Chapter 3, The Great War (Part I)
The Human Empire of Reytu had grown in power over the centuries.
As it was the oldest founded community of mostly Humans, it flourished
in a way that was envied by many of the other races. The Empire ruled
the Plains of Nereka and hundreds of miles in any direction of it.
About 450 years ago, King Ryynar IV ascended the throne and became
Emperor of Reytu. His reign, destined to be short, began with a grand
flourish. As with several of his predecessors, he had assassinated his
father, King Jayiu III, using a cunning poison. The poison, which
acted like a natural aging potion, was rumored to be given to him by
the Cult of Be'juak, although that was never proven.
About 15 years into his reign, King Ryynar was presented with a
lovely young girl by the name of Brie. She had been found wandering
the streets near the Temple district. Her beauty was astounding. King
Ryynar was swept up in her dark green eyes, and ordered her to be
housed in his palace, and to be used as a concubine. She was to be
used for his enjoyment.
When she had been there for about a year, Brie had either killed
or had assassinated all of the other concubines. She was the only one
that was left. Ryynar, totally enamored with her, seemed not to notice.
During that time, Brie had quietly seduced most of the Generals of the
King's army.
After 5 years of this, there was a coup that took place. The
five High Generals of Reytu took over the Empire, disposing of Ryynar
by having him beheaded. The people of the Empire tended to side with
the Generals, as Ryynar was a harsh monarch. A few months later, all
five of the Generals were dead, killed by Brie and her accomplices.
Due to a brilliant political ploy, she was hailed as the savior of
Reytu. She was appointed the acting Queen of Reytu, the first of her
gender to be the sole head of state.
During her term as Queen, Brie built up the armies of the Reytu,
increasing its numbers and increasing its armament. Young recruits
virtually flocked to her standard, as she would often make appearances
in many of the small villages and towns of the Empire, urging the
young men of the region to join her army. Not one man was unmoved by
her charismatic speeches and her flashing green eyes.
With her army swelled in numbers, Brie declared herself Empress of
the Reytu Empire. That year is now known as 'Cinch de Mare', or the
5th year before the Great War.
One year later, Brie attempted a daring attack on the Elven capital
of Elinost. She was convinced that the Elves were the only Empire in
the world that was a threat to her Empire. Marching towards the ancient
city, Brie's army destroyed any small villages in sight, slaughtering
every Elf that it came across.
While leading her army, Brie had convinced several representatives
from the Minotaur race to observe the battles. Those Minotaurs, in
seeing the quick and deadly destruction that the army put out, quickly
agreed to a truce. They in turn convinced the Orc and Ogre kingdoms
to do the same. The truce stated that they were to join in on the
destruction of the Elves. They would get their fair share of any loot
that was garnered from Elinost. Several battalions of Minotaur fighters
were convened near Elinost, and commenced towards the capital. A few
weeks later, several hordes of Orcs and Ogres also marched towards the
Elven city.
The 'Doa de Mare' (2nd year before the Great War) came quickly.
Brie finally came to Elinost, leaving death and misery in her torrid wake.
Camping her huge army around the city, Brie dug in and seemed confident
that success was hers at last. The quick arrival of the Minotaur, Orc,
and Ogre armies solidified that claim as well. Intending on starving
the Elves out of Elinost, the army laid siege outside of the walls,
well out of bow range.
After a few weeks of this, Brie's army awoke to the sounds of
trumpets and the screams of the dying! In the early morning, a large
army had attacked the eastern flank of her forces. The enemy army
drove straight through the slackened lines of Brie's now-scattered
battalions and platoons.
This enemy army was a complete surprise to Brie. Unbeknownst
to the Reytu Empire, the Elves had signed a treaty with the Dwarven
nation. In a meeting at the Dwarve's Kal-Thax Stronghold, an
agreement was made between the Dwarves and the Elves, as the Dwarves
saw themselves as being the next target for Brie's lustful vision of
world dominance.
While making plans to ambush Brie's army that was marching on
Elinost, a messenger from the Knights of Nereka showed up at the Kal-
Thax Stronghold, requesting a meeting. The Knights, an old order of
Reytu that had broken off to form a new and lawful organization, were
appalled at Brie's actions and wanted to unseat her from the throne of
their long-ago nation.
The Knights and the Dwarves hammered out a plan of attack. The
Knight's would sweep down on the army from the east, using heavy calvary
an footsoldiers, while the Dwarves would attack from the Northeast,
using heavily-armored phalanxes of Dwarven fighters.
At the appointed time, the Knights and Dwarves rushed in to attack.
They drove through Brie's army like a knife through butter, so unprepared
were her forces. The battle was over in only a few short hours. Most
of the Reytu army was destroyed. Only a handful of the Light Calvary
troops had escaped, fleeing to the north towards Reytu. Brie had escaped
with them, disguising herself as one of the Calvary.
Fleeing back to her now-humbled Empire, Brie plotted her revenge
and planned her next battle carefully.