Inlyrian's Gambit

The first step towards war... in the name of peace.

After the decades of wars in Aenar, even the Sword-Lords of the Upper Coast were tottering from exhaustion. Every few days, the Sword-Lords had to face marauders, turncoat mercenaries, Highlanders or just the pleading hands of refugees fleeing Aenar. There had been talk for years of banding together and storming into Aenar but it was not feasible given the independent natures and old rivalries between the Sword-Lords. Even as they talked, the violence and destruction continued…

In the winter of -154, the Sword-Lord Certhyr INLYRIAN met with the Eorl of Swords who was his southern neighbor. Over several discussions that winter, INLYRIAN learned of Queen MORALEI and her decisive actions against the Rebel Lord Thyr. It gave him something to ponder over those cold, hungry months. By spring-time, he had decided to entreat Queen Moralei and Rhone’s assistance with the problem. He knew that it would mean abandoning his independence. Even worse, the other Sword-Lords would curse his birth and family for this surrendering of his people’s freedom. Worse, he knew, the other lords may take it upon themselves to remove him should they learn of it. But the toll it was taking on his family and his people was too great.

In the Summer of -154, the Sword-Lord reached out to the Queen through Swords and presented her with a proposal for conquering Aenar. His proposal included the Rhonish host to travel to Inlyrian lands and making use of the several fishing boats that he and his people had managed to safeguard from the chaos. His lands would form their safe port while his boats made the trip across the narrow Bay of Swords. From there, they could start on the coast of SWANS and work her way through Aenar proper. In return, regardless of the success of the campaign, he made clear his intention to swear loyalty to the Queen and Rhone upon acceptance of the proposal.

In the Autumn of -153, the Eorl of Swords welcomed Certhyr into his hold and introduced him to the Queen herself incognito. The three of them spoke deeply into the night and INLYRIAN was informed that he would have his answer before the Spring. It was during these hours that INLYRIAN experienced the draw and power of MORALEI’s magnetism. It was this that had convinced Rhone to crown her Queen despite their misgivings about the actual heir as her ward. It was also this feeling that had driven so many fighters into battle with her time and time again.