The invasion of Tulwang

(TA 1641-1648)
Copyright Eric Dubourg 2001
Edited by Joe Mandala for The Guild Companion
Before Akhrahil left for Mordor at his Master's bidding, he required Zimbr to conquer
Tulwang. Consequently, the Warlord sent many spies into Tulwang to evaluate the strength of
their defenses. He planned to measure the reported strengths against the newly reformed Army of
the Southern Dragon, trained by Sangarunya and Bartolad, an Nmenorian from Sakal an-Khr.
In Mizir 1643, Zimbr launched a series of short raids into Tulwang, further testing the strength
of that realm. He held back the main body of his army, well out of reach of counter-attacking
Sorijani.
These raids had two objectives; first, to spread fear among the populace, and second to cut landbound supply routes into Tulwang. This tactic worked very well, in spite of Sorijan counteroffensives and the intermittent support of Bellakar. As the situation in Tulwang became desperate
for the defenders, messengers at the Bellakarni fortress on the Ajdak River were prepared to send
for the aid of Bellakar.
Before the call for help could leave for Bellakar, though, Sangarunya executed the first phase of the
invasion. The Army of the Southern Dragon had learned from its earlier failures, and the new
leadership recognized that in order to take and hold Tulwang, three objectives would have to be
taken. These included the two main centers of population, Norjadar and Khorsj, and the
Bellakarian fortress on the river Ajdak. Sangarunya, with a strong regiment composed of Mumk
companies, heavy infantry, and light cavalry struck toward the fort on the Ajdak. Bellakaze scouts
warned of the approach of this force, and the messengers to Bellakar were immediately sent out.
Most of the messengers were captured by Sangarunya's light cavalry, but one escaped by night and
reached Bellakar to warn the King of the developing situation and ask for help.
"My King, Tulwang is under attack of the Thn an-Khrlkh. The people there are in need of
powerful allies. Tumakveh Kings have never failed to aid them in the past - will you send help?"
"I will not be the first king to ignore the pleas of his subjects. A strong force will be sent to defend
Tulwang, as has been done before," replied Khruzr.
Khruzr was extremely concerned with the situation in Tulwang, and sent an expeditionary force
of 3,000 men in support, commanded by his second son Abruzir. This was the largest force he
could muster on short notice, as Umbarean pirates continued to threaten the coast. Not to be left
out of the regional defense, the Katredala of Bozisha-dar dispatched 200 picked Visi and 2,000
Gusar clansmen to join the expedition. The allies arrived in Khorsj on the 26th day of Vatrul,
1645.
While Sangarunya prosecuted the war along the River Ajdak, Zimbr's first target for conquest
was Khorsj. He wished to enter the city as a conqueror bearing the symbols of the Tumakveh, and
to use the city as a staging area for the conquest of Bellakar. Abruzir, however, was a tenacious
general, and bore the qualities of both the Tumakveh and the Elendili. Though Zimbr initially
took Khorsj, a year of battle, retreat, and counter-attack eventually wore the Army of the

Southern Dragon down, and Khorsj was liberated in Darat 1646. One year after this hard-won
victory, Abruzir dealt Zimbr's host a humiliating defeat near Kanjar in Northern Tulwang in
Vatrul 1647. Zimbr was nearly killed in the battle, but was saved by his Guard and taken from
the field. Zimbr was forced to leave the entire cape of Bishra in the hands of his most hated
enemy's son. He fled to Fult to recover, and awaited news of Sangarunya's campaign against the
Fortress on the Ajdak.
Sangarunya's primary objective was the Bellakarian fort. After taking the fort, he would have
access to Tulwang's interior, including the important cities of Norjadar and Qanath. After seven
months of siege, in Najam 1646, the fort finally fell and the defenders were slaughtered. The road
into the south of Tulwang was now open to the Army of the Southern Dragon. The young
commander rebuilt the fort as best he could, and left a garrison to defend his supply route. He then
conducted a deadly campaign against the Tulwan coastal cities from the south. With
reinforcements from Bartolad, Warlord of the South Wind, Sangarunya was able to sustain a long
and bloody campaign while Zimbr recovered in Fult and received reinforcements of his own. In
Sumat 1647, however, Gettaniyan tribesman stormed and took the fort on the River Ajdak.
At the end of the year 1647, only Norjadar and a few minor Sorijan ports remained defensible. In
the last failed siege of Norjadar, the city had been partially burned, and the Army of the Southern
Dragon did not withdraw as it had done in the past. The coming year would certainly see a major
offensive against the last remaining interior city of Tulwang, and the Sorijans made hasty
preparations. They rebuilt their walls as well as they could, and deployed their dwindling forces.
When spring came, they would be as prepared as they could be, but they feared that their strength
would not be enough. Without massive reinforcements from Bellakar (or elsewhere), the Sorijans
held out little hope of victory.
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