elementals, timeless creatures of fire, earth, water and air. Not yet done, they also began to speak to the elves and dwarves to offer them a new way of life. So in these early days, did the Primordial Fire enrapture some of the early elves with it's warmth. Beckoning the first elves within, they emerged as the first orcs. For some of the dwarves, digging deep into the mountains, they read the land's graven lore etched into the stone they dug, and emerged the first duergar. The early elves and dwarves were alarmed at the new peoples in their midst, claiming to be their former neighbors. The orcs and duergar, changed from their original forms, now sought to convert their neighbors to the new Primordial faith. Thus, they came into conflict in what is known as the First Primordial War.

Course

As a war that had occurred in the infancy of Arda, there are limited records of the events of the war. Most of what is known about the conflict are from tall tales and legends, and the real truth of the war is known only to the Heavens and the Primordials. From the accounts of the early elves, they kept a distance from these newcomer orcs and duergar. However, the orcs came to gain a reputation for abducting their people, and according to ghastly accounts, threw elves to the flames and stoned dwarves in an effort to create more orcs and duergar. After the abduction of a local chief of the elves, the Children of the Heavens declared war against the orcs, who ultimately came to be supported by the duergar. There are no records kept by the orcs from that time, but oral legend from that time spoke of the Firelord beckoning for more to be brought into its light and fire. During this point in history, the orcs were largely druidic peoples who lived in the forests of the land, and the duergar shared a number of mountain homes with their dwarven brethren before their exile. To some, this may have implied the elven record is true, but similarly could have meant that at least some of these elves or dwarves came willingly. Regardless of the truth, the four peoples came into conflict roughly 7,500 years ago. The war was said to have taken place in the lands that make up modern-day Romanorum and Magnos. During this time, the number of orcs and duergar were incomparably few to the greater amounts of dwarves and elves at the time, especially of the latter who had been roaming and populating the lands of the early Eastern Continent, Nestoria, and as far as Cathay. Against such sheer numerical advantage, the early Children of the Primordials would have been hard-pressed to achieve victory. Fortunately for the orcs and duergar, they were not alone. The early druids and clerics of the orcs and duergar called for divine aid from their deities. Having a direct interest in their success, they answered with powerful spirits of the elements as well as the direction of the early dragons who roosted in the lands to the north. Thus, what would've been a one-sided war soon became far more pitched. However, even such support was not ultimately enough for the Children of the Primordials. The numbers, rigid organization, magical arts, durable crafts, and tactical acumen of the elder Children of the Heavens of Arda would have eventually won the day. After a number of battles, the joined forces of elf and dwarf would eventually drive the orcs and duergar out of the early lands of Romanorum. Without a similar support system or fortifications to lean on, the Children of the Primordials were routed, and knew their only sensible option was retreat.

Impact

This event, known today as the First Primordial War, was likely the most consequential war in Arda's history. On behalf of the elves and dwarves, their successful alliance paved the way for the birth of the Romanoran Empire, the largest and most influential empire in the history of Arda. With the power, wealth, and influence of the Empire, the elves and dwarves were able to make leaps and bounds in the development of craft, architecture, magic, language, and the arts, many of which remain today. With few powers in the area able to contest the alliance of elf and dwarf, they were able to spread this new culture throughout the Eastern Continent and eventually go as far to conquer as far west as Cathay. The hopes of the orcs and duergar were damaged, but not broken. Their peoples would flee south, traveling by land or sea to the lands of early Harad. There, the orcs and duergar who survived the journey were able to make a new homeland without much conflict with the burgeoning Romanoran Empire. It is also during this time that a refugee caravan of the duergar went astray trying to reach Harad near the Silvas Jankil. Unable to navigate their way through, they eventually exited into the lands of early Mujmal, where they would establish friendly relations with the local elves. The dragons would return to their roosts, but eventually would spread their wings to find a new roost. During this time, High Peak or the Dragon Kingdom would be established. The ambiguity derives from both such groups of dragons claimed that they were the original nest, with the other being the second (and "lesser" group of dragons).