The Winter War: February 24

Day: February 24

Weather: 7 (Clear)

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

The Hesperite and Oraving cavalry at 026,019 ride hard, falling upon the rear of the legions of Trazynel at 027,020. A battle is fought.

The Beastmen Hordes move to invest Hriving, harrying anyone who tries to reinforce the city. 

Using its powers of teleportation, the Fang of Vassuryn transports itself and the Orc Boar Riders into Overlord Atheldard's citadel in Oraving, attempting to assassinate the Overlord. A battle is fought.

The garrison of Fort Hambley moves south, making it as far as 030,009.

A force of Trolls and Lizardmen arrives at the Abbey of Igolb, surrounding its walls. A battle is fought.

The commander of the Wood Elf Horse Archers manages to master the Trident, raising a company of 120 stags, elk, and bears. He moves into and reoccupies Arbelladon, naming himself the new Elf-king, Ellator.

The dragon ravages the countryside at 027,020, engaging the Undead Legions. A battle is fought.

Reinforcements: 

Militia raised in Hriving and Oraving.

1 Company of 120 Orc Bowmen raised at the Ironburg.

Battle Resolutions

The Second Battle of Oraving Fields (027,020)

Force 1: Undead Legions - BR 20.5

• 3 Spectres - BR 4.28
• 1 Vampire - BR 3.4
• 1 Wight - BR 0.305
• 60 Wolves - 0.72
• 120 Giant Bats - BR 11.28
• 120 Massed Vermin - BR 0.5

Force 2: Crusader Cavalry - BR 12.5

• 1 unit of 60 Hesper Crusader Cataphract Cavalry, led by a Level 7 Cleric - BR 7
• 1 Company of 60 medium Cavalry, led by a Level 5 Cleric - BR 5.5

Surprise: Neither force is surprised.

Round 1: Raising his holy symbol aloft, the High Abbot of Hesper drives the Wight and one of the Spectres from the battlefield. The two forces then clash on the field, and Trazynel's legions deal 5 BR of damage, with the giant bats pulling riders from their horses and dropping them to the ground again from great heights.  The Crusaders fight on, dealing 3 BR of damage.

Round 2: Trazynel's legions deal 6 BR of damage to the crusaders as the latter are overrun by vermin, and in particular the great bats at Trazynel's command. The High Abbot struggles to order his troops, and the crusaders deal only 1 BR to the attacking forces. Left with no other option, the High Abbot charges Trazynel himself, hoping to slay the Vampire Lord with a stroke.

Round 3: The glorious last charge of the Men of Hesper deals 2 BR damage to the legions of Trazynel before the High Abbot is pulled apart by a swarm of great bats.

Outcome: Undead victory.

Casualties: 1 Wight, 1 Spectre, 60 Giant Bats killed or wounded. 30 Cataphract Cavalry and 30 Heavy Cavalry routed or wounded, 30 Cataphract Cavalry and 30 Heavy Cavalry raised as Zombies. The High Abbot and the Crusader Commander are raised as Spectres.

The Attack on the Citadel of Oraving (028,021)

Force 1: The Boar Riders - BR 8

• 1 company of 60 Orc Boar Riders (spear, scimitar, shield, scale, giant boar), led by the Fang of Vassuryn - BR 8

Force 2: The Men of Oraving - 8.5

• 2 companies of 120 Militia/each, each led by a Level 5 Human Fighter - BR 1.5+3
• Light Infantry - BR 1+1
• 1 Company of 120 Slingers - BR 1+1

Surprise: The Men of Oraving are surprised.

Surprise Round: The Boar Riders teleport into the Citadel, but find that preparations had already been made to prevent them from effectively deploying their cavalry in the streets of the city: caltrops have been laid through all of the largest thoroughfares, series of interior gates have been set up as killzones, and so on. The Men of Oraving fight desperately, and the Boar riders deal only 1 BR of damage.

Round 1: The Men of Oraving roll burning fascines down ramps prepared for the purpose, lock gates, and execute a plan intended to prevent the Boar Riders from reaching the Overlord. They deal 2 BR of damage to the Boar Riders. Completely stymied, the Boar Riders do no damage this round.

Round 2: The Men of Oraving begin to funnel the Boar Riders into a courtyard, dealing 1 BR of damage. The Boar Riders fight viciously, dealing 1 BR of damage.

Round 3: The Men of Oraving trap the Boar Riders in the courtyard, raining missiles and ballistae bolts down on them from the walls above, dealing 2 BR of damage. The Boar Riders deal 0 damage.

Round 4: The Men of Oraving trap the Boar Riders in the courtyard, raining missiles and ballistae bolts down on them from the walls above, dealing 1 BR of damage. The Boar Riders deal 0 damage.

Round 5: No damage dealt this round.

Round 6: The Men of Oraving trap the Boar Riders in the courtyard, raining missiles and ballistae bolts down on them from the walls above, dealing 2 BR of damage. The Boar Riders deal 0 damage.

Outcome: Victory for the Men of Oraving.

Casualties:

• 60 Light Infantry slain, 60 Light Infantry wounded
• 60 Boar Riders slain

The Fang of Vassuyrn is seized by the Overlord, who, after a protracted struggle, overcomes the tremendous ego of the blade, mastering it. 

The Siege of the Abbey of Igolb (030,011)

TREACHERY! The Men of Hambley are revealed to have struck a deal for power with the druids of Nora-To, offering their worship to the Wise Man of the Wood! Their alignment is revealed to have changed to Chaotic, and their win condition is: Take Oraving.

As the army of Lizardmen and Trolls approach the small walls of the Abbey, the Men of Hambley open the gates to the intruders, and the nuns of the Abbey are overwhelmed and slaughtered before they are able to assemble the golem. Disgusted by this treachery, the Dwarven Heavy Infantry desert the men of Hambley, marching away unmolested. 

Outcome: Total victory for the Men of Hambley.

Casualties: The population of the Abbey.

The Third Battle of Oraving Fields (027,020)

Force 1: The Undead Legions (Effective BR of 9.9)

• 4 Spectres - BR 8.4 (Cannot engage aerial units)
• 1 Vampire - BR 3.4 
• 60 Wolves - 0.72 (Cannot engage aerial units)
• 60 Giant Bats - BR 6.5
• 120 Massed Vermin - BR 0.5 (Cannot engage aerial units)
• 60 Zombies - BR 0.6 (Cannot engage aerial units)

Force 2:  Adult Red Dragon (BR 4.931)

Surprise: Neither side is surprised.

Round 1: Trazynel transforms into a giant bat and leads a swarm of his great bats to assault the dragon, surrounding it and raking it with their fangs and claws. They deal 2 BR of damage. The Dragon deals 1 BR of damage, taking out several bats with its tale.

Round 2: The bats deal 1 more BR of damage to the dragon. This proves to be more trouble than the dragon had bargained for, and it is seen flying away west over the mountains.

Outcome: Undead Victory

Casualties: 11 bats killed.