The Battle of Mirfeld (C1)

## Introduction

The Battle of Mirfeld took place shortly after the Calisco Offensive. The Assault upon the Dukedom of Emberstone was ordered by King Zedech Ronan Chrom, hoping that he could dismantle the most crucial port city in the Dukedom, which would in turn cut off supplies and reinforcements from Enserness or another source. Hundreds upon hundreds of Draycottian Militiamen were used in the offensive, being supported by Bannhurstian Gyrocopters (Manned with trained pilots). This battle also marks the first time that Gyrocopters were used in combat, and although it was successful, it would lead to Gilneas developing anti-aircraft weapons in the near future following the battle.

#### Precursor: Skirmishes, Raids, and Exarchism

Three main reasons can be blamed for the outbreak of the battle. The first of which is frequent skirmishes between Draycottian Militias and Exarchist Crusaders in Emberstone, and although the skirmishes were sometimes intense, it never really gained too much traction towards going to war until Konrid Thorwell, a prominent militia leader and founder of the Ettins of Zedech was killed by a crusader during a skirmish. Another reasoning for the battle was raids, with both sides encroaching upon each others territory and looting from one another.

Draycottian Lumberjacks would even go up to five miles into Emberstone to chop down trees, eating away at the precious lumber that Emberstone has to offer to the Exarchist cause. The final reasoning for the battle would be Exarchism and the fanatic lifestyle that it brings about. Exarchist leaders would attempt to strongarm Zedech into rejoining the Holy Kingdom, citing the small army of Draycott not being able to properly defend the Draycottian Kingdom. Despite this, the Draycottian people would hold a higher level of nationalism, enjoying their freedom and economic prosperity that has come with aligning itself with Bannhurst.

## **The Battle**

At 2:06 AM, on Cyrusith, Strathas 2nd, a small fleet of around twenty Gyrocopters was spotted 12 miles south of Mirfeld near the town of Oreston. The farmer named Sawyer Whittiker who spotted the Gyrocopters would immediately take off to warn Mirfeld, however he would arrive only to see the aftermath of the battle. Simultaneously to the Gyrocopters breaching Gilnean aerospace, Kane's Battalion (Cavalry Militiamen) and the Ettins of Zedech numbering 800 men total would cross into Emberstone. Before any of the militias could reach the site of the conflict, the Gyrocopters began dropping bomb after bomb onto Mirfeld, first targeting the port and docked ships, and then targeting important buildings such as churches, the town hall, and food storages. Gilnean Admiral, Wolfram Hildarrow, would be aboard the G.S.S. Keating, a Eldritch Class Cruiser. The G.S.S. Keating would be the first target, as "TZ-2-2-A" and "KE-9-3-V" would unload their payloads onto the cruiser. The boilers within the ship would explode upon being hit, causing an inferno to engulf the ship and later sink it, killing everyone on board.

No Gilnean ships would be spared from the bombings, and the port itself would be reduced to mere rubble, as well as the ground and terrain being extremely deformed, causing the once natural harbor to have steep cliffs and rugged hills. Around 2:55 AM, "RM-3-2-X" would experience a malfunction with the propellers (Presumably from grazing a tree during a tight maneuver) and would nosedive into a church, killing around twelve hobos taking refuge inside the building and igniting Estaugh (North) District for a few hours, which would eat at the buildings and life within the district. Around 3:10 AM virtually the entire city would be awake, with retired soldier, Carlo Evebaster taking up the defense of the city. Evebaster would order his group of around a hundred volunteers to search through the remnants of the destroyed ships to look for any sort of function-able cannon which could be utilized to take down the Gyrocopters. At 3:27 AM, Kane's Battalion would arrive at the site of the battle, and immediately interrupt Evebaster's attempts at retrieving a usable cannon. Percival Kane and his cavalry would route the small defense force, capturing Carlo Evebaster as a prisoner of war. Kane would allow civilians to leave the city en masse, however they would have to flee into Confederate lands and would have a small detachment of around ten militiamen with them to escort them.

At 4:04 AM, the Ettins of Zedech would arrive within Mirfeld to see clouds of billowing smoke rising above the city. At 4:10 AM, "TZ-2-2-A" would fly through Estaugh District only to collide into a Zeppelin Tower. The Zeppelin Tower would sustain minimal damage, however the Gyrocopter that collided into it would die instantly, as the vehicle would crumble into rubble. At 4:35 AM, the battle would end in a Confederate Victory, as objectives have been met. The Militias would return proudly to Draycott, informing Zedech Ronan Chrom of their victory. Zedech would begin purchasing Gyrocopters from Abingden immediately after, as the closer proximity means less cost and less chance of an error during delivery.