[b][i]Joint-Kingdom of Belmorn[/i][/b] [hider=Nation Status] [b]Current Leader/Government:[/b] King Marhorn Dryadson I (Elven) and Queen Alistine III (Human) [b]Settlements Owned:[/b] 2 [b]Provinces Owned:[/b] 2 [b]Population:[/b] 79,000 humans/45,000 Elves/10,000 Half-Elves [b]Standing Army:[/b] [indent] - /<600 Elves>/< Marching on Fort Bloodrend > - /<2,000 Humans>// - /<1,000 Elven Militia>/// - /<600 Rangers>/// [/indent] [b]Population Happiness:[/b] 65% [b]Imports:[/b] Cattle (Erimir) [b]Exports:[/b] Wheat (Jouria), Lumber (Erimir) [b]Wealth:[/b] Average [b]Alliances:[/b] [b]Trade Pacts:[/b]Erimir [b]Cease Fires:[/b] Jouria [/hider] [center][u][b]A Bloody Aftermath, A Broken Mind[/b][/u][/center] [i]King Dryadson, surrounded by so many dead, fell to his knees and wept aloud. His personal guard, reduced to half their number by the brutal Orcish assault, leapt to his aid. It was not fitting for a King, especially an Elderborn, to be seen in such a state. They tried to bring him to his feet, and usher him to the protective cover of the Elven encampment at the rear of the battleground, but he fought them off tenaciously. “We march for Fort Bloodrend, we march to end these monster!” He proclaimed, losing his famed ever-present passive composure. [/i] [center]***[/center] The Battle of Green Witch Pass will forever be immortalised in the tomes of Belmorn’s people. Three thousand Elves marched to battle, alongside 2,750 of their untested Halfling allies. Their cause was righteous, for who in this day and age can keep a good heart whilst embellishing slavery? They came upon the first column with customary Elven cunning, and devastated those who had destroyed ten thousand lives through evil practices. Elven arrow and Halfling shot broke bone and split iron plate. Dryadson, spurred on to this battle with untold troubles lashing his otherwise logical mind, had made one fatal error. He had underestimated the Orcs, he had seen them as barbarians and as mere creatures to crush beneath his boot. He was wrong to do so, and now two thousand of his kin would not be returning to their sunlit balconies, to the wine tastings or the song sweetened gardens of their home. The Orcs had tracked his movements every step of the way. They had sacrificed a thousand of their own in an exchange for a shot at their adversary’s King. Dryadson’s ill prepared host had fought like savage animals themselves, to prevent this from happening. Wooden spears and short swords were no match for Orcish iron in a furious melee, however, and now the Host of Dryadson was a depleted force. Were it not for the Halfling’s ability to adapt and evolve to a combat environment, the dual force of liberators would have ended there that day, and two nations may have crumbled as a direct result. It was a rash move, it was stupid, and the King knew as much – albeit too late. The infamous Glade Watchers of Belmorn have arrived in due time, to assist their King, though he had given them no official order. Headed by Count Anya Meadowsong of Meria’s Rest, they have come ready for a fight. They carry the finest longbows of the known world, and are practiced hunters. Gathered in full strength, they are a terrifying force of some six hundred efficient killing machines. The Elf host, near-collapse from their grievous losses, were boosted by the sight of their much beloved battle brethren. Without a word to his Halfling allies, King Dryadson, Defender of Peace, Saviour of the Innocent, Guardian of the Last Elven Bastion in the north of the continent, stormed towards Fort Bloodrend with a horrifying look of murder burning deeply in his eyes. His host, without question, hurried after him. The Glade Watchers, knowing the desires of their King, have sped ahead on foot to prevent an Orcish ambush from making good their King’s newly found blood drunkenness. [center][u][b]Dark Tidings From the North[/b][/u][/center] News has reached Hadelmere Hold, but not the Elven King, of the fall of Elthana and the mass exodus of her peoples. The news has been received with sadness, and there is talk of contacting the newly established refugees, to offer them sanctum within the bounds of Belmorn. It is not yet known how King Dryadson I will react to this news, but an Elf is always a friend to his fellow kin, and it is likely the King will come to see the aggressors as his sworn enemies. [center][u][b]Jourian Raids[/b][/u][/center] Non-Agression pacts are short lived affairs in this depressing new world. There have been several reports of skirmishes between human Rangers and Lizardman warbands on the eastern borders of Belmorn. It is likely the King of Jouria, [b]Fek’nassa the Grim[/b], has learned of Dryadson’s absence, along with the absence of his armed forces, and is attempting annexation of Belmorn’s eastern areas. In response to this, Queen Alistine has ordered the mustering of the Fengarde militia, and has demanded an explanation from the Jourian delegation in Hadelmere. The militia, though unprofessional, is not an untested force. Military service is a fact of life for the humans of Fengarde, and many new members will have served half a dozen times before at least. Still, they are underequipped, relying mostly on the weapons they bring with them, than on a state funded armoury. If war breaks out between Belmorn and Jouria, the realm’s small remaining army may struggle to deal with a serious invasion. Many hope that the battles remain Ranger and warband based, but some fear the Lizard King of Jouria is not willing to stop only with raids.