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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Knightfall" data-source="post: 710207" data-attributes="member: 2012">Year of the Return (cont.)Hansa* (the sixth month)1.  SeadayGeneral Whyean’s messenger arrives at Yösydän and informs the Emperor of the elven involvement.  Emperor Labalt declares war on Silverleaf and then also decides to quietly attack the Kingdom of MaShir as well.  He then informs the General to take this new land at all cost.In Quave, the Lords of the Horde finally come to a decision after a full month of debate and divination.  The new city-state wasn’t responsible for the destruction of Adabrilia but isn’t a candidate to be a ally at the moment.  The Lords decide to take a wait and see attitude towards the newcomers.  If they are militant then Republic of the Thorn will likely aligned against them.  If and when that happens then the Domain of the Horde will offer an alliance to the newcomers.  (The Lords weren’t able to divine the city-state’s name but do believe it is protected by powerful magic.)2.  WinddayOutside of Avion, The tabaxi army, which arrived in the night, begins its assault on the capital city of the Monarchy.  The fighting is brutal and hundreds die, on both side, in a single day.  By the end of the night, the tabaxi are entrenched around the city.  No one is able to leave the city by land, although the sea is still controlled by the Monarchy.  The queen fears that, without help, the Monarchy may fall.In Javeldos, General Whyean charges his men over the Aphrel Bridge and lays siege to Tutras Keep for hours before eventually taking it.  Then he swiftly moves down the coast to Zirik and Calaerik, taking them as well.  He is stopped short of Ridere Castle. Emperor Labalt sends three war galleys full of troops and priests of Hiisi to help occupy the lands of the interlopers.  He also sends out four Stands of troops to attack the elves of Silverleaf.3.  StardayPowerful (variant) Sending spells are sent to treaty members from both Onaway and the Imperium at the same time.  The Sending from Onaway described the actions of the Imperium towards his fellow Javeldians and requests the desire for aid or diplomatic advice.  The other Sending from Yösydän declares that the elves of Silverleaf have broken the treaty with the Imperium and that Yösydän is declaring war on the elves of Silverleaf and anyone else who helps the newcomers.This causes mass confusion in every major city-state and country from the Onan Territories to the Kingdom of MaShir, in the north.  The Javeldian envoy has no idea what this mad Emperor is talking about.  He wasn’t even aware of any kingdom of elves named Silverleaf.  The High One of Silverleaf learns of the situation from an allied sorcerer in the court of Avion and is shocked to learn that he is supposedly supporting a country he didn’t even know existed!“These Imperial humans have obviously lost their collective minds from delusion and paranoia.  Silverleaf isn’t even a member of this supposed treaty and yet the Imperium insists we have violated it.  I will never understand the behavior of some humans!”4.  MoonsdayPowerful wizards, working together, from Onaway, Avion, and Silverleaf divine that these supposed Silverleaf elves are, in fact, also newcomers to Harqual.  All agree that the Emperor has made a critical error in judgement and magically inform the rest of the treaty members, including the Empire of Swords.  The Emperor responds to the message with these words.“A likely story, but I think you just can’t admit the truth!  Very well, I am forced to respond by ending the Empire of Swords involvement in all current treaties.  I shall crush you all for this insolence!”While the magical connection was established between Onaway and Avion, Lady Felicia sent a message through the connecting portal regarding the current situation in Avion.  Her message is given to Lord LaMarche and he wonders how he will help the Monarchy with his resources so strained.5.  EarthdayThe High One of Silverleaf agrees to send a large force of elves to the new lands in the north to assist in repelling the Imperial invaders.“If this crazy Emperor want’s a fight, by Corellon’s Heart, we’ll give him one!  Those elvenfolk might be newcomers but they’re a part of our elven community now and we will not stand by and let this fool threaten them!The reinforcements sent out from the Fortress of Thenin come upon a horrible scene as they approach the ruins.  Dozens of Thenin soldiers have been gutted and eaten and worse yet, many of there former Warriors have been transformed into vile undead zombies and worse.  The soldiers retreat back to Thenin, against an undead onslaught that includes their former commanders, now powerful undead warriors unaffected by attempts to rebuke or control them by the clerics of Erythnul, sent with the reinforcements.6.  FiredayIn Onaway, The Javeldian envoy magically sends word to King Khalen that a group of southern city-states and a kingdom of elves to the east have agreed to help.  The King quickly spreads the good news to the citizens and the chaos of the last few months begins to ebb.  The news increases morale on the front line and Zirik and Calaerik are retaken from the Imperium forces.7.  SeadayIn Onaway, Lord LaMarche sends half of his war galleys up the coast towards Javeldos and sends nearly 300 hundred men to help defend the northern lands of the Monarchy from the tabaxi.  His remaining forces must stay close to home, just in case the tabaxi attack Onaway or Onaco.In Avion, Lady Felicia sends a magical sending to Lord LaMarche that she is sending 50 archers and 10 paladins to help the Javeldians, from the town of Wilon, north of Avion.  It’s all she can spare, as the rest of her forces must help defend the Monarchy from the tabaxi.8.  WinddayThe Jovian Alliance remains neutral regarding the conflict in Javeldos.  High King Winternight of Navirosov agrees to send 50 of his best skyriders to help defend the Javeldians against the evils of the Sword Imperium.Outside of the city of Ilasi, the tabaxi are finding it impossible to breach the walls.  Sigfred Allowood leads the soldiers, paladins, and militia on the wall, carrying the banner of the Monarchy into battle with one hand and his longsword in the other.  The remaining members of Cronn’s Pride protect his back at all times.  The citizens of Ilasi have renewed hope for the first time since the tabaxi fist assaulted the city.9.  StardayIn the Kingdom of the Silver Leaves, The High One notices that there isn’t any response from Woodknot.  This concerns him because they would never ignore such an important crisis, even though they've isolated themselves.  He sends a small patrol to check on his southern cousins.10.  MoonsdayIn Javeldos, the Silverleaf elves sent to help their new elven brethren arrive on the eastern border near Ralolen Castle.  A select group of the Order of Light, being lead by a woman named Ishka, greets them.  She explains the current situation in the west and introduces them to a warband of Aphranaen and Vananaen elves that will lead them through the woods along the Erita Road while the Order will ride the road ahead to Krotras and Eberal to announce their arrival.In Avion, the queen is desperate for help.  For while the city is holding on, the troops sent from Onaway divert only a few hundred of the tabaxi forces away from the capital.11.  EarthdayThe three Yösydän war galleys land near Calaerik and help retake the town.  They leave a large force of men there to help the forces there and then continue down the coast to attack the Javeldian capital city, Eberal.12.  FiredayIn Javeldos, the Silverleaf elves arrive at Krotras and have become close to the Aphranaen elves along the way.  The Vananaen are well thought of as well but it is more of a quiet respect for each other.  The humans move on towards Eberal while the elves make camp just inside the forest with their new kin.In Ilasi, Sigfred Allowood leads his followers and the city’s militia through the city’s sewer system, coming out both behind and in the middle of the attacking horde.  Allowood kills several key tabaxi priests and warriors.  The horde of humanoids scatters, dissipating into the Storm Jungle and surrounding wilderness.Sigfred sends 100 men to help defend Avion but knows that the remainder of his forces must stay in Ilasi just in case the tabaxi attack again.13.  SeadayIn Javeldos, the three Yösydän Imperial war galleys arrive near Gialey and Sarahn and quickly overrun the populace.  The elves at Krotras move up the road to Eberal and the Silverleaf elves are convinced that these Javeldians have potential.  They are quickly falling in love with this forest kingdom.14.  WinddayDay one of the siege of Eberal.  Two of the Imperial warships sail up the Hael River and lay siege to Eberal in the early morning.  The other lands near Itol and captures the tiny village then crosses the Bay of Itol and takes Voha and Zale by nightfall.In Eversink, several high ranking officials are found dead, their throats slashed and the victim’s scalps taken.  The local authorities are sure if tabaxi assassins are to blame or if it is simply home spun assassinations.15.  StardayDay two of the siege of Eberal.  Eberal is a city under siege and if it weren’t for the elves of Silverleaf it would have fallen during the night.  Word comes from outside the city that Tutras Keep, Zirik, Vanirit Keep, Ridere Castle, Calaerik, Gialey, Sarahn, Itol, Voha, and Zale have all fallen to the Imperium.In the city of Avion, Lady Felicia rejoices at hearing the news that Ilasi has pushed back the tabaxi and that more soldiers are on their way to Avion.  The news increases morale amongst the city’s defenders and they give as good as they get this day.16.  MoonsdayDay three of the siege of Eberal.  Khalen’s son-in-law, Prince Consort Dann Khilman is killed when The Song of Javeldos is sunk in the Bay of Itol by the Imperial war galley, Overlord.  The Princess Ahdina falls into deep despair over the death of her husband.17.  EarthdayDay four of the siege of Eberal.  The Imperial army, coming from the west, reaches Eberal.  Eberal is now besieged by both land and sea and the Imperial army captures Krotras.18.  FiredayDay five of the siege of Eberal.  The Onan war galleys arrive at Ralolen Castle just in time to intercept the Overlord.  The Onan galleys sink her without mercy then move on to try and break the siege at Eberal.19.  SeadayDay six of the siege of Eberal.  Baron Loghan Halonnan of Javeldos throws himself off the walls of the city of Halonnan in a fit of sorrow but survives.  The Onan war galleys liberate Zale and Voha.In Avion, the hundred soldiers sent from Ilasi attack the tabaxi army from behind.  Several hundred of the Monarchy’s best soldiers pour out of Avion City to help the reinforcements.  The tabaxi lose a large amount of their forces but still have the city surrounded by day’s end.  The remaining Monarchy troops, outside the city’s walls, either retreat back into the city or hide in the forests surrounding the capital.Meanwhile, in the Kingdom of MaShir, Imperium forces quickly surround the MaShir capital of Chestyr and lay siege to the city.  King Calvyn is not surprised and has summoned help from his barbarian friends in the wilderness.  They take the Imperium forces from behind and make them scatter like frightened deer.  By day’s end, there isn’t a single Imperial soldier left standing.King Calvyn sends a magical warning to the Emperor, through his shamans.  “If you try that again you’ll have to deal with an army of MaShir troops and a horde of wild barbarians knocking on your doorstep.”The Emperor turned pale as a ghost when he heard this.  He instantly rejected the idea of sending more troops.20.  WinddayDay seven of the siege of Eberal.The last few surviving member of the silver elf patrol, sent to check on the status of the forest elves of Woodknot, return to Silverleaf battered and bruised.  They couldn’t find any other elves but what they did find chilled their bones.  The forest around Woodknot has become deformed and twisted.  The local denizens have become a mockery of nature; flesh-eating bears, poisonous lions, undead treants, and worst of all, demons.  The High One falls into a state of shock.  His advisors order the blockade of the southern half of Great Forest until it can be decided what to do.  The First Protector, the High Ones oldest son, magically warns the humans, except the Imperium.In Onaway, the barbarian-priest Taith-El gathers his flock and tells them of a dream that he had the night before.“I saw the capital city of the newcomers under siege.  They are losing hope my friends.  We must pray to the North Gods for their protection and deliverance from the evil of the Empire of Swords.  I see a great future for them on Harqual if they survive.  Come, pray with me.”Taith-El falls to his knees in the center of the new Temple of Cronn and begins to pray.  His loyal followers do the same.  They pray all day and all night, not resting until the sun comes up over the Sword Gulf.21.  StardayDay eight of the siege of Eberal.  Just as the city is about to crack wide open the Onan war galleys arrive and sink both of the remaining Imperial warships, trapping the survivors on the shores of the Bay of Itol.  The 10 paladins from Avion help retake Itol, Krotras, Ridere Castle and Vanirit Keep – all in one day.  King Khalen grants them all an honorary knighthood in the Order of Light.General Whyean and two hundred Imperial troops break away from the battle and head up the High Road raiding farms along the way.  They meet heavy resistance at the border of the Barony of Halonnan and turn up the Winter Road.  They proceed to sack Vanol and then continue on to Rulad.  Meanwhile, in the west, the Ten Saints of Avion, as the locals are calling them have helped pushed back the Imperium forces to Tutras Keep.22.  MoonsdayIn Javeldos, Baron Loghan is brought to Eberal, to be attended to, where he admits to being bitter about the Princess’ marriage to the, now deceased, Prince Consort.  When he heard of her condition he felt horrible about his selfish nature and decided to end his own life in a fit of rage and sorrow.  Both the King and the Princess forgive him on the spot.In Avion, Lady Felicia and her people cheer, as four gold dragons fly overhead, breathing dragonfire on the humanoid hordes attacking the city.  The dragons are mounted and just as Lady Felicia begins to worry that another group of invaders might be vying for the Monarchy, a huge army pours out from the surrounding forest.  An army of men, being led by the Queen of Izmer and the knight, Ridley Freeborn.The hordes try to retreat along the coast and are trapped against the sea by the attacking Izmer army.   Lady Felicia sends out the remainder of her forces and has them hit the tabaxi and their allies from the north.  Soon the conflict is over the Monarchy had prevailed.Hundreds of tabaxi soldiers and their allies are taken prisoner.  The prisoners are kept in a camp until both the Monarchy and the people of the Onan Territories can legally judge them in Avion City’s Hall of Justice.  Word is sent to Onaway to tell of the Monarchy’s victory.23.  EarthdayThe Paladin skyriders from Navirosov arrive over the forests of the lands of the Javeldians in the early morning and are greeted by cheers as they dive down into the Imperium forces hiding out in the woods and standing atop Tutras Keep.  By days end the Keep is retaken and the Imperium forces are on the run.In the city of Avion, Queen Savina meets with Lady Felicia and a new alliance is struck between the two kingdoms.  They will defend the southern lands from the tabaxi, together.In the Far South, Lord Anders Carrin has yet to hear from his vizier regarding the situation in the City of Fear.  He has his, now, former vizier’s home and trading house seized in order to appease the irate merchants that were forced to return to Xcellian in disgrace.  He leaves the day-to-day control of the city in the hands of the Mercantile Collegiate, sailing the Gem of the South towards the City of Fear, himself.Outside of the Fortress of Thenin, the soldiers sent to the ruins arrive outside the city’s gates.  Less than a quarter of their numbers survived the journey back.  They tell the Senate of the undead they faced including former Thenin Warriors, who followed them for days.  They don’t know if the undead plan to attack the Fortress but believe there are more than enough of them to pose a threat.  The Consul confers with her High Priest of Erythnul hoping for guidance from The Many.  The High Priest of Thenin falls dead during the initial stages of her commune spell, turning to dust in front of the eyes of the Consul and the Senate.Disembodied laughing can be heard echoing through the hall of the Senate.“I will eat your souls!”24.  FiredayThe four stands of Imperium troops, sent by General Whyean, arrive at the border of the Great Forest, where they are met by 2,000 elven and dwarven troops.  The dwarves of the Kingdom of the Greystones came to Silverleaf’s aid to curb Yösydän’s imperialistic tendencies.  The battle is short and swift as the routed Imperial troops are completely crushed by the combined fury of the elves and dwarves.Meanwhile, in Javeldos, General Whyean and his troops lay siege to Tanaerit.  Of course, he didn’t he know that the hills were home to a community of gnomes and dwarves.  The forces of the Bitran hit the Imperials from behind.  The soldiers scatter and the General is captured.In the Far South, the Fortress of Thenin is on high alert waiting for the onslaught of undead that the Consul is sure will come.  The Warriors of Thenin and the Erythnul priests watch the surrounding countryside.  By nightfall, everyone is so tense you could hear a metal thimble hit the stone floors of the Consul’s Inner Sanctum out on the walls of the Fortress.25.  SeadayThe Emperor hears that his army in the south has been annihilated by a combination of Onan war galleys, Silverleaf elves, Navirosov skyriders, and local Javeldians.  He is livid at the interference of the other countries and vows to lay waste to the lands of the newcomers.“If I can’t have it, then I’ll destroy it.”In Onaway, Lord LaMarche receives news that, in the Monarchy of Avion, the tabaxi threat has been defeated for now.  Lady Felicia requests that he come to Avion too help decide a fair judgement for the prisoners her forces captured.  He doesn’t wish to go, worried that the Territories might come under attack without him there to help.  He tries to get Taith-El to go instead, to which the barbarian-priest responded.“I must not go south of Onaway, it is Cronn’s will.  You must go and see these prisoners and you must see beyond the influence the tabaxi have wielded over their allies.  Only then will you see the future.”Lord LaMarche reluctantly agrees to heed the barbarian-priests words and begins to prepare for the journey south to Avion.In the far south, The Fortress of Thenin remains on high alert, yet nothing appears on the horizon that day or into the night.  The Consul refuses to send out more troops, even during the day.  The communities surrounding the Fortress close themselves off from anyone or anything that appears threatening.26.  WinddayIn the city of Eberal, Baron Loghan has completely recovered, mostly due to the care given by a whole flock of priests and paladins, helping to defend the city, and swears to avenge the Prince Consort’s death.  He leads a combined army of elves, gnomes, dwarves, paladins, and local militia west into the heartland of the Sword Imperium.“I’m going to gut this fat, little, toad of an Emperor for what he’s done to our people.  Here we are, strangers in a new land, and all he wants to do is conquer us.  I’m not going to have this little buzzard for a neighbor.”In the Kingdom of Thallin, King Travathian Dragonguard becomes pale and passes out at a small gathering of nobles.  He is immediately taken before local priests to see what is wrong.  The priests are baffled by the Kings fainting spell and order the monarch to rest.In the far south, a watchman on the walls of the Fortress of Thenin spots several creatures flying high above the fortress during the night.  He tells the Consul they looked reptilian in form but nothing like he’d ever seen before.27.  StardayIn Onaway, Lord LaMarche sets out on his journey to the city of Avion.  He takes 100 soldiers with him as an escort and honor guard.  Several members of Cronn’s Pride, still in Onaway, go with him.  He reluctantly leaves Taith-El and rest of Cronn’s Pride in charge of the city.On the 27th day of Hansa, the year 749 N.C., the combined forces of western Harqual meets the remaining army of the Empire of Swords and proceeds to enforce battlefield justice on the wicked and the decadent.  The Imperium had used up its best troops against the Javeldians & the elven/dwarven army.  Their remaining forces didn’t stand a chance.28.  MoonsdayThe Northern Army as is now referred to continues up the coast of the Sword Imperium lands.  Its soldiers are shocked by what they see.  The Emperor not only oppresses others but his own people as well.“The citizens of the Imperium cheered as the army went by, they actually cheered.  Now I know this horrid little man must pay for his crimes of war.”Baron Loghan was so moved by the reception given by the Imperial populace that he ordered food and rations given out to them.In Ilasi, Sigfred Allowood is named as the city’s official governor, by order of the queen, through Sending spell.  It is a popular choice amongst the citizens of Ilasi.  To many of them, it was the only choice.29.  EarthdayHigh King of Navirosov, Sir Jacard Winternight, announces that his wife Lady Helena is with child.  There will be a special celebration during the Autumn Solace, Seraph 27th, 749 N.C., Year of the Return (Year of the Golden Wind in Magdalene), etc, etc, etc.In the southern lands, surrounding the Storm Jungle, the people of Anthmoor and the other city-states notice a considerable drop in tabaxi activity.In the far south, the Fortress of Thenin is attacked not by the undead by twisted, flying reptiles of unknown origin.  Hundreds of them descend on the walls of the Fortress much to the delight of the Warriors of Thenin, who have been wound up like a steel trap ready to snap.  The faithful of The Many take their rage out on the creatures.Several of the creatures break off and attack a nearby community.  The Consul gives the order for her soldiers to ride out and protect the Republic’s holdings.  The Warriors gladly mount up to face death and rage on the battlefield, riding out to kill all those that oppose the Republic.  They are attacked in the community by not only the reptilian creatures but by hundreds of undead villagers and the former Warriors of Thenin killed near the ruins.The battle lasts into the night and the undead keep coming.30.  FiredayOn the 30th day of Hansa the Northern Army came to the walls of Yösydän offering a choice of peace.  The terms give up the Emperor and his loyalists and the city will be spared.  To Loghan’s surprise, the Northern Army is allowed into the city and he is told that the Emperor is holding out in the palace with only fifty loyal Blades.  The Northern Army quickly set up siege equipment and waits for the Emperor to tip his hand.In the far south, the Fortress of Thenin is under siege by an army of undead.  There seems to be no end in sight for the Warriors of Thenin, even with the help of the Erythnul priests.  For every dozen undead monstrosities destroyed or rebuked, another dozen take their place from the fallen Warriors of the Republic.For the first time in 50 years, the Consul prays to the Gods of the Northlands for guidance and salvation.31.  SeadayIn the early morning of the 31st day of Hansa, the Emperor and his loyal guards try to escape the city by using vile magic to summon demons from the outer planes.  The demons tear into the ranks of the Northern Army and butcher thousands of soldiers & citizens alike.  This is too much for the Baron as he stares in shocked horror.“May the New Gods save us!”His prayer is heard and an Avatar of Cronn appears on the battlefield with an army of celestials!  This was not exactly what the Baron had meant and he is in awe of the Avatar’s power and strength.  Without even knowing how, Loghan Halonnan has became the first Javeldian to convert to the faith of what they would come to call the New Gods, in his homeland.  The celestial army turns the tide of the battle and drives the demons from the field.Baron Halonnan traps the Emperor in a small warehouse and proceeds to execute him by military field justice.  In the end, the final remnant of the Empire of Swords is finally broken and the remaining citizens of Yösydän declare themselves a free city-state.  And before all present, Loghan Halonnan kneeled before Cronn’s Avatar and was blessed by the god for his courage and convictions as the first ever Paladin of Cronn!In Tschaja, Auwk-wa prepares to leave the city to visit the human lands of Yuln and Liran.In the far south, the Warriors of Thenin turn on the priests of Erythnul after discovering that the priests have been trying to form an alliance with whatever is trying to destroy the Fortress.  Only two Erythnul priests manage to escape this cleansing of the Fortress by going over the wall to join the undead forces on the other side.In the Consul’s Inner Sanctum, Yuinii Bazgal hears the divine voice of Jalivier in her mind.“You have been betrayed by the Interloper Erythnul just as I warned you all those years ago.  You did not listen to me then and your people are now suffering for it.  However, it is not to late to save the souls of the dead and the lives of the living.”“Tell me what I must do, Defender, and I will do it.”“You must ride with your men, fight alongside them as an equal.  You must share their battlefield and their fate, whatever that may be for not even I can predict this outcome.  But if you go with no malice in your heart or trickery in your mind then I will be there with you.  Now go!”“It will be as you say, Defender!  I swear it!”With that, Consul Yuinii Bazgal dons her full plate armor, a simple warrior’s sword and exits the Inner Sanctum.  She gathers her remaining warriors to her and tells them of the Defender of the Light’s words.  They are skeptical but she persists.“Great Jalivier has sought to bring the Republic of Thenin and its Warriors back into the Light!  I am going, alone if I must!”She mounts a great white steed that appears out of the mist engulfing the Fortresses heart.  It is clad in the symbols of Jalivier.  The awed Warriors of Thenin bow down before the messenger of the Defender, as the Consul rides towards the gate.“Open the gate!”The Warriors jump to their feet, grab their weapons and follow their leader into the darkness to battle the waiting horde of undead.  As they go, it could be heard that clarion horns could be heard in the distance and that the Consul of the Republic shone with holy brilliance.  Indeed, Jalivier was with them.In unison they shouted the words of decades past.“For the Defender, for the Light, for the People!”======================* If you've been reading this entire thread then you've already read the details regarding Hansa, the Demigod of Soldiers, the God of Tremors.  If not... read the next post.======================Next up... the month of Hela.</blockquote>

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