The Battle of Needless Bloodshed

The Second Necromantic War

**The Battle of Needless Bloodshed** was a major conflict in the **Second Necromantic War** that took place in **564 BHE**. It occurred just outside the **Shrine of Fate**. The battle had no victor, as both the **Grand Morsea Alliance** and the necromantic forces suffered heavy losses, with hundreds of thousands of soldiers perishing. The battle marked the second-to-last major conflict in the war and played a significant role in destroying the **Pheonix Empire**. **High General Saevel Orion** also lost his life in the battle, leading his troops in a valiant last stand known as "Orion's Honour."

## History

### Build Up

Before the Battle, the Grand Morsea Alliance had been fighting the necromantic forces around the **Barren Circle** for months, but they had been unable to make significant progress in the war. The **necromancers** had the advantage of knowing the **new geographical layout of the land**, as well as being able to replenish their ranks much more quickly than the Alliance. However, the Alliance had managed to weaken the necromancers' hold on some key areas, and they were determined to strike a final blow to end the war once and for all.

The Shrine of Fate was one of the most important locations still under necromantic control, as it was believed to be the source of the necromancers' power, yet it stood tall in the middle of the Barren Circle. The Alliance planned to launched a massive assault on the Outskirts of the Region, intending to reach the shrine and destroy it, severing the necromancers' connection to their god **Necron**. The necromancers, knowing the importance of the Shrine, had gathered all of their remaining forces to defend it.

### The Days Before

As the Grand Morsea Alliance prepared for the Battle of Needless Bloodshed, Saevel Orion led around 300,000 soldiers to the battle site, carefully planning and preparing for the coming fight. The Barren Circle was transformed into a warzone, with trenches dug, fortifications erected, and soldiers drilling and training to prepare for the impending battle. Orion worked tirelessly to coordinate his troops and ensure that they were well-equipped and well-trained, knowing that the fate of the alliance rested on their success. He made sure that his soldiers were well-fed and rested, and that they had access to medical care and supplies. He also worked closely with his fellow commanders, sharing intelligence and developing strategies to defeat the necromantic forces. As the days went on and tensions rose, Orion remained a steadfast and inspiring leader, motivating his troops and keeping their spirits high. He knew that they were facing a formidable foe, but he was determined to lead his soldiers to victory and bring an end to the war.

### First Death of Many

The Battle of Needless Bloodshed began at dawn on the 1st day with a barrage of arrows and spells being exchanged by both sides. The Alliance troops advanced in waves, their swords clashing against the Necromantic shields as they tried to push their way through. However, the Necromantic forces were well-prepared and their magic was devastating. The first day saw heavy losses on both sides, with neither gaining a clear advantage.

By the second day, the Alliance troops had managed to push their way into the Necromantic lines, but at a great cost. The Necromantic forces responded with their own counterattack, launching wave after wave of undead soldiers at the Alliance. The Alliance was forced to fight on two fronts: against the Necromantic forces and the undead. Despite this, the Alliance managed to hold their ground and even gain some territory.

On the third day, both sides began to suffer from exhaustion and their losses were beginning to show. The Alliance troops were stretched thin and their morale was low, while the Necromantic forces were bolstered by their ability to raise the fallen. Orion, recognizing that his troops needed a morale boost, rallied his soldiers and led a charge against the Necromantic lines. The charge was successful, and the Alliance gained significant ground.

The fourth day saw a change in tactics from the Necromantic forces. They began to focus on their magic, unleashing devastating spells that decimated the Alliance troops. The Alliance responded by forming shield walls, which proved effective at blocking the magic. The Necromantic forces were unable to break through the shield walls and suffered heavy losses.

By the fifth day, the battle had turned into a stalemate. The Alliance had gained significant ground, but they were unable to advance any further. The Necromantic forces were entrenched and their magic made it impossible for the Alliance to make any headway. The Alliance troops were exhausted, their morale was low, and they were running out of supplies. The Necromantic forces, on the other hand, were bolstered by their ability to raise the fallen and had an almost endless supply of soldiers. It was clear that neither side was going to win a decisive victory.

### The Stalemate

The next three days of the battle saw a stalemate as both sides dug in and fortified their positions. The alliance forces were unable to make any significant advances, and the necromantic forces were unable to launch any major counterattacks. The only notable action during this period was sporadic skirmishing along the front lines, as both sides probed each other's defenses.

### Death of Orion

The situation remained deadlocked until the morning of the ninth day, when the necromantic forces launched a massive assault on the alliance lines. The attack was initially successful, with the necromantic forces breaking through the alliance defenses in several places. However, the alliance forces managed to rally and launch a counterattack, driving the necromantic forces back. Over the next few hours, the battle devolved into a chaotic melee as both sides fought fiercely for control of the battlefield. The fighting was intense and brutal, with hand-to-hand combat becoming the norm. Despite the ferocity of the fighting, neither side was able to gain a decisive advantage. By nightfall, both sides were exhausted and bloodied, with casualties on both sides mounting. The battle had become a desperate struggle for survival, with both sides fighting for their very existence.

The following three days saw little progress on either side, as both sides were too exhausted to make any significant gains. The stalemate was only broken on the 12th day, when Saevel Orion, the captain of the Alliance's army, was killed by a group of Necromantic mages who had infiltrated the Alliance's camp during the night. The news of Orion's death quickly spread throughout the Alliance's ranks, and it had a demoralizing effect on the soldiers. Without Orion's leadership, many of the soldiers began to lose their will to fight. The Necromantic forces saw this as an opportunity and launched a massive assault on the Alliance's frontline. Despite the best efforts of the Alliance's generals, the frontline could not hold, and the Necromantic forces were able to break through. In the chaos of the battle, both sides suffered heavy losses. The Necromantic forces were ultimately unable to capitalize on their victory and were forced to retreat after a few days, leaving the battlefield littered with the dead and dying.

### The Final Day

On the 13th day of the Battle of Needless Bloodshed, the fighting continued fiercely as the Alliance and Necromantic forces struggled for supremacy. However, a turning point came when the **Arch Necromancer Druirvoc** was struck down by an unknown soldier. His death sent shockwaves through the Necromantic forces, and the remaining commanders were unable to rally their troops. With the death of Druirvoc, the last hope for the Necromantic forces was lost, and the Alliance forces were able to make significant gains on the battlefield. The remaining Necromantic soldiers fought fiercely but were ultimately overwhelmed and defeated. As the battle came to a close, it became apparent that there were no victors in the conflict. The Alliance forces suffered heavy losses, with over ninety percent of their soldiers perishing on the battlefield, including their esteemed leader Saevel Orion. The Necromantic forces were decimated, with only a small fraction of their original numbers remaining.

### The Legacy

The Battle of Needless Bloodshed resulted in a devastating loss for both sides. The death toll was estimated to be over a million, with the majority being soldiers. The battle left the Alliance forces severely weakened, with most of their remaining forces wiped out. The Necromantic forces were also dealt a heavy blow, losing one of few remaining Arch Necromancers, Arch Necromancer Druirvoc, and many of their strongest soldiers. The battle marked the beginning of the end for the Second Necromantic War, as it was the second to last major battle of the war. The remaining Necromantic forces were forced to retreat to their stronghold, and the Alliance forces were able to secure a decisive victory in the final battle of the war, which ended the Necromantic threat for centuries to come.

Saevel Orion's death in the battle was a great loss for the Alliance forces, as he was a highly skilled and respected captain who had played a crucial role in many battles leading up to Needless Bloodshed. His death was mourned by many, and his legacy as a skilled strategist and leader lived on, inspiring future generations of soldiers.

The Battle of Needless Bloodshed is remembered as one of the bloodiest battles in history and serves as a reminder of the cost of war and the importance of striving for peace.