ARCHIVED: The Empire of Cleddyf

[St George]

The Nest
Eagle Kingdom
300 Years Ago​

It came during a storm. The Eagle King, Emperor of Cleddyf, had withdrawn to bed several hours before, drunk as was usual for the ageing ruler. He, like the rest of ancient castle and seat of Cleddyf's power, were woken by a thunderous boom. The sentries on the wall saw nothing due to the storm and the fog that came with it, until the boom was followed by a monstrous scream, and out from the darkness stepped Thur'n Gzar, Goblin King of the Western Marches.

The Westerling raised a mottled, bloody head in one hand, and a massive cleaver in another, and dropped both, drawing a roar from the darkness, and on came Thur'n's horde, throwing themselves at the gates and walls. The outer walls were quickly overrun, with nearby streets becoming a bloodbath as Goblin and Orc gorged on blood and flesh. Most of the castle's soldier managed to retreat behind the inner wall in good order, and at the eastern gate they repelled the first Goblin attack in desperate fighting, and the assault settled into a siege.

Aerdiff, the Eagle King, raged at the attack, demanding answers as to why the Horde hadn't been sighted in the two hundred miles they had to travel to get to The Nest. When no-one could give them, he drew his sword and put on his armour, and called his Eagle Guard commanders. They would not be penned up by the scum of the earth, and would sally forth to slay them. Aerdiff would have Thur'n's head on a spike...

The Roost
The Falconlands
Present Day​

The messenger rode recklessly along the uneven road, horse and man both panting at the exertions of the ride. Making for the nearest gate as the fortress of The Roost came into view, he paused just long enough to reveal that he had a message for the commander of the castle. Escorted by a guard of cavalry to clear the way, he came clattering into the castle yard.

Deep in conversation with city leaders, the commander raised an eyebrow when interrupted by an aide and told a messenger had arrived from the northern passes. He walked over to a side room, and awaited the message.

"My Lord," The messenger began, unsure of just who he was talking to. "The northern pass is lost. A force of 8,000 Ravenmen, led by Tirtz Blackchest, crossed the Roden River and took Haven's Town before taking our fortress in the north. 400 men are lost."

"Where are they now?"

"Camped on the Goryn Plain. They had been there for 4 days when I left."

"Thank you. You did well. Get some rest and see my captain for new orders." As the messenger left, the commander turned to the aide who had brought him along. "Send out our fastest messengers to the Falcon Court, my father must know. Tell them... the peace he fought and hoped for has failed. I am calling the north to me to delay the invaders, he is come up with all the force he can muster to bolster us." The commander rose. "Tell him the Falcon Knight rides."