Sload invasion of Asteria (2E 508)

The **Sload invasion of Asteria** was a Thrassian invasion of the Asterian Isles in 2E 508.

## Background

The destruction of the navy of High King Hidellith of the Summerset Isles in the ill-fated expedition to Pyandonea in 2E 486 rendered the Asterian archipelago vulnerable. The Kingdom of Asteria had, for many years, enjoyed the protection of Alinor's maritime might. As such it did not boast a substantial navy of its own.

The events of 2E 486 caused much anxiety and alarm in the Asterian Isles. It did not, however, evoke the listless Archon Orcalin to act. His willful torpidity resulted in his assassination in 2E 491. His successor (and suspected bane) was Lord Mirano, who almost immediately instigated an ambitious programme of shipbuilding and rearmament.

Meanwhile, however, the vulnerability of the Asterian Isles proved irresistible to the repugnant Sload of Thras. Soon after the catastrophe near Pyandonea, the Sload began calculating and engineering an invasion of Orendir's realm.

## The Invasion

*Abstract:*

* The Asterian fleet is in the strait between Asteria (the capital isle) and Sirelis/ the other southern islands. It is either simply at anchor, or performing some ceremonial display in the king's honour.
* The Sload launch their invasion upon one of the northern isles - they target a port city there. Their soldiery is composed of the undead - 'recruited' from drowned sailors. This would include many Altmer who perished in the events of 2E 486. The port city is soon overwhelmed by this necromantic assault (perhaps attributed to the defenders reluctance or sorrow in striking down their kinsmen [probably used as an excuse]).
* The Asterian fleet is mobilised and sails around the capital isle and races towards the northern island, which is now subjected to the brutality and malice of the Sload. In response to the oncoming navy, the Sload summon a great sea monster (a sea serpent or kraken? I think the latter).
* The Asterian navy does battle with this sea monster, resulting in the destruction of many ships. The beast is only defeated when, by some means, the elves force the monster to look upon its own reflection (a feat perhaps performed by Qalthalion?) Beholding its own monstrosity and abhorrence, the monster either dies or recoils into the depths of the ocean. The beast defeated, the navy is able to make a landing on the island and exterminate the occupying Sload.

### The Fall of Feranor

In the summer of 2E 508 a grand naval exhibition was performed in the {Strait}, a strait between the capital isle and the Tears. This display was organised was Archon Mirano - a vaunt of the grandeur of his shipbuilding programme initiated seventeen years prior. The exhibition was dedicated to King Turanil VII (*Orendir*), who in a rare occurrence was escorted from his inland sanctuary to the south-east of the capital isle to observe his fleet.

This performance - this distraction - was known to the cunning and deliberate Sload. They concluded that now, at last, was the opportune moment to strike. Whilst the navy and much of the Star Council was occupying itself in the southern isles, the Sload elected to invade the north (sometimes referred to as *the brow*). Their target was the island of Feranor.

On the north-western shoreline of Feranor - where sits the eponymous city - corpses began to be washed up in alarming quantities. These were not the victims of a recent shipwreck, however. These were the corpses of sailors who had perished at sea over many years - Bretons, Imperials, Redguard and, worse, Altmer. They had been *recruited* by the repugnant Sload - masters of necromancy - and now served as their enthralled soldiery.

This undead army fell upon the city of Feranor, slaughtering its defenders and inhabitants without reason or remorse. The people of Feranor - caught entirely by surprise - were unaware that the Sload (who remained concealed beneath the sea) were the engineers of this onslaught. To many it seemed that a rogue horde of drowned corpses had fallen upon them. Many of the undead were *recruited* from those High Elves who had perished in the catastrophe near Pyandonea in 2E 486. Feranor's confused defence was led by Lord Erondil, a member of the Star Council. The defenders fought with tears in their eyes - reluctant to strike down their kin. Perhaps because of this hesitation, Feranor was soon conquered by the drowned. Only then did the slimy Sload emerge onshore. The few survivors of the attack were enslaved. From the stronghold of the city, the Sload unleashed terror upon the rest of the island - butchering and enslaving its High Elven inhabitants.

### The Kraken

Tidings of the disaster at Feranor soon reached the capital isle. An incensed King Turanil commanded the Star Council to act at once. Whilst the Asterian navy was conveniently assembled for the purpose of the royal exhbition, it was not laden with with a soldiery sufficient enough to land a ground force to relieve Feranor. Archon Mirano thus ordered a muster of soldiers and wizards at {Place}, on the westernmost of the capital isle. This force would be picked up by the navy in a month's time. For another month, therefore, the Sload were free to subject Feranor to their tyranny.

The fleet embarked from {Place} on time, organised by the Archon (who remained in the capital throughout this crisis). Direct command of the navy granted to Neramil, who was given the title of admiral by the Star Council. The approach of the Asterian navy - bearing fighters who were far better trained, equipped and resolved than the defenders of Feranor - was anticipated by the Sload, who had in the meantime contrived means to repel this relieving force.

Utilising dark magics - including the brutal sacrificing of Altmeri prisoners (including Lord Erondil) - the Sload summoned a titanic and grotesque sea monster from the depths of the ocean: a kraken. As the island of Feranor came into sight of the Asterian mariners, the kraken's tentacles surfaced to ensnare the Altmeri ships. Vessels were snapped and crushed like twigs. Sailors and soldiers were dragged helplessly into the kraken's jaw - into the watery abyss of its vast body. No ship was capable of penetrating this tentacular bulwark. The futility of this battle was affirmed with the loss of the flagship, *Rinalda*, along with admiral Neramil.

### The Purification of Feranor

The kraken vanquished, the Asterian navy was finally capable of landing on the beaches of Feranor. Disembarking before the port city, the Altmeri wizards and warriors swept through the streets and exterminated the sluggish Sload with the same remorselessly of the drowned horde.

*Unfinished*