A fair number of Orshkal's soldiers survive the explosion, unknown to the Rustuffes, and in the middle of the night cause considerable damage in the city, burning the University to the ground and claiming the lives of many scholars and rare and valuable mstar fishcripts. Most of theses soldiers are presumed to have died attempting to seize and destroy one of the city's gates, a task which they almost completed. Another group was killed when it attempted to rout citizens and encountered some well armed guards.
In the havoc, another wave of Orshkal's forces was able to approach the city walls where they ignited large fires at the base of several large sections of wall, weakening the mortar, cracking many blocks and bricks, and destroying any wooden structures. This force quickly fled on horseback and only a few were killed or captured as many Rustuffe soldiers were involved in handling things inside the walls.
Less familiar with the more Northerly waters, almost a hundred Rustuffe troop ships are driven against the rocky coast and smashed during a large storm that many of Orshkal's vessels were able to weather as they either knew good anchorages or harbors or coves or whatever. Many of Orshkal's non military vessels in the area, however, are lost to the storm.
In a large and bloody battle, Rustuffe elites, taking heavy casualties, almost totally destroy a slightly larger force in the lands North of the Southern City. The Rustuffes, however, sustain such immense casualties as to be forced to retreat South or be captured and killed by reinforcements believed to be in the area. Nonetheless, Orshkal's forces have lost men and ground and their local armies are forced to call in reinforcements.
It is learned that Orshkal has funded existing bandit groups along the Kastawa pass. These groups are becoming bolder and despite the presence of armed guards with trading convoys, have been able to steal or destroy a moderate amount of assets.
In Molenia, the civil war comes to a bloody close as the isolationist army defeats Baoist forces. The new regime intends to engage in a bare minimum of contact with both Orshkal and Ru'sh Naal, and instead to trade with the Siberian tribes. Orshkal signs a treaty with them allowing them to pass through its waters with a minimal protection fee in exchange for remaining fully neutral in any future conflicts involving Orshkal.
Ashibia responds by saying that Gugnixao is its ally, and if if the will of Bao is to absorb or overthrow its ally and neighbor, Ru'sh Naal will have one more front to fight on. Ashibia, Gungixao, and Xianxan engage in joint military training, but it is clear that they just really don't want to get involved in the war.
Gungixao, being Avalonia's trade partner and a nation with political ties to Avalonia, is assured that the Avalonian Union will do all in its power to maintain Gungixao's sovereignty.
Avalonia sends a message to Ezbatu: refugees from the existing regime are welcome in the Avalonian Union. Violent Buddhists far less so.
Ladios, how are you getting a message to Galaumia? The only open road there is through Siderland, which is closed off to Rustuffe and Orshkal's ships to prevent it from becoming a battleground.
Poll