The Books of Blutora

11 : Battle of the Skofell Divide

In the age of Blutora there are countless examples of conflict and battle through history. In many cases, at least one side of the conflict prevails or ends up having a much better run of things than their enemies. Typically wars and battles are fought for territorial gain, wealth, resources, or all of the above. The Battle of the Skofell Divide is an example of conflict that doesn't fit in the norm with the others in history.

The Skofell Divide is the border of the Sko Jungle in mid-Blutora and the sprawling savannahs of south-central Blutora. In modern day Blutora the Skofell Divide follows the northern border of Moorufell where it borders the Sko Jungle as it occupies Skoecia, southern Mel Alari, and southern Yustreia. In the year A-697 the Skofell Divide was simply the border of Moorufell to the south, and Skoecia to the north. During this time, and all time prior, Skoecia held the entirety of the Sko jungle as the Wurika are one of the three populations whose origins are on the continent of Blutora. The reason this border garnered the title of The Skofell Divide is due to the nonexistent travel across the line from either side. For hundreds of years the Wurika would very rarely leave their jungle homeland, and the Arberi to the south would never think of attempting to enter the jungle. This was due to the extremely mysterious, endless, and ominous nature of the Sko jungle looming at the north of the wide open savannah. Prior to the Battle of the Skofell Divide, the Arberi knew not of what resided within or past the Sko jungle to the north, the only lands they knew were that of Moorufell and Mariteia.

When it comes to information on the various peoples of Blutora, not much is known in the way of the Wurika. Of what is recorded through history and passed down through generations, it is known that the Wurika originated on Blutora, and they have always resided within, and never beyond, the Sko jungle. Contrary to the Ongrah and Macabre people who much like the Wurika did not previously emigrate from foreign lands, the Wurika people were not interested in controlling much land, rather remain concentrated on and within their jungle. This is shown in the earliest days of the A-era. During this time the foreign Ezeru people were taking a small foothold in the far south savannah beyond the Withering Sea. The Ongrah people controlled all of central Blutora, modern day Mel Alari and Yustreia north of the Sko Jungle, as well as southern Struetan, southern Izheka, and the entirety of Elabet. The Dukaze elves of foreign origin held a small foothold on the coast of modern day Izheka in the port of Aurora. In the cold reaches of the Northlands, the Macabre called home what is now modern day north Struetan, north Izheka, Melaverhi, and Kyn Alora. 

The Wurika are most well known for their devout lifestyle towards Xelmal, Keeper of Time. While remaining a very reclusive and secretive people, their extremely religious ways are common knowledge amongst the citizens of Blutora. It was a result of their religious ways, and beliefs, that led to the Battle of the Skofell Divide, rather than territory, wealth, or resources. One might think this historical battle was driven by the Wurikan's beliefs and religion, however this theory is incorrect. 

Over the course of hundreds of years in the A-era, the Arberi people would expand rapidly through southwestern Blutora. During this time rumors of the Wurika people to the north would take hold amongst the human populations, usually dying out before any action were to be taken. This was the case at least until very late in the A-era when whispers and rumors began to turn into screams and mass paranoia. The Arberi began to believe that the Wurika were more than just a very religious people, but rather a cult, and a cult that was taking lone Ongrah people in the nights to sacrifice. They began to believe that the Wurika were making these sacrifices to gain favor and power so that they may wipe out all outside life on Blutora to call the lands theirs and theirs only.

What the Arberi of Moorufell were not aware of however, was that these rumors were started by their very own leader. King Yiltin of Moorufell held the throne during the year A-697, and as a thoroughly conspired plan to rally all of his citizens to fight for his own gain, he sent bribed farmers and laborers out to spread the rumors like wildfire. King Yiltin wanted to be rid of the Wurika to the north as they frightened him with their advanced knowledge and secretive, religious ways. More importantly than the negative bias towards their northern neighbors however, King Yiltin wanted to control the Sko Jungle as it would give their people a monopoly on certain luxuries obtainable only through the desecration of the Jungle, and poaching of its wildlife. This was a conspiracy for personal gain above all. If King Yiltin could succeed in taking the Jungle not only would he be responsible for eliminating the 'savage killers' of the north, but he would make Moorufell as a crown wealthy beyond belief, solidifying his people's support for the rest of his life.