The War for Vasidok

In 749 an inconclusive border war was waged between The Grand Duchy of Dennovaria and the Velanyan Empire. The war was fought for control of the fertile lands between the eastern reaches of the Giantshield Mountains and the mining town of Vasidok.

The war was started as the Velanyan Empire decided to expand south into the unclaimed territories south of Fort Gnalt, their southern vanguard. The Velanyan empire had many reasons to expand southward. Controlling the precious metals from the mines of Vasidok is considered the most prominent reason but there were others. The newly declared Empire of Fog in the north, with Foghaven at its heart is well known to be magically superior in its inventions to the Velanyans and many speculate that Empress Keralia wanted to expand south to plunder the ancient store of the fallen Empires of Marranth, Iescalon, and Xanarr. Additonally, taking Vasidok may have granted the Velanyans a back door entrance into Blackcove to disrupt the pirate haven. The pirates of Blackcove have long frustrated free trade along the coast and the Velanyan Navy has been unable to come within even 30 miles of Blackcove by sea.

Dennovaria had a major patrol detachment scouting the roads to patrol for Orcs that were rumored to be raiding valuavle exports from Vasidok. The Velanyans claim that the scouting Dennovarians attacked them, the Dennovarian deetachement claims the opposite. After a deadly skirmish both nations scouting parties retreated and reported to their respective commanders. Within a week both nations had declared war and claimed ownership of the entire area between the southeastern Giantshields and the Daelgoeln Mountains protecting Blackcove.