The Battle of Velvet Meadows

The third expedition against the northwest

Frederik II faced a long-term crisis in the northwest. Supported by smaller dwarven colonies and the remnants of goblin tribes, the kobolds took advantage of the area's weak defenses and penetrated deep into the realm. The first two expeditions failed to break the stalemate, so the emperor gathered more forces to finally restore his authority. The remnants of the second expedition then joined the new third army on the Samet meadows. The Imperial side had approximately seventy-five thousand soldiers, while opposing them were about sixty thousand kobolds, goblins, and dwarves. On paper, it was a force that should prevail. In reality, however, she was entering the fight at a place chosen by the enemy.

Swamp hidden under grass

Wor-ag understood that the Empire's main weapon remained the heavy-armed and the discipline of their onslaught. Therefore, he prepared a trap that aimed at this very force. Near the meadows were swamps, which the kobolds had covered with the help of magic and landscaping to act as safe ground. Horses and men began to collapse beneath them as the Imperial heavy-armed mounted their first attack. Before they realized it was a trap, their formation was broken. At that moment, a shower of arrows, fire and other magical missiles descended on them. The heaviest and most expensive component of the Imperial Army was turned into a helpless target in a matter of moments.

Gas, confusion and the disintegration of the imperial army

Still, the battle did not end immediately. The Imperial army tried to switch to hand-to-hand combat, where they could still use numbers and experience. However, the kobolds were prepared for this stage as well. They deployed weapons taken from the goblin allies, primitive gas grenades that contained toxic gas. Once the package was broken, the poison spread among the tightly packed soldiers, causing instant death or panic. After two hours, the imperial army dispersed. The defeat was complete and had historic consequences. Frederik II he was forced to conclude a truce and leave the north-western provinces to the enemy. The battle on the Velvet Meadows is not just one military failure, but a moment when the empire had to come to terms with the fact that the kobolds can win not only by trickery, but also by an advanced style of war.

Related Figures