Update 2 - 2001 FF The Year of Broken Dreams
This year was marked by the continued growth of the rebel nations. But, as was inevitably the fate of those, the Empire finally rose from it's mighty throne to conquer the Blade Coast anew. Only this time, it was going to be very different indeed. It was not by the commands from Everdrop that the Empire's army mobilized, but by the orders of the governors. Simply put, they could no longer wait for the High Princes to sort out their intrigues. They took the matters in their own hands and struck out against the rebels. The results were as follows:
The Western Shelf: The first to be assailed by Empire forces, was the rebels of Bellfern. The diviners of the Empire foresaw their plans to form a coastal defence, and instead rushed forth and landed with an army on their beaches. The bellfern Adepts, having not expected such a swift attack, had to cancel their plans to help out Westshire. They barely managed to reach back to the shore when the task force arrived to face them. Several of the captured ships were sunk, and some Adepts with them. Empire: (-10 Carracks) Bellfern: (-40 Carracks, -5 Adepts) The following battle was fought among half-done defence works and ship wrecks. Bellfern, despite the surprise, was able to hold the Empire forces back, and eventually forced them to retreat across the ocean. Empire: (-450 LI, -150 MI, -50 HI, -50 LC, -30 HC, -10 Carracks) Bellfern: (-355 LI, -40 MC, -40 Carracks) After this victory, many Bellfern citizens enlisted to join the army or the navy. (+400 LI, +50 Caravels)
Their neighbors in the South, Westshire, did not get the aid they were promised by Bellfern. Luckily, they too were victorious against the Empire task forces. Losses were heavy on both sides, but a draw was a victory for Westshire, since the teask force would not get any reinforcements while in enemy terrain. After the bloody battle that stood in the heart of the Shirelands, the Empire was pushed back towards the mountain pass. Empire: (-520 LI, -195 MI, -115 HI, -50 HC) Westshire: (-625 LI, -225 SP, -20 HI, -20 LC)
Shaemar did not escape the forces of the Empire as well, although a bit differently that the previous two. Having claimed the stretch of land that leads to Bellfern and Westshire, Shaemar stood in the way for Empire campaigns into these lands. Shaemar was surpirsed at the Empire's attack. The Empire was likewise surprised at meeting resistance. The reason for this was that the army that arrived to Shaemar was due for Bellfern. When they were stopped by the "local bandits", they decided to slaughter them and move on. Only it wasn't just bandits. And they weren't just a band either. Totally unprepared for the hundreds of troops that came to halt them, the Empire suffered a mightly blow. The infantry were all slain or captured, and only the cavalry managed to flee the battle. Empire: (-500 LI, -150 MI, -50 HI, -30 HC, -70 B, -35 LB) Shaemar: (-510 LI) This odd but glorious event was celebrated with much drinking and festivities, leading to a greater sense of unity and self-esteem among the people. (Bonus Confidence, culture) The backside of the medal is that Shaemar now acts as a buffer between the Empire proer and the Western Shelf. More battle will be seen in these lands in not too long.
The Steppes: the second rebel faction to be assailed by the Empire was the mysterious nation of Jaid. The local governor was afraid that showing weakness would invite forces from both Cairo and Lirkland together, and saw it fit to make an example of his determination by crushing the Jaid'Almain. They did so with tremendous result, killing the greater part of the rebel forces. Worse still for Jaid'Almain, all of their Adepts were either slain in combat with Empire cavalry, or captured and executed. Empire: (-300 LI, -100 MI, -50 LC, -60 MC) Jaid'Almain: (-955 LI, -25 JA, -20 A) Then the Empire went on killing every tenth in every settlement who hailed itself a part of Jaid'Almain. The rebel government has currently gone underground to lick their wounds. With this great defeat, the future of Jaid is shaky at best. Will their southern comrades help them in this fateful time? The Empire did not forget them, and had decided to strike in advance.
Empire forces marched across the Steppes to face yet another rebel center: the Gardens. The Army of Shaba had early notice of the invasion, since scouts constantly patroled their territory on lookout for just that: Empire forces marching towards their capital. When the battle grounds were set, the forces of Shaba had planned good and hoped for an easy victory. They were going to use their Earth magic to open a chasm under the enemy to engulf them. Unfortunately, this plan was thwarted by Empire Air Adepts who both created a wall of solid air over the chasm, and dispelled any further attempts to make new ones by the Shaban Adepts. The battle ended in a kind of draw, with no winning sides. Although Shaba still has plenty of forces, their higher ranked troops are all gone, save the Adepts who were shielded from melee. The peasant infantry is feeling a bit uneasy with the situation, and this seems to be the plan of the Empire. For now, the two sides have camped close to each other, waiting for the other to make a move. The Empire is blocking the way north of Shaba, and has effectively cut off any rescue attempts to Jaid'Almain at the moment. Empire: (-275 LI, -150 MI, -50 HI, -10 LC, -30 MC, -30 HC, -70 B, -35 LB) Shaba: (-270 LI, -40 SB, -40 MC)
The Borderlands: In the Borderlands, thing are beginning to worsen for Delenlor as well. Their expansion is being impeded by frequent Empire raids. Furthermore, when they reached one of the target cities, the governor had raised an army to face them in battle. Although the enemy managed to lure it's way behind and attack the Bowmen of the Wind, the Empire garrison was soon defeated and the city captured. Empire: (-330 LI, -150 MI, -50 HI, -70 LC, -50 MC, -30 HC) Delenlor: (-400 LI, -80 BW, -40 LC)
The Heartlands: In the Heartlands, the two rebel nations of Lochia and Ramon are in for a tough ride. First, Lochia was faced with an Empire force freshly arrived from Moonshard. It's expansion towards the coast led to the encounter, and soon the armies clashed outside the city walls. The battle was won by Lochia, albeit some losses. The Rebd Mongrols who charged in at the very beginning of the battle made it completely through the ranks of their enemies before harrowing the archers. This spectacular moment was broken as the Empire cavalry who were waiting for this burst out from their hiding and encircled the prides of Lochia. Empire: (-500 LI, -150 MI, -10 LC, -50 MC, -30 HC, -50 B, -15 LB) Lochia (-450 LI, - 20 RM) The main battle of the Heartlands were not fought by Lochia however, but by their neighbor...
Ramon. The Kingdom of Ramon made great progress the first half of the year. COnstantly on their toes and ready for the Empire to strike, they proceeded with contacting the cities around and killing off the governors. Just as Ramon had conquered the entire stretch of the Blade Coast between the dividing mountain ranges, news came of an invasion fleet. The army rushed back, using the rivers as transport canals, to the already prepared defence works. The Empire landed hard on their front, with far greater forces than were dispatched to the other rebels. The Adepts of Ramon managed to incinerate several of the ships, but not before the troops were successfully deployed. (-20 Carracks) Then the carnage began. For a very long time, the army of Ramon managed to hold the line. Then it breached as the cavalry of the Empire reached the archers behind the infantry. After losing all their cavalry, Ramon could not hold back the main force and the agile horsemen, and it resulted in the front collapsing as some of the infantry tried to fall back and aid the archers. A band of elite knights then charged and run through the defence works. After being pummeled by the retrating infantry, the survivors skewered the Ramon Adepts from their unguarded rear. The Army of Ramon was routed, and sent fleeing back inland. The Empire now holds the beachhead, and is preparing for a thorough campaign to crush the core of the rebel kingdom. Empire: (-750 LI, -80 LC, -25 MC, -40 HC), Ramon: (-330 LI, -40 LC, -45 B, -20 A)
Far off in the northeastern corner of the Empire, a seafaring nation has formed. The pirates call themselves Felaskhar, and has begun raiding the many islands under the Empire. They wield water magic to great effect as their ships are unsurpassed in speed due to manipulation of waves under their ships. The Empire has yet another threat to deal with, and is very annoyed by the fact. Now the uprisings are not limited to the Blade Coast alone, and the Empire is growing increasingly aware of the troublesome times...