Crimson Tides. Grimsendir’s Last Stand. The Fall of Clan Shattered Spear. The Rise of Pack Bloodmoon. A Mountain of Corpses. Into the Fire. The Battle of Hammerfall. Sharpening the Spear. The battles of the past shape the war to come, outcomes changed by those who earned a burning pyre and by those who lived to fight again and carry their memory.
The single blow of a hammer into the skull of Clanleader Branthur Nightriver ignited chaos and war on a scale paling the civil war of the prior decade. Blood, oaths, hardkept honor, and difficult hardship has found itself to frontlines and homes across clans and kingdoms, but The Conquering isn’t over and the scales have shown no winner, only those who have lost. A year prior to this October will mark the fall of Clan Shattered Spear, but the time for remembrance is fleeting as emerging news on the war spreads like wildfire.
As the war progresses, lack of reliable information has been found to be a challenge, as allies often struggle to efficiently communicate while scouts and spies slipping in and out of enemy territory on the widely different fronts has proven to be an immense difficulty. Martial units on the frontline send reports lacking information past what stands before them, and useful information not acted upon has quickly lost its value due to The Conquering’s ever-evolving state. However, in the face of this critical challenge, the wartables and command briefings of the various kingdoms and clans have worked hard to summarize and share the current situation of the conflict.
Clan Stormjarl slowly drowns against Clan Grimward, Newhope’s new offensive begins across the Yurnai, pillars of smoke billow in The Pass, and morale collapses in Hammerfall.
Clan Stormjarl:
For Clan Stormjarl, the war never truly ended in their hearts after they were on the brink of defeat before help came during the Civil War. Their endless efforts to strengthen their border against Grimward and to be ready for future conflicts has paid off, even after a sizable portion of their fleet was burned to ashes at the start of The Conquering. The underdog that has traded blow for blow, blood for blood, and been aided by cut off allies.
The words hang heavy as news travels that Clan Stormjarl has lost the northern third of its lands to Clan Grimward, while Grimward’s raider fleet partially intercepts the supplies and reinforcements from Newhope, Prince Aylin, Clan Nightriver, and other allies. Clan Stormjarl doesn’t falter or crack though, as their loss of territory is marked by organized retreats, new defensive lines, and the blood of Grimward warpacks. The actions of their people, leadership, and outside aid have changed what would have been a worse fate, and many were sure that Clan Stormjarl would have fallen by now if not for their extensive preparations and allied help. Their stalwart defense continues to be a greater challenge for Clan Grimward to overcome compared to the Civil War.
- Stormjarl’s northern coastal watchtowers and outposts on the Scar denied Grimward’s attempt at a surprise sealanding invasion, allowing Stormjarl to reinforce weakened areas and stop their warpacks from becoming cut off or surrounded before safely retreating to fight again.
- While Stormjarl’s northern hospital was forced to be abandoned as the frontline was pushed back, the healers and aids were kept safe and will be able to form a new hospital.
- The dotted line of bolstered outposts on the Scar has proven to be more than just a thorn for Grimward. Despite several outposts being lost on the northern portion of the border, Stormjarl’s southern border portion remains protected by the remaining outposts. Grimward has continued to be forced to put notable effort into bringing down these outposts when attempting to gain ground.
- Efforts on the sea have allowed periodic groups of ships full of supplies and soldiers to reach Clan Stormjarl safer. With these reinforcements helping guard on the eastern border, Clan Stormjarl was able to move additional warpacks to their bludgeoned northern front. While the risk of food and medicine shortages has been largely negated, Clan Stormjarl has begun to see the signs of upcoming equipment and material shortages.
Stormjarl continues to lose ground, but has slowed and bled Grimward’s advance. Their allies refuse to break their promise as aid continues to be sent across the coast to Clan Stormjarl and as they fight together despite the travel dangers at sea. Clan Stormjarl’s fate will be critically affected by the actions and outcome of Newhope on the Yurnai River.
The Yurnai River & Newhope:
The river has been watched over by both sides, remaining quiet for most of the war as the few small bridges were destroyed at The Conquering’s start. The quiet on the river was broken a year ago when a coalition army crossed via self-provided ferries while Grimward was focused in Clan Shattered Spear, rapidly invading and burning a portion of Clan Grimward’s southern countryside and smaller villages before retreating southward into Clan Stormjarl to avoid becoming overwhelmed by responding warpacks. Since this attack, the river has remained quietly watched over as neither side dares a follow up attack which risks an army being entrapped on the other side.
Despite fighting in Clan Shattered Spear, The Pass, and both on the coast and mainland of Clan Stormjarl, Newhope has found themselves criticized for their slow response earlier in the war and potentially lackluster actions taken to currently combat Clans Grimward and Stonetooth. Different stories stirred as rumors traveled of Newhope shaping their gladiators into units, using their arenas for unknown forms of training, and stockpiling resources, but the time of rumors has ended.
Newhope hopes its careful secrecy has paid off, as an army of veteran soldier units and new gladiator skirmisher units march west while their combat fleet and coastal ferry ships move to the mouth of the Yurnai river. The plan being to ferry units of soldiers across the river to hold ground after which the modified ferry ships are used as supports to rapidly build a bridge that can be used to advance further troops and supplies into Clan Grimward’s lands, striking the honor-lost clan directly and likely taking the pressure off of Clan Stormjarl in the long-term. Their plan was in the works for a long time, but some actions of those around the great city of Newhope have caused alterations to the final phase as they march.
- With a series of watchtowers being recently completed on the river near Starkhaven, the future bridge’s location has been moved upriver to be overwatched and better protected by these towers.
- While Grimward’s raider fleet was contested during their initial invasion into Clan Stormjarl lands, they have since had greater freedom to be problematic. Newhope’s fleet prepares to brace for a potentially strong seaborne counterattack at the mouth of the Yurnai likely the month after their river invasion begins.
As Newhope’s armies move into place for their invasion in October, the council welcomes any aid from allies who wish to join their direct invasion into Grimward. Whether by additional volunteers for the vanguard who will first cross and create a pocket of held territory without reinforcements until the bridge is finished, supplies and troops to continue the offensive once the bridge is built, or many other possible ways to help the operation. Either way, Newhope successfully completing this bridge on the Yurnai will critically affect the fate of Clan Stormjarl and will open up Clan Grimward to be directly attacked on a new warfront.
The Pass & Clan Nightriver:
The largest clan of Mardrun, Clan Nightriver, was the first to see blood when their people were killed by Grimward raiders after their clan leader was executed. Nightriver has fought seeking blood and revenge for their fallen people and leader, refusing to forgo their allies and those who rely on them. From the coasts of Clan Stormjarl, the valleys of Hammerfall, and the mountains of The Pass, their war paint has been seen across every frontline of the war due to their clan’s large population. Fielding and supplying such a large army has had difficulties in turn, but their reliable less-combative ally of Clan Goldenfield has always been reliable in supplying food during difficult times. Though as the war continues to shift and change, Clan Nightriver has found itself at risk of being stretched thin across the three main war fronts, which makes many speculate on Clan Grimward’s current situation as they are spread on two fronts. For Clan Nightriver, this risk has been partially negated thanks to the efforts of its allies and the decisions that put new leadership in place.
- Packleader Sylvir Bloodmoon was appointed as the new Clanleader of Nightriver last year. Her leadership has been found to be a skilled balance in keeping the supplies and logistics of the clan running while also ensuring that the frontlines have what they need to continue their fight; though some say that her inexperience with non-ulven relations has slowed coordination between her and the council. With Chieftain Halfrid Bloodriver being named the new Warleader at the same time, some question if Nightriver has lost its aggression and initiative that Holmar inspirationally led the warpacks with, but others believe that these traits being foremost may have not have led to a quick victory in this war and would have harmed the clan in the long-run.
- Originally a source of Grimward raids early in the war, Clan Nightriver’s new outpost firmly controls their smaller portion of The Pass that was hard fought and bled to gain ground on.
- The hard and rapid work done to bring the ironsand mine into operation this summer has offset the nearing iron shortage in Nightriver, allowing them to continue creating and repairing equipment for their warpacks and stopping a wave of economic change in surrounding lands.
Warning horns have sounded from The Pass of the Great Wolf Hackles. Despite news from The Pass indicating a quiet past few months, scores of smoke pillars now billow from behind Grimward’s frontline defenses. likely sourced from far more campfires than the month prior With Newhope’s army in The Pass having already moved south in preparation for their invasion into Grimward, Clan Nightriver brings news to its allies of this potentially great army that stands at their doorstep as they move reserve warpacks and multiple half-strength warpacks to reinforce and brace their outpost for the coming attack. Clan Nightriver makes no call for outside aid at The Pass, as the news coming from Clan Goldenfield further north is more dire.
Hammerfall:
Hammerfall, named after the focused strikes of smithing hammers and the bloody blows of warhammers, has become a volatile and complex frontline of the war. The warpacks of Clans Ironmound, Stonetooth, and thralled Shattered Spear find themselves battling against the lines of Clans Nightriver, Goldenfield, unconquered Shattered Spear, and mixed allied forces. Thrown into the fray are stray packs of Salt Beasts, ever hunting for isolated and easy targets to grab in the night. Only guesses can carry about where these monsters are coming from, but rumors have passed that Clan Ironmound’s forces have seen combat with them too while Stonetooth manages to just avoid them somehow.
Despite this, the eastern forces have found themselves strained. While they have martially fought well and have forced hard engagements on their attackers, their morale reaches its breaking point. For many months, the units and warpacks of the frontline have found themselves forced to fight the thralled warpacks of their past ally Clan Shattered Spear, who throw themselves into battles recklessly to save their families back home from Stonetooth’s dishonorable tactics; while at night the shrieks of stalking Salt Beasts fill the air, dissuading sleep and fueling nightmares. Crushed spirits and peaking fears spread across the frontline that holds Hammerfall, making the main line of warpacks flee to escape the horrors of dishonorable tactics and flesh hungry monsters they bravely faced against for months. Reinforcements and the arrival of Warleader Halfrid Bloodriver reforms the warpacks and stops the retreat, but not before the held ground in Hammerfall is lost. A new line is drawn in the sand as Ironmound and Stonetooth advance into the gap, with Clan Goldenfield’s people and their important yearly harvest now in immense danger .
- Thanks to the efforts of outside trainers and equipment providers, the free people of Clan Shattered Spear find themselves marching north with newly trained warpacks just in time as the frontline collapses. Clan Nightriver’s northern border remains better secured thanks to these arriving warpacks.
- Reports tell of Salt Beasts being slain around Bladehome, allowing a portion of Nightriver’s lines in the area to need to retreat less far to escape their nightmares. Rumors tell that a warpack of Clan Ironmound was even involved, but these rumors are unclear on the level of cooperation made between the two opposing forces in this hunt.
- The fortress towns of Bladehome and Shieldhaven remain obstacles to their enemy in Hammerfall, but have become cut off from their allies’ warpacks and support as the frontline shifts away from them. The two walled settlements stand amid dangerous conditions, but have forced Clan Ironmound to leave warpacks behind to encircle the Bladehome pocket and siege Shieldhaven directly.
While the frontline on Clan Nightriver’s northern border has stabilized and reformed, Clan Goldenfield struggles to reform and is on the backfoot against Clan Stonetooth’s exploitative tactics. Clan Goldenfield failing to receive immediate and notable defensive aid will see their critical winter food stocks stolen or burned. The loss of their territory and their famous harvest support could spell disaster to their allies that rely on these supplies, especially with winter looming closer every day.
A Future Undecided
The characters and organizations of Mardrun who stand against Clans Grimward, Ironmound, and Stonetooth, and who are not tied down by other war involvement, are heavily encouraged to put unified efforts starting this October towards one of two critical fronts, as a split of efforts will risk both fronts having adverse outcomes. The choices made in the coming months will affect Mardrun and its story for years to come.
The Choice to be Made
- Either form a defense with Clan Goldenfield on their Hammerfall border to save the clan and their winter critical supplies,
- Or join the City-State of Newhope in their invasion across the Yurnai into Clan Grimward.