Through Shadows and Steel: Commanding the Earthkin in the Coalition War
Intro
When I first took up the mantle of Commander of the Earthkin Military, I could not have foreseen the trials that lay ahead. The Coalition War was not just a battle for survival; it was a battle for unity, for trust, and for the very soul of our people.
The road was long and treacherous, marked by both triumph and tragedy. We faced enemies who sought to divide us, exploit our weaknesses, and extinguish the light of the Earthkin.
Yet, through the shadows of doubt and the fire of conflict, we stood together. Halflings, Dwarves, and Gnomes-
This book is not a tale of my heroism. It is the story of an alliance forged in adversity and tempered in battle. It is a record of the decisions, the sacrifices, and the moments that defined the Coalition War. It is a tribute to those who fought beside me, to those who gave their lives, and to those who endured so that we could see the dawn of peace.
As I write these words, I am reminded of the scars we bear- on our lands, on our bodies, and in our hearts. But I am also reminded of the strength that carried us through, the friendships forged in the crucible of war, and the hope that now stands as our guiding light.
This book is for the Earthkin- for those who fought, for those who stayed behind, and for those who will inherit the peace we so dearly fought to achieve.
It is my hope that the lessons contained within these pages serve as a reminder of what we can accomplish when we stand as one.
May we never forget the cost of our victories, nor the bonds that made them possible.
-Finley Quickblades-Fuzzypaw
Day 17, Month 9 (Eleint), 184 AR
Finley Quickblades
Chapter 1: Beginning of War
It began quietly, almost imperceptibly-
A series of patrols lost and failed to return, reported by Warden Klay of the Military. It soon became undeniable that something larger, darker, was at play.
The Earthkin settlements of Bendir, Brogendensteins, and the Gnomes of the Grotto had long enjoyed a tenuous peace. We worked together when needed, but our differences in culture and priorities often kept us a comfortable distance...That would soon change.
The first true sign of the enemy's presence came when search parties began to find remains of our missing patrols scattered across Greyhammer and the Spires.
Alongside the bodies were ominous black flags with the unknown embles of three claws marks over a circle of blood dripping upon three skulls, Hin, Dwarf, and Gnome. Questions began to swirl among the community of the Earthkin.
Answers came swiftly and brutally. A coalition of enemies -factions we had faced separately over the years- had united under one purpose: Destroy the Earthkin.
Lead by Felino, Long once a citizen of Bendir turned to Morghun; Druselda, a Greyport Duergar of cruel ambition; and Mephez, a name scribed in history from the first Spriggan war, had declared open war. Claiming responsabilties for the lost patrols and warning us of worse to come.
This is the beginning of the Coalition War...
Day 18, Month 9 (Eleint), 184 AR
Finley Quickblades
Chapter 2: Theft of Eggs
The Coalition war was a conflict marked by relentless cruelty, but no act of treachery struck as deeply as the theft and slaying of the Silver dragon and her eggs.
Darnoth, a noble silver dragon and steadfst guardian of Brogendenstein, was a symbol of the strength and wisdom to the Earthkin. The news of his kin's death and the disapearance of the eggs was devastating, not just to him but to the Dwarves he had long protected.
Becoming a focal point of the war and possible weapon against us, it symbolized the Coalition's utter disregard for life and their willingness to exploit and advantage to sow despair.
One egg recovered by Dhuran, a Dwarven kin of the Halls. His patrol attacked in the spires early in the war, he found himself outnumbered and surrounded. Displaying remarkable courage and wisdom, he turned to diplomacy, negotiating with the enemy to secure a perfect egg in exchange for a promise that we would not seek outside help in the war.
This act, though controversial, preserved a part of legacy and lives.
The second, held within the Aurilite's temple intelligence suggested. Launching an assault, we found the forces weak for defense for such a objective. Retrieving the egg, it had been corrupted and turned to a White Dragon.
Later, through careful ritual and great effort, we later managed to purify this corrupted egg, transforming it into a brass dragon egg.
Not only corrupted but used as a distraction as the Coalition attack Camp Duin in our absence lead to many lives lost and others taken. It was a painful reminder the enemy was relentless in their assault on people
The third, falling victim to an even darker fate. Reports rached us that the Coalition had handed it over to House Freth, a Drow house deep within the Underdark.Intelligence revealed that the drow intended to conduct a vile ritual in the Abyss.
Our pursuit lead us to arriving just in time to be ambushed, the battle that followed was one of the bloodiest of the war but emerging victorious, delays in our withdrawls left us vulnerable to a second ambush and the consequences catastrphic.
What emerged from the egg was no longer a dragon but a Dracolich that would haunt not only us but other settlements of the Isle.
Day 18, Month 9 (Eleint), 184 AR
Finley Quickblades
Chapter 3: Fate of Captives
As the war raged on, the Earthkin's losses were not measured solely in battles fought. Many of our kin were taken captive by the Coalition, their fates shrouded in mystery and fear. They were part of a calculated and sinister strategy, one that aimed to break our will and turn our own people into weapons against us.
It became later became clear they were experimenting on the Earthkin captives, twisting them into grotesque forms of servitude. Halfling and gnomes turned to Spriggans and Xvarts, Dwarves remained a mystery and resilient which lead to overtesting and death of the captive. Shockeaves sent throughout the settlements, it was no longer just a war for survival- it was a war for the very souls of our people.
Rescue became a vital part of out strategy, leading to many sums of gold being traded for the freedom of some of our kin and a fear statement during mission that noone should be left behind.
Meriam and Gotriick, long Elders of Bendir and Brogendenstein, were the captures that lead to the path of what future history might see as a victory. Captured and held within a Duergar prison, we attempted all forms of rescue and locating for days to no fruitation before Meriam and Gotriik had freed themselves with their wisdom and might alone.
contacting and summoning who is possible, it was a show of each settlement's strengths and abilties together to amass an army in moments outside the unlocated prison and leading an assault against our first Coalition asset.
Taking the Prison Warden captive, we retrieved a book and wardstone, giving us our objective and no longer shrounded in darkness unknown where to step.
Day 18, Month 9 (Eleint), 184 AR
Finley Quickblades
Chapter 4: Imprisonment and Resolve
The 5th day of Flamerule, 183AR-
An unforgettable date that marks the turning point of my life and the war.
On this day I lead an assault against Druselda in the Hall of Umbricks. I rallied our forces, pushing through the spires, intent on bringing Druselda to justice.
The battle was swift -almost too swift- and it's ferocity spoke of the strength and cunning of the enemy we faced.
I found myself awake in the cold, dark silence of a prison cell, my body battered and broken. It was in that cell, alongside Maela and other dear comrades, that the weight of my failure truly hit me.
The realization that I had lead my kin into this- the risk of imprisonment, torture, or even death- weighed heavily on my heart. But there was no time for self pity. The cold gaze of Druselda lingered just outside the bars of our cage, watching me with a mixture of contempt and triumph.
She offered me ultimatums- temptations of surrender, of betrayal- but I turned each down. As a commander, it is not the self that matters; it is the kin, the people who trust you, Who fight alongside you. And though I felt the sting of failure deep in my soul, I could not let that trust break.
But even in that dark place, hope had not completely abandoned us. Maela, ever relentless, refused to give up. It was she who refused to let despair take root in our hearts, and her character became the spark that ignited our will to escape. Where others might have given in to hopelessness, she remained steadfast, ever searching for a way out. Together, we plotted an escape, biding out time until the perfect opportunity arose.
We tricked Druselda, and Mae, in one of the most daring and clever acts I have ever witnessed slipped past the guards undetected. Returning with others that Druselda had tried to sow doubt in my mind about, attempting to weaken our unity. Venturing through the prison, guided by Mae's indomitable spirit, until we were summoned on by one to safety.
It was that moment I truly understood the depth of our bond as Earthkin, and how that connection had kept us strong even in the darkest of times. The lessons learned in that dark prison are lessons I carry with me to this day. It is easy to succumb to the weight of failure, to let the crushing blow of defeat tear apart everything you've worked for. But as we have shown, defeat is never the end. It is the beginning of something greater. It is a moment to dig deeper to find the strength where none seems to exist. To rise even when everything is against you, and to keep moving forward, no matter the cost.
Day 18, Month 9 (Eleint), 184 AR
Finley Quickblades
Chapter 5: The Final Assault
The air was thick with anticipation and the weight of history. The Earthkin had fought long and hard, and now, as we gathered for our final assault, the stakes had never been higher.
I recieved an unexpected visit from Felino, stepped from the shadows, her presence as cold and calculated as ever. She offered a deal, save Creak, a comrade we had hoped not lost, and in return, someone else would pay the price. The choice was impossible- save one at the cost of another. My heart was torn.
It wasn't long before a message slipped through the shadow. Creak -alive- had sent word of courage and faith, telling us to attack. e would be fine, he assured us. His message burned into my soul, a rallying cry that drove us forward. The survival and future of the Earthkin hung, we would not falter.
Moving our way to the abandoned Grotto in the Skull Crags, our path blocked by countless Coalition forces within and a Shadow dragon guarding an altar in the bottom soon slained by the unity of the Earthkin forces.
Blood and the Wardstones we had gathered throughout the war from High Officals of the Coalition were needed to enter the stronghold. Slitting my palm and allow blood to drain upon the altar, I slammed the wardstone downa nd was taken to the Stronghold.
A white mole, one of Mephez's companions had to be slain before others could enter.
The battle that followed left me gravely wounded- Scars that would mark my body forever. But it was in this moment that I understood something crucial: our strength was not in the victories we achieved, nor in the battles we fought. It was in the will to keep moving forward. Arvoreen shielded me that day, protecting me just enough for me to see my kin through the storm and enter through the portal.
Finding Creak and others in a mass grave of Earthkin as we moved forward, mourning was not able in the moment so we quickly gathered belongings and Creak's corpse.
Meeting Felino, finally, a battle quickly began with emotions surrounding the most of us. Felino and five of her shadows held steady against us before she retreated at the shout of a released test subject, a cube of gore, we quickly fight it as fell back to the exit and left as it stood within the stronghold.
The next trine, Warden Klay told us the product of all our hardwork and hard fought battles that the Coalition was broken, weakened beyond the point of continuing.
The Clockwork Collegium, The Military, and the Earthkin has shattered their hold and the splintering of their forces marked the end of an era.
Day 18, Month 9 (Eleint), 184 AR
Finley Quickblades
Chapter 6: War
War has a way of traching us hard truths. It tests us, breaks us, and forces us to confront our darkest fears. But through it all, the Earthkin showed what it means to stand together.
We rose from the ashes of our fallen kin, not in sorrow, but in resolve. It was our unity, our shared strength, that carried us through the darkest days. And it is that same spirit that will guide us as we rebuild, as we forge a future free from the shadow of the Coalition.
The wisdome I carry from these battles is simple: Even in the face of unimaginable odds, we must not abandon hope. We are stronger together than we could ever be apart. And when we fight for what is right, even in the darkest moments, we will find our way to victory.
The war may end but the journey continues. The Earthkin are stronger than ever and we will stand watch, always.
The work of commander is never done. Now that the war was over, there were new battles to fight- battles of diplomacy, of rebuilding our fractured society, and of ensuring that the lessons of the past were never forgotten.
We had proved ourselves in the crucible of war but now we must also prove ourselves in peace.
Day 18, Month 9 (Eleint), 184 AR
Finley Quickblades