Well, I wanted to explain it in character, but basically it was a diplomatic coup on the part of the Nords. They found evidence that the Count of Edgewater was supporting pirates, pirates who happened to have taken a liking to Ellendian trade. So King Alaric's father goes to the Confederation Council. He present the evidence and asks that something be done. Lengthy, lengthy politicking follows. It's the Hundred Kingdoms, everyone has a grudge against everyone else. Accusations fly, tempers flare, everyone suggests that everyone else is in on all manner of plots, counter plots, and counter-counter plots, all of which may or may not be entirely imaginary. You know, just another day of business at the Council, where getting any co-operation is like herding cats.The Nomad wrote:And such thorough devastation lies above what is expected and reasonable. If you want to put that kind of background into your country's past, expect to meet the consequences - namely, to find the Confederation of Rivers expecting a new Bull of the North on their doorstep, and reacting with extreme prejudice once the great powers have wind of your existence - which shouldn't take long if you take such a public approach with your nature.
As always much of the business is behind closed doors: bribery! intrigue! horse trading! In the end the whole brouhaha sort of settles down, and they come to an agreement. The Confederation Council passes a resolution that basically says it would be really nice if somebody did something about those pirates. The Council also sends a strongly worded letter to the Count of Edgewater talking about "dire consequences" if he does not help with stopping the pirates festering on his shores.
Normally the what should have happened next was for the Kingdom of Ellendia to hire some mercenaries, who would burn out the pirate dens, and then everyone would throw up their hands and say "welp, glad that's over". Meanwhile the Count would laugh all the way to the bank.
Instead the longboats showed up one night. By the time they leave there isn't really a County of Edgewater so much as burnt ruins and shocked survivors. Lots of survivors actually, killing people causes blood feuds, burning their things doesn't. However, there is danger of famine because, well, everything caught fire. But good news! Edgewater's friendly neighbour comes in, annexes the place, marches the locals out, marches its own people in, and begins rebuilding the place. Everyone wins! Well except for the Count, he is quite dead.
So the County of Edgewater was successfully annihilated with a remarkably low death toll, mostly amounting to actual pirates and the tiny Edgewater army. This was like decades ago, and the only thing anybody cares about as a result is to be more careful about exact words when dealing with those damn Nords. Oh, and the Guildsmen laughed all the way to the bank.
^-^
) and once Hawkwings writes something we can just roll on with the adventure. Just telling. 
