Battle of the Grassy Vale

[Honors Bastion]

Army Composition:

3,847 Heavy Infantry
5,135 Light Infantry
5,121 Polearms
5,772 Archers
3,847 Light Cavalry
1,274 Heavy Cavalry

24,996 Total Men

=======================================

Approaching steadily from the West, an Army of Reachmen carrying the banners of House Tyrell march towards the lands of the Grassy Vale to face an army of invaders that have defiled and pillaged their beautiful homeland. Featuring prominently among this Reachmen host are men who come from the fields and plains of Honeywine Rive, men who have answered the call to arms of House Hightower of Oldtown in the defense of the Reach and the crushing of a rebellion.

In command of this army is the young Ser Garth Hightower, Greysteel as he is called for the Valyrian Steel blade "Vigilance" that he wields into battle. The young Hightower Knight and heir is eager to show all of Westeros that the flame of House Hightower still burns strong. With him is much wiser and more experienced uncle, Ser Brandon Hightower, called "Blacksteel" for a blade made of blade iron that he wields into combat, and his younger brother, Ser Lorent Hightower. Together, the three HIghtower march to their destiny as they prepare to face the host of Robert Baratheon.

[Lord Dread]

Lord Robert Baratheon
+1 Battle
+1 Duel
+1 Survival

Lord Andrew Estermont
+1 Battle
+1 Naval
+2 Duel
+1 Joust
+1 Charisma

Stannis Estermont
+1 Joust
+2 Duels
+3 Survival

3520 H. Infantry
6583 L. Infantry
4482 Polearms
5238 archers
3105 L. cavalry
1047 H. cavalry

Total: 24,024 men (already calculated the men, who are garrison inside the Grassy Vale keep)

========================

After the successful but less bloody subjugation of Grassy Vale, Robert was more than glad to hear that finally a worthy enemy has decided to face him in open battle and wasn't willing to let him go that easily.
His host, ready to march into the field battle, bearing mostly the colours of the black stag on yellow background.
His warhammer ready, the Stormlord marched as usual among the ranks of his heavy infantry, as the fearsome weapon always offered him good services against all kind of foes. If Robert was honest to himself, this fight was more, what he desired rather than the peaceful invitation to an enemy's keep without any blood tribute. He was of course not a maniac, but once again he feeled already something, he missed for some months:
The thrill he had at Gulltown.
The atmosphere of all present death in the air.
The constant movement of a wave of metal, leather and flesh on both sides.
The colours of the comrades and those, who shall fall upon his hammer.
Robert lived for the fight, and he realized it as well on this one night at Grassy Vale, where he ed this wonderful girl. Without Lyanna on his side there was nothing else, which kept him up apart from the fight. Even though the black-haired warrior, whose face was covered by a helmet with antlers on the sides, asked always himself if women and battles were the only thing he was good at, he still felt more confident with a huge battlefield than with the question if Lyanna is still alive and if she misses him.
If she even loves him.

"She has to", he only said to himself while he watched into the distance, "Don't worry, Lyanna. Those will be a worthy sacrifice to our love."

[Poach]

Post orders.

[Lord Dread]

Army composition and orders of Robert

Center Lord Robert Baratheon +1 Battle +1 Duel +1 Survival+7; Castle forged Warhammer Helm Greaves Chest-plate Pauldrons 1376 H. Infantry 2495 L. Infantry 1394 Polearms 1546 Archers 700 L. cavalry 242 H. cavalry Right flank Lord Andrew Estermont +1 Battle +1 Naval +2 Duel +1 Joust +1 Charisma 1075 H. Infantry 1994 L. Infantry 1393 Polearms 1545 Archers 1474 L. cavalry 602 H. cavalry 50 men-at-arms Left flank: Stannis Estermont +1 Joust +2 Duels +3 Survival 1068 H. Infantry 2094 L. Infantry 1693 Polearms 2145 Archers 930 L. cavalry 202 H. cavalry Orders: With having the focus of the cavalry on the left flank under Lord Estermont's command, while buffing the polearms and archers slightly on the right flank. With a strengthened core of various infantry forces, Robert will move directly upon the enemy's center, while the right flank is supposed to hold with archers against the enemy and reduce the cavalry lines of the Reach with the polearms. The left wing will as well storm forward due to the cavalry advantage. Robert Baratheon fights in first rank among his heavy infantry.

[jacb547]

OOC: Should I give orders to my flanks? LD seems pretty straight forward about it.

[Honors Bastion]

As the two opposing armies began to form up for battle, Ser Garth Hightower "Greysteel" watched silently as he prepared himself physically and mentally for the battle to come. In a matter of minutes or hours, he did know or care, nearly fifty thousand men would be charging forward to spill each others blood, to claim a victory before the beautiful and fertile fields of the Grassy Vale, and water it with the blood, sweat, and tears of dying men. It was humbling thought for the young Hightower heir who had never before fought in a battle as large as this and it caused him to drop to his knees in prayer to the Seven . He prayed to the Father to give him the victory, he prayed to the Warrior for strength in case he comes to face to face with the Warhammer wielding Robert Baratheon, he prayed to the Mother for salvation that today would not be his final day to walk the land of Westeros and most importantly, he prayed to the Stranger to not make a visit to him personally today.

Awakened from his silent prayer by a gentle nudge from his uncle's hand, Garth rose and said in a speech before his men"It is time men of the Reach to draw our blades in defense of our homeland. It is time, my fellow soldiers to show all of Westeros that the strength of the Reach is unmatched and these rebels will soon regret testing our mettle. For the Reach, House Tyrell, and the Glorious Seven."

Orders

Left Flank: 1,500 Heavy Infantry 2,000 Light Infantry 750 Polearms 1,750 Archers 1,847 Light Cavalry 1,000 Heavy Cavalry Commander: Ser Brandon Hightower “Blacksteel” Traits: +3 Survival, +3 Battles, +2 Duels, +2 Logistician, +1 Pathfinder, +1 Scout Orders: Archers are to fire on the enemy infantry. Polearms and heavy infantry supported by the light infantry are ordered to advance upon the enemy. Light and heavy cavalry are ordered to engage their opposing cavalry before flanking the enemy infantry. Light cavalry if given the chance are ordered to flank the center. Center: 847 Heavy Infantry 1,135 Light Infantry 3,621 Polearms 2,272 Archers Commander: Ser Garth Hightower “Greysteel” Traits: +2 Survival, +2 Battles, +1 Duel, +1 Charisma Weapon: Valyrian Steel Sword, Vigilance. +4 Duels Orders: Archers are to fire on the enemy infantry Polearms are to form a shield wall. They will slowly move backwards in order to draw th enemy center towards them and become isolated from its flanks. Right Flank: 1,500 Heavy Infantry 2,000 Light Infantry 750 Polearms 1,750 Archers 1,000 Light Cavalry Commander: Ser Lorent Hightower Traits: +2 Survival, +2 Battles, +1 Scout, +1 Wealth Orders: Archers are to fire on the enemy infantry formation Polearms are to advance supported by the heavy infantry and light infantry. Charginf reckless will not be allowed unless the enemy infantry appear to waver. If given the chance, the light cavalry are ordered to engage the opposing cavalry before either flanking the enemy formation or supporting their own engaged infantry. Reserve: 100 Household Knights (Free Upkeep Retainers) 274 Heavy Cavalry 1,000 Light Cavalry Orders: Reserve Cavlary are ordered to charge to prevent a flanking attempt by charging them. If there is no flanking attempt, they are ordered to charge forward if the enemy center is drawn forward by the rearward movement of the flank.

[jacb547]

Lord Andrew Estermont, Grassy Vale


Andrew was no longer grinning, he watched as thousands of Reachmen came marching up the road, colored banners displaying the sigils of the Hightowers, Tyrells and many lesser houses. The fight we so wanted then. Andrew was experienced from fighting pirates in the Stepstones but none of them had been as mighty as the before them. But looking over his shoulder he knew they had almost as many men, grim soldiers from the Stormlands Everyone of us is worth ten of them, time to prove this. "Joff!" His cousin Joffrey was clever enough to serve as his second-man "Give orders for the men to form up, we should welcome these Reachmen with a plate of steel served cold don't you think?" Joffrey bowed his head "Yes, my lord! Right away!" The other Estermont spurred his horse to the infantry while Andrew approached his best friend Ser Renly Todbury.
"The fight we so craved then."
"Aye, time to see if we will survive it."
"Living or not we will kill many men today."
"Yes that we will."


Stannis Estermont, Grassy Vale

Stannis was glad to have a command away from his pestilent brother, the two of them never did quite get along to say the least. His face was grim determination beneath his plain helm, Stannis thought ornaments on armour were as useful as nipples on a breastplate. The men serving under him were mostly not his own so he shared command with half a dozen minor stormlords, Old Lord Tarth and stinking Lord Penrose came to mind as the most incompetent fools he ever met. Still he was glad to have been honoured with a command at all. Besides him was his best, and perhaps only, friend the fat Ser Herbert Mertyn who seemed nigh on pissing himself. "You're scared." Started Stannis.
"I am."
It is queer for a man to admit his own cowardice, perhaps this was the only thing Stannis admired about his friend.
"Perhaps it is wise to be afraid before such a battle."
"Are you?"
Am I? Stannis had never fought a battle before but his determination to surpass his brother seemed to topple any fear he might have.
"I don't have the luxury to be afraid, and neither do you."

[Poach]

Infantry vs Infantry

Baratheon wins all flanks as his infantry out-point Hightower forces on two of three flanks, with the third flank being only a marginal disadvantage. Close rolls all round with Robert just clinching victory on two of the three flanks, third more comfortable: all flanks had maxed casualty ratios.

Cav vs Cav

Baratheon wins left, Hightower wins right. Straight up fight, both sides winning the flank they really should've lost on by getting lop-sided rolls in their favour.

Cav vs Polearms

Baratheon's polearms on the right repel the cav in a saviour of a roll. Hightower's polearms on the left are overrun by a heavy cavalry charge that significantly out-pointed them.

Cav vs Inf

Hightower's left is already defeated, the Cavalry join the chase.

Reserves

The small Hightower Reserve charges the victorious central flank, but is insufficient to stop the advance of Robert's strong centre.

Rout Roll

Rolled under the 'no uncommited flank' scheme, d10, 6, 30%.

Troops Left

Baratheon:

2,266 H Inf
4,233 L Inf
2,871 Polearms
5,057 Archers
542 H Cav
993 L Cav

15,964 men

Hightower

1,478 H Inf
1,973 L Inf
2,130 Polearms
1,346 Archers
75 E Cav
519 H Cav
1,752 L Cav

11,920 men

Comments

Before the rout, the Hightower Army had around 16,000 men and had largely accounted themselves with valour, taking as good as they got. A punishing 30% rout casualty figure, though, caused by the Hightower Reserve's orders to attack the enemy centre if it advanced, caused considerable damage. That 30% would've been 12% had the orders been to screen the retreat.

Still, 48% of the Hightower army leaves the field, with 64% of the Stormlands army retaining the field, a 16% difference in deaths despite broad success in the flanks for Robert, whose close rolls failed to bring about better results for his own men.

Post-battle rolls

Baratheon - 5 (Arm wound)
A.Estermont - 20 (Free)
S.Estermont - 16 (Free)

Brandon - 8 (Captured)
Garth - 3 (Wounded, Head)
Lorent - 17 (Free)

Edit:

Orders provided 1757, therefore no movement until 2357 today for Baratheon.

Hightower Army falls back to nearest available friendly High Lord's keep, which is Ashford, with a retreat time of 9.6 hours, arrival at 0330 19th June.

[Poach]

Also, Lords Robert and Andrew qualify for +1 Battles trait awards. Stannis, sadly, does not, as his flank was stronger than 1.2:1 (at 1.3:1) than their Hightower opponents.

[jacb547]

Lord Andrew Estermont, the Battle of Grassy Vale


Every muscle of Andrew's body boiled with excitement as the infantry slammed together in deadly battle, screams and battle cries rose into the air of the warm morning. Andrew himself sat atop his horse waiting to sound the cavalry charge besides were his friends and kin accompanying him, Renly, Jace, Joff, Orys, Petyr, Florian, Hal and also his lords Mertyn, Wagstaff and Todbury. All waited on his word to go forth into victory or death, Lord Estermont spotted the enemy cavalry making their move and he spurred his horse forward. Ser Orys raised the banner and "Thin" Hal sounded his horn and then suddenly hundreds of horses were charging forward to meet the Hightower advance cying "ESTERMONT, ESTERMONT! BARATHEON, STROM'S END!" And a hundred other things, Andrew adjusted his lance to meet his first foe, a Knight clad in plate, he aimed for his head and in seconds they met.

Andrew's aim was true and his lance splintered on his opponents head, one of the splinters took him in the neck and he fell to the ground thundering, dead. Andrew had not a moment of rest and a new foe was upon him, this time a Knight bearing the arms of House Cuy, they traded blows, left and right before one of Andrew's swings killed the man's horse which fell crushing the Knight's legs. Looking around for a moment he took in the atmosphere of the battle, he saw his cousin Jace cut down a man while his twin Joff clutched to his horse wounded on his shoulder, Ser Orys Storm bearing the Estermont banner crushed the head of a freerider with his Warhammer while his best friend Ser Renly Todbury struggled to fight three men at once. Andrew spurred his horse to his aid, shoving his sword through a freerider's back and distracting another Knight which allowed Renly to finish him off, the remaining foe, a hedge knight, raised his shield but suffered under the weight of two swords until Andrew chopped off his shield arm and Renly put a dagger through his visor.

Spurring about he witnessed his squire Petyr Todbury, now unhorsed, put his sword through a man at arms belly and steal the man's horse while Ser Steffon Mertyn fought two men at once besides his wounded brother, Lord Durran, Ser Raymar Wagstaff was wounded in the left arm and "Thin" Hal beheaded an outrider. Andrew was then challenged by a knight of House Mullendore but before the man could charge him Orys Storm was upon him and crushed his head with a blow from his hammer. Andrew smiled and went to his friend encounter but was shocked to watch an unnamed Light Cavalrymen put a sword through the mouth of his banner bearer and friend, Orys Storm was dead. Screaming with rage Andrew attacked the cavalrymen and hacked across his face, taking both of the man's eyes in the process, lifting up his standard he cried out "Rally! Rally to me men of Estermont!" But the fight was lost, even thought "Thin" Hal fought a man with a bloody stump in place of his left hand and Ser Florian "The Wrathknight" cut down enemies left and right they had lost too many. Crying for a retreat he heard the sound of a horn "Thin" now "One Handed" Hal managed to somewhat sound and all the men from the Stormlands spurred theirs horses back to the infantry lines.

Upon arriving at the safety of his own soldiers Andrew inspected his men, Petyr on his stolen horse, surely deserving a knighthood now, Lord Durran Mertyn dead from his wounds, Steffon Mertyn unhorsed, Hal missing a hand and many more wounded or dying. His polearms, grim and armed with long pikes moved forward to stop the Hightower cavalry pursuit. A fierce battle was fought there as horse and men crumbled and died, a certain Knight with the Hightower of Oldtown on his shield and bearing a black sword personally cut down two of his soldiers with one swing and Andrew, boiling with rage, went forth to challenge him. "Ser! I am Lord Andrew Estermont! Kill me if you can!" And Lord Andrew charged forth sword in hand.

OOC: A post for Stannis will come soon.

[jacb547]

OOC: HB would you like to have a duel in either of the flanks? Rp coming up.

[Honors Bastion]

OOC: @ jacb, sure, we can have a duel between my left flank commander, Ser Brandon Hightower, and your right flank commander. It would only be an RP duel and not a real one. I could even use it to explain why he was captured in the aftermath.

@ LD, hmm perhaps Robert could be the commander of the force that manages to take out my heir in the RP below. Think of it as an unofficial Rp duel perhaps to add a little flare to the battle.

===============================================================================

Initially it had seemed that the battle was going well for the Hightowers. Their men were dealing as much damage as they were taking and they had hardly given any ground to their Stormlander foes. However, at a pivotal moment in the battle, Ser Garth Hightower was knocked out of commission and tide began to turn against the Hightower host. At that moment in time, Ser Garth Hightower was at front of his army, encouraging his men to hold their lines when suddenly a small group of Stormlander infantrymen and knights burst forward towards him. Although his immediate bodyguard had intercepted the majority of the men who came at the Hightower heir, three men got past his guardians and began to lunge towards him with their weapons. Relying on his training and the sharpness of his Valyrian Steel blade, Greystell was able to cut down two of the men and injured the third before he was hit on the hedge by an unseen blow that knocked unconscious for the remainder of the fight.

Although his bodyguards were able to retrieve an unconscious Garth and evacuate himself from the battlefield, it did bode well for his army. His center, upon seeing their commander fall, began to slow buckle under the Stormlander onslaught and even a charge by the cavalry reserve in the rear were unable to prevent the collapse of the center. Once the center had been broken and the men began to retreat, the men from the flanks realized their position and began to fall back as well. From an initial trickle of men it soon became apparent that a rout had ensued and thousands of men were cut down as they fled the battlefield.

[Lord Dread]

OOC: Would be in for RP at this point and gladly accept the duel with the heir.

"Our is the Fury!", Robert yelled through his helmet when both infantry forces clashed at eachother, before he took out the first man with a swing of his warhammer and put the enemies around him as well under pressure, since his two-handed weapon was still able to cause heavy damages upon a knight's armour as well, sometimes being more effective than a regular weapon.
There it was, it was like in Gulltown, when the heat of the battle turned the young, less experienced lord into a fearsome warrior, a stag, who still killed his hunters with his sharp antlers and his hooves. It felt as if he rode through the battlefield, while he saw men in front of him falling, some without expression, hidden by helmets, but also paniced and desperate faces. Like Marq Grafton they all fell upon his walk through the enemy lines, an invisible path, which would lead him some day onto the horizon of it, where Lyanna would await him.
Lyanna.
He lived for this girl.
He would fight for her love.
And he killed men already to claim her once and for all.
As more men would follow soon.

While looking among the battlefield, he spotted the enemy's commander pretty quickly.
Being reminded of Grafton, he was willing to take down this man, a Hightower knight as far as he was able to see through the blood bath.
Among with loyal retainers, he cleaved himself a way with the might of his hammer towards the opponent, while roaring once more the battlecry of House Baratheon.

[Honors Bastion]

@ jacb

Blacksteel met the challenge of the charging Stormlander, shouting to his men not to get involved in his duel. He lunged forward hoping to strike at this opponents chest.

@ LD

The last thing Garth Hightower remembered during the Battle of the Grassy Vale was a massive Stormlander Knight coming at him with a giant warhammer. Little did the young Hightower Knight know that he was no dueling his opposing commander and that he was severely over matched. Although he was able to deflect the first few swings of the warhammer using the strength and speed offered by his longsword, the constant pressure from the Stormlander knight ultimatley proved too much for Garth. Blow after blow was deflected until at the very end, his hand slipped because of fatigue and he received a glancing blow from the warhammer straight to his head, knocking him out cold If it were not for his finely crafted warhelm, the blow surely would have killed him. Upon their seeing their commander fall, his bodyguards rushed forward to take him and his prized weapon away from the battlefield/

[jacb547]

Lord Andrew Estermont


Andrew did not grin under his helmet but instead maintained a face of grim determination, I will avenge you Orys, ten times over. The young Estermont raised his shield to protect the blow which felt squarely in it but caused an ugly dent on the turtle's head, Estermont countered with a swing of his own, left to right, high to low.

[Honors Bastion]

The newest blow managed to shatter Blacksteel's already battered wooden shield and sent him reeling a few backwards. Taking a defensive posture, Blacksteel began using small slashes to test his opponents defenses before trying to thrust towards his enemies chest.

[jacb547]

Lord Andrew Estermont


Andrew could not press his advantage before already his foe sent a flurry of blows that he managed to parry but just barely, eventually when the main strike came he was not fast enough and suffered the blow full on the chest almost making him fall off his horse. Miraculously the Lord of Cape Wrath managed to keep his seat, honour this is war. Estermont, in a rather unchivalrous moment, thrust his sword at Brandon but aiming for the brains of his horse.

[Honors Bastion]

The aim of the thrust was true, hitting the horse straight at its temple and if it weren't for the light leather barding protecting the horse's head, the horse would have died then and there but instead, thrust was temporarily stopped before it slid down the horse's face sending a shower of blood everywhere. And as the horse died, it toppled over taking Blacksteel down with it, pinning him beneath the weight of the dead horse.

[jacb547]

Lord Andrew Estermont

Andrew's trick worked and the Hightower knight crashed down alongside his horse, Estermont howled with victory before riding next to him and pointing his sword directly at his head. "Yield Ser, or I will have your life."

[Honors Bastion]

"May the Seven damn you dishonorable scum." thought Blacksteel as he was forced to admit defeat after the dirty move. He said with disgust in voice "I will yield Estermont. Let's us hope that your Lord is a more honorable man then yourself."