Ilnevaln Siege of Salthis

In the early days of Salthis, there was a grapple for power of the region between the alliance of dwarves, humans, and elves that founded Salthis, and the Ilnevaln orcs of the north. The settlers traveled from both Dol'Deren and Haven and were able to make a foothold on the mountain, without impediment from the orc camps that plundered the hills south of the Gennis range. The orcs were separate, scattered groups that plundered settlers traveling north to a young Salthis. The people of Salthis were worried about these groups of orcs, but while separated they could be managed. It was not until the orcs united under the white hand of Ilneval that fear was struck into Salthis. Under one banner, the orcs marched north to plunder the riches they heard of in the mines of Salthis. The ground level entrances to the mines were shut, to prevent invasion from that point, and the mountain passes themselves were of a design impossible to march an army through. Being unable to breach the city walls, the orcs laid siege to Salthis, waylaying any merchants or travelers who unwittingly passed north to deliver supplies to the city. Through the winter the orcs remained, starving out the people of Salthis and stifling all joy in the city. With no established military force, and no allies to come to their aid, the Salthenes became desperate for a solution. 

It took a man who some called crazy and others genius to pave the way forward and end the siege. It was well known that on a nearby peak to the city center roosted a great host of griffons, ruled over by a great Royal Griffon, most noble of mountain beasts. This man, Heiden, packed enough provisions and a dagger to make the journey to the griffon's peak with either an idea or a death wish. None know what really exactly happened at the griffon's roost, but through what can only be assumed as sheer force of will and respect, Heiden returned to Salthis on the back of the Royal Griffon, known through story as Goldwing. Heiden and Goldwing amassed a militia made up of the men and women of Salthis and the grown griffons from the roost, and began training. The dwarves and elves were skeptical of the griffon militia and abstained from joining, instead focusing on maintaining welfare in the city as best they could, as the siege had now been on for many moons. The training was brutal and lives were lost, but the survivors kept heart, knowing at this point that death would come for all if they did nothing. It took the entire spring, but the riders and beasts bonded, and each pair became an inseparable force of wrath, prepared to finally deal with the ever growing number of orcs at their gates. With what bows and spears they had, the griffon riders took flight, with Heiden atop Goldwing leading the assault. Fire rained from the sky upon Ilneval's host as the griffons dropped burning braziers throughout the camp, burning everything, including the fields, to the ground. The riders then pursued the orc stragglers for days north, picking them off with arrow and spear, through the Gennis mountains, hoping to push the orcs into the frigid north, where they would hopefully perish. Once satisfied the orcs would give them no more trouble for a while, the riders returned home to be celebrated as heroes, and with the way clear, travelers flocked from central Teurram to be a part of the flourishing jewel of the north, under the protection of golden wings and burning spears.

Type

Manuscript, Historical

Authoring Date

521 EH

Signatories (Organizations)

• Church of Courage