Part of Winds of the World - Winter 222
In the High Valley, the guardians of Deorling’s Citadel once again prepare to leave their mighty fortification and travel across the heart of the Valley and do battle. The hundreds of soldiers stationed in the wall that defends Windholme from Bolsterlee are yet to have the honour of defending their fortification directly, instead having to travel with their equipment every season to the far end of the region to do battle with the Illsevir forces spilling out of the Baelags Holdfast in the East.
Every season the number of defenders who return is less. Some are buried out east, in the byways alongside the fields, in the cleared league around Baelag’s outer walls, or perhaps just outside the eaves of The Stags Wood. Some, normally great heroes or leaders are carried back at season's end, buried with their warriors' boroughs beneath Deorling’s Citadel. But each season there are less to defend the wall. Nearly half of those who once wandered the walls at Deorlings and trained in its shade have gone back to the mud.It has become a quiet place experiencing a drawn out demise.
But the Iron Valley has not yet been defeated in Windholme, last of the high places. They have bloodied The Eel that has ensconced itself in Baelag’s Holdfast each time it has tried to escape. But with each season defeat seems closer.
But Concordian keys will not see the Valley abandoned. A thousand Concordian mercenaries, rallied by the honourable Janissaries Guild march alongside the defenders of Deorling’s Citadel, and spend the spring and summer fighting the Eel in the shadows of Baelags Holdfast. The fighting is slow and defensive, even away from their fortifications the defenders act like a wall. They draw a line in the soil and declare no further shall the Illsevir advance.
And they keep to their word. While less bombastic than the battles elsewhere in The Concord, the forces with hearts of iron aided by those with hearts of gold repulse The Eel once again. But as the first autumn rains fall and snow threatens the Valley, fewer defenders return to Deorlings Citadel and the fortification risks becoming a more important mausoleum than defence.
Game Information
Concordian forces hold Windholme against the Eel once again, both forces grinding each other into the dust season after season. Losses continue to mount but victory is achieved.
Many Concordian mercenaries fought to defend Windholme, the battle only being won through their presence. Characters who wish to have fought at Windholme (either due to assisting mercenary forces, aiding the Valley or vengeance against the Illsevir) would have stories of an almost quaint campaign, manning fortified camps along the Eastern battle line, walking patrols to connect these defensive positions, occasionally receiving warm meals of beef stew,roasted mutton or herbed vegetables from nearby Valleyfolk homesteads or towns. All this is broken up by the occasional fierce and deadly fighting of the Illsevir, who crash upon this tranquillity with a single-minded violence.
The following military units suffer significant losses throughout the campaign and are operating at half tier (or half if they are Tier 1) until they are reinforced by spending locks equal to their tier to rearm. This can be done either through your downtime sheet or by giving the funds to the War Chamber Commandant.
- Vincent (Lerona Mere)
- Arimir El’Obregon (Andash)
- Ser Gawain (Kingdom of Bordevar)
The slow wearing away of Deorlings Citadel’s defenders is growing more pronounced. Much more damage to the mighty fortification and it will crumble away, unable to maintain its physical defences with so few warriors to see to its needs.If either of Deorling’s Citadels sides fall to 1000 strength, the fortification will collapse and no longer function.
The Concordian Pathfinders report that there will be a chance to assault the forces at Baelag’s Holdfast as a major conflux during the Winter Summit.