The Story So Far…

A brief summary of events from previous adventures in Weekend Warrior…

2017

King Osric called all the prominent members of the four great factions and the Throne's Counsel to his annual autumn feast. His son, Prince Randar, had gone in search of the Sword of Hope and had been missing many years. This annual feast was part of a traditional celebration and hope for his return. At the feast, the King and Queen were poisoned by unknown assassins.

While the factions have never seen eye to eye, this attempt caused blame and distrust that erupted into violence. The members of the Throne's Counsel (the High Priestess, the Sorceress, the Physician, and the Apothecary) tried to save the King the best they could, but some could not bring themselves to accept "dark magic" or "mad science". It was discovered that a Shadow Elf with a small group of Orcs had been responsible for the assassination attempt. These kind of creatures had not been seen in Olaran in ages. But by then it was too late. The King and Queen succumbed to their death and left and empty vacuum of power upon the thrown.

The Kingsmen leader, Reeve Amurin, was cousin to the Queen and protector of the Throne. And Duke Killian, leader of the Hearth-guard, was cousin to the King and saw the throne as his birthright. The Rangers saw this as a chance to grab power and reform the Kingdom and its laws. And the Sea Lords only owe allegiance to the King of Olaran, which left them open to grab whatever power they could get their hands on. Luckily, the young prince was found quickly. He was injured with patchy memory, but crowned King and struck an uneasy peace between the factions again.

2018

Nearly a year after King Randar was crowned, he sent a large group of forces to retake his abandoned quest to reclaim the Sword of Hope. Rumors had been spreading that barbarian tribes and dark forces were on the hunt for its opposite, the Etcher of Souls. Though it was far outside of the orthodox, the decision was made to send large groups from each faction to assist in the expedition. The Sea Lords would ferry troops and maintain trade routes. The Rangers would scout ahead and help map new territories. The Hearth-guard would organize military action if needed. And the Kingsmen would create and maintain order in any new settlements that were found or created.

Many ships and soldiers were lost in the voyage due to a terrible storm. However, an unexpected surprise came in the form of the King! King Randar left the kingdom in the hands of the High Priest of Luminos and decided to personally oversee the expedition. While this didn't set well with anyone, some rose to challenge the King on the decision, namely Duke Killian of the Hearth-guard and Captain Arquus of the Rangers. Struggle broke out after the King denied them the right to return to Olaran and threatened execution for treason. The Hearth-Guard began ransacking Sea Lord supply wagons and trying to make their way home. Soon the campaign made a turn towards infighting.

As the fighting went on, it became clear that the King was not of sound mind. Eventually he was declared mad and a possible danger to himself. The fighting only stopped when it was realized that the High Priest and the Sorceress had conspired to hex him and send him away. Additionally, the Reeve is also missing from the Throne's Counsel after an apparent assassination attempt. The expedition laid down arms long enough to discuss how to best help the King. But no more was the King sent to a remote monastery to await a cure than did Duke Killian declare his "right" to be Regent of Olaran. The Kingsmen and Sea Lords refused to acknowledge his claim until the Throne's Counsel was dealt with and there could be a proper appointment. The Duke went on to try to steal Commodore Torvin's ships and make his way back to the realm with a host of Rangers and Hearth-guard behind him. They were met close to shore by the Kingsmen and Sea Lords, and stopped before the Duke could escape. Withdrawing into the woods, the factions settled down to see if a peaceful solution to the conflict could be discovered…

2019

We will begin with a first-hand account:

“Here follows the true account of the quest for the Sword of Hope and its finding by the bearer of the sword from the deep woods of Ithacus…..

I, “Shield” Paul of Ki, have acted as a Ranger from the Barrens to the Greenwood to protect the Borderlands in the name of the Kingdom of Olaran. Now in Ithacus by order of the King, I had hoped to complete the quest of finding the Sword of Hope.

As luck would have it, three adventurers named Nyx, Brandis, and Logan approached Ranger Captain Rook Calloway - describing that they have come across a poem that may show the location of the Sword of Hope in these lands. Logan revealed that their interest was less in the Sword and more in the Blood Coin they could gain from its sale, and can with the Rangers' assistance, negotiate the woods and its denizens to find the sword.

The poem described two oaks trees and paces east and north that locate a crypt of the last known resting place of the sword. Nyx said she spotted trees that fit the description and can lead us there.

Captain Rook assigned myself as a veteran of previous campaigns and Ranger Elaine and Ranger Richard to accompany the adventurers and secure the quest sword.

I had grave concerns because the Sea Lords and Kingsman had captured the town and we would have to pass close to their camps. Also, our uneasy alliance may not hold with the Hearth-Guard once the sword was discovered. We did not know if the other factions were searching for the sword too.

In the dark of night, we set out with a few mere lamps to avoid detection……. We after scouting the location made our way through the Old Dwarven Fort and deep into the woods. The moon was not out yet, which aided in secrecy but hindered our task…….. but behold we set eyes on the resting place of the sword amongst the leaves and wrapped in burlap cradled in the woods. I carefully secured the Sword in the name of the Kingdom of Olaran and asked Ranger Elaine to swiftly act as a runner to inform Captain Rook while we make way back to the Ranger encampment. I whispered for Ranger Richard to stay back with me and directed the adventurers to walk ahead as we made our way back fearing betrayal.

As we entered camp Ranger Elaine must have run swiftly, because Captain Rook was quick to follow with several Rangers. He paid the adventurers and secured the sword, but I expressed deep concern. I said, "If this is the Sword of Hope, it cannot be entrusted to any of our faction leaders who have no Faith in its magic." Rook admitted he did not believe in magic and doubted Torvin’s or the Duke’s belief in such things. He also felt that the Reeve was too zealous to wield the blade.

I insisted the Rangers were the hand of the King and must bring it to our addled King to hopefully heal him. No one else can be trusted to not use it for their own ends. Rook looked me in the eye, as we heard a Ranger Scout say Duke Killian was coming, and asked, “Do you trust me?”

I said, “Yes,” and turned to face the onslaught that would surely follow…………..”

Thus the Sword was discovered. Captain Rook gave Duke Killian a fake sword to judge his actions. The Duke, seeing this as a divine signal of his worthiness to rule gave an ultimatum to the Kingsmen and Sea Lords: “Return with me as your leader or else“. This of course did not sit well with the other factions. The new Reave Braxton Petras and Commodore Torvin did not see why, the sword being found, the Duke should command the return.

When they did not respond, tensions escalated into conflict. After a day of skirmishing, the Hearth-guard and Rangers managed through cunning stratagem to divide the Kingsmen and Sea Lord forces as they spread out to defend their encampment and supply depot in the village. First they caught he Kingsmen off guard, defeating them in single swift blow, forcing them wounded and beaten into their camp. The Duke then turned his attention to the Sea Lords who he caught in the middle of preparations to defend the village, driving them out with loss.

While the duke was consolidating his victory and preparing his defenses, the Sea Lords and Kingsmen recovered and coordinated to launch a steady and determined attack on the Hearth-Guard and Rangers. After a bitter struggle the Duke was driven out. Torvin and the Reave pressed their advantage and drew up their forces for a final assault. As the Sea Lord column rushed into the fort, the Rangers abandoned the Duke and stood by as the Hearth-Guard were overrun.

With the Duke thus subdued, all the forces were brought to the negotiation table. Captain Rook then revealed that the Rangers had been in possession of the Sword of Hope the whole time, and that the Duke’s relic was a fake. The Duke, in an effort to maintain leverage then officially put forth his claim to the throne, and asked to be returned to Olaran that his claim may be decided. A tourney was announced a a means of determining which faction would carry the Swords home. Luminos smiled upon the Rangers in the arena and they maintained the right to bear the sword.

Thus preparations were made and ships boarded to return to the land of our birth…

2020

With the army returned from Ithacus, the King’s Council gathered to hear the Duke’s claim to the throne. With the King still mad and declared unfit to rule, the Duke’s path to the throne seemed clear.

However, after hearing arguments from both sides, the Council denied both the Duke’s claim to rule and denied his right to take on the name of Regent before conferring with the Council. This testimony prompted the High Chancellor to summon Duke Killian for trial for treason. After debate and the hearing of many witnesses, the High Chancellor found the Killian guilty of treason, but recommended a lenient sentence in light of the Duke’s extenuating circumstances. The Kingsmen under Justicar Marrius Rayne and the councilwoman Baroness Vignette, fearing rebellion from the Duke and desiring peace for the kingdom, passed the sentence of “Corruption of the Blood,” removing Killian’s title, position on the council, lands, and citizenship, and banished him from the Kingdom.

Great uproar was heard from the Hearth-Guard at this sentence, and even First Sea Lord Torvin, as member of the council, although a longtime enemy of the Duke opposed such a harsh sentence for a nobleman. Into this chaos stepped the High Priest of Luminos - generally a quiet figure - and tensions were temporally eased when the High Priest, in a holy fervor, reminded the High Chancellor that if Killian were to swear to a holy order, his banishment could be lifted. Killian accepted this compromise, and he and two others swore to the Order of Luminos, refounding the ancient order of warrior monks dedicated to the service of all.

Killian’s fate decided was decided, but there was still no ruler of Olaran, and with the last of Alirion’s blood gone the Sea Lords now no longer felt themselves bound to the kingdom. When the leaders met the next day, Torvin spoke of renegotiating the Sea Lord’s place in Olaran. Before he could finish his arguments, the Rangers summarily placed him under arrest under the eyes of the whole army, thinking to put out the firebrand of rebellion swiftly. Unfortunately, the result of this abduction was a breakout of hostilities.

The Kingsmen, desiring to uphold the laws and order of the land backed the Rangers and ordered the Sea Lords to stand down, declaring it was there place to guard the crown and the transition of power. “For King and Crown!” was the cry of the steel-clad warriors as they proceed to lock down the camp, imprisoning Torvin and sending their Ranger allies to encircle the Sea Lords.

With the Hearth-Guard’s coal of hatred of the Rangers still burning, it was easy for Captain Kaiþera of the Sea Lords to convince them to join in the rescue of her brother Torvin. After hours of skirmishing Torvin was returned in a prisoner exchange for Rook Calloway and Marrius, both of whom were captured in the fighting. With vengeance still burning in their hearts, the Hearth-Guard and Sea Lords turned again towards their foes who had barricaded themselves in the nearby woodlands.

At first the Sea Lord and Hearth-Guard assault on the Thornwood went well: the Kingsmen and Rangers were driven back from their defenses. But when The Order of Luminos arrived on the field and threw their lot in with the Kingsmen and Rangers, the attack stalled and the tide began to turn. The Sea Lords and Hearth-Guard were driven back to where the battle started but could not be pushed back up the ridge to their camps.

With both sides exhausted and no end in sight, a truce was called and peace requested for the Night of the Unseen, a special feast day in Olaran. That night saw a veneer of revelry, but hostilities still simmered hotly under the surface.

The next morning with the ceasefire still in place, the Archdeacon of Luminos announced that the High Priest had been the victim of an assassination the night before. He called for peace while the Luminosi sought a new High Priest, and he asked the faction leaders to return in a year to present their cases and decide the future of the kingdom. The remaining members of the council would rule the kingdom in the meantime.

The faction leaders agreed to meet again in a year, the fate of the Kingdom of Olaran lying in their ability to weigh the various needs and desires of the warring factions..

2021

Clouds gathered on the horizon, and rain fell on the autumn trees of the Thornwood as the five factions of Olaran gathered to meet in council. Each faction had its own purposes, and even under the year-long truce, preparations for battle had been going on in all corners of the kingdom. The unexpected death of the king in the summer had only exacerbated the feelings of unease in Olaran, and all knew that much hung on the decisions to be made at the negotiation table the morning after the festivities of the Night of the Unseen.

But one night, at least, of mirth was left to the unified Olar. The cold and chill drizzle could not dampen the moods of those who met in the great mead hall under the lights of thousands of candles. The far-famed group known as the “Four Banner Bards” played merry dance-tunes in the hall, breweries and meaderies from across the kingdom sold their wares to smiling, masked revelers, and outside in the cold the more bellicose fought each other in the fighting pit. Before joining the other factions, the Sea Lords swore a new oath - to their ships, their captains, and the Saelithend family, pledging to be true to each other regardless of the outcome of the following morn. These proceedings were watched over by a stranger who was made welcome in the Sea Lord camp, but whose appearance caused many questions. The stranger said his name was Kallisto, and that he had come from far away. Another stranger lurked in a shadowy corner in the Mead Hall during the festivities: he described himself as “Ramon Abelard, Court Alchemist.” Many nefarious quests were begun by this shadowy individual, and he was observed to exchange coin with several hooded and masked figures.

During the revelry the gathered Olar were somewhat shaken by the news that the former Reeve had died, leaving Justicar Marrius Rahyn to take his place. The Kingsmen rejoiced at this accession of power to their leader, but mutters of unease were heard in the other factions, particularly as rumor had also been circulating that the king’s death may not have been through natural means…

Commander Brandis, one of the leaders of the Ranger Conclave, seemed intent on sticking by his former ally, but Jarl Tove of the Hearth-Guard and Commodore KaiÞera of the Sea Lords met in their camp and pledged loyalty to each other for the negotiations that were to take place the following day. Tove swore her troops would stand by the Sea Lords should their demands not be met, and KaiÞera promised aid and ships should the Hearth-Guard not receive the land they desired for their growing tribe.

Dawn the next day was bleak, and the veiled sun seemed an ill-omen for those who wished for peace. The four main factions of Olaran met on the flat field near the Mead Hall, under the watchful eyes of the Order of Luminos and the Archdeacon Hagios who had agreed to officiate the negotiations. 

Reeve Marrius and Commander Brandis met the Sea Lord and Hearth-Guard leaders in the middle of the field, leaving their armies drawn up in line under the watchful gaze of their seconds - Captain Katje of the Rangers and the new Justicar, Kestrel. As a member of the Council of Olaran, Earl Torvin stood aside and let his sister, Commodore KaiÞera bargain for the rights of the Sea Lords. The Commodore argued that, now the king was dead, the former treaty with Olaran that had been made over a thousand years ago, was null and void. If Olaran wanted the Sea Lords to stay with them as part of the kingdom, then the Sea Lords would need more representation on the council, and more land into which their growing population could move. She also explained that her people would not swear loyalty to the council - they had sworn loyalty to her house, and she would pledge herself for them to the Kingdom if they were to rejoin. Jarl Tove stepped forward and argued that the Hearth-Guard needed lands at the base of the Fire Mountains that they could call their own -  while the Hearth-Guard used to be merely the bodyguard of Killian, they had now grown into a people that needed their own place to live. 

Reeve Marrius, given power of negotiation by the council, refused to give any land to either side - citing that the council had no power to give away other people’s land. In exchange, he offered one of the Kingsmen seats to the Hearth-Guard, should Tove choose to lay aside her claim. The Jarl refused to do so, citing that land was their chief need. Earl Torvin reminded the Reeve and Commander that it was the Sea Lords who had guarded the coasts for years uncounted, and that they had grown and changed much in the thousands years since the first treaty was signed. The Reeve and Commander returned to their battle lines, intent on holding the kingdom of Olaran together, as was their duty. 

Under a glowering sky, the forces separated into battle lines. 

The Second Battle of the Thornwood was long and bitter, and it continued throughout the day, until a sudden squall of rain made the roads muddy and impassable, and seemed to betoken the wrath of the gods at the bloodshed. The Archdeacon once again brokered a temporary truce, and under it the armies agreed to lay aside their arguments for a peaceful return to their own lands.

The Hearth-Guard planned to sail with the Sea Lords back to the new realm of Throi, and thence down the river in the promised barges to their own new lands. Shortly before the camp was struck, the stranger who had joined the Sea Lords revealed himself to be near kindred of King Darayus of Themisia, and pledged Themisian phalanxes to aid the Sea Lords, their kin from long ago, in their struggle for freedom.

Shortly before the armies dispersed, a startling revelation was made by the alchemist who had flitted in and out of the shadows during the previous few days. The alchemist, Ramon Abelard, performed an elaborate ceremony in front of several witnesses, claimed that Bryce Blackmore, a Kingsmen (who had always been thought bastard-born and long laid aside his claim to be king), and claimed that Bryce was in fact the king’s rightful heir. Upon receiving word of this, the Kingsmen immediately discharged him from their ranks, so that he could fulfill his obligations (Kingsmen waive their titles and rank when they join the academy). Doubt was raised as to the young man’s ability to honorably recant his forswearing of all titles, and the Archdeacon pronounced that only the High Priest of Luminos himself could absolve Bryce of his sacred oath. Since there was no High Priest at the moment, another must be elected before the question could be decided. The crowd broke up after this inconclusive decision, and dispersed to their camps - some muttering mistrust at the alchemist’s credibility, while others argued that Bryce could be the true king.

The battle may have ended, but the war of double-rebellion had just begun. 

The consequences of the fight echoed throughout Olaran, and though the Thornwood was the locus, war had already broken out across the whole land.

In the south, the Hearth-Guard forces revolted, and through their influence, took with them much of the Olar army. They seized the base of the Fire Mountains, and the lands surrounding Murnock and Lannock to be their own. With the bounds of their new kingdom established, they took the ports along the Murnock River, posting guards and eagerly awaiting the promised barges from their allies the Sea Lords.

In Throi, the home of the Sea Lords, the blue-clad sailors pushed out the Olar forces from their region, and declared themselves the Sovereign Nation of Throi, swearing no oath but to the First Sea Lord and his family, and seizing an area of unsettled woodland on the border of Raven. Their waiting ships blockaded the Port City of Norn, and awaited the return of their land forces from the Thornwood. 

The Rangers, faithfully patrolling on Olaran’s borders, secured the areas  around those seized by the Sea Lords and Hearth-Guard, patrolling the woodlands from the banks of the Murnock to the Thornwood, and up to the edges of Raven. The green-clad warriors now keep a watchful eye on all land borders, and allow none to pass unless they acknowledge the rule of the Council and the Kingdom of Olaran. 

The Kingsmen locked down the capital city, allowing no one to enter or exit without a pass, and secured the border to the south of Throi, and the north of the Murnock. With great courage, some battalions were dispatched to protect the great Temple of Luminos in the northern edge of the Fire Mountains. The Academy is now training its students at double-time, preparing to regain the territories lost in the sudden upheaval following the rebellion at the Thornwood. 

2022

The autumn moon rode high in the sky, and the Night of the Unseen approached, the free realms of Throi and the Hearthlands planned a reckless endeavor…

Using the truce-time of the feast, a small force from each realm traveled speedily, and in secret, to the Mead Hall in the Thornwood - a location still held neutral by the Order of Luminos, and the Heralds Guild…

This area had long been held sacred to the Olar crown, as legend has it that it was at the location where the Mead Hall now stands that the first king, Alirion, was crowned. However, the mission was so secret that even the warriors on the expedition didn’t seem to know the intended plan.

Unfortunately for these realms, the forces of the Olaran also heard of the movement, and when the blue and red-clad armies arrived, the Olar forces were there ahead of them - though they were only able to summon a part of their force in the time allowed.

The armies made camp on separate sides of the great Mead Hall, warily watched by the Heralds Guild and the Order of Luminos, who feared that the animosity between the realms would be too strong to maintain the truce.

As the sun set in red fire behind the mountains, torches were lit in the Sea Lord’s camp, and the Commodore summoned her sailors to the veiled shrine which overlooked the camp on one side, and the distant mountains on the other. It was time at last, she told them, for the Sea Lords to have their own king: one of their own fleet, of their own oath, of their own ancient realm. She asked the assembled sailors if they would take Earl Torvin as their king. To a resounding chorus of assent, the First Sea Lord left his tent, garbed in new white armor befitting a king, and strode toward the shrine. In front of him walked the Salt Priest and Salt Priestess, holding the ancient oath scroll and the crown of the Salt Folk kings, which sparkled in the light of the dying sun. As the earl approached the shrine, the veil covering it was thrown back to reveal the throne of the first king of the ancient Throian realm. In a solemn ceremony, Earl Torvin took the ancient Salt Oaths and bound himself to lead and serve the people of Throi: becoming King Torvin Saelithend, the first of his name. Commodore Kaiþera was the first to pledge her sword and undying loyalty to her brother the king, and the other Sea Lord soon followed, each receiving an Oath Coin from their new sovereign. As the stars shone out in the darkening sky, the Sea Lord reveled in their camp, and entered the Mead Hall with singing and rejoicing. They once again had a king, but this king was no foreigner: he was one of their own.

In the Hearth-Guard camp, the red-clad forces gathered, and heard rumors of Throi, and possibly Olaran, crowning kings. After feasting in their camp, the Hearth-Guard leaders called for their own king. “Not a king - a queen!” comes the cry from the warriors. The Hearth-Guard forces voted unanimously to crown Jarl Tove as the first queen of the Hearthlands. A golden stag crown was presented to the new queen, and Tove was crowned by Thane Jorran’s hand. Fenrik Tagelia fell to one knee and swore an oath of loyalty, followed by Thane Jorran and nearly all the Hearth-Guard warriors. The night echoed to the cry “Hail Queen Tove of the Hearthlands, hail Queen Tove!”

Not far away in the combined camp of Rangers and Kingsmen, a negotiation was occurring. Bryce Blackmore, the claimant to the throne of Olaran, treated with the Rangers in order to gain their allegiance, after receiving a writ of absolution from his oath from the Archdeacon, signed by the new High Priest of Luminos. The writ allowed for Bryce to accept the titles of royal blood that the Alchemist had claimed for him over a year ago in this very place. With this claim and the absolution of his oath, the road seemed clear to kingship: if he could gain the Rangers’ trust. The Ranger Conclave brought forward their demands to Bryce: the people of Olaran must be a free people, unmolested by the monarch, who would be required to respect their lives, their homes, and their rights, regardless of what it may cost him. To these stipulations Bryce agreed, and the Rangers and Kingsmen were united by the newly-signed covenant.

As the night wore on, the Mead Hall rang to the sounds of revelry. Under the cover of the masquerade, diplomats went from camp to camp, seeking peace. Assassins lurked, and thieves plied their trade. The alchemist set up his workshop in the hall, and sold secrets, potions, and information to any who had the coin to buy his wares. While the forces remained mostly peaceful during the Night of the Unseen, there seemed little doubt that the truce would not survive the morning light…

Indeed, dawn the next morning saw all three camps stirring with activity. Messengers arrived with news that, at last, the Throian and Hearthland forces had abandoned their defensive posture, and were now pushing into Olaran on all fronts. While the Hearth-Guard attacked the Olar outposts in the Fire Mountains, the Throian forces redoubled their assault on Grimhold. Hearing this news, the Olar forces assembled in the field, hoping to stop the Throian and Hearthland forces here in the Thornwood, and buy time for their army to arrive and finish off this small expeditionary force that had made its way to the heart of the kingdom. During a long day of fighting, the battle went ill for the Olar Alliance: though they fought bravely, they could not hold back the might of the two united realms. As the sun set on the Third Battle of the Thornwood, the priests and priestesses of the opposing forces called a truce: no gods looked kindly upon battles fought during the darkness.

The forces retired to their camps: the Sea Lords to feast and celebrate the first full day of the reign of their new king, the Hearth-Guard to hold a vigil and feast for their fallen comrades, watched over by their new queen. At the feast, Queen Tove chose to divide the Hearthlands under the rule of three Jarls - her own former title. Jarl Gamble takes the Fire Mountains, Jarl Jorran the Midlands and Mines of Morrock, and Jarl Tagelia Lannock and the eastern portion of the Hearthlands. Meanwhile, the Olar met in the Mead Hall for a celebration of their own…

Escorted by the Archdeacon of Luminos, Bryce, the claimant to the Olar throne, entered the hall. Absolved of his broken oath by the new High Priest of Luminos, accepted by the Rangers as their sovereign, and acclaimed by the warriors of the Kingsmen, he took the oaths of Kingship and was sworn in as the new king of Olaran. The Olar forces rejoiced: though their realm was still broken, they once again had a king to follow into battle. Amidst the cheers, Justicar Kestrel took a knee before the King and the assembly and unveiled a secret. The sacred relic, called the “Sword of Hope,” had made the journey to the Thornwood in hopes that it would be given to a good, and gracious Olar king. Now rightfully crowned, King Bryce Blackmore accepted the sword and with it the good faith of Olaran’s people and the Kingsmen’s Academy.

The next morning, the Hearthland and Throian forces began to break camp, preparing for a swift march through enemy territory to return to their own lands. While they were separate, the Olar forces fell upon the forces of the two realms, and the armies of the Hearthlands and Throi had to fight their way out of the Thornwood, hastening to return to their realms before the main Olar army arrived.

As the Sea Lords broke camp, messengers arrived with news that Grimhold had fallen - helped by the newly-discovered Throian Fire that questing Sea Lords had obtained from the Alchemist. The Sea Lords, with the knowledge that their realm now nearly reached its ancient extent, hastened to the coast, where their ships awaited them.

The Hearth-Guard hastened south, and on the return journey, Gamble, the new Jarl of the Fire Mountains, sacked and pillaged the great Temple of Luminos, much to the dismay of the priests. Rumor has it that this was unsanctioned action by his queen, but regardless, it deepened the rift between Olaran and the Hearthlands, while even some of the Throian worshippers of Luminos were disturbed.

The Kingsmen returned to their capital, taking with them their new king, as well as a cure for the ague obtained by questing Rangers from the Alchemist. With this cure, the plague that had been raging across Olaran, and to which the late king had succumbed, would now be a thing of the past. New plans were already being drawn up for two new Kingsmen keeps, which were to be garrisoned by both green and gold-clad warriors alike. The Rangers themselves hastened to their outposts, ready to defend Olaran from the invading forces.

Now all realms have welcomed home their monarchs. While there seems to be no chance of peace in the near future, rumors have spread of two new forces preparing to enter the fight…

From across the sea, the long-awaited phalanx of Themisian warriors has landed in Throi, ready to aid their ancient relatives, the Sea Lords, in their bid for freedom. On the docks of Thriese, the bright spears and conical helmets of the warriors of this great empire sparkle in the sun…meanwhile, in the darkest depths of the southern woods of the Borderlands, an ancient people stir - their lands have been threatened by the fighting along new borders of Throi, and the Wold Folk send out a call to all their wandering sons and daughters to return and defend their forests…

2023

The Year of Light, 1123, the thirteenth day of the tenth month. The moon is waning, and its pale light touches the tops of the dark forest trees of the Wold Wood…

The year following the triple coronation at the Thornwood was one of steady borderland battles…

The realm of Olaran was fighting a war on both fronts as it strove to regain the territory lost to it when Throi and the Hearthlands rebelled in the Year of Light 1121…

The Sea Lords held the waterways, seas, and channels, and the Hearth-Guard were fortifying the Hearthlands. Deciding to take the fight to their enemies, the combined Olar forces planned a daring venture and sent an army of Kingsmen and Rangers north, seeking to drive the war into the Wold Wood - the large forested area to the south and east of the Grimmock Mountains - right at the edge of the territory held by the Sea Lords of Throi.

Hearing rumors of this planned invasion from her spies, Admiral Kaiþera sent a messenger to the Hearthlands, calling for aid. She then gathered all the forces at her command, and hastened to head off the Olar army. King Torvin joined the army, bringing all the sailors he could gather from Thriese, Throi’s capital city.

In the middle of the Wicca Wold, the Sea Lords met the forces hastening up from the Hearthlands - led by Queen Tove herself. Two of the three Hearth-Guard Jarls had likewise joined the army, leaving one behind to guard their lands. The armies had scarce time for a greeting, before the Olar forces were seen moving through the woods. As night fell, all three armies fortified their encampments, and a temporary truce was brokered by the Heralds Guild and Order of Luminos for the Night of the Unseen - the yearly autumnal festival held throughout the lands that were once under Olaran’s control.

Night fell and a cold wind blew in a gusts of light rain that misted the many lines of tents with a fine drizzle. Torches sputtered, and warriors drew their hoods over their heads and gathered round their campfires.

In the Olar camp, the Ranger Commander Brandis swore in the new recruits with the Ranger oath - pledging them to fight for their country while the war-scarred veterans looked on with approval. At the end of the ceremony, Commander Brandis promoted Teirgan O'Dale and Mathias Redhand to the rank of Captain, for their dedicated service and excellent leadership. The Rangers immediately began scouting the area, searching the dim forest, and managing to secure several key bridges.

Likewise, sensing this time was a moment when his troops needed to be reminded of their oaths and their cause, King Bryce of Olaran conferred the high honor of knighthood on seven Kingsmen who had demonstrated their commitment to the virtues of The Academy. It had been many years since this, the highest Kingsmen honor, had been bestowed, and the ceremony was met with approval by the Olar forces. Together, the armies of Olaran celebrated their new and veteran warriors, and looked forward to the time soon at hand when they could take the battle to their foes.

Later that evening, illuminated by the light of candles and lanterns, Justicar Kestrel, Commander Brandis, and several of their trusted officers met with King Bryce over a map of the area to discuss the current situation and plan for the conflict they all knew would come the next day.

Deep in the woods, drums sounded as a tribe of Wold Folk, descendants of the tribes that had long ago settled these woods, reconvened in their ancient forest fastness. For the first time in a millenia, their lands were threatened by the tides of war. To represent their cause, the former Hearth-Guard warrior Rollo was appointed chieftain of the Wold Folk. It also became apparent that several relics had been stolen from the Wold Folk, though it was unsure to which realm, if any, the thieves were loyal to. Rollo and his warriors were sent as ambassadors to find out what the encroaching armies sought here in the forest, and to see if they could uncover any more information about their missing relics.

In the center of the encamped armies, the Brewer’s Guild had set up their wares in an abandoned hay barn, and here the Heralds Guild and Order of Luminos met, and determined that the area should be held as a neutral ground for all the forces. They were soon joined by the Healers Guild of Oxforth University, who hastened northwards when they heard that their skills would soon be needed in earnest.

Lights burned brightly in the Hearth-Guard camp, and though the red-clad warriors looked grimly on a fierce fight they knew would soon arrive, they would not let the thought of the morrow dampen their enjoyment of the evening. Ever ready to enjoy a celebration, the Hearthland warriors gathered and heralded the wedding of two of their own, with shouts and acclamation that resounded in the chill night air. Looking on her red-clad warriors with approval, Queen Tove knew that the Hearth-Guard had come far from their humble beginnings as an elite guard unit - now they were truly a people of their own, strong and proud.

It was with a sense of grim determination that the Sea Lords of Throi marched into their camp; for the first time in this war of independence, the Sea Lords were fighting on their own territory. As the sailors assembled in their camp, King Torvin called for the Flotheremót to assemble. Made up of the Captains and Thanes of Throi, these were the people’s representatives, and the voice of Throi to the King. As the fire crackled and the sailors found seats, chairs were brought forward for the captains, Commodore, and King. Seated in a circle, the King proposed to the council the need for an Admiral to oversee the growing navy. To this position, he nominated Commodore Kaiþera, whose efforts in this war, he said, uniquely fit her for the task. The captains voted and Admiral Kaiþera was named to the position. She then nominated Captain Hvitserk to take her place as Commodore of the fleet, and oversee the military forces at sea, while she oversaw the equipping and deploying of the navy from Thriese. After Hvitserk was confirmed by the council, the Sea Lords formed up, each sailor with their ship. Admiral Kaiþera appointed Andar Brimwulf to take over the running of her ship The Atalanta, in her stead. As the stars glinted off the rain-misted weapons of her assembled sailors, Admiral Kaiþera and King Tovin saluted each in turn. The Sea Lords were determined, but never too grim - as the Admiral dismissed the fleet to their tents, she joined them in a drink - raising her glass to another glorious fight for Free Throi!

She had little time to enjoy her drink, for soon afterwards two envoys arrived from Olaran. The first was from three Kingsmen warriors, bearing a letter of thanks from King Bryce for the clemency shown to the inhabitants of Grimhold, and for the chivalrous manner in which the Olar relics had been sent back to Olaran. The envoy suggested that the King would be interested in discussing the idea of a cessation of fighting, to which Admiral Kaiþera sent back an answer stating that no peace would be considered until Olaran accepted the sovereignty of Throi - the Sea Lords would live as free Throians or die. As the Kingsmen envoy returned to their camp with this message, another messenger arrived for Admiral Kaiþera from Commander Brandis, requesting an audience. Taking with her a small group of sailors, the Admiral sought the Ranger Commander out in his camp, and there attempted to convince both Brandis and his warriors that the Sea Lords would be better allies for the people of Olaran than the Kingsmen. The Admiral presented a letter that her sailors had found which claimed that Kingsmen had been forcing remote villages to give up food, coin, and supplies under penalty of death. She warned the Rangers that the Kingsmen were not their true allies, and that might, the law, and even the gods were on the side of Throi. Looking into the flames, Commander Brandis saw blue and green flames mingling, where before had been only gold. Skeptical of the truth of the letter, but still hoping for a chance at a peaceful resolution to the ongoing fight, he promised to investigate the claims of the Sea Lords, but warned Kaiþera that he could not be persuaded to fight alongside the Hearth-Guard.

As she rose, Admiral Kaiþera extended the offer to any Rangers who wished to return to Grimhold - as long as they agreed to abide by the laws of Throi and swear an oath of peace, they were free to come and go as they pleased. Leaving the Rangers to think on these terms, Admiral Kaiþera took her sailors to share a drink with Queen Tove in her camp. Queen Tove questioned the Admiral about her meeting with the Rangers, but Kaiþera reassured her old friend that they would never betray their alliance. While the two shieldmaidens shared a drink, they were surprised when Jarl Gamble offered marriage to Captain Jenn of the Sea Lords, and even more surprised when the offer was accepted. Tove and Kaiþera drank to the success of the marriage while the warriors in red and blue cheered the union they hoped would further strengthen their alliance.

But not all of the Hearth-Guard were pleased to be so far from their homes, especially when the shamans of the Hearthlands whispered of signs in the sky and a darkening of the sun that foretold great danger to the Hearthlands. The Themisian embassy heard rumors of these foretellings, but they welcomed the darkening of the sun as a fortuitous sign - in ancient days their black-painted armor had help them achieve victory against their foes during an eclipse, and they always celebrated the times when it occurred as propitious to all endeavors. Kallisto, the commander of the Themisian phalanx, pointed to the rumors that had begun to spread of the illegitimacy of Bryce the king of Olaran as a fulfillment of these prophecies, and he promised good fortune to the forces opposed to Olaran on the morrow.

But King Torvin and Queen Tove were taking no chances. They met with their captains, and having received word from their scouts of the surrounding areas, they planned for the fight the following day. The clouds had met overhead and the rain began to fall. The fires sputtered and the captains of both camps huddled under a rain-drenched tent and peered at the map of the wood, wondering what the morrow would bring…

The rain slackened as the dawn came, though the clouds remained an unbroken roof overhead - it seemed as though the sun was already darkened before its time. Both forces had heavily fortified their camps, but there was no time to set up a siege As shadows receded in the forest King Torvin led a scouting expedition of Sea Lords to examine the terrain and look for a path through the dense Wold Wood. Luckily, one of the scouts accompanying him spied a company of Rangers laying in wait in a fold of the ground. After a brief exchange of arrows the Rangers drove the sailors back to their camp, where they were reinforced by a company of Sea Lords who were training for their shieldwall. Instantly, battle was joined, while scouts were sent back to camp to warn the rest of the armies. The Ranger force pushed the Sea Lords back up the trail, but new forces came into the forest from the Sea Lord and Hearth-Guard camps, joining the battle lines and scattering the Rangers on the path. As the armies of both sides made their way to the battle, the small group of Rangers fell back to rejoin their main force.

The fighting lasted all day - the troops from the Hearthlands and Throi captured several objectives in the morning, gaining much ground in the woods. During the battle, the Hearth-Guard captured King Bryce and brought him back to camp as a prisoner. While captured, Bryce spoke with a Hearth-Guard Shaman who shared her vision of an impending doom that would befall the land. The Shaman's vision was of a darkness covering the sun, while Bryce's vision was of a dark storm from the sea that threatened to destroy a crumbling castle. Even as they spoke, the sky outside darkened, and it seemed as though the foretold darkening of the sun was even then occurring. Seeing this as a sign, the Hearth-Guard released King Bryce and returned him to his forces. During the noontide while the sun was at its height, it remained partially obscured, and many feared the meaning of the dire omen…

In the afternoon, the Rangers demonstrated their woodland skills and succeeded in obtaining many cursed relics they hoped would aid them in their fight. The Kingsmen and Hearth-Guard shieldwalls faced off on the path, and the Sea Lords scoured the woods for relics and Rangers. As darkness, this time of the oncoming night, fell once again on the woods, a temporary truce was called and the forces returned to their camps to recover from the fighting… little did they know that the day’s events were far from over.

Early Saturday evening, Sea Lord scouts delivered into Commodore Hvitserk’s hands several intercepted letters sealed by the High Chancellor of Olaran. The letters seemed to indicate waning support for King Bryce among several Olar councilors, and included conversations questioning his legal right to the throne of Olaran. Hvitserk knew his former comrade in arms, and current Commander of the Order, the disinherited Duke Killian would likely be keen to learn of these developments within the Olar council. He invited Killian to treat with King Torvin in the Sea Lord camp, and presented the letters to him in the King’s presence. Hvitserk argued that Killian once released from his penance in the order would be free to press his claim for the Olar throne, and it would be to Torvin and Killian’s mutual benefit for the Sea Lords to back him against Bryce. Torvin agreed, but asked the gathered Sea Lord sailors if they would support Killian. The assembled Sea Lords volunteered to back Killian so long as he would recognize Throi’s independence should he succeed in assuming the Olar throne. Torvin and Killian struck a tentative bargain, and Hvitserk led the gathered Sea Lords in a toast to their health and the promise of a potential future alliance.

That evening, the Olar Alliance was presented with a writ from the Hearth-Guard declaring their intention to return to the Hearthlands the following day - the Queen had been swayed by the warning of her seers and the omen of the darkening sun, and felt that she must return in haste to her lands before the foreseen danger made itself known. It was at this time that Commander Brandis heard, to his surprise, that the King and Justicar Kestrel had met with the Hearth-Guard earlier that day, and had already come to a loose agreement. King Bryce, Justicar Kestrel, and Commander Brandis met with Queen Tove and Jarl Gamble to discuss the terms of a peace treaty. They were in the middle of these negotiations, when a disturbance was seen by the haybarn.

Hagios, the Archdeacon of Luminos and representative of the church of Luminos called the attention of all present and read a proclamation from his priestly order: it seemed as though he had been presented with proof that Bryce was not the legitimate king of Olaran: in addition to the word of the Alchemist, who now claimed he had forged the test that allowed Bryce to become king, several letters had been found in the woods from Rassendyll, the Lord High Chancellor of Olaran. These letters indicated that many other members of the council were also concerned about the legitimacy of Bryce, and his ability to rule a united Olaran. Citing these allegations, the Archdeacon threatened King Bryce with excommunication and demanded that Bryce renounce his claim and seek the justice of the Council of Olaran.

After this threat was delivered - King Bryce spoke to all those assembled. He stated that he never sought the crown, but that he had accepted the responsibility of it and would continue to do so if the people agreed. Joining him, Justicar Kestrel stated that the Kingsmen would side with their chosen King. The Rangers also agreed that so long as the king was just and fair, and cared for the people well, that the status of his royal blood was of little importance. At this point Brother Killian, the head of the Order of Luminos and former contender for the crown, stepped forward with his own claim - offering to lay aside his Order robes if Olaran needed an heir with royal blood. This was met with anger by many of the Hearth-Guard, who viewed his joining of the Order of Luminos years before as a betrayal. In response to this, Bryce turned to Queen Tove, and offered her his recognition of the Hearthlands in return for her support of his claim, while Killian turned to King Torvin and promised to recognize Throi. At this point the leaders realized that the Sea Lords had quietly brought Torvin his throne, and that the sea king was lounging there at the edge of the ring, sipping a mug of mead, surrounded by his sailors who calmly watched the debate of the Olar claimants. Admiral Kaiþera turned to Justicar Kestrel, and urged her to take the debate back to their own camp: the succession was a matter for Olaran to decide, after all. Kestrel agreed as tensions were running high, and she knew this issue was one that must be dealt with swiftly. Turning to the assembly, Admiral Kaiþera jumped on a table and invited those not concerned in the high matters of the Olar court to join her in song, and forget the troubles of the day - which she mistakenly thought, for herself at least, were over.

The night wore on, and amid great merriment in the Haybarn Admiral Kaiþera was called away by a summons to the Sea Lord camp, where she found Queen Tove and King Torvin in earnest conversation. Her grin faded as she saw the serious faces turned toward her in the king’s command tent. The Queen had just broken the news to Torvin that the Hearth-Guard felt the need to return to their home, their seers foretelling great disaster if they avoided the summons. Saddened by the news, the Admiral embraced her friend, and promised the aid of Throi should the Hearthlands ever call. The Hearth-Guard returned to their camp, and the Sea Lords held a council about how to defend themselves on the morrow, now that they were so drastically outnumbered.

The next morning, the sun rose bright and warm as the Hearth-Guard prepared to return to their homeland. The Sea Lords put on their finest armor and brought all their banners to the Hearth-Guard camp to see their allies off in style, and saw across the field that the Olar forces had done the same. Meeting in swift council, it was decided that, once the Hearth-Guard had departed, the Sea Lords would fight until they could withdraw into the trees, where they had been successful in combat the day before. There they would hold out until the Olar armies returned to their capital. This they knew the Olar army must do soon, in order to hear and discuss the claims of the Council of Olaran, and to save the nation’s fragile unity.

As the armies lined up across the opposite sides of the dew-sprinkled grass, Admiral Kaiþera once again called out to Commander Brandis - urging him that to truly defend the people, he and his Rangers should stand with Throi. Brandis, willing to hear what Kaiþera had to say was about to respond, when horns sounded in the Hearth-Guard camp, and the gates opened to reveal the mass of red-clad warriors, their arms and armor shining in the sunlight. Drums beat and trumpets blared as the host marched forth. The tramp of boots beat its own rhythm as fist after fist of Hearth-Guard warriors issued from the gates behind their golden-haired queen, who led them forth in strength to face their new destiny.

“Honor to the Hearthlands!” King Torvin cried, and the call was echoed by his sailors. Drawing his sword, he held it high in salute as Queen Tove led her Hearth-Guard through the lines of warriors. On the opposite side of the field, Rangers and Kingsmen saluted the Hearth-Guard in turn, wishing them speedy travels back to the Hearthlands. Raising their weapons high, both armies joined Torvin in his salute, and the horns of the Hearth-Guard echoed in the distance and faded, as they made their way south to their home.

—

Epilogue:

Returning to Olaran, King Bryce prepares to persuade the Council of Olaran and the Church of Luminos that his claim stands, and that the people stand with him…

Commander Brandis seeks for the truth of rumors and must soon decide who has the power and will to protect the people of Olaran, as he continues to strengthen and guard the land’s borders…

Back in Thriese, King Torvin musters his forces and Admiral Kaiþera oversees the strengthening of the fleet, while Commodore Hvsitserk leads the forces at sea as they continue to harass the Olar coast…

Deep in the woods, the Wold Folk prepare to move south to safer territory, while Chieftain Rollo has revealed his clandestine marriage to none other than Justicar Kestrel of the Kingsmen…

The Themisians have cast their lot in with Throi, and now that their new allies are outnumbered by their foes, they send back to their empire for reinforcements - specialized archers who can navigate the wooded borderlands…

The Order of Luminos stands prepared to follow Killian, but what will he do? Will he press his claim to the throne of Olaran, or will he continue in his role as neutral head of the sacred order?

And in the Hearthlands, Queen Tove prepares to wisely use the peace she has brokered to increase the power of her three Jarldoms…

2023 Summary by Objectives:

Battle Objectives:

Morning Fight (Objectives Taken and Held):

Sea Lords = 1

Hearth-Guard = 1

Rangers = 0

Kingsmen = 0

Afternoon Fight

Relics Collected Round One:

Hearth-Guard - 1

Sea Lords - 7

Kingsmen - 1

Rangers - 4

Relics Collected Round Two:

Hearth-Guard - 0

Sea Lords - 2

Kingsmen - 1

Rangers - 4

Free Realms Total Objectives: 2

Olar Total Objectives: 0

Free Realms Total Relics: 10

Olar total relics: 10

Bloodcoin Count:

Hearth-Guard: 500

Sea Lord: 320

Ranger: 310

Wold Folk: 145

Kingsmen: 119

Themisian: 30