The War of 74 and the battle of the Bloody Fields

Events Leading to the War

Since the collapse of Gafarr the realm remained splintered, the city of Lesaboca was a leading member within ‘The League of Free Cities’ which aimed to resist Bocamars growing influence through united force. The League consisted of Lesaboca, Fluxpora, Vellar, Andoma and Norpovo. Through the post collapse period, the league remained largely intact as it was built off a mutual desire for independence and protection, however the league would meet its demise after Tiago II "Aravil o Ja Miran" of Aldarr came to power. Aldarrs meteoric rise to power took the league off guard and many of its leaders remained transfixed upon Bocamar therefore ignoring the growing threat to the east. By the time the league noticed the threat of Aldarr it was too late, in spring of 174 AG Tiago II would launch a campaign to bring the league into the fold as he was inspired by an ambition of Aldarr hegemony. This would become known as ‘The War of 74’ which saw Aldarr forces clash with the league, many initial skirmishes occurred throughout the spring as Tiago’s army marched towards Lesaboca knowing that crushing Lesaboca was the key to victory. However King Eloan IV of Lesaboca did not want to risk a long and gruelling siege so decided to meet Tiago in the field, Eloan was supported by troops from Fluxpora and Vellar (the only league members which could make it in time) bolstering his army to 2,000 men strong. Tiago’s force was of a similar size and he was not expecting to be met on the field, he had sent his close friend Osar to lead a force towards Norpovo to stop the northern league members supporting Lesaboca. Nevertheless, when the day of battle came Tiago did not buckle despite his surprise, due to his pragmatic nature he realised if he could crush the Lesaboca army here it is likely the leagues resistance would evaporate. On a warm spring day in 174 AG the scene was set for a battle for Tiagos legacy and the fate of the League. This battle would become known as ‘The battle of the bloody fields’.

The Army's Composition

Tiagos forces- Tiago had brought a force of 1,100 infantry, 300 archers and 200 heavy cavalry to the battle. He has a reinforcing army from Lord Gustavo Hiza consisting of 300 infantry and 100 archers.   League forces- 1,500 infantry, 400 archers and 100 light skirmish cavalry   The terrain of the battle was very flat and was fought over multiple fields, the Leagues forces took up a position blocking the road to Lesaboca

Events of the Battle

Tiago knew that he had to monopolise upon his incoming reinforcements and his heavy cavalry, in order to do this a message was sent to Lord Hiza to take a longer route so he could flank the Leagues forces, however this meant that Tiago would have to fend off a larger force for a longer period of time. Furthermore, Tiago would instruct his archers to focus their fire upon the enemy's light Cavalry which would open up the field to his own knights. These actions were a gamble and if they backfired it could spell disaster; the battle began with an advance of Tiagos infantry backed up by the archers who targeted the leagues light cavalry. This was a decisive action as the light Cavalry did not expect to come under such intense archer fire instantly catching many off guard leading to high casualties. The first phase of Tiagos plan had worked as his own calvary now possessed the ability to roam the field. After witnessing the destruction of his light cavalry Eloan would order the leagues infantry into combat hoping to overwhelm the Aldarrian forces, however inspired by their leader Aldar forces would resist enabling the heavy cavalry to carry out many hammer and anvil charges dealing massive damage.   The battle seemed to be going in his favour until King Eloan led a charge with his elite Silver Legion, breaking the centre of the Aldarrian forces. In response to this disaster Tiago himself would lead a counter charge with his personal guard to fill the breach. Fierce fighting would ensue which would see Tiago and Eloan locked in fierce one to one combat. Tiago however would emerge victorious dealing a lethal blow through Eloan’s chestplate. This would shatter the moral of the league forces as without their renowned leader they thought all hope was lost; League leadership desperately scrambled to revive moral but it was too late, the death of their leader, the failure of their charge and the constant charges by Aldarr’s calvary lead to a collapse of the Leagues forces and a general route. Tiago II had emerged from this battle as the decisive victor and had shattered the leagues leadership in the process, he did not even have to rely upon the reinforcements from Lord Hiza.

Post Battle

Although it was a victory for Aldarr the losses were steep on both side, Tiago had lost 480 people including 70 of his best horsemen, whilst the league had lost 600 including many of the renowned Silver Legion as well as their Leader King Eloan IV.   The defeat sent the league into chaos, they knew that defeat wasn’t impossible however the death of King Eloan IV was a major blow as he was the glue that kept the league functioning. Furthermore, the League leaders concluded that Tiago II would reinforce his army further then lay waste to their lands therefore they decided to sue for peace to preserve the integrity of their remaining forces and lands. Lord Vellar would lead the negotiations with Tiago II in the neutral town of Paloampo. The decision would be made that the cities of the league would become vassals of Tiago and pay homage to him in return for keeping their positions and supporting his plans. Part of the agreement outlined how each city/town could conduct its own internal affairs, possess its own standing army but they would follow Aldarr in foreign policy and support Tiago in conflict. This would be known as ‘The Paloampo agreement’. From this King Tiago II had achieved the first step of his greater ambition, solidified Aldarr’s position as a regional power and truly made King Tiago II one of the Great men in Gafarr.