Although some would say differently, Wolftooth lost the battle of sunken hollow, and this was because of a new tactic of the bearclaw. They had their priests and druids cast great swarms of insects which did wash over our lines like the ocean tide. That in combination of their greater numbers drove the wolftooth out of sunken hollow, and so bearclaw claimed the mines there. But at a cost. The bearclaw lost two warriors for every one wolftooth lost, but at the time we had no answer against the swarms. The clans morale was low. I know, for I was there. But we didn't break. We retreated from the field in some order and could still fight. Praise to the warrior god for our great chief who realised that a battle lost did not mean a war lost. Praise to the trickster god the bearclaw were confused by our absence when they expected a slaughter.
The Great Chief consulted with his generals and wise ones and developed a strategy. We had "acquired" a large supply of the burning fluid humans (spits on the ground) call alchemist fire, but we call goblin oil. The goblins (Karol gives a hearty chuckle) didn't need it anymore. He choose a battle field that was at that time called glane's field after a hill giant that once lived there. It was bound by swamp and rocky gorges So we could not be flanked, as we had been before, but our back was to a river, so retreat would be difficult for us.We dug great trenches in a line and then filled them with oil and goblin oil and kindling. On top of them we placed dried thickets of thorn bushes, as if we were to use them as a wall. Behind this we made bonfires, as yet unlit, a brought in large planks of wood so we could cross the trenches if we needed.
While this was happening our wolf riders were slowing the enemy, concealing our actions. Several brave scouts allowed themselves to be captured and tortured, to give false information that our chiefs were in despair and this was the wolftooth's last, desperate stand. The Scouts names were Dangir the wanderer and Morto hammerfist. Praise them, and grant them an honored place in the warrior god's hall.
Emboldened the bearclaw moved forward to attack. (Karol gestures as he describes the scene) Our wolf riders passed our lines and we sealed their entry way. A full moon rose, yellow and clear. A great omen. We bards moved along the line encouraging and watching history being made. Our great chief spoke.
We stand here at perhaps the most important battle we will fight. This night shall always be remembered by us. We are the Wolftooth, and we stand at bay, fangs barred. But I have heard of doubters, those who think we should flee or make treaty with the bearclaw. If they do not wish to fight, let then depart. I will give them passage and permission to leave. Let them go, for I will not fight with defeatists and apologists.
I fight with my brother and sister warriors. For all that fight here on this night will be my battle siblings, let none deny that. Let those who are not here curse themselves for their absence. In nights to come on this day you can lay bare your scars, and say, I was there on the day of fire. We are the brave, the ruthless, we are the Wolftooth. Our allies praise us, our enemies fear us. On this night we make our mark, stake our renown.
On this night we battle to victory and glory. On this night we fight with bold, insightful leaders Sartark firehand, blound the axe, Krelle deathchild. Our elders give us their blessings and aid and the Warrior and Trickster guide us. A brave night, a fire night to be remembered from now and to the ending of the world. To action my warriors.
The Army of the Wolftooth howled their defiance to the moon. Not one warrior left the field. Not one wolftooth faltered.
And so the battle began. Stakes were driven into the ground behind the trenches to impede our foes. Then we waited. The bearclaw, confident of victory pressed forward. As before their archers and slingers moved forward with wall shielders to give them cover. With them were the casters who were to summon their swarms. And so they came chittering and clattering towards us. Just before they hit, we ignited the bonfires and trenches. The insects shrivelled in them, causing great consternation amongst the bearclaw. Then our casters raised up creatures of fire in the trenches which move to assail the bearclaw. For their chief (Karol spits on the ground) had moved his warriors close behind his casters expecting the wolftooth to rout. Little did he know us!
The the great planks were laid on the trenches and we charged. The archers and casters were destroyed in our first rush and we hit the still Bearclaw army. This axe (Karol patted his weapon) slew three of them. The survivors ran screaming.
The battle was...intense. I saw direwolf battling dire bear, warriors burned alive by spell and elemental, lightning flashing, and many, many acts of bravery. At one point bearclaw magic disabled many warriors and the bearclaw surged. If the had gotten through the battle would be in grave doubt. The I saw a armored giant step into the breech. four yards and one high, with a sword longer than most orcs he held the line. By himself he held the line for many minutes until more warriors could plug the gap. To this day, bearclaw mothers threaten their children with this giant if they misbehave. I will not say his name, as he ask me not to, (Karol give a big toothy grin), but I reckon you can all work it out.
At battles end, the moon was setting, and victory was assured. The army of the bearclaw, what was left of it, was fleeing shrieking into the distance, pursued by wolfriders. We had won. Within days bearclaw sued for peace, and Wolftooth gained all it had lost, and more besides.
So let all who face the Wolftooth know our power, and fear us.We are the wolftooth.
