THE FALL OF URGUAN

[Werew0lf 24181]

 

 

A stone beard hung from the trembling walls of the Grand Kingdom; its mountain burrowed deep, ballistas armed each level of their clad stone walls, and numerous defences, such as raised palisades and traps were constructed to halt the imperial advance. The Empire arrived at their doorstep, only a few feet away from the river-crossing, and began their construction.

 

As men and women prepared the siege camp, cutting upon the nature for logs to construct rudimentary walls, and a small bridge over the canal, they also feasted and cheered within their tents at the joyous prospect of concluding this wall. Through time, the dwarf-orc coalition had been cut down, and soon enough, beyond those walls, only 5,200 soldiers awaited the defence of Kal’Baraz, the capital city of the Kingdom of Urguan.    Beyond those walls, the siege-camp festered with the might of the Empire, combined rightfully by the forces of those within it: the High Kingdom of Idunia, the Kingdom of Norland, the Shugonate of Kurai-Kuni and the Holy Protectorate of Malin (Caurost).    Within the largest encampment, four figures lounged within and planned the siege-works. Upon the seat of the square table, the Emperor, Hadrian I, headed the goals; to his side, the High King Tar-Zôrzagar assisted in the calculations. The Shugo Honda and Prince Galahad stared out towards the plan; the Kurai-Kuni forces were assembled to assist with the trebuchets, their main focal point being towards the sturdiest portion of the mountain. As they went inwards, alongside the assistance of wooden supports, a plan was made–to tunnel through their innumerable defences. The King Haraldr was charged with the spreading of disseminated information to the enemy, such as fall plans or otherwise, something he perfected -- a big sway to the changes of the Urguan's course of action.   In charge of the main forces lay one of Hadrian’s chosen; a boy – or just a squire – who he saw in him great potential and commandeering strength: Robert Montalt-Rovin.    The canons were aimed towards the ballistas, all armed in sections: the Count of Valmont, Sir Antonius Helane, took to the right; behind him, the lead of the Iron Guard of Angrenost, Ser Boromir Mithrenion, joined from behind. Directly next to him stood Kusi Amaru, further joined by Therin of Petra and squire Soren.  A wandering knight, Ser Otis, took stern to the leftmost canons with the aid of soldiers of Valwyck, alongside the Duke of Lorraine, Sir Lothar d’Amaury and his retinue of soldiers. In the centre, a halfling by the name of Arthur Littlewood took control of the central aimed canon, its haft pointed towards the upper ballistas; Jarad Mah’nel, Horace and even His Holiness, Caius II the High Pontiff partook and assisted in the management and use of canons.   All the trebuchets were handpicked and assigned by a mixture of both imperial-and-shugonate forces. The head of these trebuchets stood the Shugo Honda himself joined by Hirano Jiro, the next trebuchets were armed in order of: Kato Ena, Ugokoyama Wasabi, and then followed by the imperials, Dame Noiye, Sir Corswain, and then Dame Johanna whose assistance was gathered by both the Emperor himself and his favoured son, Prince Titus of the House Horen. To the left, the other trebuchets were armed by further kurai-kuni forces, namely: Seiryu Taigen, Hirano Tamaki and Hirano Haruhi.    The preparations were set in motion. With a small sway of his hand, something ruminated from the furthest hill–a horse, curated of stone, was hurled forth marred by the banners of the conjoined Empire.    With the horse's arrival, the horn-bearer Halrik van Aert boomed through the held relic; a dragon’s roar ushered out towards the gates of Urguan, and so, the battle began.

✦ • ───────────────────────────── • ✠ • ───────────────────────────── • ✦

 

FIRE!

 

In coordination, the canons all fired at once; imperial forces found themselves scattered by harsh-pelting ballista shots from the first volley of dwedmar artillery, but fortunately, the canons made swift work–they ripped through the ballistas, pounding them akin to drums, and causing their immediate collapse. A scarce handful stood within the ballistas holding, poorly-manned; the High King of Idunia created the perfect breach. 

 

A flag was hurled up, and with the initiation provided, Robert Montalt-Rovin peeled the ladders onto the walls, climbing head-first into dwarven-orcish line. Swiftly, the top-and-bottom half of the outer mountain walls were occupied, and the little scraggly units of dwed-and-urukim were put to rest.

 

The Emperor raised his hand, initiating the trebuchet volley; they worked in perfect sequence, starting from the front, and then ending at the rear. The trebuchets pounded into the mountain, and with the assistance and command of the Shugo Honda, supports were raised into the curated tunnel. Deeper and deeper into the mountain the trebuchets went, as imperial forces continued their small skirmishes outside of the city gate; soon enough, dwed forces pulled back into their internal gates. 

 

Robert Montalt-Rovin pulled the forces out of the hole; with the combined effort of both the canon-crew and trebuchet-crew, eventually, after restless nights, a breach was made. 

 

All forces combined stepped forth, and hurled themselves through the sog-wetten cave stretch. Pounding small rams through the doors, and clambering over makeshift walls with ladders, the Empire and Coalition forces met. 

 

Silence perturbed the room.

 

With a furious roar, both sides clashed, and blood spilled across the capital’s courtyard. It squelched across the marble; some dwarves, noticeably, fell into their own traps, and were hounded by the imperials. During this clash, the Grand King of Urguan was nowhere to be found, hiding behind one of the ballistas on the exterior walls – his men and women fighting valiantly outside his very throne-room. 

 

 

It became evident, the dwindling Urguani and Horde forces were left battered. By the end of the month, a scarce 200 dwarves were able to escape from their city.

 

Smoke wafted out from the tunnel breached into the mountain.

 

A dragon rested within. 

 

The banners of Urguan fell, cluttering against the road.

 

Soon enough, they were replaced by the Empire’s crest.

 

URGUAN HAS FALLEN

 

The Grand Kingdom is no more.

 

Long live the Empire.

 

 

✦ • ───────────────────────────── • ✠ • ───────────────────────────── • ✦

 

A big shoutout to all those listed below. If you were not mentioned, sorry. I will try to add people as I can.

 

The Heroes:

 

✠ Henri Carnelle 

✠ Horace

✠ Isak Euler

✠ Squire Soren

✠ Valentina

✠ Caius II

✠ Ser Otis

✠ Jerry (the Noob)

✠ Ser Cassius ‘the Waiting Giant’

✠ Hirano Haruhi

✠ Aerik von Wesenburg

✠ Lothar Eliasevic

✠ Andromede dey Medford

✠ Sir Baudemund Euler

✠ Dame Johanna Magdalene

✠ Constantina Baruch

✠ Inquisitor Notus

✠ Bjorn Orksne

✠ Mayura

✠ Lord Nezukai Kikurage

✠ Kieran O’Brien

✠ Egon Albrecht von Alstreim

✠ Goose Hartwyck

✠ Halrik van Aert

✠ Tharon Zimrabar

✠ Seiryu Taigen

✠ Arthur Littlewood

✠ Ichiro

✠ Santiago Snake

✠ Titus Alexander

✠ Kusi the Tawantinsuyin

✠ Barathan d’Artagnan

✠ Sergeant Tancred Kruger

✠ Lukas von Theonus

✠ Castamir Cerusil

✠ Vidarr Freysson Ruric

✠ Ser Caspian Beowulf Colborn III 

✠ Hirano Jiro

✠ Martius van Aert

✠ Moryndir

✠ Sir Therin

✠ Sophie Archiolis

✠ Caius Tiberias Horen

✠ Sir Antonius Helane

✠ Ahng Gulr

✠ Aurelian Greye

✠ Darren

✠ Veyric VourkeHardt

✠ Ugokoyama Wasabi

✠ Corn

✠ Hilda d’Artagnan

✠ Huon ‘de le Garde’

✠ Adunakhor Arthalion

✠ Roswyn Halcourt

✠ Sabo Hirano

✠ Althanis

✠ Bronadron Callaghan

✠ Seiryu Saburo

✠ Ser Adrian Greye

✠ Ilmarion Callaghan

✠ Ivan Othaman

✠ Admiral Kato Ena

✠ Tossair Chirr’parir

✠ Solene

✠ Sir Dietrich Otto

✠ Holy Ser Valithael

✠ Calenwyn Sylric

✠ Dame Noiye

✠ Jarad Mah’nel

✠ Malric

✠ Finch Hartwyck

✠ Theodemar von Kanunsberg

✠ Robert Monalt-Rovin

✠ Yelizaveta Mahaut

✠ Lu Amidrl

✠ Sylfric Anicia Colborn

✠ Berengerus

✠ Sir Frederick Euler

✠ Sir Janos

✠ Sergeant Lucis Caladon

✠ Valerie von Leonstadt

✠ Ashael

✠ King Haraldr

✠ Fenrick Storm

✠ Tsukinomiya Shuji

✠ Ser Sigmar var Ruthern

✠ Edith Barclay

✠ Ansgar Brandt Barclay

✠ Siegfried Aurelian von Schwanstein

✠ Sir Rudolf Barclay

✠ Sir Aermund

✠ Asad

✠ Onve Drakon

✠ Volker

✠ Tomasz van ve Karoswald

✠ Willem van Aert

✠ Mersilme Wynterbourn

✠ Keralth Xalyth

✠ Iulius-Thegn Rauordrakar 

✠ Elis d’Amaury

✠ Sir Sambor the Righteous

✠ Sir Klaus von Augusten

✠ Abbot Anton

✠ Kajus Whitewood

✠ Cassian Basileus

✠ Stekvark of Lochunskofk

✠ Squire Cass

✠ Burin Zimrabar

✠ Sir Ghetsis Mareno - the Whitefish

✠ Marcus Tiberias

✠ Duke Lothar d’Amaury

✠ Vardmir Auranion Harren Arthalion

✠ Tupaq Amaru

✠ Marton Arpa

 

Thanks to admins and moderators for running the war.

 

Keep it cool, kids. 

[Lenny 1617]

---

Argelion Zôrzagar, The High King of Idunia, cast his silver gaze over the parchment that detailed the siege ahead with a faint curl that touched the corner of his lips; the satisfaction of a thing long sought seeing conclusion.
The breach for the men to carve open the pathway was Idunia’s doing, and he certainly allowed pause to hold as the boy climbed through, observing from afar. The dwarven ballistas saw their end, and he certainly would never diminish that truth. 

 

Soon enough, it was over.

 

“Long live Idunia, Long live the Empire.” 

He cheered finally, alongside the Idunian flock and friends alike, in the throne room of the once-dwarven capital.

 

[Cryptic 553]

"LONG LIVE THE LIONS!"

 

The Baron of the Barrowlands stood within the command center as the thunder of cannonfire gave way to victory, his hand still firm from the shot that had torn a decisive breach through the defences of Urguan. With one final motion of his hand, "FIRE!", an opening appeared before the forces. Around him, the Pride and the Lionsguard bore witness to what had been achieved.

 

From the roar of its artillery to the unyielding advance of its infantry, the Lion pressed its will upon the field without contest.

 

 

"Glory to Idunia, Glory to Artagnan!"

The Lions have prevailed against the Mountain.

[MonteGiant 891]

༺⊰☼⊱༻

 

That blazing sun of the south, that roar of the battlefield, here did that Tawantinsuyin Sinchi ride upon his war-llama to face those dwarves, uruks, and elves, the cries of his God soaring from his gullet. “ALALA!!” The cries of the Tawantinsuyin, the cries of the Hatun Kuntur, the cries of war. His lance, tipped in gold, Quri to his people, would drive down on those foul foes of his, that gleaming Macana of his people then being brought down to crash and cleave upon them in tandem upon his dismounting. Victory was assured, heads cleaved, and then placed upon his hip.

But upon that siege, shrapnel from a stray ballista would find that warrior’s torso- pain shooting about his entire form, The Orchestra of Combat leaving his ears as none could be heard but the words of his son, Kusi. Tupaq Amaru was dragged off the field, but his warband would take his place. Fighting as their people did, skirmishing with those dwarves in unparalleled prowess, guerrilla tactics of the Four Corners were being conducted upon those dwarves. A nightmare upon those smallfolk, that Tawantinsuyin Brood, and they would stand in solace as victory was accomplished. In their Victory, they would all call aloud… “KALLPASAPAKUNALLA!!”

Edited March 21 by MonteGiant

[Pureimp10 5691]

Ser Otis had been among the first to climb over the Urguani defenses with Jerry (the Noob) when the Imperial army breached the city. He was damn proud of the work he'd done today.

[truelarper 594]

 

@osjs@TaraJess
༺⊰☼⊱༻

𝕺n the next morn’ after the siege, Kusi woke with a heavy heave of his broad chest, roused by the acrid stench of spent cannon and ash. The sun wept tears of pale gold across the valley, its light glistening on frost that clung to the shattered halls where dwarves had once stood proud.

Koda was there beside him, as ever bearing that quiet gladness that Kusi yet lived. And though his brother-in-arms felt the same, realisation came not as thought but in sudden action.

 

Where be Aurelian?
 

He rasped, rising through iron pain that clung to his limbs like chains. Koda caught him, steady as stone, pressing his tunic into his hand. 
 

                                                                  She is all well, Kusi. She awaits you!

 

Then he wrenched free, dressed himself, turned at once and went to find her—she who stood where the fire fell thickest and the sky broke in thunder, who marched beside him as men were shattered beneath the screaming bolts of the ballista, unbowed amid the ruin. 

And as he strode into the ash-choked dawn, he found the rising sun was no sun at all, but the pale, bright crown of her egg-headed-dome, catching the light and casting it back upon the ruin.

Bah!

Edited March 21 by truelarper

[danhjkk 27]

Hilda read the missive as she sharpened her sword after battle. A smile donned her face upon Cassius', her name, and her brother, Barathan's name on the missive.
"A battle well fought! I think I did my part well on the trebuchets." 
She'd say, praising herself. She stood, placing her sword by her bedside and folding the missive neatly and tucking it away in her room.
"Long live Idunia. Long live the Empire. And long live the d'Artagnan house! May we all prosper and grow ever more!" 
She'd say to no one, feeling the buzz and excitement of victory and a job well done.

Edited March 21 by danhjkk

[kuerbis 3802]

"Ave Imperium," uttered Valentiná quietly. What would come next?

[Kardika 1058]

The wounded salvian swiftly makes to burn the report given to him after reading it's contents, a petty retaliation at best
"heh, that'll show them..."

After some time deliberating the next course of action and drowning the sting of defeat with whiskey, the weary commander began to scheme anew. The Eastern front had now come to a close, and he knew the west may soon befall that same fate... His writing hand hung in a sling so with his left hand he scribbled new marching orders...
 

"Ain't no surrender... ain't no negotiat'in... We'll keep the fight goin' even if dey' raze the horde to the ground... we'll be a thorn in their side yet..."

His monologue was cut short by a hacking cough, rattling his ribs that were once again broken.

"Damn..."

Edited March 21 by Kardika

[LithiumSedai 5750]

Egon Albrecht, clad in Sergeant's plate of the Black Banner of Alstion, fought his way through the tunnels and vast stone halls of the perfidious Dwarf, lodging the black flag of Merryweather-Alstreim between two cracked stones once the slaughter had subsided, much like his forefathers at the Siege of Kal'Tarak four hundred years ago.

 

[The Tough Guy 4320]

Sir Ghetsis Mareno smoked a large cigar and silently hoped the orcs would just surrender. He was old, after all.

 

[Navigator 4260]

Inquisitor Amyas pulled his sword free from the gullet off a dwarf, cleaning the blood off and spitting upon the fallen stout-man.

"So to you Sons of Urguan, who have fallen to other faiths, I admonish: GOD is able to do all things. For His power is not parted among His many servants, but imitated, and in His multitude of ways, He is above them all."

He quoted, then, from the Scroll of Spirits.

[Nectorist 12871]

"History never ends. The souls of tens of thousands have been avenged, they will say, but what does it mean? The war that has lasted centuries has come to a close, but something will come after," ruminates the Vicar of God to his friend, Morrigan, after the battle. @Dymase

[Sandman_Plays 660]

{!}
Ser Caspian Beowulf Colborn III Stood within the Halls of Urguan, he looked to his left then his right, as the smoke from the battle filled his nose, he drew his helm from his head, his hair matted with sweat and dirt.

Bodies all around him, his blade CORVUS MESSOR dripped with their ichor, the man simply shook his head, "Wherever they go I hope they find peace"

Ooc - Thank you guys for a fun warclaim.

[Coronate 5528]

The Smiling Sun wrenched his warhammer from the skull of a dead dwarf. It was over, years of war- battles fought as a nameless 'noble,' potentially lesser than even the common folk, forced into a name he had never known, naught but a quest.

 

He turned about to see his Knight, and yet he was not there, for he had been cast into a deep coma in the charge at the battle of the Dwarven Gates. Having pressed deep into enemy lines and shrapnel covering his lower leg from the initial push upon the walls, he turned and sat, resting. He thought of all those who had come before him- those who raised him.

Sar Logan, Prince Martinus, Sar Noiye, Guardsmen Lucis, many others... Then, raising the disgusting visor of his pigskull helm, he finally broke, and smiled.