Battle of Lowveld

Battle of Lowveld Part of the Toe War Battle of Lowveld, 1732 Date: The Grand Harvest, 1732 Location: Veld Between Vintas and Mohk-Uruk Result: Mohk-Uruk Victory Belligerents Federation of Mokh-Urak and Allies: Federation of Mokh-Urak Bandit Allies Holy Orenian Empire and Allies: Holy Orenian Empire Duchy of Vintas Commanders and leaders Federation of Mohk-Uruk: Leydluk'Raguk Holy Orenian Empire: Otto Tuvyic Barbanov Strength Federation of Mohk-Uruk: 4000 men Holy Orenian Empire: ~3800 men Casualties Mohk-Uruk: ~997 dead Holy Orenian Empire: ~2500 dead

The Battle of Lowveld was a small engagement fought between the forces of the Holy Orenian Empire and the Federation of Mokh-Urak in the year of 1732. The battle proved to be a victory for Mohk-Uruk, who were able to catch Oren in a surprise attack and score an early victory in the war for the orcs and their bandit allies.

Prelude

Prior to the battle, war had been initiated between the Holy Orenian Empire and the Federation of Mohk-Uruk, over Lord Merentel chose to suck the toe of Leydluk'Raguk in order to secure an alliance with the Federation of Mohk-Uruk. However, this gesture ultimately would prove in vain, as the Holy Orenian Empire, ashamed that one of their major vassals chose to suck the toe of an orc, declared war on the orcs. However, Oren would prove slow to mobilize their forces, and was instead forced to send a small vanguard of 2,000 forces, primarily consisting of Crownlands troops, in addition to a few hundred troops coming from the Kingdoms of Kaedrin and Curon. In addition to the forces of Duke Merentel's own Duchy of Vintas, numbering roughly a bit less than 2,000, they were expected to hold off any orcish attacks which might befall the Duchy.

Meanwhile, the Federation of Mohk-Uruk, being closer to the Duchy of Vintas, was quickly able to rally forces augmented with few bandit allies, accustomed to raiding and banditing with the orcs along the roads of Arcas. 4,000 in total were able to rally in a short amount of time, and departed for the Duchy of Vintas, with the intention of scoring an early victory against the Holy Orenian Empire, before they could muster the bulk of their forces.

With scouting reports of the approach of the force, the Vintasians and other Orenians chose to ride out and meet them in battle at the Low-veld which lay between Mohk-Uruk and Vintas, thus giving the battle its name.

Battle

The forces of Mohk-Uruk and Oren met with each other early on, both sides opening up with volleys of arrow fire, which saw little effect. After a short exchange, becoming evident that the volleys would not prove decisive in winning the battle, the Orenian forces charged. This charge led to a retreat from the forces of Mohk-Uruk and their allies, who had allowed themselves to become more spread out during the volleys. However, after a brief retreat, the bulk of the Mohk_Uruk's forces were able to group up, and they turned, meeting the Orenian charge in a quick, bloody clash. In the beginning, it did not seem to lean either way, but as it carried on, it appeared that the Orenian forces were losing, and quickly at that. With this, many of the Orenian high command gave the order for a general retreat back to the Duchy of Vintas, where they would hole up and wait for reinforcements.

However, the Mohk-Uruk was not so keen on allowing this, and after overrunning the forces left behind to hold them off, they quickly began pursuing the retreating Orenians. In this pursuit, they proved successful, and many Orenians would be overrun, as many ran frenzied back to the Duchy of Vintas, trying to outrun the man next to him, not wanting to fall to the Orcish and Bandit horde. However, a few brave troops, knowing they could not escape, turned as they retreated, slowing Mohk-Uruk ever so much as to allow others to escape safely into the city, and taking down a few more with them.

Aftermath

This battle would not prove incredibly decisive in the war to follow, as casualties were relatively light, and the main force of the Holy Orenian Empire had yet to arrive. However, it would prove a great morale boost to Mohk-Uruk, proving that in small enough numbers, they could best the Orenians. It also proved of detriment to the morale of the Holy Orenian Empire, but more specifically Vintas. Soon after the battle, the Duchy of Vintas would abandon is vassalship under the Emperor directly, instead choosing to become a vassal of the Kingdom of Curon.