Lómóhüdian Expedition

The Lómóhüdian Expedition was a small military group originating from the city of Lómóhüd (of the Varonian Trade Coalition) that carried out disparate sabotage, espionage, and skirmish operations against the Maðúšýï army during the Second Phase of the First Varhoŋïan War. Initially created and led by Žïkr-Kha, leadership transferred to Šðýï-Ŋökmahat around 22 Suta-Eimarae, 24976 AYM, and this latter figure would lead the Expedition in some of its most decisive and famous engagements, including the Ŋökmahat Campaigns and the Battle of Ŋökmahat. As with most of the other forces of the Coalition, repeated losses caused the Expedition to lose both morale and manpower, and by late-Geta-Eimarae, it would cease major operations and make permanent residence in Lómóhüd thereafter.

In the Lómóhüdian culture, the Expedition is widely venerated as an emblem of courage and resistance, and has become one of the most recognizable symbols of the city itself.

Background

The Lómóhüdian Expedition was a product of the situation created at the start of the Second Phase of the First Varhoŋïan War. This situation was the result of multiple defeats suffered by Coalition forces that ultimately led to their retreat back into their own cities and the establishment of Maðúšýïan siege dominance over them. Adhering to the philosophy of the Tžý-Úvremk, the Maðúšýïans aimed not to destroy the Coalition forces but to sow disagreement and discontent between the cities, breaking down their mutual comradery through the severing of communications and repelling any and all attempts at reunion.

The Lómóhüdian Expedition was the single largest and most coherent effort to break through this established siege. They numbered around 300-400 troops at their peak and were made of army members who had suffered through the chaos of the First Phase of the War. It is this lack of sufficient and fresh manpower that is often blamed for the Expedition's ultimate failure to carry through in its objectives, but the previous experiences in the War still provided a basis for organizational cohesion that allowed them the flexibility for such complicated maneuvers.

History

Formation

The Expedition was formed during and after the retreat of the Coalition armies northwards (anywhere from 26 Ulta-Eimarae to 2 Suta-Eimarae), following bloody battles like the Battle of Vërðïm-Ŋüž. The army here was extremely disorganized and mixed up due to the chaos of these defeats. While most fled to the closest city, that being Vërðïm, some diverged to the other Coalition cities like Lómóhüd and Kal-Haðü. This wasn't necessarily due to personal choice; aiming to break down the Coalition any chance they had, the Maðúšýïans would rush towards these cities, often catching stragglers off-guard and forcing them to divert to other places.

The few troops that landed in Lómóhüd numbered around 500, but only 300 of these were deemed healthy enough to continue fighting. This included the general of Lómóhüd himself, Žïkr-Kha, who, weary from the months of battle that had already occurred, likely aimed to quietly slip into obscurity. Instead, he would find himself the leader of the Expedition, which was not really borne from him and his deeds as it was borne from the city's desire for self-preservation in the face of the overwhelming Maðúšýïan armies.