The Twilight Battle

The quick attack on Solstice Castle by the Elves in the night, the garrison had just received news of the Leelside attack, and so were preparing the soldiers to head out and aid the city. It was just before they were ready to leave that the castle came under siege.

The Conflict

Prelude

The Elvish force heading into the Human territory had been split to overwhelm the Humans, but this next attack was the first where the Humans knew of a threat and were preparing for battle, the previous 2 attacks were total surprises. Word had been passed on to Yarrin, so within a day the capital would know of the Elves attack and call all the Houses to war.

Deployment

The Elves had marched tirelessly for several days, this was originally part of the force that headed to Arbor but they had been sent to take this very important position. Solstice Castle was a major part of the Humans territory, it acted as a barracks for the army, a storehouse for their weapons and armour, a granary for a lot of the farmed goods, and a key lookout point to protect the capital, and even closer, Amberhall.
The Elves attacked after night had fallen, darting across the plains towards the castle, using only the bushes and shrubs as cover due to the low light, they planned to get to the castle and break open the large gate before the Humans knew the attack was coming, thus securing a victory quickly and with minimal casualties.
The Humans had received news of the attack on Leelside earlier that day, a citizen arrived, injured and totally fatigued. He told them that the Elves had attacked and he barely escaped, the garrison was prepared for battle, the horses were readied and the main force were being given instructions on where to go and what to do when they encountered the Elves. As Night fell the force was ready to head out, planning to ride during the night and hopefully reach the city by the morning. It was as the mounted soldiers were gathered and mounting up that the attack began.

Battlefield

Solstice Castle is a stronghold built in a clear and empty landscape. On clear days it has incredible visibility. The walls are made of local stone, with a walkway encircling the entire castle, and several large towers around it.
There is only one large entrance into the castle, a wooden gate, with a portcullis that can be lowered in the event of an attack. There is one other entrance, a small metal gate at the other side of the castle, although it is barred and only leads to the storerooms below the main castle, which can be closed off.
There are two main oil and water pots above the gate ready to be poured and the castle keeps a large supply of rocks and stone to drop on attackers. The garrison keeps mainly archers for defence and the rest of the soldiers reside there but are ready to be deployed to anywhere in the region.
The Castle is large, with a couple of courtyards, 3 stables and a blacksmith, along with a large barracks, armoury and small Sekirke for the soldiers to use.

Conditions

It was a very dark night on the night of the 1st of Otrin, the castle itself was fairly well lit, the walkways and first courtyard were lit up.

The Engagement

The first strike at the gate by the lead mages smashed through the gate, sending debris into the gathered soldiers within the castle. They immediately responded, forming their ranks and the mounted soldiers charging out of the gate to fight, the Mages were taken by surprise, they could hear the soldiers within but had no idea they were armed and gathered. The charging Human soldiers crashed through the mages and cut them down, carrying on to hit the Elvish army that was now charging towards the gate, in the dark it was hard to see much, but the mounted soldiers only had to swing their weapons and would likely hit an Elf...
As the Elvish force charged the gate and began to push in the Human soldiers outside got cut off from the castle and the call was made to ride off and regroup further away. The Elves didn't pursue the fleeing Humans so they could focus on taking the castle, which was now putting its portcullis down to stop the invaders. The mages that were left at the front of the attack sent lightning at the gatehouse above them to try and prevent the gate from being lowered but the heavy metal bars dropped down with a crash and crushed several Elves. One of the leading mages grabbed hold of the bars, and, even after being hit with an arrow in the shoulder, heated the bars until they lost their strength. As another arrow hit him in the neck he fell and was stampeded by the Elves, who charged through the now melted gate.
The battle began in the main courtyard, with archers firing from all around into the entrance, a group of elves with shields for protection managed to reach the buildings and took the fight into the stables and armoury. As the guards began to run out of arrows and sent for more from the storehouse the Elves took the chance to charge in and take over the courtyard. The Human army fell back and closed the gate leading to the next courtyard, but the Elves took the route through the buildings, fighting through the barracks and into the many keeps and watchtowers. As the Elvish army set up its position in the main courtyard the Human mounted soldiers returned, breaking through the back ranks of the Elves. They began to push the Elves into the castle and managed to trap them within it.
The fighting continued for over an hour, and eventually the Elves had managed to fight off the Mounted troops and had an escape route, which was getting more and more likely as the fighting within the castle was going poorly for the Elves. The Humans were tougher and better swordsmen, it was only the mages who were able to defeat the Humans with ease, and so many had died in the first few minutes of the attack that they were in very short supply. However the commander in charge of the Elvish army pushed on and tried to take the castle, he took his fighters and forced the Humans into the Sekirke. The last few mages flooded the room with lightning and slaughtered the remaining Human soldiers.
The last Humans scattered throughout the castle were captured or killed over the next hour and the Elves repaired the castle in preparation for a counter attack by the Humans. The Commander ordered the army to gather all the supplies they could and prepare it to be moved back towards Elvish territory. Knowing the response from the Humans would be coming when news reached the capital...

Outcome

Solstice Castle captured by the Elves.

Aftermath

News reaches Yarrin of the Elvish attack, marking the start of the second part of the Human-Elf conflict; The First War.

Historical Significance

The Elves see this siege as a big success, as the castle was taken as well as the Humans losing a part of their trained army.

Legacy

House Solmser made an impact in this battle, showing their skill in battle, but some other houses saw the fact that several fighters retreated as a failure and a cowardly act.

In Literature

Twilight demise - song in Elvish culture.

Technological Advancement

The first battle to involve proper castle defences, like a portcullis, oil pots, etc.

Included under Conflict

First War

Conflict Type

Siege

Battlefield Type

Urban

Start Date

5102 - Otrin - 1

Ending Date

5102 - Otrin - 2

Conflict Result

Elvish Victory

Location

Solstice Castle

Belligerents

Solstice Castle

• House Solmser

Elvish army

• Elvish Crown

Strength

• 250 mounted soldiers

• 1500 soldiers

• 400 garrison troops

• 140 mages

• 4000 soldiers

Casualties

• 220 mounted soldiers

• 1200 soldiers

• 370 garrison troops

• 90 mages

• 3100 soldiers

Objectives

Defend the castle

Capture Solstice Castle

Maps

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  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.