(03) Second Battle of Agrina [Dwarven Major Victory]

Under the cover of darkness, the entire Dwarven Legion moved forward, the Battering Ram at the forefront to begin offensive operations against the besieged Ezrians. Six hundred (600) Dwarven Spearmen remained at the base of the hill, and the cavalry was still fortified within the Death Trap Pass fortress constructed only a few days ago. To suggest that 3,000 Dwarves could move without noise was preposterous ; but they did their best. They rolled the Battering Ram up into position as silently as they could (not very silent at all), the huge column ready to begin operations.

BOOM. The first swing went, and all hell broke loose, though it was not the kind of hell the Dwarves were expecting.

Five hundred strong, their gryphons roaring and their sabers at the ready ; the Ezrian Light Cavalry came stampeding into the Dwarven's left flank totally unseen and unanticipated. Dwarves were run down like blades of grass, and Ezrians were cast from their mounts when huge spears opposed them or huge axes cleaved directly into the mounts that carried them. They could not drive as far as the battering ram however, and the Light Cavalry quickly committed to the melee which began to cost them dearly. The lightly armored soldiers of the Ezrian Light Cavalry were not in adequate enough numbers to defeat the combined Dwarven host. The Ezrian Cavalry was quickly being cut down after the initial charge and they would need further order if they were to survive.

Available Forces for this Battle

Kingdom of Ezria
-- 500 Light Cavalry
-- All other units will be unavailable until either the gates are opened by the Ezrians, or the Dwarves break the gate down.

Republic of Ever-Winter
-- 1,155 Spearmen
-- 1,484 Swordsmen
-- 1 Battering Ram (20 Dwarves)

Casualties

Kingdom of Ezria
-- 119 Light Cavalry.

Republic of Ever-Winter
-- 64 Spearmen
-- 104 Swordsmen.

Notes
-- This is Moderation Mark 1.
-- Ezrian Light Infantry can reinforce at any time due to Flight.
-- Ezrian Reinforcements can attempt to help by opening the Agrina City Gate.
-- Ezrian Reinforcements will be able to help if the Dwarves break the Agrina City Gate.
-- It is too dark for General Sid to see anything that is happening.
-- The Battering Ram has hit the gate once. Two more hits and the gate will be destroyed.

The city bells began to scream to life, warning of the attack. The 500 cavalry that had been deployed to act as scouts combined with the noise that the Dwarve's made on approach meant that the Ezrian's had some time (not much) to prepare themselves. '' FORM UP! FORM UP! '' War Master Hulagu roared. Nearly three thousand Bataar (swordsmen) were assembling at the gate. Blades drawn, shields at the ready as the ram struck hard against the massive gate, threatening to break it open. The heavy cavalry of the Kashig formed up behind them along with the remaining light cavalry in the square. Meanwhile, 1000 of the Nukur (light infantry aka warriors) were not running towards the gate but were instead forming up ontop of the massive wall.

Commands and shrieks rang down the line of the Nukur, it was officers barking orders. As one the Ezrian light infantry flew off the walls, passing over the bulk of the Republican army and dropped not onto the center of the enemy force but instead flew directly into the rear of the Dwarven column to attack the troops from behind. Meanwhile, the Lubchiten (LC) would continue their battle until the Nukur had landed before they broke off, to wheel around, and join the fighting that had erupted at the rear of the Dwarven column.

The Dwarve's got their wish. The city gates opened but inside they did not find a confused and dazed enemy but rank upon rank of Ezrian soldiers waiting for them. '' FOR THE EMPEROR! CHARGE! '' An officer in the front rank screamed, the Ezrian infantry poured forward.

Strategy:
Attack the Dwarve's from the rear and front simultaneously, cause chaos and mass confusion, force the Dwarve's to break and run. Breakout from the city.

Summary:
The Ezrian LI use their ability of flight to land at the rear of the Dwarven column and begin their attack.

The Ezrian swordsmen companies are gathered at the main gate, open it, and attack the Dwarve's from the front.

The light cavalry break off their attack and move to link up with the Ezrian light infantry at the rear of the Dwarven column to continue the fight.

The night prevented the General from seeing the whole battlefeild but he was confident that the plan would succeed. A night attack that surprised the enemy forces was ideal though relied heavily on the commanders of units to do their job. The plan had been laid out clear and cut from the begining. All knew their part within the 3rd Dwarven Legion. This was no haphazard assault against a foe like the 3rds previous defeat but a well thought out assualt, in which ever dwarf knew the orders.

The Beserkers (Spearmen) on the left flank were initially unprepared for the charge by the 500 cavalry that the Avians had left for a night gaurd outside their city but recovered quickly as the dwarves sought to pull them off their steed, miam their Griffins whom where inbetween the Beserkers (Spearmen) and the Dragon Scale Shields (Swordsmen). They'd make sure none escaped. Those Beserkers (Spearmen) in the rear and closest to the walls on the left flank were unable to engage the foe in the middle but kept their eyes on the walls where torches lighted the area above them.

Seeing Avians take flight those on the outter most areas of the formation turned outwards while those not engaged scanned the skys seeing the birds blot out the starts and informing their comrades. Likewise the Beserkers (Spearmen) on the right flank and the Dragon Scale Shields (Swordsmen) in the middle did likewise. They'd not be caught by such foolish trickery after seeing what had happened to the Mountaineers (Light Cavalry) in the previous engagement.

Commander Felix's Dragon Scale Shields (Swordsmen) had the honor of being the first into the city when the gates opened. Their shields were up prepared for arrows and other damaging items that would have came from the walls, they hadn't forgotten how many casaulties they'd taken taking Death Trap Pass from ranged weapons nor the deaths caused by bows on the feilds surrounding the city. Their eyes were on the walls above them but when the gates opened inward the dwarves in the front rows eyes darted towards the gate that swung inward and began a slow and steady march to meet the enemy determined to make the Avians pay a heavy price for defending the city against the 3rd.

Commander Felix was surprised that the gate's open, any defenders arrayed inside had little time to don on their armor, the defenders may have numbers but their forces waking from sleep so suddenly would have barely had time to grab their weapons and sheild, and the cavalry most likely half of them were unsaddled. The fight would be a glorious one.

Summery:

-Dwarves cautious from last fight developed plan well in advance.

-Seeing Avian Infantry on the walls all forces on the outside faced outward while those not engaged kept an eye on the enemy as the large force blots out the stars.

-Sudden opening of the gate the dwarven Swordsmen begin their determined assualt against the uprepared and what is assumed poorly equipted defenders.

Second Battle of Agrina
Turn 2 ( Campaign Turn 8 )

The glow of fire casting a fierce silhouette across them, the Dwarven soldiers looked like a truly menacing opponent as the huge stone gates were forced open by auxiliary guards. The defense was haphazard at best, as many of the native Ezrians had just begun to lay down and attempt to catch some shut eye for the night when the first and only BOOM awoke nearly every Avian in the city. Because of their strict military discipline, as well as the presence of General Hulagu, a well rested Avian was difficult to find. The Dwarves were in similar shape, but both sides fought through it without much complaint. The battle was than pitched, and consequently ; pitched to a certain junction that defeat meant near total annihilation. The Avians had successfully performed a pincer movement against the Dwarven Legion, and the Dwarves were committed to winning. Defeat on either side would almost certainly mean death for the losing soldiers.

The Avians streamed toward the front gate in hordes, some flying, some running. The defenses were ill set as the Avians had not expected such a night time incursion, especially since Hulagu had ordered five hundred Light Cavalry into the Agrinan plains to scout the enemy positions, their lack of notification meant that most Ezrian soldiers sat idle while awaiting the return of their scouts. Luckily, there were enough Ezrian Warriors assembled and Swordsmen to create a small line at the portcullis before the Dwarves could march in unopposed. A few loosed arrows from skirmishers were deflected by the Dwarven shields or merely slammed into them but failed to penetrate as the Dwarven soldiers advanced. The battle for the gate began.

Outside the gate, just over a thousand of the Ezrian warriors landed and began to engage the Dwarven Legion from it's backside. Although elite, they could not stand toe-to-toe with the hardened and well disciplined Dwarves. The melee, at about it's thirty minute mark began to show signs of a true victor. The Ezrian warriors, though carrying sabers of steel and similarly styled short weapons did not have the tenacity to stand face to face with the much hardier Dwarven swordsmen. The greatest enemy to the stout and slow moving Dwarves were heavy cavalry.

The battle inside the gate raged on with casualties on both sides. Again however the combined Warrior and Swordsmen could not stand up to the entire Swordsmen arranged force. While usually a kingdoms very lightly armed warriors would be cut down in pieces against the Dwarven Swordsmen, many Ezrian's distinguished themselves by fighting many a Dwarf to a standstill and in many cases beating them with sheer tenacity. Dwarven shields and axes were a true force to be fought against however, and slowly but surely the Dwarves were making headway into the gate and expanding out, the cries of women and children prominent as some fled their homes toward the center of the city, passing Ezrian soldiers who were still finishing buckling up and grabbing their weapons to head toward the fight.

Casualties

Kingdom of Ezria
-- 284 Warriors (Elite / Discipline)
-- 381 Swordsmen
-- 41 Light Cavalry

Republic of Ever-Winter
-- 261 Spearmen
-- 139 Swordsmen (Elite / Discipline)


Forces

Kingdom of Ezria
-- 776 Warriors (Elite / Discipline)
-- 1,428 Swordsmen
-- 1,397 Light Cavalry
-- 1,028 Heavy Cavalry
-- 2 Catapults

Republic of Ever-Winter
-- 894 Spearmen
-- 1,345 Swordsmen (Elite / Discipline)
-- 1 Battering Ram (20 Dwarves + Battering Ram)

Notes
-- This is Moderation Mark 2.
-- It is too dark for General Sid to see anything that is happening.
-- The Dwarven Legion units now fighting cannot retreat. They will either be victorious, killed or surrender.
-- Sunrise is at Moderation Mark 8.

The Berserkers (Spearmen) on the flanks were in a pitched battle with the Avian's Warriors and Light Cavalry patrol. Those nearest the Cavalry kept their shields up while those behind them used their spears, javelins, and other long reaching weapons to steadily dwindle the numbers keeping the pressure up preventing the Griffins from a free range of motion and leaving the death trap they charged into. The Dragon Scale Shields (Swordsmen) whom were engaged with the Cavalry beforehand remained engaged aiding their comrades on the left flank while their brothers continued to march inwards towards the city.

The Berserkers (Spearmen) engaging the Warriors to the rear had their best Shields facing outwards as weapons wielded by them such as hammers and axe swung out death to their enemies while their Berserker (Spearmen) brothers directly behind them used Halberds, Spears, and an assortment of other long reaching weapons against the flying Avians keeping them engaged and preventing them from flying off and joining the inner defense of the cities gate.

General Sid although not issuing orders did his part and fought the Avian's with his men. The Dragon Scale Shields (Swordsmen) that were pushing their weaker, and sleepy Avian counterparts back had a simple system but it worked well. They'd pushed forward about five steps, no matter how long it took then waited while the Dragon Scale Shields (Swordsmen) behind them filled the new void before starting the process all over again.

The commanders of the 3rd had come up with the simple but effective procedure for they knew that the Avian's larger and heavier cavalry were a threat. They also knew that if the Dragon Scale Shields (Swordsmen) were in small groups fighting outwards instead of a single large cohesive force the cavalry would simple charge right over them barely slowing. Now with a strong front to put up any Cavalry Charge would succeed in killing some dwarves but their charge would stop long before the Avian's made it out of the clear. The Dwarves heard the screams of fleeing citizens along with the sounds of combat that raged around them. But when and if those Avian Cavalry charged them they’d hear them coming and have ample time to prepare not to mention they’d have to go through their own soldiers to engage the 3rd Dwarven Legion.

Summery:

-Swordsmen fighting at the gate go slow and steady and make sure not to become separated the assaulting force waiting to hear the sound of Cavalry and prepare for their inevitable charge.

-Spearmen and some swordsmen continue to engage Avian Cavalry as well as Avian Warriors. The 3rd's spearmen have soldiers with shorter weapons and shields facing the enemy (Both cavalry and warriors) while those with longer weapons (like Spears, Halberds, Javelins, etc) behind still able to reach out and attack the Avians.

The Ezrian front line troops at the open gate began their withdrawal. It started at the rear ranks, one by one the Ezrian units detached and retreated towards the edges of the courtyard near the Ezrian cavalry stationed at the edge of the courtyard. Until finally, the Dwarven troops would get their wish to seize the gates. Hopefully pursuing the Ezrian's, the Dwarve's would charge through after the withdrawing Avian soldiers filling the courtyard (which would be clear of buildings as in the event of a siege it would be a place where soldiers would gather and for purposes of commerce).

The Dwarves were a tightly packed knot as they would march through those gates, just waiting to be hammered with a few well placed stones from a catapult. By now the crews had managed to wheel their siege weapons forward, while they weren't necessarily anti-personnel weapons the Ezrian's were improvising on the fly to counter the superior Dwarven infantry. The Ezrian engineers used the dim torchlight to make calculations. The shots didn't need to be accurate, the Dwarve's would be so crammed together and their column was so long that hopefully the stones would be bound to hit somewhere. The salvo was also designed to cover the withdrawal of the Ezrian swordsmen. When the last Ezrian trooper pulled away out of the line of fire, both catapults fired in unison as the Dwarve's poured into the courtyard.

The Ezrian swordsmen fell back to cover the flanks of the Kashig, as the heavy cavalry edged their way forwards past them. '' CHARGE! '' They began their attack across the courtyard in a wedged shaped formation to maximize the shock value of the attack. Simultaneously, the light cavalry sprang from adjoining side streets to attempt to hammer the Dwarve's in the flanks as they lined up for battle. The Ezrian swordsmen followed behind the Ezrian heavy cavalry to exploit any gaps created and support them. Meanwhile, outside the walls the Ezrian elite warriors attempted to complete the envelopment and completely trap the Dwarven army as their attack continued on the rear of their force.

Summary:
The Ezrian swordsmen withdraw back into the courtyard in a fighting retreat, baiting the Dwarve's to chase them out of the bottleneck of the main gate. The swordsmen withdraw back towards the heavy cavalry to guard their flanks (two catapults fire at the Dwarves to cover their withdrawal) before the Ezrian's attack with everything that they have in the wider and more open courtyard. The Ezrian HC hits the Dwarven units in the center, the LC attack the flanks, the swordsmen followup the HC charge and exploit any gaps. Meanwhile, the attack on the Dwarven rear continue by Ezrian warriors and LC.

OOC Notes:

-The Ezrian withdrawal at the gates is organized. The retreat is starting at the rear ranks of the formation, meaning units should not get tangled as the Kashig and LC are further back.

-The courtyard directly by the gate for purposes of both trade and defense has been completely kept clear of buildings as it is the only gate in the city. A) To allow for wagons and other heavy objects to travel down lanes more freely and B) in the event of an assault, here is where troops would gather. It is roughly 300 yards long and 400 yards wide.

-The catapults aren't firing until after the Ezrian swordsmen have pulled away. So there shouldn't be any friendly fire as the initial gateway and courtyard have some degree of torchlight to see banners, troops, etc that are pulling away.

-I also figured it would be natural that the Dwarve's would charge in after the retreating Ezrian's to fill the courtyard, no matter how slow and steady they are going to be going..it's a pitched battle and after a half hour of grueling combat, I imagine they would be relatively eager to chase a supposed fleeing opponent. Not to mention, they don't have the discipline trait and in the chaos of combat and in the confusion of a night attack I don't think officers would be able to control them. But that's up to Theo, if they don't enter the courtyard..well..I'll roll with it.

Second Battle of Agrina
Turn 2 ( Campaign Turn 8 )

The Avians could simply not utilize the flight and flank as they had in the First Battle of Agrina. The Dwarves would simply not fall for it. The Dwarves also had begun to utilize a much tighter system in regards to fighting than they had in the previous battle, they had smartened up it seemed. The meat grinder at the gate continued, until a tactical retreat of sorts was called by General Hulagu ( although it was strange that such an order was given, as he was nowhere to be found near the battle -_- ) and the Ezrian Royal Army began to pull back out of the courtyard and into the various streets to make room for the inevitable coming of the gryphons.

The Dwarves were prepared. Shields up and ready, the Dwarves advanced steadily and with adequate depth, even as the Ezrians retreated and gave the would-be Dwarven attackers free kills. Their new strategy worked well, as within half a minute later the retreating Ezrians formed gaps for the armored gryphons to slip through and charge the Dwarven defenders. They had the right idea, but it was spears and not shields that defeated cavalry. Like water on rock the steeds of the Ezrian Royal Army slammed into the Dwarven defenders and reigned death upon them. Had it been the spearmen at the forefront, they would've been skewered without many casualties, but instead only shields opposed them. The line broke momentarily, reformed, than broke again before degenerating into a huge melee right in the courtyard.

The catapults had seemed ineffective, and when a commanding officer who had disengaged from the fight went to check on them further back in the city ; he had found that they had fired at the closest minimum range afforded and that both huge boulders had cleared the city gates. The catapults were simply not meant for close range warfare, a ballista would have afforded them a much better example than the huge siege weapons.

Although part of the same battle, it had taken on an entirely different perspective. Private Hulin Grimbeard had just scored his third kill, his axe bloodied and still sharp, he sought his fourth target and found it in Navarch Sudos. They were both examplary soldiers and proved to be a match for each other. It was a shame that they were but a single grain amongst the sand that was the Second Battle of Agrina, even made that much smaller in the war as a whole.

Private Grimbeard spied the Avian as the winged beast slew another of his kind. He did not know the name of the battle brother who fell, but he promised vengeance as he charged forward and came chopping down with his axe, the intention to slip the Avian's skull and beak open in one slice. Grimbeard was swift, but no Dwarf was as quick as an Avian.

Navarch Sudos turned and spied his new adversary just as he charged. He ducked low, came up and swung his short sword horizontally to end the stoutfolk's life just as quickly as the Dwarf had intended to end his. The Dwarf recoiled and came forward with his own assault.

Clang! The battle axe made contact against Sudos' raised buckler. A second attack made by Private Grimbeard at the mid-section was also deflected by Sudos' buckler. Sudos' lowered the shield and struck forward with his short sword, nearly catching Grimbeard off guard. The attack was narrowly avoided by a quick parry by the hem of Grimbeard's axe.

" Aagh! " Such a shout did little to phase Navarch Sudos' but seemed to instill great resolve into Private Grimbeard who lunged forward and struck his axe with all of his strength. It slammed right into Sudos' buckler, penetrating it but dealing no damage to the Avian who carried it. With a great yank of his axe, the buckler was ripped from the Avian's arm and temporarily disposed, allowed Grimbeard to send one well-placed strike into the Ezrian's shoulder. Navarch Sudos' life ended rather abruptly.


Casualties

Kingdom of Ezria
-- 221 Warriors (Elite / Discipline)
-- 186 Swordsmen
-- 214 Light Cavalry
-- 47 Heavy Cavalry

Republic of Ever-Winter
-- 262 Spearmen
-- 119 Swordsmen (Elite / Discipline)

Forces

Kingdom of Ezria
-- 555 Warriors (Elite / Discipline)
-- 1,242 Swordsmen
-- 1,480 Light Cavalry
-- 981 Heavy Cavalry
-- 2 Catapults

Republic of Ever-Winter
-- 632 Spearmen
-- 1,226 Swordsmen (Elite / Discipline)
-- 1 Battering Ram (20 Dwarves + Battering Ram)

Notes
-- This is Moderation Mark 3.
-- Catapults can fire on Moderation Mark 5.
-- It is too dark for General Sid to see anything that is happening.
-- The Dwarven Legion units now fighting cannot retreat. They will either be victorious, killed or surrender.
-- Sunrise is at Moderation Mark 8.

Agrina

The fact that the Avians had come up with such a quick response to the dwarven surprise attack was astounding to say in the least. The charge was a brilliant anticipated response, one although that was executed sooner than the leaders of the 3rd Dwarven Legion had guessed. Luckily the move was thought of by the dwarven commanders. As soon as the infantry backed off the soldiers of the 3rd braced for the charge. Flesh and metal met in a horrifying flash as death reigned on both sides among Dwarves, Avians, and beast alike.

The drummers who had been quite up to that point began drumming. They were together near the battering rams but heard the cries of the Griffons, the beasts the Avian’s choose to be their reliable steeds in combat. The sounds echoed throughout the valley reaching the ears of 600 dwarves lying in wait at the campsite. The 3rd had been forced to use Plan B, the dwarves at the camp knew this. They shouldn’t have even breached the gates yet but obviously something allowed them almost immediate access into the city...

Campsite

The 600 Berserkers (Spearmen) that were stationed to guard the camp were lying in wait. They had prepared an ambush for the Avian Cavalry that patrolled the outside of the city expecting an assault when their own troops left. The leaders never knew what those crow’s scouts saw so they had taken precautions against an assault by the Light Cavalry. Hearing the drums from the 3rd beating the dwarves at the camp knew that the caravan drivers could keep their supplies safe. They were dwarves but all dwarves away from home carried a weapon, it wasn’t safe for the short stout people otherwise.

Standing up from their hidden positions the 600 Berserkers (Spearmen) went to the aide of the 3rd Dwarven Legion. They’d be coming up behind the Avian’s flying troops in time and catch those who still lived by surprise just like the 3rd caught the cities defenders similarly an hour earlier with their night assault. They felt glad to get their blood flowing in the cold night as well as felt eager to lend their strength to their comrades fighting against the defending Avian’s. Dwarven strength would prevail on this day.

Agrina

The dwarven Berserkers (Spearmen) and Dragon Scale Shields (Swordsmen) that were engaged with the remaining Light Cavalry outside the walls didn’t even register the flying tons that soared over the wall and fell somewhere behind the Avian’s warriors. Their battle was a brutal and deadlock one among equals. Likewise the battle between Dwarven Berserkers and the Avian’s Elite Warriors proved that the rear conflict wouldn’t be resolved without a high number of casualties. Luckily the sounding of the drums filled the dwarves fighting outside the walls with renewed vigor. They knew that their brothers would be coming to aide them so a way out of this conflict, if necessary, would be open.

The Dragon Scale Shields (Swordsmen) that were engaged in the shadowy combat lit by flickering torches felt the charge. When the Griffons entered the melee the dwarves held but soon the sheer mass of bodies of the Avian’s would overwhelm them. Instead of fighting it out and being forced to lose ground the Dragon Scale Shields (Swordsmen) slowly pulled back towards the gate. They’d not allow themselves to disengage with the enemy but acted as if they were being pushed back when it in fact a pre-planned tactical repositioning that happened far earlier then they dwarven commanders had estimated. At the gate, an obvious objective the defenders would have, was where they would take stand and hold fast to their ground. Then when they were within the safety of the gate they’d be able to present a smaller front and prolong the battle.

Likewise when the task was complete it would free up an amount of Dragon Scale Shields (Swordsmen) who weren’t engaged in the fighting at the gate to take the place of the Berserkers (Spearmen) in the rear against the Avian’s they saw on the cities walls that initially took flight in their attempt to corner the dwarves into a win or lose situation. The relieved Berserkers (Spearmen) would then move up in an attempt to aid the Dragon Scale Shields (Swordsmen) against the Cavalry of the Avian’s. This was their back up plan, one they wished not to put to use.

The dwarves had believed it’d taken three blows to the gates to open them up allowing them ample time to handle any Avian’s who flew over the walls along with those already outside it. When the gates opened their plan went from Plan A, holding out against outer defenders before their slow descent against the cities inner defenders, to Plan B, which was what they were implementing since the gates surprisingly opened for them.

Summary:

-600 Spearmen that laid in wait to ambush Avian Cavalry if they attempted to take the campsite left to aid the progressing battle.

-Dwarven Spearmen and Swordsmen fighting in the rear are fighting a tough battle but begin fighting with renewed vigor knowing another 600 dwarves are on their way.

-Dwarven Swordsmen fighting within the city begins to fall back to the gates to present a smaller front. Appearance is that they are being pushed back, partially true due to the number of assailants’ assaulting the formation. Believe arrogant Avian’s will not notice the deceit of this portion of Plan B because of their arrogance and because of the sheer mass of enemies on three sides would force the dwarves to lose ground.

-Dwarven Spearmen, whom are relieved by swordsmen, will move to help engage the cavalry inside the gate.

(OOC: Assuming that this mod mark took about half an hour of combat similar to the previous one. Hope this leap of assumption isn’t overstepping bounds. Also not going to assume the 600 Spearmen arrive next mod mark leaving that to moderator.)

The problem for the Dwarve's was that the courtyard had degenerated into a bloody melee and the Ezrian's were coming from all sides in a massive horde to overwhelm the small number of enemy troops. It hopefully gave little time for the blind General Sid to reform his soldiers into a cohesive fighting force (and cause confusion shifting different groups of soldiers about while engaged in combat and with limited visibility). War Master Hulagu watched the bloodbath from the rear.

The Dwarven formation had broken, the Kashig after skewering the Dwarve's on their lances drew their falchions and axes to begin cutting a swathe through the enemy troops. They were supported by the swordsmen who kept the Dwarve's away from the vulnerable underbellies and legs of the Gryphon's. Meanwhile, the light cavalry on the Dwarven flanks continued their drive to crush the Dwarve's from three sides and had begun to maneuver behind their ranks using superior numbers to prevent their retreat back inside the gateway. The blare of Ezrian war horns blasted through Dwarven drum beats, issuing a continuous stream of orders that every Ezrian was familiar with since training to press the attack.

'' Battle Captain Ulrich. Retake the gate house, block them in. I want no one to escape.'' Hulagu said flatly. The Battle Captain nodded, motioning towards a grouping of swordsmen and Kashig to follow him. They were over 50 in number, they would skirt about along the edge of the massive battle that had developed around the Dwarven right flank towards where the gatehouse sat. No doubt they would have to do some fighting along the way but Ulrich was confident that they could reach it with the bulk of the Dwarven host engaged. If they managed to fight there way into the gatehouse, Ulrich would attempt bring the portcullis crashing down. Hopefully, separating the Dwarve's from their reinforcements (and maybe even crushing a few dwarves jammed in the bottleneck to death in the process).

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Meanwhile, Battle Master Corba continued to lead his shrinking group of soldiers outside the walls. He had one last objective however, before he pulled his bloodied troops back.

'' Burn the ram. '' If the Avian's could reach it, then they would quickly douse the thing in lamp oil and set it alight with help from the tinder boxes situated on their belts or from one of the soldiers carrying a torch. Only then did Corba give the order for the warriors to retreat. A wall of flame would hopefully spring up, creating a second obstacle for the Dwarve's to push their way through in order to reinforce there compatriots inside the walls and cutting off the Dwarven rear from General Sid.

'' Fall back. '' The Ezrian Nukur followed by the Lubchiten began to disengage from the Dwarven troops. Once free of the melee, the Nukur would take to the sky and position themselves on the walls. Keeping their eyes on the battle below and the horizon. The light cavalry pulled back into the darkness, there was only around 200 of them left. Their effect on the battle would be minimal at best but if needed they would charge out once more..for the Empire.

Summary:
The Ezrian Imperial Army squeezes the Dwarve's on three sides inside Agrina, hoping to encircle, crush, and annihilate the Dwarve's through superior cavalry and weight of numbers now that the Dwarven formation has broken. The Ezrian light cavalry attempts to stop the Dwarve's from withdrawing back into the bottle neck.

Battle Captain Ulrich is ordered to retake the gatehouse, close the gates, and cut the Dwarve's off from retreat.

Battle Master Corba attempts to burn the ram outside the city gates and cover the gateway in flames so that the Dwarve's can't retreat or bring in fresh troops. He will then withdraw his soldiers. The Ezrian's will withdraw even if they are not able to burn the ram. The Nukur will fly up to the ramparts and the light cavalry will withdraw into the night and keep watch for additional Dwarven troops on the road.

Second Battle of Agrina
Turn 3 ( Campaign Turn 8 )

The symphony of steel and fire was one that no soldier involved in the battle would ever forget. Too many brothers killed. Too many sons slain. Whoever lived to fight another day would find that their only reward were the nightmares that would haunt them on cold nights. Thousands of native Ezrians had given their lives in defense of the city of Agrina, unknown even to the Dwarves was that they fought no longer for imperialistic expansion, no longer for a war their great grandfathers had started, but rather the lives of their loved ones. The night was still young and only the torch lights of the Agrinan city walls gave luminance to the battlefield. Dead lined the city streets, although none of whom were Ezrian civilians ; as the Dwarves of Ever-Winter had no quarrel with them and General Sid had given explicit orders to stray from the slaying of civilians. It had been decided than, that before the sun rose one of the two assembled armies, the Republican Dwarven Legion, or the Imperial Ezrian Army would be vanquished from the world, doomed to carry a banner of shame even in reformation.

The cries and squawks of Ezrian soldiers gave pause to General Hulagu, seated atop his armored gryphon steed some ways down the central avenue of Agrina. Although much shorter and surrounded by Ezrian soldiers, the primary Dwarven host failed to dissipate. Much like an anthill from their colony, they continued to stream through the opened portcullis with apparent impunity, only a stray Dwarf here and there fell to Ezrian arrows from afar. It was their damned infantry, the Dragon Scale Shields. Their training was extensive, more so than Ezrian Imperials who garnered less importance to their training and more on their garb and ceremonies. Pound for pound, the Dwarves more than matched the Ezrians in a frontal battle. Too late had General Hulago realized his mistake, too late did he realize that Agrina was lost. The Nukur could no longer be given commands, they were on the other side of the gate and no flag, no drum, no shout could reach them. They would return victorious or not at all.

The battle outside the gate was much more vicious than inside the gate, as the elite of the Ezrian Imperial Army, the Nukur dueled with the rear guard of the Republican Dwarven Legion. However, the scales were finally tipped when six hundred Dwarven spearmen entered the fray from behind, effectively creating a pincer around the original Ezrian pincer. The Nukur gave their all, but against super numbers and an effective flanking maneuver, not even the legendary prowess of the Ezrian Imperial Elite could overcome such odds. They fought to the last man. The victorious Dwarves outside the gate took no time to rest, there was a battle at hand! They turned and advanced to the gate, adding further reinforcements to the gate, though their numbers had been significantly reduced.

The Ezrian Light Cavalry had pulled away, although whether it was from fear of defeat or a tactical retreat was unknown. General Hulagu was not within reach and could not further order them. They headed west, their steeds tired and their sabers bloodied. They would meet up with the reinforcements from Coronne.

The battle for the gate itself was less vicious, as the Ezrians themselves were noticeably fighting a losing battle. The Ezrian Swordsmen, though well accomplished in their campaigns due to leadership from skilled generals, found little they could do in the cramped courtyard against superior soldiers. The courtyard gave inadequate room for the Ezrian Imperial Cavalry to charge, although the initial charge offered some success. For reasons unknown, the Ezrian Cavalry committed itself to melee with the Dwarves, and in such a manner they could not last. The battle for the courtyard remained pitched with Dwarf, gryphon and Avian bodies quickly littering the cobbled stone. The idea that one could skirt around the melee and get to the precise location for which many Dwarves loitered was ridiculous, and Battlemaster Ulrich met an untimely end by attempting to cut a swathe through the Dwarve defenders to close the gate.

The fall of Agrina would not reach the Palace at Coronne unless a dispatch was sent, and a dispatch would have to be sent from the Ezrian Auxiliary Force that was currently en route from the west. They would reach the city by morning but they would not find friendly faces there, but such as much they already knew, as indicated by the war weary Ezrian Light Cavalry. The populace was sedated for now, more from fear than anything else. General Hulagu had relinquished command and a small detachment surrendered ; more from fatigue than fear of death. The Dwarves of Ever-Winter had taken the city of Agrina, but whether they could hold it, whether they could capitalize on it, was the guess of anyone. Little did the Dwarves know that reinforcements were on the way, not only from the capital, but also from the nomadic steppes of the north.

Casualties

Kingdom of Ezria
-- 555 Warriors (Elite / Discipline)
-- 783 Swordsmen
-- 1,128 Light Cavalry
-- 642 Heavy Cavalry

Republic of Ever-Winter
-- 421 Spearmen
-- 784 Swordsmen (Elite / Discipline)

Forces

Kingdom of Ezria
-- 0 Warriors (Elite / Discipline)
-- 0 Swordsmen
-- 352 Light Cavalry (Escaped)
-- 339 Heavy Cavalry
-- 2 Catapults

Republic of Ever-Winter
-- 211 Spearmen
-- 442 Swordsmen (Elite / Discipline)
-- 1 Battering Ram (20 Dwarves + Battering Ram)

Notes
-- This is Moderation Mark 4.
-- The Republic of Ever-Winter has won the battle.
-- The Empire of Ezria has lost the battle.
-- The Empire of Ezria has lost it's Foodstuffs resource.
-- The Republic of Ever-Winter has captured the following as Prisoners of War:
* 2 Catapults
* 459 Swordsmen
* 339 Heavy Cavalry
* General Hulagu, Commander of the Ezrian Imperial Army.