Razing of Brazehome
Part II
The Elven fleets of Galdriel halted their escort at just beyond the city of Luthivira, leaving the fleets of Ivar, Hjalti and Imar to continue to the Cursed Coast of Vorduun alone. Great care was needed to navigate the jagged rocks of that vexed coastline, and time and time again odd occurrences, including slashed sails and split oars. Fearing a saboteur, Ivar halted the fleet and scoured the ships, his investigation finding an agent recognized to be in the employ of Jarl Faurbauti of the Nair Isles. Suffering only a slight delay, Ivar ordered the fleet forward once again, through the Cursed Coast.
Pushing forward, the fleet rounded the horn of Vile Land and soon came upon a waiting fleet, flying the Lords' banners of Brazehome and Seaborn. There was no parley, for Ivar was intent on one thing, taking the city and learning the origin of the pirates that plagued Shivering waters. Horns bellowed over the warm waters of the Sunset Sea, and hollers of men rang out, hungry for battle. Ships were ripped asunder as the Norsegard longboats charged into the chaotic formation of the Brazehome navy. To make matters worse for the defenders, an apparent coupe took place on the waters, as a present noble murdered Brazehome lord in cold blood for all to see. As the ranks of the Brazehome fleet began to fight each other as well as the Norsegard, the ships of the Seaborn remained steadfast and took over the defense. Recognizing the threat from Seaborn, Jarl Hjalti ordered his ships forward and confronted the Seaborn, as Ivar and Iman slipped past the gap and decimated the feuding Brazehome fleet. Turning back to engage the Seaborn, Imar and Ivar quickly joined with Hjalti, and after a brief assault upon the remaining defenders, what was left of the Seaborn fleet surrendered.
With the waters clear before the fortified city, Ivar's fleet was now clear to make landfall and press inside the gates of Brazehome. Much like the prior sea battle, the land defenders were just as disorganized, aside from the Seaborn company that retained discipline though they kept to the rear of the defending formation, seeming to be unkeen on fighting their brethren. The Brazehome defenders greatly outnumbered the Marshal's forces, but the Nords were highly organized and struck with precision as the two armies clashed before the gates of the city.
Though the forces of Ivar and Imar were able to defeat the flanks of the Brazehomes with ease, Imar was stalled by the ferocity of the Seaborns, that charged up the right flank. Penetrating deep into the ranks of the Jolbi troops, Yngar and his soldiers were able to route the attacking flank, sending Imar into retreat. Turning his company to engage Ivar's forces, however, were met with stout resistance, as the Brazehomes crumbled and Yngar found himself fighting both the forces of Jolbi and Raven Beak. Sounding a quick retreat, Yngar and what was left of the Brazehome forces quickly retreated behind the walls of Brazehome. The gate only held several more days as chaos reigned within the city, with ambitious lords of the city siezing upon the siege in order to kill rivals. As the summer faded but one tower remained, and within was Yngar and Count Harold of Kilnwater, self professed lord of Brazehome.
Norsegard Victory!
15 ships, 1500 troops - Ivar - 3 ships lost, -300 Troops, -600 Troops
9 ships - Hjalti - 2 ships lost
10 ships, 1000 - Imar - 3 ships lost -300 troops, -350 Troops
10 ships, 1000 troops - Yngar - 5 ships lost, -500 Troops
10 ships, 5000 troops - Brazehome
Attackers lack the troops to hold Brazehome!
As the fleet of Ivar the Strong sailed for the far coast of Vorduun, various Jarls dispatched their fleets for a realm closer to home, the Kingdom of Gothra. Warned by King Vlad that raids constitute an act of war, the fleets of Bloodfire, Nair, Black Amber and Sjor Isles embarked for the coasts of Gothra in what can only be described as a call for war and to force the king and council to action.
The Bloodfire Clan, acting independently from the Islander fleet, set sail for Wallachia, a heavily fortified city and recently revealed to be a stronghold for the Gothra fleet. The Gothra fleet routed the encroaching Bloodfires with ease, scuttling 4 of their ships in the process.
A seperate raiding party caused havoc in the Black Forest in the Gothra north-west. All signs seemed obvious and pointed to the work of the Jarl of the Nair Isles.
A coordinated effort, led by Jarl Arne, Faurbati and the sons of Gunnar Kettling was far more successful. The large fleet was able to elude Gothra patrols and set upon the Isen Coast. Robbing the wealth and taking thralls around the Isen Holdfast proved lucrative for the raiders, though as they made their return to Norsegard, their way was hampered by the Wallachia fleet, 50 ships in all.
The resulting clash was bloody on both sides, but the Islander fleet did manage to break through the Gothra fleet and speed back to home.
There was no doubt that the raids would spark another war between Gothra and Norsegard.
Bloodfire - 10 ships, 1000 troops. -4 ships, -400 troops.
Nair Isles - 10 ships, 1000 troops. - 4 ships, - 400 troops. 3o gold earned
Black Amber - 40 ships, 4000 troops. - 12 ships, - 1200 troops 30 gold earned
Sjor Isles - 10 ships, 1000 Troops. - 1 ship, - 100 troops. 15 gold earned
Apparant Nair raiding party - 5 gold earned
Wallachia Fleet 50 ships. -20 ships
Black Flags upon the Shivering
The black flags of the pirates did not relent over the course of the summer, attacking merchant vessels at will, causing a strain to the royal treasury. The brazen pirates even conducted assaults upon the Jarldoms of Lazuli and Raven Beak. At Kevtar Watch, the major port of Lazuli, the pirates encroached on the surrounding waters and bellowed horns to signal a raid. The entire fleet of Jarl Skulgard answered the raiding call. After the failure of the spring the pirates were now strengthened and confident. The black fleet broke through the defending fleet and sent them into route, opening the shores for their raiding parties. Taking their fill of gold, the raiders escaped before an effective defence could be marshalled.
In Raven Beak, The fleet of Strathclyde was understrengthed as their lord and most of their ships were away fighting in Brazehome, making the Jarldom an ample target for pirates. Aided by the King's Fleet, the defensive fleet formed and sailed north to meet the pirates head on, who were spotted near Stepstone Glacier. The ships clashed in the cool summer waters of the Shivering, ramming to the lament of the call of boarding parties. The battle lasted hours and as the regent awaited word in Strathclyde, it soon became apparent that the defending fleet was routed. Surveys of the damage along Odin's Folly to Stepstone revealed damage assessed at 15 chests.
Lazuli loses 3 ships and 25 gold!
Raven Beak loses 6 ships, and 15 Gold!
Yfirferd loses 2 ships
Treasury loses 20 gold to pirate attacks over the summer