The Lakeholme War of 295AC

The Lakeholme War of 295AC was a conflict primarily between the Kingdom of Hammerholme and the Nation of Greenward over ownership of the colony of Lakeholme, located in the southern region of the explored areas of Tiammata near the Endless Vine. The war lasted approximately five years, concluding at the rout of the Greenward military forces at the Battle of Mercury Span and the de jure annexation of Lakeholme to Hammerholme.

## Precursor to War (pre 295 AC)

Lakeholme (then called Lakehome) was originally a small fishing village on the eastern shore of the Silver Lake, inhabitted primarily by semi-nomadic orc tribes and gnomish merchants and fisherman. When copper and gem veins were discovered in the hills, the Janeczko mining corporation from Greenward quickly invested heavily in the region, and the town grew from a few dozen to several thousand over the span of two decades. By 295AC, Lakehome had a mixed population of Hammerholme and Greenward residents that had come to exploit the regions riches, and the surrounding towns of Goldbell, Arcalan, and Port Harran had grown and prospered as well. When three huge diamonds were discovered in a new offshoot of the Janeczko mines, both Greenward and Hammerholme claimed ownership. Greenward deployed their forces from Crescent Keep to secure the gems, and several Hammerholme citizens were killed in an altercation. Hammerholme subsequently declared war.

## Open Warfare (295-300AC)

### First Battle of Arcalan

The opening battle of the Lakeholme War. Advanced elements of the Hammerholme cavalry were able to break through hastily built fortifications at Arcalan.

### The Goldbell Raid

One of the few definitive victories for Greenward in the war, The Greenward Elites ambushed and devastated Hammerholme's advanced forces as the overconfident Hammerholme forces moved south from Arcalan towards Lakeholme.

### Second Battle of Arcalan

In full retreat after the Goldbell raid, Hammerholme's forces fell back to the previously captured Arcalan, where they were reinforced by the remainder of Hammerholme's forces that had finally arrived and were able to repel the Greenward Elites after a brutal battle on the collapsed ramparts and through the streets of Arcalan.

### Stalemate at Lakeholme

After pulling back from Arcalan to regroup, the bulk of Greenward's forces dug in at Lakeholme. Hammerholme imposed a partial siege, blockading Lakeholme from the north, east, and south, but lacked the naval power to enforce the seige from the west, where Greenward was able to resupply and reinforce their numbers. The siege lasted for several years, neither side able to gain an advantage, though Hammerholme was able to prevent Greenward from extracting a second gem. The stalemate was broken when Hammerholme was able to persuade the orc Tattersail clan to join the battle, cutting off Greenward's ability to resupply.

### Race to Crescent Keep

Fully encircled but well supplied, Greenward decided to punch through to the more defensible Crescent Keep to link up with the remaining Garrison there. Skirmishes ensued for the next three days as Greenward was able to extract most of their forces from Lakeholme but were forced to leave two gems behind.

### Crescent Keep

The depleted and exhausted forces set up for a short siege at Crescent Keep. Upon learning that Greenward expected to reinforce their position from the mountain passes to the west, Hammerholme launched an assault, breaching the walls and forcing the defenders to retreat

### Battle of Mercury Span

Hammerholme forces pursued and harried the retreating Greenward forces through the Crescent Mountains and to the massive bridge, Mercury Span, where Greenward's survivors were able to link up with the expected reinforcements. As Greenward rallied for a counter attack and charge across the Mercury Span, the northern bridge was demolished, stopping the attack's momentum and inflicting heavy casualties. The Greenward army broke under the weight of Hammerholme's charge and air support, and only Greenward's Vine Rangers were able to slow the momentum enough to stop the army from being destroyed entirely. The survivors limped back to Greenward City and closed the walls, but parts of Hammerholme's special operations forces were able to sneak through during the retreat and start a fire in the inner city. Forces depleted and besieged, Greenward was forced to fight either a large army or a fire in their capital. Greenward surrendered, and Hammerholme allowed their forces to fight the fires.

## Peace Treaty and Aftermath

Signed in 300AC, Hammerholme annexed Lakeholme into their empire but granted it limited sovereignty. Hammerholme agreed to extract a single large gem, with the condition that the third remain in Lakeholme. Future discoveries would be under the jursidiction of Hammerholme. Arcalan, twice the site of terrible battle, continues to be rebuilt, with taxes being raised to fund a more permanent fortification. Crescent Keep was rebuilt as well and control turned over to Hammerholme, and additional watchtowers were built in the mountain passes above it to protect from Greenward. Lakeholme continued to prosper, and the Tattersail clan was welcomed into the area as thanks for their support.

## Notable Participants

### Greenward survivors

Captain Mechnom the Tall, Greenward Elites, Constructor

Sergeant Galvanna Tor, Greenward Elites (Augmentor, Constructor at the time)

Paralyzed from the waist down during a battle, Galvanna later built a spider tank for her mobility.

Private Ophelia Brightleaf, Vine Ranger, Vinetouched, cleric of Sylvanus

General Pleas Tandby, Greenward Elites, Constructor, Later VP of Greenward

Skycaptain Commingup Shortly, captain of the G.S.S. Sandstone, Later President of Greenward

Skycaptain Reynolds, captain of the G.S.S. Farview

Guardius Bluestone

Brogmir Bluestone (player character)

### Notable Hammerholme survivors

General Ducat Strongboe, father of Captain Hera Strongboe and head of clan Strongboe

Captain Hera Strongboe

Ole' Goldthumb of clan Duskrise

Air Cavalry Officer Indominus Cragson, head of clan High Kiln

Kerreck (player character)

Lt. Rameses of clan High Kiln

Violet Gemforge, head of clan Gemforge

### Other survivors

Shargog of Clan Tattersail, later a Tattersail chieftain in the Driftwood Flotilla

Gorg Spinebender of Clan Tattersail, later Greenward Archivist