A War Avoided, A Lesson Learnt.

[Cosmik 220]

You find a long notice attached to the elven message board. It has the occasional blood stain, and smells thickly of tobacco...

Friends...

Today, we came incredibly close to a calamity of massive proportions. For those of you who are unaware, I will recall this story as it played out in front of me - and hopefully, you will heed my call.

About a week ago, the humans and orcs clashed in Galahar, the small town that stands where Kramoroe used to be. This lead to the humans marching into the Orc deserts and waging war in the sands.

When this happened, we all were afraid. But we all took up arms and guarded our homeland in the fear that the humans would move on to us after they finish with the desert - due to the pact we share with the orcs.

But after a handful of false alarms...our pent-up worry and rage exploded. We marched into the desert, preparing for another supposed attack from the humans. We grew angry, and whispers of an attack on Al'Khazar loomed.

This was when myself and the Dark Elf woman named Sythra began to wonder if this was a whole misunderstanding. After dwelling on this, we decided to move into human territory to determine what the actual plan was. After attempting to enter the city by conventional means, we were forced to sneak in through a hole in the walls. We encountered King Enor by chance, and pleaded our case with him. We couldn't believe our luck - he wanted peace as well!

We escaped Al'Khazar and returned to the Warden outpost in the Orc capital. After explaining to Lord Haelphon and Princess Indelwehn, they demanded to speak with the King in person. After replacing broken gear and weapons, we returned to Al'Khazar. But on the way there, we were jumped by a Warden Officer who claimed that he would order a siege on the humans, disobeying orders. We tried to stop him but he disappeared into the night. We had to press on, and before long we were slipping through that same hole in the human walls.

The guards saw us entering and nearly slew us: but King Enor ran into us and called off his guards, saving our lives. He took us into the keep, and we held a meeting. The peace talk was brief, since both sides were in agreement. The King wanted to only protect his people, he didn't wish another attack - as did we. So once that was solved, we needed to escape in order to stop the attack.

Here's where we ran into problems. To put it simply, the gate was shut down and the hole we used to get in was plugged. Sythra and Princess Indelwehn got seperated from us in the panic of the people running about in the streets, but after a long and grueling effort myself and Haelphon managed to climb the walls in the highest portion of the city.

Once we arrived in the Orc lands, myself and Haelphon attempted to arrest the rouge officer. But we failed, and he slipped away while his companions attacked us. But through Haelphon's courage and way with words, we were narrowly saved from a gruesome death at the hands of our own countrymen.

...The only reason I'm spending so much time writing this account (and believe me, with all of these wounds, it's not easy) is to warn you. Yes, all of you.

Though we supported our allies by helping bolster their defenses, we were gripped tight by our fear of being attacked. This stress of war, when it wasn't turned on the invasion we thought was coming, ended up being forced on each other.

We are Elves. We do not forcefully attack other races - we welcome them with open arms. Our warriors do not attack, they defend. If not for the bravery, skill and courage of those around me, Aegis would've been ripped in half by the monstrosities of war.

In the years to come, we will face similar situations. But when we encounter these problems, we mustn't repeat our mistakes. Rather, we must take what we have learned in this last week and ensure that we will never have to endure war with our companion races.

...Now, I'm going to go sleep. It's the middle of the night as I'm writing this, I'm covered in sand and cuts and I feel like sleeping for an Elven year.

--Ashur Kenbough

[Aerinyes 402]

I believe our pact with the orcs needs a revision. As we all know, our strong bodied allies are by nature... warlike. They are quick to go to battle. Some thing this is out of stupidity, or bloodlust. But this is further from the truth. If you have been to Krugmar, and seen these people for what they truly are, you would understand that the orcs are actually very cunning as a people.

I say cunning because in their culture, war is a way of life. Might makes right, might of their father, Krug. Now to get to the point at hand. If the orcs want something, they will take it. If they are offended, they will act rather then confide. It is their nature, their way of life, and their culture.

This conflicts with our own. While I respect the honesty, tenacity, and the trustworthiness of the orcs. I also fear that their way of life could very well threaten the peace of ours. In our current agreement, it appears to be that we enter any conflict the orcs do, even if it is not for our best interest, or even that of Krugmar's. This needs to be remedied. We cannot hurt the relations of our Human and Dwarven neighbors just because the Warlord of Krugmar is offended. That is a orc war that needs to be dealt with by orc means by orcs themselves. Elven blood should not be shed over something personal.

What I propose is that the pact be changed to one of a non-agressive pact. Meaning that whatever endeavors the orcs engage in, is that of their own. Right now they throw themselves willingly into combat knowing the elves would support them. This cannot continue. If their warlord realizes that Malinor will not help with his personal grievances, then he will be reluctant to engage in hostile behavior.

This will alleviate the stresses of war on our kind as well as the rest of Aegis!

Had Kal'Urgan and Krugmar resolved their differences as Oren and Malinor had today, we would never have had the events that transpired today. We are truly blessed to have such individuals as Ashur, Princess Indelwehn, and Lord Haelphon that were willing to brave a wartorn nation to speak with its king. Without our efforts, today would have been a dark day indeed. Ripe for the picking of undead instigators and saboteurs.

However that was not the case. In fact Malinor and Oren both scored a victory against the Undead by coming to peace. This peace makes both nations stronger against this undead threat. Let's at least hope that this serves as an example to both the dwarves and the orcs, so they may put aside their silly squabbles.

[argonian 14254]

As Tylos is on his daily walk through the forests of Malinor he notices a note. He reads it and sticks his own on. It reads:

"The Elves still fought in Urugan, the Elves still spilled Dwarf blood and if the Elves continue fighting the Dwarves then they will be fighting Humans too. Just do what's best for all of Aegis and end your alliance with the Orcs, they would give up soon after if you did that."

[Dio Astóre 69]

We all must tread lightly, with great care and with great purpose. What we learn here and the decisions we make now will extend far to the future. Krugmar retains its order and the respect of its leaders through demonstrations of strength; physical strength first and foremost, although the wish to be the strongest for ones' nation is no flawed quality in its own nature.

The Orcs look to the families - or clans as they refer to them - for stability and courage. Bloodlines are of importance to their ideal of civilised existance, and the Dwarves have threated the nation with an instability by striking at the future of the Gorkil lineage; at a woman and child.

Events escalated to immense proportions as more parties became involved in these sinister events. Fortune favoured Aegis and war has not occured due to the resolve and dedicated efforts of individuals, though us Elves would consider it more than an offense if any struck at the heart of our nobility: those who are to represent the strength and values of the peoples'.

Our alliance with a war nation may not be a simple matter, but to abolish our previous commitment to it may have dire ramifications. The four nations need all be strong, all must be balanced if we are to hope of purging the land of the taint it has borne for too long. Neutrality may not be possible, and choices must be made that are wise and favourable to the future; whether it be distant or not.

[Aryon 679]

Elves, here me out!

I am one of you, I am an Elf. Although I serve the kingdom of Oren, I hate to see Elven blood spilled. I thank you for making peace!

[Sultan 3953]

As the Warlord Enters the Elf capital to go meet High Prince Native, he reads the note.

Sakah..

The Warlord starts to address the crowd in-front of him.

Yes this only tells half of the story. We did not attack the humans out of greed nor for seeking power. we attacked out of revenge for there, backstabbing ways!

I was not there but this is what I was told by The Warmisstress, and other high ranking orks.

While the Warmisstress of Krugmar was out looking at the land with, some warriors and officials of the Orc Warnation. they came across a band of armed dwarfs in krugmar land. The Dwarfs started to spew hate and insults on the orcs, as Warmistress tried to clam down the orc Warriors, telling the Orc warriors to step back, as she came forward. She tried to talk to the dwarfs but they insulted and laughing at her, it was obvious the were up to no good. As the mistress stepped back the warriors stepped forward and a fight broke out, the Orcs in-raged at the words that we told to the warmisstres and towards them, they attacked with fury and slew many of the dwarfs the rest escaping. As I heard of this I expected more dwarfs to come our way I gather what warriors I have, as the rest were out hunting. and began to guard the front gate of krugmar.

Then while we were guarding a host of elfs came by accompanied by princess Indelwend and Prince (forgot his name). the prince told me that they have heard of the dwarfs attack, and he suggested we should go and speak to the dwarfs about this, at first I thought it would be foolish to go. But he insisted so I took my Warmisstres and him and went our way to the Dwarf Capital, leaving the army behind. as we reached there outer gates were closed expecting retaliation from us. we shouted for them but no one answerd we waited there for a few hours until a host of dwarfs were on the top of the walls, we told them we are here to speak. But they started to shoot us with arrows and throw stone and cobble stone at us, insulting us and saying that they shall use my skin as rug!. as cobble stone hit my warmisstress and boulder hit my shoulder. We went back to the army and marched with it, and put siege to the dwarf capital.

as we broke threw there outer-gates the dwarfs ran into there inner gates, and held there with traps and gates. we stood there waiting for the dwarfs but none came out. Then a huge human host showed up behind us and started to shout kill them all! we were getting back-stabbed crushed between two forces. I told the forces to move to a tower as they did. the humans started to enter into the dwarfs gates and into there inner walls. we found a way from the tower to there upper defenses as we entered we were meet with heavy fighting. We slew many but we were still outnumbered three to one. I order a full retreat.

we came back to krugmar and starts to lick out wounds and bury our dead. when I heard the humans were attacking, for the orcs we did not attack galahr, there may have been orks there but the attack was not led by orcs nor orc officials.

As the humans and dwarfs attacked Sanjezal we were outnumbered greatly as most of our warriors went out to hunt after the retreat. we tryed to hold but it was hopeless as they found a way in our walls. two of my warriors were at the palace as the dwarfs and humans rushed into my bedroom were my newborn child was sleeping they slew many as they tried to defend my newborn. but the humans and dwarfs were many, one of them took my cub and jumped out of the window, breaking a leg on the process but with sheer loyalty and love, they managed and escaped Sanjezal with my newborn heading here. While back in the capital, we managed to knock both the dwarf and human king out. and my Warmistress was tending the farms when this happened, the army of dwarfs and humans came at her as she escaped them looking them in the farms they were all captured as my warriors and allys started to kill them up pouring there blood into the sand, they had no were to go.

and this is the whole story!

[Goblin 18]

go orcs go

[Samson Option 9652]

Enters into the scene and rests his head and the crease of his elbows against the shaft of his zweihander and addresses the Elves

The irony is.. when you fight intelligently and act as your brother's keeper in times of war, your brother also has his hand to grip with yours and pull you through and through. If Laurelin was to be attacked, we would have struck right at them, the two Kings leading the allied assault on Sanjezal fell and with that, no attack would have been structured to occur. What the Elves may not realize is that, yes the Orcs may be warlike, but they are honorable in their combat. They were flustered and insulted that such a war was pressed against them that they had to fight back, do you perhaps see the parallel, the Orcs were attacked first and foremost and had to defend their homelands, the desert. I had always come to respect the Elven and Orcish alliance due to their love of nature, sure the desert and the forest are two different environments, but they still cause their inhabitants to have a heightened love for this World we call Aegis.

Elves, continue your intelligent insight and see that the breaking of the alliance with the Orcs would be the wrong action to take.

[VonEbs 1224]

I was there for the beginning stages of Kal'Urguan, and we did not attack without weighing the consequences heavily. We tried to hail the dwarves, but the only thing they did was shoot arrows and throw boulders. I was unfortunately hit by an arrow, and was unable to fight in the battle.

I believe that the orc elf alliance is still needed, and that both our races act with nobility and courage during the war against the humans and dwarves. I feel that to betray our orc brothers would be a crime. They have always kept their side of the bargain, now it our turn to keep ours.

However, I believe that this conflict can be solved by words from the diplomats of our great nations. I sincerily hope that this conflict can be solved without further bloodshed.

~Ebs

[Blawharag 277]

*Grunts derissively, muttering something about how the elves did nothing to bolster the Orc defenses at Sanjezal, rather they showed up afterwords to fight a routed foe.*

Maybe you would be less inclined to back the humans if you knew they let Vardak walk into their city unscathed. Vardak, he who claims to be The Herald of Destruction, and known cohort of the undead, was recognized by the guard and allowed to pass into their city.

Sounds like you really did a number to the Undead by not attacking one of their supporters.

[ayresalex 517]

I lost all of me iron to those orc bastards! My blacksmith is going to run aground now!

[Aerinyes 402]

There is always a way for peace. There was no reason to march on Kal'Urgan. The humans did the same for us, they would not let us within their front gates to speak of peace. But we still found a way. Though it was perilous we still found a way to speak with King Enor. If it were not for that fated event, Aegis would have fallen into brutality.

You have my condolences for your child, but a personal matter is not enough to warrant the risking of elven blood in war. We have not abused our pact with Krugmar for such personal issues in the past. We would appreciate the same in return. I am sure we will be able to allow scouts to help you locate and recover your child as kidnapping and harming of the young is deplorable, even in war. But going to war is not the answer we are looking for.

Diplomacy might be the answer, or if that fails, subterfuge. The dwarves not dare harm the infant, for that would surely break their pact with the humans... that is if King Enor is the honorable human he appears to be.

[Battleme33 196]

Now now now lets not be hasty, dis' ere' ork proaganda is a lie. The day started out with a group of dwarves, myself included, walkin on teh' king's road near Krugmar, a group of orks came a runnin out fully armed and demanded we leave der' land. Dis' was a public road remind ye'. We said no and dey' went back then soon, with their warmistress came back and demanded tax we said no and were shot at by arrows and all ell' broke loose. Each side took a few losses and eventually spread apart. The dwarves returned back te' Kal' Urguan when we got a message from a bird about sum' orcs threatening a small dwarven city near Aerial. We went there and soon found a band of orcs help up in Aerial. As we moved in we caught em' by suprise and killed most and captured one as the rest scattered. We took him back te' Kal' Urguan and interrogated im'. Soon after the Warlord showed up with an army outside of out gate. He told his army to go wait in Kal'Rog as he talked. Unfortunately one dwarf threw a small cobblestone rock at him which he claims struck his shoulder. Te' dwarf was immeadiatly jailed and killed. It was too late, acting rashly te' warlord called is' men and we all started fighting as the Elves joined in we sent a birdie to te' humans and they send reinforcements that came up n te' enemy flanks and we eventually pushed dem' back. After the battle Prince Lathie or sumt'in like dat' came over and we arranged a peace meatin'. After a long debate we reached terms on which he will go back to teh' elves and get a vote about peace. I dun' no how dat went down or the results but all I know is that we will not back down with the orks. We have no wish fer' peace with them. I am the commander of the Dwarven Legion and we have plenty hate brewin' fer' dem' green skins. I faught at teh' skirmish of Krugmar, Aerial, Battle for Kal' Urguan, Battle for Galahar, and Battle of Krugmar where we held the city fer' nearly 2 days ((IG)). If ye' elves want peace that is fine we have no desire to fight with ye' as fer' teh' orcs we will slaughter dem!

[Zezimus 1523]

Aye, Gimrik is correct, it was the Orcs' over aggressiveness that caused this to 'appen. It also seems odd that the Elves asked fer peace with us and then went off ter attack Galahar immediately after.

((Also, I wasn't aware that we'd taken an infant :P ))

[_pok_ 1768]

As Pok is getting some armor repaired by an Elven Blacksmith he stumbles upon this argument

I may not have been there for the first battle of Kal'Urguan I was there for the rest. Galahar was swiftly taken by the Orcs and Black Cross alliance (one of our greatest allies I might add). As the Humans and Dwarves swarmed in from behind, I and members of the Black Crosses jumped over the walls and got out of there untouched. We then heard word of a human/dwarf assault on San'Jezal lead by the King of Men himself, Enor. Enor was swiftly killed by the Black Hand as was the Dwarven King. The Crosses, with the help of some orcs (we were scattered all over Aegis at the time making tiny assaults where we could), slaughtered all the Humans and Dwarves that were stuck in our large farms.

We survived this war. However I can guarantee the great loss of human and dwarven life will not go un-avenged. The Dwarves and Humans will be back with ever more fury and we must be ready.

We cannot question our alliance in these dark times.

If your homes were under threat of annihilation we would assist you.

Do the same for us.