Auxiliary Chapter - Request from Duke Beckett
To His Majesty,
King Elijah Orlean of the Ironhelm Empire,
I write to you with great urgency from the Beckett Duchy in the northernmost reaches of Ironhelm, where my people are enduring relentless hardship. In recent days, our lands have been struck by a succession of calamities — avalanches have buried entire settlements, earthquakes have torn through our strongholds, and unrelenting storms have left us battered and vulnerable.
The toll has been devastating. Our stores deplete faster than we can replenish them, and with the roads fractured and the frost encroaching, relief grows harder to secure. Many have been displaced, their homes swallowed by ice and ruin, and though we stand resilient, even the hardiest among us cannot weather this alone.
Thus, as one who has long upheld the bond between our lands, I humbly petition Your Majesty for aid. We require supplies — grain, medicine, and materials to rebuild our shattered fortifications. Moreover, should it be within your power to spare, skilled artisans and mages capable of reinforcing our structures against nature's wrath would be invaluable.
Your Majesty, I would not make such a request lightly. The House of Orlean has ever been a pillar of strength for its vassals, and Ironhelm has long been Nvaar's unyielding northern shield. But even the strongest fortress crumbles when left unaided against the storm.
I have also put forth a comprehensive report detailing all the losses we have incurred.
Without immediate intervention, we risk famine, rebellion, and the irreversible collapse of this vital frontier. The Empire's northernmost domain cannot fall — not now, not ever.
I implore you, in the name of duty, of honor, and of the people who still stand under your banner, to extend your hand in aid. Whatever relief you can provide will be repaid in unwavering loyalty.
With the deepest respect and unshaken devotion to the Kingdom, may the Iron Throne stand eternal.
Warren Beckett
Duke of Beckett Duchy,
Overseer of Frostmere and Durnholde
*
Report of the extent of the catastrophe
I. Detailed account of the avalanches
The northern territories of the Kingdom have suffered from an unprecedented series of avalanches, bringing widespread destruction to settlements, trade routes, and military fortifications. These disasters were neither isolated nor predictable — each wave of collapse has worsened the already dire conditions of the region.
The avalanches appear to have been triggered by a combination of a potentially supernatural factor
Unstable Snowpack and Sudden Temperature Shifts
. . .
The extreme fluctuations in temperature, causing deep layers of ice to melt and refreeze rapidly.
The snowpack became unstable, leading to large-scale collapses in multiple locations.
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Seismic Activity
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Tremors from the earthquakes have dislodged massive sections of snow and ice from the Frostmere and Durnholde mountain ranges.
These seismic shocks have set off chain reactions, triggering avalanches in areas previously considered safe.
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Unusual Storm Patterns
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Torrential snowfall combined with high winds has deposited unnatural amounts of ice on precarious slopes.
Lightning strikes have fractured ice formations, causing sudden releases of built-up pressure.
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Potential Magical Disturbances
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Local mages have reported anomalies in the mana flow of the region, hinting at a disturbance affecting the natural environment.
Further investigation is required to rule out whether an external force or a failed magical experiment could have played a role.
Impact and Devastation
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The scale of destruction has been immense. Below is a summary of key locations affected:
Fort Durnholde
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Once a critical defensive stronghold, Fort Vaelheim was completely buried under an avalanche measuring over 300 feet in height.
Over 700 soldiers and officers were stationed within the fort at the time; only a handful have been recovered alive.
All food stores, weapon stockpiles, and mana-infused equipment were lost beneath the ice.
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Frostmere Pass
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The primary trade artery connecting Frostmere and Durnholde of Beckett Duchy to the southern provinces, Frostmere Pass, has been blocked by over 2 miles of solid ice and debris.
Caravans carrying essential supplies were caught in the collapse; at least 300 merchants and travelers have perished.
Restoration efforts have been futile due to constant snowfall and further tremors in the area.
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Durnholde Bastion
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The Durnholde Bastion, which protected the western flank of the duchy, was struck by a mid-sized avalanche.
While not completely buried, its outer walls and defensive towers were shattered, leaving it vulnerable.
Nearly 400 soldiers were either crushed or frozen to death in the collapse.
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Village of Icehollow
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The small mining village of Icehollow, home to over 1,200 souls, was entirely swallowed by an avalanche.
No survivors have been found yet.
The Icehollow Mines, a key supplier of Arcanite ore, are now inaccessible under hundreds of feet of snow.
. . .
II. Detailed Account of the Earthquakes
The earthquakes have shaken the foundation of the northern frontier, causing widespread devastation across the Duchy of Beckett, the Baronies of Frostmere and Durnholde, and surrounding settlements. These tremors were unlike anything recorded in the past century, exhibiting unusual intensity, frequency, and reach.
Magnitude and Frequency
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At least seven major earthquakes have struck the region, ranging from mild tremors to catastrophic quakes.
The strongest recorded quake was centered beyond the Ironhelm Mountain Range.
Seismic activity has not ceased, with aftershocks occurring every few days, worsening structural damage and hampering rescue efforts.
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Geological Instability and Unnatural Patterns
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These earthquakes were not part of the region's usual seismic cycle, leading scholars and mages to suspect a deeper anomaly at work.
Entire landmasses have shifted, creating new crevasses, fault lines, and unstable cliffs.
In some areas, strange underground noises have been reported before the tremors, fueling speculation of subterranean disturbances beyond natural causes.
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Collateral Disasters: Avalanches and Rockslides
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The earthquakes triggered multiple avalanches in the Frostspire and Durnholde mountain ranges, burying entire fortresses and villages under ice.
Rockslides and land collapses have wiped out roads, bridges, and trade routes, leaving many settlements completely isolated.
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Impact and Damage Report
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The destruction caused by the earthquakes has left no part of the Duchy untouched. Below is a summary of the most heavily affected areas:
The City of Whitehold
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As the administrative center of Beckett Duchy, Whitehold suffered extensive damage.
The Duke's Palace of mine has sustained severe structural fractures, making it unsafe for continued habitation.
The Arcanum of the North, home to priceless magical tomes and artifacts, partially collapsed, leading to the loss of many irreplaceable records.
An estimated One-third of the city's population has been displaced due to collapsed buildings and fires.
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Frostmere Barony
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The Frostmere Mines, the largest source of metallic ores and minerals, have caved in, trapping hundreds of miners and rendering all operations impossible.
The town of Silverglade, once a thriving center of trade, has sunk into the ground due to a massive fissure, killing nearly 800 people and injuring the household of Baron Charles.
The main fortress guarding the northern border, responsible for fending off raiders and wild creatures, has suffered irreparable damage, leaving the area vulnerable.
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Durnholde Barony
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Massive chasms have opened up, swallowing farmlands, roads, and even entire villages.
The Durnholde river, once a lifeline for the region, changed course entirely, leading to widespread flooding.
The Great Northern Watchtower, an ancient bastion standing for centuries, collapsed into rubble, cutting off early warning signals for threats approaching from the icy expanse.
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III. Detailed Account of the Thunderstorms and Blizzards
The relentless thunderstorms and blizzards that have plagued the northern frontier have been unlike any recorded in living memory. These tempests, far beyond seasonal patterns, have compounded the devastation caused by the earthquakes and avalanches, leaving entire settlements in ruins and the land nearly uninhabitable.
For nearly two days, the skies above Northern Nvaar have been a battleground of lightning, torrential rain, and unnatural winds, turning the land into a frozen wasteland of destruction.
Unnatural Frequency and Intensity
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The thunderstorms have not followed natural weather cycles, appearing without warning, often accompanied by violent mana surges.
Some scholars suspect arcane interference or a disturbance in the balance of mana in the north.
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Devastating Lightning Strikes
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The lightning strikes have been unnaturally frequent and concentrated, often striking the same locations multiple times within minutes.
Dozens of watchtowers, granaries, and fortresses have burned due to these strikes, their stone foundations unable to withstand the repeated assaults.
The Great Northwood, a dense and ancient forest crucial for timber supply, has suffered extensive fires, further endangering wildlife and settlements.
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Relentless Winds and Hailstorms
Winds reaching speeds of a hurricane storms have ripped through villages, tearing off roofs, shattering glass, and making even simple travel impossible.
Massive hailstones, some as large as a fist, have battered the landscape, damaging livestock, crops, and structures alike.
Entire caravans have been overturned, resulting in the loss of much-needed supplies meant for relief efforts.
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The Impact on Infrastructure
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Bridges have collapsed, weakened by both wind and constant exposure to rain.
Roads have turned into swamps of mud and ice, making travel nearly impossible.
The main supply routes leading into the Duchy are now blocked, cutting off trade and reinforcements from the south.
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The Longest Blizzard in Recorded History
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Snowfall began has not ceased since.
Some settlements report of accumulated snow, burying entire villages and making rescue operations nearly impossible.
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The Deathly Cold
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Temperatures have dropped to a level of freezing lakes within a day.
Even experienced northern dwellers are struggling to survive, with hundreds succumbing to hypothermia as fires fail to stay lit in the relentless winds.
The frostbite epidemic is spreading, with reports of entire groups of travelers frozen solid where they stood.
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The Collapse of Agriculture and Livelihoods
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What little farmland existed in the north is now completely frozen and unsalvageable.
Livestock are perishing in droves, either freezing to death or succumbing to malnutrition.
The fishing industry has ceased entirely, as rivers and lakes have frozen solid, leaving many without their primary food source.
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IV. Current Losses and Resources Spent
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Population Displacement: 112,897 souls rendered homeless.
Food Reserves: 4/10th of stored provisions lost.
Livestock Casualties:
- 10,000 cattle
- 30,000 sheep
- 15,000 horses
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Structural Damage:
- 18 settlements in ruin.
- 7 major strongholds severely compromised.
- Trade and Industry Losses:
- Mines shut down, cutting off vital ore and mana crystal production.
- All major roadways impassable, disrupting commerce.
. . .
In my desperate bid to stabilize the region, I have personally expended exactly Six million nine hundred three thousand three hundred fifty-six Gold Crowns from my own reserves.
- I have purchased food shipments from neighboring regions at exorbitant prices.
- I have hired independent mercenaries to reinforce law and order.
- I have commissioned builders and enchanters to restore key strongholds.
Now, my treasury has dwindled to its final reserves — enough to sustain our efforts for no more than three more weeks. After that, the northern frontier will be defenseless.
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V. Immediate Needs
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Search and Rescue Operations
Over 1,500 people are still missing, and survivors remain trapped beneath structures.
We need trained rescue mages, tunneling specialists, and warmth-generating artifacts to aid in recovery efforts.
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Medical and Humanitarian Aid
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Frostbite, starvation, and injuries from collapsing structures have overwhelmed local healers.
The Duchy's winter food reserve is present but will soon be depleted due to the sudden catastrophe. Without emergency rations, thousands will starve before winter's end. Livestock and grain shipments must be sent immediately before supply lines become completely impassable.
We require healing potions, enchanted blankets, and mana-infused rations to keep survivors alive.
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Shelter and Provisions for the Displaced
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Over 100,000 people have been displaced and are now seeking refuge in overcrowded towns.
Immediate funding is needed to construct temporary housing and food distribution centers.
The Ironhelm Throne must send scholars, mages, and experts in mana anomalies to determine the cause and prevent further disasters.
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Regional Reinceforcement
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With watchtowers destroyed and fortresses weakened, the north is now vulnerable to raids and beast incursions.
We need reinforcements from the royal army to safeguard what remains.
VI. Long-Term Needs
Weather Mitigation Efforts
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The region's weather patterns must be studied to determine if this storm is a natural phenomenon or the result of deeper magical disturbances.
Barrier magic or large-scale weather-altering spells may be needed to prevent the total collapse of the northern territories.
Seismic Reinforcement of Key Structures
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Infrastructure Recovery and Fortification
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Roads, fortifications, and watchtowers must be rebuilt, with stronger materials resistant to extreme weather conditions.
The Ironhelm Throne should consider establishing permanent emergency shelters in key locations.
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Economic Assistance and Trade Routes
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The Duchy's economy is near collapse, and recovery will take years without immediate intervention.
Tax relief, trade incentives, and imperial subsidies will be necessary to rebuild commerce and production.
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Urgent Requests for Imperial Assistance
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To prevent the complete collapse of Nvaar and its vassal territories, I humbly request emergency aid in the form of:
Food and Relief Supplies –
Estimated Cost: One Million Gold Crowns
- 300,000 sacks of grain and flour
- 50,000 barrels of salted meat and fish
- Medical supplies and clothing for the displaced
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Reconstruction Materials –
Estimated Cost: Two Million and Five Hundred Thousand Gold Crowns
- 250,000 units of stone, timber, and iron for rebuilding
- Skilled laborers for road and stronghold repairs
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Military and Magical Reinforcement –
Estimated Cost: Seven hundred and fifty thousand Gold Crowns
- 5,000 trained soldiers to assist in maintaining order
- Mage units specializing in weather control and defensive warding
- Alchemists and Clerics to prevent the spread of disease
. . .
Economic Restoration –
Estimated Cost: 1,250,000 Gold Crowns
- Temporary tax relief for the affected duchy and baronies
- Grants for merchants, farmers, and blacksmiths to restart local trade
- Investment in reopening collapsed mines and trade routes
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Your Majesty,
I understand that the burdens of the empire are many, and I do not make this request lightly. The Grand Duchy has already exhausted nearly all its treasury reserves in mitigating the devastation. What little remains is insufficient to sustain our people through the coming months.
I assure you that any aid provided shall be accounted for with full transparency. The expenses will be meticulously recorded, and should the Duchy recover, we shall repay in tribute, service, or resources as deemed appropriate by the Ironhelm Throne.
This is not merely a plea for survival — it is a call to preserve the northern frontier of the empire. Without your aid, the lands of Beckett Duchy may soon be swallowed by the ice, and the people who have long served the crown may be lost to history.
May the strength of Ironhelm endure.
Respectfully,
Duke Warren Beckett of Nvaar
Overseer of Frostmere and Durnholde