Battle of the Thorn Forest

The Battle of the Thorn Forest was an important engagement between the town of Stellcida and Foratorra in 206 AG. While Foratorra was allied to Vauroda, they did not take part in this battle. It resulted in a decisive victory for Stellcida, completely wiping out the forces of Foratorra.

Background

Archmage of Stellcida, Solaster the Wise, had recently provided a group of political opponents from Foratorra a hideout in the Thorn Forest. They would later become The Company of Thorns, and would commit the legendary Heist of House Haldarr. This greatly angered Tyaltarr III, the ruler of Foratorra, who entered an alliance with Vauroda. He tasked his highest general, Ostillian Ravus, with tying down the forces of Stellcida, so they could not reinforce their ally Domaroda. He sent scouts to Stellcida to keep an eye on their troop movements. However, two Dream Guiders found one of their scouts. The scout had picked a flower of the Winterthorn plant without wearing the proper protection, presumably intending to take it home as a souvenir. He had fallen into eternal slumber when he was found. Solaster the Wise correctly deduced that the people of Foratorra were not familiar with the plant and it effects, as it was also alien to the Company of Thorns. He took a huge gamble by splitting his forces, only leaving a small contingent of the Soulbound Phalanx to be used as bait. He left enough troops to construct a convincing mustering camp at the edges of the Thorn Forest, making it look like he was still preparing for the march to Domaroda, purposefully placing the camp in a vulnerable position. Meanwhile, under the cover of darkness, he marched his real force out of the city the following night.  

Battle

When Ostillian Ravus, commander of the Foratorra legions, got reports from his scouts of the mustering camp, he assumed that his advance towards Stellcida had gone unnoticed. Thinking he could exploit his enemies in their unaware state, he decided against a direct confrontation with the forces in the mustering camp, to keep the element of surprise. Instead, he marched his army down south first, opting to go through the Thorn Forest. He figured that his forces could reach the mustering camp unseen by moving through the forest, and launch a surprise assault from there. However, this was exactly the reason Solaster the Wise placed his camp in a position that could be perfectly ambushed from the forest, as he knew that the road through the forest would be too dangerous for anyone not familiar with its perils. Indeed, the sharp thorns of the Winterthorn easily pierced through the gambeson of the Foratorra legions. When his men started to drop like flies, he realized the mistake he had made and turned around. However, none made it out of the forest.  

Aftermath

It is said that the cries for help in the final moments of the soldiers were so loud, that they can still be heard throughout the forest today. The Company of Thorns, who were unaware of what had transpired, went to investigate the origin of the noise. They were shocked by what they found, and provided a proper burial for the men they had once called brothers. Attempting to destabilize Foratorra, they took the banner carried by the legion to the city. When Tyaltarr III saw the banner of his legions planted outside of the gate, he knew that his army was lost. He went into a maddening rage, repeatedly shouting the same sentence:

Ostillian Ravus, give me back my legions!   - Tyaltarr III of Foratorra

However, it was not enough to seriously hurt the authority of Tyaltarr III. As it stands now, the Iron Duke is still in control of Foratorra. However, the Company of Thorns still plan on retaking the city and return it under the rightful rule of Aldarr.   When Solaster the Wise managed to sneak off with his army to Domaroda, he would confront the forces of Vauroda in the Battle of the Bell.