First Contact (Battle of Harrlosburrow)

[Kira]

Late Morning, Astillia 4th


Town of Harrlosburrow, North Valdera

The sounds of church bell could be heard coming from the town. The alarm had already been raised about the approaching force, with civilians either standing to militia through their private arms or being kept to the back of the city. Their protection was paramount under the orders of Field General Tyrann, and he was not seeking to break his oath this day. The order to rouse the armed forces had been given, with his troops on hand manning their positions throughout the built defenses.  Riders would be sent to his local Rally to maneuver behind the enemy force while the others were to be given orders for a general advance, but it would take hours local force to respond, and days for the front to begin it's reaction.

Having made his way to the inn-turned command post, the man would find himself in the former eatery of the establishment. Tables had been pushed together to make way for a map of the local region, with several field officers present as well. Their faces held a mixed reception for the Field General, some harboring looks of annoyance with others seeming to be holding back their indignation. "Such is the way in war" Tyrann though to himself before approaching the assembled men.

---

-Forces Roundup: 
    25k Standard infantry
    100 Field Artillery
    100 Marrlan Field Howitzers    
    400 Mortar Artillery
-
-Reinforcements to be alerted and called for aid.
    50k Standard Infantry
    100 Field Artillery
    50 Marrlan Howitzers
    4k Carabineers 

[Greywall]

Boroko's forces approached Harrlosburrow, having taken swaths of borderlands under their control. Riders were sent ahead to demand the town's surrender. He bemused himself seeking to take the town and establish it as his forward operating base.

50,000 light infantry, 3,000 conscripts, 50,000 standard infantry, 20,000 heavy infantry, 10,000 carabineers, 500 field guns, 500 mortars, and 110 stolen Gaelic trucks were the force he brought spanning across a large front into Northern Valdera with the majority of it focused on taking the town.

The church bell sound signaled to the Xagreau the town was aware of their approach.

[Kira]

Scouts had given Tyrann an idea of the force his enemy wielded, the size comparison not quite what he had been expecting. Word was to be sent to the Xaspesh and Zedonian forces that they had been engaged at Harrlosburrow. While their numbers were meager compared to the Xagreau force, with the arrival of the Xagreau riders proving an opportunity. Escorted to the Field General himself, they would be told to bring the following message back to Boroko.

"Remove yourselves from our lands, and never come back. This is the only offer of mercy I shall allow. If you proceed with your intentions, death is the only thing that awaits you"

---

The tactic was clear. Valderan Artillery was to target hostile artillery and large groups of infantry, with the defense forces only to break concealment should a good opportunity present itself. They needed to hold here, should the war be turned in their favor. 

[Greywall]

"They said what?! Are you sure you spoke to the Mil'Nor?" Boroko was flabbergasted. The messengers nodded, Boroko laughed, "Then its a fiery death for them. Position the artillery and prepare my forces for a ground assault. Kill all the scalers as a message."

Xagreau artillery began positioning itself along with several infantry companies awaiting the shelling of the town. Around noon that day, Xagreau artillery opened full salvo on the town of Harrlosburrow. Xagreau cavalry began riding out to the flanking regions of the town to raid any movement made toward the town.

--UKUG--

The Zedonian colonial military was alerted of the invasion, positioned in Central North and commanded by General Tyvia MacBeth. "Very good then lads, let us march Westward and put an end to this hostiles." The Zedonian force began its march West.

--Xaspeshi--

Field Marshall Roy Carrigan was weathered and old, a former Royal Army general who retired and then was made commander of all Xaspeshi military forces during the Xaspeshi civil war looked over his forces one last time gripping the letter he had been waiting for. Xagreau invaded Mil'Nor, the chance to rid the Federation of its hostile bordering neighbor was far too tempting, he amassed the entire Federation army for a full assault on the heavily defended border region.

If Mil'Nor could keep the bulk of the Xagreau army South, then they could finally cross this fortified border and begin the invasion in earnest. 70,000 standard infantry, 10,000 heavy infantry, 200 field guns, 200 mortars and a compliment of 200 supply trucks to feed this large force. The Field Marshall was probably the oldest human military commander in Ouhiri, but if he could finally end the hostility of Xagreau and make the Federation safe it was worth his last years.

"We're ready Field Marshall" a major reported, Carrigan looked at the map one last time, his artillery and mortars would begin large scale bombings of the border fortifications to soften them up. Even with most of Xagreau's military South, taking this would be a bloody affair. "Begin the operation, let us end this once and for all" Carrigan said.

[Greywall]

Casualties

Mil'Nor: 145 infantry
Xagreau: 0

[Kira]

The inital barrage had done some damage, with medic teams scambling inbetween the defences to try and collect the wounded. Within the HQ of the defenders, Tyrann had kept a unbothered air about him as the casualties were reported.
"Have the cannons fire in as unifired a rate as possible. Target their guns with the howitzers while the rest blasts their men apart. Send what men can be spared to the flanks, and arm what volunteers we can muster from the civilians." 

The guns began counterfire soon after, the stockpile of ammo and prior preparation allowing for a good rate of constant fire to rain down on the Xagreau. Buildings on the flanks of the town were garrisons in preparation for the observed calvary movements. 

---

The First Rally had been stationed a few hours from Harrlosburrow to the east, with the riders carrying word of the assault to them. Under command of Commodore Salvad Grant, the force of 50k Standard Infantry, 100 Field Artillery,  50 Marrlan Howitzers and 4k Carbine Calvery. 

Having received his orders, the First Rally began its march to Harrlosburrow.

[Greywall]

When Valdera gave resistance, the Xagreau launched their assault in earnest. The exchange of artillery fire sent explosions thundering on both sides, Xagreau sent forth its first wave of 15,000 infantry under the cover of field guns and mortars.

Once the infantry reached range of the Mil'Nor they would open fire. Excess infantry were sent to flank and encircle the city.

--Border--

Xagreau guards were stunned when Xaspeshi artillery struck them, "RETURN FIRE!" Xagreau guns lit up returning fire as border detachments assembled to the forward defenses. Messengers were sent to Jakka to alert the capital that the Xaspeshi were attacking.

[Greywall]

Casualties

Xagreau: 543
Mil'Nor: 432

Border battle

Xaspeshi: 0
Xagreau: 24 field guns, 239 infantry

[Kira]

From the defenses came a hail of bullets in return to the Xagreau attackers. As they advanced, the concealed squads sprung from their places within the brush, trees and thicket approaching the town. A mix of gunfire and blades would be mixed in these groups, with the Mil'Nor troops attacking with blade, bullet and claw. 

With the advancement of the hostile infantry into small arms range, the Valderan artillery would switch to canister shell, their targets the largest unengaged swathes of the approaching force. On the flanks of the town, pot shots were taken by stationed infantry at the flanking troops, with the civilians still in town being moved to the center as the Xagreau moved to encircle them

[Greywall]

Frustration and surprise was what one could call the Xagreau reaction at actually fighting the Mil'Nor, they had been led to believe the clans would collapse quickly. Infantry fired in disciplined file and rank, keeping to cover they could find as they slowly squeezed around the town. Artillery targeted the center of town to force it into surrender.

Boroko was amused, he felt the lizards putting a fight up here was a mere fluke and after they made an example of them they would quickly fall.

--Border battle--

The Xaspeshi artillery assault hammered the fortifications hard, Federal troops were being organized for a formal assault against the border, Carrigan spoke to them before the assault.
"Gentlemen, here we stand where your fathers stood a mere 20 years ago. The Xagreau split our nation in two, hounded us, threatened us with no end. Well today, we put an end to their aggression, in front of you, is a deadly fortified border. I won't sugar coat it lads, many will perish, but in your sacrifice on the other side of that fortified hell. Is paradise, for your children. No more war, no threats from rampant xenophiles. Go forth and earn your future!" The men cheered before the old commander, he felt a profound sadness having to send so many young men into another fight, but he was ready to end this never ending feud with the Xagreau.

[Greywall]

Casualties

Xagreau: 295
Mil'Nor 342

Border battle

Xagreau: 203
Xaspeshi: 19

[Kira]

Just as Tyrann had said, there was little in the way of mercy to be found by Xagreau solider. Despite the mounting casualties, the scaled ones were firm in their defence for the time being. Taking cover behind both buildings and the defences built, Valderan troops and milita did their best to keep a constant stream of fire on their foes.

With the enemy artillery now targeting the city center, panic and chaos would speard to the civilians, with shells hitting buildings at chance. Tyrann's HQ was one such building hit, with several of his officers being turned to paste by the hit. Having been left relatively unscathed bar some cuts from shrapnel, the general had moved along with what remained of his command staff to the artillery post. 

Eyeing the battlefield from his position, the general seemed to be scanning the horizon as he gave new orders to the artillery company commander.
"Have the Howitzers target thier backline. With luck we may be able to cut this snakes head clean off"
The commander was about to affirm his superiors orders when a a shout was heard coming from one of the field observers.

To the East of the town of Harrlosburrow, reinforcement had arrived. The Rally, under command of Commodore Salvad Grant, moved to secure the right flank of the town. The artillery would set up a cross fire on the right and center fronts, with the 4k Carbine Calvery charging forth the right flank to lay fire down on the Xagreau. They'd keep out of melee range, the calvery forming into several large cycling groups to allow each man time away from fire to reload. 

Once the reinforcement artillery began its bombardment, with 10k infantry beganing its march towards town. Once in range, the troops began firing on the enemy, with each row of infantry kneeling to allow a constant stream of death to be unleashed. The rest were kept to form a defensive line against the eventual Xagreau response.

[Greywall]

Boroko saw the reinforcements arrive much to his annoyance, "Shift our forces to engage them on the flank, the encirclement is on hold." Xagreau forces that were attempting to encircle the town now shifted to engage the reinforcements. Half of field guns were firing at the arrival of reinforcements.

Forward units now struggled against the urban defenders, Xagreau were well trained in open warfare but assaulting an actual town was something they didn't do much of. Xagreau infantry moved slower than usual taking losses in the streets against, the main deployment was funneling soldiers into the town determined to take it.


--Border battle--

The Xaspeshi launched their assault, Xagreau gatling guns and rifle fire attempted to stop them but the artillery strikes pummeled them. Firefights break out across the fortification between both sides, with the border nearly unprotected riders were sent to Jakka to alarm the Xagreau government.

[Greywall]

Casualties

Xagreau- 443
Mil'Nor 399

Border battle

Xaspeshi- 203
Xagreau - 322

[Kira]

Tyrann observed the battleline from his position, drink in hand as he considered the scene before him. Any later reinforcement from his forces would arrive after the sun had set, and as such he felt he could not count on them. Victory for this day lay in his grasp, thus far, and he would do little to lose what advantage he had gained. 

Fire at will at long been ordered for the artillery, with the infantry managing to regain their cohesion and morale with the reinforcements being spotted. Hope would rise among the bloodied ranks, the Mil'Nor spirit rising in the counteroffensive. The new Valderan line had spread its fire to hit both the backs of those Xagreau who were engaged along the town's defenses, and those who moved to counter the Valderan reinforcement. The Carabineers were split between two parties, one which was to harsh the infantry detachment assaulting the town, and the other was ordered to halt any kind of messenger of the Xagreau getting by. Cutting their communication would surely add to the chaos.