Shiro-Benacian naval arms race

The naval arms race between Shireroth and the Benacian Union that occurred during the early decades of the eighteenth century after Norton was a consequence of the complicated relationship between the Imperial Republic and the Vulture States established after Kalirion Fracture. Of these vultures, the Benacian Union, established in the aftermath of the Second Elwynnese Civil War, was ultimately the most inimical to coexistence with Shireroth on account of its ideological character and hegemonic aspirations. Whilst driven by a bilateral relationship that had worsened over several decades, the arms race began with a plan by Steward Louis Thuylemans in 1718 AN to create a fleet in being, with which to assert strategic autonomy within the Raspur Pact.