Good
and Evil in Henwe, Summer to Fall 723
The evils of the
former Kingdom are still clearly imbedded deep in the peoples of Henwe. Strange priests and murders of good and ill
alike abound in the lands of Henwe. Recent disturbing events at Gomis have reignited the uneasy feelings of thier
new lands and serfs. It appears that the dark religions of Morgath are practiced by many in the area, a fact
that haunts the thoughts of all new to this land. Yet it is clear that these agents of evil are many and are hidden
well in the manors and villages of the region.
Even with all the
ill tidings in Henwe the power of the new Earl is solidifying itself daily. With Clan Garawe marrying the Earl to the
daughter of the Earl of Selvos, the power allegiance is formidable to say the least. Further a marriage between Earl
Tolas' younger sister and the son of the Lord High Chancellor of the Kingdom now solidifies his place in the Royal Court.
His cousin Arek Alren having been reinstated as Lord of Urost and appointed as Bailiff of Alaban Manor the home front seems
for once seems calm albeit a bit uneasy. The church has recently been assured by the new Earl that a Grand Temple will
be built as a symbol to help quell and inspire goodness in the torn land. It is now the Earls eye that is focused
firmly on the lands with the intent of rooting out the evils that have made this land home.
With the help of
Father Darius and the piety of the local knights and lords it is clear that evil has a fight to contend with.
Spring
and Summer 723...An Old Friend Returns
Spring has brought
new hope to the peoples of Henwe. Yet the old evils of yesterdays still haunt the land. The town of Henwe has
seen significant expansion and a increasingly more robust economy. The first fair held since the war was marginally
successful but was very effective at bringing new faces and skills to the Barony. Over the spring as all were aware
the Kings vist grew nearer by the day. Preparations were in full swing as the Barony prepared to present itself as a
new Bronial seat...perhaps even the seat of a grand new Earldom. Yet the taint of the Dark Lords of Chaos is still
to be rooted out. Metaas now seems to have agents of Morgath with in it's very village.
With all the dark
tidings came wonderful news. Arek Alren was indeed alive and had escaped his captives in Rethem. His
story of capture and his escape did not however bring comfort. As was believed his father had indeed fallen to the Shadow
and was seeking to turn his son into yet another servant of teh dark lord. The former sir Telark came to Henwe with
his followers to retrieve Arek but the forces at Henwe we too pious to be overcome.
With all that Henwe
had to deal with, the summer did come and the King did arrive, and with much negotiations and concession the title and land
of Earl was bestowed upon Tolas Garawe. Yet this title came with a price. The loss of the support of the Charyn
Family was a great and heartfelt loss. Also the unknown repurcussions of the disdain of other lords and great clans
of the realm have not yet been felt. With all that there are still clouds of war in the north.
Spring
723 In-king-sistency
After months of
struggle and work, Baron Tolas, his lords and followers have finally begun to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Finding craftsmen, guildpeople, men at arms, staff, and getting the peasants settled may have all been nothing more than a
volunteer effort if the kings gets his way. Under the influence of other lords and advisors the Kings is reconsidering
the holding of Henwe. It seems that fear of having the Earl of Selvos with another keep so close to his dominion and
far from central Kanday does present some fears. However as it turns out Lord Kesid and Baron Tolas have influential
members of the Kings Council including the Lord High Chamberlain and the Chancellor of Kanday. The hopes are that with
these friends and others impressed by the deeds of the Baron will result in Tolas maintaining his hold on the region.
Perhaps there is even more than meets the eye as the new Valkaar at Weseda is in dire need of friends and the King of Kanday
is less than enthusiastic about Orbaalese lords in his court. But perhaps there is something that can be done to bring
Weseda into the fold.
NEW NEIGHBORS and STRANGE EVENTS
Now in spring of
723 the Barony is struggling to it's feet. People have been spared what might have been a disaster. The winter
led to some unusual and yet very concerning events. Although the people fared as well as could be expected, crime has
been rampant. The people, whose moral compass is somewhat askew, have been committing crimes from theft to as serious
as rape and murder. Further it is quite clear that after engaging several animated corpses near Bildel, that Morgaths
presence is still felt.
With all that is
problematic in Henwe itself the new Valkaar in Weseda is quite amiable and is quite friendly. The Orbaalese mercenaries
have take Weseda and it now seems plan to stay indefinitely. They expressed serious concerns over Rethem and its king
and clearly look like they could be very good allies if not vassals.
Rescue of Conlon
Ilvin of 722. It turns out that Conlon Chahryn was indeed in the care of the Earl of Tormau. But
as fate would have it, the Earl's Orbaalese mercenaries, like wild dogs, turned on thier master. After defeating Tormau
the Orbaalese found a treasure trove in the grandson of the Earl Chahryn. They attempted to blackmail the Earl of a
Kings ransom. Sir Temellin sent Lord Tolas and company to attempt to secure Conlons safe return. As it would turn
out the Constable in Weseda had turned to King Chafin and the Orbaalese when his Lord was defeated. Operating from Weseda
the Orbaalese attepted to collect the debt. However while away looking for the randsom Sir's Tolas, Earlham and Idan
along with the mage Giearrd attepted to negotiate the release of Conlon from Sir Horsik at Weseda. Rather than negotiation
the Constable attepted to secure them as additional ransoms. Yet in a twist of events the intended prisoners got the
upperhand and captured the constable and killed 4 of his men in the process. Upon return to Selvos a great and maginificent
feast was held in honor of the heros.
A Sigh of Relief
Tolas and company
have gotten down to the business of working to establish a functional fief. With much tiral and tribulation the Robber
Lords Fandawart and Eastmar have come unto the fold of the Barony of Henwe. After taking oaths to Larani and Kanday
they have sworn fealty to Baron Tolas Garawe. Much of the population have returned to what is left of their homes.
The policy of pardoning the local brigands has resulted in an influx of zealous farmers, but may result in longer term emergence
of a criminal element. However the general fear of Rethem and a harsh winter have brought everyone together for the
common good. At this point due to lack of management many of the manors have gone into significant disrepair.
Tolas, Idan, Earlham, Tamel and the rest have been working 16 hours a day on minimal sleep just to keep up with the issues
of running the manors.
On a potentialy
brighter note, some Orbaalese have approached the Earl of Selvos and requested a ransom of 1000 pounds silver for the return
of Conlon. With the recent war Selvos' coffers are drained and there is no possibility of findind such funds.
In an attempt to retrieve young Conlon Tolas and company will attempt to track down Conlon and retrieve him without the requested
payment.
Azura 722
The Aftermath of War.
Sir Tolas and company
now find themselves surveying the surrounds of Henwe. A month before fighting men of both sides were the dominant highlights
of the landscape. Now all that remains is the burned and charred ruins of the manors, fields & fences. Presently
the peasants of the manors are returning to what used to be thier homes to find ruins. Tools broken, livestock dead
or missing, homes burned and fields fallow, is all that remains. Of the Manors, Larton and Hydmir seem to have
dodged the brunt of the conflict, primarily due to the fact that some self appointed lords have stepped in and taken care
of the management. The danger of the region is even more apparent when the group came across a wagon train destined
to bring them supplies. All men and materiel were killed and stolen.
Defense of Henwe
and the Midnight Massacre
In late summer
722 the forces at Henwe have repelled the kings forces, albeit narrowly. With some minor reinforcements Sir Tolas and
company return to Hyen to discuss strategy with Lord Temellin. While in Hyen only a couple of days later the forces
of Kandian that are laying siege at Omnis are about to be beset upon by Rethemi forces. Knowing this in advance and
using the forces of the Mage Giearrd a full company of mounted knights and retainers of Selvos ride for nearly 24 hours to
ambush the Rethemi. Although initially the Kandians massacre an entire 100 men it turns out they were merely levies
and foot. The following morning a Rethemi contingent of Knight ride forth to pursue the Kandians. However instead
of running the forces under the command of Lord Temmelin & Sir Tolas elect to fight head on. Although slightly outnumbered
the cause of Larani was too great. With only 1 knight sent to Dolithor the entire Rethemi company was killed or captured.
Word from the north has been entirely too quiet, nothing of the Earl of Tormau or the fate of Conlon.
Battle of Henwe
Agrazhar of 722.
The summer nears
conclusion with the Rethem in control of the enviorns of Henwe. With little support of local lords (only 3 rallied to
the aid of the Baron) the contingent of Henwe was manned by 3 knight of Rethem and 16 light infantry. In all of wars
irony, Sir's Tolas, Idan, Tamel and Earlham and thier 6 squires and men at arms comprised the majority of Henwes defense.
As the siege looked grim for the defenders a re-shift of loyalties from Kanday back to rethem caused a rift in it's 2 groups
of defenders. With Laranis grace the Kandians, who were themselves betrayed, defeated the forces of Baron Pozen and
then managed a defensse to hold off the Rethemi forces for over a ten day. Several attempts to take the walls with
poorly equipped militia were no match for the battle hardened knights of Kanday. After loosing nearly half of thier
numbers Henwe stood defended by Kanday.
Elsewhere in Kanday,
rumor of assaults by Tharda into both Rethem and Kanday bring both glee and anxiety to the forces of Kanday. Initial
reports of Thardas assualt into Kanday are that the Republics forces were annahilated in the woods south of Kuseme.
Further there is a claim by some that Marshall Kronos and 13 members of various senate families are now guests in Dyrisa.
If true this is then truely Laranies grace shines brightly on the Kingdom.
The Long Hot Summer
of 722.
Sir Tolas and company
spent several months in the uncomfortable surrounds of the keep at Henwe. Their current host Baron Pozen had willingly
accepted his guests as a temporary safeguard against any of his former Agrikan friends. Months of purging had left Henwe
deeply depleted in manpower and in a state of partial revolt. Some lords who initially felt Kanday would be a more favorable
ally than the King of Rethem found themselves worried about thier own fate as Agrikans. If this alone was not a justification
for turning on the Baron of Pozen the arrival of King Chafins forces in Midsummer of 722 quickly forced all question. Chafin
had mustered enough support to launch a surprise attack on Henwe. However unknown is how is this possible without the fall
or demise of the keep at Weseda. Last known was that forces of Kanday and the Checkered Shield continued from
Hyen to pursue the Copper Hook to the Thard. At present Sir Tolas and his forces are besieged in Henwe. Thier small
band along with a couple of dozen of Pozens men are all that are holding against 200+ of King Chafins forces waiting like
wolves out side the gates. Provisions might last until fall or even winter but from the looks of things the Rethemi
forces don't look like they want to wait it out.
Rethemi Aftermath.
After the initial
battle at Vendik Hill the Rethemi forces had retreated north to the safety of Golotha and Shostim. Much oftheir
equipment was left on the field behind and perhaps postponing the ability of their forces to counter attack. Shortly
after the battle, Hyen would fall with minimal losses or casualties. Apparently shortly before the invasion by Selvos
a series of peasant revolts would force the garrison to venture out to quell them. A massive ambush would kill the majority
of the garrison at Hyen leaving it completly undefended. With the battle and siege at Hyen being a quick and relative
success the forces of Selvos and Menekod would begin setting up the new government. Locals welcomed the Laranians with
wide open and welcoming arms. Just to the north at the Barony of Henwe the locals would feel quite differently.
Almost immeadiately the Baron Pozen would begin the execution and assasination of those die hard Agrikans in an attepmt to
avoid future dissention and earn the needed trust of the Laranian Church authorities
The Battle of Vendik
Hill 10-11th of Nuzyael, 722.
In the midst of
the Hills NE of Hyen lies an unremarkable hill of little note or interest. However in the spring of 722, this
little noticed landmark would come to mark one of the bloodiest battles in the some years on the Isle of Harn. The forces
of Selvos in an attempt to foil a Rethemi ambush maneuvered into a position just west of the hill. Shortly after
daybreak 40 knights and nearly 400 of the men of Selvos and the King would advance up the slope under the cover of fog.
The battle was joined at the crest of the hill near a small makeshift wall. 4-5 hours later the forces of Selvos would
retreat with half the men that went up. Lord Arek would return seriously injured. Sir Tolas would also return with
numerous injuries, perhaps even enough to down a stout Reksyni mount. Sir Idan and many other knights would return
without their trusted steeds. While others such as Sir Kyram would prove that Kandays next generation of fighting men
are not without courage. However the future of this war, now joined, is far from known. The forces of Selvos,
now battered and beaten will return to Hyen to fullfill thier obligation to take Hyen for it's King. Although the battle
was disasterous for the Kaniansit turned out that the Baron of Henwe would arrive to strike his first blow against Chafin.
Nevertheless it is assured that there will be at least one new Barons under the banner of Kanday. How many battles,
how long will it take, and how many friends will be standing by the time this business is through? Only the gods will
know and only then after welcoming many a follower home
FALL 721 to SPRING
722
The group was best
upon by the Baron Pozen of Henwe. After much deliberation it was decided that the the Baron of Henwe and the acting
Earl of Selvos would meet in secrecy. The two forces agreed to join the battle on the same side in spring. The
winter was spent in Urost, preparing for the coming storm. Upon springs return the forces of Selvos quickly marched
on Hyen. Only a couple of chapterhouses were left manned. Some had been burned to the ground and one had
even executed it;s populace. The forces of Hyen had retreated presumably North but was later determined east.
A odd little Owl managed to search the wooded valley east of Hyen and found a 1000 men lying in wait. A trap for sure!
The forces of Menekod would be destroyed if warning hadn't been made. As of yet Gierrad was sent as a messenger to the
forces of Menekod to warn them. But how can an urban healer get there, can he, did he? It is unknown but in 2
days time all will be made clear. Either the Checkered shield will fall victim to a Rethemi trap or the coordinated
forces of Kanday will smash the Hook once and for all.
