Battle of Sironia

Preparations
On December 5th, 2020, news broke out that the barbarian warlord DodgeNodge intended to invade the Kingdom of Sironia. Its citizens and allies began preparations for what seemed to be an intense conflict ahead. Rumors abounded about the size of the barbarian forces, ranging from 2 to 10 men armed with anything from leather or diamond armor and enchanted weapons. With this in mind, the Vastallosi Alliance of Western Rathnir (VAWR) met on December 5th where it's voting members agreed to honor the pact and defend The Kingdom of Sironia, as well as conduct war games in preparation for the battle. Mercenaries, Volunteers, VAWR Soldiers and Sironian Citizens began to stockpile armor, weapons and food. From Dinas_Porthladd, money arrived to help with the defense. Sironian citizens and volunteers alike set to work fortifying the Sironian Capital of Azethvir by planting hundreds of berry bushes, covering almost every inch of grass with deadly thorns and barriers to the invaders. It is believed that Sakrelith himself blessed the defense by creating a massive pillar of freshwater from the heavens onto the teleportation portal in the center of the city. The tunnel leading into Azethvir was dammed with berry bushes on the suggestion of Thian_GamesNL and the road between the tunnel and Azethvir was covered in bushes and blocks for the purpose of disruption. The Sanctum of the Judge, a Holy Site in the Sakrelist religion was prepared and had it's entrances covered to protect it from being pillaged. On December 6th the defenders gathered in Azethvir's docks and began their last minute preparations, fighting off several waves of Phantoms just prior to the battle.

The Battle of Sironia
When the battle began, it was immediately apparent that both Sironia, VAWR and it's allies had severely overestimated the strength of the opposing force. While the Sironians and their allies were armored with enchanted diamond gear and high grade weapons, the invading bandits attacked without armor and without weapons (with the exception of DodgeNodge who initially attacked with iron gear). The enemy combatants consisted of Master_NR, DodgeNodge and Minedodge, whose supposed allies never appeared to assist them. Against this primitive and unarmored foe, the defenders cut through them and slaughtered them like livestock as they continuously ran through the city, attempting to steal and destroy whatever they could. Severely outnumbered, outgunned, and demoralized, the bandits failed to make any headway and the body count grew in favor of the defenders.

By the time the fighting was over, the city was covered in the blood of fallen barbarians, their heads collected and hopes dashed. Conservative estimates place the number of bandit casualties at no lower than 66, but many claim that more than 100 were felled by the time the battle was over. Immediately some described the battle as "The Slaughter at Sironia" or "The Phantom Menace" (due to the fact that more defenders were injured by attacking Phantoms than were harmed by the bandits).

The Defenders suffered only a single casualty, a horse owned by either IcebotQT or rose_is_salty69, who was reportedly killed by accidental friendly fire after it was stolen by Master_NR and run through the city. Reportedly Master_NR screamed many times that they had killed the "Hourse", though the historical validity of this claim is not confirmed.

Aftermath
As the battle was concluded, the bandits left in defeat and those defenders who remained dwindled away into taverns or fighting pits to celebrate their undisputed victory. Some engaged in drunken fistfights and gambling while others retreated to their homes to rest. A few souls took the time to clear out the worst of the berry bushes and collect their harvest so that it could be made into wine and fuel future celebrations. The Archon of Sironia TheLastSven took time to mount the heads of many barbarians on the walls of the Sanctum of The Judge in order to commemorate the battle and pay homage to Sakrelith who blessed the defenders with his Pillar of Water just prior to the battle. Skybridges were deconstructed and much of the defensive infrastructure was demilitarized the following morning with the exception of several watchtowers which remained operational. Just as suddenly as it appeared, the Pillar of Water disappeared and normalcy returned to the Kingdom of Sironia and VAWR.

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