[Phase 4] Scarlet Moon vs. Zexen at Vinay Del Zexay [Concluded]

[Vextor]

The citizens of Zexen enjoy this unseasonably warm day, gossiping about the newest scandals and dealings in the council, and about the wars being fought abroad. Surely, the rumors of the Scarlet Moon Empire's declaration of war are false, they say. The presence of Zexen guardsmen on the harbor and beach are, however, proof that it is indeed reality.

Beethoven4567 of the Zexen home guard surveys the beach, looking for any sign of attack. None comes. Consulting with commander Alex, he decides to station his troops right outside the harbor area, so as not to spook the residents.

That night, the Scarlet Moon Empire forces finally land. Making quick work of the few guards directly on the beach, Shineget's 1036 cavalrymen mount their horses and charge for the harbor area. Quickly awoken by the alarm bells at the harbor, Beethoven4567 quickly moves his 3500 infantrymen to intercept them before they get too far (some of his troops even forgo their armor in haste) . With a sickening thud the two units meet, but Shineget's cavalry easily overrun the newly-trained and under-equipped guardsmen. Beethoven4567 leads the remnants of his troops back inside the city walls, away from the rampaging cavalrymen. When it's all over, 1036 of Zexen's finest young men lay dead, while the Scarlet Moon Empire forces only suffer a few minor injuries.

That morning, commander Alex leads his own 3500 troops from the city gates toward the harbor, in an attempt to dislodge the cavalry once and for all. These troops are well-experienced and well-equipped, with long pikes specifically to fight cavalry. His troops slowly advance toward the cavalrymen, who slowly back away, towards the docks. While this happens, however, lord Middletails of the Scarlet Moon Empire leads a detatchment of 10 dismounted, disguised cavalry into the gate, masquerading as Zexen soldiers. They head for the belltower, killing the 5 guards there. Quickly, he rings the bell to signal retreat. Alex, as an obedient officer, leads his troops back to the city, slowly. Middletails and his men quickly exit the tower and make use of a rope to rappell down the city walls, killing 5 more guards on their way out.

When Alex realizes the mistake, it is too late. Watchmen report more Scarlet Moon Empire forces approaching. Alex and Beethoven 4567 call urgently for reinforcements, while in the hastily-erected Imperial camp the commanders congratulate each other and prepare for the next day, as this one is won.

Scarlet Moon Empire prevails in this turn.

[Vextor]

With the Zexen forces driven from the beaches by the first Scarlet Moon assault, the city of Vinay Del Zexay begins to take on the air of panic. Troops are called from all the nearby regions to defend the Zexen capital. By midnight, a sizable force under three commanders had arrived. maverick and Zieg each lead 3500 Zexen infantry, while Augustine leads a force of 3000 archers. As they camp that night inside the city, the Scarlet Moon Empire sends in their agents.

Middletails, having proven his worth earlier in the battle, moved his elite dismounted cavalry squad back into the city walls via grappling hook the anger leads his 4 men right behind them, the newly-converted infantrymen gripping their swords nervously. In the night, a commotion breaks out in the city. maverick, having spent most of the night at a local tavern, stumbles into his command center, only to see all his trusted lieutenants dead in puddles of their own blood. He immediately draws his sword and sounds the alarm, though too late for them to catch Middletails' unit. Middletails lights fire to a supply depot for good measure, then departs.

Zieg awakens with the sound of the alarm bells, quickly grabbing his sword...just in time to slay the 4 men about to take his life. the anger backs away from his sword point, running down the stairs of the barracks, killing 2 men along the way. Meeting up with Middletails, the whole group escapes the city stealthily.

Angered by the losses of the high-ranking Zexen commanders, Augustine leads his 3000 archers in an assault at dawn. Because of the loss of the supply depot, they have no bows, only basic weapons such as daggers and clubs. As they rushed towards the docked Imperial ships, Augustine notices that there seems to be nobody there...

Just then, Byrch and 41 infantry arose from their positions behind rocks and sand dunes, all around and within the Zexen forces. Chaos breaks out as the ill-equipped Zexen troops begin to rout. Unsure of the exact Imperial numbers, Byrch orders a retreat. The Zexen forces retreat back within the walls, having lost 41 of their own men.

The Imperial forces rejoice at their stunning victory, while inside the walls of Vinay Del Zexay the commanders are forced to report to the council exactly how 10,000 men can be defeated by three-score troops. After the meeting, the commanders meekly decree that all citizens of Vinay Del Zexay prepare for evacuation, as an assault is imminent.

SME wins this turn. Because they have won two turns, they have won this battle.

SME has gained maritime superiority over Vinay Del Zexay's coast.