A WAR FOR COLD AND GOLD - MANUEVERS
What started as a conflict between Nashkel and the Temple of Auril has escalated into a full-blown war. The Aurilites and their allies do not respond directly to the Everwatch's opening gambit, which saw the destruction of the Aurilite shrines in the villages that had kowtowed to the Icedawn's wrath. Instead, rumors suggest that the Aurilites began devoting their energies to finding allies in all places. Tacticians suggest this to be their most prudent course of action as Amn martials a truly staggering host at both Nashkel and Crimmor to suppress the Aurilite threat.
While bandit attacks on supply caravans to Nashkel do hinder the Amnian war machine, depriving the town of much-needed weaponry and raw materials, Nashkel nevertheless assembles a majority of its standing military to a forward base in the Cloudpeak foothills. Led by Captain Sinoc Haven and supported by Pryat Gilthisanthilas, this northern host readies itself to make the long trek into the cold climb of the Cloudpeak Mountains. A rousing speech by the Helmites saw the army to high morale, a much-needed boon for the long trek and harsh environs to come.
Meanwhile, the Helmite force from the House of the Guardian in Nashkel is led by Watcher Wai Li around the Cloudpeak Mountains to Crimmor. The march is an arduous one and interrupted by various setbacks but the Helmites' and their allies persevere. Once at Crimmor, they are met by High Judicator Hieron Ampbel, Baron Forvik Trankret, and Watcher Kaiten of Athkatla, who reinforce Wai Li's southern host with battalions of Black Tower mercenaries, the Baron's own soldiers and Athkatlan Helmites respectively.
Things go relatively smoothly until Wai Li reaches the forward base around the River Weng.
With the Crimmor-based armies preparing to march northward into the mountains, the southern host had split their forces across the River Weng: the Nashkel Helmites and Baron Trankret's forces stationed north of the river and the Black Tower mercenaries and the Athkatlan Helmites stationed south of the river to prepare the siege equipment. Just as Wai Li began her order to march, a dire Sending arrived from Athkatla, which warned of a massive flood that would overwhelm the River Weng. The Watcher quickly ordered the evacuation of the river, sparing many lives, but a massive tidal wave completely destroyed the bridges across the River Weng. Forcibly separated from their reinforcements, the Helmites of Nashkel move quickly to do damage assessments and regroup from their losses.
Those with their eyes on the Cloudpeaks themselves notice increased activity from the Frost Giant Keep. What that means, only those faithful to the cold can say.
All the while, snow continues to fall on Nashkel.
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