The Conflict
Prelude
Following the fall of the Empire of Thrain, the Efferian region, located between the elven kingdom of Tarminas and the Twin Rivers Plains, remained as a lose collective of connected but independent towns.
During the late Third Era and early Fourth Era, the Merchant States, an economic power that formed in the Twin Rivers Plains, began using economic influence and capital to acquire the towns of Efferia one at a time, until the region was completely taken. One thing that became apparent over time was the incompatibility between the Efferian ideals of independance and liberty, and the plutocratic economic and political polocies being instituted by the Merchant states. This friction persisted for much of the Fourth Era, continuing to build, untill in the 1223 year of the Fourth Era, The Confederacy of Efferian Holds formed and sent the Efferian Declaration of Secession, proclaiming their intent to become a separate nation.
Directly following the sending of the letter of succession, Efferia began training and mobilizing its civilian militia into a more professional fighting force. Due to the difference in power between the two sides, the Efferians accepted all volunteers, regardless of race, gender or age, and allowed, or in some cases encouraged, unconventional or dishonorable tactics as long as they could provide results.
The Merchant States of the Twin Rivers were slow to act once receiving the letter of succession, perceiving it as more of a letter of discontent. I was nearly a month before troop mobilization, and the procurement of mercenaries began, around the time that the taxes from Efferia were due.
It is rumored, though not confirmed, that several battalions of elven warriors from Tarminas were sent to the region to bolster the Efferian forces and provide the kingdom a buffer state between them and the expansionist Merchant States. Neither the Efferian or Tarminas governments have ever commented on these rumors.
For the duration of the conflict, small encounters occurred primarily along the southern border of Efferia, with slightly more being focused on the western, costal regions.
Due to the Efferian willingness to employ brutally unconventional tactics, the conflict quickly spiraled into the bloodiest campaign in recent Thean history.
Tales from mercenaries working for the Merchant states abound of children playing on the sides of roads as soldiers passed, only to unsheathe daggers, kill as many as they could and disappear into the undergrowth, or young women sneaking into the camps after dark to poison water and food supplies. The constant paranoia of the Efferians led many units to begin killing civilians on sight, seeking to earn territory once all possible defenders were dead or routed.
In the face if the Merchant States indiscriminate brutality, the Efferian forces fought with even more determination, finally forcing the Merchant States to consider the region lost after three years of sustained conflict.
Through the will power and desperation to see the war of attrition through, the Confederacy of Effeirian Holds officially gained its independence in the 1225th year of the Fourth Era. Following this the Merchant States put indefinite holds on most of its plans for expansion, instead choosing to focus on consolidating the power it had over its remaining holdings, specifically its eastern region which was beginning to show signs of discontent.
Though new to the political landscape of Thea, Efferia has been recognized by all other major political powers in the region, and has opened trade and diplomatic relations with most of them.
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