Siege of the Seat
ConflictRennick’s Rebellion
OutcomeDecisive victory for Rennick
Selwin is slain and Rennick names himself King of Westerland
Rennick merges his spirit with the Coppersmith
CombatantsSelwin’s guard
Commanders
- Cresadoc †
- Finch
- Hooded Man † (in secret)
Selwin †
Strength50 Allhammers, folk of Summarch (about 1000 strong), the party
200-300 men-at-arms loyal to Selwin, a small count of mages
CasualtiesModerate; chiefly Westermen, but numbers are imprecise
Many slain, the rest surrendered
The Siege of the Seat took place at the Seat, the great hill fortress of the city Summarch. Happening in the winter of 1374 A.B., it saw the defending forces of Selwin the Last overrun by a host of Westermen and Allhammers led by Rennick.
Within Selwin’s throne room, a smaller-scale battle occurred between Rennick and the party, ending in the party’s loss.
History
Prelude
After being elected Grandmaster of the Allhammers, Rennick turned the people of Summarch against Selwin, their lord, taking advantage of long-present unrest. Eventually, he openly revolted against Selwin, and many joined him. Fighting erupted throughout the streets of Summarch as Rennick’s supporters battled for control of the city. The conflict gradually drove Selwin back into the Seat, which was then put to siege for about a month before the party’s return.
From the beginning, Selwin was utterly lost, but his pride forbade him from surrendering. He held onto a foolish hope that the people would tire of war or repent of their rebellion till his final days.
Battle
The final assault of the Seat began in the early hours of the morning. Onagers were loaded with barrels containing a gaseous chemical weapon designed to briefly knock unconscious any who inhaled it. These barrels were then flung over and onto the walls, stunning the defenders on watch. This created an opportunity for siege engineers to come forward, laying down bridges to cross the outer ditch and raising tall ladders to scale the walls. The Westermen then stormed the gatehouse, securing it and opening the doors. It was around this time that Selwin managed to muster his reserves, who poured forth to fight for the gate.
Spellcasters had been posted in the Point (a high defensive tower) to support Selwin’s main force. The party was dispatched to eliminate these mages, a task they accomplished after a brief engagement. They then began fighting their way into the Main Hall, the chief building about which the rest of the Seat had been constructed. Simultaneously, amidst the havoc of the battle, Rennick, with the aid of the Hooded Man, successfully infiltrated the Main Hall where Selwin had hidden himself.
Rennick then entered Selwin’s throne room, killing his guards, and ordered the Hooded Man to prevent anyone else from entering while he dealt with the lord of Summarch. At this time, Cresadoc arrived at the doors, realizing Rennick’s intentions and seeking to stop them, but the Hooded Man fatally smote him with his fists.
Almost immediately after, the party arrived. They entered into their third battle with the Hooded Man, vanquishing him at last. Then, walking into the throne room, they discovered Rennick standing over Selwin’s corpse, his swords stained red with blood.
The party’s skill was then put to the test as they engaged with Rennick, perceiving finally his alliance with the Warlock and the Grandmother. Only a few blows were exchanged before the Grandmother also burst into the chamber, betraying Rennick and attacking him. This three-way conflict did not last long before Rennick, wearied and near the end of his strength, was availed by the Return of the Kembar, the culmination of his plan. His spirit merged with that of the Coppersmith, becoming his avatar. Seeing that the tides had shifted, the Grandmother fled, but not before stealing Keenest, an heirloom of the House of Regimen.
Rennick then implored the party to join with him, saying that evil could not be stopped by forever fighting it, but by controlling it. Compelled by his words, Shiv Mathor, a member of the party, dropped the barriers around his companions and walked to Rennick’s side. The rest of the party couldn’t bring themselves to follow on account of their ideals. Shiv persuaded Rennick to let them go, and the party was allowed to escape.
Around this time, the battle outside was won by Rennick’s army, Selwin’s forces having surrendered upon learning of their leader’s death.
Aftermath
Following the siege, Rennick proclaimed himself the new King of Westerland, the tribes of the Westwood and of Fost quickly swearing fealty. He now prepares for war with Alensis and the Sargāzat, desiring their mighty warships.