Chapter VIII: Western Anabasis

1103.

Pomerlane, undeterred by the Atalantan problem, has decided to conquer the western parts of the republic. His army has grown to around 30,000 as more dissatisfied peasants rally to his cause. Many of the smaller towns and villages submit without a fight, with his first real challenge coming at Poseidonia. The Port refuses to surrender to Pomerlane, believing it can hold out due to its ability to import food.

Details of what exactly happens in this Siege are scant, appearing to have been lost, but what is known is that by the Fall the city would be taken thanks to it's walls collapsing after being mined by sappers and an massive explosion from gunpowder placed up them. After that, Pomerlane's army charge through the breech and slaughter the defenders.

Example of Sappers

As he promised to any city that he resisted, the population of the city was massacred except for those whom were of some worth to Pomerlane, like the Blacksmiths, and more importantly the famous gunsmiths of the city; all transported back to Aquileia. It was gruesome, with some 20,000 being put to the sword over 3 days and their skulls stacked into towers outside the city. The Mayor himself was hung, drawn and quarter, with his body pieces being places in a cage outside the city. The city itself would be leveled and its harbor ruined.

The fall of Poseidonia was a turning point in the Western Anabasis, because soon after the news of the horrors committed against the city were spread, every town in west of the Vesta river immediately offered their support to Pomerlane. As he returned to Aquileia for the winter, he received a letter from Magnus VII, King of Selenium, warning him that his offenses against his "tributary state" would not go unpunished. This was bad news for Pomerlane, as he knew that this was not an empty threat whatsoever. Even as things stood now, there was no way for him to be able to beat the army of King Magnus in battle. He needed to act fast, and try to think of a solution that Magnus might find acceptable. Thus, he proposed to Magnus that he would double the tribute that Feeshland was paying him already now and would become a direct vassal of Magnus whenever he finished his conquest. As the year turned to 1104, Pomerlane would be summoned by Magnus to Kalmar to "work out" a potential deal.