Attributes
Scaleregional
Start Year H109
Duration1 day (capping a 2-day siege)
Start Year CE0
Related Eventsfounding-of-the-golden-river-empire
Historical Importancemajor
Adventure HooksChar, the fire-sorcerer who escaped, remains at large — a ready recurring antagonistMerric was a follower of the deity Rysen — a faith thread if the band's backers are revisitedCaitlyn's Hesh hereditary claim and the displaced Castlecliff line could resurface politically
SummaryThe climax of the Gallund siege of Castlecliff: after breaching the walls in two days, the party fights the warlord Torek the Cruel and his lieutenants on the keep wall above the docks. Torek is killed and his band breaks; only the fire-sorcerer Char escapes. The captive Caitlyn is freed and the city is refounded as Trayalon.
Event Typebattle
Player DecisionsRefused Torek's defiance and pressed the assault to the keepSolomon struck the killing blow on Torek (table record; canon credits Admond breaking his neck)Freed Caitlyn and seated her on the councilGranted clemency to surviving prisoners and restored valid claimsChose not to raise a standing army, forming only a city guard
Detailed DescriptionGallund forces breached Castlecliff's walls and fought to the central keep within two days. At the keep wall, high above the docks, the Gallund brothers and their allies confronted Torek the Cruel, the warlord who had usurped the city. Torek refused to flee, misjudging the attackers. Once melee was joined, his lieutenants Char (fire sorcerer) and Sylar (poisoned blade) sprang an ambush that nearly killed Admond Galund, but the party rallied. Torek fell while both sides' forces watched. CANON: Admond Galund broke Torek's neck with his bare hands. TABLE RECORD (this group's playthrough): Solomon struck the killing blow. Torek's remaining forces broke and fled or surrendered begging mercy; only Char escaped. Caitlyn, the Hesh-blooded heir Torek had held hostage, was freed. Within a week Tray Galund formed an acting council and renamed Castlecliff to Trayalon, founding the Gallund (Golden) River Empire. See worldBooks/moments/0109-showdown-at-castlecliff.md for the full DM guide and narration.
Campaignfounding-of-trayalon-gallund-river-empire
Locationtrayalon
Locationstrayalon
RegionRiver Lands