Geldheim fail to distrupt Hadovean suppy lines aiding their seige of Pont

Military: Battle

The Kingdom of Geldheim attempt to attack Hadovean Supply lines north along the Escondida river aiding the Hadovean seige of Pont

Much time has passed since the Hadovean Empire armies first arrived at the Western walls of Pont. For the most part it has been somewhat a war of attrition with neither side landing a decisive blow although that could easily change quickly. Although supply to Pont has occurred freely via the Eastern bank of the Escondida, having a large enemy force camped outside your Western walls for a prolonged period of time has been less than ideal and has meant that defensive resources have needed to be focused on the Western walls to keep the invading force at bay. It has also presented challenges to get resources from the Kingdom lands into Doomsayers Keep via land. A fact not lost on Doomsayers Keep, who up until the recent declaration of the Sacred Territories of Doomsayers Keep and the near completion of an alternative land bridge south along the Escondida, have campaigned heavily against the war in Pont on the grounds of their sacred neutrality and access for all. For the Empire’s part, their people have been largely supportive of the attack on Pont and see it as a valuable prize to be used as a staging point for further advances in Kingdom territory towards Bannockthorpe. That is not to say there has not been some pockets of dissent, lead chiefly by Senator Cigsiax, who was heavily opposed to the attack on Pont believing it was against the will of the Gods to attempt to cut off Doomsayers in any way from either faction or compromise their ordained neutrality. This of course led to heated debates in the Senate between the Senator and the Empress (who clearly did not share the Senator’s view). However, with the changes to Doomsayer’s Keep situation referred to above and the successful assassination of Senator Cigiax by perpetrators unknown, this dissent has largely evaporated. Maintaining the supply line to the Hadovean forces has been challenging. Firstly, they have had to deal with numerous bandit raids in their lands north of Doomsayers Keep. These bandit raids have recently quietened down considerably. The Hadoveans have also benefited from supply from nearby contested territories no doubt keen to avoid the Hadovean forces turning their gaze towards their lands. They have also benefited from supply from “totally independent merchants who under their own free will and totally not at the behest of the Duke of Moridale have decided to support them”. The recent failed counter attack by the Kingdom forces up the Escondida river designed to break up these “totally independent merchants who …..”well you get the gist, presented a flow on opportunity to the Hadovean Empire that they have been able to exploit to at least breach the walls of Pont and gain access to the Western Outer Pont. Now they must take the opportunity and secure Western Outer Pont. This is not without risk. Failure to do so could be catastrophic, but success could present them with the Opportunity to attack the centre of Pont. Interestingly some early and subtle signs are emerging that these totally independent merchants who yada yada yada are starting to become reluctant to support the Hadovean Empire’s cause in this area. A cynical person might suggest that perhaps their support revolves around prolonging the battle rather than resolving it. As for the Kingdom, General Yox has become somewhat of a folk hero inside of Pont for keeping the enemy at the walls thus far (although there are pockets who are dissatisfied believing that she should have driven the invaders out by now). There is a feeling that something must break soon, be it in their favour or against it. The enormity of the stakes makes many in high places nervous. Cities and towns further into Kingdom territory watch on with nervous anxiety, with many forced to contemplate what will happen if Pont were to fall. The Hadovean General Oakbane (who has become a bit of a hero in her own rights back in Mirthstone) has recently communicated the following address to the citizens of Western Pont: “Your cries of ‘mercy’ I have noted, Geldheimers. Bend the knee and you will be spared. Bring across your House and Holdings, and you will be elevated. We desire less the death of an enemy than the friendship and camaraderie of the genuinely penitent. Turn from your rebellion and build tomorrow with us. Or perish in the ashes of yesteryear’s treachery.” The overwhelming response from those behind the Pont walls was, perhaps, not what the general had desired but none the less not surprising “General Oakbane. Go fuck yourself. Pont shall not fall”

While all this was happening, In a surprise move the Kingdom attacked the besieging army from the north utilising the River.   As the ships converged on the Escondida River, it was not long until chaos and sounds of fierce battle filled the air. Explosions splintered ships and the smell of exploded gun powder lingered heavily throughout the battle. For the Kingdom of Geldhiem it was a risk to push out from Pont. Although they clearly did not believe that these so called "independent merchant" ships were not acting under Moridale orders, they were happy to run with the ruse and attempt to scuttle these supply lines fueling the Hadovean Empire from the north. Aided and abetted by the Hadovean Empire, it was the "independent merchant totally operating under their own free will and totally not under the direction of Moridale" that won the day. Stinging from defeat the Geldheimers retreated back behind the safety of the walls of Pont. Whether or not this defeat would weaken their ability to hold back the Hadovean advance into Pont remains to be seen. For his part the Duke Of Moridale has gladly extended his South West boundary down the Escondida to ensure such undesirable "Merchants totally acting under their own free will and not in any way under his directions" cease their actions in engaging in this war between the factions.