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🛠️ The Hammer Herald 🛠️
Forged in Truth — Tempered by Grit
Vol. 1 | Issue 50 |
IRON WAKE ATTACKED - GREY BEARD SAVES THE DAY?
By Humdek Oakenchest, Senior Stone Correspondent
Once more, an attack was pushed onto one of our great cities. Under the shroud of night, both the Avish army and navy pushed to siege Iron Wake. This time, with the only light shining on us being from the moon and stars, we were ready. The dreadnought was sighted three days ago docked at what was believed to be an old abandoned Avish dock and factory by a local group of children who were out exploring at the time, tipping off the local militia.
From here, time was of the essence for our local soldiers.
Initially the higher command was unsure what to do, fears from the last attack still gripping them, and orders went uncalled. There was a whole day that went by as they debated and had scouts gather information which left some soldiers uneasy, worrying they would be unprepared.
In an interview with one soldier who wished to remain anonymous, he stated; “I had me doubts we’d get a plan before the fight came to us. I was worryin’ I’d see another massacre like at Coppervale. Command was sittin’ idle like a blade left dulled n’ damp, startin’ to rust through. Glad they struck sense into themselves before it was too late..” However, this wouldn’t be the case as thankfully a retired commander, Elder Oldrel, came to assist and encourage them.
The hall was silent when the Elder entered. He was silent, cold, and as solid as the stone that surrounded him. He approached a podium in the center of the hall, surrounded by people of various ranks, quietly looking around as he walked. Once he stood before the podium, he spoke.
“Where’s yer courage gone to?” he began, his voice echoing throughout the silent hall; “If a single ship is enough to still Iron Wake, then we’ve grown softer than wet clay. I don’t believe that. And neither should you. You’re waiting for certainty. You won’t get it. The mountain never gave it, and neither will the sea.. We were not forged to be ready, we were forged to endure.” Murmurs began to loom within the hall as Elder Oldrel finished his message; “Aye, it’s a great iron beast they plan to send our way. Loud, proud, and built to make lesser folk tremble. But Iron Wake was not carved by lesser folk. Let it come. It will learn what all things learn in time that stone does not yield, and neither do we.” As quickly as he arrived, he left the podium, silently leaving those within the room to sit with those words and understand where we must go.
Once the scouting team returned, the militia had been reinvigorated by the words of the Elder and they were ready for what was to come. The dreadnought appeared to have sustained damage from the previous attack on Coppervale, with holes in the steel hull being replaced with wood and one of the main guns having been destroyed by the trebuchet they used. The slag was still embedded within the deck. Repairs weren’t going to fix anything on that ship.
Two more days passed, and nightfall came. The only light that was shining outside of Iron Wake was the moon, and the only sounds that were heard were calls of owls and crickets. The ship slowly sailed across the horizon under the glow of the moon like an iron clad sea serpent. It was anticipated and expected, unlike our men.
As the Avish ship crept closer to the shores to investigate where the docks had gone, so did ours. Our soldiers had gathered into canoes earlier that night and waited for the vessel to arrive. Slowly and silently, they gathered around the dreadnought unnoticed and attached explosives on the waterline. With the fuses lit the soldiers quickly rowed, away no longer regarding the need for stealth.
They were spotted, but it no longer mattered. Avish arrows and bolts flew through the air and pierced the water, missing their targets aside from a single Dwarven soldier who is recovering from his injury. Explosions rocked both the dreadnought and the canoes alike, flipping some of them, however no soldiers were lost from those ships.
As quickly as the holes were blown, the dreadnought began to sink. The blaring horn that once came with our own death and destruction had now been replaced with a warning siren and their own. However, ships were sent out to the wreckage to rescue any survivors from the sunken attack vessel, 30 men were taken from the wreckage and are now being questioned for further information on any planned attacks and other ships.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Garrison Report
All is well currently on the Avish front, troops have gathered outside the Avish capital of Wolvengard alongside reinforcements from allied kingdoms. Troops from each member of The Coalition of the Six arrived earlier this week. A stalemate has occurred at the gates as plans for the incoming battle are discussed. King Baldwin has been sighted watching the armies as they have gathered around the city and allegedly sent a message down to King Reinaldur, stating that he “wouldn’t be killed” if he and the surrounding army surrendered without bloodshed.
Crafting & Commerce:
As the Port of Coppervale undergoes reconstruction, jobs in manual labour have swelled in the city. Job postings for carpenters, stone masons, and other construction positions have risen. Additionally, Queen Quilda has paid extra commission to the miner’s guild of Coppervale to increase available resources for the construction.
Grudge Gazette:
Debates have stirred up amongst historians and civilians alike. Some believe that the dreadnought should have been taken due to its historic significance, “Ye’ve outta save the thing stead o’ sinkin’ it. Tis older than any o’ us!” one historian stated when questioned. However, others have different ideas. Some think it's good that it was sunk, feeling that the ship was just a death machine. On the opposite side, some think that was a good feature, believing we should have saved it to use against the Avish. We here at the Hammer Herald plan to stay impartial, however ask the readers for their opinions for a chance to be featured in the next issue!