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PostPosted: February 13th, 2017, 3:21 am 
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Östlond Seizure of Wiccaweald and other Territorial changes - Spring 546 A.I.

In the spring of 546, after a brutally cold winter, the troops of Östlond and the Imperial Forces marched on Wiccaweald, southern Acholm Farthing, Merscafen, Tunindæl, and Haligstrom. Fierce resistance was felt in Frithengestshire, in particular as they approached Haligstrom. Wiccaweald was taken with no resistance, as well as Merscafen. Small conflicts occurred the closer they traveled to Acholm. Ealdorman Cerdic ordered his troops to begin to set up fortifications around Acholm to prevent smugglers and spies from reaching the town.

In the north, Gelderlondish forces marched through Lecganford Farthing on their way to Skovgaard, hoping to re-take the town in the summer.

In the Östsee, several islands occupied by the Halig Frecan were liberated.

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PostPosted: February 14th, 2017, 9:58 am 
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The Siege of Acholm - Summer 546 A.I.

Acholm - jewel of the Östron realms, economic powerhouse of the east, and the Mercurian Empire’s largest town - that is, until its fanatical overlord declared his withdrawal from the Empire. Home to over 120,000 people, it held great economic, military, religious, and political sway. That many people also means great diversity: The fishermen in the north, farmers of the south, miners of Grestanhlith, traders of the western docks, and the religious elite across the river. The war had never had unanimous support, and neither did Mark’s religious rule. Minor revolts, acts of vandalism, and acts of violence between various groups boiled over into a full rebellion as the forces of Östlond marched on the town in 546 A.I.

The Halig Frecan had taken numerous losses over the past 2 years of war. The rebellions of various militias (most notably Grestanhlith) lead to a tremendous reduction in soldiers as well. With the economy and treasury of Östlæd in ruins, the professional soldiers of the Halig Frecan were abandoning the ranks in droves.

The Östronweard of Östlond experienced similar issues. Reductions in forces were mandatory considering the treasury limitations after multiple years of war, as well as the greater eastern empire recession impacting the realm. Many militia remained, as enthusiasm for their war effort was at an all time high.

The Östfleots of the Östron realms had their final battle in the weeks leading up to the invasion of Acholm. Several hundred boats on both sides ended that day at the bottom of Acholm harbor. No acts of heroism or unexpected events occurred - only the simple destruction of ships and lives. Östlond’s naval force was nearly equal to that of Östlæd’s, however, with more and more Imperial forces showing up with warships, the fleets of Mark II simply had few options but to surrender or sink. Many chose to sink. A blockade of Acholm harbor formed with the mutiny and surrender of the rest of the Östlæd Östfleot.

Before the heat of the summer peaked, Ealdorman Cerdic Accynnafon moved to invade the town. Forces traveled from Furenspring, Lyrnfirth, Cerdicesleag, Merscafen, and by sea. The Halig Frecan had constructed many fortifications blocking streets and fields, built dozens of watchtowers, constructed TNT traps, firework rocket ambushes, and massive hidden pike structures. Invading was not going to be easy.

Cerdic’s personal contingent moved into the village from the south east. His intention was to capture his brother personally. The walled monastery proved difficult to siege, however, several large ballistas made short work of the front gate - it was not designed with such massive weapons of war in mind. After a thorough search of the monastery, it was clear Mark II was not holed up in the compound.

A counter attack of heavy Acholm knights in the south was followed by others to the east and southwest. Each additional surge proved to be weaker, with some units failing after 2-3 attempts. Cerdic’s company was forced into retreating from the monastery temporarily by one such counter attack.

Panic arose in some of the southern companies as a group of soldiers from Merscafen - coming from the Lynfrith road to the east. Afraid of an ambush to the rear, some heavy knights and pikemen reinforced the rear lines. A banner for House Accynnafon was seen in the distance. Word was sent to Cerdic.

“Which of my brothers leads your company? Cerdic shouted at the group of 400 or so men.

“It is me, Lydær. I have come to surrender my garrison to your service, and to turn myself over to your custody”- Lydær had made this decision some weeks earlier, after deciding to take the forces of Merscafen deep into the swamp, rather than reinforce Mark’s forces in Acholm.
“I am relieved you have chosen this path, brother. I am afraid though that you cannot be let free for the time being. Your assistance to our treasonous brother will be judged by a court of the Thanes. Fare thee well for now, brother.” With that, Cerdic sent Lydær to the forest prisons of Wiccaweald - a far better treatment than he received in Merscafen.

With Cerdic’s attention returned to the battle, he signalled for longships equipped with ballistas to be sent down the river, in order to pave the way for a direct assault on the Östur. Word soon reached his ear of a great fight breaking out in Grestanhlith, and that Thane was leading a militia of men and women against the Halig Frecan. This provided an alternate route into the town, and the capture of several towers in the heart of Acholm’s farmland.

Something Cerdic did not anticipate occurred at this time. Members of the Halig Frecan were pulling out of the western and northern areas, and were forming a great caravan of troops headed east towards Beorcfeld. Cerdic realized at this time that Mark II never intended to hold on to the city, but to cause as many casualties as possible in a retreat likely to Frithengest.

Thousand of traps and explosives were tripped or found as they made their way to the Östur. The roads were utter chaos, with a great many rocks, spikes, and other debris left purposely buried. Many docks were set on fire, fences broken, and storehouses exploded. Bridges across the Wheat River were destroyed in the retreat of the Halig Frecan. Fanatical militias set up a minor defense force inside the monastery, successfully causing many unfortunate deaths.

The Östur was found empty of people, but not of things. Mark II had left in a hurry - an entire library, great stores of food and ale, many weapons, and even secret plans were left in the tower. Cerdic entered the tower for the first time since the Thanesmoot of 539 A.I. - 7 years. He sent for his wife and children after the roads and docks were rebuilt in the following weeks, and proclaimed Acholm the new capital of the realm of Östlond.

The trials of his brother Lydær, the masters and brothers of the Order, and many Knights would be soon to come.

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Ealdorman Cerdic Beoden Accynnafon of Östlond
Runner Up of the Glas Claddach Boat Building Competition
Minister of Justice


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PostPosted: February 16th, 2017, 3:52 am 
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The Battle of Scitteeig ~ Summer 564 A.I.

Pyrencian militia from Thysia, seeking to join in on legal killing, accidentally landed in Scitteeig. A battle commenced between the cannibals of Thysia and the degenerates of Scitteeig. Many were killed in the course of the battle. It took a contingent of Östronweard on their way to the island to settle the violence between the two groups.

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Runner Up of the Glas Claddach Boat Building Competition
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PostPosted: February 16th, 2017, 3:57 am 
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The Battle of Haligstrom ~ Fall 546 A.I.

The battle began with the Östronweard cavalry quickly splitting the Halig Frecan cavalry into three groups. Östlæd did not send their best - the Frithengest cavalry - to defend the town. A great storm passed through the area during the battle, causing large sections of the plain held by the Östlæd forces to slow them down. The forces of Östlond then attempted to take the town.

~oOo~

The forces of the Östronweard pushed into the hamlet after winning the initial cavalry charge. They were met with fierce arrow barrages from Beorcfeld longbowmen. Heavy Knights from Acholm proved to be fierce fighters against the Östronweard forces from Fuhrwudu Farthing. In the end, the forces of the Halig Frecan held against the attackers and won this battle.

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Runner Up of the Glas Claddach Boat Building Competition
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PostPosted: February 16th, 2017, 3:59 am 
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The Skirmish at Cerdicesleag - Fall 546 A.I.

Cerdicesleag was assaulted by groups of Beorcfeld longbowmen, swordsmen, cavarly - and heavy halberd wielding knights originally from Acholm. Initially taking the village, forces arrived days later from Acholm to retake the village, restoring command of the entirety of Acholm Farthing to Östlond.

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Runner Up of the Glas Claddach Boat Building Competition
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PostPosted: February 19th, 2017, 7:16 am 
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The Short Siege of Beorcfeld - Spring 547 A.I.

The taking of Beorcfeld did not happen as swiftly as planned. Cerdic’ forces marched east in the early spring, hoping to easily take the home of his mother’s house - House Folcwine. House Folcwine declared allegiance to Mark II, sending huge numbers of their young men to fight in the war. Their wall, originally built to protect them from the cavarly of Frithengest in the days before an Östron realm, slowed the siege significantly. Cerdic assumed they would welcome him with open arms, being his kin - but they did not.

Siege weapons were slow to arrive from Acholm in the muddy spring thaw. The only viable roads were either a sketchy, narrow path through Merscafen swamp, or the long road that headed far north before it headed southeast to Beorcfeld. Battering rams quickly allowed entrance to the town, without the need for other methods that would harm the inhabitants.

Upon entrance into the village, and after a short skirmish with token Halig Frecan forces in the village, no members of House Folcwine were to be found. A note left in the house of his mother’s sister indicated they fled into the wilderness of Beorcfeld Farthing, near a hamlet called Getwinnhlith.

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PostPosted: February 19th, 2017, 7:24 am 
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The Siege of Haligstrom Monastery and the Capture of Darius II - Spring 547 A.I.

Following the oath of fealty from Lady Zariin of Tunindæl Farthing, forces from Tunindæl, Blæcwyrt, Finwarfæstnes, and Wiccaweald attempted to siege the Haligstrom Monastery again after the failure of token forces to take it the previous fall. Following a devastating longbow attack, the Halig Frecan protecting the monastery fell back inside, barring the doors. Unlike Beorcfeld, the Östronweard forces here were not as concerned with saving lives. Some low-grade tnt was used to blow the door, stunning the warrior monks of the Halig Frecan and allowing easy entry into the monastery.

A careful search was included in the orders from Ealdorman Cerdic. He suspected much information would be found in the monastery leading to the arrest of collaborators around the Mercurian Empire. What he did not suspect was the discovery of the former Duke of Laghima - Darius Stark II - hidden in a small concealed chamber within the monastery walls. Darius II was taken to Acholm as a present to the Ealdorman, under a heavy guard.

With the capture of Haligstrom monastery, it appeared that fanatical Creeperism was without its central monastery. Östlæd and the order were drawing their dying breaths.

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Ealdorman Cerdic Beoden Accynnafon of Östlond
Runner Up of the Glas Claddach Boat Building Competition
Minister of Justice


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PostPosted: February 20th, 2017, 12:30 am 
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The Second Battle of Skovgaard - Spring 547 AI

The forces of the Östronweard attacked the hamlet from multiple sides. After some initial losses, the Östronweard secured the center of town and slowly picked off the Halig Frecan forces one-by-one. The forces of Gelderlond secured the town, leaving behind the Skovgaard militia on their way to Frithengest.

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Runner Up of the Glas Claddach Boat Building Competition
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PostPosted: February 20th, 2017, 1:51 am 
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The Final Battle - The Battle of Frithengestfeld - Summer 547 AI

“Ealdorman Cerdic, a note from Skovgaard.” Cerdic opened the letter, sealed with wax and imprinted with the crest of Gelderlond.

“Ealdorman Cerdic,

Your brother Cerdor was found in a prison cell in Skovgaard. We will arrange for him to be sent to Acholm within a few days time, after we have cleared the roads going south and southwest.

It appears he was imprisoned after attempting to lead his forces against your brother, Mark II, after the defeat in Lecganford. His forces rebelled against him, and threw him in a dark prison cell after returning to Skovgaard.

Sir Thomas Swineford”

Cerdic was most interested by this development. Out of all of his siblings, Cerdor was the only one he wasn’t aware of where they were. Rowenna had long ago moved to Gourdham. Lydær was now in Scitteig. Mark II, of course, was in Frithengest, leading the last of the Halig Frecan resistance. To know of Cerdor’s location, and to hear a story of him attempting to assist Östlond? It warmed his heart. Perhaps Cerdor, Lydær’s twin, could be instrumental in helping to heal the realm.

More letters came from others. Imperial forces had begun to withdraw the previous winter. A few professionals and mercenary groups were left to assist. Trade had largely resumed in the Imperial Sea. News from Ertia brought news of a collapsing South Ertia. Growth, prosperity, and goodness was returning to the Eastern Mercurian Empire.

~oOo~

Frithengest was the last stronghold of the Halig Frecan. Knights and militia from all parts of the Östron realms had slowly retreated here for some time. Impressionable youth seeking glory even from secular towns fled to Frithengest to assist the withering forces of the Halig Frecan. WIth numbers unknown, but estimated at over 9000 soldiers, the Halig Frecan remained a formidable force.

Cerdic’s forces were far larger at this point. With the Östron growth initiative of 530 A.I. still in place, thousands of young men volunteered each year for the militia and potential entry into the Östronweard. Ealdorman Cerdic lowered the number of professional forces and militia significantly - the money simply was not there. However, Cerdic’s forces still numbered over 25,000, 5000 being the entirety of the Östronweard, and 20,000 militia. Additionally, 3500 men from various Imperial forces remained. The Halig Frecan - hungry, poorly equipped, and with few troops, had no chance.

The plan: From the south, march with forces from Tunindæl and Blæcwyrt. From the north: march on the village with forces from Gelderlond and Cerdicesleag. From the west: march on the village with the main bulk of the Östronweard from Acholmshire and Entshire. Great siege engines would be brought to destroy their walls, and great rocket barrages would be used to stun the enemy forces.

~oOo~

Mark II was in his quarters in the great hall of Frithengest. He had long ago commandeered it for his “temporary” capital. Now almost 50, he looked 70. He was mad with rage against his brother and the Mercurian Empire. He knew he had no chance in the upcoming battle. What to do? How to do anything against such a powerful force? His forces were desperate. Something had to be done.

~oOo~


The town was almost entirely surrounded by catapults, trebuchets (along a 300m wide hill), and rockets. The cavalry of the Östronweard stood on the hills to the north and west. Archers stood on the hills around every part of the town. Some forces crossed to the east to position themselves on the tallest hills there. Pikemen were just behind the cavalry, with longbowmen, crossbowmen, and ballistamen behind them.

Great horns and drums played for days before the final battle. No supplies were able to get into the town or out. On the third day, a messenger came forth from the village walls of Frithengest. He brought a letter from Mark II that rejected surrender in any form. The battle would occur. The messenger returned to the village.

Great barrages of stones, metal balls, and fire charges hit the walls. They were easily broken. Many watchtowers burned and crashed as well. After a few holes had been made in the wall, a huge cavalry charge - some 5000 men - composed mostly of the famous Frithengest cavarly. Separately, many mounted archers rushed out from the walls. Many skirmishes occurred between the cavalry of both forces. The forces of the Halig Frecan retreated back into the burning walls of the village. Ealdorman Cerdic thus ordered the heavily armed pikemen and pole-arm wielding knights of his forces to march on the town.

Many would never make it. Mark II had long ago ordered large redstone wired TNT bombs to be built in the fields in front of the town. Many did not explode, but enough did to kill and maim a great many of the forces of the Östronweard. Cerdic ordered his forces to pull back, and to begin bombarding the fields around Frithengest with stones and fire charges to blow up unseen bombs. They were quite successful, however, some explosions still harmed people on both sides.

It was clear Mark II did not intent on winning this battle cleanly, but instead by killing as many Östrons as possible. After some time of setting the fields on fire, they felt safe to march on the town again. As they did, more cavalry charges came from the town. The pikemen of the Östronweard were effective in their defence against the mounted archers, but not against the Knights of Frithengest. Their horses were well-armored with the finest mithril armor, easily deflecting the pike’s pointed tip. The fighting was horrific - hundreds, if not thousands of men died in the great slaughter of Frithengestfeld. Fighting to the last man, the Halig Frecan sent thousands to their death. Ealdorman Cerdic ordered another withdrawal, and a barrage of the town itself. Peasants fleeing the town were given passage away - saving many thousands of lives.

The Östronweard moved into the town itself finally, near nightfall. Fighting occurred in every street, in every house, and every alleyway.

~oOo~

Ealdorman Cerdic entered the great hall of the Thane of Frithengest as the battle commenced. A token force of Mark’s bodyguards were quickly put to the sword upon entry. Upstairs, a note in a wax sealed envelope - with the crest of Östlæd - was found on a desk. Ealdorman Cerdic opened the letter:

“Cerdic~

I will see you again one day, brother. As long as I live, the Order shall exist.

~Mark”

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Ealdorman Cerdic Beoden Accynnafon of Östlond
Runner Up of the Glas Claddach Boat Building Competition
Minister of Justice


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