Editing Iron Gold Conflict (section)

== '''I . Whitemaw in Flames''' ==
It began with broken glass. Squabbling, arguing, and words laced with venom dominated the halls of Velkoryn’s stronghold. Debates over law, succession, and the fate of the kingdom left the gathering blind to all that was happening outside the walls, as it seemed each noble was more interested in advancing their vision than reaching any real compromise. Shouts, the sound of snow crunching beneath poorly made shoes, and the sight of torches were first seen in the treeline just beyond the walls. Then… a great storm.

Scribes, academics, and witnesses described what they saw as a manifestation of something divine, though some used the term only as hyperbole. Nonetheless, sheets of snow and hail struck the castle with such intensity that the very glass that protected the crown society hall shattered under its onslaught. The guards atop the walls were forced to take shelter, and Thul’s troops camped nearby had begun to retreat. Only the druids, the closest followers of Aodh, and any mages nearby could discern what was happening. The wrath of a growing resentment left unchecked had now snapped, and was coming for all they deemed responsible for it. 

A large mob of peasants stormed the walls of the castle, setting fire to the reconstructed gate and preparing to storm the castle itself. At the head of the mob charged Aodh himself, wielding a combination of magic and blade as he scaled the walls to assist his followers. Bloodsworn and Thul house guard fought together, but were pushed back or cut down. Rage and desperation drove these people, and none with the skill of arms would instill fear in their step. Inside the castle, Ajai and Hans Thul tirelessly commanded the garrison, barking commands and organizing a defense as Lord Tallwood assisted in preparing an escape route. The arguments that dominated the castle had been long forgotten when the first gate fell.

Prince Arthur and Lord Thul were among those who took to the courtyard to aid in the defense, along with Dornzar and Valmias who had taken the walls at first contact. In a desperate effort, Violetta was allowed to take up arms in defense of the royals, and joined the Prince and Dominour outside. Many fell before them. Tales would long regale the sight of enemies now reconciled, fighting back to back against an unstoppable horde. Lord Fiann himself had arrived late, but was now trapped within the courtyard with his men who were now defending the gate with the others. What was a simple request for land might now become his grave if he didn’t fight, and fight he did. 

The attack soured, and soon the courtyard was swamped by angry peasants and Aodh himself. Prince Arthur had gone missing, and Velkoryn had left with Violetta to secure the Princesses inside. Fortunately, enough time had been bought for Lord Tallwood and Princess Lucilla to find a viable exit. With the bloodsworn and princesses in tow, the nobles would begin their escape to the snowy wastes of the north. Outside, Valmias had found Aodh and engaged him in a duel, attracting the attention of the soldiers around them. While Aodh was quite magically adept, the skull legionnaire of House Dungeon was a brutal fighter, a brute himself by all accounts. Steel met steel, as the mad dogs of Aodh’s mob gnashed their teeth with the potential of their leader dying in front of them. That fear, as Valmias raised his sword with each precise strike, came to pass. Instead of letting the brute have his way, the peasants swarmed. Knives found weaknesses in the armor and pitchforks attempted to pierce plate armor. Then, from the castle entrance. Velkoryn, Leto Tallwood, and Violetta de Piedmont charged from the barricaded defenses, their retinues and entourages behind them. The peasants fell before them in droves. Violetta, once a guard to Oweth himself, fought Aodh and saved Valmias from certain death, dragging him back toward the castle with the help of Ajai Thul. Caine Desserimont fought alongside Leto and Velkoryn, the three demonstrating great proficiency as the peasants attempted to fight them in vain. Yet the ferocity would have its day. 

Even in the brief reprieve, the Lords were forced to retreat from the castle. The storm continued to batter the walls and castle innards. Snow covered the dead and hail pelted the armor of those inside. Fleeing from knife-wielding revolutionaries, the nobles used secret tunnels once built by cultists in the days of House Blackblood to reunite with the princesses who had already used them to escape into the white expanse. Before dawn, Whitemaw was put to the torch.