Golden1Knight
Emperor
By the seven gods, I was dumber than Robb himself.
Ages' Beginnings - An Arrow/Immaculate Reboot
- Thread starter Arrow Gamer
- Start date
Seon
Not An Evil Liar
I briefly considered changing my avatar to that of the evil Vizier from Aladdin but I thought that was kinda overdoing it.
Immaculate
unerring
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2003
- Messages
- 7,623
Done. Welcome aboard Amesjay.
Thanks
To: Bangor Holds
From: The Salt Kingdom
We are outraged at this attack upon the lands of our vassal by your forces. We demand an explanation and compensation. Our people are hardy and lest you want to be embroiled in a war that can only cripple your finances and end poorly for you, I suggest that you resolve this matter swiftly and perhaps we may be able to come to a rapid compromise and return to more peaceful times.
To: Bangor Holds
From: The Salt Kingdom
We are outraged at this attack upon the lands of our vassal by your forces. We demand an explanation and compensation. Our people are hardy and lest you want to be embroiled in a war that can only cripple your finances and end poorly for you, I suggest that you resolve this matter swiftly and perhaps we may be able to come to a rapid compromise and return to more peaceful times.
orangelex44
Partisan
Orders due by...?
Immaculate
unerring
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2003
- Messages
- 7,623
Does Thursday work for everyone?
Arrow Gamer
America's Dictator
Let's make it Saturday, because some behind-the-scenes diplomacy may continue for a bit and also because that works best for me.
Angst
Rambling and inconsistent
I am gone for this week, sadly. I'll be back Monday.
Immaculate
unerring
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2003
- Messages
- 7,623
Hello,
I've bounced some player questions over to Arrow Gamer and I am not sure if they've all been answered or not. If you have outstanding questions or comments that have not been resolved by either moderator, please either resend them or direct me to the original question and I will do my best to answer them in a timely manner.
Also, here is the updated map (sorry for taking so long):
I've bounced some player questions over to Arrow Gamer and I am not sure if they've all been answered or not. If you have outstanding questions or comments that have not been resolved by either moderator, please either resend them or direct me to the original question and I will do my best to answer them in a timely manner.
Also, here is the updated map (sorry for taking so long):
Spoiler map :
arya126
Squad Leader
As a result of an uptick of activity in RL, I am afraid I no longer have the time to put in the effort that this NES deserves. I might jump back in in a few weeks depending on whether things lighten up or I get a renewed vigor for forum games, but for now I am afraid I have to drop. I apologize for any inconvenience this might cause with the impending war, but I will try to PM Arrow and Immac the general direction Namidas would have taken so that they can try and keeps things on track as possible.
thomas.berubeg
Wandering the World
I'll send my orders tomorrow. I've been really busy, I'm sorry
Angst
Rambling and inconsistent
I am back. Is it still possible to send orders for me?
Immaculate
unerring
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2003
- Messages
- 7,623
Yes. And welcome back.
Immaculate
unerring
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2003
- Messages
- 7,623
Year 655 of the Forging
The Mercheul is a quiet realm of late, with the king ordering the development of the land and providing tax rebates to his most loyal vassals to allow them to also do so. As cattle fatten and so too do the lords, news of war or preparation therefore continues to arrive, and some worry that the Mercheul shouldn’t also do the same.
Continuing their focus on providing the warring states of the north and west the iron, horse, and salt they need to stab and trample one another, all for a pretty bag of gold crowns, the mercantile king of the Venetianer continues the expansion of his kingdom’s mines and horse-breeding programs. House Arden has been a particularly good customer and carefully guarded caravans and long lines of young warhorses have crossed paths with coin on the road between the two houses.
The Venetianer are not the only ones to respond to war in the north. The Marshwell undertake military reforms that have the priests of the Ebony arrow imbed amongst the military, to provide reassurance and guidance, as well as practical leadership. While initially there is some difficulties reconciling the priests, they soon prove their worth, especially in regards to the deployment and use of their sacred archers- ultimately leading to new tactical insights.
King Wels IV of the Ciad also prepare for war, continuing the training and armament of more Reclaimers ready to martyr themselves for their prophet. In particular voices have turned to the subject of the Cowl, whose faith and fanaticism serves as a counterpoint to the Ciad’s own. The Brotherhood of the Cowl are themselves not unaware of the baying to the south and also gird themselves for conflict, arming new Hammers in preparation.
On the island of Lusus, the Arots continue to expand their influence, especially amongst the merchants, fishermen, and sailors, as well as amongst the nobles. Several nobles even make sizeable donations to the new cult and the Arots. The priests, perhaps aiming to repair some of the reputation that was tarnished with the death of the Hallowed King, begin operation of several new orphanages. These prove well received by the urbanites as the problem of pickpockets and youth loiterers soon abates, replaced instead with well-spoken children volunteering to serve the needs of the community, all surprisingly quickly. Meanwhile, as the fate of the Arots expands, so too does the influence of the merchants and new ports are opened to match that opened last year, expanding the reach of trade ever northwards. Amidst the good cheer and plenty most are careful not to mention the tales of children washed ashore, the mark of corded leather upon neck, wrist, and ankle, and lung full of water.
House Gyllendal of the Kaederith kingdom has been investing in new merchant ships, providing funds to their merchant houses for a stake in their enterprises and several new ships have been launched. By the rain season, the new ships, still smelling of sawdust and resin, have already reached the ports of Arthendhal, making port in northern Arr along the way.
House Fredegar of the kingdom of Dresul looks upon the wars in north and now west with some trepidation, but also with a sense for the opportunities involved. The United Merchant Republic is a major market for goods already and with much of their levies west in the lands of Houses Massoul and Samael, prices for grain are sure to increase. And so they set about opening new fields and encouraging their serfs to expand working land with sponsorships by the king directly.
Aernolea continue the construction of their new western fortress. It promises to be the most modern and defensible structure of all the lands and should trouble come from the west, it will mostly certainly not easily take Castle Sunstone, named after the mica deposits found in the stone of its construction. And now, with the project paid for, it is just a matter of waiting for the laborers to finish.
War on the Itshin
The storm islanders bring catapult and sappers to bear, and, reinforcing against the Ellarion forresters they know lie in the forests around them, set about the fall of Greyshell and Narrowtown.
The Osbryn of Saltstone march to match the soldiers of House Massoul at Greyshell and before House Massoul can take Greyshell, engage them in battle in a narrow beach between forests and sea, this despite an attempt at subterfuge by a brave Ellarion scout who, posing as a potential informant, is undone by the perceptiveness of his hosts and divested of his head.
The forces of Kshlah here are commanded by House Ghupta and their own forces and a small contingent of Massoul infantry and crossbowmen line-up to the south while Osbryn lines up in the north. The initial battle sees the greater number of Ghupta and Massoul forces, and the greater professionalism of the Massoul dedicated (non-levy) soldiers take commanding position of the battlefield, but as the afternoon approaches, a sally by the besieged defenders from Greyshell and the arrival of Ellarion forces from the forest, do much to panic the relatively untrained forces of Kishlah. The Kishlah turn and flee southwards, back to their ships, but stop short at their defensive positions around Greyhsell.
Here their commanders are able to rally the Ghupta/Massoul forces and a spirited defense is undertaken. This time the rain of Massoul crossbow bolts forces the Osbryn back and it is they that flee. Before the Osbyrn can rally their forces the Ghupta commander takes advantage of the the relative lack of Greyshell defenders (who are in the field with the Osbryn host at this point) and scaling the walls, open the gate and seize the fishing town.
Over the coming months Osbryn turn to recovering Greyshell by siege only to learn of a feint by House Bede turning lethal when they learn of Osbryn’s preoccupation elsewhere. Landing forces near Saltstone and after a brief, albeit costly assault, House Bede take that fortress too.
House Osbryn is nearly defeated. Chased from their ancestral home and without secure quarters, the remnants of the Osbryn army retreat back to Lakecastle to beseech their lords’ assistance in retaking their lands.
(-3 Bede levy infantry, -2 Ghuput levy infantry, -1 Ghupta levy crossbow, -2 Massoul levy infantry, -1 Massoul light infantry, -3 Osbryn levy infantry, -1 Osbryn levy crossbow, -1 Ellarion levy infantry)
Narrowtown falls more easily, its relative lack of strong walls and the catapults of the Abhinav Massoul making it a matter of time, not if. The Massoul commander is merciful and allows the Ellarion defenders to Gallister to leave, unarmed and unharmed.
The town won without a battle, their forces move to take Prince’s Keep but find the woods between heavily infested with defending foresters. Again the battle becomes one of strategic maneuvering, feint and counter-feint, and territorial denial. Here the Ellarion superior discipline and officer training wins the day and while the Ellarion lose the beach, they do not lose the forests or mountain pass beyond. And while house Massoul is determined to gain the pass, house Samael, hearing of the United Republic’s treachery, think differently.
(-2 levy infantry, -1 light infantry, -1 forrest infantry Ellarion, -3 levy infantry, -1 light infantry, -1 crossbowmen house Mosoul, -1 levy infantry, -1 levy crossbowmen house Samael)
Southern Troubles
When King Donan IV of Tereen approaches the United Republics, their cost for assistance is high, but one, driven by desperation in the face of three determined enemies, he is willing to pay. And so it is that the United Republics join in the War on the Itshin on the side of the Tareen, sending a sizeable army to overland into the plains of House Massoul’s western frontiers.
The move is not a popular one amongst the princes of the Republics and the Yew have to cajole and threaten many of the representatives to join in the battle. Ultimately the casus belli is not convincing to two of the merchant princes and their forces are conspicuously absent in the battlefield, despite the orders of the Yew.
The considerable Yew army easily take the dry eastern plains and begin making their way along the coast, while Yew cogs land forces on the southern island of Drop, taking the home of the Samael in a relatively short campaign where numbers prove telling.
The Kishlahi forces in Tareen lands hear of the Yew invasion and immediately both officers and soldiers agitate to return to their homes. For the Samael it proves too much and they return to their galleys, leaving the shores of the Narrow Vale and the fate of the remaining Massoul forces to Lord Abhinav.
(-1 levy infantry House Samael, -2 levy infantry House Massoul, -2 levy infantry house Yew, reduced loyalty of factions, House Yew)
At sea the Yew have attempted to try and divert merchant traffic away from the ports of Massoul but with the seas so rough and no friendly ports close-by to operate from, the blockade has not yet managed to turn away a single ship.
The Battle for Bridgeport
While the vassal houses of Langros continue to raid the southern shores of the Terrin with impunity, greatly lining their coffers and further cementing their loyalty to their lord, the Treiscos themselves lend their assistance to the Aelrich and their siege of Bridgeport.
Here the Ellarion are more successful in their subterfuge then they were in the south. A small group of unarmored soldiers stealthily invade the northerner’s camp under cover of cloudy night and light several fires throughout the Aelrich camp. At the same time, more stealthy operatives blow cavalry horns on the far side of the camp. The Aelrich and Langros think themselves surrounded. Much to the eternal shame of house Treiscos, its infantry, panicked and thinking themselves surrounded, turn and flee for the beaches. The Aelrich soldiers under House Uradel command show greater resolve, their accomplished officers regaining control of the situation after some initial confusion and form up somewhat and turn to face the threat. The Ellarion and Tydwell launch a coordinated attack, assaulting from the palisade and the town simultaneously. The early dawn hours finds the Ellarion heavy infantry in command of the center and pushing back the panicked Aelrich. But as the sun rises and the Aelrich find themselves suddenly fighting for their lives, the size of the enemy becomes apparent and a courageous charge by Aelrich heavy lancers breaks the center of the fatiguing Ellarion heavy infantry. Now able to see, and aim, the greater number of north crossbow begin to take their toll. If this is not the turning point, the return of the Treiscos forces certainly is and by mid-afternoon House Ellarion had withdrawn its forces and the civilian population of Bridgewater has opened its gates in the hopes of clemency.
Uradel soldiers sack the city, sending another of Tareen’s vassals fleeing, this one to Redtower, there to regroup.
(-1 light infantry Triecos, -5 levy infantry, -3 levy crossbowmen, -1 heavy infantry house Uradel, -2 levy infantry, -1 levy crossbowmen house Tydwell, -4 levy infantry, -2 heavy infantry, -2 levy crossbowmen House Ellarion, + gold house Uradel, Triescos)
Through all the blood, the lords of Arthendal are slow to come to the aid of their allies, choosing to first expand their army with new heavy infantry and drill their soldiers before finally setting out late in the campaign season. A late start means the large eastern army has yet to truly test itself and to date they have only met with minor raiding parties from Langro- driving them from the shores of Terrin Bay and providing security and shelter for the serfs of House Tydwell. Despite this however, the slow response of House Arthalas has some of its vassals worried. Will they be as slow to respond when it is their turn to need protection?
Royal Remnant at War
The war between House Hart and House Arden has finally engulfed all the remnants of the royal lands. The various lords and nobles of Copperhead have one by one pledged allegiance to one of these houses. Total war has come to the land and rumors of enforced conscription of the young and elderly bring a new meaning to war for neighbors hearing of its use.
While field and town burn, the soldiers of Arden have begun to gain the advantage, their smithies busy with Venetianer ore and their cavalry upon eager young Venetianer horse. The countryside of much of the south is in their mailed fists and in the north, the Hart are increasingly forced to hide behind walls of stone, their control over the ashen fields beyond increasingly limited.
The Őctahágyűrë look about them at the war and raids and realize that without a Hallowed King, supremacy lies with those with the most and best soldiers. Soon the neighbors of these fierce people report seeing a number of their new ‘mounted axemen’ patrolling their borders. The Iknitsh holds especially may have reason for concern. As the wars in the south drag on and the Salt Kingdoms commit to those battles, an opportunity begins to present itself. The Őctahágyűrë mass upon the border with the Iknitsh and in their court, the Őctahágyűrë are openly hostile, making thin claims to the Iknitsh holds as historically Cságyűk-Észtergyáljlands. And while the claims are unconvincing, the intention is none-the-less obvious.
House Telaar orders a massive program of drills and disciplinary maneuvers, while also employing several dozen new smiths, all to bring their bloated military to its highest degree of performance and preparation. Even as the house treasury hemorrhages to pay the soldiers, their military has never been more prepared. Surely their king has some nefarious plan in place.
The Chairt are experiencing some domestic troubles as one of their vassals, House Rascuit, who border the Rallus, have begun to openly argue their loyalty to their masters in house Chairt. While the current lord stands by his vows of loyalty, his brother, who eyes the seat at the Rascuit long table with greed, argues otherwise and has even suggested that the Rallus might help them break free from the Chairt. For now Chairt can be sure of the loyalty of their vassal, but should the younger lords of Rascuit have their way, the future will not be the same.
For the first time, sailors from Chairt have crossed the Iraaskal sea and arrived directly at the de Lal island of the Telaar kingdom without following the del Lel island chain. While outsiders are unsure as to how the Chairt have managed this feat of navigation without the southern invention of compass, it does not bode well for the Telaar or other local rivals to maritime trade routes.
With war and piracy in the west, rumors of trade moving westward have outpaced the reality thereof. That hasn’t prevented the western lords from making the appropriate preparations however; King Amaros II of House Castus is ensuring his kingdom’s roads and causeways, bridges and canals will be ready when the markets of the south open to his fiefdoms’ manufactories. Even without the southern trade, the increased infrastructure has meant safer and faster travel for local merchants.
The success of their northern neighbors has not been lost upon the Orus of the Sea, and some amongst their nobility have openly discussed allying the Orus cause with that kingdom of Rallus.
Even as trade slows along the western coast and their lords are called to war, the merchants of Langro are eager to turn empty ports to new opportunity, attempting to make use of their magnetic compasses to navigate out of sight of the war-plagued coasts and establish new routes south and north. Despite several ships lost to storms or unexplored reefs, when the first shipment of Yew porcelain arrives in Telaar on Langro ships, the merchants know that, with their compasses, they have found a route, beyond the shores.
Despite the successes of the Lango, expanding war and increasingly unchecked piracy are driving the merchants of the western coasts away. Yet House Cren is eager to seduce them back by expanding his port’s wharves and docks and repairing roads and canals, especially those in the region of their expanding hallite mines, the salt of which is finding a ready market amidst the lords of the realm marching soldiers. And while the merchants are not making much use of the ports, fishermen certainly are and soon salted fish is winding its way to soldiers in the south.
Amidst the chaos of war in the west, and as King Diomene of House Uradel’s soldiers fight in Tareen, he prepares for the worst in the north where border forts are reinforced with war supplies and repairs. Maintenance and repairs of the walls and gates sees them strengthened and reinforced... and none too late.
House Haadrade of Bangor Holds has been experimenting with crossbows from the south and soon finds that fielding both crossbow and slinger in the same army is highly difficult both logistically and from a command point of view. Instead of abandoning the crossbow and returning to their traditional slings however, the Haadrade has ordered a massive rearmament campaign, providing crossbows to all its slingers and beginning the slow process of training them in their use. While the new crossbowmen are quick to learn their use, the commanders are slower to fully integrate the new concepts.
For the Araskamemni, the appearance of the Arots amongst their vassals is deeply troubling. Their people pride themselves on the old ways and their reverence to the Old Faith. The whispered promises of the Arots sound empty and hollow to the ears of those who are born into holy blood and practice such a savage form of the way of the forest glen and mountain valley. And yet it comes as a considerable surprise when armed serfs, under no lords’ orders set upon several of the Arot priests as they travel in the Pearl lands, stealing them away and smoking and baking them in wicker cages over massive fires deep in the woods. The cages and the roasted priests are found the next day and the lords of the pearl guild swear revenge. The Pearl are growing increasingly distrustful and alienated of the Rasks; their cultures, their way of life, and now even their faiths defer too widely; it is only threat of force that keeps them loyal subjects at this point. And this may not last too long. With the substantial income they have won from southern trade- which increasingly they are keeping for themselves, they have been arming their levies.
With its neighbors at war or arming for it, House Jana has no choice but to join them. To seem weak now is to invite disaster. And so they are expanding their army and in the Jana court, some are suggesting sending away for Bangor lords to help teach the Jana their well-known mastery of the art of military strategy.
The siege of Payas
When it comes, the battle for the capital of Payas is perhaps somewhat disappointing for some of the soldiers. The defenders are weakened and demoralized by hunger. Some Payas soldiers have even snuck away to avoid battle. Despite this, the Payas sallie coruageously and meet the invaders in open battle before they starve. In the ensuing battle, Namidas numbers are telling. Despite this, the Payas are smartly able to turn one flank of the assaulting Namidas and bogging down their cavalry, inflict unexpected punishment upon these. Ultimately however there can be no doubt of the outcome and when the victors take the capital, the city is thoroughly sacked and razed to the ground. A small force remains to negotiate the disarmament of the remaining Payas forces in the field but the majority begins to make the trip home.
For the Payas defenders in the field however, news of the fall of their capital takes some time to arrive and the battle continues. Here the Payas have the advantage, operating with the support of the locals and against an enemy who has to live through the winter off the land without adequate logistic support. The eastern lance in particular prove devastating, not only defeating the invaders but running them down and preventing them from regrouping. Despite this however, when news of the capital’s fall reaches them, they withdraw, awaiting a formal agreement between their lord and the invaders of Namidas.
(-8 levy infantry, -2 heavy infantry Payas, -3 levy infantry, -1 light infantry, -2 light lancer, -1 crossbow, house Mandragon, -2 levy infantry house Dammael, -2 levy infantry house Ravenwing, -1 light lancer house Jaeger, +gold Namidas factions)
Namidas Comes to the Aid of Tareen; invades Aelrich
Freed from their duties in the east, the Namidas army turns south and west, declaring war upon the Aelrich, their casus belli the protection of their ally the Tareen. They arrive late to the party however, only just entering Aelrich lands in late fall. Here they encounter the newly reinforced and repaired fortresses of the Aelrich border and their invasion quickly grinds to a crawl.
Despite the successes in Payas however, the morale of the Namidas army remains low. Inadequate supplies and poor logistics while in Payas territory cost them more lives than they are willing to pay and too long away from home and crops has meant growing destitution for many a levy soldier’s family. Namidas lords are cautioned to make their war a quick one.
Salt Invade Namidas
With no prior warning or notice, the Salt kingdom suddenly invades the Namidas. The later had perhaps hoped the Salt would join them in invading the Aelrich but when the Namidas enter Aelrich lands, Salt invade the lands of the Jaegar with little difficulty and are soon occupying frontier forts of that minor noble house.
Despite the early victories, the season is late and House Cren is soon facing dissension from its vassals who are upset with their lord over the lack of casus belli. The effect is felt throughout the forces of Salt and morale is low amongst both lords and soldiers.
(-1 levy infantry Jaegar, -1 levy infantry house Cren)
Fields and Piers of the West
A heavy sense of loss of quiet and loss has begun to settle in the western kingdoms. With so many levies called up to fight in Tareen and elsewhere and for so long, piers that once rang with the cries of young fishermen and fields once filled with sowers and planters are eerily quiet. The women-folk, the young, and the old, and many a strong-able man yet remains to work the fields but none will tell you that the disappearance of so many young men is not unfelt. And it is beginning to make itself felt in many a king’s treasury as well.
NPC Diplomacy
To King Amaros II
From Orus of the Forests
We found your spies lurking through our woods so we returned them to you. We have taken steps to be absolutely sure they cannot again get lost amongst our trees.
To Iknitsh Holds
From Őctahágyűrë
We declare war!
From the Lords of Payas
To Namidas,
We are beaten. We have no choice but to offer oaths of fealty and vassalage.
The South
The Mercheul is a quiet realm of late, with the king ordering the development of the land and providing tax rebates to his most loyal vassals to allow them to also do so. As cattle fatten and so too do the lords, news of war or preparation therefore continues to arrive, and some worry that the Mercheul shouldn’t also do the same.
Continuing their focus on providing the warring states of the north and west the iron, horse, and salt they need to stab and trample one another, all for a pretty bag of gold crowns, the mercantile king of the Venetianer continues the expansion of his kingdom’s mines and horse-breeding programs. House Arden has been a particularly good customer and carefully guarded caravans and long lines of young warhorses have crossed paths with coin on the road between the two houses.
The Venetianer are not the only ones to respond to war in the north. The Marshwell undertake military reforms that have the priests of the Ebony arrow imbed amongst the military, to provide reassurance and guidance, as well as practical leadership. While initially there is some difficulties reconciling the priests, they soon prove their worth, especially in regards to the deployment and use of their sacred archers- ultimately leading to new tactical insights.
King Wels IV of the Ciad also prepare for war, continuing the training and armament of more Reclaimers ready to martyr themselves for their prophet. In particular voices have turned to the subject of the Cowl, whose faith and fanaticism serves as a counterpoint to the Ciad’s own. The Brotherhood of the Cowl are themselves not unaware of the baying to the south and also gird themselves for conflict, arming new Hammers in preparation.
On the island of Lusus, the Arots continue to expand their influence, especially amongst the merchants, fishermen, and sailors, as well as amongst the nobles. Several nobles even make sizeable donations to the new cult and the Arots. The priests, perhaps aiming to repair some of the reputation that was tarnished with the death of the Hallowed King, begin operation of several new orphanages. These prove well received by the urbanites as the problem of pickpockets and youth loiterers soon abates, replaced instead with well-spoken children volunteering to serve the needs of the community, all surprisingly quickly. Meanwhile, as the fate of the Arots expands, so too does the influence of the merchants and new ports are opened to match that opened last year, expanding the reach of trade ever northwards. Amidst the good cheer and plenty most are careful not to mention the tales of children washed ashore, the mark of corded leather upon neck, wrist, and ankle, and lung full of water.
House Gyllendal of the Kaederith kingdom has been investing in new merchant ships, providing funds to their merchant houses for a stake in their enterprises and several new ships have been launched. By the rain season, the new ships, still smelling of sawdust and resin, have already reached the ports of Arthendhal, making port in northern Arr along the way.
House Fredegar of the kingdom of Dresul looks upon the wars in north and now west with some trepidation, but also with a sense for the opportunities involved. The United Merchant Republic is a major market for goods already and with much of their levies west in the lands of Houses Massoul and Samael, prices for grain are sure to increase. And so they set about opening new fields and encouraging their serfs to expand working land with sponsorships by the king directly.
Aernolea continue the construction of their new western fortress. It promises to be the most modern and defensible structure of all the lands and should trouble come from the west, it will mostly certainly not easily take Castle Sunstone, named after the mica deposits found in the stone of its construction. And now, with the project paid for, it is just a matter of waiting for the laborers to finish.
War on the Itshin
The storm islanders bring catapult and sappers to bear, and, reinforcing against the Ellarion forresters they know lie in the forests around them, set about the fall of Greyshell and Narrowtown.
The Osbryn of Saltstone march to match the soldiers of House Massoul at Greyshell and before House Massoul can take Greyshell, engage them in battle in a narrow beach between forests and sea, this despite an attempt at subterfuge by a brave Ellarion scout who, posing as a potential informant, is undone by the perceptiveness of his hosts and divested of his head.
The forces of Kshlah here are commanded by House Ghupta and their own forces and a small contingent of Massoul infantry and crossbowmen line-up to the south while Osbryn lines up in the north. The initial battle sees the greater number of Ghupta and Massoul forces, and the greater professionalism of the Massoul dedicated (non-levy) soldiers take commanding position of the battlefield, but as the afternoon approaches, a sally by the besieged defenders from Greyshell and the arrival of Ellarion forces from the forest, do much to panic the relatively untrained forces of Kishlah. The Kishlah turn and flee southwards, back to their ships, but stop short at their defensive positions around Greyhsell.
Here their commanders are able to rally the Ghupta/Massoul forces and a spirited defense is undertaken. This time the rain of Massoul crossbow bolts forces the Osbryn back and it is they that flee. Before the Osbyrn can rally their forces the Ghupta commander takes advantage of the the relative lack of Greyshell defenders (who are in the field with the Osbryn host at this point) and scaling the walls, open the gate and seize the fishing town.
Over the coming months Osbryn turn to recovering Greyshell by siege only to learn of a feint by House Bede turning lethal when they learn of Osbryn’s preoccupation elsewhere. Landing forces near Saltstone and after a brief, albeit costly assault, House Bede take that fortress too.
House Osbryn is nearly defeated. Chased from their ancestral home and without secure quarters, the remnants of the Osbryn army retreat back to Lakecastle to beseech their lords’ assistance in retaking their lands.
(-3 Bede levy infantry, -2 Ghuput levy infantry, -1 Ghupta levy crossbow, -2 Massoul levy infantry, -1 Massoul light infantry, -3 Osbryn levy infantry, -1 Osbryn levy crossbow, -1 Ellarion levy infantry)
Narrowtown falls more easily, its relative lack of strong walls and the catapults of the Abhinav Massoul making it a matter of time, not if. The Massoul commander is merciful and allows the Ellarion defenders to Gallister to leave, unarmed and unharmed.
The town won without a battle, their forces move to take Prince’s Keep but find the woods between heavily infested with defending foresters. Again the battle becomes one of strategic maneuvering, feint and counter-feint, and territorial denial. Here the Ellarion superior discipline and officer training wins the day and while the Ellarion lose the beach, they do not lose the forests or mountain pass beyond. And while house Massoul is determined to gain the pass, house Samael, hearing of the United Republic’s treachery, think differently.
(-2 levy infantry, -1 light infantry, -1 forrest infantry Ellarion, -3 levy infantry, -1 light infantry, -1 crossbowmen house Mosoul, -1 levy infantry, -1 levy crossbowmen house Samael)
Southern Troubles
When King Donan IV of Tereen approaches the United Republics, their cost for assistance is high, but one, driven by desperation in the face of three determined enemies, he is willing to pay. And so it is that the United Republics join in the War on the Itshin on the side of the Tareen, sending a sizeable army to overland into the plains of House Massoul’s western frontiers.
The move is not a popular one amongst the princes of the Republics and the Yew have to cajole and threaten many of the representatives to join in the battle. Ultimately the casus belli is not convincing to two of the merchant princes and their forces are conspicuously absent in the battlefield, despite the orders of the Yew.
The considerable Yew army easily take the dry eastern plains and begin making their way along the coast, while Yew cogs land forces on the southern island of Drop, taking the home of the Samael in a relatively short campaign where numbers prove telling.
The Kishlahi forces in Tareen lands hear of the Yew invasion and immediately both officers and soldiers agitate to return to their homes. For the Samael it proves too much and they return to their galleys, leaving the shores of the Narrow Vale and the fate of the remaining Massoul forces to Lord Abhinav.
(-1 levy infantry House Samael, -2 levy infantry House Massoul, -2 levy infantry house Yew, reduced loyalty of factions, House Yew)
At sea the Yew have attempted to try and divert merchant traffic away from the ports of Massoul but with the seas so rough and no friendly ports close-by to operate from, the blockade has not yet managed to turn away a single ship.
The Battle for Bridgeport
While the vassal houses of Langros continue to raid the southern shores of the Terrin with impunity, greatly lining their coffers and further cementing their loyalty to their lord, the Treiscos themselves lend their assistance to the Aelrich and their siege of Bridgeport.
Here the Ellarion are more successful in their subterfuge then they were in the south. A small group of unarmored soldiers stealthily invade the northerner’s camp under cover of cloudy night and light several fires throughout the Aelrich camp. At the same time, more stealthy operatives blow cavalry horns on the far side of the camp. The Aelrich and Langros think themselves surrounded. Much to the eternal shame of house Treiscos, its infantry, panicked and thinking themselves surrounded, turn and flee for the beaches. The Aelrich soldiers under House Uradel command show greater resolve, their accomplished officers regaining control of the situation after some initial confusion and form up somewhat and turn to face the threat. The Ellarion and Tydwell launch a coordinated attack, assaulting from the palisade and the town simultaneously. The early dawn hours finds the Ellarion heavy infantry in command of the center and pushing back the panicked Aelrich. But as the sun rises and the Aelrich find themselves suddenly fighting for their lives, the size of the enemy becomes apparent and a courageous charge by Aelrich heavy lancers breaks the center of the fatiguing Ellarion heavy infantry. Now able to see, and aim, the greater number of north crossbow begin to take their toll. If this is not the turning point, the return of the Treiscos forces certainly is and by mid-afternoon House Ellarion had withdrawn its forces and the civilian population of Bridgewater has opened its gates in the hopes of clemency.
Uradel soldiers sack the city, sending another of Tareen’s vassals fleeing, this one to Redtower, there to regroup.
(-1 light infantry Triecos, -5 levy infantry, -3 levy crossbowmen, -1 heavy infantry house Uradel, -2 levy infantry, -1 levy crossbowmen house Tydwell, -4 levy infantry, -2 heavy infantry, -2 levy crossbowmen House Ellarion, + gold house Uradel, Triescos)
Through all the blood, the lords of Arthendal are slow to come to the aid of their allies, choosing to first expand their army with new heavy infantry and drill their soldiers before finally setting out late in the campaign season. A late start means the large eastern army has yet to truly test itself and to date they have only met with minor raiding parties from Langro- driving them from the shores of Terrin Bay and providing security and shelter for the serfs of House Tydwell. Despite this however, the slow response of House Arthalas has some of its vassals worried. Will they be as slow to respond when it is their turn to need protection?
Royal Remnant at War
The war between House Hart and House Arden has finally engulfed all the remnants of the royal lands. The various lords and nobles of Copperhead have one by one pledged allegiance to one of these houses. Total war has come to the land and rumors of enforced conscription of the young and elderly bring a new meaning to war for neighbors hearing of its use.
While field and town burn, the soldiers of Arden have begun to gain the advantage, their smithies busy with Venetianer ore and their cavalry upon eager young Venetianer horse. The countryside of much of the south is in their mailed fists and in the north, the Hart are increasingly forced to hide behind walls of stone, their control over the ashen fields beyond increasingly limited.
The North
The Őctahágyűrë look about them at the war and raids and realize that without a Hallowed King, supremacy lies with those with the most and best soldiers. Soon the neighbors of these fierce people report seeing a number of their new ‘mounted axemen’ patrolling their borders. The Iknitsh holds especially may have reason for concern. As the wars in the south drag on and the Salt Kingdoms commit to those battles, an opportunity begins to present itself. The Őctahágyűrë mass upon the border with the Iknitsh and in their court, the Őctahágyűrë are openly hostile, making thin claims to the Iknitsh holds as historically Cságyűk-Észtergyáljlands. And while the claims are unconvincing, the intention is none-the-less obvious.
House Telaar orders a massive program of drills and disciplinary maneuvers, while also employing several dozen new smiths, all to bring their bloated military to its highest degree of performance and preparation. Even as the house treasury hemorrhages to pay the soldiers, their military has never been more prepared. Surely their king has some nefarious plan in place.
The Chairt are experiencing some domestic troubles as one of their vassals, House Rascuit, who border the Rallus, have begun to openly argue their loyalty to their masters in house Chairt. While the current lord stands by his vows of loyalty, his brother, who eyes the seat at the Rascuit long table with greed, argues otherwise and has even suggested that the Rallus might help them break free from the Chairt. For now Chairt can be sure of the loyalty of their vassal, but should the younger lords of Rascuit have their way, the future will not be the same.
For the first time, sailors from Chairt have crossed the Iraaskal sea and arrived directly at the de Lal island of the Telaar kingdom without following the del Lel island chain. While outsiders are unsure as to how the Chairt have managed this feat of navigation without the southern invention of compass, it does not bode well for the Telaar or other local rivals to maritime trade routes.
With war and piracy in the west, rumors of trade moving westward have outpaced the reality thereof. That hasn’t prevented the western lords from making the appropriate preparations however; King Amaros II of House Castus is ensuring his kingdom’s roads and causeways, bridges and canals will be ready when the markets of the south open to his fiefdoms’ manufactories. Even without the southern trade, the increased infrastructure has meant safer and faster travel for local merchants.
The success of their northern neighbors has not been lost upon the Orus of the Sea, and some amongst their nobility have openly discussed allying the Orus cause with that kingdom of Rallus.
Even as trade slows along the western coast and their lords are called to war, the merchants of Langro are eager to turn empty ports to new opportunity, attempting to make use of their magnetic compasses to navigate out of sight of the war-plagued coasts and establish new routes south and north. Despite several ships lost to storms or unexplored reefs, when the first shipment of Yew porcelain arrives in Telaar on Langro ships, the merchants know that, with their compasses, they have found a route, beyond the shores.
Despite the successes of the Lango, expanding war and increasingly unchecked piracy are driving the merchants of the western coasts away. Yet House Cren is eager to seduce them back by expanding his port’s wharves and docks and repairing roads and canals, especially those in the region of their expanding hallite mines, the salt of which is finding a ready market amidst the lords of the realm marching soldiers. And while the merchants are not making much use of the ports, fishermen certainly are and soon salted fish is winding its way to soldiers in the south.
Amidst the chaos of war in the west, and as King Diomene of House Uradel’s soldiers fight in Tareen, he prepares for the worst in the north where border forts are reinforced with war supplies and repairs. Maintenance and repairs of the walls and gates sees them strengthened and reinforced... and none too late.
House Haadrade of Bangor Holds has been experimenting with crossbows from the south and soon finds that fielding both crossbow and slinger in the same army is highly difficult both logistically and from a command point of view. Instead of abandoning the crossbow and returning to their traditional slings however, the Haadrade has ordered a massive rearmament campaign, providing crossbows to all its slingers and beginning the slow process of training them in their use. While the new crossbowmen are quick to learn their use, the commanders are slower to fully integrate the new concepts.
For the Araskamemni, the appearance of the Arots amongst their vassals is deeply troubling. Their people pride themselves on the old ways and their reverence to the Old Faith. The whispered promises of the Arots sound empty and hollow to the ears of those who are born into holy blood and practice such a savage form of the way of the forest glen and mountain valley. And yet it comes as a considerable surprise when armed serfs, under no lords’ orders set upon several of the Arot priests as they travel in the Pearl lands, stealing them away and smoking and baking them in wicker cages over massive fires deep in the woods. The cages and the roasted priests are found the next day and the lords of the pearl guild swear revenge. The Pearl are growing increasingly distrustful and alienated of the Rasks; their cultures, their way of life, and now even their faiths defer too widely; it is only threat of force that keeps them loyal subjects at this point. And this may not last too long. With the substantial income they have won from southern trade- which increasingly they are keeping for themselves, they have been arming their levies.
With its neighbors at war or arming for it, House Jana has no choice but to join them. To seem weak now is to invite disaster. And so they are expanding their army and in the Jana court, some are suggesting sending away for Bangor lords to help teach the Jana their well-known mastery of the art of military strategy.
The siege of Payas
When it comes, the battle for the capital of Payas is perhaps somewhat disappointing for some of the soldiers. The defenders are weakened and demoralized by hunger. Some Payas soldiers have even snuck away to avoid battle. Despite this, the Payas sallie coruageously and meet the invaders in open battle before they starve. In the ensuing battle, Namidas numbers are telling. Despite this, the Payas are smartly able to turn one flank of the assaulting Namidas and bogging down their cavalry, inflict unexpected punishment upon these. Ultimately however there can be no doubt of the outcome and when the victors take the capital, the city is thoroughly sacked and razed to the ground. A small force remains to negotiate the disarmament of the remaining Payas forces in the field but the majority begins to make the trip home.
For the Payas defenders in the field however, news of the fall of their capital takes some time to arrive and the battle continues. Here the Payas have the advantage, operating with the support of the locals and against an enemy who has to live through the winter off the land without adequate logistic support. The eastern lance in particular prove devastating, not only defeating the invaders but running them down and preventing them from regrouping. Despite this however, when news of the capital’s fall reaches them, they withdraw, awaiting a formal agreement between their lord and the invaders of Namidas.
(-8 levy infantry, -2 heavy infantry Payas, -3 levy infantry, -1 light infantry, -2 light lancer, -1 crossbow, house Mandragon, -2 levy infantry house Dammael, -2 levy infantry house Ravenwing, -1 light lancer house Jaeger, +gold Namidas factions)
Namidas Comes to the Aid of Tareen; invades Aelrich
Freed from their duties in the east, the Namidas army turns south and west, declaring war upon the Aelrich, their casus belli the protection of their ally the Tareen. They arrive late to the party however, only just entering Aelrich lands in late fall. Here they encounter the newly reinforced and repaired fortresses of the Aelrich border and their invasion quickly grinds to a crawl.
Despite the successes in Payas however, the morale of the Namidas army remains low. Inadequate supplies and poor logistics while in Payas territory cost them more lives than they are willing to pay and too long away from home and crops has meant growing destitution for many a levy soldier’s family. Namidas lords are cautioned to make their war a quick one.
Salt Invade Namidas
With no prior warning or notice, the Salt kingdom suddenly invades the Namidas. The later had perhaps hoped the Salt would join them in invading the Aelrich but when the Namidas enter Aelrich lands, Salt invade the lands of the Jaegar with little difficulty and are soon occupying frontier forts of that minor noble house.
Despite the early victories, the season is late and House Cren is soon facing dissension from its vassals who are upset with their lord over the lack of casus belli. The effect is felt throughout the forces of Salt and morale is low amongst both lords and soldiers.
(-1 levy infantry Jaegar, -1 levy infantry house Cren)
Fields and Piers of the West
A heavy sense of loss of quiet and loss has begun to settle in the western kingdoms. With so many levies called up to fight in Tareen and elsewhere and for so long, piers that once rang with the cries of young fishermen and fields once filled with sowers and planters are eerily quiet. The women-folk, the young, and the old, and many a strong-able man yet remains to work the fields but none will tell you that the disappearance of so many young men is not unfelt. And it is beginning to make itself felt in many a king’s treasury as well.
NPC Diplomacy
To King Amaros II
From Orus of the Forests
We found your spies lurking through our woods so we returned them to you. We have taken steps to be absolutely sure they cannot again get lost amongst our trees.
To Iknitsh Holds
From Őctahágyűrë
We declare war!
From the Lords of Payas
To Namidas,
We are beaten. We have no choice but to offer oaths of fealty and vassalage.
Immaculate
unerring
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2003
- Messages
- 7,623
OOC:
All,
Firstly, sorry for taking so long. Arrow and I had a lot of troubles actually meeting to discuss the update and ultimately due to our schedules I just put it out myself. So if there's a problem with it, its not his fault... I think he'll be available for the next one.
Secondly, Arrowgamer's schedule is looking pretty tight for the near future so I'll be taking over NPC diplomacy in the meantime. He should be back to his earlier availability sometime soon.
Thirdly, we were missing lots of orders. Which is okay; we'll save your spot despite missing orders once. But if you would rather not play, please post to that effect so we can turn you NPC.
Lastly, send orders to BOTH of us!
Orangelex44,
I had made a mistake in your stats; it has since been corrected. Apologies for the mistake.
Amesjay,
The salt kingdom has 4 galleys (see navy section of your stats).
MAP:
STATS:
All,
Firstly, sorry for taking so long. Arrow and I had a lot of troubles actually meeting to discuss the update and ultimately due to our schedules I just put it out myself. So if there's a problem with it, its not his fault... I think he'll be available for the next one.
Secondly, Arrowgamer's schedule is looking pretty tight for the near future so I'll be taking over NPC diplomacy in the meantime. He should be back to his earlier availability sometime soon.
Thirdly, we were missing lots of orders. Which is okay; we'll save your spot despite missing orders once. But if you would rather not play, please post to that effect so we can turn you NPC.
Lastly, send orders to BOTH of us!
Orangelex44,
I had made a mistake in your stats; it has since been corrected. Apologies for the mistake.
Amesjay,
The salt kingdom has 4 galleys (see navy section of your stats).
MAP:
Spoiler :
STATS:
Spoiler :
Golden1Knight
Emperor
Great update!
thomas.berubeg
Wandering the World
Hey, immac! Great update. Can we schedule q time to talk in the next few days. I'll he getting home and back to m computer tommorow, and thus will have access to my orders.
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