The Demeskeen's Invasion - Summer 382 (RRtK)

YEAR 382, Summer

The Demeskeen roll to Go to War (RRtK, p.58) in summer 382. They attack the only reachable territory: the Border Kingdoms. The Kingdoms are an easy prey since their defeat against the Ironmen last season. Since Duke Bohemond's Death, the Border Kingdoms' armies (3000 Borderers, 1500 heavy troops and only 300 knights) are now led by Lord Daven.
Demeskeen armies are highly maneuverable and led by a strategic genius, the Prince El Osman (WR=4) who can count on 4000 horsemen and more than 1500 foot soldiers (question of scale are discussed here).

Battle lines

The Demeskeen are advancing.

The infantry is ready...

Lord Davan's troop are encircled...

... and under fire.

The tribesmen charge!

Lord Davan repulses one unit.

The tribesmen are repulsed and suffer heavy losses.

Lord Davan's knights

Skirmishers are harassing the Borderes on the hill.

A second wave of riders (Ghulams and Black Guard) advance.

Lord Davan charges them.

One Ghulams unit routs Borderers.

Prince El Osman attacks Lord Davan who is exhausted by the fights.

The Demeskeen rout Lord Davan's army, taking him prisoner. During the pursuit (RRTK, p.43) three units of Borderers are destroyed! A peace is signed between the two realms (for 2 years /NM2-NM0=2 years). The Demeskeen are Border Kingdoms' hated enemy.

The Ironmen's Strike - Spring 382 (RRtK)

Starting of the campaign in the Annürien Marches...


YEAR 382, Spring, Border Kingdoms (Drenlock Duchy / province "D")
Mirholme's roll is a Go to War result (RRtK, p.58). The only province reachable is the "D" (the other sea provinces aren't available since the armies aren't painted!).

The life was peaceful in the Drenlock duchy... until the Ironmen of Mirholme decided that their frozen isles weren't enough. They landed by surprise under the command of Jarl Gunnar Olafssen. Duke Bohemond (WR=3) mustered quickly some troops to repulse the looters...

Duke Bohemond  settled in a strong position on the southern hill, waiting for the Ironmen coming from the north.

Order of battle

Ironmen from Mirholme

Duke Bohemond sent his skirmishers to attract the enemy and break his line.

Death dealer are charging...

The Ironmen clashed piecemeal against shield walls.

Duke Bohemond attacks on the left flank and routs his enemies.

Fightings are fierce and in favor of the border Kingdoms.

The Borderers are suffering heavy losses!

Under the Ironmen's pressure the first line of Borderers collapsed, followed by the retinue infantry on the right flank!

Only one line of Borderers remains...

The Borderers are quickly surrounded. Duke Bohemond tried several times to charge Gunnar Olafssen but was repulsed each time and killed!

Another charge repulsed!

VICTORY FOR MIRHOLME

Thus Mirholme got a foothold in the Border Kingdoms forcing them to sign a peace for one year (difference in National Morale, RRtK p.60). Mirholme became the hated enemy of the Border Kingdoms.

The next post will be about the orc civil war...

Gorbagh's Death - summer 381 (RRtK)

Historians often say that the chaos era in the Annürien Marches started with the death of the orc leader, Gorbagh...

During the summer 381, the orc war leader  Gorbagh decided to strike the Border Kingdoms through goblin territory. Duke Bohemond, hastily, mustered his troops.

Note on scale
- ground: 1 inch equaling to 50 yards.
- one stand of figures equaling 200 to 500 combatants (so for example: 50 for giants or trolls, 100 for skirmishers, 200 to 300 for a stand of three mounted figures, 300 to 400 for a stand of three foot soldiers, 300 to 400 for a stand of four mounted figures and 500 for a stand of four foot soldiers).

So the orcs invaded the Border Kingdoms with an army of more than 6000 foots and 800 wolf riders. Duke Bohemond could count on his 600 knights and 5500 soldiers.

The battle lines

Orcs are advancing...

... meanwhile the orc left flank is deploying.

Because of skirmishers' shooting the orcs (with Gorbagh in the front) charge!

The skirmishers quickly retire and the orcs clash against the Borderers.

A fierce fight!

Gorbagh is killed with his troops!

But the orc press on their attack. 

Losses are heavy for all but the orcs are outnumbered and retire.

The Kingdom is safe for the moment...