Rise of the Dwaerkar

The Rise of the Dwaerkar, also known as the Ascendancy of the Dwaerkar, the Dawn of Kel, the Legacy of Ÿphergund, and numerous other terms, is an ongoing conflict in Borost, by which the Dwaerkar have gained political and cultural supremacy over the land.

The rise of the Dwaerkar began with Ÿphergund's War in +431. The largest conflict to follow was Ythred's War in +510. Subsequently, the Izlenteft War broke out in +523. Nonetheless, guerilla and commando forces remain in open hostility against the Dwaerkar, primarily in the shape of the New Covenant.

An ancillary conflict includes the Annexation of Terbrug of +532, in which Tielsland staged a surprise attack and subsequently annexed the territory of the former Terbrug freehold, causing the ire and indignation of the other freeholds.

Comparison of forces
At the outbreak of war, the Dwaerkar infantry numbered some 80,000 troops overall. Of these, about 70,000 were riflemen of varied training and equipment, while the remaining 10,000 were cavalry. The Dwaerkar armies were supported by more than 400 armored vehicles, primarily the efficient MVT-4, with a smaller number of ultra-heavy HVT-1 vehicles.

The Dwaerkar armies were also aided by about 231 airships of various types, primarily small interdictors. The flagship of the Dwaerkar aerial navy was the Glory of the Transmundane, which led a squadron of similarly heavy airships.

The Borostím kingdom, overall, fielded some 180,000 troops. Of these, 120,000 were standard infantrymen, 40,000 were cavalry, and the remaining 20,000 battle-mages.

Early action
The war opened with conflict on the rolling fields of Illrend, to the South of Tielsland, as the Dwaerkar forces sallied from Ouwestad to attack the city of Kaer Illrend, today the site of Neudenaald. The Borostím emerged to offer a pitched battle to the Dwaerkar commander, the legendary Chief Tzulft Ÿphergund. At the Battle of Kaer Illrend, the superiority of Dwaerkar arms and tactics was visibly demonstrated, as Chief Ÿphergund drove the elven force to a route after only a few hours of action.

Fragmentation of the Dwaerkar state
Following the death of Molgart Ÿphergund in +453, Clan Ÿphergund vanished out of existence. Clan Ythred rapidly seized control of Ouwestad, and presumably the helm of the Dwaerkar people. However, the demise of the Ÿphergunds broke the contracts of vassalage of many generals. Six of the great generals of the Dwaerkar, along with their soldiery, declared that certain "freeholds" now existed independently of Ouwestad. These were:


 * Sjael Korthodum, who declared the independence of Helderen.
 * Hodrick Leenenden, of Terbrug.
 * Teris Draatelhand, of Vaalsebossen. Succeeded by Jurig Gorthoadum.
 * Keris Anderast, of Hyrost.
 * Woltar Reimart, of Tederland.
 * Selt Yulthermand, of Westerbos.

Notably, Clan Ÿzerhand, a former vassal of Clan Ÿphergund, remained loyal to Clan Ythred.

The manpower and resources of Ouwestad remained largely depleted by the ongoing conflict with the elves, and it was in no position to contest these unilateral declarations of independence. With bitterness and frustration, Wuldan Ythred yielded. He recognized the sovereignty of the freeholds -- on the condition that they continued their efforts against the elven forces.

Results
The war resulted in a complete victory for the Dwaerkar, and the utter collapse of the Elven Kingdom. However, their former Chiefdom had been sundered into seven distinct and fiercely-independent freeholds.