Episode: Stormwinds
Posted by Story on 03/11/21
After the Battle of Sungreet in 1013 AR, the Compact prepared for war. In the Mourning Isles, this was at least partly assumed to be with separatists lead by Duke Ivan Helianthus, who rejected the right of House Thrax to rule and went so far as to declare that King Alaric Grayson IV was invalid, claiming that his father still lived in Eurus, and essentially throwing his lot in with the invaders from the Dune Kingdoms of Eurus. Even with a third of the Eurusi splintering and allying with the Compact, that left a massive armada inside Arvum to attempt a reconquest of the Saffron Chain claimed by House Pravus, or to attack other Arvani holdings, and much of the peerage felt that an attack was imminent.
Fortunately, wars are typically not fast affairs at all in Arvum, and as the new Saffron holdings did not fall under siege, mustering and preparations continued while expecting attacks from Thraxian rebels or the Eurusi from Skal'daja. As no attacks materialized, it became increasingly obvious that the Compact's foes had opted to try for destablization before attack- Dominus Orazio was assassinated, and there were increasing signs that powerful shav forces were being recruited, as well as other attempts at sedition, pressuring the Compact forces to find the Eurusi, bring them to battle and drive them out of Arvum.
After numerous scouting missions, the Eurusi armada was located in between the Saffron and the pirate haven Port Defiance, having spent considerable efforts to win the support of the shav forces there. While diplomats managed to prevent Port Defiance from rallying against the Compact, the fleets of the Compact prepared to sail against the now located forces, and a small stealthy operation acted first.
Captain Evaristo Arterius led a disguised force to meet with the enemy fleet, and while details are scarce (and somewhat contradictory), managed to assassinate one of the royal Eurusi princes leading the force. Marquessa Sunniva Harthall gave her life in the attempt, and Lady Monique Greenmarch was captured (escaping later by mysterious circumstances), but apparently the Arvani operation resulted in Eurusi infighting causing a split in their massive forces. Part of their fleet was seen sailing towards a shav stronghold in the Saffron to meet with allies, while the rest sails for the Pravosi city of Pieros in the Saffron Chain. With the enemy split, the choice of the Compact is straight forward.
Attack.
Fortunately, wars are typically not fast affairs at all in Arvum, and as the new Saffron holdings did not fall under siege, mustering and preparations continued while expecting attacks from Thraxian rebels or the Eurusi from Skal'daja. As no attacks materialized, it became increasingly obvious that the Compact's foes had opted to try for destablization before attack- Dominus Orazio was assassinated, and there were increasing signs that powerful shav forces were being recruited, as well as other attempts at sedition, pressuring the Compact forces to find the Eurusi, bring them to battle and drive them out of Arvum.
After numerous scouting missions, the Eurusi armada was located in between the Saffron and the pirate haven Port Defiance, having spent considerable efforts to win the support of the shav forces there. While diplomats managed to prevent Port Defiance from rallying against the Compact, the fleets of the Compact prepared to sail against the now located forces, and a small stealthy operation acted first.
Captain Evaristo Arterius led a disguised force to meet with the enemy fleet, and while details are scarce (and somewhat contradictory), managed to assassinate one of the royal Eurusi princes leading the force. Marquessa Sunniva Harthall gave her life in the attempt, and Lady Monique Greenmarch was captured (escaping later by mysterious circumstances), but apparently the Arvani operation resulted in Eurusi infighting causing a split in their massive forces. Part of their fleet was seen sailing towards a shav stronghold in the Saffron to meet with allies, while the rest sails for the Pravosi city of Pieros in the Saffron Chain. With the enemy split, the choice of the Compact is straight forward.
Attack.