Thread: [WB] Wild Lands by the Grim Troll

Map to be placed later The South tip of Norinhiem Known to the Natives as Harkesh Rough Timeline as according to the County of Balash-Taran Before Landfall For several decades, the house of Bal had scouted the northernmost contient, even if it did lack the civilized races, such as Men, Elves, Dwarves and Gnomes, or even the barely civilized creatures known as halflings. Instead, it would seem to be infested with a multitude of goblinoids, as well as ogres, orcs and other assorted giants and vermin. There is some evidence, from the savage Nok tribe of Hobgoblins, that there used to be a civilization that attempted to uplift them and guide them away from their barbarism, in a mistaken belief that they could be educated. That the Hobgoblins remain, their capital a place called 'Noking Hill' and no trace of their previous rulers is testament to the foolishness of trying to better them. However, in the year 671 of the Grand Empire, Balash Bal, the youngest son of Lord Varthos Bal took a ship filled with his most trusted retainers, and set forth to establish a foothold in this savage land, in order to expand the holdings of the house, and to seek his own fortune, as he did not seek to inherit. Landing on the Isle of Norbal, he broke the savage goblin tribe of the Red Seals, driving them into the sea, as he began to establish his fortifications, sending back word that ground had been struck on the settlement. 2 AL For the next eighteen months, the only conflicts the noble warriors of the city of Port Balash engaged in were defending themselves and the workers from goblin raiders, seeking violence and plunder. While there were several with the device of the Red Seal, joined amongst them where a Yellow Crane, a Green Crab, a Blue Dolphin and a Grey Shark. However, our wise and canny lord did not take the attack to them until the defenses were complete, along with adequate soldiers to man them, preferring to keep the settlement intact in the meantime. However, as soon as the last soldiers and defenses were in place, he began the assault. 3 AL While it took almost seven months of campaigning, far more time then expected, the goblin forces of the region were broken and routed, fleeing deeper into the woods, while many of them were put too the sword, their broodmothers and villages consigned to the flames. With this, and the addition of a pair of ships, he managed to secure rightful human control of the bay. 9 AL While it took almost six more years, fending off the occasional goblin attack, numerous tribal icons mixed in amongst the numbers, and additional settlers from the home lands, Lord Balash burns back almost ten miles of the forest around the bay, and establishes the shells of what would be the settlements of Balit, Balcor and Balas on the northern mainland. While they would serve as farming towns, they doubled as strongholds, keeping watch on the goblins of the Nilbog Wood. 20 AL This year marks the beginning of the first of the great Northern Goblin Wars of Aggression, as without warning, they fell on the mainland towns, howling and vastly outnumbering the garrisons inside. However, in each case, the sieges were able to be broken, as they could never maintain control of the sea, nor were they able to reinforce their positions or maintain even basic supply lines. 22 AL As the first war draws to a close, the goblins scatter back into the woods, forming raiding parties that strike and melt back into cover. In more joyous news, the heir, Nastos Bal, has come of age, and will likely prove to be as able as his honored sire. 30 AL After the autumn harvest, and the final payments, we have received a fleet from the House of Bal's home holdings. There are not too many ships, but with the white Wyrm Frozgaz sinking all ships passing by his territory to the north-east, five ships will be more than enough to deal with Noking hill, smashing through any of their seaward defenses. 31 AL The expedition, which should have crushed the hobgoblins, was a disaster. The creatures are cunning, and only the swiftest of the ships escaped the traps and the creature they called forth from the depths of their lagoon. In many respects, it appeared to be a massive Hydra, made mostly of water, a strange blending of reptilian and elemental creature. Still, between Cyroax, a name gleaned from the chanting and celebrating creatures on the shore, and a crude sea chain, as well as flaming ballista bolts, a direct naval confrontation seems... ill advised. 36 AL On this day, Justice 23rd, we mourn the passing of the great count, Balash Bal at the advanced age of Seventy-four years, due to an illness in the lungs. While the Clerics had been treating him, due to both his age, the climate, and suspected dark magic from the goblins had prevented their efforts from doing more than buying time. On this day, Justice 30th, Count Nastos Bal, Thirty Two years of age, has taken over his fathers holdings and duties, and has affirmed that he shall seek to complete his fathers dream, of a strong Imperial realm in the north, taming the woods, and breaking the vile Nok. 37 AL Last edited by a moderator Sep 23, 2022