Esterlen

The Imperial ambassador, Hermann von Stahl, signs the treaty with the Emperor's signature as per his instruction, John himself being preoccupied with business in the capital.

^ My conversation with Cosmic the other day, just as proof this has been cleared for posting.

“Did you see that little dwarf *****? I like his kind the best. Killing them is like pulling weeds, strangely relaxing.” -Artimec Camoryn, Commander of the Hrivedd nonhuman brigade The Valley of Flowers was a God-forsaken place, between the rain, the mud and the immovable spikes. It was enough to make any man of Oren wonder why they were trying to conquer it from their stunted enemies in the first place. Or perhaps that was merely the bitterness of defeat getting to them. Indeed, an advance force of Imperial men and entered the valley, but unfortunately had been repelled back as did happen from time to time when the Urguanites became cornered like rats. It was no matter, for the Empire was nothing if not resilient. If their dwarven enemies could survive massacre after massacre then surely the coalition of elves and men would dutifully march on after only being pushed away from an entrenched fortress or two. With such a lack of success, it was time to open this war onto a new front. To this end, Imperial men began pouring into the recently annexed mountain fortress of Ard Ghorrock, retreating out of Urguan and marching doggedly east, past the north of the Blue Mountains and circling around to the southern tip of the Hallowvale: inside the fortress, the commanders set their sights on a new target - one which had long plagued the Emperor and his predecessors. _______________________________________ WARCLAIM DETAILS TYPE OF BATTLE: Skirmish TIME: 13th of February 2016. 5 EST PM. ATTACKERS: The Holy Orenian Empire and allied forces DEFENDERS: Dunamis LOCATION: The fields between Fort Dunamis and Ard Ghorrock Vandoria from left in Fort Dunamis, Oren from right in Ard Ghorrock TERMS OF VICTORY: VICTORY FOR ATTACKERS- If the defenders are killed or driven from the field of battle. VICTORY FOR DEFENDERS- Attacking forces are killed or driven from the field of battle. REWARDS: Orenian victory: Initiative to proceed with a siege upon Fort Dunamis. Dunamis victory: Initiative to proceed with a siege upon Ard Ghorrock. RULES: -No status switching. -No golden apples. -No altering of terrain or construction of new fortifications after this WC is posted, on account of the suddenness of this assault. Moderated building on the fort is allowed depending on discussion in the warclaim chat, though limited to an extent comparable to Jarnstrand or Rhewengrad, as has been the precedent with first-target forts. *The field shall not be altered and moderated building will be placed on Fort Dunamis. The restrictions will carry over the two weeks between this point and the siege with the following week to this being harsher than the first. All concerns and additions may be given to the attacking side within the warclaim chat which it may be discussed. Edit made by war moderating staff to the proceeding rule in red above this one. -No exterior modification of terrain after this WC is posted may take place by the defenders, whilst traps that normally go against server precedents, such as pitfalls that instant kill, are to be removed by staff. -No construction of any new fortresses or other warclaimable fortifications designed to hinder the assailants along the warpath (Or arguably anywhere else in Vandoria, as it's a cheap tactic to prolong the war), with the would-be warpath consisting of Skirmish > Fort Dunamis > Al’Wakrah, as this image demonstrates: https://i.gyazo.com/cb3c2e71683d3f360bae7011579c31d3.png -All LOTC rules. -If the Vandorian side do not show to their side of the warclaim, they implicitly forfeit and the Empire is allowed to take control of the region being sieged and can force a date of the next skirmish or siege as determined by Orenian command.

"I hope they enjoy Lord Rothesay's decoy," says John, having buried the real crown somewhere in the Carnatian woodlands years ago in the event of this very circumstance arising.

ACT OF MERGER, 1543 By decree of His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor, John the First, it is hereby stated that the lands of Kaedrin shall henceforth be amalgamated into the region of Lorraine, and its title become elevated to the Archduchy of Lorraine, the Kaedreni vassal counties having their vassalage officially transferred from the Emperor's person to that of the Archduke. For too long have the Kaedreni plains been without a Magnate to guide it or nobility to uphold the lands; the grass grows long and fields go without tilling. For such prime hinterland of the Empire to go without leader is a situation that must be rectified. The reasoning for such an advocation by His Imperial Majesty is in that the region of Kaedrin has too long be helmed by incompetence and ill placed ruling. His Exalted Grace Augustus d’Amaury shall be granted this from His Imperial Majesty with a humble heart, and he hopes that this placement shall be treated with the highest disposition and well placed authority, in securing the lands and prosperity of Lorraine, and the previous lands of Kaedrin. Due to the lack of a bloodline traced from Chivay, these lands shall be given to d’Amaury and their ilk, until the same that befell the Chivay would befall the d’Amaury. In accordance with such a policy, the Archduchy is given full and complete rights to govern, administer, and helm such a land. His Exalted Grace, Duke Augustus d’Amaury, is henceforth to be name Archduke Augustus d’Amaury. Signed, His Imperial Majesty, John, Holy Orenian Emperor His Exalted Grace, Augustus d’Amaury, Archduke of Lorraine

Edict of Banard, 1543 Issued and Confirmed by His Imperial Majesty the Holy Orenian Emperor John I Frederick, 14th of Snow's Maiden, 1543 DEAREST SUBJECTS OF ALL STATUS With the recent vassalization of Ard Ghorrock following the abdication of Frederick Rovin from the now defunct state of Vandoria, the question of what to do with these lands has been raised. To address this question, the borders have been drawn for a new southern vassal state, the Duchy of Banard, to be ruled by the Emperor's son Prince Charles, Duke of Furnestock. The acting seat of said polity is to be the mountain fortress of Ard Ghorrock. May he guide and expand these lands excellently, and in doing so, better both Banard and Oren. IN NOMINE DEI, His Imperial Majesty John I Frederick of the House of Horen, by the Grace of GOD, Holy Orenian Emperor and rightful Emperor of Aeldin, forever August, Apostolic King in Oren, of Savoy, Westphalia, Kaedrin, Haense, Renatus and Salvus, Defender of the Faith, Grand Duke of Kaedrin, Duke of the Crownlands, Carimea, Erochland, Kingston and Leone, Margrave of Greater Kreden, Count of Felsen, Louvain, Beauclair, Wett and Metz, Sovereign of Humanity and Protector of the Elves, etcetera.

“Blood thumps in these chessmen - you need only listen, and you will hear.” -Augustus d’Amaury, Duke of Lorraine, dated approximately 1520 Avar was under the Imperial yoke, well and truly. The island’s first conquered castle in the south, Jarnstrand, had been granted to Ser Rael Acker, dubbed the Unburned, for his insurmountable bravery in the final battle which secured the entire island for the Empire. Ferries had circled around Avar and collected Imperial troops who were stationed at the newly captured dock fortress of Kal’Valen. Within the fortnight, a flock of sails could be seen billowing across the frigid Urguanite sea, carrying the conquering force back to the mainland, back to what had formerly been Rhewengrad, to march along the coastline and back into the Valley of Flowers. The end was in sight, and this time there would be no quarter. _______________________________________ WARCLAIM DETAILS TYPE OF BATTLE: Siege TIME: Saturday the 23rd of January, 10 PM GMT, 5:30 PM EST, 2:30 PM PST (Proposed) ATTACKERS: The Holy Orenian Empire and allied forces DEFENDERS: The Grand Kingdom of Urguan and allied forces LOCATION: The fortress of Kal’Ordholm TERMS OF VICTORY: VICTORY FOR ATTACKERS- If the defenders are killed, or if their keep is taken, or if they are forced into an underground bunker. VICTORY FOR DEFENDERS- Attacking forces are killed or driven from the battle area. REWARDS: Oren victory: The fortress of Kal’Ordholm and its surrounding region from Rhewengrad north will be annexed by the Holy Orenian Empire. Urguan victory: The area will be non-warclaimable for four weeks. RULES: -No status switching. -No golden apples. -Moderated building will be placed on both parties. -In order to accommodate an actual fight, the offense and defense shall be allowed to repair (With appropriate materials) their siege engines three times from a malfunction for the purposes of creating a viable breach, on account of the offense's supply train. -If the dwarves are driven into an underground bunker or cellar, they immediately are conceding to Orenian victory. -No relocking doors/trapdoors if they are unlocked in RP during the siege. -All LOTC rules. -If the dwarves do not show to their side of the warclaim, they implicitly forfeit and the Empire is allowed to take control of the region being besieged and can force a date of the next skirmish or siege as determined by Orenian command.

Imperial Writ of Ennoblement for the House of Ruric, 1542 Issued and Confirmed by His Imperial Majesty the Holy Orenian Emperor John I Frederick, 24th of the Grand Harvest, 1542 TO OUR BELOVED SUBJECTS, It has pleased the Imperial Throne to raise Our leal vassal, Eiric Ruric, to distinguished rank among Our subjects. Accordingly, and with the grace of God and the attentions of Our realm, We do confer the status of nobility upon the House of Ruric, in trust to Our throne for the duration of their loyal service. Its dynasts are enjoined to marry within their status, and similarly to disown such relations as shall displease Our rule. In return, and as a sign of Our graciousness, We do privilege their head to petition Our court, and to hold land in homage to the Holy Orenian Emperor. IN NOMINE DEI, His Imperial Majesty John I Frederick of the House of Horen, by the Grace of GOD, Holy Orenian Emperor and rightful Emperor of Aeldin, forever August, Apostolic King in Oren, of Savoy, Westphalia, Kaedrin, Haense, Renatus and Salvus, Defender of the Faith, Grand Duke of Kaedrin, Duke of the Crownlands, Carimea, Erochland, Kingston and Leone, Margrave of Greater Kreden, Count of Felsen, Louvain, Beauclair, Wett and Metz, Sovereign of Humanity and Protector of the Elves, etcetera.

"God save Mylas" cries the Corporal Hermann von Locklear

“They misunderestimated me.” - Vibius de Sola, Marshal of Humanity, called the 'Traitor-Marshal', date unknown Smoke billowed into the sky on the southern end of Avar, its expanding tendrils shadowing out the beaming sun. Looking to the tundra landscape below revealed a large pile of corpses, now blackened, their ashy stubs revealing the stoutness of those who had been dwarven soldiers in life. Imperial men tossed the last of their fallen foes into the pile, dusting their hands. Cleanup around Jarnstrand was finished, and the army was anxious to march on. Mid-day came and the sun’s rays finally penetrated the macabre veil of grey which clouded the sky. A beam of hope. The imperial’s initial war-camp was all but dismantled now. The engineers had repaired the trebuchet’s destroyed in the last siege, and the walls of the encampment had been taken down. A sea of footprints led north, the Empire marched to to the castle of Kal’Valen to fully secure their hold on this frigid isle. _______________________________________ WARCLAIM DETAILS TYPE OF BATTLE: Siege TIME: Saturday the 16th of January, 10 PM GMT, 5 PM EST, 2 PM PST (Proposed) ATTACKERS: The Holy Orenian Empire and allied forces DEFENDERS: The Grand Kingdom of Urguan and allied forces LOCATION: The castle of Kal’Valen TERMS OF VICTORY: VICTORY FOR ATTACKERS- If the defenders are killed, or if their keep is taken, or if they are forced into an underground bunker. VICTORY FOR DEFENDERS- Attacking forces are killed or driven from the battle area. REWARDS: Oren victory: The fortress of Kal’Valen and its surrounding region will be annexed by the Holy Orenian Empire, as will the remainder of the dwarven-controlled region on Avar (As they would be hence bereft of their strongholds on the island). Urguan victory: The area will be non-warclaimable for four weeks. RULES: -No status switching. -No golden apples. -Moderated building will be in place for both parties. -In order to accommodate an actual fight, the offense and defense shall be allowed to repair (With appropriate materials) their siege engines three times from a malfunction for the purposes of creating a viable breach, on account of the offense's supply train. -If the dwarves are driven into an underground bunker or cellar, they immediately are conceding victory. -All LOTC rules. -If the dwarves do not show to their side of the warclaim, they implicitly forfeit and the Empire is allowed to take control of the region being sieged and can force a date of the next skirmish or siege as determined by Orenian command.

"Come with me, dwarf-lords, to Felsen - we're off to strong-arm Oren!" These had been the words of the madman Grand King of Urguan, Midgor Ireheart, on that fateful day in 1529 where he and his host had marched to the Imperial capital. There they had delivered their cold demands, not preceded by any act of military aggression on the part of the human empire. Oren as a nation was to disband, with all vassals to be released from their fealty, or it was to be war, said the dwarven representatives in their skulduggery. The Emperor had turned them down. It had been twelve years since that day, and the dwarven ploy had turned against them. Midgor Ireheart died from complications surrounding his mouth-sores, succeeded by some former wheel-maker of little renown. The Empire had destroyed the Urguanite hosts countless times, and was now leading a counter-offensive deep into their sovereign territory. Of course, there was the usual call of the conscientious objector: 'Warmonger John' was just one of the more kindly names he had been dubbed with. Yet within his conscience, the Emperor knew that in pursuing this war, he was doing God's work. An extermination of the dwarves was not what he desired. On the contrary, he remembered the hours he had spent planning with his friend Uldar during that Grand King's reign in the last decade, plotting to arrange a partnership between their nations and usher in a golden age for the both of them. Of course, his outlook since then had changed somewhat, for the human race could never be safe while an independent Urguan yet stood. It, along with all trappings of the old dwarf order, had to be torn down and built anew.

"God instituted various establishments to further guide His creation. Our God is a just God, Our God is an awesome God, He reigns, in Heaven and on the Earth, and under the Earth. Allows for us safe passage throughout the day, and has allowed us the minds capable of crafting tools to defend against creatures of the night. He has created all things and that He so loved the world that He had made, that He was compelled to create again, but this time, a steward for His creation. This steward was man. It is the man that we return to as a man new and created in love and for the purpose of love. Not to maim and kill his brother, but to defend and guard the truth. It is this truth and this reason that leads one to tremble, for he has been awakened to the notion that this reason stems from the inherent reason present in God, God who loves us has instilled in us the reason that HE Himself has. We were not only made with His reason, we can then infer that we were made in his likeness as Man. Superior to those who only look like deviants, the lesser races. Man has an inherent vocation, a universal call to sainthood after death, but a call to holiness in life. In regards to creation, man must marry himself to creation, take on creation as his bride to have and defend. This creation includes that creation lesser than him. Trees, grass and dwarves. Man is called to guide them, and to protect all of God’s creation, but this does not mean that man is indentured to these deviants, but instead are called to guide them, like a dog with a leash." -High Pontiff Pius II 12th of the Grand Harvest, 1541 The summer sun of the Grand Harvest bore down upon the plains and frost-fields of western Avar, melting snow and ice alike into dirty water as the Imperial Army crushed it underfoot, their siege engines in tow after their landing at Cape Bronson. At the Emperor’s command, they marched to the eponymous Hoar Hill, from where the assault was to be embarked upon. Crows circled over the castle of Jarnstrand, their caws breaking the ominous silence that always preluded a battle, they knew there would be plenty of carrion to feast on tonight. Down below, wood-elven bowmen counted their quivers and the sons of Horen assumed their positions about the siege engines in their entrenched battle camp. A Kaedreni engineer raised his sword, and with a downward slash cut the rope holding a taut, loaded trebuchet in place. The stone soared through the air. A moment of silence pervaded. Then a distant crack was heard, and the crumbling of stone was seen. An eruption of cheers resounded through the Imperial siege camp, for the battle had begun. The Empire’s assault of siege engines was yet short-lived, however, as the Urguanite artillery brought down the colossal siege tower looming over the invading forces. Men scattered away from the impact zone as volleys of boulders hurled across the field, back and forth. Imperial shots struck true into the stone walls of Jarnstrand until the dwarven retaliation smashed into the Empire’s own trebuchets, rendering them useless hulks. Jan Kovacs, the Count of Kvaz and High Admiral, who had deftly constructed the majority of the Empire’s ordnance, released an audible sigh as his hard work came undone at once. The Emperor placed a conciliatory hand on his shoulder. “Dismay not over mere wooden constructs, Kovacs. Look over yonder, and you will see that we have naught to fear.” The siege camp was abandoned thereafter and the army, various nonhuman guerillas and partisans in tow, advanced forward into a more prime position from which to launch an assault. High elven halberdiers in their runic and enchanted armor, painted woodland-elf warriors picking off any dwarven head peeking out of the battlements with their longbows, and Vandorian condottieri under Decimus ‘Collins’ Rovin all followed the lead of the Imperial soldiery, adeptly avoiding traps pointed out by the keen eyes of Tresery of Laurelin. Under Henry of Rothesay’s command, the Luciensporter knight Miguel Cortes led a combined assault of Vladovic and Sepulchrist men upon the breached rear of the fortress, Jan Kovacs mounting mechanical ladders from all angles - all the while Baron Oscar Lancefeld, the son of the late Ser Drake of Nordwen, charged into the gaping hole that marred the castle’s front, accompanied by the Lorrainers under the command their recently returned duke, Augustus, son of Titus, son of Vibius, called 'the Hammer'. Dwarven defenders atop the wall scrambled to meet their new assailants. Urguanites hurled shimmering green vials towards the charging Imperials. Humans and elves alike braced for the burning fire, wondering who it would take and who it would spare, but instead heard screams from the other side. The vials had exploded in their enemy's hand and were burning through dwarven lines, as if a sign of God’s vengeance. Emboldened, the united front did not hold back, charging into the great hall of the Castle Jarnstrand. With his flanged mace and at the helm of his men, Rothesay disabled the Urguanite control room, annihilating their devious, cruel contraptions and rendering them useless. In the chaos, the Urguanite constable, Belegar of Ireheart, was stabbed half-a-hundred times by Augustus of Lorraine's arming sword. Lancefeld cut down the High Prophet with a single fell stroke, the depraved dwarven witch releasing a porcine squeal as his entrails spilled onto the grey bricks. A single panicked defender managed to lock himself in a tiny chamber used for storing grain. In the midst of battle, the Imperials paid no regard to him. This nameless dwarf would be the sole Urguanite survivor of the massacre of Jarnstrand - all others would be cut down, without any quarter, as the Holy Orenian Empire achieved victory at the Battle of Hoar Hill.

Absolutely none of the weaknesses prescribed in the RP rules for alchemist's fire are actually coded into the plugin, this we can confirm. We've been arguing against this for circa six months now - but it's not even our chief-most issue at the moment. Right now a bigger concern is that it's almost undeniable that a huge portion of your alchemist's fire is duped, however the staff's refusal to actually investigate or put the item on suspension until your innocence is determined (Or not determined, as the case may be) is complicating the scenario: hence our demands for a total ban of it.

On phone atm so I'm speaking through Matthew Hollis please stop removing his posts they generally reflect my stance

“It is how I punish those who irritate me. You know too much. You impede me too often. And I find your arrogance to be an annoyance. I’ve had men killed for less.” - Robert, Holy Orenian Emperor, to the dwarven ambassador of Grand King Wulfgar, dated 1464 The swift Imperial shift of strategy in pursuing the war aggressively had begun to reap its bountiful rewards; the Urguanite navy lay shattered and broken at the bottom of the Strait of Avar near Cape Bronson, its steamships rendered useless by sheer tactical domination, and the defensive line of the south irrevocably by the fury of the Orenian assault. It was time to push the advantage. The Emperor, Henry of Rothesay and Josef of Saintois stepped off of the command ship and onto the established beachhead on the coast of Avar, inspecting the state of things at this critical juncture. Even here, where the light of Imperial civilization seemed so far away, the advancing armies did not go wanting for any supply. Newly reared swift and hardy warhorses were brought to supplement the elite cavalry of the Empire. The highest quality steel was fashioned into the greatest blades in the known world. And the great woodworkers of the elf-realm shaped bows peerless in all history, ready for a monumental push. The Emperor and his two generals stood in the command tent with their faces wreathed with the burdens of their God-appointed task, peering down at a map of the land on which they now stood. “Gentlemen,” John began with his usual assertive tone, grey eyes flicking to the two in turn before averting back toward the map. The calculated discussion progressed for a time, before a single index finger pointed towards a spot on the map. The decision had been made. With the decision made, the trio exited the tent, moving to face the lords and commanders present. “Prepare to siege,” commanded the Emperor’s baritone, frowning thinly. _______________________________________ WARCLAIM DETAILS TYPE OF BATTLE: Siege TIME: Saturday the 9th of January, 10 PM GMT, 5 PM EST, 2 PM PST (Proposed) ATTACKERS: The Holy Orenian Empire and allied forces DEFENDERS: The Kingdom of Urguan and allied forces LOCATION: The southernmost dwarven stronghold in Avar TERMS OF VICTORY: VICTORY FOR ATTACKERS- If the defenders are killed, or if their keep is taken, or if they are forced into an underground bunker. VICTORY FOR DEFENDERS- Attacking forces are killed or driven from the battle area. REWARDS: Oren victory: The fortress and its surrounding region will be annexed by the Holy Orenian Empire. Urguan victory: The area will be non-warclaimable for two four <--(Edit: Fire) weeks. RULES: -No status switching. -No golden apples. -No altering of terrain or construction of new fortifications after this WC is posted. -In order to accommodate an actual fight, the offense and defense shall be allowed to repair (With appropriate materials) their siege engines three times from a malfunction for the purposes of creating a viable breach, on account of the offense's supply train. -If the dwarves are driven into an underground bunker or cellar, they immediately are conceding victory. -All LOTC rules. -If the dwarves do not show to their side of the warclaim, they implicitly forfeit and the Empire is allowed to take control of the region being sieged and can force a date of the next skirmish or siege as determined by Orenian command.

Hmu on Tarnished Coast if you ever wanna play GW2 with me Birdwhisperer

Imperial Letters for the County of Lewes, 1540 Issued and Confirmed by His Imperial Majesty the Holy Orenian Emperor John I Frederick, 17th of the Grand Harvest, 1540 TO OUR BELOVED SUBJECTS, It has pleased the Imperial Throne to reward the service of Our leal subject, Vespasian of the House de Sola, with a tenure in fealty to Our Imperial Crown. Accordingly, with this grace of God and the counsel of Our court, We do enfeoff Vespasian of the House de Sola to the County of Lewes and the Barony of Dour Watch, a role they and their legitimate issue shall hold in trust to Our throne for the duration of their loyal service. They are enjoined to maintain the law of Our realm, to abide peacefully by Our rule, and to rise to Our defense when necessary. In return, and as a sign of Our august graciousness, We do privilege their head to levy law and taxes upon their vassals. IN NOMINE DEI, His Imperial Majesty John I Frederick of the House of Horen, by the Grace of GOD, Holy Orenian Emperor and rightful Emperor of Aeldin, forever August, Apostolic King in Oren, of Savoy, Westphalia, Kaedrin, Haense, Renatus and Salvus, Defender of the Faith, Grand Duke of Kaedrin, Duke of the Crownlands, Carimea, Erochland, Kingston and Leone, Margrave of Greater Kreden, Count of Felsen, Louvain, Beauclair, Wett and Metz, Sovereign of Humanity and Protector of the Elves, etcetera.

Imperial Letters for the Barony of Franzenburg, 1540 Issued and Confirmed by His Imperial Majesty the Holy Orenian Emperor John I Frederick, 14th of the Grand Harvest, 1540 TO OUR BELOVED SUBJECTS, It has pleased the Imperial Throne to reward the service of Our leal subject, Oscar of the House of Lancefeld, with a tenure in fealty to Our Imperial Crown. Accordingly, with this grace of God and the counsel of Our court, We do enfeoff Oscar of the House of Lancefeld to the Barony of Franzenburg, a role they and their legitimate issue shall hold in trust to Our throne for the duration of their loyal service. They are enjoined to maintain the law of Our realm, to abide peacefully by Our rule, and to rise to Our defense when necessary. In return, and as a sign of Our august graciousness, We do privilege their head to levy law and taxes upon their vassals. IN NOMINE DEI, His Imperial Majesty John I Frederick of the House of Horen, by the Grace of GOD, Holy Orenian Emperor and rightful Emperor of Aeldin, forever August, Apostolic King in Oren, of Savoy, Westphalia, Kaedrin, Haense, Renatus and Salvus, Defender of the Faith, Grand Duke of Kaedrin, Duke of the Crownlands, Carimea, Erochland, Kingston and Leone, Margrave of Greater Kreden, Count of Felsen, Louvain, Beauclair, Wett and Metz, Sovereign of Humanity and Protector of the Elves, etcetera.

11th of the Grand Harvest, 1540 The fleet had been at sea for more days than any soldier cared to count. The monotony of the ocean and the constant bobbing against the hull of the Imperial warships, sailing from port to the great island as well as the anticipation of likely imminent death was enough to drive a man insane. A few men felt apprehension towards going into battle when the fleet had originally left the Felsen harbour, but as the distant shoreline of the island of Avar faded into view, no man could deny that he felt relief, and eagerness. The lookouts clambered up the sturdy masts and scoured the horizon for their enemy, but none were seen. Only the eerie silence occasionally broken by the cawing of gulls as the men stood ready on their ships, keen blades in hand. Then suddenly, a shout from the flagship, the Empress Adelheid shattered the quiet. “Dwarves to starboard!” A cheer erupted as the Urguanite fleet sailed into view, their steamer defiling the air with pitch black smoke. The Imperial fleet followed the lead of the Empress Adelheid as the two navies prepared for a no-holds-barred clash. The Empire would grant the stouts no advantage of range this day, each ship clashing headstrong into their dwarven counterparts in an explosion of shrapnel and tangling sails. Chaos truly erupted as men leaped from ship to ship, arrows whizzed by rigging and mast and screams of the dying broke through the sounds of the sea. A dwarven rally roared through the skies as the stout-men regrouped aboard a wayward ship. Their morale was short lived as the arbalestriers of Franzenburg and Saintois reeled the boat in, the hardy men led by Josef of Saintois leaping aboard the dwarves’ last hope, tailing a band of Ubba'Ugluk's immense uruk-berserkers as fierce fighting lasted for a tense few minutes, then died down as thick streams of blood ran down the frigate’s hull, victorious orcs collecting scalps and heads. The green-blue water of the Avaric sea ran red with the blood that afternoon. Eventually the last of the screams died away as an eerie silence fell over the endless field of flames and flotsam that was the coastal waters, the wreckage burning intensely. No dwarves nor their allies remained standing. Men of the Empire, elven-kin of the forest and uruk-folk of the sands broke into roaring cheers alike as their victory was made apparent. They would mourn their dead upon their homecoming, but for now, they were content in their triumph, the snowbound shores of Avar in their sights as they sailed past Cape Bronson. Grand King Rhewen would learn that day that despite his erstwhile victory at Khro’Nogaak, the Empire’s forces were not so easily broken.

You will be missed. Shoot me a msg on Skype sometimes, friendo xx

“No-one can fault the Emperor for bringing the dwarves to their knees.” -Lothar Horen, Imperial Justiciar, to Sohaer Kalenz Uradir, dated 1459 The Valley of Flowers had wrought a bloody swathe of victims through the Imperial ranks, dispensing its heavy handed justice over commoner, burgher and noble alike. Yet for all the blood that the cruel siege had spilt and all the wounds incurred, the advancing forces seemed implacable in their advances. The bodies were mounted high around the fortress of Khro’Nogaak, too high to offer any future assault upon the broken and ruined walls. It was a time for eyes to travel elsewhere - to search for another path through which to drive at the stout’s malignant capital. “I’ll hear no more about that damned fortress,” proclaimed Emperor John in a husky voice, his entourage marching through the war-camp of tents and his gauntleted hands wrung together as a subtle sign of his displeasure. “But how?” inquired one of the three Rothesay brothers, most likely the youngest, Baldwin, “How could our fire not undo their stone, our reserves-” He was interrupted by the Emperor’s cold gaze. “If I hear another word about Khro’Nogaak, I swear more heads will roll than that of the dwarves,” he switched his attentions at once. “Tell me, General Josef! Have you readied the transports?” _______________________________________ WARCLAIM DETAILS TYPE OF BATTLE: Skirmish TIME: Saturday the 2nd of January, 10 PM GMT, 5 PM EST, 2 PM PST (Proposed) ATTACKERS: The Holy Orenian Empire and allied forces DEFENDERS: The Kingdom of Urguan and allied forces LOCATION: (Oren from the right, Urguan from the left) TERMS OF VICTORY: VICTORY FOR ATTACKERS- If all defending forces are routed or killed. VICTORY FOR DEFENDERS- If all attacking forces are either routed or killed. REWARDS: Oren victory: Oren shall be free to advance this front onto the holdings of the Clan Grandaxe on Avar. Urguan victory: The area will be non-warclaimable for two weeks. RULES: -No status switching. -No golden apples. -Potions of all mediums will be allowed - Addition made on Dec 27th. - Fire -No altering of terrain or construction of new fortifications after this WC is posted. Addition: This will be deemed such as additional forts, walls or means to stop the advancing party. - Addition made on Dec 27th. - Fire -Additional fortifications will be moderated. The general concept being low level fortifications such as quickly made traps or wooden defenses for the first fort and more, less restricted fortifications for the second one. Both will be overseen by the Warclaim overseers. All fortifications deemed unreasonable will be removed. - Addition made on Dec 27th. - Fire -All LOTC rules. -If the dwarves do not show to their side of the warclaim, they implicitly forfeit and Oren is allowed to determine the siege on a time of their preference.