Year of the Cheesewedge 572
In the Year of the Cheesewedge 572, tensions run high amongst the realms of Humans, Alvermen, Goatmen and Goblins. Their bickering has even forced the less well represented races to prepare for war. Mercenary companies pop up left and right and hoofsmiths convert their tools to forging weaponry. I can hear you asking: "Why can't we all just get along?"
Well, here is why:
Year of the Nutshell 568
In the Year of the Nutshell 568, Humans, Alvermen, Goatmen and Goblins co-exist peacefully. Humans even enjoy a three-way alliance with the Goatmen and Alvermen realms. The Duchy of Cordelia, ruled by Duke Cordelia IV, prospers and stretches all the way from the Cordelian Sea in the south to the High Lake in the north and the Eastmarsh in the east. Life is good. His counts each rule one of the Human counties. The Hornmoor Goatmen under the gracious King Grazer flourish in the far east, with many nomadic tribes dwelling beyond the Hornbay, grazing peacefully on fertile plains. Alvermen enjoy their pranks and poetry on their isolated but lush island. They can often be found sunbathing on their beaches. Not a care in the world...
Until:
Year of the Yoke 569
Early in the following year, the Year of the Yoke 569, out of nowhere Goblin forces invade the county of High Lake, razing fortifications and pillaging farmsteads, pushing onward through Eastmarsh's northern border. The ill-prepared Human defenses fall swiftly. Count Soggybottom of Eastmarsh rallies what troops he can and meets up with the Goatmen of Hornmoor. Honouring their allegiance, the Goatmen of King Grazer set off on a campaign to liberate the Eastmarsh. While his army attacks from the east, Count Doe's troops push forth from the south. On the western side of the Lake, Count Esteban rallies the counties of High Ridge and Westmarsh and marches on to reclaim High Lake. The Alvermen, while too busy sunbathing to actually help, were cheering on from the sidelines. "Yay Humans! Go Goatmen!"
The joint assault quickly overwhelmed the Goblin hordes, forcing them to break rank and retreat back to Northmoor, home of the Goblin Chief-of-Chiefs, Hordechief Grabber. Following the aftermath, the Eastmarsh was gifted to King Grazer for his aid during the campaign. Count Soggybottom went to replace the count of High Lake, who fell in the initial invasion. Counts Doe and Esteban were commended for their bravery and initiative in countering the Goblin hordes. All seemed well once more...
But then:
Year of the Radish 570
The Year is 570, Year of the Radish. This is the year that the Goatmen break their allegiance by sending a warfleet to the sunbasked isle of the Alvermen. Perhaps they were sore about the Alvermen not sending help during the Goblin Invasion. Or perhaps the lush lands of the Alvermen appeal to King Grazer's notorious appetite. Whatever the case, their breaking of the treaty forced the Humans to help the naive Alvermen militarily. A decision they would soon regret. For when Duke Cordelia IV officially declared hostilities on the Hornmoor Goatmen, the enraged Goatmen quickly allied with the Goblins of Northmoor. Fighting on two fronts, the Humans swiftly lost the counties of Doe's Landing, Westmarsh and High Lake. The Alvermen managed to stop the Goatmen from making landfall on their beaches, and retained all their territories.
So:
Year of the Toenail 571
The Year of the Toenail 571. One year after the "War of Goatmen Aggression" / "War of Hoofed Vengeance". During an uneasy peace, rumours start to reach Human lands about a great threat from the north. Apparently Ogres and Trolls had interbred in the northern wastes for decades, resulting in a mysterious and aggressive race of "Trogres". These mighty abominations were said to be behind the Goblin migration and their spill into Human lands. Even the Goatmen are said to have lost their grazing lands on the eastern side of the Hornbay. Worse still, the Goblins and Goatmen seem to be preparing to push further into Human lands, as the Trogres push on.
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