Up until this point, the continent was still largely fractured into small governing units, usually no more than a couple hundred square miles. This period saw the formation of larger groups, and a return in many places to the feudal allegiances of old. As alliances were made, so were enemies, and many minor wars occurred during this period.
The Kingdom of Muriah, in particular, sought a return to the glory of old, when it was the leading power on the continent. Establishing contact with the Dwarves of the Knife Edge mountains, they formed an alliance. The dwarves supplied weapons, and some mercenaries, to which the Kingdom of Muriah would make good use of in the coming war.
And war did come – like never before seen. A force of 100,000 footmen, knights, and warmages set out from Muriah to strike at her neighbors. Using psionic spies and agents, the force struck first at the Free States of Dynoria. The independent city-states of the democracy failed to support one another, and quickly were defeated. The Free States soon pledged loyalty, and manpower, to the Kingdom of Muriah.
This first quick victory was not repeated. The Bloodcoast Consortium, and the Holy Empire of Astalon, joined the war, and the fighting was long and drawn out. Sudden attacks by Ravlish barbarians, and a major Orc offensive, spelled the downfall of both of these forces. Some believe the Kingdom of Muriah instigated those events.
During this time, the League of Cities in the Dyninn region were also brought under the crown, due to fractional infighting and treachery on the part of Muriahan mercenaries. With the major players defeated, the lesser nation-states soon pledged fealty.
The Great War was a relatively quick affair, lasting only 23 years. Hardest hit were the central and southern regions of the continent. The League of Cities would grow to be a mercantile power, mostly from supplying both sides of the conflict with weapons and goods. In the end, however, the continent was once again united under the Muriahan banner.
