As of 5/24/99
PARTICIPATION IN EVENTS IN THE KINGDOM'S HISTORY
The Havanathe of Babble Vale and the surrounding area have been involved in only one major
conflict: the ten year battle known as The March of the Dark, in the year of
YK 5215. A total of 150 Havanathe, mostly from Babble Vale, answered the call of
King Bertheas de Angelosis to rid Langington of the scourge of the Dark
Witch-Queen Claudenium. The volunteers were never all away from the hearth at
the same time for the ten year campaign; more like thirty or so at any one time as
there were still farms to be tended. Thirteen Havanathe perished in the battles fought
over the ten year period, but it was considered a noble and worthy sacrifice, seeing as though it kept the evil marauders from sweeping down from the northern coast of the Independent State and
into Oesch-Onarga - the University of Scholars - and later the Kingdom of Langington itself. Since that time there has been little
need for the Havanathe to be roused. The battle for Gideon, in Winter's Thaw,
YK 5243, when a small army of orcs attacked Langington's capital, was over before
word of the battle had even reached the village!
There is scant reference to the Havanathe of the Sorrow Woods in the recorded
history of the Kingdom of Langington. Some scholars claim to have found in the
great archives of Gideon a tenuous reference supporting Havanathe activity in
Langington. It is postulated that it relates to the founding of Babble Vale. In
a thin document, claimed to be the journal kept by one Domonick Thesper,
Seneschal to Duke Victor de Angelosis of Eisenford, this terse and somewhat
mysterious entry can be found: "7th Day of Early Dusk, in the Year of Our Keeper,
4783. Crisis over, instructed to draw up documents."
MILITARY MATTERS
The Havanathe of the Sorrow Woods can field about 300 regular soldiers when
defending home and hearth, about half that number (150) for slightly more
distant threats such as helping their neighbors repulse a monster from the
borders of the Sorrow Woods, and maybe a quarter that number (75) for defending
the Kingdom at large.
The Havanathe are generally unarmored and lack shields. They often have a small
melee weapon such as a knife or makeshift household or agricultural implement.
The occasional Havanathe volunteer might wield a family heirloom such as a short
sword or Havanathe-sized boar spear. Their main weapon and bane to their
opponents is their capability with a missile weapon. Coupled with their skill at hiding in
vegetated areas, a group of Havanathe can spring devastatingly successful
ambushes upon their enemies. Missile weapons are normally either slings or short
bows, or in desperate cases well aimed stones. Most Havanathe have great skill
when it comes to using missile weapons, being especially adept at targeting
their larger opponents faces and eyes. They carry their own food and are capable of
foraging off the land, and are generally happy to camp out under the stars. They
work best as regular troops, instructed to skirmish in the forest or ambush an
enemy detachment.
Babble Vale itself can provide about one half (150, 75, and 37, respectively) of the aforementioned volunteers for the various conflict situations. The decision whether to fight
or not is purely an individual's decision, although it may be influenced somewhat by the
popular feeling at the time. There is some feeling of loyalty to Langington,
but the idea of being involved in an invasion of another country or something
else of as dubious a nature will generally cause most individuals to stay at
home, going about their normal activities.
The Havanathe of Babble Vale cannot only call on their brethren from Logan and
Pecksville in times of need, but also have treaties of one sort or another with
other communities in and around the Sorrow Woods. Most notable of these is the
small community of Fpathen who roam the woods, protectors of the trees and
inhabitants alike; a secretive clan of sturdy Dervatear, nestled in the foothills of The Twins; and a nobleman with a small holding just outside the northern
edge of the Sorrow Woods.
The Sorrow Woods also fall under the military jurisdiction of the Duchy of
Eisenford, and help is available from the city of Vollmer.
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