The War of the Bitter Ashes was a war in Ashan that started In 540 YSD, after Tuidhana's secession. Sensing weakness in the new Dark Elf kingdom, the knights of the Holy Falcon Empire saw an opportunity. They marched in force on Tarlad’s borders. Tuidhana appealed to Arniel, High King of Irollan, for assistance, but her messengers were turned away from his court unheard. “She stands alone, let her fight alone,” was Arniel’s decree, and it was not until the Humans had nearly overrun all of Tuidhana’s realm before he finally acted.