Anvilbright Rebellion

Forces under the command of Bardil Steelfist rebel against the leaders of the Magrannor Halls , in an attempt to install Muldoon Magrannor as the next ruler.

The Conflict

Prelude

Unknown to many, the beginnings of this rebellion had been long in the making. Bardil Steelfist had placed key people outside the halls in order to carefully build up a force that would be loyal to him and whomever he supported. Chief among these was Burban Shieldwright.
Burban not only recruited for Bardil, he alos made efforts to remove those who wouldn't shift their allegiance. On at least one occasion he even went sp far as to lure a cube into a goblin ambush. Fortunately the cube's Batled was skilled enough to overcome the ambush and lead his soldiers to victory.

The Engagement

Although both sides vehemently disagreed with the other's position there was much less actual fighting than would have been expected (and has often observerd) in one of the human or dragonborn kingdoms. That is not to say that the conflict was without bloodshed. There were horrific acts of murder carried out by the rebels, including the act that announced the rebellion - the murder of Nulgin Magrannor.

With Nulgin's death the disappearances of Bardil Steelfist and Mulldoon Magrannor took on.a new significance. Several blocks stationed outside Khezdur declared their allegiance to Mulldoon and began fortifying their positions. It was later learned that one block travelled south into the Kingdom of Caresnas in an attempt to steal supplies that the rebels could no longer obtain from the Halls.

While we cannot fault Caresnas for slaying the raiders in self defence, the humans then lay siege to Varbeck’s Walls, blaming the people of Khezdur for the rebels' actions.

While the forces loyal to the Halls far outnumbered the rebels it was not possible to simply march out and crush them. The vanguard of a hobgoblin invasion had reached the mountains and it would have been a betrayal of the halls to weaken defences of Varbeck’s Walls. It was allso true that many of the soldiers had been misled by those responsible for the rebellion.
The rebels had no such qualms, but they did not want to waste their own soldiers either. Using magical means, and possibly the help of elven allies, the rebels remained in contact with turncoats inside Khezdur who launched attacks on people and places in the Halls. Under the Stone was targeted for printing the truth of the rebels' activities and civilians were attacked for supporting the regent.
In perhaps the greatest betrayal, the leader of Clan Battlehelm declared that his cavern.would not support the regent. Battlehelm Cavern was temporarily sealed off from the other caverns but fortunately The Battlehelm's daughter and heir, Amber Battlehelm. understood the need to place loyalty to the wider clan over any personal loyalty. Deposing her father cannot have been an easy thing to do but Amber carried out her duty and repoened Battlehelm cavern to the rest of the Khezdur.
Desperation seemed to drive the rebels after this set back, with several failed attacks aginst the regent and his family's home. Outside the halls the ever worsening supply situation for the rebels drove them to attack D'kt'pa Outpost, killing all the soldiers stationed there. Many called for a retaliatory strike but as had been seen from the rebel casualties, attacking the outpost would have cost far too many lives.

It had been hoped that the conflcit would end when the. regent stepped aside for Bronwyn to assume the mantle of The Magrannor, but it turned out that Mulldoon's ambition burned too brightly to admit anyone other than himself being suited to the role

When the hobgoblins refocused their efforts on the humans of Caresnas a steady stream of derserters from the rebels made the journey back to the halls. While the repentent were welcomed back, a careful watch was maintained for those that still served Mulldoon and Bardil.
The absence of the hobgoblins allowed the soldiers of Clan Magrannor to venture out in search for the rebels. Such expeditions were infrequent and bore little fruit since their was little point risking lives when the clan had a strong position to defend. Some small skirmishes occured but it was becoming clear that the rebels had lost any hope of assaulting the Halls. As such the conflict gradually wound down to what might be considered an unsatisfactory conclusion with the rebels leaving the area.

Outcome

The Magrannor Halls remained inviolate and the duly appointed regent continued to discharge his duties as expected.
The rebels held Anvilbright Mines until the end of the Unstoppable Invasion.

Aftermath

The people of Khezdur settled into a peaceful life untroubled by the conflicts on the surface. This latest rebellion having shown the dangers of allowing outsiders into the Halls, non-dwarves were pointedly asked to depart. With the peoples' needs able to be met from the bounty of the mountains the outer gates were sealed to prevent any influx of undwarvish ideas.
Mulldoon Magrannor managed to evade justice for his father's murder. With the end of the hobgoblin invasion he and his fellow rebels departed for the western end of the Barrier Mountains. A large number of their remaining soldiers abandoned Mulldoon and Bardil at this point, returning to Varbeck’s Walls in order to surrender and seek forgiveness.
Those who went with Mulldoon ended up tied to an unwholesome pact with the Kingdom of Caresnas. HAving thrown away the last of their pride they became little more than a band of mercenaries, fighting at the command of a human.

Conflict Type

Civil War

Start Date

7 Mids 95 C10

Ending Date

24 Sush 105 C10

Newsheets

C10-95-03-01 Former General Abducted
C10-95-04-10 - Magrannor Murdered

Broken Honour

In an unprecedented turn of events the members of Honourwatch turned against the clan. Misled by their former leader, Bardil Steelfist, they actively worked against the clan and the properly appointed regent. As a result the entire organisation was put on hiatus until new loyal members could be found and appointed.

Rebel Families

Once the rebels realised that their cause was doomed, those who refused to admit their mistakes and return began looking to move their families out of Khezdur. Many of the rebels' families refused to leave, being loyal members of the clan. The few who did wish to leave were carefully smuggled out of the halls. This was known about and permitted by the leaders of clan, as it removed the disloyal and the efforts the rebels put into extracting their families was time they weren't focued on causing trouble for the halls.

Belligerents

Magrannor Halls

• Clan Magrannor
• Stonesmiths

Rebels

• Clan Anvilbright
• Honourwatch

Strength

Casualties

Objectives

To ensure that the Magrannor Halls remain safe and secure.

To prtrect th rule of law and the rightful succession of the new Magrannor.

To bring to justice those who rebelled against the clan.

To prevent the rightful succession

To seize control of the Halls