Battle of Seahelm

Battle of Seahelm Part of the Eighteen Years' War Battle of Seahelm, 1547 Date: 17th of the Amber Cold, 1547 Location: Province of Avar, Holy Orenian Empire Result: Imperial Victory Preceded by: Siege of Fort Dunamis Followed by: Peace of West Avar Belligerents Holy Orenian Empire and Allies: Holy Orenian Empire Principality of Laureh'lin The Grand Kingdom of Urguan and Allies: Grand Kingdom of Urguan Dunamis mercenaries Rurikid rebels Commanders and leaders Holy Orenian Empire and Allies: John II, Holy Orenian Emperor Lord Henry Rothesay Eirik Ruric Sven Ruric Grand Kingdom of Urguan and Allies: Grand King Rhewen Frostbeard Belegar Ireheart Beo Ruric Strength Holy Orenian Empire and Allies: 9,000 men Grand Kingdom of Urguan and Allies: 6,000 men and dwarves Casualties Holy Orenian Empire and Allies: ~2000 dead Grand Kingdom of Urguan and Allies: ~4000 dead

The Battle of Seahelm was the final battle of the Eighteen Years' War between the Imperial forces of John II, Holy Orenian Emperor and his generals Josef Vladov and Archduke Augustus and the rebel host of Lord Beo Ruric, who was supported by Urguanite forces commanded by Grand Marshal Belegar Ireheart.

Prelude

The Dunamian front of the Eighteen Years' War had ended in Imperial defeat over 1 month before, and news spread quickly to Beo Ruric, an Imperial noble upon the Isle of Avar. Beo, seeing an opportunity to gain independence from the Empire and favor from Urguan, advanced on Seahelm with the intent of capturing the Island of Avar and returning it to the Grand Kingdom. Emperor John II responded by raising his own banners and setting sail for the island. On the 17th of the Amber Cold, Beo and Emperor John II’s hosts would meet on the frozen plains outside of Seahelm.

Battle

Field Marshal Rothesay took the opening move and ordered the loyalist Rurikids to advance to a hill that overlooked the plain. Ruric responded in turn, attempting to move his Avarites around the Imperial right so that a flank could be performed. This flanking force, however, was routed by Jarnstrandic levy men. The Urguanite legions now moved up to the spine of the hill, hoping to prevent the Imperial advancement. The dwarves charged into the Imperial flank but with the failure of their own right, were beaten down off the hill. Rurikid infantry saw an opportunity in the retreat and without warning charged down the hill. Ruric's host noticed this, reforming quickly and cut down the overextended Rurikids and forced a bloody withdrawal back to the Imperial main line.

Ruric and his force suffered brutal casualties during the fighting and failed to open their path into Seahelm. After rallying and reorganizing his weary men, Ruric called for a full assault up the hill towards the Imperials, his hope to catch them by surprise. Rothesay saw the massive Avarite charge but, before they could surmount the hill, ordered his own center of Rurikids to charge down the hill once again. While Ruric and his host were caught by the sudden charge, Rothesay’s right and left respectively closed in on the flanks, surrounding the entire rebel army. Ruric was killed in this final melee, the remainder of his host fleeing to Urguan in shame.

Aftermath

The victory at Seahelm demonstrated full Imperial control over the conquered province of Avar. Defeat at the battle also forced the Grand Kingdom to begin peace talks with the Empire, ultimately leading to the Peace of West Avar.