Black Thorn Resistance

The Resistance often wears black thorn shaped symbols for recognition and to let others know they do not stand alone. Symbol generated in Midjourney. Image created by midjourney by player of dendum with help by the players of Queatus uploaded by player of dendum.

History

Founded at the end of 5122 as a result of perceived aggression by the human Turamzzyrian Empire when it unexpectedly expanded north and claimed a new barony very close to Wehnimer's Landing, The Landing Resistance, also known as the Black Thorn Resistance, is a collection of individuals who support the continued independence and freedom of the north from foreign powers. A motley crew that generally rallies behind the idea of ongoing democracy and freedoms from feudal control.

Black thorn, a symbol of pain and strife
But in a world of turmoil, it took on a different life
A resistance rose up, with courage so bold
Their stories of struggle, forever to be told

They fought against tyranny, with hearts full of fire
Their voices echoed, never to tire
For justice and freedom, they stood tall
Their resistance, a beacon for all

With every step forward, they faced a new trial
But their strength and resilience, could never be defiled
Their love for their land, kept them going
Their spirits unbroken, forever glowing

Black thorn, a symbol of endurance and might
In a world of darkness, it shone so bright
The resistance lives on, their legacy secure
Their spirit and bravery, forever pure

---

Manifesto

It has come time to recognize the path forward even as we honor the path that brought us here to this place. We are a collection of those desiring Freedom, not bound by blood or ancient rites. We are the manifestation of Freedom in the North.

We declare that the ability to speak freely, unbeholden to titles born of stolen lands or hordes of silver, is necessary for the continuation of Freedom in the North. We do not silence and will rise up to defend against those who would.

We recognize that the Empire to the south is built upon lands stolen and never returned. We recognize that the Krolvin empire is built upon lands stolen and never returned. We believe that land should not be stolen or taken by a government against the will of those who inhabit and defend it. We shall fight any such taking of any lands in the North.

Inside the walls of the Landing and outside the walls, in the Free North, the Resistance does not condone the impediment of any to travel from place to place, shop to shop, or shrine to shrine and will rise up to defend against this. The freedom to travel is necessary for the continuation of life and the spreading of ideas in the North.

Whether it is Illoke, come to kill, or agents of empires, come to drag away a resident to the South for trials without consent, we recognize that freedom from fear is as important as any other. We will rise up to defend those of the North from all such threats.

In all other matters, the Black Thorns are governed as all free souls must be. Let no one voice speak for all. Let all the voices be heard equally and a consensus be reached so that we may reach the end of this road in the same spirit in which we took the first steps.

While our voices are many and varied, these are the core principles by which the Black Thorns stand. Only those who violate these principles need fear us.

Timeline From A Resistance Perspective

Invasion & Calls for Action

Date	Event	Story
Eoantos 4-5, 5122	The Turamzyr Empire declared that it will form a new Barony of Darkstone "The new lands will reach to many edges of the Locksmehr River, and far west to Darkstone Bay. Such landmarks included within the new region will be the Graendlor Pasture, the mountainous ranges of Wehntoph, Sentoph, Zelatoph, and Thanatoph along with Melgorehn's Reach and Darkstone Castle." there is some confusion in the north about the extent of this new Barony but later clarifications says it comes all the way up to the Locksmehr River.
Eoantos 9-10, 5122	Elidal Dhenin is declared the new Baron and ruler of the Barony of Darkstone. Some question his qualifications other than being well connected and a rich merchant's son.
Eoantos 13-14, 5122	Wagons are seen approaching from the south but this turns out to be a trap for trolls and they explode taking many of the trolls with them. Some supplies and settlers arrived by the river instead, the river boats barely able to make the journey are washed away by the river after everyone disembarks.
Eoantos 19-20, 5122	Settlers from across the southern empire's lands pour into the north. They quickly establish a fortified camp.
Eorgaen 22, 5122	The first resistance meeting is held, called to by Wolfloner a free Tehir and he is joined by Urpy, Xanlin, Opalina, Maevie, Ulryka, Ceilia, Falvicar, Aidamo, Fahlo, Queatus, Gutstorm, and Dendum. The aggressive moves by the empire are discussed, it is decided on this first meeting to have no one central leading authority but instead act as independent bands, the idea to call for a vote to end the protectorate is discussed, some call for more physical responses but at this time that is decided against.
Eorgaen 30, 5122:	The number in attendance grow, a plan is made to call for the vote to end the protectorate while keeping an eye on the new invasion camp.
Lormesta 8, 5123	Talmaris, a retired gate guard, is seen at Helga's. He speaks about some citizens having concerns with the way things are going in town.
Lormesta early month, 5123	During the early months of Lormesta the Black Thorns travel the city and talk to several organizations and individuals about a call to end the protectorate, some fear reprisal if they sign, others sign on willingly. During this time Saraphenia, Urpy, Ulyrka, Queatus, Dendum, and others reach out to many. It is decided that the majority spoken to are either neutral or anti-protectorate in outlook.
Lormesta 10-11, 5123	Word of the resistance has reached the new soon-to-be Baron, He says he hopes that the Landing will work to squash the movement. This is the first time the resistance is officially called the Black Thorns by outsiders, the name would stick.	North By Northwest - 2023-01-10 - Hire and Higher Walls (log)
Lormesta 13, 5123	The proclamation, asking for a vote so the city may determine a democratic response to the Turamzyrr invasion, is posted on the doors of Moot Hall.
Lormesta 13-14, 5123	News of the call for a vote for independence reaches the human empire, so shocked are they by the idea of people deciding their own future they immediately ban any signatories from a diplomatic mission from Ta'illistim in Torre. The Resistance is labeled a threat by agents of the Sun Throne.
Lormesta 15-16, 5123	Mayor Thadston, a former knight of the empire and the overseer of the construction of the empire's outpost near the landing, known for extreme violence and alcohol abuse, summarily rejects any unscheduled vote.	North By Northwest - 2023-01-15 - Freepudiation (log)
Lormesta 23, 5123'	In an unprecedented move Amos, a merchant from the empire, declares that the merchants of the landing will not serve anyone wearing a symbol of the Black Thorns, the reasons for this are not known. His poorly trained guards manage to anger several citizens who just happen to be wearing any type of thorn or even carrying the wrong runestaff. Not all merchants of the landing follow the lead Amos and many shops still serve members of the resistance.

[Early Conversation]

  Queatus says, "I was thinking to distribute symbols of resistance."
  Queatus says, "People to wear to show they reject the invaders."
Turamzzyr comes with grasping hand;
It seeks to squeeze our humble land;
From the south, the caravans amble;
Knowing not they enter a bramble;
The bramble pokes and nags and rends;
Drawing blood 'til their invasion ends;
The child cries and the widow mourns;
But the strongest, they become the thorns.
People of the landing, don a black thorn to show the empire they will bleed on this soil.
  Queatus introduces the idea of a black thorn as a symbol for those who resist

Wolfloner darkly says, "The protectorate is a myth.  I cannot remember a time when the Empire defended the Landing."
Speaking to Wolfloner, Aliashyrah says, "Perhaps from itself alone."
Dendum remarks, ""It may be a myth but it is a reason for much of the empires....presumptions on what they can do in the north."
Speaking darkly to Dendum, Wolfloner asks, "What do you propose to bring that about?"
Dendum says, ""The only way to end this status is by demanding it....the only way to demand it is show that a majority wish it so...eventually this plan will have to move out of the shadows for that to happen."

Ceilia offers Leafiara a translucent sapphire card. (The First Card of the Future Scavenger Hunt)
Leafiara accepts Ceilia's sapphire card.
Leafiara takes a moment to observe her sapphire card.
Speaking quietly to Leafiara, Ceilia says, "For release by mail, we were thinking."
Leafiara flashes a wide grin at Ceilia.
Leafiara offers Ceilia a translucent sapphire card.
Leafiara nods approvingly.
Saraphenia says, "I never knew we were a "protectorate" until a few weeks back."
Ceilia accepts Leafiara's sapphire card.
Speaking approvingly to Ceilia, Leafiara says, "I like it."
Queatus asks, "May I have a look?"

[Elidal calls out the Black Thorns]

Elidal says, "I will never fault a man, woman or child for their voice. There is freedom in that, as there should be."
Alosaka says, "There will always be some people excitedly greeting their worst fears, and proclaiming them to all who will listen."
Speaking politely to Elidal, Tikba agrees, "Yes."
Speaking to Alosaka, Ulfwine says, ""And insisting you share them."
Elidal says, "I just hope...as we work to forge an alliance and a future relationship between our people, that you would work as hard to squash any "black thorn" movement as you have defend our people, protect our caravans, 
and build our towers."
Speaking to Ulfwine, Avalera says, "That's when I stop listening."
Speaking to Alosaka, Mauss agrees, "Folks be wantin' attention. Even if fer alla wrong reasons."
Elidal says, "Rot within is more dangerous than the enemy beyond."
Vaemyr says, "Generally we encourage free thought and speech, the only true ways to quiet the discourse are by showing other paths, they have a right to be afraid of the unknown. But I'll continue to urge caution and 
patience. I think something can be said that there haven't been open attacks so far though."
Tikba mildly asks, "Why?"
Elidal asks, "Why, what?"
Elidal peers quizzically at Tikba.
Dendum remarks, ""Rot from within or fire from without can still destroy the woods."
Tikba asks, "Why do you wish us to squash this movement, if you would not fault them for their voices?"

Elidal says, "They work to unfairly influence the people of Wehnimer's Landing."
Kelfyr asks, "Unfairly?"
Elidal asks, "They are free to their views...but should they sway the minds of others with such...falsehood?"
Elidal asks, "Am I your enemy?"
Elidal peers quizzically at Kelfyr.
Kelfyr asks, "What is unfair about their expression?"

[Call for the Vote]

>read proc In the Common language, it reads:

Wehnimer's Landing is a mixing pot in a world of empires, and it stands for equality. Wehnimer's Landing is civilization brought to wild lands, and it stands for justice. Wehnimer's landing has stood independent for nearly 250 years, and it stands for freedom!

Who protects us from the protectors? On behalf of all free souls of the Landing, the undersigned call for a vote to reject the protectorate status pressed upon us by Turamzzyr!

Meeting Halls:
Dae'randir
Claws of the Drake
Fenog's Irregulars
Northern Regulators

Individuals:
Pookia
Fahlo
Asben
Ceilia
Chamorr
Clarimostica
Dendum
Dexflex
Draelor
Evantyne
Grutak
Gutstorm
Jadedragan
Kelfur
Koul
Lageiros
Lahanna
Leafiara
Lehon
Luxelle
Maevie
Morikun
Nalver
Ntinly
Peynan
Pukk
Queatus
Rakthea
Satrn
Saraphenia
Sharth
Siksa
Starletdawn
Suzette
Tabubu
Talmaris
Tikba
Ulryka
Urpy
Vailwyn
Vandryl
Wakinyan
Wolfloner
Yardie
Ycelacie
Zeriah

RYSK would later remove themselves in the face of fierce opposition though several members remained prominent in the Black Thorns, Council Member Kayse would add her name shortly after it was posted to the door

[The Response to Thadston & Amos]

<Nailed to the doors of Moot Hall using four black thorns>

People of Wehnimer's Landing,

Let it be known that the ‘Black Thorns’, as we have become known, mean no harm to any who do not threaten the independence of the landing. We simply demand to have a say in how our own town exists within the world. While droves of adventurers flood this way and that at the first sign of something to sink a sword into, we are the ones that man the walls in times of woe and defend our friends and families from harm. We are the farmers, dockworkers, tradespeople, and artisans that make this town vibrant, and we are the ones still here working day in and out when adventurers leave for more grand escapades.

Thadston Andrews and Amos tell you that they know better, that we don’t deserve a voice for this made-up reason and that. But we ask, why do an Imperial knight and Imperial merchant that we hardly know deserve voices more than those who have lived, breathed, and toiled here since birth? Why must we trust their opinions on this current issue? They are both aligned so clearly with the banners that now camp outside our town that they appear prepared to unlatch our gates under cover of night.

We will continue to voice our right to displeasure as the Empire plots “phase two” of whatever it has planned for us. The Landing and the North as a whole are places of freedom and will not bow in subservience to an Empire known for taking things away from people to fuel their ever-expanding growth. There are many good people within the Empire, and they are welcome among us, just as they always would have been. Their banners and their ruling nobility are not. Their shifting borders are the enemy of freedom, not any action the common settler may take. We wish to be left alone and not have our forests torn down and resources stolen out from under us under a fancy banner of servitude.

We are the Black Thorns, and a thorn will only draw blood when stepped upon.

To Sir Thadston Andrews of Hendor,

You call out those of us who wish to have a voice in the Empire’s potential annexation of the Landing as lurkers in the shadows, but many of us have been citizens for far longer than you have been involved in the town. Your involvement began only under Imperial banners. We’ve bled for children taken by monsters of the dark, we’ve saved family memories and bride’s dowries through the local guild. We’ve provided raw materials and other goods to some of our merchants while investing our silvers right back into others. Our fear isn’t that the Empire is amongst us, but of losing everything the Landing has stood for to appease an Empire that doesn’t care for a huge swath of the citizens of the Landing. Nor will it give those citizens a voice if we bend more of a knee than already done through the protectorate. We’re not asking to war with the Empire or any of its citizens, nor do we wish to displace people looking for a home around the Landing. We only demand that our voice is heard.

Perhaps you stand so high on the “highest peak of Wehnimer's Landing” that your perceptions are horribly askew and your ears deafened by the approaching march of Imperial soldiers setting up camps surrounding our town. You say your ears reach farmers, but have Reiver farmers who sell their produce in our markets consented to falling under an Imperial banner? Do you align so deeply with merchants who come and go like the wind that you wake up in the morning next to Amos? Have you not seen the difficulties of dockworkers without work as Imperial captains recklessly fire upon us and scare trade away from our port, and Imperial encroachment drives Gnul to hurl boulders at incoming trade ships? You speak of a content population, but what families are so content when their children are catapulted back at them over the walls due to our new southern bedfellow? You say all of these peoples demand protection, but your blind allegiances and acceptance of Imperial encroachment brings about our suffering and doom. It seems to be YOU tossing around words from both sides of your mouth, and not those you blame for simply wishing a vote be called.

You call us the bellowing tiny mouths of a small rabble that lacks affiliation with the Landing, neglecting our voices here as you neglect us daily in your duties as mayor. Well then, prove us so insignificant with the vote we demand. If we are as you say, our pitiful turnout will prove you correct.

You have shown yourself to be a puppet of the Empire and an enemy to the free people of the North.

To Amos, the man so ready to flee in the night that he has never ever graced us with even a last name,

Let it be known that you do not speak for all merchants, as we count many traders among our ranks that feel the sting of the Empire on the horizon. You must be speaking of merchants like yourself who swoop in to make silvers off the back of this town, always able to fly away to greener pastures and newer ventures while the town burns, walking away with pockets full of silvers and not a scratch upon you.

You neglect to mention the multitudes of people that don’t move from town to town making money off the backs of others. The local woodcutters are suddenly pushed out of service by Imperial logging camps. The dockworkers are seeing half-shifts if they are lucky as the threat of the reckless Imperial captain Bodal out on Darkstone Bay keeps the ships away. So many citizens of this town are making sacrifices to share food with settlers during this devastating winter. The Empire floods us with people, who they neither supply nor adequately protect from the dark forces they have bought out against us. We shoulder the burden with compassion, but we’re facing the most dire winter these lands have seen in generations. Will you open your pockets to help these poor souls or keep hoarding your piles of growing wealth? Singular people in Shantytown have shared and offered more to these people than you.

It seems inaction has been your forte unless helping the Empire with the Gnul threat that they themselves birthed by coming this far North. Indeed, your formidable ships sat silently at the docks while an Imperial captain rained terror upon us with reckless abandon. Will you continue to sit by idly as the Empire takes what it wishes during its next “phase” of incursion. If you sit on your hands and keep playing both sides for your own financial gain long enough, more and more people will see you as the fortune-seeking opportunist that you’ve continually proven yourself to be. You care nothing for this town beyond the silvers that it can put in your pockets. How long will it be until the Empire clamps down on your merchant gains and sends you fleeing off to a town further down the line? Are your bags packed for Icemule yet?

You threaten us with “lack of silvers” because it is all you know. Continue to deny the will of the people and squeeze the thorns, and you will know pain.

5123-5124

Date	Event	Story
Lormesta 27, 5123	Mother, the title given to the leader of the resistance group known as the Rooks, shows up to a meeting of the resistance, peace between the Black Thorns and the Rooks is established for now. Mother invites any to join her as she takes a stand against the empire.	North By Northwest - 2023-01-27 - Word to Your Mother (log)
Lormesta 27-28, 5123'	The rich merchant's son and Baron to be requests a meeting with the Black Thorns, oddly enough both sides seem to think the other desired to speak with them and both seemed to think they were being the better party by showing up. Queatus, Jadedragon, Ceilia, and Tikba speak to the Baron, Vaemyr also speaks.	North By Northwest - 2023-01-27 - Thornabout is Their Way (log)
Lormesta 28-29, 5123	Eddric Jovery, the Northern Sentinel of the Human Empire, sends words clarifying the status of the protectorate. He claims the empire has a final say on all trade, internal laws, and which foreign powers may set up near the landing. The empire claims the right to extradite anyone they wish for trial in the south.	North By Northwest - 2023-01-28 - The Earl Unfurls (log)
Fashanos 27 5123	Members of the Resistance release The Free North News to provide information to the townspeople of the landing that was not controlled by the imperial authorities.	Black Thorn Resistance/Free North News Issue 1
Lumnea 5123	Jadedagan, a member of the Resistance, kills Drazinoth on top of the eastern guard tower. Drazinoth was an Arachne priest constantly attacking the town with spider creations.
Ivastaen 8-9, 5123	The Empire Strikes - Sir Thadston equipped with information from Proto-Baron Elidal conducts a raid on the Rooks, another resistance group in the landing. Members who are found are immediately executed, they get better, and then it is stated a trial would happen after the fact. It is also discovered the Imperial Merchant Amos had planted a spy in the Rooks. After this attack the Black Thorn's sent an offer of aid if needed to their fellow resistance group by way of Pukk. Rook activity died off afterwards being limited to minor skirmishes. Sir Thadston would quickly lose the election following this incident.
Phoenatos 5123	Members of the Resistance track down rogue Imperial Captain Bodohal in the woods around the Landing. In an attempt to stop elements of the empire from rescuing him and helping him escape justice, he was killed while attempting to flee the northern lands.
Phoenatos 10, 5123	Rumored Black Thorn Saraphenia is elected onto the town council with overwhelming numbers. A long tradition of the town choosing leaders who do not wish to be under the heel of the empire continues.
Imaerasta 23,5123'	An entity known as the Wraith attacks the Landing for unknown reasons, his initial ire was due to imperial expansion into the north. The wraith uses an imperial warship sold to him by the imperial merchant Amos. The city is left smoldering and many citizens die. Various adventurers, including members of the Black Thorn Resistance, board the ship and sink it.
Eorgaen 19-20, 5123	Thadston Andrews is appointed to replace Jovery, the architect of the northern invasion and colonization efforts by the Turamzyrr Empire, as the Northern Sentinel. Thadston's familiarity with the defenses and capabilities of the landing is viewed with trepidation by members of the Black Thorn Resistance. Thadston visits the landing accompanied by Imperial Military and departs, in the coming months he will divert more military assets to the Empire's efforts in the northern areas.	Log
Olaesta, 5124	The Dhenin family continues to impose its will on the North. Having collected a large force from neighboring baronies Darkstone Barony leads an attack to reclaim Darkstone Castle. The Castle is defended by a former Magistar of the Empire and the spirit of Estrion. During the attack forces sent out to attack the Empire's Outpost are purposefully diverted by the Empire to attack the walls of the Landing. A diverse group of defenders come together including Black Thorn's, Rooks, forces from Solhaven, and other prominent organizations. They manage to defend the landing while the empire conducts its attacks on the castle. In the end the castle is magically transported and a magical tear to the Bleaklands is left open and dangerously close to the landing. Elidal Dhenin remains to consolidate his dominion over the northern territory. The battle over the Resistance settles in for extended operations to secure freedom from the Turamzyrr Empire.

[Leafiara's Call for defenders]

A Call for Town Defense

Landing,

I know the new barony has destroyed our unity. I know we've been losing long-time allies. I know we've been losing civilians. I know we've suffered, bled, burned, and died.

I won't lie to you by claiming we can make it right or fix it. I don't know of any way to do that.

What I do know is that, from the broken pieces of our fractured town, we'll need to muster a defense as the the Imperial soldiers lead a charge into Darkstone Castle over the Eve of the Huntress and the weekend. As always, this will bring our town into extremely deadly crossfire.

That's been life ever since the abhorrent excuse for a man called Elidal Dhenin, future Baron of Darkstone, came to stoke the flames of every dormant volcano--Gnul and the mountain hordes, the Ember Vale reivers, the Spider Temple, the Wraith and the Remnants, Darkstone Castle and Estrion, and Octaven.

The Landing had been coexisting next to all of these things for years with little to no incident before Elidal charged in to blunder everything, armed with his incalculable incompetence, limitless narcissism, appalling disregard for life, and unrelenting posturing to falsely frame his trail of death as honor and glory.

We used to have a rallying cry of "For Wehnimer's!" I'd love to say it, but this battle isn't a situation where I believe it. The best outcome for us is surviving the latest eruptions, as it were--living to see another day, the bare minimum of gains for the greatest of efforts. The best outcome for Elidal is his coming coronation and accolades from the Sun Throne, the highest reward for the greatest of failures.

No, this battle is not for Wehnimer's. It is for the Barony of Darkstone.

Still, even though this battle is not for Wehnimer's, even though Wehnimer's did not wish for it, even though our elected leaders did not start it, even though our townspeople did not push for it, even though we stand to gain nothing more from it than seeing the next sunrise...

...nonetheless, the battle is happening, so Wehnimer's needs us or we will not see that sunrise. I will stand at our gates and I hope that some of you will join me. Some will wish to join the soldiers and charge on Darkstone Castle instead, and so be it, but my group will not leave the vicinity of our town. We will protect our gates, our streets, and the trail to the Voln monastery. I will not lead us to set one foot on the Barony of Darkstone's territory so long as our people are in danger.

For those who aren't ready to take the front lines yet, there are still many ways to aid. You can gather companions to take point at a ballista. You can fire arrows or magical bolts from our archery towers. You can send mana or cast defensive spells. You can bring fallen bodies back to triage areas: Town Square Central, the Voln courtyard, the Raging Thrak Inn. If you're an empath or cleric, you can provide your invaluable services. If areas get set ablaze, you can put them out with piles of water buckets found in Moot Hall and the Raging Thrak.

Maybe most importantly, we'll need a steady relay of information on the ever-changing battlefield conditions. Report on what you see, assess foes' strengths so we know how to distribute our forces, call for backup as needed, note if triage is compromised. Barring the unforeseen, I'll be doing these things with you. We'll stay sharp and alert.

As I write this on Niiman the 11th, the battle is in the future on the coming weekend. May our town still be standing on Volnes the 15th when the battle is in the past.

I believe we will be standing.

As long as you all believe in yourselves, I believe in you.

I'll see you when we fight.

For our survival, Leafiara Autumnwind
Former Mayor
Former Town Councilor
TownCrier Reporter
Parliament of Rooks, Field Tactician

[Leafiara's Account of the crimes of Elidal Dhenin - posted 5124-12]

Wehnimer's Landing,

I've heard excellent news from a member of the Drakes Vanguard, who attended a recent Vornavis court session, that the Emperor has halted the Barony of Darkstone pending an investigation into the words and deeds of Elidal Dhenin. Whatever form this investigation will take, I've prepared this document in hopes that it might help. The following is, unfortunately, only a partial list of the failures, transgressions, and other offenses committed by Elidal Dhenin, organized roughly in chronological order.

14:58, 25 December 2024 (CST)14:58, 25 December 2024 (CST)14:58, 25 December 2024 (CST)14:58, 25 December 2024 (CST)

Offense 1: Moving his people during winter with insufficient food, clothing, supplies, or silver to pay for the aforementioned, resulting in a great number of civilian deaths.

Offense 2: Reliance upon begging the generosity of Landing citizens to provide for his people during said winter described in Offense 1.

Offense 3: Making no preparations and bringing inadequate resources to confront hostile forces in the area, despite later acknowledging that Earl Jovery had warned him large wars were inevitable during the settling of the barony.

Offense 4: Reliance upon the generosity of Landing heroes and Lady Larsya's soldiers to protect his people and our own during the Gnul War.

Offense 5: Failure to provide adequate escort for--or send a messenger to turn back--a caravan of Green Sisters which arrived during the Gnul War, resulting in all but two of them being ambushed and burned to death.

Offense 6: Misallocating resources by directing Landing citizens to prepare to defend against the Brotherhood of Rooks, which ultimately would be among the few entities in the region to never attack Elidal's barony despite the abundant provocations described in this report.

Offense 7: Driving a wedge between Wehnimer's Landing and long-time ally Icemule Trace by threatening one of their Town Councilors to stay away from the Landing lest Elidal use political sway to force Icemule's Mayor Talliver to remove said Town Councilor from power.

Offense 8: Stoking the flames of division within Wehnimer's Landing by requesting that our people propagandize for Elidal and silence the voices of the group known as the Black Thorns and any other critics who might reproach him.

Offense 9: Stoking the flames of division within Wehnimer's Landing when, after Offense 8 had not gained the traction Elidal wished, he instead promised wealth to local merchants to manipulate them into denying dissenting citizens entrance to shops and inns. This also resulted in additional deaths as several Landing defenders were barred from the Raging Thrak Inn, a vital triage point.

Offense 10: Losing control (if he ever had it) of Commander Sablo during the Gnul War, resulting in Sablo enacting a plan, without oversight, of enraging griffins and luring them into the vicinity of the Landing and the Darkstone campsite, endangering civilians of both peoples.

Offense 11: Losing control of Commander Sablo again during the Gnul War when Sablo disobeyed a direct order to protect the Darkstone campsite. Sablo jeopardized the mission that night by setting multiple uncontrolled fires on the front lines until a knight of the Silver Gryphons intervened to make him stand down.

Offense 12: Willfully disregarding a reiver emissary who sent Elidal word to keep his people out of their territory. This resulted in two of his civilians unknowingly trespassing, which in turn resulted in some reivers killing them after taking it as an act of aggression or spying.

Offense 13: Losing control of his civilians when some of them sought revenge for the deaths of Offense 12 with intentional acts of aggression, were subsequently killed by experienced reivers, and thus escalated the situation into the Reiver War.

Offense 14: Losing control of Commander Sablo yet again during the Reiver War, when Sablo interrupted parley between Wehnimer's Landing and the reivers' emissary Rheshay by ambushing and capturing her. This reckless act ended hopes of de-escalating the situation, created a martyr, and provided the shaman Tyeid with support from many reivers to overthrow their more honorable leader Haidan in a coup and escalate the Reiver War to greater brutality.

Offense 15:

Failure to commit resources to defend against the corrupt Navy Captain Bodohal who attacked Wehnimer's Landing during the Gnul War, Reiver War, and Wraith War, which Elidal had created and exacerbated. In this case, by "resources" I don't mean combatants, since he has no navy, but that he would not even contribute diplomatic efforts without several weeks of persuasion. Even then, his contribution was only setting up a feast table which Landing heroes and Emissary Samfelt used as pretense to lure Bodohal away from his ship.

(To be clear, Bodohal wasn't attacking the Barony, so I wouldn't normally consider it Elidal's responsibility to aid, nor an offense if he didn't. However, the specific circumstances in which both our peoples were fighting wars of Elidal's making turned it into his responsibility to aid for our mutual benefit, and thus an offense not to.)

Offense 16: Falsely taking credit for his Emissary Samfelt's work in bringing Bodohal to justice. Samfelt acted independently and undercover to supply the Landing inside knowledge obtained from conscription into Bodohal's service, then worked with Landing heroes to board Bodohal's ship and free Magister Remuliad. Elidal would then self-aggrandize and declare it proof of what the Barony of Darkstone and Wehnimer's Landing could accomplish together, despite having contributed nothing to the cause except the negligible effort described in Offense 15.

Offense 17:

Sending solely Commander Sablo to Idolone to retrieve Stephos DeArchon with no additional forces, relying upon Landing heroes and Idolone soldiers for the task and ultimately resulting in mass casualties of Idolone soldiers and civilians caught in the crossfire of the Wraith War.

I've scarcely mentioned the Wraith War because, unlike the Gnul War, Reiver War, Octaven War, and Darkstone War, Elidal didn't provoke or initiate it. The war as a whole is outside his offenses. However, once Elidal committed Sablo to this individual mission, it was irresponsible not to send further soldiers, forcing Idolone to bear the Wraith's wrath.

Offense 18: Failure to create adequate safeguards for "the reiver bolt," a magical obelisk that fire destructive beams of mana, which Elidal had ordered Magister Enisius to study and test.

Offense 19: Keeping either inadequate watch or inadequate control of his people keeping watch over the reiver bolt, resulting in someone repeatedly firing it upon the Ember Vale and bringing fire and rockslides down upon Landing defenders and captives during a rescue operation. (As an aside, there is a likely suspect, but no hard evidence.)

Offense 20: Failure to glean understanding from his brother Enisius about the operation of the reiver bolt, resulting in Elidal's inability to stop the destruction of Offense 19. (To his minor credit, I did witness him run to the obelisk and try to stop it by staring at it very hard.)

Offense 21: Opportunistically falsifying the historical record of who fired the reiver bolt in Offense 19. Elidal admitted that Enisius never confessed to it through days of interrogation and even went so far as to say that he did not believe Enisius fired it. However, since Elidal knew it would be politically untenable not to punish someone, he formally declared Enisius the culprit anyway with neither confession nor evidence, but only presumption.

Offense 22: Punishing Magister Enisius by forcing him to perform the irresponsible task of teaching magic to little children at the orphanage.

Offense 23: Offering recompense for the reiver bolt, Reiver War, and Gnul War by persuading--or claiming to have persuaded--other baronies to cancel some of the Landing's trade debts. Even assuming Elidal was telling the truth, I presume he could only persuade them by promising future benefits which he might lack intention or ability to deliver. This pattern of forcing everyone else to shoulder his burdens for him would be consistent with prior behavior described in Offenses 2, 3, 4, 5, 12, 13, and 17.

Offense 24: Sending Commander Sablo to question Grand Magister Octaven on suspicion of criminal connections, but with nowhere near sufficient planning or forces to take her into custody in the event that those suspicions were correct. Instead, Elidal's haphazard approach alerted Octaven, allowing her to effortlessly kill his soldiers, go into hiding, and commence the Octaven War.

Offense 25: Ordering Magister Enisius to initiate a study of the cursed Darkstone Castle with insufficient preparation and forces to defend against the foreseeable result of its myriad denizens retaliating. They eventually initated the Darkstone War, waging battle against Elidal's people and ours.

Offense 26: Persisting with the aforementioned study of Darkstone Castle while the Gnul War and Reiver War were ongoing, eventually creating the situation in which we would simultaneously war with Octaven and the spirit Estrion of Darkstone Castle, who had allied against Elidal as a common foe.

Offense 27: Stoking the flames of division within Wehnimer's Landing by openly inviting two of our Town Councilors into his inner circle of advisors while vocally casting aspersions on the characters of the other two Town Councilors.

Offense 28: Stoking the flames of division within Wehnimer's Landing by backbiting the Order of the Silver Gryphon, a long-time ally. After numerous of the prior offenses listed on this document, a knight had correctly informed Elidal that someone in his position of power did not have the luxury of mistakes. In the following days and weeks, Elidal would proceed to verbally tear down that knight and prop himself up with claims that no knight could understand because Elidal had much greater burdens than theirs.

Offense 29:

Stoking the flames of division within Wehnimer's Landing when, despite the prior Offense 27 in which Elidal seemed to show favor to two Town Councilors, he later sent Commander Sablo to issue an ultimatum to those same two Town Councilors and to one of our Regional Envoys. He did this after said Town Councilors and Regional Envoy enacted a dangerous but successful operation, which was necessary to turn the tide of the Octaven War after Elidal's inexcusable maneuvering, described in Offense 24, put us on the back foot for several months.

I'll fairly acknowledge that the Landing operation did result in losses of life, but not to the degree of even one out of, never mind all of, Elidal's Offenses 3, 5, 14, 17, 19, 25, and 26, rendering it particularly hypocritical that he readily and dismissively overlooks the manifold more deaths caused by his own actions.

Offense 30:

Falsely taking credit for his brother Enisius' work, who contributed what I would estimate to be well over eighty percent of the good things--and none of the awful things--that Elidal's barony did to the Landing. (The other twenty percent is primarily attributable to Emissary Samfelt and to soldiers doing their best in horrible situations.)

Enisius' good work includes, but is not limited to, devising means to enter the warded Ember Vale, helping identify means to cure the Ithzir boy Rodnay, identifying means to remove kroderine poison created by the Wraith, helping identify means to remove the kroderine shards in Thadston's arms, identifying means to magically transport Darkstone Castle, and rescuing soldiers and Landing militia members trapped within Darkstone Castle. Elidal, of course, broadly credits all of this to "the Barony of Darkstone" for his own glory.

14:58, 25 December 2024 (CST)14:58, 25 December 2024 (CST)14:58, 25 December 2024 (CST)14:58, 25 December 2024 (CST)

I would be glad to elaborate upon any or all of Elidal's offenses during the formal investigation. For now, may this information serve as a starting point.

Finally, I would be remiss not to acknowledge that Lady Larsya, Magister Cordarius, Emissary Samfelt, and Magister Enisius have been commendable and faultless over the two to nine years they have been in the area. They consistently use their own initative to resolve or mitigate challenging circumstances to the extent they're able. As for Lady Aronia and the seer Iliyaas, I have neither commendation nor condemnation; I find no fault, but also can't name significant contributions.

In brief, the procession of death and disunity wrought by the Barony of Darkstone can almost entirely be laid at the feet of Elidal Dhenin. I wish the investigators well in bringing that truth to light.

Leafiara Autumnwind

Invasion Maps

Here are the proposed borders of the new Barony of Darkstone, the land now claimed by the Turamzzyrian Empire.

Barony of Darkstone, created by GM Kenstrom.

Parts of the Barony of Darkstone rendered on an in game map created by Tsoran, created by the player of Dendum.

Compilation of Maps with the new Barony highlighted in Red.

OOC Positions

It should be noted that a lot of our positions from an OOC perspective can be seen below or by following the link Black Thorn Resistance/A Guide to Playing in the Resistance

There are some areas where we hold a different opinion that the current GM's, this is understandable as different people can look at a similar situation and see different things.

We do not believe it can seen by a reasonable character, based on events in the game, that the empire has a foundational claim to the landing that predates its relatively recent power grabs under GM Kenstrom.

The Landing is not officially part of the Turamzyrrian Empire. That applies both now and in the past, though Baron Hochstib might argue otherwise if he were still alive to do so. The confusion over this likely stems from the term Turamzyrrian Protectorate. This is the term the Empire uses for Wehnimer's Landing for several reasons. The first reason is that the Empire views the Landing as being its sphere of influence. The second is there is the long standing relationship with the town, which dates back to the alliance formed with the Barony of Vornavis during the war with Hochstib. And during the final months of that conflict both Vornavis and North Hendor did render aid and troops to the Landing, helping to free it from Hochstib's illegal occupation of the town, and fighting alongside the people of the Landing to bring down the mad baron. So that forms the basis for the term. With those reasons in mind, it can be codified as the Empire viewing the Landing as a protectorate, which then secures its interests and sphere of influence to any that might move against the Empire. This stance and term also saves the Empire the trouble that would come from actually annexing the Landing and making it part of the Empire. GM Lydil -2014

The Landing and its potential has been on Turamzzyrian minds for nearly twenty years. The events that have happened in the last several have helped push the Empire to seriously consider its importance to the Empire, be it militarily or economically.

In short, the Landing as a protectorate declared by the Empire is relatively new. The Landing as the focus of growing interest to the human empire? Been happening for nearly twenty years! :D

There is no treaty. This is by fiat.

GM Scribes - 2015

As GM Scribes said, there's no contract established. As time has gone on, and more involvement from imperial presence/forces have been involved, the Landing has become a protectorate in the eyes of the Empire. Whether Landing agees or not, based on the history, it really does break down to that. A protectorate, for all intents and purposes, is basically saying Landing is under the sphere of influence of the Empire, but it does not have the same imperial laws and jurisdiction. Whenever danger has come to Landing, the Empire has more often than not, extended their aid. Vornavian soldiers, Mestaniri knights, Hendorans, etc. When Hochstib tried to take over, when Grishom tried to bleed the town, even some with the Lich King, the krolvin, and Cross and the Shadows.

The Landing operates freely because the Empire allows it, as simple as I can make it. There are benefits to this: the people are free, and essentially happy, and trade is open. I am sure more than a few nobles/rulers use the Landing as a means to deal in goods or services they might not easily do so within their own borders. The Landing is a good hub for many things, and requires little to no imperial resources up until now. So given so many problems in Landing recently, fairly assigned to the town or not, it could make Empire weak, or look weak, if they didn't take some kind of precaution, even if temporary, to help better assess or control the area.

If the Empire truly felt the town needed taken over, it'd happen. It'd be bloody no doubt, but it'd happen due to sheer number alone. (unless the Faendryl and Nalfein stepped in and the Fourth Elven War was waged with Landing as the backdrop, haha). What will happen in the future? No idea, I'm kind of winging it, in for the ride along with you guys.

GM Kenstrom - 2015

It was once widely understood by GMs and players alike that the Empire had no claim over the Landing. Sending a fleet north to deal with external threats, such as the Krolvin, does not establish political dominion—no more than a traveling knight offering aid to a beleaguered village means that knight’s kingdom now rules over the land. Such aid may leave a legacy, but it does not establish governance or ownership. This understanding morphed into the empire has a claim over the Landing because it can destroy the landing if it choses to do so, a might makes right approach to politics. To some of us, the current justification for imperial control feels thin, inconsistent with what has been explicitly stated OOC, and is in stark contrast to IC conversations as recent as the start of North by Northwest.

While twenty-five years may seem like a long time, it pales in comparison to the Landing’s history as a free city in a free area of the world, which spans over 200 years. Many players—and certainly our long-lived characters—recall when the Landing was unquestionably independent. Even after the Empire began using the term "protectorate," its agents frequently referred to the Landing as outside imperial control. These acknowledgments have become less frequent recently, but they remain a matter of record. Without a deliberate ret-con by the current GMs, there is no credible in-character reason to believe the Landing is anything other than a town on the edge of the Empire’s reach, now perilously close to being consumed.

In character, we know that the Empire was introduced to players through a storyline, during which it was revealed that the only imperial structure—the current castle occupied by the Gryphons—was established ten years ago by a rogue knight. This knight, with the assistance of non-humans, sought to counter his former lord’s evil actions. Beyond this, there has never been an IC explanation suggesting the Landing has been part of the Empire for 200 years. This idea seems to have originated OOC, driven by certain players, and then inserted into the game. There are ample logs of Empire representatives referring to the Landing as outside its borders.

In character, you may know that Thadston expanded the Empire’s influence by establishing another fortified outpost. This act met with some objection but also cautious acceptance. The historical record is clear:

Eddric says, 'I view the town of Wehnimer's Landing and its environs as a region beyond the boundaries of the Empire and largely left to its own devices and its own defense. I expect to see it in the future as an amiable neighbor to the Northern Marches of the Empire. — 2003 

The town of Wehnimer's Landing is an interest of the Empire with unique status due to its distance from the civilized heart of the Empire. As such, it has been suffered to maintain its own internal governance, with the expectation that said governance make decisions in accordance with the will of the Empire. — Jovery 2011

 We receive more and more news from Wehnimer's Landing, none of which bring any good light to the town beyond our borders. — Jovery 2014 

 Bodohal deeply says, "We're here to enjoy some time away from the Empire." - NxNw 

By 2015, with Thadston’s outpost, the Empire’s role around the town accelerated. However, this was less than ten years ago and does not represent a 200-year history. It is entirely reasonable for a character to be aware of these facts, recall some or all of these events, and act accordingly.

GMs often claim that the Landing will "always be a free frontier town." But what does that truly mean? OOC, we believe a free frontier town is one that exists on the frontier and is not beholden to distant powers. A town that is free but not on the frontier is simply free. A town on the frontier but controlled by a faraway power is not free. As someone once said, "Adventure happens on the frontier," and we stand by that belief.

We are not opposed to the Landing falling to the Empire if that is where the story leads. Such a development would be dramatic, even if we believe it unwise and unwarranted. But if the Landing falls, it must be portrayed as a fall—not the culmination of an imperial claim based on a 200 year history that never truly existed. Both IC and OOC sources have consistently shown that the Landing was free—until, perhaps, it no longer is.

Dedications

"In memory of the player of Saraphenia may you always fly on wings of love"

See Also

• North by Northwest
• Timeline - Imperial Northern Aggression
• Black Thorn Resistance/A Guide to Playing in the Resistance

https://discord.gg/fkd9gmkzsr (Black Thorn Discord Link)