=Event Story=
Stories of hardship and glory travel up from the southern front, where Newhope and Clan Stormjarl’s forces have successfully bridged their frontlines at a difficult cost. Clan Grimward’s raiders at sea remain a threat, but cannot stop the supplies and aid reaching Clan Stormjarl via the new land-bridge. Meanwhile, whispers travel the former lands of Clan Shattered Spear. The flame of resistance that had fought for freedom and revenge over the last few months… is snuffed out. Survivors, freed thralls, and figures important to the clan’s future begin to emerge from the Great Forest after escaping Clan Stonetooth’s grasp, allowing more of Shattered Spear’s people to be reunited in their current home within Clan Nightriver.
As the heat of summer begins to arrive though, news quickly travels from Hammerfall. The mixed army of Aldorian Marines, Shattered Spear remnant warpacks, and Clan Goldenfield warpacks had continued their advance against Clan Ironmound over the last month, but reports begin to arrive confirming that Clan Ironmound has successfully pulled their lines back to the Hammerfall area, and are now bolstered by their prepared defensive positions. The towns of Bladehome and Shieldhaven remain stranded behind Ironmound’s lines and under constant siege since last year. The two walled towns still stand, but may be at risk of falling if the sieges last much longer, making the need to push Ironmound back further a critical effort before the army of Clan Stonetooth returns to this frontline to attack once again. Any attempted advances by allies have already proven costly though, with Ironmound’s defensive tactics proving to be difficult to crack.
Unexpectedly, the call for aid from any available allies comes not from martial forces in the area, but instead from Jarl Laela Nightriver, Ambassador of Clan Nightriver. Through her efforts, contact has been made directly with Clan Ironmound’s Clanleader, Gustav Ironmound, who has agreed to a meeting of delegates on the frontlines to receive discussion and be heard in return. Contact has been successful, but due to being enemies Ironmound has sent terms.
Their time has been offered up, but requires payments of services, honorbound, or resources to be made to their clan in trade. After a trade is agreed upon, Ironmound’s leaders will allow discussion to happen for as long as battle happens, as enemies of this war. Some may see this as too high of demands from the clan, but others see that Ironmound even just becoming neutral could put them at great risk of angering both Clans Grimward and Stonetooth enough for invasion, making their homeland’s surrounded situation a lethal one for their people. Thus, Ambassador Laela’s calls for aid are not just for those who have words to speak, but also those who have offerings to provide and those skilled in combat to fight while discussions happen.
For those who have fought against Ironmound, their developing hatred for their current allies of Clan Stonetooth has become as well known as their honor strict culture. Many believe that the clan had no interest in fighting in this war, and would have been neutral if not for their pact with Clan Grimward and their clan’s precarious location as the war developed after the first year. With that, some like Jarl Laela see the war’s new situation as an opportunity to help the clan’s return to neutrality with honorable trade, or with luck maybe even convince them with enough aid to switch sides all together.
Rumors have it that Clan Ironmound has been pressured to fully apply themselves to the war on Grimward’s side, so if persuasions fail it may see the sieges of Bladehome and Shieldhaven severely worsen as Stonetooth’s armies are soon to return to the frontlines.
=Event Summary=
Duels waged throughout the day while peaceful talks took place across the outpost. The Clanleader of Ironmound was no easy negotiator, nor were his warriors easy to fight.
While the results of the day were by no means questionable, especially the celebrations that followed, Clan Ironmound is making their new stance known across the continent. In the days that followed this impromptu “Moot,” leadership across the continent are receiving the following letter:
“To the whole of Mardrun,
Clan Ironmound hereby withdraws our allegiance from the Ironward Alliance and Clan Grimward’s joint war effort with Clan Stonetooth.
We understand the gravity of this declaration, and the perceived stain on our honor it will leave behind. We make it with clear minds, knowing full well the judgment history may pass upon us. Some will call us traitors. Others will call us cowards. We accept that burden.
What we cannot accept is continuing to fight for those who have long since abandoned the honor and principles the Ulven people have always upheld.
The Ironward Alliance was forged to defend our people, to protect our homeland, and to wage war with honor. We did not swear to tolerate disrespect in matters of honor or to watch our allies create more enemies by allowing fallen warriors bodies to lay out and rise again.
Our loyalty and commitment to the Ironward Alliance came from a place of honor, and of Ulven who stood by their honor in the face of uncertainty. We now understand that our loyalty has been mistaken for obedience.
Honor is not blind submission. It is the willingness to stand by what is right, even when doing so demands sacrifice. An oath binds both those who swear it and those who receive it. The Great Wolf is not subjective in his judgments; Honor is Honor and the stain on ours will be hard fought to be righted again, but it is not something we can fix from within the confines of an alliance with Clan Stonetooth.
Leading up to this day, through many battles over the last year, Our opponents have shown us their honor. No matter how much blood is spilled, they never turned their backs on what is right and honorable while facing uncertain odds. Their actions, when compared to our previous allies, are not a small part of why this decision has come now.
Clan Ironmound officially stands with Newhope, Clan Nightriver, Clan Shattered Spear, Aylin’s Reach, New Aldoria, Bladehome, Lumeria, Clan Goldenfield, and all others who choose to oppose the terror of Clan Grimward and Stonetooth.
For Grimward and Stonetooth, much the same as our announcement to join your side of the war, let this missive be a warning to you. You have the remainder of the month to see your exit from Ironmound territory, after which the fight will continue with us being on opposing sides of this conflict.
May your steel be forged in honor.
Ironmound Warleader Einar Stonefist”
