Battle of Glimmering Hill

An End to the Cleansing

Saleh'Alire » Politics ⭲ Wars

There can be no doubt in anyone's mind that the outcome of the Battle of Glimmering Hill has had long lasting effects on the region... Indeed, the decisive actions of the Asanari Grera which facilitated the quick end to the conflict (and the end of The Cleansing as a whole) still shapes the political landscape of the area today- a fact about which the Elves of Olienn are still bitter, almost 600 years after the battle's occurrence.

— Archivist Alnan Theada; "On the Tenacity of the Edoan Genasi"; 6632 Unknown

In 6025, controlled by Her Majesty, Queen Nenryn e'ta Usathi (daughter of the former Queen Hyluria e'Usathi), the nation of Olienn entered into a brief period marked by extreme Elvish Nationalism after her ascension. Two years later in 6027, efforts began in earnest to remove all non-Elves from Ollienesian territories. They likely would have succeeded, even, if not for the unexpected resistance Oliennesian forces encountered in the Edoas Strip. The resulting Battle of Glimmering Hill would prove to be the most decisive battle of the Cleansing.

Two People, One Land

Start Date
19 Jenia 6033

Ending Date
21 Jenia 6033

Conflict Result
A quick and utterly devastating defeat for the Phy'ithian Legions of Olienn- but a decisive victory for the Asanari Grera of the Genasi.

Spanning the eastern Caerced Mountains in the northern reaches of the Empire, the Edoas Strip separated the Vael Shi'rys region of Olienn from the Adógan region in Castrillis. Ownership of the strip, however, had been hotly contested for centuries; both the Genasi and the Elves believed their people maintained an ancestral stake in the region, stretching back to the dawn of its settlement.

▼ Olienesian Elves ▼

The ancient Nom'Yth, ancestors to both the Fae and the Elves, established themselves early on in what is known as modern day Olienn. Unlike other extraplanar races who settled early Saleh'Alire, however, the Nom'Yth didn't spread out much- choosing instead to remain within the regions initially settled by them; it wasn't until their delineation into the Elven and Fae races that travel over any significant distances became commonplace among their people... Even then, however, most still consider the modern day Olienesian territories to be their rightful homelands.

▼ Edoan Genasi ▼

Dispersing widely across the eastern continent over time, the ancient Ayeni would eventually delinneate into two distinct groups: The Genasi, and the Humans. Historically, these Genasi in particular have lived in three main regions- including the Ucata region in the south, the Bedanai region in the north, and the Edoas region- which spans the central areas of the continent in the northern reaches of modern Olienn; Archivists are unsure of exactly how long the Genasi have been present in the region, but it's estimated they settled there some time after they split from their cousins.

Both the Elves and the Genasi refused to consider negotiations over the strip's ownership, or even the formation of a peace treaty for unified occupation. As a result, skirmishes between the two groups were already common before the events of the Cleansing- which only served to further increase their already strained relations.

Encroachment & Battle

When Queen Nenryn decided to "cleanse" Olienn of non-elvish settlers, efforts began in the southern reaches and expanded northward. After 5 years the Phy'ithian Legions of Olienn had completed their bloody work in the south and turned their eyes towards the northern borders- including the Edoas strip. And by midyear in 6033, the Legions of the Queen were camped along the border of the Edoas region awaiting their orders; soon Olienn would belong solely to the Elves- or so they thought.
Unknown to the Oliennesian Crown, the Genasi of the Edoan Strip had begun organizing and amassing supplies several years prior, at the start of the Cleansing; all too aware that the Cleansing would be used as a vehicle for Olienn to obtain a final, decisive ownership over their region, they had banded together under the name Asanari Grera.

▼ Phy'ithian Legion ▼

Leaders

• Cpt. Brilicia e'Orahon
• Cpt. Achyn e'Cylien

Strengths

• Numbers
• Training
• Resources

Main Base

• Fort Idir, Eastern Front
• Fort Geldior, Western Front

Casualties

• 2041 confirmed
• 0173 unaccounted for

Phy'ithian Legion Flag by Anna Boyett

▼ Asanari Grera ▼

Leaders

• Keani Lohia-Vele
• Halim Pulungan

Strengths

• Local Knowledge
• Preparation
• Surprise

Main Base

• Bavla, Eastern Front
• Ma'ipi, Western Front

Casualties

• 0215 confirmed
• 0026 unaccounted for

Asanari Grera Flag by Anna Boyett

At First Breath on 19 Jenia 6033, Cpt. Brilicia e'Orahon on the eastern front, and Cpt. Achyn Cylien on the western front finally received orders to begin their advance into the portion of the Edoas region controlled by Olienn at the time. But the Asanari Grera had been waiting for this moment since the Legion had turned their eyes northward.
Shortly after First Breath, before the Phy'ithian Legion could begin their advances, the Genasi (led by Keani Lohia-Vele and Halim Pulungan) launched a massive preemptive strike against the Legion. By Sun's Kindling the next day, the Asanari had captured 3 of the temporary Phy'ithian Forts, decimated at least 8 of their camps, and brought the casualty count into the thousands.
Soon after the decimation, Lohia-Vele and Pulungan organized to meet with e'Orahon and Cylien. They demanded an immediate end to Phy'ithian activity in the region in exchange for safe passage home. It took another day of deliberation- and 3 small skirmishes- for the Phy'ithian Captains to finally agree to the terms and sound a final retreat.
It was an undeniably decisive victory for the Asanari Grera, who lost fewer than 300 soldiers over the course of the battle- while Olienn's Phy'ithian Legions sustained a casualty count ranging between 2,000 and 3,000. But while the Battle of Glimmering Hill ended the Cleansing, however, more than 100,000 citizens had fled Olienn in search of refuge during the conflict (many of whom settled in Rusatar), and at least 300,000 died during its course.