Siege of Carfth

The siege of Carfth was a battle during the Third Execution War.
Carfth castle is an old hilltop fortress, dating to the Age of Kings. While it dwindled in defensive capacity, following the introduction of Battlemages, it remained an important strategic site, as it guarded the Carfth Pass into the Petty Realm of Arno.
During the Arno Revolt, an army loyal to the Augkara was marching to the war. Their way was blocked by the castle, which they promptly laid siege to. Despite the age and lesser defenses of the old fortress, it successfully held out for 2 months, against a continuous bombardment of magic and projectiles by the Roral army.
Following the construction of an earthen ramp to the castle’s outermost walls, an assault pushed the defenders back to the inner Bailey. However, being built on a high cliff, the inner walls were unable to be penetrated or Escaladed. Thus, the Roral army elected to undermine the keep, to collapse it upon the defenders.
The mining efforts began on the 67th day of the siege, and were going well by the 98th. However, by this time, the defenders had discovered the mines, and began countermining operations. On the 102nd day of the siege, the defenders breached one of the tunnels, and fearsome confined combat broke out in the confines of the mines. A continuous stream of soldiers, both attackers and defenders, poured into the tunnels, but eventually, the defenders collapsed the mine’s entrance.
Despite this small victory, there were still several other mines in the gallery. The effort continued, as did the countermining. However, on the 136th day of the siege, another underground battle began. Beginning much the same as the first, it ended when the hill, destabilized by the constant digging under its foundation, collapsed, bringing the keep and most of the castle with it.
Almost 500 Roral soldiers were killed in the fighting and subsequent collapse, and every single defender was slain. However, despite the eventual victory, the siege slowed the Roral army to a crawl, enabling Arno to muster its armies. Though Arno would eventually be defeated and later dissolved, they were able to resist for 15 further months, a feat impossible if not for the extra preparation allowed by the staunch defense of Carfth.
The siege of Carfth showed to the world that, despite their age and poor defensive capabilities against mages, the old castles which dot the landscape of Otheia are still capable of putting up a staunch defense against more modern foes.
Carfth castle was never rebuilt. The Roral army elected to further ruin the castle by slighting those buildings which survived. Carfth now stands as a ruin, and the mines, some of which are still partially visible, and can be explored for several dozen meters, are considered haunted.
Category:History of Otheia