The Wasting War

Battle between Trinjah and King Yusifan during the Alaka Assault

The Wasting War refers to an extended period of conflict between the prehistoric empires of Wolanski and Vasia.

The conflict consisted of a large number of back and forth struggles between the two nations which led to both powers being severely crippled in the aftermath. With no clear winner, the situation allowed Hayano Nyugen to step in and conquer both nations, creating Lunistra.

## Initial Tensions

As Wolanski and Vasia consolidated into proper prehistoric empires during the middle period of the Wars of Creation, they gradually began to view one another with increasing hostility.

Although the modern day Sea of Lilies covers the entirety of land that these two kingdoms once inhabited, this was not always the case. Instead, the lands housing both Wolanski and Vasia were more akin to the geography of Step-Valley Gulch, consisting of large stretches of twisting canyons that flood approximately once or twice a year due to incoming water from the Swallowed Isles. The biome that would later become known as the Sea of Lilies was only a small portion of forest located in northern Wolanski, and was considered by both nations as uninhabitable due to its year round jungle-like environment.

Other than annual flooding which happens once or twice a year, the area is very dry and desert-like, making it difficult to sustain a population through agriculture alone. Vasia possessed the Emerald Canyon, which it farmed for what little produce it could, where as Wolanski traded for its food with the Mah'tatski clans through Roloman Falls. These resources were generally not enough to meet the full needs of each empire, thus leading to growing hostilities and eventual proposals from both sides to launch a war of conquest.

## Alaka Rebellion

Although seen as mostly useless land at the time of the Wasting War, the Sea of Lilies was once coveted by both Wolanski and Vasia for its soil and agricultural potential. Its tribal societies lacked the technology and manpower to defend against large invaders, and were quickly overrun. The conquest turned out to ultimately be for naught however, as the hostile jungle was unsuited for colonization, and was generally too hostile to inhabit. Seeing this, Vasia simply left the area, not seeing strategic value in keeping the land and resulting in its complete absorption by Wolanski.

Over time, the tribal societies of the Sea of Lilies gradually started to interact with one another while under Wolanski rule, and eventually became a single, cohesive entity known as the Alaka Alliance. Led by a native warlord who took the name of Trinjah, the ultimate goal of the group was to take revenge for the conquests.

Like many other tribal cultures labeled as 'barbaric' by more culturally and technologically advanced nations of the time, the Alaka people had access to combat magics, and in particular, possessed a notable proficiency in alchemy. Able to create potions for both offensive and defensive purposes, the individual infantry soldiers of an Alaka army were in general more powerful than Wolanski and Vasian counterparts. However, their lack of manpower and formal military training made it difficult to actually organize any sort of significant army to actually launch an attack. In addition, the Sea of Lilies was seen by Wolanski to be mostly useless land unsuitable for farming or habitation, and as a result Wolanski largely ignored the initial tensions that were forming to their north.

The true start of the Alaka Rebellion was made possible by the Vasian king Valegri Ragna, who saw potential in Trinjah's forces and thus decided to send troops and advisors in order to help develop and organize the outlying tribes. Once the Alaka army officially launched an attack onto Wolanski Land, Valegri simultaneously launched an assault with his main army, effectively pincer attacking Wolanski from both the west and the north.