The Nilfgaard Wars, or a History of Our Time

It came as a surprise to many when, a mere three years after the Second War against Nilfgaard - the war which, it was said, “would end all wars” - the empire’s forces once again invaded the North. To the perceptive student of history, however, this development was not at all surprising - Nilfgaard’s economy and political system have for decades relied on expansion and conquest for continued survival.

Attentive analysis shows that Nilfgaard never abandoned its plan to subjugate the North. Contrary to popular belief, imperial diplomats, and not sorceresses, were behind the death of King Foltest. They also brought about the crisis during the summit of mages and monarchs at Loc Muinne. The current conflict is thus the result of cold calculation and long-term planning. Before the wax had time to dry on the Peace of Cintra, Emhyr var Emreis had already begun to prepare for the next war, which ultimately broke out in the spring of 1270.

The war's first stage went exactly as the emperor had planned. In a matter of months Lyria, Aedirn and Temeria found themselves in the shadow of the black banner. If not for the early frosts of December 1270 and the daring of King Radovid - who, instead of concentrating his forces on the Pontar, invaded Kaedwen thereby doubling his territory and strength - all the North would surely now be but another province in the vast Empire of Nilfgaard.