= EVENT STORY =
Words spreads of Pack Longfang and their ally’s victory in a great battle against an unusual mordok force, which was soon after celebrated with a feast. As reports of Mordok activity along the Shield of Mardrun dwindle down, it seems like the recent attacks and raids along the northern border have returned to an uneasy quiet. Many are welcoming both the new spring and the reprieve from Mordok attacks equally.
What is not quiet is the tension among Ulven Clans to the south. With many travelers and remote settlements continuing to be fearful of raiders, it has led the rumor mill to begin to spin larger tales and point fingers of implication. Some say the raiders are sent by Clan Grimward to continue their previous aggression. Others claim the raiders are Clan Stormjarl trying to frame the acts on Clan Grimward. Others claim the raiders are unorganized gangs or clanless glory-starved warriors looking for word-fame. And yet others claim the raiders are from the Colonies in an attempt to show the Clans as weak and unable to protect their borders.
In an effort to bring the Ulven people together, several Clanleaders have suggested a Moot to discuss this particular issue along with several other pressing topics. A gathering such as this hasn’t happened in quite some time; many are looking forward to the opportunity to have focused discussions and settle issues or see how the different Clans can co-exist in years to come. Clan Ironmound has put forth the use of one of their border settlements near The Pass through the Great Wolf’s Hackles, a common ground for many Clans to meet at. Clan Grimward has been the first to publicly agree to this proposed assembly, with Clan Nightriver following suite. In a rare stance among the Ulven, representatives from the Colonies are also allowed attendance at this event. Soon the entire continent is buzzing with rumors and gossip about this upcoming political affair and how the outcome of the day could shape the future of Mardrun.
= EVENT SUMMARY =
As travelers gathered for the Ulven Moot, the heightened security around the settlement caused some tension among people who disagreed with its enforcement. Clan Ironmound’s appointed leader of the event was stern yet willing to compromise, smoothing over a few gruff visitors among Clan Grimward.
After light social interactions, the assembly was called together to officially begin the Moot. With Clan Ironmoun’s rep leading the topics of discussion, the appointed Clan delegates took their turns weighing in on their involvement or their opinion of each. A common theme among several voices was the need for supplies to the north after the intense conflict with the Mordok not only along The Shield but in Clan Shattered Spear territory. Consideration was given by several representatives, mainly Clan Grimward and Clan Ironmound, willing to look into what they could do to send aid. The topic turned to a more sensitive one; the concern over the raiders who have targeted multiple places for quite some time now. An eyewitness claimed to have recently gone up against these raiders and then they were attacked by warriors carrying the Clan Grimward banner. Tensions spiked as what could be viewed as a “public accusation” was levied against Clan Grimward. In a surprising move, the Grimward representative agreed to investigate the raids and was willing to allow a council to review what was discovered. Many were taken aback at how agreeable the Grimward representative was, and that this topic did not escalate further.
A break was called for and those assembled continued their discussions off to the side as people made their rounds. A few Ulven delegates made a vocal fuss over some etiquette of some non-Ulven visitors. Besides a few awkward or bristled interactions, the Moot continued peacefully but several people asked where Branthur Nightriver was as he had not yet arrived at the Moot. One of the Grimward visitors had mentioned that “Haygreth was scheduled to make an appearance” as well, which took many by surprise as this was news to most.
The answer to both of those questions became clear when the Clan Grimward representative called forth for the Moot to assemble again. The feeling in the assembly was off this time as the representative read out loud a letter, a declaration, both from himself and from the Warleader of Clan Grimward, Khulgar Graytide. Three things were presented to those gathered.
The first shocked all at the assembly, as a crate was handed over where inside rested the decapitated head of Haygreth Grimward, Clanleader of Clan Grimward. His features were unmistakable despite the decay that had taken to the flesh from the long journey to the assembly. The Chain of Station around its rotting neck stump further proof of the Clanleader’s identity.
The second was a visitor with Clan Grimward who addressed the assembly. Adorned with trophies, including a scalp, this visitor proclaimed to all that she was the “Voice of the War-sworn” who had been sent to deliver a message. This strange visitor hailed from Clan Stonetooth, the lost Ulven Clan far to the north in the Outlands. The message was simple; Clan Stonetooth is coming for conquest.
And finally, the third was the entrance of well-armed Clan Grimward warriors and with them, a prisoner. It was then that the Clan Grimward representative announced a warning; the settlement was surrounded by Clan Grimward warriors and any who drew steel or tried to flee would be cut down. The appointed Clan Ironmound representative in charge of the Moot, genuinely taken by surprise at this turn of events, made note that the Clan Ironmound guards providing security to the settlement were now missing, somehow being replaced by Grimward’s martial forces. The prisoner was asked to state who he was to the assembly so there was no mistake with his identity.
Proudly stating his name, Branthur Nightriver, Clanleader of Clan Nightriver, spoke his last words as the Clan Grimward representative caved in his skull with a mace. Cries of shock rung out in the assembly as the mace hammered repeatedly, blood and gore making a ruin of the Clanleader’s head. The body was dragged away further into the settlement and the assembly was given a small window of time to make their choice; surrender or die. This was also when the Clan Grimward representative proclaimed to all that Khulgar Graytide had dismantled his position as Warleader of Clan Grimward and instead joined the ranks of the War-sworn, some sort of martial title among Clan Stonetooth.
When a note was discreetly delivered to the now trapped assembly, they learned that Branthur’s Warpack was moving to the settlement and would attack and signal horns. When they did, the group had to make a choice; surrender and live, break through and try to escape, or stall as long as they can to help the nearby Warpack and any other representatives that might be nearby. With the group lacking armor, shields, or support weapons due to the heightened security of the Moot, the group decided it was best to break through and try to escape.
Horns blared in the distance and the sound of a pitched battle caught the Grimward by surprise as a Nightriver Warpack in the area had caught wind of what happened. They acted with a suicidal charge to give the assembly a chance to break through the Grimward warriors and escape. Time against them, the group endured endless assault of well-armed and armored pursuers. Wounds began to mount, and the situation became dire but the organized retreat to safety stayed together. Although most of the assembly was able to escape back to nearby allied camps, several were wounded, killed, or captured by Grimward forces.
Branthur Nightriver’s personal warpack met the same fate as their Clanleader, giving their lives to buy time for many representatives to escape. Although many were slain, a good number were taken prisoner along with several important representatives from several Clans.
Word of Clan Grimward’s ambush at the Moot and proclaimed alliance with the long lost Clan Stonetooth reached many ears quickly at the same time that messenger hawks and hurried travelers began circulating news of events all over the continent. Travelers from Clan Grimward territory tell of many confused Packs and families at this sudden alliance within their Clan. Many wonder what part Clan Ironmound played in this and whether they will still send the aid they promised to Shattered Spear. Clan Grimward banners display in the settlements closest to The Pass through the hackles, shutting off all trade and travel through the mountain range. Hawks send word that multiple warpacks have moved into Clan Shattered Spear territory, quickly driving into their lands. And yet more hawks warn of both border skirmishes along Haygreth’s Scar and Clan Stormjarl coastal towns reporting raids against their ports and ships before the news of the Moot reached their people. In the span of a single day, two Ulven Clanleaders are dead and war has returned to Mardrun.
The Conquering has begun.