Battle of Castrum Ferro

The **Battle of Castrum Ferro** served as the zenith of the protracted conflict between the Peninsula of Kirushnia's formidable band of mercenaries and the entrenched authority of the Bellatorian Imperium. This momentous clash unfolded within the formidable confines of the Castrum Ferro fortress on the ominous Friday the 13th of October in 2023. The unforeseen result of the battle, an astonishing triumph for the mercenaries, reverberated across the geopolitical landscape, casting its political and strategic ramifications as far as the remote Tsardom of Ayrith.

## Background

During the initial two weeks of October, Bellator was widely regarded as one of, if not the preeminent power in the world of Astralith. Bellator possessed a formidable military force, substantial wealth, and a welcoming capital city known for its hospitality to visitors.

According to Reslav, the Emperor of Bellator, mercenary groups hailing from Kirushnia had launched attacks on the territories of his ally, the bearded Emperor of Blazen. However, just five days prior, the Emperor of Blazen had nearly initiated an unjust invasion of the Land of Ikari, tarnishing his reputation significantly on the global stage.

Particularly, the Tsesarevich of Ayrith, Aleksandr Presvyatoy, harbored a strong dislike for the Bellator-Blazen alliance. When the mercenaries officially declared war on Bellator, he maintained a position of neutrality and began persuading his neighboring nations to do the same. Furthermore, relations between Ayrith and Bellator had been strained since Aleksandr and Viktor Antonov's endorsement of the Chalybe National Foundation, a cause that Reslav vehemently opposed.

When Queen Hyonide of Nocturia began to provide material support to Bellator, Aleksandr, who had witnessed Her Majesty signing an international treaty that prohibited the Queendom from getting involved in the war, threatened to confront the queen for breaking her oath. Hyonide, however, attempted to reconcile with Aleksandr, but this incident heightened Bellator's suspicions regarding Ayrith's neutrality.

Fearing that the relations with Bellator might be irreparably damaged, the Heir of Ayrith contemplated supporting the mercenaries in the early hours of the 13th but ultimately adhered to the Non-Aggression Treaty with Bellator.

## The Battle

As the battle had been pre-announced, numerous impartial observers were present at a safe distance from the battlefield, bearing witness to the entire conflict. Among these onlookers stood the Tsesarevich of Ayrith during that era, Aleksandr Presvyatoy, the former president of Chalybe, Louie, the Mercenary Guiomar Calzada Delarífe, Holy Oyu'kii, and Jonebin of Daesolen. Aleksandr Presvyatoy recounted the events as follows:

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> *On the 13th of October, in the year 2023, the hour was nigh 5:55 PM by Eastern Standard Time. The gathered might of Bellator, Blazen, Incakuba, and valiant volunteers hailing from the diverse realms of Ouralith numbered seven strong, while the Kirushnian Mercenaries, a mere trio, stood resolute. These two formidable forces locked gazes, and a profound silence ensued, a solemn respite before the impending tempest. Legend holds that this hushed stillness perturbed even Svorazhno, the celestial deity above, and disquieted the Sacred Abyss, resting deep below in the western sea.*
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> *The fortress of Castrum , an imposing edifice crafted from rough-hewn cobblestones and deeslate, served as the bastion that safeguarded the coalition. Its fortified walls featured battlements, while a formidable moat, its breadth and length spanning the measure of ten yards, provided an additional layer of protection.*
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> *Atop the pinnacle of these defensive bulwarks stood Reslavv, bedecked in netherite armor, the grandeur of his helmet enhanced by gilded embellishments. With a heart swelled with pride, he cradled his crossbow and fixed his unwavering gaze towards the east, the very direction from which his formidable adversary approached.*
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> *Beside Reslavv, the Emperor of Blazen was attired in diamond leggings and boots, his chestplate gleaming, and a netherite helmet graced with intricate diamond ornaments. Their comrades, too, were clad in diamond armor, occasionally adorned with fragments of emerald, netherite, or forged from resolute iron. The imminent clash was palpable, as the two forces stood on the precipice of a momentous battle.*
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> *From the sovereigns of the West came a resounding cry, "Victory is yours! Reslavv has triumphed, no need for us to stand by!" Then, fireworks burst in the sky, painting the night's canvas with a vivid glow, illuminating the wall with a scene of splendid magnificence.*
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> *What followed, however, was a complete humiliation for Bellator. Destiny had its course. All fell, heads rolled, a solemn and tragic contrast. The Mercenary, adorned in diamond, stood firm and contrasting in the face of the enemy. In the end, it was indeed his victory, marking a poignant moment that stood in stark contrast to the earlier celebrations.*
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> *Up above, Svorazhno, overcome with boredom, slumbered, while down below, the Holy Abyss, bereft of sight, simply faded away.*
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> **Aleksandr Perunikosevniz**

Indeed, the account offered by the renowned Ayrithian politician, while showcasing partiality in various instances, such as references to deities and the emphasis on Bellator's material superiority in the battle, does provide historically accurate and detailed information. However, the text falls short of elucidating the genuine reason behind Bellator's defeat.