Nieseatian War
The Nieseatian War was a conflict between Nieseat and the Kingdom of Stone Bay, the Kingdom of Stendahl, and the various fighting forces of Meloria, Tortuga, and other minor Karan polities. It lasted 29 days from the occupation of Stone Bay on January 7th, 911 AJ, to the defeat of Macadier Maldore at the Battle in the Battery on February 5th, 911 AJ.
While the war's end assured Karan independence from Nieseat, it was followed by several months of continued conflict with external and internal threats. Moder Jord's Invasion, the CLF Conflict, and the Fey Incursion happened directly after Macadier Maldore's death. These repeated incursions into Karan territory following the Nieseatian occupation of Stone Bay were some of the factors leading to Stone Bay's rapid remilitarisation and consolidation of power. Though the war ended two years ago, its effects are still felt today.
Background
Nieseatian Annexation of Gaia
The seeds of the Nieseatian War were sown months ago, with Nieseatian Annexation of Gaia. This precipitated the beginning of Archon Macadier Maldore’s push to occupy all of Orlan. Many events took place before the annexation proper as Nieseatian officials floated the idea to Duchess Floria Aster, who ruled Gaia at the time.
Nieseat first contacted Duchess Floria during Folkmod Erendellen’s masquerade ball in the middle of December. Captain Drace Latimeer, leader of the Ordenza, sowed the seeds of Gaian rebellion in Floria’s mind, encouraging her to throw Gaia’s lot in with Nieseat. What words exactly were spoken is unknown, but Latimeer’s persuasion worked - Gaia would ally with the Nieseatians. This much was clear during a post-ball Council of the Bay, wherein the Gaians wore the distinctive blacks and yellows of Nieseat’s flag, encouraged by Duchess Floria. Drace and Floria’s machinations of a Nieseatian Gaia were unknown to the population of Gaia as a whole. They followed their leader, as they’d done for a decade prior, but they did not know what was to come.
Nieseat’s next step in this plot was the construction of a fort just off the coast of Orlan. Built through intermediaries by Latimeer, Karan forces led by the Nieseatian captain took over the fort and slew the bandits who’d constructed it. Not long after, Latimeer led an expedition to neutralise a minor fey being underneath Gaia. Between the bandits, a mortal threat; and the fey, a magical threat; Latimeer had enough cause to wave Nieseatian colours just above the flag of Gaia. Regardless of Gaian reservations, Captain Latimeer and Guildmaster Bridget Maldore were instrumental in convincing the remaining Gaians that this was the best path forward. And the Nieseatians now had a foothold in Orlan.
January 7th
January 7th, 911 was the beginning of the end of Season Three. A special parliament was hosted, in honor of the then Lord Mayor, Ulysses Mountbatten’s 911th birthday. This particular session went mainly without any trouble, with plenty of fun bills and bits presented. As the end neared, Archon Macadier Maldore - who had previously not been in attendance, entered the Parliamentary Chambers. With some previous knowledge that the Archon was planning something, tensions began to rise.
With whispers and talk moving through the various groups, the Archon began to speak, claiming that there was so much wrong with the world, yet not enough time. As those present began to prepare, the Archon continued, “As of this moment, I am declaring the State of Stone Bay dissolved,” and with that, many people stood, and the panic of many seemed to bubble to the surface.
After Ulysses Mountbatten responded to the “declaration”, the Archon replied that he had a “birthday present” for him, and said that before he gave him the gift- to say his piece. The Lord Mayor announced that everyone would know of Macadier’s betrayal. The Archon then revealed his gift, “I hope you enjoy your trip to the Ahdredan,” and then with that, the Lord Mayor dissolved into the air. As panic began to ensue, Lord Marshal Arthur Justice and Lord Chancellor Blue Mountbatten followed suit- dissolving into nothingness.
At this point, much of the Parliamentary Chamber had emptied or gone invisible - leaving the armoured Nieseatians and the trapped people of Stone Bay. As the Archon took his seat in the Speaker’s chair, he welcomed everyone, invited those who were left to speak with him, and announced Lady Elmes Nord-Nie as the Governor of the Colony of Orlan. He attempted to keep the remaining members of Stone Bay calm, “You have nothing to worry about, your lives will improve.”
And with that, the Occupation of Stone Bay began.
Occupation and Rebellion
After the events of January 7th, a month-long occupation of Stone Bay ensued. With the main leadership across the world, the people of the Bay had to step up in secret. Synarch Fafnir Towerlord, Lord Benjamin Lascelles, and Lord Rowan Umber took it upon themselves to begin meeting in secret, as they were those with the highest status and experience left. Though the rest of Stone Bay did not sit idly by and began to “play the game”, integrating themselves into the rest of Nieseat- planning to turn it inside out.
While Stone Bay was under occupation, the other nations and kingdoms of Kara were free to continue as they had been. Despite this though, many other people not of the Bay also began to plot and plan- knowing that they could be the next ones under occupation. Many of these meetings were behind closed doors, with trusted confidants, as it was no secret that those who planned to oppose the Archon would surely be met with a similar or worse fate.
Upon the return of the Chaplain Sillas Deepcreek, the plans against Nieseat began to form and take place. The Church of the Deep met back in secret, hosting a meeting whose contents at the time were only known to those drowned and those who had been declared “friends of the faith”. During this congregation, the people of the Church performed a ritual- freeing the hag Morgantha from her prison inside a magical ritual dagger. With that, Lord Benjamin Lascelles called upon the Gambler - a powerful and dangerous demon - to be rid of the other two souls within that very same dagger.
With the ritual dagger now open to collect more souls, the true beginning of the end of Nieseat was thrust into action. The murders of Drace Latimeer and Folkmod Erendellen, two particularly infamous faces within Nieseat, were followed through- and two slots within the dagger were once again filled.
As time moved on, it became more and more apparent that without the Lord Mayor, Lord Marshal, and Lord Chancellor- it would be near impossible to defeat the Archon. So, the people of the Church and the Bay came together, and on February 2nd, 2023 they performed a ritual in the Prismarine Throne room, headed by Sillas Deepcreek - who at that point had proclaimed himself the second King of Stone Bay. This ritual was attended by many and planned the day of. With personal anecdotes and items for each of the three who had been sent away, the ritual successfully called them all back to the Bay. With the return of the Lord Mayor, the Prismarine Shield was also returned to its proper home in Kara.
Upon the return of the three leaders, the people of Kara began to get to work. A siege on the Ehrtfort was planned during an emergency session of Parliament that night.
Course of the War
Siege of the Ehrtfort
While The Siege of the Ehrtfort was planned quickly, it was done in extensive detail - even using information gathered from defectors from Nieseat.
The siege was planned and performed in two separate parts. The first was a march upon Fort Latimeer, a Nieseatian fort south of the city- which was a stronghold for the people of Nieseat. Headed by the leaders of Stendahl and Stone Bay, soldiers gathered at Westholt, a Stendahli fort just southwest of old Taiga Hill.
After mustering, the people of Kara marched north, towards Fort Latimeer. The road there was long and dangerous, with many bandits and monsters alike. The trek was long, but the people of Kara remained resilient regardless.
Eventually, the Karans reached Fort Latimeer, where they were met with the Ordenza, the Nieseatian military. Along with the Ordenza though, was the contracted necromancer that the Archon had enchanted, Metinos. Eventually, there was a slight stalemate between the allied forces of Kara and the people of Nieseat. After Fort Latimeer was taken, a council was held inside the fort - to discuss and go over the next part of the siege.
A half-hour passed before the second half of the siege ensued. The allied forces of Kara had gained more soldiers and backup during the stalemate, and the Nieseatian forces took the chance to recover the loss. The Karans began to push forward more, heading even more north, towards the Ehrtfort and through the colony surrounding it. With Metinos now unleashed, this march was much more dangerous. Now the allied forces faced contracted bandits, the Ordenza, Metinos, and now the hundreds of undead that the necromancer had raised. Despite the increased danger, the people of Kara pushed forward - remaining resilient.
As the people of Kara marched closer to the Ehrtfort, a group of Stendahlis - headed by High Lord Corellian Towerlord and Underking Bill Blackrock- broke off, going around the Ehrtfort to the other side, to close the people of Nieseat in.
During this time, another stalemate ensued. With both sides launching small attacks on the other, no progress was made either way. While Metinos focused his time on the people of Stone Bay, threatening that if anyone crossed the river, he would kill them. Orders had been given to the forces of Kara to stop antagonizing the Nieseatians, for fear of incurring the wrath of Metinos.
Despite the orders, blood was still had. The necromancer had been doing runs against the allied forces, attempting to kill who he could. With that, during one particular pass - Lord Chamberlain Benjamin Lascelles was caught with broken armour and suffered the consequences. He withered away, never to wake up again.
After this, the fighting began to die down.
During the pass where Lord Lascelles had died, his daughter had also withered away- but woke up seemingly inside the Ehrtfort. A ceasefire was called by Bridget Maldore, to allow his daughter to return safely to her people.
The rest of the night went without progress on either side, a stalemate where the end would not be fully known.
War Council
Very well, as Speaker of this House, I, Ulysses Mountbatten, hereby acknowledge that a state of war has existed and does exist between the Archon and the People of Kara. Therefore, Macadier Maldore and all those who follow him, aid and abet him, and who harbour and assist him in any way are declared as enemies of Kara.
— Ulysses Mountbatten, Declaration of War - Macadier Maldore
After the fighting at the Ehrtfort had died to a true stalemate, the leaders of Stone Bay and Stendahl were called to the Prismarine Citadel, in order to discuss the plans of the upcoming day.
The easy part of the battle was finished, and now all that was left was to go after the Archon and Metinos themselves. In the Throne Room, petitions were held- in order to select those who would venture into the depths of the Arcane Battery, where the Archon and his most loyal people were sealed.
Everyone met within the Throne Room, and petitions were had for those who were willing to put themselves in danger to go into the Battery. Many people from all nations volunteered and put their names in the pool of people who could be selected. After volunteering, those who were in attendance were asked to speak on behalf of the volunteers- either supporting them or not. This lasted for some time, with the people of Kara eager to assist in the defeat of the Archon.
After all the names were had, the war council was called. Kara’s most important leaders and faces gathered in the King’s Tower and discussed the ten that would venture into the Battery. A long discussion was had, and the list was decided upon. Notable names on the list included Declan and Ross Domhnall, soldiers from the Stone Bay Navy; Jairo Escalus, of Stendahli renown; Zethrain, whose armour was said to be impenetrable; and Danika Lockhorn, a Nieseatian defector.
The next day a House of Lords was called by King Sillas Deepcreek, for the people of Kara to come together and discuss the plans for the upcoming fights later in the day.
Metinos' Final Stand
WIP, check in later!
Battle in the Battery
The Battle in the Battery was the final conflict in the Nieseatian War, happening concurrently and ending shortly after Metinos’ Final Stand. It was here that Archon Macadier Maldore and his Nieseatian loyalists made their defense against Kara’s ten warriors chosen to defeat the Archon by any means necessary.
Before the battle began, the Karan Coalition launched a final assault on the Ehrtfort. Guarded solely by hundreds of Ordenza, Kara’s ten managed to fight their way through Nieseatian swords to reach the tower above which the Arcane Battery lay. Upon their arrival, these warriors battled ghouls and traversed difficult terrain before, finally, they reached the maze-like structure’s final chamber.
Standing in halls of deepslate, massive pillars flanking his sides, was Macadier Maldore. Behind him were his final loyalists. Macadier asked each member of the ten to identify themselves and offered to parlay. With fervour, the ten refused, and the Battle in the Battery officially commenced.
Most combat was between Macadier and these ten warriors. Most of the Archon’s loyalists remained on the defensive, but a few of those who went into the Battery with Macadier joined the fray. Philippe Valheim and the warforged, XAERO, betrayed the Archon - who promptly killed them. Lieutenant Charles of the Ordenza and Governor Bridget Maldore, his eldest child, fought alongside Macadier, but the former was slain and the latter rebuffed.
After several minutes of fighting, the various artifacts brought by the ten wore down Macadier’s defensive wards and left him vulnerable to physical harm. Upon noticing that he was cut and bleeding, the Archon rested against a wall, surrounded by the ten. The battle ended then, as Nieseatian resistance was little to none. Macadier’s final words were - “Kill me or don’t.” After which, he was killed by Danika Lockhorn, one of the ten.
Though Danika initially had the Archon’s wand, she gave it to Zethrain after some persuasion. With their leader dead only seven minutes after Metinos’ defeat, the Nieseatian War officially ended. While the Nieseatian loyalists were left alone, the ten heroes returned to the halls of the Ehrtfort to celebrate a joint Karan victory.
Aftermath
The Nieseatian War left Nieseat and its colony in Kara without any of its senior figures. Archon Macadier Maldore, Captain Drace Latimeer, and Folkmod Erendellen were all slain by the Karan coalition. The Nieseatian survivors were left alive, as no Karan nation wanted to prolong the conflict by sending the losers of war to court. What remained of Nieseat banded together to form the short-lived Princedom of Ibrithil, led by Bridget Maldore.
Many Nieseatian defectors, such as Hixan Firwen and Danika Lockhorn, went on to live successful and or peaceful lives as residents of the Kingdom of Stone Bay. The Arcane Battery was locked away and eventually lost when Felanah sunk into the seas surrounding Orlan.
Notes
- Metinos' Final Stand is, at the moment, incomplete, but these are notable events that happened during the battle
- Arthur Justice was killed by a power word uttered by Metinos
- Shaun O'Hara rigged Metinos' tower with TNT, which was detonated after the necromancer's defeat
- Haitch Nikolov, a future Warlock of Rot, was the individual who killed Metinos
- Metinos' soul was trapped in a crystal and is kept in captivity