| Category | Wars | |||
| Period | 1535 | |||
| Theater | Lands of Purity | |||
| Belligerents |
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| Map | Adellum |
During the reign of the Farinteen Dynasty, Atturgad was a strategic stronghold situated on the shores of Hruki. It guarded the perilous Bloodguard Pass, which traversed the Raganbiraks and led to the northern approaches of Phanax. When the Farinteen Empire fell, the Black Tide of Thasmudyan ceded the fortress and the guardianship of the pass to the Orchish Empire, in exchange for orc support during the Black Tide War ( 1465 - 1486 ) . The keep came under the command of an infamous illrigger death knight, known as Lazarus the Accursed, and its garrison was composed of the fearsome Roringrak troops.
To test the mettle of their forces and open up the roads bypassing Hruki, the adventuring band Golden Elite assembled an army to recapture the stronghold. A bitter siege ensued, with numerous casualties among the valiant attackers, but "righteousness overtakes might." The gloomy, overcast day appeared to portend disaster for the righteous forces of the Golden Elite. Fortunately, this was merely the work of nature. The massive doors of Atturgad were breached, and the noble forces stormed the castle. The greatest spectacle was a combat of true knightly fashion. Galtrag, mounted on his paladin's steed, and Lazarus, astride a nightmare, exchanged lance attacks before turning to their blades. Athena, ever watchful of her faithful knight Galtrag, surely prayed for his victory, for Lazarus made several reckless moves and suffered for his folly. Lazarus was slain in honorable combat. Upon his demise, the skies cleared, and the rays of Merioss and Khâls Forge shone upon the conquering army of the Golden Elite.
After the battle, the Orchish Empire threatened to send a massive force against the region unless the Golden Elite paid exorbitant reparations to the orcs. However, the demanded payment was never made, as the distant Orchish Empire lacked the capability to enforce its threats. The settlement was subsequently renamed Atturgad. This engagement marked the inaugural triumph of an army that would eventually form the core of the sacred forces that fought in the Athenian Crusade ( 1539 - 1551 ) .