The Midwinter Ambush

Military: Battle

A combined attack from several hellknight orders is launched on Leonos, capital city of Solspathí. The Council of Archbishops punishes Commander Seneca Insurmos-Milles-Infedelis and his family for allowing the hellknights into the city.

Hellknights Attack Leonos

As Leonos began its Festival of the Open Hearth on the night of the Winter Solstice, a combined attack from several hellknight orders was launched on the capital. Leonos was immediately plunged into bloody chaos. To make matters worse, the Crimson Guard was delayed in their arrival due to an error in their patrol scheduling. Citizens were both slaughtered and abducted by the hellknights. Even Archbishop Jonah Silvius-Rex, head of the Church of Myrios, fell after being impaled by the polearm of a hellknight as he was helping a family get to safety.  

The Crimson Guard was eventually able to get a handle on the situation and force the hellknights out of Leonos, but the damage was done. The clergy immediately got to work in healing the injured, and the more powerful members attempted to resurrect the fallen.  

Anyone killed by a hellknight’s weapon is sent straight to Diabolis as shades, making resurrection nearly impossible even with enchanted artifacts such as the Cauldron of Rebirth. Few of the slain were recovered from the attack, but Archbishop Jonah was among them.  

The Trial of Commander Insurmos

In the aftermath of the Midwinter Ambush, the Council of Archbishops began an investigation to determine how the hellknights were able to slip into Leonos so easily. The investigation led the Council to an internal cause as the Commander of the Crimson Guard, Seneca Insurmos-Milles, was seen leaving his post that night and instructing other members of the Crimson Guard to do the same.  

Upon confronting Commander Insurmos, the Commander attempted to throw the blame onto Archbishop Aelia Calvus-Rex, leader of the Church of Cyra. According to the Commander, he was given an order from Archbishop Aelia herself to move the Crimson Guard towards the city’s coastal district after reports of sea serpent activity. These accusations held no ground because none of the Crimson Guard could confirm that the order was truly given by Archbishop Aelia and not Commander Insurmos. Archbishop Aelia was also witnessed amongst the celebration before the attack on Leonos; she was not seen near the Commander's station. 

All evidence pointed to Commander Insurmos, who lost his trial in court. Commander Insurmos and his family were exiled from Solspathí as punishment for his negligence resulting in such a horrific loss of life.