The war between Sir Desmond Highridge, a wealthy manor owner, with ambition to claim all of the Circa as his own personal kingdom and Lord Adrian Banner, an Ex-Parliamentarian military captain. For the past several months the two have been caught in a series of brutal skirmishing between their properties, amounting to almost forty dead. Banner, has finally gathered his assets, from his old military days and is moving to eliminate his rival and make the Circa an independent and powerful state. With the forces of Banner marching down from Hidelburg, and the Crested Ridge, Highridge is left scant hours to gather his immediate friends and family into an ad-hoc fighting force.
Order of Battle.
Forces of Lord Adrian Banner.
- 2x Battalia of Ex-Military Line (both Pike and Shotte, approx. 100 men)
- 1 Light Cannon
- Hidelburg Fire Brigade (Mounted on horse, armed with pistol and sword, acting as forward Recon.)
Forces of Sir Desmond Highridge
- Friends and Family of Highridge.
- Highridge Estate Farmers (60-80 personnel)
- Adam Highridge and the "Ommenbach Young Mens Riding Club" (light cavalry)
The opening shots of the battle come as The Hidelburg Fire Brigade rides into the lower stables of the Highridge Estate and are met by Highridge's 15 year old son, and his riding club buddies, escorted by Hierm, the only member of the defending force to have actual military experience and Highridge's own man servant.
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| Overview of the Stables as the groups close |
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| The Fire Brigade Scout up Banner's left flank. |
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| Adam and his mates ride out of the stables, towards the right, Highridge yells after his son to be careful |
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| The Fire Brigade Over extends, and finds itself in a world of pain. |
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| Line Infantry Meet |
Part 2
As the forces of Highridge, retreat further up the hill. Banner's men loot the lower stables and barns, and capture Adam. As the fires of the pillaging lights the night skies, word of Banners success spreads, and glory seekers flock to the foot of the Highridge Estate.
The next day, Banner's men march up the main road towards the house in an impressive display of force. The defenders take hidden positions in the forest, and behind stone walls, firing volley after volley into the advancing enemy. The light cannon booms from the small hilltop, but does no immediate damage.
However, as the Pikes of Banners troops reach charging distance from the defenders, the cannon shatters the barn and the Friends and Family that Highridge had relied on to hold his estate, retreat in good order, across the fields and make their way back home, no longer seeing merit in their relations cause.
It is not until Adam is brought out by Banner that Highridge, actually surrenders his holdings to the usurpers...
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| Banner's bolstered forces, advance on the Manor House |
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| Despite artillery fire, the defenders withstand the bombardment to deliver much well disciplined resistance |
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| Highridge finally surrenders to Banner. |
Aftermath
The engagement, though relatively small, with casualties in the 50's or 60's, placed Lord Banner firmly in command of virtually all of the Circa. However, it also shone a spotlight on the Circa, showing everyone on a national scale just how unstable the region actually was. Embarrassed, but sensing opportunity, the Orpheian Allegiance parliament, takes action, giving Banner the ultimatum to relinquish all of his holdings and surrender his "Terrorist Army" to the Parliament, or be force ably made to do so by the Allegiance military. Angry and disgraced, Banner surrenders peacefully and ventures west into the frontier.
It was thus that the territory of "Orpheia" was born, from the holdings of Lord Banner in Circa. It functions as an area under the direct jurisdiction of the Allegiance Parliament, and is suspected, as a result to grow significantly in power.
