Battle of The Rolling Hills

Battle of the Rolling Hills Part of the Atlas Coalition War Battle of the Rolling Hills, 1660 Date: 20th of the Grand Harvest, 1660 Location: Norland Result: Decisive Northern Victory Followed by: Battle of The Forkwoods Belligerents Northern Atlas Alliance: Crown of Renatus-Marna Kingdom of Kaz'Ulrah War Nation of Krugmar Principality of Curon Kingdom of Santegia Dominion of Malin United Southern Alliance: Kingdom of Norland Kingdom of Haense Silver State of Haelun'or Reivers Commanders and leaders Northern Atlas Alliance: Aurelius I, King of Renatus-Marna Garrond I, High King of Kaz'Ulrah Leydluk, Rex of Krugmar Linette I, Princess of Curon Achilius I, King of Santegia Belestram, High Prince Kairn, Prince of Leyulin United Southern Alliance: Godden I, King of Norland Karl II, King of Haense Cenwall, Sohaerate of Haelun'or Strength Northern Atlas Alliance: 20,000 Infantry, 5,000 Archers, 2,000 Mounted Knights United Southern Alliance: 12,000 Infantry, 3,000 Archers Casualties Northern Atlas Alliance: ~2,000 Dead or missing United Southern Alliance ~8,000 Dead of missing

The Battle of the Rolling Hills, also known as the Battle of the Sleeping Swamps, was the first open field battle of the Atlas Coalition War fought on the 20th of the Grand Harvest, 1660. The Northern Atlas Alliance forces were commanded by Aurelius I of Renatus-Marna, Garrond I of Kaz'Ulrah, Leydluk, Rex of Krugmar, Linette I of Curon, Achilius I of Santegia and Belestram of Malin, with the United Southern Alliance forces being commanded by Godden I of Norland, Lonan Daemyr of the Reiver mercenaries, Karl II of Haense and Cenwall of Haelun'or. This battle would become known as the opening Battle of the Atlas Coalition War.

Prelude

After the conclusion of the First Northern Atlas Alliance War Council, the leaders of the Northern Atlas Alliance determined that they would perform a 'March to the Sea', driving straight across the continent to Ruriksgrad. The aim of this was to effectively cut the United Southern Alliance in two and secure vital ports and shipping lanes. As the massive Northern Atlas Alliance host marched east, they were soon identified by Southern scouts who quickly relayed the Northern army's position to their commanders. However, due to the Northern army's close proximity, the Southern forces had to quickly raise their levies to halt the advance of the Northern forces.

Notably, the Royal State Army of Renatus-Marna had organized itself into a professional fighting force and had undergone several reforms before the events of the battle. Renatian-Marnantine troops had mostly abandoned heavy armor and full plate. Instead, they adopted a new lighter pattern of armor and battle dress, taking much inspiration from uniforms worn by Waldenian Landsknechts. This trade-off of protection provided the troops of Renatus-Marna with a significant increase in mobility.

At dusk, both the Northern Atlas Alliance and the United Southern Alliance pitched their tents on opposite ends of the Sleeping Swamplands.

Battle

The forces of the United Southern Alliance had mainly adopted a defensive posture. As forces of the Northern Atlas Alliance took to the field, USA forces largely held their ground. However, this negligence to maintain battlefield supremacy would cost the United Southern Alliance dearly.

The Northern Atlas Alliance army was divided into two wings. The left wing was commanded by Aurelius I, who led a detachment of Marnantine Civil Guards, Curonites, Kaz'Ulrah Heavy Infantry, and Wood Elves. The right wing was entrusted to King Aurelius's son and Grand Marshal of Renatus-Marna, Antonius Horen; under his command was the bulk of the Royal State Army and a large host of Orcish berserkers.

Units of the Northern Atlas Alliance far out-maneuvered their Southern counterparts. As a result of this 'lightning warfare', pockets of Southern soldiers quickly found themselves surrounded and isolated from their main force. Many of whom were torn to shreds by Northern polearms and halberds. However, the most devastating loss for the United Southern Alliance that day would be an event that the Northern forces coined as the Mole's Hill Massacre. To ward off Northern riders, a brigade's worth of Southern forces formed square atop a small mound near the edge of the battlefield. However, their tight formation would allow them to be completely enveloped by Northern forces. Refusing to lower their weapons, the Southern men futilely held their ground. A few moments passed as the Northern men called up their archers and crossbowmen. When the command was given, missiles indiscriminately were loosed into the mass of Southern troops. Volley by volley, large swaths of Southern men was cut down where they stood. Others attempted to fire back, while some tried to break the encirclement. However, it was to no avail. As a result, the entire force at Mole's Hill was obliterated.

Elsewhere on the battlefield, United Southern forces were also driven back by sheer numbers and force. After long fighting, the Southerners ordered a general retreat and fled from the Swamps. However, there was no order given to pursue. Instead, the Northern Atlas Alliance would use the opportunity to reap the nearby fields and rest.

Aftermath

After a long day of fighting with the N.A.A on the U.S.A's tail, Antonius Horen conceded to King Aurelius's plans on continuing the aggression towards the enemy, therefore leading towards the Battle of The Forkwoods.