The Raid on Elysium

The Varhelm Offensive
Part of the Norland-Oren Conflict
Date: 5th of Snow's Maiden, 23 S.A. Place: Varhelm, Kingdom of Norland Result: Orenian Victory Belligerents Holy Orenian Empire: Holy Orenian Empire Kingdom of Norland: Kingdom of Norland Commanders Iskander Basrid, 2nd Count of Susa Erik Ruthern, Count of Kositz Simon Pruvia, Viscount of Pruvia-Provins Thorfinn Kursin Carson Berthmeud Strength ~2200 Infantry ~2900 Infantry Casualties 0 Dead or Wounded ~200 Dead or Wounded

The Varhelm Offensive, was an Imperial offensive intended to raid the wheat fields of the Duchy of Elysium, a vassal of the Kingdom of Norland. The Orenian force of two thousand initially attacked the newly built walls of Elysium, making an attempt to trick the two hundred defenders into opening the gates. Failing to do this, the Orenian forces retreated from Elysium, as further Norlandic forces began to rally to the defense of Elysium.

Prelude

The Imperial force of two thousand would approach the gates of the Duchy of Elysium, where they would attempt to trick the guards on the walls of Elysium to open their gates and allow them passage onto their land. This attempt would fail, forcing the two thousand man rally to retreat from the walls. During the retreat, the Imperial Host would encounter a small party of five hundred Norlandic Soldiers who were tasked to engage an Imperial scouting party of two hundred.

Battle

Once the Orenian and Norlandic forces met the two hundred Imperials and Norlanders engaged in combat, with the Norlandic soldiers attempting a fighting retreat to the walls of Duchy of Elysium, led by Lord Purifier Thorfinn Kursin. While the other three hundred Norlanders made it back to the Duchy of Elysium, the rearguard was overcome. At the same time the rallied Norlandic forces, numbering approximately two thousand four hundred, sallied from the walls of Elysium in an attempt to combat the Imperial force. As the Imperial raiding force had already traveled into the countryside, the Norlandic forces were unable to locate them and returned to the walls.

Aftermath

Although Thorfinn Kursin was captured and put on a boat sailing to Providence, he threw himself into the water of the nearby lake, choosing to die honorably in the waters of his land rather than be dishonored through capture. Although the gates were not opened to the Imperial force, the battle was considered an Orenian victory because they had won the field battle after being met by the Norlandic force.