Why the queen wanted so many Overland Flyers
The plan was to launch a grand offensive using a lot of flyers. Elite squads would cause problems behind enemy lines shortly before the regular infantry launched a large scale offensive.
Swynfaredians attacked on every front, Nerozik, Wiern, and Palbuc.
The Palbuc Front
Swynfaredia did not send flyers to Palbuc. Palbuc was a low priority target. It is believed that fighting in the woods favors the Fumayans. The Swynfaredians only want to keep just enough pressure on Palbuc to keep Duke Palbuc from reinforcing Wiern. Also, it's harder for flyers to navigate forested areas because the landmarks are covered by foliage.
During the spring offensive, Swynfaredia used a lot of illusionists to make it
seem like a large scale offensive was attacking Palbuc, and they mixed in just enough Conjurers and that they could never be 100% sure they were dealing with illusions. Vern's men are competent and adaptable. They were expecting an aerial attack, but they quickly figured out what the enemies were doing and managed to take out a few of mages bothering them.
Noggra the tengku led a group which captured Lady Aerona ap Selwyth, the Fifth Circle Illusionist who afflicted Kormatin with terrifying visions.
The Wiern Front
Most of flying squads in or near Wiern were knocked down by counter magic. In fact, most of the Swynfaredian flying squads were grounded so quickly that they were able to safely merge back with the Swynfaredian lines. One squad slipped through and actually got to the outskirts of King Henryk's tent city and they got cut to pieces by the king's elite bodyguard.
The Wiern troops were not able to call reserves from Palbuc or Nerozik, and the normal infantry offensive forced the Fumayan forces to give up some more ground, but they made the Swynfaredians pay for this ground in blood.
The Nerozik Front
Most of the flying squads sent to Nerozik slipped through the magical defenses. The original Plan A was to flank the Wiern forces, but they didn't get the signal they were waiting for since their flying companions on that battlefield were stalled.
The flying squads switched to Plan B and began burning and pillaging, essentially a "cavalry raid" without the cavalry. The Fumayan forces had a rough time trying to catch flying opponents though they were able to take out a few of them and force their retreat often. The
The Schnocneg Regiment and
Fumaya Satyr Irregulars did especially well because they could cover land faster than most and don't tire easily.
Swynfaredia's best soldiers were on the Wiern front. The soldiers sent to the Nerozik front were a bit on the shady side. They often hit targets with relatively little military value making this more akin to a terror attack.
Priest Benek was killed defending some children. According to witnesses, the mercenary who struck Benek is now dead was executed on the spot by his Dragonblood commander as soon as he realized "You killed an elderly Compact Priest?!?"
Also, Duke Nerozik's heir apparent died in battle.
After their cavalry raid, the Swynfaredian raiders in Nerozik fled into the Borderlands and then swung around and reentered Swynfaredia through
Red Pass County. The Borderlands are not exactly friendly territory for Swynfaredian but the Borderland patrols didn't want to pick a fight with elite Swynfaredian soldiers on some lonely mountain path.
From a human cost, the losses were terrible, but from a military perspective the event was a propaganda win as bards can tell of the evil Swynfaredians and the heroic Fumayan defenders. Priest Benek was popular and Lord Nerozik died defending his subjects and they weren't the only celebrated martyrs.
House Selwyth is facing metaphorical blowback after the literal blowback
A visit to the oracle
A Fremiss decided to travel to the oracle in
Narecht City and ask “What caused the large derecho in Old Swynfaredia” and he was not shy abou sharing the exact wording of the answer he received. circulating around Swynfaredia.
“Countess Idella planted a foul tree and the scions of Deorac chopped the tree down.”
People quickly put two and two together.
The derecho was centered on the County of Selwyth. Countess Idella is the grandmother of the current Countess of Selwyth and Matriarch of Selwyth,
Countess Colwyn ap Selwyth. Cooler heads point out that it is common knowledge, that Kormatin, an enemy of House Selwyth, is friendly with the Deoracs in general. More sensational tongues are speculating about a second Deorac champion in the shadows.
Selwyth Damage Control
Swynfaredian Dragonbloods are often ostracizing House Selwyth across the board.
Count Llewellyn ap Selwyth is planning to demand that Countess Colwyn steps down as Matriarch of the House or else he will declare himself a Kovenoth. He is waiting till he comes of age, so they take him more seriously. He is unaware that a majority of ranking Selwyths agree that Colwyn needs to step down, they just can't make up their mind of whom to elevate into her space yet. Also, they want Colwyn to sit in the position a bit longer so she can soak up the vitriol and her successor can start fresh.
Talama Nationalism
The news of the oracle message spread to Swynfaredian commoners relatively fast which has led to them turning against the Selwyths and an upswing in ethnic pride among the
Talaman humans. Eventually this triggers a response.
Queen Gwendolyn has not gone as far to issue new formal bounties but she quietly makes it clear that presenting her with Deorac heads is a good way to curry royal favor.
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