Dance of Blood and Jotun consequences - Revision history

Hailmur: /* Unburdening */

2026-07-01T20:08:24Z

Unburdening

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:08, 1 July 2026
Line 26:		Line 26:
	Had the situation remained that way, history might have been very different. But in 242YE, the Jotun launched an assault across the frozen Lake Nutjuitoq in the [[Sermersuaq#Suaq Fount\|Suaq Fount]]. They were led by ''Kjorvak'', Jarl of [[Skallahn#Kierheim\|Kierheim]], whose willingness to risk the untested ice allowed him to take the Wintermark defenders by surprise. Emperor Guntherm led the [[Green Shield]] on campaign against them, but both armies were attacked by a large Thule force. In the resulting panic, Guntherm and Kjorvak ended up fighting together against the Thule, [[Campaigns_of_Emperor_Guntherm#The_Jarl_of_Kierheim\|forging a battlefield alliance]] with the Jotun and together they drove the Thule off. Out of respect for Guntherm, the Jarl withdraw his forces, but a strange friendship blossomed from the battle. Although the Jotun and the Empire were still at war, the two continued to exchange winged messages in the seasons that followed.		Had the situation remained that way, history might have been very different. But in 242YE, the Jotun launched an assault across the frozen Lake Nutjuitoq in the [[Sermersuaq#Suaq Fount\|Suaq Fount]]. They were led by ''Kjorvak'', Jarl of [[Skallahn#Kierheim\|Kierheim]], whose willingness to risk the untested ice allowed him to take the Wintermark defenders by surprise. Emperor Guntherm led the [[Green Shield]] on campaign against them, but both armies were attacked by a large Thule force. In the resulting panic, Guntherm and Kjorvak ended up fighting together against the Thule, [[Campaigns_of_Emperor_Guntherm#The_Jarl_of_Kierheim\|forging a battlefield alliance]] with the Jotun and together they drove the Thule off. Out of respect for Guntherm, the Jarl withdraw his forces, but a strange friendship blossomed from the battle. Although the Jotun and the Empire were still at war, the two continued to exchange winged messages in the seasons that followed.
	<div style="float:right; width: 250px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=GreenShields_Colour.png\|align=right\|caption=Guntherm's love for the Green Shield was well known throughout the Empire.\|width=250}}</div>		<div style="float:right; width: 250px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=GreenShields_Colour.png\|align=right\|caption=Guntherm's love for the Green Shield was well known throughout the Empire.\|width=250}}</div>
	Rather than attack Wintermark, the Jotun invaded [[Liathaven]] in 243YE. The [[territory]] had been relatively peaceful, at least as peaceful as a land cursed by the [[vallorn]] can be. The Jotun quickly captured [[Liathaven#West Ranging\|West Ranging]] and threatened ~~both [[Liathaven#Westwood\|Westwood]] and~~ [[Liathaven#Liath's Ring\|Liath's Ring]]. The attacks shook the Navarr, and caused widespread outrage after hundreds of Navarr were forced to accept life as a thrall by the invading Jotun. Gobaith swore to take her army south and unleash the same terror against the Jotun that had proved so effective against the Thule.		Rather than attack Wintermark, the Jotun invaded [[Liathaven]] in 243YE. The [[territory]] had been relatively peaceful, at least as peaceful as a land cursed by the [[vallorn]] can be. The Jotun quickly captured [[Liathaven#West Ranging\|West Ranging]] and threatened [[Liathaven#Liath's Ring\|Liath's Ring]]. The attacks shook the Navarr, and caused widespread outrage after hundreds of Navarr were forced to accept life as a thrall by the invading Jotun. Gobaith swore to take her army south and unleash the same terror against the Jotun that had proved so effective against the Thule.

	Gobaith's counter-attack clearly took the Jotun by surprise and her forces were able to take thirty Jotun prisoner. After the [[Civil Service\|civil service]] assessed the options, the prognosticators laid out two clear choices. The Navarr general could let the Jotun go, which would create an [[opportunity]] to make peace with the Jotun, or they could be executed to spread fear through the enemies of the Empire in the west.		Gobaith's counter-attack clearly took the Jotun by surprise, and her forces were able to take thirty Jotun prisoner. After the [[Civil Service\|civil service]] assessed the options, the prognosticators laid out two clear choices. The Navarr general could let the Jotun go, which would create an [[opportunity]] to make peace with the Jotun, or they could be executed to spread fear through the enemies of the Empire in the west.

	It was explicit that the more fearsome the deaths, the bigger the impact would be on Jotun morale. Gobaith led a contingent of her supporters through the [[Sentinel Gate]] to deal with the prisoners, and returned having drowned them. According to the exaggerated and embroidered stories that spread in the wake of the incident, they were drowned in vats of blood. This tale was widely believed, despite the unusual public notice issued by the civil service indicating that the Jotun had in fact been drowned in water.		It was explicit that the more fearsome the deaths, the bigger the impact would be on Jotun morale. Gobaith led a contingent of her supporters through the [[Sentinel Gate]] to deal with the prisoners, and returned having drowned them. According to the exaggerated and embroidered stories that spread in the wake of the incident, they were drowned in vats of blood. This tale was widely believed, despite the unusual public notice issued by the civil service indicating that the Jotun had in fact been drowned in water.

	Of all the ways the prisoners might have been dealt with, this was far and away one of the worst from the Jotun point of view. The western orcs have an abject fear of the sea, apparently in the belief that those who drown can never pass over the [[Howling Abyss]] and are thus condemned to oblivion. The fear is so endemic in their culture that most Jotun refuse to even contemplate setting foot on the water and the few ships they own are invariably operated by thralls. The cruelty of the Dance of Blood shook the Jotun to the core, weakening every single one of their armies and making it easier for the Empire to claim territory from them all along the western front for the next year.		Of all the ways the prisoners might have been dealt with, this was far and away one of the worst from the Jotun point of view. The western orcs have an abject fear of the sea, apparently in the belief that those who drown can never pass over the [[Howling Abyss]] and are thus condemned to oblivion. The fear is so endemic in their culture that most Jotun refuse to even contemplate setting foot on the water, and the few ships they own are invariably operated by thralls. The cruelty of the Dance of Blood shook the Jotun to the core, weakening every single one of their armies and making it easier for the Empire to claim territory from them all along the western front for the next year.

	Even so, the actions were ''hugely'' divisive. The Assembly of Nine called Gobaith to [[inquisition]], claiming her actions were fundamentally unvirtuous. As the denouement of the inquisition, they called for the Tribune and [[revocation\|revoked]] the general with primacy in front of a huge crowd. Unfortunately word of the Nine's plans had leaked and Rhun and his fellow senators were waiting in the audience. They quickly stepped forward and reappointed her on the spot, in defiance of the Assembly's will.		Even so, the actions were ''hugely'' divisive. The Assembly of Nine called Gobaith to [[inquisition]], claiming her actions were fundamentally unvirtuous. As the denouement of the inquisition, they called for the Tribune and [[revocation\|revoked]] the general with primacy in front of a huge crowd. Unfortunately, word of the Nine's plans had leaked, and Rhun and his fellow senators were waiting in the audience. They quickly stepped forward and reappointed her on the spot, in defiance of the Assembly's will.

	Outside [[Anvil]], the executions outraged the Jotun. The Dance were already notorious, but the actions led to a blood-feud between the Jotun and the Navarr. Casualty rates on campaign shot up, as both sides refused to offer quarter to the other. In particular, there were several incidents where the actions of the Dance of Blood ~~lead~~ directly to the death of numbers of Jotun thralls, driving the western orcs to the verge of frenzy. Their religion outlaws the killing of thralls under any circumstances, and so it is no surprise that the Jotun quickly began referring to the Navarr as the "Imperial Druj". To the Jotun this was the gravest insult they could throw, but Gobaith and her army wore the epithet as a badge of Pride.		Outside [[Anvil]], the executions outraged the Jotun. The Dance were already notorious, but the actions led to a blood-feud between the Jotun and the Navarr. Casualty rates on campaign shot up, as both sides refused to offer quarter to the other. In particular, there were several incidents where the actions of the Dance of Blood led directly to the death of numbers of Jotun thralls, driving the western orcs to the verge of frenzy. Their religion outlaws the killing of thralls under any circumstances, and so it is no surprise that the Jotun quickly began referring to the Navarr as the "Imperial Druj". To the Jotun, this was the gravest insult they could throw, but Gobaith and her army wore the epithet as a badge of Pride.

	==Binding==		==Binding==

Hailmur: /* Dancing */

2026-07-01T20:06:11Z

Dancing

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:06, 1 July 2026
Line 17:		Line 17:
	From the outset, the tactics employed by the Dance of Blood were uncompromising and brutal. The Navarr have often sought to ambush their enemies, preferring to use the element of surprise to defeat them. That season, the Dance of Blood went much further, poisoning wells and razing [[Thule]] settlements that would not surrender. In battle, they would wound the enemy but not execute them, then lie in wait to slaughter those who came to heal them. [[Thule_lore#Warlocks\|Warlocks]] in particular were singled out on the battlefield, with Gobaith looking to break the enemy's chain of command.		From the outset, the tactics employed by the Dance of Blood were uncompromising and brutal. The Navarr have often sought to ambush their enemies, preferring to use the element of surprise to defeat them. That season, the Dance of Blood went much further, poisoning wells and razing [[Thule]] settlements that would not surrender. In battle, they would wound the enemy but not execute them, then lie in wait to slaughter those who came to heal them. [[Thule_lore#Warlocks\|Warlocks]] in particular were singled out on the battlefield, with Gobaith looking to break the enemy's chain of command.

	Gobaith's strategy made many people queasy, but it worked. The first season of campaigning, the forces of [[Otkodov]] were brutally driven back with many hundreds of [[orc\|orcs]] slain. By the ~~end~~ of ~~243YE~~, the ~~Dance was triumphant;~~ the Empire ~~surrounded three~~ Thule ~~armies~~ in ~~Hercynia, completely cutting~~ them ~~off~~. ~~There~~ was ~~an option to allow~~ the Thule ~~to withdraw but Gobaith seized~~ the ~~opportunity~~ to ~~trap them~~ and ~~began starving~~ them ~~out. By~~ the ~~time Gobaith's forces finally attacked~~, ~~it was said that some~~ of the ~~Thule were too weak~~ to ~~hold a spear~~. The ~~''Earthquake Drummers'' managed to escape~~ but ~~the ''Path~~ of the ~~Gyre'' and the ''Teeth of the Blizzard'' did not. Both armies were broken by Gobaith's cruel tactics, their warriors slaughtered and their leaders executed~~.		Gobaith's strategy made many people queasy, but it worked. The first season of campaigning, the forces of [[Otkodov]] were brutally driven back with many hundreds of [[orc\|orcs]] slain. Over the next two years the Dance of Blood fought mercilessly against the Thule, with only a single season to rest, they were active all the across the north of the Empire. Wherever the Thule banners marched, the Dance of Blood would lie in wait for them. Traps were set, food and water was deliberately spoiled. In one gruesome incident Navarr scouts planted infected meat in a river, upstream of the Thule camp. Scores died in agony of vomited blood. It was routine for the Navarr to pick off Thule pickets and drag them into the woods, where they would be tortured to death within earshot of their fellows, The disembowelled corpses would be left for the army to find at sunrise. The reports from the front made brutal reading, but victory had a way of quelling all the arguments.
	<div style="float:right; width: 250px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=thulebanner1.jpeg\|caption=While the Dance of Blood is remembered for its final battle against the Jotun, the Thule have very good reasons to remember it.\|align=right\|width=250}}</div>		<div style="float:right; width: 250px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=thulebanner1.jpeg\|caption=While the Dance of Blood is remembered for its final battle against the Jotun, the Thule have very good reasons to remember it.\|align=right\|width=250}}</div>
	~~Over~~ the ~~next two years the Dance~~ of ~~Blood fought mercilessly against the Thule, with only a single season to rest~~, ~~they were active all~~ the ~~across the north of~~ the Empire~~. Wherever the~~ Thule ~~banners marched~~, ~~the Dance of Blood would lie in wait for~~ them. ~~Traps were set, food and water~~ was ~~deliberately spoiled. In one gruesome incident Navarr scouts planted infected meat in a river, upstream of~~ the Thule ~~camp. Scores died in agony of vomited blood. It was routine for~~ the ~~Navarr~~ to ~~pick off Thule pickets~~ and ~~drag~~ them ~~into~~ the ~~woods~~, ~~where they would be tortured to death within earshot~~ of ~~their fellows, The disembowelled corpses would be left for~~ the ~~army~~ to ~~find at sunrise~~. The ~~reports from~~ the ~~front made brutal reading, but victory had a way~~ of ~~quelling all~~ the ~~arguments~~.		By the end of 243YE, the Dance was triumphant; the Empire surrounded three Thule armies in Hercynia, completely cutting them off. There was an option to allow the Thule to withdraw but Gobaith seized the opportunity to trap them and began starving them out. By the time Gobaith's forces finally attacked, it was said that some of the Thule were too weak to hold a spear. The ''Earthquake Drummers'' managed to escape but the ''Path of the Gyre'' and the ''Teeth of the Blizzard'' did not. Both armies were broken by Gobaith's cruel tactics, their warriors slaughtered and their leaders executed.

	Guntherm's support of the Navarr army is one of the reasons he gained the nickname "the Bloodthirsty", although he remained broadly popular. After years of struggle against the barbarians, citizens were eager for news of victories and the Dance of Blood certainly delivered that news.		Guntherm's support of the Navarr army is one of the reasons he gained the nickname "the Bloodthirsty", although he remained broadly popular. After years of struggle against the barbarians, citizens were eager for news of victories and the Dance of Blood certainly delivered that news.

Hailmur at 20:03, 1 July 2026

2026-07-01T20:03:08Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:03, 1 July 2026
Line 15:		Line 15:
	Once the army was ready, the Navarr senators appointed ''Gobaith of Summer's Grove'' to be general. A popular, charismatic [[brand]], adored by many [[thorn\|thorns]], she was notorious for her dark humour. Described as intimidating, always dressed for battle, face painted for war at any moment, she was known as someone to be reckoned with within and without the Empire.		Once the army was ready, the Navarr senators appointed ''Gobaith of Summer's Grove'' to be general. A popular, charismatic [[brand]], adored by many [[thorn\|thorns]], she was notorious for her dark humour. Described as intimidating, always dressed for battle, face painted for war at any moment, she was known as someone to be reckoned with within and without the Empire.

	From the outset, the tactics employed by the Dance of Blood were uncompromising and brutal. The Navarr have often sought to ambush their enemies, preferring to use the element of surprise to defeat them. That season, the Dance of Blood went much further, poisoning wells and razing [[Thule]] settlements that would not surrender. In battle they would wound the enemy but not execute them, then lie in wait to slaughter those who came to heal them. [[Thule_lore#Warlocks\|Warlocks]] in particular were singled out on the battlefield, with Gobaith looking to break the enemy's chain of command.		From the outset, the tactics employed by the Dance of Blood were uncompromising and brutal. The Navarr have often sought to ambush their enemies, preferring to use the element of surprise to defeat them. That season, the Dance of Blood went much further, poisoning wells and razing [[Thule]] settlements that would not surrender. In battle, they would wound the enemy but not execute them, then lie in wait to slaughter those who came to heal them. [[Thule_lore#Warlocks\|Warlocks]] in particular were singled out on the battlefield, with Gobaith looking to break the enemy's chain of command.

	Gobaith's strategy made many people queasy, but it worked. The first season of campaigning, the forces of [[Otkodov]] were brutally driven back with many hundreds of [[orc\|orcs]] slain. By the end of 243YE, the Dance was triumphant; the Empire surrounded three Thule armies in Hercynia, completely cutting them off. There was an option to allow the Thule to withdraw but Gobaith seized the opportunity to trap them and began starving them out. By the time Gobaith's forces finally attacked, it was said that some of the Thule were too weak to hold a spear. The ''Earthquake Drummers'' managed to escape but the ''Path of the Gyre'' and the ''Teeth of the Blizzard'' did not. Both armies were broken by Gobaith's cruel tactics, their warriors slaughtered and their leaders executed.		Gobaith's strategy made many people queasy, but it worked. The first season of campaigning, the forces of [[Otkodov]] were brutally driven back with many hundreds of [[orc\|orcs]] slain. By the end of 243YE, the Dance was triumphant; the Empire surrounded three Thule armies in Hercynia, completely cutting them off. There was an option to allow the Thule to withdraw but Gobaith seized the opportunity to trap them and began starving them out. By the time Gobaith's forces finally attacked, it was said that some of the Thule were too weak to hold a spear. The ''Earthquake Drummers'' managed to escape but the ''Path of the Gyre'' and the ''Teeth of the Blizzard'' did not. Both armies were broken by Gobaith's cruel tactics, their warriors slaughtered and their leaders executed.

Hailmur at 17:36, 1 July 2026

2026-07-01T17:36:08Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:36, 1 July 2026
Line 16:		Line 16:

	From the outset, the tactics employed by the Dance of Blood were uncompromising and brutal. The Navarr have often sought to ambush their enemies, preferring to use the element of surprise to defeat them. That season, the Dance of Blood went much further, poisoning wells and razing [[Thule]] settlements that would not surrender. In battle they would wound the enemy but not execute them, then lie in wait to slaughter those who came to heal them. [[Thule_lore#Warlocks\|Warlocks]] in particular were singled out on the battlefield, with Gobaith looking to break the enemy's chain of command.		From the outset, the tactics employed by the Dance of Blood were uncompromising and brutal. The Navarr have often sought to ambush their enemies, preferring to use the element of surprise to defeat them. That season, the Dance of Blood went much further, poisoning wells and razing [[Thule]] settlements that would not surrender. In battle they would wound the enemy but not execute them, then lie in wait to slaughter those who came to heal them. [[Thule_lore#Warlocks\|Warlocks]] in particular were singled out on the battlefield, with Gobaith looking to break the enemy's chain of command.

			Gobaith's strategy made many people queasy, but it worked. The first season of campaigning, the forces of [[Otkodov]] were brutally driven back with many hundreds of [[orc\|orcs]] slain. By the end of 243YE, the Dance was triumphant; the Empire surrounded three Thule armies in Hercynia, completely cutting them off. There was an option to allow the Thule to withdraw but Gobaith seized the opportunity to trap them and began starving them out. By the time Gobaith's forces finally attacked, it was said that some of the Thule were too weak to hold a spear. The ''Earthquake Drummers'' managed to escape but the ''Path of the Gyre'' and the ''Teeth of the Blizzard'' did not. Both armies were broken by Gobaith's cruel tactics, their warriors slaughtered and their leaders executed.
	<div style="float:right; width: 250px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=thulebanner1.jpeg\|caption=While the Dance of Blood is remembered for its final battle against the Jotun, the Thule have very good reasons to remember it.\|align=right\|width=250}}</div>		<div style="float:right; width: 250px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=thulebanner1.jpeg\|caption=While the Dance of Blood is remembered for its final battle against the Jotun, the Thule have very good reasons to remember it.\|align=right\|width=250}}</div>
	Gobaith's strategy made many people queasy, but it worked. The first season of campaigning, the forces of [[Otkodov]] were brutally driven back with many hundreds of [[orc\|orcs]] slain. By the end of 243YE, the Dance was triumphant; the Empire surrounded three Thule armies in Hercynia, completely cutting them off. There was an option to allow the Thule to withdraw but Gobaith seized the opportunity to trap them and began starving them out. By the time Gobaith's forces finally attacked, it was said that some of the Thule were too weak to hold a spear. The ''Earthquake Drummers'' managed to escape but the ''Path of the Gyre'' and the ''Teeth of the Blizzard'' did not. Both armies were broken by Gobaith's cruel tactics, their warriors slaughtered and their leaders executed.

	Over the next two years the Dance of Blood fought mercilessly against the Thule, with only a single season to rest, they were active all the across the north of the Empire. Wherever the Thule banners marched, the Dance of Blood would lie in wait for them. Traps were set, food and water was deliberately spoiled. In one gruesome incident Navarr scouts planted infected meat in a river, upstream of the Thule camp. Scores died in agony of vomited blood. It was routine for the Navarr to pick off Thule pickets and drag them into the woods, where they would be tortured to death within earshot of their fellows, The disembowelled corpses would be left for the army to find at sunrise. The reports from the front made brutal reading, but victory had a way of quelling all the arguments.		Over the next two years the Dance of Blood fought mercilessly against the Thule, with only a single season to rest, they were active all the across the north of the Empire. Wherever the Thule banners marched, the Dance of Blood would lie in wait for them. Traps were set, food and water was deliberately spoiled. In one gruesome incident Navarr scouts planted infected meat in a river, upstream of the Thule camp. Scores died in agony of vomited blood. It was routine for the Navarr to pick off Thule pickets and drag them into the woods, where they would be tortured to death within earshot of their fellows, The disembowelled corpses would be left for the army to find at sunrise. The reports from the front made brutal reading, but victory had a way of quelling all the arguments.

Line 24:		Line 24:

	==Unburdening==		==Unburdening==
			Had the situation remained that way, history might have been very different. But in 242YE, the Jotun launched an assault across the frozen Lake Nutjuitoq in the [[Sermersuaq#Suaq Fount\|Suaq Fount]]. They were led by ''Kjorvak'', Jarl of [[Skallahn#Kierheim\|Kierheim]], whose willingness to risk the untested ice allowed him to take the Wintermark defenders by surprise. Emperor Guntherm led the [[Green Shield]] on campaign against them, but both armies were attacked by a large Thule force. In the resulting panic, Guntherm and Kjorvak ended up fighting together against the Thule, [[Campaigns_of_Emperor_Guntherm#The_Jarl_of_Kierheim\|forging a battlefield alliance]] with the Jotun and together they drove the Thule off. Out of respect for Guntherm, the Jarl withdraw his forces, but a strange friendship blossomed from the battle. Although the Jotun and the Empire were still at war, the two continued to exchange winged messages in the seasons that followed.
	<div style="float:right; width: 250px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=GreenShields_Colour.png\|align=right\|caption=Guntherm's love for the Green Shield was well known throughout the Empire.\|width=250}}</div>		<div style="float:right; width: 250px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=GreenShields_Colour.png\|align=right\|caption=Guntherm's love for the Green Shield was well known throughout the Empire.\|width=250}}</div>
	Had the situation remained that way, history might have been very different. But in 242YE, the Jotun launched an assault across the frozen Lake Nutjuitoq in the [[Sermersuaq#Suaq Fount\|Suaq Fount]]. They were led by ''Kjorvak'', Jarl of [[Skallahn#Kierheim\|Kierheim]], whose willingness to risk the untested ice allowed him to take the Wintermark defenders by surprise. Emperor Guntherm led the [[Green Shield]] on campaign against them, but both armies were attacked by a large Thule force. In the resulting panic, Guntherm and Kjorvak ended up fighting together against the Thule, [[Campaigns_of_Emperor_Guntherm#The_Jarl_of_Kierheim\|forging a battlefield alliance]] with the Jotun and together they drove the Thule off. Out of respect for Guntherm, the Jarl withdraw his forces, but a strange friendship blossomed from the battle. Although the Jotun and the Empire were still at war, the two continued to exchange winged messages in the seasons that followed.

	Rather than attack Wintermark, the Jotun invaded [[Liathaven]] in 243YE. The [[territory]] had been relatively peaceful, at least as peaceful as a land cursed by the [[vallorn]] can be. The Jotun quickly captured [[Liathaven#West Ranging\|West Ranging]] and threatened both [[Liathaven#Westwood\|Westwood]] and [[Liathaven#Liath's Ring\|Liath's Ring]]. The attacks shook the Navarr, and caused widespread outrage after hundreds of Navarr were forced to accept life as a thrall by the invading Jotun. Gobaith swore to take her army south and unleash the same terror against the Jotun that had proved so effective against the Thule.		Rather than attack Wintermark, the Jotun invaded [[Liathaven]] in 243YE. The [[territory]] had been relatively peaceful, at least as peaceful as a land cursed by the [[vallorn]] can be. The Jotun quickly captured [[Liathaven#West Ranging\|West Ranging]] and threatened both [[Liathaven#Westwood\|Westwood]] and [[Liathaven#Liath's Ring\|Liath's Ring]]. The attacks shook the Navarr, and caused widespread outrage after hundreds of Navarr were forced to accept life as a thrall by the invading Jotun. Gobaith swore to take her army south and unleash the same terror against the Jotun that had proved so effective against the Thule.

Thespaceinvader: /* Binding */

2026-07-01T17:22:02Z

Binding

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:22, 1 July 2026
Line 44:		Line 44:
	Critics, and there were many, claimed that the Dance of Blood didn't just embrace cruelty, they revelled in it. There were frequent accusations of ''[[Agramant\|Agramantism]]'' (wilfully entreating with the eternal Agramant), so much so that they were actually refuted by the [[eternal]] themselves, who took the unprecedented step of issuing a public statement to the [[Conclave]] on a bloody scrap of flayed skin. The statement claimed that ''Blood-on-the-Snow'' had <u>absolutely nothing</u> to do with the horrors committed by the Dance of Blood (which some people believed) and that ''Howler'' was shocked by what was happening (which no one believed). That said, and in a manner typical of the ''Wastewalker'', the statement ended with an offer to create an [[opportunity]] for ''every'' Imperial army to become cruel, if the Conclave would only accept his boon. The resulting vote was rejected, but the level of support for Agramant's offer surprised and alarmed many.		Critics, and there were many, claimed that the Dance of Blood didn't just embrace cruelty, they revelled in it. There were frequent accusations of ''[[Agramant\|Agramantism]]'' (wilfully entreating with the eternal Agramant), so much so that they were actually refuted by the [[eternal]] themselves, who took the unprecedented step of issuing a public statement to the [[Conclave]] on a bloody scrap of flayed skin. The statement claimed that ''Blood-on-the-Snow'' had <u>absolutely nothing</u> to do with the horrors committed by the Dance of Blood (which some people believed) and that ''Howler'' was shocked by what was happening (which no one believed). That said, and in a manner typical of the ''Wastewalker'', the statement ended with an offer to create an [[opportunity]] for ''every'' Imperial army to become cruel, if the Conclave would only accept his boon. The resulting vote was rejected, but the level of support for Agramant's offer surprised and alarmed many.

	The Emperor tried desperately to ~~rain~~ Gobaith in, largely without success. Gobaith's tactics had upset many Winterfolk with [[scop\|scops]] and [[stormcrow\|stormcrows]] claiming they were [[heroism\|unheroic]] and the mystics forecasting doom from the twisted skeins of those involved. Politically, Guntherm was clearly compromised by the nature of the attacks, which resulted in outraged communications from the Jotun who felt the Empire's actions betrayed the burgeoning friendship between the Emperor and the Jarl of Kierheim.		The Emperor tried desperately to rein Gobaith in, largely without success. Gobaith's tactics had upset many Winterfolk with [[scop\|scops]] and [[stormcrow\|stormcrows]] claiming they were [[heroism\|unheroic]] and the mystics forecasting doom from the twisted skeins of those involved. Politically, Guntherm was clearly compromised by the nature of the attacks, which resulted in outraged communications from the Jotun who felt the Empire's actions betrayed the burgeoning friendship between the Emperor and the Jarl of Kierheim.

	Ignoring the Emperor's protests, Gobaith continued to perpetrate the war with a ferocious intensity with the Dance of Blood brutally slaughtering any Jotun they could find. In response, the Jotun became increasingly desperate. Enraged by the actions of the army, they lost much of their typical iron discipline and began to lash out wildly. The Dance became a red rag to the Jotun bull, driving their warriors into a violent fury in any campaign where the Navarr army took part. By the end of the year the Empire had inflicted three decisive defeats on Jotun forces, however.		Ignoring the Emperor's protests, Gobaith continued to perpetrate the war with a ferocious intensity with the Dance of Blood brutally slaughtering any Jotun they could find. In response, the Jotun became increasingly desperate. Enraged by the actions of the army, they lost much of their typical iron discipline and began to lash out wildly. The Dance became a red rag to the Jotun bull, driving their warriors into a violent fury in any campaign where the Navarr army took part. By the end of the year the Empire had inflicted three decisive defeats on Jotun forces, however.

Thespaceinvader: /* Dancing */

2026-07-01T17:19:46Z

Dancing

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:19, 1 July 2026
Line 17:		Line 17:
	From the outset, the tactics employed by the Dance of Blood were uncompromising and brutal. The Navarr have often sought to ambush their enemies, preferring to use the element of surprise to defeat them. That season, the Dance of Blood went much further, poisoning wells and razing [[Thule]] settlements that would not surrender. In battle they would wound the enemy but not execute them, then lie in wait to slaughter those who came to heal them. [[Thule_lore#Warlocks\|Warlocks]] in particular were singled out on the battlefield, with Gobaith looking to break the enemy's chain of command.		From the outset, the tactics employed by the Dance of Blood were uncompromising and brutal. The Navarr have often sought to ambush their enemies, preferring to use the element of surprise to defeat them. That season, the Dance of Blood went much further, poisoning wells and razing [[Thule]] settlements that would not surrender. In battle they would wound the enemy but not execute them, then lie in wait to slaughter those who came to heal them. [[Thule_lore#Warlocks\|Warlocks]] in particular were singled out on the battlefield, with Gobaith looking to break the enemy's chain of command.
	<div style="float:right; width: 250px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=thulebanner1.jpeg\|caption=While the Dance of Blood is remembered for its final battle against the Jotun, the Thule have very good reasons to remember it.\|align=right\|width=250}}</div>		<div style="float:right; width: 250px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=thulebanner1.jpeg\|caption=While the Dance of Blood is remembered for its final battle against the Jotun, the Thule have very good reasons to remember it.\|align=right\|width=250}}</div>
	Gobaith's strategy made many people queasy, but it worked. The first season of campaigning, the forces of [[Otkodov]] were brutally driven back with many hundreds of [[orc\|orcs]] slain. By the end of 243YE, the Dance was triumphant; the Empire surrounded three Thule armies in Hercynia, completely cutting them off. There was an option to allow the Thule to withdraw but ~~Gobath~~ seized the opportunity to trap them and began starving them out. By the time Gobaith's forces finally attacked, it was said that some of the Thule were too weak to hold a spear. The ''Earthquake Drummers'' managed to escape but the ''Path of the Gyre'' and the ''Teeth of the Blizzard'' did not. Both armies were broken by Gobaith's cruel tactics, their warriors slaughtered and their leaders executed.		Gobaith's strategy made many people queasy, but it worked. The first season of campaigning, the forces of [[Otkodov]] were brutally driven back with many hundreds of [[orc\|orcs]] slain. By the end of 243YE, the Dance was triumphant; the Empire surrounded three Thule armies in Hercynia, completely cutting them off. There was an option to allow the Thule to withdraw but Gobaith seized the opportunity to trap them and began starving them out. By the time Gobaith's forces finally attacked, it was said that some of the Thule were too weak to hold a spear. The ''Earthquake Drummers'' managed to escape but the ''Path of the Gyre'' and the ''Teeth of the Blizzard'' did not. Both armies were broken by Gobaith's cruel tactics, their warriors slaughtered and their leaders executed.

	Over the next two years the Dance of Blood fought mercilessly against the Thule, with only a single season to rest, they were active all the across the north of the Empire. Wherever the Thule banners marched, the Dance of Blood would lie in wait for them. Traps were set, food and water was deliberately spoiled. In one gruesome incident Navarr scouts planted infected meat in a river, upstream of the Thule camp. Scores died in agony of vomited blood. It was routine for the Navarr to pick off Thule pickets and drag them into the woods, where they would be tortured to death within earshot of their fellows, The disembowelled corpses would be left for the army to find at sunrise. The reports from the front made brutal reading, but victory had a way of quelling all the arguments.		Over the next two years the Dance of Blood fought mercilessly against the Thule, with only a single season to rest, they were active all the across the north of the Empire. Wherever the Thule banners marched, the Dance of Blood would lie in wait for them. Traps were set, food and water was deliberately spoiled. In one gruesome incident Navarr scouts planted infected meat in a river, upstream of the Thule camp. Scores died in agony of vomited blood. It was routine for the Navarr to pick off Thule pickets and drag them into the woods, where they would be tortured to death within earshot of their fellows, The disembowelled corpses would be left for the army to find at sunrise. The reports from the front made brutal reading, but victory had a way of quelling all the arguments.

Thespaceinvader: /* Dancing */

2026-07-01T17:19:20Z

Dancing

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:19, 1 July 2026
Line 17:		Line 17:
	From the outset, the tactics employed by the Dance of Blood were uncompromising and brutal. The Navarr have often sought to ambush their enemies, preferring to use the element of surprise to defeat them. That season, the Dance of Blood went much further, poisoning wells and razing [[Thule]] settlements that would not surrender. In battle they would wound the enemy but not execute them, then lie in wait to slaughter those who came to heal them. [[Thule_lore#Warlocks\|Warlocks]] in particular were singled out on the battlefield, with Gobaith looking to break the enemy's chain of command.		From the outset, the tactics employed by the Dance of Blood were uncompromising and brutal. The Navarr have often sought to ambush their enemies, preferring to use the element of surprise to defeat them. That season, the Dance of Blood went much further, poisoning wells and razing [[Thule]] settlements that would not surrender. In battle they would wound the enemy but not execute them, then lie in wait to slaughter those who came to heal them. [[Thule_lore#Warlocks\|Warlocks]] in particular were singled out on the battlefield, with Gobaith looking to break the enemy's chain of command.
	<div style="float:right; width: 250px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=thulebanner1.jpeg\|caption=While the Dance of Blood is remembered for its final battle against the Jotun, the Thule have very good reasons to remember it.\|align=right\|width=250}}</div>		<div style="float:right; width: 250px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=thulebanner1.jpeg\|caption=While the Dance of Blood is remembered for its final battle against the Jotun, the Thule have very good reasons to remember it.\|align=right\|width=250}}</div>
	Gobaith's strategy made many people queasy, but it worked. The first season of campaigning, the forces of [[Otkodov]] were brutally ~~drive~~ back with many hundreds of [[orc\|orcs]] slain. By the end of 243YE, the Dance was triumphant; the Empire surrounded three Thule armies in Hercynia, completely cutting them off. There was an option to allow the Thule to withdraw but Gobath seized the opportunity to trap them and began starving them out. By the time Gobaith's forces finally attacked, it was said that some of the Thule were too weak to hold a spear. The ''Earthquake Drummers'' managed to escape but the ''Path of the Gyre'' and the ''Teeth of the Blizzard'' did not. Both armies were broken by Gobaith's cruel tactics, their warriors slaughtered and their leaders executed.		Gobaith's strategy made many people queasy, but it worked. The first season of campaigning, the forces of [[Otkodov]] were brutally driven back with many hundreds of [[orc\|orcs]] slain. By the end of 243YE, the Dance was triumphant; the Empire surrounded three Thule armies in Hercynia, completely cutting them off. There was an option to allow the Thule to withdraw but Gobath seized the opportunity to trap them and began starving them out. By the time Gobaith's forces finally attacked, it was said that some of the Thule were too weak to hold a spear. The ''Earthquake Drummers'' managed to escape but the ''Path of the Gyre'' and the ''Teeth of the Blizzard'' did not. Both armies were broken by Gobaith's cruel tactics, their warriors slaughtered and their leaders executed.

	Over the next two years the Dance of Blood fought mercilessly against the Thule, with only a single season to rest, they were active all the across the north of the Empire. Wherever the Thule banners marched, the Dance of Blood would lie in wait for them. Traps were set, food and water was deliberately spoiled. In one gruesome incident Navarr scouts planted infected meat in a river, upstream of the Thule camp. Scores died in agony of vomited blood. It was routine for the Navarr to pick off Thule pickets and drag them into the woods, where they would be tortured to death within earshot of their fellows, The disembowelled corpses would be left for the army to find at sunrise. The reports from the front made brutal reading, but victory had a way of quelling all the arguments.		Over the next two years the Dance of Blood fought mercilessly against the Thule, with only a single season to rest, they were active all the across the north of the Empire. Wherever the Thule banners marched, the Dance of Blood would lie in wait for them. Traps were set, food and water was deliberately spoiled. In one gruesome incident Navarr scouts planted infected meat in a river, upstream of the Thule camp. Scores died in agony of vomited blood. It was routine for the Navarr to pick off Thule pickets and drag them into the woods, where they would be tortured to death within earshot of their fellows, The disembowelled corpses would be left for the army to find at sunrise. The reports from the front made brutal reading, but victory had a way of quelling all the arguments.

	Guntherm's support of the Navarr army is one of the reasons he gained the nickname "the Bloodthirsty", although he remained broadly popular. After years of struggle against the barbarians, citizens were eager for news of victories and the Dance of Blood certainly delivered that news.		Guntherm's support of the Navarr army is one of the reasons he gained the nickname "the Bloodthirsty", although he remained broadly popular. After years of struggle against the barbarians, citizens were eager for news of victories and the Dance of Blood certainly delivered that news.

	==Unburdening==		==Unburdening==
	<div style="float:right; width: 250px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=GreenShields_Colour.png\|align=right\|caption=Guntherm's love for the Green Shield was well known throughout the Empire.\|width=250}}</div>		<div style="float:right; width: 250px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=GreenShields_Colour.png\|align=right\|caption=Guntherm's love for the Green Shield was well known throughout the Empire.\|width=250}}</div>

Twiggy: /* Unburdening */

2026-07-01T17:18:44Z

Unburdening

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:18, 1 July 2026
Line 26:		Line 26:
	Had the situation remained that way, history might have been very different. But in 242YE, the Jotun launched an assault across the frozen Lake Nutjuitoq in the [[Sermersuaq#Suaq Fount\|Suaq Fount]]. They were led by ''Kjorvak'', Jarl of [[Skallahn#Kierheim\|Kierheim]], whose willingness to risk the untested ice allowed him to take the Wintermark defenders by surprise. Emperor Guntherm led the [[Green Shield]] on campaign against them, but both armies were attacked by a large Thule force. In the resulting panic, Guntherm and Kjorvak ended up fighting together against the Thule, [[Campaigns_of_Emperor_Guntherm#The_Jarl_of_Kierheim\|forging a battlefield alliance]] with the Jotun and together they drove the Thule off. Out of respect for Guntherm, the Jarl withdraw his forces, but a strange friendship blossomed from the battle. Although the Jotun and the Empire were still at war, the two continued to exchange winged messages in the seasons that followed.		Had the situation remained that way, history might have been very different. But in 242YE, the Jotun launched an assault across the frozen Lake Nutjuitoq in the [[Sermersuaq#Suaq Fount\|Suaq Fount]]. They were led by ''Kjorvak'', Jarl of [[Skallahn#Kierheim\|Kierheim]], whose willingness to risk the untested ice allowed him to take the Wintermark defenders by surprise. Emperor Guntherm led the [[Green Shield]] on campaign against them, but both armies were attacked by a large Thule force. In the resulting panic, Guntherm and Kjorvak ended up fighting together against the Thule, [[Campaigns_of_Emperor_Guntherm#The_Jarl_of_Kierheim\|forging a battlefield alliance]] with the Jotun and together they drove the Thule off. Out of respect for Guntherm, the Jarl withdraw his forces, but a strange friendship blossomed from the battle. Although the Jotun and the Empire were still at war, the two continued to exchange winged messages in the seasons that followed.

	Rather than attack Wintermark, the Jotun invaded [[Liathaven]] in 243YE. The [[territory]] had been relatively peaceful, at least as peaceful as a land cursed by the [[vallorn]] can be. The Jotun quickly captured [[Liathaven#West Ranging\|West Ranging]] and threatened both [[Liathaven#Westwood\|Westwood]] and [[Liathaven#Liath Ring\|Liath Ring]]. The attacks shook the Navarr, and caused widespread outrage after hundreds of Navarr were forced to accept life as a thrall by the invading Jotun. Gobaith swore to take her army south and unleash the same terror against the Jotun that had proved so effective against the Thule.		Rather than attack Wintermark, the Jotun invaded [[Liathaven]] in 243YE. The [[territory]] had been relatively peaceful, at least as peaceful as a land cursed by the [[vallorn]] can be. The Jotun quickly captured [[Liathaven#West Ranging\|West Ranging]] and threatened both [[Liathaven#Westwood\|Westwood]] and [[Liathaven#Liath's Ring\|Liath's Ring]]. The attacks shook the Navarr, and caused widespread outrage after hundreds of Navarr were forced to accept life as a thrall by the invading Jotun. Gobaith swore to take her army south and unleash the same terror against the Jotun that had proved so effective against the Thule.

	Gobaith's counter-attack clearly took the Jotun by surprise and her forces were able to take thirty Jotun prisoner. After the [[Civil Service\|civil service]] assessed the options, the prognosticators laid out two clear choices. The Navarr general could let the Jotun go, which would create an [[opportunity]] to make peace with the Jotun, or they could be executed to spread fear through the enemies of the Empire in the west.		Gobaith's counter-attack clearly took the Jotun by surprise and her forces were able to take thirty Jotun prisoner. After the [[Civil Service\|civil service]] assessed the options, the prognosticators laid out two clear choices. The Navarr general could let the Jotun go, which would create an [[opportunity]] to make peace with the Jotun, or they could be executed to spread fear through the enemies of the Empire in the west.

Twiggy at 17:18, 1 July 2026

2026-07-01T17:18:10Z

Show changes

Thespaceinvader: /* Welcoming */

2026-07-01T17:15:31Z

Welcoming

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:15, 1 July 2026
Line 5:		Line 5:

	==Welcoming==		==Welcoming==
	The Dance of Blood were raised in 239YE, one of the first acts approved by the newly ascended Emperor Guntherm. The Navarr [[Senator]] for [[Hercynia]], ''Rhun Night-River'', led the contingent of the Senate that had chafed under the rule of [[Empress Mariika] and her resolute opposition to enlarging the Imperial military. Four times they had passed a [[Senate motion\|motion]] to muster a new Navarr army, and each time Marika had [[The Throne#Power of Veto\|vetoed]] the motion. Rhun was known to desire [[the Throne]] and was widely expected to make a bid for it, but instead he and his fellow Navarr senators crossed the floor to support Guntherm. A new Navarr army was approved at the very next session, raised by Hercynia and seconded by [[Hahnmark]].		The Dance of Blood were raised in 239YE, one of the first acts approved by the newly ascended Emperor Guntherm. The Navarr [[Senator]] for [[Hercynia]], ''Rhun Night-River'', led the contingent of the Senate that had chafed under the rule of [[Empress Mariika]] and her resolute opposition to enlarging the Imperial military. Four times they had passed a [[Senate motion\|motion]] to muster a new Navarr army, and each time Marika had [[The Throne#Power of Veto\|vetoed]] the motion. Rhun was known to desire [[the Throne]] and was widely expected to make a bid for it, but instead he and his fellow Navarr senators crossed the floor to support Guntherm. A new Navarr army was approved at the very next session, raised by Hercynia and seconded by [[Hahnmark]].

	With popular support, it took less than a year to fund the army, but it soon encountered controversy. Rhun was a fierce advocate of the Navarr maxim that "You cannot betray your enemies" and openly advocated for Imperial armies to adopt a more ''pragmatic'' approach to war against the barbarians. When the Navarr Assembly passed a [[statement of principle]] reminding the nation that the Navarr cannot betray their enemies, it led to a [[mandate]] allowing the nation to embrace cruelty as the most effective way to defeat the barbarians.		With popular support, it took less than a year to fund the army, but it soon encountered controversy. Rhun was a fierce advocate of the Navarr maxim that "You cannot betray your enemies" and openly advocated for Imperial armies to adopt a more ''pragmatic'' approach to war against the barbarians. When the Navarr Assembly passed a [[statement of principle]] reminding the nation that the Navarr cannot betray their enemies, it led to a [[mandate]] allowing the nation to embrace cruelty as the most effective way to defeat the barbarians.
Line 11:		Line 11:
	The judgement was contentious, splitting the nations of the Empire on the issue in a manner that might be familiar to citizens who remember the arguments around the [[Iron Helms]]. Since the matter was for the Navarr Assembly only, however, there was little that other Imperial priests could do about the mandate. The [[Cardinal]] of [[Wisdom]], a [[mystic]] called ''Astor Far-Eyes'', publicly spoke against the Navarr embrace of cruel tactics, arguing that it was ill-omened and would end in disaster, but his attempts to delay the vote achieved nothing and the required [[greater majority]] was narrowly achieved. Rhun made it clear that he would use his authority as the raising senator to uphold the will of the Assembly.		The judgement was contentious, splitting the nations of the Empire on the issue in a manner that might be familiar to citizens who remember the arguments around the [[Iron Helms]]. Since the matter was for the Navarr Assembly only, however, there was little that other Imperial priests could do about the mandate. The [[Cardinal]] of [[Wisdom]], a [[mystic]] called ''Astor Far-Eyes'', publicly spoke against the Navarr embrace of cruel tactics, arguing that it was ill-omened and would end in disaster, but his attempts to delay the vote achieved nothing and the required [[greater majority]] was narrowly achieved. Rhun made it clear that he would use his authority as the raising senator to uphold the will of the Assembly.
	<div {{Float}}><quote by="General Gobaith, General of the Dance of Blood">Thorns, our people have slumbered while our steadings are threated by the Thule. Now is the hour of our awakeninig. We will reclaim what they have taken. We will drown our spears in Thule blood. We will slaughter every orc that marches beneath a blue banenr. We will lead our enemies in the Great Dance to the doors of the Labyrinth. We will treach the Dragons to fear us.</quote></div>		<div {{Float}}><quote by="General Gobaith, General of the Dance of Blood">Thorns, our people have slumbered while our steadings are threated by the Thule. Now is the hour of our awakeninig. We will reclaim what they have taken. We will drown our spears in Thule blood. We will slaughter every orc that marches beneath a blue banenr. We will lead our enemies in the Great Dance to the doors of the Labyrinth. We will treach the Dragons to fear us.</quote></div>

	==Dancing==		==Dancing==
	Once the army was ready, the Navarr senators appointed ''Gobaith of Summer's Grove'' to be general. A popular, charismatic [[brand]], adored by many [[thorn\|thorns]], she was notorious for her dark humour. Described as intimidating, always dressed for battle, face painted for war at any moment, she was known as someone to be reckoned with within and without the Empire.		Once the army was ready, the Navarr senators appointed ''Gobaith of Summer's Grove'' to be general. A popular, charismatic [[brand]], adored by many [[thorn\|thorns]], she was notorious for her dark humour. Described as intimidating, always dressed for battle, face painted for war at any moment, she was known as someone to be reckoned with within and without the Empire.

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:03, 1 July 2026
Line 15:		Line 15:
	Once the army was ready, the Navarr senators appointed ''Gobaith of Summer's Grove'' to be general. A popular, charismatic [[brand]], adored by many [[thorn\|thorns]], she was notorious for her dark humour. Described as intimidating, always dressed for battle, face painted for war at any moment, she was known as someone to be reckoned with within and without the Empire.		Once the army was ready, the Navarr senators appointed ''Gobaith of Summer's Grove'' to be general. A popular, charismatic [[brand]], adored by many [[thorn\|thorns]], she was notorious for her dark humour. Described as intimidating, always dressed for battle, face painted for war at any moment, she was known as someone to be reckoned with within and without the Empire.

	From the outset, the tactics employed by the Dance of Blood were uncompromising and brutal. The Navarr have often sought to ambush their enemies, preferring to use the element of surprise to defeat them. That season, the Dance of Blood went much further, poisoning wells and razing [[Thule]] settlements that would not surrender. In battle they would wound the enemy but not execute them, then lie in wait to slaughter those who came to heal them. [[Thule_lore#Warlocks\|Warlocks]] in particular were singled out on the battlefield, with Gobaith looking to break the enemy's chain of command.		From the outset, the tactics employed by the Dance of Blood were uncompromising and brutal. The Navarr have often sought to ambush their enemies, preferring to use the element of surprise to defeat them. That season, the Dance of Blood went much further, poisoning wells and razing [[Thule]] settlements that would not surrender. In battle, they would wound the enemy but not execute them, then lie in wait to slaughter those who came to heal them. [[Thule_lore#Warlocks\|Warlocks]] in particular were singled out on the battlefield, with Gobaith looking to break the enemy's chain of command.

	Gobaith's strategy made many people queasy, but it worked. The first season of campaigning, the forces of [[Otkodov]] were brutally driven back with many hundreds of [[orc\|orcs]] slain. By the end of 243YE, the Dance was triumphant; the Empire surrounded three Thule armies in Hercynia, completely cutting them off. There was an option to allow the Thule to withdraw but Gobaith seized the opportunity to trap them and began starving them out. By the time Gobaith's forces finally attacked, it was said that some of the Thule were too weak to hold a spear. The ''Earthquake Drummers'' managed to escape but the ''Path of the Gyre'' and the ''Teeth of the Blizzard'' did not. Both armies were broken by Gobaith's cruel tactics, their warriors slaughtered and their leaders executed.		Gobaith's strategy made many people queasy, but it worked. The first season of campaigning, the forces of [[Otkodov]] were brutally driven back with many hundreds of [[orc\|orcs]] slain. By the end of 243YE, the Dance was triumphant; the Empire surrounded three Thule armies in Hercynia, completely cutting them off. There was an option to allow the Thule to withdraw but Gobaith seized the opportunity to trap them and began starving them out. By the time Gobaith's forces finally attacked, it was said that some of the Thule were too weak to hold a spear. The ''Earthquake Drummers'' managed to escape but the ''Path of the Gyre'' and the ''Teeth of the Blizzard'' did not. Both armies were broken by Gobaith's cruel tactics, their warriors slaughtered and their leaders executed.

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:36, 1 July 2026
Line 16:		Line 16:

	From the outset, the tactics employed by the Dance of Blood were uncompromising and brutal. The Navarr have often sought to ambush their enemies, preferring to use the element of surprise to defeat them. That season, the Dance of Blood went much further, poisoning wells and razing [[Thule]] settlements that would not surrender. In battle they would wound the enemy but not execute them, then lie in wait to slaughter those who came to heal them. [[Thule_lore#Warlocks\|Warlocks]] in particular were singled out on the battlefield, with Gobaith looking to break the enemy's chain of command.		From the outset, the tactics employed by the Dance of Blood were uncompromising and brutal. The Navarr have often sought to ambush their enemies, preferring to use the element of surprise to defeat them. That season, the Dance of Blood went much further, poisoning wells and razing [[Thule]] settlements that would not surrender. In battle they would wound the enemy but not execute them, then lie in wait to slaughter those who came to heal them. [[Thule_lore#Warlocks\|Warlocks]] in particular were singled out on the battlefield, with Gobaith looking to break the enemy's chain of command.

			Gobaith's strategy made many people queasy, but it worked. The first season of campaigning, the forces of [[Otkodov]] were brutally driven back with many hundreds of [[orc\|orcs]] slain. By the end of 243YE, the Dance was triumphant; the Empire surrounded three Thule armies in Hercynia, completely cutting them off. There was an option to allow the Thule to withdraw but Gobaith seized the opportunity to trap them and began starving them out. By the time Gobaith's forces finally attacked, it was said that some of the Thule were too weak to hold a spear. The ''Earthquake Drummers'' managed to escape but the ''Path of the Gyre'' and the ''Teeth of the Blizzard'' did not. Both armies were broken by Gobaith's cruel tactics, their warriors slaughtered and their leaders executed.
	<div style="float:right; width: 250px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=thulebanner1.jpeg\|caption=While the Dance of Blood is remembered for its final battle against the Jotun, the Thule have very good reasons to remember it.\|align=right\|width=250}}</div>		<div style="float:right; width: 250px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=thulebanner1.jpeg\|caption=While the Dance of Blood is remembered for its final battle against the Jotun, the Thule have very good reasons to remember it.\|align=right\|width=250}}</div>
	Gobaith's strategy made many people queasy, but it worked. The first season of campaigning, the forces of [[Otkodov]] were brutally driven back with many hundreds of [[orc\|orcs]] slain. By the end of 243YE, the Dance was triumphant; the Empire surrounded three Thule armies in Hercynia, completely cutting them off. There was an option to allow the Thule to withdraw but Gobaith seized the opportunity to trap them and began starving them out. By the time Gobaith's forces finally attacked, it was said that some of the Thule were too weak to hold a spear. The ''Earthquake Drummers'' managed to escape but the ''Path of the Gyre'' and the ''Teeth of the Blizzard'' did not. Both armies were broken by Gobaith's cruel tactics, their warriors slaughtered and their leaders executed.

	Over the next two years the Dance of Blood fought mercilessly against the Thule, with only a single season to rest, they were active all the across the north of the Empire. Wherever the Thule banners marched, the Dance of Blood would lie in wait for them. Traps were set, food and water was deliberately spoiled. In one gruesome incident Navarr scouts planted infected meat in a river, upstream of the Thule camp. Scores died in agony of vomited blood. It was routine for the Navarr to pick off Thule pickets and drag them into the woods, where they would be tortured to death within earshot of their fellows, The disembowelled corpses would be left for the army to find at sunrise. The reports from the front made brutal reading, but victory had a way of quelling all the arguments.		Over the next two years the Dance of Blood fought mercilessly against the Thule, with only a single season to rest, they were active all the across the north of the Empire. Wherever the Thule banners marched, the Dance of Blood would lie in wait for them. Traps were set, food and water was deliberately spoiled. In one gruesome incident Navarr scouts planted infected meat in a river, upstream of the Thule camp. Scores died in agony of vomited blood. It was routine for the Navarr to pick off Thule pickets and drag them into the woods, where they would be tortured to death within earshot of their fellows, The disembowelled corpses would be left for the army to find at sunrise. The reports from the front made brutal reading, but victory had a way of quelling all the arguments.

Line 24:		Line 24:

	==Unburdening==		==Unburdening==
			Had the situation remained that way, history might have been very different. But in 242YE, the Jotun launched an assault across the frozen Lake Nutjuitoq in the [[Sermersuaq#Suaq Fount\|Suaq Fount]]. They were led by ''Kjorvak'', Jarl of [[Skallahn#Kierheim\|Kierheim]], whose willingness to risk the untested ice allowed him to take the Wintermark defenders by surprise. Emperor Guntherm led the [[Green Shield]] on campaign against them, but both armies were attacked by a large Thule force. In the resulting panic, Guntherm and Kjorvak ended up fighting together against the Thule, [[Campaigns_of_Emperor_Guntherm#The_Jarl_of_Kierheim\|forging a battlefield alliance]] with the Jotun and together they drove the Thule off. Out of respect for Guntherm, the Jarl withdraw his forces, but a strange friendship blossomed from the battle. Although the Jotun and the Empire were still at war, the two continued to exchange winged messages in the seasons that followed.
	<div style="float:right; width: 250px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=GreenShields_Colour.png\|align=right\|caption=Guntherm's love for the Green Shield was well known throughout the Empire.\|width=250}}</div>		<div style="float:right; width: 250px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=GreenShields_Colour.png\|align=right\|caption=Guntherm's love for the Green Shield was well known throughout the Empire.\|width=250}}</div>
	Had the situation remained that way, history might have been very different. But in 242YE, the Jotun launched an assault across the frozen Lake Nutjuitoq in the [[Sermersuaq#Suaq Fount\|Suaq Fount]]. They were led by ''Kjorvak'', Jarl of [[Skallahn#Kierheim\|Kierheim]], whose willingness to risk the untested ice allowed him to take the Wintermark defenders by surprise. Emperor Guntherm led the [[Green Shield]] on campaign against them, but both armies were attacked by a large Thule force. In the resulting panic, Guntherm and Kjorvak ended up fighting together against the Thule, [[Campaigns_of_Emperor_Guntherm#The_Jarl_of_Kierheim\|forging a battlefield alliance]] with the Jotun and together they drove the Thule off. Out of respect for Guntherm, the Jarl withdraw his forces, but a strange friendship blossomed from the battle. Although the Jotun and the Empire were still at war, the two continued to exchange winged messages in the seasons that followed.

	Rather than attack Wintermark, the Jotun invaded [[Liathaven]] in 243YE. The [[territory]] had been relatively peaceful, at least as peaceful as a land cursed by the [[vallorn]] can be. The Jotun quickly captured [[Liathaven#West Ranging\|West Ranging]] and threatened both [[Liathaven#Westwood\|Westwood]] and [[Liathaven#Liath's Ring\|Liath's Ring]]. The attacks shook the Navarr, and caused widespread outrage after hundreds of Navarr were forced to accept life as a thrall by the invading Jotun. Gobaith swore to take her army south and unleash the same terror against the Jotun that had proved so effective against the Thule.		Rather than attack Wintermark, the Jotun invaded [[Liathaven]] in 243YE. The [[territory]] had been relatively peaceful, at least as peaceful as a land cursed by the [[vallorn]] can be. The Jotun quickly captured [[Liathaven#West Ranging\|West Ranging]] and threatened both [[Liathaven#Westwood\|Westwood]] and [[Liathaven#Liath's Ring\|Liath's Ring]]. The attacks shook the Navarr, and caused widespread outrage after hundreds of Navarr were forced to accept life as a thrall by the invading Jotun. Gobaith swore to take her army south and unleash the same terror against the Jotun that had proved so effective against the Thule.

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:18, 1 July 2026
Line 26:		Line 26:
	Had the situation remained that way, history might have been very different. But in 242YE, the Jotun launched an assault across the frozen Lake Nutjuitoq in the [[Sermersuaq#Suaq Fount\|Suaq Fount]]. They were led by ''Kjorvak'', Jarl of [[Skallahn#Kierheim\|Kierheim]], whose willingness to risk the untested ice allowed him to take the Wintermark defenders by surprise. Emperor Guntherm led the [[Green Shield]] on campaign against them, but both armies were attacked by a large Thule force. In the resulting panic, Guntherm and Kjorvak ended up fighting together against the Thule, [[Campaigns_of_Emperor_Guntherm#The_Jarl_of_Kierheim\|forging a battlefield alliance]] with the Jotun and together they drove the Thule off. Out of respect for Guntherm, the Jarl withdraw his forces, but a strange friendship blossomed from the battle. Although the Jotun and the Empire were still at war, the two continued to exchange winged messages in the seasons that followed.		Had the situation remained that way, history might have been very different. But in 242YE, the Jotun launched an assault across the frozen Lake Nutjuitoq in the [[Sermersuaq#Suaq Fount\|Suaq Fount]]. They were led by ''Kjorvak'', Jarl of [[Skallahn#Kierheim\|Kierheim]], whose willingness to risk the untested ice allowed him to take the Wintermark defenders by surprise. Emperor Guntherm led the [[Green Shield]] on campaign against them, but both armies were attacked by a large Thule force. In the resulting panic, Guntherm and Kjorvak ended up fighting together against the Thule, [[Campaigns_of_Emperor_Guntherm#The_Jarl_of_Kierheim\|forging a battlefield alliance]] with the Jotun and together they drove the Thule off. Out of respect for Guntherm, the Jarl withdraw his forces, but a strange friendship blossomed from the battle. Although the Jotun and the Empire were still at war, the two continued to exchange winged messages in the seasons that followed.

	Rather than attack Wintermark, the Jotun invaded [[Liathaven]] in 243YE. The [[territory]] had been relatively peaceful, at least as peaceful as a land cursed by the [[vallorn]] can be. The Jotun quickly captured [[Liathaven#West Ranging\|West Ranging]] and threatened both [[Liathaven#Westwood\|Westwood]] and [[Liathaven#Liath Ring\|Liath Ring]]. The attacks shook the Navarr, and caused widespread outrage after hundreds of Navarr were forced to accept life as a thrall by the invading Jotun. Gobaith swore to take her army south and unleash the same terror against the Jotun that had proved so effective against the Thule.		Rather than attack Wintermark, the Jotun invaded [[Liathaven]] in 243YE. The [[territory]] had been relatively peaceful, at least as peaceful as a land cursed by the [[vallorn]] can be. The Jotun quickly captured [[Liathaven#West Ranging\|West Ranging]] and threatened both [[Liathaven#Westwood\|Westwood]] and [[Liathaven#Liath's Ring\|Liath's Ring]]. The attacks shook the Navarr, and caused widespread outrage after hundreds of Navarr were forced to accept life as a thrall by the invading Jotun. Gobaith swore to take her army south and unleash the same terror against the Jotun that had proved so effective against the Thule.

	Gobaith's counter-attack clearly took the Jotun by surprise and her forces were able to take thirty Jotun prisoner. After the [[Civil Service\|civil service]] assessed the options, the prognosticators laid out two clear choices. The Navarr general could let the Jotun go, which would create an [[opportunity]] to make peace with the Jotun, or they could be executed to spread fear through the enemies of the Empire in the west.		Gobaith's counter-attack clearly took the Jotun by surprise and her forces were able to take thirty Jotun prisoner. After the [[Civil Service\|civil service]] assessed the options, the prognosticators laid out two clear choices. The Navarr general could let the Jotun go, which would create an [[opportunity]] to make peace with the Jotun, or they could be executed to spread fear through the enemies of the Empire in the west.