[color=orange]Summary[/color] [hider=Summary] [list] [*]Invasion of Ok’va Begins [*]------------------------- [*]Nausk Witnesses the cruelty of the Okan [*]Initial Success in conquering outlying hamlets [*]Okan ‘army’ holds out in a fort, baits Garlor’s army to attack [*]Garlor’s Army initiates Battle of the Bloody Swamp [*]Okan Army holds out, buys time for their people and southern army to escape [*]Nausk is forced to divert forces to aid Garlor [*]Reinforcements are wiped out by ambushing army led by Tenred [*]Tenred plays havok on invading armies [*]Garlor continues toward the Ok’van capital [*]Nausk begins to set up forts to prevent further losses, counteract Okan tactics [*]------------------------- [*]Okan armies are surprised, calls for reinforcements from allies squashed by Muoarman naval blockade [*]Overconfident Muoarman navy continues to hound close to the Ok’va shore [*]Okan Prince gathers army, marches to war [*]Okan southern clans gather to aid the prince [*]Okan army ambushes Garlor’s army, forces him back [*]Okan nobles promise reinforcements [*]Okan Prince makes pact with monsterous powers, is rewarded with a Marsh Guardian and other undead [*]Okan army marches against the Muoarman Army [/list] [/hider] [h2][color=orange][b]=-=Invasion of Ok’va, Spring 999 - Summer 999, 2nd Age=-=[/b][/color][/h2] In the midst of a spring festival in Aedeth Mar, gathering diplomats of Muoarma’s neighbors and other figures, including prominent nobles and religious officials, [color=orange]Marsha Penosbaug[/color] appeared in a black robe before her court. She told her court that she was perplexed, and made a rather bold claim, that because her ancestors had taken the marshland of the Ok’van marshes, she had rightful reign over the entire marshland. Marsha continued, claiming that while her ancestors had never acted on claiming the land for themselves, having had difficulties with other affairs in the past, she was now in position to claim the land as a proper duchy, and would send the army to reclaim the land from ‘Uncivilized forces’. Those in court would have asked her about Ok’va and it’s kingdom, but before Marsha spoke, her chamberlain made her next statement rather clear. Muoarma would no longer value the right of property for Beastfolk of any race, their lands and lives are far too savage to be considered a civilization, a hostile tribe bound to foreign devils, and thus any claim they had over their own land was void. Marsha exclaimed that Ok’va doesn’t make treaties, which was partially true, and told her court of the atrocities they commit onto themselves and others. The Priests in the court shifted nervously as Marsha explained that Ok’va and other nations like it were a stain on the prosperity of the nation, and that as ruler of the Ok’van marshes by right of her ancestor’s conquests, thus she had claim to it as well, and since the Okan people were savages, there was no need to have diplomacy with them, and their land was up for grabs in the eyes of Marsha’s state. Muoarma was now officially at war. Marsha hosted a massive party in the capital’s arena, the Guild of the Studded Collar ordered pit fighters and large beasts to entertain crowds as Marsha invited concerned parties to her. The Zemnalkov diplomat was summoned first where Marsha made sure to treat with dignity, but also made it pretty clear that her flimsy claims on the Ok’van marshes did not extend to their nation, her aim was solely on Ok’va, and after the war she would agree to a formal treaty to hammer out details on such matters. Her next group of critics surprised her, the Temple of Cesvaii. The Cesvaii Usgai revealed to Marsha that in secret, over many years, the temple had been secretly building up a huge influence in Ok’va, having even converted its royal family and southern population to the same faith. Marsha was upset by this, more due to the fact it could complicate matters, and argued that her armies would treat converted Okan well. The temple’s representatives were not convinced, but due to their weak power, could do little to nothing, and simply asked for the main army to safeguard monasteries and missions if they came across them, something Marsha quickly agreed too. Before her speech was over, messages were sent to the Consuls, and the armies made ready. Banners were flown as two massive armies left their camps in Edgk and began moving toward the Ok’va border, where scouts and watchers could see the vast army slowly approaching across an increasingly murky marsh, the trees becoming more gnarled and waterlogged, as the pitched camps bloomed with the bright glow of camp fires. The roads which Gaszbam Consul had built sped along the massive armies to the edge of the country swiftly, as desperate watchers pulled back into the mainland to warn their villages and clans. The Gaszbam army had immediately for the coast, following along the beachline to make its way toward the coastal heartland of the Ok’van kingdom, as the Zengher army cautiously prodded at the edge, waiting to make its way inland where the many clans and villages were waiting for the oncoming army. ----------------------------------------------------------- [color=orange]Nausk Gotembaug[/color] took only a small portion of his army, not wanting to be bogged down by attrition in the swampy land, behind him were his many companions and friends he had made along the way to this point. Nausk was optimistic, an easy and glorious conquest awaited him if he was patient enough, and the meek Okan people would likely surrender under the might of the Muoarman grand army. While the main army stayed behind to provide reinforcements if need be, the main elite force would build a path for large forces. As Nausk rode next to his army, a panicked scout rode up to him, looking a bit shaken. Nausk and Zar’usaga, his elven friend and master scout, rode up in front of the army as it grinded to a halt. Nausk’s companions soon rode up as well, where in front of them stood a great and morbid sight. Far in front of the army laid a singular tree in a clearing, which lashed to it were the rotting bodies and skeletal remains of dogs, cats, and cattle along with their limbs. Some parts on the tree still howled and yelped of living animal companions of men, slashed with rope as swarms of insects and woodland animals feasted on the trapped creatures. Nausk was mortified by what he saw as the scouts prowled around it, finding other curiosities. A scout came forward, bearing the dirty and broken shards of what looked to be human, but Nausk refused to look at the discovery long and paused. [color=orange]Kara Neskerbaud[/color] came forward, shaking Nausk from his what he was seeing. “Are you alright my lord?” Kara asked. Nausk shook his head “Where did the Okan get all these animals?” “Likely stealing them from the local villages, this is a trophy grove, a sacrificial grove for their gods. Just as my folk raid Ok’va for slaves, so do Okan raid Edgk for loot. However, they don’t always just steal and rob some poor traveler, taking a living thing without being noticed is a sign of their god’s favor.” “We should burn it.” [color=orange]Zerban Lulsbera[/color] commented “If our men see this. . .thing. . .they will believe we are cursed.” “You are right. . .” Nausk collected himself. He commanded the elven sorceress [color=orange]Yekseen[/color] to burn the grove, and for Zar to shoot the living animals before the flames licked them. The Army marched on, with Nausk and his friends looking over the wretched grove. Nausk returned to the army, moving forward as his heart was leadened. He imagined his own troops would face cruelty by the Okan in similar manners, and perhaps that is what the Okan wanted him to think on. As Nausk’s army entered into Ok’va, the woods grew cold and the sky darkened with the overshadow of ancient water logged pines. The Okan border hamlets and villages awoke to the surprise of their borderland watchers rushing to their villages, warning of a massive Muoarman army heading towards them. The Okan elders had plans in case of such things, having hidden and underground vaults in the untouched marshes for the clans to hide in. However, the speed of which the Muoarman army had come had surprised them, and before they could even escape, Muoarman light infantry surrounded and took the villages captive. Nausk did not go along the coast, his plan was to quickly take and occupy the towns and villages of West Mardsh, which became an increasing pain. Ok’va division of small town communities and clans made it difficult to take settlements not directly bordering Muoarma, which had time to go into secret hidden bunkers where the communal Okan could settle with their clans and organize a resistance. Just as quickly did Nausk take a town or village, Okan militias could just as easily chase away garrisons and reclaim it. Meanwhile, [color=orange]Garlor Olo Veunbera’s[/color] rush for the capital was halted when his forces began to approach the town of Busaberg. Busaberg is a coastal settlement, with a small wooden fort on top of the hill and was situated above an old elven sea dam which gave more room for the Okan people of the Ok’van wetlands. Garlor’s army was content in pillaging and sacking the hamlets, adding Okan villagers to the slavish work crews to build the roads for the larger armies to approach safely. In the wetlands themselves, the armored Muoarman forces were slowed by trudging through the marshes, sinkholes, and creeks. Garlor himself was near miserable, but not as miserable as his steed, and were grateful as the army left the barely legible Okan paths and into a more clearer coastal region. What laid before Garlor’s eyes were two armies, one which was mustering under the banner of southern Okan lords who were desperately trying to organize themselves against the invader, and lesser army of local clan militias, elderly, and women who had been gathering in the town itself, preparing trenches and pitfall traps. The Okan army and defensive militia as Busaberg knew that they could not face the armored foe in combat, and needed to retreat to Cousberg, capital of Ok’va, and home of it’s king in order to stand even a fighting chance. As the southern coastal nobles prepared for retreat, the Muoarman army was upon them, fighting in a harsh manner to prevent the human forces from overwhelming their camps. Garlor hoped that the army reinforcements would soon finish off the young gathered force, but much to his own surprise, the militia within the town sallied forth and began skirmishing against his infantry. Okan armies were fast and regularly relied on not being seen, and as archers tried to hold back Okan skirmishers, they were bombarded by more professional soldiers and were forced to retreat back. The Okan militia leaders then set fire to Busaberg and ordered their own overlords to retreat to the western lands, and took the fortress above the town as their own, preparing defenses as the Muoarmans regrouped. The Okan militias however had a plan in case Garlor decided to just set down a siege on their fortified position and chased the refugees and Okan army across the river, devastating them as they went. The Okan militias had their noble’s banners situated in the fortress, had their leaders take on the noble armor of local lords, and blew war horns to trick the Muoarman army into thinking that their position held the local lords, a prize which Garlor could not ignore. The real nobles gathered their armies and refugees, and made for the border post haste, and once they retreated into the marshes, they could disappear. The Muoarmans assaulted the wooden fortress with fire and siege weapons, burrowing even beneath the mound and only finding traps, slingers, and a vicious zeal which kept even the elite Uesbergan at bay. Okan hunters acted as snipers, firing on captains from afar. Younger members, emboldened by the elders, even initiated a night raid, devastating scouting camps and work crews. The Okan did not budge from their fortress, and initiated the Battle of the Bloody Swamp. The small militia grew in number, eventually being able to tunnel beneath the fort and retreated to a bog where the Okan forces regrouped. Garlor, furious at the high cost of his casualties, demanded his captains drag the Okan defenders out from the marsh, sending in the Edgk soldiers who followed them. Having taken heavy casualties themselves, the Okan refused to reveal themselves, hunting down lone patrols from the safety of their hidden bunkers beneath the marsh. As more Muoarmans entered their defensive positions, finding and scouting out an old elven ruin serving as their new quarters, the next phase of the battle began. Small teams of soldiers were sent in waves to crash against the Okan, but this only resulted in further deaths, as most fell to traps or were demoralized by the corpses the Okan paraded among the trees to ward off the demoralized forces. Okan could easily change positions over and over again in their own homeland, capable of just devastating these small teams Garlor sent before they even saw their target. Running low on patience, Garlor gathered his secret weapon; a Sorcerer from the Guild of Illustrious Magi. The Mage attempted to cast a spell to drown the small area in a flickering light which would ignite and help burn down the trees, but the dampness made such an effort fruitless. Frightened that magic was involved, the Militia retreated further and gathered more members, more elderly and women to their forces which only slowed down their advance. The Militia continued to hold out against the onslaught, even as their forces dwindled with each battle, as more and more Muoarmans were able to flood across the border, sweeping up village after village. Yet, with every step came ambush after ambush, encounter and skirmish, and traps unending did the black and red host slow to a grinding crawl. The bravery of these militias allowed families to escape, along with soldiers, as Okan wives pushed out sons and fathers from their homes and hiding holes just so they could join the militia to slow down the Muoarman advance. The attacks by the militia were turned into sieging holdouts which shifted regularly across the wetland, and with a majority of the population escaping, Nausk saw the whole encounter as a disaster as the battle for the swamps near Busaberg became a common call for reinforcement. Nausk was cautious of sending Garlor any aid, but knew even as rivals, his ‘ally’ needed considerable aid if they were going to even have any control over what they conquered. Nausk diverted some of his own forces to aid Garlor, hoping southern reinforcements would replace his own shortly. Despite the hostility between the two Consuls, Garlor was relieved to find reinforcements aiding in destroying the remaining southern Okan forces, but yet boasted of his progress in pushing the Muoarmans against the Okan forces. Yet, as the Muoarmans seemingly stood triumphant, another force soon popped its head out from the brush. As another couple of regiments were making their way to reinforce Nausk’s army, they were set upon by a huge Okan army which fired volleys from the marsh and retreated shortly there after. The force, frightened, was harrassed all the way through the marsh and their direction was shifted by the Okan ambushers. Lightly armored levies were wiped out by the Okan who left the corpses to rot in the marsh. This force was the Baufa’kad, led by their leader [color=orange]Tenred[/color] and his zealous force. Bodies were found shortly thereafter, and Nausk was mortified by what was reported. Tenred’s Baufa’kad was unknown the Muoarmans, and had been haunting the southern coastal land, and were the last to find warnings of the invasion. Taking no time to do much outside prepare for war, the Baufa’kad and their forces converged and watched both Nausk and Garlor’s armies, and unleashed hell on their supply lines. Baufa’kad began to break apart the work crews clearing forests for roads, and their acts on wiping out reinforcements had brought a rare hope for the occupied region. Tenred used rather unconventional tactics which horrified the captains of the Muoarman armies, bobbytrapping dead bodies being a favorite. The swift moving force was far out of range, and after the recent battle against a barely prepared militia which also wreak havoc on Muoarman trained troops, neither force wanted to directly engage the Okan. Garlor was still convinced that if he pushed on the Okan capital of Cousberg, Ok’va’s meek people would surrender. Already, a blockade of ships was preparing to surround the coastal regions and the capture of the destroyed town of Busaberg meant that the was clear to advance to the river, and did not have much more resistance. Garlor sent his son, [color=orange]Tanberg Veunbera[/color], to swap away the Baufa’kad warriors tormenting his reinforcements and supply wagons. While the Okan were retreating and hiding well in their Marsh, actively patrolling for them lessened their efforts, as the Baufa’kad were unwilling to fight several regiments, even if certain of victory. Tenred warped around the marshes, avoiding Tanberg and continued to initiate battles against singular targets, baiting Tanberg and his army further into the deeper marshes. Tanberg was unwilling to get baited, and mostly kept a distance at keeping the Baufa’kad at bay from supply wagons and reinforcing regiments. Nausk however had a different idea, considering what his army was now in. Nausk’s army moved towards the river as well, acting as a barrier from northern Ok’va to reinforce it’s southern counterparts. However, Nausk noticed how unwilling the Okan wanted to engage in combat at all, preferring to use traps and ambushes, something he suspected. What he was not prepared for was just how mobile the Okan armies could be, escaping combat and initiating it without much worry for ever being caught by slower and exhausted Muoarman forces. Nausk’s forces were constantly hounded, and keeping control over the villages and hamlets of the convoluted country was difficult. While they may have been winning the war right now, Nausk knew his forces faced mostly small militias and disorganized assaults. Nausk had a plan to deal with such things, and began ordering the construction of defensive forts and walled towers on the limited flat ground there was in Ok’va. These forts gave a safe passage for supply chains to reach Nausk’s army, and a safe ground for which to camp it, but their limited space only meant only limited reinforcements could use them. Heavy patrols were enacted, and many of the captured Okan villagers were set to expand the forts and maintain them, forcing would be hostile clansmen to think twice before sieging them lest they kill their own. Nausk continued into the soft underbelly of Cousland, attempting to reach the main riverland going into West Mardsh. ---------------------------------------------------------------- When the first refugees arrived in Cousberg, there was doubt from the high class of society, believing their people wailed of common slaver attacks from the Muoarman border. It wasn’t until a vast train of soldiers, commoners, clansmen, and even Muoarman priests leading Okan acolytes to Cousberg did King [color=orange]Toag Flekbatter[/color] realize what was going on. Immediately, Toag called council and sent messengers out to his allies within the coalition to aid him, seeing how their diplomats had mysteriously left. Toag and his council were shocked to learn that the Muoarman navy had effectively targeted these ships and sank them, their crews thankfully swimming to Cousberg unharmed to warn them of such a maneuver. It wasn’t until Toag could look out and see Muoarman galleys coming closer to the port, harassing watch towers and sometimes even engaging Okan warships did the Okan King realize how dire the situation truly was. Muoarman galleys, led by Nebern Cusvera, began to creep closer to the stationed ports, only kept at bay by the much larger Okan forces in the city. Toag’s son, [color=orange]Mungan Flekbatter[/color], heard the news before his father did, and took it far more seriously as the first refugees entered Cousberg and West Mardsh. Mungan had little time, bursting into the council chambers of his father, decrying what was happening, and demanded to be placed in charge of Ok’va’s armies. The Okan king and his son argued, but Toag relented, and allowed Mungan to take control of the situation, charging him with beating back the Muoarmans from the realm, as he would deal with the Muoarman navy and gather the allies. Mungan suspected that the Muoarmans were likely trying to remove Ok’va before heading to Olma and Muha next, as a well defended Ok’va would be impossible to thwart from the marsh, at least that is how Mungan reasoned it as. Mungan gathered the captains of Cousberg, as banners waved through the streets of the Okan city. Mungan approached the priests of the old and new gods, making oaths and promises before them, and blew a ram’s horn of his ancestral family, calling the warriors to war. 3,000 Okan warriors left the city, moving to the beat of war drums and bloody chants. Mungan’s firstmost task was to keep West Mardsh safe, and traveled to thwart the fast moving Muoarman invasion, which slowly threaded along the coast. Joining him was the southern army of East Mardsh of the coasts, leading them were many nobles and their skilled warriors. Having been saved from total annihilation at the hands of the sudden invasion by their brave militias, the Okan lords wished for vengeance and pitched camp outside of Cousberg’s hamlets and joined Mungan in his march. Okan warriors from across the hamlets joined Mungan, and soon the emergency army swelled to 5,600. It would not be enough to deal the killing blow against any army on the open field, but Mungan knew of Okan tactics well enough to know he didn’t need to engage the Muoarman army in the open. Mungan and his captains marched directly to the Mardsh River, and soon found the Muoarmans already trying to cross it. The Okan army engaged the crossing Muoarmans, battling their smaller divisions and forcing them back onto boats. Garlor was dealing with other issues, and one of his captains watched as retreating men made their way back into rafts. As the Okan army appeared, the Okan swam up to boats and began to sink them and drown men, targeting elite Uesbergan who’s armor weighed them to the bottom of the river. Then, the Okan army retreated. The captains bunkered down for the night, not aware that the bulk of Mungan’s army, including himself, were crossing the river upstream from the coast, and ambushed the army across several fronts. Garlor’s advance army assembled to try to attack the Okan, but each army would retreat, and fortify positions among the wetlands where they could quickly build pitfall traps lined with wooden stakes and snakes. Okan often used spear-thrower devices to give more range to their Javelins, commonly employed their huntsmen as snipers, and used various poisons from their large variety of wetland plants to damage and harm the army. Garlor’s army was surrounded at one point, and forced their way through Okan defenses back into safer positions below the main wetlands near the old elven sea dam. The victory had been won, and the Okan army rested in the walled encampments left behind by the retreating Muoarmans. Mungan rested with his troops, getting fresh reports from across Muoarma and making his own battle plans. Mungan was shocked to learn that two armies, one led by another Consul, was slowly approaching the river as well, and the Muoarmans were bringing a massive force into the swamps. Mungan was approached by envoys of West Mardsh, especially of his family ally [color=orange]Bran Gray[/color], who promised reinforcements from the west of West Mardsh which could number up to 10,000 men, and all Mungan had to do was hold off the forces of Muoarma long enough to secure a win. Mungan and his captains believed the best way to handle such a war would be to focus on Garlor’s army, and then surround Nausk’s, crushing them through attrition and slowing their advances with surprise attacks and subterfuge. However, a younger member of the captains also claimed that the Baufa’kad were roaming around, and perhaps they would be of aid. Mungan was open to such an idea, as Tenred and his forces were by his scout’s standards holding out against the invasion well, but yet as he considered it, Mungan was called away by a servant to another part of the camp. Three Okan druids appeared, and having heard the call of war, offered Mungan the blessings of the gods and aid to his army. Having seen Mungan’s bravery and skill, the druids claimed the gods showed favor on him, and demanded he make proper sacrifices to them. Mungan knew the sacrifices all too well, and agreed to watch the rituals, but not to give them blood. The Druids scoffed at the suggestion, and demanded only the bodies of the Muoarmans slain as tribute. Mungan and some close captains followed the druids to a secret grove, where an ancient Horned King laid watching, and in which Mungan and the druids gave the bodies of some dead Muoarmans to the ancient ‘god’. The dark beast cackled and devoured the corpses. The dark beast latched down it’s claw into the murky waters below it, and from the depths of the swamp a small host appeared all around Mungan, terrifying him at first. An ancient Okan warrior, with shield and sword rusted by the wetland, appeared half decayed before him, its mucky ‘heart’ beating in the ritual wound on it's chest. With it, a large number of spriggans and boggers also arose and bowed to Mungan and the druids. Mungan returned to his camp with his new ‘allies’ in tow, adding them into his army, but directed the druids to keep them away from his sight, as he was personally frightened of what he saw. Once readied and rested, the Okan army marched out of its position, splitting into 7 armies to raid and torment the Muoarman advance, build traps, and set up fortifications to prevent the Muoarmans from reaching the river again. Mungan went directly after Nausk to keep his army from further advancing, while other beat back Garlor as best they could, hoping to be reinforced by the rest of West Mardsh as it mustered for the coming conflict.