The Northern War

The Northern War between the Kingdom of Forarendt and the Kingdom of Xaviera was a conflict that had been brewing for many years. The two kingdoms had a long history of tension and territorial disputes, and tensions had only increased as both kingdoms continued to expand their territories.

The war began when a group of Forarenian explorers and traders were making their way through the northern wilderness. They were conducting a routine expedition, mapping out new trade routes and searching for valuable resources.

However, as they made their way deeper into the wilderness, they were ambushed by a group of Xavieran rangers. The rangers opened fire on the expedition, killing several of the Forarenians and injuring many others.

The Forarenian government was outraged by the attack, and demanded that the Xavierans pay reparations and hand over the rangers responsible for the attack. The Xavierans, however, refused to comply, claiming that the Forarenians had entered their territory without permission.

This refusal to compromise led to the outbreak of war, with the Forarenians declaring war on the Xavierans and mobilizing their army. The Xavierans, in turn, mobilized their own forces and prepared to defend their kingdom.

And so, the Northern War began, a bloody and brutal conflict that would last for many years and cost the lives of thousands of soldiers and civilians on both sides. It was a war that was fought over territory, resources, and pride, and it would have far-reaching consequences for both kingdoms.

### Background

The incident that sparked the Northern War between the Kingdom of Forarendt and the Kingdom of Xaviera began with a routine expedition by a group of Forarenian explorers and traders. The group was traveling through the northern wilderness, conducting surveys and mapping out new trade routes.

As they made their way deeper into the wilderness, they were ambushed by a group of Xavieran rangers. The rangers, without warning, opened fire on the expedition, killing several of the Forarenians and injuring many others. The Forarenians were caught off guard by the attack, and were unable to respond effectively. They were heavily outnumbered, and many of them were killed or injured in the initial barrage. Those who were not killed or injured managed to retreat, but they were pursued by the Xavieran rangers.

The survivors of the attack made their way back to Forarendt, where they reported the incident to the government. The Forarenians were outraged by the attack, and demanded that the Xavierans pay reparations and hand over the rangers responsible for the attack. The Xavierans, however, refused to comply, claiming that the Forarenians had entered their territory without permission. This refusal to compromise led to the outbreak of war, with the Forarenians declaring war on the Xavierans and mobilizing their army.

Thus, the incident that began as a simple ambush by a group of rangers escalated into a full-blown war between two powerful kingdoms. The consequences of the attack would be felt for many years to come, as the Northern War raged on, with no end in sight.

### Prelude

As the Northern War between the Kingdom of Forarendt and the Kingdom of Xaviera began to escalate, both sides began to mobilize their forces. The Forarenians, with their larger and more experienced army, were able to muster a force of 140,000 men, divided into several divisions.

The bulk of the Forarenian army was made up of infantry, with each division consisting of several regiments of foot soldiers, armed with advanced needle guns and bayonets. The Forarenians also had a powerful cavalry force, with several regiments of mounted soldiers ready to charge into battle. In addition to their ground forces, the Forarenians also had a strong navy, with several ships of the line and smaller vessels, ready to engage the Xavieran navy and protect the Forarenian coast.

The Xavierans, on the other hand, had a smaller army, numbering only around 45,000 men. However, they were a formidable force, with many experienced soldiers and skilled commanders. The Xavieran army was primarily made up of infantry, with each division consisting of several regiments of foot soldiers, armed with old percussion-locked rifles and the new machine guns. They also had a small but effective cavalry force, as well as a few artillery units, equipped with cannons and mortars. The Xavierans also had a navy, though it was smaller and less experienced than the Forarenian navy. They had several ships of the line and smaller vessels, ready to engage the Forarenian navy and defend their own waters.

As the war began, the Forarenian army moved into position, with the bulk of their forces massing on the northern border, ready to launch an invasion of Xavieran territory. The Xavieran army, meanwhile, prepared to defend their borders, with units positioned along the northern frontier, ready to repel any Forarenian attack. The two sides faced off against each other, each prepared for a long and bloody conflict. The outcome of the war remained uncertain, but one thing was clear: the Northern War would be a defining moment for both kingdoms, and its consequences would be felt for years to come.

### The War

#### Opening Skirmishes In The First Days

With orders coming in from the General Staff to advance towards Dutburg, a city located several miles from the river Antin, Field Marshal Fritzer’s I Corps of around 24.000 men and 120 cannons crossed the border just hours after the declaration of war. Facing them would be the 4th Ranger Rifles under Major Thomas Fairbrough of 4.000 men.

The opening battles and skirmishes of the Northern War between the Kingdom of Forarendt and the Kingdom of Xaviera were characterized by swift and decisive action on both sides. The Forarenians, with their larger and more experienced army, were able to quickly gain the upper hand in the early stages of the Dutburg Campaign. They launched a series of surprise attacks on Xavieran positions, catching the Xavierans off guard and gaining ground quickly.

The Xavierans, however, were not easily defeated, and they fought back with determination and skill. They used their knowledge of the terrain to their advantage, launching hit-and-run attacks on Forarenian units and harassing their supply lines. Despite the Xavierans' best efforts, the Forarenians continued to advance, pushing deeper into Xavieran territory and capturing key hills in their path towards Dutburg. The Xavierans suffered heavy losses in these early engagements, and were forced to retreat and regroup.

As the war continued, the fighting became more intense and brutal. Both sides suffered heavy casualties, and the Northern War quickly became a stalemate, with neither side able to gain a clear advantage. In the end, the opening battles and skirmishes of the Northern War set the stage for the long and bloody conflict that was to come, with both sides determined to emerge victorious.

#### Battle Of Timberwood Mill

The Battle of Timberwood Mill was a pivotal engagement in the Northern War between the Kingdom of Forarendt and the Kingdom of Xaviera. It was a David and Goliath story, with a small group of Xavieran rangers holding off the entire Forarenian I Corps, led by Field Marshal Fritzer.

The battle began when Field Marshal Fritzer, leading a large force of Forarenian infantry and cavalry, came across the Timberwood Mill, a small Xavieran-held fortification on the edge of the northern forest. Fritzer, believing the mill to be lightly defended, ordered his forces to attack. But the Xavierans, led by a group of 30 rangers, were ready for the Forarenians. They launched a devastating barrage of rifle fire, cutting down many of the Forarenian soldiers before they could even reach the mill.

The Forarenians, stunned by the ferocity of the Xavieran defense, were forced to retreat. But the rangers, determined to hold their position, continued to fight, holding off wave after wave of Forarenian attacks. Despite their valiant efforts, the rangers were eventually overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of the Forarenian army. Many of them were killed or injured in the fighting, and the remaining rangers were forced to retreat.

In the end, the Battle of Timberwood Mill was a costly victory for the Forarenians. They had lost many men and suffered heavy casualties, while the Xavierans had proven themselves to be a formidable enemy. The battle would be remembered as a turning point in the Northern War, and a testament to the courage and determination of the Xavieran rangers.

### The Siege Of Dutburg

One of the most significant reinforcement efforts came from the Duchy of Dutburg, which was located in Xavieran territory. The Dutburgers, loyal to their Xavieran allies, sent a force of 7,000 soldiers to support the Xavieran army. The Dutburgers, led by the experienced General Woodburn, arrived on the battlefield just as the Xavierans were facing a major crisis. The Dutburgers were a welcome addition to the Xavieran army, and their arrival was a morale boost for the exhausted rangers.

The Dutburgers were a powerful fighting force, and their arrival gave the Xavierans a much-needed boost in morale. The Dutburgers were particularly renowned for their cavalry, and they brought with them a whole brigade of 3,000 hussars. These mounted soldiers, armed with lances and pistols, were a formidable force, and they proved to be decisive in many of the battles that followed.

The Dutburgers fought bravely alongside the Xavierans, and their arrival marked a turning point in the war. With the help of their new allies, the Xavierans were able to push back the Forarenians to nearly all their initial positions and gain the upper hand in the conflict. In the end, the reinforcements from the north proved to be a crucial factor in the outcome of the Northern War. Their arrival gave the Xavierans the boost they needed to keep their spirits high.

After being invaded by a foreign power, the Xavieran military launched a bold and decisive counteroffensive, using a combination of tactics and strategies to push back the invaders and reclaim their territory. The counteroffensive was not without its challenges. The invading forces were well-entrenched and prepared for battle, making it difficult for the Xavieran forces to gain the upper hand. But despite the odds, the Xavieran military was able to mount a successful counteroffensive, gradually pushing back the invaders and reclaiming their territory.

The key to the success of the Xavieran Counteroffensive was the bravery and determination of the Xavieran soldiers. They fought bravely and tenaciously on the battlefield, using their training and skills to overcome the invaders. And with the support of their fellow soldiers and the backing of the Xavieran people, they were able to push back the invaders and reclaim their nation. In the end, the Xavieran Counteroffensive was a resounding success. The invading forces were pushed back and defeated, and peace and stability were restored to Xaviera. The bravery and determination of the Xavieran military were celebrated, and the people of Xaviera were able to rebuild and move forward, stronger than ever before.

### The Capture Of Dutburg

Despite their success in pushing back the invaders and reclaiming much of their territory, they soon found themselves facing a new and even more determined enemy. The nation of Forarendt brought in more reinforcements the Xavierans could not hope to match, and their well-equipped and experienced forces proved to be a formidable foe. Despite the best efforts of the Xavieran military, they were unable to repel the Forarenian invaders, and much of the country was eventually occupied and controlled by foreign forces. One such city was Dutburg, which was heavily fortified and defended by the Xavieran military. Despite their valiant efforts, the city was eventually taken by the Forarenian forces, dealing a heavy blow to the morale of the Xavieran soldiers and civilians.

In the aftermath of the occupation, the people of Dutburg were forced to live under the rule of the Forarenian forces. This was a difficult and trying time for the nation, as they struggled to maintain their way of life and to resist the occupation. But despite the challenges, the people of Xaviera remained determined and resolute, continuing to fight for their freedom and their future. Overall, the Xavieran Counteroffensive and its aftermath were difficult and trying times for the nation of Xaviera. Despite their initial success in pushing back the invaders, they were eventually overcome by a stronger and more determined enemy. But through their bravery and determination, the people of Xaviera were able to endure and persevere, laying the groundwork for a brighter future.

Fighting went on after Dutburg, with minor skirmishes happening in the woodlands north of Dutburg. While the Forarenians were able to capture Dutburg, they were afraid to go further with their supply lines frequently ambushed by guerillas and rangers, one of them being the now living legend Major Thomas.

### Aftermath

Representatives from both sides, as well as mediators and other officials, worked tirelessly to find a resolution to the conflict and to come to an agreement on the terms of peace. The negotiations were not without their challenges and obstacles. Both sides had their own demands and conditions for peace, and it was not always easy to find common ground and reach a compromise. But despite these challenges, the negotiations ultimately led to the signing of a peace agreement, bringing the conflict to an end and paving the way for a new era of peace and stability.

The specifics of the peace agreement would have varied depending on the circumstances of the conflict, but it likely included provisions for the withdrawal of invading forces, the restoration of Xaviera's sovereignty and autonomy, and the establishment of a lasting peace between the two nations. In the end, the negotiations that ended the war were a crucial step in bringing the conflict to a close and allowing the people of Xaviera to rebuild and move forward. Through difficult and sometimes contentious discussions, the two sides were able to find common ground and reach an agreement that would allow them to put the past behind them and focus on the future.

### Eyewitness Experiences During The Conflict

“As I sit here huddled in my foxhole, I can't help but reflect on the events of the last few days. It all started when we received orders to retreat to our initial positions, as the enemy was advancing on our position and we needed to fall back to a more defensible location. At first, I was filled with fear and anxiety. The thought of being out on the battlefield, facing enemy fire and trying to make it back to safety seemed like an impossible task. But as the hours passed and we began our retreat, I found myself drawing on my training and the support of my fellow soldiers.

As we made our way across the battlefield, we faced a range of challenges. Enemy fire rained down on us from all sides, and we had to navigate through treacherous terrain and over obstacles in order to reach our destination. But despite these challenges, we remained determined and focused, using our skills and training to stay alive and complete our mission. I must admit, there were moments when I thought we wouldn't make it. The fear and anxiety were overwhelming at times, and I could feel my resolve beginning to falter. But I looked to my fellow soldiers for strength, and together we pushed on, supporting each other through the toughest of times.

In the end, we made it back to our initial positions. We were battered and bruised, but we were alive. And as I sit here now, writing in my diary, I can't help but feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. We may have been forced to retreat, but we did so with courage and determination, and that is something to be proud of. As I close this entry and prepare for whatever challenges tomorrow may bring, I am reminded of the importance of teamwork and camaraderie on the battlefield. Without the support of my fellow soldiers, I may not have made it back to safety. But together, we are a force to be reckoned with, and I am grateful to be a part of such a strong and dedicated team.”

**-Private Franz Hubern, killed in action the next morning during the Xavieran Counteroffensive, his diary was looted by a Xavieran ranger.**

As a civilian living in Dutburg during the Forarenian occupation, I have seen firsthand the challenges and hardships that come with living under foreign rule. The sudden arrival of Forarenian soldiers in our city was a shocking and terrifying event, and we have been struggling to survive and maintain our way of life ever since.

Every day, I am confronted with the reality of living under occupation. The Forarenian soldiers patrol our streets, exerting their control over every aspect of our lives. We are at their mercy, and the threat of violence and abuse is always present. In addition to the fear and uncertainty, there are also the practical challenges of living under occupation. Food and resources are scarce, as the occupying forces prioritize their own needs over ours. And with no end to the occupation in sight, it is difficult to see a way out of this situation.

But despite the challenges, I have seen a remarkable resilience and determination in my fellow civilians. We may be living under occupation, but we are not defeated. We are working together to find ways to survive and maintain our way of life, and to one day reclaim our independence and autonomy. As an eyewitness to the occupation of Dutburg, I am filled with a sense of awe and admiration for the strength and resilience of my fellow civilians. We may be living in difficult and uncertain times, but we will not be broken. We will endure, and we will come out of this occupation stronger than ever before.

**-Woodfri Logger, a civilian living in Dutburg during its occupation by Forarendt.**