Rebel Invasion of Yew
From MoongatesWiki
The Rebel Invasion of Yew (or Yew Campaign) was the first in a series of goal-driven, combat-centric events that would feature prominently in Europa's role-playing scene following the demise of the Crossroads of Yew community. Though smaller than following campaigns, it set the tone and helped ease post-community tensions. It would also shape in character events for several years to come.
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Background
The invasion of Yew by secessionist forces came at a time of much change, not just in the province, but in Britannia as a whole. Since their recent emergence onto the political scene the city's Militia and ruling Protectorate had been at odds with the Republic of Vesper and its vassal-states. For many years Yew had remained aloof of the seperatist movement, tending instead to internal problems and a myriad of local foes. Upon its awakening from isolation, however, the loyalist province had aligned itself wholely to the Duchy of Trinsic – hither to the premier bastion of royal authority – counter-balancing the newly established Baronship of Cove, Vesper's sub-state. It would not take long for relations between all four cities to irreparably sour. Cove was swiftly outgrowing its master and would soon declare independence, whilst Yew and Trinsic would turn against one another over the issue of the latter's drowish emancipation. Once these conflicts had run their course a grim and hostile peace set in. So called rebellion would fill this void, as a small fringe revolted against Militia rule in Yew. It remains unknown whether or not these so-called Yew Liberation Front dissidents existed at all; for before they could raise their pitchforks and hoist their banners, assistance would arrive from the east.
Prior to the outbreak of this brief and bloody campaign, Vesper had seen a period of hardship and slow, grinding war against the break-away Covian Barony. The poisoning of the city's rivers through Minocian industrial waste, the outbreak of plague amongst its slums, the under-mining of it's streets by a subterranean solen hive, and the eruption of Mount Kendall had all combined to blight the city with a great many vast expenses, forcing the Republic's Baron-Elect, Kain Twothumb, to declare a state of bankruptcy. Rather than take advantage of the Vesperian plight, Cove's Militia were ordered to halt their progress, and the two free-cities agreed to a ceasefire. Reconciliation was speedy, and within a month Commander Eason of Cove was proposing a newly concieved Northern Alliance, for mutual defense against possible royalist advance. The road linking the two cities would be bettered and freed of brigands, whilst neither government would seek to jeapordise the authority of the other. At peace with its neigbhours yet still armed for war, and with a teasury filled with nought but cobwebs, Vesper cast an ambitious eye upon Yew. Rumours of revolt proved too good an opportunity to miss.
The Baronship of Cove refused to intervene on either side, for the younger Northern Alliance and older Avatarian Alliance essentailly neutralised one another, preventing the participation – officially, at least – of Covian forces.
The Invasion
Under the leadership of the half-elven Knight of the Republic, Sir Kaelith, the Vesperian militia mobilised in strength and embarked for distant Yew. Accompanying them were a newly contracted band of masked sellswords; the Rising Dawn Mercenary Company, in the pay-books of one Sergeant Jaoshim. After boarding the Vesperian Fleet, the two forces made their way deep into the loyalist township, skirting first along the coast and then through the Deep Forest to avoid detection.
At the opportune moment, they struck, forcing their way into the mill – a building integral to the Yewish infrastructure – evicting the workers, destroying the machinery, and fortifying the site destined to become their base of opperations. The red flag of Vesper rose for the first time in Yewish territory. It would not take long for the green-clad Waywatchers to bear news of this outrage to the ear of Yew's newly endowed Lord Protector. The Guardsmen were abruptly called to arms, and were joined by mercenaries of their own; the Red Hand Company, led by one Captain Autumn. Lord Taggart, Grand Master of the Knights Templar, would also lead a small company to the aid of Yew, having recently been evicted from Trinsic due to disputes with the reigning Duke. After a short and ultimately futile parlay the two parties met in battle, fighting in and around the emptied mill. The encounter itself was short yet brutal, with the Vesperians toiling to hold their temporary fortifications against a fierce assault by the soldiery of Yew. Despite maintaining their share of losses, the forces of Vesper emerged triumphant under Sir Kaelith's leadership, outlasting their enemies' tactics with dogged determination. The usual petty skirmishes lasted throughout the week, until the Yewish and their allies sought for a second time to dislodge their self titled liberators.
The "Second Battle of the Mill" occured in a somewhat different fashion. In preceeding days rebel forces had sent out small parties to loot and forage for resources, though their attempts had been checked on each occasion by patrols of the local militia. Reinforcements would steadily sneak or fight their way through loyalist lines, bringing with them just enough supplies to last until the day of battle. Whether in desperation or misplaced confidence the Vesperians formed up outside the mill's walls in a protective line, two men deep. Despite their superior numbers, the gamble cost them dearly, for less than half of their total strength were free to face the Yewish skirmishers. The bulk of the rebel army remained in reserve, and once their forward parties were crushed, they too faced the wrath of Yew. During the combat Lords D'Gar and Taggart would both take injury, with command falling briefly to the mercenary Captain Autumn. Under her leadership the final moments of the battle swung in Yew's favour, with the mill ultimately retaken, and the Vesperians forced to withdraw into the Deep Forest. It was a long and drawn out battle, and by it's end the rebel army had been dealt a great blow. Stripped of their "staging post" and lacking the supply lines necessary to continue, many thought them likely to retreat back to the city of bridges. This defeat would by no means spell the end of the invasion, however. The men and women of Vesper's Militia rallied alongside their allies at the relative safety of the border. There they gathered about the figure of Captain Hanse Davion and the newly arrived Knights Hospitaller, whose belated contribution would tip the invasion in Vesper's favour.
With their numbers bolstered, the Vesperian allies returned to Yew. Waywatchers were never far away, listening in on conversations, counting numbers, and reporting back with whatever finds they made. Most importantly they provided warning of rebel plans to assault Empath Abbey. After a swift march northwards the city's defenders did all they could to secure that ancient building; a temporary wooden wall was erected about the grand entrance, whilst a series of barricades were set up within its central nave. Construction had barely finished when the Vesperian Militia, Rising Dawn Mercenaries, and Knights Hospitaller finally arrived. The traditional, flippant exchange of demands was short lived – Lord D'Gar, when told to surrender, ordered his men to "surrender every bolt [in] their direction" – for leaders on either side wanted one thing alone; to spill their foes' blood. The carnage that ensued would not disappoint. Spurred on by the Knights Hospitaller – stationed at the rebel army's back in hastily established field hospitals – the attackers made their assault in waves; bravely launching themselves against the palisades under a constant hail of arrows, bolts, incendiaries and explosives. Piece by piece the wall was torn down, allowing the rebels to pour through and face the swords, axes, spears, and hammers of the Abbey's defenders.
Upon their leaders' signals the loyalists retreated back inside the hallowed stone walls, taking positions behind the barricades that criss-crossed the pillared corridor. If the fight outside had been bloody, the fight inside would be epic. The Rising Dawn infantry pushed constantly at the foremost barrier, whilst Vesperian mages cast a barrage of spells over their heads. The Guardsmen, Red Hand, and Templars meanwhile held firm, retreating back to rear barricades when necessary. Throughout the battle wounded rebels were constantly being carried back to the field hospitals to be treated by medics of the waiting Knights Hospitallers, allowing for a regular flow of men back and forth from the fight. As the day wore on the battle moved inch by inch down the nave, from one barricade to the next, until the fighting spilled out into surrounding rooms and alcoves. After one hour and fifty minutes – almost tantamount to a day – of solid combat, Vesperian forces finally emerged triumphant, having worn their opponents steadily down. It should without doubt be considered one of the great military clashes of Britannia's history, both for its longevity and the ferocity with which it was fought. When the last of the Abbey's courageous defenders fell the barricades were torn down and the wounded cast out into the street. With the all-important aid of the Knights Hospitaller, the "Liberation Front" had successfully reestablished themselves in Yew.
Conclusion
Participating Guilds
The Defenders of Yew
The Rebel "Liberation Front"
- The Knights Hospitaller
- The Republic of Vesper
- The Rising Dawn Mercenary Company
- The Vesper Trading Company
