The Great War

## The Beginning

These are the opening days of the First Era, and the coronation of Queen Marika the Good, the greatest and last Queen of Silius. Queen Marika ruled for 114 years. Only 14 years of her rule did the Queendom find struggle, and it was only after her Assassination that the Queendom fell into strife. The last Heir of the Cemora Royal Bloodline was pronounced dead, and thus none could wear the crown. The oath taken by the four council members swore on their households that they would uphold the preservation of the royal bloodline and protect it. However, they failed to uphold their oaths, with Queendom officially dissolving 79 years after the death of Queen Marika. A statue in the honour of the late Queen Marika "The Good" was erected in the year 193 M.

It was now the Second Era and for 403 years after the dissolution of the Queendom, the four still harboured enmity towards one another. Each family passing their hatred one generation to the other, some telling lies, others telling truth. Tension grew highest within the first 100 years of the Second Era. All four families began to slowly take sides and spread rumours. It was not until 106 D in the Second Era did it finally snap; the four turned against one another and marked the beginning of Great War.

For the first 3 years after the official declaration did something really happen. During the very end of the year 110 D the Yofracsson and Tsukumo families formed the Sun Coalition. The Tsukumos sought refuge in the military expertise of the Yofracssons because of the harbouring threat the Mars family held against them. The Mars family were easily the most financially exceeding family, controlling much of the livestock and food of the country. It was crucial to befriend an equally strong family to aid them, and thus they did. The following months later the new year entered into 111 D, which then put the Ardelean and Mars families into an unofficial coalition. Thus they then declared it true, the Scythe Coalition.

## Mars Farmland Destruction & Battle of Ko-Machihana

The following years after the Coalitions had been established saw little action. Small territorial skirmishes occurred here and there but nothing too major, until the year 123 D, where the major destruction of over 5000 acres of farmland occurred. Enraged by this, the Scythe Coalition swore revenge. Majority of the Mars family had fled into the Capital where they established a smaller farmland to feed their army.

Revenge did they swear, and thus 48 years into the war did it come. Ko-Machihana was attacked within the dead of the night when the flames of War were oh so close to extinguishing, did they pour over it oil once more. The battle of Ko-Machihana lasted 3 year and saw many casualties, yet with all such work, did it end in a stalemate, neither side willing to yield.

## Siege of Ardelean Manor

The Siege of Ardelean Manor occurred 12 years after the end of the battle of Ko-Machihana. The Sun Coalition made a final attempt to end this once and for all. With their soldiers armed and ready, they marched towards Salem's Reach. The Sun Coalition, unbeknownst to them, were walking into a trap. The Scythe Coalition were informed of this attack prior and thus prepared for them at Salem's - no Hell's Reach. As the army moved quietly through the valley under the mountain of the manor, there it was revealed, the torches were lit and the bells were rung. From above them poured down boiling oil, the army scattered, seeking refuge from the gurgling liquid. The Scythe Soldiers then emerged from the empty citizen homes to attack. Despite this, the Sun Coalition did their best to regrouped and push back to their second station, where they begun firing their siege weapons. Houses destroyed and the walls of the manor began to crumble. They successfully broke through, however did the Scythe prepare another surprise for them.

The Suns stormed the manor and spread out, "Bring me the Heads of the Ardeleans!" screamed one of their Commanders. From the rooftops did the Scythes emerge and brought with them the spawn of the nether. They descended upon them spawners of blaze, wither skeletons and hoglins prepared for war. Within the courtyard of the Ardelean Manor, the Sun Coalition faced major defeat. Retreating back, the Sun Coalition stood no chance and were left with no choice but to flee. Of those of them who did escape, they escaped with one less limb, or one less eye.

## Battle of the Great Oak

17 years after the siege of the Ardelean Manor did both Coalitions decide, enough is enough. All 4 armies of the families came to arms at the Great Oak, prepared for a final blood bath, a battle to end all others. The battle saw causalities within the tens of thousands. The ancient roots of the Erta Tree were painted red with the blood of his citizens, and the Statue of Marika overlooking the great tragedy befalling her people.

Suddenly the troops ceased, tired of the death, as they observed the four founders. Inside the base of the Great Oak, the Head of the Yofracssons quickly lunged at the Head of the Ardeleans, striking him down, her military prowess overcoming his. On the other side the Head of the Mars family is battling with the Head of the Tsukumos, striking the Tsukumo down to her knees. Now all that was left was the Yofracsson against the Mars, the battle ended too quickly. Yofracsson had gotten the better of Mars and skewered her blade through Mars' chest. Yet in his final desperate attempt, Mars took advantage of their close proximity and plunged his poisoned dagger through the Yofracsson's neck. Stepping away from each other, they would both eventually crumble to the ground.

Now there they all laid, the four, dead.

## Constitution of Peace

For only 3 years did the war continue, but only just barely, it saw little to no combat during its concluding years. The war now being led under the children of the four who inherited their positions, they felt little motivation to carry on a conflict they knew little of, but still they were hesitant to end it.

Thorfinn "The Peace Bringer" Yofracsson debated for months, researched and investigated. Why did this war begin? What reason do they have to continue it? How would they benefit from its preservation? Thus he rallied the four families and united them upon a common vision of peace. Under the Great Oak they stood, the People of Silius, and the four. Thorfinn rose from his seat and spoke, "I ask you all, whether you are Ardelean or Mars, Yofracsson or Tsukumo, Unamed or Named, does the past define our future? Are we not men and women who carve our own path? Or should we follow the ways of our forefathers, whether they errored or not? I say to you, NO! We are men and women defined not by the actions of our forbearers, but by the actions of own selves. Not judged by those before us but by those with us now, will you not all enjoin with me peace, and prosperity, or would you rather a life of strife and tribulations? I say unto you, come toward salvation, come toward peace!"

The people of Silius, ridden and plagued by the horror of war, erupted with screams. So long did they suffer and so long they wished for peace, and thus 208 years into the Second Era did the war finally end. The Constitution of Peace was engraved into the roots of the Erta Tree, a peace well lived, yet so short, for in the very same Era only 200 years later, was Silius once again riddle by the plague of War.