The Hour War

Sovereignty in the High Plains

Once a simple river town, Alcair grew vast and tall at a seemingly unprecedented rate. So much so that the Andrytes grew spiteful, for they were not paying alms or taxes after several warnings of castigation. As such, the High Clerics sent forth a military force made up of a score of mounted knights and hundreds of levies pressed into action. Little did the forces know that Alcair's might had been preparing since the first warning.

"We need not answer to those who claim to be "of the faith" whilst they force the commonfolk to pay for their nightly feasts. Let them enter the city; let them know that they are not welcome"

- Alcairus Dartois, Former Leader of Alcair

The leader of the Andryte forces, Commander Gregarde Kaye, marched into the seemingly defenseless city. There wasn't a soul in the streets nor a ring from the belltowers at noontime. Something was terribly awry.

Strategy Unparalleled 

Alcairus' plan was to force people to stay indoors when the city received word of the Andryte's approach. Whilst the massive army tried to herd itself through narrow streets and passageways, citizens were to boil sand and pour it out the windows onto the knights below. This strategy sent the army into a frenzy as they were lured into trap after trap until a surrender was the only option they had. Within an hour, half of the Andryte forces were killed by archers on rooftops, boiling sand from windows, and decoy bridges. Commander Kaye was forced to surrender, leading to his and the other knight's executions. When word reached the Andrytes of this catastrophe, they decided to keep the devastating loss a secret from the masses. As such, for a decade they treated Alcair as an isolationist nation.

Aftermath

Many of the levies that surrendered that day returned home after being spared the wrath of Alcair's forces. Many, however, chose to stay in Alcair to find a better life without being harassed or exploited by nobility or the Andryte faith. As such, a population boom sent Alcair into an age of prosperity. While the Andrytres believed isolating trade from the city would bring harm to it, they were sorely wrong, as Alcair had proven itself to be self-sufficient; independent.