Go 347: This is the beginning
stages of the Fellowship of the Wheel. The pink color is FreeWheelers, while Black is Fallen Pride and the
purple is Dreeme Tygyr. This is around Go 347, just after the Fall of the Pride where Clan Fallen Pride was
scattering everything he had in order to perserve something to carry out his revenge. Finding an ally in
the time of Chaos, Fallen Pride quickly joined with Dreeme Tygyr in the Fellowship of the Burning Wheel, with the
common enemy as Free Wheelers. The Fallen Pride was soon split into two halves, the northern and the southern
half.
Soon after the Fallen Pride began building back up its forces and together Dreeme Tygyr and Fallen Pride stood up to Free Wheelers. A few turns later, Anacarduis entered into the Fellowship of the Burning Wheel along with another clan who's name has been lost in the vortex of time, for he was soon after expelled and killed for treachery.
After an uneasy start the Fellowhip began really fighting against Free Wheelers in earnest. Battle lines
were soon being established around Go 354
when Dreeme Tygyr (Blue) and Fallen Pride (Black) set up two lines against the Free Wheelers, (in tan).
The breeders behind were of course supplying the lines with fresh troops, while trying to increase their numbers.
For some time, Colossus, a near by Clan off to the east had been itching to fight a small war with Dreeme Tygyr and Fallen Pride. He looked only to score points, but at the moment it was a hassle as both clans were in a war that they considered at the moment large with Free Wheelers.
The battle lines solidified on the northern front while Free Wheelers just did not have the troop numbers in the south to hold the front and so gave up on it. Fallen Pride still had his clan half behind Free Wheelers (light green) lines. The battle lines were quickly forming now and soon would be huge lines of titans. At this point the Free Wheelers had the tech advantage of about 9-10 over 4s and 5s on the Dreeme Tygyer (pink) and Fallen Pride warriors.
The war carried on, for
a good many more turns with the battle lines slowly forming. Around Go 369 Anacarduis arrived with his "advanced"
Gen 8's and 9's to assist the lowly Fallen Pride and Dreeme Tygyr. Most of the titans in their warriors stock
were 3 to 5 Gen. Numbers and determination played a large part in this long war. The fact that Dreeme
Tygyr and Fallen Pride never passed Gen 11 by the end and Free Wheelers had Gen 16 about halfway through proves
alot.
A day after Anacarduis's troops started appearing in the back of the Fellowships ranks Dreeme Tygyr sent out this message:
"Victory is ours! Or at least for now it is. It would seem from my scans in the "common area" (limited though my range is) the the FreeWheeler forces are retreating, or at least redistributing. The northern front seems to be shifting northward and the southern front in the area east of "Brood Rock" (the mountain on the southern part of Go 360) has completely collapsed."
The message went on to state plans for starting the war once the Fellowship had managed to increase its Generations and overall warriors abilities. Free Wheelers, not a completely bad guy, allowed Fallen Pride's remenants of his northern half flee to the south:
"I will leave your breeders to make the treck southward. If they are still north of 36 in 5 turns, (turn 372) I continue to fire on them."
When Fallen Pride asked for a short peace to recooperate the war was halted, and as Dreeme Tygyr stated in her communications both fronts stopped fighting. Free Wheelers seemed as eager for the chance to rebuild his forces as the Fellowship was. Both Dreeme Tygyr and Fallen Pride began focussing on raising technology.
Around Go 372 fighting with Colossus picked up, and Nosferatu titans were spotted heading northward, on a path that would lead them straight through the Fellowships lands. Nosferatu calmed the panicked regoin with a message to Fallen Pride a few days later (Note: This was about 5 days after Fallen Pride's Dispatch, The Fall of the Pride came out):
"Greetings o fallen one I read your dispatch and think you are brave to take on such an
older clan like Mogais
I at present battle with them although on friendly terms I seem to be approaching your clan at
the moment do you wish for an older ally? or perhaps friendly war to gain experience?
Lord V.Dracul II
Clan Nosferatu"
Relief swept through the Fellowship. With Nosferatu why wait for both sides to build up? It was decided that it was time to fight again.
Despite repetitive invitations,
Colossus refused to join the Fellowship, for he had some agreement with Free Wheelers to not turn against him until
a certain date. Nosferatu thought, using his seniority got Colossus to back down on his war against the Fellowship
for a while.
By Go 379 the two opposing sides had lined up once again. Free Wheelers 12's vs. Fallen Prides 5's and Dreeme Tygyrs 3's and 4's. Down in the south (pink) Nosferatu's 16's were moving north to assist against Free Wheelers (tan). The preliminary line of fire was laid down to try to keep Free Wheelers out of range until Nosferatu could arrive, but it was a failed manuveur as Free Wheelers had 15 weapon tech, and therefor 3 range, which meant they did not need to cross the line. (Blue) Dreeme Tygyr was also being forced to mass an army against Colossus (green) in the south. The war had started in earnest once again. The numbers were small at the moment but soon more and more titans rushed to the front.
The battle continued and
Fallen Pride made an attempt to flank the Free Wheeler line by skirting a small ocean and then hit them from behind.
The maneuver was noted and Free Wheelers began turning the small land bridge and mountain range there to his advantage.
The flanking manuever was put down and Fallen Pride had to defend that position until the end of the war since
after Free Wheelers found it he constantly attempted to reverse the action and flank the combined Dreeme Tygyr
and Fallen Pride lines. At this point (Go 384) most of the warriors on the line were Dreeme Tygyr (purple-blue)
against the tan Free Wheelers. Fallen Pride was still recovering from earlier beatings that Free Wheelers
had given him, and he was filling only about half of his clan size, and mostly with breeders. Dreeme Tygyr
on the other hand was sending large numbers of her warriors against Free Wheelers and still managing to combat
Colossus who's battle line continued to expand and cause problems for the Fellowship of the Burning Wheel.
A few rounds later Anacarduis
gave his opinion of the Fellowships battle line that was fighting against Free Wheelers. The first Free Wheeler
gen 16 titans were appearing on his lines, the first 11 gen were popping up in Fallen Pride's arsenal and Dreeme
Tyger was sporting a few 9's and 10's. Anacarduis sent this letter to the other members of the Fellowship
(Fallen Pride and Dreeme Tygyr):
"Greetings.
I am growing concerned at what I have seen of the "battlefront" with FreeWheelers. It seems the Fellowship forces are generally outmatched by their opponents, and the battle is more of a slaughter. Unless Nosferatu joins in soon, I believe the outcome is inevitable - and most certainly not favourable.
I will consider using my forces to cover your retreat, if necessary, otherwise I cannot see the benefit in sending in my western forces to provide yet more points for FreeWheelers. So for now, I intend to advance only so far as necessary to watch events unfold.
regards
Anacardius IV"
It was true that the Fellowship's titans were outmatched in tech, but the determination of the young clans bent on destroying their enemy was stronger than 5 or 6 gen difference. Neither Fallen Pride or Dreeme Tygyr admitted that defeat was coming. It was true that Nosferatu was near by, but had not yet joined into the war, regardless of his 20 day old promise to enter the war on Fallen Pride's side. Nosferatu instead of entering against Free Wheelers had been negotiating with Colossus and convinced him to pull some troops back from the battle line. Despite Anacarduis's pesimistic attitude, Dreeme Tygyr and Fallen Pride were still seeing the war in a positive view. Dreeme Tygyr wrote:
"Brothers of the Burning Wheel,
Sorry I haven't written in a while but as we all know we have all been very busy this
tournament, and what a glorious one it has been. All three of the brothers are doing well on the ladder.
May our success continue into the
next tourney. Now for some updates.
What a beautiful glow i see in the East. The Battle against the Colossus forces is going
well. DreemeTygyr's units continue to whittle the enemy down. Fortunately, while Colossus has put up a spirited
defense most of his salvos are missing the mark. I hope to have the southern and northern ends of
his line shortened soon and shall begin to surround his front line
forces. (insert evil laugh here) It should be some happy shooting from there out.
Meanwhile, in the north; our nemesis the FreeWheelers are putting on quite a show. While
the front is rather dynamic, The Fellowship seems to be holding on quite well against his huge numbers and
tech advantage. I hope to be able to help bolster up this front in the next turn or two."
The letter was signed with the traditional "May the Fires Light the Skies" That the Fellowship of the Burning Wheel had adopted. In the eyes of Fallen Pride and Dreeme Tygyr the war was proceding well. Yes, both clans understood that hundreds of the Fellowship's titans had died under Free Wheeler fire, but what they knew what that Free Wheeler titans were also dying.
A few rounds later the Nosferatu
units arrived to combat the Free Wheelers. Go 393 brought the arrival of a number of 16 gen Nosferatu titans
that the Fallen Pride and Dreeme Tygyr viewed as powerful, high gen warriors. A good bit of Free Wheeler's
titans were still 12-15 and so the Nosferatu reinforcements were a great help, along with forcing the Colossus
troops to back off.
With the Nosferatu in the area all fire was directed at them and so the Fallen Pride and Dreeme Tygyr units had some time to wreak havok without repayment and repair some damaged titans. At this time Dreeme Tygyr and Fallen Pride were both reaching their maximum unpaid limits and so the increase of lines size would soon cease, and The Fellowship would have to revert to using higher tech titans.
Anacarduis had promised a force to assist the Fellowship, but it did not arrive for many more turns. It was caught fighting the Daemon Knight's for a time and so took almost a tourney to arrive. Around Go 405 Dreeme Tygyr suggested this:
"Clan Fallen Pride should take the official title "Minister of Truth" and
handle all warcry and dispatch writing that is pertinent to the Fellowship.
As well as inter-clan communications. All members should feel free to write
as well but only on individual clan issues.Clan Anacardius, seems at this point to have formed a good scouting network.
To them shall go the title "Minister of Disinformation" a.k.a. "The spy
master." and should continue their excellent gathering of intelligence on
our enemies as well as look for potential allies. These duties would include
the spreading of false information to confuse and hamper our enemies.Clan DreemeTygyr shall take the title "Minister of Offence" and concentrate
efforts on defence of the "common area", and the biomass fields in the area
as well as co-ordinate movements between all Fellowship members."
The prooposition
was accepted and the three members took their titles, though nothing much ever came of it.
Soon after, around Go 410 it became evident that Fallen Pride's flanking attempt had failed and it had only caused Free Wheelers (tan) to use it against the Fellowship. Fallen Pride alerted the rest of the Fellowship to the problem in the area but informed the rest that his clan could hold them off for the time being.
And in the south
the war with Colossus (green) started again, now that Nosferatu's warriors, though large but lacking tech, were
falling to the Free Wheelers fast, began to pick up, with Dreeme Tygyr (blue) managing to take the brunt
of that. Colossus continued to claim he did not want to enter into a war but just wanted to have small skirmishes
for points, but to the strained Fellowship it looked more and more like another war to handle every day.
Go 418 came soon with the Fellowship's outlook on the war still holding up. Fallen Pride though was finally
doubting the possibility of victory. Having asked Clan 
Bear for help and been turned down, everything was looking like it would
drag out for tourneys to come with no victory and thousands dead.
Free Wheelers (light green) was driving a wedge between the Fellowship forces while Colossus (light blue) had moved his line northward and was wreaking havok on Fallen Pride and Dreeme Tygyr (pink), with their ally in no evidence (Anacarduis). The numbers of Fellowship troops on the battle lines were horribly low and Fallen Pride was starting to build up some numbers on the mountains that were behind the crumbling lines to try to make a last stand against Free Wheelers.
Fallen Pride had been throughout the war using the famed Legend titan name with a roman numeral following. Starting at I, Fallen Pride had progessed to 127. Only one Legend has survived to date almost a hundred days later a Generation 9, and only about 20 came out of the war with Free Wheelers and Colossus alive.
Then it all snapped in one day. Fallen Pride looked at the bleak war and decided it had to end. Sent to the clans Colossus, Dreeme Tygyr and Free Wheelers, Fallen Pride revealed his thoughts in one long message. The following is some of it, with certain parts cut out to hide information that could even now be dangerous.
"Grand and Honorable Clans; (Free Wheelers, Colossus, Dreeme Tygyr, and Fallen Pride)
I come before you now to plead an important case that could lead to the changing of everything on the Battlesphere as we know it.
--Fallen Pride, Minister of Truth of the Fellowship of the Burning Wheel
I have officially been one of the beginning members of the Fellowship from the day that it started, Dreeme Tygyr and I being the two founders of the Fellowship formed (as its name indicates) to completely destroy and ravish all of the Free Wheelers lands and Titans.
As I see it, without an exact count the war with the Free Wheelers has lasted almost 3 months now. We have drawn Colossus into it and all clans suffer and gain strength at the same time. Titans die, biomass fields are ravaged to pump out huge deadly warriors that are thrown at the 'enemy' and together we crush each other, though we all grow in size from it.
What did it all start over? As far as Fallen Pride knows it started between Dreeme Tygyr and the Free Wheelers over a small patch of biomass and some points. For the Fallen Pride and Free Wheelers it was over ten hexes of plains with nothing on it between some oceans. Worthless land that we started a three month war over.
I would continue the war without hesitation, but I have begun to see the error in our ways. I talk to many peoples of the BattleSphere, as it is my job as Minister of Truth of the Fellowship. I hear many things though I am not our spy master. I have called allies to our aid. We have drawn other clans into the war, destroyed those who would not fight for us and slaughtered young clans that spawned in and then blamed it upon the other side.
The war is quite contained, it all can be fit in two or three game screens that are all adjacent to each other. Quite an amazing feat, we smash titan after titan at each other, slowly killing each other off. Now I come to my point. We weaken each other.
---Something cut out here---
I am weak at the moment. I have a huge clan size limit (90) but only manage to keep about 55 titans alive, and I struggle to reach the upper limits. I have heard it said from an unnamed source that Free Wheelers probably would not pursue the war at the moment if we pulled back. I do not say he is weak but he does throw himself into war full heatedly anymore, or so I have heard.
---Something cut out here---
This Go I did not fire. I repaired, moved troops, and powered up shields, bred warriors and the like. But I will no longer fight Colossus and the Free Wheelers. A small petty debate should not lead to this, and I have seen the errors in my ways.
I now also give notice to the Dreeme Tygyrs that I am ceding from the Fellowship of the Burning Wheel. I can not stay in this for I have seen a true purpose. ---Something cut here--- In three Go's Dreeme Tygyrs, I begin to remove my troops and move out of the battle. I will no longer stand against the clan of Free Wheelers or against Colossus.
I offer peace and alliance. A strong alliance we could build, ---Something cut here---. Divided we fall, united we stand. Join me, form something strong.
Grand things grow from small ideals.
Fallen Pride"
The message has been heavily editted to protect certain parties and such for I would not want to end all that we have made by releasing this war cry. The war ended quickly after with Colossus, Dreeme Tygyr and Fallen Pride heading south in friendship, leaving Free Wheelers in the north who made it clear he did not want to follow.
Dreeme Tygyr responded,
"Brother Fallen Pride,
While I wish you had given me more warning of you decision; I must agree with your last posting. The Fellowship of the Burning Wheel has burned to ashes and is now dead. Truthfully, I had completely forgotten what my original issue with the FreeWheeler forces was. Thank you for reminding me and helping me see the futility of my ways."
The three clans left the destroyed northern lands and began the long trek southward that still has not ended to this day (519) even though they are still allied, and more strongly then ever.
In the Day of the Fellowship of the Burning Wheel as the Minister of Truth it was my (Fallen Pride's) duty to write all warcries and dispatches. This dispatch has been finished on the 100 day anniversairy of the end of the Fellowship and its futile war with Free Wheelers and so I have fullfilled my duties.
Fallen Pride
----This Dispatch has been completely written by Fallen Pride with the text in Italics drawn fully from messages clans have sent to Fallen Pride. All images used in this dispatch have been pulled from Fallen Pride's orders and so have a limited scope of vision.