History
There was a time when the elves were united under a strong royal family. The current turmoil began when the last king died (many houses blame others for murder, the actual reason is unclear or kept secret) without any son old enough to claim the throne. Soon different houses were manouvering to claim the throne or at least gain as much control as possible over any possible ruler. Possible heirs died or disappeared under increasingly strange circumstances, and the royal family had soon more or less dissolved. The houses split in two major fractions, each favouring the major house from their side as "rightful" successors of the throne. Soon, the elven wars broke out between the two fractions. As one side was being pushed back, it enlisted the help of the etyrians to turn the tide of war in their favour.
The among etyrians legendary battle at the Pass of Salvation is largely a product of forgetfulness and imaginative storytellers. In reality, what really won the battle was etyrian catapults above the pass. As the elven and human forces pulled back, the enemy was lured into range and decimated by intense bombardment. The version every etyrian has heard has its origins among groups of elves who refused to pull back, seeing any kind of retreat as a defeat and great loss of honour. Active promotion of this story from the elves' side is also part of the reson it has erased the memory of what really happened from most places but the battle reports.
The Pass of Salvation battle ended the military conflict, but only served to increase internal conflicts among the houses. The losing side already fractioned, each house trying to save its own skin, the winners were also torn apart by internal disputes, many which originated from taking help from the etyrians, an inferior species, and letting them walk upon elven territory. The war was over, but no peace between houses was in sight ...