Turn of the Sidhe Tide (Tuatha AAR)

[Zurai]

Apologies for the delay, I've been busier than I expected. Anyway, here's the next two turns:


Late summer of year 1 (turn 5):

As Summer began to turn to Autumn and the world became washed in golden brown, Garsivaz discovered the secrets of second tier Alteration magic, and with them the much-desired Quickness spell. Even the news that some of the Necromancer's cronies had set up as brigands and highwaymen in Dun Vale, greatly increasing unrest there, couldn't dampen his pleasure at his newfound powers. Still, they would have to be dealt with, and Garsivaz ordered taxes reduced and bounties set on the brigands. He wouldn't get any money out of the province for a season or so, but the brigands would disappear soon enough.

Eager to stretch his wings and bring the fight to his enemies for the first time in months, Garsivaz ordered his seneschal Eglath to start gathering any Bards, Sages, and Loremasters he could find to research the old ways of magic, and sent out recruitment orders for the next several months to gather more longspears, longbowmen, and a few tower guards. Then he gathered Aethelbad, fifty Longspears, fifty Daoine Sidhe, sevenscore Longbowmen, and six great Cu Sidhe hounds, and began the march southwest to the "independant" province of Iscepne. They would learn the price of defiance.

Early fall of year 1 (turn 6):

Garsivaz and his army met the forces of Iscepne on the first day of fall. The outcome was never in question. Although the enemy numbered almost two hundred lightly armed infantry and over a score of cavalry, they were no match for the discipline of the Sidhe and the raw might of an angry Dragon.

The enemy heavy cavalry charged across the field, arrows unable to pierce their armor, but met the set spears of Aethelbad's Longspears and Daoine Sidhe. Unable to reach the infantry, and taking grievous wounds from the long spears, the cavalry turned to run. It was then that Garsivaz, masquerading as an old frost mage, revealed his true form and launched himself into the air, landing in a tornado of wings, claws, and teeth amidst the light cavalry. The Cu Sidhe savaged the front of the cavalry formation as Garsivaz devoured the rear. The enemy militia wisely decided not even to try to fight, running away and throwing down their arms. One of the Cu Sidhe darted in front of Garsivaz just as he unleashed his frozen breath at the fleeing foes and died instantly, crystallized and shattered - the only casualty Man took in the battle.

Following the battle, Garsivaz secured the remainder of the province - an easy task given that most villagers are only too happy to give a large, menacing Dragon whatever he wants - then turned his army to the east to begin the march on the rich farmlands of Recenna.

In the capital, the first of the Bardic researchers, Beornwulf, began unravelling the secrets of Conjuration magics. Alfred gathered the most recent recruits and added them to his army then set out northwest into the mountains to secure EarthBlood Peak, an area rumored to contain much ancient magic.