Posey Picking for Peace
Mockingly called the battle of “Posey Picking for Peace” by those on the side of Symilf, it’s the last battle of the war before a stalemate was called, and the longest battle, lasting five years.
The Conflict
Battlefield
Took place in what would be known as the Angalt, and the Ikozal Provinces today. It started in Ikozal Province, but moved south as Flau kept advancing.
Conditions
Symilf knew that ivierae were still largely getting used to the new climate, and that the freezing cold was almost unbearable for them, so they used it to their advantage as a hidden base until Highking Änøy oddly revealed the location. Nonetheless, allies of ivierae did what they could, even though the effects of war were weighing heavily on them.
Aftermath
Much of the respect towards Symilf was destroyed. Lord Fyayn was so embarrassed he let Lady Merthicz take over control of the kingdom, leading him to hide with Lord Lynç in the mountains of western Jyalb.
Historical Significance
Highking Änøy leading up to the last battle served only as a commander from the sidelines. He decided he wanted to face Lord Cassius head on, and arrogantly revealed the location of his base to him. Whatever was left of the Flau army did whatever they could to advance closer and closer to the base, knowing it was going to be highly protected. The first 3 years it felt like Symilf had gained the upper hand and were overpowering them, but the tide turned suddenly. No one knows exactly why, but some theorise it must’ve been the cold getting to Highking Änøy as he kept making worse and worse mistakes. If it weren’t for him threatening to spill a secret from the gods, he would’ve been quickly replaced by one of Lord Lynç’s commanders. By the last year Flau basically had Symilf surrounded in Angalt Province. During the last week of the battle, tensions were at their highest as Flau reached the last camp guarding the main base, in which the Highking was discussing strategy plans with the troop stationed there. They fought for three days until Flau won victory over the camp, and Lord Cassius used his abilities to sway the troop and Highking to fight on his side. The last day of the war is often debated, but it’s largely believed that the traitorous troop had actually skipped into the base, throwing posies around as they begged for peace. They almost fought their own men, until the Highking demanded everyone to stop, and allowed Lady Merthicz to call for a stalemate without resistance.Legacy
Younger generations stemming from Flau held high respect for Lord Cassius as he used his abilities to convince the Highking to stop the war, with the aid of Lady Merthicz. A whole tradition, the Rites of Passage was created in celebration. Even if the stalemate was highly unfair, the fact that the war was finally over and the Highking was now on the side of ivierae, they saw it as a sign of hope for the future.
In Literature
Many songs and poems were written about the battle, many of which being blatant mockery of what went down. One of the earliest poems to come out about the end was written by a Symilf soldier, bringing up the idea that the troop were picking posies. It became widely popular to the point of becoming a nursery rhyme in Symilf supporting dominant settlements. The following quote is the most often used version of said poem, “Posey Picking for Peace”:
”What a sight to behold,
These miscreant men were quite bold,
Joyous frolics and leaps in a vide straight from fantasy.
Posies danced gayly all around us,
Though the Lady of the Moon didn’t find it to be so humorous,
She cried to the end, begging for a bousy.”
Included under Conflict
Conflict Type
Battle
Battlefield Type
Land
Start Date
10th of Vigni, 535 AA
Ending Date
2nd of Mereo, 540 AA
Conflict Result
A stalemate was created, which ended up favouring Symilf more.
Location
Belligerents
Strength
Flau had the major support of satyr, moon elves, half of the lynç elves, dragons, and mermaids. Satyr, lynç elves, and dragons actively fought alongside the ivierae. Their power, combined with the blessings and aid of mermaids and moon elves, although this was enough for them to originally fight back more often, it was difficult when both the ivierae could barely be present and everyone was struggling to keep their morale.
Symilf had the major support of lynç elves in the kingdoms close to them, as well as a few dragons. Physically they weren’t very strong, but were quite adept magically with the elves. As many of them had prior military experience, it was much easier to keep up morale.
Casualties
Casualties rose during the battle, being the most bloody during the first few years when 13% of the original army population was killed.
Casualties were lower during the first few years, but rose much higher in the 4th year.
Objectives
Their objective originally was just to squash the remaining invading forces, but switched to convincing the Symilf soldiers to fight alongside them at some point.
Their main objective was to push the Flau soldiers to the East, in an attempt to trap them in the edge of the southern mountain range to strike back.
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