The Crown of Norsegard

Jarl Raknar, restless in his citadel at Hofsfell, rides out with his host in order to pacify the Jarldom and make it a safe staging area for the incursion into Gothra, as well as secure the supply lines to the Nord army across the border.

After a series of small battles across the Asar hills, the Goth fighters were pushed out and Fallond was made a safe place for soldiers marching to the front to take rest and train before continuing on - at least for a short time.

Raknar kept a vigilant watch upon the Goth border, nevertheless, enemies were able to trickle in. In late winter, a surprise attack was sprung in Brekka. Mercenaries, being hired by the various Thanes and Earls gathered there, revealed themselves to be the Banners, mercenaries in the employ of the Gothra army.

By the time Jarl Raknar was able to respond to the attack, Brekka was already burned to the ground. The Jarl's counter attack was ferocious. Intent on killing off the mercenaries, Raknar led his calvary south around the burning town, leaving no escape except the north, deeper into Norsegard. The Banners were pursued to the Skald River, where a bloody battle decimated what was left of the banners. Raknar, who took a grevious wound in the fight cursed as it was discovered the Banner's leader escaped, and could not be found.

For years to come, songs would be sung of the burning of Brekka. For all his vigilance, Jarl Raknar could not stop the razing of the city. Yet some small comfort could be obtained in the fact that it was feat that could not be achieved by the Goths, but rather it took a Nord to defeat a Nord.

Brekka is razed to the ground! 0/550 Banner Troops Remain.

...FgM... said:

((Well, it seems Vlad didn't provide the smugglers to take us out of Norsegard as it was planned. Damn that bastard! Does anyone need a mercenary captain with staff but no soldiers? ))

Click to expand...

((Ja, that Vlad is kind of a jerk... though there was little he could do after Svalbard gave his skirmishers a righteous kick out of Fallond.))

In the Jarldom of Jolbi, a harsh winter takes a firm hold on the country. With most men off to fight the war in the south, the families left behind struggle to survive the harsh climate. The stewards of the Jarls invite those of the outlands to the capital, seeking those with skill at the forge. Many villages are deserted as the Nords of Jolbi seek the stores of the Jarl. Many earn there keep at the furnace, producing weapons for the war. Others learn and assist as the trade booms over the winter.

Many supplies are crafted and sent south to the front.

Meanwhile, outside Keup, Imar has taken a large role in the siege of the border town. Spending days surveying the walls of the town, Imar comprises a comprehensive report, detailing the strength and weaknesses of the outer wall, detailing his findings to the King. After a few days, Imar spearheads the assault upon the walls of Keup.

Arrows and boulders are flung through the air at the town, nestled at the foothills of the Gothra mountains, as Imar attacks a crumbles portion of the wall. While forces from the main army distract the garrison at the main gate, Imar goes far around, and raises ladders upon the walls on the east side side of the fortified town. Leading the climb, Imar and his men find themselves face to face with Gothra's fighting men. The hours of the day melt away to the lament of biting steel and dying men, and nowhere is the battle-song louder then upon that wall.

The push of the Gothras is intense, and they are still fresh for war. The siege would need more time to wary their battle-blood, yet still, the assault of Imar would set the tone for the rest of the siege. As he and his men descended from the blood soaked wall, to rejoin the Norse army, they sing a chilling war tune, that would take hold in the defenders of Keup for the months to come.

((Imar plays a key role in the siege of Keup, leading assaults upon weak points in the town's defenses throughout the siege.))