Battle of the Ruanon Homelands

Battle of the Ruanon Homelands
Date	MS 5103
Location	Ruanon Homelands
Belligerents	Attackers Legion of the Restless Dead (led by Vashna) Darklands reinforcements Defenders Sommerlund (led by Lone Wolf) Army of the South Order of the Kai (led by Grand Master and Steel Hand) Brotherhood of the Crystal Star (led by Banedon) Grey Star
Result	Costly Freelands victory Vashna retreats and issues a challenge

The Battle of the Ruanon Homelands was a battle that took place in MS 5103 in the Ruanon Homelands in Ruanon, south of Ruanon Town. It was fought between the Legion of the Restless Dead — the forces that were cast into the Maakengorge during the Battle of the Maakengorge, reborn as undead — and led by the reborn Archlord Vashna, merged with the Nengud-kor-Adez. Although the Legion was defeated, Vashna issued a threat to Lone Wolf, demanding he fought him in Zekgazad, deep beneath the ground where the Sommerswerd was ineffective, or he would tear open Sommerlund with the power of the Nengud-kor-Adez, a threat the Kai had no way to prevent.

Background

In MS 5102, during the events of Dead in the Deep, the Acolytes of Vashna finally succeeded in their ultimate goal: To bring back Archlord Vashna, albeit accidentally. The Dagger of Vashna, which contained a portion of Vashna's spirit, fell into the Nengud-kor-Adez in the Maakengorge, releasing Vashna and combining him with the Nengud-kor-Adez.

In MS 5103, despite Lone Wolf's warnings, King Haigh V sent most of his forces to Talestria, to help the kingdom of his wife, Queen Emyla from the Agarashi of the Danarg. Weakened, Sommerlund was invaded by new, enhanced Helghasts, possessing advanced powers of detection, causing chaos. But more dangerously, the Nengud-kor-Adez expanded underground to the Maaken Mines near Maura, flooding it and devastating Sommerlund's economy. Then, the Legion of the Restless Dead — the forces that were cast into the Maakengorge during the Battle of the Maakengorge, reborn as undead — rose from the Maakengorge near Hesley, and marched on Ruanon Town. Lone Wolf was also disturbed by other news from Grey Star — the possible arrival of an even greater threat than Vashna. Sommerlund was also isolated from its allies, with Durenor, Slovia and Cloeasia embroiled in the Helghast chaos.

To atone for his mistakes, King Haigh appointed Lone Wolf Marshal of the Realm, the highest rank of the Sommlending Army. Half of the garrisoned Kai on the Isle of Lorn were sent to reinforce Sommerlund, along with its leaders Grand Master and Blazer. Lone Wolf dispatched Kai Grand Masters Star Lynx and Autumn Snow to hunt down the remaining Helghasts in Sommerlund, and to join with the Army of the North to protect against a potential western invasion from the Durncrag Mountains. Two Kai Cassels then joined the Army of the South to Ruanon to meet Vashna's forces.

Preparation

In Ruanon Town, a War Council was held between Lone Wolf, Marshal of the Plain Thanar, Baroness Madelon Vanalund of Ruanon, the High Constable of Ruanon Town, and representatives of the Knights of the Realm and a Guildmarshal of Toran. Sage Chastan recounted the history of the Battle of the Maakengorge, and estimated that no more than five thousand of Vashna's finest forces were cast into the Maakengorge, including Death Knights, and while this force was potent, was outnumbered by the forces of Sommerlund today. However, this was tempered by the nature of the undead: After the Legion rose, they left no corpses behind in Castle Maaken, indicating that the fallen had joined the ranks of the undead, meaning Vashna's forces would only grow over time.

Sommerlund was strengthened by Wardstones and Dessi Stones by the Elder Magi, allowing the normal weapons of the Sommerlund Army to damage the undead, and the remainder of the Maura gold was spent on Bor guns and cannons to shatter the undead.

In preparation for the battle, Lone Wolf appointed Grand Master and Steel Hand as Kai Marshals, in charge of a Kai Cassel each. Lone Wolf would remain on the Skyfort to monitor and direct the battle, and Marshal Thanar would hold his forces in reserve. As the War Council disbanded, however, Lone Wolf warned Banedon, Steel Hand, Grand Master, Blazer and Winter Oak in private that a greater threat than Vashna could emerge, as Grey Star had reached out to him days before, and would not have done so unless he was desperate.

Order of battle

Attackers

• Legion of the Restless Dead (led by Archlord Vashna)
  • Darklands reinforcements
  • (Possibly) Zekgazad reinforcements

Defenders

An illustration of the Sommlending army positions can be seen in The Dusk of Eternal Night, §50.

• Sommerlund Army of the South (led by Marshal of the Realm Lone Wolf)
  • Battalion 1: Attack on the Old Maaken Road (led by Kai Grand Master Steel Hand)
  • Battalion 2: Engaging the enemy on the Casiorn Highway (led by Kai Grand Master Grand Master)
    • 2nd Cavalry "King Bern's Blackguards" (300 men)
    • 2nd Horse Guard "The Steadfasts" (200 men)
    • 2nd Infantry "Skullduggerers" and Toranese Archers (450 men)
    • 3rd Ruanese Mines Cassel "Stonewomens'" (350 men)
    • 5th Infantry "Frightful Fifths" and Toranese Archers (400 men)
    • 4th Cavalry "Myranar's Marauders" (300 men)
    • 2nd Foot Guard "Immortals" and Battle Casters (350 men)
    • 8th Infantry "Wheat Wolves" (350 men)
    • 1st Kirlundin Marines "Sea Hawks" (100 men)
    • 14th Infantry "Faithful 14th" (350 men)
    • 2x Ruanese Retainers (1000 men)
    • Kai Infantry (180 Kai Lords)
    • Kai Cavalry (led by Kai Grand Master Blazer) (180 men)
  • Battalion 3: Defending Ruanon Town and kept in reserve (led by Plains-Marshal Thanar)

Battle on the Casiorn Highway

The source material, The Dusk of Eternal Night, is told from Grand Master's perspective, and thus only covers the battle on the Casiorn Highway.

First contact

Just before the battle began, Guildmaster Banedon cast a Revelation ritual, revealing about two dozen Helghast in the Sommerlund Army, which were quickly dispatched by Kai Lords with Dessi Stones. By midday, Sommlending scouts spotted the undead, and battle was imminent. A vanguard of skeletons were the first to emerge, the raised undead from Castle Maaken. The Sommlending forces disintegrated the vanguard with Bor gunfire, forced to destroy what was once Sommlending too.

However, the core Legion of the Dead swiftly overtook the vanguard, and engaged the Sommerlund Army in close combat. Amongst the undead were Doomwolves, Death Knights, Boneghasts (including a giant variation), and Vashna's personal court of Xaghash.

The Sommerlund Army managed to defeat the undead, and began to destroy the corpses. In doing so, however, the ground began to swell.

The Nengud-kor-Adez erupts

The Nengud-kor-Adez tore open the battlefield, swallowing entire companies of men, and erupting cliffs of flame that reached even the skyships of the Brotherhood of the Crystal Star flying above. Anyone caught in the devastation died instantly, with their souls dragged underground. Then, from the Nengud-kor-Adez, emerged Kaggazutaagon — undead beings trapped in the Nengud-kor-Adez, now released and compelled to drag others into the same torment they were suffering from.

The Sommerlund Army was forced to retreat towards the Ruanon Forest, desperately trying to avoid the continued eruptions and destruction of the battlefield, which eventually overtook most of the forces. When things looked bleak, however, Grey Star appeared. He summoned Elemental forces to hold back the Nengud-kor-Adez, and raised a path above the lava to safety, allowing Grand Master, Blazer and a portion of their forces to escape.

Archlord Vashna himself then appeared from the ground, sending a giant column of lava flying upwards, destroying the Elementals as if they were nothing. He then mocked Grey Star, as they both knew that his power was no match for Vashna's, although Grey Star resisted bravely, holding back waves of the Nengud-kor-Adez that Vashna hurled towards him. With Grey Star's power failing, Grand Master and Blazer agreed to attack Vashna in almost suicidal fashion to distract him, but Vashna tore open the ground some more to prevent this attack, while pinning Grand Master down with his own psychic powers. Vashna then prepared to consume the entire battlefield with the Nengud-kor-Adez.

Just as all seemed lost, however, Lone Wolf descended from the Skyfort and delivered a powerful blow to grievously wound Vashna with the Sommerswerd. Vashna, in fear of the weapon that once slew him, retreated back underground, and the Nengud-kor-Adez receded alongside him. His voice, however, projected a threat: He demanded that Lone Wolf fight him in Zekgazad, deep under the ground, where the Sommerswerd was ineffective. If not, he would send the Nengud-kor-Adez into the heart of Sommerlund. This was a trap, but one that had to be faced, as the Kai had no way of preventing the spread of the Nengud-kor-Adez.

Aftermath

Although the Legion of the Restless Dead had been defeated, Sommerlund was even less safe than before, and Lone Wolf would be forced to walk into a trap. It had also been a costly win for the Sommerlund Army. Nevertheless, Grand Master, Blazer and Grey Star survived, and Steel Hand's battalion prevailed as well.

Grey Star finally spoke with Lone Wolf in person. He revealed he had been delayed by saboteurs, who were powerful enough to acquire a Crystal Explosive, something only the inner circle of the Elder Magi had access to. He then explained that he had discovered a plot to revive Agarash the Damned, by a secret society known as the Naarvakim. At length, Grey Star and Lone Wolf debated the next course of action: While Agarash was the greater threat, Vashna was the more immediate threat. Lone Wolf decided that he and Steel Hand would confront Vashna in Zekgazad, while Grand Master and Blazer would help Grey Star foil the Naarvakim.

Ultimately, however, Lone Wolf was unable to defeat Vashna, as he had not comprehended the bond between Vashna and the Nengud-kor-Adez: Although Lone Wolf had learnt how to master the power of the Sommerswerd underground, every time he slew Vashna, a new one was reborn from the Nengud-kor-Adez. When Vashna tired of the pointless battle, he branded Lone Wolf's chest with a supernatural flame that taunted him, and Steel Hand was forced to rescue him and the Sommerswerd, and escape Zekgazad. Furthermore, not only did Lone Wolf fail his quest, but Grand Master did too: The Naarvakim successfully released Agarash from the Pit of Eternal Pain, but also lost Blazer to it, and Shasarak the Wytch-King was freed as well. This meant the forces of Light faced the twin threats of Agarash and Vashna at the same time, and fulfilling the prophecy of Koura-tas-naar (sons of the dark).

In the gamebooks

The Battle of the Ruanon Homelands is the first arc in The Dusk of Eternal Night. Grand Master commands one Kai Cassel, with Blazer as the Kai Captain under them.

At the start of the battle, the player has the option to either lead the cavalry, or ask Blazer to do so while they direct the battle from the hill. If they remain on the hill, they will be attacked by another force of undead, including reinforcements from the Darklands. Grand Master then can then lead their forces into battle, or send the Foot Guard instead.

The last (and somewhat-cowardly) option, however, has implications later on. If the player chose to lead the cavalry from the start, they may be able to acquire Jigidanak, an enchanted shield that grants +3 Combat Skill. However, this path has a possible roll of death, and needs high rolls to obtain Jigidanak. On the other hand, if the player chose to stay on the hill, then leads the cavalry, they have the opportunity to obtain Kurzazuk, a magical spear (+3 Combat Skill, +4 Endurance). This path is easier than the Jigidanak path, and lacks a roll of death (although both paths have at least one difficult encounter). The cowardly option, not leading any forces into battle, means that neither item can be obtained.

Later, the player will have the option to give Jigidanak or Kurzazuk to Acraban to strengthen the Starstrider's defenses. Not doing so leads to death later on if Grand Master is missing a Turquoise Pearl. Reinforcing the Starstrider with Jigidanak or Kurzazuk also allows the player to potentially dodge another encounter. (See Turquoise Pearl for more information about the paths through this part of the book.) If nothing else, either item is useful in the Crypt of Agarash with its combat bonuses.

During the Battle, the player will encounter a group of Kaggazutaagon. If the player acquired a Moggador-kor-Kaggaz in Dead in the Deep, two of its charges can be recharged in this battle.

This arc of the battle is likely to be very costly in Endurance points, as any sort of contact with the Nengud-kor-Adez, whether it is the lava or obsidian shards expelled from it, making Cynxa very strong, if it was picked in Dead in the Deep. However, the player gets to restore all lost Endurance points at the end of the Battle, and Cynxa sees minimal usage for the rest of the book.