The Battle of Vjardengrad | The Skanarri Resurgence

[Javert 5573]

Spoiler

 

THE BATTLE OF VJARDENGRAD

 

The clash of Norlandic and Skanarri warriors in Vjardengrad, 8th of the First Seed, 133 S.A. 

 

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Hark, people of Solheim/Braevos!

 

Three Saint's Days ago, the men of the Skanarri warbands launched a daring raid upon the Norlandic capital city of Vjardengrad. During a late-night tavern event hosted by the local barkeepers, a man who called himself Balg had entered the capital with his head and body covered in chainmail armor. This man engaged in friendly conversation with the citizens inside the tavern, especially an Ashguardsman known as Grimm. When Balg became comfortably established in the crowd of Norlanders, he was heard asking for a match from Grimm - whom he had tricked into a sense of security - for the purpose of lighting a Cigar. Upon receiving said match, Balg proclaimed his hatred of magic (Grimm had revealed himself as a user of housemagery) and threw his match into a bottle of alcohol. Balg revealed himself to be a Skanarri and proceeded to slam this newly made alcoholic cocktail onto the floor, causing an explosion in the Tavern and a fire to begin. 

 

It was then that a Skanarri warhorn was heard. The saboteur at the Tavern was a mere distraction, and the main Skanarri force swarmed in through the undefended gates! Before the Norlandic forces could shut them out, the Skanarri had already managed to get their entire warband into the exterior entrance of the city and were making their way towards the third and final city gate. Under the leadership of Balon Eiriksson Ruric the Norlandic forces rallied and sallied forth to drive the Skanarri tribesmen from the city. When the two armies confronted each other, Balon called forth and named the Skanarri cowards, demanding that they meet him in single combat. The Skanarri surprisingly agreed and sent forth their own champion by the name of Thorvig. As the two warriors clashed, a Norlandic flanking force under the command of Hilda Freysson Ruric exited the city through a secret gateway and made their way around the city to try and hit the Skanarri from behind. Unbeknownst to the Norlanders, the Skanarri had seized the first gate and had closed it behind them to slow down reinforcements or a potential flanking maneuver. As Balon and Thorvig fought, it seemed as if the two were evenly matched. Both gave each other substantial wounds; yet before the duel could reach a conclusion, the Skanarri at the first gate spotted Hilda Freysson's flanking force and raised the alarm. The Skanarri, outraged by the Norlandic flanking effort in the middle of a honor duel, charged forth at the Norlanders in a shield wall and a brutal melee ensued. 

 

In the meantime, a Norlander had managed to send out a call for aid from the Vale of Nevaehlen for reinforcements. The Skanarri manning the first gate sallied forth and engaged Hilda's flanking force in a brutal melee of their own. In both fronts of the battle, Norlandic and Skanarri blood ran thick on the ground. The objective of the Skanarri was clear: Wound as many Norlanders as possible, then escape back into the woods. Despite the Skanarri initially gaining the upper hand, reinforcements from the Vale forced the Skanarri to make a breakout effort on the front against Hilda's men. Despite losing many men of their own, the breakout was successful and the contingent of Skanarri managed to escape by jumping off the bridge and into the water. As for the rest of the Skanarri, they quickly realized that they had been surrounded. The Skanarri refused surrender when offered to them and resolved to fight to the death in the walls of Vjardengrad. More time passed and blood continued to spill across the pavement of the city - yet in the dawning hours of the next day, the battle was decided. The Norlanders had managed to slay the remaining Skanarri within their walls, yet had taken severe injuries that required urgent treatment in the aftermath of the conflict.

 

This has marked the beginning of Skanarri aggression in the North. Stay alert, Descendants of Solheim/Braevos, for War has come upon us once more.

 

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[simpleglitchbro 295]

Grimm reads the summary of the report, choking out in a raspy, damaged voice "Yep...that basically sums it up...even the part where I couldn't stop that guy..."

[_pr0fit 2945]

Vykk's gloved hand instinctively rises to his cheek, tracing the jagged path of the fresh scar etched upon his weathered skin. The touch evokes memories of the recent battle, its intensity still echoing through his very being. His eyes, hardened and vigilant, cast a somber gaze upon the gathered companions. "We've halted the Skanarri advance, but do not be deceived," Vykk's voice resonates with a tone of grim determination, as if speaking a prophecy steeped in harsh reality. "Their thirst for conquest is unyielding, and they will return, relentless as the tides of darkness."

[Meb_KatYT 91]

Oldoln looks at the report, lets out a sigh, and begins to find materials for a carefully concocted plan. He knew they would return... he just didn't know when. The only thing they could do now, was plan...

[Qaz_The_Great 1189]

Baldr gives an offering to Bjorn the Berserker, the fabled Norlandic hero-paragon, who had blessed the Norlandic Host in their battle with the Skanarri. Baldr lets his burning hatred of the Skanarri fill his resolve to destroy this threat to the Father's Chosen.

 

"O Bjorn, hear my prayer, grant us your most righteous fervor! Lend us strength and resolve to destroy the heretics who invade our lands!"