The Vandwig Disaster

Military: Skirmish

In responce to their trade routes being repeatedly attacked by Pirates, some of the Empire Nobility decided to end them once and for all, and gathered a naval force to attack the pirate stronghold known as the Floating Refuge.

For full details of the event see The Vandwig Disaster, but in short, the Imperial force was almost compeltely destroyed, and the Pirates established themselves as a notable force within the Empire. However, acting as individuals, they could never trully threaten the behemoth that is the Empire.