Smitty's Siege of Aedwin

Smitty's Siege of Aedwin was a failed siege of Aedwin-De-Steinberg by Smitty and his crew, usually referred to as Smitty's Crew. The events lasted one night, in which the entirety of Smithy's Crew were either slain or captured and executed. It's significance marked the demise of rebel uprisings across The Hales.

Smitty's Crew
Smitty began as a bandit just beyond the Aedwin borders with an accomplice. As Aedwin's power and influence grew with the addition of Aurore de Poignard, Smitty's Crew grew in number as they had the wealth and resources to employ members. Often, however, they often preferred to capture travelers and force them to fight.

It is speculated that Smitty's Crew had relations with Hallengard, as often their resources would come from the North, and much of their time was spent within the kingdom. Their reasoning for an attempted siege against Aedwin was for power, wealth, or perhaps a plot to assassinate Queen Aurore and weaken their kingdom.

The Siege
On a cold night in Aedwin-De-Steinberg, rumors arose that a bandit group was planning to attack the castle. By chance, many Hallengardian soldiers and noblemen were at Aedwin for an earlier negotiation including King Kristoff von Hoensbroeck of Hallengard. Queen Aurore de Poignard of Aedwin requested their assistance concerning the potential siege, and the men rallied atop the castle walls.

The first glimpse of Smitty's Crew was by a deserter seeking refuge, shouting that they will not long arrive at the gates. Soon after the rest of their gang arrived and arrows were fired at one another, before they sought refuge behind the farmhouses beyond the drawbridge.

Due to the admirable defense of Aedwin-de-Steinberg, little causalities were reported from within the Kingdom of Aedwin, and eventually there were few enough bandits left that many Aedwin and Hallengard soldiers climbed down from the gates and engaged in close combat, picking off the few remaining members of Smitty's Crew.

Aftermath
The siege lasted so long as Smitty's Crew was incredibly large, however after it ended the relations between Aedwin and Hallengard were strengthened, proving more constructive than the negotiations the previous day.

Smitty's Crew was disbanded and the two remaining leaders were chased down and executed in the field just beyond Aedwin. It is believed that Smitty was slain in the final battle, however his body was never found and it is suggested that he was kept hidden within Hallengard.