Highvale Family/Gareth/First Battle of Dulbin

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The air hung heavy with the stench of blood and sweat, a grim symphony that only war could compose. Gareth Highvale, the young leader of the Emerald Blades, stood at the precipice of the battlefield. Though calloused hands gripped the hilt of his ancestral blade, a tremor of uncertainty ran through him. Three battles. This was only his fourth. Yet, here he was, entrusted with the lives of these seasoned veterans, the fate of Dulbin resting on his and the army's shoulders.

Dulbin, once a radiant star in Shadowdale's constellation, was now a battlefield stained crimson. The treacherous lord who had ruled the region had switched sides, taking Dulbin with him, transforming it into a thorn in Shadowdale's side. The Emerald Blades, Shadowdale's finest infantry, had torn through the enemy ranks like a tempest, their blades flashing in the sunlight, a dance of death that had left countless bodies in its wake.

The victory had been hard-fought, a grueling ballet of steel and strategy. Shadowdale's forces had been given a series of misleading orders, a deliberate series of maneuvers designed to mislead the enemy. It had worked. Caligus had been caught off guard, their defenses scattered and disorganized, a ripe fruit ready for the plucking.

Gareth remembered the moment the true orders had arrived, a raven bearing a message sealed with the sigil of the Cauldron Master himself. Dulbin was the target, a strategically important location that would disrupt Caligus' supply lines and force them to redeploy troops. It wasn't a gamble, but a well-thought-out plan, a strategic move orchestrated by the brilliant mind of the Earl of Commonyr, Everhard. The enemy, a patchwork of militia and guardsmen, had fought with the desperation of cornered rats, but their courage had been no match for the Emerald Blades' superior training and unwavering resolve. The battle had been a slaughter, a gruesome testament to the horrors of war.

Gareth's gaze swept across the battlefield, taking in the grisly aftermath. The ground was littered with broken bodies, their armor rent and twisted, their faces frozen in masks of terror and pain. The air was thick with the cries of the wounded, a mournful chorus that echoed through the ruined streets of Dulbin.

As the sun began its descent, casting long shadows across the battlefield, Gareth raised his bloodied sword in a silent salute to the fallen. The Emerald Blades had done their duty, their names forever etched in the annals of Shadowdale's history. A wave of relief washed over him as he looked upon the faces of his comrades, the men he had trained with, laughed with, and bled beside. The Emerald Blades had emerged unscathed, a testament to their skill and discipline. His allied forces had suffered some losses, but they were minor compared to the devastation wrought upon the enemy. A flicker of pride danced in his chest, but it was quickly extinguished by the somber mood of the battlefield. War was a cruel mistress, and even victory came at a cost.

But war was not the only front. The true test of Shadowdale's dominion would come in the days and weeks that followed. Retaking Dulbin was but half the battle. Now came the delicate task of reclaiming the hearts and minds of the populace. Gareth understood this well. Grandiose public celebrations would be held in the town square, a vibrant display of Shadowdale's power and prosperity. Food and drink would flow freely, musicians would fill the air with joyous melodies, and charismatic orators would extol the virtues of Shadowdale's rule. The aim was to paint a vivid picture of a future filled with peace and security, a future only possible under the benevolent hand of the Shadow Queen. Those who had collaborated with the enemy regime would be dealt with swiftly, but with a calculated show of justice, not vengeance. The message would be clear: loyalty to Shadowdale would be rewarded, dissent would not be tolerated.

-Firsthand account of Gareth Highvale

Battle in Dulbin

message to all nobles participating in the battle in Dulbin

No.	Role	Army	Unit	Commander	Realm	Unit	Formation	CS
1	A		Armsworth 6th Infantry	William	Shadowdale	100 Inf	line	1180
2	A		Crimson Lions	Alarin	Shadowdale	67 SF	skirmish	1171
3	A		Ghost Watch	Etain	Shadowdale	68 SF	skirmish	1499
4	A		His Shadow	Lorenzo	Shadowdale	78 SF	skirmish	1523
5	A		Krimml's Guard	Ahmadkin Imad	Shadowdale	72 Arch	line	861
6	A		Porcupine Company	Everhard	Shadowdale	119 Inf	line	1193
7	A		The Emerald Blades	Gareth	Shadowdale	48 Inf	line	623
8	A		The Greys	Tzedvier	Shadowdale	62 Cav	wedge	982
9	A		The Rose Guard	Rosaline Elizabeth	Shadowdale	75 Inf	line	939
10	D		Brimzins Archers	(militia/guard unit)	Caligus	32 Arch	line	449
11	D		Brimzins Guards	(militia/guard unit)	Caligus	14 Inf	line	188
12	D		Free Militia	(militia/guard unit)	Caligus	49 Arch	line	652
13	D		Guards	(militia/guard unit)	Caligus	32 Arch	line	383
14	D		Guards	(militia/guard unit)	Caligus	30 Arch	skirmish	347
15	D		Guards	(militia/guard unit)	Caligus	30 Arch	line	342
16	D		Joost's Guardsman	(militia/guard unit)	Caligus	25 Inf	line	366
17	D		Miltia	(militia/guard unit)	Caligus	29 Arch	line	435

Total:
9 attackers (342 Inf, 72 Arch, 62 Cav, 213 SF)
8 defenders (39 Inf, 202 Arch)
Total combat strengths: 9971 vs. 3162

The region owner Caligus and their allies defend.
The Shadowdale troops attack because they are at war with Caligus.

A calm wind blows, to the joy of the archers.

Shadow Queen Etain Dubhaine is spotted wearing the Sturdy Suit of Balkeese.
Shadow Queen Etain Dubhaine is spotted wielding the Ebony Mace of Erik Eyolf.
Shadow Queen Etain Dubhaine is spotted wearing the Battered Girdle of Hireshmont.
Shadow Queen Etain Dubhaine is spotted wielding the Faewood Guard of the Netherworld.
William Armsworth, Grey Exarch of Shadowdale, Royal of Shadowdale, Duke of Al Amarah, Margrave of Al Amarah, Marshal of the Shadowdale Homeguard takes command of his army. They deploy in no particular formation.

(legend: I=Infantry, M=Mixed Inf, A=Archers, C=Cavalry, S=Special Forces, U=Undead, M=Monsters)
Turn No. 1

8 (62-C)

5 (72-A) 7 (48-I) 9 (75-I)

1 (100-I) 2 (67-S) 3 (68-S) 4 (78-S) 6 (119-I)

10 (32-A) 11 (14-I) 12 (49-A) 13 (32-A) 14 (30-A) 15 (30-A) 16 (25-I) 17 (29-A)

Guards (14) fire on His Shadow (4), scoring 146 hits.
Miltia (17) fire on Ghost Watch (3), scoring 188 hits.
Brimzins Archers (10) fire on His Shadow (4), scoring 168 hits.
Guards (13) fire on Armsworth 6th Infantry (1), scoring 139 hits.
Krimml's Guard (5) fire on Free Militia (12), scoring 271 hits.
Guards (15) fire on Crimson Lions (2), scoring 134 hits.
His Shadow (4) fire on Joost's Guardsman (16), scoring 347 hits.
Ghost Watch (3) fire on Brimzins Archers (10), scoring 204 hits.
Crimson Lions (2) fire on Miltia (17), scoring 365 hits.
Free Militia (12) fire on Porcupine Company (6), scoring 252 hits.
Total ranged hits suffered: Attackers: 1027, Defenders: 1187
The Greys (8) ride on, closing in on the defenders.
Brimzins Guards (11) stay behind their camp fortifications.
Joost's Guardsman (16) stay behind their camp fortifications.
The Emerald Blades (7), Armsworth 6th Infantry (1), Porcupine Company (6) and The Rose Guard (9) advance towards the enemy.


Miltia (17) take 332 hits from archer fire (reduced due to fortifications), which cause 7 casualties.
Brimzins Archers (10) take 185 hits from archer fire (reduced due to fortifications), which cause 4 casualties.
His Shadow (4) take 314 hits from archer fire, which cause 6 casualties.
Armsworth 6th Infantry (1) take 139 hits from archer fire, which cause 3 casualties.
Porcupine Company (6) take 252 hits from archer fire, which cause 5 casualties.
Ghost Watch (3) take 188 hits from archer fire, which cause 4 casualties.
Joost's Guardsman (16) take 315 hits from archer fire (reduced due to fortifications), which cause 5 casualties.
Crimson Lions (2) take 134 hits from archer fire, which cause 4 casualties.
Free Militia (12) take 246 hits from archer fire (reduced due to fortifications), which cause 5 casualties.
Total hits suffered: Attackers: 1027 (0 from close combat and 1027 from ranged), Defenders: 1078 (0 from close combat and 1078 from ranged)
Total casualties: 22 attackers, 21 defenders

Turn No. 2

5 (72-A)

2 (63-S) 3 (64-S) 4 (72-S) 7 (48-I) 8 (62-C) 9 (75-I)

1 (97-I) 6 (114-I)

10 (28-A) 11 (14-I) 12 (44-A) 13 (32-A) 14 (30-A) 15 (30-A) 16 (20-I) 17 (22-A)

Free Militia (12) fire on Armsworth 6th Infantry (1), scoring 551 hits.
Guards (14) fire on Porcupine Company (6), scoring 289 hits.
Krimml's Guard (5) fire on Brimzins Archers (10), scoring 272 hits.
His Shadow (4) fire on Guards (13), scoring 281 hits.
Guards (13) fire on Porcupine Company (6), scoring 294 hits.
Guards (15) fire on Armsworth 6th Infantry (1), scoring 275 hits.
Crimson Lions (2) fire on Miltia (17), scoring 507 hits.
Brimzins Archers (10) fire on Porcupine Company (6), scoring 312 hits.
Miltia (17) fire on Armsworth 6th Infantry (1), scoring 297 hits.
Ghost Watch (3) fire on Joost's Guardsman (16), scoring 703 hits.
Total ranged hits suffered: Attackers: 2018, Defenders: 1763
The Greys (8) ride on, closing in on the defenders.
Joost's Guardsman (16) stay behind their camp fortifications.
Brimzins Guards (11) stay behind their camp fortifications.
The Rose Guard (9), Armsworth 6th Infantry (1), The Emerald Blades (7) and Porcupine Company (6) advance towards the enemy.


Armsworth 6th Infantry (1) take 1123 hits from archer fire, which cause 20 casualties.
William Armsworth, Grey Exarch of Shadowdale, Royal of Shadowdale, Duke of Al Amarah, Margrave of Al Amarah, Marshal of the Shadowdale Homeguard has been wounded by Free Militia (12).
Joost's Guardsman (16) take 639 hits from archer fire (reduced due to fortifications), which cause 10 casualties.
Guards (13) take 255 hits from archer fire (reduced due to fortifications), which cause 6 casualties.
Porcupine Company (6) take 895 hits from archer fire, which cause 18 casualties.
Brimzins Archers (10) take 247 hits from archer fire (reduced due to fortifications), which cause 5 casualties.
Miltia (17) take 461 hits from archer fire (reduced due to fortifications), which cause 10 casualties.
Total hits suffered: Attackers: 2018 (0 from close combat and 2018 from ranged), Defenders: 1602 (0 from close combat and 1602 from ranged)
Total casualties: 38 attackers, 31 defenders

Turn No. 3

5 (72-A)

2 (63-S) 3 (64-S) 4 (72-S)

7 (48-I) 9 (75-I)

1 (77-I) 6 (96-I) 8 (62-C)

10 (23-A) 11 (14-I) 12 (44-A) 13 (26-A) 14 (30-A) 15 (30-A) 16 (10-I) 17 (12-A)

Guards (13) fire on The Greys (8), scoring 123 hits.
Guards (14) fire on Porcupine Company (6), scoring 302 hits.
Free Militia (12) fire on Armsworth 6th Infantry (1), scoring 547 hits.
Guards (15) fire on The Greys (8), scoring 202 hits.
Miltia (17) fire on Porcupine Company (6), scoring 156 hits.
Crimson Lions (2) fire on Brimzins Archers (10), scoring 313 hits.
Brimzins Archers (10) fire on The Greys (8), scoring 219 hits.
His Shadow (4) fire on Free Militia (12), scoring 464 hits.
Ghost Watch (3) fire on Brimzins Guards (11), scoring 307 hits.
Krimml's Guard (5) fire on Guards (14), scoring 242 hits.
Total ranged hits suffered: Attackers: 1549, Defenders: 1326
The Greys (8) charge forward.
Porcupine Company (6), The Emerald Blades (7), The Rose Guard (9) and Armsworth 6th Infantry (1) advance towards the enemy.


Close Combat (Defender Line 2):
14 Shadowdale banners are visible in the melee.
Guards (13) score 70 hits on Armsworth 6th Infantry (1).
Brimzins Guards (11) score 130 hits on The Greys (8).
Guards (14) score 59 hits on Porcupine Company (6).
Free Militia (12) score 168 hits on Armsworth 6th Infantry (1).
Guards (15) score 74 hits on Armsworth 6th Infantry (1).
Miltia (17) score 40 hits on The Greys (8).
Joost's Guardsman (16) score 139 hits on Porcupine Company (6).
Porcupine Company (6) score 257 hits on Joost\'s Guardsman (16).
Porcupine Company (6) score 692 hits on Guards (14).
The Greys (8) score 539 hits on Miltia (17).
The Greys (8) score 702 hits on Brimzins Guards (11).
The Greys (8) score 810 hits on Brimzins Archers (10).
Brimzins Archers (10) score 92 hits on The Greys (8).
Armsworth 6th Infantry (1) score 365 hits on Free Militia (12).
Armsworth 6th Infantry (1) score 205 hits on Guards (15).
Armsworth 6th Infantry (1) score 178 hits on Guards (13).
Total close combat hits suffered: Attackers: 772, Defenders: 3748

Guards (13) take 162 hits in close combat (reduced due to fortifications), which cause 4 casualties.
Brimzins Guards (11) take 917 hits (638 in close combat, 279 from archer fire) (reduced due to fortifications), which cause 14 casualties, wiping the unit out.
Guards (14) take 849 hits (629 in close combat, 220 from archer fire) (reduced due to fortifications), which cause 24 casualties, causing panicked flight among the survivors, 2 additional men get slaughtered during the retreat.
Free Militia (12) take 754 hits (332 in close combat, 422 from archer fire) (reduced due to fortifications), which cause 17 casualties.
Guards (15) take 186 hits in close combat (reduced due to fortifications), which cause 5 casualties.
Miltia (17) take 490 hits in close combat (reduced due to fortifications), which cause 10 casualties, causing panicked flight among the survivors.
Joost's Guardsman (16) take 234 hits in close combat (reduced due to fortifications), which cause 4 casualties, making the unit retreat from the battlefield.
Porcupine Company (6) take 656 hits (198 in close combat, 458 from archer fire), which cause 13 casualties.
The Greys (8) take 806 hits (262 in close combat, 544 from archer fire), which cause 19 casualties.
Brimzins Archers (10) take 1021 hits (736 in close combat, 285 from archer fire) (reduced due to fortifications), which cause 22 casualties, making the unit retreat from the battlefield.
Armsworth 6th Infantry (1) take 859 hits (312 in close combat, 547 from archer fire), which cause 15 casualties.
Total hits suffered: Attackers: 2321 (772 from close combat and 1549 from ranged), Defenders: 4613 (3407 from close combat and 1206 from ranged)
Total casualties: 47 attackers, 102 defenders

Turn No. 4

5 (72-A)

2 (63-S) 3 (64-S) 4 (72-S)

7 (48-I) 9 (75-I)

1 (62-I) 6 (83-I) 8 (43-C) 12 (27-A) 13 (22-A) 15 (25-A)

His Shadow (4) move closer to get better shots.
Crimson Lions (2) move closer to get better shots.
Ghost Watch (3) move closer to get better shots.
Krimml's Guard (5) move closer to get better shots.
The Emerald Blades (7) and The Rose Guard (9) advance towards the enemy.


Close Combat (Defender Line 2):
14 Shadowdale banners are visible in the melee.
Free Militia (12) score 108 hits on The Rose Guard (9).
Free Militia (12) score 81 hits on Armsworth 6th Infantry (1).
The Emerald Blades (7) score 636 hits on Guards (15).
Guards (15) score 56 hits on The Greys (8).
Guards (15) score 68 hits on The Emerald Blades (7).
Guards (13) score 111 hits on Porcupine Company (6).
Armsworth 6th Infantry (1) score 647 hits on Free Militia (12).
The Greys (8) score 693 hits on Guards (15).
The Rose Guard (9) score 882 hits on Free Militia (12).
Porcupine Company (6) score 607 hits on Guards (13).
Total close combat hits suffered: Attackers: 424, Defenders: 3465

The defenders are vastly outnumbered, and panic spreads throughout their ranks.

Free Militia (12) take 1390 hits in close combat (reduced due to fortifications), which cause 27 casualties, wiping the unit out.
The Emerald Blades (7) take 68 hits in close combat, which cause 1 casualties.
Guards (15) take 1208 hits in close combat (reduced due to fortifications), which cause 25 casualties, wiping the unit out.
Guards (13) take 552 hits in close combat (reduced due to fortifications), which cause 14 casualties, causing panicked flight among the survivors.
Armsworth 6th Infantry (1) take 81 hits in close combat, which cause 1 casualties.
The Greys (8) take 56 hits in close combat, which cause 1 casualties.
The Rose Guard (9) take 108 hits in close combat, which cause 2 casualties.
Porcupine Company (6) take 111 hits in close combat, which cause 2 casualties.
Total hits suffered: Attackers: 424 (424 from close combat and 0 from ranged), Defenders: 3150 (3150 from close combat and 0 from ranged)
Total casualties: 7 attackers, 66 defenders

Attacker Victory!

The battle does minor damage to the local infrastructure. Production falls 8 %.

Battle Results

(Personal message)

Your unit participated in a battle in Dulbin. Your scribe has written down a battle report.

The battle lasted for 2 hours.

You have gained 2 Honour and 1 Prestige.
You have improved your swordfighting skill.
None of your men were killed but 1 were wounded in this battle.
Morale of your troops falls by 1 points. Your men's equipment suffers 3 % damage. Combat training increases by 2 points. Unit cohesion rises 5 points.