Great Riohnic Horde

**The Great Riohnic Horde** was a great horde empire having huge territory that spanned throughout the north. The History of this great horde is one of the biggest prices of nation history ever in Sazius.

## **Riohnic History**

### Beginnings (Chapter I)

Long, long ago. The Riohnics, a people once separated behind walls began to come together. After the Great Plague across the west, many people were leaving the old cities to go found new ones including the Riohnics. The 3 main Riohnic group leaders met to dictate what would happen to their people. Koinos of the south tried to get Hyllus of the East to kill Dryas of the west so they could rule as duel monarchs. But Dryas found this out and challenge both of them to a duel to the death. As the 3 men began to prepare Dryas heard someone in his ear telling him that he cannot die and he is all powerful. Taking this as he bring a demigod he rushed into the duel and fight the began. It lasted 6 hours before Dryas won killing both of his rivals. With Dryas as the soul ruler he moved his people north. In the north they founded the city of Riohnic, and with Dryas as the first king ruling as an absolute monarch and just like that the great House of Dryas began.

### Total Rise (Chapter II)

Dryas rule brought prosperity to the city making it one of the trade and military capitals of the north west. But that would soon be put it to the test. When Dryas died at the age of 150 his oldest son Talos became king and his 3 other sons Baerius, Dryas II, and Lycaretos all became lords and generals. Talos kingship would bring the first conflict of the rising city. Talos sister Galatea was captured by neighboring city of the name of Acona (Human). It’s king Claudius had been a rival for Talos ever since he became king and now he finally had a reason to burn it to the ground. Talos’s army marched to the cities walls. Talos got off his horse took off his helmet and stared up at the defenders, and with in minuets of this the defenders on the walls immediately surrender, letting Talos army in the city. Claudius was captured and executed and Galatea was freed. But due to our condemnation of violence she took her own life in the city becoming a martyr and to everyone she became the goddess of forgiveness. After the death of Galatea, Talos abdicated as king thinking he had lost and failed he would go into retirement. His 19 year old son Lando would became king, But as Lando became king a new threat appeared. Dioclet a legendary cursed mercenary warlord began to rebel and with his elite troops he sacked and razed City after city until finally coming upon the Great Walls of Riohnic. He yelled to his men “And but here we are standing before a great city but it is no different it will fall like the reset, the city may have been founded by a demigod but that is not who we are fighting we are up against a small child, so men be with me as we break the enemy!”

### Dolcet’s Siege of Riohnic (Chapter III)

The Riohnic leadership met to diside what to do this council includes Lnado, Baerius, Dryas II, Lycaretos The Elder, Lycaretos The Younger (his son), Polymedes, and Talos. The 7 men discussed among themselves, but it went no where until Dioclet began his first assault on the walls. His men set up ladders. But it was quickly repulsed as Polymedes jumped onto the ladders jumping from the ladder to ladder knocking it down and killing anybody on it. As the first wave was pushed back Dioclet had a plan he would send his right hand man Isebrand to kill Polymedes and Baerius putting a strain on their military capability. Isebrand failed to get on to the walls so he challenged Polymedes to a duel and to everyone dismay he accepted. The 2 men weapons clashed over and over again, until Polymedes wa stabbed 11 times in the chest, but he lived the Goddess of Life Abigail saved Polymedes bringing him back to safety on the walls where he got treated for wounds. Not long after Dioclet would ordered his second assault. But this alos failed due to the God of the Land Vermada, and Dioclet’s soliders got stuck in mud as the ground became wet and we’re picked off by Riohnic bow men. Finally the Riohnic leadership finally ended their schism and began working together. Seeing Dioclet’s forces weaken they decided to sally out of the walls to meet them on battle. The next day both armies came out and stood in front on each other ready for battle. Talos stood in front of the Riohnic lines and took off his helmet and stared at Dioclet’s men as Talos saw the fear in their eyes he ordered “CHARGE, FOR RIOHNIC!” Dioclet also ordered his men to charge. And the Battle Started. The impact of the soldiers clashing shook the ground, Talos fought his way to Dioclet camp. The God of Strength Paris had intervened to aid the Riohnics. When Talos reached the camp Isebrand was there to meet him, but Talos cut him down in one strike of his sword. Finally Dioclet came out to meet him, both of the men ordered the fighting to stop and both armies withdrew . We both armies withdrew the battle was filled with bodies and blood Lycaretos The Younger was in the flied the Riohnic army held a small funeral then turned back to the duel. Dioclet used a spear made by the gods during the Great Orc Invasion of Sazius for the Humans and Elf’s to defend against the orcs. Talos used the Sword of Dryas. The 2 great warriors fought for 3 days straight with none of them seeming to slow down Paris Intervened again to make sure none of them would die. But soon Paris stopped intervening and the duel would finally end. Dioclet had won stabbing his spear though Talos heart, the battle instantly started up again as Polymedes angered by his friends death went after Dioclet himself. He overpowered Dioclet cutting his left arm, Polymedes would have killed Dioclet if it wasn’t for Angelus a elite mercenary bow men he shot Polymedes in the leg forcing him to retreat. Lando trying to help Polymedes rushes Dioclet, but is shot in the leg by Angelus and was captured by Dioclet’s men. When the other leaders heard about this they asked for a truce to negotiate the release of Lando. Baerius and Lycaretos The Elder went to meet with Dioclet. Dioclet agreed to release him and give everyone amnesty if they surrendered and gave him the city to which Lycaretos The Elder smashed a nearby table with his bare hands and said “IF THOU SHALL MAKE US GIVE UP WHEN HE IS AT THE POINT OF BREAKING HE SHOULD NOT TALK AT ALL! Lycaretos The Elder left Dioclet’s camp and went back to the army and told them to prepare for the final battle. But just then he saw Dioclet riding towards them just him no one else, when he reached the Riohnic lines he cut right through them, eventually reaching Lycaretos The Elder, Dioclet aimed his spear at his head to kill him but it was blocked by Dryas II sword. A huge battle ensued with everyone going after Dioclet. He held the whole army off for 1 hour even killing Dryas II. But soon the Riohnic army heard the sound of a horn, Dioclet’s force was charging at them led by Angelus, Dioclet was able to sneak into the city in all the confusion. But there waiting for him was Polymedes. Polymedes charged at him knocking him to the ground, but Dioclet was able to get back up throwing his spear directly at Polymedes heart. Just as it was about to hit him he caught it and with the power of 1000 gods he thew the spear back at him, Dioclet tried to dodge, but he was hit by it knocking him off, Dioclet was dead. Polymedes looked over the wall to the almost destruction of the Riohnic army he yelled “MEN OF DIOCLET YOUR LEADER IS DEAD BY HIS OWN SPEAR!” At the sound of hearing this Dioclet men began to break and run letting the Riohnics run them down and slaughter them, Angelus was captured during the retreat. The Siege was over.

### The Siege Ends (Chapter IV)

After the siege the Riohnic army went to Dioclet camp and they found the dead body of Lando, the king was dead! Baerius was named King of Riohnic, after their victory they learned that Dioclet was not dead but he had escaped he fled to the Orc kingdom nearby and were getting them to invade Riohnic. So Baerius got all the surrounding city states to join them so they can defend against this new threat. The orc king a man named Aurzar. Aurzar’s house dates back to the oldest kings during the Great Orc Invasion of Sazius, legendary warriors still talked about to this day. So Aurzar wanted to prove the superiority of the orcs over any other race, so when Dioclet came to his court asking him attack the now weakened Riohnics Aurzar couldn’t say no and began to mobilize his army for war. In Riohnic war camp Polymedes, Baerius, Lycaretos The Elder and their new general Argos The Greater and also Angelus who defected to their side. They managed to get men from all of the cities to meet the orcs on the field. Aurzar and Dioclet went out to meet them.

### Battle of River Rutmis (Chapter V)

Baerius looked across the river rutmis to see the orc army waiting for them. Dioclet road up to the front of the orc army and aims his spear at Baerius, this would start the battle that put the new found power of the Riohnic nation to the test. Dioclet ordered his bow men to fire at the Riohnic army but did very few damage due to the shields blocking most of them then Aurzar ordered the first assault, the orc army made rafts to cross the river. As the orca prepared to cross the river, the Riohnic leadership decided to send Polymedes with a elite guard of men to outflank the orc army while the attack is under way. As the orca began to place the rafts to cross heavy Riohnic arrow fire inflicted, heavy casualties on the orcs crossing. Eventually the orcs began to land and were met by a sturdy Riohnic shield wall. The shield wall held until Dioclet entered the battle breaking though the shield wall, Argos The Greater and Lycaretos The Elder tried to hold him off. After 30 mins after the orcs landed it was not looking good for the Riohnic force, Argos The Greater was dead and Lycaretos The Elder was forced to fall back with his men, just then Baerius and Angelus entered the battle to try and push Dioclet back. The 3 great warriors would all fight Dioclet, but he still wouldn’t die fighting all of them at once and still holder his own. Just then Polymedes flanking force finally arrived to the dismay of the attacking orca his elite unit crashed into the orcish camp slaughtering all of them, Aurzar tried to escape but was killed by Polymedes. The attacking orca seeing this immediately surrendered leaving Dioclet all on his own. Knowing this would be his end he picked up his spear turned to Polymedes across the river and before he could throw it Baerius grabbed him, but just as Dioclet was about to attack everything stopped Dioclet saw blood coming from his chest he was stabbed. Baerius stabbed the legendary mercenary warlord with the sword of Dryas quicker then Dioclet could even react ending his terror for good.

### Middle Riohnic Expansion (Chapter VI)

After their victory at River Rutmis the Riohnic annexed the orc kingdoms land. But Baerius did not want to stay in the west for long he quickly moved to the east for a invasion. Lycaretos The Elder retired from the government and military and went to live a peaceful life and was replaced by Angelus officially joined the Riohnics helping them in their conquest of the east. But Baerius was getting older and was unable to lead his men in battle so he appointed his nephew Mantios, Mantios was the son of Dryas II and he also fought at the Battle River Rutmis so he already proved himself but now he was leading a whole campaign. After years of preparation the invasion was finally ready, Mantios crossed into the east and was meet by a Human army under the command of King Demos. But Mantios quickly defeated the army capturing the king in the battle and making the whole Kingdom join the New Riohnic Horde. Mantios moved on winning battle after battle against Huamans, Orcs, Elves, Dwarfs, but failed to invade the Southern Dwarfs, Fuclian tribes, The Northern Cursed and Small orc kingdom. By the time Mantios got back to Riohnic, Baerius had died of old age and Mantios was proclaimed King of Kings and the Great Riohnic Horde was officially established.

### Era of Riohnic Terror (Chapter VII)

200 Years after the events of Dioclet and Mantios the Great Riohnic Horde was at its peak in power, they sacked village after village, the great general Herehelm was the most powerful figure in the east no one would dare stand in his way and any that did would always lose he’s punishment were so harsh he was given the title of “The Cruel.” After crushing a southern dwarf incursion he moved up north where he heard of the Fuclians were assembling a coalition to defeat him. After gather more soldiers from arcorss the horde to defeat the Fuclian coalition under Marcuse The Great he marched there and one of the most important battles in history would began. ***For more details on the battle go to*** Battle of The Fuclian Plains ***and*** Kingdom of Navapla.

### Fall and Restoration (Chapter VIII)

After the defeat of Herehelm The Cruel the Riohnic Horde in the east completely fell to orc, dwarf, human, and elf invasions. King Faroardus of the horde hearing about the fall of the east broke down mentally and it was even worse that a Fuclian backed Elf army had entered Riohnics western land. With the central Riohnic government in disarray it seemed that the capital could be sacked. Scythas the son of Faroardus was not having his nation collapse due to the weak government of his father. Scythas quickly got support from the military and he marched on the capital taking it with no resistance. Faroardus was deposed and sent to jail with the rest of the government and Scythas was proclaimed king of king and kings of the Riohnics by the military and people. Scythas then went out to meet the elves in battle.

### Second Battle of River Rutmis (Chapter IX)

Scythas, the newly proclaimed king of the Riohnics, led his forces to confront the Elf army that was backed by the Fuclians. The battle was fierce, as both sides fought for control over the strategic River Rutmis. The outcome of this battle would have a significant impact on the fate of the Riohnic Horde and its newly restored leadership. As the sun rose on the day of the Second Battle of River Rutmis, the battlefield was shrouded in an eerie silence, broken only by the distant sound of marching armies and the clanking of armor. Scythas stood at the forefront of his forces, his determination unwavering. He had a lot to prove as the newly crowned king, and the fate of his nation rested on his shoulders. On the other side of the river, the Elf army, led by a skilled general named Thalendir, prepared for the upcoming clash. Thalendir was known for his tactical brilliance and had been instrumental in pushing back the Riohnic forces during the earlier battles. As the two armies faced each other, tension filled the air. The moment of confrontation had arrived. Scythas raised his sword high, rallying his troops with a passionate speech, reminding them of their shared heritage and the importance of preserving their land and culture. The battle commenced with a thunderous clash of weapons and a cacophony of war cries. Both sides fought fiercely, neither willing to back down. The Riohnics, fueled by their desire for freedom and the will to protect their homeland, pushed forward with unyielding determination. Scythas proved himself to be a formidable leader, fighting alongside his soldiers, inspiring them to fight with renewed vigor. On the other hand, Thalendir's strategic brilliance became evident as he skillfully coordinated the movements of his elven forces, exploiting weak points in the Riohnic ranks. The battle was evenly matched, and the tide of victory seemed to sway between the two sides. As the day wore on, the battlefield turned into a chaotic scene of bloodshed and sacrifice. Scythas and Thalendir clashed in a personal duel, their swords ringing with every strike. The outcome of their battle would decide the fate of the entire war. In a fierce and intense showdown, Scythas managed to best Thalendir, but not without sustaining significant injuries himself. Thalendir, though defeated, retreated with the remaining elven forces, realizing that further confrontation would only result in more losses.

### Post Invasion Era (Chapter X)

In the days that followed, Scythas worked to rebuild and strengthen the Riohnic Horde. He sought to foster unity among his people, regardless of their race, emphasizing the importance of cooperation and mutual respect to forge a better future for all. And the Riohnic Horde maybe not as great as before was still able to hold its own proving that it cannot fall that easy.

### The Cracks of Old (Chapter XI)

Years had passed since the harrowing events of Scythas and the Fuclians that had threatened the very existence of the horde. However, just as the horde had begun to rebuild and find a semblance of peace, a new and unforeseen menace emerged on the horizon. News of a large migration of Welsterian peoples, led by a formidable leader named Creeper, reached the ears of Palaestrio, the wise and experienced king of the horde. These Welsterians were said to come from a distant and unknown land, seeking new territories to settle in. The prospect of such a massive influx of people into the horde's lands raised concerns about potential conflicts and scarcity of resources. Palaestrio understood the significance of this development and the potential danger it posed to his people. Realizing that he could not ignore the threat, he swiftly gathered his most skilled warriors and strategists, assembling an army to confront the Welsterians. Determined to assess the situation firsthand, Palaestrio set out on horseback at the head of his army, marching towards the rumored location of Creeper and his migrating followers. The journey was long and challenging, as they traversed through diverse landscapes and faced various obstacles along the way. As they drew nearer to the Welsterians' encampment, Palaestrio couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. He knew that engaging in diplomacy would be crucial to avoid unnecessary bloodshed. However, his instincts also told him that he must be prepared for the worst. As the horizon revealed the outlines of the Welsterian camp, Palaestrio's heart pounded with anticipation. His scouts reported back, warning of the vast size of the Welsterian host and the intimidating sight of their battle formations. Before he could devise a plan of action, disaster struck. Unbeknownst to Palaestrio and his forces, they had fallen into a cunning trap laid by Creeper. The Welsterians had planned the perfect ambush, and now, the horde's army found themselves surrounded on all sides. The battle that ensued was nothing short of chaotic and brutal. The Welsterians fought with fierce determination, their eyes gleaming with an unyielding desire for victory. Palaestrio's seasoned warriors fought valiantly, rallying around their king, but they were caught off-guard by the ambush, which had disrupted their battle formations. Despite Palaestrio's valiant efforts and the bravery of his warriors, the Welsterians emerged victorious. Their overwhelming numbers and strategic ambush had proven to be too much for the horde to withstand. Palaestrio's heart sank as he witnessed the toll of the battle on his once-mighty army. He surveyed the battlefield, where the fallen soldiers of the horde lay side by side, their sacrifice a testament to their loyalty and dedication. Grief and despair washed over him as he mourned the loss of his comrades and contemplated the uncertain future that lay ahead.

### Riohnic’s Never Die (Chapter XII)

After the crushing defeat, the Riohnic leadership decided to abandon their homeland and move into their western lands, to more easily govern. The new king Alanus wanted to restore the horde to it’s former glory. Years after Alanus death his son Dryas III took power and continued his father to reforms but what he didn’t know was the threat he was about to face. A group of Fuclians led by Firespie and soup were looking for a new place to settle when they came across the crumbling nation and after failed diplomacy they took their army and laid siege to the capital of the once great Riohnic horde.

### Siege of New Riohnic (Chapter XIII)

As the Fuclians led by Firespie and Soup laid siege to the capital of the Riohnic horde, the once great nation faced its most challenging and perilous time yet. The ancient walls of New Riohnic were put to the test as the invaders relentlessly attacked, seeking to claim the land as their own. Within the city, the defenders fought bravely, trying to hold onto their homeland and honor the legacy of their ancestors. As the days turned into weeks, the defenders of New Riohnic fought valiantly against the overwhelming might of the Fuclian invaders led by Firespie and Soup. Despite King Dryas III's tireless efforts and Elys's strategic brilliance, the unyielding assault proved too much for the weary defenders and the ancient walls of the capital. With dwindling supplies and morale, New Riohnic eventually succumbed to the relentless siege. The Fuclians breached the city's defenses, leading to a devastating defeat. The once great Riohnic horde faced its darkest hour as the invaders swarmed through the streets, leaving destruction in their wake. King Dryas III found himself face-to-face with Firespie, the cunning leader of the Fuclians. The clash between the two leaders was a sight to behold, each driven by their desire to protect their people and uphold their respective legacies. Despite his valor, King Dryas III could not overcome the sheer might of Firespie, who had the advantage of a larger army at his command. As the battle raged on, the Riohnic forces were gradually pushed back, and King Dryas III found himself surrounded. In his final moments, King Dryas III refused to kneel before Firespie. With his head held high, he faced his fate with courage and dignity, knowing that his sacrifice would inspire the surviving defenders and ignite the flames of resistance. The fall of King Dryas III marked the end in the history of the Riohnic horde. But the nations legacy endured, becoming a symbol of defiance and hope for generations to come. The few surviving Riohnics vowed to honor their fallen nation's memory.

**And so there it is the nation that once ruled the known world met its end the same as its rise.**

“Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising every time we fail.” - **Confucius**

Written By Québec/Thai\_x

What each chapter is based off of

Chapter I and II - Founding of Rome

Chapter III - Trojan War (Iliad and Odyssey)

Chapter IV - Greek Coalition Against Persia

Chapter V - Battle of Thermopylae

Chapter VI - Mongol Expansion

Chapter VII - Battle of the Catalaunian Plains

Chapter VIII - Coup on Rome

Chapter IX - Barbarian invasions of Rome

Chapter X - Post Mongol invasions

Chapter XI - Battle of Adrianople

Chapter XII - Attempt to restore the Byzantine Empire

Chapter XIII - Fall of Constantinople