Crusade

Crusade, by James Lowder, is the final book in The Empires trilogy.

“

Yamun Khahan and his mighty barbarian army have turned their sights on the civilized western nations of the Forgotten Realms. Only one man, King Azoun of Cormyr, has the courage and the strength to bring the western factions together and forge a crusading army powerful enough to challenge the Tuigan horsemen. Together with the dwarves of the Earthfast Mountains, the crusaders make their stand against the rampaging horde. But King Azoun hasn't reckoned that the price of saving the west might be high—perhaps even the life of his beloved daughter.

”

— ^[2]

Index[]

Characters: Azoun • Alusair Obarskyr • Harcourt • Yamun Khahan
Items: glowrod

Summary[]

King Azoun Obarskyr IV of Cormyr calls a council of the nearby realms of Faerûn to organize a crusade against the Tuigan invaders. The dwarven king Torg mac Cei of Earthfast agrees to join the crusade, along with the cities of Ravens Bluff, Tantras, and Hillsfar. Sembia funds transport and hires mercenaries, and the Dalelands agree to send soldiers on the condition that the Zhentarim do the same. The Zhentarim agree to send soldiers on the condition that Cormyr leaves the Darkhold alone for the period of a year. The trappers guild is unhappy with the war, and a disgruntled member tries to assassinate Azoun with a fireball, but fails.

Among the volunteers to join the crusade are a fletcher named Razor John and two adventurers, Malmondes of Suzail and Kiri Trollslayer. Azoun discovers his runaway daughter Alusair Obarskyr is among the dwarven army as a military advisor. Malmondes kills a man in a barfight and is hanged. The Alliance of the West fights a battle against the Tuigan, losing all their cavalry but driving the Tuigan back with the arrival of Torg and his dwarven army.

They find a defensible spot and fight the Second Battle of the Golden Way. King Torg is killed by Yamun Khahan, but King Azoun kills Yamun. The Tuigan survivors turn on each other, scattering into small armies and roving bands all across Thesk. The survivors of the Zhentarim army, nine hundred orc soldiers, set up an outpost in Thesk. Azoun sees the crusade's success as proof that Cormyr, the Sales, and Sembia should unite. Alusair agrees to return home to Azoun after she settles her remaining affairs from her time adventuring. Razor John and Kiri Trollslayer get married.

Apendix[]

Gallery[]

References[]

↑ Eric L. Boyd, Ed Greenwood, Steven E. Schend (2000). Presenting...Seven Millennia of Realms Fiction. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2003-06-21. Retrieved on 2015-08-12.
↑ James Lowder (January 1991). Crusade. (TSR, Inc), p. back cover. ISBN 0-8803-8908-7.

[P7M-1] Eric L. Boyd, Ed Greenwood, Steven E. Schend (2000). Presenting...Seven Millennia of Realms Fiction. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2003-06-21. Retrieved on 2015-08-12.

[Cru-2] James Lowder (January 1991). Crusade. (TSR, Inc), p. back cover. ISBN 0-8803-8908-7.

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