Bardonian Illegal Mining Incident

October 27, Prince Corvus and Dairbeag were patrolling in their territory: Zaalfyr Principality, the Mesa part of the Empire of Uldarash.

After a while, Prince Corvus found an illegal mining operation, but since no one was there, he assumed that it was abandoned. So Dairbeag left, but Prince Corvus continued to explore the illegal mines and found a bed belonging to Unic0rnb0i chancellor of Bardonia.

But he was astonished when he saw BackToTheHub, who just reconnected, coming out of a corner. Both were surprised to see each other. They were very suspicious at first, but they started to talk and the tension was brought down. Both spoke in a friendly fashion, but Prince Corvus didn't say why he was there — to prevent any conflict to break out — and find out what really happened in this illegal mining operation. BackToTheHub came into the tunnels through an active Nether Portal and was unaware of Uldarash's claim to the Mesa.

Uldarash intervention
Following the discovery, while Prince Corvus and BackToTheHub were talking, Emperor Dentro, WhiskeyKnight and gencarrot from the Empire of Uldarash came to the illegal mines to confront BackToTheHub about Bardonia’s illegal mining and to ask him to call the chancellor of Bardonia, Unic0rnb0i, to come to Hapatmitas the same day for a meeting. BackToTheHub accepted on behalf of Unic0rnb0i and left.

Emperor Dentro and other members of Uldarash were demanding Unic0rnb0i come to Hapatmitas. Unknown to the Chancellor, BackToTheHub had scheduled the meeting over another meeting the Chancellor had with Dalatra of Ardat regarding his new book Kama Shiftra. Unic0rnb0i explained to Uldarash very politely, that he was attending another pre-scheduled meeting and would be there as soon as he could. During the meeting with Ardat, Despite being in a meeting with Ardat, Uldarash demanded the Chancellor come to Hapatmitas and postpone the meeting. The Chancellor cut the meeting with Ardat short to attend and calm the Uldarashians.

The Hapatmitas meeting
The first meeting between Bardonia and the Empire of Uldarash took place in Uldarash’s city of Hapatmitas. After some discussion certain questions were cleared and the negotiations started.

Bardonia apologized for the ore that was mined during BackToTheHub's visit as the empire demanded a fine. There was much discussion for nobody knew how much gold was exactly mined, after being mined the gold had been sold off. After the initial questioning and a private Uldarash discussion, Dentro demanded a fee of 100,000 from Bardonia.

Unic0rnb0i tried to negotiate the price of the demand claiming that they didn’t have that amount money and the following offers were made by Dentro:

- Let Uldarash kill BackToTheHub as many times as it takes to get a head for each of their cities (about 13). This would reduce 20k from the demand.

- Put in a good word for them to the Vastallosi Alliance of Western Rathnir, Uldarash expressed intensions of joining the Alliance. The reduction was estimated between 20k and 40k.

- An Enchanted Golden Apple that Unic0rnb0i had offered for peace. This would reduce 10k from the demand.

After the suggestion to have one of Bardonia's senators repetitively executed, Unic0rnb0i politely agreed to introduce Uldarash's demands and offers to the Bardonian senate. Later it became known that this particular suggestion back in Bardonia was regarded as unnecessarily humilating therefore escalating the conflict.

At the end, the Empire sent an ultimatum demanding 100k from Bardonia for illegal state mining in Empire’s territory or Uldarash would declare war. The fine should be paid within one week.

The Second meeting
November 1st, a second meeting was held between the Empire of Uldarash and Bardonia. WhiskeyKnight stated during the meeting that the fee should only amount to a total of 42k for the gold mined and the illegal mining fee, but he had to stay loyal to Emperor Dentro's original demands which remain unmoved. The representatives from Bardonia paid 100 instead of the 100,000 that was set as the fine. Animosity came to the meeting and it quickly ended, with Uldarash stating they were declaring war since the payment made by Bardonia was seen as unacceptable and insulting.

The Third meeting
November 2nd, less than 24 hours before war would be declared, the Silver Coalition was approached by Minister of War from Uldarash, WhiskeyKnight who came to seek neutrality towards Empire. The talks started and Silver Coalition sought out the perspective of the representative. Observers from Escharia and Vraelea were present. When it became apparent that another meeting between Uldarash and Bardonia was needed, Lokki, representing Vraelea, noticed that BackToTheHub was online in Discord. Diplomat saw an opportunity and brought him into the call in an attempt of peace. Once again both sides were asked to bring forth their perspectives in hopes of finding common ground. Bardonia's senate had already made the decision prior to pay only 100 and was not interested in backing down, and similarly, Uldarash was ready for war and only increased their demands of Bardonia. Negotiations broke down and ultimately failed. What was brought out of this meeting though was a request for neither side to bring allies into the war and to leave the conflict as one just between the two nations. Ardat was originally posed to join on Uldarash's side, but this meeting at the very least convinced Uldarash not to call Ardat to their side in the conflict. Whether any of these negotiations would stay intact was completely unknown.

Declaration of War
The Empire of Uldarash declared war on Bardonia, founding a land claim called Siege Camp to surround the town of Bardonia building a stone wall around the town. This came to be known as The Great Western War.

In response, Bardonian Senator, Moyye, created a land named Alcoholism, which declared war on the Uldarash town Sanctuary.

The Empire of Uldarash's land claim of Great Barrier declared war on Bardonia's capital, Dorasterrock.

Along with the construction of the wall around Bardonia, a large sign was erected by Uldarash that read "Poo". This sign became known as "The Poo Sign". Built by Nybbles, it was removed the next day, and when Nybbles built it again, they found themselves exiled for escalating tensions and refusing orders.

As the time of war neared, The Vastallosi Alliance of Western Rathnir stepped in and called a meeting before the time of war, as a last-ditch attempt to stop the conflict. The agreement was reached that VAWR will oppose the aggressor which meant that whoever first showed signs of aggression will have to fight against Alliance. Neutral spectators were appointed, Infinick of Tlahatl at the city of Bardonia, 8jaaroud of Carvay at Great Barrier, Essendor of Carvay at Dorasterrock, and waiting commenced. Unfortunately, tensions continued to rise, and open conflict became unavoidable. That is when The Great Western War commenced.