Second Voidwar

The Second Voidwar was a major conflict, which took place on the continent of Arkain during the First and Second Books of Arkain. Involving the Empire of Rodan, the Kingdoms of Arkain, the Demonic Legions, the Undead Nexus and other independent factions, this was the largest conflict in the continent's history.

## Second Voidwar

### Combatant

Imperial ArmyImperial Regiments

* Phoenix Regiment
* Wolf Regiment
* Dragon Regiment
* Bull Regiment

Golden Guard (until Lords of the Golden Guard)

Ironfist (until End of an Uprising)

Kasrkin (disbanded)

* Imperial Border Guard
* Imperial Marine Corps
* Imperial Navy
* Paladin Order (until Salomar the Healer's death)

Royal Army

* Kerrel Army
* Rengar Army
* Salrian Army
* Toranite Army (fell to Rahandir Drakeskull)
* Pyrrean Army (fell to Korras Retka)

Elven Army (until Long Live the Queen)

Orc Clans

* Deathbreeze Clan
* Darkmind Clan
* Ravaging Fire Clan
* Ironthunder Clan
* Goldaxe Clan
* Bloodhand Clan

Tribal Dominion

* Ogre Legion
* Blackaxe Clan
* Dogs of War/Gnoll Island Harpies
* Goblin Federation
* Koydoss Tribe
* Flammedus' Centaurs

Zyainor

* Ironfist
* Knights of Kome
* Seabright's Elite
* Elven Army
* Golden Guard (under Cora Redfist and defectors)
* Black Dragons

Kasrkin (optional)

### Combatant

Demon Legion* Blooddrinker Legion
* Souleater Legion
* Darkblade Legion
* Demon Slaves
* Veterans of Voidwar

Undead Nexus

* Splecir Nexus
* Rohir Nexus
* Zirr Nexus
* Bonelords
* Dark Elves

Redfist

Daric's Mercenaries

Zora's Pirates

Imperial Regiments

* Phoenix Regiment
* Wolf Regiment
* Dragon Regiment
* Bull Regiment

Golden Guard

* Imperial Crusaders
* Van Durce's Templars
* Royal Army Dissidents
* Paladin Order (under Sir Praxeus Braelon)

Dwarven Kingdom

* Stonelord
* Hammerfall
* Bloodstone

Progaderas the Smoking

Lords of Lava

* Burning Destroyers
* Acolytes of the Flame
* Kindling Failures
* Lords of Lava
* Disciples of Fire

Ancient Guardians

* Largoth

Aedale's Servants

Moghtar

Unknown Soldiers

### Result

Tactical Victory for the mortal races. Undead Nexus Strategic victory.

Restoration of the Nation of Zyainor.

Formation of the Tribal Dominion.

Beginning of a Cold War between Zyainor, The Tribal Dominion and the Kingdoms of the Dwarfs, Rengar and Kerrel.

## Prelude

The end of The First Voidwar resulted in raised tensions between the Empire of Rodan and the Humans of Arkain. The inability of finishing off the Demons and their other enemies led to the humans of Arkain seeing the humans of Rodan as untrustworthy and incompetent.

At the same time, the Demons were preparing for a new war due to being unable to conquer the Human Kingdoms.

The Second Voidwar is accepted to have started on the 10th of April 531 E. F. with the beginning of a major demonic offence in the Kingdom of Lor, which was already half-conquered and the clashes between the Humans and Orcs in the forest of Rendor being the first battles of the War.

## Early Stages of the War

### First Battles of the War

While the Imperial Army and Regiments were fighting a losing battle against the Demons in Lor, Blen Greymoore led a force through the Forest of Rendor to assist them. The numerous orcs infesting the forest, however, slowed down his plans. Nevertheless, a few days later, the orcs were defeated and chased out of the forest.

Knowing the problems the orcs from the Darkmind Clan would cause in the future, Blen Greymoore and Lord Harmos, assisted by Lord Genethas and Sir Lerrig defeated them, burnt down their entire forest and nearly destroyed the entire clan, also saving Aedale Redfist in the process. Only with the help of Rangul who had a plan to unify all orcs clans under his command did the remaining Darkmind Clan manage to escape certain death.

After defeating the orcs, something they considered a waste of time, Blen Greymoore, Lord Harmos, Lord Genethas and Sir Lerrig met General Selior Cleavehand, the one chosen as commander of all Imperial troops on the continent. The location of choice, near the entrance of the Dead Mountain, being where General Cleavehand built the Imperial border garnered criticism from many, due to being located in a very wide area and requiring many soldiers to defend. Unknown to them, Aridon the Watcher had ordered one of his servants, Largoth, to manipulate General Cleavehand into doing it.

### The Undead's First Move After a Long Period of Inactivity

Aridon, having not directly interfered in mortal affairs for a very long time, decided it was time to take action. He secured the Dead Mountain by defeating the Nerubians, the Orcs of the Icewind Clan and soon after destroying the Imperial Garrison near it to prevent them from noticing the Undead's later activities there. Manipulating General Cleavehand was a part of his plan to make the Imperial Armies defend the Undead while they were preparing to fortify the mountain.

### The Imperial Army's First Offensive

A few days after their meeting near the entrance of the Dead Mountain, General Cleavehand began an offensive aimed at reconquering parts of Lor. A sudden and unexpected attack on the Derryn Outpost, located near the Dead Mountain by the Demons, halted that offensive.

While a majority of the Demons left and the outpost was quickly reconquered by the Ironfist led by General Gardon Bloodclaw and the Elven forces led by Salana Woodhunter, this was a painful lesson to the Imperials. They would not only need to be much more cautious from now on, but in addition, expect attacks from all sides.

### Events in the Elven Kingdom

After the battle at the Derryn Outpost, Salana Woodhunter returned to the Elven Kingdom. She wanted to convince the Queen of the Elves, Renova, to begin sending Elven forces at the front. After having some talks with the Elven Council, she discovered that one of the council members - Larantos, had betrayed the Elves and led a force of Demons in their forests. After a difficult battle, Larantos was defeated and killed.

Following the battle, Queen Renova appeared via projection and instructed the council members, Salana Woodhunter now being one of them, to prepare the Elven race for war. All of them complied.

### Clashes at the Sea with the Orcs

Due to the rising threat of the Orcs, now having been unified by Rangul, who defeated a large Moghtar force on one of the Orc Islands to prove why he should be the Warchief of all Orcs, the Imperial Navy, led by Admiral Merlon Seabright was engaged in a battle with them. With the arrival of Aedale Redfist and Salomar the Healer, the tide was beginning to turn in his favour. Near the end of the battle, a large Undead fleet had arrived, destroying the remaining Imperial and Orcish fleet.

### Orc Assault on an Important Imperial Outpost

In the meantime, the orcs on land, led by Rath Wolfscar, managed to destroy an important imperial outpost with an overwhelming force, forcing many Imperial troops to be pulled from the Imperial Border.

The Orcs who destroyed that outpost were soon thereafter defeated by the High King of the Dwarves - Zarin Hammerfall and Salana Woodhunter. After the battle, Zarin and Salana received a message from an emissary that a large battle involving the Ironfist, led by Gardon Bloodclaw and the Veterans of Voidwar, led by Lord Genethas and their respective allies was going to start soon near the Pearl of Lor, a corrupted forest which was once the pride of the kingdom.

### Battle at the Pearl of Lor and the Retreat from Lor

After the massive battle involving the Ironfist, Veterans of Voidwar and their allies, the Imperials discovered a grave truth. Having been seduced by a succubus named Ebira, It was Lord Genethas, who betrayed their forces at the demonic border during the First Voidwar.

Another unfortunate message that they received from an emissary was that the Orcs had managed to destroy the Imperial border and kill General Cleavehand, only to soon thereafter retreat, due to a massive demonic army beginning to massacre their forces.

Having lost most of his troops and knowing the Imperial army in Lor had been utterly defeated, Gardon Bloodclaw and other Imperial Generals had ordered their troops to retreat to the Kingdom of Kerrel, leading to the Kingdom of Lor being lost to the Demons.

## Middle Stages of the War

### Defense of the Dead Mountain After the Undead's Victory Against 1 of the Demonic Legions

Despite their victory against the Demonic Blooddrinker Legion and even managing to imprison their leader - Ornasion the Destroyer, the Undead were forced to retreat back to the Dead Mountain, due to the Souleater Legion under the command of Kersidar arriving with a much larger force. Despite the difficult battle, the Undead eventually pushed them back and secured the mountain again.

### Aftermath of the Attack on the Imperial Border for the Orcs

The situation for the Orcs wasn't much better. Their invasion having failed and the demonic advance in Lor destroying a large part of their forces forced them to retreat to a goblin outpost where they would plan their next move. Concurrently, taking advantage of the Orc Islands being in a vulnerable position, a large army led by Duke Volarian Redfist the Tyrant burned them to the ground, killing all orcs who didn't join Rangul. Only a small group led by the Blademaster One-Eye survived, being escorted to the same goblin outpost Rangul was.

### The Situation in Kerrel and the Drastic Change in the Tactics of the Humans

The Imperials and their Generals received anything but a warm welcome in the capital of Kerrel. The Kingdom of Kerrel had a very strong anti-Imperial sentiment ever since the First Voidwar. Despite attempts to convince him otherwise, King Dorten of Kerrel couldn't believe their promises.

After the end of their conversation, the Golden Guard, a numerous force, considered the empire's best arrived. Their leader, Renald Van Durce, now also the Leader of all Imperial Forces on this continent sentenced Blen Greymoore, Lord Harmos and Aedale Redfist to imprisonment. Despite not being imprisoned, Gardon Bloodclaw was stripped of all his privileges and demoted.

After the events of the Capital of Kerrel, Gardon Bloodclaw, together with Merlon Seabright left to secure a border of Kerrel. Having prevented a murloc alliance and losing all soldier he took with him intentionally along the way, he not only sabotaged the orcs, but killed Sir Lerrig Goldheart, transferring command of his soldiers to himself.

After securing the border and proving his competence, Gardon Bloodclaw returned to the capital of Kerrel. To his dire, the strategy of the Imperials had changed drastically. Now, instead of attacking, all imperial troops were placed on the defensive. The Elves were also evacuated from the front line and a few regiments of Golden Guard were placed in their forest to defend them, preparing for their eventual evacuation. Recruits were now forcefully conscripted. The plan was for a cannon called the Purificator to be built, halting the demonic forces long enough to allow all Imperials to leave the continent. Despite Gardon's protests, van Durce sent him away, giving him a task to crush a Rebellion in the Kingdoms of Pyrru and Toran led by Korras Retka and his sister, Scarlett Retka. Larine the Exile and Cora Redfist were sent to additionally assist him.

### The Retka Rebellion and the Coronation of a new Ruler

After a week-long battle against the rebels in the Pyrrean Pass, Gardon Bloodclaw defeated them and advanced to the capital of Toran.

Unexpectedly, the Toranites had allied with the Undead, after they helped them in their fight against Retka's army. They imprisoned Gardon and by orders of Sir Edoarus the Executioner, sent a large force to destroy the Ironfist located outside the capital. With the help of Lord Brian the Fallen, Gardon's teacher, the Ironfist not only managed to secure the capital, but also free Gardon Bloodclaw. In the final battle against Retka's army which happened shortly thereafter, Gardon Bloodclaw, Lord Brian, Larine the Exile and Cora Redfist defeated and killed Retka's forces, killed the Golden Guard soldiers who were sent to assist them and imprisoned his sister - Scarlet Retka, who had her powers absorbed by Cora Redfist soon after that. Gardon Bloodclaw, now being outlawed by the Empire of Rodan, declared himself King of Toran and Pyrru and let his army rest before marching to overthrow the Queen of the Elves - Renova, a few days later.

### The Orcs and their Allies' First Attacks on the Kingdom of Salria

Concurrently during all these events, the Orcs under the command of Rangul, Sasrogarn, Grofzag, Amari and their other chieftains, now also allied with goblins and dark trolls, began their attack on the Kingdom of Salria in an attempt to conquer it and create a new realm for all races that would join their cause.

After a battle against the Salrian armies and a large force of the Golden Guard, they continued marching and met up with the centaurs, helping them in their battle against the Salrian Knights, Daric's Mercenaries, Imperial Regiments, Dwarves and the Redfist, thus securing their alliance and achieving their first major victories in the kingdom. Soon after that battle, Amari was sent to secure an alliance with the Gnolls and Rangul an alliance with the Ogre Legion and Red Dragons.

### The Conflict in the Elven Kingdom and the Overthrowing of Queen Renova

Upon beginning their offensive in the Elven Kingdom, Merlon Seabright and Larine the Exile noticed a very large force of Undead in the forest. These undead, led by Queen Keera and Ornasion the Destroyer, assisted by Krom the Immortal were sent by Aridon to destroy a large force of Demon Slaves, while also slaughtering many soldiers of the Golden Guard.

After a long battle with the Golden Guard and Elven Forces led by Lord Arganus Teran, Larine and Merlon managed to destroy their forces, killing Lord Teran and secure this part of the forest.

After the battle, the Undead - Krom the Immortal told Thanok, one of Gardon Bloodclaw's most loyal followers, that the master of all undead, Saphira Whisperwind sought an audience with him. (This was of course a charade and Aridon was still alive)

After a short discussion between the two, they agreed on an alliance.

Days later, having arrived at the royal palace of the Elven queen, Gardon Bloodclaw, his forces and the Undead defeated the Elven Forces and the Golden Guard, killing Riana the Witch, the last council representative who was not loyal to him, after the Knights of Kome arrived and defections from Lera the Huntress and a detachment of Golden Guard under Captain Ironside.

Shortly after the end of the battle, Queen Renova was killed at the hands of Saphira Whisperwind and Salana or Larine (depending on player choice), was crowned Queen of the Elves.

Now one final thing remained to be done in Gardon Bloodclaw's eyes - defeat Renald van Durce and focus on the demons after that.

### Betrayal in the Order of the Flame

Having been free by the Kasrkin after they failed to save General Blen Greymoore in time, Lord Harmos traveled to the Order of the Flame located in the Kingdom of Rengar, in hopes of convincing them to aid the war efforts against the Demons and the Golden Guard.

There, after he fought his way through many demons while assisted by Vail, a descendant of the Nation of Zyainor, Harmos discovered that the Order of the Flame had been betrayed. A firemage called Taran helped the demons open their portals and overwhelm the defenses of the order, or a former Firemage that was became Flamekeeper named Grennan the Firesummoner did the job.

After slaying him and his supporters, the order was left it a very bad state. While they had forces to support the war effort, the order mostly consisted of firespirits or stronger firemages.

### Alliance Between the Royal Army and the Ironfist. Alliance with Black Dragons and the Initiation of a Plan to Bring Back the Ancient Nation of Zyainor

After having overthrown the Queen Renova, Gardon Bloodclaw and Lord Brian traveled to the capital of Kerrel, successfully forging an Alliance between the Royal Armies and Ironfist.

After having formed the above-mentioned alliance, Gardon requested an audience with Vail, Price Toraes' personal bodyguard. After revealing his plans of restoring the Old Nation of Zyainor, he prosed a political marriage which she accepted.

### Renald van Durce's Battle Against Lord Genethas and an Alliance with the Dwarves

Renald van Durce knew that Gardon and his allies would attack him sooner or later, so he found it pointless to battle Lord Genethas, a simple demon slave in his eyes. Lord Marin, a close ally of his convinced him otherwise, saying that killing Genethas would improve his standing in the eyes of the Emperor - Theodor the Second. The Golden Guard utterly defeated the Demon Slaves and van Durce destroyed the corpse of Genethas.

After the battle, van Durce sent Sir Praxeus Braelon, the new leader of all paladin orders on Arkain after the death of Salomar the Healer, to secure an alliance with the Dwarves. The Dwarves High King - Zarin Hammerfall, gladly accepted the proposal, due to having a heavy distrust towards Gardon Bloodclaw and his allies, fearing the same fate that befell the Elves happen to them. The Golden Guard in return helped them defeat the Goblins of the Goldaxe Clan and the Vermin, their mortal enemies, who were led by Progaderas the Smoking, finalizing their alliance.

### Battle for the Purificator and the Orcs' Victory in Salria

To not be overwhelmed by the demons, van Durce ordered Zarin Hammerfall to send men and hold their eastern front as long as they can.

Now, the final battle between the Golden Guard, assisted by the Dwarves and the Ironfist, assisted by the Royal Army, Elven Forces, Undead and Black Dragons began. While a very difficult battle for both sides, the Ironfist and their allies ultimately secured the Golden Guard Fortress due to being a much more numerous force. The battle ended with Gardon Bloodclaw slaying Renald van Durce.

Concurrently, the Orcs led by Sasrogarn made a major mistake. They had sent a large part of their forces away and a detachment under Grella the Bonesplitter and One-Eye going to report to Amari, thus getting themselves surrounded and forced on the defensive. The arrival of Amari, Oneeye and Grella together with a large force of Gnoll began turning the tide of battle in their favour. After Amari personally slew the King of Salria - Salran the Fifth, something unexpected happened. A large army of undead led by the Three Bonelords - Rogthil, Sha'thar and Kasresh suddenly appeared and began attacking the orcs, their allies and the humans. After a long battle, the Bonelords were defeated, something that Aridon had not expected, thus having his plans drastically altered.

After the battle with the Bonelords and the Dark Elves and Zirr Nexus, a human named Logan the Skirmisher informed Amari that Duke Volarian Redfist the Tyrant, the person who killed her father Rangul shortly after he had secured the orc alliance with the ogres, was going to lead his entire army to wipe out the orcs. In addition, the remains of Daric's Mercenaries, remnants of the Imperial Regiments, the Bloodstone Dwarves and the remains of the army of Salria were going to assist him.

After another very long battle, the Orcs and their allies emerged victorious. Shortly after the end of the battle, they discovered the leader of the Redfist - Duke Volarian Redfist was killed by his own daughter - Aedale Redfist. They were also informed by some of the people who they took as prisoners that the humans had finished the construction of a very powerful weapon - The Purificator, a cannon that could shoot up to the border of the demonic realm. They, now calling themselves the Tribal Dominion thus decided to send a large force to capture or destroy the Purificator, and either defend the area using their strength or rely on the cannon.

## Late Stages of the War

### The Decisive Battle at the Remains of the Golden Guard Fortress

Knowing the Demons and other races would arrive with large armies, the Ironfist and their allies quickly began to set up defenses to hold the front while the Purificator began charging. Lord Marin had instructed them how to use it properly to prevent them from destroying their own armies instead of those of their enemies.

Soon after reconstructing what they could, the Souleater Legion led by Kersidar arrived with his entire army. On the Northern and Southern regions of the battlefield, the Undead - consisting of the Three Bonelords led by Lady Meya, Rahandir Drakeskull and Ornasion the Destroyer and the Tribal Dominion - led by Okri, Flammedus and Brockta the Stomper arrived with sizable armies respectively.

Despite being a very hard battle, the Ironfist and their allies, in large due to the Purificator emerged victorious, destroying almost the entire demonic army of the Souleater Legion, Forcing the Dominion to retreat and slaying the Three Bonelords.

### Reconquering the Lost Territories

Shortly after the battle, using the Purificator, the Ironfist and their allies began quickly reconquering the lost areas of Kerrel, Lor and Isalmur, slaying many demons and approaching the borders of the demonic lands.

While Gardon allowed Kerrel to keep its reconquered territories, he kept Lor and Isalmur for himself, a part of his plan of bringing back Zyainor, at that time known to very few people.

### Battle at the Gate of Hell and End of the War

Shortly before the Gate of Hell battle, Gardon Bloodclaw was approached by the succubus Ebira, who offered him a form of peace. Gardon Bloodclaw had no interest in it due to wanting to wipe out the entire demonic race.

The Gate of Hell battle involved 3 phases.

In the first phase, Lord Harmos and Brian the Fallen were sent to secure an area for them to construct a base.

The second phase involved the main battle. The Undead set up their bases on the left and right side, while the humans did so in the centre. After a very difficult battle, the Souleater Legion was utterly defeated and their leader - Kersidar, was slain by Brian, who took his shadow for himself.

The third phase involved the betrayal of the Undead. After having fully secured the gate, the Undead began attacking the Human forces and blocked the way into the lands of the demons. Krom the Immortal killed Merlon. Lord Brian suddenly disappeared. Prince Toraes, due to not being given an order to retreat, continued his attack into the lands of the demons, disappearing. The loss of so many forces led to the humans retreating to Isalmur, ending the war.

## Aftermath

### The Humans

The restoration of Zyainor was received very negatively in the Kingdoms of Kerrel and Rengar, leading to them cancelling their trade agreements with it.

Despite the heavy damage the Kingdoms of Lor and Isalmur sustained, Zyainor was able to recolonise them 3 years after the war's end.

Being surrounded by enemies from all sides, Zyainor constructed significant defences along their borders with the demons, the Kingdom of Kerrel, the Dwarven Realms and later on, in the former Orcs Islands, a place where they would construct their new fleet.

Zyainor would be engaged in multiple small battles with what remained of the demon forces in their lands around 1 year after the war's end.

### The Dwarves

The Dwarves were very bitter that the humans supported a person like Gardon and severed all alliances with them. Due to the Tribal Dominion and them never being on the best of terms to begin with, they engaged in multiple small and big skirmishes over the years.

### The Elves

The Elven Kingdom practically became a puppet of the Nation of Zyainor after the war.

### The Orcs and their Allies

The Tribal Dominion began building defenses along all their borders due to being surrounded by enemies.

The Gnolls, being master builders, helped them construct their realm.

Not being on good relations with the Dwarves and the Kingdom of Rengar, the Tribal Dominion conducted multiple raids and engaged in small and large skirmishes over the years.

### The Undead

The Undead were in the most beneficial position after the war. Having permanently sealed the Dead Mountain, they were pretty much unconquerable. Being located in the heartlands of Zyainor also secured their chances of a necessary intervention whenever needed.

### The Demons

The loss of the Blooddrinker and Souleater Legions left a big power vacuum in the lands of the demons, leading to many evenly matched legions being at each other's throat.