The Nordic conquest

"Árinn ok innriðið, ávallt fram" - Translation: "Valor and Determination, Ever Forward"

Prelude to the war

The war between the White Houses and the southern empire of Kasei was a protracted conflict that spanned several years. It began in the year 732 when the White Houses, a confederacy of Nordic settlements, banded together to formed a larger nation to gain the power to conquer more territory to the south. The catalyst for their union was a series of droughts and food shortages caused by both natural factors and the encroachment of monsters in their territories. The White Houses saw the south's use of strange magic and gem-based technology as corruptive and evil, they blamed it for the misfortune befalling their settlements.

War starts

Five years after the formation of the white house, in the year 737, the White Houses officially formed the The Nordic legion - Hvitagards Her, their formidable army, and began launching skirmishes in the south. However, their campaign faced opposition from the federation of Bliv Frain, a trade ally to the White Houses in the east. Bliv Frain discouraged the conquest and imposed economic sanctions on any trade with the White Houses when they invaded the southern country of Tut'is. The eastern nations, including Bliv Frain, remained neutral throughout the war.
The White Houses employed guerrilla warfare tactics, striking quickly and weakening local defenses before launching large-scale attacks. Within a year of fighting, they had taken control of major regions along the main trade route through Tut'is. Coastal cities such as Shearbay and Diæin fell rapidly to naval raids. The main army pushed south along the trade route but had to slow its advance after a year due to supply issues. The fortified southernmost city of Mabest, strengthened by military support from the south and its connection to the coastal capital of Jalis, remained a formidable obstacle.
The central region of Tut'is featured a vast and impassable swampland where many refugees sought shelter in the town of Nasit. In the mountainous western portion of the country, the White Houses utilized mountain goat legions and beast riders to capture important settlements, leaving smaller villages to their own devices. Along the Tut'is coast, naval blockades prevented any support from the southern empire.
After two years of war, a massive siege was launched on the city of Mabest. The southern army stationed there employed powerful arcane bombardments, resulting in the death of over 4,400 Nordic troops. Despite their efforts, the city eventually succumbed to the strategic prowess and strength of the White Houses' army. Following a month of negotiations, the capital city of Jalis also conceded to the White Houses' forces.
Although Tut'is was not the primary objective for the White Houses, they aimed to conquer the great Kaseian Empire further to the south. To reach the empire, they had to traverse the neutral city-states of Tilaway, Mih'zayusar, and Salvus, who surprisingly allied with the empire to halt the White Houses' advance. A powerful defensive line halted the northern army's progress, resulting in heavy casualties, mainly suffered by the White Houses.

The Stagnation on the Tilaway Ridge

During the third year of the war, the front line of the conflict reached a state of prolonged stagnation on the Tilaway Ridge. This highly fortified defensive line became a battleground where the forces of the White Houses and the southern empire of Kasei clashed with all their might.
The Tilaway Ridge, fortified by both sides, became a complex network of enchanted barriers, arcane shields, and interwoven defensive spells. These magical fortifications not only provided physical protection but also disrupted enemy advancements and hindered their magical abilities. The ridge itself seemed to possess an ancient magical aura, amplifying the powers of those who fought within its boundaries.
On this front line, epic clashes took place, pitting the White Houses' highly trained warriors against the formidable forces of the Kaseian Empire. The White Houses employed powerful battlemages who wielded elemental magic, unleashing devastating spells upon their enemies. These mages conjured firestorms, summoned lightning bolts, and cast protective enchantments upon their allies. The Kaseian Empire, on the other hand, had ancient sorcerers who commanded dark magic and summoned mystical creatures to aid their cause.
Among the troops, there were elite units known as the "Runebound", heavily armored soldiers infused with magic and possessing incredible strength and resilience. These enhanced warriors served as vanguards, leading the charge against enemy positions. They were equipped with enchanted weapons and armor, imbued with magical properties that made them formidable adversaries.
The battlefield itself was a spectacle of fantastical beings and creatures. Giants, towering over the combatants, strode across the landscape, smashing enemy formations and causing widespread chaos. Flying beasts, ridden by skilled aerial units, engaged in deadly dogfights, raining down destruction from above. Barbarians, known for their fierce strength and battle prowess, charged into enemy lines with reckless abandon, cutting through their ranks.
However, despite the incredible power and magical prowess on both sides, the defensive capabilities of the Tilaway Ridge and the ingenious strategies employed by the opposing forces led to a stalemate. The White Houses and the Kaseian Empire constantly adapted their tactics and developed new magical technologies to gain an edge over their opponents. This led to a continuous cycle of innovation and countermeasures, as each side sought to overcome the defenses of the other.

Situations in the Annexed Nation of Tut'is

While the focus of the war remained on the Tilaway Ridge, various situations unfolded within the annexed nation of Tut'is, infused with the fantastical elements of Dungeons and Dragons-like technology.
Resistance of the Runic powers: In occupied Tut'is, a secret resistance group known as the "Order of the Arcane" emerged. Comprised of spellcasters, rogues, and rangers, they harnessed the mystical powers of the land and used them to undermine the White Houses' control. The Order conducted covert operations, infiltrating enemy strongholds, sabotaging supply lines, and unleashing powerful spells to disrupt the occupiers' grip on the land.
Quest for Powerful Artifacts: Both sides sought to acquire legendary artifacts scattered throughout Tut'is. These artifacts held immense magical power and were said to be capable of turning the tide of the war. Adventurers and mercenaries were hired to explore ancient ruins, treacherous dungeons, and forgotten tombs, all in the pursuit of these mythical treasures. The White Houses had many adventuring troops enter the neversong forest to claim the ancient necrotic artifacts lost in the war of dead, but to no avail as no nectrotic magic from the acient practicioners where ever used in the war.
Civil Unrest in Jalis: Under the White Houses' occupation of Jalis, the former capital of Tut'is, the city grappled with a multitude of challenges. Civil unrest surged throughout the streets as the proud and defiant population resisted the foreign rule, fueling an atmosphere of constant tension. The occupation took a toll on Jalis's economic stability, with disrupted trade routes, stifled commerce, and rising prices, plunging the city into an economic downturn. This economic strain, combined with the influx of refugees seeking shelter within the city's walls, resulted in overcrowding, inadequate housing, food shortages, and the spread of diseases, creating a humanitarian crisis that further deepened the resentment and discontent among the population.

Turn of the war

In the fourth year of the war, the White Houses assembled a naval army to attack the Kaseian Empire from the ocean. They sailed down Sacra Bay, targeting the city of SIU̯IƔUŞAR. While the White Houses managed to inflict significant damage on valuable targets, their lack of knowledge, familiarity, and experience in engaging a civilization of such magnitude led to a decisive defeat, costing them thousands of troops. This marked a turning point in the war.
From this point forward, the White Houses struggled to hold onto their conquered territories. Internal rebellions erupted, and sustaining a front against the technologically advanced southern empire proved challenging. The White Houses had been experimenting with harnessing their own runic powers, but their development lagged behind that of the southern powers.
Jalis was released from White House control to prevent further escalations in the internal rebellions. However, this weakened the White Houses' ability to maintain control over Mabest and effectively sustain the southern front. They were forced to retreat to more defensible positions.
Around the fifth year of the war, the White Houses held only the ports of Shearbay and Diæin, along with several settlements along the main trade route through Tut'is. They also established their own settlement named Hayguard in the north, beyond the Standavoll Mountains. The White Houses controlled roughly half of Tut'is at this point.

The devosation of the white house army

Over six years into the war, the Kaseian Empire developed new technology to deal a final blow to the White Houses. They created a fleet of airships powered by arcane energy, capable of long-range bombardment. The Kasei moved their land army to capture smaller cities along the main trade route, diverting the White Houses' attention. Unbeknownst to the northern army, this diversion served to expose them to a devastating weapon—the Kaseian airships.
The Battle of the Sunken Warlands: The Kaseian airships silently loomed over the battlefield, and suddenly, invisible projectiles erupted in a cataclysmic display of arcane energy. Explosions ravaged the area, warping the very fabric of reality. Within the blast radius, atoms were split, bodies mutated into monstrous forms, gravity became unpredictable, armor melted into molten metal, and the ground turned into a treacherous quagmire that swallowed everything in its path. Tens of thousands perished within hours, and the surviving remnants of the White Houses' army scattered in all directions, defeated and disoriented. This devastating attack would forever be remembered as the Battle of the Sunken Warlands.

Post war

Following the battle, Tut'is regained its former borders, reclaiming the entirety of its lost territory. Many survivors from the White Houses' army were taken as prisoners of war and confined in a massive prison located in the mountains near the city of Hayguard. The prison served as a constant reminder of the defeat suffered by the White Houses, and the sealed mountain pass separating Tut'is from the White Houses became a symbol of their humiliation.
Now, more than 25 years later, the Sunken Warlands bear the scars of the devastating battle. The land remains a haunting and desolate place, characterized by twisted forms, spectral apparitions, and the remnants of unimaginable suffering. It stands as a somber testament to the consequences of war and the tragic price paid by those who dared to challenge forces beyond their comprehension.

Map of Tut'is, the area where most of the battle commenced:
Note there is currently an error in the map where the underlying terran is slightly offset to the right from map elements such as cities, roads, forests etc.

Land of Tutis

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Terrain and Weather of Tut'is

Mountainous and Forested West: The western region of Tut'is is characterized by towering mountains and dense forests. These natural barriers provided strategic advantages for the defenders, allowing them to establish strong defensive positions and impede the advancement of the White Houses' forces.
Great Plains and Trade Route: The central part of Tut'is, where the main trade route traverses, consists of expansive plains. This open terrain facilitated the movement of armies and the deployment of large-scale forces. The trade route served as a vital lifeline for both the defenders and the White Houses, becoming a focal point of contention throughout the war.
Low-Lying Swamplands in the East: The eastern portion of Tut'is is characterized by low elevation and extensive swamplands. These treacherous and impassable marshes presented significant obstacles for military maneuvers, limiting the effectiveness of large-scale offensives and offering refuge to displaced civilians seeking safety.
The weather in Tut'is, a hot steppe climate zone, posed additional challenges for the warring factions. Harsh summers with scorching temperatures and arid conditions tested the endurance of soldiers on both sides. Sweltering heat and limited access to freshwater sources strained supply lines and made sustaining large armies in the field a formidable task.

Waring details of note

Technological Advancements in Kasei: The war served as a catalyst for significant technological development in the southern empire of Kasei. Faced with the White Houses' formidable resistance, Kasei invested heavily in research and innovation, leading to advancements in various fields beyond the war industry. These breakthroughs contributed to Kasei's rise as a technological powerhouse, with lasting effects on its economy and society.
Diplomatic Impasse: Despite the passage of more than two decades since the war's end, the bitterness and rivalry between the White Houses and Kasei persist. Both factions have avoided direct diplomatic relations, refraining from official apologies for their actions during the conflict. The scars of war and deep-seated animosity continue to hinder attempts at reconciliation and open dialogue between the two nations.
Tut'is' Defense Contract: Tut'is, a nation historically averse to war conflicts, relied on a unique defense arrangement during the Nordic Conquest War. Instead of maintaining its own standing army, Tut'is strengthened their defense contract with Kasei. While Tut'is continue to focused on internal security and rely on smaller police divisions and hired mercenary armies. Tut'is' will invenst in the formation of a large military garrison in Mabest controlled my Kasei military forces and Tut'is will perform regular monitary payments and provide supplies to sustain its continued operation.
Legacy of Sabotage and Internal Rebellions: Throughout the war, the White Houses conducted covert operations within Kasei, aiming to spread panic, sabotage infrastructure, and incite internal rebellions. The consequences of these clandestine efforts endured beyond the conflict's conclusion, with some rebellions in Kasei still actively challenging the empire's authority. The remnants of these covert operations and the underlying tensions continue to shape the political landscape of the region.

Losses and Population Impact

White Houses' Losses: Throughout the conflict, the White Houses suffered substantial casualties, with over 50,000 soldiers and civilians losing their lives. This devastating toll represented approximately 18% of the population of the White Houses, leaving scars that would shape the nation's identity and future.
Influx of Immigrants: Following the war, the White Houses experienced a remarkable influx of people from diverse backgrounds. The devastation of the conflict and the subsequent opportunities for economic growth attracted individuals from all over the world, seeking new beginnings and contributing to the rapid development of the White Houses.
Giants' Desertion: The war's aftermath saw the departure of giants from the White Houses. These towering beings, once aligned with the Nordic settlements, returned to their ancestral lands. Their absence left a void in the White Houses' military capabilities and shifted the balance of power in the region.
Active Rebellions in Kasei: The covert operations conducted by the White Houses during the war left a lasting impact on the southern empire of Kasei. Internal rebellions, ignited by the White Houses' agents, continued to challenge Kaseian authority long after the Nordic Conquest War ended. These rebellions serve as reminders of the deep-seated animosity between the two rival factions.

Conflict Type

War

Start Date

732

Ending Date

744

Additional information

The Nordic Conquest War not only altered the geopolitical landscape but also reshaped the demographics and cultural fabric of the White Houses. The scars of the conflict, both physical and psychological, continue to shape the region's present and future.
The battle at the Sunken Warlands stands as one of the most significant engagements of the war. The White Houses' forces were caught off guard by the sheer might of the Kaseian airship armada, leading to catastrophic losses and the end of the war.