Harvest of Horrors

The Harvest of Horrors was a conflict fought in the Utter East during the time of the Bloodforge Wars (648–657 DR), waged between the Kingdom of Nix and the folk of Vanesci Hamlet. Notably, it was fought with basal golems mass-produced by Bloodforges.

Location
The battles were fought in the town and fields of Vanesci Hamlet, in and around the Kingdom of Nix on the Forbidden Plateau, and up and down the Phantom Pass.

Causes
The Bloodforges were discovered in the Year of the Dancing Daggers, 648 DR. These ancient devices of war could mass-produce entire armies of golems, eliminating overnight the cost of mustering and maintaining armed forces. Unrestrained, the Five Kingdoms of the Utter East each manufactured great golem armies and marched them against one another, bursting into the Bloodforge Wars.

The monstrous Redfang, ruler of the Kingdom of Nix, had developed a taste for human flesh and instituted a reign of terror upon neighboring Vanesci Hamlet. Yearly, his harpies swooped down from the air, snatching people unawares to carry back to the cookpot. The folk of Vanesci could do naught but live in fear. At last, a mage known as Haradan the Hermit heard of the disappearances, and decided to investigate and put a stop to it.

Campaigns

 * Haradan the Hermit:
 * When harvest time came, Haradan used his magic to fend off the harpies and protect the villagers, and not one was taken. Unsated and unwilling to give up his feast, Redfang sent a dark Bloodforge army down from the Forbidden Plateau, assaulting Vanesci Hamlet directly, with Haradan leading a successful defense with Bloodforges of his own.


 * Following their victory, the Vanesci folk celebrated, but Haradan tracked the army back to Nix, intent on getting there before it vanished for another year. This trail took him through Phantom Pass, and another Bloodforge battle with Nix's forces, before he made it to the Forbidden Plateau.


 * Finally, with his Bloodforge army, he invaded the Kingdom of Nix itself, facing Redfang the Reaper and his dark forces. Haradan was victorious, and his quest seemed to be at an end. The townsfolk could at last relax and feel safe.


 * Redfang the Reaper:
 * A Bloodforge army sent by Haradan invaded the Kingdom of Nix. Fortune favored Redfang, as he received reports ahead of their advance. He even captured some of the enemy forces, deciding they would make either good slaves or good meals. Forewarned and ready for the coming Bloodforge battle, Redfang's forces slaughtered the invading army.


 * Redfang allowed the survivors to run back to Haradan, in a ploy to locate his foe and this source of slaves and flesh. As Haradan and his Vanesci forces camped in Phantom Pass, Redfang and his horde stole upon them under cover of night and defeated them in Bloodforge battle.


 * Those who escaped fled down the Pass and back to their homes in Vanesci Hamlet, raising the alarm and bearing news of the terrible fate that awaited them. Harvest was abandoned and folk sought shelter in their houses, but Redfang's Bloodforge horde fell upon the town, overcoming its Bloodforged defences. In a frenzy of savagery, Redfang and his minions cooked and devoured every villager they laid claws on, until their bellies were bloated and their vile hunger sated. Leaving behind an empty, razed village, Redfang's horde returned to Nix, mapping a trail to Vanesci as they did. Redfang predicted that others would soon settle the area, a new crop for the pot, and he could repeat his blood harvest next year.

Combatants
The armies on both sides of the conflict were almost entirely basal golems, mass-produced using Bloodforges and transformed into specific units as required. In general, Redfang employed Barracks-, Crypt-, and Temple-transformed units, including goblin spearmen and enchanters, and harpies; while Haradan favored Temple-, Barracks-, Arbor Lodge–, and Runestone-transformed units.