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The War of Brothers In 408 NB the human Yeldric Nobre, head of the Council, died, leaving his position to his son Altair Nobre. Altair was not well-liked, but the people respected him as the new head of the Council. Altair's twin brother Noltair was jealous of his brother's new position and publicly challenged his appointment. Noltair was charismatic and drew large crowds when he was speaking out against his brother and soon had a substantial following. He decided that he had enough of a force that he could overthrow his brother and take his place at the head of the Council. Open war broke out between Altair, backed by the Council's supporters, and Noltair and his followers.
The War of Brothers, as Throstos historians have dubbed it, lasted for seven years and spanned the length of Lower Arcanum. The populace was forced to choose sides between the haughty Altair and the charismatic Noltair. Altair hired the soldiers from the isle of Parsus, trained from childhood in an elite war academy in the ways of combat. Ultimately it was Altair's utilization of these soldiers that turned the tide in his favor. Noltair and his supporters were defeated and exiled from New Landing and Lower Arcanum. The deposed Noltair and his followers, which included the Wood Elves, left New Landing in the seventh month of 415 NB and wandered for five years seeking a home. They finally settled on an island to the east of the great Djuhadii Desert, which they called Guardian Island. There they waited and watched for the day when they could return to their rightful place as the rulers of Arcanum.
Because of the War of Brothers, the High Elves left New Landing as well. They could remember what had happened in their old land and wanted no part of it. Retreating to the Meneduin Mountains in the east, they found a great mountain fortress. They added to it and created the wondrous mountain city of Menethyryr.
After Altair had won the struggle against his brother, he became a bit paranoid. If it weren't for the warriors from Parsus, the outcome would have been very different. He worried that they would request recognition, and Altair in his pride refused to give it. He would not relinquish any part of what he had fought so brutally for. He turned his eyes to the west and marched on Parsus, not wanting to be overthrown by his own army. When word reached the generals and commanders of the Parsain force they laughed, but went out to meet Altair's force nonetheless.
The battle was short. Only 17 Parsain Praetorians fell during the battle, while only Altair and his personal bodyguards survived. The general Therapotes Athenas sent Altair back to New Landing with his tail between his legs and swore that the Parsain Army would never fight for New Landing again. Parsus severed all ties with the Council and set up their own government, consisting of an elected senate.
The next 200 years were fractured and volatile. With Noltair deposed and the Elves having left New Landing, the Council was becoming less of a governing force. New Landing was still the seat of government, but smaller governments, townships and councils were beginning to pop up around the map. The Grey Elves had their home in Bloodwood to the north, the Easterners had split from the Council and had their own rulers in Shenzhou Province, the High Elves were in their mountain citadel of Menethyryr, the Noltair and Wood Elves brooded on Guardian Island, and the government of Parsus was strong and booming. The situation was ripe for change. |
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