The Concord of Black Invasion of 550
Six huntsmen of the Guild descended into the lost valley-Sigelruck, on the trail of wolfmen and their precious fangs. A week later, one emerged. Borne by the boney wings of a dragon, crown wrapped in thorns: Felicien Targete of the Villiers emerged from the mists ere-surrounding Sigelruck leading an army of the undead and more-vile creatures of the night.
Another yet escaped the valley. Artyom Ivanov - Professor of Religious Studies and History at the Harlade Academy, happened into Sigelruck on expedition to investigate the Abbey of St. Markovia - and his own blood-relation to it. While in the mists, he recorded how the valley was disjointed in space and time from the remainder of Cordeca, and how it was kept prisoner by the mists and the will of a powerful vampire: Count Strahd Von Zarovich. He also saw the rise of Felicien: how the young huntsman’s lust for power compelled him to make a pact with ancient evils, sealed from the world within an icy temple. And he chronicled the subsequent war between Felicien and Strahd, and the heroics of a small group of survivors who descended into the bowels of Castle Ravenloft to end the vampire’s reign forever.
The lords of the Harlades heard Professor Ivanov’s warning of the coming danger Felicien posed to the Confederation, considered it credible, and moved to act. But the gears of the Confederation turn slowly. While the lords mustered their conviction and dispatch their scouts, the black cloud of Felicien’s army spilled from the mountain passes.
Wattry, Bordy, and the nearby Duchy of Coerberch were all beset by tides of beastmen, who prowled the woods and descended upon towns and cities in the night to slit the sleeping throats of men. Raviernruck was delivered a different and more familiar kind of horror. A necromancer-king leading an army of the undead - thousands strong and dripping with the Harlades Plague - attacked the lowlands of the valley. Each citizen and soldier slain by the horde was reborn as an undead soldier. Eventually, even Raviernruck’s citadel would succumb to the tide and cast the lords’ alliance to the corners.
The black tide advanced in all directions, driving the unprepared armies of the counts and refugees of citizens before them. A full year would pass before the remnants of the Confederation organized a defense able to halt the advance. By that time, Fontia, Kerseruck, Ellothrond, and the populated portions of Frisograf and Auborg were all beyond hope.
The Conflict
The Engagement
550 E4
551 E4
Spring Offensives
In the spring of 551, Grimes' army of aberrations and slave troops assaulted Northward from Fontia, assailing the County of Frisograf from the South and West. The major settlements of Blomkirchen and Westinde were taken after heavy fighting, resulting in the destruction of the Frisian Corps Sixth Regiment, Westinde Infantry; and the Fifth Regiment, Denebruck Cavaliers. In the route at Westinde, most of the Frisian Corps command element were captured, including Lt. Gen. Bergmann, Commander of the Frisian Corps.
Belligerents
The Harlade Confederation
Strength
85,000 Men
Casualties
Objectives
1. Debase and subjugate the people of the The Harlade Mountains.
2. Use their new empire as the basis to launch further invasions of the outlying civilizations. Force the worship of The Concord of Black as gods.
3. Take over Cordeca.
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