Invasion of Dire

Edgar deployed with 60 Paladins and manned the stone walls surrounding the entrance to the Harbour.  He was joined by 70 Militia troops.  These men had almost no training, and thus had to be under direct support of the Paladins.  The remaining 50 militia were placed in the town, defending key choke points and streets.     Sufocon deployed his assault in three waves.  A first wave, made of 80 vampires, would probe the fortifications, acting as a meat shield, for the follow up waves, which would land and seize the town.

The Fortifications were 20 feet high stone walls on either side of the Harbour entrance, overlooking the port and surrounding cove. Sufocon's transports rested just out of range of the heavy Ballistae and few defensive cannons on the walls. The walls were elevated, and in front was a thin stretch of white sand, the beach, broken by the wooden and stone piers and docking runways. The natural harbour was a defenders dream, but this did not deter the numerically superior and undead hordes of the Confederacy.

The Assault itself happened in late Spring, the conditions were bright and colourful, certainly not the conditions one might expect when an undead army is bearing down on you.  As the assault began, the sky darkened and storm clouds brewed at the Harbour entrance shielding the vampires from sun light.  This would prove vital for the Paladins magic and defense.

The first wave crashed against the walls, with Edgar holding fire, anticipating heavier attacks were imminent. The Vampires scrambled up the walls, beaten back by the furious stabs of militia spears. As the second wave set off, the Paladins unloaded the heavy weapons, creating a deadly crossfire and sinking many row boats before they got any where near the shore.     After about half an hour, Holaro became increasingly aware that his forces were to be overwhelmed. He ordered a withdrawal deeper in-land. At that point, believing to be on the brink of victory, Sufocon launched his third wave. The Vampire captain stood proudly, with chest upright and leg forward, on the front of the lead row boat, with the remaining boats, some 20 landing craft, bringing up the rear in a Vic formation.     He landed on the jetties and a dark red and maroon blood colour consumed everything he or his horde made contact with. He ordered the sacking of the town. Doors were smashed, the sound of glass clattering rang out across Dire, with the sound of crackling flames raging, reverberated throughout the settlement. The soldiers semerged from the tree buildings with jewels, clothes, drinks and people. They turned anyone brave or foolish enough to have stood their ground into mindless vampire spawn. As they marched into the city center, Sufocon took in a deep breath and he admired the fruit of his first conquest. The heavens, or hell, opened with blood rain and black and red clouds circled above, churning tumultuously and a loud, deep thunder of ominous quality. He gave a cry of success and a maniacal laugh, his troops cheering at their victory.     Sufocon did not know of Holaro and his tricks, or of Edgar, but they were not finished. The sky changed. It became black and blue, alive with electricity, pulsing, and the rain became pure, chilled water. The Paladins concentrated their energy and rained a bombardment of lightning onto the invaders, eviscerating around 100 vampires. Sufocon gave out a terrific screech and demanded his enemy show themselves. Holaro obliged. He drew his enormous scimitar and brandished it. Sufocon smiled, tossing off his night cloak and drawing his sword. The two collided with great force, under the tumultuous sky and surrounded by the fighting between the vampires, Paladins and militia. Osowiec was not called "The invincible" without reason, and knocked his undead opponent to the ground, his armour glowing as nature beet down on the dead, fueled by Alfred above. It is impossible to know what was said between the two, but as Sufocon scrambled on the ground to retrieve his sword, Osowiec circled around him, taunting him. Inecea desperately kicked the heel of his opponents armour, and cried in pain as Osowiec glowed with natural energy. Osowiec raised his scimitar above his head, ready to plunge it down unto the invader. Sufocon grabbed his sword and swung it with such velocity that Osowiec was caught off balance. He escaped narrowly, and now it was his turn. That was until Sufocon was kicking in the side of the stomach by the heavy boot of Edgar, brandishing his signature Great sword. Now, a two vs one. Sufocon was not one for honour, and the Paladins of Alf did not play fairly when dealing with an already dead opponent. After all, it was not natures way to be fair.     The three battled for some time, clashing swords, and exchanging blows. This slogging match would not favour the Dayerns, who were outnumbered, but if Sufocon died here, the loss would be more than worth it. Being named "The Invincible" often means that eventually, the title will become Redundant. Osowiec knew this better than anyone, and when he was disarmed by a flick from Sufocon, he punched him square in the face, but he knew he was getting too old. He held his hand out to Edgar, telling him not to intervene as Sufocon scrambled to his feet, pointing his sword, growling and laughing as he watched Holaro stare him down. Holaro simply stood still, closed his eyes and gave a prayer. The dark sword was plunged through his armour and his heart, his body crumbling to a green crystaline dust. Sufocon gave his blood curdling laugh, as Edgar watched helplessly.       The Militia broke, and fled in terror. Edgar was on his knees, crying over his master, as Sufocon wiped the blood and rain from his jaw, laughing at his triumph. He turned his back and marched away laughing. Edgar picked up his sword and charged, letting forth a raw as he swiped his great-sword diagonally up Sufocon's back, forming a deep green scar, as he flew forward onto his front, the natural essence overcoming the undead. There was something Sufocon felt, something he had never experienced. He felt emotion, he felt life, its pains and its beauties. Then it disappeared.     Sufocon turned to Edgar, and with a cold expression, stared into his tearful, enraged gaze and said "I will make you pay!". His black, soulless eyes looked to Micheal's. "Edgar... I will have your blood!" Edgar walked backward, staring at his writhing opponent, before turning and waving his sword around his head, regrouping his men.     Edgar fell back, and the paladins decided to make their stand at the Nythrim Temple. Edgar stood at the entrance. Beside him stood a growling Aethelwulf.       The rain streamed from his armour, as the vampires advanced. The large temple, a collection of trees and green canopies, shrines and homes for the Paladins, was the last bastion. If it fell, Dire would be open to a full scale invasion.     Sufocon smashed open the oaken doors, and thirty thirsty vampires charged forth, ambushed and vanquished by the equally hungry dire Wolves. Sufocon growled and the Wolves retreated. He licked his fangs and waltzed into the Grove, staring at the doors that lead into each of the Paladins homes on either side, built into the trees that form the Temple. As he eyed them up and down, 40 angry Paladins dropped onto them from the branches above, and the darkened, grey lit Grove became a flurry of green and white, as swords sprayed vampire blood across the fresh grass. Edgar dropped on top of Sufocon, the two became disarmed and rolled across the grass. Sufocon jumped up and punched down Edgar, stamping his face into the dirt and summoning his sword back to his hand. "So, which is yours Edgar?" Edgar groaned, Sufocon tracked his gaze to a small spruce door, round and with a smoked glass window. He cast a restraining spell on Edgar and marched to the door, kicking it down and walking in. Paladins' homes were built underground, and as thin stair case winded down to the safe haven below. Sufocon's dark presence filled the room as he stepped off of the staircase. He was drawn to a sea blue curtain that hang in a doorway, shielding whatever was on the other side. Pulling it back it revealed a small bedroom. Across the room was a small boy, no older than five, fast asleep. Sufocon smiled. The perfect feast of revenge, he thought. Edgar's son would do nicely.     That was until he was smashed over the back of the head by a wooden beam, brandished by Mary Edgar, the wife of Micheal. He turned and stared at the women in shock. He simply plunged at her, biting her neck before tossing her aside. She barely screamed, she watched the intruder walk toward her youngest child. He grabbed the sleeping boy, who awoke and gave an ear splitting scream. Sufocon charged out of the hovel, pursued by the trembling mother, and was confronted by Micheal and two Paladins. He was cornered. As he brandished his sword, a large, dark shadow plowed into him, sending him to ground with tremendous force, the boy was caught by the shadow, and placed gently on the ground. The Alpha Wolf Aethelwulf circled round and shielded the now unconscious boy, growling at Sufocon, sho looked up at the boy, but was greeted by the snarling teeth of the enormous wolf. He stood up and brushed himself off. "This is all quite the show... but I will be taking what is mine." He leapt with such elegance not thought possible for such a foul creature, and swooped down toward the boy. He was intercepted by Aethelwulf. After knocking the vampire to the ground, he turned and picked up the boy in his teeth, clearing the scene.     Sufocon growled angrily, he turned and cast a sleeping spell on Mary. He had changed his mind, a vampire mistress stolen from Edgar would be much better than feasting on his youngest son. He forced the two Paladins away with a flick of his wrist before going toe to toe with Micheal. Sufocon revealed to Micheal that he had bitten his wife, and now she was his mistress, taunting and beating Micheal down with every swing. Crumbled and overcome, Micheal fell to his knees, first his master and now his love. Sufocon went to retrieve his prize. In a frenzy of fury and fueled by a thirst for revenge, Edgar smashed his sword against Sufocon, who managed to parry. The force of the collision was great enough that the full power of Edgar's Great Sword was unleashed. The natural life essence was at odds with the undead energy of the vampires sword. As when matter meets anti-matter, the swords annihilated one another, their energies dissipating and structures shattering, with crystal and metal shards flying in all directions, plunging into the unarmoured Vampires and bouncing off the shields of the Paladins. Edgar fell back in shock, and Sufocon showed his true colours. He grabbed his new mistress, turned tail and fled, pursued by natures wrath and lightning from the sky.     In the end, Sufocon got away, but his fleet was set ablaze with lightning and and fire from the walls. The Invasion was thwarted, but at great cost to many.

Micheal Edgar was promoted to a fully fledged Commander.  He gained the nickname "The Vengeful".  Dire had been saved, and the circumstances for the Battle of the Dragolver Sea were established.  Nythrim was left in ruin, but morale was higher than ever. The Confederacy had lost all chance of a successful invasion.

Dire began an increase in recruitment for Militia and began a training program. Many volunteered for the Paladins and their ranks doubled. The Navy Regrouped and fought at the decisive battle of the Dragolver Sea. The Confederacy was pushed close to breaking point and would remain insufficient for many years to come. As of the Edgar's: Mary became the mistress of Inecea Sufocon, a vampire and effective slave to the Confederacy. If Sufocon had not killed Osowiec Holaro, he would likely have been reprimanded far more heavily than Gilford Stormheart was following Jourtland. John Edgar, the eldest son, joined the Dayern Navy and became a Captain relatively quickly. Elizabeth, the middle child, grew to be a government official in Nythrim. The five year old boy was Lawrence Edgar. Lawrence had been the youngest and largely unexpected son of Micheal and Mary. He was not able to be raised by his now busy Father or siblings. The Arch Fey Alfred had a hand in his situation, and Lawrence became the last Druid of Alfred as he grew.

The Siege was forever immortalized in Patriotic songs, and a festival held every year celebrates the brave last stand given by Dayern forces.  A statue of Osowiec Holaro was erected at his site of death. Sufocon is no less feared across Cresteria, yet he is known to be beatable, and has gained a reputation in official circles as a fearless and ruthless warrior; at least when he is winning.

Poems and songs all tell the tale of the battle, all in favor of the victors of course. Mainly, they are popular on Dire, but some may be found singing in taverns from Edel and Doriath alike.