The Winter War: February 16

Day: February 16

Weather: 9 (Light Rain - Troop movement halved due to mud)

Initiative Order for the week: 

1. The Principality of Oraving
2. Beastman Hordes
3. Undead Legions
4. Men of Hambley
5. Wood Elves of Arbelladon

Troop Movements

1 unit of 60 Hesper Crusader Cataphract Cavalry and 1 unit of 120 Hesper Crusader Heavy Infantry depart the Citadel of the Eye of Law and move north across the lake to 028,015.

1 Company of 60 of Light Cavalry from Oraving, 1 company of 60 Medium Cavalry from Hriving, and 1 company of 60 Crusader Cavalry (Heavy Cavalry) from the Citadel muster at 027,018.

2 companies of 120 Dwarven Heavy Infantry each, led by the former Cataphract commander, arrive at the Citadel of the Eye of Law from across the lake.

Cavalry (Slave Cataphracts, Wolf Riders, and Boar Riders) from the Ironburg sally out and attempt to make a flying raid on the Undead army lying outside the Ironburg's gates. A battle is fought.

The Undead troops in the Arbelving Wood move out to 026,014. The Undead troops at the ruins of Fort Arbelving move to 026,015.

The Hambley forces massed at 032,007 and the Wood Elves massed at 032,009 converge upon the Ruins of Annalysorian, attempting to dislodge the Lizardmen and other monsters lurking in the ruins. A battle is fought.

The Hambley Dwarves and Heavy Infantry move from 034,010 to 032,010.

Elven Horse Archers from Arbelladon arrive at Oraving to strengthen its garrison.

Reinforcements:

Militia/Conscripts are raised at Oraving, Hriving, and the Citadel.

Battle Outcomes:

Third Battle of the Ironburg (025,016)

Force 1: Beastmen Cavalry - Total BR: 18.3

• Commander: 5 HD Orc Chieftain: LA 4 SA 1 MM 2
• 1 company of 60 goblin Wolf Riders (spear, short sword, shield, leather, dire wolf), led by a 5 HD chieftain - BR: 6.5
• 1 company of 60 Orc Boar Riders (spear, scimitar, shield, scale, giant boar), led by a 5 HD chieftain - BR: 8
• 1 company of 31 Slave Cataphracts led by a a 5 HD orc chieftain - BR: 3.8

Force 2: Undead Hordes - Total BR: 23.7

• Commander: Trazynel the Vampire Lord: LA 5 SA 1 MM 0
• 8 Spectres - 17 BR
• 3 Wraiths - 1.9 BR
• 2 Ghouls - 0.5 BR
• 394 Zombies - 3.94 BR
• 60 Skeletons - 0.3 BR

Surprise: The Undead Hordes are surprised by the Beastmen, who issue out in fury from half a dozen hidden holes in the mountainside, falling upon the shambolic hordes and ambushing them.

Surprise Round: The Beastmen cavalry smash into the flank of the unsuspecting Undead Horde, ripping through their lines as their shamans chant magics intended to help subdue their more powerful undead foes. They do 12 BR of damage. Despite the annihilation of over half his forces, Trazynel is able to draw up his remaining forces and prevent a route.

Round 1: Charging back into the flank of the Undead Host, the cavalry are able to deal 4 more BR of damage, taking no damage themselves as they move too fast for Trazynel's shambling servants to reach them in the rocky terrain of the mountains.

At this point, Trazynel withdraws with his remaining 2 Spectres from the Ironburg, moving back to 026,016.

Outcome: Unqualified victory for the Beastmen Hordes. Casualties: 60 Skeletons, 394 Zombies, 2 Ghouls, 3 Wraiths, 4 Spectres.

The Battle of Annalysorian (032,008)

Force 1: The Men of Hambley - Total BR: 12.5

• Commander: Level 5 Human Fighter - 
• 3 companies of 120 Light Infantry E/Hunters /each (spear, hand axe, shield, leather), each led by a 3rd level Human Ranger - 3 BR
• 1 company of 120 slingers, led by a 3rd level Human Ranger - 1 BR
• 1 company of 60 Light Cavalry (3 javelins, sword, shield, leather, light warhorse), led by a 3rd level Human Fighter - 3.5 BR
• 1 company of 60 Horse Archers led by a Level 5 Human Fighter - 5 BR

Force 2: The Wood Elves - Total BR: 20.5

• 2 Companies of 120 Elven Bowmen/each, each led by a 5th Level Elven Ranger - 7 BR
• 1 Company of 120 Elven Heavy Infantry A led by a 7th level Elven Spellsword - 4 BR
• 1 Company of 120 Elven Heavy Infantry B (spear, sword, shield, lamellar), led by a 7th level Elven Spellsword - 4.5 BR
• 1 Company of 120 Dwarven Heavy Infantry B, led by a 7th level Dwarven Vaultguard - 3.5 BR
• 1 Company of 120 Elven Light Infantry led by a 5th Level Elven Spellsword - 1.5 BR

Force 3: Monsters of Annalysorian - Total BR: 17.1

• Commander: 6 HD Lizardman Chief with the Shield of Vassuryn (+2 to defending fortifications)
• 1 Company of 120 Lizardmen Heavy Infantry - BR 7.5
• 1 Company of 120 Rock Baboons - BR 1.6
• 1 Company of 60 Chameleon Riders - BR 8

Surprise: The Lizardman Chieftain splits his forces in two, laying traps and ambushes in preparation for a long running battle to the Acropolis. As the Wood Elves march into the city, they are ambushed by the Lizardmen, their ancient and hated foes. The Men of Hambley, more cautious, are not caught in the ambush.

Surprise Round: Ambushed, the Elves take 2 BR of damage before the Elven Commander is able to rally his troops to push towards the Acropolis.

Round 1: The Men of Hambley and the Elves assault the Acropolis from the North and South respectively. Thanks to the magical resistance of the Shield of Vassuryn, it is hard going. At the end of a long hour of fighting, the Men of Hambley deal 1 BR of damage, and the Wood Elves deal 3 BR of damage. They are repulsed with losses, however: The Men of Hambley take 3 BR of damage, and the Wood Elves take 4 BR of damage. Demoralized, the Elven forces begin to waver.

Round 2: The commanders renew the assault, the Men of Hambley dealing 1 BR of damage, and the disorganized Wood Elves dealing 1 BR of damage as well. The Men of Hambley suffer another 1 BR of losses, while the Wood Elves are repulsed with 3 BR of losses. This, coupled with the might of the Shield of Vassuryn and the demoralizing effect of the ruins of their ancient city, causes many of the remaining Elven forces to flee the field of battle. The Elven Commander withdraws with his remaining units, hoping to prevent a total route.

Round 3: Still in good order, the Men of Hambley renew their assault on the Acropolis. They're able to make no headway, however, and are repulsed with 2 BR of damage. Seeing that their allies have fled the field, and that the Beastmen have some kind of magical aid, the Men of Hambley are completely shattered, and their remaining units flee the field.

Outcome: Victory for the Lizardmen. Casualties: All Hambley forces scattered or eaten by the Lizardmen. All Elves except for 1 Company of Elven Heavy Infantry A scattered or eaten by the Lizardmen. 120 Rock Baboons killed, 120 Rock Baboons wounded or scattered. 15 Chameleon Riders killed, 15 Chameleon Riders Wounded or Scattered. 

Remaining BR of forces in Annalysorian: 11.5 (120 Lizardmen Heavy Infantry, 30 Chamelon Riders)