Macarmonil-Miderian border skirmishes

The Macarmonil-Miderian border skirmishers were a group of small scale engagement between the two southern republics of Mideria and Macarmonil. It ended with the establishment of borders in the Macarmonil-Miderian border treaty.

## Macarmonil-Miderian border skirmishes

Ancient Armonilen vase depicting Miderian prisoners being brought to land

## Background

Mideria and Macarmonil were two sea-faring powers in the South-East. Uneasy relations existed for quite a while and neither party had much contact with the other. When the populations of the two states grew they both started expanding their fishing grounds, most notably to the islands of the Miderian strait. Fierce competition amongst fishers came to be when it was discovered that this area was rich in fish, especially in tuna, herring, and mackerel. It wasn't uncommon for fishing ships of both sides to aggressively drive the other away, mostly via ramming. Tensions really came to be when an Armonilen fishing crew started throwing rocks at their Miderian counterparts, killing two. A nearby patrolling Miderian trireme saw what happened and came to the rescue of their kin, killing five Armonilens and taking the rest prisoner.

## Conflict

### Responses

Macarmonil responded heavily to the skirmish and demanded all prisoners to be released immediately. They claimed that Mideria had not only attacked their ships and citizens, but had violated their sea borders as well. Mideria refused to accept this border-breach accusation and demanded a ransom for the prisoners, as they had attacked the Miderians first. Tabard scholars quickly dismissed the Macarmonil claim on owning the sea-area and the point was henceforth dropped. Macarmonil responded that if Mideria did not release the prisoners at the end of autumn there would be severe consequences, sparking fear of war between the two countries.

### Macarmonil revenge actions

A response from Mideria did not come and the Armonilens sent out a warship to give meaning to their words. The quinquireme captured two Miderian trade vessels, killed the captains of the ships and 3 other crewmembers. This to even the score as Mideria had killed five Armonilens. The total death count of the conflict lay now at five dead Armonilens and seven dead Miderians. On top of that the vessels and their cargo were confiscated and the remaining crew was taken captive. Back in the capital the Armonilen sailors and their captain were hailed as heroes, winning a great victory.

### Mideria's reaction

Macarmonil wished to use the taken prisoners as a bargaining tool, having shown the Miderians they would not back down. It had the opposite effect. The Miderian council issues a proclamation that all trade with Macarmonil was to be ceased immediately. On top of that Miderian warships would attack and seize any ship waving the Macarmonil banner, and an Armonilen prisoner was executed. No war is declared however and the Miderian council states that they remain open for negotiations.

### Tensions and ally hunt

Macarmonil responded shocked by the Miderian proclamation and stated that this was a declaration of war, which the Miderian council promptly refuted. No war was declared and both sides did not undertake any military operations against each other but a war was feared and the littlest spark could've escalated the conflict. Warships patrolled the area intensively but relatively little fighting happened as both sides were careful. A few Armonilen trade ships were confiscated but the crew was kept alive and sent back home. There was one instance where a Miderian quinquireme approached an Armonilen warship on ramming speed but at the last minute the Miderian ship backed-off. The situation would remain like this for the remainder of the conflict.

Macarmonil was by now fearing a Miderian invasion and thus saw to find allies. Mideria was guaranteed safety by the Treaty of Utrond which stated that an attack on its homeland would trigger a defensive alliance. The threat of invasion thus went only one way, but the Treaty of Utrond signatories were not interested in any offensive action thus any invasion by Mideria would come from Mideria alone. Hence why Macarmonil was looking for defensive alliances. No success was found until the city-state of Kartaga was attacked by a pirate fleet. Macarmonil would lend its fleet to the coalition that would fight the war against piracy in exchange for a defensive alliance with Kartaga. By sailing away the state had left its homeland undefended and this was a big risk but the war was a great success and the alliance established, securing safety against a Miderian invasion.

### Negotiations

The conflict had now become a stalemate as neither side could attack the other openly and neither side was actively willing to seek battle. Thus the two states came together to negotiate. Prisoners were exchanged as a token of good will from both sides and so that the negotiations could about what is important: sea borders. Negotiations took a long time but eventually a treaty establishing the borders would be signed and relations between the two states became neutral again.

## Macarmonil-Miderian Border Treaty

The Macarmonil-Miderian Border Treaty brought an end to tensions and established sea-borders between the two states. It was signed in the winter of year Zero on the onset of the Salamanderian war.