Events for the Western Defense League 1013-1014 AC
version 1.0 by Herv‚ Musseau
1015: Ylari Complain
Description: At a meeting of diplomats from the Western Defense League, the Ylari representative complains about the unclear relations between the League and the New Alphatian Confederated Empire, notably because of Karameikos's attitude. He suggests that the League should rather have a common attitude toward the Confederacy.
What This Means: The Ylari demand is not so much caused by political or military concern, but rather mercantile. Since Karameikos has passed trade agreements with the NACE, none of the two have actally levied taxes from goods coming from the other one-each one wanting to maintain good relations and increase trade between the countries-although officially there are still (reduced) tariffs-they are just not enforced. This wouldn't be a problem to Ylari merchants if some clever Darokinian merchants hadn't come to the idea of using Karameikos as an intermediate for all trade between Darokin and the NACE, since it is less expensive for them to make a stop at Mirros and declare their goods as Karameikan than pay the NACE's tariffs. The trick was soon used by the Hin from the Five Shires too, with a King Stefan happily letting things continue-it boosts the commerce in Mirros thanks to the influx of foreign merchants-while the Ylari merchant houses couldn't imitate it because it would cost them more to carry their goods to Karameikos and back to the NACE than ship them directly from Ylaruam's ports. Although Ylari do not particulay like the Alphatians and are reluctant to open trade with them-something they think will eventually happen-the merchant houses want their share of the profits and have thus pressed the Ylari government to act.

1015: WDL and NACE recognize each other
Description: In a common communique, the members of the Western Defense League announces that the League officially recognizes the New Alphatian Confederated Empire and opens up diplomatic relations with it, and vice-versa, and that they abolish all tariffs between them.
What This Means: Since the Ylari had asked for a clarification in the relations between the two coalitions (officially for political reasons but in reality for trade interests), diplomats from the League had opened up contacts with the NACE to achieve this result. The Alphatian Council had delayed it for a time, wanting to evaluate Thyatis's probable reaction-although this is not a military alliance, it is again a blow to Thyatis's pride. Ylaruam didn't have any official relation with the Alphatians since Alphatia sank in 1009, and Darokin and the Five Shires never had diplomats in Alphatia altogether; Karameikos had a permanent representation since Alphatia recognized it in 1006.

: War or Trade?
Description: At a Grand Council, the Senators of Rockhome argue about the future attitude of their nation in the face of the outside world. After a civil war, an orc invasion, and a bloody double war in Oenkmar, the nation is quite exhausted, especially in its number of male dwarves of fighting age. Senators from the Syrklist clan bring the matter to discussion, arguing that it is time for the dwarves to rebuild their countries and reestablish trade with the surrounding friendly nations. The Torkrests argue that they have to avenge themselves from the hated Shadow Elves and the traitorous humans. They are backed by the Hurwarfs who insist that there are no friendly nations outside, only foes. The Skarrad and Wyrwarf clans immediately side with the Syrklists for obvious reasons, while the Everasts do not speak because they don't want to put their young king in a difficult position by opposing his recent decisions (although it is obvious they would favor the Syrklists' position). But when senators from the Buhrodar clan tell that Kagyar is willing for the Dwarves to prosper and flourish and not die away in endless purposeless wars, the tide of the discussion considerably moves in favor of the Syrklist senators, and some Torkrest senators abandon their ideas of revenge in favor of rebuilding and fortification. When a vote is called, the Syrklist, Skarrad, Wyrwarf and Buhrodar senators heavily vote in favor of rebuilding and renewed trade, while the Hurwarfs stick to their ideals of isolationaism. Half of the Torkrests and Everasts vote for a continuation of the actual policy of war and revenge, while the other half vote for a policy of rebuilding. In all, almost ó of the senators vote with the Syrklists. King Everast XVI agrees to alter his foreign policy.

: Rockhome Reintegrates the League
Description: King Everast XVI of Rockhome announces that the dwarves are again part of the Western Defense League.
What This Means: After the Senate of Rockhome had decided to alter the country's policy, King Everast had sent diplomats to meet the representants from the League. After he had apologized for the matter of Oenkmar, he assured them that the dwarves only want to reintegrate the League and return to normal relations and resume trade. He concedes that the dwarves no longer have a claim over the city of Oenkmar/Aengmor. The other members of the League hoped the dwarves would eventually come to this, and are happy to accept Rockhome back as full member, after giving King Everast enough time so that he doesn't appear to concede.

3 Nuwmont 1013: A Longer Great Wall
Description: The Great Wall of Darokin now runs all the way from Fort Fletcher to Fort Nell, along the following the southern edge of the Broken Lands, totalling a length of more than 175 miles. Chancellor Corwyn Mauntea decides that the Great Wall will be prolonged to the newly constructed Fort Highlake at the source of the Highlake River, for an additional length of 200 miles. Construction is expected to take another couple of years.
What This Means: The Great Wall, whose construction began on the 1st of Sviftmont 1010, had taken some delaying last year because of the war in Oekmar and the proximity of battling armies near Fort Nell. The end of the war and the increasing in humanoid raids in Sviftmont of last year have convinced the Darokinian to finish it as rapidly as possible, and to extend it along the southern edge of the Great Crater as well-although Darokin has suffered few raids from that direction recently thanks to Kol's firm control over his minions.
What the PCs Can Do: The officials in charge of constructing the Great Wall still need more laborers, engineers, masons and others who can help build the Wall. Guards and fighters are especially needed to fend off humanoid attacks as work progresses.

1015: Great Wall Completed
Description: The Great Wall along the northern edge of Darokin, running from Fort Highlake in the West to Fort Nell in the East, has finally been completed. That incredible achievement took almost 5 years to accomplish. Chancellor Corwyn Mauntea rides with the generals of the forts all the way along the Wall from Fort Nell to Fort Highlake, then inaugurates it.
What This Means: The Wall is far from being a complete protection from all humanoid raids. However, it should delay them long enough to provide time for the raided city to organize its defense or for troops from the nearest fort to come and help.