The Rekkenmark Raid

Military action

The infamous raid on Rekkenmark by Thrane's Wyvernrider marked a new kind of war between Karrnath and Thrane, one marked by heavy civilian casualties, indeterminate bombings, and purposeful destruction.

By 974 ^YK, the former allies Thrane and Karrnath were deeply committed to their mutual war. Thrane railed against Karrnath's “undead abominations against nature and tradition” and Karrnath despised the “weak-minded priest-worshipers” who followed the Council of Cardinals from disaster to disaster.   The two countries engaged in pitched and deadly naval clashes, they fought back and forth across Scions Sound to the north, they raided each other extensively, and they aided, when possible, the other’s enemies.   The rancor resulted in raids against civilian targets becoming more common. In the winter of 974^YK, a force of 50 Thrane wyvernriders flew over Scions Sound by night. Small numbers and speed kept their approach undetected by the coastal defenses, which were primarily focused on raiding ships. The riders arrived in the gray light before dawn and set to work, dropping their cargo of firebombs on Rekkenmark.   They were gone by full daylight, though reports claim they roosted on the ruins of the White Arch Bridge to watch their handiwork. The fires caught hold in two areas: the creosote-stained piers of the harbor, and the wood, grain, wool, and cloth of the warehouse district. The city was nearly overcome by flames as the wind blowing off the sound fanned the conflagration. Civilian casualties were high.  

The aftermath of the firebombs on Rekkenmark keenly reveals the ongoing struggles within Thrane. Military explanations that “fire is a divinely sanctioned weapon” and “this was our vengeance for Shadukar” were undermined when Keeper Tagor issued a lengthy “letter of regret.” Breland, Cyre, Aundair, Zilargo, and even nobles of the dragonmarked houses responded favorably to the Keeper's words, but warned that if such an assault were repeated, Aundair, Breland, Cyre, and Karrnath would unite to burn every city of Thrane to its foundations.   Ultimately, Keeper Tagor used the outcry against the incident to remove several hard-liners from positions of influence in her government. Even so, in later years, as the militants began to reassert themselves, the anniversary of the firebombing was declared a national holiday—and it is still celebrated to this day. - Renowned Zil librarian Augusta Wainwocket