Sweeping the Trash, Part III: Sellswords
In response to grave acts of terrorism in New Sehal and Djeir, the nations of S.W.E.E.P committed to war.
Assuring the world that the Undercity’s vast treasuries would open to those willing to sign on as sellsword specialists, Empress Malieh Garilicci broke her silence to condemn the Theocracy’s inhumane usage of hypnotic suggestion for military advantages, as well as their recent attacks on Djeir’s military agents. Based on rumours throughout taverns and the halls of noble houses, the Grand Library has determined that the Prince General’s staff received a truly staggering number of applicants, with several individuals from every major city-state having jockeyed for employment as a sellsword on S.W.E.E.P’s behalf. Promising troves of rare ore, the construction of religious sites, donations to charities, and even meetings with the Stalwart himself, Djeir spared no expense in their quest to even the odds in their upcoming campaign against the Theocracy. Without missing a beat, the Prince General’s advisors swiftly made their initial choices. They sent all necessary paperwork posthaste, ensuring that the first days of the war would be with no less than six sellswords serving as shock troops against the Dragon’s military schemes:
Knight-Artillerist Xavin Taziyah
Knight Shara Taziyah
Thronekeeper Paxe Visara
Lord Marshal Sryaen Kavoros
Knight Ayastia Qizzeke
Tulle of the Heartwood
Though the first day of the war looked to be a promising one for the Theocracy, difficult road conditions and violent intervention saw the tables turned upon them, allowing the Impire to rally a division despite the soul-numbing trauma of recent days. Though the Imps could not mobilise their specialists, the Theatre of Shadows dispatched assassins and spies to plague the battlefield with Oblivion’s haunting refrain and the graceful sweep of Djeiri falchions, clearing the way for the bravery of wayfaring Kobold Advanced Range & Melee Soldier masters and the stolid perseverance of Ophidian earthcallers to win the day by supporting a gruelling march. By the end of the first two days, thousands of corpses littered the highways around New Sehal and the infamous spot north of the Morgun, prompting carrion scavengers to feast with impunity.
Surprised by the ferocity of the alliance’s tactics, the Theocracy split their efforts between violent suppression of the mercenary forces, waylaying S.W.E.E.P’s military movements, and searching for additional recruits to field in their military campaign.
Even as the Undercity took Preceptor Aisling into their employ, Whirran sought to secure volunteers to join the Spirean military. Though he failed to find any able-bodied warriors on his own, he managed to convince Earl Bravestarr to part with a small herd of buffalo that was soon equipped for cavalry battles. However, the rancher stressed that he hoped the animals could be returned in one piece, lest the farmer incur the wrath of Tanixalthas. Unbeknownst to Spinesreach’s agents, the undercity of Djeir hurried to send out yet another contract – this time to Harbinger Benedicto Silverain.
Later that week, Spinesreach met with one of the elders of the Mitrine, who informed the Viceroys that the village did not wish to cast their lot in with the Theocracy, but that a band of upstart outriders – descendants of those lost in the Liruma War – sought vengeance and wished to ride alongside the Dragon’s forces. Pleased to offer these hot-blooded youngsters a chance at revenge, the Theocracy welcomed them with open arms, ensuring they could continue their campaign with a paltry renewal of their reserves. Dissatisfied with this negligible increase in military might, Whirran continued his search and, in a legendary act of desperation, conferred with Vellis, the kindly lepidopterist known for offering work to adventurers just starting their stories. Though Vellis had no military background to speak of, the old man did aid the Ogre in wrangling a cloud of butterflies that somehow managed to claim the lives of three S.W.E.E.P troops before perishing in their first and only full frontal assault.
Faced with walls closing in on all sides, Spinesreach sought to execute one last gambit in hopes of gravely wounding S.W.E.E.P’s united front…
Penned by my hand on Tisday, the 8th of Sapiarch, in the year 8 AC.
