Umbar Intervenes

Copyright Eric Dubourg 2001

Edited by Joe Mandala for The Guild Companion

UMBAR INTERVENES
(TA 1555-1559)
After his defeat at the Felayjan Hill Battle, rkhr returned to Hazaj Tollin beaten but
unbowed. He was not yet ready to accept defeat. A reorganization of his realm was in
order, and real military support (instead of just supplies and a small support fleet)
needed to be cajoled out of Umbar. His spies in Southern Bellakar soon reported that
his enemies had a powerful new ally Gondor, in the person of Prince Anardil. On 22
Ishat 1555, rkhr sent his son Nlzagar (with Balakkhd's replacement,
Pharuztamar) to negotiate with the Umbareans.
The council of Captains learned very soon of Gondor's intervention in the rzyan
siege and the Felayjan Hill Battle, and upon Nlzagar's request, they re-established
firm control of the sea-lanes from Umbar to Felayja in order to prevent further
Gondorian intervention. When it became apparent that this was an expedition of
opportunism, and had no official backing, the Council decided to leave Gondor alone
for a time, and further their plans in Bellakar. With the renewed blockade of the
northbound sea-lanes to Gondor, Anardil had no way to return home, and no way to let
his father know how the campaign had gone. He consequently remained in Bellakar
with his ships and men (and with Blkali), continuing to fight.
rkhr was to pay a high price for Umbarean support. In exchange for active sea
patrols and the involvement of the Umbarean Battle Fleet in Mardruak, the Council of
Captains demanded both that the new asapthubth of Nark-zadan (since Balakkhd was
slain) be appointed by Umbar, and that Umbareans should have the freedom to settle in
whatever numbers they wished in Mardruak. If the conditions were not met, not only
would rkhr not receive substantial military assistance, Umbar would withdraw
completely from the conflict.
Nlzagar reported the conditions to his father, who reluctantly accepted them. On 12
Tamun 1555, Abrzagar of Umbar (a relative of Castamat's family) became the new
asapthubth of Nark-zadan, and with him came many Umbarean settlers.
Three months later, the Corsairs began a campaign against Southern Felayja and
Bellazen. They were supported by the full Northern Bellakarian Fleet (which now had

Umbarean officers distributed throughout its ships). The campaign was a great success,
resulting in the pillage and razing of several coastal cities including Saraj, Tarkhesh,
and Sulaj Dar.
To confront this new danger, King Imruzr II requested that Prince Anardil command
the garrison of rzyan, and to stop at any price the Corsairs' raids. This was the first
time that a Gondorian had ever been asked to take command of a Bellakarni city, and
he was well received due to his reputation for saving the city in the previous year.
This Corsairs' campaign lasted two years (with occasional land war in the villages of
Felayja between Hazaj Tollin and Saraj), and was indecisive, because of the skill and
the energy of Prince Anardil who was able to secure the Felayjan coasts. He was aided
in part by the orders of King rkhr, whose real goal was the taking of Nllond
many resources that could have been poured into this campaign were withheld in
anticipation of this larger campaign. But the raids drastically weakened the manpower
and resources of the Southern realm, in spite of the courage of Prince Anardil's men.
All the while, rkhr gathered his strength in secret in Hazaj Tollin, preparing for the
masterstroke against Nllond. And soon King rkhr saw his opportunity to attack.
By maintaining strong raids in Felayja and Bellazen, he could led a strong army to
Nllond and take the city before the eventual counter-attack of Prince Anardil's host.
Beginning with small probing raids, rkhr gauged the strength of his enemies. When
Southern Bellakar became unable to respond to these raids, the Pretender judged the
time to be right.
The offensive against Nllond began on 12 Kuralid 1558. The raids on the coast and
the interior became more intense, in order to drain more and more resources from the
defenses of the capitol, while a powerful army, commanded by King rkhr himself,
set out for Nllond to "liberate" the city from his brother. Imruzr's scouts, however,
marked the movement of this large army immediately, and sent word to the King of the
peril at hand. Preparations for a siege were immediately began, and messages were sent
to Prince Anardil and to the Lords of the Katredala. The rulers of Bozisha-dar
immediately assembled an army of 2000 picked Visi to strengthen Nllond, and 200
Gusar clansmen to support Anardil in Bellazen
rkhr met little resistance in his march through the heart of Bellakar, and the siege of
Nllond began on 27 Kuralid 1558. A herald for the Pretender announced that, "If
Imruzr II will abdicate his false claim to the throne of Bellakar, and give himself over
as an abased prisoner to his brother the rightful heir, and if the citizens of Nllond
recognize rkhr as your rightful King, the war will end." The demand was, of course,
promptly refused, and rkhr swore to tear the city to the ground.
As the first battle began, Imruzr addressed his captains: "Remember the courage of
Eruzagar the Warmaker and of Arphazan! Our upcoming victory is dedicated to their
memories. Recall the words of King Arphazan 'never will Nllond fall again,' - and
most especially not to a Usurper!" he added vehemently. Strengthened by his words, the
defenders fought bravely, and slew many Northern Bellakarni while suffering few
losses themselves. Two months passed, and the defenders held while rkhr's army
repeatedly threw itself against the walls. Anardil was kept informed of the situation in
Nllond, but could do nothing the Umbareans has reopened their coastward
campaign with furious abandon. Finally, on 12 Sumat 1558, the reinforcements from

the Katredala arrived.

Another two months passed before the siege could be broken. With the help of the
Gusar, Anardil was able to drive the Umbareans from the coasts. His small squadron of
warships harried the remains of the Umbarean expedition northward, then turned back
near Hazaj Tollin. Meanwhile, the joined forces of the defenders of Nllond within,
and the Katredala's Visi without, eventually destroyed rkhr's hopes of taking the
city. The invaders were forced to retreat back toward Mardruak again.
Unknown to rkhr, however, Anardil's small army composed of his remaining
Gondorian marines, The garrison of rzyan, and the Gusar clansmen made a forced
march to the north of Urd an-Abar, while the defenders of Nllond and the Visi
chased the fugitive invaders. By the time rkhr arrived near Ayal Coyren, Anardil
was already entrenched. All three armies met on the field of battle on 29 Dahlat 1559 in
what came to be known as the Ayal Coyren Massacre. It took only four days for the
invaders to be destroyed, and Imruzr himself slew his brother rkhr on the field of
battle as Anardil stood by his side. Indeed, it is said that Anardil saved the life of the
Bellakarian King, who was wounded badly in the final fight.
The King was then conducted in safety to Nllond, while the army under the
command of Anardil secured the Felayja Plain. On 12 Ishat 1559, Anardil came to
Nllond, and asked to see the King privately. In that meeting he asked Imruzr for the
hand of Blkali in marriage.
"You have my blessing, Prince of Gondor," said the King. "I cannot imagine a more
suitable match for my daughter." Prince Anardil married Blkali that very day in secret,
and renounced any claim to the throne of Gondor, planning never to return to his
homeland. He pledged to remain loyal to King Imruzr II, and returned to rzyan to
rule in the name of the King.

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