Ridgemot Massacre

A dark day in Human history, for a race that prides itself on being strong, honourable and proud, the massacre was one of the most shameful events in recent history...
The King wasn't seeing anyone and had locked himself away while he decided what to do next. His army was barely strong enough to hold the town and the Northern army was likely heading towards them now. The soldiers were preparing for the attack and fortifying the town, but most of the men were busy guarding the prisoners. There were around 1000 captured Northern soldiers, and almost 2000 civilians. The King emerged and seemed sure of the next move, he went to speak with Hanlin Ewart. Stories of the meeting vary from whether you ask a Northerner or Southerner. The Southern version of the story goes that the King went to speak with him and the Jarl taunted the King about his defeats, he warned the King that he should release the prisoners the North might not kill all of his men. The King ordered the Jarl to call off his army or else he would be forced to do something drastic and the Jarl refused all the same. The Northern version goes that the Jarl offered the King a choice, release the prisoners or the army would be forced to attack. The King said he would never give in to the demands of traitors and threatened the innocent prisoners. The Jarl warned the King there would be no coming back from this if he hurt prisoners, who honour demanded he should protect.
No matter what actually happened in the meeting the outcome was undeniable. The King gathered a group of his soldiers, the toughest and most brutal fighters. He led them to the town hall, had the all the military prisoners brought to the hall and ordered his men to start executing them, the hall held around 100 so the King began, killing over 60 people at a time, some soldiers at first hesitated but he ordered them to kill without question. He told them it would win the war and it was a King's order. The soldiers started to obey and cut down Northern soldiers, knights and even Lords. Eventually the king sent for the Jarl. Hanlin entered blindfolded and was shocked at what he saw when they removed it. He broke down in tears and anger, swearing by all the Gods the King would die for this. The King approached, calmly, he drew his sword and kicked Hanlin down on his front, Hanlin spat at the King that an honourable man fights his enemies rather than having his soldiers cut their throats. The King screamed at the Jarl that the North had lost, but the Jarl looked calm, almost content. Hanlin spoke softly as the King beheaded him... "You will die for this"

Related Historical Events

• 5818
  Ridgemot Massacre