Chapter 9
“Fighting Abroad”
11-11-2007 written by Ian Shirm
(Formerly Chapter 15a)
(15a/15b Deleted)
The next morning Dekari talked with Dorflum and together they drew up a blueprint for an expansion on the town with enough longhouses and cabins to house the 2000 refugees. Dorflum and his 1000 hill dwarves had been paid in advance by Marcus. The expansion called for the south of town growing with an expansion onto the wall. The regular southern wall would remain with the gate leading to a walled in residential district.
Two weeks passed and construction of the new residential district was going well. Construction of the wall had finished, save the addition of the residential district. The amount of trained labor as well as hired workers, were bringing the defensive objectives of the town to speedy conclusion.
The Western Minotaur, Blood Elf King and Jupiter
In a command tent on the western beaches near Mohawk the kings of the western invasion force sat and planned.
"King Fisik of the blood-elven kingdom of Gorwyn, King Tamar BoneThirst of Korosodo, King Noto Bloodrunner king of the Bloodrunner Clan, and King Firmin of the Gobtel Minotaur, Thank you for coming," The tall, broad shouldered King Jupiter of Redrock said.
"King Jupiter we have been been getting our fleets destroyed, ”King Noto said. “Our army is cut off and in enemy territory. I’ve been using my army to raid local towns and farms just to sustain a force here. If I leave all the decision making to you my men will die from starvation."
"You started this war Noto." Jupiter said. "You took ten colonies from Kulan, in the process making yourself rich with goods and slaves. A Fleet of my transports is being escorted here by a fleet of 100 Gorwyn warships."
"It is widely known that my Blood Elf navy is superior in speed to that of the Bronze Republic." We choose the place and time of any naval conflict." King Fisik said.
"I have found a teumporary hole in their defenses." King Jupiter of Redrock said "If we leave from the far south and then once were close we swing north we can land our ships far south of Mohawk and once a force is there we can start supply lines. I’ve already landed 50,000 men far south of Mohawk. They are under orders to fight their way to us and capture every harbor they find."
"Taking the ten Kulanian colonies has made me very wealthy. I would like to set up naval yards and funnel money into my Navy." Noto said. We can use the thousands of slaves we captured with the colonies. I would like to build hundreds of massive galleons, transports and a few flagships."
"I can have Blood Elven naval engineers sent to you. This war will not be over today. This war will not be over tomorrow. This is a war that involves the entire world and for us to keep power after we win we must not make any mistakes." King Fisik ala'Malas Sheretharal king of the Gorwyn blood-elves said.
"How long until we can launch an offensive against Mohawk herself?" King Tamar of the Korosodo minotaurs asked.
"Soon. I have 50,000 men in this camp and another 50,000 in a southern force that is fighting its way north." King Jupiter of the Redrock, human nation said. "As I was saying if we come from the south of Kulan and come up left of the Heathgoth continent with the city New Berlin, we can land forces and start an offensive on a much larger scale."
"Our alliance with Hell’goth and Hell'goths militarilization have drawn the seven city-states south of her to into an alliance of mutual protection. For now I suggest sending all our forces west from our homelands and amassing a force on friendly soil." King Fisik said.
"I'd be for that." Noto said. I cant afford to lose more forces to the bronze republics navy."
"As for me until the navy of the republic is delt with I would prefer to send my forces the other way around the world but as it stands we are cut off and desperately need to get this army moving," King Firmin of the Minotaur nation of Gobtel said."
"Lets march south. Lets strike Mohawk now. If we march away from Mohawk they can attack us at will. They would pick the place and the time. With an army of this strength only a few days travel south to Mohawk we might even meet up with Jupiters southern army. " Noto said.
A large bullman who had been guarding the entrance to the command tent stepped inside and said. "Noto theres a messenger here to see you."
"Send him in." Noto replyed
A tall minotaur messenger, standing near 7 and a half feet with long horns and bloodred skin stepped into the tent.
"Minotaur from the 10 colonies have arrived with an escort of 20 Gorwyn heavy warships." the messenger said
"Thank you. That will be all." Noto said.
With that the messenger turned and left the tent.
"I agree with Noto, we need to march to Mohawk now!" Tamar said in a deep voice characteristic of his (Minotaur) race.
"I’m for attacking as well." King Firmin of the Gobtel minotaurs said. "If we were on home soil I would say no rush, but were not we need to move and we need to move now. The longer we wait around the stronger they get."
"I’m for attacking as well. I'll send word for Blood Elven engineers to go to the newly acquired Bloodrunner territories and begin working on a navy for Noto.“ King Fisik said.
"That settles it then." King Jupiter said. We leave at Dawn and march on Mohawk."
(EDIT NOTES OUT OF STORY)
King Jupiter (Redrock)
King Fisik ala'Malas Sheretharal (Blood Elf) Gorwyn (Fighter-Thief)
King Tamar Bonethirst (Minotaur) (King of Korosodo)
King Noto Bloodrunner (Minotaur King of Bloodrunner Clan)
King Firmin Ryynim (Gobtel) (Cleric[Victor]/Herbalist) (King of Gobtel)
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King Charlemagne Varius (Auchter)
King Marcus Ironfist (Del‘Goth)
King Dominus Severus (Heath‘Goth)
King Orlum Syrkyst (Palaxis)
King Michael Severus (Bronze Republic)
King Dryden Cordeth Fisthir (Qualistay)
King Artemis Catulus (Killstow)
In the Palace of Auchter, Charlemagne Varius, Marcus Ironfist, Dominus Severus, Orlum Syrkyst, King of Palaxis, Michael Severus, King Dryden of Qualistay, and Artemis Catulus, King of Killstow met.
“Thank you all for coming,” Charlemagne Varius said. “The western powers have taken Kulan’s colonies near the Blood sea. An aspiring Noto Blood-runner, king of a Minotaur Clan, has joined forces with two Minotaur kingdoms, The Gorwyn Blood Elves, and the nation of Redrock.” If the invasion force, which is close to Mohawk, succeeds in their conquest of Kulan the enemy forces will come for our nations next.”
“The farther away this war is the better,” Marcus said. “In the west there are neutral nations which could be won over to our side and we could bring the fight to their doorstep. The Kullaxis Hill Dwarves, and the Crimson Elves to their south would be opportune allies.”
“Our fleets would be attacked,” Michael Severus said. “ If we went west, we would have to pass Redrock, Gorwyn, Gobtel and the two islands that fell to Noto Blood-Runner. If we went east, we would have to pass Korosodo, it would be a safer route, but would take much longer to get there.”
“I’m of the opinion that the best defense is a good offense,” Dominus said. “What if we gathered a fleet the likes of which man has never seen. A naval campaign of thousands of longboats, transports as well as warships. If we had one army attack the force at Mohawk and sent another by sea to the lost Kulan colonies, we could retake the two islands for the alliance and launch naval and deployment operations from them, as well as liberate the colonials.”
“There is the problem of Hell’goth,” Charlemagne said. “They have allied with the western invaders and are building their war-machine. They will most likely attack the east cost and attempt conquest of the city states therein.”
“I’m of the same opinion,” King Artemis Catulus of Killstow said. “I have formed an alliance with the 5 other city states and we have formed a 6 city army, just south of Hell’goth. The Barbarians from Hell’Goth will come south and face the phalanx. I would like to keep my army home and not in the west as I forsee invasion of my own lands.”
“If we strike Hell’goth first we could take them out of the war and they would remain a subservient state until the end of the war. They would be given terms and penalized heavily,” Dominus said.
“I would like to put a plan of action before this council,” Charlemagne of Auchter said. “Del’goth, Qualistay, and the Bronze Republic march on the army near Mohawk, with help from Titus, Emperor of Kulan. Heath’goth, Palaxis and the 6 city-states of the south attack Hellgoth and keep them from aiding the enemy. The first step being to secure our own continent. The second step, if victorious, would be to send an enormous fleet west to land on the two Islands and conduct military operations in the west from there. If the Kullaxis Hill Dwarves of the west and their Crimson elven neighbors were brought into the war on our side they could assist us with supplies, soldiers and naval assistance. Do any of you object to this plan of action?” Charlemagne asked.
After a pause Marcus spoke. “Though none in this room want to go to war think of the fate that befell Kulans colonies in the west. If Kulan falls, the foreign military presence on our continent could be too strong for us to cope with. My two Grandsons, Dekari and Aiken are in their hometown of Greendale, near Mohawk. They have been fighting goblins which the invader has used for fodder in their campaign of the west-coast. King Dryden of Qualistay and my brothers son, Michael, march your armies to Greendale and from there we will defend western Kulan. We need to protect Mohawk, and we will do so with Kulan Legions, Del‘goth Infantry, Qualistay Archers and Republican Phalanx.”
“Dominus, Brother and King of Heath’goth, Orlum, Hill Dwarven king of Palaxis, Charlemagne said. “I would like the Heath’goth and Palaxis forces to meet here, in Auchter. Once both arrive we can launch a campaign against Hell’goth. Heath’Goth, Auchter and Palaxis will attack western Hell’Goth while the 6 city-states south of Hell’goth will cross the river and attack from the south. Artemis, are you confident that Killbridge, Kirkbridge, Arkalon, Portstock and Rathcester will follow you in an invasion of southern Hell’goth?”
“Yes.” Artemis said.
“Heath’gothian and Auchterian infantry assisted with Palaxis heavy infantry should attack western hell’goth then swing south to combine forces with the six-city-army from the south.”
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Mid Summer, 3255, Year of the lamb
Two months later Dekari, Aiken, Kane, Dredskif and Draven stood upon the thick wooden city-wall surrounding Greendale. Over the last two months, the garrison of 1000 Avengers, 1000 Crimson Elves, 1000 Dwarves and a 2000 man strong militia protected the surrounding area with several skirmishes against goblin tribes led by Blood Elves. A tactic of the invader being to lead goblins, and use them as cheap expendable infantry. Most of the towns near Greendale had abandoned their villages, hearing of sanctuary at Greendale. Dorlum had extended the southern wall of the town even further, as well as the eastern wall, and the town was being transformed into a small city. Over 5000 refugees came to Greendale, as one by one the surrounding towns were subjugated under foreign rule. Goblins first being used, then small forces of King Fisik ala'Malas Sheretharal, a Blood Elf from Gorwyn would take each town one by one. In honor of the Ironfist brothers labors, Dekari was promoted to Governor of the small territory and Aiken was hired on as Sheriff, and captain of the Militia, replacing Henry.
The Del’goth, Qualistay and Bronze Republican forces came through Greendale, and were supplied with arrows, rations and supplies. Dekari had put emphasis on production in Greendale so when the allied armies came through they could be supplied. With the boost in population also came more skilled craftsmen.
The Invading army near Mohawk had taken the city against only Kulan Legion defenders, Help from Del’goth, Qualistay and the Bronze Republic, coming too late. The Three allied nations armies came back to Greendale several days later, their forces drastically diminished.
“Its hard to imagine the battle that left a force of this magnitude in such shape,” Dekari said.
“Minotaur are fierce fighters and should never be underestimated,” Dredskif said.
“The General from Qualistay said that once the invader started to loose they began killing every person in Mohawk, then proceeded to burn the city,“ Kane said. “They reported defeating the enemy on the field of battle but victory in the plains of Kulan came at a horrible cost.”
“Before us lies Delgoth medium infantry, Kulan legionnaires, Qualistay archer-infantry, and phalanx from the republic,” Aiken said. “They have won the battle for Mohawk and driven back the invaders but the enemy has not pulled out of the area. Harbors and small fishing villages are still under Noto’s flag.”
“I spoke with the 4 generals and they will remain in Greendale until they receive re-enforcements. For now we need to feed them and see to their wounded.” Dekari said.
“I have sent messengers to the surrounding towns that haven’t fallen. Monks will be trickling into the city to help with healing the wounded,” Draven said.
“How many men do you think that is?” Aiken asked anyone who was listening.
“I’d guess near 25,000, between the four combined forces,” Dekari said. “When it came through here towards Mohawk it was near 200,000.”
Moments later the five men saw a rider coming from the north. Kane looked through his spyglass.
“Looks like a Del’goth scout,” Kane said.
They watched the rider enter the city. Soon-after he gave his horse to a stable worker and climbed the steps to the walkway of the wall where Dekari stood.
“Greetings Master Ironfist,” the scout said to Dekari. “Del’Goth Avengers and medium-infantry are on their way. I would expect them within the hour.”
“Thank you,” Dekari said. “How many?”
“Near 2000 are coming to re-enforce the Del’goth army stationed here.
“Soldier,” Dekari said to a man of the militia who was standing upon the wall, working his shift.
“Sir?” the soldier said.
“Go to the taverns in town and tell them to prepare for a festival,“ Dekari said. “Tonight I wish to host a festival to Victor, god of war. Tell them to set up tables in the center of town for a banquet and tap kegs of ale.”
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On the eastern side of the Continent, Charlemagne’s Auchter army, Dominus’s Heath’Goth Army and Palaxis’s Dwarven army crossed the river and marched into western Hellgoth meeting with no resistance. The army of the 6 city states crossed the river north and attacked the Hell’goth, Korosodo minotaur, and Malaxis dwarven force there. The southern side chose a large flat field and used their phalanx effectively against the three northern armies, attempting to strike first to have the advantage. During the third day of fighting they were joined by Palaxis battle-dwarves and battle-clerics, Heath’Goth medium infantry and heavy-infantry from Auchter.
Both sides took heavy losses over the last three weeks of fighting, resulting in the Minotaur and Mt. Dwarven armies falling back to the sea, their fleet heading back east. Hell’goth standing alone in the conflict against armies from 2 nations and 7 city-states fell with a peaceful surrender. Dominus executed the entire royal family from the Attila bloodline and put Drak’hul Hell’goth Raven in power, under agreement that Hell’goth would be de-militarized and its army disbanded, save local militia.
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With the war in Hell’goth and the threat to the south-eastern city states gone, it looked as if the war for Kulan would continue. Titus Paprius Damaticus, Emperor of Kulan attended a metting in Aucter with Charlemagne Varius, king of the city-state, Marcus Ironfist of Del’goth, Michael Severus of the Republic, Orlum of Palaxis, Dryden of Qualistay and Dominus Severus of Heath‘Goth.
“Thank you all for coming,” Charlemagne said. “This meeting has been requested by Emperor Titus Damaticus of Kulan.”
“One of my generals, Trajan Scorpio, has defected from the Empire and with 7 other generals he has blamed the loss of land and life upon my leadership,” Emperor Titus said. Trajan has split my empire into two lands. Trajan rules the north and I rule Kular, the capital, and everything south. There could be Civil war in my land and my southern force of 6 legions will no-doubt fall in war against the Minotaur and the powers from the west without the legions from the north. I ask a favor. Marcus, Dominus, and Charlemagne. You are all sons of Draxis as am I. I would like your armies to come to my ½ of Kulan and protect the new, smaller nation against Northern Kulan and against the Western Powers. The Invader still has some strength in Kulan. They hold several harbors and small fishing villages.”
“I will help,” Dominus said.
“As will I,” Marcus said. “Dominus’s and my own armies should travel together as Northern Kulan is yet to be seen as a nation friendly to the barbarian clans.”
“I agree,” Dominus said. “I’ll be keeping a presence in Hell’Goth as well as the motherland, I’ll send what I can spare through Northern Kulan with Marcus’s force.”
“I have known you a long time,” Dryden King of Qualistay said. “I will send my Crimson Elven Archer-Infantry to Greendale. Marcus’s two grandsons, Dekari, and Aiken are doing exceptional with organizing supply lines to the allied forces from there. My son is with them, Kane, Heir to the throne of Qualistay, though made an outcast for past discretions.”
“Dominus’s and my armies will march to Greendale,” Marcus said. “From there we will keep Southern Kulan under Titus’s control and keep it safe from invasion.”
“I don’t know Trajan, he might be reluctant to let us march through his new lands,” Dominus said.
“We’ll take his small nation from him if he gives us any trouble,” Marcus said.
“All the same, I’m raising a larger army in anticipation of any unforeseen problems.”
“I’ll do the same.” Marcus said.
King Charlemagne Varius (Auchter)
King Marcus Ironfist (Del‘Goth)
King Dominus Severus (Heath‘Goth)
King Orlum Syrkyst (Palaxis)
King Michael Severus (Bronze Republic)
King Dryden Cordeth Fisthir (Qualistay)
Emperor Titus Damaticus (Southern Kulan)
Emperor Trajan Scorpio (Northern Kulan)
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