The Equilibrium Conflict
Written by Sean, edited by Kasey
Element 707, known colloquially as Cosmic Rain, is a crystalline substance known first for its strikingly iridescent blue coloration. Upon further study, it was discovered to have an unfathomably potent magic amplification properties. This can drastically shift the power dynamic should any one party monopolize this substance.
About 20 years before we meet the intrepid adventuring group The Mercy Unit, a Felcromian fisherman on a long voyage found strange yet incredibly beautiful blue crystals caught in his net. Not one to overthink things, the fisherman returned from his voyage, crystals in hand, with the intention to fashion them into a necklace as a gift for his wife. However, when these gems were brought to the fisherman's local jeweler, tampering with this substance had an unforeseen consequence. An earth-shaking explosion rocked the fisherman's village and, at its epicenter, the jeweler's shop. The remainder of this strange and volatile substance was seized by Felcrom's government for further study. After months of extensive testing, the court's high mages concluded Element 707's magical amplification qualities were beyond that of anything ever seen on Roost before and, in doing so, made it the single most valuable resource on the planet.
Felcrom wasted no time in locating and mining as much of this substance as possible, however, this presented a problem as the spot in which the initial deposit of Element 707 was found was in the waters off the shores of Riviner. This sparked heated debates between the two governments. Felcrom argued that the deposit was found in international waters, making the party who discovered it the rightful owner. Riviner however, protested the claim was theirs given it was much closer to their nation than to Felcom. Debates became arguments became threats.
The matter of which party drew first blood between Riviner and Felcrom is a subject of much debate. The truth of what happened to make the conflict begin were two separate events that happened nearly in unison.
The first was the bombing of Hexton Grove. On a peaceful, quiet day in Hexton Grove, the peace and quiet was suddenly shattered by the simultaneous crack of 15 strategically placed explosives within the city. Panic, confusion, and terror rocked the city. Countless deaths, mostly of innocent civilians were recorded later. However, upon further investigation, these explosions left a residue that bared a striking resemblance to the residue of explosions caused by Element 707.
The second, occurring not but hours after the bombing of Hexton Grove, was the Carracosta Incursion. Under the guise of a humble fishing vessel, approximately 150 blood-thirsty mercenaries descended on the unsuspecting city, mercilessly cutting down any and all Carracostan citizens they could find. After some struggle, the invasion was repelled and the mercenaries who were captured alive revealed their benefactor to be a high ranking official of Riviner.
This marked the official start of The Equilibrium Conflict. A name given to the conflict was done as a dark joke made by the people of Larrune, as the winner of this conflict would be the sole recipient of Element 707, effectively making that party the premier superpower of Roost. This war continued for the next 20 years with neither side able to gain a discernible advantage over the other. Conceding to pressure from neighboring countries and, most notably, the Council of the Five, Riviner and Felcrom reluctantly agree to a ceasefire.