Tidings from the Sunset Realm

Antissa Siege lifted
In a miraculous turn of events, Divine Intervention on behalf of High Ecclesiarch Terenas Vayder, most devout servant of Bahamut, has resulted in the end of the Siege of Antissa. Gruemar, Voice of Bahamut, a magnificent dragon of the golden variety, appeared and the Elven besiegers were scattered. Elven skirmishers remain, however, and harass the surrounding countryside.

Iron once more flows on the Emperor's Road
Ferrek Hammerhold, leader of Irongard, has resumed mining iron in that ancient Dwarven citadel. Iron ore once more makes its way down from the Hellmouth Mountains to the towns and cities along the Emperor's Road. Antissa's Artificer Guild has already commissioned a large supply and the iron price has started to fall back to pre-scarcity levels.

Walking dead on the shores of the New Sea
The mysterious undead epidemic has reached the southern shores of the New Sea. Shambling ghouls and zombies have been sighted on the cliffs and beaches south of the Pirate Isles. King Kenneth of Antissa has called for adventurers to investigate the cause of the dead rising in these parts.

Tartaros Draekonys Bounties
The Dragon Hunters of the Tartaros Draekonys have put out bounties directed at known and individual dragons of golden, silver and other metallic colors. In Aurora, rewards have been promised to adventurers that bring the heads of a Gold Dragon by the name of Aurulus, and a Silver Dragon by the name of Heart, to the improvised headquarters of Sevil Artorius. In the eastern lands of Old Turath and the North, massive hunting parties track spoor of metallic dragons. Why specifically dragons of the metallic kind are targeted is unknown.

Tarrasque sighting in Sjikah lands
Refugees fleeing the living dead bring news that the dread abomination, the Tarrasque, has been sighted in the southern sands of the Sjikah Republic, on a course for Niveneh. Whether this is linked with the emergence of the walking dead in that land remains the subject of arcane debate.

Circumstances of the Westerrealm

Like any land, the Westerrealm is beset by current events and affairs foreign and domestic. Here are a few that are raging around the lands, including the Undulating Burgundy Marches:

The Octarine Malady
Originating with some malign, Wyld-born pest, the disease known as the Octarine Malady has spread around the Westerrealm, claiming the lives of thousands. Named after that infamous yet not directly visible color of magic, the Octarine Malady first manifests as a dull sparkle of the aura. Symptoms thereafter include coughing up fairy dust, weakness and exhaustion, octarine warts and finally one of the following effects:

1d6
1 Spoons and other metal implements around the victim start bending.
2 Victim is cut in half by magic, accumulating levels of exhaustion until death sets in.
3 Instead of coughing up fairy dust, victim starts coughing up sharp knives, daggers and finally a sword previously swallowed by a minor stage magician, killing the victim on the spot.
4 Victim disappears, subject to a plane shift spell with a random destination.
5 Victim is polymorphed into a white rabbit.
6 Victim is polymorphed into 1d6 white pigeons. Can only be polymorphed back if all pigeons are brought back together.


The Whatsitabout War
Everyone knows there's a war on out there. For the better part of a century, kings and princes have been fighting each other, sending armies and warbands against their rivals. All know its catastrophic scope as entire principalities have been wiped off the map since the beginning of the conflict. No one knows the reasons or inciting incident of the war, however, giving rise to the moniker of this decades-long conflict.


The Ecclesiarchy and Counter-Ecclesiarchy
Religious and theological disputes have reached a boiling point in recent years, as the temples that have stood for a millennium now suffer challenge and controversy. Various sects have branched off from their main temple organisations and an entire Counter-Ecclesiarchy has set up shop rivalling the old ways of the established ecclesiarchies.


Rediscovered Magical Arts
A veritable rebirth of the magical arts of the Old Empires is underway in the Southlands, as ancient theories and techniques are "discovered" in abandoned ruins in areas under occupation by the Luminous Legion. This has given rise to an economic and magical expansion in these lands affected by the arcanological rebirth. A class of Simulacrum-men, called this manner for their efforts in copying the arts of the ancients, has emerged in the southern cities, patronized by rich merchants and princes. Of course, in most of the lands of the Westerrealm, where the magical energies of the Wyld are volatile, these rediscovered arcane arts invariably lead to chaos and mayhem.

And now for the News from the Sunset Realm

The Sands Are Alive With The Living Dead!
All over the Zaar, the dead have been returning to life. Corpses both fresh and old have started to traipse about since a few weeks. The source of this mysterious reanimation as yet remains unknown.

A change of course at the Cartographer's Guild
It has come to light that the chief cartographer at the Cartographer's Guild has not been doing a good job. His charts are a mess and increasing mismanagement of guild members has irked the ire of traders, generals and adventurers alike. A new head cartographer has been instated and he has immediately set out to correct his forebear's mistakes.

Infestation at Ironguard eradicated
In the turn of a moon, a hardy party of adventurers has cleared the infested depths of Ironguard from all manner of monstrous vermin. Aberrations, fiends and iron-eating monstrosities were reported to have inhabited the depths, blocking the flow of iron from the realm's major source. A mountain dwarf by name of Ferrek Hammerhold has claimed the mountain and has promised to resume the production of iron on short notice.

Parley between a Gold Dragon and two Elves

"A dragon! An ancient one, by the looks of it. Gold." Prince Leolar's eyes went wide. Although he had seen dragons before in his years, even fought and survived them, never before did he witness as magnificent a creature as now descended from the twilit sky amidst the Elven forces. All around him, the Elven Citizen Guards threw down their polearms and shields as they fled in terror from the great golden foe. Leolar felt his legs beginning to quiver, an acid taste at the back of his mouth. His shield slipped from his grasp. He became aware of a warm feeling in his groin area.

"Don't worry, its perfectly natural, it could happen to anybody." The voice was cool, distant. The voice of his Queen, his Lady, Ylsandre of the Ageless Ashtree. Leolar didn't know if the comment was referencing him wetting his breeches or their men fleeing the field.

The dragon landed ahead of them, generating a gale that threw the Elven siege engines on their sides. When it landed, it crouched low to the ground, flattening its wings. But then it rose, sitting back on two feet and uncoiling, like a great golden serpent spreading the dawn. The red twilight sunlight gleamed on the golden scales of the dragon. Its eyes blazed with an azure light. Golden radiance filled the fields around Antissa, a feeling equal measures serenity and dread spread from the dragon. As fear of the dragon and panic spread throughout the besieging Elven forces, Leolar felt increasingly lonely.

"It seems we are not left a choice," Queen Ylsandre said. Her violet eyes gazed adamantly upon the gold dragon. "We should..."

A roar boomed, echoing off the walls of Antissa, the dragon, finally announcing its presence.

"GREETINGS, MORTALS. I HAVE BEEN SENT BY HE WHO JUDGES. MY NAME IS GRUEMAR, I AM THE VOICE. AND I HAVE ONE REQUEST. WITHDRAW. CONCEDE TO THIS REQUEST, OR SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES."

Leolar found it increasingly hard to swallow. "What should we do?" The possibility of defeat hadn't entered his mind when they encircled Antissa, home of the hated humans that left the Elven people to rot. But now...

Ylsandre answered. "What else can we do? We should give noble Gruemar what he wants. After all, he is an emissary of the gods. I will offer myself up as hostage."

That took Leolar aback. "Hostage? But you are of the old blood! What about..." Ylsandre interrupted him.

"Indeed I am. But it will secure free passage for our kin. And as one door closes, other doors may open." Ylsandre, Queen of the Ageless Ashtree, strode forward into reach of Gruemar the Voice of Bahamut, the imposing ancient Gold Dragon. Leolar found his shield, preparing for a new journey.

Missives from the Sunset Realm

News on the streets of Aurora:

Pillars of Skulls rise in the deserts
In the southern desert known as the Zaar, caravans have reported construction on massive pillars composed of skulls. Attempts at interaction with the construction crews have all met with sullen silence. The purpose of the horrific edifices has yet to be unveiled. Rumours in the cities of the Sjikah Republic all point to a directive from Niveneh. Arkhon Akhemen remains silent on the matter however.

Iron Circle joins Minos army
The Iron Circle mercenary group, operating out of the Forbidden Valley, has joined forces with the minotaur Elite Guard of Minos. The army is currently marching south toward Antissa in order to lift the siege of that beleaguered city. At its current pace, the army is expected to arrive at Antissa's walls in about a moon's time.

The Siege of Antissa part 4 - The Forces Entrench Themselves

As weeks pass in my Sunset Realm game, the siege of Antissa, its freest city, continues.

To remind you, dear reader, of the situation: the High Elves of Silvanor Forest were driven out of their home cities of Benerel Nodel and Benerel Adon. For some reason, they hold humanity to blame and have therefore marched on the most nearby human capital: Antissa.

As they arrived and settled in, the King of Antissa, King Kenneth, sallied forth and claimed first blood.

Now, the siege has dragged on for another two weeks.

I have been using the War Machine rules to adjudicate the siege.

The Second Week
In the siege's second week, the Elves see their food supply diminished. They can only last this and next week and will have to force a decision in the fourth week of the siege. Antissa, meanwhile, still has enough food supplies for 65 weeks and can afford to sit out the Elves' attacks.

Still being outgunned by Antissa's siege defenses, the Elves choose to have another round of siege engine construction. Evander orders the construction of three trebuchets, further boosting the BR of his force by +36.

Kenneth, flush with his first victory, orders another round of harrassments. Rolling 1d100, Kenneth gets a result of 97, for a total of 267. Evander rolls 71 for a total of 231 - another win for Antissa. Looking up the difference in the Battle Results Table, a 36 gives the following:

Casualties: 2% for the Winner, 4% for the Loser
Fatigue: Moderate Fatigue for the Winner, Serious Fatigue for the Loser

As such, the Elves' active battle roster is reduced to 3,800 battle-ready elves and seriously fatigued. After 1 day (I rolled a 1 on 1d4), the Elves become moderately fatigued, which they remain for three days. After a week, the Elves are again restored to their normal strength.

Antissa's forces have been reduced from 6,100 to 5,980, all of whom are moderately fatigued. Two days later, their fatigue vanishes.

The Third Week
The Elves, seeing their food supplies dwindle, decide to bombard Antissa. Evander has four heavy catapults (+32) and three trebuchets (+36) for a total BR of 228. Antissa has a siege engine BR of 195.

When bombarding, the result of the week are determined by rolling 1d10 and multiplying the result by 10. That yields the number of hit dice as casualties as a percentage of the BR.

Evander rolls an 8, causing 80% of 228 = 182 civilian casualties.
King Kenneth rolls a 7, causing 70% of 195 = 136 elven casualties.

At the end of the third week of the siege, the Elves have suffered 236 casualties with another 100 wounded. The forces of Antissa have suffered 60 casualties with another 60 wounded, and another 136 civilian casualties.

Divine Intervention
High Ecclesiarch Terenas continues to pray for Divine Intervention during the second and third week of the siege. . His prayers are finally heard just three days before the end of the third week, after the first wave of bombardment has taken place. Bahamut, Terenas' patron deity, sends one of seven great gold dragons that serve him to negotiate a truce. Gruemar the Voice, a massive and ancient gold dragon, descends from the heavens amidst the Elven forces and negotiates for a peaceful end to the siege. The end-result of this negotiation has yet to be determined.

The Siege of Antissa part 3 - Opening Moves

Prince Evander, his nephew Prince Leolar and the Duchess Ylsandre have drawn up their forces outside of the City of Antissa, capital of the Alliance, demanding forceful entrance. Inside of Antissa's walls, King Kenneth has shored up his defenses. Thousands of citizen-soldiers stand ready to defend their home. At the start of the first week of the siege, each party's actions are as follows:

Antissa (BR 170)
Though Antissa is a large city, high-level wizards and sorcerers are rare. Only 1 in 128.000 attains that level and Antissa's archmage Tenser is missing. The city is therefore unable to teleport in food at the moment. The city does have access to the priests of the Celestial Mountain, five of whom are able to provide food daily to a total of 75 people. In addition, High Ecclesiarch Terenas Vayder is able to provide for 120 people each day and will pray for Divine Intervention from Bahamut. Antissa has prepared six months of food for storage (7,2 million units) and Kenneth immediately rations that to food once per 3 days for commoners. Soldiers get a full allotment each day. Water can be supplied from the springs beneath the Celestial Mountain. In total, Antissa loses 108,600 food units each week. At this rate, Kenneth can hold Antissa for 66 weeks - more than a year!

In terms of siege actions, Kenneth chooses to Harras the Elven forces.

High Elves (BR 160)
The Elves have just arrived on the field of battle, without siege engines and with only meager supplies. They currently have enough food to feed their numbers for two weeks. In their first day, the Elves scour the countryside to extend their stores for an additional week. During the rest of the week, four heavy catapults (+8 BR) are constructed.

The first week of the siege
Though Terenas prays for Divine Intervention each wake, his prayers go unanswered.
Kenneth's harrasment of Evander's forces results in the first skirmish of the siege. Kenneth rolls a 19 on a d100 for a total Battle Result of 170+19 = 189. Evander rolls a 25 for a total of 185. Kenneth has caught the Elves while they were still settling in!

But his succes is only marginal. 20 Elves are killed, another 20 wounded. 3,960 battle-ready Elves, under the command of three formidable spellcasters, still remain...

The Siege of Antissa part 2 - Defenses and Siege Engines

Basic D&D's War Machine had an addendum rules set called Siege Machine, developed specially for sieges. Using the Siege Machine rules, we will further chart the course of the Siege of Antissa.

Defenses
Antissa is an old city-state and has survived multiple extended wars, magical conflicts and even divine intervention. Its defenses are formidable and consist of the following:

- 4 cannons* +12 BR
- 3 trebuchets +12 BR
- 8 ballistas +2 BR
- in stronghold +50 BR

Each weapon has enough ammunition for a year's worth. King Kenneth is not a risk taker.

Furthermore, Antissa's army outnumbers Silvanor's army 1,5 to 1, yielding an additional +15 BR. Furthermore, Antissa is defending its own domain and receives a +10 BR for morale.

*In the original Siege Machine rules, cannons were not listed. In my campaign, cannons are very real. Comparing the 5E statistics on page 255 of the DMG yields the cannon as dealing the same amount of damage as a trbuchet. In Siege Machine, a trebuchet gives a +12 BR, therefore, the cannons give a +12 BR each.

Elven siege equipment
The High Elves of Silvanor are only fresh out of a home and have hurried to their former-ally. In their hurry, the forces of Evander have not yet been able to construct siege engines.
The Elves additionally receive a +10 bonus for their superior quality against Antissa's citizen army.


Final Notes
As Prince Evander arrives at Antissa's gates, the Battle Ratings of both forces stand as follows:

Antissa: 170
Silvanor: 160

Disasters and tribulations

And now more news from the Sunset Realm...

Storm floods Aurora wards
A terrible storm swept in from the west in the first week of Undecimbyr, flooding the Harbor Ward and the slums known as the Shackles. Hundreds of shacks and huts were washed into the New Sea and hundreds, maybe thousands of inhabitants have gone missing. In the Harbor, ships crashed into the docks and buildings were damaged. Thousands of gold pieces worth of goods were washed away. The Primary has enacted emergency protocols throughout the city, tightening security and doubling the warforged patrols.

Antissa besieged
On Undecimbyr 14, Antissa awoke to find an Elven army on its doorstep, surrounding the city on all sides, leaving only the Celestial Mountain as formidable redoubt. The intentions and motivations of the Elven forces are unknown and diplomatic efforts on behalf of High Ecclesiarch Terenas Vayder have so far failed. Antissa is known as a city of the arcane arts, it can therefore be assumed that the authorities are able to teleport in supplies.

More News from the Sunset Realm

Tartaros Draekonys Guildhall Burned Down
The central guildhall of that auspicious dragonhunter guild, the Tartaros Draekonys, has been affected by an explosion. Its offices have been burned down and there are two dozen guildmembers missing. The Aurora Watch has started an investigation into these events. Word on the street is that the rebel known as Lady Heart is behind this terrorist attack.

Aurora Bazaar Flooded With Iron
With iron prices at a record high, opportunistic adventurers have dumped all their steel and iron on the Aurora market, destabilizing the local economy. Hundreds of thousands of gold pieces worth of iron and gold were exchanged. The Steel Bank and the Trading Guild, market watchdogs, are not amused and are taking steps to rectify the imbalance.

News from the Sunset Realm

And now for the news from the Sunset Realm:


Iron Price at Record High!
With the mines of Ironguard still closed off since the fall of that Mountain Dwarf capital eight years ago, the price of iron has soared to a record high. On the market, objects made of iron now fetch a price 1,000 times their original value. Tribes and warbands in the wastelands have lost access to metal entirely and now fight for their survival using low quality bronze and bone weapons.

Tarrasque Sighted in Silvanor Forest!
Terrible reports have reached the courts of the Four Free Domains of late. The dreaded reaver, the great harrower, the abomination, has returned to the Sunset Realm once more. The Tarrasque, that terrible monster and devourer of cities, once again scours the lands under the Red Sun. Rumors tell of the last remaining High Elf citadel in Silvanor Forest, Benerel Adon, having fallen to the Devourer. Contact with that eldritch city has been lost.

Coup prevented in Niveneh!
In the rump lands of Hadak Ura’s short-lived empire, the lands now known as the Sjikah Republic, civil unrest came to a climax in Lucifer 466. An attempt on Arkhon Akhemen’s life was prevented by the swift intervention of his vizier Kerches Darios. The rebels were swiftly dealt with on the steps of Niveneh’s Grand Ziggurat.

Warforged Search Parties roam the Zaar
The Warforged general Omega Secundus, operating out of Antissa with permission from Antissa’s king, has sent out search parties into the desert to recover, what he calls, the “Omega Drive”. Omega Secundus states that the recovery of this artifact is of vital importance to the wellbeing of the Warforged and the security of the Free City of Aurora.

Cyra Akhemen arrives in Antissa
By request of High Ecclesiarch Terenas Vader of Antissa, Cyra Akhemen has been invited to attend King Kenneth’s court in that city. Cyra, Arkhon Akhemen’s younger sister, is said to be beautiful and wise beyond measure and rumour has it that Vader intends for the king to wed the young Akhemen in order to secure an alliance between Antissa and the Sjikah Republic.

The Watcher's Band crumbles
The streets of various city wards of Aurora have been rife with crime since its resettlement six years ago. Wandslingers and vigilantes of all stripes dispense their own brand of justice within that bustling city. A new crimelord, known only as “The Watcher”, was added to the roster of power groups only a few moons ago. In recent wakes however, his band has turned upon itself as the Watcher himself has vanished.

Tenser Manzorian Vanished!
Antissa’s Blue Archmage Tenser Manzorian, prominent member of the Arcane Guild, has inexplicably vanished. His contacts with the Guild have confirmed that Tenser had made contact with an entity known only as “the Silver Lady” and that he had ventured into the West on some form of quest. The nature of this quest and his disappearane remain a mystery.