The Battle of Fort Tilden

## Overview

The Battle of Fort Tilden was a decisive battle in the Eastern Rebellion, marking an initial victory for the rebels that later spun into a major victory for the loyalists that severely turned the tide of war in the loyalists' favor. The location was especially strategic and vital to control because of its location and immediate access to Walter's Pike. Due to Sampson's ownership of part of Walter's Pike, trade could be halted from the Wall, cutting off supply lines and allowing a clear path to the castle.

## History

When the rebel army, led by the Arwyns and the Athalons, arrived at Fort Tilden in the early hours of the morning, the rebel army stood down in an eased position, allowing Lord Arwyn to request a private one-to-one audience with Lord Geoffrey Sampson. Although there was an air of skepticism, and the move caused brief tension between Chevan Athalon and Davas Arwyn over who held the leadership role in the rebellion, Geoffrey Sampson granted Arwyn audience. In the fort, Davas used manipulation tactics in order to convince Geoffrey that he was on their side, arguing that he would allow Sampson to retain full ownership over the province in addition to protection from the growing rebel army in exchange for allegiance in the coming battle. Due to the vulnerability of Geoffrey's defense, as well as the odds of what would occur upon outcome, he agreed to the proposition and joined armies with the rebels. This was a pivotal move in determining the outcome of the war, as the rebel army was in a particularly advantaged situation by joining forces with another great lord close to the crown.

### The Battle

The loyalist army, headed by the Biggens, Roses, and the Mattyns, took a strategic tactical approach to the battle that had never been seen before, creating outposts surrounding the fort that allowed them to attack in cohorts against the concentrated army, as head-on confrontation would not bode well for their armies. This tactic fell apart because of its last-minute formation, as the loyalists did not expect a sudden alliance between the Sampsons and the rebels, as it was a rather ballsy move on the former's part. This led to a decisive victory for the rebels, although it was not without its casualties.

It was truly the bloodiest battle of the war, even moreso than the Battle of Sligo Creek later in the war during the March to Bolander Rock. For this reason, Karim's ghost army was able to reap many souls from the war, and witnesses/survivors of the battle that retreated recount this horde of spirits. One red flag during the war was the comparison of Arwyn casualties to other rebel casualties, which could be seen due to the Arwyn forces being separate than the rebel forces. The rebel casualties were far higher than those of the Arwyns, which indicated the last in a serious of major red flags for the other rebels.

### The Feast

Following the major victory of the rebels, a feast was held at Fort Tilden, celebrating a turning point in the war that gave the rebels an indisputable advantage. Through the mirth, Lord Arwyn had already established a contract with the Biggens, Roses, and Mattyns prior to the battle that would allow a rebel victory and the betrayal of the Arwyns, opening up Whisperwood and turning the tides of the war that would ensure the death of the rebellion. This betrayal came in the form of poison provided to the Arwyns by Colenna Adory, killing Mercedes Bendor, Chevan Athalon, Geoffrey and Julia Sampson, and many other rebel leaders and soldiers. The initial victory for the rebels turned into a landslide victory for the loyalists, weakening the rebel cause.

### Outcome

With an extreme loyalist advantage, the Bolanders, firstly, had been brought into the war far prior. This proved to be a mistake, as Chevan Athalon's many betrayals against the Bolanders and blind trust for the Arwyns placed the Bolanders in a disadvantaged position. Of course, the immediate outcome of the feast was the March to Bolander Rock, which culminated in the execution of the Bolanders and the end of the war.

Another more minor outcome was strategically assembled prior to the war. Lord Arwyn had already established an alliance with the Biggens and the Mattyns, who had arranged for Colenna Adory to receive Whisperwood as a gift to her for all of her assistance in Roy and Gronn's personal lives and victories. After the defeat of the loyalists, Roy and Gronn redirected their forces to Whisperwood in order to capture the leaderless settlement. They had already known Reeve Bendor was on the run and Sianelya Bendor was in Kensing, so it was a perfect window to inherit Whisperwood. After the fall of Whisperwood, Roy Biggen was created Lord of Whisperwood, allowing him to transfer the title to Colenna Adory and reinstate House Adory as a legitimate power.