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Knelik Wars

Military action

1342PC

1587PC

The Knelik Wars was a long raging war, primarily between the Dwarves and the Elves inhabiting Kioterra, which started shortly after Amanodel was designated as the capital city of Kioterra.

Overview The Knelik Wars was a long raging war between the Dwarves and the Elves that inhabited Kioterra. Taking place from 1342 PC to 1587 PC, this war was one of the longest continual military conflicts in the history of Zelkanea, lasting 245 years. Tensions had always run high between the Dwarves and the Elves though, for millennia prior, they had managed to carry on in a state of bitter co-existence and rivalry. Start of the War Kioterra's government was shifting from kings and lords to being a council, containing individuals elected from various regions throughout the country. While much of the country was in favor of this shift, the Dwarves, who primarily lived in isolation within the Anterak Mountains, wanted nothing to do with it. The Dwarven King, Bradvik Olkaster IV, and his family were in Amanodel, the recently designated capital city of Kioterra, which, at the time, was dominantly inhabited by elves. He was demanding the right for the Dwarves of the Anterak to continue ruling their own people without the newly elected "Grand Council of Kioterra" interfering. While returning to Daagnhir, the Dwarven King and his family were assassinated. Furious, the Dwarves took to arms and rose up, declaring war against the Elves and their newly formed council. The Grand Council, lead by the high elf Elsharime, called Kioterra to arms against this declaration of war. Conclusion of the War 245 years after the war had began, both sides had taken heavy losses. For the Dwarves, this included the destruction of 2 major cities, Virthragen and Koelhelm, and the near destruction of Stoneforge. For the Elves and their allies, this included the destruction of massive portions of the Eishal Forest (Which covered much of, what is now, the Eishal Plains), as well as numerous Elven cities, both large and small. A small Dwarven military force, led by Keritol of house StoneBreath, infiltrated Amanodel. They had been given the explicit orders to assassinate Elsharime, who was still the head of the Grand Council of Kioterra, as well as a cunning military strategist. While infiltrating the city and the Grand Spire, the entirety of the squad, except Keritol, was slain, but their efforts got him inside. He located and tracked Elsharime through the spire, eventually finding the perfect opportunity to ambush and assassinate him. But he was torn. Follow the orders he had been given or follow his instincts. Loudly, he cleared his throat to get the High Elf's attention, cast his weapons to the floor, bowed low as a sign of respect, then strolled forwards, hand outstretched. "I was sent to kill you. Your death would give the Dwarves a strong foothold and advantage in this war. I could have killed you. But I grow tired of fighting. Too much blood has already been spilled. Will you sit with me and talk so we may bring an end to this war." ~ Keritol, Paragon of Diplomacy They spent several weeks drawing up a treaty, a truce to present to the Dwarves in hopes of ending the war. During this time, Keritol foiled a second assassination attempt on Elsharime. After the truce was drawn up, Keritol returned to Daagnhir, presenting the treaty to three remaining Dwarven Kings, Gaddovik Olkaster, Rhokast Stoneforge, and Batekan Gildhelm. He pleaded with them to accept the treaty and end the war. Initially there was accusations of heresy and treason towards him by much of the public and, while the kings and their advisers were debating the treaty, an assassin murdered Keritol. As a martyr, his voice rang out that much clearer as the kings saw Dwarves now turning on Dwarves. The kings signed the treaty and withdrew the Dwarven Military back to the Anterak Mountains. Elsharime, saddened to hear of Keritol's death and as a sign of respect, erected a large statue of Keritol in, what is now, the temple district of Amanodel. The war, now at an end, with a single Dwarf's deciion as the turning point, Keritol of house Stonebreath, was elevated to Paragon of Diplomacy.

Related timelines & articles
Kioterra History

war dwarves elves