[OL Challenge III - Cat E] Battle for Fort Arltrees
Dispatches - Battle for Fort Arltrees
Date: May 620
Location: Marshland 2 miles east of Fort Arltrees, El Oleonda, New Haven Seas
Combatants:
Lotus Kingdom
Oleon, Carno, Tyree'Dee allies
Result: Oleonaise victory, but not conclusively.
Casualties: A handful of Carno men, one or two of the Tyree'Dee. Oleonaise troops walked away with flesh wounds. Around 20 Lotii troops were killed or incapacitated. Background:
While the New Haven Seas have been discovered only relatively recently, it has been Oleon's position to explore the region from a base of strength. To the end, the supply base of Fort Arltrees was set up on the island we have modestly called "El Oleonda".
We have followed the formal foreign policy of alliance with Carno. So, when Captain Santiago Delarosa Montifiori Calvaderos, the famous Carnese explorer, came to Fort Arltrees and explained that there was a Lotii army coming up the coast, we set out to defend our position.
While we could have fortified the town on the land-ward side, it would have left our nearby Tyree'Dee allies exposed. Instead, we moved to meet the Lotii. Disposition of the forces:
We entrenched on the edge of the marshland, taking advantage of the solid ground to emplace one of the Captain's cannons.
We shortly saw the Lotii, who numbered around 50. Seeing our forces arrayed against them, they advanced on us immediately. Tactics:
There were no experts of military tactics among our number - Sgt MacSpud having elected to remain at Fort Arltrees because fighting alongside men in red "took him to a dark place". As such, a quick council of war agreed that we would defend our position and let them come to us. The terrain would work to our advantage. Engagement:
The Captain began the battle by firing his cannon. His crew, who were well trained, kept up a constant stream of fire throughout the battle. That said, they were more commonly used to firing on other ships, so a land engagement tested their skills to the extreme.
Our new Knights Treasurer were also unused to serious military engagements, so we had them hold fire until the Lotii were relatively close.
The Tyree'Dee were not happy about waiting to be assaulted, but reluctantly followed our lead. As the Lotii neared our position, the cannon changed ammunition to canister, and the Knights Treasurer began volley fire. At this point, the Lotii began to take serious losses.
By the time they were near enough for the Tyree'Dee to trade their spears for enemy arrows, the Lotii had lost too many men to remain a serious threat. We routed the remainder, but were unable to pursue them without dividing our forces. We burned the dead in accordance with the rites of Hades. Then we withdrew to Fort Arltrees to tend to the wounded. Dispatches have also been sent to our allies. I pray that this battle gives an indication of how the war for this island will go. Dispatches from Fort Arltrees, penned by Monsieur Gallo as dictation by Canon François.
Location: Marshland 2 miles east of Fort Arltrees, El Oleonda, New Haven Seas
Combatants:
Lotus Kingdom
Oleon, Carno, Tyree'Dee allies
Result: Oleonaise victory, but not conclusively.
Casualties: A handful of Carno men, one or two of the Tyree'Dee. Oleonaise troops walked away with flesh wounds. Around 20 Lotii troops were killed or incapacitated. Background:
While the New Haven Seas have been discovered only relatively recently, it has been Oleon's position to explore the region from a base of strength. To the end, the supply base of Fort Arltrees was set up on the island we have modestly called "El Oleonda".
We have followed the formal foreign policy of alliance with Carno. So, when Captain Santiago Delarosa Montifiori Calvaderos, the famous Carnese explorer, came to Fort Arltrees and explained that there was a Lotii army coming up the coast, we set out to defend our position.
While we could have fortified the town on the land-ward side, it would have left our nearby Tyree'Dee allies exposed. Instead, we moved to meet the Lotii. Disposition of the forces:
We entrenched on the edge of the marshland, taking advantage of the solid ground to emplace one of the Captain's cannons.
We shortly saw the Lotii, who numbered around 50. Seeing our forces arrayed against them, they advanced on us immediately. Tactics:
There were no experts of military tactics among our number - Sgt MacSpud having elected to remain at Fort Arltrees because fighting alongside men in red "took him to a dark place". As such, a quick council of war agreed that we would defend our position and let them come to us. The terrain would work to our advantage. Engagement:
The Captain began the battle by firing his cannon. His crew, who were well trained, kept up a constant stream of fire throughout the battle. That said, they were more commonly used to firing on other ships, so a land engagement tested their skills to the extreme.
Our new Knights Treasurer were also unused to serious military engagements, so we had them hold fire until the Lotii were relatively close.
The Tyree'Dee were not happy about waiting to be assaulted, but reluctantly followed our lead. As the Lotii neared our position, the cannon changed ammunition to canister, and the Knights Treasurer began volley fire. At this point, the Lotii began to take serious losses.
By the time they were near enough for the Tyree'Dee to trade their spears for enemy arrows, the Lotii had lost too many men to remain a serious threat. We routed the remainder, but were unable to pursue them without dividing our forces. We burned the dead in accordance with the rites of Hades. Then we withdrew to Fort Arltrees to tend to the wounded. Dispatches have also been sent to our allies. I pray that this battle gives an indication of how the war for this island will go. Dispatches from Fort Arltrees, penned by Monsieur Gallo as dictation by Canon François.