War of the Warlocks

"I've never seen so many dead in one place. Full of life one moment, so easily ripped away. I've never heard so many brave men scream. It was not war, but slaughter. Even when we had gained in the end, there was no celebration for our victory. Only mourning."
-Margrave Alfred Klotz reflecting on the War of the Warlocks in 27 A.o.R.

The War of the Warlocks was a major war that lasted for four years as nations in southwestern Galledal tore themselves apart. It started when the Dominion of Tilliden declared war on Kildranos on the 1st of Ekeros, 14 A.o.R. Though it was a relatively short war, it was one of the bloodiest in recent memory, and it has left the continent scarred. Quite a few of the involved nations no longer exist and nation lines were greatly effected as a result of the war. Leaders of the Dominion of Tilliden were convinced that Malik, the leader of the Children of the Black Sun, wished to destroy the world by bringing about a Third Cataclysm. Malik was capable of bestowing users with magic and making true undead - therefore creating a force of mages that was capable of dying repeatedly and continuing to fight.

The War of the Warlocks included the Coalition of the Black Sun which consisted of the Kingdom of Salandi, Holy Kingdom of Kildranos, and the Aestren Republic which fought against the League of Tilliden which consisted of the Dominion of Tilliden, Almaridian Empire, New Elven Union and the United Clans of Midiiz.
The United Clans of Midiiz simultaneously fought against the Domuc Empire, which believed the war of the other nations proved to be a great opportunity to conquer more land. The Katawani Kingdom and Republic of Viltanor aided Midiiz in this additional conflict during the War of the Warlocks.

Though the Federation of the Dwarven Lords did not fight directly in the War of the Warlocks, they supplied the League of Tilliden with armor, weapons and mercenaries.
By the end of the war, several nations were annexed by the victors. The Holy Kingdom of Kildranos was annexed by the United Clans of Midiiz. The Aestren Republic was split between the Almaridian Empire and New Elven Union. The Katawani Kingdom was taken by the Domuc Empire.

2 - 14 A.o.R: The Prelude

The War of the Warlocks was the result of many events that started many years before the war began. Many are attributed to the doings of Malik, a warlock and possible lich that arrived sometime in Galledall around 2 A.o.R, though some speculate it may have been earlier. For several years Malik would roam the Katawani peninsula before settling in Kildranos, where he reportedly began to perform miracles, the most famous of which was dubbed the, miracle of the black sun, during which he caused an eclipse on command. His deeds won him many followers and even the attention of the king of Kildranos. This was the founding of the religious organization known as the Children of the Black Sun. Later, Kildranos would be reestablished as a theocracy, with Malik in charge of the religious affairs of the state on the 14th of Arvay, 7 A.o.R.

At some point after this establishment, the Dominion of Tilliden was alerted of the existence of a "vast and unexplainable magical presence," emanating from Kildranos. Since they were already suspicious of Malik and his cult following, they dispatched spies to keep an eye on his activies. His legendary abilities worried them, and many of his other miracles were far beyond the power of any known mortal, hinting at something more sinister in the works. Meanwhile, Malik and King Adestar journeyed to their neighbors of the Kingdom of Salandi and the Aestren Republic, Malik performing more miracles along the way.

On the 26th of Landir 9 A.o.R. Malik converted a temple to Fastyx into a temple to Monolith in Kildran. To the Council of Tilliden this was a great offense and was unnerving. Not only did Malik convert the temple, he began to actively speak out against the worship of any gods other than Monolith. This would be the first time the Council would publicly speak out against Malik and the Children of the Black Sun, and not the last. Over the following months, several temples across Kildranos, Salandi, and Aestrum would be converted. The council redoubled their efforts in discovering what Malik was up to.

The council then dispatched more spies to Kildran to see what more they could find out. Their contact within the city had gone quiet. According to sources from the city, these spies cooperated with a fanatical branch of the Knights of the Conflagration, who initially had some sway over the city before Malik arrived, to burn the city down in an act of vengeance. On the 28th of Arvay, 10 A.o.R., a marriage between Isolde Adestar and Willem Klement was performed with Malik carrying out the rituals. Shortly after the wedding ended, the city was lit aflame across all the sections by the Knights of the Conflagration and the spies of Tilliden. Over the course of several hours, fires burned through the city and killed well over a thousand in the process. Malik would go on to blame Tilliden for this, publicly denouncing them for their actions and interference in any foreign matters. The Council of Tilliden however claimed that during the event, their spies had uncovered something insidious that Malik had created. According to their reports, Malik had created a magical device that would allow him and his followers to defy death, by reincarnating almost instantly after death. The Dominion of Tilliden expressed that such creations were clearly a sign that Malik had ill intentions, but few listened to them at this time. In addition to Kildranos, Salandi was also upset with Tilliden for their actions. The wedding was a political affair, Willem Adestar being the Duke of Allundel in Salandi, and almost the entirety of the Celestine Assembly was present. Witnessing what had happened first hand, they had little sympathy for the Council of Tilliden's views.

Tensions would continue to increase between the council and the nations surrounding it. Kildranos had made many allies, and the Dominion of Tilliden knew it needed some as well as many members of the council began to consider war a possibility. In secret, they made a treaty between themselves, the New Elven Union and the United Clans of Midiiz. The New Elven Union's leadership respected and trusted the Council, as they often took advice from them regardless. They believed that if the council really thought something was wrong there was good reason. The leadership of Midiiz also felt this way, but to them it was more personal. Several months earlier the Children of the Black Sun destroyed a shrine to Bahamut in Whelsot, a town on the border of Kildranos and the United Clans of Midiiz. The Clans historically have had guarded relations with the people to the north of them, having had several wars with what is now Kildranos. Together, all three agreed that, should war arise, they would aid one another. This was the birth of the League of Tilliden.

Some time later, the Council of Tilliden learned that Malik had completed the device that he called the pyre of life which would allow the defiance of death. Now confidant that they could overwhelm Malik and eager to destroy the device before it could be put to use, the Council threatened that if he did not allow the them to inspect and possibly destroy it, there would be war. However, both Malik and King Adestar refused. This only raised tensions between the two nations, and at least some kind of skirmish seemed inevitable. Soon persecution of people with opposing views began on both sides. One such event was within the small village of Athmal, just inside the border of the Dominion of Tilliden. Several of the members of the Children of the Black Sun that lived in Athmal were being actively persecuted by those not of the faith. They cried out for help and directly asked Malik to come assist them. But before Malik could arrive, the Council closed off their borders with Kildranos, and threatened that any Kildranians would be arrested on sight. Yet Malik showed no signs of stopping, and he even bid his followers farewell in Kildran should he be harmed. He crossed the borders into the Dominion of Tilliden to help his followers with no military escort, and he was immediately arrested.

The Kingdom of Kildranos would not allow their religious leader to be arrested freely, and they sent the First Army of the Black Sun to free Malik. This army was special in that it was entirely comprised of those who had been tied to the pyre of life by Malik. Even if they died, they would be reborn at the pyre. Which the Dominion of Tilliden had no knowledge of at this time. Seven thousand Kildranian soldiers began to march to the border. The League of Tilliden struck first to prevent intrusion, and they destroyed the other army in four hours. But it was unknown to them that their efforts were in vain. Thus began the War of the Warlocks on the first of Ekeros, 14 A.o.R, exactly 13 years after the age began.

14 A.o.R. - Unexpected Losses

Immediately after the First Battle of Athmal, the League of Tilliden would declare war on Kildranos. They demanded that, for practicing black magic and violating the laws of nature, they would accept no less than the complete surrender of Kildranos. Yet Kildranos would not fight alone. Just two days later, the Kingdom of Salandi would join the fight on behalf of Kildranos. Athmal would see its second battle just four days after the first when the First Army of the Black Sun would return and fight victoriously. After marching on Fort Kashnor and freeing Malik, the Coalition of the Black Sun was formed. Aestrum would join the Coalition in hopes of ridding themselves of Tilliden's watchful eye while the United Clans of Midiiz began to attack sourthern Kildranos. Now a full war, each of the different groups had their own enemies to fight. The elves of the New Elven Union began to attack northern Aestrum with hit and run tactics as they probed for signs of weakness. The Clans were unexpectedly driven back south by the First Army of the Black Sun after the infamous Battle of Kipper, where Clan Ravarax and Lorrakas met a decisive defeat when Malik revealed his true power and nearly destroyed both of the dragonborn armies. It was there he earned the nom de guerre, "Malik of Many Hands." After he was certain that the border between Kildranos and the Clans was secure, Malik turned his attention to Tilliden.

The Dominion of Tilliden had little in terms of a standing army despite their preparations. In times of conflict, the members of the council took up arms themselves. The council was famous for being comprised of many mythical creatures, including sphinxes and dragons. It was Attemenuter, and androsphinx who was well over 7 millennia old who lead the bulk of the dominion's military against Kildranos. There, he attacked the northern Brunwin Hills, drawing Malik's attention. The Coalition of the Black Sun would meet at the border of the dominion. There was a collection of 55,000 soldiers between the First Army of the Black Sun and a small number of soldiers from both Aestrum and Salandi. From there, they spearheaded the invasion of Tilliden with the goal of forcing the council to surrender or to destroy the city. Attamenuter expected an easy fight and attacked the Coalition in the valley of Malona, but the Dominion's army was routed when Malik killed Attamenuter. The Coalition continued on to Tilliden itself, which was put under siege. This was the first time in 1,300 years the city would be assailed, yet the ancient fortress city did not yield, even after the Coalition gathered a total of 70,000 soldiers. After several days the ancient silver dragon Nezivir lead a sally against the Coalition. Though initially successful, Nezivir was killed by Malik once the attackers got much further from the city. The remaining defenders fled back into the city, it seemed merely a matter of time before the city's walls would fall. For the Dominion did not have an army that could rival the size of the Coalition's. The United Clans of Midiiz hoped to break through, and once again began to attack the southern border, with mixed success. Though some armies from the New Elven Union were making their way over the mountains into Tilliden, they would not be enough to turn the tide alone.

It was in this circumstance when the Almaridian Empire offered to join the League of Tilliden in return for major concessions on the condition of victory. It seemed the Almaridians had been preparing for some time, and still had many veterans from the The Zelyrian War several years earlier. The offer was immediately accepted, and the armies of Almaridia began to march into Aestrum with a vanguard of 45,000 under the command of General Otto Merzer. So it was that while the war in the west was in the favor of the Coalition, the east began to favor the League. In a matter of weeks, the Aestren Republic called for aid after 130,000 Almaridians invaded. The north was also beginning to weaken under the constant attacks of the New Elven Union which dealt steady casualties in their hit and run raids. Because of this, many of the soldiers from both Salandi and Aestrum returned to fight back the Almaridians, the former dealing great damage with their knowledge of magic. Though they would hold off the Almaridian onslaught for now, each battle was miraculously won and could have gone either way.

By the 7th of Rathiel, fall was upon both sides as they prepared for winter. The siege of Tilliden would not end, and Malik knew that if something did not change soon his gains would lose steam. Still, none expected the Coalition to do as well as they had, and many within the League of Tilliden were beginning to fear the worst. Malik would spend the rest of the year journeying down to the Domuc Empire to discuss a possible alliance with them. Though battles and skirmishes continued from the late fall into winter, the majority of conflicts were halted.

15 A.o.R. - War in Katawan

While it was winter in the north, the Katawani Peninsula almost never experienced much of a winter. It was there to the Domuc Empire that Malik went and met with their leaders. Though the Domuc Empire was very suspicious of magic users, they thought Malik was fascinating and applauded him for his victories against the Clans, their sworn enemies. It was here that Malik offered an alliance. Should the Domuc Empire attack the United Clans of Midiiz, Malik promised to assist them in their destruction in the north. This offer intrigued the Domuc, who wished to conquer the Clans. While they had come close in the past, they had never had an ally in the north. While they reasoned that attacking them would result in a nearly guaranteed victory if Malik was victorious, they were still hesitant to commit, and simply told Malik that they would think it over. While they hoped to one day destroy the Clans, they currently had a peace agreement with Midiiz that they would need to find a way to circumvent.

Meanwhile, the Clans were preparing to attack the heart of Kildranos. Their armies established a location to launch further operations with the intent of destroying Kildranos, capturing the king, or forcing Malik away from Tilliden. Just days before they were to advance north, with almost three-quarters of the Midiizian military on their northern border, the Domuc Empire attacked by surprise. The Domuc Empire had discovered that they could breach their peace agreement by declaring themselves a member of the Coalition of the Black Sun, which technically meant the United Clans of Midiiz had declared war on them first, meaning they had joined as part of the defensive war. Pretenses aside, the Domuc Empire began to roll over the few defenders in the south, capturing many settlements in days. It was the greatest success the Domuc Military had ever seen. The United Clans of Midiiz abandoned their plans to strike at Kildranos and scrambled back south, and only left a defending force behind to watch over the border.

Meanwhile in the north, the situation had only grown more dim for the League. The siege of Tilliden was still ongoing, and Malik had spent much of his winter expanding the First Army of the Black Sun. Once just composed of 7,000 soldiers, it was now 100,000 strong. Each member was a true undead with no fear of death. Many had in fact died several times, but were able to return to the front lines. This undead army quickly became the most hardened and experienced military in all of Galledall. However, the city of Tilliden was surrounded by a magical field that cancelled most magic. Even Malik was not immune to the barrier, which left him nearly powerless and his undead army vulerable to death once more. Because of this, neither side was willing to move too far into the other's zone of control. A sally against the attackers would have been suicide, but a full scale assault by the First Army would have been costly at best, and crippling at worst. Instead both forces waited on their allies to the east, who fought for control. To them, it became clear that the victor of the war would be decided there, and so both sides began to support efforts as best they could without giving up what they already had.

Yet things in the east were becoming just as mired with consequences for loss as back in Tilliden. While the Almaridian forces were vastly better trained than their enemies were in typical warfare, the Celestine Assembly arrived nearly in its entirety to help defend Blackpool, the capital of Aestrum. By this point, the Aestren Republic had been given enough time to raise a proper army, and the north was becoming slowly resistant to the hit and run attacks of the New Elven Union. Though the defenses were improving, Aestrum was hesitant to commit to an attack against either side. Attacks against the New Elven Union had been attempted before with no success and serious losses. It was generally accepted that any attack over the Aestrum River was almost suicidal, and should only be done under extreme circumstances. Instead they went on the defensive and tried to make sure no elves slipped into the mountains to assist in defending Tilliden. Though some attacks were planned to be carried out against Almaridia, many were abandoned at the last minute due to grim odds. Instead most of the battles fought during this time were along the border of the three nations, with well over a hundred skirmishes taking place.

Finally, the League of Tilliden made a move when the New Elven Union and the Almaridian Empire combined their forces and attacked, aiming for the capital of Blackpool. With a combined 200,000 soldiers under the command of King Valanor Elidad and General Harald Den Mulden, they sought to take the capital of Aestrum by force or siege. Despite their overwhelming numbers, the magi of Salandi made every inch the League secured cost hundreds of lives. Still, the city was put under seige on the 19th of Alios, 15 A.o.R. The senate and military command barely managed to escape before the city was taken, but it did not fall.

During this time, the rest of the south erupted into war. On behalf of the United Clans of Midiiz, the Republic of Viltanor and the Kingdom of Katawan declared war on the 26th of Simdis. Always having been enemies with the Domuc Empire, they saw it necessary to help defend their historic friend during this time when they were vulnerable. However, the Domuc were far more prepared for this than they had expected and they soon found out that only about half of the Domuc's forces had been sent into Midiiz, while the rest were waiting. The Domuc had expected this attack, and they launched a fierce counter offensive eastwards after a few battles. The rest of the Domuc's forces continued to push into Midiiz, rolling over the lax defenses that had been emplaced earlier. By the 12th of Wulfis, they had reached Midiiz itself and began to siege the city. The expert siege works of the Domuc proved devastating to the walls of the city, yet the rest of the defending Midiizian forces would arrive in time before the city fell. Holding their ground, the Clans refused to give up their ground. While the Domuc had failed in taking the capital, they still prevented the Clans from assisting the League in any other way.

As winter began to return in the north, the war continued to rage with full force in the south. Winter had almost no effect on the southern end of the peninsula. After being counted by the Domuc, the United Clans of Midiiz, Republic of Viltanor, and the Kingdom of Katawan all joined forces to attempt to drive them back. The latter two had officially joined the League of Tilliden, though their fight was with the Domuc. The United Clans of Midiiz were working on restoring their navy to working order, as they were still recovering from the battle of Kipper. The Republic of Viltanor was known for having a lacking army compared to the Domuc, though their navy helped make up some of the difference. Being far more sophisticated than the Domuc's navy, the Viltanori ships began to sail from the central Varotra sea towards the Margbreytinn Ocean. And while the landlocked Kingdom of Katawan's army was good, it was not as well supplied, trained, or even half as large as the Domuc forces they faced. For the rest of the year the Domuc would slowly whittle away at both armies, mostly targeting the Katawani and taking large chunks of their forces at a steady rate.

Even when winter did descend on the north, both sides continued to fight fiercer than the year before. The elves redoubled their efforts in attacking Aestrum, and even sent a small group of ships to Kildranos, where they disembarked and began raiding the countryside, much to the annoyance of Malik and King Adestar. Once again, Malik set off to recruit another ally. This time, he went to the Hadaran Empire, and asked them to attack the Almaridians. The Almaridian Empire was wary of this, so they withdrew some of their troops and reinforce the region of Zelyr and began to hire thousands of mercenaries from the Federation of the Dwarven Lords. The Almaridians knew that if they were attacked by the Hadaran Empire, they would lose.

16 A.o.R. - Tides Turn

"We have lost our chance - extinguished like the light of a candle. All we can do now is make their victory as painful as possible"
-Malik upon hearing that Tilliden was no longer under siege.

The League of Tilliden knew that, should the Hadaran Empire join the Coalition of the Black Sun, it would be nearly impossible for them to win. The City if Tilliden acted fast in the absence of Malik and lead a desperate and heroic sally against the army of 100,000 soldiers. Defenders of the city worked with some of the New Elven Union's soldiers that managed to slip through Aestrum and into the Cataclysm's Divide. The final battle of Tilliden was fought in the midst of a blizzard on the 14th of Jondar. Yet when it ended, the remaining survivors of the First Army of the Black Sun elected to retreat, as their numbers were down to only 15,000. The city of Tilliden was no longer under pressure and could begin operating as normal and contributing to the war once more. The victory by the League at Tilliden inspired their allies' forces, who fought with a new vigor.

Malik was furious. He had only been away for a few weeks. According to him, the Hadaran Empire was nearly persuaded when the news that Malik's "undefeatable" army was routed from a city that didn't even have its own standing army. The Hadaran Empire was still recovering from their own troubles and once they heard that the Almaridian Empire were expecting them, they backed out of any promise of an alliance. There would be no attack from the east, and the Almaridian Empire would continue to assail the Aestren Republic. To compensate, Malik would hire mercenaries out of Sunar to strike at both the Republic of Viltanor and the Almaridian Empire.

Having heard of the alliance falling through, the Almaridians began to continue their attacks against the Aestren Republic. Though the most important target was the city of Blackpool, it was currently defended by many mages, including the Celestine Assembly and Lillian Melvia, the Didact of the Keystone Academy in Salandi. Instead, the Almaridian Empire launched assaults to expand their control over central Aestrum, hoping to break up the north and south. This was lead by General Otto Merzer with some initial success, but was halted almost in its entirety after General Merzer's army was routed and he himself was killed by the armies of Adam Crowe. This would slow the League's advance into the area and buy the republic more time before they had to worry about begin completely overrun.

In the south, the Domuc Empire continued to plow though their enemies by the thousands. Though their advance in the west had lost steam against the Clans, it was accelerating in the east against their two other enemies. The Domuc knew that if they persisted the east would eventually break. After several months, the defenses of the Katawani Kingdom fell almost completely leaving their capital city of Scannon open to attack. On the 27th of Ozzelondum under the heat of the summer, the ancient and renowned city of Scannon was sacked completely. By the orders of the Domuc, none were to be left alive. All members of state were captured, executed, and the city was put to the torch. At least 40,000 members of Katawani military died in its defense, along with an estimated 75,000 civilians. The few survivors of the sacking of Scannon recounted the Domuc slaying all they saw with an experimental weapon of some sort that caused thunder to erupt, leading many to suspect they may have been gifted magic. Either way, the conclusion was the same - the Kingdom of Katawan was no longer part of the war.

Malik finally returned from his failed attempt to make an alliance with the Hadaran Empire. Arriving in Kildranos he found his army just as upset as he was. Eager to regain their lost progress and get revenge for the loss, he lead them back into Tilliden. As his army approached they were once again attacked by its defenders to no avail. Before Malik had only fought when he saw it necessary. But now he did so freely, smiting anyone who did not flee. Many within the Children of the Black Sun would write how Malik seemed to have changed. He seemed to be growing cold from his frustration of the war. As they began to near the city of Tilliden once again, they found its people were prepared to fight and determined to defeat Malik. The dominion of Tilliden had not been idle, and had used their moment of respite to gather and organize a force of 70,000 soldiers, most of which were volunteers. Another 5,000 were from the New Elven Union. Still Malik did not fear them as he would personally oversee the battle. The second battle of Tilliden began on the 1st of Brynholm. Though Malik had numbers in his favor, he was caught off guard when an elven mage engaged in single battle with him. Stronger than anyone he had fought before, this would be the first and only time Malik is known to have been bested in combat by anyone. After suffering several wounds, he retreated. With the loss of their commander many of the First Army of the Black Sun began to retreat, though thousands were captured and more killed. Later this mage would be knighted as Lady Shaline Eridune of Tilliden, and would be given control over its armies. Malik would write to the Council, telling them, "That woman which you so dearly admire is more enemy than I am to you, or you are to me." Despite his warning, she quickly became beloved by the rest of the League as well.

Battles would continue for the rest of the year. The United Clans of Midiiz continued to stave off the Domuc Empire while the Republic of Viltanor would annex the remainder of the Kingdom of Katawan under their protection while they tried to hold their own ground, their navy slowly distracted Domuc reinforcements. Each battle back in the north was quickly becoming more costly. Hoping to make some progress, the Almaridians attempted a final attack on Blackpool on the 19th of Alios, but a curse by Didact Melvia cost the lives of thousands of soldiers and life of the current leading General Willem Markle. It was during this time that Adam Crowe was sent with his elite forces across the Aestrum River to divert the attention of the New Elven Union. General Alfred Klotz gained command of Almaridia's forces in wake of Markle's defeat. He continued to maintain the siege on Blackpool while he cut through central Aestrum. His forces made their way to Salandi and made fortifications in Arunall for winter. Its location was a week's march from Starguard, which was mostly undefended, and the Celestine Assembly began to wonder if they should retreat back to their capital.

17 A.o.R. - Beginning of the End

"You must fight with your lives men. Remember that if you don't, your children will take your place."
-Commander Sigfried Voller to his soldiers before the Siege of Starguard began

The winter was restless for both sides as they continued to prepare for the spring, but none were more restless than Malik. Despite the harsh winter of 17 A.o.R, Malik continued to urge his allies and his soldiers to fight on. He continued to press up north, but each time he was countered by the Dominion of Tilliden's armies, along with their champion Lady Eridune, who it seemed Malik had almost grown to fear. To compensate for his losses, Malik doubled the size of the First Army of the Black Sun. Now 200,000 strong, he split the army, sending 25,000 to aid in the defense of Starguard should it be attacked and another 25,000 to attack the northern United Clans of Midiiz. Though his undead army was capable of great things, they were ineffective against the Clans. Many of those who were sent were ill experienced, and 25,000 simply wasn't enough to overwhelm them. Malik continued to fight against the Dominion, hoping to find a weak spot, but to no avail. He attempted to travel in order to assist Aestrum in their invasion. Shortly after he entered into Salandi, his enemy began to march towards Kildranos, which housed Malik's pyre of life. He knew that leaving the pyre unprotected was a risk he could not afford to take. If it was destroyed, his true undead army would crumble away. Therefore, Malik was forced to remain in Kildranos.

Seeing that reinforcements would not come to their aid, General Alfred Klotz ordered a full scale attack, bypassing Blackpool and going straight into the heartland of the republic. Even this was just a stopping point however. Their ultimate destination was Starguard. Most of the Republic's forces were either located in Blackpool or stuck fighting the elves to the north, and were therefore unable to stop the mighty Almaridian military. Though Salandi had a conventional military force of its own, they were inexperienced compared to their battle mages. These mages resisted the Almaridians at first, but were soon forced to retreat further and further. By the 23rd of Jondar, an army of 80,000 Almaridians were one day's march from Starguard. The Celestine Assembly stationed in Blackpool had no choice but to leave their ally's capital to its fate while they defended their own. They teleporting back to Starguard and left Blackpool's exhausted defenders to their doom. The city's defenders numbered only 30,000, and they were starving and tired of war. They were offered terms of surrender but  they remained obstinate and refused. Not everyone within the city possessed their same determination however. People within the walls betrayed their city and opened the gates for the Almaridians to enter. Every republican soldier in the city was slaughtered, and Blackpool fell to the Almaridian empire.

The Republic was now on it's deathbed. The Almaridians dispatched a force of 30,000 cavalry to hunt down Aestrum's leadership, while another 50,000 were sent north to help the New Elven Union with resistance in Northern Aestrum. The remaining soldiers were sent to Salandi to prepare for the attack of Starguard. Then came the New Elven Union's forces under King Valanor Elidad, which numbered 60,000 soldiers. While the Celestine Assembly was preparing for the worst, most of them departed west. A force of 50,000 would be left behind, but the vast majority continued onwards, their goal being Kildran. Between the combined armies of Almaridia, Tilliden, and the elves, they only outnumbered Malik's forces by 50,000 people. The League was eager to end the war. The three nations had agreed in secret that killing Malik and destroying his city would be the fastest way to bring peace. The first battle of Kildran started in favor of the defenders, who had an immortal army of 250,000 soldiers. As they fought for their home, it seemed as if they could not be broken. Yet as some forces from Midiiz began to attack from the south, they were being beaten back. After hours of fighting, the League's forces were standing at the walls of Kildran. It is written that Malik was seen on the ramparts of the city, casting some kind of spell. Yet before he could be stopped, the spell was completed. A massive dark hole a mile wide opened underneath the forces outside the city, and all who fell into it were lost. There was well over a hundred thousand who were consumed by it - from both sides. The King of the New Elven Union, Valanor Elidad, was swallowed by the abyss before it snapped shut. The League was shocked and their momentum halted, they did not have enough forces to overwhelm the city. As the reincarnated dead began to appear from the city, the League was forced to retreat back to Salandi. By the power of a single spell, they had lost 40% of their forces.

News of this event spread rapidly. It was called the Day of the Dark, for some believed what Malik had summoned was some kind of portal to the Shadowfell. The League's forces were deeply hurt by their losses and began to rest and reorganize. During the next few months, Aestrum would be totally conquered, it's land divided between the New Elven Union and the Almaridian Empire for later when the war was over. Though not physically affected by the event, the other members of the Coalition were affected by the Day of the Dark as well. The Domuc Empire believed themselves justified that Malik was a silver-tongued mage that should not have been trusted. While the Kingdom of Salandi and the Celestine Assembly were dumbfounded that Malik could even do such a thing, and they began to wonder if their cause was just. Though Malik attempted to calm their nerves, many in the assembly began to grow reluctant to continue fighting. Their land was already being occupied by foreign forces, and though their attention wasn't directly upon them at the moment, it was only a matter of time.

At this point, the United Clans of Midiiz were fully organized in attacking and driving out the Domuc Empire. The Domuc army realized their assault on Midiiz would only cost them more lives, and they elected to retreat back into their own territory. On the 29th of Arvay they ended their siege and retreated, though not before enacting a policy of total war. Along their long march back to the empire, they destroyed everything and killed everyone they came across. Well over a hundred thousand are believed to have died during this march. The Domuc had their forces positioned on the border to Midiiz in case they attempted a counter-attack. But the Domuc reinforced their assault in the east. They knew the war was coming to a close, and they wanted to make sure they got something out of the fighting.

The League continued to prepare for a second attack of Kildran, while they suppressed any resistance in Aestrum and the countryside of Salandi. By Rathiel, the Celestine assembly began to settle for terms with the Almaridian Empire. They would agree to no less than establishing a satrapy under the Almaridian Empire, and that Didact Melvia be handed over. They also demanded that they pay reparations for the wary. While many in the Celestine Assembly wanted to refuse, they knew that doing so would result in their total destruction.

18 A.o.R. - Collapse

"We are defeated. But only for now. Time is meaningless to Monolith. Someday we shall be victorious. Soon, I shall depart from you all, but I shall return to fight again. And we will not be defeated twice."
-Malik addressing his followers just several days before the second battle of Kildran

The League had no time to prepare for the winter. Instead they marched to Kildran once more as soon as they had the necessary forces. The armies had plundered a great deal of food from the Kingdom of Salandi and were able to make it to Kildran once more. As they fought, they soon learned that Malik was not in the city, but was in a nearby fortress known as the Heart of the Black Sun. A small elite group of soldiers were sent to take out Malik while the rest continued to fight what remained of the First Army of the Black Sun. After hours of fighting, the city was overwhelmed and the pyre of life was destroyed. All of the undead soldiers of Malik's grand army who were not already dead turned to dust before the eyes of the living, and were no more. Later some of the soldiers from the force sent to kill Malik returned, saying that Malik had been killed, yet they could produce no body. Still, the League of Tilliden had officially captured the capital of Kildranos and their leader Malik was officially marked as deceased on the 10th of Landir.

The Dominion of Tilliden's forces began to conquer any remaining resistance in Kildranos, with the help of the some of the soldiers from the United Clans of Midiiz. Just several days later the Celestine Assembly would surrender, becoming a satrapy of the Almaridian Empire, though Didact Melvia fled the city before she could be captured. Over the following months, all sides had peace talks. While the Republic of Viltanor wanted to have the Kingdom of Katawan returned as a sovereign state, the Domuc Empire would not budge on the matter. Unfortunately for Viltanor, no one was willing to fight anymore, and they were permitted to keep what they had conquered, although the Clans passively vowed revenge for what the Domuc had done to them. On the 17th of Wulfis, the official peace was signed in the Treaty of Midiiz, ending the war of the Warlocks.

Immediate Aftermath

Almaridian Empire

• Southern Aestrum was made into a new province of the empire.
• General Alfred Klotz was promoted to Margrave of Southern Aestrum by Emperor Varkus.
• General Sigfried Voller was made leader over the satrapy of Salandi. He would remain there per their agreement until the Kingdom of Salandi had repaid their debt, estimated to be between 7,000,000 and 10,000,000 gold pieces.

Dominion of Tilliden

• The Dominion of Tilliden made it a crime to be a follower of Monolith, and encouraged all across Galledall to outlaw Shroud Worship
• The Dominion of Tilliden was now permitted under agreed upon authority to inspect any nation they thought had obtained items of a, "dark and dangerous magical nature."

Domuc Empire

• The Domuc Empire was allowed to keep all land they had conquered by the end of the war.
• The Domuc Empire was contractually bound to not declare war upon the United Clans of Midiiz or the Republic of Viltanor on grounds of war being declared in defense of the other for 10 years.
• The Domuc Empire's officers were charged with war crimes against Midiiz and the Kingdom of Katawan. While many were charged and tried, few received severe punishment even when found guilty, for the jury was composed of Domuc members.

Kingdom of Salandi

• The Kingdom of Salandi became a satrap of the Almaridian Empire until they repaid their debt.
• Alternatively, they could accept Almaridian rule and become a new province of the empire.
• All magical services were to be offered to the Almaridian Empire for free, and all magical items were to be forfeited immediately.
• Only a force of guards to watch and maintain settlements were allowed.

New Elven Union

• The New Elven Union was given control over the region of Northern Aestrum, which was added to their union.

Republic of Viltanor

• The Republic kept the remaining section of the Kingdom of Katawan that they had annexed as a legal way to cross into its territory and defend it. Many wished to remain within the Republic due to their leaders death, and they would remain so.

United Clans of Midiiz

• The United Clans of Midiiz would be given complete and total control over the former kingdom of Kildranos

Long Term Effect

Aestren Republic

Almaridian Empire

Dominion of Tilliden

Domuc Empire

Kingdom of Katawan

Kingdom of Kildranos

Kingdom of Salandi

New Elven Union

Republic of Viltanor

United Clans of Midiiz

The Conflict

Outcome

• Dissolution of the Children of the Black Sun
• United Clans of Midiiz annexes Kildranos
• Dissolution of Aestrum
• Almaridian satrapy established in the Kingdom of Salandi
• Dissolution of the Katawani Kingdom

Aftermath

• Formation of the The Umbra Accord
• Formation of the Free Society of Mages
• Outlawing of the Children of the Black Sun, the worship of Monolith and Shroud Worship

Participants

Coalition of the Black Sun

Aestren Republic Republic
• Aestren Senate
• Chancellor Adrian Kelster †
• Commander Nathaniel Sealy †

Domuc Empire
• Emperor Grur Ghunodi
• Peran Kepli Pasha

Kildranos
• King Armin Adestar †
• Malik †

Kingdom of Salandi
• Celestine Assembly
• General Hemeri Bray †

League of Tilliden

Dominion of Tilliden
• Council of Tilliden
• Attamenutter †
• Nezivir †
• Lady Shaline Defynal Eridune of Tilliden
Almaridian Empire
• Emperor Volker Detlev Varkus
• General Harald Den Mulden
United Clans of Midiiz
• Rex Mettuzen Petil
• Commander Teldek Karsturos
New Elven Union
• King Valanor Elidad †
• King Siirst Haell
Republic of Viltanor
• Grand Magistrate Herbert Carne
• Commander Arthek Vivyan
Kingdom of Katawan
• King Carux Alterian †
• Marshal Aryut Tarsek †

Deaths (military)
Aestren Republic: 200,000 - 250,000
Almaridian Empire: ~100,000
Dominion of Tilliden: ~100,000
Domuc Empire: ~85,000
Katawani Kingdom: 90,00 - 120,000
Kingdom of Kildranos: 200,000 - 350,000
Kingdom of Salandi: ~100,000
New Elven Union: ~65,000
Republic of Viltanor: ~100,000
United Clans of Midiiz: 250,000 - 300,000


Deaths (non-military)
Aestren Republic: ~100,000
Almaridian Empire: ~750
Dominion of Tilliden: ~190,000
Domuc Empire: 1,000 - 5,000
Katawani Kingdom: 100,000 - 200,000
Kingdom of Kildranos: 75,000 - 100,000
Kingdom of Salandi: ~50,000
New Elven Union: 5,000 - 7,500
Republic of Viltanor: 1,000 - 5,000
United Clans of Midiiz: 200,000 - 350,000

Start Date

1st of Ekeros, 14. A.o.R.

Ending Date

17th of Wulfis, 18 A.o.R.

Conflict Result

League of Tilliden Victory

† - Killed in action during the war