Wedding Bells or the Town Alarum?!

Here it is, folks, the battle that these previous posts have led to (1, 2, 3, 4)! I finally had enough terrain to somewhat do justice to my imagination.

The Baron Mordain and Lady Eleanor have been wed, with their closest friends attending the ceremony in the small chapel outside the castle walls. Being born a peasant, and raised to nobility through unique circumstances (Read here), Mordain wished to be married in the same chapel he attended as a youth. Lady Eleanor, finding joy in her husband’s quaint sensibilities, lovingly agreed that it would be unique and intimate to be wed in a small venue such as this.

However, as vow and ring are exchanged, bells begin to toll out, a bit too early by the Baron’s timing. Crossed with the shouting and sound of hoof beats in the distance, it seems that something more wicked is afoot!

It is none other than the dastardly (and wrathful) Lord Heath of Latchwell, come to free his son, Sir Eagan, and avenge the death of his other son, Sir Lawrence! Accompanying him is the treacherous Sir Gareth of Hopsburgh, who fittingly has the drunkard trait. He is Lord of HOPSburgh, after all. They seek to end this marriage, and the peasant-Knight’s dynasty, as soon as possible!

The Baron and Lady Eleanor (she is still unpainted, it’s a long story) are accompanied by a small retinue consisting of Eleanor’s father, Lord Wellsley; Felstadt, the Baron’s faithful friend and axe-man; Sir Edric, who is one of Mordain’s closest friends; along with Willikin (Lord Wellsley’s Squire) and a few soldiers.

Lord Stenbrook of Sylvanborough, being first to act on the alarum, and being a master rider (with the Equestrian trait) sped to the castle and organized the Baron’s already-gathering forces.

Lord Heath and Sir Garett’s forces acted first. It seemed only right that they get a free move to start, as it was a surprise attack. They advance, and their archers loose, seeking to slay the hapless peasants running for the shelter of the castle.

Mordain draws up a battle line to defend his new bride and his home, while Lord Wellsley escorts his daughter to the castle as quickly as he can (angrily muttering about Latchwell’s dishonorable state over the last few generations). 

The battle line is formed of lords and peasants alike, all ready to defend their beloved Baron, his lady, and most of all Bleudingle herself. The Baron’s bill men slowly advance.

But what is this?! From the east, lizard-folk begin to pour forth from the woods. It will one day be learned that Lord Heath nefariously dispatched scouts to attract the lizard men from their holes and lead them to Bleudingle. While these scouts met a most gruesome and untimely demise, they made it close enough that their goal was accomplished. The cave-dwellers, smelling bloodshed, entered Bleudingle looking for more man-flesh to devour!

Willikin is shot dead by a lizard-man blow-dart…

…as the troglodytes fall upon the Baron’s archers and Latchwell-Hopsburgh bill men close on the Baron’s line with Lord Heath.

A fierce melee between Mordain and Heath ensued, soon to be made worse by their lines clashing!

What will become of the Baron, his Bride, or the rest of the Barony? Find out in the next post!