Battle of Weeping Plains

 

Legend

“Their final stand… every woman, child, and man…

Their final outcry… breath… sob… and blink…

There at the utmost edge… at mortality’s brink…

They drew their weapons… and as death grinned…

Tenfold Hordes and Races roared along… victorious song.”

Skjald Kazumix

 

History

Since they had made their way to Grimsborg in Bebram, lured by a vanity bait, and were ambushed by a hidden army laying in wait. The reinstated High King, Black Oak, and the Royal Advisor, Deepminded, had spent several months heading the retreat of the main army of the 2nd Alliance.

Withdrawing through Mumak, losing scores of banners in the rout, willingly sacrificing themselves to delay their pursuers. On June 1, 1281, they came through the passes leading into Druoles. There they saw the friendly forces they so needed, laying in the morning mists-strewn dead across the plains. On the other side of their destroyed allies, towards the shores of Linjaku Lake, a large army of invaders stood tall, receiving further reinforcements from scores of enemy ships.

Realising doom was upon them, knowing this was the last glorious event. Should anyone escape, to one day sing this tale, it would not be of the High Kings army dying in shame. So, the battered army reordered and prepared to engage the enemies blocking further escape, while their trailing foes began to appear and engage their rear.

As the commanders spurred their tired mounts, the ranks of foot soldiers, militia, and skirmishers roared along, forward towards certain death. Then, their war cries of The Realm suddenly grew in strength and number. Echoing from forests and hills, the flanks and rears of their foes were suddenly rushed by reinforcements to the 2nd alliance.

Skjald Valgrif

 

Hundreds of banners surged from nearby foothills and forests, even dwarves in scores lead by a banner thought lost a milennia ago, smashed into the now panicking invaders. Slowly turning the tide and matching the enemy reinforcements from the sea. Then a song began to raise above the battlefield noise; something in the words, something in the rhythm, made more and more people stop fighting and look bewildered at friend and foe alike.

Slowly it came to a peak, and down at the shores an Undine raised a mighty gold staff towards the Linjaku Lake, and a single word boomed and spread like wildfire: “Kraken!” And indeed, a Kraken emerged and attacked the enemy reinforcement ships. Thei invaders morale crumbled, bringing victory to the people of the realm. So, there, the Battle of Weeping Plains ended up taking place, eventually turning the tide and ending the Great Invasion.

When that day ended, Timberwolf, who, at the will of the High King, performed the well deserved pardoning, and knighting ritual of Kaosfrog, grabbed his hand and pulled him up. Then the pair held hands high and made almost a thousand heroes, nobility, and common house banners hear and swear what is now known as the Cleansing Oath, an oath that triggered the Cleansing Crusade.

Dang, recalling how dusty it was that day. Let’s have some ale.

Skjald Yell'a'Beard