Third Crusade

The so-called Third Aldoran Crusade was the name most history books gave to the unprovoked invasion of the great city of Novotroisk and the subjugation of its people by the draconic armies of Aldor. Publicly, the Aldoran Ember Council deferred to the leaders of the Draconic faith and allowed the latter to proclaim Novotroisk a "hive of heresy and demonic taint from which no light will ever shine". With the declaration of heresy, the church militant had all they needed to raise armies of dragonkin under the banner of the faith. The following year of build-up allowed for Novotroisk to prepare for the coming war, and the population was mobilized in a fevered but ultimately futile defense.
Novotroisk was never outwardly militant toward its neighbors, but used its position as an hub of arcane technology and learning as a deterrent to invasion by any of the major powers. While never explicitly stated or confirmed, it was rumored for decades that the archmages of Novotroisk had the capability to disrupt the magic levitation of airships and even the sky cities, and that alone was enough to keep the navies of Peynor and Aldor away. The Aldoran military did not want to take the risk of such substantial losses in their supporting role in the crusade, and pushed the church to seek another strategy beyond direct assault.
The church ultimately saw the conquest of Novotroisk as more valuable than their honor, and opted for a strategy of subterfuge to launch their conquest. Further weaponizing the poison breath from their dragons, the Aldoran alchemists were able to create explosives that spread the caustic, toxic mixture. Church fanatics were able to infiltrate the city with these devices, and detonated them to great effect. Within hours, the majority of the city lay dead or dying, choking on their liquifying lungs. It took a week for the gasses to clear entirely, at which point Aldor declared victory as the Draconian Knights led the invasion of the city, slaughtering those who remained.

Conflict Type

War

Start Date

746 CR

Ending Date

774 CR

Conflict Result

Subjugation of Novotroisk by the Aldoran Hegemony