Ironhold Onslaught

The Ironhold Onslaught stands as one of the most pivotal and dramatic events in the history of Ironhold Keep. A sudden and overwhelming attack by a vast cadaver horde, it tested the mettle and resilience of the keep's defenders in unprecedented ways. Occurring on **10.Oct.1057 SC**, this assault was not just a battle for territory, but a desperate fight for survival, as the cadaver forces sought to overrun the fortress and add its inhabitants to their ever-growing ranks. Amidst the chaos, and in the face of leadership gaps, emerged an unlikely hero: the adventurer Thaddeus Blackthorn. His tactical brilliance and unparalleled sharpshooting skills played a crucial role in repelling the attackers, securing his place in the annals of Ironhold's history. This account delves into the events of that fateful day, shedding light on the bravery, sacrifices, and strategic decisions that determined the fate of Ironhold Keep.

## Background

In the wake of the formation of the Dominion of Dolora, the strategic dynamics across the regions shifted drastically. The Gloomguard Kingdom, ever watchful and vigilant, faced newfound challenges that necessitated a redistribution of its military resources. A significant portion of Ironhold Keep's garrison was reassigned to fortify positions in the Bleak Expanse, a move deemed crucial to countering potential threats from the emerging Dominion.

However, this reallocation had unintended consequences for Ironhold Keep. With a diminished garrison, the keep lacked the personnel to maintain its usual extensive scouting networks. Historically, these scouts were instrumental in identifying and neutralizing smaller cadaver hordes, ensuring they could not coalesce into larger, more menacing forces. Without this crucial early-warning system, smaller cadaver groups went unnoticed, allowing them to merge and grow, eventually forming the massive horde that would mount the notorious **Ironhold Onslaught**. The stage was set for one of the most harrowing confrontations in the keep's storied history.

## The battle

On **10th of October 1057 SC**, the assembled cadaver horde moved en masse towards Ironhold Keep. Their sheer numbers, combined with their mindless determination, made for an intimidating and overwhelming force.

The defenders of the keep found themselves in an increasingly precarious situation. The sudden and unexpected scale of the attack, compounded by the absence of their commander, Knox Shadowton, who tragically met his end outside the fortress walls, rendered the defending soldiers despondent and disorganized. Panic rapidly spread through the ranks, further hampering their defensive efforts.

Enter Thaddeus Blackthorn, an adventurer of some repute, who was merely passing through the keep at the time of the assault. Recognizing the severity of the situation and the impending disaster, Blackthorn took it upon himself to provide much-needed leadership in this dire hour. Though he bore no official rank within the Gloomguard military hierarchy, his previous experiences in hostile environments equipped him with the tactical acumen required to coordinate the defense.

However, Blackthorn's intervention was not universally welcomed. A segment of the garrison, disoriented by the chaos and wary of taking orders from an outsider, resisted his directives. Nonetheless, Blackthorn persisted, leveraging his knowledge of battlefield tactics to repel the advancing horde.

In the ensuing hours, under Blackthorn's provisional command, the defenders of Ironhold Keep adopted a more cohesive and structured defense strategy. Despite initial setbacks and internal resistance, the defenders, buoyed by Blackthorn's guidance, successfully halted the cadaver horde's advance, culminating in the horde's eventual destruction.

This fierce confrontation, which could have spelled disaster for the keep, instead transformed into a testament to the resilience of its defenders. The Ironhold Onslaught, as it came to be known, remains a pivotal chapter in the annals of Gloomguard's military history.

## Defenders tactics

### Use of fire

Within the strategy framework of Ironhold's defense against the advancing cadaver onslaught, the deliberate deployment of fire stood out as a primary method of deterrence. Recognizing the cadavers' pronounced lack of self-preservation instincts, the defenders astutely exploited fire as both a direct offensive mechanism and a means of creating temporary barriers. This involved the use of flaming projectiles, the strategic pouring of boiling oil from the battlements, and the establishment of makeshift fire barriers. The latter was executed by dousing specific terrains or structures in flammable substances and igniting them, thereby creating literal firewalls to halt or redirect the cadaver progression.

### Strategic retreats

Another tactically significant maneuver adopted during the onslaught was the orchestrated strategic retreat. In lieu of mounting a stagnant, linear defense, the keep's defenders adopted a more fluid defensive posture. They would intentionally cede ground at pre-designated sectors, drawing the cadaver hordes deeper into the keep's interior. This tactic served dual purposes: it dispersed the concentration of the attacking force and lured them into pre-established kill zones, thereby maximizing the lethality of the defenders' counterattacks.

## Consequences

### Re-evaluation of military presence

The aftermath of the Ironhold Onslaught precipitated a significant shift in the military doctrines of nations adjacent to Stormlash Valley. Recognizing the potential ramifications of under-guarding key defensive positions, these states universally adopted policies that mandated consistent troop presence at border fortresses. The principle was to ensure that no strategic location was left vulnerable to sudden cadaver incursions, thus preventing any repeat of the Ironhold debacle.

### Fortress enhancement

The Ironhold Onslaught did not only serve as a stark reminder for neighboring countries but also prompted substantive internal changes. When the Dominion of Dolora annexed the Gloomguard Kingdom in **1083 SC**, they promptly undertook extensive fortification efforts at Ironhold Keep. Dolorian engineers and architects, equipped with advanced weaponry and fortification techniques, extensively refortified the keep. The architectural modifications paired with the latest armament ensured that Ironhold Keep was not just restored to its former glory but was made even more impregnable, effectively making it a bulwark against potential threats from the Stormlash Valley.