The First Siege of Eston

Military action

The talks broke off when Thrane, Karrnath, and Breland laid siege to the city of Eston in the first extended campaign of the war.

Thalin wanted no more Cyre expeditions launching themselves from that port, and was concerned with the force already established there. The siege initially went well for the three allies, since Thrane and Breland controlled the sea lanes (the bulk of the Aundairian navy was engaged with Karrnath in a struggle for control in the north). Still, House Cannith was responsible for much of the city’s buildings and defense works and, not surprisingly, the dragonmarked house had rendered the city nigh impregnable.   When Wrogar’s rangers staged yet another unexpected arrival in the west and cut the lightning rail supply lines at the Aruldusk station, a lack of supplies began limiting the attackers’ ability to launch sustained assaults. Ultimately, the siege was doomed when the three usurpers began quarreling about who would sit upon the Galifar throne. Thalin had already declared his divine right to the crown, and Wroann supported that claim, but only because she was promised greater liberties for all citizens and offered the title of Queen of Breland and Cyre. Kaius rejected Thalin’s claim, declaring that he, from the land of Karrn and Galifar, should inherit the crown.   With the continued raids on their supply lines, distrust engendered by Kaius’s refusal to pledge himself to Thalin, word of a strong Cyran force approaching, and a powerful sally by the emboldened city garrison, Thrane and Breland decided to cross back over Scions Sound and abandon the siege in 896. Unable to maintain the stranglehold himself, Kaius was forced to withdraw; again, he was denied honorable battle. The armies of Karrnath plundered and burned their way across northern Cyre in a fury, but retreated in the face of Cyran cavalry and heavy foot who threatened Kaius’s extended supply lines.  

This falling-out at the first siege of Eston would prove to be merely the first of many. All of Jarot’s children had been born to rule, and had gained experience as rulers within the larger Galifar empire. Each had supporters and plans for their own elevation to the throne. In truth, all five scions of Jarot were ill-tempered and accustomed to having things their way. All had their excuses for hanging onto power, varying from divine right to greater experience to Jarot’s favor to the defense of freedom and liberty. Jarot had encouraged his children to become powerful rulers, and he did not recognize that national and personal interests had aligned against the continued control of the empire from Thronehold. The extreme stubbornness of Jarot’s children set many precedents and weakened any attempt at diplomacy throughout the years to come. - Renowned Zil librarian Augusta Wainwocket