The First Battle of Divan

The First Battle of Divan was fought on July 23, 399 ABB just
north of Divan City. It was the first major battle of the War of Loti. The L3K's
forces were slow in positioning themselves, allowing OoL reinforcements time to
arrive. Each side had about 18,000 poorly trained and poorly led troops in
their first battle. It was an OoL victory, followed by a disorganized retreat
of the L3K forces.
Just months after the start of the war at Castle Valor, the L3K
public clamored for a march against the OoL capital of Arindear City, Arindear,
which was expected to bring an early end to the OoL. Yielding to political
pressure, Lady Rapun'sel of Laurence ordered her unseasoned L3K Army against
the equally inexperienced OoL Army of Gen. Sinister camped in Divan City. Rapun'sel's
ambitious plan for a surprise flank attack on the OoL left was poorly executed
by her officers; nevertheless, the OoL soldiers, who had been planning to
attack the L3K left flank, found themselves at an initial disadvantage.
OoL reinforcements under Gen. Jose Juanson arrived from the
Vindavin Woods, and the course of the battle quickly changed. A brigade of Darkhelmese
under a relatively unknown Knight, John Mill, stood its ground. The OoL
soldiers launched a strong counterattack, and as the L3K troops began
withdrawing, many panicked and the retreat turned into a rout. Rapun’sel's men
frantically ran without order in the direction of Laurence.
Both armies were sobered by the fierce fighting
and many casualties, and realized that the war was going to be much longer and
bloodier than either had anticipated. The First Battle of Divan highlighted
many of the problems and deficiencies that were typical of the first year of
the war. Units were committed piecemeal, attacks were frontal, infantry failed
to protect exposed archers, tactical intelligence was naught, and neither
commander was able to employ their whole force effectively. Rapun’sel, with
35,000 men, was only able to commit about 17,000, and the combined OoL forces,
with about 32,000 men, committed only 18,000.