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Gersegos Castle after CC-1

Set 1

Close Quarters

Set 2

Cold Reception

Set 3 (Tiebreaker)

Showdown

# Who Let the Caladogs Out

## Lore

*Some grudges never die.*

*It has been seven years since Neretzes' Folly delivered the empire one of its worst defeats in history. In the chaos and bloodshed, the few imperials that escaped with their lives never forgot, least of all the man who ascended to the imperial throne on that day, Emperor Arenicos.*

*Arenicos' reign has been a mixed bag for the empire. While being beloved by the people for his charisma and martial prowess, Arenicos has not made many of the sweeping reforms he promised at the beginning of his rule. Furthermore, his crusades against corruption at every level has made him many enemies among the greedier elements of the senate, military, and aristocracy.*

*Perhaps Arenicos' most noteworthy action has been the disbanding of the imperial legions, tasking Archons with maintaining their own individual retinues. While the reformation relieved an immense burden on the imperial treasury, many disgruntled veterans see this as a betrayal of the system that subjugated a continent.*

*And who knows more of that subjugation than the Battanians to the northwest? Once sprawling all over Calradia, the empire has reduced their holdings to a measly handful of cities and castles after countless campaigns and massacres. Their High King Caladog enjoys more support among his clansmen than Arenicos could ever dream of, and the High King has once again decided to chase glory by striking out against the empire.*

*For the villagers of Gersegos, the coming days are a joyous occasion, sure to be full of feasting and spending time with family and friends to celebrate the winter festivities.*

*None are expecting the terror of Battanian oathsworn once again pouring out of the hills.*

## Post Event Lore

*After a long and costly battle, the Battanians have succeeded in their assault into Imperial territory.*

*Stricken with a sudden illness and unable to lead his forces personally, the Battanian High King Caladog dispatched his most trusted chieftan to lead in his stead. Appointed on short notice and untested as a war leader, the Chief of Dunglanys faced off against the imperial legions of Emperor Arenicos. Despite his apparent disadvantage, the morale of the Battanian host was high. The chieftain is popular among Caladog's warriors, and enjoyed support from his Vlandian and Aserai allies due to his experience as Caladog's ambassador. To oppose them, Arenicos bought the dubious loyalty of the Sturgians and Khuzaits in a bid to fill out his battle line and blunt the advance of the invaders.*

*The day was particularly cold, with fresh snow and bitter winds hampering the movements of both armies. Arenicos met the Battanians on the surface and banks of the frozen Miron river. The fighting was harsh, but Arenicos was gaining the upper hand. Following a successful Imperial ambush, the Battanians retreated to the conquered Gersegos village, but they were pursued by the eager legionaries. In Gersegos the fighting ground to a stalemate, with neither side able to secure a decisive victory. Exhaustion, cold, and hunger bit at the participants as their commanders tried furiously to eek out an advantage in the alpine village. After a series of careful maneuvers and violent engagements, the beleaguered imperials found themselves beaten and began a countermarch to the Miron to make their final stand.*

*Unable to ignore the opportunity, the Battanians followed, and an engagement became inevitable as the renewed snowstorm and rigours of the day made further marching impossible. The two armies expended the last of their strength in a final bloody brawl, where a combined effort of the Battanian oathsworn and light horse was able break the last of the imperial defenders. Arenicos was forced to retreat into imperial lands, reminded bitterly of the imperial defeat at Pendraic seven years prior. With his defeat and departure, the Battanians now control Gersegos and the surrounding lands.*

*The effects of the outcome on Calradia have yet to be seen. Only time will tell if the uneasy alliances will hold, if Arenicos will be able to rally the bodies of the imperial state, and if the conflict will expand beyond the borders of the Calradic Empire.*

## Aftermath

Kingdom of Battania took Gersegos Castle from the Empire.

## Links

Event post: [1]

Wrapup post: [2]