Riftentide Truce, 525 P.A.
The only moment in all of Eternity's recorded history when all sides of the same war decided that no blood would be shed on the night of Riftentide. During the War of Four nations, towards the end of the second age. Fafnian, Doh'garan, Munren, and the Brimbarians met on the same field, and unanimously said how Riftentide would be enjoyed peacefully. Each side agreed to a twenty-four-hour cease-fire that would last through Riftentide. During that time, each side would sing, dance, tell stories, and even exchange gifts. They thought not of the next day, but simply enjoyed what was right in front of them. They all put aside their racial, cultural, and religious differences. Even the Draconin, and munren celebrated with eachother, and laughed under Riftentide night's magnificent magical display.
"No. Deos gave us this new world to escape the sin of a dying one. It would be of utmost disrespect to him, and all who follow him if we commit the same sins on the same night that he gave us this refuge. It would be a disrespect to the sacrifice of Horoth, and Arotha, who died hoping the next world would be sinless. There will be no war during Riftentide this year." -From the journal of the Fafnian general, Naachur SulkrisFor that one day, there was peace in one of Eternity's longest wars. For one day, the soldiers laid their swords to rest as the snow fell. Sadly, it was not a lasting peace. Heodar's general kicked off the same battle the following day, and forced the war to continue. Some say that if that one general hadn't given the order to continue the war, Eternity would be a very different place.
The Conflict
Prelude
Before this day, the War of Four Nations was in full force. None of the four armies were giving a single inch. For months, it was the same battlefield. Each side fought ruthlessly. The draconin numbers were slim due to the requirement of forces from over seas. The Brimbarians were few, but strong. The Munren forces from Heodar were great, but the physical capability of an individual Munren simply did not compair to the capabilities of the draconin, or brimbarians. No ground was lost, or gained during this standstill which had lasted since the beginning of autumn. When Riftentide had come, the soldiers of each army refused to fight, and the draconin generals were the only ones to support their men in this. They issued a twenty-four hour cease-fire, and would celebrate Riftentide togeather.
Battlefield
The field was a massive flat plane. Covered in snow, with a clear view of the sky for that night. The allied draconic armies had the southern end of the field while the brimbarians had the north-western side, and Heodar's armies had the north-eastern side.
Outcome
The day was a double-edged sword. On one hand, the moment of peace massively improved morale. On the other hand, the event had humanized the enemy, and each side found it difficult to resume the fight. Eventually, the armies of Doh'garus, and Fafnia emerged victorious, and had control of the field.
Aftermath
The position gave the draconic armies an edge, and a sort of buffer between the front, and the draconin operating bases.
Historical Significance
Legacy
This one day has been remembered throughout all of Eternity, even by nations that didn't fight this war. It is a celebrated night, to the point where no nations will fight during Riftentide. No matter the beliefs of the generals, or the intensity of the previous battle.
In Literature
Many songs, and stories have been sung, and written about this one day, and one night.
Conflict Type
Battle
Battlefield Type
Land
Start Date
19th of Tyeth, 525 P.A.
Ending Date
21st of Tyeth, 525 P.A.
Conflict Result
Peace was achieved for all of one day, only for the battle to resume the next.
Belligerents
Strength
The strength of this unit of Fafnia's army at the time was around five hundred. It had been closed to fifteen hundred when the initial engagement had occurred months prior.
Casualties
No blood was shed on any side that day.
Objectives
Their prior objective was to take this field, and put some land between the front, and the Fafnian bases further south. For that day, their objective was to enjoy the peace while it lasted.
Strength
The Doh'garus Army had between four hundred, and four hundred, fifty troops. They had previously a force of nearly a thousand in the first engagement on that field in the months prior.
Casualties
Objectives
Their prior objective was the same as the Fafnian army, to put some land between their bases, and the front line. Today, their objective was to enjoy the peace while they can, because there was no guarantee that it would last.
Strength
The armies of Heodar were greater than the others, with one thousand troops ready to charge. Prior to the initial engagement, they had a full five thousand.
Casualties
Objectives
Their orders were to charge, but each and every soldier unanimously said "No!" Their new objective was to enjoy the peace just for that day.
Strength
The Brimbarian army had a strength of about eight hundred that day, though they had nearly three thousand before the initial charge.
Casualties
Objectives
Their objective for that day was to make the most of what little time they had. There was no guarantee that this peace would last.
Now that you have written the article. Any army that would call a truce just cause its a holiday would be considered stupid. But the fact that they did gives more power and meaning to how important Deos is to them.
The entire even was inspired by the Christmas Truce of 1914, when the British, and German armies decided that they would not fight on Christmas day. And, yes, Deos is the single most important figure in everyday life in Eternity.