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Post by cerdigon on Sept 16, 2017 0:32:21 GMT
Moderation Mark
Gusko's Rest had become a bombed out shell of its former self. Fires caused by incessant shelling from the river and siege weapons outside the perimeter made it difficult to move by day. The citizens were now showing signs the early signs of hunger. The soldiers had requisitioned most of the food and water resources, the city swollen by refugees from the South would soon be facing starvation. Yet relief came from the North, reports of thousands of Esharan's marching to relieve the city. Determined not to wait for deliverance or put his fate into the hands of Aulus, Emperor Aonag assembled his forces under cover of darkness. Firetooth scouts would soon report that tens of thousands had begun to mass and soon word was trickling down the line of the Firetooth army blocking the Imperial Highway, the main route that Aonag would have to take to reach Aulus and his army in time to participate in the battle. The boom of siege cannons and mortars sent shrapnel and fire rippling through the burnt out perimeter once more. Yet still the Giants came, aiming for the salvation of the open plains outside the city. It was a desperate army, it was a hungry army, and for the Firetooth a dangerous threat that could not be allowed to pass. -- Sacryan Army has SALLIED from the city against the besiegers. |
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Post by cerdigon on Sept 17, 2017 1:19:09 GMT
Moderation Mark
The breakout began at dawn. The first surprising resistance came from the battered and destroyed Northern districts of the city as the Sacryan army moved to its staging points to begin their attack. The crack of musketry echoed throughout abandoned homes and shattered streets as Orc skirmishers unleashed fury down onto the advancing giants. The infiltration of the city initially caused panic and chaos, it was thought that the Orc's had withdrawn, but it had become apparent that pockets of Orc resistance had been left behind to harass and harry the Sacryan's for the expected breakout to come. Yet, the tables had been turned. This time it was not the Orc's who were the countless hords but the Giants whom had mustered all their strength for this assault. Massive Sacryan muskets blew cannon sized holes through buildings, pulverizing Orcs attempting to use the ruins as cover into red paste. Giant miltiamen came charging forward, ignoring casualties, eager to clash and close, screaming the name of Gatyx. The Orc's fought a running hit and run battle amidst the rubble but were gradually being pushed back towards the main road where the bulk of the Orc army was waiting. It was there on the plains where the Giants had the advantage and where there speed became apparent as they lumbered towards the Orc lines as fast as any galloping horse. Heavy siege guns and mortars were no help here and General Geroth had wisely withdrawn his heavy artillery from the field when it became obvious that the giants would breakthrough his skirmisher line. Geroth, rather than attempting to keep the Giants pinned in and inside the city, had elected to allow the Giants to pass. The Firetooth fought a fighting retreat, their line harassed and battered as they cleared the road and were in turn pursued by Aonag. The Emperor had no desire to leave such a large force in his rear. A flanking attack spearheaded by elite Sarcyan raiders (dubbed Ice Stalkers in Firetooth folklore) under General Trugsog nearly rolled up the Firetooth left. Yet it was stubbornly held by thousands of infantrymen whom had been enchanted and warded by battle wizards. Wounds that would kill normal men were shrugged off and even massive giant bullets were 'repelled' in baleful blasts of green and blue witch fire. As late afternoon approached, the Firetooth, bloodied withdrew south. The road to Suvaneh was now open and Aonag could rush to the aid of his ally. Yet he left a heavily damaged BUT intact force in his rear. With thirty thousand fresh Firetooth reinforcements only a few days march away, the Emperor faced the prospect of not having a city to come back to. Yet this was war. Risks had to be taken. SUMMARY:-- Sacryan army successfully breaks out of Gusko's Rest and is now in route to the Battle of Suvaneh Plains. -- The Firetooth rear guard has taken heavy casualties but remains intact as a fighting force and within the city limits. Firetooth reinforcements are only days away now. -- See PM's for intelligence and notes on supply situation. |
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