Battle of Acela

The Battle of Acela was a major battle during the Arenian Campaign, being the first defeat of the Nirvans. It showed the cunning skill of Prince Aleardo’s officers, but also the grit and determination of their troops.

## Background

In **478PR**, Gaius and the Calenus Faction began preparations for expanding the Nirvan border. To help, they drafted a series of legislation to help legalise their cause, having little opposition.

6 legions were then raised under the command of Gaius Calenus, Vibius Calenus and Gallio Aebutus to aid them in their invasion. The commanders took some time getting familiarised with their troops before marching on Aren in **479PR**.

The Nirvans first task was to secure their supply lines, doing so by pacifying the tribes between the Nirvan and Arenian borders.

After pacification of the tribes, they crossed the Arenian border, dealing with minor skirmishes. It didn’t take long for King Eros Scillo to send Prince Aleardo to go and attack them, the young commander using a new style of tactics which hit the enemy hard before retreating.

Eventually, Prince Aleardo fought the Nirvans in the Battle of Palebasso, almost getting wiped out when he was completely surrounded.

Again in the same year he fought the Nirvans at the Battle of Liorni, being forced to withdraw over a stream and cover his retreat with archers.

With two minor defeats, Prince Aleardo had to fall back to Durolipons, fortifying the city and preparing for the upcoming siege.

Soon after the Nirvans followed, surrounding and besieging the city, building fortifications and preparing for a dangerous winter siege.

The Siege of Durolipons was a costly success for the Nirvans, being able to take the city by force but unable to both defeat the Arenian army, or capture them. While their losses were quite small for a siege, they now lost their numbers advantage.

On the opposite end, Prince Aleardo needed a victory. To do this he began a scorched earth tactic, quickly slowing down the Nirvan advance. When they were slowed, he moved in on their supply line, accidentally running into the Nirvan army along the way.

## Battle

The battle was immediate and fierce. Both sides were barely able to bring together their lines before they were in range to fight. While some legionaries threw their javelins, the rest pulled out their weapons and charged the enemy.

Vibius led on one end while Gallio on the other, the former having the advantage only with his magic. Though it was not enough. With a rushed together line, the Arenian officers found it much easier to exploit the weaknesses.

After a bit of fighting, Lorenzo and Namazio broke through, pouring troops in. Needing to stop their momentum, Gaius once again grabbed his triarii and blocked the line. On all ends the Nirvans were losing, with very little reserves left. Seeing that the Nirvan commanders were occupied, Prince Aleardo managed to surround the right flank of Gallio, forcing them to fight on all sides.

Seeing the battle lose their favour, Gaius called for a tactical retreat, something only available to him due to the influence and discipline he had over the troops. With some tough fighting, the Nirvans were able to withdraw from the fight, falling back to some of the forts in their supply line.

## Aftermath

Other than the fact the army avoided complete destruction, everything about the battle was a complete loss for the Nirvans and very harmful to Gaius’s reputation.

On the other end, it was a complete success for Prince Aleardo and the Arenians. They were able to force the Nirvans to retreat back further, and give up some of the land they had conquered.