Eth Etyr

History

The Elven Wars

The etyrian involvement in the Elven Wars started a few years after the founding of Velth elt Asteth. The rich gold depostis in the hills west of Velth hade been discovered, and many Etyrians were venturing north to seek their fortune. It was in these days an Elven party first made contact with the Etyrians. Speaking through one of the Elves with knowledge of the Etyrian language, the group requested to meet with the Emperor, and refused to reveal their puprose to anyone else. It is still unknown from where the Elves learned the Etyrian language but, being creatures as from out of a story and presenting their matter as being of utmost importance, they were taken to Etyr. There they met with the Council and the Emperor, a meeting the contents of which soon spread to every corner of Eth Etyr.

The Elves had come to propose an alliance against what would soon be a common foe, a people known as the Stained. Under a mysterious leader, the Stained were massing their forces to conquer Aleder. Soon, they would march to crush all who dared oppose them. The Elves had fought back an eariler attack, and seen the works of the Stained. They told of once proud cities, burned to the ground, their peaceful inhabitants crucified or sacrificed to dark gods. They told of the black banners and of the appearence of the Stained soldiers, their faces concealed by visored helmets.

As the Council were discussing the grave matter, and whether there was truth to it, messengers arrived from the north. Etyrian goldseekers far northwest of Velth had been attacked by horsemen clad in black and with helmets completely concealing their faces. Patrols venturing to investigate had never returned, and smoke from burning buildings had been spotted on the horizon. There was no longer any doubt in the Council. The Etyrian Empire went to war, allied with the legendary Elves against the dark banner of the Stained. The generals and their armies were summoned and, led by the Emperor himself, they marched north to meet this new threat.

The final battle took place at the northern entrance to the pass of Salvation. At the end of the day, the combined Etyrian and Elven army was retreating toward Velth, pursued by the Stained. Both sides had suffered heavy losses during the day but the Stained seemed undefatigable, and had finally forced the Etyrians to pull back. As the army was preparing to enter the pass, the Elven units still left suddenly detached and moved to meet the approaching enemies. The outcome has become legendary. The Elves sacrificed themselves, each Elf taking uncountable Stained with it into death. When finally the last Elf gave up breath, the Etyrian forces could easily finish off the remaining Stained, who kept attacking although their chances of victory had been lost.

Soon after the battle, a treaty was signed between eth Etyr and the Elven kingdoms. Eth Etyr was to halt its advance north and bind itself not to interfere with Elven business unless requested to. In exchange, Eth Etyr is rumored to have recieved vast amounts of gems, gold and silver, most of which should have been put into the pockets of the Emperor or the noble families.