Battle of the Brothers Approach
1st Battle of the Vammarian Return | Ainshore
1st Battle of the Vammarian Return | Ainshore
The clash of the BROTHERS APPROACH was the first combat between the Vammar siblings and their forces with the combined feudal forces of Rhaemor. Both sides went into the battle willingly after having met and failed to come to terms. It should be noted that there was no genuine attempt by either party to seek terms with the other during the discussion. While the RHAEMORRIANs outnumbered the VAMMARIAN forces, the majority of that were untrained peasant levies that had been called up from nearby the HIGH LORD. The Rhonish knights outnumbered Rhaemor's chivalry by almost two-to-one and this factor played a major role in the outcome of the battle.
The battle lasted just over four (4) hours and it ended in Rhaemor's forces collapsing under the pressure of mounted mayhem within their ranks. The Rhaemor army scattered eastward and it took a couple hours before the High Lord had reformed those who had stayed true and not run for their distant homes. In estimates, the Rhaemorrian army lost nearly half their forces in the aftermath of the battle. The peasant levy had been decimated and it evaporated in the flight from the battlefield. Even with heavy losses, there were more than a hundred of them left but now they had nearly all fled with only a handful sticking with the army. Of his other forces, the High Lord lost nearly a third of them including from his chivalry which placed his prospects even worse on the scale.
On the morning of the 48th of Spring, the Rhonish army, which had suffered far fewer losses was marching eastward towards Scardance Keep for the High Lord and his remaining troops had raced for its protection. The day before the Rhonish forces did not pressure the pursuit as it was expected that a siege lay at the end of the road east. So, after a day of blood and battle, knights, soldiers and squires alike took their rest the previous evening. Rested and confident, the Rhone troops marched straight east to camp in the shadow of Scardance and root out the remains of High Lord Drevedhir's base. And so the Rhonish marched while the Rhaemorrians stood behind high walls and watched the inexorable advance of the Vammar siblings.
The Conflict
Prelude
The arrival of the Vammarian host had not gone unseen as a nearby vassal knight of Rhaemor, Ser KUARC GERWYN, had investigated the bonfires and discovered their origin at the hands of Sera CATRIONA RUARI, EMRYS, KALAWUN and MAVRON. Ser KUARC was no stranger to incursions upon the shores and had come to the right conclusion in moments. So it was that, before he had even suited up and left his manor, a young messenger had gone flying through the night a-horseback to bring the news to all. When Ser KUARC met with the four Rhone knights no blows were exchanged and the two sides parted honorably.
The Vammarian forces quickly made their camp inland from the beach and were nearly finished as the sun rose fully into the sky to greet the land once again. That morning, Ser AROL VAMMAR and his brother took the counsel and weighed their options on beginning the campaign. Other than scouts and a diplomatic mission to the lands of the MODIRA family, led by Ser MAVRON and Ser CALOIAL BRYNONNE, the brothers kept their troops close.
The army of RHAEMOR began arriving in early afternoon, their movements just barely noticeable across the flatlands that turned into a cluster of hills over a mile and a half-away from the Vammarian campsite. The furtive moments turned into deliberate approach as the Rhaemorrian forces cross the sandy grassland and stopped within a mile from the invaders. The two sides eyed each other nervously before emissaries approached from both forces.
Ser AROL and a couple trusted knights met with the High Lord CALES between the two forces. The two exchanged insults and Ser AROL nearly lost his composure right then and there. High Lord CALES was said to be goading the returned heir into an attack but the knowledge that men and horses had spent a cold, bitter night on the Sea of Winds stayed his tongue. The two agreed that they would meet on the following day.
Deployment
The location of the conflict was never in doubt as the two forces were camped only a mile away from each other. As such, both sides had ample time to ready their formations and their placements were fairly straightforward. The Vammarian forces were facing east with the Sea of Winds about one mile behind their backs. The Rhaemorrian forces were arrayed more loosely but the chivalry was in recognizable units. Facing west, with a line of hills running north-south at their backs, the Rhaemorrians covered the summit. Movement could also be observed behind the hills themselves: splashes of red cloth in the wind.
Vanguard Banner
In the center, led by Ser AROL VAMMAR, was the Vanguard composed of Ser Falyr, Ser Valodred, Ser Bamoris, Ser Alcwyn, Ser Kashyr and four other knights.
Center Banner
To the vanguard’s left, this conroi led by Sera CATRIONA RUARI, boasted of Ser Emrys, Ser Mavron, Ser Kalawun, Ser Codael and Ser Caloial Brynonne.
Left Wing Banner
Led by Ser OLORIN NORAMYR, this banner of six knights was made up of Ser Rus, Ser Oeduth, Sera Siriol Duna and her twin, Ser Cyrfain as well as a single hedge knight.
Right Wing Banner
This banner was led by the champion free lance, Ser Bans Urilain, but he was shadowed closely by Ser ARTEAN VAMMAR. There were six other mercenary knights making up the rest of the banner.
With the Banners making up much of the line, there were deliberate gaps between each of the banners except the Vanguard and Center Banner; both of these units knew that they would experience combat first of all those in their army. The gaps to the side of the Vanguard and Center Banner were filled with tight formations of the feudal troops. The mercenaries were holding up the left flank and filling the gaps on that side of the formation. Behind this array, in a loose organization, were the cutthroats and serfs. They were deliberately kept behind the other units so that the chivalry would have a clear charge. And, as was likely, if the loose collection of killers and opportunists fell back under attack it would not trigger a panic amongst other units.
The Rhaemorrian formations betrayed that reinforcements had arrived in the night. With only half the chivalry as the Vammarian line, their ranks had been augmented by red-cloaked mounted men at arms who moved tightly together on their horses. Whispers identified them as the RED MESSENGERS. Also, the night had brought over two hundred peasant levy which made the numbers uneven but did little to concern the knights across the clearing.
Vammarian Forces
In the center, led by Ser AROL VAMMAR, was the Vanguard composed of Ser Falyr, Ser Valodred, Ser Bamoris, Ser Alcwyn, Ser Kashyr and four other knights.
Center Banner
To the vanguard’s left, this conroi led by Sera CATRIONA RUARI, boasted of Ser Emrys, Ser Mavron, Ser Kalawun, Ser Codael and Ser Caloial Brynonne.
Left Wing Banner
Led by Ser OLORIN NORAMYR, this banner of six knights was made up of Ser Rus, Ser Oeduth, Sera Siriol Duna and her twin, Ser Cyrfain as well as a single hedge knight.
Right Wing Banner
This banner was led by the champion free lance, Ser Bans Urilain, but he was shadowed closely by Ser ARTEAN VAMMAR. There were six other mercenary knights making up the rest of the banner.
With the Banners making up much of the line, there were deliberate gaps between each of the banners except the Vanguard and Center Banner; both of these units knew that they would experience combat first of all those in their army. The gaps to the side of the Vanguard and Center Banner were filled with tight formations of the feudal troops. The mercenaries were holding up the left flank and filling the gaps on that side of the formation. Behind this array, in a loose organization, were the cutthroats and serfs. They were deliberately kept behind the other units so that the chivalry would have a clear charge. And, as was likely, if the loose collection of killers and opportunists fell back under attack it would not trigger a panic amongst other units.
Rhaemorian Forces
The Rhaemorrian formations betrayed that reinforcements had arrived in the night. With only half the chivalry as the Vammarian line, their ranks had been augmented by red-cloaked mounted men at arms who moved tightly together on their horses. Whispers identified them as the RED MESSENGERS. Also, the night had brought over two hundred peasant levy which made the numbers uneven but did little to concern the knights across the clearing.
Battlefield
The battle took place near the north road leading to northern Ainshore from Scardance Keep. The area is a mix of sandy soil and grassy plains as its where the beach and the Canter meet up. The area is devoid of trees or anything greater than shrubs. It is relatively flat until one reaches the east or west edges. On the east, a line of hills frames the clearing while to the west it begins to slope down towards the shore. The weather was cloudy and overcast as it had been the day before but there had been no rain for more than a few days. This made for excellent grounds for working with cavalry as the earth was soft yet solid. The temperature was cool and the breeze off the SEA OF WINDS helped to cool the field.
The Engagement
The BATTLE OF THE BROTHERS APPROACH started late in the morning. With both forces in full view of the other, they were fairly secure that any maneuvers would be observed far enough in advance. It was mid-morning before the ranks were in place and the mounted soldiers arrayed in their formations. Once all was in place, it was only a matter of time. Outnumbered in weight of chivalry, the Rhaemorrians did not immediately advance their knight-banners into the fore. Rhaemorrians stayed in place as two dozen crossbowmen exposed themselves out in front to get out a volley at the trotting line of four wedges, knights of all, began to pick up speed across the flat ground.
Although inconsequential, the first mistake was from Rhonish, as the horn-boy puffed commands that seemed to order a stop. The banners all eased their gait until another round of crossbow bolts sank nearby. It was the Lady Catriona’s Banner that reacted the quickest as she heard the notes change again to re-order the charge. The Center Banner was far out front from the others and managed to swing at an angle towards the crossbowmen who were just now seeing the threat. With their lances fully extended and their horses propelling them forward, Lady Catriona’s Banner slammed into the fleeing missileers and skewered them with long pointed lances.
As the Center Banner crashed first through outer line, the battle erupted as the other Banners slammed their lances into the same enemies. There were breaches up and down the wall and it seemed as if the heavier knight-weight would seize the day in the very first exchange!
The charge of the Center Banner ground to a halt and lances were discarded while sword hilts were sought and used to bring death against those clambering at the knights. The knights of the Banner laid waste to either side of them as they sought to clear the fleshy barrier closing in around them. Although they were first into the line, the other Banners soon drove their momentum into the formations until they too were stopped by the press of combat and people.
For another two hours, the battle would rage across the field as the more effective troops and knights of Vammar’s army wore away at the flesh shield that the Rhaemorrian peasant levy had become against a banner of knights.
It was in these lulls and seeming traps that the Red Messengers, in the employ of Rhaemor, showed their skill. They wheeled and charged into those knights and mounted soldiers who were already hemmed in by their opponents. With blades and spears flashing, the red cloak fluttering in the wind, the Messengers swooped in like birds of prey and peeled off opponents from the scrum. But, once free to turn and twist and run, the skilled cavalry of the Messengers set to blade-work; bloody work it was.
Though there are always tales of heroes and heroines in battle, the BROTHERS APPROACH was predictable and began to feel inevitable even as the third hour raged past. Even so, there were many duels and deaths on that day that inspire the poet and overwhelm the survivors. The dead, many of them peasant levy, made treacherous the ground for horse or combatant. While the weight of numbers featured prominently in blunting the charge of the chivalry early on—it had begun failing soon after and continued that pattern as the minutes ticked by. Heavily armored and laying about them from horseback, the knights of all of the Banners were steadily thinning the ranks arrayed against them.
It was in the fourth hour that an advantage was seen and taken firmly in the hands of the Rhonish. After being stuck into the mob line again, Sera Catriona wheeled her Banner out from it a ways before spinning around to reform into a charge wedge and then it was right there… The left flank had been anchored by men at arms in Rhaemor’s livery and enemy soldiers had made short work of the lightly armored foes. But the Rhonish forces were already moving backwards such to lead the formation out of the line and exposed its sides and the gap in the line.
With a sharp whistle and cry of excitement, Lady Catriona’s Banner was racing into the gap behind the out of line unit. The gait of the lance-horses was still accelerating when her and her companion knights raced through the gap deep into the Rhaemor lines to slam into the hind-ends of the short-bladesmen and slingers focused on a different direction.
For several minutes the line attempted to reform but it buckled under the assault from a new direction as Ser Olorin Noramyr’s Banner followed her own idea into a lance charge from another unexpected direction. It was too much for the large numbers of serf levy that had answered their High Lord’s call. First in drips and then in began to sound staccato, the unarmored and poorly armed enemies fell like wheat.
Ser Noramyr’s Banner was still intact, Ser Cyrfain Duna, seized leadership with Noramyr down and the two knight-sergeants began working together to pry open yet another vulnerable gap in Rhaemor’s defenses.
When the end came it was like a rope that snapped and sent everything into motion at once. From a distance of no more than two dozen feet, Ser Olorin Noramyr’s horse took a point in the shoulder and reared when the young knight was already swinging his momentum through his sword in a like fashion. The young knight was pierced through as he scrambled to stay mounted but it was too late. Ser Olorin fell from his steed’s side and was instantly pounded into the dirt while the circle closed around him. There were so many of them, almost bestial in appearance, and he was cut and stabbed half-a-dozen times before Center Banner could push their way through.
Frustated, Lady Catriona caught the pointing finger of Ser Kalawun and leaped her horse into motion. The other knights followed in her lead even as two sharps came directly at her. Then she felt the weight of her friends and fellows behind her and surged into the line of people like it was a funneling wave. And, like a wave, she and the horse crested and crushed their way through it. The other side was a maze of running and screaming humans as her Banner devastated their way into the enemies before them.
Ser Olorin’s breach and Lady Catriona’s follow-up wrote the ending for this battle. The serfs scattered as their pointy barrier was now a forest of chopped hafts and man-sized gaps. The breach continued to grow as the Banners pushed and pushed again. Sure enough, pushing her way to the end, the entire flank of the Rhaemor army seemed to disintegrate before her.
With a whoop and holler, Lady Catriona and her Banner were joined by Ser Bans and Ser Artean working tightly together. The rolled flank continued to buckle and scattered its defenders as it crested and kept going at their unseeing backs.
Less than a third of an hour later, the Rhaemor forces were scattered and scared. The battle had been won!
Although inconsequential, the first mistake was from Rhonish, as the horn-boy puffed commands that seemed to order a stop. The banners all eased their gait until another round of crossbow bolts sank nearby. It was the Lady Catriona’s Banner that reacted the quickest as she heard the notes change again to re-order the charge. The Center Banner was far out front from the others and managed to swing at an angle towards the crossbowmen who were just now seeing the threat. With their lances fully extended and their horses propelling them forward, Lady Catriona’s Banner slammed into the fleeing missileers and skewered them with long pointed lances.
As the Center Banner crashed first through outer line, the battle erupted as the other Banners slammed their lances into the same enemies. There were breaches up and down the wall and it seemed as if the heavier knight-weight would seize the day in the very first exchange!
The charge of the Center Banner ground to a halt and lances were discarded while sword hilts were sought and used to bring death against those clambering at the knights. The knights of the Banner laid waste to either side of them as they sought to clear the fleshy barrier closing in around them. Although they were first into the line, the other Banners soon drove their momentum into the formations until they too were stopped by the press of combat and people.
For another two hours, the battle would rage across the field as the more effective troops and knights of Vammar’s army wore away at the flesh shield that the Rhaemorrian peasant levy had become against a banner of knights.
It was in these lulls and seeming traps that the Red Messengers, in the employ of Rhaemor, showed their skill. They wheeled and charged into those knights and mounted soldiers who were already hemmed in by their opponents. With blades and spears flashing, the red cloak fluttering in the wind, the Messengers swooped in like birds of prey and peeled off opponents from the scrum. But, once free to turn and twist and run, the skilled cavalry of the Messengers set to blade-work; bloody work it was.
Though there are always tales of heroes and heroines in battle, the BROTHERS APPROACH was predictable and began to feel inevitable even as the third hour raged past. Even so, there were many duels and deaths on that day that inspire the poet and overwhelm the survivors. The dead, many of them peasant levy, made treacherous the ground for horse or combatant. While the weight of numbers featured prominently in blunting the charge of the chivalry early on—it had begun failing soon after and continued that pattern as the minutes ticked by. Heavily armored and laying about them from horseback, the knights of all of the Banners were steadily thinning the ranks arrayed against them.
It was in the fourth hour that an advantage was seen and taken firmly in the hands of the Rhonish. After being stuck into the mob line again, Sera Catriona wheeled her Banner out from it a ways before spinning around to reform into a charge wedge and then it was right there… The left flank had been anchored by men at arms in Rhaemor’s livery and enemy soldiers had made short work of the lightly armored foes. But the Rhonish forces were already moving backwards such to lead the formation out of the line and exposed its sides and the gap in the line.
With a sharp whistle and cry of excitement, Lady Catriona’s Banner was racing into the gap behind the out of line unit. The gait of the lance-horses was still accelerating when her and her companion knights raced through the gap deep into the Rhaemor lines to slam into the hind-ends of the short-bladesmen and slingers focused on a different direction.
For several minutes the line attempted to reform but it buckled under the assault from a new direction as Ser Olorin Noramyr’s Banner followed her own idea into a lance charge from another unexpected direction. It was too much for the large numbers of serf levy that had answered their High Lord’s call. First in drips and then in began to sound staccato, the unarmored and poorly armed enemies fell like wheat.
Ser Noramyr’s Banner was still intact, Ser Cyrfain Duna, seized leadership with Noramyr down and the two knight-sergeants began working together to pry open yet another vulnerable gap in Rhaemor’s defenses.
When the end came it was like a rope that snapped and sent everything into motion at once. From a distance of no more than two dozen feet, Ser Olorin Noramyr’s horse took a point in the shoulder and reared when the young knight was already swinging his momentum through his sword in a like fashion. The young knight was pierced through as he scrambled to stay mounted but it was too late. Ser Olorin fell from his steed’s side and was instantly pounded into the dirt while the circle closed around him. There were so many of them, almost bestial in appearance, and he was cut and stabbed half-a-dozen times before Center Banner could push their way through.
Frustated, Lady Catriona caught the pointing finger of Ser Kalawun and leaped her horse into motion. The other knights followed in her lead even as two sharps came directly at her. Then she felt the weight of her friends and fellows behind her and surged into the line of people like it was a funneling wave. And, like a wave, she and the horse crested and crushed their way through it. The other side was a maze of running and screaming humans as her Banner devastated their way into the enemies before them.
Ser Olorin’s breach and Lady Catriona’s follow-up wrote the ending for this battle. The serfs scattered as their pointy barrier was now a forest of chopped hafts and man-sized gaps. The breach continued to grow as the Banners pushed and pushed again. Sure enough, pushing her way to the end, the entire flank of the Rhaemor army seemed to disintegrate before her.
With a whoop and holler, Lady Catriona and her Banner were joined by Ser Bans and Ser Artean working tightly together. The rolled flank continued to buckle and scattered its defenders as it crested and kept going at their unseeing backs.
Less than a third of an hour later, the Rhaemor forces were scattered and scared. The battle had been won!
Outcome
The sweeping victory and routing of the Rhaemorrian army had a number of cascading effects. First, the loss of life was higher than Rhaemor expected and that would affect the manning of fortifications. Second, the collapse of the left wing was sudden enough that an orderly retreat was unattainable and when the army reformed on the road to SCARDANCE KEEP there were a number of missing individuals who were known to have survived the battle. The peasant levy dispersed like smoke in the wind as they suffered the brunt of the blood-letting. In addition, a number of professional combatants appear to have not made it back to their unit. Third, the flight behind the walls of SCARDANCE left nearly the entire countryside without protection. This was exacerbated by many deserting and, not deserting but scrounging, combatants from the Rhaemor forces.
The majority of the remaining forces were reformed under the High Lord as they retreated along the keep road. However, there was one group of mounted combatants that were forced to head southwest towards DOSA. At this time their location is unknown. The bulk of the forces remaining have moved to fortify SCARDANCE KEEP’s defenses before the inevitable arrival of the VAMMAR siblings to invest the keep. As such, the Vammarian forces were leisurely in their deconstruction and pursuit. That pursuit ended at the keep where the Vammarians have cornered the army, the High Lord and await their victory.
The majority of the remaining forces were reformed under the High Lord as they retreated along the keep road. However, there was one group of mounted combatants that were forced to head southwest towards DOSA. At this time their location is unknown. The bulk of the forces remaining have moved to fortify SCARDANCE KEEP’s defenses before the inevitable arrival of the VAMMAR siblings to invest the keep. As such, the Vammarian forces were leisurely in their deconstruction and pursuit. That pursuit ended at the keep where the Vammarians have cornered the army, the High Lord and await their victory.
Included under Conflict
Conflict Type
Battle
Battlefield Type
Land
Start Date
47th of Spring | 56 ET
Ending Date
47th of Spring | 56 ET
Conflict Result
DECISIVE VICTORY | Vammarian Forces
Location
Belligerents
Vammarian Siblings
Led by
High Lord Drevhedir | Rhaemorrian Army
Led by
Strength
KNIGHTS-31
Arol Vammar, Artean Vammar, Erlador Bamoris, Adesean Falyr, Dameron Valodred, Nyrim Alcwyn, Catriona Ruari, Emrys Gwalchmai, Mavron Solaim, Kalawun Ember, Caloial Brynonne,Olorin Noramyr, Oeduth Narom, Siriol Duna, Cyrfain Duna, Ondaul Kashyr, Rus of the Green, Codael of Southfork, Bans Urilain, (Ser Oladin and Ser Vorus the Vulture, Ser Evaris of Middark 3-Winds knights, and another 5-hedge and mercenary knights
RHONISH
7-Mtd.Sergeants196-Footmen
RHAEMORRIAN
Ser Viar Modira12-Footmen
MERCENARIES
Band of Ashes12-Mtd. Sergeants
4-Mounted Scouts
25-Men at Arms
The Brass Banner
18-Men at Arms
60-Footmen
Nine Hands Cutting 60-Footmen
OTHERS
60-Cutters | Aenar80-Armed Serfs
KNIGHTS-15
Cales DREVHEDIR, Ser AIRNE, Ser Kuarc GERWYN, Ser BRADIS, Sera FENEAL, Lord Dreyn SAMAEHD, Ser Isell THUDIR, Ser Arvel Kirndeyr, six knights of the High Lord's Own and a hedge-knightRHAEMOR
7-Mtd.Sergeants25-Crossbowmen
25-Men at Arms
206-Footmen
MERCENARIES
Red Messengers2-Knights
16-Mtd. Sergeants
OTHERS
200+ Armed SerfsCasualties
SLAIN
Ser Osun, 1-Man at Arms, 2-Crossbowmen, 6-Footmen, 2-Mtd. Sergeants (Merc.)CAPTURED
Ser Caloial, 2-Crossbowmen, 2-Footmen, 1 Mtd. Sergeant (Merc.)WOUNDED
Ser Olorin, Ser Oeduth, Ser Evaris of Middark, 4-Men at Arms, 2-Crossbows, 16-Footmen and 3-Mtd. Sergeants (Merc.)SLAIN
1-Knight of the High Lord's Own, 1-Man at Arms, 4-Crossbowmen, 18-Footmen, 2-Mtd. Sergeants (Merc.), 11-Armed SerfsCAPTURED
Ser Arvel Kirndeyr, 3-Men at Arms, 1-Crossbowmen, 23-Footmen, 1 Mtd. Sergeant (Merc.), 22-Armed SerfsWOUNDED
Sera FINEAL, 1-Knight of the High Lord's Own, 1-Knight, 6-Men at Arms, 3-Crossbows, 46-Footmen, 4-Mtd. Sergeants (Merc.), 42-Armed SerfsObjectives
Defeat High Lord Drevhedir
Inflict significant harm to the forces of RHAEMOR
Ensure losses weaken any possible sieges
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