Battle of Sorenas

The Battle of Sorenas was the earliest major battle in the Copper War.

The battle occured after the forces loyal to the Republic in the Neck retreated north, fleeing the rapidly marching army of the Empire of Tiapi, an army which greatly outnumbered their own. Due to poor management and coordination, a large detachment of the 30,000 strong Neck army was detached and found itself sandwiched between the Imperial army and the sea to their North. This army was also escorting the Lord Elect of the Republic from their since captured capital city.

Fortunately for the Neck, message quickly reached Arrin, who had sent a naval force to secure a point on the coast and establish a beachhead to provide transport for their allies to a safer location. The Neck army had bravely fought previously to slow down the imperials in several minor skirmishes, bringing time for Arrin to set up the evacuation and fortify a position to do so. As a result, the now 9,000 strong detachment of the original 30,000 Neck army found itself at the evacuation site. The full evacuation of such a force would take a considerable amount of time, meaning a defence had to be set up locally to provice cover.

## The Battle

The Battle began in the early hours of the 4th day of the 52nd Sirca. Imperial cavalry probed the defences of the encampment, trying to provoke an open attack and lure the defenders out. The defenders remained firm, refusing to attack.

Fearing that the Neck would evacuate their forces, the commander of the Imperials, Abellan Kettan decided to frontal attack the encampment. The Neck forces valiantly held their ground for many hours, until eventually deciding to pull back to a second line on the hill. As the Imperials marched up the hill, an Arrinese cavalry charge effectively stunned and slowed the side flank of the Imperials, allowing a subsequent Neck infantry charge on the left flank, destroying the Imperial attack and forcing a general retreat. In the subsequent chaos, over a thousand Imperials would fall, while only 500 of the Neck would fall.

Despite the heavy losses, Kettan refused to allow the Neck to retreat with both their army and their Lord Elect. He sent a small force around the side of the hill, moving up the incredibly steep slope, forcing the Neck to panic and send an overly large force to halt them. While this happened, a force of pikemen rushed up the hill again, locking the Neck infantry in position while a cavalry detachment maneuvered through their position and attacked those defending the steep hill. This resulted in a general retreat of these forces, opening up the entire left side of the defences. The Neck successfully withdrew their entire force further back, althou

gh several units found themselves encircled and surrendered. Despite this, the majority of their army found themselves within only 200m of the sea, with their backs to the beach that their evacuation ships were docked at. Even archers found themselves forced onto the front to fight with their d

aggers.

Now in range of archers, the docked ships panniced, and decided to immediately order to set sail. By now, Over 4,000 of the Neck's soldiers had managed to board the docked ships, and promptly left the area, leaving roughly 3,000 of their comrades on the beach. These men quickly surrendered to their enemies, being taken into captivity as prisoners of war.