The Guns of Gundarak

[Drekavac]

Spoiler: show

Rumor spreads that the equally well-regarded and enigmatic Black Army of Gundarak has crossed the Invidian border. Anticipation and fear can be felt in the air from those dwelling on the porous border between the two countries. A new storm was coming.


OOC: 12 P.M. PST, December 19.

[Drekavac]

Spoiler: show

There is a dark tide on the Barovian border. Several river vessels sail along with the Gundar River and soon a black banner of the so-called Gundarakite Black Army in sight of Zeidenburg. The road to the Dreadpass is closed and the city is soon placed under siege as war returns to the region. The western-armed and battle-tested mercenaries have seemingly arrived to liberate their homeland of the old Gundarak of old. The arms of their like have not been seen in such numbers in any previous time in Barovia's history, their arrival gives newfound hope to the Gundarakite Rebels while Barovians brace for what seems to be yet another invasion of their conquered homeland.

Burgomaster Stelian Moraru rallied the Zeidenburg Garrison composed entirely of Barovians and refused to surrender to the invading force, declaring, "NEVER AGAIN CONQUERED!" as the siege entered its initial stages. With the closure of the Dreadpass and rumors of black-clad bands moving on the road east to Teufeldorf it seems, for now, the city is cut off by river and by road.

[Drekavac]

Spoiler: show

News spreads across Barovia regarding the fall of Zeidenburg to Gundarakite Rebels. While besieged by the Gundarakite Black Army, the local rebel movement in the city rose up simultaneously to create the perfect storm for Burgomaster Stelian Moraru who utilized confiscated Invidian cannons to little avail as his adversaries utilized western firearms to great effect. The city fell after an element of rebels opened the gates and allowed the attackers to overwhelm the city in the districts under Barovian control. With the death of Burgomaster Moraru and his subsequent hanging in the city, Zeidenburg quickly fell and was occupied by the rebel coalition. After the fall of the city, the enigmatic Lord Regent Demetrius Ajkler arrived and met with numerous rebel leaders in the city including the local hero Ardonk Szerieza. With the fall of the city, it appears the rebels have made their way to menace the city of Teufeldorf. These actions will no doubt spur action on behalf of Count Strahd XI in short order...

[Drekavac]

The booming of cannon and musket raged outside of the City of Teufeldorf. The Gundarakite Black Army launched an assault on the city just as Barovian reinforcements arrived from other villages. The beleaguered defenders fought against the Gundarakite menace. The Gundarakite force struck down many Barovian defenders and the tide of battle was increasingly clear until a heavy mist descended...

Cannon and musket could be heard until a sudden stillness hung in the air. The mist soon dissipated and revealed bloody stragglers fleeing west for Zeidenburg. What survivors of both sides saw horrified them - the shambling undead. The innumerable zombies shambled against the living and groaned a single word repeatedly, "Strahd..." Bloodied and terrified, the Gundarakites make a full retreat to Zeidenburg. Yet, there was no sound of celebration from the defending Barovians as the battle ended.

[Drekavac]

Rumors spread of a massive movement of mercenaries leaving Curriculo toward the Blightwood from Curriculo and Invidian warbands crossing the Nharov River from the town of Tancos. Merchants on the road speak of a terrifying sight of monsters among the Invidian mercenaries approaching the town of Navorhan that is flanked by both the Nharov and Gundar Rivers lying just opposite the Nharov from Tancos. To make matters worse Falkovnian Talons have patrolled Tancos and can be seen barking orders to mercenaries and monstrous creatures such as ogres under their chilling command.

Villagers in Tancos shutter their doors at the arrival of these soldiers and farmers brace for the confiscation of their harvest despite the increasingly poor yields from the ashen air that pollutes Invidia's skies. Under the horizon of Castle Hunadora a large force assembles with the intent to strike the fortress of Gabrielle Aderre and rumor has it Malocchio Aderre has come finally to put an end to her mother's rule of Eastern Invidia and to bring the Gundarakites to heel...

[Drekavac]

The sounds of battle die down near Castle Hunadora. Tattered and worn mercenaries flee southward, however, few make it to the safety of Curriculo as rumor has it a large pack of wolves devoured many of the wounded that fled. Further word is not forthcoming from survivors. Soon after, the sounds of a massive bombard go off in the vicinity of Navorhan as the battle draws to a close. With heavy loss of life, Malocchio's men withdraw across the river to Tancos. The Falkovnian mercenaries and ogres lie dead across the battlefield. With an uneasy silence, the Gundarakites rest easy for now.

[Drekavac]

The Black Army of Gundarak is but a memory. The City of Zeidenburg found itself attacked by Count Strahd von Zarovich at the hour of the elections of the so-called Republic of Gundarak. The beleaguered Gundarakites found themselves assailed by many horrors that broke the spirit of the rebellion in the city and pushed the rebels back to the docks of the city they so recently liberated. A combined force of Wachter and Ionelus forces marched down the Dreadpass and defeated rebels until the gates of the city were swept aside at their arrival. In a brutal and climactic fight the city was retaken by the Count and the city was violently pacified by summary executions before Barovian order was restored to the insurgent city. Soon after, Wachter and Vallaki forces marched after ensuring stability and order with muted triumph.