For nearly nine centuries, the
The Kingdom of Galifar was united in peace. Life prospered, and there was merely minor squabbles among the major nations. That was, until the year 894 YK, when all hell broke loose.
The war eventually came to an end in 996 YK. It has been two years since then, and the embers of the Last War still glow.
Prelude
As
King Jarot of Galifar approached old age, questions about the succession of his throne ran rampant. Although by tradition, his eldest scion, Princess Mishann of
Cyre was to claim the throne, the monarchs of the other nations doubted her ability to rule. Prince Thalin of
Thrane felt he was far more fit to rule instead. Prince Ornghold of
Karrnath was allegedly plotting a deadly coup. Prince Lorn of
Breland wished to remain out of the conflict, but his cabinet was pressing him to take advantage of the power vacuum. Prince Wrogar of
Aundair swore in secrecy to
King Jarot to see to it that the princess would ascend to the throne.
After the death of the old king, Mishann began to discuss plans of her coronation, but was met with cold disregard. On the day of the ceremony, held in
Thronehold, Prince Wrogar went as far to send Thranish troops to prevent any such action. Upon the princess' arrival, there was a brief confrontation between the troops and Mishann's caravan, during which time several crossbow bolts found purchase within the princess and key members of her cabinet. Presuming the assassins to be of the Thranes, the princess' soldiers attacked Wrogar's forces. (Rumor has it that the assassins were actually those of Ornhold of Karrnath, but such accusations have never been officially substantiated.)
Within the next week, each nation was at war with one another. Each nation fought with such a ferocity that one could not help but wonder if the last 900 years of peace had been authentic.
The Midst of War
The Last War was a bitter struggle that forever changed the shape of Khorvaire. It was a century marked by shifting alliances, with years of stalemate interspersed with periods of intense battles. Fatalities are estimated to be in the millions. One would be hard-pressed to find a corner of the continent that remained completely unaffected.
What began as a bitter struggle for the throne slowly transformed into a radical effort by each nation to prove their sole superiority. When the kingdom was united, it was easy to see the nations working in unison, pursuing the same goals. Once they were divided, differences in ideals, ambitions, beliefs, and methodologies became cruelly apparent. One who was born in the midst of war, and knew nothing else, would have found the idea of a united kingdom preposterous, even impossible. And yet, such was the case, not even 100 years in the past.
With the continental conflict came a great deal of innovation - but not always for the best.
House Cannith devised the terrifying Warforged Colossi. Artificers perfected their art.
Karrnath employed the use of undead soldiers.
House Lyrandar developed airships in the last decades of the war. Schools of war magic were refined to a point.
Then the year 994 YK came. The conflict saw no signs of slowing down, but there was no nation who was looking like a clear victor. Then,
The Mourning transpired, and everything changed.
The Scars of War
The Last War spanned the continent and lasted for over a century. Most people want to move on. But the scars of decades of war can't be erased so quickly. These are just a few of the ongoing effects of the Last War.
Dragonmarked Power
The Dragonmarked Houses remained neutral throughout the war, making considerable profits selling their services to all sides. As the conflict strained each nation's resources, these services became more and more of a necessity. The dragonmarked houses emerged from the war stronger than ever, with the divided nations as dependent on them as ever. Before the Last War, the united
Galifar imposed many restrictions on the houses. Today, no monarch can afford to break ties with any of the dragonmarked houses. What will happen if one of the houses goes too far in its pursuit of profit?
New Nations
Before the Last War, Galifar laid claim to all Khorvaire. Several new states emerged over the course of the war. In some cases, this was largely a formality; Galifar never had a strong grip on the
Lazhaar Principalities or the gnome nation of
Zilargo, and they held
The Demon Wastes in name only. Other states were born in violence: the elves of
Valenar and the goblins of
Darguun seized their realms by force. But
Aundair yearns to reclaim the
Eldeen Reaches,
Breland keeps a wary eye on the monstrous kingdom of
Droaam, and many mistrust the
Valenar elves. Within the Five Nations, anger remains over how the final lines were drawn; for example,
Thrane retains control of the ancient Aundairian city of Thaliost, seized during the war.
Physical Damage
The borders between nations demonstrate the impact of generations of conflict. Forests and farmlands scorched by fire and magic are still recovering. Ruined cities have yet to be reclaimed, along with shattered villages and abandoned fortresses. These deserted sites now provide shelter for brigands or are haunted by the restless spirits of those who died in anguish. This damage reached far beyond the front lines. Magic-fueled weapons, aerial cavalry, and guerrilla forces all struck deep within enemy territory, and the cities of
Khorvaire suffered. Wherever you go, you might see the scorch marks of fireballs or wreckage from siege weapons. Every nation is working to repair these wounds, but the damage could linger for generations.
Refugees and Shortages
Refugees live in every major city, including tens of thousands of exiles produced by
Cyre destruction. Cyrans are a people without a homeland, seeking shelter and sustenance in the lands of their former enemies. Many Cyran refugees are former soldiers who were fighting in enemy territory when the Mourning struck, or they were farmers and merchants who escaped before their nation was consumed. Former nobles now have nothing but rags, and scholars or artists live in alleyways. Cities and towns still suffer from shortages in the aftermath of the war. Farmlands, workers, and the resources devoted to the war were lost. Nations are recovering, and most essential services and goods are available in major cities. But there is always the possibility that something you want- a luxury item or a spell component- simply isn't available or can be acquired only through the black market.
The Mourning
The Mourning is undoubtedly the most appalling, horrifying ramification of The Last War. One day, five nations were locked in grueling war. The next, one was destroyed, and the remaining four were shocked into a truce. Had it not been for
The Mourning, the war may not have ended at all.
No one knows what caused
The Mourning. Some say it was an accident, caused by the extreme use of war magic throughout the nations. Other say it was an ineffably powerful weapon, perhaps created by one of
The Dragonmarked Houses. Still others say it was the wrath of an angry god, disgraced with the squabbling of his people. Whatever the cause, the
Mournland is a permanent reminder of the scars of the Last War, while also keeping it from commencing once again.
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