The Battle for a Giant's Hearth

[Era]

...

Year 2159AC, the last month of Winter Season

The dunes nearing the Silent Expanse are stale beneath winter sun.
On this day, a lone rider gallops along them and arrives at Jotunheim, the stronghold of giants. Bearing a message for their leader, the great and old Aeric Wilkinsson, the messenger reads a jus ad bellum:

"This is a declaration of war.

I suspect you won't immediately comprehend as most wars within this subcontinent rely on the suspicion of witches or worse.
Let's consider this a first. In the same way that Gloomlight expands its territories, or Serenity extends its territories through you, Jotunheim, I will claim my own.

My allies have differing motivations, ranging from the dark lore of your sister realm, Serenity to the reward of coin...
For I and others, a home; resources are limited in this war-ravaged Meranthe. Should you not surrender, our armies will meet on the 7th, on the dunes south of your stronghold's hill.

From Uralai."

...

The commander that has waged this conquest is named Uralai, a blond-haired man about six and a half feet tall, weighing an estimated two-hundred and forty pounds. Known as an apprentice under the mysterious Ilumitar, the warrior has perhaps left the magician's Court to foster his own ambitions. Uralai leads an army filled with mercenaries and mage guilds but currently no kingdoms back him. A drawing of him surfaces in the coming weeks given the bold declaration.

---

Theme: Armies meet and clash on the desert sands. The sun is soon to set and darkness has not yet sunk in, leaving only the orange-gray starry sky unpolluted by mankind. The goal, the stronghold, is far in the backdrop like light at the end of a dark tunnel, for the giants to defend or the conquerors to take.

Objective: Conquest & Capture of NPC Giants (subject to change based on IC of course).

Date & Time: Saturday, March 8, 6:30 PM EST.

[Milly]

So soon after the initial declaration of intent comes, comes another one. Many would state this has been a long time coming, but it's difficult to discern given just how close to his chest the Oracle kept his cards. Knights and Squires of the Bastion begin the preparations for war immediately, gearing up and gathering supplies. Merchants take advantage of this gearing up for war yet again, a few scant years after Gloomlight's success over the Oscuri settlement of Sanctum and production ramps up within the Holy State.

The Oracle, usually one against monologues, seems to have a bone to pick with a certain Jarl.

"You slander my name, allowing rumors to mill and circle that I'm going to invade you, on the words of not just any Cambion but a Cambion that follows Varrach. That helped to slay Mestra. That you yourself were too scared to properly accept the honor duel of, to the point that you spit upon the old laws and thus spit upon everything that made the Giants of old great. That you were too scared to step up against when Varrach came to the invocation of Amier, do you think I didn't notice?

You tout yourself as a Priest as Amier, but you cannot even comprehend the complexities and depth of those he sundered himself to make. What of Caius, tiny Jarl? You do your people who follow you a disservice by squandering their desire for knowledge and for respect of the old ways, instead intent on sitting upon the laurels of your name with the deeds you have done numbering zero unless they were piggy backing off my own efforts.

I offer you a chance to bend the knee, to help you in your time of need and crisis, when brigands threaten you.
You refuse.

So I will show you precisely what made the Giants great, Aeric Wilkinsson.

Don't you dare go begging for scraps from Serenity, either.
They're next."

Gloomlight's Bastion prepares to march upon Jotunheim, and to clash against Uralai's forces all at the same time.

Invoking Warfare - 50k influence for 3 C Grade Dev Materials

[Sora4591]

The Jarl stood with letters of both warriors representing their nations and reasons for the war that came to Jotunheim.
Aeric Wilkinsson stands before the people of Jotunheim who documents his words and prepares to send them out as a response. 
With a gathering of the Non-magi, Magi, and council of Jotunheim, their Jarl speaks.

"The Name of Melos rings across these lands as he was the first to attack us. His words brought about a stirring of the idea that the Bastion would approach. A time that Thomas would attack and dethrone me as your Jarl. We searched outward to ensure that this was not true, but in the moments of comfort, it seems that I was wrong. From the words of Uralai, it seems it just a matter of wanting what we have. Logic of that speaks for itself, but there also the lingering rumors that continue to be spread.

Until I stepped forward and took initiative to see to the foundation of a home for the Giants, these individuals were nowhere to be found. When Jotunheim and the Giants suffered an attack from the daughter of the Oracle, the only punishment saw fit was Therapy!  This is the very same man that also made it clear he didn't care enough to lead you and that's why I stand here today. That is simply it. I CARE! 

So instead of watching you fall into stagnation, I will fight with you as you fight with me. 
We will not chase the embers of the past because we are here now structuring our future. 
You do not control me, my people, nor my allies. Should Serenity respond to the call, it is honored by blood.

Simply remember you came for us first.

DATE: TBD

[Era]

While two True Giants, Aeric Wilkinsson and Thomas G. Equisol, feud over the rightful ways of the Giants...

..A greedy third party filled with guilds (like Ogre Time) seek the spoils of war.

---

Date: Saturday, March 8, 6:30 PM EST.

[Thumper]

A Captain of Serenity Takes the Stage!

From the Serenity Dunes, an announcement is made! As the people pick up arms, the armies prepare for war. Its military might would begin to surface, accumulating outside of town as they made ready for a march. It seems the time for war is near! Then as a rat known as Basili De Monteville stands atop a crate, she speaks loudly to the people, military and civillian:

It would be foul for us to ignore the plights of our allies! The oaths that we have sworn, to defend those in need-- to fight against an oppression by an imperialistic people shall meet their ends, those who threaten not only our brothers and sisters, but threaten us as well. But today, is not the day in which Gloomlight shall win. Today is not the day that our side will fall to their oppression. No longer, shall we sit idle, while those who have fought alongside us... Are threatened with destruction.

So to you, in Gloomlight! I, personally, have saved many of your children. For your children shall not suffer under your sins. I have extended you kindness, I have extended you projects that will unite Meranthe. But it is you, who wish to break it. It is you, who sends forth your military, and it is YOU that shall face the consequences that you have sowed. You will know why you must fear the Silent Expanse! For we know these lands greater than you, and you will take nothing from us! But we shall take all from you! To WAR!