The War of Golen

Golen had the greatest defenses being built inside a mountain the Dwarves who lived within could live their entire lives comfortably without seeing the sun. As the Dwarves dug deeper they named each level of their mountain after its purpose. From top to bottom:

• The Floor of Reconnaissance
• The Floor of Trade
• The Floor of Egress
• The Floor of Defence
• The First Floor of Residence
• The Floor of Craftsman
• The Second Floor of Residence
• The Floor of Knowledge
• The Mines Below

The Conflict

Prelude

On of their greatest craftsman was Skorfoli Drakehead, so famous was he that lords and ladies from across the land sought his creations out. But as the Dwarf began to age his inspiration fell dry and whispers began to spread that Skorfoli has lost his touch. Desperate to find new vision he searched the heavens and else where. He found tales of demonic entities that could inspire their charges in return for their lives. So Skorfoli researched dark arts and made a pact with a Leanan in return for a muse to inspire his works. Skorfoli grew weak as he crafted his final work but with just enough life left he presented his last work to a crowd of high ranked dwarves and human aristocracy who traveled from afar. The Fulcrum an enormous apparatus that precisely models the seasons and the orbits of the planes of existence. And as he turned the machine on a portal to the demonic realm opened letting loose a horde of demons.

Deployment

The Demonic forces ambushed Dwarves and their allies from the center of the Level of Craftsman. By the time Dwarven forces had deployed the 2,000 demonic forces had taken the entire floor and begun attacking the First and Second level of Residence.
There were 300 Dwarven militia on each of Floors of Residence and 3,000 ready Dwarven soldiers who reached the First Floor of Residence as well as 1,000 Dwarven who had been in the Mines Below.

Battlefield

The Mountain City of Golen was the battleground, demonic forces had quickly taken The Floor of Craftsman and most battle was taking place on the floors above and below.

The Engagement

The Dwarves outclassed the demons when it came to numbers and training the demons fought madly and without reserve. The Dwarves were also unused to fighting among their residences and had split their force in attempts to evacuate the populace. As the Dwarves retook the First Floor of Residence it soon became obvious that for every demon slain another was entering and reinforcing the Demonic Forces. All seemed lost until a lone Dwarf appeared wielding dark magics and managed to shut down the Fulcrum thereby sealing the portal.

Outcome

Almost two thousand dwarves were slain as well as twenty six humans. Several of the slain humans were of noble birth and the Dwarves of Golen had to pay a large blood price for those lost.
It was revealed that the one who had sealed the Fulcrum was Kovrec Lightbuckle, apprentice to Skorfoli Drakehead. The populace laid the blame on Kovrec and his master, but with his master having been killed in the initial ambush all the blame was turned on Koverc. Seeing he had used dark magics Kovrec was exiled from Golen and his family name as well as that of his master were removed from all records. Drakehead crafts were all but destroyed with only a few kept by individuals who favored darker magics.

Aftermath

While Drakehead crafted no other demonic artifact many evil craftsman began passing their best as Drakehead crafts and his name became synonymous with evil artifacts. Kovrec with began traveling the world under an assumed name and eventually founded the Bluewheel merchant company. Obsessed with repaying the demons for his loss he researched for ways to permanently kill or seal away demons.

Historical Significance

Legacy

To this day all Warlocks and spellcaster that deal with otherworldly entities are forbidden within Golen.
The bardic play The Sack of Golen was produced from this event, Skorfoli Drakehead was established as a villain who hated the success of other Dwarven craftsmen and created a dark machine to unleash a horde of demons. He is betrayed by his apprentice who coveted his Masters daughter who was sacrificed to open the demonic portal. But heroic human nobleman to knock out the apprentice so the portal can be closed. While accepted and lauded among the human populace this is one of the most hated plays within the Dwarven community.

Conflict Type

Siege

Battlefield Type

Land

Start Date

The 25th day of the First Month

Ending Date

The 30th day of the First Month

Conflict Result

The Dwarves successfully repelled the Demonic forces