Osoerde vs. Elinie #64

[DM B]

Starting in war move 5:

In the dreary dark winter the cold-eyed killers of the new Baron of West Hold, Landen Tshalen, eldest son of the late Lord Caine, came to the peaceful lands of Marquis al-Rasshad, Lord of Chalsedon and Osoriene, and protector of the southern borders of Elinie.

Hard-eyed knights, veterans of many campaigns all of them, some had even been there to lay low the legions of the Gorgon on the Plain of Battlewaite! Hard though they might be they were men of noble birth and did not part take in the bloody savagery of the serjeants that followed them to war. And with them came the infamous black archers of House Tsahlen, who were not only masters of the Anuirean longbow, but also quite adept at torching villages and finding that which is hidden - be they a mother and her children or a chest of the brightest gold.

With them came men of Elinie; veterans allo of them. Men who had followed Patriarch Gerad for years and wound up exiled for it. Men with little reason to love the false Patriarch. Men eager to prove their worth. Men sensing that this was a time where men could rise above their station and create better lives for themselves in a new Elinie.

And their leader was Landen. Who had squired for Raenech and followed him through war and war and more war. Black Landen they called him, for his temper was as dark as night and he could hold a grudge with the best of dwarves. For years he had chafed under his aging father. But now he was Baron. And war had come. A war for him to prove his worth.

He had spoken to them before they rode North. Looking each man in the eye and telling them that their time had come.

'Let slip the bonds of peace. Peace has fled this land now and war is the only lord left in this land. Set aside mercy. Forget compassion. Let forgiveness be forgotten!'

[DM B]

Landen and his men initially enjoy considerable success on their campaign of terror, taking the poor inhabitants of Chalsedon by surprise. There have been rumors of war, yes, but the sudden arrival of the enemy have come as a terrible shock! And they pay dearly for it, with their hopes, dreams and lives...

Within a few weeks, however, they Marquis al-Rasshad have gathered his brave riders to his side and set out to teach Landen a the price of his arrogance. Anuirean knights and serjeants clash with swift lancers in muddy fields in numerous smaller engagements, all carefully orchestrated to give the defenders the advantages of surprise and numerical superiority. But Landen's blackhearts are not fools; they trust in their comrades and the steel that cover their bodies are time and again the men of Elinie find themselves turned back by an impenetrable wall of iron will and cold steel.

Anuirean longbows are called upon to keep the swift horse-archers of these strange folk at bay. The horse-men may have the mobility and initiative, but they soon find that these archers have seen war before, and they stand their ground loosing deadly volleys that kill horses and men alike.

Blood runs, men and horses are broken, and the commoners are made to suffer all the more...

[DM B]

Eventually a stalemate is reached - the local militia has been called up and added their numbers to those of al-Rasshad's house troops. They include both mounted archers and foot-men - the former harry the attackers while the later make it difficult for Landen's troops to strike at strong-points or towns.

Further to the east the Osoerdan juggernaut crosses the border into Osoriene, crushing everything in their path. The scattered defenders offer only token resistance before either riding hard for the capital or throwing down their arms in meek surrender. The Local Lord, Count Riordian, can do little more than hide behind his walls an pray for deliverance as Osoerdan militia move up and with the help of engineers and artillerists begin preparing to dismantle his castle stone by stone...

Where are the brave defenders of Elinie? Where is the Patriarch?

[DM B]

War move 10 begins

[X-Osoerde (Alan)]

OOC: Would you like us both to repond here?  Does it matter in what order we do so?  The only reason I ask is that this may be the first PvP war action.

[X-DM Jon]

OoC: I think it's definitely the best idea if you don't respond in here. Do it by e-mail.

[DM B]

Gerad ibn Daouta has been slain in the castle of Lord Riordian. The Archduke is said to be furious, believing his death to be the work of outside agents. Taken his army west, he joins with Baron Landen and crushes whatever defenses are left in Chalsedon. Marquis al-Rasshad is forced to take shelter behind high walls, waiting for any aid that might come from his liege.

In Osoriene the riders of Elinie sweep down from the north, but find little, except a strong Osoerdan garrison. Unable to do anything about the fortified enemy they conduct a few forrays to the south, only to find the border towns in Osoerde well garrisoned by eager milita.

With Osoriene and Chalsedon both contested the season comes to a close.