Surface- Iron Hills Region
Free Lands- Outside the City of Ordgan
Lugnat Ironbeard had lived his whole life in the city of Mabus, it had a good mix of all races and did not discriminate too much. The Council that ruled the city made sure that the Slavers Union and their ilk stayed out of the city and their affairs. However, the city of Ordgan was far from the same. The great Iron Pits that produced nearly one-third of all Iron used by the Free Cities, was harvested just too the southeast of Ordgan. They had received word weeks ago that the Iron Pits had been shut down due to all the slaves escaping, so Lugnat had come trying to buy Iron. He did not expect to see a large army encircling the city of Ordgan. Thousands of Black Armored beings surrounded the city. To the north-facing wall, he could see at least one breach and the large gate had been smashed. Smoke hovered over the city and Lugnat could see multiple fires being fought in the Inner and Outer Cities.
Lugnat and his kin were debating turning around and leaving when about twenty mounted soldiers came riding up. "State your name and purpose for coming too Ordgan." The man stated as he and his companion stopped close by. Each was armed with a spear, bow, and longsword while wearing leather and chainmail armor. They were scanning the caravan and the surrounding area.
"I am Lugnat Ironbeard from the city of Mabus to the north. We came to Ordgan to purchase Iron, we have only supplies for the trip and no wares to sell or trade. We do have our weapons in case any bandits tried to raid us on the road, those are not for sale or trade." Lugnat stated loudly in reply.
"I am Sergeant Gunther of the First Legion, Master Ironbeard. Do you work for the Slavers Union? Are you an associate of theirs? Do you mind if we inspect your wagons?" Sergeant Gunther asked as he continued to study Lugnat and his kin.
"Feel free to inspect the wagons, but they are our wagons and we have no interest in selling them. As far as the Slavers Union goes, city of Mabus does not like their kind nor does the city allow them entry in any way. So no, I am not part of the Slavers Union or associated with them in any way." Lugnat responded as Sergeant Gunther barked out two names and two riders quickly dismounted leaving their spears attached to their mounts as they made their way forward.
"No offense Master Ironbeard, your city might not welcome them, but it still profits off the backs of their work and the slaves they traffic in. As you can see, the city of Ordgan is closed for the foreseeable future. Once it has fallen, you can come to an agreement with the Empire of Night on if we will sell you Iron you wish to purchase. If you wish to wait for the siege to end and make an agreement, I know there is a clearing about thirty minutes ride to the north. You and your people can camp there, we are patrolling the area so you do not have to worry about monsters or bandits. If you wish to leave, you will not be hindered by us. However, you can go no further closer to the city of Ordgan." Sergeant Gunther stated before signaling his men and they quickly followed him back closer to the city.
Lugnat looked at his cousin who was carrying a crossbow, he shrugged in response to what the Sergeant had said. Lugnat gave out a whistle and the wagons turned around, they would head to this clearing and discuss what to do, they would also send a message to their kin about what was going on to the city of Ordgan and warn them of the troubles coming.
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Jacob walked among the Legionnaires of the First Legion. Most were getting up and getting breakfast and checking on various duties they had around camp. They already had control of the Outer and Inner Cities because they had been arrogant enough to leave the Shield down when the Legions began their bombardment. They foolishly thought their walls would be strong enough to withstand the siege engines, they four large breaches in the outer wall and the gates of the Inner Wall had not closed in time to keep the Legions out.
The army had compounded their foolish mistakes and had quickly consolidated their gains, but not before the defenders had started several large fires to distract and slow the attackers. The inhabitants of the city knew of the betrayal by Lord Sarel Bersk and other leaders of the city that were currently holed up in the keep. They only had a few hundred guards left, all the others had been captured or killed quickly.
"How many have been displaced by the fires?" Jacob asked Nadal.
The Drow frowned, "Hundreds, but we are lucky the cities population had fallen off because of economic hard times. With the Iron Pits workforce being slaves only, all the previous miners had to move away. So normally the population of a city this size would be close too if not more then twenty-five thousand, currently from the records they have about twelve thousand instead. So most of the buildings they burned were empty, but a few dozen were not and now we have to find housing for those that lost their homes."
"Well, the City of Ordgan will gladly rebuild their homes out of their pocket once this siege is complete. Now did we find any escape tunnels?" Jacob asked the Drow who quickly nodded.
"Two and we collapsed both, we wouldn't want the little rats to scurry away now, would we. We are still patrolling for any others, but the Engineers are fairly sure that should be all of the escape tunnels. I have patrols watching the roads to the north in case we missed something, other then an occasional merchant, nothing has been reported." Nadal replied with a smile.
Jacob smiled back, no he did not want the city leadership going anywhere. "What about Immortals, any problems with them?" Jacob asked as he received his food. Eggs and hash, ham, fruit, with tea, no oatmeal this morning.
"We have found a few dozen Immortals in our sweeps of the Inner and Outer city, but they offered no resistance and stayed out of the Legionnaires way. I guess word about what happened to all those that decided to fight at Uldon is getting around." Nadal stated as he received his food.
Jacob and the Captain-General made their way over to some of the nearby tables. Both men armed and armored but ignored by the black-armored Legionnaires. "I am assuming that the Keep is out of range of the Trebuchets?' Jacob asked the Drow who quickly nodded as he shoveled food into his mouth, 'I don't want to assault the keep unless we do not have a choice. Let the Geomancers work and scout out for any hidden passages leading from the castle out into the city, we might get lucky. I can also give them an alternative of surrendering and living or fighting and dying or being executed if captured." Jacob stated bouncing an idea off Nadal.
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"I thought you wanted to execute the leadership of the city for ordering an invasion of the Empire," Nadal replied, confusion evident on both his face and voice.
Jacob smiled at the Drow, "I will swallow my pride general if it saves our soldiers lives and give them each a life sentence of hard labor with the threat if they ever try to escape they will be executed immediately." Jacob replied as he explained his change of mind.
More than one Legionnaire had heard Jacob words and was staring at the two. Jacob never turned and did not expect a thank you. He did this for them. He put them in danger and expected losses, but if he could spare them their lives at the cost of some pride, he would gladly do so.
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Surface- Crecents Plains Region
Free City Alliance- City of Athesas
Keep
James Devinshire pinched the bridge of his nose as he listened to the various reports and advice from his advisors, "Ladies and gentlemen we have already gone over this multiple times. I will not end the Free City Alliance based on the actions of the minority that have sided with the Slavers Union and withdrawn from the Alliance. I will not start a war because of them. I know you are all worried, you have every right to be, but I will not take the diplomatic course off the table until we have no choice. If I can, we will..." Before James could continue a loud rumble shook the Keep.
James had been endured both sides of a siege, the keep did not shake from a blow of a siege weapon. The Lord of Athesas quickly ran to the nearest window and looked out. Where the Alliance Council Building once stood, was a broken building and flames. "Captain, lock down the city including the Portal and Teleportation Pads. Get every Ice and Hydromancer we command too where the Alliance Building was, MOVE!!" James roared out.
"It appears that we know what Cliphis response to our diplomatic overtures." one of the advisors mused causing James to glare at the man.
"This meeting is over, get out." James glared at them as the various advisors left. It did not matter what the truth was, if the people believed the Slavers Union and their allies were behind the attack, they would demand war against them.
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Surface- Shinning Hills Region
Arang'mor- City of Arkburn
Citidal of Light- Control Room
"The nearly one-third of the southern Lords are in open rebellion, all the churches to the south are preaching damnation of you and the Priests there are incouraging the commoners and nobility to overthrow you. Several smaller Immortal guilds are assisting the rebels in various ways but have not openly declared for their side. The City of Alanthia is openly supporting the rebels with materials and money. We have sent a complaint to the Free City Alliance, but with all the current trouble there, I don't think we will receive much support from their government. Currently, the rebels can field nearly five thousand men with the support of nearly two hundred Paladins, Clerics, and Priests. Those numbers are growing and a minor Lord usually joins the rebels every day." The High Inquisitor stated.
"Call up the loyal lords to the north, have them start marshaling their forces at the City of Ardmery to the east and here at Arkburn in the west. Have each lord provide at least one hundred men, but no more than five hundred, I do not want to deplete our forces to the north and leave it open too bandits and monsters. I will call upon the merchant guilds to purchase food supplies and basic leather and mail armor sets as well. I am sure they will be happy to sell their stocks too us." Othgad Lightbringer stated as he pulled up the bright highlighted red areas of southern Arang'mor.
"As you say, my king. Eight Outposts have either gone over to the rebels or been captured. The Fortresses of Faerchester and Farleigh have gone over too the rebels as well, both are only Level 2 Fortresses though.' The High Inquisitor stated as the map highlighted each of Outposts and the two Forts, all of them were located within the Agrionia Hills Region. 'We also believe the southern City of Wuross will join them soon or it will be invaded. This is also the location and home for those small Immortal Guilds that have been assisting the rebels. If the city goes over to the rebels, it will double their military strength overnight."
Othgad studied the strategic map, all the rebel territory was located in the south-east area of Arang'mor. It was also three weeks of hard travel from the City of Arkburn. Getting an army there would take even longer. "We will deal with it as it comes, send out the orders to marshal the forces. It will take at least a month for those armies to assemble even with portals."
Suddenly the door burst open and an Acolyte ran into the room and made directly to the High Inquisitor. The Acolyte quickly started whispering in the man's ear causing the High Inquisitor to pale, "Are we sure? Has the information been confirmed?' the Acolyte nodded his head rapidly causing the High Inquisitor to wince and dismiss the Acolyte. 'Two pieces of news, the City of Wuross has gone over too the rebels and there was an explosion in the City of Athesas. The Alliance Council Building there was destroyed, we have no idea how many have died but the rumor is that the Slavers Union is responsible. It seems the Free City Alliance is no longer on the verge of a civil war, it will happen now."