The Great War

Content Warning

General content warning for death, civilian casualties of war (including children) and the impacts of war on a society. There is no graphic imagery in this article.

Overview

Territories and their Occupants

Before the War

With reference to map layer: Before the war, the mainland territory was predominantly occupied and ruled over by the dwarves. This land stretched beyond the reaches of any map of the Isles and formed a large continent of it's own. Even after the dwarves were driven from their homeland, they continued to occupy the easternmost coastline of this land.

During the War

During the war, territory slowly changed hands. At first it appeared that the dwarves would be thwarted by the unforgiving nature of the sea, but when the reached the Isles themselves they claimed all the land that they could see.

After the War

With reference to map layer: After the war, the dwarves occupied all of the Isles apart from the north-easternly most island: Rauro. This Island became a haven for those who wished to fight back against their oppressive rulers and is home to The Church of the Faithful.

The Great War

Open full size

The Conflict

Prelude

At the turn of the century, the Dwarven people were driven from their mountain homes in the west. The wild folk used their magic to take over the land and consequently, the dwarves found themselves homeless and scared. The dwarves are naturally suspicious folk and thus blamed their circumstances on magic and not those who drove them from their homes. Fear is one thing, but when it is left to develop, it becomes a paranoia and a hatred for anything that's different. Over the next few years, the Dwarves turned away anything unfamiliar or new as a means to protect themselves but they instead made themselves into a folk fuelled by hatred.

You are surrounded by the screams of people desperately fleeing for their lives and fear is heavy in the air. You hear a clash of swords and begin to run frantically towards the ocean; the only place where you will be safe.

As the years passed, the Dwarves moved east, and as they did so, their leaders became increasingly ruthless and cold. Not all of the Dwarven folk agreed with those in power but they were to scared to rebel. Instead, they let their people fall into the paths of evil.

The Halls of the Dwarf Lords by Frod0_baggins

After crossing the sea, the Dwarves reached the Isles of Iastarene. Here, they found elves, men and selkies living in perfect harmony. At first, they tried to find a place in this society but their suspicious nature and fear of magic brewed hatred. Those in power couldn't stand to see the use of magic (which drove them from their home) used by everyday folk for everyday things. So, much to the horror of the people who welcomed them so warmly into their lands, the dwarves began to turn on their neighbours and their friends. They struck out at the Selkie folk because they reminded them too much of the magic that left them homeless and without complete control, the dwarves felt certain that they could lose their homes again.
Thus, a hundred year war began, which would see history repeat itself and innocent people be driven from their homes. Thousands died and yet the Dwarves failed to see that they all they were doing was passing on the evil that was done to them.

Outcome

At the end of the war, the Isles were in disarray. The dwarves had suppressed the forces opposing them but all they had won was a people who were grieving their dead. The dwarves became oppressive rulers firstly by banning magic but then by their banishment of the Selkiefolk. At first they only forced the Selkies to leave the Isles but soon they became violent. Murdering any they suspected to sympathise with the plight of the Selkies. The citizens of the Isles shut their windows, locked their doors and could only hope and pray that they would survive to see another day.
Their were some among the original inhabitants of the Isles who quickly began to turn on their neighbours and friends. Suspicion and distrust spread and soon it was no longer safe to speak your mind or to act yourself on fear of death. The few still faithful to the selkiefolk began to silently fight back; creating a network of survivors who still knew that good could be found in the world.

"Don't talk to strangers."; that's what mother and father told you when you were a child. "Our neighbours may be spies," they told you, "or rebels" You don't know which is worse. You are alone.
Even the sea is dangerous; it's whispering cannot comfort you. To love the ocean is to walk a knife edge. One slip, one wobble and you will plummet to your death.
They say you have nothing to fear, that the world will be better again. But, you know now: you know everything.

The selkiefolk fled back to their ancestral homes under the sea, mostly unharmed. But a few stayed. The mothers of human-selkie children could not return to the sea without having to leave their children behind. For most, this was an unthinkable evil and so they and their children perished together at the hands of the dwarves. But some chose to give up their Selkie family and tried to integrate themselves and their children back into human society. This was more risky and often left selkie mothers in constant fear of their children's safety.

Aftermath

Selkie by Frod0_baggins

Now, the people of Iastarene live in constant fear. The dwarves slowly rose in power and became dictators and overlords of the many original inhabitants, lashing out at anyone who was too different from them. Those who fought back initially were punished, and there are few now left with the strength to resist.
In the long term, the ban on magic had irreversible effects on trade and medicine. When a society has relied on something to feed them and keep them alive and it is taken from them, things inevitably fall into chaos. Thousands die every year from illnesses and wounds that could easily be healed by magic and the lack of magical means of trade and craftmanship has caused an increase in poverty.
Although, an underground market has sprung up for both medicine and trade, it is both expensive and dangerous to access. It is usually only used as a last resort by those who's only other choice is death. Because of this, prices have soared and those who trade in this way often become corrupt and manipulative; making their money from other people's suffering.

Historical Significance

Legacy

Anyone who has grown up on the Isles has been impacted by the war. It has spread darkness and destruction across all that used to be happy, and it has taken the lives of many. The children are the most affected (Dwarven, human, elven and Selkie alike). Even though the war ended 500 years ago and few now were alive when it happened, it is visible in every aspect of daily life. Children are warned against their classmates and their friends, parents can't trust teachers or neighbours and nobody can trust those in power.
The dwarves are only now becoming able to see the consequences of their actions, as the impacts on economics and society filter up to those who have money and power. They have begun to see the starvation and poverty they have caused. But they are yet to regret, or resolve, they actions. However, this has made them weaker than ever before, and the chance has arose for those who are still faithful to all that is right and good in the world to fight back for what they believe in.

Recorded History

There are many recorded histories of The Great war, written from both sides of the battle. However, the officially published works only tell the tale of the dwarves and the record of those they oppressed is only remembered in diaries and letters hidden across the Isles. For the selkiefolk, these first-hand memories of the war are treausered family heirlooms. But, more importantly, they are also the only written account of the atrocities that were done to them and their people.
This is unusual, as selkies tend to prefer stories and songs passed on by word of mouth, over physical written documents. However, when something as important as their identity and lives was at stake, they would do anything to make sure their enemies faced the consequences of their actions. Because of this, The Underground Library was formed to preserve this history for future generations.

Technological Advancement

The Great War actually caused a significant decrease in the technological state of Iastarene. The ban on magic caused a crash in the economy and the people were left without their main source of survival. This has however benefited those who still practice magic in secret as it has allowed them to experiment with ways to make their magic less noticeable to outsiders. This has led to the creation of a new branch of magic that specifically focuses on secrecy and disguising magic as other things.

Table of Contents

---

---

Conflict Type

War

Battlefield Type

Land

Start Date

2906

Ending Date

2956