Elven Nationalist Conflict

The **Elven Nationalist Conflict** is an unarmed cultural/religious conflict in the A'Roastad Empire that began in 3095 AT. It is part of the wider Rise of Tulkonist Extremism.

## Prelude

The origins of the Elven Nationalist can be traced back to the end of the Infinite War. In the past, Elven territory extended from the eastern Garden Continent all the way to the E'Deon peninsula in southern Ditarre. However, beginning with the settlement of Orcs in the southern Garden Continent, Elves had been forced to relocate further and further west (it was this event, in fact, that directly led the Ydelhiad, A'Roafan, and Acadon groups to branch off from the Ynoforans, as well as the development of Däeism).

The Iloisa Conquest in the mid-late 400s AT resulted in the destruction and virtual abandonment of Ynoforan Country, with the majority of its survivors being forced to relocate to a tip of land in Däe Ydelhiad where a new country known as Ynofora was founded. The 40-Year War and the Demon Invasion, however, led to a mass exodus of Ydelhiads and Ynoforans of the North Däe peninsula to the Acadon Islands and the E'Deon Peninsula. The nation of Däe Ydelhiad subsequently collapsed, and the Southern Däe Peninsula, now part of the continent of Däegarden, was reorganized into the nation of Ynofora, mostly made up of Ynoforans, Ydelhiads, and Acadon. Small minorities of Ydelhiads and Ynoforans would continued to live on the coasts of what would become the Nodal territory.

In 2850 AT, Gogeget, a neighbor of Ynofora, declared war on them, believing the Southern Däe peninsula to be rightfully theirs. Tulkon E'Acoradi intervened and sought aid from A'Roastad, leading to a humiliating defeat for Gogeget, which became economically ruined and led to their joining of Zetopa's Immortal Empire. Ynofora very quickly fell to Gogeg forces during the Immortal War, leading to the outbreak of the Ynoforan Genocide in 2900, resulting in the deaths of 30-40% of the Ynoforan population. After the fall of the Immortal Empire, Ynofora was reorganized as part of A'Roastad, leading to the formation of the A'Roastad Empire.

The years after the 40-Year War led to higher degrees of cultural blending in A'Roastad, with a small minority of the country becoming known as Elven Creoles. However, it wasn't until the aftermath of the Immortal War and the union of the Elven territories that the Elven Creole population exploded, becoming an important cultural force in the Empire. By 3050, Elven Creoles accounted for about 30% of the population of the Western Empire. This also led to the development of the Elven Nationalist Movement, which promoted Elven cultural unity, reclamation of former Elven territories, use of Imperial Creole languages, and practicing of Däeism.

Tulkon I'Ladas' confirmation in 3089 led to an explosion of Elven Nationalist sentiment. I'Ladas was of Elven Creole and Acadon descent, and was thus emblematic of the Empire's new multicultural identity, making him a reluctant icon of the Elven Nationalist Movement. However, in 3092, I'Ladas converted to Tulkonism.

I'Ladas' conversion to Tulkonism inspired many Elven Nationalists to do the same. He was also made the leader of the Tulkonist Army, which led to a rise in Tulkonist extremism at the global level; many of these new Elven Nationalist converts embraced the extremism, and made connections with other extremist groups, especially the Daishnib-Tulkukh Kekhotuhr (DTK) of Keghotogh. The rapid, enormous growth of Tulkonism in the Empire led to a deep divide within the Nationalist movement.

The two factions of the conflict were mostly divided on religious lines, pitting Däeists against Tulkonists. While both can be considered arms of the Nationalist movement and share many beliefs (reclamation of territory, speaking of Imperial Creole, etc) they believe in different mechanisms of achieving their goals. The Däeists mostly believed in economic and cultural independence from the rest of the world, while the Tulkonists believed in incorporating their religion into A'Roic culture and embracing the extremist movement, which they believed would strengthen Elven culture as a whole. The NDYY (Non-Displaced Ydelhiads and Ynoforans) community, mostly based in other parts of Däegarden, was mostly on the side of the Däeists.

## Events

The conflict was mostly fought in political and social spheres, with ostracizing of rival groups, battles over public policy, and polarization of A'Roastad's political parties. Isolated incidents of violence took place, such as murders, kidnappings, vandalism, and more; the government's refusal to engage in the conflict led to disillusionment with the institution on both sides. However, violent incidents were so few and far between, that most countries and government entities considered the conflict to be a purely domestic issue. In early Nyrotem, I'Ladas and the Council expressed dismay that the conflict was taking place, yet subtly implied that the Tulkonists had their support.

The outbreak of the Keghotogh Crisis led to riots in the region of E'Deon, the center point of the conflict, causing its capital city to lock down and the Western Empire's borders to be closed. Despite the closure of borders, many refugees were able to evacuate to the Eastern regions of the Empire or neighboring Ilois.