The Winter War - February 4

Day: February 4

Weather: 8 (Fair - no impediments to visibility or movement)

Initiative Order for the week:

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

Troop Movements

Two companies of Lizardmen Light Infantry and a Basilisk move to 029,010.

The Hambley Light Cavalry moves from 032,007 to patrol along the valley from 033,006 to 030,006.

A Company of The Hand of Law (Heavy Infantry) together with the nuns of the Abbey of Igolb, fresh from the sack and destruction of the Goblin slave market, move via 027,010 and 027,011 to the woods outside of Fort Arbelving.

The infantry captain, seeing the burning of the Citadel and hearing of the terrible slaughter and resurrection in the necropolis from the fleeing crusaders, seeks out the commander of the Cataphracts to give him the trident, seeing as he is the last hope of the principality in the south. But the commander of the cataphracts is so beside himself with rage that he insists they all go and "make a final end of the demons, even if Oraving itself must be ended with it."

The company of Heavy Cataphracts and the remaining company of the Red Legion converge upon Ironburg (025,016) and attempt to take the underground city by storm. A battle is fought.

Elven ships are seen moving back down south along the lake.

3 companies of elves (Elven Heavy Infantry, Elven Light Infantry, and Elven Bowmen) arrive at Oraving from Arbelladon to garrison it against assault.

The Beastmen in the Necropolis lose control of the Spectres and other Undead legions! The Spectres turn on their masters, and a battle is fought.

With the help of the newly arrived Lizardmen Light Infantry, the Goblin Wolf Riders at 026,012 launch an assault on Fort Arbelving. A battle is fought.

Orc Boar Riders, fresh from the sacking of the Citadel of the Eye of Law, ride up the valley, avoiding the necropolis and attacking the village of Sundamar. Finding the village unprotected, they put it to the sword. The village of Sundamar has been destroyed.

Battle Outcomes

The Battle of the Ironberg (025,016)

Force 1: 1 Company of 45 Heavy Cataphracts of Oraving led by a Level 7 Human Fighter. 1 Company of the Red Legion (120 Heavy Infantry) led by a Level 7 Fighter wielding the Scepter of Vassuryn (a Trident of Command, enemy forces suffer -2 Morale).

• BR: 7.5
• Officer: Level 7 Human Fighter - STR: 14 INT: 13 WIS: 11  DEX: 5 CON: 7 CHA: 11 - LA 5 SA 1 MM +1

Force 2: 1 Company of Goblin Bowmen, led by a 5 HD Chieftain

• BR: 0.5
• Officer: 5 HD Goblin Chieftain | LA 4 SA 0 MM +2

Neither force is surprised.

Round 1: The goblin chief attempts to put up some kind of a defense, but his light troops are no match for the Heavy Infantry and dismounted cataphracts who storm the entrance to the dungeon. The goblin forces are scattered, their morale completely destroyed by the presence of the Scepter of Vassuryn. 

Conclusion: Victory for the Men of Oraving. The Ironburg falls. Casualties: 60 goblins scattered (retreat to lower levels of the Netherdark) or wounded, 60 killed.

The Battle at the Necropolis (027,016)

Force 1: 0.5 company of Hobgoblin Light Infantry (spear, sword, shield, leather), led by a 5 HD Chieftain, 1 company of Gnoll Longbowmen (long bow, battle axe, scale), led by a 6 HD Chieftain, 1 company of 120 Slave Light Infantry led by a 5 HD Beastman Chieftain

• BR: 8.5
• Commander: 6 HD Gnoll Chieftain | LA 4 SA 0 MM +2

Force 2: 6 Spectres, 1 company of 120 skeletons

• BR: 13.5

Neither side is surprised.

Round 1: The Beastmen rally to fight against their recent allies (dealing 3 BR dmg). But the assault of the Undead is unrelenting (the undead deal a total of 9 BR damage in their first assault, 5 of which were Natural 20's), and the shrieking Beastmen flee the necropolis -- those that are lucky enough to get out alive. 

Outcome: Total victory for the Undead. Casualties: 120 skeletons destroyed, 1 spectre destroyed. 30 Hobgoblins, 60 Gnoll Longbowmen, and 60 slave infantry killed and raised as 1 Company of 150 Skeletons. The remaining beastman forces are scattered and wounded.

Forces remaining in the Necropolis: 5 Spectres, 150 Skeletons

The Siege of Fort Arbelving (026,012)

Force 1:  Fort Arbelving Garrison and Arbelving Militia (1 Company of 120 Light Infantry C (Great Axe, Leather), 1 Company of 120 Untrained Conscripts/Militia).

• Battle Rating: 1.5
• Officer: 5th Level Human Fighter - STR: 14 INT: 12 WIS: 14  DEX: 10 CON: 14 CHA: 14 (+1) | LA 6 SA 1 MM +2

Force 2: 1 Company of Goblin Wolf-Riders, Lizardman Light Infantry

• Battle Rating: 11
• Officer: 5 HD Goblin Wolf Rider Chieftain | LA 4 SA 0 MM +2

Surprise: Neither side is surprised.

Round 1: The men of Arbelving repulse the beastmen's pitiful attempt at a direct assault on the gate, though neither side takes substantial casualties. 

Round 2: Felling trees from the forest to make ladders, the Lizardmen and Goblins manage to scale the walls of the fort. Fighting is fierce, but the men of Fort Arbelving are overwhelmed, and most of them are slain. Those that remain are taken prisoner. 

Outcome: Victory for the united Goblin/Lizardmen forces. Casualties: 120 men killed, 120 men taken captive and transformed into a slave legion by the Goblin shamans. Fort Arbelving has fallen to Beastman forces.

Forces currently garrisoning Fort Arbelving: 

• 1 Company of 60 Goblin Wolf-riders
• 1 Company of 120 Lizardmen Light Infantry
• 1 Company of 120 Slave Light Infantry.