Session 093 - Start of Vengeance

General Summary

1^st of Nuzyael (Spring) 722TR

The story so far

Athena commands a Mercenary Army from the Lythian Continent. They originally intended to join the side of King Chafin III in the Rethemi Civil War. Athena has switched its allegiance to the Rebels, her side of the war.

On the first day of the new year, she moves her army by ship, to the Earldom of Ithiko. Can she avenge her dead family?

The continuation of Session 78 - Mercenaries, Wizards and a Tiny Storm.

Location - Earldom of Ithiko in the Kingdom of Rethem.

Part 1 - Landing at Abeggy

Earl of Tormau has given Athena her Orders.

Launch a surprise attack on Ithiko Barony.
Capture Ithiko Castle and the Barony.
If this is not possible, then she is ordered to cause havoc and raid any settlements. Then she can then withdraw.

The Earl of Tormau will launch several diversionary attacks to draw some forces away from the Barony.

Before dawn, Athena orders her Knife Cultists to stealthfully land and block the road between the Port village of Abeggy and Ithiko Castle. Hopefully, they will cut communication, ensuring no reinforcement to oppose the landing. Any travelers along the road are to be silenced (i.e. killed).

At dawn, Athena approaches Abeggy by sea. She dresses one of the Mercenaries as Sir Randelus, one of the Royal Knights Athena that she killed in Cherafir weeks ago. The fake Sir Randelus convinces the guards at the wharf to allow some of the Army to disembark. By the time they work out that they are being deceived, they are outnumbered and overrun. The village of Abeggy falls to Athena. The Knife Cultists have killed any travelers on the road to Ithiko, and the Castle remains unaware of the attack. However, forces from Athena's ancestral village of Avonel are alerted.

Part 2 - Liberation of Avonel

A Company of Infantry, bearing the Code of Arms of Athena's hated foes, the Hamlen's arrive from Avonel. They are supported by a poorly armed militia of peasant conscripts. Athena recognizes many of them from her youth and does not want to kill them. Seeing that they are outnumbered, Hamlen Infantry attempts to retreat to Avonel's manor house. However, Athena orders her army to concentrate on this group cuts them down, just before they reach safety.

Athena addresses the peasants offering them the chance to return home. Many of them recognize Athena and remember when her family ruled Avonel, with a far less proscriptive regime than their current Hamlen overlords. Athena's speech is so inspiring the peasant mob decides to instead join her Army.

Athena luck is holding, Ithiko is still unaware of the battles so far this morning.

Part 3 - Assault of Ithiko

Before assaulting Ithiko Castle, Athena creates a plan of retreat just in case everything goes poorly.

Before midday, she organizes her Army, and with the Fake Sir Randelus march casually towards Ithikos Castle. As they approach, they are met by Sir Nemiran Barzak, son of the Earl Herrin Barzak. Nemiran becomes suspicious and then recognizes Athena. Athena attempts to intimidate him into surrendering but fails. Before he responds, she stuns him and "walks" him into the Castle with half her Army. She then attacks the Garrison with surprise. Meanwhile, the other half of her Army battles the Company of the Argent Wyvern and half a squadron of Red Shadows of Hepra Knights in the village.

The battle inside Castle is fierce, and it eventually falls as does the enemy forces outside the Castle. Athena's Army captures five Red Shadow Knights; however, all of the Garrison Men of Arms and the Argent Wyvern Mercenaries are executed. This Mercenary company killed Athena's family and captured her home.

Earl Herrin Barzak, art by Artbreeeder

Earl Herrin Barzak, who conspired with the Hamlins to destroy Athena's family, is killed (by an axe through the head) during the frenzied attack on the Castle. Athena is surprized to find imprisoned in the Castle's Dungeon, Earl Herrin eldest son, Sir Geyal Barzak.

Athena has captured Ithiko Castle in a surprise attack. Can she hold it? Can she capture the remains keeps and manors in the Barony? Whats are the political ramifications? Will she get revenge against the hated Hamlens?

To be continued.....