THE FALL OF MINITZ

[TaytoTot 1133]

Spoiler

 

 

THE FALL OF MINITZ

S.A. 127

 

---

The town of Minitz was a flurry of activity, the air thick with the sound of clanging armour as soldiers raced up and down stairs, taking up positions on the city walls. The Minitzers were preparing their weapons of war, the loud clanks of cannons. The whoosh of a catapult being readied filled the air. Suddenly, a deafening roar of buzzing filled the dark skies above, as a horde of flying insectoids with carapace wings descended upon the city. Hundreds of red-eyed spiders emerged from the forest, crossing the bridge that separated Adria and Minitz.

 

Sir Brandt Barclay, the Duke of Minitz, unsheathed his sword, holding it high above his head. “Men of Minitz!” He began, his voice booming as the Mori edged closer. “Today we face the Scrooge of Almaris, with our swords drawn! They seek to conquer our city and take away our freedom. But I stand here before you today as your brother-in-arms, to assure you that we will not let that happen. We will not let them destroy what we have built together over the years. We will not let them harm our families and loved ones. However, as your leader, I must also make a difficult decision. After much deliberation, I have decided that the best course of action for us is to retreat from the city.”

 

As Brandt spoke, a great black blot of large locusts then began their terrifying swarm, a part of the mass cloud breaking off from the rest. The vicious buzzing almost made a vibration in the air due to the sheer volume of the locusts present. The locusts that broke off from the rest dove down towards the soldiers surrounding the catapult, still flying towards them just out of melee range in their descent.

 

Brandt’s voice echoed with determination over his people.“We cannot risk the lives of our people for the sake of my pride and inheritance. But make no mistake, this is not a surrender. We will not let the Mori take our city without a fight. We will defend our city with all our might and allow our civilians to retreat safely. Our soldiers will fight valiantly and will not rest until the enemy has been driven back. I ask you all to be brave in the face of this adversity. We have faced many challenges in the past, and we have always emerged victorious! Remember, we fight not just for ourselves but for our families and our future generations. Let us show the Mori what it means to be REINMAREN! We will hold this wall, until our people have retreated, or we will die trying. I am ready to die here today, my friends, my brothers and sisters. Will you die with me?”

 

“Wer Rastet, Der Rostet!” The warriors shouted in response

 

“Long live Minitz! Wer Rastet, Der Rostet!” The Duke replied! “With all your might, my brothers!”

 

The flying insects slammed into the front lines, with the sound of clicking and bolts soaring through the air. The defenders fought back with all their might, their weapons cutting through the swarm of locusts. The air was filled with the crunching of exoskeletons and the spewing of gore as the flying insects fell from the sky. Some smashed into the walls, leaving behind a trail of ichor on the stone.

 

Despite the defenders' valiant efforts, the sheer weight of the horde pushed some of them back. The buzzing of the swarm continued to vibrate the airspace as more flying insects descended upon the wall defenders. 

 

Just then, BOOM! The cannon on the left side of the gate resounded with great thunder, the projectile springing forth.

 

The initial locusts that were hit by the impact were cut down, crushed and mashed by the wall defenders who swung, kicked and battered the large insects. As the insects chittered and the locusts continued to funnel out from the seemingly massive cloud of black that was over the city. The buzzing seemed to grow in intensity as the cloud grew thinner as more and more of the flyers dove down at the walls.

 

From afar, the rustling of arms and armour, the thundering of a march, cries of commands and other such.

 

The ground shook across the entirety of Minitz, and a mass of bubbles began to surface in the centre of the lake. 

 

Utter gore and ichor of the locust splattered over the front lines of the wall. The insects were bashed and hacked into bits, yet the cloud of locusts continued to thin out forth in the skies above as they dived into the defenders upon the walls of Neu Brandthof. Bodies and pieces of the flying insectoids began to pile in heaps upon the ground at the base of the walls.

 

On the other side of the gatehouse, the cannon misfired, exploding with a crackling rupture as shrapnel, and flame was sent at the crewmen. Many sustained injuries in this moment.

 

With a sudden explosion, a torrent of water shot forth from the lake into the air before a distant churning sounded out.

 

“Ordered retreat! Group in front of the main gate! Shields up, in front of the main gate!” The Duke shouted for the Minitzers to hear.

 

The sounds of clicks and tripping of string came as crossbows and bows were shot once more, impacting and slaying multiples of the locusts who swarmed at the walls. More and more would be cut down by the melee defenders, causing the bodies of the insects to continue to pile up higher and higher at the base of the wall. Blood and gore smeared both the stone and the armour of the warriors. The thinning swarm did little to stop the evacuation.

 

Marching drew closer to the descendants of Minitz, Mori forces sighted crossing the bridge. Dreadknights in droves, followed by various infantry armed with ranged weaponry.

 

Rising from the waters was an oscillating orb that appeared to be constructed of an obsidian and red crystalline material. A violent shake echoed across Minitz, stirring the soldiers as the orb slowly drifted towards the city.

 

The buzzing of the locusts above had gone silent as the last of them were all slain in the tactical retreat of the men and women of Minitz.

---

The oncoming forces drew closer and closer and the Mori were almost at the gates! An order was shouted in their foreign tongue.

 

The orb slowly continued its approach upon the city.

 

“We will have to open the gates, men!” Brandt said towards the regrouped retinue in front of the city. “Be ready for the onslaught!”

The defenders of Minitz rushed to form a shield wall as the gates were being ripped apart by the Dreadknights. They braced themselves as the Mori soldiers charged forward, their swords and spears held high.

 

The large lumbering husks of steel ignored the pleas of the Gatekeeper who questioned them, simply trudging onwards followed by their ranger escorts. They approached the gates of Minitz.

 

“On my call, open it up. Disorient the knights so we can take charge!” The Duke ordered

 

The Dreadknights simply approached the gates and proceeded to tear them apart, using their overwhelming strength to aid each other in prying the bars apart for their comrades.

 

“Once the gate is open, HOLD!”

 

Men banged their weapons against their shields as if taunting the Dreadknights to test their strength! They screamed their war cries as they braced themselves for what was coming next.

 

The dark orb continued to trace across the sky now resting above the gatehouse of the city. The belts of material that surrounded it began to rotate.

 

Sir Brandt Barclay unsheathed his sword in front of the gate. “Hear me, brave warriors of Reinmar! Our enemies may outnumber us, but they shall never outmatch our courage or our determination! For we are REINMAREN! We are the sons and daughters of Horen! The fate of our people hangs in the balance, and we stand as the last bastion of hope against the hordes of Mori who seek to destroy our lands. Make your last stand, not in my name, but in the name of MINITZ! YOUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS!” He raised his warhorn to his lips, blowing a sombre note that echoed across the city.

 

The first gate was pried asunder, the large metal husks now moved forwards, and with the gate now open they marched forwards, halberds raised.

 

The oscillating orb continued to rotate before glowing a bright red hue. The ground about Minitz began to shake and tremble as cracks began to form on various buildings and walls.

 

The Duke then began to spit out orders at whoever would listen. He ordered plans and fires to be set in the city.

 

Immediately as the Dreadknights barged through the gates, they were washed with a wave of purple fire from the atronach’s flamethrower, the fire swirled forward fast.

 

“Stand tall, sons of Reinmar, for we are warriors!”

 

As the flash powder was used the constructs suddenly halted their advance, and were blinded for a brief moment, standing still as the other ranged infantry filtered into the gatehouse.

 

Sir Brandt Barclay would go over to prime a red-looking liquid potion, going over to open the cork and swig down the liquid. “Close the gate on 'em now Maxwell!”

 

Sounds of lanterns being smashed apart by a sword would be heard from the tavern; flickering of light in the windows of the establishment betrayed what was going on inside; the lanterns, torches, fireplace and oil… The tavern was set ablaze.

 

Sir Brandt Barclay withdrew his sword and then began to advance towards the Dreadknights with his sword extended forward as they were momentarily blinded by the flash powder. “Now is our chance, brothers! Now!”

 

The first line of soldiers began their advance, charging at the Dreadknights! Farmers, civilians and citizens behind the warriors scattered about in a panic as the warriors held.

 

The backline of the Dreadknights is thoroughly skewered, impaled from head to toe via the oculus they were pinned, creaking as they attempted to move. The others in the fore, still blinded, were now wailed against the combined might of the descendants; the sheer force of the charge sent the Dreadknights in front stumbling backwards into their comrades. Two of the Dreadknights were sufficiently annihilated, lucky blows striking in vital areas.

 

A great tremor was felt through the city as cracks stretched across the ground, as the orb continued to churn and thrum out. Beginning its process of ripping the city apart.

 

A great 'WHOMPH' was heard coming from behind the tavern as a barrel full of alcohol went up in flame.

 

Sir Brandt Barclay nodded his head after the line buckled with the Dreadknights. “First line, abandon your pikes, second line, charge and hold our advance! The first line then will relieve you!”

 

After the  Dreadknights were sufficiently impaled, Brandt moved back for the second line to take his place. “First line, on me!”

 

Sir Wilhelm Barclay threw another bundle of flash powder at the trapped infantry below him, hopefully, it landed before the Minitzers charged.

 

Vials of alcohol and other medical supplies were emptied onto the floor as the clinic was set on fire from the inside out.

 

The line, though at first buckled, was slowly regaining its bearings one of the Dreadknights raised its halberd and send a blow at Brandt, the blow glancing off of his crown and into the ground, as the other husks regained their bearings and prepared their arms for relation, they were blinded yet again, along with the rest of the descendants, the fighting stalled as everyone was essentially blinded.

 

The echoing sound of rocks falling upon themselves echoed loudly from the North of the city, as the machine continued to rotate before then moving to drift within the centre of the city's square.

 

“Second line, retreat! General retreat!” Brand yelled in panic as the second line had just completed their duty. “Frode set up the gunpowder now!”

 

“Explode the Rathaus and the Moot hall from the back so that the buildings collapse upon them!”

 

Waclaw Jazloviecki pulled back from the line, keeping his shield raised. “YOU HEARD THE HERZOG!”

 

The Duke staggered by the blow of the Mori onto his crown, a negligible head wound drawing blood. Sir Brandt Barclay grabbed Saxton by the shoulder, pulling the man next to him. “You open the gate to the military district, take John with you, and open both gates of retreat.”

 

Maxwell’s bolt impacts handily into the Dreadknight sending the thing lumbering rightwards as it stumbled, then attempting to stand to its feet. The Dreadknights, having finally recovered, finally got to their feet and raised their great halberds, arranging themselves into a line. Those pinned still struggled to free themselves.

 

As the orb drifted through the area a wave of energy washed off of it striking into some of the surroundings causing them to crash and fall into the city below.

 

Then a loud BOOM would sound out from the north of the city, crumbling rock would fall along with the sounds of more footsteps and marching. Soft chants would echo out from the source of the explosion. “^L'puul shinduago xellased, satiir l'xal d'l'arc.”

 

The thunderous sounds of marching would echo forth from the north as a line of Mori would move down the path towards the square, around their hands would be flickers of flames, voidal power beginning to rise up from their palm as they continued their unionised chanting.

 

The Dreadknight line advanced, pacing forwards as they sought their targets.

 

The fires continued to spread through the city as the ground quaked. Buildings slowly crumbled apart as the orb continued to churn in an ominous nature.

 

The gunpowder barrels stacked strategically to collapse on the legion, and the Dreadknights exploded with a fierce BOOM, coupled with the destruction of the orb, likely collapsing towards the legion and the Dreadknights.

 

The Mori mages were slow-moving, though a majority had escaped the fate of the Dreadknights, destructive flames conjuring around them as the descendants made their escape, though the Mori were still hot on their tail.

 

“Men of Minitz, we retreat. The side gate opens up to our port. We all board the boats, and sail off.”

 

The Mori forces march onward towards those who stood behind the last gates of their salvation. The earthquakes due to the actions in the skies above, the mages bring up their hands and conjure forth destructive flames that billowed upon the gates,  slowly beginning to melt away the steel. It was now for them to make their escape or there would be none by the time the Mori got through.

 

“Retreat now! Retreat! The gate will not hold for much longer “

 

Brandt raised his warhorn to his lips and blew a sombre tune that indicated a general retreat.

 

As the city continued to fall the orb began to drift through the eternal night towards the location of the remaining Minitz men. A looming thrum sounded out.

---

“Board the ships!” Was called out and the sound of rustling and then footsteps upon wood as the Minitzers boarded the ships. 

 

As the citizens of Minitz continued to flee a bright red glow could have been seen from the centre of the city. Followed by an intense thrumming sound as the sound of crackling fire echoed out through the sky. Before what looked to be falling stars began to appear falling upon the city. Crashing into the surface with a fury.

 

As the men and women flee Minitz the sounds of flames would be near deafening the lands all but lost to the Mori now. The flame enraptured it all as they fled from impending doom.

 

It was now that the Minitz citizens began to sail away to Savoy, leaving their city in ruin.

---

Spoiler

 

As Lord Brandt and his people sailed towards the new land, the sun began to rise on the horizon, casting a warm and golden light across the sea. Excitement filled the people as they neared the beaches, prepared to finally disembark after the long trip. “The sunny beaches of Savoy, cousin...”

 

A man of dark complexion awaited the men of Minitz on the shores. “Hail! Where are you from?” He questioned the Minitzers

 

“Hail, are you a resident of Savoy's remnants?” The Queen of Aaun answered and stepped forwards then, “Minitz, we evacuated from Aaun with the Mori insurgence.”

 

“The Heartlands have fallen too . . .” His brows sank and he rubbed his chin. “I see... Bring any others you find here. We have managed to repel the cave dweller's darkness for now.”

 

Brandt turned to his people, his voice just above a whisper as he addressed them. “But we have not lost everything. We still have each other, and we still have the will to fight. We will rebuild what we have lost, we will make a new home, and we will honour the memory of all that we have left behind.”

 

“I am sorry for what you have endured, friends, but now you can rest. Situate yourselves and find comforts where you can here in San Luciano.”

 

The Duke turned towards Majid, then. “Thank you for the shelter.”

 

Majid bowed his head. “Of course.”

 

And with that, the Minitzers, lost of their home, sought out unclaimed territory in the comfort of Savoy.

 

---

Spoiler

Thank you @Olox_ and @Marshi for the screenshots of the event!

Thank you wonderful ET and ST for taking the time out of your day to do this event for us! We had an absolute blast

Thank you Minitz for participating in the fall of Minitz! I know this is the first map end for a lot of you guys and I’m very glad you all got to see it and we cannot wait to see you guys next map in an event newer Neu Brandthoff

@Deets wanted me to credit him for being my editor so thanks deets

 

[Deets 670]

Karl gazed one last time towards the city of Neu Brandthof. For a moment, tears welled in the elderly knight's eyes as he watched the destruction of his new home. He had only resided in Minitz for but a decade, but it had been some of the happiest years of his life. Glancing about the boat he had boarded, he was relieved to see a number of his family members. The man's mind could not help but flicker back to a prior conversation he'd had with the Duke of Minitz. "In the end, what is it we leave behind?" Seeing his family, the elder knew he still had much to do for them, and the other sons and daughters of Minitz, with whatever time he had left.

 

Spoiler

@MadOne

 

Edited May 13, 2023 by Deets

[alien_mc 512]

Leutwin Barclay and Ser Viktor Ratispora hop off the boat as it rocks upon the shores of Savoy, grief for the ones they lost, but feeling a sense of hope for the future.

 

Spoiler

@Wretched Aidan:>

 

 

 

[Wretched Aidan 455]

2 minutes ago, alien_mc said:

Leutwin Barclay and Ser Viktor Ratispora hop off the boat as it rocks upon the shores of Savoy, grief for the ones they lost, but feeling a sense of hope for the future.

"Hope is not lost Little-Leut, Hope is not lost.." Ser Viktor Ratispora assured the young Barclay as they reached the coast of Savoy.

[Gandhi 2658]

Ludolf Ritter Barclay barked orders at his fellow men atop the walls of Neu Brandthof - in the early stages of the siege. He saw Maxwell tear off with the Caelians - taking them to safety.. Or so he'd thought. As the Bailiff descended down into the streets of Minitz, packed with Waldenians and Lechians alike. He hadn't noticed Maxwell's absence at the time - but had eventually realized the Lawspeaker had stood his ground in the gatehouse..

 

As the ships arrived in Savoy's bay - the Bailiff was filled with a sense of regret, was it? He couldn't really tell - maybe it was just his lost nostalgia.. However - he descended off of the ship and onto the beaches, it was a new day.

[johnnydeath6 113]

john stood at the helm of the newly named "DAUNTLESS" as she pulled into the bay of savoy with a stoic, almost blank look on his face as he wondered what was next

[MadOne 3375]

Standing outside his tent in Mini Minitz, Brandt reflected on his difficult decision to leave his father's city behind, feeling the weight of it on his heart. He gazed out at the sunny Savoy landscape, watching as the sea shifted with the changing light, and felt hopeful for a new future on the horizon, across the seas, remembering the last words of his friend and the Lawspeaker of Minitz, Maxwell.

 

"Thank you, Maxwell."

[argonian 12836]

"SerenityOnyx has gone TOO FAR this time," Stanimar calls out as an arrow strikes him in the throat and ends him.

[Zemzy_Oakheart 167]

"Is there anyone in the city a medic?" The streets of Savoy had been bustling with life before the calm had been shifted by the metaphorical storm that had arrived. From the square itself as she'd been conversing with someone she'd been looking forward to catching up with after so many years apart, Blume Herrlichkeit's head lifted up at the sound of panic. "Hello sir could you help us at our camp.There's jest someone wounded in Mini Minitz.... Barclay."

 

Another piece to the amnesiac puzzle had clicked as she'd began to remember why Blume carried a medical satchel within her own bag everywhere she went. "I'm... a medic" The woman mumbled to herself after the one she spoke with had broken off from their conversation to speak with people entering the makeshift refugee town. Worried about the situation, Blume would walk to the other side of the square to see how serious the situation was for the victim before another piece of the puzzle clicked for her at hearing the one she'd spoken with earlier,

 

“I've a hatred for Minitz Barclays…but my oath as a medic is more important. Bring them to the clinic here.”

 

Barclay.... was all it took to snap that memory back into place for Blume as she didn't seem to focus on the world for however long it had taken to tend to the wounded. Even if she wanted to go & help with her own knowledge on medical practice she'd acquired from the past, her legs held her back whether she thought about it or not.

 

With how long it'd been since people had seen her within her own homestead & afterwards, seeing the soldiers wounded on arrival made her heart sink for them, her memory had flashed back to the walled city as she couldn't help but feel her tears begin to fall for the place she'd been born in so long ago. Her heart lurched at the thought of such a place falling to any force before even Adria had nearby & yet... the worst was more likely to come as she took a moment to realize the situation.

 

"..Yvian.... & Barclays...."

[Jentos 6813]

"Minitz has fallen. It's over." said a monk, his head held down and eyes tightly shut. 

[Reckless Banzai Screamer 11530]

Tetsugawa had fallen before Minitz and a certain samurai frowns that he could not have at least been there to fight with his Barclay Bosom Buddies in one last hoorah for their home. Once he had called this land his parish as Lector, his home as a wandering Ronin and his neighbors as a Clan elder.

 

But they would be friends for life regardless of where the new world took them. :serene:

[Danjahb29 247]

Anton wept as he heard the news. In his travels he had been far from his adopted home during their greatest time of need. How could he have been so foolish? The Mori were everywhere. 
 

“I must find the reminents, see who has fallen and who still lives!” Knowing Brandt, there would be many that still remain in this world. For that is the kind of leader his friend is. “I will find you. I will come to aid our recovery.”

[Sarven 1694]

Yvian signed the lorraine for his fallen battle brother, his former squire now laid to rest in the ruins of the city "GOTT Mit Uns, Maxwell... GOTT Mit Uns."

[ydegirl 1756]

Time stood still in Savoy. Amelia lounged around most days, taking in the sun. She was mostly bored. It'd been a long time since she saw her dearest friend, Henriette -- the Duchess of Minitz. After hearing about the fall of Minitz, Amelia took pen to paper and wrote to Henriette of Lewes, praying for her safe arrival to Savoy.