The Battle of the Bend

The attack on Arbor by the elves in 5102.

The Conflict

Prelude

The incident in Vaes Dor had led to a major point of dispute between the Humans and the Elves. The new leaders of the Elves had taken over from the recently deceased King and now the armies of the Elves were advancing on Human territories to preemptively strike.

Deployment

The main Elf army had reached almost 30 000 soldiers, mostly well armed and armoured, but the force was to split into a few pieces to overwhelm the Humans. The force to take Arbor was sent through the Northern mountain pass and along the Deradare River. They closed in on the town early in the day and prepared to take it quickly and with few casualties.

Battlefield

The region around the town to the south is fairly flat and devoid of cover, as most of the land is used for farming. There are several small roads leading to different gates into the town. The actual settlement had decent walls, with a few towers for watchmen, and several points where oil and rocks could be dropped on invaders.

Conditions

The weather was very clear at first, but mist started to roll in later in the day.

The Engagement

The Elves came into view of the watchmen and the alarm was raised after a short discussion on what was happening, in that time the force managed to get quite close to the town before arrows started to be fired onto them. The forward soldiers took positions at the gate helped get a ram into place. As the gate they had chosen to attack had no oil prepared they opened the gate with ease.
After the Elves were inside the town the battle was basically over, the remaining Human soldiers fell back towards the centre of the town and continued to fight but they were heavily outnumbered. The civilians were told by the Soldiers to surrender or flee, which many did. Those retreating along the river towards Leelside were met by a smaller force of Elves who had been sent to collect any Human fleeing to make sure news of the attack did not reach the other Human settlements.
As the Elves tried to catch the Humans they became more and more frustrated until they began to simply shoot them down with bows, many began to stop running and surrender but many more died at the hands of the Elves. Several reached the sharp turn in the river and were chased down by the Elves on horseback. At this point the Humans who were armed turned to fight and made their last stand, giving the battle its name The Battle of the Bend. The Elves suffered substantial losses in this final fight but did win the day, taking over the town.

Outcome

Arbor becomes under Elvish control.

Historical Significance

The Humans often see this as the first in a long line of acts by the Elves that showed how cruel and brutal they are.
Elves see this as an unfortunate event that many Humans had to die but was a necessary battle to make sure the Humans didn't strike at them first.

Technological Advancement

The Elves employed the use of battering rams and mounted soldiers for the first time, a decision that came after the Elves properly formed their army.

Included under Conflict

First War

Conflict Type

Siege

Battlefield Type

Urban

Start Date

5102

Ending Date

5102

Conflict Result

Victory for the Elves

Location

Arbor

Belligerents

The Elves

• Elvish Crown

Town of Arbor

• House Pelham

Strength

3000

~100 soldiers 3000 civilians

Casualties

290

~70 soldiers ~300 civilians

Objectives

Take the town of Arbor without letting any Humans escape to spread news of the attack.

Defend the town

Maps

• 

  The Central Continent

  The most populous and politically important continent in the known world. Home to the majority of Humans and many High Elf families. There are groups of Wood Elf in the North and Centaurs across the southern woods and forests.
  Key:
  1-Yarrin, Capital of the Human crown 2-Queenstown, Major Human city 3-Ozryn, Large Human city 4-Laketon, Large fortified Human City 5-Kings Manor, Residence and royal castle for the monarchs family 6-The College, Large complex of schools and scholarly houses 7-Ashton, Human City 8-Pran, Human city with a large High Elf population 9-Carhill, Large Human town 10-Springmount, Human town 11-Solstice Castle, Large Human castle to strengthen the Northern border 12-Amberhall, very old town dating back to Elvish times 13-Nordpass, Small human city isolated on Tide Isle 14-Tidebreak Castle, Incredibly fortified castle on Tide Isle 15-Ridgemot, Human town 16-Leelside, Medium Human city 17-Arbor, small Human town with a keep 18-The Nightfort, Large fortress that protects the Southern border of the North 19-Balmar, Large Human city built onto the lakes 20-Alcove, Large Human town built in large clearing in the woods 21-Fieldfire Castle, Damaged castle built on the site of a great battle 22-Goldside, medium Human mining town 23-Mountmend, Large Human mining and trading city 24-Oxhost, Small Human town 25-Oxforth, Human town 26-Rivermot, Human city with a lot of damaged and ruins 27-Cetari, Centaur stronghold and holy site 28-Vaes Dor, Elvish ruins of a large city 29-Halgen, Small Human city 30-Estford, Human town 31-Forpass, Small Human town 32-Northshore, Very small Human town 33-Winthaven, Medium Human city 34-Stormarch, Small Human city 35-Bleakmount, Large Human town 36-Winter's Edge, Large Human city that acts as the capital in the North, very fortified 37-Snowmelt, Small Human town 38-Craghar, Human town 39-Briewind, Human town 40-Erast, Medium Human city 41-Ecrin, Large Human city 42-Clayton, Large Human town 43-Oakmore Castle, Small but very fortified castle 44-Southgate, Human town 45-Midmount, Large Human town 46-Oakheart, Large Human city 47-Zeffari, Large Human city, acts as capital in the South 48-Baredale, Medium Human town 49-Westwend, Large Human city 50-Ruins of Andlis-Harh, Ancient Elvish capital destroyed hundreds of years ago 51-Oldtown, Supporting town to Andlis-Harh, now Human town 52-Andrie, Once independent Human isle that now submits to rule 53-Red Heart, small Human town 54-Tydespire Castle, Small Human castle 55-Tarrin, Large Human trading city 56-Pavv, Large Human city 57-Littlehill, Medium Human town 58-Three Fingers, Large Human fishing and trading town 59-Thornwood Fortress, Very large fortress and prison, acts as the main prison for the continent 60-Northforge, One of the dwarven cities and mines, is open to trade/diplomacy 61-Southforge, The other dwarven city, closed its gates many years ago and silent since 62-Nuxvar, Large Human trading city, home to the largest naval force 63-Sudhere, Small Human coast town 64-Rinas Mal, Elvish ruins of a fort and town 65-Tris Dorne, Elvish ruins of a large town 66-Rias-Dori, Main home on the continent of the Tarfen, a minotaur like race. Many were brought to the continent by slavers and traders. 67-Wydwin, Small Human town.