Arcaea/Military Archives/The Relief of Ossaet
| Relief of Ossaet | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of The War of Cathayan Aggression | |||||||||||
 An Arcaean relief force relieves the beleaguered Papanian capital | |||||||||||
| |||||||||||
| Combatants | |||||||||||
| Attackers | Defenders | ||||||||||
| Arcaea | Cathay | ||||||||||
| Commanders | |||||||||||
| Lord Protector Yarah Arya and Marshals;
Edara Kindon, of the Tribute Collecting Army Ingvar Ignatius, of the Field of Honour Euran Yetisbane Kandurell, of the Baronial Borderguard |
Valgar Reinhart, High Marshal of the Crown of Cathay, Duke of Taop, Marshal of the Company of The Iron Falcon | ||||||||||
| Strength | |||||||||||
| 10337 CS | 10709 CS | ||||||||||
| Formations | |||||||||||
| Infantry Charge | Infantry Wall | ||||||||||
| Casualties | |||||||||||
| Medium | Extremely Heavy | ||||||||||
In an unusual turn of events, the Northern Alliance found itself divided and warring on multiple fronts. Duke Hamilton Vita seceded Akanos to form the Akadian League, pitching Ohnar West into a brutal war with its former duchy. Meanwhile, Arcaea and Arcachon were occupied with the destruction and pacification of Sartania. With the takeover of Niel, many former Sartanians fled south to Cathay, where they brought news of the current state of affairs. High King Hamish decided to take advantage of this turn of events, marching north with the support of Greater Aenilia to lay waste to Papania's countryside. After sending both Anaos and Isular rogue, Cathay turned on Papania's capital city, Ossaet. Adamant that they did not want to see the realm destroyed, Greater Aenilia left the city when it became clear that this was Hamish's intention. With the situation in Sartania finally stabilised, Arcaea hurried west to prevent her troubled ally from being destroyed
The Battle
Arcaea and Cathay lined up their forces, Papania having been utterly driven from the field the day before. Arcaea was outnumbered by some way in terms of men; even accounting for the Arcaean infantry's famed prowess, it looked as if Cathay's combat strength was greater. Arrows flew and the infantry advanced; almost immediately Nemo Martius and Hobbs Dell of Cathay were wounded, while Sir Bryce Athins of Arcaea went down in the fray. The sheer quality of Arcaea's infantry was immediately apparent; although Cathay had the advantage of numbers by a decent margin, they almost took two hits for every response. The melee was brutal; Esme Lisieux, Lyndia Knytling and Thalathafn Urominiel went down for Arcaea, while Azgath Cyrith (a Sartanian who, having been defeated by Arcaea in Sartania, had marched across the continent to be defeated in Papania) and Tidet Grindle were wounded on Cathay's side. Shortly afterwards, Morain Camlann of Arcaea was captured, while Edara Kindon, King Jenred of Arcaea's own wife, was wounded on the field. Azgath who, to his credit, appears to have fought on despite his injury, was wounded again in return. By this point many Cathayans had fled the field. Those who refused to run fought on, wounding Duke Goffrey of Arcaea and killing the noble Sir Thalathafn. Darimad Hyrhion and Seeker Lander of Cathay were wounded, as the Cathayan infantry line finally collapsed. In the press, the wounded Lady Lydia was captured by fleeing Cathayans. Arcaea's infantry furiously charged on to catch the Cathayan archers, wounding Alana Baraedor of Cathay.
The Aftermath
The battle was a fast and furious one; although it had lasted only 2 hours, it left many noble men and women strewn across the battlefield, wounded. Tragically, Sir Thalathafn Urominiel was killed. He had once been General of Arcaea, and had worked hard to prevent Papania's destruction, going so far as to join the realm and be elected High Lord at one point. It could be argued that none from Arcaea worked so hard as he to prevent Papania's destruction.
The Cathayan takeover was broken and their forces driven from Papania. Before the battle, ex-Sartanians had schemed to recreate their lost realm. This hope appeared dashed, for the time being. After being so close to destruction Papania was at last allowed some time to breathe.
