The Broken Alliance of the League of Rhordia was a conflict between The Shires and The League of Rhordia after The Shires broke away from the league. Unknown at the time, this was part of Lord Darvled's "master plan" to weaken Rhordia and create a new empire
Prelude
About a century after the forming of the alliance in 3722, relations between the Shires and the League of Rhordia started to deteriorate. The humans accused the halflings of overcharging on the food they sold them, and the halflings complained that the taxes they paid to support the League military were too high. Insidious, anti-halfling feelings and aggressive non-human policies began circulating and infecting the League. Many cast suspicious eyes at the mysterious and sinister advisors that had slowly begun to appear at the sides of the League barons.
At first it was just grumbling, but soon it became more serious with anti-halfling violence in the League cities, such as Eowolf, growing at an alarming rate. A few suspected that this crumbling of friendship had some darker source, but could not discover it.
After only a few years things became so serious that The Shires withdrew from the League, and established a trade embargo against them in 3866. This was after multiple attacks on Shire Wagon Trains tavelling to and from The Shires. The League, fearing a famine without Shire-grown food, declared war and began a campaign to subjugate the Shires and turn them into serfs.
The Rhordian Raids
The conflict began to escalate when the League of Rhordia started raids on several shire farms and villages near the towns of Yangmere,Ferchester, Hodenburg and Picksbury.main article: The Rhordian Raids
The league sent their demands shorly after to the Shires Assembly in Hodenburg. The Rhordians demanded wheat, barley, oats, corn, potatoes, turnips, cows, sheep, pigs, ale, tobacco among other supplies by the thousands of bushels to be delivered yearly to them. They also demanded that the Guardburgs to be taken down along the shire borders, that the shires raise no military beyond whats needed to patrol their borders, they will be bannde from making any war machines and raising/keeping any aralez would be forbidden. If the Halfling's yielded to these demands, the attacks would cease.
Despite having a fortnight to comply, these demands were rejected by the Shires Assembly and in response, The Shires began their own raids in League territory east of Ferchester in Eowolf
Battle of South Hodenburg
The League of Rhordia gathered their forces in Eowolf and surrounded the Tanmill Canel Guardburg, Eowolf Road Guardburg and the Brigward Guardburg in Southshire. The Shire's forces, led by Muster-master Dustin Rootwell gathered the forces of the shire and marched towards the Tanmill Canel Guardburg break the Rhordian attack.main article: Battle of South Hodenburg
At the time, Aeron Cadwallader attempted to warn Muster-master Dustin Rootwell and the rest of the leadership of the potential trap it might lead them into, as the force that currently surrounds the Guardburgs were no match for them however the Rhordian's are attempting to draw the shire's forces into an open field. Setting a trap for the larger league forces to ambush them. His alternative plan was rejected and the shire's forces continued on towards Eowolf Road Guardburg
Aeron turned out correct and despite some clever tactical decisions by him, the forces of The shire were defeated with many Halflings either killed or captured including Aeron Cadwallader (who escaped shortly after). They were pushed back to Hodenburg
The Siege of Hodenburg
The League of Rhordia's force had stopped short of approaching Hodenburg to the confusion of many. Shortly after Aeron arrived back at Hodenburg, he met with Muster-master Dustin Rootwellmain article: The Siege of Hodenburg
Aeron advised Muster-master Dustin Rootwell that the League was letting them reinforce Hodenburg to draw in the rest of The Shires forces leaving them defenceless. Suggesting that once they have locked in their siege of Hodenburg they would be free to subjugate the rest of the Shires.
Muster-master Dustin Rootwell managed to convince the Shires Assembly of the plan to only keep 7000 troops inside Hodenburg and the rest to fall back to Picksbury. To ensure that the Rhordian's don't get wind of their plan, reinforcements would continue to arrive in Hodenburg so the Rhordian's would see them only to then leave in the dead of night.
As the Leagues forces began to approach, Muster-master Dustin Rootwell insisted to stay behind to command the defence of Hodenburg with Aeron assigned to escort the Shires Assembly members and their families out of the city to Picksbury.
The League of Rhordia began the siege shortly after and would continue until the Battle of Hodenburg
The Siege of Ferchester
Ferchester was put under siege just before the Battle of Picksbury.main article: Siege of Ferchester
The siege would end after the Battle of Hodenburg. Not much is known however the 3000 from the League of Rhordia that had besieged Ferchester would later be reassigned to gather at the town of Wolfmarch in Eowolf
Battle of Picksbury
main article: Battle of Picksbury
Battle of Hodenburg
main article: Battle of Hodenburg
Battle of Eowolf
After proof of Lord Darvled's manipluation was found by the League of Rhordia, the League approached the shires asking for aid as Torvald Svendson's Legion had attacked Eowolf. The league sent Duke Berlonviche to advise on this information along with offering to give up Headmaster Jannik and many hostages from high ranking noble wives,children and grandchildren (including the Dukes) from throughout the League in exchange for the shires forgiveness and aid.main article: Battle of Eowolf
Debates occured but ultimately the shires agreed to help
Aftermath
As a result of the Battle of Eowolf,Torvald Svendson's Legion has collasped with thousands taken prisoner or killed and the rest routed to the south. The League of Rhordia started to free those kingdoms that had been taken over by the Legion and even discussed bringing them into the league.
There was an elaborate ceremony at the Duke of Eowolf's palace where the League of Rhordia formally asked for the Shires forgiveness and pledges of eternal friendship between the two. Though despite the admission of guilt and fault by the League, the Shires did not rejoin the League of Rhordia however will remain allies.
The following day Headmaster Jannik was executed. Sortly after the shire's forces went back home and most disbanded, but remained on call. Aeron left to rebuild his family farm and to get married to Nesta.
Trivia
- This conflict introducted Ej Grenadiers to the Shire which was brought by Hazad B'deen
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