[Phase 4] Grassland vs. Zexen at Great Hollow [Concluded]

[Vextor]

It was time to push the Grasslanders back, declared the Chairman of the Council, and his words launched an army to take the nearest Grasslander stronghold, the Great Hollow of the Lizard Clan. The Lizard Clan was perhaps the most deadly of the Six Clans, and with two of the Clans subjugated by forces afar, now was the time to strike. Pushing the Lizards back would ensure the safety of the Zexen people.

Gathering his most trusted warriors to him, the western Commander of the Six Clans knew that the Great Hollow was a powerful symbol of the Clans and must be held, or the Six Clans might fall. Amongst them were a woman known only as PalominoMule — renowned for her stubborn refusal to submit to the enemy — and Timbo — a brilliant tactician who knew the value of a long range strike as a means to end a battle before it began. The western Commander sent many of his own warriors of Safir-in-exile with PalominoMule's own loyal soldiers, and sent Timbo to work with the Lizard Clan Chief. "Hold the Great Hollow at all costs," he told them.

It was not long after their arrival that word came of the enemy's approach. Determined not to let her superiors down, PalominoMule ordered her 16,073 infantry to the front lines, to hold the entrance to the Great Hollow. The forces of Pyroflame, 11,000 strong in number, were already bearing down on the entrance. First blood was scored by the Zexens, as Pyroflame's magicians sent a gout of flame scorching straight through PalominoMule's men and down the corridor into the Great Hollow itself. Unwilling to back down or give ground, those of her men who made it out before the attack began quickly converged on the Zexen mages. In close quarters, the Zexens had no chance, their magics as much a danger to their own men as the enemy. PalominoMule lost 5,500 soldiers, many in the first blast, but took down 8,036 of Pyroflame's forces before forcing the invaders' retreat.

That evening, under thick clouds and the pall of twilight, Malc returned, hoping to push his way in to the Lizard Clan fortress. But PalominoMule's charge had bought the Lizard Clan time, and under Timbo's leadership, 12,843 Lizard warriors, armed with heavy crossbows no human could hope to fire, snuck out the back caves of the Great Hollow and climbed their way up the mountain, and waited. When another 11,000 Zexen mages made their way into the mountain passes leading to the home of the Lizard Clan, Timbo's sentries quietly sent word. As soon as they were in range, thousands of bolts flew as one. Utterly unaware of the enemy's presence, Malc's forces were cut down to a man, while not a single of Timbo's archers suffered so much as a scratch.


The Grasslands win this turn.

[Vextor]

Timbo gathered around him the Grasslands warriors and shamans. Four of the Clans were represented under the cavernous depths of the Great Hollow. Standing side by side with him was the Lizard Clan Chief. "Today," they said as one, "we shall honor the spirits!" The assembly broke into cheer, deep and guttural voices reverberating off the stone walls and causing a thundering echo. When it died down, the two leaders began to explain their plan. They had a chance this morning of driving the invaders all the way back into the Yaza Plains. They would leave the Plains to the Ironheads — for now — but on the orders of the Western Commander, many of the other Clans' forces were to ride to the northern end of Yaza and set up camp against further incursion. "The Great Hollow will never fall!"

Out on the Yaza Plains, in the Zexen encampment, the Zexen Knights in charge of the expedition discussed their strategy. The mood was sombre in the camp, following the loss of over twenty thousand Zexen mages. No one expected the Grasslands' forces to be so formidable. "I am certain they will try the crossbows, again," one of the Knights declared. "They saw that we were wiped out. Arm the front ranks with Tower shields and we can advance on them. No crossbowman will live long at close quarters. I know just who to send, too." The others looked around the room and nodded; it was finally agreed. The Zexen foot soldiers would march to the fore. Finally, many Knights though, true warriors would have the chance to show their strength.

Timbo directed his men once more onto the cliffs above the entrance to the Great Hollow. He made no secret of this; his overconfidence was clear to any Zexen with a looking glass. "Send the report back, quickly! The Lizards have taken up position on the mountains again. Look, we can take those passes up there and slaughter them. They will be unable to escape!"

Word passed quickly around the Lizards watching from above. "Do not waste your bolts. They have acted precisely as we have predicted. Hold your ground."

One of the renowned Knight Captains, nicknamed Everyone's Grudge by his enemies — a name he embraced; none who named him still lived — lead his men into the field. The Tonbrigade were all specially trained men, armed with short swords suited best for stabbing. They were perfect for this mission, where the fighting would be at close quarters. Six thousand strong, they were a sight to behold. However, when they entered the pass leading to the cavernous entrance of the Great Hollow, a tiny murmur of fear began to pass along his men. The Grasslanders were not firing. Their Knight Captain, confident that the Grasslanders knew their defeat was imminent, ordered the charge. As they pounded into the crevice, a thundering echo hit them moments before thousands of men on Karayan horses stormed out of the black gaping maw of the Great Hollow. Shabadoo's men quickly stampeded over the Knights. Their leader, the only one of their number on horseback, survived the initial assault, but was quickly captured by the Grasslanders.

Shaking his head, the Knight General in charge of the expedition lowered his looking glass and turned to his men. "Signal Marshal Kagematsuri. They will not have another unit ready to do the same thing, and even if they do, those horse of theirs will never be able to form a charge on the mountain itself. the barbarian Lizards will fall, and we shall control the top of the mountain. It will be safe to send in the rest of our forces then, and capture the stronghold. We will rescue the Grudge this day. Go!" Before the dawn had crested, Marshal Kagematsuri's forces made their way around the mountain, and were to attack from behind. The sun shone brightly overhead, now, and using a reflecting surface, one of the Knights flashed a single to the east side of the mountain. Soon after, a response came. Once, twice quickly, a longer third. "General, Kagematsuri is in position and will begin the assault."

Timbo gave the orders quickly. His scouts reported that they were about to be flanked. He sent a Lizard down into the caverns. "Send for the Mule and her Safir, have them pour out of one of the hidden exits near their position. Go, quickly!" Before long, the enemy was in clear sight. Several Grasslanders fired as they retreated, but the heavy tower shields repelled even the heavy bolts of the Lizard Clan. The Zexen advanced, confident. But they failed to see PalominoMule's forces storm from what appeared to be solid rock; the mountain was dotted with secret passes and caverns, many of which were linked to the Great Hollow itself, but almost none of them were visible except when looked at straight on. Running full tilt, the blonde-haired warrior's forces smashed into the back lines of the Zexen soldiers, and the battle was engaged. The Zexens put up a good fight, their training and discipline cutting through confusion and turning them to face their new enemy in time; but the Grasslanders of the Clan Safir were accustomed to fighting in the mountains, and took advantage of the terrain. The battle lasted almost an hour, splitting up across the southern face of the mountain, but in the end the Grasslander forces annihilated Kagematsuri's men, almost to a man. Kagematsuri was not found among the dead, however, and was believed to escape with several hundred men.

The Zexen General watched this play out in horror. "We have lost over thirty thousand good men and women these last two days. It sickens me. We cannot keep this up. Send the word to all regiments: we are retreating. The Council will have to understand; I will not waste any more of my people's lives." His Knight attendant saluted, and ran to comply.

Inside the Great Hollow, Timbo received the report: the Zexen army was retreating. He turned to his lieutenants. "Send the outriders to hold ground and set fortifications at the edge of the Plains." He turned to the Grudge. "Return to your Council. Tell them, the Grasslanders are their prey no longer." The Zexen was released, and his horse was returned; he rode quickly away. Timbo turned to the Lizard Clan Chief, and they bowed deeply to each other in thanks.

"We have won, my friend," the Clan Chief announced proudly. "The Flame Champion and your Western Commander will be proud, and the Lizard Clan will forevermore sing your name in thanks." The cheer that went up from the Lizard Clan echoed louder than the worst thunderstorm, a thousand times more deafening than the cheer that morning.

Grasslands vs. Zexen at the Great Hollow
Grasslands
Shabadoo (Cavalry) Soldiers: 8000
PalominoMule (Infantry) Soldiers: 10573
Zexen Confederation
Everyone's Grudge (Infantry) Soldiers: 6000
Kagematsuri (Infantry) Soldiers: 6000

Results:
Shabadoo (0 soldiers lost) defeats Everyone's Grudge (annihilated)
PalominoMule (3000 soldiers lost) defeats Kagematsuri (5286 soldiers lost)

Grasslands win 2-0.

The Grasslands win this turn. With two victorious turns, Grassland successfully defends Great Hollow from enemy invasions.