The Valencian Mage Revolt
During the King Louis IV’s 30th Birthday Gala, the royal court was assassinated by the Master Wizard Felicia Durant of the Arcane University as part of a coup. Two spellblades assaulted the prince's family in the royal apartments while Felicia rained spells upon the King's entourage. The fall of the Valencian aristocracy was foiled by the High Cardinal of the Church of the Five, Armand Richelieu who shielded the king from the attack. Richelieu’s defense of the king earned him much favor amongst the people and nobility. Durant fled the palace yards as many of her mages fell to the rioting peasants and guardsman. When she returned to the university, she spun a story to secure allies against the oncoming assault.
The High Cardinal had to retire to the Sept to recover from the strain of using magic, while King Louis led his Royal Guard to the Archways of the University. A tense moment passed between the King and Durant. She struck him down with a bolt of lightning. As guardsman stormed the University’s gates, mages gave but one warning before unleashing their power against the guardsman. And the coup for Valencia would have been complete if not for the courage of Apprentice Elayna Dupree who saw that the mages were being manipulated by Durant. A rebellion of mages lead by the Archmage Roland Tril arose within the university causing enough discord that the traitor Durant was struck down by a crossbowman’s lucky bolt.
By the time hostilities had ended, the Archmage Roland lay dead along with over 200 mages. Three of the conspirators were captured and held for questioning. And the Guard Captain Arno Dubois left the remaining mages under house guard within the university until the truth of this bloody day had been revealed. An angry mob stormed the arcane university killing some of the guardsman, but with the help of the loyalist mages they turned them back. Some of the mages took the opportunity to flee the university on horseback and out of secret passages with all the trinkets and objects of power they could muster.
As people still rioted in the streets, it was left to the Cardinal to bring order to the madness.
The High Cardinal had to retire to the Sept to recover from the strain of using magic, while King Louis led his Royal Guard to the Archways of the University. A tense moment passed between the King and Durant. She struck him down with a bolt of lightning. As guardsman stormed the University’s gates, mages gave but one warning before unleashing their power against the guardsman. And the coup for Valencia would have been complete if not for the courage of Apprentice Elayna Dupree who saw that the mages were being manipulated by Durant. A rebellion of mages lead by the Archmage Roland Tril arose within the university causing enough discord that the traitor Durant was struck down by a crossbowman’s lucky bolt.
By the time hostilities had ended, the Archmage Roland lay dead along with over 200 mages. Three of the conspirators were captured and held for questioning. And the Guard Captain Arno Dubois left the remaining mages under house guard within the university until the truth of this bloody day had been revealed. An angry mob stormed the arcane university killing some of the guardsman, but with the help of the loyalist mages they turned them back. Some of the mages took the opportunity to flee the university on horseback and out of secret passages with all the trinkets and objects of power they could muster.
As people still rioted in the streets, it was left to the Cardinal to bring order to the madness.
The Conflict
Prelude
Felicia Durant lead a decisive first strike against the Valencian royalty. Nearly successfully eliminating the Valencian leadership in a fell swoop.
Deployment
Mages took up residence in University buildings and posted along the campus walls. Some of the more brazen students took to striking from adjacent buildings using hit-and-run tactics.
The Royal guard began with standard rank and file strategy but soon adapted to smaller strike forces after King Louis died and General Taylis assumed command of the forces.
The Royal guard began with standard rank and file strategy but soon adapted to smaller strike forces after King Louis died and General Taylis assumed command of the forces.
Battlefield
The adjacent streets and suburbs to the Arcane University, and within the university grounds themselves. A battle was never expected for this and so collateral damage was high.
Conditions
Obscured by patches of haze and fog the mages used to provide concealment.
The Engagement
Short intense battles in which waves of soldiers would attempt to blitz the walls. Defenders would react quickly or die quickly. These skirmishes lasted less than an hour by all accounts.
Outcome
Magical practice became a subject for interrogation or investigation. Sanctions were placed on all known Mages and collaborators.
Aftermath
The Arcane University was disbanded. The Papacy took over the government becoming the first Theocracy on Feros. The cautionary tale of mages and a lust for power become common rhetoric across Esric.
Conflict Type
Battle
Start Date
2E661, 18th of Midyear
Ending Date
2E661, 20th of Midyear
Conflict Result
The Valencian Royal Guard put the Mage Revolt down.
Belligerents
Strength
High popularity with the people.
Casualties
Bishop Frederic Almere.
Objectives
Protect the Cardinal from harm.
Strength
Home ground, best equipped and trained soldiers.
Casualties
493 soliders, King Louis IV, Marques Gerard Le Blanc, Salene de Lunier, General Javier Montriq
Objectives
Put down the aggressive Mage faction that attacked the King.
Strength
Strong defense location within the University grounds. Many magical wards erected.
Casualties
Archmage Roland Tril, 139 mages, 210 university staff
Objectives
Put an end to the hostilities and capture the insurrectionist mage faction.
Strength
The are fully infiltrated within the Arcane University
Casualties
Felicia Durant, Maeon Crichton, 86 mages
Objectives
Kill King Louis IV and the upper Aristocracy to seize power before they would make a move to destroy the Arcane University.
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