The Kingdom of Eiro invaded the independent Alvarin territories northeast of Acadia, seeking control of their rich Manarine deposits. Eiro had limited Manarine resources of its own and wanted to secure a supply of this strategically valuable magical material.
The Alvarin, a loosely organized tribal people with sophisticated traditions of practical witchcraft, resisted the invasion. Acadia, which maintained longstanding trade relationships with the Alvarin, initially supported its allies before entering the war directly.
The conflict escalated as Eiran forces pushed through Alvarin territory and into Acadia's northern provinces of Ravenmere and Redhaven. Years of fighting devastated settlements, disrupted trade, and displaced thousands.
Ultimately, Acadia drove Eiro back, ending the war in an Acadian victory.
The Current Situation
The war ended a few years ago, but northern Acadia and the Alvarin territories are still recovering.
Ravenmere and Redhaven bear the scars of invasion. Villages are being rebuilt, refugees are returning, and abandoned fortifications dot the countryside. Banditry, deserters, and damaged infrastructure make travel dangerous.
The Alvarin territories remain politically independent but under Acadian military protection. Acadian troops have not fully withdrawn, and the kingdom is divided over what should happen next.
Three major political positions have emerged:
Withdrawal: Honor Alvarin sovereignty and bring Acadian soldiers home.
Annexation: Incorporate the territory into Acadia to secure its borders and Manarine resources.
Voluntary union: Negotiate an agreement allowing the Alvarin to join Acadia willingly, with citizenship, representation, and protections for their traditions.
The Alvarin themselves are divided, with different tribes holding different opinions. Their decentralized leadership makes any unified agreement difficult.
The Northern Frontier — After the War
The northern reaches of Ravenmere and Redhaven remain devastated by years of warfare. Entire villages were burned, their inhabitants killed or displaced. Ruined farmhouses and blackened chimneys dot the countryside, while abandoned fields slowly return to wilderness.
Food is scarce. Crops were destroyed, livestock stolen or slaughtered, and many farmers never returned. Harsh winters make survival especially difficult. Families rely on hunting, foraging, and what little they can grow or trade.
The noble family that once governed the region was wiped out during the invasion, leaving a vacuum of authority. The Acadian crown struggles to restore order, and assistance is slow to arrive. Broken roads, abandoned fortifications, and roaming bandits make travel dangerous.
Acadian soldiers still patrol the frontier and occupy parts of neighboring Alvarin territory, but their presence cannot guarantee safety. Distrust lingers between Acadians, Eirans, and Alvarin.
Those who remain are resilient but exhausted. Communities struggle to rebuild, refugees return to find their homes gone, and nearly everyone has lost someone.
The war is over, but hunger, poverty, and lawlessness remain.