The story of our two countries is one of suspicion, confrontation, and war. Uqbar to the north flourished in the middle ages as a basket of agriculture, providing its citizens with inexpensive food and allowing a population explosion. To the south, Pimlico thrived as a center of commerce in the area. As the gateway between two continents, Pimlico has able to build a thriving empire with large coffers of hard currency. For decades Uqbar and Pimlico relations were peaceful, with Pimlico being the prime customer for Uqbar agricultural exports. However, at some point the Uqbar rulers tried to take advantage of Pimlico by placing large tariffs on exports to their neighbor. So, began the long struggle between the two countries.
For centuries, the various rulers over this region have fought bitterly over everything from religion, honor, land, and alliances. The boundaries of two major religions collided along the mountains that divide our two countries. Holy warriors traveled from far away lands in order to spread the glory of their own religion. The two countries fought many wars amongst just themselves. Uqbar attempts to gain additional land to house their growing population. Pimlico attempts to annex valuable sea ports to expand their trade empire. Attempts to grab land, commerce, and cities would occur every generation. War would become the standard diplomacy between our two countries.
Most conflicts occurred along the coast due to the impassable mountain range that defines this region. Armies marched up and down the coast, trading cities and sons. Thus, it was customary for both sides to keep the bulk of their armies in the lands between the mountains and the sea. That all changed when King Peirous of Uqbar made a daring march over the high passes of the mountains. Thousands of men made the difficult journey, paying a high sacrifice to the mountains. However, they were rewarded with the capital of Pimlico, Tbilisi, and its light garrison. All that stood between the invading army and Pimlico’s king was a small band of 300 king’s guard, the Aragvians. An elite band of warriors sworn to defend the king with their lives. They fulfilled that pledge perfectly, allowing King Maisades time to flee the city and regroup his army. He would go on to rally his army and win a great victory for Pimlico. The tale of the brave 300 Aragvians would be told in Pimlico lore until the present day.
At the turn of the last century, large deposits of rare minerals and ores were discovered in the mountain range dividing our countries. Neither country possessed the capabilities to access these resources, but the worlds superpowers lined up to exploit the riches that laid below the surface for their own technological advancements. These powers used their power and influence to quell open conflict between our nations for the last century. Both our countries court these superpowers, taking advantage of the riches they spend to buy advanced military systems for ourselves in preparation for the next inevitable conflict.
Now, the peace between our nations has reached its end. Recent disagreements over ownership of the vital minerals that our economies rely on have brought us back to the brink of war. All the efforts of the superpowers to reach a peaceful resolution fall on deaf ears. The time for talk is over. The time for war is now. For honor. For riches. For the Land of The Aragvians.
