The Dwarven Wars

There are entire fields of study devoted the series of skirmishes, battles, conflicts, rebellions, coups, and wars known collectively as the Dwarven wars. Therefore let this excerpt summarize in a brief context the nature and outcomes of these conflicts.
Firstly it is beyond debate that the oldest and most efficient enemies of the Empire is by far the Dwarves. Though we have shared and alliance with the Dwarves for the better part of 3,500 years, the scars that these wars left on the lands and people in them are still seen to this day. Skyhaven's very nature was a direct result of this conflict, and our Capital's airborne nature is the very reason the Dwarves signed the pact of non aggression all those years ago.
The Dwarves rose alongside the Elves from what the histories say, and signs of trade can be seen even predating the Empire itself. The first known conflict with the Empire occurred in 50 BU when an alliance was forged between the Wood Elves and the Dwarves. The Dwarves staged several successful ambushes along Imperial supply lines, and bolstered the infantry of the Wood Elves of old. After the Wood Elves bent the knee at the end of the Dawn War, the Dwarves were given the same option. The Dwarves are a very stubborn proud people however, and retreated to their Mountain Thaigs and Deeproads. And thus began 1,500 years of laying siege, gaining and losing territory, and somewhat more surprisingly the discovery of the Drow.
It was during the Shemlin Uprising after Barbanis made his pact with the Dwarves, that the two Lost Legions while wandering the Deeproads came across something unexpected. Following the sound of conflict hoping to find another Legion and carry out a successful pincer movement, they instead discovered Elven women with skin the color of obsidian astride giant spiders, successfully ambushing an Dwarven Battalion en route to wipe out the Legions. The Legions joined the fray and won a decisive victory. This was the first contact with the Drow who, while reluctantly, entered into an alliance with the Empire. The Drow much like the Dwarves are a proud people, their Matriarchal Theocracy would only join the Empire as allies holding their own values and laws above Imperial edicts. They were however vital allies to the Empire in our struggle with the Dwarves, and serve as a gentle reminder that should the alliance ever be broken, we have forces close to home for the Dwarves. The other noteworthy part of the alliance comes in the form of the Lost Legions themselves and why they are still called that in our histories. The Drow have a higher than average female birthrate, so the men of the Lost Legions were given as tribute to the Drow, further strengthening our bonds... or so they say.
Many more battles were fought, though ultimately to vicious stalemates. Until the year 1500 AU when our glorious Emperor Gilgamesh of the Gilded Scales, with the aid of the most powerful Magisters of the Empire fueled by the Golden Nectar of the Gods ripped the very land Skyhaven rested on from the ground, leaving what is now the bay between Taronaulde and Lostwatch in its wake, it took three months to situate Skyhaven over the then Dwarven Capital of Gullnir'akrar. Gilgamesh descended from his thrown, and sprouting golden wings came down from Skyhaven to greet the Dwarven King Gráttskegg. It is said that Gilgamesh said five words to the aged and tired King, "Surrender, or I'll drop it." weighing his options Wise King Gráttskegg opened up negotiations with Gilgamesh, surrendering the territory of Gullnir'akrar to the Empire and agreeing to a pact of nonaggression. And so the Dwarves enter the fray, bringing with them their skill with metal and stone, combined with the knowledge of Elvenkind and the ingenuity of the Humans who had long since become perfect Imperial citizens, a golden age of conquest and exploration began for the Empire. Gullnir'akrar however was wiped from the map and now serves as a resting point between Gloomrise and Irongrove, in the lands known to historians as the Cradle of the Empire.

Historical Significance

Legacy

The legacy this conflicts leaves behind can be seen in the relations with the Dwarves and Elves. Reluctant allies at best, conniving brigands at worst.

Conflict Type

War

Start Date

50 BU

Ending Date

1500 AU