Doom of Corinia
The critical moment in Corinian history when the capital city of Corinia was attacked and destroyed by a conglomerate of cultists, barbarians, arcane wielders, and infernal soldiers. It changed the trajectory of the empire's prominence in Aecenys, forcing its inhabitants to migrate east and leave behind their homeland forever. Corinia's destruction only amplified the anti-magic sentiment that was already spreading throughout the empire, and has heavily influenced the militaristic and authoritarian faction that exists now.
The Conflict
Prelude
Concealed within the fabric of Corinian society was the Cult of Sarandiel, spreading through the ranks of the Corinian Army and enticing those who desired to become more skilled and powerful in battle. The infernal cult had effectively corrupted enough citizenry to strike from within the city once the invasion began.
Deployment
Upon hearing news that Mount Caminus erupted, and that lava was heading towards the town of Mirstone, Corinia immediately sent a detachment. This left a smaller force of about 400 soldiers within the city walls. Although every station within the city was covered, it left patrols severely weakened, as well as the defenses along the ramparts. Over the next few days outside the city walls, forces serving Sarandiel began to take form. The opposing force was primarily composed of barbarians from Heleg including the Ancient Boulder Tribe and the Shadow Raven Tribe, but also featured corrupted veteran soldiers and fallen knights of Maelik. Great war machines including ballistas, trebuchets, siege towers, and rams dotted the battlefield. An intimidating force nearing 12,000 stood at Corinia's gates preparing for attack. Finally, arriving through the planar gates created by the wild magic sorcerers of Chaos Reborn, the soldiers of the Infernal Legion marched through, numbering some 50,000 devils. Led by pit fiends, the host was primarily composed of ice devils, erinyes, bearded devils, cambions, and imps. Although the plane of Rel deployed a significant amount of troops, they still had to march nearly 30 miles before arriving in the city.
Battlefield
More of a siege than open warfare on a battlefield, the two opposing forces met on the walls of Corinia as well as from within the city itself. As everyday citizens revealed themselves to be servants of Sarandiel and began attacking the city guard, the Corinian forces found themselves fighting a battle on all fronts. The attack on the city walls occurred around mid-morning, occupying the remnant Corinian soldiers, bringing them all to the wall's defense. As siege towers found their way to the battlements, the fighting transitioned from one of siege and ranged engagements to melee combat. The walls of Corinia were heavily fortified and could withstand even the most punishing of attacks from siege weapons, but once enemy soldiers were able to find a foothold, it became a much more tenuous defensive position. By early afternoon, the cultists from within began attacking the Corinian soldiers from behind, moving the battlefield to more urban environments, including alleyways and open plazas. The remaining guard centered around the imperial palace in order to defend the emperor. Finally by evening, the Infernal Legion arrived, accompanied by unnatural lava flows reaching all the way to the gates. The battlefield was transformed into a hellish landscape, with buildings on fire, dead bodies littering the streets, and devils marching forward like an unstoppable doom.
The Engagement
The fighting transitioned from a standard siege to an onslaught unforeseen on the material plane. At first, engagement between the Corinian guard and the Helegian tribes was light, with siege weapons attempting to find purchase in the city walls, and most ranged attacks were able to hold back the oncoming force. However, once the barbarians deployed their crudely made siege towers and were able to get into melee range, they became nearly unstoppable. Raging, hulking humans significantly larger and tougher than the typical Corinian, these barbarians slaughtered even the most well-armored soldiers with ease. Retreating into the city only made the Corinian forces more susceptible to attack, as citizens revealed themselves as worshipers of Sarandiel, and donned goat masks to conceal their identity. With attacks from clubs, daggers, and whatever weapons they could fashion, this impromptu militia caused the soldiers to fall back to the emperor's palace. Finally, once night fell, the Infernal Legion marched forth, and little could be done to stop the relentless devils. Everything was ransacked, pillaged, and destroyed. Even innocents were not safe from the destruction caused by the savagery of Sarandiel's army.
Conflict Type
Siege
Battlefield Type
Urban
Start Date
443 AR
Ending Date
443 AR
Conflict Result
Corinia was destroyed
Location
Belligerents
Corinian Empire
Sarandiel's Army
Strength
- 400 Corinian Soldiers
- 12 Aquilan Guard
- 100 Sorcerers
- 500 Cultists
- 12,000 Barbarians
- 50,000 Devils
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