Battle of Kras

The Battle of Kras was the first major engagement between the Carto Empire and Ilaka during the second War of Revenge. Initially a gauge to see how strong one another were turned into a major battle, leading to the death of many.

## Background

In **583PR** the first War of Revenge was initiated by Gonarundun Prince Daniel Fidalgo and Emperor Adonis Carto. They had three goals with their war, claim more land and resources, get revenge for previous offences by Ilaka and to weaken the nation that bordered them both.

In **586PR** the war came to an end with a peace treaty between the three nations, allowing the invaders to keep conquered lands but at a heavy financial cost.

In **616PR** Emperor Aktis Carto II began a tirade of insults on current Ilakan King Athen Kostides, forcing the latter to respond in a similar manner. The two continued to insult and denounce one another for 2 years, preparing and training their armies in the meantime.

In **618PR** Aktis II rallied the support of his people and declared war on Ilaka, sending his army led by General Nilus Eruch across the border to defeat the Ilakans. Athen chose to send General Aegaeon in response with his army.

## Command

### Carto Empire

Nilus had a major three layer command system to lead his troops, with himself at the top. In the battle, he would be situated at the HQ, using messengers to issue commands and get reports on how the battle was going. He chose to station a group of 500 soldiers in his defense and as reserves, sending them into the melee when required.

Below him were General Scythas leading the left wing, Peiros leading the centre and Borus leading the right. These were officers he trusted completely, each an apprentice or peer of his that he had personally trained.

The third layer were a group of 6 officers, each commanding half of their respective slot. For the sake of clarity, these officers are not named, but were apprentices of the Generals in the second layer.

### Ilaka

Ilaka had employed a similar system to the Nirvan Republic, having a normal two-layer system alongside legion-like numbers and soldiers.

At the top was General Aegaeon, an experienced commander who had spent almost his entire life in the battlefield. Below him was General Tereus and General Scylla. To help keep troops independent, and thus improving morale and organisation, each group of 4,000 soldiers was led by their own officer.

## Battle

Battle commenced with both sides watching one another, sending out their cavalry to scope and skirmish and gauge the enemy plan. When little happened, the pressure was then placed on Nilus to make the first move, the defending side able to wait all day.

With an hour having passed, Nilus finally gave his orders, having gone over his tactics. His belief was that the Carton soldiers were more numerous and experienced compared to the Ilakans which had been slowly weakened after years of war and economic instability.

While he was correct about the experience difference, the Ilakans had similar numbers, hiding their numbers and surprising the approaching Cartons with volleys of arrows from the Pratan on the flank. On the right they were chased off by the enemy cavalry before they could deal much damage but the left remained strong, being walled off by allied troops. Another problem the Cartons faced was the longer line that the Ilakans had. Nilus had guessed that this might be weak and only a single line, though quickly found out it was many ranks deep, all willing to hold as long as required.

Having committed most of their army in a tactical blunder, the Cartons and Ilakans were forced to simply fight, their reserves filling any holes that may occur. As the battle raged on, neither gave ground, the Ilakans outmatched in experience but motivated to defend their lands. It was only after 30 minutes did the lines finally begin to break, the Ilakans exhausted compared to the better trained Carton soldiers.

Though the Ilakans continued to fight viciously, the battle was essentially over, the Cartons breaking through the lines. This is where it was now Aegaeon who made the tactical blunder. Rather than call an organised retreat, his army instead began to route from his indecision, scattering his soldiers all over the place, instead of running to the safety of Kras.

## Aftermath

Aegaeon’s failure to call for a tactical retreat ended up costing the Ilakans the city of Kras, unable to defend themselves from the larger Carton army without the support of one themselves. Even if he had lost 60% of his troops, scholars believe the city would’ve held, though since they scattered, many were unable to get to Kras, running elsewhere or being slain by the chasing Cartons.

Nilus himself chose to take the victory with a grain of salt, returning to Helicules in the winter and learning what he could about tactical command.