Arzakon's War

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[["Information",[{"data":"[[War with Phyrexia]]","label":"Era"},{"data":"c. 3346 (long after the [[Wizards' War]])","label":"Date"},{"data":"[[Shandalar]]","label":"Location"},{"data":"[[Magic: The Gathering (MicroProse)|''Magic: The Gathering'' (MicroProse)]]","label":"Storyline Sources"},{"data":"The five guilds of Shandalar","label":"Affiliations"},{"data":"[[Arzakon]], [[The Guardian]], [[Starcryst]], [[Morgane]], [[Skavius Slan]], [[Kzzy'n]], [[Alsadim K'mer]]","label":"Characters"}]],["Outcome",[{"data":"\n*[[Arzakon]] and the five guildlords defeated by [[The Guardian]]'s spellcaster\n*Arzakon has been banned from Shandalar for an untold number of years."}]],["[[Timeline]]",[{"data":"[[Johan's War]]\n\n[[Arzakon's War|Arzakon's War]]\n[[Invasion of Tolaria]]"}]]]

Arzakon's War
Information
Era	War with Phyrexia
Date	c. 3346 (long after the Wizards' War)
Location	Shandalar
Storyline Sources	Magic: The Gathering (MicroProse)
Affiliations	The five guilds of Shandalar
Characters	Arzakon, The Guardian, Starcryst, Morgane, Skavius Slan, Kzzy'n, Alsadim K'mer
Outcome
Arzakon and the five guildlords defeated by The Guardian's spellcaster Arzakon has been banned from Shandalar for an untold number of years.
Timeline
Johan's War Arzakon's War Invasion of Tolaria

Arzakon's War was a significant conflict that occurred on the plane of Shandalar, centuries after the Wizards' War. It is remembered as a pivotal event in Shandalaran history, marking one of the few occasions when the five major guildlords were simultaneously corrupted and manipulated by an external force. The war ultimately tested the resilience of Shandalar's defenses and demonstrated the lingering influence of Arzakon on the plane's magical and political structures.

Description

Following his initial defeat by The Guardian of Shandalar and the protective Great Barrier, Arzakon sought a subtler method of conquest. Rather than attempting a direct assault, he turned to subverting the five Shandalaran guildlords: Alsadim K'mer, Starcryst, Kzzy'n, Morgane, and the immortal lichlord Skavius Slan. Arzakon deceived the guildlords by promising them the ability to cast a Spell of Dominion that would grant them supreme authority over all of Shandalar, concealing the spell's true purpose, which was to pierce the Great Barrier and allow his entry. Motivated by ambition and greed, the guildlords rebelled against The Guardian, successfully killing his physical form, though his spirit persisted and remained a hidden threat.

The Guardian's lingering spirit eventually encountered a wandering, inexperienced spellcaster, forewarning them of the imminent danger posed by the corrupted guildlords. This spirit-guided training prepared the spellcaster to confront each of the five guildlords in turn. Before the guildlords could fully consolidate their magical power and enact the Spell of Dominion, the novice spellcaster methodically defeated them, neutralizing their threat. Despite these victories, the weakening of the Great Barrier during the conflict allowed Arzakon to enter Shandalar directly. He engaged the spellcaster in a decisive confrontation and suffered defeat, resulting in his banishment from the plane for an indefinite period.

The event had lasting consequences for Shandalar, demonstrating the vulnerability of even its most powerful figures to manipulation. Arzakon's War also reinforced the importance of vigilant guardianship and the enduring influence of The Guardian's spirit on the plane's protection, as well as the potential for even untested spellcasters to play a decisive role in the defense of Shandalar.