Battle of Seahelm

Battle of Seahelm Beo's Revolt Battle of Seahelm, 1547 Date: 17th of the Amber Cold, 1547 Location: Seahelm, Province of Avar, Holy Orenian Empire Result: Defender Victory Preceded by: None Followed by: End of Beo's Revolt Belligerents Sven Eiriksson Ruric (Defender) and Allies: Sven aligned Norlanders Orcish mercenaries Beo Ruric (Attacker) and Allies: Beo aligned Norlanders Orcish mercenaries Commanders and leaders Sven Eiriksson Ruric and Allies: Sven Ruric Beo Ruric and Allies: Beo Ruric Strength Sven Eiriksson Ruric and Allies: 9,000 men Beo Ruric and Allies: 6,000 men Casualties Sven Eiriksson Ruric and Allies: ~2000 dead Beo Ruric and Allies: ~4000 dead

The Battle of Seahelm was a battle between the rebel host of Beo Ruric - supported by orcish mercenaries - and the defending forces of ruler Sven Eiriksson Ruric, similarly supported by orcish mercenaries. It was an attempt by Beo to overthrow Sven and take control of the Norlandic realm.

Prelude

With the Eighteen Years' War going poorly for Oren, ensuring they would not be able to interfere in his attempt, Beo Ruric seized upon an opportunity to try to overthrow Sven Ruric, the sitting ruler of Seahelm. Beo had been ruling over part of Avar for some time, and used this as his claim to legitimacy over Seahelm itself. Receiving funds from the Grand Kingdom of Urguan with which to hire mercenaries, Beo rallied a host of Norlanders and sailed to attack the city of Seahelm. While Sven Ruric learned of these plans and wrote to Emperor John II for aid, no Orenian soldiers arrived to support the defence. Some Orcish mercenaries however did end up fighting on behalf of Sven, as there was confusion among their ranks due to both sides being led by Rurics. On the 17th of the Amber Cold, Beo and Sven’s hosts met 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.

Aftermath

Sven's victory at Seahelm ensured he remained as ruler of Seahelm and the surrounding region of Avar. Beo managed to escape the destruction of his army, going on to become infamous to the Red Faith as 'the Betrayer'.