The Shattering of the Eastern Front

On the Twelfth day of Udvik in the year 99, the Royal Triumvirate of the Desert Sea declared a formal war against the The Empire of Five Kings , demanding land the return of land that had previously been theirs.
This land had been taken during the First Expansionary War and was given to various Noble Houses in the years after. This came to a head following Elysians death, the Lesser Nobles demanded titles and land for their service during the expansion, and the new cities and settlements popping up were in desperate need of taxing. 
With a formal conflict declared, the Royal Triumvirate waged a savage and bloody war against their oppressors. The war would drive the combined forces of the Five Kings back into the central plains of the Kingdom of Bonsu . The complete destruction of the Early Eastern Front was the beginning of that war.

The Conflict

Prelude

Following in the footsteps of Imperial King Elysian, the next ruler attempted to capitalize on the success of the First Expansionary War and its related booming of Imperial Population. Settlements and Military Keeps had been established to protect against the possibility of retaliation at some point in the future. The Early Eastern Front was one such area that had been amassed. Its peoples were involved in taxing and maintaining order within the nearest cities and settlements, including in the desert. Most Desert settlements were hidden, but some kept themselves visible for other traders and travelers. This led to their eventual annoyance with the Empire and its Military. 
 The days leading up to the first battle were rather quiet. Most towns folk remained themselves, but notes were made about the lack of noise that would normally fill the square. It seemed as if their were something hanging over the entire area.

Deployment

10,000 of the Royal Triumvirate of the Desert Sea soldiers amassed several miles away from Matterwatch and prepared for the battle that would await them. Additional units included Siege Towers and Ballistae, each designed/altered to accept processed versions of the Heater Crystals .
Inside the Keep were roughly 2,000 of the Empires most green recruits, and around 1,000 veteran soldiers. The veterans usually had gained their experiences from around the Desert and helping to handle its peoples. Without the knowledge of a coming attack the Knight Officers and Commanders led the young recruits through their daily training exercises.

Battlefield

The Battle spread from the fields around the Keep into the Keeps walls themselves.

Conditions

The day was warm and without any real incident. Knight Offers were later record as saying it was an unusually peaceful and breezy day. Rain had fallen the day before and only the lands outside the Keep were still somewhat wet.

The Engagement

The first charge consisted of the Royal Triumvirates ranks slowly & quietly advancing. Their objective was to approach the Keep with as little noise as possible and use the advantage of greener and newer recruits to take the Keep without trouble. Upon reaching the nearest fields however, the Siege Towers and Ballistae carts were being bogged down by the mud. Altering their tactics, the RT Officers ordered the soldiers to assist in pushing the towers, while the Ballistae carts were to set up and begin firing. Ten minutes later and the Keep was been bombarded with Descending Ballistae bolts, aimed high to arc downward into the center of the Structure. On impact the Heaters would explode and send chunks of the Bolt out in a massive circle.
 The Imperials response was slow and disorganized, but their advantages of height and a Keep were not undervalued. They attacked with flaming arrows and small burst of Soldiers Fire, hoping against hope to set the weapons of war alight. They were unsuccessful. Nearly an hour into the attack Siege towers were slotted alongside the wall and Desert Nobles and Soldiers alike charged. They made quick work of the greener soldiers, using Imperial grade armors and weapons against the Keeps defenders rendered them equals but the skill of battle gave the RTs an edge
 A pitched battle was fought between the RTDS and the EFK, and heavy losses were suffered on both sides, but eventually the RTDS managed to rout their enemy. They allowed those who fled to keep their lives, but they slaughtered anyone who remained. Surrender or no.

Outcome

With Matterwatch removed from the local Imperial Control, soldiers were forced to train in the less equipped Keeps. These Keeps, as well as the newer recruits, were also informed of the massacre of each Keep. Efforts were made to end the attacks and repel the forces, but no success was found and the forces were routed and removed.

Aftermath

The loss of Matterwatch drove a hard spike of fear through the members of Nobility and Command within the Imperial Military. They feared, and rightly so, that the attack would be the beginning of many to come, and if unchecked the RTDS could push as far as the Equinswade . Unfortunately their calls for actions were largely ignored by Imperial King Elysian the Third, who at the time was in the middle of constructing another Theater Hall in the Capital City. 
 It would later be said that this moment, the loss of Matterwatch, would be the spark that alight the fires of Knight Officer Viltran. His victories during the campaign would grant him high praise and even secure him the title of Imperial King.

Historical Significance

Legacy

Years afterwards, Matterwatch was rebuilt and the defenses bolstered. Soldiers still talk of Matterwatch and its bravery, and of the barbaric slaughtering of surrendered Imperial Soldiers. The RTDS treats the battle as a sign of their ambition and potential, having taken a Keep considered to be one of the more secure in the East.

Included under Conflict

The Shattering of the Eastern Front

Included Conflicts

• The Shattering of the Eastern Front

Conflict Type

Battle

Battlefield Type

Land

Start Date

99 FP

Ending Date

99 FP

Conflict Result

The Royal Triumvirate of the Desert Sea proved themselves victorious, beginning a bloody war.