The First Midnight’s Invasion

In **The First Midnight's Invasion**, Timothy Fuller, feeling marginalized in political matters, took charge by initiating coastal raids against the crown. Leading a force of 12,000 men, he secured an alliance with House Dior, aiming to address historical oppression. Siege successes at Hawk’s Roost and Treehaven prompted a response from King Roan, who assembled two armies. Anticipating retaliation, Timothy retreated to Oakheart’s Forest with 15,000 soldiers. As the armies approached, dragons intervened, causing chaos. In the ensuing battle, skilled archer Jared Headley killed Maekar Clarke, leading to a chain of tragic events. Timothy, realizing defeat, surrendered, but King Roan unexpectedly executed him. Post-war, surviving invaders were denounced and sent to Midnight Isle. Timothy II Fuller, Timothy's son, swore allegiance to King Roan in court, marking the end of the conflict in Eldermere.

## History

For years, Timothy Fuller had grown weary of his island's neglect in political affairs. As the sole major house in Eldermere with little influence in governance, Timothy decided to take matters into his own hands. Under his leadership, he initiated coastal raids to send a message to the crown. Rallying his bannermen, including Troy Dabney, he set sail toward Eldermere with a formidable host of nearly 12,000 men. Timothy, recognizing the need for additional support, dispatched Troy and his men to Emberstone to persuade Iann Dior to join their cause. Timothy argued that House Dior, sharing ancestral ties with Houses Fuller and Dabney, should stand united against historical oppression, particularly for the benefit of black people. Despite the risks, Iann agreed to support the invasion covertly to avoid repercussions from the Crown.

With the newfound alliance with House Dior, Troy led a force of almost 6,000 men to besiege Hawk’s Roost. The siege unfolded swiftly, overwhelming the castle's garrison. Finn Preshaw, Lord of Hawk’s Roost, met a public execution, and Troy captured and imprisoned Preshaw's children and heirs. Simultaneously, Timothy sailed to Treehaven for a siege. Upon arrival, Benjamin Lulfesmann, the Lord of Treehaven, surrendered immediately to avoid unnecessary bloodshed. Benjamin and his family were subsequently imprisoned.

News of these developments reached Roan in Dragonkeep. The Small Council deliberated on the appropriate response to halt the invasion. Wayde Culley, the Hand of the King, proposed rallying all of the kingdom's banners and marching towards the invasion for a decisive confrontation. However, Evan of House Headley, the Master of Coin, asserted the North's reluctance to commit resources to the Fieldlands situation. Roan, invoking Evan's oath to serve the King, dismissed the objections and endorsed Wayde's strategy. Two sizable armies were assembled – one comprised of the Starlands and the Northmen (numbering around 39,000 men), and the other consisting of the Crownlands, the Fieldlands, and the Ridgelands (totaling around 28,000 men). Both forces set out for the Fieldlands from different directions.

Upon learning of the impending retaliation, Timothy decided to abandon the captured castles, coercing Lulfesmann troops to fight for their cause. He established a camp in Oakheart’s Forest with nearly 15,000 soldiers, biding his time for a surprise attack on the approaching enemy forces. Weeks passed in anticipation until, one night, a loud flapping noise filled the camp. At that moment, Timothy belatedly remembered the one factor he had overlooked – dragons. Fortunately, the well-hidden camp averted disaster as the dragon passed overhead. Realizing the limited options at his disposal, Timothy resolved to charge the enemy in hopes of delivering a surprise blow before the dragon could intervene.

Suddenly, a force of 15,000 soldiers emerged from the forest and charged into the advancing army. Timothy and his troops inflicted significant damage on the enemy forces, improving their chances of winning the battle. In the midst of the intense combat, Timothy located Bryn Thorburn, Lord Paramount of the Fieldlands and engaged him in a duel. Timothy gained the upper hand and thrust his sword through Bryn's chest. The battle raged on, with both sides suffering heavy casualties. However, a sudden interruption occurred when a distant, piercing shriek echoed through the air. The combatants halted, looking up to witness three dragons – Aegon on Vaelor, Maekar on Baelgar, and Visenya on Laerys – flying towards them. The dragon riders descended, breathing fire upon Timothy's forces, creating chaos on the battlefield.

In the midst of the turmoil, Maekar targeted Troy’s son, Jared. Unbeknownst to Maekar, Jared was a skilled bowman. As Maekar dove towards him, an arrow pierced through Maekar's heart, causing him to fall from his dragon. Roan, witnessing his son's tragic demise, watched in disbelief. In retaliation, Baelgar seized and consumed Jared alive for killing his rider. The battlefield descended into complete chaos as Timothy's forces scattered, fleeing for their lives. Realizing the inevitable defeat, Timothy chose to lay down his sword and accept his fate. Roan, walking through the tumult, placed his sword on Timothy's shoulder. In that moment, Timothy briefly thought he might receive mercy from the king. However, seconds later, Roan swung his sword and decapitated Timothy.

After the war concluded, any surviving troops, leaders, or heirs involved in the invasion were sent back to Midnight Isle and publicly denounced. Timothy II Fuller, the son of Timothy, was summoned to court to bend the knee before King Roan and swear allegiance to him and his house.