K
kuroshimodo
Guest
Original poster
Was there once a time where all of Almdara lived in tranquil peace? A time where brothers dared not to raise their swords to one another and not demand that blood be shed? Where maidens did not fear to become widows while still young and innocent? With sword not drawn to deliver the coup de grace to end a fellow man's life? If such a time existed then it must be lost in the history of Almdara.
In the 8th year of King Roland's reign, the kingdom of Stonefall witness a tragic event. On the eve of the late king's birthday, assailants from Galeguard had managed to stow away in the king's chambers and assassinated him when he was most vulnerable. This foul deed baffled the people of Stonefall for they thought Galeguard was their ally and friend. Outraged by this deceit, Stonefall immediately declare war on Galeguard and swiftly assembled troops. Without the leadership of a king or a male heir having been born, King Roland's fourteen year old daughter, Princess Adeline, was force to ascend her father's throne. The young inexperience princess was bestowed with the guidance of her father's three trusted Generals who were to serve as her advisers. General Alphonse, General Clovis, and General Donatine pledged their allegiance to Queen Adeline and sworn to protect her and the whole of Stonefall with their very lives.
Queen Adeline
Princess of Stonefall
General Alphonse
General Clovis
General Donatien
Galeguard had always planned to invade their neighbor even during the years of peace they enjoyed. In this time of peace, Galeguard bolstered their military force unbeknownst to their suppose ally. The well trained soldiers relished in the thought of testing their might against Stonefall's finest. To further boost the morale of Galeguard's forces, they had a newly fresh young General to lead them. General Ernsta was a prodigy from the military academy that escalated through the ranks during Galeguard's civil war, in which she became known as a hero. General Ernsta was given command over a large force of troops that reflected the confidence that Galeguard had in her abilities. Once war was declared upon Galeguard, Galeguard's armies departed fearlessly to meet battle with Stonefall.
General Ernsta
However misfortune did come to Galeguard. During the years of peace with Stonefall, the late king of Galeguard died from illness causing a power struggle to ensue between his two sons; the eldest, Prince Adalwulf and the youngest, Prince Ewald. The will of their father's dying words was to give his youngest son the throne. The majority of the court refused to give the kingdom over to Ewald instead they favored Adalwulf as the successor. Two factions emerged in the court. Civil war ensued between the supporters of Adalwulf and those of Ewald. Eventually the sheer amout of Adalwulf's supporters overwhelmed the rebellious faction that was led by Ewald and consisted of the loyalists to him and the late king. Knowing defeat was eminent, Prince Ewald and his followers fled to the southern reaches of Galeguard and there founded the kingdom of Wealdguard.
Prince Adalwulf
King of Galeguard
Prince Ewald
King of Wealdguard
In the beginning stages of the war, neither side experienced a decisive victory. Both armies suffered tremendous casualties that weathered away at their troops' mettle. In hope of ending this stalemate, King Adalwulf sent orders to General Ernsta on the battlefront to switch her focus to Fort Bavoure that laid on the boundary line that separated Galeguard and Stonefall. Relcutantly General Ernsta withdrew her troops from their current skirmish and led them on the path towards Fort Bravoue. Stonefall made no haste in pursuit of the retreating Galeguard forces for they believed they had won the engagement. They decided to recuperate and rejuvenate their dwindling numbers. They did not perceive that their decision would end in their folly.
Fort Bravoure
Fort Bravoure was seen as a symbol all across Stonefall. In wars past, many tried to occupy the stalwart bastion. However, no country's military had never succeeded in capturing the fort. General Ernsta's forces were met with heavy resistance once they set foot near the iconic fort. For weeks the amount of the dead increased as General Ernsta's forces dueled the Stonefall soldiers stationed there. The bloodshed split in their previous skirmish paled in comparison to the blood that was spent on the Fort Bravoure battleground. Both forces felt their stamina draining although they did not surrender their resolve. However on one faithful night, General Ernsta and her troops managed to break through the fort's gates and took the battle to those inside. The Stonefall's troops stationed at Fort Bravoure became demoralized when General Ernsta dealt a death blow to their commander, leaving them without leadership. With renewed vigor, the enemy troops dealt the key blow to turn the tide of the war into Galeguard's favor. News of Fort Bravoure's capture spread throughout the land and eventually reached the ears of Queen Adeline and her advisers. Soldiers were ordered back home and Stonefall went on the defensive.
(more story to come in next post; feel free to express any thoughts or interest)
