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A brief history of mages

by

Lord Julvian Marmont

Year 81 of the 9th era

The first recorded instance of a person wielding magic was in the middle of the 4th era of the Runic calendar. The first known mage Ekkehard The Foolish, as he would later be known in history, appeared on the continent of Argosha. With his new found magic Ekkehard created a short lived kingdom whose name did not survive, unlike the name of its founder. The kingdom lasted for fifty or so years, before King Ekkehard was killed in battle by the combined forces of the neighbouring kingdoms. Though he was considered a powerful pyromancer at the time, Ekkehard was still only one man and his kingdom could not withstand the combined might of his neighbours.

As time went on more mages appeared on Argosha, though their numbers remained small. By the 5th era some five hundred years after Ekkehard, the number of known mages had risen to approximately twenty. It should also be taken into consideration that many non-mages have falsely claimed to be able to wield elemental magical powers throughout history.

In our current era, scholars estimate there to be some five hundred mages, spread out over the four known continents. It appears that as the peoples of Argosha spread across the world, the mages followed and intertwined themselves into the societies of new found peoples and lands. Whereas before the arrival of any Argoshians and their descendants the peoples of the three other continents had no creditable records of mages or elemental magic. The three other continents being: Nuevo, Ix and Thayet.

Since the continent of Thayet was only colonised in the last three hundred years by the descendants of the other three continents, the number of native mages is estimated to be no more than twenty. Making Thayet in terms of magical prowess, the weakest of the four known continents, even though its population rivals that of the other known continents.

The city of Dantor

Clovis Martel Lord Marshal of Fraul

Dantor was located on the western border of Fraul and neighboured the Pa-ghan Empire. Due to its proximity to the Pa-ghan Empire, Dantor was mostly populated by the families of soldiers stationed in the surrounding area whose job was to protect the border. This also meant that the city had a large standing army compared to cities located deeper within the Kingdom of Fraul. With so many soldiers permanently stationed within and around the city most considered it safer than other border or frontier settlements. This assumed safety meant that a large number merchants and traders frequented the city selling goods from within the Kingdom that was hard to procure due to its remote location. Apart from the large number of soldiers, Dantor was an unremarkable city in Fraul with brick houses or shops lining its streets and the occasional guild hall scattered about.

I had made my way to Dantor after receiving news of a possible pending Pa-ghan invasion. Upon arriving and inspecting the troops I made my way towards Castle Dantor. The Castle situated at the centre of the city was designed with defence in mind and was made of large stone blocks to withstand siege engines. Surrounding the castle was a large wall with battlements and troop quarters, with the purpose of fending of any sieging army. The wall was meant to defend the castle and did not surround Dantor itself.

Having made my way to the entrance of the war counsel room in Castle Dantor, I burst into the room, my full plate armour clanging as I take my position at the head of the meeting table. Commanders, Giles, Noel and Degarmo wait for me to begin the counsel dressed in fine evening attire more suited for a ball than a war counsel, while their aids presented them with documents and information.

“How long until the majority of our forces arrive?” I question Commander Giles

“If the Counts stop dragging their feet, a month at the earliest, they have only begun readying their forces”

SMASH! I slam my fists into the table.

“Damn those bastards! I sent out my orders to marshal their troops two weeks ago and only now do they take action, I should have them stripped of their titles for this”

“The minor Lords have been more accommodating, the bulk of their forces should arrive by week’s end”

*At least some of the nobles are taking this threat seriously*

“How many men are currently stationed here?”

“We have about 10,000 soldiers and 700 knights ready for battle, if need be we can conscript another 5000 or so men” Commander Degarmo quickly informs me.

“And how many men are the Counts and lords expected to send?”

“Their forces should consist of at least 30,000 men though most are levies, with another 500 or so knights”

“What are our latest estimates of the enemies numbers and position?”

“If our scouts are to be believed, Pa-ghan has 15,000 troops with more on the way. Their troops are scattered about their villages near the border. It appears they are trying to hide their actions, until they are ready. They likely plan to take us by surprise and haven’t planned for us to have a sizeable defence force”

*They can’t be stupid enough to think we wouldn’t notice could they?*

“Any idea how many more soldiers they have coming and how long it would take them to bolster their numbers?”

“Going by previous military engagements they should be able to field two to three times their current number. Regarding how long it would take to gain those numbers, I am not sure. If I had to guess, about a month or two, but that is only a guess”

*If only the Counts hadn’t wasted time in gathering their troops*

“Commander Noel, any word from Marshal Dupont?”

“Marshal Dupont’s campaign to conqueror the eastern islands will take at least another six months. Even if he was to make haste here with his forces right away, it would still take at least four months for him to come to our aid”

“Then we will have to hold until the forces of the Counts and Lords arrive. In the meantime, send word to the Counts that they are to make all haste to our location. Threaten to take land from those who do not heed the order and tell them the seized lands will be given to those that are seen as loyal to the Crown.”

*That should give them the swift kick in the ass they need*

“Lord Marshal, would the King approve of such actions?” Commander Giles says in a worried tone.

“Worry not Commander, the King has given me absolute authority in dealing with the Pa-ghans”

“What if the Pa-ghans attack before our forces arrive?” this time Command Noel raises a question.

“We will need to delay them from attacking or at least weaken their forces. Ready men to harry any small groups of enemies that are not a part of a larger force. I also want agents to be sent into their villages to poison their food and drink”

“Might that not cause them to attack earlier?”

“It might… but if we can slow down their efforts to amass a large force, it would force them to attack before they are ready or wait for more troops. If they attack with the numbers they have now, we can easily hold them off in a siege before our reinforcements arrive. If they wait for more troops that gives us time as well”

I see nods of agreements from the three commanders.

“Lord Marshal, what about the Royal mages, how many were sent to aid us?” Commander Noel askes again.

“The King has granted us the services of one mage, he will arrive here within two days.”

“Only one mage was sent to aid us?”

“Commander Noel, only the King may decide where Royal mages are assigned. We will have to make do with what we have. Now, we have no more time to waste, begin putting my plan into action”

Looking around the room, I see the Commanders giving their aids the necessary commands to carry out my plan. I than quickly get up and leave the room, hurrying to make my own preparations for the inevitable upcoming battle.