Seloran Islands Affair

The Selroan Islands Affair was a diplomatic crisis that unfolded in the Lauvrudine Islands, part of the Empire of Ischanor in the continent of Kejafros. The affair began in 29 VE when the Duchy of Beloslavia expressed stern opposition to a joint land reclamation project undertaken by the three duchies of Selroa, Bachengart, and Tsiladen. The project aimed to expand the islands closer to the Golden Coast, which Beloslavia saw as a threat to regional stability and balance. Tensions escalated when Duchess Zofia Svetlanna Korola of Beloslavia proposed the cessation and complete nullification of the land reclamation efforts. This proposal was promptly and vehemently opposed by the three duchies, leading to heated debates and growing hostilities. The situation deteriorated into a military standoff, only de-escalated through intervention by the Imperial Prefect and other mediating parties. The dispute was ultimately referred to the Imperial Court, which issued a ruling several years later, in 35 VE. The court’s decision required all involved parties to deliberate on the future governance of the Lauvrudine Islands and the extent to which each duchy could exercise control. It also imposed strict limitations on the scale of current future land reclamation projects. These deliberations spanned nearly two decades, culminating in the Treaty of the Golden Bay, signed in 50 VE. The treaty formalized the agreements reached, resolving the dispute and shaping the future of the archipelago. 
== Background ==
The Lauvrudine Islands, commonly referred to as the Lauvrudines are made up of 5 islands, with two out of the five being the biggest, they are situated near the Golden Coast/Bay. These islands saw two eruptions, with the first one bringing them on surface centuries prior, a recent eruption however made it habitable for the people.
Many inhabitants would flock into the Lauvrudines, setting up settelments and going about their livelihoods. Although, until recently, multiple settlers hailing from three different duchies (Duchy of Selroa, Archduchy of Bachengart and the Sublime Duchy of Tsiladen) would come in and set up shop, practically assimilating or phasing out the natives there, the goverments of these duchies would later on split the Lauvrudines amongst themselves.
Initially, the government of Beloslavia would not throw much of a hissy fit over said colonisation, choosing to care more about their internal affairs.
== The Disagreement ==
During the first month of the summer of 29 VE, the three duchies would agree to begin a project of land reclamation in order to expand the Lauvrudines to find more land for prospected projects. This however would be unwelcomed by the Duchy of Beloslavia, as they saw this as a clear act of enroachment on their coasts which would be too close to the islands if they were to be successfully expanded. The Duchess Zofia Svletanna Korola of Beloslavia would later go on to suggest the cessesion and complete abandoning of all progress done on the land-reclamation project, to the dismay of the duchies of Bachengart and Selroa, who strongly opposed such suggestion, causing friction and tensions to flare up between these three, as the Duchy of Tsiladen provided no response on the affair even tho it directly affected them.
On the second month of the summer of 29 VE, the Beloslavians would double down on their antagonism with a blockade, where a Beloslavian commander, going by Piotr Borezjorski sailed up a 12-gun war-galley and 100 to 200 men, and anchored next to the island-reclamation site and claimed part of the islands for Beloslavia.
== Standoff ==
On the last month of the summer of 29 VE, and after being informed on such development, two out of the three duchies (Selroa and Bachengart) mobilised a force of 700, led by Selroan commander Hoffman Sintov and consisting of 400 Selroans and 300 Bachengarters, and set out to face the blockading warship. The Duchy of Tsiladen would still not provide a reaction to such an agressive move, leaving out the two duchies. 
A 6 hour standoff would begin between the two, where obscenities were shouted and attempts were made by the Selroa-Bachengarter force to board the galley and force its captain out, there were reports that another crewmember had accompanied Piotr, and that there were two Beloslavians in the standoff, such information could not be verified however.
Efforts from neutral parties that hurried to the site to de-escalate the intensity of the conflict would slowly but surely work their way into fruition, however, the arrival of the Imperial Prefect, in additon to the unwillingness of Archduke Ludwig von Bachengart to let this incident spiral into something even bigger would finally mark the standoff's end, with the Beloslavian war-galley still anchored, and the two duchies' force returning home.
=== The Photograph ===
During the standoff, multiple neutral parties and third-party actors have came to either document the event that was currently unfolding or take part in the de-escalation process, part of said actors was an Ischanori journalist, who was taking pictures of both sides closely and viciously gazing one another while whipping their swords in order to intimidate eachother, here is when the journalist would take a now famous picture that would be considered as "hard", showcasing the military commander Hoffman Sintov closely eyeing his Beloslavian counterpart. 
Said photograph would be the pinnacle of the Selroan Island Affair, as news of such events unfolding would be known and spoken about even from the furtherest points of the empire.
== The Trial ==
The Imperial Court addressed the conflict between Beloslavia (the Defendant) and the duchies of Selroa, Bachengart, and Tsiladen (the Petitioners) regarding the construction of artificial islands in a shared bay. As the Petitioners failed to inform Beloslavia directly about their plans, leading to disputes. The Court found that the Petitioners violated the Imperial Charter by initiating construction without approval from the Emperor or Roundtable, as required by Realm Law (Title IX). Additionally, the court noted that both sides engaged in unprofessional and hostile behavior, including a blockade by Beloslavia and unpunished violence by Bachengart citizens to citizens of the former.
In the end, and after 6 years of waiting, the Court's Arbiter, Silvarie Vros Hirfeas, ruled that:
* Firstly, All affected realms (Beloslavia, Selroa, Bachengart, Tsiladen, and later included Zamarinje) must draft and unanimously sign a contract for the construction and management of the islands, with approval from the Emperor or Roundtable.
* Secondly, No further construction can occur without this contract.
* Thirdly, Beloslavia must revoke send back its anchored ship to any port under their rule and compensate the Imperial Government 7,500 thinem as such action was done without authorization.
* Fourthly, Bachengart must reprimand the responsible for such violence against the Beloslavian citizen.
The ruling elicited mixed reactions from both parties. However, both parties appreciated the opportunity to negotiate a long-term resolution.
== Negotiations and Signing ==
After the court ruling, the affected parties met several times to the table of talks to discuss a solution to said dispute that pleases all sides, now including a neutral party (Zamarinje) that aspired to have a say and a share in the dividing of the islands. The negotiations would be pictured as being long and sometimes frustrating, as when both sides would almost come to an agreement until a party voices concerns about a certain aspect, notably in the limitations and conditions to the pre-existent and future land reclamation projects, which was the main prequisite to the feeling of dispair and angst amongst multiple delegates on the table.
However, after an even longer 15 years of deliberation, all parties agreed on the clauses of said treaty, owing its name to the name of the bay that the aforementioned share a coast in, and as such, the 21 year old dispute would be over with the signing of the Treaty of the Golden Bay.
== Aftermath ==
The resolution of the Seloran Islands Affair marked a turning point for inter-realm relations within the Empire of Ischanor. While the signing of the Treaty of the Golden Bay ended nearly two decades of disputes, the affair left lingering tensions. The duchies involved were forced into cooperation, but mutual distrust persisted, particularly between Beloslavia and the other realms (Selroa and Bachengart). The ruling also reinforced the central authority of the Imperial Court, as its decision set a clear precedent for handling similar territorial disputes in the future.
Despite these measures, reactions to the treaty were mixed. While some praised it for averting a prolonged conflict, others criticized its perceived inequities. As it also required financial compensation to Beloslavia. Selroa, which bore the largest share of the compensation, viewed the terms as overly punitive, exacerbating tensions with Beloslavia. For its part, Beloslavia accepted the compensation but remained discontented, feeling the treaty did not fully address the initial grievances that led to the affair. Meanwhile, the three duchies, as they were primary beneficiary, emerged with strengthened ties among themsselves, who pledged to assist in the reconstruction of the island, this fostered cooperation later lead to their unification into the The Princely Commonwealth of Rugundy.
Economically, the affair left a significant impact. The compensation payments made a small yet noticable dent in Selroa’s finances, while the rebuilding efforts in Tsiladen created opportunities for collaboration but also added pressure on neighboring realms. Politically, the affair revealed lingering distrust among the parties, with many realms expressing concerns about the lack of transparency and communication that had initially escalated the dispute.
With all things considered, government intervention ultimately preserved peace by establishing clear territorial boundaries and compensating Beloslavia for its grievances and appealing to their demand to limit land reclamation. While tensions remained, the treaty's compromise helped prevent further conflict by ensuring that all parties had a stake in the region's future development.