The Roaring Plains

Also known as Kordrim Ak Rog in Hallit, the Battle of the Roaring Plains was a battle late in Iskander Aldori's Revolt. In it, the Blacktongue Tribe invoked the Law of Twelve - a mutual defense pact that served as the foundation of the Zakdar Confederacy. Only the Bonesplitters joined the rising, and even then not all of their clans came to the mustering.
After a period of preliminary raiding, the rebellion was crushed in battle by Lord Jordayne Arkanin in a battle on the Awzera River near Lake Reykal.

The Conflict

Prelude

Initially, the Bonesplitters and Blacktongues did well. They killed or drove out the Surtova outposts within the northern Gronzi wood, but these successes made Kordgrim Brokehammer overconfident, and he sought out larger and larger targets. When Lord Arkanin moved toward the wood, Kordgrim sought battle.

Deployment

Surtova forces under Arkanin had crossed from Silverhall, and were marching toward Lake Reykal, intended to rendezvous with forces returning from New Stetvan that were crossing the lake. Kordgrim intended to strike before the two forces could join, and arrayed an ambush.

The Engagement

The initial phase of the battle went in favor of the Zakdar rebels, though they had been disheartened and enraged to discover the Grimskins marching with the enemy. The initial attack took the Surtova forces utterly by surprise, and they were thrown back in disorder and retreated toward the river. As the country opened up away from the trees, Arkanin's cavalry was able to harry the flanks of the rebels, slowing their pursuit, and giving the general time to put his men in order. Arkanin threw together a hasty battle line centered on the dozen or so cannons that had escaped the ambush. The massed artillery threw the rebels back, and they retreated into the wood to regroup.
Kordgrim now planned a night attack, but this was opposed by the Bonesplitters, who favored withdrawing into the woods, where the enemy could not use his heavy guns. When Kordgrim insisted, the Bonesplitters withdrew from the field.
In the middle of the night, Kordgrim led his night-eyed orcs in a wild charge against the enemy camp. Had not the Grimskins been among the enemy, the Surtova army would surely have been slaughtered. Even so, it was a close thing. As dawn came, Kordgrim realized his danger. Arkanin's cavalry had moved away from the camp in the night and now charged into the rear of the rebel forces, scattering them. Kordgrim and a few others managed to retreat to a rocky hill.
Arkanin offered terms of surrender, but Kordgrim rejected them, mockingly offering to accept Arkanin's surrender if the general would guarantee that reparations would be paid for all the orcs killed to that point. With that, Arkanin ordered his guns to open fire again, and Kordgrim and his followers were slaughtered to the last.

Outcome

• The battle brought an end to the last vestiges of the rebellion.
• The Blacktongues were effectively destroyed as a tribe. Their surviving members scattered and mostly joined other tribes. Their lands were taken by the Grimskins with Surtova help.
• As most of the Zakdar tribes had refused to honor the Law of Twelve, the Zakdar Confederation now broke down, with each tribe variously blaming one another or attempting to excuse their failure to come when called.

Conflict Type

Battle

Start Date

4772

Conflict Result

Surtova Victory

Belligerents

Blacktongue and Bonesplitter tribes of the Zakdar Confederacy

Surtova Loyalist

Strength

Around 2,000

1,200 Blacktongues

800 Bonesplitters

6,000

4,000 mixed pike and musket infantry

800 Cavalry

35 cannon, 200 crew

1,000 Grimskin Orcs

Casualties

1,500 including all Blacktongue warriors.

Around 2,500 mostly lost in the initial ambush.

Objectives