Turn #71 - The Rebellion in Aerenwe

[DM B]

The turn begins with Queen Swordwraith's forces holed up in Calrie.

Count Ardai commands the besieging force.

[DM B]

Calrie is protected by the mighty Berendor river on two sides. Maybe three depending on how you count. North and west definitely. To the east there is a large spit of marshy ground outside the city walls. An army COULD land here, but the ground isn't ideal for sieges. So really only the southern approach is worthwhile.

The city is well fortified. An old but strong wall surrounds the inner city. And the Queen's great castle sits within this outer wall. So does the Royal Navy - the Aerenwan fleet lies at anchor, well protected by the walls of Calrie.

[DM B]

War move 1:

There seems to be around 20 units of mixed infantry and 5 units of cavalry actively engaged in the siege. There could possibly be other detachments elsewhere.

Calrie seems to hold around fifteen or so units. Some knights and some other cavalry. Quite the crowd in fact. The city still has free access to the Berendor River - and beyond that the sea.

Nothing much happens. Dispatches fly back and forth.

[DM B]

War move 2:

More of the same.

War move 3:

Ongoing.

[DM B]

War move 3 & 4:

Nothing happens. At all.

WM 5 beginning.

[DM B]

It's one of those rare autumn days you hear about but rarely get to experience. Summer is long gone, but the sun and the wind has decided to caress the world for just one more day. Framed not in the brilliant green of summer, but the dying colors of autumn brought to life again by a sun that seems to shine a lazy orange.

On this day, the 10th of Sehnir (OOC: The approximate equivalent of 1 November), Count Cimeric Ardai rides forth to address the besieged Queen of Aerenwe. After the event rumors sweep through both the besiegers' camp and the city - much to everyone's surprise the Count professing his undying love for the Queen - and asked for her hand in marriage!

A stark departure from his earlier words...

There is considerable confusion in the ranks. And among the officers there are...disagreements.

The confusion becomes even greater when scouts report the banners of Roesone approaching from Dhoenel. Soon every besieging soldier knows that the Queen's allies are here. Ardai seems unable to coordinate the army anymore and subordinate commanders try to take charge.

The Roesonan commander wastes no time and begins striking at the besiegers. He may not have more than 2000 men, but it's a pure cavalry force, well suited for harassing infantry engaged in a siege.

The following day the Queen's army sallies. ETN templar knights stand with them. But all told there is less than a 1000 cavalry and about 2000 infantry. Hardly enough to break the siege.

But when the armies draw up for battle before the walls of Calrie there is trouble in the ranks. Count Ardai and his most loyal troops are refusing to fight the Royal Army! bewildered observers on the walls try to make out what is happening. Finally Count Cimeric rides hard for the city with a small bodyguard. He's surrendering himself to the Queen!

There is no battle that day. They troops are all lined up and ready, but the besiegers are confused and the defenders aren't strong enough to mount a credible attack. Come mid-day the besiegers quite the field and retreat a distance. The defenders are cheered as they enter the city!

[X-Aerenwe/TS (Miloš)]

As the defenders ride back into the city, they are accompanied by wide-eyed Cimeric Ardai. Surrounding their count, Ardai's bodyguards appear tense and alert, as if the cheering people around them were a pack of hungry wolves. Further inside the heavily fortified town, Queen Tasaenae is waiting with bodyguards of her own, standing to greet her troops. Maravoel Dhon, riding at the head of his troops, dismounts to report, but Cimeric Ardai is already on his feet, rushing like a small child towards the queen, his bodyguards running behind him, trying desperately to catch up.

"My Queen," he starts, still running, but whatever he wanted to say is cut short by a surprise as a pair of halberds blocks his way. He tried to break through, but one of the guards hits him in the legs with the butt of his halberd, bringing him to his knees. Ardai's guards start to draw their swords, but quickly find themselves surrounded, arrows pointed at them from fortified positions all around.

"Take them all into custody." the queen orders. "I want them under double guard, but treat them with respect."

There is a moment of silence as Ardai's guards consider their options. Finally, they drop their weapons with a clang that triggers another wave of cheers from the gathered crowd.

Queen Tasaenae returns to her chambers as the cheers fade in the distance. A small victory has been won without casualties, but there is still a large army outside her castle, and army partially made of her own subjects, along with soldiers of her enemies, just waiting for her allies to slaughter them. A very troubling situation.

[DM B]

On the very night following Ardai's sudden declaration of love there is a great uprising in Calrie. There is fighting in the city as conflicting loyalties clash.

Come dawn the full gravity of the situation is revealed:

The royal colors no longer fly above Caer Callin. Instead Ardai's colors wave proudly in the wind. Above the closed castle gates there is new decoration - three dozen heads on spikes. Rumor sweeps across town, initially spread by those sympathetic to the attackers: Queen Tasaenae is dead and the rest of the royal family locked in the dungeons. The war is over. Count Cimeric Ardai has won.

The besieging army has rallied and mustered in the dark of the night. Now they are already arrayed for battle and advancing on Calrie. The Royal Army rush to the walls to stop them, but there is uncertainty and confusion. Soon it becomes known throughout the ranks that the spies have secured one of the city gates. Now that gate is firmly in the hands of the attackers. With the Caer in enemy hands and the city wall breached Calrie will fall.

Roesone's cavalry can do little. They harass the flank of the advancing army, but is forced to retreat. They are last seen riding for Dhoenel, but not before setting part of the besiegers' camp on fire.

WM 7: Begins

[DM B]

WM 7: The personal banner of Baron Tristan Bellamie is unfurled beneath the banner of Count Cimeric Ardai, indicating the presence of the Baron in Calrie.

The enemy host advances on the City of Calrie. Despite the fact that the enemy holds one gate (OOC: Result of espionage, reduces the effectiveness of the Calrie castle) and the Caer (a further reduction to castle level) the Royal Army and the temple of the ETN have no intention of giving up without a fight.

A citizen militia more or less spontaneously joins the defenders, making the attackers pay for every step with blood. The attackers eventually tire of this determined resistance and abandons all plans for lenient treatment of the city. The streets of Calrie run red.

[DM B]

On WM 7:

Roesonian contingent will retreat to Fairfield, awaiting further informations from Calrie.

[DM B]

The attackers as repulsed. Determined defense by elite ETN knights and Royal heavy infantry. Backed by both divine and arcane realm magic - healing and blessing on the divine side, confusion and paralysis on the arcane side. The attackers lack magic support and the elite heavy units needed to break through.

Losses among the defenders are light. Losses among the attackers are severe. Castle takes one level of damage.

WM 8 begins.

[DM B]

WM 8: The attackers launch another series of attacks. The defenders are unable to keep them all at bay. The city is overrun.

Losses among the attackers are heavy and inflicted on numerous units. Losses among defenders are nearly total. A few broken units feel aboard badly manned Navy vessels. Other ships are caught still at anchor and seized by the attackers. Castle takes one additional point of damage. Calrie drops one province level and there is widespread destruction of holdings.

Castle is now at lvl 4 and controlled by Bellamie.

[DM B]

WM 8: A large host enters Dhoenel. The army is led by Marquis Isilviere of Roesone. He immediately lays siege to the province and demands that the steward open his gates or forfeit his life and his master's lands!

A large cavalry force - at least 3000 strong - returns to Calrie, the very one that fought Ardai's host earlier, but reinforced with banners from Isiliviere and Noelon. Ardai's cavalry is surprised and routed.

The fleeing cavalry is cut down, almost to the last man by Warden archers!

Calrie isn't under siege per se - but Ardai's men can't move freely about outside the city walls either. How ironic!

[DM B]

WM 9 begins:

Roesone's cavalry in Calrie report a massive Osoerdan host beginning to cross the Berendor into Calrie. They are calling it at least 10.000 men, if not more.

This is also apparent to the men inside the city of Calrie - Osoerde is coming!

In Dhoenel the steward is distraught, but he doesn't open his gates. He's been given orders he says. Isilviere starts looting his countryside, pointing out that if he's promised to keep the land safe he's failing quite badly. These fact are known to the Roesonans - and those with agents or espionage actions in Dhoenel.

Isilviere also gets another report - another mighty host is approaching from the north. The Duke of Ghieste has sent a host to Calrie! Which side is it on!?

Said Ghiestan host is greatly hampered by the fact that it moves through a foreign land with active fortifications and garrisons all over. All supplies shave been moved to safe locations - there is very little forage to be had and they are out of supply from Ghieste. They must forage soon - or starve!

[X-Ghieste & HOT/GH (Matt)]

There are risks to every campaign it is true and Ser Silvistrie is well aware of that, but this is a horrible one. Knowing men might starve and not wishing to steal food if at all possible is a conundrum.

So messengers are sent forward to try to find the command and nobility of Roesone, while the army moves on forward, to see that the agreement made is supported and that they are allowed to pass with supply lines intact; that they are allied with the efforts of the Barony and that they are looking for the Realm's officers to report to. In the meantime he is glad that his Duke saw to supply him with a war chest to make what purchases he can to limit the exposures he has to make.

Money makes some things easier, but does not solve everything sadly. Some things require small, but necessary, evils.