Battle of Damnaz

Belligerents	
Za'ah 	
 Elda
Commanders 	Varyh ja Shesse	King Hortz I
Army Sizes 	12 000 	14 000
Losses 	1521 	
6575
Result 	Victory 	Defeat
==Background==
During the First Century ABV, the Radiating empire of the Devayani began a large-scale military invasion known as Operation Loving Embrace, with the design of the tribal lands located on the plains north of the rainforests. Two initial forces were dispatched. While one was pushing directly towards the tribes bordering the jungle, the latter landed on the territory of the Kingdom of the Eldans. The Eldan army, under king Hortz, mobilised both the professional warriors and peasant levies, and marched towards the small hilltop village of Damnaz, where they encountered the Za'ahene Army.
==The Battle==
As both armies were standing opposite one another on the field, as the sun was rising. The Eldan army was moving forward on a broad line, with the heavy infantry on the flanks and the peasant militias in the centre. The Za'ah army was moving somewhat towards the north-east-east, with their right flank straggling a little behind.
Both armies were expanding their flanks somewhat, while continuing to march forward. The Za'ah columns, equipped with dark tunics covered in small metal plates, helmets of copper and leather, shields and short spears with black blades at the top were moving forward in silence. On the Eldan side, King Hortz was appearing in the spear column on the right flank.
The Eldan archers were within shooting distance of the Za'ah centre, and used that opportunity to rain arrows over the Za'ah forces at the centre, which consisted of seemingly lighter infantry, which carried spears with sharp tips.
The infantry forces of the Za'ah and the Eldans were clashing against one another. Neither of the forces were yielding, neither at the northern part of the battlefield or at the centre. But The Eldans were suffering higher losses, both because the Za'ah were better armoured, but also because the Za'ah blade spears (while shorter than the Eldan spears) were wreaking more damage. The Za'ah were focusing on cutting off the Eldan spears and then proceeded to attack Eldan warriors two on one, while two additional Za'ah soldiers were protecting the two attacking soldiers.
The Za'ah archers had also started to get Eldan units within range. The Za'ah arrows were leaving small wounds, but those hit by the shower of them were suffering seizures, insanely burning itching senses all over their bodies, or starting to drool and feel dozy. The arrows hit the centres of the Eldan lines, thinning them out.
The Za'ah were pressing forward with their short spears with the black blades, cutting through Eldan ranks as the Eldans refused to relent. One of the Eldan units, which was heavily subjected to arrow fire, collapsed, mostly due to the 90% losses they taken during the course of the battle. The unit of farmers at the top of the hill was also pressed back, taking heavy casualties. The Eldan left flank made a surprise attack, forcing the Za'ah soldiers to relent their hold on at least a part of the battlefield.
In the centre, most Eldan units were pressed back. King Hortz was however rallying his men and holding his ground, even demanding a certain casualty rate from the Za'ah light infantrymen directly facing them. The Eldan archers were also doing a good job against the Za'ah unit which almost had broke through the Eldan line.
In the south, the forces were making themselves ready for a clash.
The Eldans were making a push forward everywhere on the order of king Hortz. They advanced and drove the Za'ah back, especially on the Za'ah right flank. But the Za'ah left flank outflanked the Eldan spear unit, and crushed it between several elite units, grinding them down. The retreating Eldan conscripts from the area dissolved when the Za'ah forces are closing in.
The collapse spread to the Eldan centre as well, with several units completely destroyed, especially as these units - while performing well - consisted of members of the peasantry rather than elite troops. The Za'ah forces took control over the Eldan centre, with only one unit of archers still shooting at them.
In the south, the Eldans still pushed forward.
Za'ah claimed final victory while suffering some significant losses during the round-up, but the Eldan army was broken and encircled in two grand movements. Most Eldans were killed or maimed, but king Hortz was hit by an arrow on his leg, which paralysed his lower body. He was captured alive by the Za'ah and taken prisoner.
Category:History
Category:Battles
Category:Za'ah