Don’t forget to check out the Tavern Tales page for the most recent LARP to read some epic stories from Dimitri Valkova, Midnight, Armus Blackhand, and Cole Van Helsing!
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An official report on the state of affairs in the Roaman encampment of Falton, to his liege, the high Sesar of Roam . . .
Your greatness, I must report that it was as you feared, the Faltoneans were stubborn. Allow me to start at the beginning of the trouble. When I arrived in the town, the Empress of Falton decided to ally herself with Roam and swore to an alliance calming some and aiding our cause. It was during the third week of the settlement that I saw King Cole Van Helsing of Falton truly tested. I had given sole trade rights of the Roaman roads surrounding Falton to the East Woodren Trading Company in an effort to end independent trade within Falton itself. This event raised tensions within the city to the point of Captain John Sterling Beauregard (of the Woodren Co.) to get in a fight with the king, which ended in a city-wide brawl. The fight ended with no wounds or death but seeded mistrust between the peoples.
Soon after we visited the lumber mill, yet the workers fled before us in fear. Later I learned that some within the town were spreading rumors about Roam wanting to burn the mill, kill the herds, and sack the tavern. The king and I worked hard to dispel the rumors, but that stirred up even wilder and more foolish ideas.
As per your orders, we welcomed all who would swear fealty to Roam and granted them citizenship. Following the laws of Roam, a tax was imposed unto the peasants entering the city. The tax was used to purchase lead piping for the tavern to bring fresh running water to all.
Finding that many of the accounts in the bank were filled with stolen funds and treasure lost by adventures, we seized the bank until it could be sorted out in a reasonable manner. At this, the people grew rebellious and King Cole raised an army with which to lay waste to the settlement. I was forced to rally the garrison and call upon our new ally Woodren for aid to repel the Faltoneans. On the morn of the battle, the king’s forces attacked swiftly and with strategic precision. The troops were organized into three groups: a forward shield wall, a flanking squad, and reserves under his personal command. At this we knew the battle would be long and hard fought. Captain Beauregard and I split our own forces into five sections: static front liners under my command, shock troops under the captain, an artillery battery using the trebuchet your grace provided, a rear guard, and a medical unit under the Empress of Falton. Victory was hard fought as the king’s shield wall was backed by healers but was slow moving due to fire from our artillery.
The captain fell upon the wall like waves against the shore attacking and being repelled only to attack all the more fiercely. At first he made no headway, but like a stone against the sea, they were soon surrounded and beat into nothing. Their flankers, along with their reserves, fell upon us like rain washing away their last hope of victory. If they had aided the shield wall with a diversion, they might have defeated us.
The fiercest fight was from King Cole and his vanguard that fought to the last and died with swords in hand surrounded by their foes, true warriors to the end. At the end of the battle, all who surrendered or were captured were set free if they pledged loyalty to Roam and swore never to raise arms against her. Those who did not were executed and buried with their king on the field of battle. At the moment, this leaves Falton without a monarch. The Empress has asked to be given the challenge with Roaman approval, if it pleases your grace.
In service of the citizens and the Republic of Roam,
Ambassador and Imperator Dimitri Valkova
Veni Vidi Vici
Prepare for Falton vs. Roam, Part 2: the Rematch!
Ah, Imperator Dimitri, you claim all who did not surrender were slaughtered. But tell me, did you count? Did the number of those who surrendered plus those who were martyred add up to those who had fought? Faltonians are a violent, crafty, independent mix of people who do things their own way, and are as loyal to their city as you are to Roam. I say again, didst thou count?
Play dramatic music that implies a sequel…