So my group has recently started their first war: the "Woodcutter War" against the Lumber Consortium (who were a thorn in their side for quite a while).
We used a slightly altered combat ruleset adapted for a hex map, giving the players a few more opportunities to move their counters around before the big fights started.
I am curious:
How did you handle your wars and battles?
How did it turn out?
Tell me about your glorious victories and crushing defeats!
I will start:
Battle at the Thorn River Camp
Date:
July 17th, 4014
Location:
Thorn River Camp, Stolen Lands
Result:
Decisive Riverwatch Victory
Bellingerents:
Riverwatch, vassals and allies:
City of Riverwatch
Barony of Oakentree
Order of the Ironfist
Cult of Antigae
Lumber Consortium and allies:
Lumber Consortium
The Blue Company
Commanders and leaders:
Riverwatch, vassals and allies:
Galantho
Mirina, daugther of Bravin
Vitus of Stormpeak
Minaya Medvyed
Ashani bint An-Timaru
Eberich of Oakentree
Kalira the elder
Lumber Consortium and allies:
Philmore 'de' Marivo †
Hasbal da Fjino †
Strength:
Riverwatch, vassals and allies: 190
City of Riverwatch: 143
Barony of Oakentree: 25
Order of the Ironfist: 20
Cult of Antigae: 2
Lumber Consortium and allies: 140
Lumber Consortium: 90
The Blue Company: 50
Casualties and losses:
Riverwatch, vassals and allies: 28
City of Riverwatch: 24
Barony of Oakentree: 4
Order of the Ironfist: 0
Cult of Antigae: 0
Lumber Consortium and allies: 104 (30 thereof taken prisoner)
Lumber Consortium: 54 (30 thereof taken prisoner)
The Blue Company: 50
Prelude:
The Consortium had sent an envoy in May 4012 to the players, offering them access to the "consortium's expertise concerning lumber and wood", in exchange for a trade monopoly on raw lumber. The initial offer included the construction of a lumber camp outside the city, a tentment inside the city for the workers and investment into a brothel for some entertainment.
The players accepted, not knowing about the questionable practices and standards of the company. Within the next two years, the consortium had increased it's influence step-by-step, threatening the security of their kingdom. In addition, severeal incidents with lumberjacks made them even more weary and after a failed diplomatic attempt to remove them from the city, the players plotted to expel them.
With some help from their spymaster they seized a cargo of smuggled goods, including a killed nixi from Candlemere Lake and some splinterdrake eggs. To prevent any cover-up by the Consortium the players launched an operation of their city guard against the lumber camp. A fight ensued and when it became apparent to the Consortium that it would not be able to defend it's holding, they tried to burn down as many buildings as possible. All in all the players had killed several guards, destroyed two wooden golems and seized a part of the treasury.
The Consortium responded by dispatching a mercenary company to the Greenbeld, demanding reparations for the damaged caused. The players declined, and the Consortium issued a declaration of war, sacking all (previously evacuated) farms from the Staglord's Fort to the Rostland Road.
Troop deployment:
The army of Riverwatch consisted mostly of unexperienced miltia and volunteers, with a small battle-experienced contingent from the royal guard, the Order of the Ironfist and the Barony of Oakentree. In addition, a significant number of troops had to be left home as garrisons to prevent the lizardmen in the south from attacking the city, further reducing the army size of the players.
The Consortium did also rely heavily on a milita of thugs and woodcutters, but the Blue Company was a professional mercenary unit that had already won several battles. The plan was to besiege Riverwatch, but their troops were intercepted by the army of Riverwatch near the Thron River Camp, leading to a major engagement. Due to their home field advantage, the Riverwatch army was able to outmaneuver the Consortium's troops, giving them a headstart to occupy the vital river crossing. The Consortium troops were basically in marching formation before they advanced to the river crossing.
Riverwatch on the other hand had the time to deploy most units to block the ford. Half of the militia was ordered to hold the ford itself, while the remaining troops, including the heavy infantry, were sent south to setup an ambush in case the Consortium would try to bypass the river crossing at a shallow point several hundred meters away from the camp.
The battle:
Riverwatch seized the strategic Thornriver Camp and blocked the river crossing, forcing Lumber Consortium and Blue Company to split up in order to deploy all troops.
The Blue Company maneuvered to a shallow ford south of the river camp, trying to cross the Thorn River. However, Riverwatch had already deployed most of it's archers in this area for an ambush, and Hasbal da Fjino grossly underestimated the tactical capabilities of the Riverwatch leaders. When the trap was sprung at the other side of the river, the Blue Company found itself vastly outnumbered by Riverwatch troops, with the battle-hardened Order of the Ironfist at the front, supported by Riverwatch milita and archers. After being cut off from their only path of retreat, the mercenaries were soon routed and completly annihilated.
Meanwhile Philmore 'de' Marivo had massed his untrained Lumber Consortium milita at the blocked river crossing and tried a massed charge against the Riverwatch milita, led by his heavy cavalry. While the Consoritum cavalry broke through the lines and threatened the Riverwatch archers for a brief duration before countered by the Riverwatch spellcasters, the rest of his men was pushed back by Riverwatch reserves. Without support from the Blue Company the attack soon collapsed and the Lumber Consortium Troops fled the field, with many being chased down by the pursuing Riverwatch troops. Philmore himself was killed by the priestress Ashani bint An-Timaru, commanding officer of the Riverwatch clerics.
Aftermath:
The battered Consortium troops retreated to their fortified holding at the nortern end of the Greenbelt, but with all commanders and the whole Blue Company killed, Fjarn Dorkel, the only remaining agent of the Consortium knew that his situation was hopeless. He negotiated a cease fire and free passage for himself and his remaining men in exchange for turning over the camp and all remaining belongings inside. The players, not wanting to enrage the Consortium to send yet another force after them, accepted.
All in all the battle was a quite decisive victory against their nemesis - they showed good tactical and strategic skills (we used a tactical hex map) and had a lot of luck with their attack rolls.
