Schismatic War

The war that separated the nations of Nemnebliar and Merifiana, fought approximately 2,100 years ago when the Merifianan king Samar exiled the heretic Turen.  The Merifianan faith is founded on the ability of Changelings to “transubstantiate” themselves into nonliving substances: a Merifianan has the ability to turn into stone, wood, or other such things. Turen, on the other hand, found out (through a demonic pact, some say) how to use this power to “transfigure” himself into the likenesses of other living beings.  As Merifianan holy scriptures associate this power with Werewolves and other evil creatures, Turen’s discovery was swiftly labeled a heresy against the Merifianan faith.

But Turen taught his newfound powers to many followers, who in turn taught others; very soon, an entire population of the Changelings were now able to transfigure themselves.  Denounced by the church and exiled by Samar, Turen and his followers fled from the Merifianan capital of Rapturus, regrouping in the highlands of Solaraia before heading further south into the Suren Plains, hoping to establish a nation of their own. Samar, meanwhile, was swift to marshal his armies hunt down Turen and his heretics, who narrowly escaped his forces by transfiguring themselves into packs of wolves.

By the time Turen’s followers had entrenched themselves in the south, a full scale war was on their hands.  Two years into the war, Turen would be slain by the Merifianan paladin Tacis; Turen’s wife Nemnes would later take the reigns of her country’s power, guiding it successfully to autonomy.  The country “Nemnebliar” is named in Nemnes’ honor, and Nemnebliar and Merifiana have been enemies ever since.

Related: Changelings § History § Religion & Culture