The Jestonan city of Jelloži attacks Csnovan, burning half the city. They don't contain the fire they started, and are then confused after the resulting wildfire also burns their own city and ~50 square miles around them.
The two empires go to war after Vohai refuses to share the ocean with everyone else.
Angry that Alpta refuses to be part of the Vohai Empire, Vohai tries attacking the island nation. It doesn't go well.