Battle of Oakhome

The Battle of Oakhome took place in 1774PE, during the War of Ears, in the Oakland forest.

## Background

1761PE: The new Emperor Viktor of the Aurian Empire put in place an Ear Bounty that allowed anyone to be paid for ears from elven kills on Aurian soil. this started the War of Ears.

1761-63PE: Many elves were killed some communities massacred. Most entirely flee the country but many congregate in the Oakland Forest, called Quintox by the elves.

1763-4PE: Due to the high death rate of bounty hunters in the huge forest the Emperor mobilised the Green Protectoran in force to cleanse the forest, to safeguard humans in the area and remove elven invaders.

1767PE: The elves abandoned their settlements in the part of the southern forest inside Aurian lands and fled into the northern or Alkar section of the forest. This led to the Alkar insisting the Aurians keep their army out of their territory something Viktor was forced to concede. Though the army stopped this did not stop freelance bounty hunters seeking bounties outside of Aurian land.

1769-1774PE: The Quinkorin rose, a faction of the elves that lived in Quintox and believed the only way to survival and victory was directly killing the humans. Viktor became even more extreme in response. Blood flowed in a terrible and cruel hidden war.

## Key Events

The Quinkorin lead a major elven force south of the border and openly attack the main human city of Oakhome. The Strikeforce numbered between 800 and 900 elves. Their attack was unseen until they were literally at the walls of the city were the trees were cut back away from the high palisade.

The initial strike went well, led by a core of Quinkorin elites hardened by hunting down bounty hunters in the forest. Human defenders were cut down and in some areas elves managed to secure sections of the walls and put down ropes for their allies.

This initial impetus did not last as it soon became apparent that Oakhome had been heavily over garrisoned with Green Protectoran troopers. Konrad Borov, the High Ranger, had predicted that eventually the elves would make some kind of strike at Oakhome. though he had expected a more hit and run skirmish battle as had been hitherto the elves preferred method. This pitched battle with all of their forces attacking the city in the open was perfect for the Rangers and made Borov's excessive preparations pay off in grand style.

Rangers soon poured out of buildings across the city and took to the walls. These were at an all time high in numbers, readiness and equipment. Though the elves individually held the edge in speed, skill and marksmanship and in many cases even ferocity, the Rangers were disciplined and far more numerous.

Concentrated volleys of a hundred arrows per volley were launched at elven held sections of the wall. Within the city elven strike teams of 15 or 20 elves were now swiftly confronted by cohorts of 100 Rangers supported with wizard and cleric allies in each unit. This overwhelming advantage of numbers, preparedness and home terrain was brought to bear and no quarter was offered.

Unfortunately the elves were so incensed they stayed even after it was clear the battle was lost. Killing even more humans (Later used to fuel the political hatred in the Empire and escalate the war) and losing far more of their own number when they eventually tried to escape the catastrophic defeat.

This was the only pitched battle of the war and was a decisive defeat.

## Important Characters

* Konrad Borov
* Viktor