Ongoing Conflict: Geroldine's Invasion
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Preliminary Maneuvers & Motivation
Zhentarim Second Eastern Commander Col Geroldine has launched a campaign to subjugate Narfell. Documented records of the meetings that took place between Col Geroldine and the Golden Geese indicate that is for one of two possible reasons: first, the presence of Bennek Sepret in the region, the man who liberated the blue dragon Villalgarviladral; or, second, the weakened Temperance of Gulderhorn, held captive in Peltarch's gaol cells. Geroldine has demanded the trade-over of either party in exchange for permitting Narfell's continued liberty from the Zhentarim empire. This offer was refused, thus beginning the campaign.
Current Geographic Holdings
The following holdings remain under the control of Peltarch or its current allies, following various battles and skirmishes against the Zhentarim and consequential exchanges of control:
- The Witch and Seer Inn and the northern nars and barony surrounding it;
- The City of Peltarch and its immediate environs, including the royal estate and the Randolph estate;
- Peltarch's allied townships and baronies to the East, namely Willowhaven, Cloudhaven, and Porttown;
- Moonreach Keep, including its nearby cliffs, moon-gazing grounds, and the keep proper.
The Underground City of Oscura by all accounts appears under Col Geroldine's thumb, or appears to be either neutral or a willing accomplice to his invasion. Its government has been silent and unseen since the end of diplomatic negotiations between his forces and the others of the region.
Col Geroldine's forces, who marched from the south, have decimated, captured, and now occupy the Town of Norwick. That city was been turned into a military staging ground for the Zhentarim. The Rawlinswood trees were cut down for lumber, the quarries mined for blacksmithing resources and munitions, and the homes and halls turned to barracks and maintenance units. However, the allied forces have since liberated the Town of Norwick following a counter-attack during the course of the war.
The City of Highhold has remained neutral, in view of a rumored illness or curse upon its current ruler.
Enemy Forces
There are three relevant regiments under Col Geroldine's command, which he has directed to turn their attention upon Narfell:
- An initial landing force of of 500 troops, comprised of footsoldiers, arcanists, scouts, and wyvern riders, and containing Col Geroldine's personal attendants, including, among others: (1) Quartermaster Hive, who has since been killed; (2) Second Adjutant Flux, who has since been killed; and, (3) Core Lieutenant Fenwick, who has since been captured;;
- A southern regiment, initially 2,500 strong, and initially occupied with the elves of the forest of Lethyr, who have instead marched north and now have successfully invaded and occupy Norwick, but who have since lost troops since the beginning of the war, following battles to the east, north, and south, for a latest total of 300; and,
- A western regiment coming in from the western regions under forced march, but which have faced attacks from a dragon and harsh snowstorms, now numbering 2,500.
Allied Forces
Peltarch's military numbers follow below:
- An initial round of 2,000 defender soldiers, of approximately 80% footsoldiers and 20% clerics, which have, since the beginning of the war, been reduced to 1,000;
- Cerulean Knights, including magical support, arcanists, evenly split between wizards, sorcerers, bards, and clerics, initially 400 strong, but whose numbers have been reduced to 230;
- Far Scouts, including spies, rangers, and thieves, initially totaling 100, but have been reduced to 45; and,
- A set of militia forces, less trained, and less well equipped, comprised of guardsmen and drafted citizenry, totaling for another 2,000, but which, due to collateral damage and an infiltration attack on City Hall, has been reduced to 1,500.
The following are estimates based on recorded battles of other forces defending against Col Geroldine's invasion.
Norwick's refugee and military numbers follow below:
- An initial set of 1,500 human and dwarven warriors, barbarians, and rangers, which have since the occupation of Norwick been reduced to 700;
- An initial reserve of 2,000 militia, poorly trained and equipped, only about one third of whom escaped the occupation of Norwick, and whose numbers now total 300; and,
- Spellweaver Keep, comprised of approximately 100 to 150 wizards and sorcerers, but who have teleported their tower in escape the occupation once the Zhentarim's occupation became near-complete -- relevant numbers are therefore currently unknown.
The Cleiment Council's military numbers follow below:
- An initial round of 800 soldiers, comprised of Gor, Stockley, and Brokenblade bannermen who have pledged themselves to the Cleimant's cause, which due to casualties against the Zhentarim have been reduced to 450;
- A sect of Selunite priests and knights, initially totaling 16, but who have suffered two casualties, for a new total of 14; and,
- A group of arcanists, comprised of druids, wizards, sorcerers, and bards, and who are part of the pledged banners, initially totaling 100, but whose numbers have been reduced to 50.
The estimated numbers of other select allied forces follow below:
- Horse archers and riders, under the command of Cormac Randolph, namely 400 Tuigan riders, but which have suffered casualties and now number only 300 Tuigan riders;
- Clerics and paladins under the Church of Helm, led by the lady Alice and Tiberius, namely 30 Helmite elite; and,
- A cavalry regiment led by Ser Henry Cade and joined by Herald Ratha, initially 150 strong, but whose numbers have been cut to half and then further down for a new total of 60 Siamorphan knights.
- The Waelvor Delegation, a splintering faction of Elves from Lethyr, has provided 80 spellcasters and 320 archers and blades, initially totaling 400 but due to casualties in the battle for Norwick have been cut down to a new total of 250 Waelvor elves.
Other Forces
The remaining elves of Lethyr, whose numbers are unknown, have refused to assist the Narfellan defender forces, in view of their age-old resentment of the ancient Narfellan empire's splitting of the old Riildath forest.
The bugbears of Ostromog have been silent and unseen, despite Col Geroldine's encroachments into the Rawlinswood.
[DM Xanatos Gambit]
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Still shivering from the cold, Isolde leaves the following note at HQ before retreating to the Bardic College to warm up:
"Ludwig Palehand is some manner of lich, his phylactory potentially in Geroldine's possession. At least half of the army marching towards us are undead, perhaps as much as 2/3rds. ~Isolde Garibaldi~"
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OOC Note: Initial post has been updated, and final correspondence before the Giantspire defense has been added. A thread has been arranged for planning and scheduling the Giantspire defense. Please refer to and coordinate using that post by clicking here.
This note will be removed shortly to keep this thread clean.
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Internal Military Correspondence
Nightall 01/01/25 (Two days post Eastland Skirmish; seven days until 3,000 Zhentarim arrive.)
From: Pelt. Gen. Leonard Gom
To: All Military Personnel & Guild Geese Guild
It's General Gom.
Look alive. Nap-time's over.
Here's the rundown of the defense plan, as agreed by the King, the Geese, and yours truly.
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The bulk of all our and allied forces are headed West, to the Giantspire Mountains, to meet, destroy, and repel Geroldine's 2,500 reinforcements in a surprise attack. That includes Defenders, Scouts, Ceruleans, Norwickans, Moonreachers, Tuigans, Waelvors, Helmites, Siamorphans, and all the rest.
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May Celine and her Lunar Knights are going to cloak our western forces and the entire Giantspires in that same thick freaky mist that surrounds Moonreach Keep. It's highly resilient to scrying, as we know. This should ensure that our western forces are ready for an ambush, to ensure our chances of success against Geroldine's last ditch effort of 2,500 soldiers.
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Since the above steps will leave our city vulnerable, the Pink Haired Elf and her Knights in Silver have put together a back-up plan in case of any breach of our city defenses. Should anything happen, she'll arrange for evacuations and rendezvous in the Gypsy Pass.
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Our new Thayvian friends from the Princess Consort's friend from the far east will station themselves at the Aelthasson Barony, to handle our southern flank, just in case Geroldine decides to bring his southern forces back north.
Assuming Geroldine doesn't have any tricks up his sleeve, and based on previous encounters and the geographical assessment, chances of success for an surprise counter-attack at the Giantspires as laid out above are at 70%.
Don't let that estimate comfort you. And don't underestimate Geroldine.
I'll be attending the western front line personally.
It's been an honour to be your General.
-- Peltarch Defender General Leonard Gom.
[DM Xanatos Gambit]
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Internal Zhentarim Correspondence (Intercepted)
Nightal 01/01/25 (One day until expected arrival of initial 3,000, now 2,500 reinforcements.)
From: Zhent. 2.E. Comm. Col Geroldine
To: Zhent. Cr. Lt. L. Palehand (C-01)
Palehand,
Your updated correspondence is much appreciated. These northern barbarians are more stubborn than I had initially predicted.
You may have received messages from that idiot Ravenhead, or someone else for that matter. You are to ignore that and take orders only from me. I trust you very personally do understand the gravity of this instruction.
A thick fog has draped our routes but I do not want us to alleviate any more pressure by hesitating. We attack through the Giantspire Mountains as planned. Our losses to the east at Cloudhaven, the north at Porttown, and the south at Norwick are but small obstacles to the grander strategy.
Have your casters prepare counter magic for the weather, and ready your scriers.
I remind you that our correspondence is being intercepted by their bothersome Far Scouts. I'll have one of my mages send to you coordinates for our one-on-one to discuss particulars.
-- Zhentatim Second Eastern Commander Gol Geroldine.
[DM Xanatos Gambit]
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Internal Zhentarim Correspondence (Intercepted)
Nightal 01/01/25 (One day until expected arrival of initial 3,000, now 2,500, Zhentarim reinforcements.)
From: Zhent. 3.W. Comm. Ravenhead
To: Zhent. 2.E. Comm. Col Geroldine
Col,
The numbers don't bode well for your north eastern effort.
Consensus is such that you ought withdraw and regroup.
We both know that won't happen. Not when even the corpse of Gulderhorn's champion remains in the north. Perhaps, one day, you will explain to me your obsession with that woman.
You should know that I ran into a group of your new northern friends yesterday.
They took one of your and Jurne's "exchange program" subjects.
Bypassed our surveillance and magical defenses as if they were nothing. No trace of magical involvement, either. It was very peculiar.
Care to shed some light on how they might have done that?
-- Zhentatim Third Western Commander Ravenhead.
[DM Xanatos Gambit]
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Internal Zhentarim Correspondence (Intercepted)
Flamerule 09/12/24 (Six days until expected arrival of 3,000 Zhentarim reinforcements.)
From: Zhent. Cr. Lt. L. Palehand (C-01)
To: Zhent. 2.E. Comm. Col Geroldine
Commander,
Please accept my apologies for the delay.
A black dragon has been giving us trouble us on our march northeast.
Slippery thing has made our lives hell. Thinned our air and ground units.
Apparently, it is one of the old captives from the west, trained for our sky-riders but escaped some 10 years ago or so.
No need for assistance. I've asked a friend for a favour. Next time it rears its ugly head, we will end the problem.
We proceed under double-time after that.
I understand you're having some trouble with the northern locals.
Once we rendezvous, we will deal with them and the north.
Until then,
-- Your Core Lieutenant Ludwig Palehand.
[DM Xanatos Gambit]
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Internal Zhentarim Correspondence (Intercepted)
Flamerule 09/12/24 (Six days until expected arrival of 3,000 Zhentarim reinforcements.)
From: Zhent. Cr. Lt. Dodds (C-05)
To: Zhent. Cr. Lt. Fenwick (C-04)
Core Lieutenant Ava Fenwick,
Internal investigation has concluded.
You are cleared for resumption of battlefield duties.
Be advised that prior correspondence has been subject to interception.
Report directly to Commander Geroldine for new immediate orders, to be delivered in person.
Happy to have you back, Ava.
-- Core Lieutenant Victoria Dodds, designate C-05.
[DM Xanatos Gambit]
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Internal Zhentarim Correspondence (Intercepted)
Flamerule 09/12/24 (Six days until expected arrival of 3,000 Zhentarim reinforcements.)
From: Zhent. Priv. Sd. A-203.
To: Zhent. Corp. A-3.
I'm afraid to sleep.
In every dream, I'm someone else. A local. That Bard. The Princess. Both at once, somehow.
Or it's nightmares. About red hair. Everywhere. Strung up by it. Suffocated by it.
I'm not alone. A-299 tells me he dreams of holes. Black holes, in his brain, his eyes, his body. Holes "in his mind." A door to nowhere, that he's afraid to open.
A-150 stays up and stares at the fire. Says he sees faces in it.
It isn't the war. We've been through those before. Worse ones, even.
Don't know how much more I can take.
Why is this happening? Are you getting any of this?
-- Soldier A-203.
[DM Xanatos Gambit]
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Isolde reports back after a small detour south and east over the past days, directly to Gom and the rest of the Geese:
"I'm pleased to report the successful extraction of the mercenary skullduggery expert Barton Cade from Zhentarim captivity. Cade has agreed to lend his skills to our cause, by springing a handful of family members of Geroldine's closest officers from Jurne's clutches. With the addition of turmoil caused outside the fortress proper at the time of his operation, he thinks he can get as many as six persons out, but obviously success will rely on having the proper intelligence beforehand. Dissent with Geroldine's losses in this region seem to be growing and if this works, it might crumble his support from within the ranks. At least if our other operations also turn out being successful.
I've also obtained the marching details about the 3,000 from my informant. Routes they expect to take, times they'll be moving, sitting and so forth. It's all regimented and planned, though as we have learned, Geroldine doesn't always keep all his underlings in the full loop of his paranoid planning. He recently had an officer's family killed and the officer themselves sent off to a slave camp, for being an informant to the enemy. I suggest we still keep Jonni busy, knowing this paranoid streak of our opponent."
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Internal Military Correspondence
Flamerule 07/12/24 (Two days post Eastland Skirmish; seven days until 3,000 Zhentarim arrive.)
From: Pelt. Gen. Leonard Gom
To: "The Pink Haired Elf With A Plan"
Hey, Pink Haired Elf,
It's General Gom.
I like your plan. I've instructed Commander Lycka to assign a band of Ceruleans to stay behind and assist with any emergency evacuations, should they become necessary.
I want your people to figure out the best places to hide in the Gypsy Pass. Something hard to detect, including when it comes to magical mumbo jumbo.
As you know, when it comes to that asshole Geroldine's 3,000 new troops, the Golden Geese's plan is to work with the Moonreacher priestess, who'll hide virtually all of our forces among the Giantspires for an ambush using her freaky fog. We have 8 of the enemy's explosive munitions, plus our own. And that'll be after our new-fangled allies in the sky have harassed the enemy's forced march.
If the enemy catches on that we've left the city proper vulnerable through all of this, we'll need a back-up plan, and yours strikes me as a good one.
-- Peltarch Defender General Leonard Gom.
[DM Xanatos Gambit]
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Military Correspondence
Flamerule 23/11/24 (Immediately following the Eastlands skirmish)
From: Zhent. 2.E. Comm. Col Geroldine
To: Pelt. Gen. Leonard Gom & "Golden Geese" Guild
Peltarch Defender General Leonard Gom & the "Golden Geese" Guild,
I have captured five members of your elite Golden Geese, and now control the eastern passages.
My fleet comes from the north, and my 3,000 reinforcements from the west. I maintain Norwick to the south.
Your "Jewel of the North" is surrounded.
Provide me with Temperance of Gulderhorn's corpse, along with the totality of your treasury, and a public oath to tithe 20% of all taxes for the next 10 years, and all this trouble goes away.
Those are the terms for your city's continued existence.
Do not expect me to wait for your response.
-- Zhentarim Second Easterm Commander Col Geroldine.
[DM Xanatos Gambit]
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Internal Military Summons
Flamerule 23/11/24
From: Q.M. River, on behalf of Pelt. Gen. Gom
To: Pelt. Cpts. & "Golden Geese" Guild
Hey. This is Gom.
There's a lot of weird talk going around about what happened with Temperance in the infirmary.
Nevermind all that.
Get to the council chambers. Downtime is over. We have a war to win.
Zhents are on the back-foot for now, but their 3,000 new friends are set to arrive in 7 days.
If any of you have any bright ideas on how to deal with that new incoming force and what to do in the meantime, I will expect you to share them.
-- Peltarch Quartermaster River, on behalf of General Gom.
[DM Xanatos Gambit]
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Internal Zhentarim Correspondence (Intercepted)
Flamerule 22/11/24 (Four days following the failed infiltration of Peltarch's City Hall.)
From: Zhent. Priv. Sc. B-108.
To: Zhent. Lt. B-1.
I don't doubt they're all dead. Even the 5 elite.
That thing -- what I saw -- is that the true power of a God?
We should not have come this far north. Something is very wrong here.
This is my final report.
I write this as your friend.
Run.
-- Scout B-108.
[DM Xanatos Gambit]
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Internal Military Report
Flamerule 17/11/24 (Two days following the battle of the Witch and Seer.)
From: Lt. Ben Keene
To: Pelt. Gen. Gom, Cpt. Jorino, & Cpt. Longcloak
General, Captains,
I write with a report of the events that transpired in your absence during the battle of the Witch and Seer.
Myself, several other soldiers, including Ser Henry Cade and Temperance of Gulderhorn, were gravely injured at the front-lines following an opening siege of acid explosives by the enemy.
We were transported back to the military barracks in the city, for medical attention by the Archangels Unit.
For the next, I have gathered reports from the surviving clerks and military personnel at City Hall.
A squadron of 5 highly trained Zhentarim infiltrators teleported into City Hall. That is after the traitor Cerulean Third Star Reeving pierced the magical barriers for them and provided them with the teleportation particulars. The infiltrators brought with them three explosive munitions they placed at critical load-bearing locations in City Hall.
The final load-bearing structure was in the infirmary. There, Temperance of Gulderhorn and I were present. I think she uttered a prayer that was undeniably answered. The priestess defended those in the infirmary, and killed 3 of the 5 infiltrators. Something else happened. Something I can't remember much of. Nor what happened after.
After further inspection of the aftermath, the last 2 must have managed to finish her and then fled. I understand you have captured one of them, the thief. The last, i.e. the dirgesinger, remains at large.
Far Scouts do not believe that the dirgesinger escaped back to enemy territory, nor do they believe the enemy currently knows that Temperance of Gulderhorn is deceased.
-- Peltarch Lieutenant Benjamin Keene.
[DM Xanatos Gambit]
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Military Correspondence
Flamerule 17/11/24 (The day following the battle of the Witch and Seer.)
From: Zhent. 2.E. Comm. Col Geroldine
To: Pelt. Gen. Leonard Gom & "Golden Geese" Guild
Peltarch Defender General Leonard Gom & the "Golden Geese" Guild,
You should be proud to have lasted this long.
Of course, soon I will be joined by an additional 3,000. That is without accounting for those in your ranks ready to defect.
This could all be over, should you agree to hand over Temperance of Gulderhorn.
Due to your continued refusal, however, the price has increased to include a tithe of all the gold in your treasury, plus 20% of all collected taxes for the next five years.
-- Zhentarim Second Easterm Commander Col Geroldine.
[DM Xanatos Gambit]
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Military Correspondence
Flamerule 10/11/24 (The morning following Norwick's invasion.)
From: Zhent. 2.E. Comm. Col Geroldine
To: Pelt. Cpt. Reyhenna Jorino / Elizabeth Fisher
Peltarch Defender Captain Reyhenna Jorino / Elizabeth Fisher,
Of all this region's defenders, I expect you will be the first to guide your King to reason.
Do inform him that we will make shorter work of Peltarch than we did Norwick.
That is, of course, unless you hand over Temperance of Gulderhorn before tomorrow's dusk.
-- Zhentarim Second Easterm Commander Col Geroldine.
[DM Xanatos Gambit]
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Military Correspondence
Flamerule 10/11/24 (The eve of Norwick's invasion.)
From: Zhent. 2.E. Comm. Col Geroldine
To: Pelt. Cpt. Reyhenna Jorino / Elizabeth Fisher
Peltarch Defender Captain Reyhenna Jorino / Elizabeth Fisher,
I will be overseeing this siege personally.
Pay attention.
I intend to make out of Norwick an example of what's to come for Peltarch.
-- Zhentarim Second Easterm Commander Col Geroldine.
[DM Xanatos Gambit]
