First Oderel War

The Oderel Wars are a fascinating part of our history, being the only major naval conflicts since records began, as well as one of the few wars in which no Keys were used in the fighting, in contrast to the wars fought on the southern side of the Inner Ocean. It would be a deep misunderstanding to claim that the wars were merely an attempt by Droden to expand their territory after losing the White Mountain War, as many people say. Rather, these were wars over hegemony on the Inner Ocean, with the winner becoming the dominant naval power over all waters east of White Mountain and north of the Virinne Gap.

The Conflict

Prelude

In hindsight, it is easy to say that Oderel's tariffs and charges were unreasonable, considering that only Droden and very occasional Codal ships would have to stop there first before moving on to Mistval. Negotiations between the Droden emissaries and Oderel's leaders had rarely led to change, and a few arguments between Droden sailors and one of the city-state's leading merchants led to five Droden vessels being barred from leaving. High Arbiter Rohan Goldfire himself travelled to Oderel in order to see to the release of his citizens, but upon his arrival was greeted with hostility from both Oderel and the neighbouring city-state Glaid. It is unknown exactly what transpired in the discussion between the high arbiter and Oderel's Duke Jan Palmer, but the result was a declaration of formal war between the judgedom and the city-state.

Deployment

The city-states Glaid and Limago were quick to pledge their support for Oderel and prepared fleets to defend their coastline. Mistval, too, promised aid to the Osmian city-states, though it had a low number of vessels capable of sailing on the open ocean. Droden ships did not begin arriving in the area until early 935, by which point Virinne had agreed to aid them, having similarly suffered from Oderel's charges.

The Engagement

Most of the combat was naval, and took place near the Osmian coast, around Limago's Teeth. Droden vessels had a clear edge over the Osmian ones, but were disadvantaged by the distance from their home ports. One land assault was planned by Droden and successfully executed in the land near Glaid, which led to the city's capture and occupation in late 936.

Outcome

The peace agreed on after Oderel declaring their surrender granted Droden a section of land near Oderel where they could harbour without incurring costs, as well as a reduction in the tariffs on metals, glass and jewellery, the latter of which aided Virinne as well. In return, Droden paid Glaid for the costs of reparing the damage the city took during the occupation, and handed over a quantity of rare metals to Oderel and heatstones to Mistval, who had expressed an interest in the stones during the conflict.

Aftermath

In Oderel, the reduced tariffs were accepted, but there was a lot of resentment towards the occupied land, which some referred to as 'Droderel'. This resentment was one of the main factors that led to the Second Oderel War some 18 years later. Glaid used the opportunity to perform some much-needed renovation to the city, though the delay in reconstruction caused some trouble for the duke. Mistval, for their part, invested more in a proper navy, as well as making good progress with the study of the heatstones. This war also solidified their stance on protecting the Osmian City-States. Droden enjoyed the improved trade opportunities to their east, with their metalwork and glass reaching some places in Cephei and South Virinne for the first time.

Conflict Type

War

Battlefield Type

Naval

Start Date

934 PD

Ending Date

937 PD

Conflict Result

Minor victory for Droden

Belligerents

Droden

• Droden
• Virinne

Osmia

• Mistval
• Osmian City-States

Strength

Around 200 seafaring craft (mostly Droden), each with crews of up to 60 sailors filling various roles and armed with between 6 and 12 powder cannons. A few Virinne vessels were also armed with siegebows. 14,000 ground forces during the land assault.

Around 140 seafaring craft (provided by Oderel, Glaid and Limago), each with 6 to 8 powder cannons, plus around 150 Mistval vessels which could function in coastal waters. Minimal land forces.

Casualties

Nearly a third of Droden's craft sunk, though in most cases around half the crew were rescued and taken prisoner. 3,000 casualties from the land assault and occupation of Glaid.

Around 50 Osmian and 30 Mistval vessels sunk, plus 25 captured during the occupation of Glaid. 1,000 casualties during the land combat.

Objectives

Force Oderel to reduce tariffs, harbour charges etc. and/or allow a constant Droden presence in or near the city.

Force Droden to drop complaints about Oderel tariffs and charges.