The Ender War

Written by Asa M Jacobson

INTRODUCTION

The Ender War (2320-2323) was a series of battles fought between The Queenshire of Hofslond and The Archian Empire at the same time as The Siednik Wars of the Third Period. The battles were fought across both land and sea, resulting in thousands of deaths. The Principle of the War was over trade coming from the North to Archia. Hofslond imposed taxes upon Archian merchant vessels passing through the Straight of Ardune, which resulted in over 30% of their annual tax revenue as a state. Archian emperor Lambert IX rerouted ships coming from The North Isles into the delta at Kornon; effectively dodging the tax and starving Hofslond, while in turn helping Archia continue funding their wars in the South. This sparked the three year fued, which later became another one of the Siednik Wars.

TENSIONS IN CEENAR

Following the death of Roland I of Archia, his cousin Lambert became the King. This was hotly debated among the people, with half of the nobles siding to crown Aubrey III, the wife of Roland and former 21st ruler of Archia, as the Queen once more. These quells were put to rest when Aubrey was assassinated by Lambert. But despite Lambert's now undisputed right to rule, the populous revolted and a major rebellion had to be forcibly put down in Ceenar. In Finelli of 2319, Lambert was officially crowned the 26th King of Archia. With several tension ridden and unpopular wars ongoing in the south, Lambert IX had received an empire on the brink of financial collapse. Lambert ingeniously found new ways to route his merchant vessels around major waterways, instead using land and river trading to support Archia. The savings were unlimited, and he instantly became an extremely popular King. With a renewed financial success in his kingdom, Lambert doubled down on the Archian wars.

A NEW ENEMY

The unforseen consequences of the new routes was a heavy toll on the neighboring kingdoms who presented the ocean taxes- namely, Hofslond. The valkyrie were outraged, and quickly presented a plea stating the illegitimacy of the new routes, according to a trade agreement between the two kingdoms. Lambert replied with a simple answer: "New agreements will be drawn up." Immediately after receiving the reply, the nobility of Hofslond mobilized a fleet of battleships and sailed up the Cordal Coast to raid the Archian Territories: Ardune and Fondalar.

THE ENDER WAR

On the first day of Animatos 2320, the war between Hofslond and Archia began. Lambert mobilized all his units from the newly constructed city of Adorea, where a lord named Jon Ender ruled. Under the leadership of Lord Ender, the army of Archia marched all the way to the Cordal Coast, where they stood in wait near the shoreline closest Ardune. Upon the arrival of the valkyrin units, the Lord of Adorea assualted the navy and massacred the first wave of windpike. However, what the Archian territory had not expected, was a secondary navy full of icewulf from Borishell, neighboring in the Dark East. The valkyrie reinforcements wiped through the battle-worn Archians, and began an expedition to take the entirety of the North. The coalition of valkyrie proved to great an opponent for Lambert. In 2321, Adorea was put under intense siege- but the city did not yield.

THE LONG DELAY

Month after month, the siege continued, with no sign of King Lambert or his troops. The wars to the South had occupied the Archian mainland- namely the Ithriunese invasion into Orsolon, an unprecedented attack against the Archian allies. For three years, Adorea staved off their enemies, until the Blossoming of 2323, when Lambert IX and fifty-six hundred infantry sailed up the Cordal Coast. A fierce final battle took place near the peninsula where the small fort was built. The climax resulted in heavy casualties on both sides, and the fatal wounding of King Lambert IX. With the young king in dangerous peril, Lord Ender agreed the merchant ships would travel south through the channel to reach Tsonlar and Egletone, reinforcing the tax upon the Empire. The valkyrie agreed and left, but not before they burned the fort of Adorea to ashes. Lambert IX died on the return journey to Ceenar. He was a mere forty-one years old. His young nephew, Roland, was crowned King Roland II in Eastkorn just five days later. The continued instability in the south made the prospect of retribution against the valkyrie near impossible- in addition, Roland II had no fondness for his uncle and openly praised Hofslond for killing him.

OUTCOME AND CONSEQUENCES

The outcome was resounding victory for Hofslond, and the revenue continued to stream into Askyae for hundreds of years to come. The burning of Adorea caused the future king, Lambert X, to continue the Archian conquests into the northern peninsula and ultimately discover what became The Confederation of Traelec.

Conflict Type

War

Start Date

2320 3p

Ending Date

2323 3p

Conflict Result

The Cordal Coast and its Trade Routes Are Controlled by Hofslond

Belligerents

Hofslond

• The Queenshire of Ecsaev

North Archia

• The Archian Empire

Led by

• Lambert IX

Strength

5500 Valkyrie
14 Battleships

9500 Infantry
6 Battleships

Casualties

935 Valkyrie
8 Battleships

5600 Infantry

6 Battleships

Objectives

Control Trade on the Cordal Coast

Stop the Northern Invasion by Hofslond