| Category | Wars | ||||||
| Period | 1465 - 1486 | ||||||
| Theater | Hells Womb, Lands of Purity, Sea of Mourning, | ||||||
| Pearl Sea, Ma'Ohari | |||||||
| Belligerents |
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In the Second Epoch, zealots of Thasmudyan, as well as those seeking fame and fortune, waged war against the followers of Hades. Following the capture of Gravestone Gates during the Grim Harvest Crusade (1462 - 1464), the necromancers of Black Banner set about constructing an undead army. Benefiting from the deep coffers earned through past adventures, Black Banner offered high pay and a form of immortality to the most skilled, drawing mercenaries from distant lands. The resulting force was a motley crew of mercenaries and a growing number of undead, all under the command of the Black Tide of Thasmudyan.
The Black Tide War was a continuation of the religious crusade that had commenced during the Grim Harvest Crusade, now with the premise that all must be willingly or unwillingly transformed into Thasmudyan's "Ultimate Gift" - the undead. The land war was waged across the Hells Womb, the Lands of Purity, and the subterranean regions beneath. In the darker realms below, the majority of operations were overseen by the Uzurundabud, an ally of the Black Tide. At sea, Admiral Bloodtusk terrorized the Sea of Mourning with his death fleet, the Armada of the Damned.
In addition to reviving the deceased on the battlefield, the Black Tide maintained specialized areas where older and more formidable undead could be created, known as the undead factories. One such facility was situated within the depths of Gravestone Gates, while the other was located amidst the ruins of Cerebrum. During the early stages of the conflict, the Black Tide heavily relied on recruiting mercenaries, bandits, and barbarians to bolster their ranks. Upon entering the Lands of Purity, the Black Tide enlisted thousands of soldiers from Garormuk and later the Theegans from the Northern Hordelands ; yet the greatest strength of the Black Tide lay in their ability to raise the dead, as General Pinth aptly stated - "our troops fight twice."
On 6 Bloom 1465, the Black Tide navy under Admiral Bloodtusk seized the port city of Salandirik, which belonged to Ivory Asylum. This marked the commencement of the Ivory Ward Campaign, giving rise to the Bloodtusk Regime and direct conflict with Ivory Asylum. By the end of 1465, the Black Tide had amassed a force of 486 undead soldiers on land, as well as 1,454 undead sailors serving in the Armada of the Damned.
In 1466, the Black Tide annexed the independent city-state of Bathor. What was most remarkable about the siege was the use of undead paratroopers that descended at night. Many exploded or disintegrated upon impact, spreading disease and sickness that over five months killed more than actual combat. The fall of Bathor nearly drew Paradomea into the war. As a long-time economic partner, Paradomea sent millions in magical gifts to the Council of Nine and donated an equal amount for charitable projects. Profiting heavily from the war, Paradomea remained neutral for the rest of the conflict. Ten thousand Bathoreans, two full legions, were raised as undead, joining the armies of the Black Tide. By the end of 1466, the Black Tide had 10,012 undead soldiers on the march.
In 1467, unable to secure an agreement for passage through the Celebriän territories, the Black Tide initiated the Bone Arrow Campaign.
In 1469, the Black Tide conquered Scartaris. This triumph led to a significant influx of mercenaries from the uncivilized regions east of Dargirth. Within a year, over 20,000 Graagvrii, hobgoblins, goblins, and other malevolent creatures were enlisted in the Black Tide's military forces. By the end of 1469, the Black Tide had amassed a formidable army of 12,940 undead.
In 1470, the Black Tide joined the Eye-Skull Pact, commencing the Gimhak War ( 1470 - 1503 ) .
In 1474, the Black Tide commenced their northward push, traversing the Sorrow Pass and proceeding westward into the Lands of Purity. During the final month of the year, vanguard forces under the command of General Garn seized control of Ebonstar.
At the outset of 1475, the Black Tide possessed 23,800 undead soldiers and twice as many mercenaries when they poured into the Vale of Khilag-Tarkin, the entryway to the Lands of Purity. The battles waged in this vale and across the soon-to-be-known Marrow Fields endured for six months during the Breached Pass Campaign. By year's end, facing the holy crusaders and priests of the Farinteen Alliance, the undead forces of the Black Tide had been diminished to a mere 16,211.
The Black Tide's formidable commander, Garn, met his demise at the renowned Ebonstar.
In 1476, the Black Tide hired the Har'kish for three million gold, utilizing their terror weapon, the Hand of Gith, against the enemy capital of Vraga Moltus and the autonomous city-state of Voruner. That same year, Farinteen lost Elgatâz to the Black Tide's northern army under the command of Dax. By the close of 1476, the Black Tide had amassed five undead legions, comprising 27,319 former foes and allies who had fallen in battle and been granted the "Ultimate Gift".
In 1477, through the aid of Muzratân captains willing to work for the appropriate compensation, Katrana transports her undead army across the Galathien Sea. Once in the Sylvan Kingdoms, her formidable army lays siege to the city of Elamir.
In 1478, the city-state of Voruner fell to the Mauhúrz-Dúrak and its lich general Katrana, thereby increasing the Black Tide's undead ranks to nearly 40,000.
In the Luran Campaign (1481 - 1483), the Black Tide seized control of the strategic fortification known as the Holy Sanctum.
In 1479, Katrana commenced operations against the entrenched forces of Maharâg. After sustaining significant losses against the defenders, Katrana resorted to deception and ancient dragon sorcery. Wielding the Elder Orb of Embers, Katrana corrupted another artifact, the Crown of Phlehorn, and compelled all captured enemies to don it. Now cursed, every dwarf who wore the crown was transformed into a duergar, fanatically carrying out Katrana's commands.
In the year 1482 of the Gûn Campaign, Katrana seized control of the city-state of Maharâg.
The Targad city of Milithian was assaulted in the Siege of Milithian which occurred in the year 1485.
With the fall of Vraga Moltus in 1486, the Black Tide War concluded. The Black Tide now commanded territory extending from the Lacedon-infested harbor of Zayr to the most distant city in the Lands of Purity, Vraga Moltus, the fallen capital of the Farinteen Dynasty.