War of Iron

The War of Iron, also known as the Durenai War of Independence, was a civil war fought from 867 to 876 in the Durenai peninsula between the Elven Empire and a coalition of Durenaian citizens called the Allied Folks. The war marked a major turning point in the history of Iurevar not only for causing the formation of the Durenai Alliance and the dissolution of the Empire but also for being the first military conflict to witness widespread usage of firearms, cannons and war machines powered by firestone. It was also the first conflict where magic was severely defeated in open combat.

Background

Tensions in the Durenai peninsula began years before the revolution sparked. Despite the initial protests and attrition following the Elven invasion of the peninsula in 512 ALL, the period of peace and prosperity under the Empire during the 7th and 8th centuries helped keep the region under control. Durenaians born under the Empire were supportive of their government, who treated them fairly well overall. Security was ensured, commerce with the other nations was flourishing, and the average wealth of the population was rising.

However, at the beginning of the 9th century, things started to change. Non-magic users were always excluded from politics and positions of government, effectively keeping power in the hands of the few great houses of wizards and the Verei dynasty who ruled the Empire. Additional laws passed by Emperor Hena Verei and continued by his son, Emperor Kal Verei, further reduced the liberties granted to the common population by limiting their access to key resources. Most significantly, a series of imperial decrees were signed after the discovery and subsequent industrialization of firestone, a mineral extracted from the Dwelan Hills that was used as a very efficient and cost-effective energy source. Firestone fostered a rapid spree of technological innovations in the 800s, with the introduction of steam-powered machines such as trains and ships severely undermining the reliance on magic teleportation portals for moving goods and people across the country. Seeing their influence decline as people started developing new tech to replace or improve areas previously relying on magic, the imperial aristocracy attempted to limit its usage by requiring the supervision of government officials in more and more sectors. One key example was the 835 Imperial Decree for Safety of Transportation, declaring steam locomotives too dangerous for public usage and requiring frequent and expensive licenses from transport companies. Government-appointed officials also needed to be present at all times onboard trains, allegedly to “ensure the safety of the passengers”. The last attempt to limit the emancipation from the magic nobility resulted in the 866 Imperial Decree for the Safety and Use of Flammable Substances, a law that prevented the use and production of firestone without the supervision and direct control of a government officer, effectively banning its use by common citizens.

Numerous revolts and protests arose in many major cities, with gatherings and marches under government buildings that were violently repressed by the imperial army. Organized groups of protests formed in Durvan, Brera and Dustkraag, the three cities most affected by the ban as their economy strongly relied on firestone production and the newly completed railroad network. An attempt at peaceful resolution was made at the end of 866 with a letter, written by the leaders of the protests and signed by over 10.000 citizens of the Empire, addressed to the Imperial Council asking for the abrogation of several decrees. The Council refused to respond, instead sending the army to arrest the leaders and everyone suspected of siding with the protesters. Hundreds were murdered by soldiers after refusing to comply in what became known as the Bloody Morning of 867.

Outbreak of the conflict

Following the slaughters of the Bloody Morning, violent uprisings exploded in many parts of the country. Protesters went into hiding in the Dwelan Hills and in the woods around Brera, reorganizing into resistance groups that started a guerrilla war against the imperial army and the loyalist movement who still supported the government.

Elven defeat

TBD

Aftermath

TBD