Nine Vale War

## Introduction

The Nine Vale War was a three-sided military conflict for control of Aethendonia between the Aethen Vales, the Aerontis Vales and the Ashwood Vales. It resulted in the end of the Lindosgrey Dynasty, the beginning of the Anthorn Dynasty and the extinction of Houses Mercher, Daywer and Lochmann.

## Information

### Beginning

163AE following the Night of Nine Daggers

### End

168AE following the Battle of Aethendon City

### Outcome

**Decisive Aerontis Vale victory*** Extinction of Houses Mercher, Dawyer and Lochmann
* Jarran Anthorn crowned King of Aethendonia
* House Lindosgrey exiled to Zeleno

## Details

### Factions

**Aether Vales*** House Lindosgrey
* House Caulmont
* House Lanfort
* House Mercher

**Aerontis Vales**

* House Anthorn
* House Dawyer
* House Dresdell

**Ashwood Vales**

* House Gallowater
* House Lochmann

## History

### Prelude

Tensions had been rising within Aethendonia for many years prior to the outbreak of total war. The ongoing North Doniakan War for Independence was having its toll on Aethendonia with King Darion II openly supporting the North Doniakans and ensuring that all Noble Houses send forth men and resources to help aid the Independence Movement. Houses Caulmont, Mercher and Lanfort openly supported the North Doniakans especially after the death of Rowan Lanfort, heir to the Lanfort, who was assassinated for his intercultural marriage to Princess Evelise Mystara by the Faelariyan Royals.

Houses Anthorn, Dawyer and Dresdell had openly dismissed their support for the North Doniakan Independence Movement due to the significant loss of resources and men to the conflict once Faelariyan victory looked almost certain. Houses Gallowater and Lochmann also dismissed their support due to them wanting to found their own independent state due to the economic impact of staying within the Kingdom.

### The Night of Nine Daggers

All Nine Noble Houses of Aethendonia had gathered at The Lanfort to celebrate the birth of King Darion's first son and heir to the throne. Tensions were high with arguments occurring throughout the feast, mainly between House Dresdell and House Caulmont. By Midnight, all nine Houses were drunk and arguing amongst each other and King Darion called for each family to return to their chambers and sleep. In a move orchestrated by King Lysandros III Mystara, House Ilseryn infiltrated the castle and successfully killed the Lords of every House including the King in their sleep using Nine daggers each inscripted with markings of rival Houses.

### The Cold Morning

The following morning was one of the most chaotic days in Aethendonic history with The Lanfort becoming a dangerous and violent place with each House not having time to react to their losses and instead flee the castle as soon as possible. The bodies of the Nine Nobles was discovered by servants and maids in a domino effect throughout the castle with King Darion II being found first and the news being unsuccessfully relayed to the deceased Lords. The families of each Noble House reacted either with anger, fear or sorrow. Houses Gallowater and Lochmann were first to leave in fear that they might not have the numbers if a full bloodbath were to occur at The Lanfort. As for other houses, House Lindosgrey and Caulmont began to fight House Anthorn and House Dresdell until House Lanfort managed to lock down the castle. The Aerontis Houses would flee East with the Aether Houses fleeing West.

### Battle of The Lanfort

Only days following the Cold Morning, the Houses of Anthorn and Dresdell along with their vassals began their march back to The Lanfort. The newly-named Lords Jarran Anthorn and Roderic Dresdell, who were both talented knights, led their armies through the Lanfort Vale and towards the castle where they would begin to encircle the structure. House Lanfort was given the chance to surrender but refused in the belief that House Lindosgrey would arrive with the Royal Forces within the fortnight. However, from the West, more Aerontis Vale soldiers arrived after pulling out of the North Doniakan Conflict. The Lanfort was seized by the Aerontis Vale forces following a day-long siege. Lord Lucian Lanfort was killed in a duel with Lord Jarran Anthorn, who used his eagles to help destroy the castles defences, however it was discovered the bulk of the Lanfort Army and Noble family had already fled to Aethendon City before the Aerontis Armies had arrived.