Events in the breakup of Darokin
by Michael BerrySelenica... the first brick removed in the collapse of Darokin...
Act 1. Playing with Fire...
Winter 1020 - Thanks for choosing Orclands, how we may serve you?
Location: Xorg, Orclands
A mysterious visitor meets with Gen. Tlatepetl. After a day spent in private meetings. Tlatepetl calls a meeting of his senior lieutenants. After which envoys are sent from Xorg to points south. Several weeks later major chieftains of goblin and orc tribes of the Altan Tepes and Black Mountain ranges arrive in Xorg. The mysterious visitor arrives again on a prearranged day, cloaked but speaking the Orc and Goblin and puts forth a proposal. After a couple of days to deliberate they meet the visitor again and accept his proposal and return home.
What this means: A plot by Thyatis to weaken it's primary economic rival, Darokin by uniting the humanoids under the leadership of Tlatepetl and striking Darokin. Offering sensitive information on Darokinian troop deployments and maps of the region made by Thyatian merchants and spies, the visitor suggests the time is right for the humanoids to move out of the mountains and create a true humanoid nation. The visitor hints of military aid, and recognition of the nation if they succeed in the goals laid out to them. The chiefs of the mountain humanoids are promised high positions in the new humanoid nation if they join, and after some deliberation they accept and head home to rally their forces, and those lesser tribes in their areas.
Spring 1020 Would you like your villagers rare, or well done?
Location: village of Reedle, Darokin
The citizens of Reedle wake up one fine spring morning to find a army of several thousand humanoids outside the village walls. Dispatchers are hurriedly sent to the north to Selenica before the village is completely surrounded to warn the Second Army and request help. The route south to Karameikos is blocked and any sent south to warn and request aid from the Duke's Keep are captured. Traps and ambushes are set for caravans and groups moving up from the south. Orders are given by a Lieutenant of Tlatepetl who is accompanied by a cloaked stranger speaking the humanoids tongue. After the messengers have left to the north the village is fully invested. Later in the day a probing attack begins on the village from all directions, they are easily repulsed until disaster hits and suddenly a 20' ft section of the village's wall literally disintegrates and the humanoids pour in through the gap. The village is soon captured and ransacked. The humanoid commander, an Orc named Stinkfoot orders a day of 'celebration' then the force is to be on the move. Skirmishers are sent north on the road to Selenica.
What this means: The mountain humanoids were able to rally their forces and under direction of an Lieutenant of Tlatepetl and sack the village of Reedle, with the timely assistance of a disguised Thyatian mage... but this was only the first move of the game.
Spring 1020 No Shirt, No shoes, Horns and Tusks?... No Dice
Location: Selenica, and Ft Hobart Darokin.
Messengers arrive from Reddle telling of the massing of humanoid forces and the dire straights of the village. Orders are sent out for three legions of the 2nd Army to depart immediately for Reedle from Ft. Hobart, the VII, IX, and X legions. The VIII, and XXV to remain behind at Ft Hobart. Word is sent immediately to Darokin City through instantaneous means requesting several legions from the 1st army to help suppress this humanoid threat. One is sent from Ft. Cruth and from Darokin City, two of the 1st armies three legions stationed at Ft. Nell are recalled to Darokin City.
Spring 1020 Saturated Fats or Trans Fatty Acids
Location: Eastern Darokin
as the 3 legions of the 2nd Army reach Selenica they receive orders to halt on their way to Reedle and the legion commanders are called to immediately meet with the Novash of the 2nd army. Scouts operating the north of Ft. Hobart have reported a massive force of humanoids, moving quickly toward Ft. Hobart. Reports and scouts also tell of forces moving up the road from Reedle to the south. Heavy skirmishers mask the size of the southern force but going on estimates from those that made it out of Reedle that force is at least several thousand strong. New orders are issued by the Novash. All outlying villages and homesteads should retire behind Selenica's wall, caravans are to turn back and stay away from eastern Darokin. The 2nd Army is to hold Selenica until reinforcements from the rest of Darokin arrive. The force presently at Ft. Hobart will fight a delaying action then withdraw to Selenica. Preparations are made for a siege. More messages are sent to Darokin City explaining the threat the area is under.
Spring 1020 Always flame-boiled ..never fried
Location: Eastern Darokin
The twin pincers of the Humanoid attack make their moves and the full scope of the Humanoid threat is revealed. First to the north, the Humanoid army arrives before Ft. Hobart and the full extent of the Humanoid mobilization is revealed with the light of a new day. From the top of Ft. Hobart 10 separate divisions, estimated to be around 2,000 warriors each are counted. Messengers are sent immediately back to Selenica. General Tlatepetl wastes no time and sends forward his troops, led by the trolls of C'Kag. The two legions put up a spirited defense inflicting casualties on the attackers but are forced to give up the Palisades and being a withdraw to the south. General Tlatepetl orders his troops to follow them closely and soon the withdraw turns into a rout as the mobile air-force of skinwing mounted Orcs is deployed. Fewer than half of the men of the two legions left to defend Ft. Hobart will make it back to Selenica.
To the south, Stinkfoot has left a garrison of roughly 500 orcs and goblins to watch the pass from Karameikos and to raid the surrounding area for supplies and deployed his thousands of troops to the south and east of Selenica. To raid until Tlatepetl arrives from the north.
Once Tlatepetl arrives his sends a force of 3 divisions to the west down the Darokin road and invests the city of Selenica with a now combined force of roughly 15,000 humanoids.
Spring 1020 I didn't order this...I want my money back!!!
Location: Darokin City
In an emergency meeting of the Western Defense League. Darokin explains the mass humanoid attack and requests aid. The Halflings immediately agree, the Dwarves (don't recall if they are back in the WDL at this point) say their forces are spread too thin but will send any volunteer units that might be raised. Karameikos is too wrapped up in it's civil war and cannot participate. Separate talks with the ambassadors of Forest and Shadow Elves. The representative of each says that they must speak of this to their respective leaders and they will decide on a course of action together.
Once word of the extent of humanoid numbers is revealed. The entire 3rd Army is ordered to march toward Selenica, along with the previously sent element of the 1st army. Units from the 5th army are redeployed to the north to cover for the 3rd Army. The Halfling army will meet the Darokinian army at Fort Cruth before proceeding to lift the siege of Selenica.
Spring 1020 One crispy Whooper for you.. hold the fries
A week has passed since the fall of Ft. Hobart. The humanoids have been living and eating better than any orc has in generations off of the wealth of Darokin. Probing assaults are sent against Selenica daily. To the west the 3 Humanoid division make first contact with the relief forces of Darokin. The III and XXI legions of the 1st Army have been advancing slowly down the road between Darokin City and Selenica. The two forces meet east of Nemiston and the severely outnumbered legions fight well but are unable to counter the mobile flanking assaults of the disciplined and well-trained humanoids. They attempt to make a stand at Nemiston but again are outflanked and had to retire leaving the town, though most residents had evacuated to the west. The humanoids halt in Nemiston and begin to prepare defences for the inevitable Darokinian response.
end of Act !.
Act II Were your eyes too big for your stomach.
Spring 1020 Revenge is a dish, best served raw haha
Location: Thyatis City, Thyatis
In one of the luxurious villas up Emperor's Hill a party is being held. Full of people, young people, old people. Merchants, military officers, government bureaucrats. Men and woman of all types. A richly dressed man stands off by himself and watches the debauchery with a grin on his face.
Life is good for the VERY rich and powerful in Thyatis. This is his party, his villa, and these people are his guests.
His mind drifts back in time. Back past that fateful meeting three months ago in the private dining room of the cities most exclusive Inn.. the Sword of the Emperor. All the way to his youth, where many would be surprised to know that he was not born into wealth and power but the son of a farmer whose talents lay with the sword, not negotiating prices on commodities. Long ago, almost 40 years ago, he was a swordsman for hire and caravan routes were where he learned his trade. A good life he led, till his outspoken manner led him to run afoul of a merchant whom he had seen using magic to charm another merchant. When he pressed the merchant on what he saw, things got heated and words were said and he learned the hard way that he had crossed the wrong person. He was accused of stealing from the wares of a caravan he was paid to protect by none other than a young Corwyn Mauntea. Heir to one of the richest families, if not THE richest family in all of Darokin. He was exiled with warning never to return to Darokin or he would never see the light of day again from the dungeon he would be thrown into. Well he changed his name, found his fortune in Thyatis and now was living the life of riches and luxury. His thoughts were interrupted by a stunning redhead in the uniform of an officer of Kerendan Calvary smiling at him. Yes life is good..
but revenge is even sweater...
what this means? - it is good to be rich enough to be so bad haha
Spring 1020 You say Tomato...I say Tomatoe. I am woman...you are man. I am right...and you are wrong
Location: in the forests of Aengmor/Alfheim
After being briefed by their ambassadors to Darokin, the leaders of the two factions of elves meet to discuss what is to be done in regards to Darokin's request for military support in it's war with the humanoids. The meeting starts of pleasantly, reflecting the good working relationship King Doriath, and Princess Tanadaleyo have enjoyed over the last year. Things quickly break down though when Doriath makes clear he thinks that they should march to Darokin's aid. Tanadaleyo believes their fight is against Atzanteotl not fighting for fat merchants, no matter who they fight against. She rages on.. this becomes a problem of ours if they dare enter our borders. She tells Doriath that their troops should be at the ready.. but what kind of leaders would they be if the war came to them.. and their troops were off fighting in Darokin. Doriath.. sort of brow beaten by the infuriated Princess tells her that her words have wisdom and he will notify their ambassador to tell Darokin that the Elves have to look to their own defense first, but will help in any way they can. The Darokinians are disappointed but feel their forces plus the halflings should push the humanoids back to where they came from without too much trouble.
What this means? - the elves are staying out the conflict for now. Believing Darokin will throw the humanoids back where they came from.
Spring 1020 Would you like to supersize that combo sir?
Location: Fort Cruth, Darokin
The legions of the 3rd Army make it to Fort Cruth today, meeting the 1st Army and the Halfling expeditionary army. Combined they make a lethal force of nearly 20,000 experienced troops and after a day to rest and resupply they will soon be on the road to Selenica. Roughly a week's journey down the main road. Two skyships, The Happy Faenare and the Nephele have been taken from Glantrian trade missions to drop supplies off and proceed to Selenica to resupply the troops, deliver some mages to help with defense of the city and finally for the ships to do an aerial reconnaissance and to report back to the supreme commander of the expedition when the force reaches Nemiston. They leave for Selenica the day before the troops head off.
What this means? - Darokin has mobilized it's relief effort for Selenica and is on the way.
Spring 1020 Don't nuke that baby.. throw it in on the grill and light a fire under it.
Location: Selenica
Things have been getting rough in Selenica over the last week.. the probing attacks are getting stronger and stores of food are beginning to run short with some 40,000 people in the city plus another 5,000 troops. Many able bodied men have been impressed into service on the city walls and gates but the strain and fatigue is beginning to show. Word that relief forces are soon to arrive helps raise morale but nothing raises morale more than seeing two skyships come in from the west bearing supplies as promised. The guards on the walls raise their pikes and shout insults down to the humanoids in salute on the impending resupply. As the ships circle around to make a landing, terror comes swiftly and silently from above in the form of a massive Red Dragon and several smaller red dragons. The airships are caught by surprise and are knocking out of the air quickly when their hot air balloons are burst. Both ships fell several hundred feet and landed behind humanoid lines. Few of the crew survived the fall and those that were probably wished they had as they were taken by the humanoids. The cheers of the city turned to silence then screams as the dragons dart in and attack clearing a section of the wall and breathed great blasts of flame into the city and down each section of the wall before flying away in a hail of arrows. Several hundred of the 2nd Armies finest lost their lives in an instant flash of fire. The dragons circle the city a few times before perching on a hill to the east of the city.. where the defenders see orcs bringing the dragons chest filled with gold and gems taken from home and caravans captured...and prisoners taken as a snack for the overexerted and hungry dragons.
What this means - the humanoids have been getting rich off the spoils of Darokin.. and with those spoils they could afford a ringer or two. Khordarg and his retinue of bound female reds.
Spring 1020 Dessert is served..
Location: Selenica, Darokin
Weary after two days of fighting fires in city thanks to hit and run raids by the dragons. Night comes on the second day after the airships went down and dragons appeared. The night air around the city sounds like the sound of hundreds of horns and Tlatepetl's forces begin a major night time assault on the city. The dragons swoop down and assault a section of the NW quarter of the city. One of the smaller red's is killed but a 30' section of the wall is cleared in advance of the humanoids assault and they scale the walls and being moving steadily to clear the walls to either side of the Dragons. By morning 7,000 humanoids led by their elite Troll assault regiment have penetrated the city. Taking no quarter and asking for none the carnage is on a vast scale. With the morning light Tlatepetl begins a major assault on the west gate of the city and after several hours and with help from those already in the city it is broken and thousands more humanoids flow into the city. The city is now doomed but continues to fight for another day. Organised resistance has ended but knowing the fate that awaits them and that help is on the way the soldiers and civilians fight on.. often to the last man. Tlatepetl takes heavy casualties finally by the end of the day has taken the city. However the mass slaughter expected by the all does not happen. After the city is captured, some pillaging of wealth and food does occur of course but the disciplined humanoids do not slaughter the citizens of Selenica that lived through the fighting. They are told assemble in the cities main square at the next morning but no harm would come to them. The next morning before the assembled population of Selenica General Tlatepetl introduces himself and says that he is not in the business of slaughter and that the population is guarantied safe passage from the city. They will be escorted to Nemiston with his forces. He tells them to the time to leave is now. their possessions will taken in exchange for their lives. Within the hour a long procession of humans leaves the city heading to the east with an 'escort' of 500 mounted goblins. The city of Selenica is renamed Tlatepetl .. capital of the new Orc Kingdom of Huitzilihuitl. A garrison force is left to loot all wealth and organise supplies from the city and rest of the army marches rapidly to the west towards Nemiston along with their guests.
What this means? - General Tlatepetl has won a great victory for the humanoids. The first major human city to fall to humanoids in many years but that was the easy part and he knows it. Now he has to hold on to it. Casualties on both sides were horrid. On the Darokin side.. the 2nd army simply died in the fighting for Selenica, some 6000 men of the 2nd Army including it's commander died to defend the city. Selenica a city before the battle of nearly 40,000 suffered many civilian casualties in the firestorms that raged during the siege and from those caught in the final fighting and of course those that were helping the vastly outnumbered 2nd Army defend the city. Estimates among the Orc High Command estimate civilian dead around 30 to 40%. Orcish losses were severe as well. Of the roughly 20,000 humanoids Tlatepetl brought down from the Orclands he lost half of those. Of the mountains clans led by Stinkfoot, killed in action at the last stand of the remnants of the 2nd Army. Causalities were a bit less. Only 20% of the original force of 5000 was lost. Leaving Tlatepetl with a force of 6000 humanoids in Nemiston and 8000 in Selenica from his original force. Reinforcements are coming in daily though from the mountains of the area as word of this great leader and his exploits gets out. Since the battle came another 2000 humanoids have come from the Rockhome mountains leaving Tlatepetl with a force of roughly 16000. Now for Tlatepetl comes the hard part...consolidating his gains. He has gained enough loot to last a lifetime but what he wants is a nation. Not to merely raid.. but rule. In that.. he has a bit of a surprise lined up for the approaching Darokin forces.
years of financial wreckage.. and having to maintain and pay for the expanded army on top of the sharp decline in trade due to loss of trading partners, closing of trade routes.. finally catches up with Darokin. They lose eastern Darokin to the humanoids who (with covert Thyatian support) defeat the Darokineans/Halflings and consolidate their gains.. the Chancellor of Darokin pays with his head.. and the chaos there only accelerates afterward and Darokin fully fragments within 5 years... The Shires take up some of Darokin.. Glantri.. and even Sind..