Uliadii River Wars
The Uliadii River Wars were a series of running battles that occured over the course of roughly four years, from 228 AF to the winter of 231 AF, fought between the Kingdom of Uliad on the eastern coast of the Island of Thallmar and the Kingdoms of Keene and Dunar (respectively) on the western coast. All three combatant states consider the outcome of the River Wars to be a resounding victory for the Kingdom of Uliad.
Traditionally, Thallian warfare is conducted in swift, highly mobile movements of both foot and horse units numbering between 100 and 1,000 men per side. Tactics and maneuver determine outcome more often than the size of an army or how many casualties it can inflict on an enemy force. In the case of the River Wars fought by the Uliadii, the Uliadii killed, wounded or captured only about 400 enemy warriors over nearly four years of declared warfare and suffered less than 200 of their own warriors killed, maimed or captured, but are universally considered to have dominated every one of the five battles fought over that time.
On the 5th of May, 228 AF, Mallaky led 340 mounted Uliadii troops west through the foothills and highlands of the eastern Sleevemar Range, purposely avoiding the roads and paths nearer the river banks. Moving fast in the early morning hours, this force first met Keene warriors on May 10th by surprising them as they were breaking their camp along a high natural pond in the hills. The Keene warriors numbered about 120 mounted men, and while only 11 Keene warriors were killed, 88 horses were captured by the Uliadii and the remaining Keene raiders were forced to flee higher into hills on foot.
Mallaky pushed on deeper into the highlands and towards the headwaters of the Little Glyn River. On the 20th of May, he encountered a Keene force of nearly 200 men, most on foot. A four hour pitched battle ensued and the Keene suffered their worst defeat of the war losing 118 men and every Keene horse they had. Mallaky lost only 39 warriors. The Uliadii pursued the fleeing enemy for an entire day, and fought another battle on the 22nd, again routing the Keenii and forcing them to flee north out of the Glynna Pass entirely. Mallaky left the bulk of his force in the Glynna valley to patrol and occupy the newly aquired territory for the rest of the summer. By the end of September, the Kennii had agreed to the new frontier between the two kingdoms and the first half of the River Wars was concluded.
Within months of the conclussion of the conflict with Keene, the border with the Dunarii along the Glen River became even more troubled. Raids of Dunarii cavalry swept down the Glen Valley to the very plains of Glenhome itself during the spring and summer of 230 AF. Again, Mallaky called his warriors and marched to defend his kingdom.
By August of 230, Mallaky marched a force of some 390 veteran cavalry across the Glen Owys and into Dunarii territory. Uliad scouts had determined that a significant force of Dunarii warriors was camped int he foothills of the Glyn Hills located between the two river valleys, and Mallaky had decided to confront them in an all-out attack. He pushed his force hard and fast up into the steep hills and sony valleys of the Glyns, finally finding his enemy on September 1st.
Mallaky's 390 cavalry were facing a Dunarii force of almost 800 horse and foot. Their camp was stretched as far as the eye could see in a high vale along a fast flowing stream. With his much smaller force holding the high ground at the entrance to the vale, Mallaky decided to attack without delay or warning and take full advantage of his complete surprise. The vale occupied by the Dunarii had two entrances, with the more narrow but higher one to the east (now totally controlled by Mallaky) and the wider but much lower entrace to the west, facing away from Uliad and fully 200' lower down the hillside than the position held by Mallaky. Mallaky ordered the bulk of his mounted force to charge the center of the Dunarii camp, driving towards the center of the vale where the bulk of the Dunarii horses were penned near the stream for easy watering and fodder. He held 60 of his most experienced warriors back as a reserve, and led the charge of the main force himself.
The Dunarii force was taken by complete surprise. Less than 40 Dunar warriors managed to mount their horses before the Uliad warriors were charging through their camp towards the central stream and field where the bulk of the enemy's horses were penned with rope and brush fences. Mallaky had his attacking warriors wash down both sides of the small stream, ensuring that no easy exit would be available to the Dunarii and their horses. The few brave Dunarii that stood and fought the charging and screaming Uliadii were quickly cut down, and the rest began a paniced retreat away from the stream and up the sides of the steep vale.
When it became obvioius just how total the victory was going to be, the Uliad noble commanding the 60-warrior reserve force at the high head of the vale moved his force down into the camp and began to burn the remaining tents and shelters and to accept surrenders of remaining warriors and commanders in the camp. 171 Dunarii surrendered that day, 98 were killed and another 55 wounded beyond the ability to fight. More than 500 horse were captured by the Uliad warriors and divided between the troops as spoils, along with nearly all the weapons and armor of the Dunarii. Only 25 Uliad warriors were killed in the attack, and less than that were wounded.
The Conflict
Prelude
During the late winter of 227-228 AF, mounted raids of Keene warriors repeatedly rode down out of the Sleevemar Range and onto the fields and pastures of the Uliadii clans along the southern banks of the Glen Owys valley. Over the course of that winter, at least 35 Uliadii clansmen were killed in cattle and pony raids by the Keene raiders. The newly enthroned Uliadii King, Mallaky, had only ruled for a single year before calling for his clansmen to take up their arms and march to the west. At that time, the accepted border between the Keene and Uliad kingdoms stretched from the mouth of the Little Glyn River (Glynna Owys) south to the headwaters of the Glandown River and the border with the Kingdom of the Railii. The border of the Dunar and Uliad kingdoms ran along the northern banks of the Little Glyn River west to the headwaters of the Tippdown River.
Outcome
With each successive victory, Uliad control of the central highlands between Uliad and the Dunarii and Keenii territories increased by hundreds of square miles, as well as direct control of large portions of the two largest passes through those rugged highland hills. Clans and families of the areas won by the Uliadii either swore allegiance to the Uliadii or were forced to flee their homes and lands and move further to the west. Most stayed and swore oaths to Mallaky.
Conflict Type
Military Campaign
Battlefield Type
Land
Start Date
May, 228 AF
Ending Date
December, 231 AF
Conflict Result
A tactical and strategic victory for the Kingdom of Uliad
Location
