AFTERMATH II

Through the aid of PRIME, the Empire has discovered that Cynogorax is responsible for the sowing the discord between the Empire & Elvandar.   The Elven Supremacist has also been defeated and slunk back into the shadows.   Duchess Maryanne seemingly satisfied that the Princess sent PRIME to help her resolve the border issues with the elves, agrees to side with the Loyalist. 

Upon receiving such news from the Princess, General Orlandeu then orders the 1st Battalion that was assigned to protect the Princess to move towards Foothills of Dundred to reinforce his position.

In the North, the Corawynians feinted an attack at the Blood Marshes using a diversionary force lead by Baroness Dominique D'Lavelier.  With a combination of magic and military tactics, they managed to trick the Empire into thinking they had more numbers.   Thus delaying Empire plan to go on the counteroffensive.  

After the arrival of 1st Battalion, Admiral Krassus and General Orlandeu led a two prong assault on the Corawynian position and found that several of the vessels on the Rhun Sea were illusions created by Corawynian Damsels.  The rest were empty ships or ships crewed by criminals sentenced to death.

The Empire overwhelmed the Corawynians but Baroness Dominique put up a valiant battle prolonging the fight longer than expected.   The Baroness was eventually captured.  But before the 1st Battalion could arrive, they were ambushed by a company of Corawynian forces that marched in from the bogs.

It turns out that the bulk of Corawynian forces has pushed into Tradesmouth and engaged in battle with Marquis Victor Calanhold.   Despite his valiant defenses, he is grievously wounded and had to retreat from battle.   Without his leadership the City eventually fell and was captured by Corawynians.

Lord Commander Telrae leading his Gryphon Legion arrived at Stromfort and is preparing to march towards the Corawynians.

 

In East March, the Brosengar erupts into an open civil war.   Duke Tobias lends his aid towards those Brosengar nobles loyal to the Empire.   General Steven Shepard leads his 4th Division to aid the Grand Duke.

In the West, King Robert splits his army into two.  One army marching into Merryton to coerce Grand Mayor Talfie Puffbutters to join the Freelander Coalition.   The other army marching into the Empire.

In the South, Duchess Maryanne begin talks with the nobles within the Reformist to aid Princess Josephine.

 

AFTERMATH

Following the events on the attempted assassination of Crown Prince Eramon.   The Empire has descended into chaos.   The assassination marks the fact that the laws of the electorate count are no longer being followed or observed by some of the most influential nobles.   Some suspect the nobles of foul play to seize the throne, other suspect foreign power is at work here.    None can say for certain but what is certain is that the blame is being shifted around the Imperial Court. 

When the Crown Prince himself declares that is safe under the protection of his Sister, Princess Josephine.  Some nobles are quick to point out the Corawyn's involvement given that Princess Josephine is married to Duke Lanelin of Montsillion from Corawyn.  Furthermore, his less than impressive performance in the Imperial Court meant that many of the nobles have lost faith in him.

This is particularly true for Lord Commander Telrae, who felt that the Crown Prince failed to protect his sister who was betrothed to the Crown Prince.  

Within a month the lines of division are much clearer, the Empire has been split into various factions.

The Royalist lead by Grand Duke Archibald are engaged in a bitter civil war with the Traditionalist lead by Arch Prince Frederick.

The Reformist lead by Duchess Maryanne & Marquis Victor form a faction of their own, distrustful of rest of the faction.  They are focus on holding onto their own territory and have reached out to House Vedwyr as well as House Eastford for an alliance.   

To make matters worst, the Salderian Empire is hit by external factions as well.  Militant elves in the south has struck at the Empire, when Duchess Maryanne's lover & son was killed while responding to their attack.  She vowed to stop at nothing to seek justice for the death of her loved ones.

Due to the Chaos within the Empire and Princess Josephine declared as one of the contenders.   Her husband Duke Lanelin has marshalled the some Corawynian nobles and are sailing across the Rhun Sea claiming to aid Princess Josephine in rooting out dissidents and traitors to the Empire.  

Given the rivalry between the two nations this was not well received.  The Duke's move is seen as an invasion and General Orlandeu immediately mobilizes his forces and is working with Admiral Crassus Seacrest to stop the Corawyns from crossing the Rhun Sea.    

In the Northern part of Salderia.   The Corawynians have landed at the Blood Marshes and are engaged in battle with the Empire.  The Empire is determined to teach the Corawynians another lesson they will never forget.

In the South, House Weyland are being lead by Duchess Maryanne to punish the elves for their transgressions.   

In Central Salderia, forces loyal to the Grand Duke & Arch Prince fight each on the open plains and farms.   Lothelmar currently are now firmly in the hands of the Grand Duke and fighting in the streets are fierce.

In the Eastern Front, Duke Tobias are dealing with Brosengar civil war.    Trying to ensure he maintains neutrality despite calls from the Brosengar to pull him to either side.

In the West, Empire Scouts report that a growing military presence around the City of Clydehill but they have not marched onto the Empire.   Perhaps PRIME's attempt at diplomacy might have worked....

 

Nara's Gambit

Jonathan Moores felt he was lied to, when he first entered the City he could feel that he and his men were not welcome and he was hesitant to enter the City proper.   But the mercenaries who rescued him told him to come here and he has the reassurances from a Tiefling named Rillion and the Baron.

Now his men are encircled by the Freelanders and forced into the City's markets.   It was plain to all that the Freelander soldiers plan to execute the Salderians to demonstrate their strength & defiance to the Empire.   Of the Tiefling and the Baron, there were nowhere to be seen.   He had hope that he could retake Clydehill in the name of the Crown Prince & his father.    If he succeed, he might have impressed Lady Cara.    He pushed these thoughts out of his head and drew his weapon.   It will be a cold day in hell before he will let the Freelander's take him alive.

Rillion returned to the Guild Halls where the rest of the warband is and informed them.   In the dining halls, the party discussed....   Daniel shouted out, "We have to do something!"

Trisha nodded, "Yes, we do, we leave now".    Daniel looked at Trisha incredulously.   Trisha simply shrugged, "Not our fight Daniel, the nobles gotten themselves into this mess, many more commoners are going to end up dead if they don't wise up.  So I say, let a few stupid nobles die.  The commoners will sleep better at night, who is with me?".

Natasha & Gibbet raises their hands.   Magda turns towards the two of them and shakes her head.   Gibbet shrugs, "I meant the part about leaving here".

Rillion leans in closer to Trisha and whispers "Did you just say something about sleeping better at night?" and winks.   Nara stood up and tells the rest.  "No, we stay.  We stay until Azool and the rest returns."   "And if our cover gets blown?" quizzed Magda.   Nara turns and smiles at Magda.

 The Freelanders encircled the warband.   Each soldier hesitant to make the next move after witnessing what the warband is capable of.  Their compatriots wounded and bloodied.  And their Earl at the mercy of a fierce looking woman in a fur cloak.   As Nara stepped forward and the Freelanders made way for her to past.

She grunted and with great effort made her way to raised platform and addressed the Freelanders.  You are a proud people, fierce and independent.  We are very much alike.   But tell me, how much are all these worth when the Undead Warhost is upon us?   Where is your pride when your loved ones turn into an undead and you are forced to put them down?  Where is your freedom when you are raised as a living dead, cursed to serve them for all eternity?

Your enemy are untiring and relentless.   They will not stop until you are no more.   The only way we can survive the ordeal is to work together.   Free the Salderian noble and his men so that he can aid in the defense of this City.   Let us help you, you seen what we are capable of.   Even as we speak now, our husbands and companions are on the way to stop Varlen and put an end to this madness.


As emissaries from the Empire, we are here to demonstrate that the Empire is ready to make amends to the Freelanders.   We do not seek to ruler over you, you are already in good hands of your Baron.
We ask only that you give peace a chance.

Then she pauses....
Or we can continue this senseless battle and the only ones that will benefit most from it are the undead warhost.     If you do not care for your lives, then think of your loved ones.   Is this worth it?

 Daniel turned to Magda.  Did you think that worked?  Magda shrugged.   We will soon find out young Daniel.   Magda gave some hand signals.   On the battlements, Natasha, Talia and Mac-Creedy continue to scan the crowd for signs of danger.   Gibbet lets go of his concentration and the Freelander soldiers collapsed on the ground, gasping for air.

Nara maintained her composure for as long as she could until she reached the Guild Halls.   There she collapsed on the ground.   She awoke hours later with Frinn by her side.   Frinn glared at her, promise me that you will never do that again.