War of the Dread Admiral
The War of the Dread Admiral, also known as the Eighth Corsair War or the War of Skaugan Aggression, was a a conflict initiated by the Dread Admiral Drax in 218 Valanthe II with the razing of the Hona Archipelago. In its initial phases, it principally concerned the pirate fleet of Admiral Drax and Port Skaug.
Skaugan Reaction
Early in the conflict, various Skaugan worthies were at odds over how best to deal with the threat:
- The Walruses believed that, like the noble walrus, Skaug was strong enough to resist any predators, and need merely wait out the pirate fleet. This faction included High Captains Lyranthine Ebon-Eyed, Dharr, and Konstance Vinter, with the tacit backing of the Gralhund family.
- The Lions believed that the path to victory lay in a bold, decisive fleet action, in which the ships of Port Skaug would smash Drax's ill-led rabble in one fell swoop. This faction included High Captains Huwal and Freeman Mongrelborn, and was supported by the rakish Merchant Prince Elaith Craulnober.
- The Wolves adopted the adage of the great general Zariel the Schemer: "Be cunning! Strike suddenly! Fight the nomad war!" They believed that a war of raiding and attrition would weaken Drax and protect the trade that was the lifeblood of Port Skaug without risking defeat. This faction included High Captains Ka-ess Lizardkin, Kreodo, Tamúl the Tongueless, and Mavis Thornwood, with the encouragement of the Marquis de Rothshyr.
- Undecided Some of the High Captains, including Huwal the Minotaur, Eberhardt Fischer, and Zomos Pebolath, remained undecided.