The Battle Of Höhewald

Credit to TSRodriguez on DeviantArt

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Ser Harald wearing his original Rose Paladin Armor racing in pursuit of a Vampire invasion.
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Firsthand account written by Ser Harald von Drachenburg, Dragon Paladin of the Viridian Order

Drachenburg Press 25 Sebtember 307 AC
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"And there we waited, in the cover of the forest line, just several metres West of the Zillerhof Valley. I sent my gaze into the Cantons, for this is where our scouts had determined where the crossing would occur. I lowered my vision, looking over my compatriots, the riders of Drachenburg, hand selected by myself for this very mission. The Burgrave zu Beuchner stood ready, gripping his lance in hand, the white mane of his mount enhanced by the darkened green backdrop. Beside him, my offspring, Ser Ludiger, returned from a military conference in the city of Calemberg. A series of other skilled riders from the Drachenburg and Greater Calem regions, many graduates of Drixon or my own brothers in arms within the Viridian Order. We waited along the fringe, listening for the sounds of thundering hooves and wagon wheels to pierce the peaceful lyrics of the wald as the wind brushed the treetops.

Within the next hour, the invasion had begun. I rallied my men with me, totally no more than eight as the forest would surely separate any number larger. The wagon tore through the Zillerhof and into the wald which greeted them. With a call out from my lungs, the bannermen rode into action, leaving the edge of the forest in pursuit of the convoy of Daemons, myself in the rear guard alongside Ser Adelbrand, a pupil of mine.

It was immediately apparent that we were not the only party in pursuit of these devils, but it mattered not as any force entering into our borders was a threat to our security, no matter the scale, no matter the intent. My men encircled the carriage, taking arms against the vampiric elements and the apparent abherency that traveled with them. Manathar from Regalia, the sight of them enough to bring great disgust into the hearts of any man, I prayed for their death.

From my position I could see what was happening, the shadows of the Daemon cursed men cast down from the treetops, a clever move that we had not prepared for. But this was their mistake as we were raised within this forest and they were only visitors. As the banshees descended from above, we prepared to draw off our advance of the carriage, for we knew that the Höhewald came up ahead.

We slowed our mounts as the Daemons had begun to rally themselves in the clearing of the wald, but this was their undoing as they were not properly equipped to handle an attack from our cavalry, despite being in the wooded landscape. I lowered my head in prayer, asking for the aid of the Imperial Spirit to vanguish this unholy adversary as my blade cast forth the light of Unionism. With the blessing of the Spirit our victory was assured as the Drixon riders rallied behind the Burgrave zu Beuchner, driving their lances against the horde. I stood by alongside Ser Adelbrand, watching as our offensive persisted. As the Daemons were preparing to retreat I gave the signal, riding forth with my companion, our blades drawn out as I cast my Holy steel against the enemy line, my weapon piercing their flesh to the bone, and sending their soulless forms into the forest floor. I would round back, regrouping with my detachment. We suffered no casualty, only suffering in minor defeat as the carriage had escaped us. Knowing that there could still be more reinforcements coming, I issued the command to reroute back to Zillerhof and pick up any straggling enemies of which was cast down a handful more Daemons. With our mission complete we took the trade road back to Drachenburg to rest."

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