Iron War

The Iron War, also known as the Great Freeholds Stalemate, was a military conflict between The Dominion and A.F.E. Conflict first began on the 29th January 2022, upon an ultimatum sent by the Dominion to the A.F.E which would result in the unficiation of the former Iron Freeholds under Dominion rule. Upon the denial of the ultimatum, the A.F.E would officially mobilize, prompting the Empire of GoonGuard and the Dinas Pact to enter the war on the A.F.E's side. It was speculated by many scholars that the outcome of the war will result in the reunification of the Freeholds, no matter the winner, which ended up being the case.

The Iron Freeholds Existence
The Iron Freeholds was a state in Eldham that held the entirety of the region known as the Freeholds, as well as a Pentamorean peninsula known as Seaterra. The Iron Freeholds held the lands for many many decades, but eventually rampant stagnation led to them agreeing to be a protectorate by the Second Empire of Plagatea. This period of protection lasted for many years to follow, but would end upon the declaration of the Commonwealth-Entente War.

This would prompt the Freeholds to leave Plagatea for safety and merge with the newly independent Valardom of Vulmire. Randon Xen, the Valar of Vulmire, would struggle to hold onto the Freeholds, prompting Vulmire to release several duchies, even giving some of the lands to the Empire of Ahalia for a brief time. Eventually, the death of Xen and the vassalisation of Vulmire by the Astrokhan-Wandenreich Empire led to four states remaining in the Freeholds, the Freehold of Eiendom, the Kingdom of Ron de Abal, the state of Ferrus Lupus and the Dominion, with the Dominion being the largest of the four.

Border Disputes
Immediately upon the fracturing of the Freeholds, the Dominion would begin pursuing unification for the lands by attempting to persuade the three other nations to form an equal union. This prompted Abal to pursue a protectorate status with the A.W.E, with Ferrus Lupus also considering the offer. The Dominion would continue to abuse the borders between the nations and would begin to claim the lands of Eiendom. Eiendom subsequently alerted the Dinas Pact, of which it holds membership in, about the potential issue, with Ahalia taking much interest in the conflict.

Negotiations would begin between Ahalia, Abal and Eindom against the Dominion in order to pursue peace, with some prospect being achieved. This would all be negated when Ahalia would attempt a purchase of Abal lands, only for Sebby, a Domion leader, to set up a squatter claim in Abal's territories, cancelling the purchase and worsening each nation's relations with one another. Following this incident, the Dominion would convince an Eiendom mayor to cecede the lands of Mongrim from Eiendom and join the Dominion. Eiendom would sell the lands to GoonGuard for $200,000, but Dominion would then give GoonGuard another $200,000 for the lands to be transferred to them.

After several more border disputes and skirmishes, Eiendom, Abal and Ferrus Lupus decided to entirely cut off diplomacy with Eiendom and would form an independent united nation together: the A.F.E. At this point, the A.F.E and Dinas Pact knew that the Dominion would prepare a military conflict, and had been evaluating their defenses as well as military strength of the Dominion. Negotiations had also started between GoonGuard and the A.F.E, with both sides deciding to defend each other in the case that the Dominion attacked. With the Dominion

Ultimatum
The Dominion would send the following ultimatum to the A.F.E on the 29th January 2022. The Ultimatum was crafted shortly after a failed peace negotiation with the AFE leaders. The Dominion feeling insulted by a campaign made by A.F.E members to spread negativity about Dominion being ignored as a problem with A.F.E leaders. The ultimatum was sent with the casus belli of "a month of slander and efforts to undermine the Dominion." The A.F.E's view of Dominion as a security threat and Dominion's view of A.F.E as an anti Dominion alliance tensions were at an absolute high.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IjdtJbYznkCusFGzH135Z0GMeqRNUc6bnoIHI9iek0g/edit?usp=sharing

"1. The A.F.E. is to surrender the lands of Eiendom and Ferrus Lupus to the Dominion, which shall be integrated as provinces.

2. Due to their efforts to undermine the Dominion, and spreading slanderous, untrue accusations, Bibbles and Zeronia shall be exiled from the nation.

3.Wolfik shall become a Baron within the Dominion, and shall maintain his position over his town.

4. The A.F.E. shall pay the Dominion $600,001 as compensation for the slander spread about the Dominion and its populace.

5. Gangstapimplimp shall be appointed as the new king of Abal.

6. The Sorcerer Kingdom shall be given the option to become a vassal of the Dominion or gain full independence."

The Ultimatum would immediately be rejected by the A.F.E and an immediate military mobilisation began, with the A.F.E's allies being notified as well. GoonGuard would first enter the war, proceeded by the Dinas Pact, the Puvozien Empire and the Kingdom of Aurea, with no official response by the Dominion made.

War Preparations and Armistice
Both sides would immediately begin mobilisation, with most records coming from the A.F.E and allies. It was reported that the A.F.E would bring roughly 60 soldiers, compared to the Dominion's estimated 15. After the A.F.E's allies joined the war, the Dominion immediately halted any plans for offensives, while the A.F.E made plans to attack the Dominion, knowing they had the strength to win. The A.F.E would prepare equipment and manpower, and a date was decided to strike, on the 20th January.

However, before the official plans had yet to be published, Zeronia of the A.F.E announced an armistice between both sides, much to the shock of even the other A.F.E leaders. Disgusted, GoonGuard and Ahalia would demobilise immediately, and the remaining armies eventually just left for home, despite the easy war that the A.F.E would have had.

After the war, Zeronia would also announce the collapse of the A.F.E, and Ferrus Lupus, Abal, and the Dominion would all become protectorates of the A.W.E, eventually merging into the Hegemony of Montrium, uniting the Freeholds, except Eiendom, which became a GoonGuard protectorate for the sake of safety. With the dramatic de-escalation so people still regret the war not happening.

Addendum
GoonGuard Entry into the war:

"Official Goon Announcement

Onetapped and I after much discussion have decided to support the AFE against the war mongering Dominion. We will see to it that these scoundrels aren't seen near our borders and the AFE has requested our help as previously we made a deal with them over land and the Dominion contested it. Don't help these clowns they don't have any right to the land in the South" - InverseAtom, 29/01/2022

Dinas Pact mobilisation:

"TRANSMISSION FROM THE DINAS PACT

==============================

The stink of betrayal has reached the Freeholds. The "Dominion" has just entered into a state of war against the A.F.E, purely for the sake of expansion. The Dominion have enacted border conflicts, squatter claims and attempted to invade Eiendom half a dozen times. From what I know of, The Dominion has spent thousands upon thousands on mercenaries to win this conflict for them, because they are too weak to do it alone. They have violated several treaties, including the Ahalian Non-Aggression Pact, which we now declare void. This will not stand. The A.F.E may have just recently became a member of the Dinas Pact, but we keep our honour. Our treaty is binding, and we are more than happy to protect our friends against the beast that resides in the Freeholds. The Dinas Pact members will mobilize immediately. We will arm our citizens, and bring the Dominion down.

Let the blood of the Dominion rain down from their hills, may their soldiers taste the blades of the Pact, and may they feel the wrath that they inflicted on their former friends fall down upon them a thousand-times fold.

SOON, THE DOMINION WILL BE NO LONGER!

FOR THE PACT!" - Wambold Zevedeos, 29/01/2022

Kingdom of Aureua entry into the war:

"===================================

           <> Aurea Supports Eiendom <>

                                       and

     <> Denouncement of the Dominion <>

===================================

The Kingdom of Aurea does not ignore nor tolerate the malicious and uncivilized actions of the Dominion. The Dominion has proven themselves unworthy of the time and company of their contemporaries so we reject such matters with them just as they reject to do the same to Eiendom. They refuse diplomacy, they support themselves entirely with lies, and they are nothing more than betrayers whose word is as worthless as every treaty they sign.

We officially denounce the Dominion for their expansionist war against Eiendom. Their rampant imperialism is not tolerable nor acceptable. We warn others to not make treaties with the Dominion for they may break them as well just as they have done to Eiendom. Do beware the menace of the backstabbing Dominion.

signed-

Alpharius, head of the hydra

Vita, King of Aurea

===================================

Gloria ad regnum Aureum" - Vita, 29/01/2022

Irisnian announcement about the war:

"≡≡≡≡≡ A missive from the Kingdom of Irisnia ≡≡≡≡≡

A Victory for Pale, is a Victory for Onthukhan!

Today Irisnia congratulate the efforts of the Coalition, over an incredible fight only seen in our peaceful region since the Sand War provoked by the same antagonist in this battle, kudos for the Pale and its allies for their victory over the mercenary army of Merkonis!, we sent our forces and we salute them, in the name of the people of Irisnia and its government in putting some effort into helping our allies succeed!

We are one step closer to achieve peace in Onthukhan, by the shared might, will and expertise of all our nations!

The Dominion threatens our allies!

Today the Dominion has decided to invade our allies in the South-West, a nation member of the Dinas Pact, we will mobilize to support the defense and honor of the A.F.E!

≡≡≡≡≡ A missive from the Kingdom of Irisnia ≡≡≡≡≡" - Alaina Arianhood, 30/01/2022