Wyrsian Invasion of Great Skull

Combatants| * Kingdom of Wyrsia

Commanders| * Edward III
* Zachary Mitthel
* Kisyar Wintermane
* Garlog Annuhin †
* Enyon Annuhin
* Firoar Cnaivagh
* Can Cille (POW)
* Larkhel Faeskull †
* Dangil Jaghd

***“**The destruction of Great Skull and its people are a fate they brought upon themselves. Do not pity them.**”***
— Kisyar Wintermane

The **Wyrsian Invasion of Great Skull** was a retaliatory invasion against the Great Skull by the Kingdom of Wyrsia. It lasted a little over four months in the year 650 AW.

## Belligerents

* Kingdom of Wyrsia
	+ Edward III of Wyrsia
	+ Zachary Mitthel
* Order of the Red Dove
	+ Kisyar Wintermane

* Great Skull
	+ Astos II of Great Skull
	+ Garlog Annuhin
	+ Enyon Annuhin
	+ Firoar Cnaivagh
	+ Can Cille
	+ Larkhel Faeskull
	+ Dangil Jaghd

## Context

Sparked by a series of raids in the Redlyrian countryside, the Order of the Red Dove – which controlled the Wyrsian puppet monarchs at the time – formally declared war against the Great Skull in early 650 AW, launching a military expedition against the tribal government.

Despite initial stiff resistance, the Battle of Taragha would be a significant blow for Great Skull with the death of their king. Lacking leadership, many of the groups began fighting amongst one another, leading to the Wyrsians being able to take the capital of Cnoc Cain without much resistance, formally ending the invasion.

The Wyrsian Invasion of Great Skull would be heavily impactful for the future history of Wyrsia, but also for the larger North and Eastland due to the Great Skull Migration in the wake of the invasion.

## Events

* 650 AW
	+ 25th of Frostfade, The Army of Woodhall, led by Zachary Mitthel, crosses into Great Skull territory.
	+ 27th of Frostfade, A minor Red Dove force under Kisyar Wintermane crosses the border to support Mitthel.
	+ 30th of Frostfade, Wyrsian forces capture Cnoc Kirne without resistance.
	+ 36th of Frostfade, The Army of Woodhall starts being harassed by skirmishers under Garlog Annuhin and Firoar Cnaivagh.
	+ 43rd of Frostfade, Wyrsian Victory at the Battle of Fioll, Garlog Annuhin dies in battle.
	+ 46th of Frostfade, Great Skull forces begin to retreat, regrouping near Taragha at the command of Astos II.
	+ 49th of Frostfade, Larkhel Faeskull ignores the order to withdraw and launches a series of raids in Wyrsian territory. Kisyar Wintermane turns around to chase after him.
	+ 58th of Frostfade, Wyrsian Victory at the Battle of Cynda's Creek, Larkhel Faeskull dies in battle.
	+ 16th of Greenburst, Start of the **Battle of Taragha**.
	+ 17th of Greenburst, Astos II dies at the Battle of Taragha, and the Great Skull begin to break.
	+ 18th of Greenburst, Wyrsian Victory at the **Battle of Taragha.**
	+ 39th of Greenburst, Wyrsian Victory at the Battle of Cnoc Iar.
	+ 52nd of Greenburst, Can Cille surrenders to Zachary Mitthel.
	+ 29th of Nyara's Summer, Enyon Annuhin digs in at Cnoc Cain and crowns himself the new King of Great Skull.
	+ 53rd of Nyara's Summer, Wyrsian Victory at the Second Battle of Taragha. Firoar Cnaivagh is forced to abandon his position and flees into the Green Grove.
	+ 14th of Starhearth, Wyrsian Victory at the Battle of Torenlegh.
	+ 55th of Starhearth, Start of the **Siege of Cnoc Cain**.
	+ 25th of Redfall, Enyon Annuhin gathers what's left of Great Skull's forces and abandons Cnoc Cain.
	+ 26th of Redfall, The **Siege of Cnoc Cain** ends, Wyrsian troops take the settlement.

## Aftermath

While the invasion officially ended with the Siege of Cnoc Cain, fighting continued against the troops of Firoar Cnaivagh, who became the last man to resist the Wyrsian invaders. The other remaining leaders, Enyon Annuhin or Dangil Jaghd, abandoned the lands of Great Skull altogether and ultimately began the Great Skull Migration, with Dangil fleeing to Wintersong's Wasteland and founding Orange Skull, while Enyon fled eastwards, later establishing Green Skull.

Lacking allies, Firoar would fight on as the new leader of Yellow Skull, hardliners opposed to the Wyrsians. Ultimately, he would die in a skirmish, with what remained of the Yellow Skull fleeing to Hykkfjord, where they were slaughtered by the local garrisons. Finally, Can Cille was released from prison and became the leader of Red Skull, the group that would try their best to integrate themselves with the Wyrsians. Ultimately, he was made the Count of Red Skull, loyal to the Wyrsian monarchy.

An unexpected side effect of Wyrsia's victory was that Zachary Mitthel, relatively unknown before the war, became increasingly famous throughout Wyrsia. He became far more popular than the Order of the Red Dove and the Wyrsian puppet kings. Recognizing the threat, the Order of the Red Dove tried and failed to have Mitthel assassinated. Wyrsia broke into rebellion, and ultimately, a league of nobles would help Zachary to the throne, ending a century of puppet rule over the kingdom.

## Involved Forces

### Forces of Wyrsia

**Land**

* Army of Woodhall
* Order of the Red Dove
	+ Wintermane's Expeditionary Force

**Sea**

* Fleet of Whaler's Bay

### Forces of Great Skull

**Land**

* Army of Cnoc Cain
* Garlog's Warband
* Enyon's Warband
* Firoar's Yellow Band
* Can's Warband
* Faerian Warband

**Sea**

* Orange Fleet