The Battle of Emridy Meadows

Military: Battle

The Battle of Emridy Meadows highlights this growing realization of mutual interests. Contingents of men-at-arms and cavalry from Furyondy and Veluna together with a force of dwarves from the Lortmils, gnomes from the Kron Hills, and an army of elven archers and spearmen fought together against a vast horde of evil men and humanoids (orcs, gnolls, and ogres predominantly).

The Battle of Emridy Meadows highlights this growing realization of mutual interests. Contingents of men-at-arms and cavalry from Furyondy and Veluna together with a force of dwarves from the Lortmils, gnomes from the Kron Hills, and an army of elven archers and spearmen fought together against a vast horde of evil men and humanoids (orcs, gnolls, and ogres predominantly). The opposing forces met on the grassy fields south of the Velverdyva River several leagues below the city of Verbobonc. The allied forces were closing upon the stronghold of the evil creatures, a huge, walled fortress known as the Temple of Elemental Evil, not far from the unfortunate village of Hommlet, when elven scouts reported that a huge army was approaching from the south. The Marshall of Furyondy, leader of the combined forces, ordered a withdrawal northward to a position scouted earlier. Light cavalry skirmishers were sent out to screen the withdrawal, and no real fighting took place that day.

When the horde of evil creatures marched forth next dawn they were confronted by the serried ranks of the allied army. The pikes of Furyondy and Veluna were arrayed so that their flank was secured by the Velverdyva; in the center were the banners of horse, and on the allied left were deployed bands of dwarves and gnomes, with a few units of elven archers placed in the intervals between. The humanoids fell immediately upon the left, while the men in the evil ranks rode to engage the center and right. The hordes of orcs, gnolls, and ogres thrust aside their hated foes and rushed to encircle the balance of the allied army. Thus, the fatal trap was sprung, for the whole of the allied army pivoted, as squadrons of knights drove into the rear of the onrushing horde of evil and squares of elves emerged from the Gnarley Forest on the left. Trapped in this pocket with the bend of Velverdyva at their backs and the human and demiuman army forming the chord of the arc, the packed mass of evil humans and humanoids fought hopelessly.

When the great slaughter was finished, the allied army went on to besiege the Temple of Elemental Evil, and it fell in a fortnight despite the aid of a terrible demon. Only a few of the wicked leaders of the Temple managed to escape, and it is suspected that these individuals were responsible for the subsequent kidnapping and total disappearance of Thrommel, the Prince of Furyondy.

The prince, betrothed to the daughter of the Plar of Veluna, and serving as Provost of that state, as well as Marshall of Furyondy, was of key importance to the forces of good. Upon his marriage to Jolene of Veluna, the two states would have become a joint entity, the Archcleric ruling in matters spiritual, and the Prince (ascending the throne to become King) ruling in matters temporal. This state, with demi-human alliances, certainly would have waged continual war with the evil nations, and its previous success boded ill for its opponents.

The prince’s disappearance destroyed these plans, however, and brought about the current state of affairs in the Flanaess, which is confused indeed. Humankind is fragmented into isolationist realms, indifferent nations, evil lands, and states striving for good. The Baklunish countries in the northwest have grown in power. Nomads, bandits, and barbarians raid southward every spring and summer. Humanoid enclaves are strongly established and scattered throughout the continent, and wicked insanity rules the Great Kingdom. The eventual result of all this cannot be foretold.