Ithyrian War of Succession (if-FEER-ee-AN)

The Ithyrian War of Succession was the last and most significant conflict fought by the ancient Ithyrian Elves. Following in the wake of Emperor Vaelen Aeneroths sudden death, this war was waged between the Great Houses that made up the Ithyrian nobility, each House trying to press their own claim to the now empty throne. Eventually, with much of the empire devastated by the war and the Great Houses forces severely exhausted, and with victory for any side appearing to be no closer than it was at the start, the war ended in a truce, with the Great Houses becoming the various Elves of the current age and dividing the empire into the current Elven Kingdoms, an event that effectively marked the end of Ithyria.

The Conflict

Prelude

A few months before the start of the war, the Ithyrian Empire was struck with the sudden death of their reigning emperor, Vaelen Aeneroth. As he had left no children or designated heirs, emperor Vaelens death left the empire with no clear successor to the throne, and many of the Great Houses that formed the nobility of Ithyria would step forward to press their own claims to the throne. As disputes over who had the most legitimate claim to the throne dragged on and intensified, the Great Houses eventually escalated into the Houses attempting to enforce their claims through military force, paving the way for the civil war to follow.

Deployment

The Great Houses of Ithyria mustered all of the forces they had at their disposal, including knights, archers, cavalry, and battlemages.

Battlefield

The Ithyrian War of Succession was fought throughout Ithyrias territories in southern & southwestern Imera, as well as some of northwestern Vraelia.

Outcome

With no side having made any meaningful progress, and fearing further devastation to their lands, the Great Houses settled the war in a truce, and divided the territories of the empire among themselves.

Aftermath

With no heir to the imperial throne, and the lands of the empire diivided among the Great Houses, the Ithyrian Empire ended, and was replaced with the Elven Kingdoms.

Historical Significance

Legacy

The Elves consider the Ithyrian War of Succession to be one of the most disastrous conflicts in the history of their race, due to its role in the fall of the Ithyrian Empire. Even thousands of years later, the events of the war still influence relations between the Elven Kingdoms, who strive to avoid another devastating conflict like this among themselves.

In Literature

The Ithyrian War of Succession features frequently in historical texts covering the history of the ancient Elves and the Ithyrian Empire.

Conflict Type

Civil War

Battlefield Type

Land

Start Date

-1890

Ending Date

-1800

Conflict Result

The war ended in a stalemate between the Great Houses

Location

Imera