Wesfeldan War of Succession

The Wesfeldan War of Succession was a long and divisive civil war in Wesfelda.

Battle of the Hengest Gate

## Combatants

Stúnicmen loyal to House SiewardStúnicmen of Stonedale

Stúnicmen loyal to House Broadoak

## Commanders

Corl 'the Thegn'Pippin 'the Long'

Pippin 'the Short'

Sigamund

Langos

## History

### Prelude

The unrest that created the succession crisis began when Levan, the Stúnic thegn, abdicated. This was unprecedented and Langos Broadoak took the opportunity to question Corl, Levan's grandson's, right to the throne.

### War

Despite the objection Corl was crowned anyway in 824 S.A, but after the ceremony Langos attacked the henge, slaying many Siewards. This battle was stopped by a thunderous voice, the Bishop Alfhelm of Hengest. It was said that the gods, seeing their holy place being disregarded empowered Alfhelm and gave his voice the strength to cease the fight and send both parties home. Because of this the battle was coined the Battle Unholy and from that point all bishops of Hengest were made the seer of the thegn and head of the Ecclesiastical Council.

Following the humiliation, Langos retreated to their, since ruined, home of Oakhallow Hall. Lagnos had a false priest, named the The Eleventh Finger of the Gods crown him with "a crown of oaken branch and oaken leaf". Langos' father was not happy with his son and cast him his home with his priest. Together they wandered for a few years, it is said that they the Eleventh Finger of the Gods made an offering to a Wightwood Tree in the Mark and Langos prayed for his father's death. In 828 S.A Langos' father was struck with Snowvein, a perilous disease that freezes your blood and turns your pale and your eyes go bright cool blue. Langos' father didn't survive long and the moment he died, Langos returned on a white steed with his priest of a black steed. Langos was made head of House Broadoak and declared Oakhallow at war with Corl.

The two met in Red Dale and fought out the Battle of Slopes until Corl was defeated and sent back to Riverbank. Over the next two decades there were minor skirmishes but no real battles as both forces were cautious and weak since the battle. Over this period both sides gained allies, the nation was virtually split down the middle. House Hood and House Staghart supported the Broadoaks, whereas House Griean and House Highcliff supported the Siewards. House Winccel stayed neutral and claimed independence in 844 S.A, however, later they fought against Langos.

After the Desecration House Staghart turned against House Broadoak, however, a small contingent of loyalists broke away, calling themselves the Grimfighters and acted as a mercenary group for House Broadoak. After the war they formed their own house, House Grim.

The war came to its final crescendo when Corl was killed by Langos and House Highcliff collapsed in the Battle of the Hengest Gate. Pippin 'the Short' and his son Sigamund of Stonedale marched on Langos' army in a flash. Pippin was no commander and no warrior and found himself dying on the field, but his son was masterful. He challenged Langos to a duel and killed him then and there. Sigamund then marched to the Thegn's Hall and with the blessing of Corl's son, proclaimed himself thegn and ended the war.

### Aftermath

Not only did Wesfelda lose Sieward rule, but they it lost an entire house, House Highcliff. The Eleventh Finger of the Gods faded out of memory and House Broadoak submitted to Sigamund. The war also saw the creation of House Blackfish, House Grim and House Ward.