Artery War

Category	Wars
Period	1546 - 1554
Theater	Hells Womb
Belligerents	Foronir Alliance VS Black Tide
Map	Lirgaza

After the Black Tide War (1465 - 1486), the victors, undead legions under the Dead Council, controlled territory stretching from the Lacedon infested harbor of Zayr to the most western city of the Lands of Purity, Vraga Moltus, the fallen capital of the Farinteens.

In the east, Bathor has been reduced to a fortification, its former enterprise and halfling laughter extinguished. The Black Tide maintains strongholds in Cormindar and a ring of them around the descent into Moregar. The vicinity of the Fodder Mine is dense with the undead. Their supply line extends northward into Sorrow Pass, a vale that none can secure. Black Forge and Galstyxe ensure this remains the case.

Sergeant Ralucin, of the Wardens of Aspungad, War Chronicler - "Vulnerabilities"

On 6 Saunas 1546, the fiery legions of Surticon, a member of the Foronir Alliance war pact, attacked Black Tide positions in the Sorrow Pass. In the south, east of Paradomea City and beyond the immolation range of the Pyramid of Merioss, the Paradomea Syndicate blockaded the Sparkling Bay and initiated actions against the Black Tide navy. Lured by lucrative mercenary rates, hundreds of privateers began preying upon Black Tide ships moving between Necrocrypt and the eastern capital of the Black Tide, the ruined city of Zayr. South of Gwaeldior, the Council of Bile advanced their armies eastward towards Bathor and the enemy supply lines into Moregar.

The war raged for eight years across a wide area, as the enemy was able to replenish their forces by raising the undead, on the surface, underground, and over two seas. In 1553, the last major stronghold of the Black Tide was the ruined city of Zayr and its dreaded Pyramid of Power. After the capture of Zayr during the Siege of the Eastern Capital, the Artery War came to an end. The Black Tide had been driven from Hells Womb, and in the east, the Athenian Crusade (1539 - 1551) had purged the evil from the Lands of Purity.

Destination Necrocrypt, venturing away from Brucrumus, the fearsome Black Tide general Dax remarked to a Tragaran pirate who inquired about their next steps following the defeat:

The forces opposing you are merely the beginning, for your mortal perspective can only envision short-term aims. However, upon our return to Gathrot, I shall elucidate the essence of Thasmudyan's Dark Gift, and then you will comprehend that we possess the span of eternity to subjugate this world beneath the dominion of the Black Tide.

Dax, "Soon to be Living Dead Sailor"