History of Wars between the Holy Empire and the Arcana Entente

Mystra is known as the greater goddess of magic and cosmic balance. Legends speak of Mystra in her current form visiting The Holy City of Nëterul in an attempt to bring cosmic balance during the Age of the Lost Vestige. During this time, it is said she left behind a Cubic Gate, bestowed upon her by Azuth, to allow her most devoted to seek her out in the higher planes. The area that consists of the Holy Empire was ravaged by centuries of land grabbing and territorial wars. Many kingdoms consolidated to a primary 12 without the inclusion of the Kingdom of Mystros. The ideological similarities between the 12 kingdoms of the Holy Empire allowed many kingdoms to ally with each other easily in conflict for wars of succession and the like. It wasn't until the head of the Church of Ilmater, the primary god of worship amongst the continent and the largest church in Ülgrav, asked the kingdoms to come together and form one holy alliance to greater serve the good of their god. With Hochburg now being the center of this larger Empire, the head of the government devoted himself to bring Nëterul into the Empire by force, as to end the atrocities of the non-believers who live in those lands.   The Kingdom of Mystros was one of the very few large kingdoms of the Arcana Entente. Mystros, Blackacre, and Highhaven together began uniting the city-states and small kingdoms of the Twilight Coast and the Sapphire Mountains together to create a greater protective force over their lands, as if the cities and kingdoms are United without conflict, they could all work together to further the knowledge and research of magic and enchantment across their lands. Thus, the Arcana Entente was created to be a greater government for the protection of what is still operationally independent cities and kingdoms. The government of Nëterul was one of the largest proponents of the Entente as to prevent an invasion from kingdoms to the east.   With a now allied force of levied troops from across the 12 Holy Kingdoms, the newly formed Holy Empire began their first crusade to liberate the Holy Lands of Nëterul in the Kingdom of Mystros. The Entente, sensing a conflict, began their counter force early. The Holy Empire's paladins against the sell-swords and mages of the Entente couldn't hold against the counter force. However, before peace could be made, the Holy Empire captured Nëterul and stole the Cubic Gate artifact.   After decades of temporary peace, the Empire began a second crusade to claim the Kingdom of Mystros. This time, the Holy Empire had united it's people in a more firm stance against the Entente, and was able to not only keep the artifact of Mystra but also claim the Kingdom of Mystros for their own, making it the 13th vassal of the Holy Empire. The cubic gate was finally returned to Nëterul and the city made into a Holy Landmark.   Decades later, 138 years after the first invasion by the Holy Empire, the Entente began a new war against the Holy Empire. With the Empire's devoted troops to defend Nëterul and their reinforced barricades, this recent war led to many standoffs and battles of attrition, wearing down both sides. A temporary armistice had been made, but both sides currently prepare a counter attack to defeat the other side once and for all.   "War and conquest was always apart of the Holy Empire's culture from their beginnings. You'll never hear someone from the Empire tell you that, however." -People of the Entente on those of the Empire     "The people from the Entente care not for anyone but themselves. They only strive to learn more about magic and pay no regard to who they have to crush to do so." -Ministers of the Church of Ilmater on the people of the Entente   The islands and surrounding kingdoms of the two empires have their own stances and allies in the coming battles. Where the kingdoms to the far East are in opposition of the Holy Empire claiming more land and power, the kingdoms southwest of the Entente have devoted their own troops to the cause, as an alliance with the Entente means that more magic items and research can be funneled into those kingdoms.   The islands of the Penolla archipelago tend to play both sides, trading with both empires will tell them that they don't actually trade with the other. The island of Kalash remains neutral during this conflict.