= EVENT STORY =
Fighting in The Pass, the small strip of traversable land that connects Clans Grimward and Nightriver within the Great Wolf’s Hackles, has been grueling all winter. Through the thick, heavy snow and blustering, bitter cold temperatures, warriors here have been kept extremely busy as they continue the fight a year after their clan leader, Branthur Nightriver, was slain in ambush by Clan Grimward. With the recent news of more ground being taken within the Pass by Nightriver, confidence has grown in the Clan’s ability to build up and hold outposts further into the Pass than previously thought while Grimward controlled too much ground.
The constant rotating roster of front-line fighters has kept the fight going, with warriors filtering in and out as needed to get back into fighting shape. Now that the snow has melted and frozen dirt has shifted to mud, the task of building up outposts has begun. Front line fighters now have no option of losing ground, or they risk the loss of these still developing outposts and the resources poured into them.
Victories here are hard-fought and even harder kept, but Clan Nightriver continues to stand tall in the face of Grimward’s attempts to take The Pass, along with help from the Colonies. Fighters here will need to continue to persevere to keep this vital piece of land under Nightriver control. The fighting is expected to be brutal and keeping up the momentum by continuously bringing in fresh troops will be crucial for victory.
= EVENT SUMMARY =
Blood, steel, and countless dead filled The Pass as Grimward’s counter-attack reached the lines of Nightriver, Newhope, and their allies. The two forces fought back and forth upon the thin strip of land throughout the day, the endless battle rarely granting a break or time to rest. Due to the limited width of fightable frontline, troops had to constantly be cycled to fill in gaps left by wounded or fallen. Those who were green to combat this day either joined the mountain eternally or became veterans bathed in blood.
Grimward’s initial advances were beaten back with ferocity, but eventually their offensive gained momentum and they managed to break through the frontlines. It never took long for Nightriver, Newhope, and their allies to reform and retake their positions, but cracks were forming in the rearlines. Eventually the frontline collapsed with three Grimward warpacks breaking through, charging straight for the developing outpost. If not for a reserve-line of allied troops from the Blades of Sol arriving, all three would have surely been enough to destroy it and kill its workers.
The rearline was struck hard, and one Grimward warpack still managed to push through the reserve and attack the outpost. The reserve-line granted the workers enough time to retreat unharmed, but the outpost was notably damaged in the attack and supplies were stolen as the warpack was eventually driven back by Nightriver and Newhope troops coming up The Pass. By the end of the day Grimward’s forces pulled back from the sanguinary attack, neither side truly coming ahead in the battle.
Reports come back that Grimward appeared to have taken heavier losses while Nightriver’s losses were reduced thanks to the efforts of frontline and support aid from allies, which made up for Nightriver’s higher losses in their own offensive during March. While Branthur Nightriver, fallen Clanleader of Nightriver, has continued to weigh heavy on the hearts of Nightriver’s warriors; this day the warriors found cause for celebration as Steinar, the Hersir of Grimward who dishonorably executed their clanleader, was slain in a Maw of The Wolf honor duel. For many though, the thirst of bloodshed is unquenched as the war continues. Additionally in an unexpected turn of events, a cart of supplies stolen from the outpost was escorted by Grimward warriors to the Nightriver frontline. While Grimward’s actions of the past year make many wonder if the clan bears honor anymore, a moment of peace was found on the brutal frontline as the clan honored the conditions of the duel and provided a cart of supplies to the victor.
The fighting in The Pass is far from over though as both sides expect to continue battling for ground in the months to come. As the eyes of Mardrun turn to the other frontlines, Halfrid Bloodriver, Warleader of Nightriver, asks for outside aid to assist with troop rotation within The Pass to hold off Grimward until the chokepoint defensive outpost can be completed and reinforced in the next couple months.