|
|
Post by talis on Sept 9, 2017 0:23:04 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by talis on Sept 11, 2017 0:20:07 GMT
The Battle of Berranda would begin with a standoff as both armies took up positions in hayfields on opposite ends of the battlefield and formed up into ranks. Prince Rhodri was unless to launch a full-scale assault on the much larger Berrandan army, while Rodrigo de Berranda had decided to play it safe in battle by holdings his position. After all, with Leotan in New Byrnis' hands, the Commonwealth army was essentially trapped. He merely had to hold off the encroaching army until King Aeron capitulated. The king had just finished a stirring speech about the illegitimacy of Rhodri's claim, the legacy of Cadoc the Usurper and the imperialism of the north when the shelling started. Rhodri, rather than simply attack, had decided to put his skirmishers and artillery to good use in an attempt to goad Rodrigo de Berranda into assaulting him. This they did with deadly efficiency. Rhodri's artillery crews aimed with preternatural precision, sending roundshot balls skipping merrily through panicked formations. Men barely had time to reel from the bombardment with burning carcass shot fell from the sky, lighting men on fire in screaming terror. The flames caught, and the ripe hayfields quickly became a torturous inferno. Panic swiftly spread as men fled the flames and screams. First the Conscripts broke, fleeing every which way in an attempt to avoid the deadly bombardment. Their panic soon infected the professional troops who had been stationed behind them, as confusion, flames and artillery shells combined to cause even the most battle-hardened men to flee in terror. The center of Berranda's army swiftly collapsed into a panicked mob that threatened to spill over onto the other flanks if nothing was done. Under the cover of artillery fire Commonwealth skirmishers advanced, trading fire with their counterparts across the narrow strip of road. Casualties were light on both sides, as the high hayfields obscured vision. The superior numbers of the Berrandan Light Foot initial won the day, pushing back the Seftian skirmishers. The Berrandan peasants, however, lacked any will to fight. With the scent of fire and distant screams behind them, their formations melted away after a few stiff salvos.  SUMMARY -- The Berrandan center COLLAPSES into chaos -- The Berrandan hayfields are ON FIRE -- The Berrandan flanks are separated by flames. |
|
|
|
Post by talis on Sept 14, 2017 2:49:56 GMT
The battle was truly joined as Prince Rhodri, seeing the weakness and confusion of his enemy, sounded the advance. The still-outnumbered line infantry on the southern flank sounded the drums and begun their indomitable march forward under the cover of artillery fire from the rear. The Berrandan Light Infantry on the flanks fired a few hasty, wayward shots at the unrushing line infantry that did little damage, then again melted away into a rout. Soon afterward the Seftian line infantry, supported by dismounted dragoons, engaged the Berrandan flank. Smoke rose as the two lines exchanged volleys. But the Berrandans had no stomach for the fighting. The panic from the center unnerved them and there was no commander to rally them. The Seftian soldiers fired swiftly with the professionalism of men hard drilled for campaign. After a couple volleys the regulars broke and fled, leaving only the line infantry behind them, now outnumbered and outmatched. The battle went similarly elsewhere:the Seftian skirmishers and horse artillery in the north drove forward and defeating a surprisingly skeleton crew. These men drove so far that they were able to take the field and swing south, pouring fire into the Berrandan center. As the flames in the field subsided the center began a steady advance forward to drive the routing Berrandans back. It looked as if Prince Rhodri would win the day and crush his rival in one fell swoop. That was when he heard the bugle. More than ten thousand Berrandan soldiers had lined up on Rhodri's flank, including almost all of the Berrandan cavalry. Their armor glistened in the sunlight as they formed up, ready to charge. King Rodrigo de Berranda had taken a dangerous gamble: removing a significant portion of his army under the cover of flames and confusion, and marching around the enemy lines to appear in the Seftian flank. Rhodri's men and cannons were now dangerously exposed.  With a final bellow and a cry, the cavalry broke into a charge straight at Rhodri and the army's rear. Elves and sylphs stopped hastily in their advance and desperately tried to form up in squares. Led by Rodrigo himself, the cavalry bore down on Aeron's men. The artillery crews abandoned their pieces to the enemy or were cut down in an instant. As the cavalry rode up they fired a withering volley from pistol and rifle, then struck with sword and lance. Horses screamed, men and elf and sylph cried out in terror and pain. Order quickly disintigrated as bayonet squares cracked, warped and buckled. Many fled or were cut down. It was only the presence of Prince Rhodri and Chief Priest Leolin themselves that kept the men fighting, but they were now in great danger. A hardened circle of line infantry stood around them while shots fired overhead. The Seftian Prince was now in mortal danger. -------------------------------------- -- Sefti nears victory on the flanks! -- Berrandan cavalry strike the Seftian center from an unexpected direction. The center is holding for now, but has devolved into a blood melee. -- The Seftian Artillery are now abandoned and will likely soon be captured by Berrandan troops -- Prince Rhodri and Chief Priest Leolin are in mortal danger |
|
|
|
Post by talis on Sept 16, 2017 15:41:25 GMT
 It was over. The flower of Berrandan Knighthood lay shattered upon the open grasslands. Their gleaming armor no less glorious in death; they fell surrounded by the fallen bodies of their enemies. Three times they had formed up and charged Seftian lines, armor glistening in the sun and blades flashing. Each time they had inflicted great casualties, striking down scores of their enemy for each one of their own who fell. On the third charge they were joined by a regiment of Line Infantry, who had smashed through Sefti's skirmishers and joined the battle. And yet the Seftians held. Despite being outflanked, outmatched and dying in droves, they held. Chief Priest Leolin stood as an unshakable beacon above the fray. The First Company of Eshara forming an unbreakable bulwark about him. And when the dust settled and the fight was over, it was the defenders, bloodied and exhausted, who held the field. Victory was theirs. The cream of Berranda's army lay dead, their commanders, officers and leaders. The survivors were scattered, broken into small bands that fled across the countryside in search of safety. The greater force of levies had quit the field, and most would simply wander back to their farms and shops. The way to the capital lay open. But it was a costly victory. Thousands of soldiers lay dead or injured upon the battlefield, while those that survived were tired, injured, and in no condition to march. Many regiments were scattered and disorganized; Some could barely muster a company's worth of men fit for duty. It would take days, or even weeks, before the army was ready to march again. Result:
Costly Victory for the Commonwealth! |
|
