An Introduction
The Darknut Legion has expanded across the land, ruling at least a quarter of the known world. During their reign, they have build networks of roads to connect their massive empire, from Ontheon to Kanokiri, from Ordonafawn to Vigjaro Glade, even Ashinon and Hyrule Prime are now bonded together by the miracle of trade. Gardens unlike any other were constructed nearly everywhere, much to the surprise of the inhabitants of these newly conquered settlements. Rumors floated of how the Darknut Legion, who worked with the Zuna for centuries, went forth on a divine decree to annihilate their mutual ally. Perhaps this single act would bring the Darknuts to their knees in the years to follow...
During the beginning of this new era, the Darknut Legion went on a crusade taking over rebel settlements. It mattered not if the settlements were run by Darknut Dishonored, Gerudo Marauders, or even Ordona Farmers, they were quickly assimilated into the growing Darknut Empire. As these settlements adjusted to their new overlords, Arenas were constructed in addition to the Gardens to give the more violently inclined a way to tire themselves out. This way, the Darknuts theorized, would lessen the likelihood of these individuals instigating a revolt against the Empire.
This brings us to the history of two particular settlements, Wynalodorf and Paladorf. Wynalodorf was a settlement acquired early on during the Darknut expansion, but was notorious for its populace never being satisfied. Nicknamed "Whine-a-dorf" by some, the Darknuts eventually appointed Borothon to be its governor. This Darknut General, in time, would be at the frontlines against the Ghoma swarms...
Paladorf is another settlement that were never happy with what they were given. While Wynalodorf was important due to its location near the Ghoma border, Paladorf was responsible for the early wealth of the Darknut Empire due to their mines. It was heavily contested, in whispers some say that the Zuna took over this settlement that provoked the Darknuts to begin their hostilities, but others state that the Rebels were wiped out by the Darknuts instead. Either way, during a later campaign against the troublesome Kingdom of Hyrule, Paladorf rebelled against the Darknuts. The Gerudo Marauders which instigated the rebellion were promptly executed shorted afterwards and Paladorf was quickly re-assimilated into the Empire. To impose order, the Darknuts hired Zuna Remnants and were permanently stationed there to keep order.
The War Against Gerudo
Now, we will speak of the history of war. The Darknuts, having taken over the Zuna and many Rebel settlements, found themselves being content with their new territory. Some Generals spoke of how the Darknuts would sweep downward between Moblin and Ordona territory to grab the wastelands of the extinct Ikana kingdom, but plans quickly changed when the Gerudo mobilized her armies to attack the Darknuts. Whether it be by jealousy of taking (x) or a growing fear of the Darknut military, they declared war on the Legion.
The Darknuts were taken aback by this new development; they did not expect to be invaded by anyone at this stage. However, the Darknut military was superior to that of Gerudo, and one by one each Gerudo settlement fell to the might of the Darknuts. Even the Gerudo Catapults or even their Mounted Marauders and Mounted Dune Archers provided little threat to the Darknut Masters and Mighties. Nabooru fell defending Aidaidorf, backed up by only Mounted Dune Archers. Twinrova also was cut down while she defended the Abirter Grounds alongside a small Gerudo regiment.
The War Against Hyrule
With victory on the horizon for the Darknuts, they looked forward to a generation of peace. Some soldiers would continue to original task of continuing to liberate rebel settlements, but then an unexpected visitor came to the table. Gerudo's military all but shattered and with a few mere outposts still in their possession, the Kingdom of Hyrule swept in with its military might. It is here where the Darknuts learned the meaning of fear.
Much like the Gerudo before them, Hyrule declared war on the Legion. Once more, the Legion did not expect this. The Legion did Hyrule a favor by wiping out their opposition, and now they repay the favor by declaring war!?
Alas, at this point in time the Kingdom of Hyrule was superior to the Darknuts in nearly every aspect. The Darknuts were fatigued fighting the war with the Gerudo, but the Hylians marched on with full vigor. However, in desperate times heroes are born, and thus began the legend of Ganthiron, the greatest Darknut General alive.
Ganthiron was there from the beginning. He led his forces alongside Zalunbar The Fearless, liberating rebel settlements and fighting the war with the Gerudo. However, the battles with Hyrule is where his tactical prowess came into being.
The Hylians had Trebuchets. Dangerous enough on its own, it can level fortresses in no time whatsoever. The very same can be done against an armored juggernaut of Darknut forces, Adepts, Masters, and Mighties could not move fast enough to avoid incoming fire and elimate the threat. Foreseeing the outcome of these battles, Ganthiron ordered the construction of Fokka roosts throughout the Empire. In addition, fresh Initiates were brought into the fold, desiring to serve alongside their brethern after hearing the tales of war against the Gerudo.
During the battles to come, these Initiates and Forkka Knights proved to be the deciding factor of victory. So much so that they alone could take on the entirity of the Hylian army without aid from their Generals or more armored brethern. All too often these soldiers would charge headfirst into the fray, with some positioning themselves on the flanks, and the Hylians would rout before the main force arrives.
Ganthiron took the Darknut Legion and made them viable in the field and not just limiting their usefulness in besieging cities and castles. However, even the
greatest general alive could not foresee the consequences of taking over Hyrule...
The Kingdom of Hyrule lost the bulk of its military might in field battles against Ganthiron. The Hylians foolishly fielded smaller, seperate armies instead of fielding them together. Ganthiron took advantage of this, wiping out the smaller regiments and even taking out their so called "reinforcements" before they can even make a difference. During these engagements, however, one proud General fell. Epicoron died on the fields of battle, but the exact method remains torn between two possibilities. Some say he was crushed with a flaming boulder from a Hylian Trebuchets, but the majority seem to conclude he was killed by a lucky Hylian Knight mounted atop his steed. Epicoron's twin brother Epicoron, would avenge his bother's legacy and play an important role in the upcoming apocalypse...
The Sage of Light, Rauru, was slain at Lon Lon Ranch. The Darknuts fielded ladders, climbed the walls, and arrayed themselves outside the arena. At once, they charged in, and in such close quarters no one could survive the Darknut onslaught. Meanwhile, Princess Zelda I, Nylin The Harsh, found refuge at Snowpeak. With Hyrule Prime in the hands of the Darknuts, Princess Zelda fought with ferocity against the Darknut Legion, but was killed during the siege.
The Fall of the Darknut Empire
Now, it is with complete sorrow I recount the recent history of the Darknut Empire. The Kingdom of Hyrule in ruins, the neighboring kingdoms felt threatened by the Darknut presence. The Darknut Empire reigned supreme in all but finance, and they were tired of war. They looked to Lanayru Province to the north, hoping to improve relations. No matter how hard the Diplomats tried, no one would listen.
Reports from the south heralded warfare between the Moblins and Ordona Province. The Moblins seemed content with the Darknuts, having early contact but no formal alliance. The Ordonnians, however, tried to trick the Darknuts into an alliance of their own. If the Darknuts accepted the offer, they would have to pay a reasonable sum of Rupees, but also indirectly make a ceasefire against Hyrule, which was struggling against the Darknuts at that point. With mythical foresight, the Darknuts declined and went on to conquer Hyrule.
More troublesome, however, was the threat of the Gohma. During the campaign against Hyrule, the Gohma had been making odd movements in their territory before finally charging forth into Darknut land without permission. As most of the army was fighting Hyrule on the eastern front, the Gohma almost had free reign in the homeland of the Darknuts. However, troops were stationed at Unyus in an attempt to take the harbor town of Aslosus, the last remaining rebel city nearby that resisted Darknut rule. In addition, the governor of Wynalodorf was still present, and he marched forth to defend the Darknut homelands.
But even the Gohma threat could not prepare the Darknuts for what would happen next. Almost all at once, the Gorons surged out of their mountainous stronghold and laid siege to Vigjaro Glade. The Kokiri appeared out of their forests and began assaulting newly claimed Darknut settlements. Even Lanayru Province, whom the Darknuts hoped to gain favor with, marched forth with two mighty armies, one of which is led by Queen Rutela herself.
The War with the Kokiri is one without a proper military. Epicoron, alongside Koronbar, leads this front, desperately enlisting the aid of Mercenaries to support his efforts. Epicoron enlisted the aid of Rogue Hylian Soldiers during the later years of Hyrule's fall, using them to take out lesser defended settlements. He soon found that these rogues were essentially useless as soldiers, even an entire army of them would struggle to taken even a small village. On the other hand, during the Kokiri crisis Epicoron found that Forest Thieves, Kokiri who reverted to their bandit ways, were effective for their cost.
One such example which will shine through the annuals of history is when a regiment of pure Forest Thieves assaulted a settlement, all on their lonesome. Their opposition, one unit of Minutemen and Saria herself. Despite their small numbers, the Forest Thieves charged into battle and assassinated Saria and her Emerald Archers easily. However, one particular event of note occurred, and that is the Minutemen just suddenly disappeared. Once second they were fighting their reverted brethren, and the next they were gone.
Despite the victory, Epicoron still faces the might of the Kokiri, and he has little support from proper Darknut units. Will he avenge his brother who fell to the Hylians, or will he too fall in the fields of battle?
The Gohma front is rocky at best. Senturon, appearing as if a gift from the heavens, inflicted a blow on the Gohma from the east before reinforcing Vigjaro. The "Governor" (Borothon) is deep within Gohma territory, but he faces Sulkaris herself alongside the main swarm of the Gohma. This doesn't even take in the account of the Gohma forces still garrisoned within the capital and the loss of Darknut reinforcements of Initiates and Forkka Knights. The Gohma can still turn the tide against the Darknuts, and this front will likely be decided in a a sole decisive battle.
At the front at Vigjaro. Ganthiron, the great commander, faces his ultimate challenge. Two massive armies from Lanayru now reside in Darknut territory. They have not begun official hostilities, but with such a military, conflict is inevitable. His soldiers are worn and fatigued from fighting two consecutive wars and new soldiers may not be ready until it is too late. Shall the military genius prevail against such insurmountable odds, or will his legacy finally be put to an end?
Nearby, Vigjaro Glade is being hit hard by the Gorons. Zalunbar, through divine intervention, somehow managed to repel the first wave of the Goron aggression. However, the second wave waits outside the walls and the Gorons have brought along some of their famed Powder Keg Launchers. He won a divine victory once, but will this deity survive yet another?
Lastly, the front at Kakariko. The Gorons also push on this location, but the Darknut forces there are ironically, and unofficially, led by a unit of Zuna Ziggurats. The power of these Ziggurats are not to be underestimated, but so too is the power of the Shadow Temple below. It is said that those who assault from the north shall be locked in fear until the Western Gate opens. Should the Darknuts somehow manage to take advantage of this, maybe even such meager forces can hold off the Goron assault at Kakariko just a little longer...
All hope seems lost. One victory on one front may not be enough to stop this fate. Will you lead the Darknuts to victory, or go down fighting in the end?
The Fall of the Darknut Empire (.sav // scenario)
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