Black Tide War

In the Second Epoch, zealots of Thasmudyan, others in it for fame and fortune, went to war with the followers of Hades. After the capture of Gravestone Gates in the Grim Harvest Crusade (1462 - 1464), necromancers of Black Banner went to work building an undead army. With deep pockets from past adventuring, Black Banner offered high pay, and for the best, a sort of immortality, leading to mercenaries coming in from distant lands. It was a motley force of mercenaries and growing numbers of undead, all under the Black Tide of Thasmudyan.

The Black Tide War was a continuation of the religious crusade that began in the Grim Harvest Crusade, with now the premise being that all must be given Thasmudyan's "Ulimate Gift", that is turned into an undead willingly or unwillingly. The land war was waged across Hells Womb, the Lands of Purity and the subterranean regions beneath. In darker regions below, most operations were handled by the Uzurundabud, 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 raising the dead on the field of battle, the Black Tide had areas where older and stronger undead could be made, the so-called undead factories, one was in the guts of Gravestone Gates and the other in the ruins of Cerebrum. In the early stages of the conflict, the Black Tide relied heavily on recruiting mercenaries, bandits, and barbarians to bolster their ranks. On entering the Lands of Purity, the Black Tide recruited thousands of soldiers from Garormuk and later Theegans from the Northern Hordelands; yet the greatest strength of the Black Tide was in raising the dead, as General Pinth put it - "our troops fight twice".

On 6 Bloom 1465, the Black Tide navy under Admiral Bloodtusk captured Ivory Asylum's port city of Salandirik. The start of the Ivory Ward Campaign, it gave rise to the Bloodtusk Regime and direct conflict with the nation of Ivory Asylum. At the end of 1465, the Black Tide had a mob of 486 undead on land, and 1,454 undead sailors of the Armada of the Damned.

In 1466, the Black Tide captured the independent city-state of Bathor. A surprise to all, what was most notable of the siege was the use of undead paratroopers that dropped in at night. Many exploded or broke apart on impact, spreading disease and sickness that over five months killed more than actual combat. The fall of Bathor, nearly drew Paradomea into the war. A long-time economic partner, millions in magical gifts were sent to Paradomea's masters, the Council of Nine, and donations of an equal amount were made for charitable projects. Profitting heavily off the war, Paradomea was to remain neutral for the rest of the war. Ten thousand Bathoreans, two legions, were raised as undead, joining the armies of the Black Tide. By the end of 1466, the Black Tide had 10,012 undead on the march.

In 1467, failing to get terms for crossing Celebriän lands, the Black Tide starts the Bone Arrow Campaign.

In 1469, the Black Tide captured Scartaris. This victory resulted in a massive influx of mercenaries from the uncivilized lands east of Dargirth. In less than a year, more than 20,000 Graagvrii, hobgoblins, goblins, and other evil creatures were put on the Black Tide war roster. By the end of 1469, the Black Tide mustered 12,940 undead.

In 1470, the Black Tide joined the Eye-Skull Pact, starting the Gimhak War (1470 - 1503).

In 1474, the Black Tide began their move north, up the Sorrow Pass and westward into the Lands of Purity. In the last month of the year, forward units under General Garn capture Ebonstar.

At the start of 1475, the Black Tide had 23,800 undead and twice as many mercenaries when they poured into the Vale of Khilag-Tarkin, gateway to the Lands of Purity. The battles in this vale and across the soon to be known Marrow Fields lasted six months in the Breached Pass Campaign. By the end of the year, facing the holy crusaders and priests of the Farinteen Alliance, the undead answering to the Black Tide had been reduced to 16,211.

The Black Tide general Garn is killed at Ebonstar.

In 1476, the Black Tide hired the Har'kish for three million gold, using their terror weapon, the Hand of Gith on the enemy capital of Vraga Moltus and the independent city-state of Voruner. In the same year, Farinteen loses Elgatâz to the Black Tide northern army under the command of Dax. By the end of 1476, the Black Tide had five undead legions, 27,319 former foes and former allies that had fallen in battle and been given the "Ulimate Gift".

In 1477, by way of Muzratân captains willing to work for anyone for the right price, Katrana transports her undead army across the Galathien Sea. In the Sylvan Kingdoms, her army besieges Elamir.

In 1478, the city-state of Voruner fell to the Mauhúrz-Dúrak and its lich general Katrana, bringing the Black Tide's undead count to nearly 40,000.

In the Luran Campaign (1481 - 1483), the Black Tide captured the strategic bastion of Holy Sanctum.

In 1479, Katrana began operations against the entrenched forces of Maharâg. After losing a legion and a half to the defenders, Katrana turned to trickery and ancient dragon magic. Using the Elder Orb of Embers, another artifact named the Crown of Phlehorn was corrupted then placed on all the enemy captured. Now cursed, every dwarf that wore it, was transformed into a duergar. Beguiled, they were fanatical in carrying out the words of Katrana.

In 1482 of the Gûn Campaign, Katrana captured the city-state of Maharâg.

In 1485, the Targad city of Milithian was attacked in the Siege of Milithian.

With the fall of Vraga Moltus in 1486, the Black Tide War ended. The Black Tide now controlled territory stretching from the lacedon infested harbor of Zayr to the most distant city of the Lands of Purity, Vraga Moltus, fallen capital of the Farinteen Dynasty.