Episode: Shattered Peace
Posted by Story on 04/22/23
Since the Fall of Bastion, Princess Liara Grayson has been seen as a pillar of strength in the face of tragedy that would crumple those with a lesser will and determination. It is no surprise that her vassals come out in force as banners are called and the great army that assembles on the banks of the Gray River is impressive even to those who aren't inclined to view House Grayson very favorably. Most of her soldiers and vassals assume that this shav warlord wouldn't dare attack now that the assembled forces of the fealty are on display. Bastion was a surprise attack. The Crownlands seem determined not to be surprised in such a way again.
Yet the attacks on smaller holdings and villages continue and the slower moving Grayson army only seems to move in the shadow of the Thornweave forces. Despite this, Princess Liara, Duchess Lisebet, and Marquis Thesarin maintain the morale of their armies and their faith that, in the end, the Compact will prevail against this madwoman. Yet, whispers do seep out from the Gray Forest that, while Helena Thornweave might not be advancing on the more powerful Houses, she is still destroying and desecrating the lands of the minor nobles of the more isolated reaches of the Gray Forest. While the taxes from such places are a mere drop in a bucket compared to the mass of House Grayson's wealth, these places have often been the first line of defense against Abandoned incursions in the past. Many start to fear that even when the Compact wins this war, that the Gray Forest is going to be left vulnerable to the shav vultures that are just waiting to exploit their perceived weakness.
Yet the attacks on smaller holdings and villages continue and the slower moving Grayson army only seems to move in the shadow of the Thornweave forces. Despite this, Princess Liara, Duchess Lisebet, and Marquis Thesarin maintain the morale of their armies and their faith that, in the end, the Compact will prevail against this madwoman. Yet, whispers do seep out from the Gray Forest that, while Helena Thornweave might not be advancing on the more powerful Houses, she is still destroying and desecrating the lands of the minor nobles of the more isolated reaches of the Gray Forest. While the taxes from such places are a mere drop in a bucket compared to the mass of House Grayson's wealth, these places have often been the first line of defense against Abandoned incursions in the past. Many start to fear that even when the Compact wins this war, that the Gray Forest is going to be left vulnerable to the shav vultures that are just waiting to exploit their perceived weakness.